David Ruffley MP today announced the result of negotiations with Richard Ellis, Chairman of the East of England Development Agency (EEDA). Following David's concerns that EEDA need to focus more support on the Bury St Edmunds part of the Cambridge to Ipswich business corridor, Mr Ellis will attend meetings, chaired by the MP, with Deborah Cadman, Chief Executive of St Edmundsbury Borough Council, and Chrissy Harrod, Chairman of the Bury St Edmunds Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The meeting is being set up to discuss what support and intervention EEDA can give to David's constituency.

David Ruffley called this meeting following discussions he had with EEDA chiefs in October. David obtained a commitment from EEDA that the Chairman would come to Bury to discuss what assistance they can offer.

In addition, David prevailed upon Mr Ellis to speak to members of the Chamber of Commerce to give them a chance to air their views on what projects should be implemented.

The meetings will take place on Friday, 25 February.

David said: 'EEDA exists to promote economic development within the region and I want to ensure that my constituency gets constructive help from them. Bury is a thriving community but we have to look to the future and attract inward investment. We must do all we can to attract young, growing and high tech businesses. By calling this meeting and getting EEDA to come to Bury to see and hear for themselves what we have to offer and our vision for the future, I want to ensure that Bury is kept in the forefront of their minds and not put on the back burner. Between now and when the meeting takes place in February I will be canvassing opinion on what the town needs in terms of EEDA's support.

Richard Ellis is the top man at EEDA and we need to get his ear. I am delighted he has accepted my invitation to attend two events- one with the policy makers and one with the Bury Chamber of Commerce members. This is a first, and I'm sure it will be constructive.'