Thursday, February 7th, 2013
Yesterday in the House of Commons, Staffordshire born Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, praised the Prime Minister’s statement on Stafford hospital and asked how long it will take to implement the recommendations in the Francis Report.
Mr Pincher said, “I note that the Prime Minister shares the shock and incredulity of the people of Staffordshire, the county where I was born and which I represent, that such terrible things can happen in one of their local hospitals. I am pleased that he says he will make it easier for whistle-blowers and for patients to put on record their experience of care.
“Will he say a little more about the speed with which he expects those data to be put in the public domain, so that patients, the public and hospital managers can make quick and informed decisions about what is going on in their hospitals?”
The Prime Minister replied, “I thank my hon. Friend for that. Like others, like others, Staffordshire MPs have spoken with great passion about their care for their local health service and what it can provide.
“On the timing, Robert Francis says that he wants all parts of the NHS to respond to him on what they are going to do right across the NHS, and that should be done over the next year. The Department of Health will be looking in the coming months at all the recommendations and responding.
“Specifically on the inspections, which are so important, as I said in my statement we are going to look at these changes to the CQC, but even before that Bruce Keogh is going to run this set of inspections into hospitals that have high rates of mortality and make sure that they are being dealt with properly.”
Thursday, February 7th, 2013
Christopher Pincher launching the campaign in April 2012
Christopher Pincher, Member of Parliament for Tamworth, has offered a heartfelt thanks to everyone that has knitted a beanie hat in aid of local troops from 3rd Mercian battalion (The Staffords).
So far, nearly 400 hats have been generously knitted and donated by individuals and sewing circles to Mercian troops to wear under their Kevlar helmets during training and deployment. The helmets can be very uncomfortable in high or low temperatures so a knitted beanie hat worn inside the helmet helps enormously.
Commenting, Christopher Pincher said, “The generous effort of our volunteers is fantastic. This goes to show the profound respect and regard in which local people hold our brave soldiers. So far 400 hats have been knitted. If we can reach a target of 750 hats knitted by October 2013, we can ensure that each soldier on deployment to theatre from both 3rd and 4th battalion will get a beanie hat.
“Thank you to everyone involved in this project. If you would like to help, or know someone else that might, please call my office on 01827 312 778. We really want to see every deployed soldier receive a hat.”
The 3rd Mercian battalion will be deployed to Afghanistan in October 2013. Mr Pincher will take names and addresses of everyone who helps and will invite each to take part in a “big handover” of the beanie hats to commanders of the Mercian Regiment later in 2013.
Thursday, February 7th, 2013
Cllr Allan Lunn
Tamworth Borough Council has appointed a new Chairman to its Licensing committee.
Councillor Allan Lunn, a Conservative Party councillor for Castle ward, was first elected to the council in 2010. He has served on the Licensing Committee since 2011 and is also a member of the Healthier & Safer Scrutiny committee.
He was voted into the position at the last meeting. The previous chairman was Cllr Brian Beale, who passed away at the end of last year. Councillor Andrew James remains the committee’s vice chair.
After being elected to the role, Councillor Lunn commented, “I am very pleased to serve this committee as chairman. Licensing plays a key decision-making role across a wide range of subjects, whether it is issuing taxi licences, to looking at how local bars operate or helping to prevent crime and disorder issues.
“I am looking forward to working closely with other organisations, such as the police, to help keep our town safe.”
Previously the committee helped to revoke the license of a town centre shop, which was selling alcohol not fit for human consumption.
The committee’s responsibilities include:
- Issuing and reviewing premises licences
- Checking temporary event notices
- Issue and renew personal licences for individuals
- Following representations about licences or applications, the committee holds hearings and decide whether or not to issue the license or add conditions
- To prevent crime and disorder
- Public safety
- Prevention of public nuisance
- The protection of children from harm
Friday, February 1st, 2013
Yesterday in the House of Commons, Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, called for more investigation into Fracking during the latest debate on Energy and Climate Change.
Mr Pincher said, “The British Geological Survey suggests that there could be 10 trillion cubic feet of gas under the Bowland field, whereas Cuadrilla suggests that there may be as much as 200 trillion.
“Would not the best way to determine who is right, so that we find out just what impact this vital resource could have and to ensure that we can get players into the marketplace, be for the Department to release the information it has and forge ahead on the next licensing round? That would allow us to get players into the marketplace and just do it.”
Minister of State for Energy at the Department for Energy and Climate Change, John Hayes MP, replied, “Consistency is the watchword that characterises all the work that my hon. Friend does in this place, for in the Select Committee he made just that point and urged the Government to move ahead with another licensing round as soon as possible.
“We need to test and we need to establish the scale of this potential. Without exploration we cannot do that, he is absolutely right.”
Thursday, January 31st, 2013
Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, together with Lichfield MP, Michael Fabricant, met Patrick McLoughlin MP, Secretary of State for Transport, this week to personally submit their Property Compensation Consultation responses to the HS2 announcement.
The consultation follows the government’s announcement on the HS2 Long Term Hardship scheme and voluntary purchase rules last year. They also discussed the announcement yesterday of the HS2 northern extension through Lichfield District and the route to Leeds which passes close to Hockley between Tamar Road and the M42.
Mr Pincher said afterwards, “I met Patrick McLoughlin to personally deliver my compensation submission as well as letters from my constituents making clear their support for a property bond. I agree that this is the best way to ensure people affected by HS2 blight receive fair compensation and get the property market in blighted areas moving again. I want all residences affected by HS2 to receive the best mitigation and compensation package available. I made this point again to the Secretary of State.
“I also discussed the impact of the proposed Leeds extension on local communities in Tamworth. In his speech on Monday, Mr McLoughlin stressed three times that this announcement is his “initial preferred route” and there is a long way to go before a final decision is reached. He said, “This is the start of the process not the end.”
“I have secured a full meeting with Mr McLoughlin in mid February where I will discuss with him in detail the potential impact on Tamworth if this route is finally chosen, particularly on Hockley and the huge disruption that will be caused to the A5 by rebuilding of the M42 junction. I will ask him to look at less harmful alternatives.”
The second phase of HS2 was published on Monday 28th January, which will see high-speed rail extend to Manchester and Leeds.
Responding to the Transport Secretary’s announcement, Mr Pincher said in the House of Commons, “I became aware that the proposed Leeds alignment will run just a few hundred yards from Wilnecote and Stonydelph in my constituency when I looked at the HS2 website this morning. Will my right hon. Friend agree to meet me to discuss mitigations in the Tamworth area if his initial preferred alignment becomes his final preferred alignment? More particularly, can we discuss other, better alternatives?”
Mr McLoughlin replied, “I am certainly prepared to meet my hon. Friend and discuss alternatives that he may wish to put forward. I hope that he will realise that in deciding on the route through his constituency we have tried to follow an existing major road network. Of course, I will meet him and listen carefully to any representations he has to make.”
Wednesday, January 30th, 2013
Staffordshire County Council has announced an additional £500,000 of funding to repair the county’s potholes, on top of the £43.5m spent on repairing and improving Staffordshire’s roads every year.
Making the announcement, Mike Maryon, Staffordshire’s highways chief, said, “We are constantly working to improve our roads to keep them safe. The extra half a million pounds allocated to repairing potholes, is testament that the county council is a well-run, responsible authority, that puts the safety of Staffordshire’s people at the forefront.
“Well maintained highways are vital to Staffordshire’s economy and for the past three years, we have successfully reduced the number of potholes on our roads. However, in the last six months, we identified 6,500 potholes – a 50% increase on the previous year, which followed the county’s wettest year on record and which will have increased further, because of recent heavy snow and a further deluge of rain.
“The severe weather we’ve been experiencing has taken its toll, but once conditions allow, our dedicated highways team will be out and about repairing the potholes. We are doing all we can to fix the problem but will have to prioritise. I’d ask people to be patient as this is a huge job and will take some time. In the meantime, please continue to report any potholes by phoning our hotline.”
Staffordshire County Council has invested £50m to improve the state of its roads, to keep them well maintained and extend the life of the carriageways. The additional money announced today will be used specifically for the repair of potholes.
People can help by reporting potholes or damaged roads to the County Council by phoning 0300 111 8000, by email highways@staffordshire.gov.uk or via their website.
Tuesday, January 29th, 2013
Conservative controlled Staffordshire County Council is planning a budget for the next financial year that helps protect the incomes of local people and continues to make the creation of new jobs a top priority.
Staffordshire’s “budget for families and jobs”, published yesterday, Tuesday 228 January, ahead of next week’s Cabinet meeting, shows how the council is investing in important areas for the county despite the cuts in public spending nationally. It also demonstrates the council’s aim to reduce where it can its share of council tax bills over time.
The proposals will be considered by councillors next week as part of a debate on the council’s Strategic Plan and Medium Term Financial Strategy. The strategies outline the county council’s plans for the year and how it will pay for its work – and recommend the new levels of council tax for 2013-14. Recommendations go to the Full Council on 15 February for a final decision.
It is proposed that the county council share of the tax bill for a typical Band D property will be £1,027.25, a real terms reduction over the last four years once inflation and the county council’s tax freezes are taken into account.
The proposals reflect input and ideas from local residents, businesses and trade unions. Business people have welcomed the council’s priority on improving economic prosperity locally – and schemes such as providing loans for small business.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member education, finance and transformation for Ian Parry said, “This is a good and balanced budget for families and jobs.
“It reflects what local people and business have told we are the most important things for them: more money in their pockets, supporting business to create jobs and helping those individuals in most need of support.
“We have worked extremely hard to keep council tax as low as possible. Maintaining a well-run council enables us to focus on the top priorities, cut waste and not to burden the taxpayer with any increases. We have achieved efficiencies through transforming how Staffordshire County Council operates, not by cutting services.
“We have shown innovation in how we work; from setting up a joint business venture to deliver education support services to making careful investments to bring jobs and economic growth to Staffordshire.
“Challenging times undoubtedly lie ahead and the county council faces the same pressures as other local authorities nationally. We have received less money directly from the Government, as we thought, and expect further reductions in the future.
“However there are opportunities; for example business rate retention, where councils can retain and invest rates where they demonstrate an ability to bring in business and inward investment. This is an area where we have already made great strides.”
Friday, January 25th, 2013
Conservative controlled Lichfield District Council is celebrating after its funding bids for around £170,000 to tackle fuel poverty were successful.
The local authority has been awarded almost £30,000 by the Department of Health through its Warm Homes, Healthy People Fund. On top of this, it will receive nearly £140,000 from the Department of Environment & Climate Change through its Fuel Poverty and Green Deal Pioneer Places funds.
Working in partnership, the council will spend the money on a number of projects to improve the energy efficiency of local homes, and to prepare for the government’s flagship Green Deal project, which launches later this month.
The Warm Homes, Healthy People Fund was set up to support the most vulnerable people in communities from the effects of severe winter weather due to cold housing. Thanks to the funding, local vulnerable people will be able to apply for Emergency Heating Grants to repair or replace their broken heating systems.
The Emergency Heating Grants are available for Lichfield District residents that fulfil one or more of the below criteria:
Over 65 years of age Suffer from a health condition exacerbated by the cold On benefits
The grants do not have to be paid back and will cover all the costs of the work, which could include installing a new boiler.
Cllr Ian Pritchard, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Environmental Protection, said, “It is great news that we have secured this funding as it will mean we can help many of our most vulnerable residents to afford to keep their homes warm. The funding must be used by the end of March 2013, so if your heating is faulty, please contact our energy advice line to apply for an Emergency Heating Grant as soon as possible.”
The Warm Homes, Healthy People funding will also provide winter technicians that can do lots of free jobs around the homes of vulnerable residents, as well as Home Energy Advice Visits and benefit entitlement checks.
Possible jobs include, winter home safety checks, gritting paths, installing grab rails, resetting heating controls, supplying and fitting key safes, checking energy tariffs, delivering temporary heaters and more.
Cllr Pritchard added, “If you are struggling in your home this winter, call our energy advice line to see if we can help you to make your home warmer and safer.”
To find out if you are eligible for an Emergency Heating Grant, the services of a winter technician or a Home Energy Advice Visit, please call Lichfield District Council’s energy advice line for free on 0800 677 1543.
Thursday, January 24th, 2013
The next Conservative general election manifesto will give details about how the party would approach a renegotiation of Britain’s membership of the EU, Europe Minister David Lidington has said.
David Cameron has promised to hold a referendum on whether the UK should stay in the EU or leave and Mr Lidington has said that his party would make its position clear before the next general election. He said Mr Cameron had spelt out a vision for Europe as a whole.
Mr Cameron’s speech on Europe on Wednesday received a warm reception from most of his MPs. Although he talked about returning powers from Brussels to national governments in areas such as the environment and social affairs, there were no details on this.
Now Mr Lidington has suggested that the next Conservative manifesto will outline exactly how the party would try to renegotiate looser ties with the EU. It raises the prospect of some tense wrangling among Conservative MPs as they try to find agreement over just how far the party should go in its quest for a new settlement for Britain.
Mr Cameron’s referendum pledge would be dependent on him being prime minister after the next election, and on new terms with the EU. The prime minister has rebuffed criticism at home and abroad of his commitment to hold a referendum.
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013
Conservative controlled Staffordshire County Council is celebrating the successes of its 428 apprentices and its highly successful apprenticeship scheme, which has seen it, ranked in the top 100 companies in the country for the second year running.
2012 was a good year with over 72 young people starting an apprenticeship with the Council, with plans to take on a further 80 in 2013. Staffordshire as a county is also making great headway on recruiting apprentices with over 13,561 apprentices working in a wide range of roles, which is 41% higher than 3 years ago.
To recognise and celebrate the achievements of the county’s apprentices, 2 special Recognition Awards Ceremonies will be held in March. The Awards are being supported by the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and nominations are now being accepted, with employers being encouraged to put their best apprentices forward. Nomination forms are available from chris.bamsey@staffordshire.gov.uk the closing date is the 8th February 2013.
Staffordshire County Councillor, Ben Adams, Deputy Leader of Staffordshire County Council and Cabinet Member for Employment and Skills said, “2012 has been another exceptional year for our apprentices and our apprenticeship programme, which has provided even more opportunities to young people this year.
“A further indicator of our success is making it into the top 100 companies in England for the second year running which we are extremely proud of. The training and placing of apprentices is one of our top priorities as a Council, and is a vital part of our strategy to bring growth and prosperity to Staffordshire.
“I’m very encouraged with the number of apprentices working in many sectors in the county which now stands at just less than 14,000. As well as developing our own programme even further we will also be turning our attention to helping other employers realise the benefits of taking on an apprentice through the recently launched Apprenticeship Helpline, available on 0300 1118002.”
The New Year has got off to a great start with 24 Advanced Apprenticeships and 8 Intermediate apprentices starting in January taking the programmes apprentice numbers to 428. Placements include, business administration, Teaching Assistants, Chefs, catering staff, ICT technicians and social care assessors. The programme aims to reach the 500 milestone in 2013.
Further encouraging news for young people on the Council’s apprenticeship programme is that nine out of ten apprentices go on to gain permanent employment with the Council which is a further indicator of the quality of the programme and apprentices coming through.
For more information on Staffordshire County Council’s apprenticeship scheme, please visit www.staffordshireapprentices.org.uk.
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