David Ruffley

David Ruffley has been invited to join the panel of VIPs at King Edward VI School on the afternoon of Friday, 10 June for the culmination of the 'Promoting Positive Behaviour' project.

This project is a joint venture between the three upper schools in Bury St Edmunds- King Edward VI, County Upper and St Benedict's. Over five hundred year 10 students will be taking part during the course of the week.

Some of the aims of the project are:

David Ruffley has called a meeting on Friday, 10 June to discuss the future of Stowmarket Football Club. The meeting will be held at the Club and attended by representatives of Mid Suffolk District Council, Stowmarket Football Club and the Stowmarket Church Charity.

David Ruffley will receive a petition from residents on the site of a proposed residential development to the rear of Regent Street, Stowmarket on Friday, 10 June at 5.30 p.m.

David Ruffley will then be sending the petition of 300 signatures to David Ellis, Head of Planning at Mid Suffolk District Council, together with a further supporting letter from himself. David previously raised this matter with David Ellis in May when local residents first expressed their concern about the application.

In the wake of 'No' votes in both France and the Netherlands local people have had their say on the proposed EU constitution.

In an online survey conducted by David Ruffley MP on his interactive website telldavidruffley.com local people delivered a resounding 'No' to plans for a new EU constitution and called overwhelmingly for powers to be brought back to this country.

Local people have given their overwhelming support to the Education policies supported by David Ruffley MP.

David Ruffley MP this week released the results of his latest online survey, filled in by local people on his innovative interactive website www.telldavidruffley.com.

David Ruffley MP this week warned that the Government's changes in the licensing system may cause chaos. Under new licensing laws, pubs, restaurants, clubs and community centres will need to apply for a complex new premises licence, and licensees have to obtain a new personal licence on top. David has now written to the Chambers of Commerce in both Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket to ask if they are aware of any problems.

Local MP highlights new 'stealth tax' on home extensions and soaring stamp duty

David Ruffley MP this week warned that home owners face a new Labour stealth tax- in the form of soaring fees for planning applications. Proposals slipped out by the Government just before Christmas call for a £70 million hike in planning fees from this April.

Government plans for higher taxes in local neighbourhoods

David Ruffley MP this week attacked Government plans to introduce a supplementary council tax, on top of existing local bills. Under the proposals announced by John Prescott, new 'neighbourhood improvement districts' could charge local residents a hefty top-up on council tax bills.

Local Conservatives new policies to improve discipline and standards

David Ruffley MP this week welcomed the new five-point action plan launched by the Conservative Party designed to restore discipline to unruly school classrooms in Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket. AS AN ILLUSTRATION OF FALLING STANDARDS, IN MY CONSTITUENCY OF BURY ST EDMUNDS, OVER 1900 PUPILS WERE TRUANT IN 2003, AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 90% SINCE 1997.

David said:

David Ruffley has been invited to be the honorary patron of Priory School's bid for Specialist School status.

If successful this would bring additional funding to the school and enable them to expand their facilities and implement plans they have for the school's future, for example:

• Access to the very best ICT equipment in the county

• Opportunities to experience new ways of learning

• A Sound Field System to help pupils with hearing, communication and attention problems

• Easier access for pupils with movement difficulties