Archive for May, 2016
Tuesday, May 24th, 2016
Local Conservative Sue Arnold is looking forward to continuing her work as Staffordshire’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner following her re-appointment on Monday 23 May.
Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis proposed the re-appointment, which was confirmed following a meeting of the Police and Crime Panel.
Mrs Arnold, former Conservative councillor for Clifton Campville on Lichfield District Council, was appointed Deputy PCC in November 2012 and has spearheaded work on behalf of the PCC to provide a revolutionary new approach to giving victims more effective, tailored support.
She has also been instrumental in the successful introduction of the Police Cadets service across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent and led campaigns to tackle female genital mutilation, modern slavery, domestic abuse and business crime.
Mr Ellis said, “Sue has brought real drive to her role over the past three and a half years and a new approach to all of the areas I have asked her to lead on.
“She has led the development of the Police Cadets on my behalf which has enhanced the lives of many young people across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.”
Mrs Arnold said, “I’m really looking forward to continuing the important work we have started with the challenge now to take the PCC ‘working model’ on to its next stage of development.
“Personally, I feel very positive about its future direction, in particular as I see how PCC’s can make that crucial difference to local communities. Much work is ahead of us and I will relish the challenge to serve the people of Staffordshire and help produce results that deliver a safer place to live and work.”
Police and Crime Panel Chairman Frank Chapman said, “The Panel recognise the valuable contribution that Mrs Arnold has made to the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner, especially in the area of domestic abuse, and are pleased to confirm her re-appointment.”
For more information on the new approach to victims through the Staffordshire Victim Gateway, click here.
Businesses are invited to become Patrons or Sponsors to help fund uniforms and equipment for the Cadets. For more details on Cadets and the patronage scheme click here.
Wednesday, May 18th, 2016
Local Conservative and District Councillor for Shenstone, David Salter, has been appointed the new Chairman of Lichfield District Council.
Cllr Salter was sworn in at Lichfield District Council’s Annual Council meeting last night, Tuesday 17 May.
As the Chairman, Councillor Salter will represent the district at a range of events that take place across the district and region, including any royal visits, community events and formal openings. He will also chair council meetings throughout the year.
Cllr David Salter, said, “I am honoured to take on this role and I am looking forward to representing Lichfield District at the many events and functions I will attend over the year. It will be interesting to meet people who work to improve the district, and to find out more about their work.”
Cllr Salter replaces Cllr Norma Bacon after a year in the role.
Cllr Bacon said, “It’s been such a brilliant, if not busy, year as Chairman. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting a huge range of people and finding out so much about what is going on across the district.
“From opening new play areas and shops, to showing fellow civics around Lichfield’s heritage attractions and the National Memorial Arboretum, there have been plenty of highlights.”
You can keep up to date with Cllr Salter throughout his year as Chairman by reading the Chairman’s online blog.
Tuesday, May 17th, 2016
Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Ellis, has called for a change in the voting system for future PCC elections.
Mr Ellis, who was re-elected with a majority of 8,487, spoke out after 4,065 ballot papers were spoilt in the recent election held across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
He said, “My preference would be that we go for a traditional ‘first past the post’; it’s clear, it’s tidy. A number of people vote for a candidate, that candidate gets in.
“The current system might seem fairer but if we go through the rigmarole of having a massive proportion of people utterly confused then as far as I’m concerned it defeats the object.”
In the five PCC elections held across the West Midlands region, 46,277 ballot papers were spoilt and the election for the West Midlands Commissioner had 28,346 spoilt papers, the largest by far.
Wednesday, May 11th, 2016
Anthea McIntyre MEP
Simpler legislation and greater flexibility are the only way to ensure that Europe’s economy grows and unemployment falls, MEPs were warned today.
Creating the right environment for growth and job-creation was the EU’s key challenge, Conservative MEP Anthea McIntyre cautioned.
The West Midlands MEP said, “They can only do this if the market allows for it, if they can find qualified workers and if labour markets are sufficiently flexible. And if they are not over-burdened with regulation.
Speaking during a debate in Strasbourg on growth and youth unemployment, she welcomed a recent agreement between the EU’s Parliament, Commission and Council on how to ensure better law making.
She continued, “Legislation which is simpler, more easy to understand and implement, will help member states create an environment that will encourage companies to hire and manage staff, while protecting basic workers’ rights.
“Europe’s strength lies in its diversity and we must use this diversity to learn from one another. There is no “one size fits all” template.”
Encouraging Europe to take the UK’s lead, she said, “Many member states, including my own, have already put in place successful structural reforms. This has enabled Britain to attract investment, to grow its economy and to create more and better jobs.
“Our employment rate is now over 74 per cent. While the unemployed claimant count is at its lowest for 40 years. There have been over 2.3 million apprenticeships since 2010 giving people the chance to learn skills and get on in life.
“Ultimately, Europe’s greatest need is for growth. Growth that will allow our businesses, especially SMEs, to thrive, to create new jobs and to provide a good future for all of Europe’s young people.”
Wednesday, May 11th, 2016
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Christopher Pincher,with Rawlett student William Pritchard
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the Thiepval memorial in France, which commemorates the 73,000 British servicemen who fell on the Somme and who have no known grave
Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, has thanked Rawlett students William Pritchard and Billy Green for honouring the memory of his great grandfather who was killed in the First World War.
William Pincher, a Territorial Army soldier, fought with the South Staffordshire Regiment. He was killed on 1st July 1916 on the first day of the Battle of the Somme though his body was never found. His name is inscribed on the Thiepval memorial in France, which commemorates the 73,000 British servicemen who fell on the Somme and who have no known grave. Rawlett School visited the memorial earlier this year and William and Billy found William Pincher’s name.
During Culture Questions last month, Mr Pincher thanked the two pupils in the House of Commons and asked the Government to encourage more schools to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme and learn more about our local history.
Mr Pincher said, “I was grateful to William Pritchard and Billy Green from The Rawlett School, who laid a wreath in memory of my great-grandfather, who was killed on the first day of the battle of the Somme in 1916. In this, its centenary year, may I ask my right hon. Friend to encourage school visits to the Somme battlefield memorials, to remember the men who made such a sacrifice all those years ago.”
In response, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale MP said, “My hon. Friend illustrates what has become very clear, that almost every person in this country will have had a relative who served in the First World War, many of whom died. I am delighted to hear about the tribute that was paid to my hon. Friend’s great-grandfather.
“It is incredibly important that young people learn about the First World War, which is why we put in place the school battlefields tour programme, under which two pupils and one teacher from every state-funded secondary school in England can visit the First World War battlefields. More than 3,500 pupils and teachers have already been on that programme.”
Afterwards Mr Pincher ordered two copies of Hansard, the official daily record of the House of Commons, and gave them to William and Billy.
He said, “It was a very nice gesture of Will and Billy to find my great grandfather’s name. The Battle of the Somme was meant to be the “big push” to break the deadlock of the war. But it failed and cost Britain 96,000 dead – 19,000 on the first day of the battle alone.
“I think it is a very good think for young people to learn about the history of that war, the huge sacrifices that were made but also the comradeship and spirit of the army, especially as we mark the one hundredth anniversary of that battle. The South Staffordshire Regiment played an important, and tragic, part on the Somme.”
Matthew Ellis has taken the oath accepting the role of Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire for a second term.
Matthew Ellis has been elected Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner for a second term.
The Conservative Party has retained control of Tamworth Borough Council and increased its majority on the council.
