"Aidan Burley MP" <news@aidanburleymp.org> To: <news@aidanburleymp.org> Reply-To: <news@aidanburleymp.

org> News Bulletin from Aidan Burley MP #69

13 August 2013 13:42

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In this edition:
Aidan Burley MPs Summer Survey Aidan Burley MPs Diary Aidan in the media: Listen to Aidan on BBC Radio WM discussing news that Cannock Hospital has been saved Aidan to meet hospital boss Burley demands closure of anaerobic digestion plant Major businesses confirm their attendance at MPs Cannock Jobs Fayre Aidan inspires young people as part of National Citizen Service project Burley helps at Cannock Foodbank Prime Minister thanks Aidan for EU Referendum Bill Support Aidan pays tribute to Police as crime falls again Aidan in the papers: Walsall Manor Hospital is to take on major new role in Cannock Hospital future Aidan in the papers: Thousands sign petitionover plans for car park Aidan in the papers: MP Aidan Burley calls for Heath Hayes waste plant to be closed How to contact Aidan Burley MP

Issue 69 Tuesday 13th August 2013

A bottle of House of Commons Champagne (bought personally by Aidan) will be sent to two lucky survey entries drawn at random!

Since the last edition, Aidan has:

Written to the Environment Agency calling on them to revoke Biffa's license to run the Anaerobic Digestion plant at the Poplars landfill site on the Lichfield Road in Cannock. Been interviewed by BBC Radio WM regarding Cannock Hospital. Attended the Trust Special Administrators (TSA) Public Meeting at Prince of Wales Theatre in Cannock to discuss Cannock Hospital. Announced his fourth Jobs Fayre to help local people into work. Launched a summer survey to ensure local people can let him know their views and issues of concern. Met with Network Rail and representatives from London Midland, Cannock Council, Centro and Birmingham Chamber of Commerce to discuss Chase Line electrification & line speed upgrade. At the meeting Network Rail agreed to set up a bespoke project team to focus on improving Chase Line This will ensure the Chase Line will no longer be the forgotten commuter line of West Midlands. Welcomed residents from Rugeley and Cannock for a tour of the Houses of Parliament. Been quoted in the Express & Star regarding the Beecroft Road car park site, Cannock Hospital and the Poplars landfill site. Volunteered at Cannock Foodbank. Met with a group of young people from Cannock Chase and Stafford who were attending a citizenship course run by Pertemps People Development Group at Staffordshire University Stoke campus.

Aidan in the media:

Listen to Aidan on BBC Radio WM discussing news that Cannock Hospital has been saved

Aidan to meet hospital boss

...and urges local people to take part in consultation to show support for Cannock proposals Aidan last week meet with Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Chief Executive David Loughton following last week's Draft TSA report into the future of Cannock and Stafford Hospitals. The report recommends that the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust take over the running of Cannock Hospital with the potential for other local healthcare providers such as Walsall Hospital NHS Trust to deliver additional services from the site. Aidan used the meeting to press the case for a massive multimillion pound investment in the hospital facility and for it to become 100% utilised. Under the proposals now out for consultation, Cannock Chase Hospital will not only continue to offer its present range of services, including rheumatology but, for the first time in a generation, new services will be coming into Cannock Hospital, as opposed to being stripped out. Aidan has spearheaded a campaign to save the hospital from the Trust Special Administrators' axe and is now working to ensure that is fully utilised in the future. Following the publication of the report last week, Aidan has already spoken with Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust Chief Executive Richard Kirby and will also shortly by meeting with lead Trust Administrator Alan Bloom to put forward his own response to the proposals. Aidan is also urging local people to respond to the consultation showing their support for the proposals to bring more services to Cannock Hospital. Commenting Aidan said: "These proposals are very welcome, but they are not a done deal. It is essential that the TSA knows that the people of Cannock Chase support the proposals for their hospital. I therefore implore everyone to make this clear during the consultation process to ensure that the final recommendations that go to Monitor and the Secretary of State reflect the wishes of the local community. "Longer term, I hope to see the hospital fully modernised and 100% utilised. However, the first priority is to make the transition as smooth as possible for the patients and the staff and I look forward to working with David, Richard and others over the coming months to ensure that is the case."

Burley demands closure of anaerobic digestion plant

Aidan has formally written to the Environment Agency (click on image to the right to read) calling on them to revoke Biffa's license to run the Anaerobic Digestion plant at the Poplars landfill site on the Lichfield Road in Cannock. He had previously called on Biffa to voluntarily suspend operations at their site in April this year, while they sorted out the problems, which they declined to do. The site has caused problems since it began operating two years ago and residents have continually complained about the smell to Biffa, the Environment Agency and their local MP. Aidan received the first complaint in October 2011 and since then has worked with all parties to try and solve the problem, including organising and hosting three public meetings with Biffa and the Environment Agency present, so residents could put their complaints directly to them, and hear what mitigating actions are being taken by Biffa to address the smell. At those public meetings, residents heard from Biffa that they have tried to bring the smell under control, blaming faults with the equipment. They insisted that with adjustments they could operate without causing such foul odours, however this has proved not to be the case. Despite having an independent survey carried out on the site which identified a list of 'agreed actions' they would take to try and limit the smells, and having implemented those engineering works, residents report little improvement, and as recently as last night had to close windows to stop the smell. The Environment Agency, who license the operation of these plants, initially gave Biffa until 31 August 2012 to solve the problem. As a result of the independent survey this was extended to allow the time necessary to carry out the recommended engineering works, including the addition of filters to chimneys and to construct a custom-made gas bag, which was to be completed and fitted by 12 July 2013. Biffa Waste Services, who operate the site, have invested upwards of 800,000 on improvements in a bid to stop the smells plaguing residents living around the Newlands Park Estate, however residents still report continuing foul odour problems. Aidan organised a further public meeting on 6 June this year, when it was made clear that all the new equipment was to be finished by midJuly. Problems should have been resolved by end of July once this new equipment was installed and functioning. At this meeting, which Biffa FAILED to attend, the Environment Agency said they "were drinking in the last chance saloon" after being given so much time to solve the problems. Commenting Aidan said: "Time is now up for Biffa. They were initially given until August 2012 to reduce the odours to acceptable levels, and then this was extended to March 2013, and again until July 2013. Yet their engineering works have not solved the problems, and despite spending 800,000 on improvements to the site, the smells keep coming, especially during the summer months. It is not acceptable for my constituents to continue to suffer from these foul odours, and enough is enough. In June Biffa were told by the Environment Agency that they were drinking in the last chance saloon today I am calling for closing time on their operations."

Major businesses confirm their attendance at MPs Cannock Jobs Fayre

Aidan Burley MP has welcomed the news that to date over 15 businesses have confirmed their attendance at the Cannock Jobs Fayre next month. Companies looking to recruit at the event include Barclays Bank, ASDA and National Express. The Fayre will be held on Wednesday 18th September 2013 (10am2pm) at the Premier Suite in Cannock Town Centre and will be open for free to all local people. This latest Fayre, organised in partnership with Inspire 2 Independence, follows on from the success of previous events in Cannock, Hednesford and Rugeley. Aidan is continuing to call on more businesses to get behind the event, and invites all interested companies with job vacancies to get in touch to reserve a stall. Employers will be able to book a table where they can display literature, leaflets, business cards and pull up banners, and local people will be free to drop by throughout the day and meet to discuss potential opportunities. Commenting Aidan said: "The Cannock Jobs Fayre is free to attend and I would urge all local people to come along on the day with their CV. I'm pleased that a good number of firms have already signed up to attend - including big names such as Barclays Bank and the British Army, and I would urge any more businesses with vacancies to get in touch and book a stall. "It is vital that we continue to do all we can to get people back into employment. On a national level the Government has introduced the biggest Back to Work Programme since the Second World War but I am determined that as a local MP I do all I can to get people into work. That is why I organised previous events in Cannock, Hednesford and Rugeley and why I am holding another in Cannock next month." Businesses and Recruitment Agencies confirmed so far are: Bluebird Care Barclays Bank British Army Careers First Choice Catering Spares Ltd Home Instead Tudor Employment Agency ASDA, Cannock Nova Training The Transline Group Leandirect WSI International Housing 21 Social Work Choices UPS Owen Payne Encore Personnel National Express Businesses can reserve a place at the Jobs Fayre by contacting Jodie Jones at the MP Help Zone on 01543 502 447 or e-mail jodie.jones@parliament.uk.

Aidan inspires young people as part of National Citizen Service project

Aidan with local young people who took part in a citizenship course at Staffordshire University Stoke Campus. Aidan recently met with a group of young people from Cannock Chase and Stafford who were attending a citizenship course run by Pertemps People Development Group at Staffordshire University Stoke campus. The group were part of a National Citizen Service (NCS) residential course programme designed to empower young people in Staffordshire to make a difference to where they live by taking part in social action projects and building their skills for work and life. During the session Aidan spoke to the group about the role of an MP and took questions from the students on a wide variety of local and national issues, before judging their presentations on how to improve their local communities in a 'Dragon's Den' style assessment. Ideas included a shopping bag packing service at local supermarkets to raise money for IVF treatment, painting pictures in Cannock Hospital to help rehabilitating patients and supporting staff at the Special Needs Adventure Playground (SNAP) at Pye Green Road in Cannock. Commenting, Aidan said: "It was great to meet so many community minded young people, who are spending their summer holiday on a residential course designed to help their local communities. They are an inspiration to us all and are helping to change the negative perceptions of young people locally." Steve Binns NCS coordinator at Pertemps Coachright said: "The advice and direction offered to our young people was invaluable, our young people came out buzzing afterwards and the projects developed reflect the quality of investment put into them. "As an organisation we strive to utilise the greatest resources for our beneficiaries, Aidan's input not only enthused our young people but challenged the young peoples perceptions of Members of Parliament with a 400% increase in young peoples aspiration to move towards a politics career following Aidan's session."

Burley helps at Cannock Foodbank

Aidan with volunteers at the Cannock Foodbank. Aidan has visited the Cannock Portacabin foodbank distribution centre, located in the Beecroft Road car park, to see firsthand the work of the Trussell Trust and meet with users and volunteers. The Trussell Trust network works to empower local communities to combat poverty, and its foodbanks' provide food parcels with essential food for individuals and families in case of emergency, covering the time it takes for other welfare infrastructures to be implemented in times of need. During the visit, which lasted the whole time the foodbank was open (2-4pm), Aidan worked alongside the staff and volunteers packing and distributing food and supplies to those who arrived at the foodbank, including tea, pasta, tinned meats and food and cereals, as well as fresh fruit. The food had been donated by Sainsbury's in Orbital Way as well as local people. Aidan also spent time speaking to some of the users of the service to try and understand more about their often complicated and complex problems, and hear about the efforts made by local volunteers to support them. Aidan was told that there were insufficient distribution points for the food vouchers people in crisis need in order to receive the supplies from the foodbank. As a result, Aidan has offered the Trussell Trust the use of his MP Help Zone in Cannock as another place where local people in crisis can collect their food vouchers, and his staff received their training this morning. Speaking after the visit Aidan said: "Often people who visit foodbanks have been struggling for some time with a complex array of issues and, unfortunately, these are not new problems. Indeed, I remember volunteering at a soup kitchen in Newcastle back in 2003, which made a lasting impression on me, as we helped the homeless in the depths of winter. That's why it is always heart-warming to see people volunteering to help others in a crisis. I was therefore pleased to join these superb local volunteers and look forward to my MP Help Zone continuing to support the local community, in particular those in immediate need." More information on Cannock and District Foodbank can be found at: www.cannockdistrict.foodbank.org.uk.

Prime Minister thanks Aidan for EU Referendum Bill Support

Prime Minister David Cameron has written (see left) to Aidan to thank him for his support on the first stage of the European Union (Referendum) Bill Committee. Aidan is one of five Conservative backbench MPs sitting on the Public Bill Committee that is scrutinising the Bill line by line before it is returned to the House of Commons for Third Reading later this year. The first meeting of the Committee was held on the 17th July and lasted 10 hours starting at 2pm and not finishing until 12.18am the following day. Much of the sitting was spent discussing when the Committee should meet again as opposed to the substantive clauses in the Bill. In all over 20 amendments were discussed at length and voted down. The Committee is due to sit again on Tuesday 3rd September at 2pm. In a letter to the Chase MP the Prime Minister, who was present in the public gallery for some of the sitting, said: "I know that the Committee was incredibly frustrating with Labour attempting to filibuster James' (James Wharton MP) Bill. They should know better that Conservatives will not cave into these sort of tactics especially with such important legislation." He finished his letter by saying he was: "hugely grateful for your (Aidan's) persistence and dedication." Commenting Aidan said: "As I expected, some of the Labour members of the committee set out to delay progress by spending many hours debating when the committee should next sit as opposed to getting on with scrutinising the Bill itself. However thanks to our persistence, I am pleased we were able to make at least some progress on the substantive matters of the Bill. He added: "I remain determined to ensure that those opposition members who seek to deny the people a vote by scuppering this Bill are not successful."

Aidan pays tribute to Police as crime falls again

Aidan has paid tribute to the police in Staffordshire after figures released by the Office of National Statistics show that recorded crime in the county has fallen by 10 per cent in the year to March 2013. Recorded crime in England and Wales is down by more than 10 per cent under this Government, and the independent Crime Survey for England and Wales shows that overall crime and the public's experience of crime is at its lowest level since 1981. Commenting, Aidan said: "Staffordshire Police are stepping up and rising to the challenge of providing value for money and this fall in crime is testament to the hard work of all those who work at the force who do so much to keep our communities safe. "The Government has played its part by slashing red tape and scrapping targets to enable the police to focus on crime fighting. We have encouraged chief constables to make savings in back offices to give renewed focus on the frontline and we are seeing the benefits of those efficiencies."

Aidan in the papers:

Walsall Manor Hospital is to take on major new role in Cannock Hospital future
Express & Star Friday 9th August 2013 Walsalls Manor Hospital still has a major role to play in the future of Cannock Hospital, administrators revealed as they addressed 200 residents at a public meeting. Alan Bloom, one of the administrators tasked with transforming troubled Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, has called for discussions between Walsall chief executive Richard Kirby and New Cross boss David Loughton to continue. His comments came as he addressed 200 residents at Cannocks Prince of Wales theatre yesterday. Under recommendations Wolverhampton would take over running of Cannock Hospital which would see 200 extra staff moved to the Beecroft Road site with the number of beds and operations increased as part of a 50 million investment in the two towns. Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is also keen to run services at Cannock and has announced plans for a 6m extension to its maternity unit. Mr Bloom said: Walsall are very keen and there are discussions going on between them and Wolverhampton. We hope those talks continue. We recommended Wolverhampton take over Cannock because they bid to run the most services but that would still leave between 15 and 20 per cent of empty space at Cannock. Cannock Chase MP Aidan Burley welcomed the plan to bolster Cannock Hospital which currently is half empty. But he said he wants to see it used fully. He said: We really welcome the administrators report and it is good for the people of Cannock but until we can get 100 per cent of it used there will still be question marks over its future. Cannock Chase Council leader George Adamson said: I think having Wolverhampton and Walsall on board in Cannock is the ideal situation. During the meeting administrators Mr Bloom and Professor Hugo Mascie-Taylor said some of the countrys top health professionals believe dissolving Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust and putting Stafford and Cannock hospitals under the care of University Hospital of North Staffordshire and Royal Wolverhampton Hospital Trust would repair the damage of the past.

Aidan in the papers:

Thousands sign petition over plans for car park

Will Ackerman, Express & Star Tuesday 13th August 2013 More than 2,000 people have signed a petition against unfair proposals to redevelop a car park in Cannock town centre, which has put homes at risk. Campaigners fighting to save their homes will take their battle to Parliament next month, when the petition will be handed in. Allport Action Alliance formed last month to call on Cannock Chase Council to drop its proposals to develop the Beecroft Road car park. Chase MP Aidan Burley will submit a copy of the petition to Parliament in September, after the projects consultation period ends on August 30. The council dropped its original plans for a large shopping centre at the car park after market tests showed big name retailers would be unlikely to rent space there. But it is still seeking a developer for the land, with a view to opening restaurants and cafs there within the next five years. The council has floated the possibility of then imposing a compulsory purchase order on homes on Allport Road in order to bulldoze them for the scheme. Robert Blaikie, a member of the action group who lives on Allport Road with his wife and two children, said: Any measures that involve demolishing homes are unfair on families. I have lived here for nine years and both my children were born here, so its a special place for us. It would also destroy some of the oldest houses in Cannock, with some dating back to 1870. The council has said it could take up to five years to appoint a developer so we remain with that shadow hang ing over us. It is a very stressful position for us. The group also says it should remain open as it is essential for both shoppers and Cannock Hospital patients. Town regeneration boss Councillor Diane Todd has previously said there has been scaremongering about homes being demolished, but admitted it could not be ruled out for the future.

Aidan in the papers:

MP Aidan Burley calls for Heath Hayes waste plant to be closed

Express & Star Monday 12th August 2013 An MP today said enough is enough and called on the Environment Agency to close down a controversial waste plant at the centre of a long-running row. Cannock Chase MP Aidan Burley has written to officers urging them to revoke Biffas licence to run the anaerobic digestion plant in Heath Hayes. The 24 million Poplars Landfill site in Lichfield Road has been plagued by complaints about foul smells since it began operating in 2011, with more than 80 families pursuing legal action against the waste company. Mr Burley had previously asked the plants owners to voluntarily suspend operations while they addressed the problem, which they declined to do. Today Mr Burley said the firms owners had been given every last chance and that now their time is up. He said: It is not acceptable for my constituents to continue to suffer from these foul odours, and enough is enough. In June, Biffa was told by the Environment Agency that they were drinking in the last chance saloon. Today I am calling for closing time on their operations. Bosses have spent more than 800,000 making improvements to the plant, which recycles food waste, in an effort to stop odours affecting the nearby Newlands Park Estate but residents say the problem remains. The Environment Agency had previously said it would review the situation once Biffa had fitted another odour control filter in July. Mr Burley said he had been advised to wait until now to call for the closure because the plants owners would have been likely to win any legal case brought against them. Biffa was not available for comment today.

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.

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