David Ruffley

David Ruffley MP will be attending a top level meeting at Portcullis House, Westminster on Thursday 17 November to discuss the proposed restructuring of police forces in the East of England.

Suffolk Police Authority suggested four restructuring options in October 2005:

 Creating a regional 'super force' by merging all six East Anglian forces (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk).

 Amalgamating Suffolk Constabulary with Norfolk and Cambridgeshire Constabularies.

David Ruffley MP today attended a high level meeting at the House of Commons, along with other Suffolk MPs, with the Chief Constable of Suffolk Police and the Chair of the Suffolk Police Authority to discuss the proposed amalgamation of police forces in the East of England.

'I see evidence on a regular basis of a system that is inefficient and inaccessible'

David Ruffley MP has today commented that the National Audit Office's (NAO) report on the benefits system has confirmed his long standing belief that the system is overcomplicated, inefficient and in need of a complete overhaul.

In 1997 the Government promised a radical reform of welfare. However, benefit fraud and error are costing the taxpayer £3 billion a year and the system is widely regarded as alien and inaccessible to those that need to rely on it.

David Ruffley MP has today written to Alastair McWhirter, Chief Constable of Suffolk Constabulary, welcoming the force's efforts to clamp down on uninsured drivers but expressing his concern at the latest figures for Suffolk.

David Ruffley MP has today expressed his alarm at reports that Government inspectors will be invading people's homes to collate information for the Council Tax revaluation.

Following the revelation last week that taxes could be increased on homes with features such as; patios, conservatories, parking spaces or even scenic views, it has now become clear that inspectors from the Valuation Office Agency will have the right to enter properties and gardens and take photographs of each home, including bedrooms.

'The views of the people of Suffolk must not be brushed aside.'

'I encourage all my constituents who are concerned about our county's emergency services to take part in this consultation.'

David Ruffley MP has today highlighted the importance of the Suffolk Police Authority consultation on the restructuring of the region's police forces.

The police authorities and forces in the Eastern Region are being asked to consider three options:

1. Merging Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk police forces into one regional force.

'Just two weeks after I highlighted the need for Suffolk's elderly to have adequate access to the vaccination the Government's Head of Immunisation now tells us there is a shortage of the jabs. This is simply unacceptable."

David Ruffley MP has today expressed his alarm that at this crucial stage in the flu vaccination period the Department of Health's Head of Immunisation to England's GPs has confirmed that stocks of the annual flu jab are running out.

David Ruffley MP has called a meeting at the St Edmundsbury Borough Council offices to discuss the appalling state of the site of the former Merry Go Round public house on the Howard Estate in Bury St Edmunds at 9.30 a.m. on Friday, 25th November.

The Merry Go Round public house has been derelict for some time and negotiations between St Edmundsbury and the long leaseholder of the property have failed to produce a solution for residents.

David Ruffley MP is to meet with St Edmundsbury Borough Councillor Christopher Spicer and representatives from Troston Farms to discuss the concerns raised by the residents of Troston regarding proposed mobile chicken sheds on the farm grounds.

David's meeting will take place between 11.00am and 12.00 on Friday 25 November.

Residents of Troston have expressed concerns that the erection of chicken sheds and the housing of 400 free range chickens on the site will result in increased noise and odour from the farm.

David Ruffley MP has today given his backing to the 'Rickinghall Fix 2006' project.

The Rickinghall Village Hall and Playing Field project was selected from over 1,000 applications to compete, via public vote, for an award of £50,000. The short listed projects will be showcased on ITV regional news this week.

The 'Rickinghall Fix 2006' project aims to update the current outdoor facilities in the local playing field, by providing a meeting place for teenagers, replacing swings, providing an accessible public toilet and replacing the existing sports surface.