News From James, 1st June 2006
Posted by James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, at 13:40, Sat 10 June 2006:
So much has happened this month that I hardly know where to begin. We've seen another round of local elections, the promotion of Southend United to the Championship and developments in a number of key local issues ranging from law and order to regeneration. Personally, I've celebrated my first year as the local MP and have become a father for the first time. Phew!
James Duddridge MP, Working hard for Rochford and Southend East all year round
Celebrating the new and the old
Welcoming new leaders to Southend
As mentioned in his last newsletter, James congratulated Anna Waite for her work as Leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council following her defeat in the local elections on 4th May. Since then, James has welcomed Murray Foster to the post of Leader, and wishes him all the best as he takes on this important role.
James has also welcomed Ron Price to the position of Mayor. Ron takes over from Chris Dandridge, who James would like to thank for his work over the past year.
Celebrating a year in the job
May 5th marked James' first anniversary since his election as Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East. Since last August, when he first started counting, James has helped over 3,275 of his constituents who have approached him for assistance. He has also worked on a number of local campaigns to improve the lives of his constituents collectively - such as fighting train horn noise at Woodgrange Drive, working with David Amess to try and secure fair funding for Southend Council, and working with fellow local MPs to support Essex's Police and health services.
The anniversary also provided an opportunity for James to reflect on his long-term goals. He wants to see better infrastructure in our town, he will campaign for an end to the graffiti that blights our public areas, and will do all that he can to ensure that Southend benefits fully from the 2012 Olympics.
Marking anniversaries of Southend institutions
This month James was delighted to attend the centenary celebrations of Holy Trinity Church in Southchurch and the 60th anniversary celebrations of the synagogue in Westcliff.
Congratulating Southend United’s new status
James was delighted when Southend United won the league and were promoted to the Championship. He enjoyed the celebrations in the town, and tabled a congratulatory motion in Parliament which has been supported by 22 MPs from five different political parties.
Ensuring the best public services for Southend
Challenging Minister over cancer service changes
On 10th May James sponsored a debate in Parliament, at which he and David Amess MP, Mark Francois MP and Bob Spink MP asked Health Minister Rosie Winterton to review the decision to merge the cancer networks in South Essex and Mid Anglia. They told the Minister that the Strategic Health Authority's consultation had been a sham as the proposals were opposed by local patients, local doctors and local representatives.
James received some reassurance from the Minister, as she told him that she would ask the Government's 'Cancer Tsar', Professor Mike Richards, to look at the plans for how the future network would operate. The South Essex MPs now hope to meet with Professor Richards in the coming months so that they can discuss this with him. The Minister did however stress - to the disappointment of the MPs - that she wouldn't be asking him to review the merger decision itself.
James and his colleagues are continuing to push for the best possible cancer services in Southend - if the merger must go ahead, they will do their best to ensure that patients are not adversely affected.
Supporting Essex Police and a safe Southend
James has welcomed a report by the independent think tank Reform which shows that Southend has the lowest crime rate of all the country's urban areas. The report's authors found that Southend has a crime rate of just under 31 crimes per 1,000 people - making it the safest urban area in the country, with nearly four times fewer crimes than the highest crime hotspot.
James believes that the report is further proof that the Government is wrong in trying to abolish Essex Police by merging it with forces with neighbouring counties. He has congratulated Essex Police for their excellent performance and making Southend the safest urban area in the whole country.
Working for regeneration
James has continued his campaign against the proposed housing development at Thorpe Hall Golf Club, and was relieved when the planning application was fully withdrawn. However, as the application did not go before the Council and could therefore not be officially rejected, he intends to remain involved to ensure that a similar situation does not arise in the future.
In another development for the regeneration of the town, James was saddened by the Government's decision not to shortlist Southend as a possible location for a regional casino. However, he remains upbeat as there are many other regeneration opportunities coming up in the near future. The Olympics can provide many social and economic advantages for the town, and James will be working closely with Murray Foster to leverage London 2012 to Southend's benefit.
Representing Southend in Westminster
Fighting for fairer pensions
James has questioned the Pensions Minister over the failure of occupational pension schemes, as he has had constituents coming to him for help who have lost their life savings. He is concerned that thousands of occupational pension schemes have been closed, leaving many people in Southend and millions around the country without their savings. James wants to know the full extent of the problem and what the Government intends to do about it.
Campaigning to help the tourist industry
James has joined a campaign in Parliament against the introduction of a 'bed tax' in the tourism industry. The proposal is currently being considered by Sir Michael Lyons as part of his official inquiry into local government funding. However, it has been estimated that a 10 per cent 'bed tax' would add £100 to an average week's holiday for a family of four. James has signed an Early Day Motion which raises concerns about the proposal and calls upon the Government to oppose the idea.
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