Alec has this week been elected to serve as President of the Lions International in the Palace of Westminster.

The Lions International were established in 1917 when a small group of businessmen in Chicago, Illinois came together to  empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs all over the world.

Today there are 1.35 million members in more than 46,000 clubs across the world including the hardworking local club in Wetherby. Each year, Wetherby Lions organise a number of events around the town including the annual senior citizens Christmas lunch.

Alec has now taken over from the Vice Chamberlain of Her Majesty’s Household, Mark Francois MP as President of the Palace of Westminster Lions. Members of Parliament have their very own Lions club which was formed last year to promote the work of Lions International in the UK by supporting clubs and charities across the country.

Alec commented: “I am over the moon to have been chosen to step into this important position and push forward the vital work of Lions Clubs across the country. I am looking forward to hosting the Westminster Charter Dinner and inviting Lions from Wetherby, Garforth & Rothwell to join me for our annual fund raiser”.

A new community website for the Wetherby area has been launched.

Thisisls22.com is a new interactive website for the LS22 postcode area with the aims of networking the community, promoting local businesses and providing a focal point for all who live in, work in or visit the LS22 area.

LS22 is centred on the market town of Wetherby and includes the villages of Collingham, Linton, Kirk Deighton, North Deighton, Hunsingore, Little Ribston, Cowthorpe and Bickerton. Situated in West Yorkshire within the ‘golden triangle’ of Leeds, York and Harrogate, the area hosts a wide range of local businesses, places to eat, visitor attractions and dozens of active clubs and organisations including Wetherby Racecourse.

The site was launched on 23^rd September at a reception hosted by Maxwell Hodgson’s in Wetherby and attended by the town’s MP Alec Shelbrooke. Ken Campbell the site’s editor welcomed several of the supporting advertisers and the web designers.

The editors will be working with the community, businesses and the local councils to promote the local area and encourage more trade and visitors to the town.

Alec Shelbrooke, who will be posting his views from Westminster on the site, commented: “This new website is great for Wetherby and the surrounding villages. Just as we are making progress with getting the brown sign restored, this is another great way to attract new visitors, trade and tourism to the area and will help boost the local economy”.

Alec is advising residents to apply caution when contacted by claim management companies regarding Payment Protection Insurance.

In October 2010 the British Bankers Association launched a legal challenge – on behalf of a number of high street banks – against the Financial Service Authority’s guidance on how banks should handle Payment Protection Insurance complaints. The challenge was dismissed by the High Court in April this year and the actions of the Ombudsman and the Financial Service Authority were fully endorsed by the Court.

Some people who had previously had Payment Protection Insurance and who made complaints may be eligible for compensation which has led to a number of claim management companies, cold-calling bank customers offering to handle Payment Protection Insurances complaints. These companies often charge for this service whereas the Financial Ombudsman Service can offer for no charge.

Alec said “Many people in Leeds have been approached by claims management companies that charge customers significant fees to handle Payment Protection Insurance complaints. However, people should not need to go through these companies to get fair compensation. They can raise their concerns directly with the financial business with whom they have the insurance, or they can contact the Financial Ombudsman Service for a free and impartial decision”.

The Financial Ombudsman Service can be contacted on 0800 023 4567

Wetherby High School’s Sixth Form resembled the set of BBC’s Question Time last week as History & Politics students grilled their local MP on current affairs.

Alec visited the school On Friday 21^st October as part of an ongoing tour of all schools in the Elmet & Rothwell constituency.

Alec commented: “People often ask me what I can do to lessen political apathy among young people and I think giving them the opportunity to interrogate me on the issues that really matter to them is the best way possible.”

Students at the High School did not hold in their questions to Alec with hot topics being the economy, tuition fees and the recent conflict in Libya.

Alec added: “What I especially love about debating with young people is that they don’t hold back and just say things as they see them. I find it fascinating to watch these young adults form their own political opinions right in front of you.”

Alec is looking to arrange for the students to visit him in the House of Commons and tour the ancient Palace of Westminster later this year.