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org> News Bulletin from Aidan Burley MP #56

22 February 2013 09:15

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In this edition:
Aidan Burley MPs Diary Website of the week: Cannock Chase Clinical Commissioning Group Aidan opens new computer and IT recycling centre in Cannock MP Reselected to fight Cannock Chase Seat Photo news: Staffordshire Food Festival in Parliament Burley obtains reassurances on safety of processed beef Getting households a fair deal on their energy bills Aidan in Parliament: Aidan questions Leader of House on public sector jobs "merry-go-round" Aidan in Parliament: Aidan challenges Minister over Council Chief Executive pay Photo news: Conservative Party ViceChairman Bob Neill MP visits Cannock to support Conservative County Councillors and candidates News from Aidan Burley MPs surgery Aidan in the papers: Councillor challenged on private healthcare Have your say How to contact Aidan Burley MP

Issue 56 Friday 22nd February 2013

Since the last edition, Aidan has:

Been re-selected as the Conservative Partys candidate in Cannock Chase for the next General Election. Quizzed Ministers in the House of Commons on the safety of processed beef. Chaired a meeting of the Cannock Hospital Working Group in the Davy Unit at Cannock Chase Hospital, where the recent report into the future of Mid Staffs Foundation Trust was discussed and questions about the future of both Cannock and Stafford Hospitals were put to Hospital Managers and the review team from Ernst and Young. Called for a debate on ending the public sector jobs merrygo-round for people who have failed in their service areas. Officially opened PRM Green Technologies new computer and IT recycling centre based in Cannock. Met with local Policing Team Commander Carl Ratcliffe to discuss local policing issues and to follow up on a number of cases which have been raised with him by constituents. Written to the Express & Star regarding local Labour Councillors playing politics with healthcare. Questioned Local Government Minister, Brandon Lewis MP, on pay levels for Council Chief Executives. Written to London Midland Chief Executive, Patrick Verwer to demand an explanation into the continuing poor service on the Chase Line. Aidans letter came of the back of recent customer survey which named London Midland among the worst train operators for customer satisfaction with satisfaction levels among its passengers at just 45%. Aidan will also shortly be meeting with Transport Ministers to discuss this issue. Welcomed former local Government Minister Bob Neil to Cannock in support of Conservative County Councillors and candidates. Held a help and advice surgery for local residents in Chadsmoor.

Website of the week:

www.cannockchasecc.nhs.uk
The website of the Cannock Chase Clinical Commissioning Group In light of the Francis Report into the failings of Mid Staffs, it is crucial that patients and public step up and get more involved in their own healthcare. The Cannock Chase Clinical Commissioning Group want to deliver a robust quality driven service and one of the most important aspects of this is local patient and public involvement. The CCGs have set up a free Our NHS membership scheme to help improve the relationships and contact they have with local people, so when they have to make decisions about local health care, they involve the most important people of all, the patient. Benefits of becoming a member include: Find out more about local NHS and how money is being spent Having a say in the development and planning of services Keeping informed of developments in health that are of particular interest

So, if you have ideas about how to improve local health services or you want to stay informed and get involved with developments in local health care, click here for an application form to join the Our NHS scheme.

Aidan opens new computer and IT recycling centre in Cannock

Aidan being shown around PRM Green Technologies new computer and IT recycling centre in Cannock. On 8th February Aidan officially opened a new computer and IT recycling centre based in Cannock. The event saw Aidan unveiling a plaque commemorating the opening and having a guided tour of the different areas of the business. He then met with staff working in the different departments of PRM Green Technologies. The Directors Paul Mullett and Tim Hawkins took the opportunity to outline their expansion plans for the future, with a commitment to creating many more, much needed jobs. During the visit the MP heard of plans by PRM Green Technologies to take on five new employees to join its existing 24 staff and the firm are hopeful of creating more jobs later in the year. The company, set up in 2005, offers a free collection and recycling service for Midlands schools. In 2009 operations were expanded to offer a one- stop recycling service to all education, council, NHS and corporate bodies on the UK mainland. Due to its success, the business moved from being run at home to premises at Rugeley. The beginning of 2013 brings another phase for the firm. This month it moved from the former 8,800 sq ft base to a new 16,300 sq ft site at Watling Street Business Park in Cannock, Staffordshire. Both directors of PRM Green Technologies see this new location as a Central HUB to continue with their expansion plans of sub locations around the UK with good road links to the M6, M6Toll, A5, A38 and the M1. Commenting Directors Paul Mullett and Tim Hawkins said: "We would like to offer our personal thanks to Aidan for supporting our efforts by officiating at the opening of the premises. This has been a great welcome for us and many others in the local community." Aidan said: "It was a great honour to be asked by Richard to open PRM Green Technologies' new premises and I would like to thank him and his team for their hospitality. I was particularly pleased to be able to speak with many of the staff on the shop floor many of whom live locally in Cannock Chase. "PRM are a prime example of a business spotting a gap in the market and responding to customers' needs which in the case of PRM is computer recycling. It really is a great success story for Cannock Chase and these new premises will mean that they can continue to grow and create more job opportunities for local people. He added: "The recovery and future success of the British economy is reliant on firms such as PRM Technology and so I am pleased to do whatever I can to support them."

Aidan on the plant floor at PRM Green Technologies new computer and IT recycling centre in Cannock.

MP Reselected to fight Cannock Chase Seat

Cannock Chase MP Aidan Burley has been re-selected to fight the seat at the 2015 General Election. A meeting of the Associations governing body held on Friday evening unanimously endorsed Mr Burley, who took the seat from Labour in 2010, achieving the largest swing in country. Speaking after the meeting, the Association Chairman Phil Jones said: I am delighted that Aidan will once again be our candidate at the next election. There was an overwhelming feeling that since 2010 he has set a new standard as a constituency MP. In particular there have been the Jobs Fayres and Business Awards, and his regular volunteering with local organisations, as well as taking up and winning many battles, such as preservation of the Forest and improvements to the Chase Line. Aidan commented: I should like to thank the members for their massive vote of confidence. I must also thank my team in the Help Zone who I believe have brought a new dimension to how an MP can help and support constituents. Much has been achieved in the last three years, but there are always more challenges to face, as the events of the last week have proved. I hope that I will able to continue facing them for the people of Cannock Chase through to 2020 and beyond.

Photo news:

Staffordshire Food Festival in Parliament

Aidan Burley MP with fellow Staffordshire MPs Gavin Williamson and Christopher Pincher at the Staffordshire Food Festival in the House of Commons. The Festival was designed to raise awareness and showcase the best of Staffordshires products to members across the county promoting our local food and drink suppliers.

Burley obtains reassurances on safety of processed beef

Minister tells MP there is no reason for people to change shopping habits

Click on the image above to watch Aidans question. Chase MP Aidan Burley has sought reassurances from the Government on the safety of processed beef currently on sale in supermarkets. Speaking during an urgent Question in the House of Commons this morning Aidan asked DEFRA Minister David Heath "What my constituents want to know is simply whether it is safe to eat processed beef products that are currently on sale. The hon. Member for Wakefield (Mary Creagh) has spread huge fear by saying that she would not eat products that are currently on sale. What is the advice of the chief medical officer and the Independent Food Standards Agency on this matter?" Responding to the Chase MP the Minster said: "The advice is very clear. All the testing that has taken place has failed to find evidence of food that is a danger to human health. Therefore, the clear advice is that there is no reason to change shopping habits on the basis of concerns about health. I prefer people to take their own decisions on these matters on the basis of evidence and information. That is an individual decision and it is not helpful for people to pretend that there is a massive food health scare if there is not, and nor is it helpful for people to give reassurances that are not supported by evidence."

Getting households a fair deal on their energy bills

Cheaper energy bills for people across Cannock Chase came one step closer today with Ofgems reforms to the energy market. These reforms follow the plans set out by the Prime Minister last year to ensure consumers get the cheapest deal. Ofgems reforms endorse the proposals in the Governments Energy Bill currently progressing in Parliament. They include: Making the market simpler by restricting suppliers to offering four simple core tariffs per fuel type. Requiring suppliers to give all their customers personalised information on the cheapest tariff they offer for them. New rules which require suppliers to send clear bills which are easier for customers to understand.

Ofgems reforms will be in place by this summer. The Government Energy Bill will underpin these reforms and ensure all customers are getting the best deal on their energy bills by 2014. Commenting, Aidan said: I know that people across Cannock Chase are concerned about their energy bills and it is right that action is being taken to bring them down. Ofgems reforms take a big step in the right direction, and follow the Prime Ministers promise last year to get the lowest tariffs for consumers. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, said: I made a personal commitment to help get energy bills down - and I'm delighted that Ofgem are taking that forward. The package announced today is a huge step towards energy bills that are fairer for everyone. This is about putting people before profits. It's about pensioners being better able to heat their homes in winter, and families better able to cope when the bills arrive.

Aidan in Parliament:

Aidan questions Leader of House on public sector jobs "merry-go-round"

Thursday 14th February 2013

Click on the image above to watch Aidans question. The full text of the exchange was as follows: Mr Aidan Burley (Cannock Chase) (Con): The findings of the Francis report were especially disturbing for my constituents, many of whom received terrible care at Stafford hospital, but the jobs merrygo-round is equally disturbing. For example, Helen Moss, the former director of nursing, who was in charge when care reached appalling standards, now works for Ernst and Young as a consultant. Her company has since won a contract to look at the financial viability of the Mid Staffs trust. May we have a debate on ending this shameful roundabout, where people get on, fail and then are moved somewhere else? Mr Andrew Lansley (Leader of the House): My hon. Friend will understand that I cannot comment directly on individuals, other than to say thatI think this is a matter of public recordalthough Helen Moss is working in a consultancy role, she is not working directly in relation to the Mid Staffs trust. I completely understand the general point, however. The Francis inquiry is continuing, and the Government will respond in due course, but while its report has clearly set out many of the central issues for the system as a whole, it was not asked to draw conclusions about the behaviour of individuals, and it did not do so. That is principally a matter for the professional regulatory bodies, of course, but this issue does raise the question of the place of managers in particular in a professional regulatory structure of that kind.

Photo news:

Conservative Party Vice-Chairman Bob Neill MP visits Cannock to support Conservative County Councillors and candidates

Aidan Burley MP with Staffordshire County Council Leader Cllr Phillip Atkins, Bob Neill MP and Cannock Conservative Club Secretary Alan Slade.

Aidan in Parliament:

Aidan challenges Minister over Council Chief Executive pay

Wednesday 13th February 2013

Click on the image above to watch Aidans question. The full text of the exchange was as follows: Aidan Burley (Cannock Chase, Conservative): Is not one way that councils could quickly save a lot of money by reducing the astronomical salaries of some of their staff? More than 114 town hall chiefs now earn more than the Prime Minister. The chief executive of Essex is on 289,000 a year. The chief executive of Hammersmith and Fulham earns 281,000. Even in my constituency, the chief executive of Cannocks council earns 113,000 a year, nearly twice what the hard-working MP who represents that area earns. Will the Minister explain why council chiefs up and down the country need to earn six times the salary of an MP? Brandon Lewis (Great Yarmouth, Conservative): My hon. Friend makes a good point. Authorities across this country, particularly small district councils, have to start looking carefully at how they structure their management and how they share management to get best value for their residents money. I will come back to that issue in a few moments.

News from Aidan Burley MPs surgery

At Aidans February surgery, he met with eight constituents and discussed a number of local and national issues, including claims for Employment and Support Allowance, Council Housing, Pension Credit and same-sex marriage. Following the surgery Aidan has made representations to the Department for Work and Pensions regarding the qualifying criteria for the Warm Homes Discount Scheme, and has followed up a constituents outstanding claim for ESA. Aidan has also made representations to local Councillors regarding housing allocations, and the need to free up family homes for those with children who are in need of housing, by relocating willing singles and couples who no longer need additional bedrooms into smaller properties.

Aidan in the papers:

Councillor challenged on private healthcare

Aidan Burley MP writes to the Express & Star Dear Sir, I was glad to see Cllr John Kraujalis finally admit that he does have concerns for the future of Cannock Hospital (letter 7th Feb) despite stating the previous week he was bewildered by my efforts to save it. Sadly his selective memory is in evidence again; he pledges to fight hard to keep our hospital open within the NHS before misleading readers by falsely asserting that my ideas are an attempt to privatise the hospital by the back door. On the contrary, the Foundation Trust status given to Mid-Staffs in 2008 by the last Labour government (which we now know from the Francis report was at the very same time hundreds of patients were dying from atrocious care) has already allowed privatisation within Cannock Hospital. The Alliance Medical MRI Suite does private work within Cannock Hospital, and Badger Healthcare Ltd operates from the building. Could Cllr Krajulis let the people know whether he believes those organisations should now be asked to leave? Labour politicians should stop playing politics with our local hospital and remember it was on their watch (2005-9) that targets were put before care, patients needlessly died and the Trust went bankrupt. Aidan Burley MP Cannock Chase

There is still time to have your say on the issues that matter most to you. Aidans online survey is live here and Aidan is keen to hear your views to help him better represent you in the House of Commons.

5 ways to contact Aidan Burley MP:

By Phone: 01543 502 447 By email: aidan.burley.mp@parliament.uk By post: Aidan Burley MP 6 High Green Court, Newhall Street Cannock, WS11 1GR In person: Click here for details of how to book an appointment at Aidan Burley MPs regular help and advice surgeries.

www.aidanburleymp.org

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