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James Duddridge Annual Report

Posted by James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, at 10:29, Thu 6 February 2014:

I received an email from HearFromYourMP advising me that I had constituents that had registered and wanted to receive communication from me. So, for my first post I am sending a copy of my annual report that I circulated to constituents that have signed up for my newsletters. If you would like to receive these newsletters please register at my website www.jamesduddridge.com

James Duddridge, Annual Report for 2013

James Duddridge, Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East, offered his support throughout the year for the staff that faced redundancy following the announcement that Lloyds will be closing Essex House. James was originally notified about the closure earlier this year and he was surprised to hear the news that Essex House will be closing. James was advised that there was no scope for this decision to be overturned and this was not a consultation. As a result James decided that he would concentrate his efforts and support the staff facing redundancy.

Over the year James has visited Essex House, held a surgery for the staff on site and also written to all employees offering any assistance they may require. In addition to this, James attended the Jobs Fair that was held at Essex House. The Jobs Fair saw local businesses, recruitment agencies, colleges and support services offering their advice, guidance, services, expertise and employment opportunities to the staff.

James said

“I was made redundant in the past and can empathise with the uncertainty the news would have caused to the staff that were affected and as such wanted to do all I could to provide a light at the end of the tunnel. Working with Lloyds, Jobcentre Plus, Southend Borough Council, local businesses and organisations, we were able to put on a fantastic event for the staff. Everyone was extremely positive and felt that the event was a huge success and really beneficial to them.”

James also wrote a letter to all staff for any assistance they may require, not just now, but further down the line now that Essex House has closed.

WHAT HAS JAMES BEEN DOING?

Throughout the year James has with a large number of various local organisations and businesses to understand the work they do and the communities that they support. James had the privilege of meeting some incredible individuals who work tirelessly for the benefit of those less fortunate in society.

James said

“Unfortunately I am unable to specifically mention every event I have attended this year but to give you a flavour of the type of events I have supported I have attended the Supporting Carers and Families Together (SCAFT) Firebreak passing out parade in Hawkwell, MIND Jubilee Centre, the Forum, SOS Rape Crisis Centre, Papworth Trust, Southend Association of Voluntary Services, Ingeus, Southend Cultural Festival, Shoebury Shop at my local launch event, Southend Adult Community College’s ‘Celebrating Achievement Awards’, Southend Hospital Staff Achievement Awards Dinner, Rochford Farmers Market, Barling Magna Farmers Market and I visited a number of local primary and secondary schools. “I also unveiled a memorial plaque in Great Wakering Memorial Hall that marked the 60th anniversary of the 1953 floods. This was a poignant service with local residents who survived the floods giving their personal account of what happened. I have also met with representatives from Essex Police, Southend Hospital, Rochford District Council, Southend Borough Council, South Essex Partnership Trust, Southend, Rochford and Castle Point Clinical Commissioning Groups and the Police Crime Commissioner, c2c and the RNLI.”

PATHOLOGY SERVICES

Pathology services were a talking point across the constituency earlier this year.

James said

“My biggest problem with this particular issue was not necessarily the proposal itself, but the poor communication and lack of information that was provided to the general public. To address not only the concerns of my constituents, but mine as well, I met with Andrew Pike, Chief Executive of the PCT and I had discussions with Dr Husselbee, Account-able Officer of the Southend Clinical Commissioning Group and I toured the pathology department at Southend Hospital. I was encour-aged that the final decision for the move was in the hands of the Clinical Commissioning Groups and they decided to retain this service in Southend. Decisions pertaining to heath care and service provision should be made by health care professionals, not politicians or bureaucrats.”

SOUTHEND DRIVING TEST CENTRE - THE CAMPAIGN CONTINUES

Despite a rigorous campaign from number of Essex MP’s in 2008 Southend Driving Test Centre closed. The campaign secured 3,000 signatures supporting the retention of a local test centre.

In 2011 James Duddridge MP started campaigning for Southend to be included on a pilot scheme operating else-where in the UK which provides driving tests within community facilities.

Mike Penning MP visited the potential site in Southend that had been identified as a suitable site to use for the driving tests. During this visit the Minister confirmed Southend will be added to the pilot

May 2012 saw the official opening of the Southend Driving Test Centre. Tests were available on Mondays and Fridays.

The Minister stated at the official opening that should the demand for tests in Southend increase then more testing days will be added. 17th August 2012 Mike Penning wrote to James Duddridge confirming that as of 28th September 2012 three examiners will be available on Monday, Wednesday, Fridays up to the end of the year, or extended, if demand remained at this level.

As of the 18th June 2013 there was a 16 week waiting list to se-cure a test date in Southend.

In June 2013 James Duddridge MP met with the new Minister responsible, Stephen Hammond MP, and re-quested that the centre be operational five days a week.

On 10th September James Duddridge MP received notification from the Minister that the centre will be operational five days a week.

The campaign continues and James is still campaigning to ensure that the test centre becomes a permanent facility

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SURGERY DETAILS To book an appointment with James call 01702 616 135 or send an email to james@jamesduddridge.com James holds regular surgeries within his constituency offices and also out and about