Archive for March, 2015
Monday, March 30th, 2015
Five years ago, millions of people were unemployed, there was no economic security for our families and there were worries about whether our country could pay its debt.
Britain was on the brink.
Five years later, because of our long-term economic plan and the difficult decisions we have taken, we have more people in work than at any time in our history, living standards are on the rise and we are more economically secure.
Of course we haven’t fixed everything, but Britain is back on its feet again.
1000 jobs are being created every single day. 760,000 more businesses have started up.
Last year our economy grew faster than any other major advanced economy in the world – meaning more people getting that job offer and more families hopeful of a better future.
This election also takes place at a time when the world is dangerous and uncertain.
So we need strong leadership to safeguard our national security as well as our economic security.
That’s why in 38 days’ time, Britain faces a stark choice.
You can choose an economy that grows, that creates jobs, that generates the money to ensure a properly funded and improving NHS – as well as a Government that will cut taxes for 30 million hardworking people.
Or you can choose the economic chaos of Ed Miliband’s Britain – over £3000 in higher taxes for every working family to pay for more welfare and out-of-control spending. Debt will rise and jobs will be lost as a result.
Ed Miliband pays lip service to working people while planning to hike taxes and increase debt.
After five years of effort and sacrifice, Britain is on the right track. This election is about moving forward – and as Prime Minister, that is what I will deliver.
Thank you,
David Cameron
Tuesday, March 24th, 2015
West Midlands Conservative MEP Daniel Dalton, lead negotiator for the ECR Group on the Internal Market Committee (IMCO), has lauded Conservative victories in a key vote on the proposed free trade deal with the USA.
IMCO members voted to endorse key Conservative objectives, backing a comprehensive agreement that protects investors, without limiting the scope of a deal before negotiations have even seriously begun.
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership has huge potential to deliver significant economic growth and new jobs to the UK, with independent analysis estimating that removing existing barriers to trade, including tariffs, regulatory differences and market access limitations, will deliver as much as £10 billion annually to the UK economy.
After the vote, Mr Dalton said, “This vote signifies that the European Parliament is serious about negotiating a free trade deal with the United States. A comprehensive agreement with America will deliver jobs and growth to the UK, you cannot achieve that if investors don’t feel safe, and if options are taken off the negotiating table too early, so I welcome today’s result.”
Tuesday, March 24th, 2015
the overall winners Jenny Humphries and Kate Casey of The Kitchen café in Marmion Street Tamworth
Local MP, Christopher Pincher, has announced Tamworth’s best pub, restaurant, shop and market stall as votes for by the public.
Tamworth’s best pub, restaurant, shop and market stall as votes for by the public has been announced by local MP, Christopher Pincher.
Mr Pincher asked local residents to vote in his quest to find the best and most popular traders in the town.
Local shops, pubs, restaurants and market stalls were each given bundles of voting papers to give to their customers to vote. The poll was also run online and hundreds of local people got involved.
Mr Pincher said, “We have many wonderful and unique independent retailers, restaurants and market stalls here in Tamworth and in our surrounding villages. I believe it is important that we celebrate and support our local traders so they are here for generations to come. That is why I ran our own “Best Local Shops, Restaurants and Market Stalls 2015” campaign.”
There were four categories for people to vote on –best pub, restaurant, shop and market stall.
Each category winner receives a certificate and a one-hour e-commerce session with Product Nation. There is also a special prize for the most votes across all categories and that winner will also receive a £50 voucher for printing and design from The Printing Shed printing company.
The competition closed on 20th March with a final flurry of votes before they were all counted.
The winners of each category are:
- Pub: Ubar, Church Street
- Restaurant: The Kitchen Café, Marmion Street
- Independent shop: Mercian News, Victoria Road
- Market stall: J L Fruit
The overall winner, the trader who got the most votes, is The Kitchen on Marmion Street.
Mr Pincher added, “This competition was very closely fought and many businesses and residents came back to my office for nomination forms again and again. I am really pleased so many businesses took part and I thank them all. I would like to congratulate the winners and especially the overall winner The Kitchen, just down the road from my office.”
The winners will receive their certificates and winners prizes shortly.
Saturday, March 21st, 2015
Christopher Pincher MP with Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador Angela Rippon
On Tuesday 17 March Tamworth’s MP Christopher Pincher pledged to make this election memorable by taking action to support the 850,000 people living with dementia across the UK.
Mr Pincher joined over 200 other MPs and representatives from Alzheimer’s Society, including the Society’s ambassador, Angela Rippon, in Westminster to meet people with dementia and commit to support those affected by the condition. On the day, Mr Pincher discussed local dementia issues with Ms Rippon and supported Alzheimer’s Society’s general election campaign. It is calling for more people to get the dementia diagnosis they need and for everyone to be properly supported afterwards.
Mr Pincher said, “We all have a part to play in improving the lives of people living with dementia. There are around 1,099 people living with the condition in Tamworth – and many more who are in regular contact with family and friends with the condition. It is an issue we absolutely cannot afford to ignore.”
Alzheimer’s Society campaigners were in Westminster to urge MPs to make this election memorable for all those affected by dementia. The charity is striving to ensure that more people get a diagnosis and the support they need, that there is a doubling of spending on dementia research and that communities are encouraged to become dementia friendly to ensure people with dementia can live full and active lives.
While in Westminster, Alzheimer’s Society supporter Shelagh Robinson, 73, who was diagnosed with dementia five years ago, delivered a petition with 67,375 signatures to the Prime Minister. The petition calls for everyone diagnosed with dementia to have access to a Dementia Adviser or Support Worker – a named contact who can help them come to terms with the diagnosis and guide them through the complex health and social care system.
George McNamara, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Alzheimer’s Society said, Dementia is the biggest health and care challenge our country faces – one that all of society must respond to. By the end of the next parliament more than a million people will be living with dementia. There is unlikely to be a family in the country that is not affected.
“We are pleased to have been able to engage over 200 MPs in one day. Christopher Pincher has a huge influence in Tamworth and we hope he will use this opportunity to take action and improve the lives of people living with dementia. 2015 is set to be an important year for politics – but together let’s also make it an historical year for people with dementia.”
Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading support and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers. Click here to find out more about Alzheimer’s Society.
Wednesday, March 18th, 2015
Daniel Dalton, Conservative MEP for the West Midlands, has criticised attempts to create an EU army by stealth.
After Jean Claude Juncker’s call for a European Army, the European Parliament’s Internal Market Committee has produced an opinion calling for the European Commission to publish its delayed Green Paper on control of defence assets, alongside its 2014 Roadmap ‘Towards a more competitive and efficient defence and security sector’.
The Roadmap states that a “European approach” to defence procurement is needed to “ensure an appropriate level of European autonomy in defence and security”. There are strong fears following Mr Juncker’s comments that with the Roadmap and Green Paper, which remains shrouded in secrecy, the European Commission is seeking to gain control over member states security and military assets.
Speaking in the European Parliament Mr Dalton said, “Conservative MEPs will not tolerate any attempt to creep towards a European army by stealth, defence should remain entirely under the control of national governments.
“The UK’s independent defence capability is not up for negotiation, if defence spending in the rest of Europe is not at the same level as in Britain then other member states need to spend more, not seek to exploit the UK’s resources for their own ends.
“Jean Claude Juncker may talk about wanting his own private army, but Conservative MEPs will fight to ensure this dangerous proposal never becomes reality.”
Saturday, March 14th, 2015
Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, this week met with Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) head, Rita Symons, to discuss ways to improve local healthcare.
The CCG for South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsular represents GPs and primary care provision in Tamworth and commissions patient services, including operations, in local hospitals.
Mr Pincher made clear his support for services at the Sir Robert Peel hospital, including day case theatre work, and the importance of conducting a full analysis of the theatre’s utilization – and potential for greater utilization.
He said, “We need to get more and new services provided at Sir Robert Peel and in Tamworth to ensure that more of the funding provided to our CCG is spent within out area rather than “over the border” in Birmingham. I have pressed HEFT, which runs Good Hope, and Burton Trust, which runs Sir Robert Peel, to work much more closely to ensure local services are the best for local patients. I continue to support day case surgery at Sir Robert Peel.
“I also would like to see enhanced urgent care facilities provided from Tamworth which currently only operate out of hours. I believe the CCG agrees and I will continue to make these points on behalf of local residents to the Burton Trust and to ministers. I think such services will improve patient care, as well as patient choice, in Tamworth and Fazeley.”
Friday, March 6th, 2015
Drivers will get 10 minutes’ grace before being fined if they stay too long in council-owned car parks in England, the Conservative led Government has announced.
The new leeway, expected to take effect later this month, will apply to free and paid-for parking spaces both on streets and in off-street car parks. It is one of several changes, which include new restrictions on the use of CCTV cars issuing automatic fines.
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles MP said he wanted to end the “war on drivers”.
The changes include:
- guidance for councils banning them from “using parking to generate profit”
- a right for residents and businesses to demand, by a petition, that a council “reviews parking in their area”
- new powers for parking adjudicators so they can “hold councils to account”
- protection to stop drivers being fined after parking at out-of-order meters
- a ban on the use of CCTV “spy cars” except in no-parking areas such as bus lanes and near schools
Mr Pickles said, “We are ending the war on drivers who simply want to go about their daily business. For too long parking rules have made law-abiding motorists feel like criminals, and caused enormous damage to shops and businesses.
“Over-zealous parking enforcement undermines our town centres and costs councils more in the long term. Our measures not only bring big benefits for high streets, motorists and local authorities – they put common sense back into parking.”
The changes come from new laws, guidance to councils and use of a statutory instrument, through which ministers can make rules without an act of Parliament.
Friday, March 6th, 2015
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Customer Access Survey front
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Customer Access Survey back
Conservative Controlled Tamworth Borough Council is asking its customers how they contact the authority, how their needs are changing and what can be done to make customer service even better.
To find out more about the way customers and potential customers communicate, the authority will be sending out a short survey, along with the annual Council Tax bill, to each of the borough’s 32,000 households.
Every home in Tamworth will receive a card inviting them to go online and complete the short survey, which asks questions about how customers currently contact the council, how they would prefer to make contact and what methods they would use if they were available.
Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a prize draw and could be in with the chance of winning a TV.
The survey is part of a long-term project to change and improve the way that Tamworth Borough Council delivers its services, to meet the changing needs of its customers. A new customer services strategy has been written which sets out a three-year plan for how the authority aims to develop and shape customer services.
During the next 12 months, customers will be given much more choice about how they contact the council through new channels; including new and improved online access, web chat facilities, check-in by mobile phone and self-serve at Marmion House reception.
Customers will soon be able to report issues and contact Tamworth Borough Council by:
- A new mobile app which will allow residents to complete Council Tax processes, report missed bin collections and make payments
- An improved website allowing customers to interact with the council without having to come into Marmion House or ring in. If help is needed to navigate around the site, then it will be available via a new web chat service
In the near future, there will also be changes made to the service customers receive when they come into Marmion House, with customers able to make and manage their appointments through the website.
The changes to the way customer services are delivered will have a number of benefits to customers, including a more consistent service, which is much more convenient for customers to use.
Cllr Robert Pritchard, Tamworth Borough Council Deputy Leader, said, “The way that our customers want to communicate with us and access our services is changing, and we need to be able to meet those changing needs.
“This project is a long-term plan which will see a number of digital improvements developed and rolled out over the next three years.
“We want our customers to be at the heart of all we do, and that is why we are asking them to get involved with us at this early stage by telling us how they want to communicate with us. I would like to see as many people as possible taking part in the survey and having a say in how we serve you, now and in the future.”
Friday, March 6th, 2015
Over 3,500 vehicles have been seized by Staffordshire Police officers in a landmark crackdown on car insurance dodgers.
Cars Behind Bars was instigated by Conservative elected Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis and has proved popular with people across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
The campaign carried out by Staffordshire Police has seen 3,532 cars, vans, motorcycles, mopeds, lorries and even a tractor seized, with 1,196 vehicles scrapped, since it was launched in May 2013. The amount of vehicles seized would stretch well over 12km if laid end to end.
More than 70 higher-value uninsured vehicles have been sold off at auction with the proceeds going back into local communities in Staffordshire.
The number of car insurance dodgers in Staffordshire is being driven down as the crackdown gathers pace. Recent annual figures released by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau show there were an estimated 1,214 fewer uninsured vehicles on the road in Staffordshire in 2014 compared to 2013.
Mr Ellis said, “The crackdown on insurance dodgers remains far and away the most popular thing raised with me by people I’ve spoken to across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Over 3,500 people have had to learn their lesson the hard way thanks to tremendous work by officers from Staffordshire Police, which has really gained momentum in recent months.
“It’s clear that the message is hitting home as the number of insured motorists on Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent roads has risen significantly. Those who drive without insurance can’t hide in Staffordshire. They are being caught and dealt with by having their vehicles seized and, in many cases, scrapped or sold at auction.
“It’s definitely struck a chord with law-abiding motorists who are hit by rising premiums because of these law-breakers. Why should all pay more because some people don’t pay at all?”
Cars Behind Bars uses Staffordshire’s extensive automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system that identifies those flouting the law.
The fixed penalty fine for people who are caught without insurance was increased nationally from £200 to £300 in 2013. Motorists also face their car being seized, could be summoned to court and be disqualified, and an endorsement of six penalty points and drivers re-claiming their car when they have proof of insurance have to pay £150 car recovery costs plus £20 per day storage.
Some of the vehicles seized since the campaign launched can be viewed at www.staffordshire.police.uk/carsbehindbars.
Friday, March 6th, 2015
Chris Pincher MP with Jenny Humphries and Kate Casey of The Kitchen café in Marmion Street Tamworth
Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, this week encouraged more local people to find the best and most popular traders in the Tamworth constituency.
He is running a competition across the town in which all residents can join. His competition gives the public the chance to vote for their favourite pub, restaurant, shop and market stall in the area.
Mr Pincher said, “We have some great independent shops, stalls, pubs, cafes and restaurants and I hope many local people will support their favourite. It is a good opportunity for us all to speak up for our town centre as well as other really good places around Tamworth. Votes have come rolling in by post and email and we now have a bag full of nominations.”
Between now and the 20th of March you can support our local independent shops, restaurants and market stalls by voting for your favourites. There are four categories; your favourite independent shop, pub, market stall and restaurant in the Tamworth constituency.
It could not be easier – all you need to do is go to www.besttamworth.co.uk or fill in a nomination form. These can be found in local shops, stalls and pubs taking part so please ask at the counter.
Nominations close on the 20th March 2015. Each of the winners will receive a certificate and a one-hour e-commerce session with Product Nation. There will also be a special prize for the most votes across all categories and the winner will also receive a £50 voucher for printing and design from The Printing Shed.
Mr Pincher added, “I am not giving away any personal favourite, but I am really impressed by the way some local businesses have got into the spirit of the campaign. The Kitchen on Marmion Street has already had two stacks of voting forms to distribute, they seem as popular as the café’s chilli con carne!”
Five years ago, millions of people were unemployed, there was no economic security for our families and there were worries about whether our country could pay its debt.
