LOCAL MP GETS CRAFTY

Aidan recently spent the afternoon at Norton Canes Library with the Crafty Creations Group run by Friends of Norton Canes. The group meets every Friday to take part in craft work and is also a great way for local people to meet each week and chat in a relaxed environment.

Later in the afternoon Aidan was on hand to serve tea and coffee at an afternoon tea organised the Norton Canes Community Partnership which supports local people and groups and helps promote local events in the area.

Aidan then held a 90 minute Q&A session with local residents hosted by Norton Canes Community Partnership, during which a multitude of issues were discussed, including speed limits on local roads, the quality of teaching in local schools, Ofsted inspections and green belt development. Aidan was joined throughout the afternoon and at the Q&A session by local Norton Canes Councillor and Chairman of Cannock Chase District Council John Beddows and County Councillor John Rowley as well as local Police Community Support Officer Neil Griffiths.

Commenting Aidan said: "I was very pleased to be able to attend Norton Canes library for this crafts session and afternoon tea. A big thanks must go to Tracey Gould for organising the day – and for allowing me to make the tea and coffee, and most importantly of all, providing the biscuits!"

Tracey Gould, Community Development Officer at Norton Canes Community Partnership added: "Norton Canes Community Partnership was delighted that Aidan could attend our Afternoon Tea event at Norton Canes Library. Everyone enjoyed the discussions and was pleased that he volunteered to make the teas and coffees".

AIDAN WELCOMES SECRETARY OF STATE TO CANNOCK CHASE

Aidan recently welcomed Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith MP to Cannock Chase to speak with local charities and stakeholders.

During his visit the former Conservative Party leader met with representatives from the Newlife Foundation, Richmond Fellowship and the Cannock Branch of Pertemps People Development Group among others.

Commenting Aidan said: "I was delighted to welcome Iain to Cannock to speak with some key local stakeholders here in Cannock Chase. It's not every day a Secretary of State visits our town, so I took the opportunity to speak with him about the government's Welfare Reform programme and the need to press ahead with changes to the benefit system to ensure work always pays."

Newlife CEO Sheila Brown, OBE, said: "Newlife welcomed the invitation to meet the Minister and to discuss aspects of legislation that directly affect disabled children, in particular why we are campaigning for the Disability Living Allowance mobility component to be extended to the under-threes. We want families of very young disabled children to have the same opportunities to get out into their communities as anyone else."

"The meeting also gave us a platform to talk about what the charity does locally in relation to providing volunteering and job opportunities for disabled adults in the area."

MP BECOMES APPRENTICE FOR A DAY

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, South Staffordshire College helped Aidan get an insight into life as an Apprentice.

Aidan visited the College's Progress Centre to meet and speak to Painting & Decorating Apprentices, donning white overalls and trying his hand at some painting and decorating skills alongside apprentices, South Staffordshire College's Deputy Principal Mark Robertson and Lecturer Phil Bogacki.

Aidan said: "I am delighted to support National Apprenticeship Week 2012 which aims to highlight the advantages of employing and supporting apprentices in the workplace.

"I would like to pay tribute to South Staffordshire College and its Apprenticeship programme for their on-going commitment to securing careers for young people across Staffordshire. I witnessed just one part of this programme recently when I met with local apprentices and took part in a Painting & Decorating session at the Progress Centre in Cannock, and was thoroughly impressed.

"Apprenticeships are central to the Government's strategy to deliver growth and build a sustainable economy. They not only help and support people gain the skills they need to succeed and progress in their careers but also help employers to build a workforce with the motivation and expertise they need to compete globally. "

MP JOINS FIGHT AGAINST “INEFFICIENT AND INTERMITTENT” ONSHORE WIND TURBINES

Aidan has joined with 105 other MPs from the four largest political parties represented in the House of Commons and written to the Prime Minister urging a reduction in the amount of subsidy given to onshore wind.

The joint letter also signed by fellow Staffordshire MPs Jeremy Lefroy, Chris Pincher, Bill Cash, Andrew Griffiths and Karen Bradley, asks for amendments to be made to the National Planning Policy Framework to help protect the rural landscape and heritage sites across the country.

It also asks for the Planning Inspectorate to be told that these factors, as well as the views of local residents, to been given more weight in their decisions to counter-balance recent decisions which have given more weight to regional, national and European renewable energy targets.

Commenting Aidan said: "I'm delighted to be part of this campaign. Not only is onshore wind production inefficient and intermittent, it also increases the price of energy bills to every home and business in Cannock Chase."

"I am keen to see the amount of money available in subsidy for onshore wind reduced and this saving spread across other renewable energy types and also spent on local energy efficiency measures."

"It is also important that the new planning regime the Government is introducing ensures that local peoples' views are taken fully into account and that the system recognises the importance of the beautiful countryside and heritage assets we have."

MP WELCOMES GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR MORE HOMES IN CANNOCK CHASE

Aidan has welcomed additional Government funding to build more affordable homes in Cannock Chase. Through the New Homes Bonus, Cannock Chase District Council has been allocated £584,178 over the next two years to build much-needed housing in the local area.

The New Homes Bonus is a multi-billion pound programme that rewards communities when they accept more house building in their area. The Bonus includes an extra reward for building new affordable homes, and for getting long-term empty homes back into use.

Building on the flagship Housing Strategy, the Government has also unveiled a range of measures to help first time buyers onto the housing ladder, provide support for millions who have been left languishing on social housing waiting lists and get construction on the move.

Commenting Aidan said: "Labour led Britain into a housing crisis - the number of affordable homes fell, waiting lists almost doubled and first-time buyer numbers collapsed to their lowest level for a generation.

"Housebuilding is already up a quarter under the Coalition Government, but there is more to do.

"I am delighted to welcome this funding for new homes in Cannock Chase. The Government's actions will help local people onto the housing ladder, provide more affordable housing and create local jobs".

MP CYCLES TOUR DE NOCK

Aidan was among over 250 riders who braved the freezing temperatures on Sunday to take part in the Tour de Nock Charity bike ride which, for the second year running, raised money for local charity The Hibbs Lupus Trust.

Beginning at Hayes Green Community Centre, the MP rode 45 miles through the Chase and Staffordshire, at one point even entering the neighbouring county of South Derbyshire!

Aidan, who was equipped for the event with a racing bike and cycle gear from Mammoth Lifestyle and Fitness (The Green, Stafford ST17 0UR), was joined by Ian Kendrick, Bar Manager of the Cannock Conservative Club. Together they have so far managed to raise over £350.

The Tour, now in its third year and open to all, was sponsored by Cycle Shack Events and is estimated to have raised over £1300 for The Hibbs Lupus Trust, which provides support for those affected by lupus and helps raise awareness of the condition. It is run entirely by voluntary trustees, friends & supporters of the charity and so relies heavily on the support of the general public.

Commenting Aidan said: "I'm thrilled to have been able to take part in this year's Tour de Nock cycle ride in aid of The Hibbs Lupus Trust; a great local charity. I would like to pay tribute to all of the riders and spectators who braved the cold to take part in this fantastic event.

"I had initially only intended to ride the 15 mile route, however having got caught up in the excitement of the day, I ended up riding the 40 mile course – which actually turned out to be 45 miles! A decision my muscles still haven't forgiven me for! "

Aidan and Ian will be presenting the money they raised to the Hibbs Lupus Trust in the next few weeks.

MP BACKS GOVERNMENT‘S TOUGH PENALTIES FOR METAL THEFT

Aidan has welcomed a recent announcement by the Home Secretary, Theresa May MP who has said that cash payments for scrap metal will be banned and penalties increased, as the Government steps up its action against metal theft.

In a statement to Parliament the Home Secretary said the Government would:

• Create a new criminal offence to prohibit cash payments when purchasing scrap metal
• Introduce unlimited penalties on those who break the law.

In November last year, the Government announced that a dedicated metal theft taskforce would be established. These changes are part of a wider plan to tackle all stages in the illegal trading of stolen scrap metal and further measures to crack down on rogue dealers will soon be outlined.

This new crackdown by the Government comes following recent figures showing that levels of metal theft from churches in Cannock Chase and Lichfield are some of the highest in the country.

Commenting Aidan said: "People across Cannock Chase are disgusted by metal thieves and the criminals who deal in stolen metal. This is a despicable and cowardly crime that strikes at the very heart of our communities.

"It is vital that we do all can to protect business, the public and our national heritage from metal theft and so I'm pleased that the Government has taken tough action and is stopping cash payments and introducing tough penalties to clamp down on the illegal metal trade"

AIDAN BURLEY MP: SECURING THE FUTURE OF OUR POST OFFICES IN CANNOCK CHASE

Aidan has welcomed the news of a 10-year deal between Royal Mail and the Post Office, securing the future of services without resorting to the failed closures programme which dominated Labour's time in government.

The deal follows the Government's other measures to protect Post Office services including additional funding, new local and national contracts, a successful piloting scheme to transform many local post offices and improvements in the services offered.

Commenting, Aidan said: "In opposition I campaigned tirelessly to overturn Labour's cuts to our Post Offices here in Cannock Chase and across the country, which saw them close over 6,500 in a decade. The Government's announcement means the future of the Post Office is secured guaranteeing this valuable service for millions of people"

STATEMENT ON STAFFORD HOSPITAL A&E

In response to the news that Stafford Hospital Accident and Emergency Department will not fully re-open until May 2012 at the earliest.

Aidan Burley MP said: "This announcement by Mid Staffs Trust is very disappointing and confirms my original fear that three months was a hopelessly optimistic time scale to solve the problems of Stafford A&E Department

"Local people will understandably feel let down by this further delay, which in itself was given "only a 75%" chance of being successful by Lyn Hill-Tout at the public meeting in Cannock last night.

"Looking longer term, I believe there needs to be a more permanent solution to the situation at Mid Staffs which may involve closer collaboration with another Trust.

"In the meantime, I will continue to work with the Trust to ensure the Hospital's A&E department is fully opened as soon as possible."

MP SUPPORTS THRIVING LOCAL BUSINESS

Aidan has paid tribute to what he has called a "truly inspiring" local firm during a recent visit.

Last week Aidan attended Mailcoms Ltd, an independent, Royal Mail-approved franking machine supplier and maintainer, based in Cannock - the only one of its kind between Birmingham and Manchester.

The firm, which employs 12 local people, has just invested nearly £500,000 in new premises for the business with no help from grants or outside organisations. Aidan was on hand to help celebrate the opening of the new premises.

After the opening, Aidan was shown around by Managing Director Des McManus, who had originally set up the business with his wife from their Cannock home in 2006. Since then, the firm have gone on to turn over in excess of £1 million pounds a year and are now the largest online retailer in the UK of franking machine supplies.

Mailcoms Ltd will shortly become the first company in the UK to develop the technology and equipment to offer Franking Ink cartridge recycling, remanufacturing and refilling approved by Royal Mail.

During the visit Aidan was also introduced to some of the firm's newest members of staff who, until recently, were unemployed. The company are now advertising for two more positions in light of the new capacity with more positions planned for later this year.

Commenting after the visit Aidan said: "It was a genuine honour to be asked to attend the opening of the new premises for Mailcoms Ltd, a company which is clearly thriving.

"It was clear to me throughout the visit the dedication and passion all the employees bring to the business, and their strong desire to make it a success. I have no doubt that it will continue to go from strength to strength, as evidenced by its truly inspiring journey over the past five years, having started out of a converted garage and now working from brand new bespoke new premises in Heritage Park"

"It is small business entrepreneurs such as Des McManus who will grow our economy back to strength and so it is vital that as a government we do everything we can to support them."

Managing Director of Mailcoms Ltd, Des McManus added: "I'd like to thank Aidan for his support and genuine interest in Mailcoms and our story so far.

"Small private sector business's are essential to the economic recovery and Aidan very much showed his support and appreciation for what we had achieved by way of growth and local job creation. Aidan's interest in Mailcoms further demonstrates his tireless work for both private and the public sector for Cannock Chase"