8/3/2019 News Bulletin from Aidan Burley MP #30

1/1

Subject: NewsBulletinfromAidanBurleyMP#30

Date: Friday,23December201118:25:50UnitedKingdomTime

From: AidanBurleyMP

To: news@aidanburleymp.org

In this edition:

Merry Christmas from AidanBurley MPAidan Burley MP's diaryAidan in Parliament:Stafford A&E DebateMP awards prizes forsecond annual ChristmasCard competitionAidan backs calls forsprinkler system atStaffordshire UniversityAcademy building projectAidan welcomes plansfor Chase Line speedupgradeAidan in the media:Debate held over StaffordHospital's A&E nightclosure

An apology to the people ofCannock ChaseHow to contactAidan Burley MPMP Help Zone Christmasand New Year openingarrangements

Issue 30 Friday 23rd December 2011

As readers may have seen, I have recently been subject tointense media scrutiny regarding my attendance at a party wheresome of the guests behaved in an inappropriate, insensitive andoffensive manner. I have sincerely apologised for my lack of

judgment (see below), however wish to stress that none of thishas distracted me from continuing to work hard on your behalfas the local Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase.

Since the last edition, Aidan has:

Met with students from Moorhill Primary School and SharonBirch from Pertemps People Development Group to awardprizes for his second annual Christmas card competition.

Spoken in a debate in Westminster Hall secured byneighbouring MP Jeremy Lerfroy on the subject ofStaffordsA&E department.

Questioned the Secretary of State for Communities and LocalGovernment on taxpayer funding of trade union activities.

Welcomed a multi-million pound Government investmentfor Staffordshire University Academy's Capital Buildproject but raised safety fears over the lack of sprinklersystems in any of the proposed plans.

Questioned the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State forWork and Pensions on the effectiveness of the VaccineDamage Payment Act.

Welcomed plans for the Chase Line speed upgrade. Questioned the Secretary of State for Communities and Local

Government about the cost of the Audit Commissions

25th anniversary events.

Aidan in Parliament:Stafford A&E Debate

Tuesday 20th December 2011

Aidan Burley (Cannock Chase, Conservative): I congratulate myhon. Friend on securing this debate. He mentions Cannock, which ismy constituency. Does he agree that the answer to all the problemsthat we have seen in Stafford is not to close Cannock but to impose atwo-site solution, with services both at Stafford and at Cannock andan improved and more vibrant Cannock hospital? That is the only wayforward and a solution on which we both agree as neighbouringconstituency MPs.Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford, Conservative): I entirely agree with myhon. Friend. It is essential that we have services both in Cannock andStafford. Both hospitals are vital to their local communities, althoughthey perform different services.Click here to see the text of the whole debate.

MP awards prizes for second annualChristmas Card competition

Aidan alongside Sharon Birch from Pertemps PeopleDevelopment Group who have sponsored Aidan's

Christmas Cards for the second year running and pupilsKeeley Aubrey (winner) and Emma Barmer (runner up) from

Moorhill Primary School.Aidan last week met with students from Moorhill Primary School andSharon Birch from Pertemps People Development Group to awardprizes for his second annual Christmas card competition.Aidan received hundreds of entries from pupils across CannockChase each hoping to have their design selected to appear on thefront of Aidan's official Christmas card.Aidan's Christmas cards were kindly sponsored for the second yearrunning by local employment firm Pertemps People DevelopmentGroup who have worked alongside the MP Help Zone since theelection in helping and supporting the long term unemployed back intowork.The winning entry entitled 'Cannock Chase at Christmas' wasdesigned by Keeley Aubrey (Aged 10) from Moorhill Primary School inCannock. The runner up, whose design appears on the back of the

card, was Emma Barmer (Aged 10) also from Moorhill PrimarySchool. Both pupils were given framed copies of their card with acertificate and prizes of stationery from the House of Commons.Jonathan Skelly, the site manager for the Cannock office of PertempsPeople Development said: "Working alongside such a dedicated MPas Aidan, it's been our pleasure to support our local Community byonce again sponsoring this year's Christmas Cards"Aidan added: "I would like to thank all the pupils who entered a designfor my Christmas card competition; I was thrilled by the sheer numberof entries received. Particular congratulations must go to Keeley andEmma, whose designs made it onto my official MP Christmas Card.

"I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to Pertemps PeopleDevelopment Group for sponsoring my cards for the second yearrunning. I have worked very closely with Pertemps PeopleDevelopment Group since my election and have seen firsthand thegreat work they do in offering help and support for unemployed peoplein Cannock Chase and I look forward to continuing to work hand-in-hand with them over the next few years."

Aidan alongside Sharon Birch from Pertemps People DevelopmentGroup who have sponsored Aidan's Christmas Cards for the secondyear running and Christmas Card competition winner Keeley Aubrey

from Moorhill Primary School.

Aidan backs calls for sprinklersystem at Staffordshire UniversityAcademy building projectAidan has welcomed a multi-million pound Government investment forStaffordshire University Academy's Capital Build project but hasraised safety fears over the lack of sprinkler systems in any of theproposed plans.Aidan has learnt that neither of the plans submitted so far appear tocontain provision for sprinkler systems to be installed in the school,despite strong calls from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service forthem to be included.Estimates suggest that sprinkler systems cost around 1% of the totalbuild cost in new builds. However this cost is still more recouped inlower insurance costs for the school and potential costs of a rebuild.Sprinkler systems can last up to 100 years, proving them to be a longterm investment.Figures produced by the Fire Service also suggest that a sprinkleredbuilding will, on average, receive less than 3% damage to its structurecompared to a non sprinklered building which can expect to receivebetween 62 and 95% structural damage.Schools are considered as a primary target for arson attacks due tolarge amount of technology and equipment they store and the MP hashighlighted the incident at Chasetown High School and Chase

Terrace High School in 2002 as a prime example of how sprinklersystems could have prevented such devastation.Commenting Aidan said: "I am very concerned that none of thecurrent plans submitted for Staffordshire University Academy'sbuilding project contain provisions for sprinkler systems. The inclusionof a sprinkler system in any new build School building should be a nobrainer and all the evidence I have seen seems to support this view."I would therefore urge all developers and the Academy to take theadvice of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and revise their plansto include sprinkler systems."

Chris Enness, Deputy Chief Fire Officer at Staffordshire Fire andRescue Service added: "We welcome the investment proposed inStaffordshire University Academy and the vision of raising educationalstandards across Staffordshire by Staffordshire County Council.However, our strong recommendation is for the Academy to be builtwith sprinklers to ensure its longevity and flexibility throughout thelifespan of its use."Existing standards state that this building should be afforded the bestlevels of protection and to use lesser guidance in order to save moneyis in my opinion short sighted and not in the best interests of theCounty Council nor the Academy itself. We are currently involved in

constructive discussions with the County Council and are hopeful thatthis oversight will be corrected."

Aidan welcomes plans for ChaseLine speed upgradeAidan has released the following Statement following theannouncement by Network Rail to fund the West Midlands Line SpeedImprovement scheme for the Chase Line.

Aidan said: "This is great news for local people in Cannock Chaseand something I and others have been lobbying for over recentmonths, both with partners in Cannock Chase and through theDepartment of Transport, where I work as a Parliamentary PrivateSecretary."This upgrade will not only help support my efforts to bring business tothe area but also reinforce the message that Cannock Chase is the

place to come to in South Staffordshire."The Chase Line has the second highest levels of passenger growthin the Centro area and so this important scheme will not only helpdeliver faster journey times, but also allow better value for money andimportantly facilitate better connections at Rugeley Trent Valley something that I know local people will very much welcome."I look forward to working with Network Rail and others over the nextfew months to help get this project underway."

Aidan in the media:Debate held over Stafford Hospital'sA&E night closureBBC News website

Tuesday 20th December 2011The government has been urged to make sure that Stafford Hospital'saccident and emergency (A&E) department reopens full time in thenear future.Staffordshire MPs spoke at a special Commons debate, spelling outwhy the unit was needed by the community.The hospital's trust approved the three-month closure of A&E from

22:00 until 08:00 GMT from 1 December.Hospital bosses said the decision was made due to difficulties inrecruiting consultants and middle-grade doctors.'80% confident'The debate at Westminster Hall in the House of Commons was calledby Conservative MP for Stafford Jeremy Lefroy, and included localTory MPs Aidan Burley and Bill Cash."Parents with the child who becomes sick in the middle of the night, oran elderly person who has no transport of their own and is worriedabout imposing themselves by calling out an ambulance because shedoesn't want to overburden the service, for them, an emergencyservice which is as local as possible, is essential," said Mr Lefroy.Public Health Minister Anne Milton said the trust would be reviewingthe decision early next year.The trust's chief executive, Lynn Hill-Tout, said progress had alreadybeen made in recruiting new doctors, and she was "80% confident"that the A&E unit would open full time in March.

An apology to the people ofCannock ChaseI want to take this opportunity to express my deepest regret at theshame I have brought upon Cannock Chase in the local, national andinternational media over the last ten days.There are no excuses for my foolish behaviour which, over the pasttwo weeks, has caused so much distress to so many people.Let me begin by saying very clearly; I know that I made a mistake,

and Cannock Chase - I am sorry. To my supporters in theConservative Party, to those who voted for me in May 2010, and to allthose who didn't, but are represented by me in Parliament I made abad error of judgement and you deserved better from your local MP.Being involved in a stag party where an SS uniform was worn waswrong and offensive. It was the wrong decision on my part; crass andinsensitive. I am deeply sorry, and want to take this opportunity tooffer the people of Cannock Chase an unreserved, wholehearted andfull apology for the terrible offence this incident has undoubtedlycaused.

It has been an unbelievably difficult ten days for my family and friends,and I feel ashamed that Cannock Chase has been placed in thelimelight as a result of my behaviour. My family have been throughhell, and I want to thank them in particular for the love, courage andsupport they have given me.I think it is important to make one thing very clear: Being involved in afancy dress party does not mean you endorse, tacitly or explicitly, theactions and philosophy of the person that is being impersonated. Infact, quite the opposite is true. I have no sympathies whatsoever withNazism, racism, or fascism.I also wish to make clear, as the Mail on Sunday did, that I personally

did not participate in any alcohol-fuelled attempted toasts by otherguests to the Third Reich. Nor did I participate in any chants, offensiveor otherwise. As the video showed, I left the restaurant immediatelywhen that inexcusable behaviour by other guests started.The most important thing for me going forward is that I am judged onthe work I do for the people of Cannock Chase. I am so proud to havebeen elected to represent this community and hope that over the past18 months I have demonstrated my commitment to doing my verybest locally.In 2012 I will be redoubling my efforts to secure jobs and prosperityfor Cannock Chase, and to be visible and accessible to allconstituents who need my help. I have already met, assisted, andworked with thousands of local people and hope to do the same forthousands more. I will continue to stand up for my constituents, andall I ask is that you judge me on this record.I hope that over time local people can forgive and forget this episode.I have been hugely touched by the many letters of support I havereceived and am grateful for your kindness. In the meantime, I wisheveryone a very peaceful Christmas, and a happy New Year.

5 ways to contact Aidan Burley MP:

By Phone: 01543 502 447

By email: aidan.burley.mp@parliament.uk

By post: Aidan Burley MP6 High Green Court,Newhall StreetCannock, WS11 1GR

In person: Click here for details of how tobook an appointment at AidanBurley MPs regular help andadvice surgeries.

www.aidanburleymp.org

MP Help Zone Christmas and New Yearopening arrangements

Aidan Burley's MP Help Zone closed on

Wednesday 21st

December 2011 and will re-open on Wednesday4th January 2012 at 10am.

More news from Aidan Burley MP, coming soonPlease forward this email on to anyone you think may be interested. Ifyou have had this email forwarded to you and would like to be addedto the mailing list, please send an email to: news@aidanburleymp.orgwith JOIN in the subject heading.

To unsubscribe from this list, please return an e-mail tonews@aidanburleymp.org with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subjectheading.

Aidan Burley MP Putting Cannock Chase First!

Published & Promoted by Aidan Burley MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA