From: Aidan Burley MP news@aidanburleymp.

org
Subject: News Bulletin from Aidan Burley MP #82
Date: 6 May 2014 16:37
To: news@aidanburleymp.org



In this edition:


Aidan Burley MPs Diary

Website of the week:
Stephen Sutton's
Fundraising Page

Loss of MIU would be a
hammer blow to Cannock
Chase

Burley secures London
Midland Chief for public
meeting

Aidan celebrates opening
success of Rugeley pub

Local unemployment
continues to fall

MP welcomes helping hand
for Cannock Chase
businesses

Aidan backs indoor traders
in fight against outdoor
market

Burley welcomes extra
places at Cannock school

Aidan urges those eligible
to claim 140 off their
energy bills

MP welcomes income tax
cut to make people in
Cannock Chase more
financially secure

Truancy falling in Cannock
Chase under this
government

How to contact
Aidan Burley MP



Issue 82 - Tuesday 6th May 2014


Since the last edition, Aidan has:

Welcomed news that 9 out of 10 parents in Staffordshire have
been offered their first choice primary school.
Met with representatives from Talent Match Staffordshire to
discuss its multi-agency project delivering creative ways to help
young adults across Staffordshire find work or start their own
enterprises. Click here for more information.
Visited the Horns Inn in Rugeley to celebrate their reopening
after a 350,000 upgrade.
Questioned the Chancellor of the Exchequer and written to
the Treasury Minister David Gauke MP about European rules
on the VAT rate of books, newspapers and magazines.
Met with Cllr Alan White and service users from Chase Day
Service to discuss the future provision of day care services for
people with learning disabilities in Cannock Chase.
Questioned the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation
and Skills about the access of BSI British Standards to UK
businesses.
Welcomed a group of Cannock South residents to
Westminster for a tour of the Houses of Parliament and a
question and answer session.
Written to Cannock Chase Council in support of traders at
Cannock Indoor Market who are suffering from the Council's
new outdoor market.
Questioned the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation
and Skills about the proposed timetable for the introduction of
a Statutory Code and Adjudicator in the public house
sector.


Website of the week:
www.justgiving.com/stephen-sutton-tct

The fundraising page of inspirational Burntwood teenager
Stephen Sutton who is raising money for the Teenage Cancer
Trust. You can read about Stephens story at
www.stephensstory.co.uk.


Loss of MIU would be a hammer blow to
Cannock Chase

Commenting on the proposals by
Cannock Chase Clinical
Commissioning Group (CCG) to
decommission the Minor Injuries
Unit (MIU) at Cannock Hospital,
Aidan Burley MP said: "The likely
loss of the Minor Injuries Unit at
Cannock Hospital would be a
hammer blow to the local
community. None of us fought so
hard for three long years to save
Cannock Hospital from the
Administrators Axe, only to see the
Minor Injuries Unit then axed from
within by the Clinical Commissioning Group just months later.

"These proposals would seriously disadvantage my constituents who
would be left with poorer provision for minor illnesses after 6pm when
most GPs close, and no provision for minor injuries after 10pm when
Stafford's A&E closes. The MIU is open from 8am to midnight and is
very well regarded by local people. It needs to be kept and improved,
with an X-ray machine added, not cut completely.

"Going forward I understand that it is the intention of the CCG to
develop an Urgent Care Centre in Cannock - a move I would welcome,
however there are as yet no further details about what this would look
like and what services would be provided. The CCG need to give
assurances that there will be no gap in provision, particularly given that
the new Urgent Care Centre in Wolverhampton is not yet set up.

"The CCG need to explain the reasoning behind these proposals, and
how other parts of the primary care system will pick up the slack if they
close the MIU. For example, the CCG says that 40% of the activity
undertaken by the MIU is for illness, not injury, and therefore should be
dealt with by local GPs but have they told the GPs that? What extra
support will be given to GPs to help them cope with this sudden surge
of extra demand? Will more GPs be employed to meet local primary
care needs? The CCG must also give assurances about their plans to
deliver an improved out of hours service."

The CCG are now pulling together the consultation document which
will go to the Staffordshire Health Select Committee for consideration
before it is made public. It is expected that the three month public
consultation is likely to start in June and a final decision will be made
by the Governing Body during the autumn.

Aidan is urging all local people to respond to this consultation, once
open, to ensure that their views are heard. It will be made available via
the CCG website at: www.cannockchaseccg.nhs.uk.


EVENT REMINDER:
Burley secures London Midland Chief for
public meeting

Users of the Chase Line are to get
another chance to meet train
bosses about services in Cannock
Chase courtesy of local MP Aidan
Burley. London Midland Chief Executive Patrick Verwer and other
senior representatives from the company have accepted Aidan's
invitation to meet with local passengers at a "drop-in" event on
Thursday 15 May between 6.30pm 8pm in the Foyer of the Tesco
Superstore on Victoria Street in Hednesford.

It follows on from a similar event organised by the MP last year which
allowed commuters to tell London Midland bosses face to face about
their own experiences on the line.

Commenting Aidan said: "The Chase Line is vital for many of my
constituents, particularly for those who use the line on a daily basis to
get to and from work.

"I know from speaking to those who attended last year's event that
they found it far more useful than the usual complaints procedure. I am
delighted therefore to have been able to secure another similar
meeting this year to allow local people who use the service to put their
questions, concerns and suggestions directly to the man in charge."


Aidan celebrates opening success of
Rugeley pub


Cannock Chase Aidan Burley MP visited the Horns to celebrate the
Rugeley pub getting back to business after a transformational
refurbishment.

The MP visited the Horns to celebrate its re-opening following a major
investment costing 350,000 by Steve Barnes and Marie Bell in
partnership with Punch Taverns, one of the UKs leading pub
companies.

The refurbishment took place over five weeks and re-opened on 2nd
April.

Steve and Marie took Aidan Burley MP on a tour of the premises and
then invited him behind the bar to pull a pint.

Aidan Burley MP said: I was pleased to be able to celebrate the re-
opening of the Horns Inn and with it the creation of 20 new jobs and
the potential for even more.

Pubs such as the Horns Inn are an important part of our local
community and so it is great to see this investment which is a boost for
the town and the local economy and all adds to the appeal of Cannock
Chase as a tourist destination. The refurbishment captures the charm
and character of this country inn brilliantly and I wish Steve, Marie,
Graham and the staff every success.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to such a well-run community pub, its
warm and welcoming and a pub Rugeley can be proud of."

Marie was delighted with the pubs positive start: The launch was
really successful and we have been overwhelmed by the positive
feedback, she said.

We had a warm response from the local residents and they love
everything about the new look, with many commenting that they have
wanted a place like this for a long time.

The food has really taken off, especially the burgers and dessert
platters, which are proving really popular as they are freshly made to
order and are a really unique experience.

Its great to see a local MP supporting the pub industry. I want to
thank the community for their support and Im enjoying welcoming
them back as well as some new faces which is great! In fact, people
are travelling from further afield like Lichfield, Birmingham and even
Milton Keynes!

Weve got some great plans for the pub and the team and I
encourage anyone who hasnt been to come and check out the new
look surroundings.

Stuart Plant, Punch Taverns Senior Partnership Development
Manager for the Horns, commented: I want to thank Aidan Burley MP
for visiting the Horns. The Horns is a great example of a pub at the
heart of the community that also plays an important part for tourists
visiting Cannock Chase.

The pub sets high standards in all areas of the business and the pub
is performing well, with tables fully booked over the opening weekend.
I expect this to continue and I look forward to working with Steve,
Marie, Graham and their team going forward.


Local unemployment continues to fall

Aidan has welcomed the latest
unemployment figures, which show
the claimant count in Cannock
Chase falling once again.

Figures published by the ONS show
that the number of unemployed
claimants in Cannock Chase
constituency in March 2014 was
1,427. This represents a rate of 2.8% of the economically active
population aged 16 to 64. The number of claimants is 794 lower than
in March 2013 and 114 lower than in February 2014.

Nationally, the number of people out of work in the UK has fallen by
77,000 to a five-year low of 2.24 million in the three months to
February with the unemployment rate (6.9%) now dropping below 7
per cent for the first time since Labour's Great Recession. Four of the
five best months for British jobs creation since records began in 1971
have been in the last two years.

Responding to these figures Aidan said, "Creating jobs and improving
training opportunities has been my number one priority since being
elected and so news that unemployment in Cannock Chase is
continuing to fall is especially encouraging. Despite this, I am not
complacent. There is still much to do and I will continue to do all I can
locally to bring more businesses and jobs to Cannock Chase and to
offer better training opportunities."

He added: "Nationally these strong jobs numbers are also very good
news. There are now over 1.5 million more people in work than at the
last General Election and over a million of these jobs are full-time.
Coming alongside yesterday's lower inflation, they are compelling
evidence that this Government's long-term economic plan is working,
getting people off benefits and into work, and delivering a more secure
future for people who want to work hard and get on in life."


MP welcomes helping hand for Cannock
Chase businesses

Businesses in three areas of
Cannock Chase are to benefit from
extra Government help in creating
new jobs, it has been confirmed.

Firms in Cannock East, Cannock
South and Norton Canes should
find it easier to grow after being
included in the final UK Assisted
Areas map that will cover the next
European Union funding period from 2014 to 2020.

Back in December 2013 it was announced that the three wards had
been included on a draft map for the scheme, and following a further
consultation earlier this year in which Aidan pushed the case for their
continued inclusion, the Business Minister Michael Fallon MP has now
confirmed that these areas have been included in the final map.

Chase MP Aidan Burley has welcomed the news which he says will be
a catalyst for unlocking economic growth and jobs opportunities in the
local area.

Commenting he said: "This is excellent news for Cannock Chase as it
will make businesses in these wards eligible to bid for additional
funding and support that can help them to create jobs, invest in new
premises or machinery, develop and grow thus providing a further
boost to the local economy.

"Businesses in our area are already rising to the challenge of providing
jobs for local people and this potential extra funding from the
European Union will give these businesses a helping hand."


Aidan backs indoor traders in fight against
outdoor market

Aidan has added his support to
stallholders at Cannock Indoor
Market in their campaign to scrap
the Cannock Street Market, and
urged Cannock Chase District
Council to instead focus its efforts
on supporting the existing loyal
traders at the indoor market.

In a letter to the Council's Head of
Planning & Regeneration, Bob
Phillips, Aidan has asked to know
the current plans for the future of
the market and of any preferential
treatment for the out of town
traders, such as reduced rent for
their stalls, or free parking.

Last November, Cannock Chase
Council announced plans to set up
an outdoor Farmer's, Arts and Crafts market every Friday in a bid to
attract shoppers to the town centre and boost business for existing
traders. However, Aidan has been contacted by a number of the indoor
traders who say that in many cases the stalls are simply duplications
of existing stalls located inside the shopping centre. As a result, more
than 40 stallholders at the indoor market say their sales have slumped
by up to 50 per cent since the introduction of the new market last year.

Commenting Aidan said: "Many of the existing indoor traders, the
majority of whom live locally in Cannock Chase, have told me that the
introduction of this new outdoor market has put them at a competitive
disadvantage and is having a damaging impact on their trade. I have
therefore written to the District Council so that I am better able to
understand how their circumstances and costs compare to that of the
Friday traders.

"While I do not doubt the good intentions of this scheme it is clear that
the current outdoor market, far from supporting existing traders, is
making them unsustainable. It is also the case that many of the traders
from the outdoor market are based outside of Cannock Chase in
neighbouring Walsall, so any money that is spent at these stalls is
consequently being taken out of the local economy rather than being
kept in the town.


Burley welcomes extra places at
Cannock school

Aidan has welcomed the recent decision
by Staffordshire County Council to allow
Gorsemoor Primary School in Heath
Hayes to take on more children this
September.

It comes following a meeting last year
arranged and hosted by the MP
involving Headteacher, Paul Bennett
and Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills, Ben Adams. At this
meeting, Mr Adams indicated his willingness for good and outstanding
schools to be allowed to match catchment area and sibling demand in
order to maximise their intake and he has now agreed to Gorsemoor's
request for extra places.

This means that Gorsemoor Primary School will now be taking on 75
new pupils in September 2014 compared with 60 in 2013, increasing
from a two form to a three form intake. The School is hoping to make
this larger intake permanent and to be able to offer it year on year.

Commenting Aidan said: "This decision to allow Gorsemoor to take on
additional pupils is great news for parents in Cannock Chase. I know
from my mailbag that Gorsemoor is a very popular and sought after
school with local parents, and I am pleased the County Council has
recognised this demand and allowed them to take on additional pupils
this year."

Headteacher of Gorsemoor Primary School, Paul Bennett added: "I am
pleased that the school is now in a better position to respond to the
demand for places from people living in the catchment area and from
parents who already have children here."


Aidan urges those eligible to claim 140
off their energy bills

Aidan has called on his constituents
to ensure they are taking advantage
of the free help and support that
could save them 140 on their
energy bills if they are eligible.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme
is a five-year scheme introduced by
Government and delivered by the larger energy suppliers. It helps
those in need with their winter energy costs by paying a credit onto the
energy account of the qualifying account holder.

Consumers who receive Pension Credit Guarantee or Pension Credit
Guarantee and Savings, should automatically qualify for this year's
rebate of 140. The Department of Work and Pensions will send a
letter to all those who qualify around September time, confirming their
supplier will make the payment.

British Gas has announced that its Warm Home Discount Scheme,
which helps those in need with 140 towards their energy bills, is now
open for registrations.

Of the major suppliers, British Gas has set the broadest eligibility
criteria for receiving this discount and has no restrictions on the
number of customers who can sign up.

To be eligible customers must:

Be receiving the Savings or Guarantee & Savings element of
the State Pension Credit
Be receiving eligible Means Tested Benefits
Have a household income below 16,190 and have a disability
or long term illness
Or have a household income of below 16,190 and be
spending more than 10% on fuel for adequate heating (usually
21 degrees for the main living area)

Last year, British Gas paid 135 Warm Home Discount payments to
over 580,000 customers, and in addition paid a winter top up payment
of 60 per duel fuel household. It expects to spend more than 300
million during the course of the five-year scheme. Consumers must
apply each year to qualify for the payment, so British Gas is urging
customers to get in contact to ensure they receive it.

The Warm Home Discount is just one element of the Government's
approach to supporting low income households with their energy bills.
Additional support is given through the Energy Company Obligation -
which leads to lower bills through improving energy efficiency - cold
weather payments and, for all pensioners, winter fuel payments.

Commenting Aidan said: "The Government's Warm Home Discount
scheme helps around two million low income and vulnerable
households with their energy costs each year. In 2012/13 this included
more than one million of the poorest pensioners.

"I want all my constituents to understand what help is available to them
and so would urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible for this
extra support to contact their energy provider or a relevant charity to
discuss their options."


MP welcomes income tax cut to make
people in Cannock Chase more financially
secure

Aidan has welcomed a new tax cut for
hardworking people in Cannock Chase.

The personal allowance will rise to
10,000 from Sunday 6 April, taking
around 347 of the lowest earners in
Cannock Chase out of paying income
tax altogether.

Taxes have been cut for more than 26 million people across the
country, with over three million across the country taken out of paying
income tax altogether. Because of tax cuts since 2010 the typical
taxpayer is now paying 705 less in income tax than they were.

Taxes will be cut even further next year when the personal allowance
is set to rise again to 10,500, as announced in the 2014 Budget.

Commenting Aidan said: "This further tax cut is excellent news for
hardworking people in Cannock Chase.

"This is the third time this Government has cut income tax, benefitting
over 38,000 people here in Cannock Chase with 4,495 local people
now taken out of income tax altogether.

"Cutting taxes is a key part of the Conservatives' long-term economic
plan to build a better future for Britain. These cuts mean over 38,000
people in Cannock Chase are keeping more of the money they've
worked hard to earn, giving them and their families more financial
security for the future."


Truancy falling in Cannock Chase under
this government

Aidan has welcomed the news that
the number of pupils persistently
skipping school in Staffordshire has
fallen by over 33 per cent since
2010.

In 2009/10, 6,487 pupils were
persistently absence from school,
but this has fallen to 4,308 in
2012/13.

Commenting Aidan said: "The evidence shows that persistent absence
from school has a serious detrimental effect on pupils' performance
and so it is great news that, thanks to this Government's actions,
truancy has dramatically reduced in Cannock Chase.

"This Government is reintroducing rigour into our schools, ensuring
high standards of discipline are maintained, and our EBacc means that
more young people are studying for the key academic subjects that will
help them get a job."

Education Secretary Michael Gove said: "There is no excuse for
skipping school. We have taken action to reduce absence by
increasing fines and encouraging schools to address the problem
earlier. These figures show we are making progress, with 130,000
fewer pupils regularly missing school under this government.
Alongside our measures to give teachers powers to search pupils and
impose same-day detentions, this demonstrates our determination to
get tough on bad behaviour."


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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