NewsViewing: the 20 most recent news items | Mar 08 | Feb 08 | Jan 08 | Dec 07 | Nov 07 | Oct 07 | Sep 07 | Jul 07 | Jun 07 | May 07 | Apr 07 | Mar 07 | Feb 07 | Jan 07 | Dec 06 | Nov 06 | Oct 06 | Sep 06 | Aug 06 | Jul 06 | Jun 06 | May 06 | Apr 06 | Mar 0605.07.08 Chris wishes NHS a happy 60th birthday as people of Ipswich pay tributeChris Mole MP and hundreds of constituents have wished the NHS a happy 60th birthday.Chris stood on the Cornhill in Ipswich town centre on Saturday July 5th – the day of the NHS 60th anniversary – and encouraged local shoppers to sign a birthday card to one of Britain’s proudest ever achievements. Hundreds of local people signed the card as a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the staff at Ipswich Hospital who make it all possible. Chris also urged the people of Ipswich to sign up to the “Proud of the NHS Campaign” and share their memories of 60 years of the NHS. They can do so by visiting his website at http://www.chrismolemp.org.uk/nhs_60. Chris said: “I believe that the NHS is one of Britain’s proudest ever achievements and it is only right to honour its 60th birthday by paying tribute to all of the loyal and hardworking staff who keep us healthy day-in-day-out. “Hundreds of people wanted to sign our card and that shows just how much the health service means to our town. “The NHS has changed a lot during its 60 years. The publication of the Darzi Review last month – the most comprehensive review of the NHS in decades - reflects the renewed emphasis on a more personal level of care, tailored to the specific needs of families and committed to preventing illness as well as curing it. “The variety in age of people signing this to wish the NHS a happy 60th birthday is a testament to the’ cradle to grave’ care that the NHS provides the people of our town.” 
30.06.08 MP tracks progress of Ipswich to London lineChris Mole MP today travelled along the Ipswich to London railway line in the cab of a National Express East Anglia train to investigate the challenges faced by Ipswich commuters.Chris, who was on the 10:40am service to London Liverpool Street, was accompanied by Andrew Goodrum (Mainline Business Manager) and Bob Broadhead (Train Crewe and Operations Manager). The journey presented an opportunity to investigate the current condition of the line, represent constituents concerns about maintenance of the route, and learn of new opportunities for improvements to services in the future. Discussions centred on the current challenges which face that route, including Network Rail’s ongoing replacement of overhead lines. Chris also learnt of encouraging developments concerning additional capacity that would directly benefit Ipswich based commuters, as National Express revealed that they are submitting a proposal to Government that could bring an additional 100 plus vehicles on to the network. Chris said: “This was a good opportunity to see the issues that National Express face for providing a regular and reliable service on the train line between Ipswich and London Liverpool Street. “I was sorry to see that there are more speed restrictions in place than desirable and would urge Network Rail to continue to invest in necessary and routine maintenance to clear these up as quickly as possible. “Travelling in the cab of the train gave me the ‘birds-eye’ view of the age of some of the overhead power lines – some of which are over 60 years old - and I would be keen for Network Rail to accelerate their programme of replacing these, which continue to be the source of faults in extreme weather conditions. “I was encouraged to hear that National Express are submitting a proposal to Government to hugely increase capacity and reduce overcrowding on this route during peak periods. I know this step would be hugely popular with my constituents.” 
20.06.08 More Tory waste on County CouncilSuffolk County Council faces a new row over use of taxpayers' money after it emerged it is spending £500 a day on consultants to lead its communications department, following the sudden departure of the authority's communications chief Francis Thomas.Labour councillors have criticised the move, accusing the authority of “arrogantly” wasting taxpayers' money. It is the latest recruitment row to hit the council, which came under fire for appointing its new chief executive Andrea Hill on a salary of up to £220,000 - around £70,000 more than her predecessor. It may still appoint a new head of communications on a salary of between £63,000 and £81,000. Until this happens, the council is spending £20,000 - or £500 a day for two-and-a-half days a week over four months - on consultants to co-ordinate the work of the seven media officers and a staff of ten to deal with internal communications. Sue Thomas, Labour spokesperson on human resources and customer service, says: “It is now clear that the Conservatives' recruitment policy is completely out of control. How can it be right to use the council's money like this while cutting services to Suffolk's old and vulnerable? “Huge wages rises at the top, cuts to care services and wasting millions of pounds on consultants - the Conservatives' arrogance when spending taxpayers money is there for all to see." Sue said since the sudden departure of Mr Thomas (no relation) earlier this month, the county was not only spending £500 a day on consultants, but also £7,720 on advertising for a replacement. In addition, she said there would be an undisclosed amount in bonuses for covering the vacancy, and an undisclosed amount on a “golden handshake” for former head of communications. The news comes just weeks before publication of boundary proposals which could lead to the abolition of the authority in under two years. 
13.06.08 Local hospital volunteer meets Prime MinisterVolunteer at Ipswich Hospital Pat Osborne attended a reception at Number 10 Downing Street as the guest of local MP Chris Mole and met the Prime Minister.The event, held to celebrate 60 years of the NHS, saw MPs from across the country bring NHS volunteers from their area to see behind the most famous front door in Britain. Pat is a volunteer with the play team at the hospital and was recently voted as Volunteer of the Year at the Ipswich Hospital Staff Awards 2008. Along with her special assistant Max (a golden retriever dog), she entertains children who are patients – some of whom have terminal illnesses. But Pat’s role doesn’t stop there. On call until midnight, she returns as ‘Granny Pat’ to sit with those children who don’t have visitors that evening. Chris said: “It was a privilege to take Pat as my guest to 10 Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister. I know how much joy both Pat and Max bring to the children at Ipswich Hospital and what is a difficult time for both the children and their families. The NHS is one of this country’s proudest achievements and it is staff and the volunteers like Pat which really make it the success story that it is.” Pat said: "I had a smashing time, it was a great honour. I enjoyed every minute of the reception" The Prime Minister said: “It was an honour to welcome Pat and so many other volunteers like her to Downing Street. When the NHS saved my sight it was those who work in the NHS that helped me through that difficult time.” 
27.05.08 MP checks out new hospital facilitiesChris Mole MP today visited the Garrett Anderson Centre in Ipswich Hospital to see the new centre.The £26 million centre starts receiving patients over the coming weeks and has been designed to provide the next generation of healthcare to the people of Ipswich. It hosts a new Accident and Emergency facility (housing 12 treatment rooms for adults as well as 4 specifically designed for children); a day surgery centre; and a critical care centre. To meet patient demand and to offer more privacy and dignity, 50 percent of the centre’s short-stay rooms are single en-suite rooms. The new facility will help the hospital meet its elective surgery targets as well as the Government’s maximum wait time of 18 weeks from GP to surgery. It is designed to be easily cleaned and to help avoid patients of the opposite sex sharing accommodation. In building the Garrett Anderson Centre, Ipswich Hospital have placed a primacy on involving patients both in the design process, and also the running of the centre. This is done through a ‘Patient Consultation and Communication Strategy Group’ which includes 3 members of the public. This then feeds ideas to 12 Patients Representatives who represent patients’ needs across several clinical teams. Chris said: “I am delighted to see first hand the fruits of all the hard-work of all those at Ipswich Hospital who have made the Garrett Anderson Centre a reality. I have supported this new facility from the first business plan and I am pleased to see it up and running. The Garrett Anderson Centre is all about meeting the needs of the modern patient in a state-of-the-art healthcare setting. It allows patients to have their say on key decisions which affect them. Patients’ views have already been extensively represented in the design process and accordingly the centre has an extremely high ratio of single en-suite rooms. I was particularly impressed with the quality of the design, the attention to features such as the ease with which wards can be cleaned and the hi-tech equipment which will be used to treat patients. In the 21st century we need flexible, modern hospital facilities that enable services to change as priorities change and the Garrett Anderson will enable Ipswich Hospital to better meet the needs of Ipswich people.” 
19.05.08 Labour councillors secure new play equipment at Murray Road RecIpswich Borough Council has responded to requests from local residents, backed by their Labour councillors, by installing new play equipment at Murray Road Recreation Ground. This includes a unit for middle years to older young people and two Disability Discrimination Act compliant swings useable by all.These improvements were made possible through the Government's Liveability Fund and Councillor Susan Maguire's locality budget. 
14.05.08 Our local MEP, Richard Howitt, reports...Richard Howitt reports on his recent activities in the East of England and in Europe, including his campaigning in Ipswich during the recent local election campaign.View attachment below for the full report. view attachment 
12.05.08 District Auditor slams Council's 'potentially unlawful' actionsThe District Auditor has today called Suffolk County Council's actions in awarding a £220,000 salary to the new Chief Executive potentially unlawful.The Conservative led Council is accused of keeping information back from the Staff Appointments Committee when asking them to raise the salary range for the new Chief Executive. They are also accused of failing to demonstrate value for money in making the salary increase. The report states: "In my view the full range of information that was provided to the Leader of the Council on 15 February should have been shared with all members of the Staff Appointments Committee in order to inform subsequent decision-making at its meeting on 6 March. It is arguable that the decision to increase the salary range was based on inadequate information and relevant information was not made available to the Committee and therefore, was potentially unlawful" Julian Swainson, Leader of the Labour Group (pictured), said: "This damning report shows that Labour Councillors were right to raise the issue with the District Auditor. Clearly the appointment process was flawed, as we said. This report shows that Suffolk electors simply cannot trust their Tory county councillors to act responsibly with taxpayers' money. The Conservative administration at the Council would have more credibility if they were not so self-congratulating in their press release, but admitted that they had made mistakes in this process. We support the District Auditors view that a court challenge would merely risk further waste of public funds, but lessons must be learned from this whole episode. Once again this will undermine any claim that a single unitary countywide council could be trusted to act in the best interests of Suffolk people." 
12.05.08 Griffin Wharf opening signals new affordable housing for the people of IpswichChris Mole MP today attended a ceremony to mark the opening of the Griffin Wharf estate in Ipswich.The estate, which is in the Bridge area of Ipswich, will provide large quantities of new affordable housing for the people of Ipswich. This is part of the Government's bold commitment to be building 70,000 new social homes per year by 2010. Once complete, the estate will be home to 464 dwellings, of which 90 affordable units are presently finished. The event was organised by the Griffin Wharf Residents Association. The estate also plans to contain a ground-breaking new health centre which will be able to address the specific health needs of the Bridge and Old Stoke areas of Ipswich. The practice, which would be moving from its current location in Burlington Road would place a strong emphasis on illness prevention as well as cure. Griffin Wharf places a strong emphasis on building a mixed income community, helping build a stable communities characterised by a mix of tenures. Chris said: "I am delighted that the Griffin Wharf estate will bring more affordable social housing to the people of Ipswich. This is not just about more bricks and mortar - although obviously that is important. This is about building mixed, sustainable communities. From what I have seen today, the Griffin Wharf Residents Association are playing a key role in what will become a thriving local community combined with modern, cutting edge healthcare provision." 02.05.08 Victories for Labour as Ipswich bucks national trendLabour came out on top in Ipswich, as results were announced in the early hours of this morning. Only three seats changed hands out of the eighteen (including two by-elections) contested. Rushmere campaigner, Alasdair Ross won Rushmere, beating the Tories by 13 votes, the first Labour victory in the seat since 2002; Albert Grant comfortably won back the Whitehouse ward he represented until two years ago, beating the Liberals; Bryony Rudkin, standing as Labour and Co-operative Party candidate, won Bridge from the Tories, giving Labour all three seats in the ward.In other cotests around the Borough: A narrow miss by 3 votes in St John's, mean that they hold on to one solitary seat in the ward; In Priory Heath, Bill Quinton pulled Labour ahead to our first three figure majority since 2002; Carole Jones comfortably defeated the Liberal Democrat in Westgate ward, which the Liberals had gained by 13 votes last year. see the Evening Star's take on the results here The new Council comprises: Labour - 21; Tories - 19; Liberal Democrats - 8. View the attachment below, for the full official results from Ipswich Borough Council. view attachment 
01.05.08 VOTE TODAY!For more affordable houses; Fewer flatsBetter maintained roads and pavements Action to fill empty town centre shops For better bus services and lower fares Against Tory priorities of £220,000 pay for Chief Exec, while day care centres close. 
30.04.08 Vote Labour on ThursdayLabour Group Leader, David Ellesmere calls on voters to give their support to Labour in tomorrows elections, as local canvass returns show strong support for Ipswich Labour policies.In an interview with the Evening Star, David said: “I wouldn't want to make any predictions as that is down to the voters. What we are finding is that people are concerned about our key messages and campaigning issues. We are calling for more affordable homes, fewer flats, tackling empty shops and cheap bus fares. “We are also finding a lot of people are angry about the £80,000 pay rise of Suffolk's new chief executive and I think a lot of people are going to vote on that issue on May 1.” Labour has a strong group of candidates for Thursday's election, and with your support, can become the largest political Group on the Council. A vote for Labour is a vote for more affordable homes, fewer flats, tackling empty shops, better maintained roads and pavements and cheaper bus fares. 
30.04.08 PM welcomes progress on Hospital Acquired InfectionsPrime Minister Gordon Brown welcomed the award of “Team of the Year” to the Ward Deep Clean Team at Ipswich Hospital during Prime Minister’s Questions today.Responding to Chris Mole MP asking him to congratulate the team who won their award last Thursday (28th April 2008) at the hospital’s prestigious Staff Awards Event, the PM welcomed the news that the team had been nominated by their colleagues for the efficient, professional and cheerful way they worked in harmony with others whilst moving patients, cleaning wards and minimising disruption to clinical needs. Chris Mole said, “This is high accolade indeed for an excellent team who have delivered a 68% reduction in MRSA bacteraemia numbers reported two years ago enabling the hospital to come in under its target for the past 12 months. I am pleased the PM was able to respond so positively to my question as I know deep cleaning of our hospitals has been a priority of his in contrast to the opposition leader David Cameron who has described it as a gimmick. This would not in my estimation be the view of those who nominated the Ward Deep Clean Team at Ipswich Hospital.” 
23.04.08 Traffic mayhem - and Tories to blame"Gone to pot...holes that are blighting our roads" says today's Evening Star, and there is an emerging consensus shared even by Ipswich's Tory Transport spokesperson that it is the Tories to blame!Statistics show that 7% of Suffolk's carriageways (roads to those of us who have reached the 20th let alone 21st Century!), 18% of its footways (pavements) and 17% of Suffolk's population is in Ipswich - with many more travelling in the town daily - but only 2.8% of the county's budget is spent here! Labour candidates like Dick Kirby (Sprites ward) pictured here have been checking up on the state of local roads - reporting potholes to the Council, and are election pledge of Better maintained roads and pavements has struck a chord with Ipswich people. The Tories prefer to spend their money outside the Borough. Let them know what you think, when you vote on Thursday 1st May. 
22.04.08 35 children’s centres now open in Suffolk35 Children’s Centres are now open in Suffolk – up from just 6 two years ago.Chris Mole, MP for Ipswich, welcomed the news and said that 26,619 children under five and their families now have access to the range of services Sure Start offers. Sure Start Children’s Centres are a one-stop shop for families and children under five. They offer easy access to a range of services including early years learning, childcare, family health services, and advice and support for parents. A recent independent evaluation report found that Sure Start was having a positive impact on the lives of children and families. The Government this week announced that its target to have 2,500 Children’s Centres open across the country by the start of this month has been beaten – with 2,906 Children’s Centres open in England by 31 March 2008. By 2010 there will be 3,500 Children’s Centres, one for every community. Chris said: "While ten years ago there were no Children's Centres, today there are 35 in Suffolk offering services to some 26,619 families and children. I know from visiting Children’s Centres in my constituency – such as The Tree House Children’s Centre on Clapgate Lane – the big difference it has made to so many families in our area and how much parents rely on the services Sure Start provides. "As every parent knows, the earliest years of a child's life are critical to their future development. It's also a time when parents need advice and support. That’s why this Labour Government has made investing in Sure Start, high quality childcare and nursery education a big priority. We’ve introduced an entitlement to a free nursery place for every three and four year old – and 15,035 children in Suffolk are today benefiting. “But while Labour will continue investing in Sure Start, the Tories will cut its funding by £200 million each year. Under Labour Sure Start will soon be a permanent and universal service for all families and children under five in every community in England, but that would be put at risk if the Tories get their way.” Children’s Secretary Ed Balls added: "Congratulations to everybody who has helped to get all the new Children’s Centres in Suffolk off the ground, including Sure Start staff and all the volunteers who help out. While the Tories want to cut £200 million per year from Sure Start, Labour will continue to invest in Sure Start in Suffolk and across the country. The range of services offered by Sure Start are being expanded and there will soon be a Children’s Centre in every community.” 
21.04.08 Chris meets Olympic athletes to discuss Ipswich's role in 2012Chris Mole MP today heard from former Olympic Triple-Jump Champion and world-record holder Jonathan Edwards, about Ipswich’s key role in the London 2012 Olympics.The Games will not just be an event for London but something that the whole nation can participate in and signs already indicate that Ipswich stands to benefit. Chris met Jonathan, and Athens 2004 Diving Silver Medallist Leon Taylor, at a reception hosted by Nations and Regions East, who have been charged with maximising the benefits of the 2012 Olympiad for the Eastern region. Ipswich’s close proximity to the games, which will be centred in Stratford, East London, places the town in a prime position to benefit from the 2012 Games London 2012 will have a hugely positive impact in encouraging young people to participate in sport, giving them the opportunity to see top athletes first hand and use Olympic standard facilities. 65 venues covering 27 sports in the East of England have already been included in the Guide for National Olympic and Paralympic Committees to consider as possible training venues. In Ipswich, these include: Ipswich Town Football Club’s Training Ground; the Ipswich Gymnastics Centre; and Northgate Sports Centre. Ipswich also stands to benefit financially from the Games, for the run up to the 2012 Games, the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) have committed £1m to support East of England Tourism (EET) in promoting the Eastern region and its destinations. Furthermore businesses in Ipswich are in a strong position to compete for contracts in the run up to the Games and can register on the tendering website. Chris said: “The 2012 Games is not just for Londoners. It is a fantastic celebration which the whole country can participate, and one that Ipswich is particularly well positioned to benefit from given its close proximity to the Olympic site. “I am positive that the Games will generate massive enthusiasm amongst young people in our already sport-mad town, by having Olympic athletes just like Jonathan and Leon, training right on their doorstop, using Ipswich’s top-class facilities. “What’s more, the boost to business and tourism that the Games will bring means more jobs, more money and a lasting legacy to the people of Ipswich.” 
02.04.08 Home Office minister boosts Labour's campaignLabour candidate for Alexandra ward, Martin Goonan, was joined by Meg Hillier, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State at the Home Office today, as he spoke to voters living close to the town centre. Meg was in town on Government business, but took time out of her schedule to assist Labour candidates with their election campaign.Martin says: "I regularly knock on doors with Chris Mole, but this was the first time I've been joined by a govermnet minister. Most residents raised local issues which I was able to respond to, but one resident actually raiseda home office issue, so I was able to get an authorative answer straight away!" 
31.03.08 Cabinet minister in Town to launch election campaignEd Miliband, Cabinet Office minister with responsibility for social inclusion, was in Ipswich earlier today, to help launch Labour's local government election campaign.He visited the Racecourse estate, accompanied by Chris Mole MP and Labour Group Leader, David Ellesmere. He took a walk across Cobham Road Rec and Queens Way, speaking to Rec users, shoppers and shopkeepers, before meeting local residents and Labour election candidates at the Priory Centre. Ed urged people to vote on local issues in May's elections - not just regarding them as an opinion poll on the national government's performance. Ed said: “When we came into power in 1997 there were no police community support officers. Now they are doing a valuable job in areas like this. It is Labour initiatives which are improving people's quality of life - and we have to make people aware of that in May's elections.” click here for story and brief video from the Evening Star website 
27.03.08 Key funding secured to keep Ipswich residents safe from floodsChris Mole MP today welcomed the announcement by the Environment Agency that a big step has been taken to safeguard Ipswich town centre from flooding.The first phase of funding required for a £40 million flood barrier project has now been secured and indicates that huge progress is being made toward protecting Ipswich from tidal surges, due to a tidal surge barrier across the River Orwell at New Cut. The project – one of the largest currently being worked on by the Environment Agency – will safeguard the town from a 1 in 300 chance of flooding in any one year. Currently the town is only safe from a tidal surge between 1 in 20 annually and 1 in 100 chance of flooding in any one year. The first stage of the project is scheduled to start work in February 2009 when river banks near the Wet Dock entrance and Bath Street will be raised. The project is expected to reach conclusion and be in full working order by 2012. Chris said: “Following my meetings with Dr Charles Beardall of the Environment Agency in the East of England earlier in the year, I am absolutely delighted that the first phase of funding has been secured for this crucial project. “Floods in the Summer of 2007 and the storms of last November served to warn us against complacency and I was delighted that the Environment Agency have clearly listened to the representations I made on behalf of the local community. “With the current defences coming to an end of their useful life, action is needed to protect Ipswich’s homes, businesses and future development sites. “Government expenditure on flood management will rise from £600 million in 2007-08 to £800 million by 2010-11 with £10 million per year also being spent on introducing a flood adaptation toolkit to help communities adapt to flooding caused by climate change. I’m glad Ipswich has got its share of this.” Viewing: the 20 most recent news items | Mar 08 | Feb 08 | Jan 08 | Dec 07 | Nov 07 | Oct 07 | Sep 07 | Jul 07 | Jun 07 | May 07 | Apr 07 | Mar 07 | Feb 07 | Jan 07 | Dec 06 | Nov 06 | Oct 06 | Sep 06 | Aug 06 | Jul 06 | Jun 06 | May 06 | Apr 06 | Mar 06 |
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