Petitions – in the House of Commons at 6:15 pm on 25 January 2007.
Sally Keeble
Labour, Northampton North
6:15,
25 January 2007
I wish to present a petition on behalf of my constituents in Northampton. The hon. Members for Northampton, South (Mr. Binley), and for Daventry (Mr. Boswell), who are present on the Opposition Benches, also represent some of the petitioners. The petition reads:
To the House of Commons.
The Petition of the residents of Northampton and people who work in the town and use its facilities
Declares that, there is serious concern about the budget proposals put forward by Northampton Borough Council in particular the proposals to close Lings Forum Leisure Centre and the Forum Cinema, cut neighbourhood wardens, and take many other actions that are bitterly opposed by local people, will damage community safety and harm the interests of the whole town of Northampton.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to take action to ensure that Northampton Borough Council listens to the voice of local people and withdraws these proposals.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.,
To lie upon the Table.
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