David Ruffley

Following serious incidents of anti-social behaviour in the Moreton Hall area on the night of Tuesday, 11 November, David Ruffley is campaigning for CCTV cameras in Moreton Hall.

David said: 'My constituents in Moreton Hall are becoming increasingly concerned by the anti-social behaviour of rival gangs in the area. Last night's incident caused panic among local residents who were at the scene. Although the police arrived within minutes action must be taken to deter the perpetrators.

When residents of Onehouse were fearful that their views on the proposed housing development by George Wimpey UK would not be heard, MP David Ruffley stepped in to call a public meeting. This will be held on Friday, 21 November at 7.00 p.m. in Onehouse Community Centre.

If the proposed development goes ahead, Onehouse will effectively become part of Stowmarket.

David Ruffley MP today condemned Government plans announced in the Queen's Speech to introduce new charges on local residents. The Government is introducing a Higher Education Bill to impose university fees of up to £3,000 a year and a School Transport Bill to allow councils to charge all but the poorest families for school buses.

David Ruffley MP has written to his local Chambers of Commerce about a new stealth tax which could hurt many businesses in Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket and Needham Market.

As of 1 December, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) will create big increases in tax bills for may local shops, public houses, restaurants and bars.

SDLT hits longer leases hardest, and most high street firms need longer leases to recoup their fitting out costs. A typical will see its tax bill rise from £600 to £6000, according to the British Beer and Pub Association.

David Ruffley MP today pointed to newly published government figures showing the number of special police constables across Suffolk has fallen by 27 per cent since 1997. The figures were obtained by Conservatives in Parliament.

David said: 'No wonder that seeing the police on the beat is such a rarity. New government figures have exposed that the number of special police constables has fallen by 44 per cent across England and Wales since 1997.

David Ruffley has thrown his weight behind the campaign by the Royal British Legion, of which he is a member, to ensure that the 60th Anniversary of D Day on 5/6 June 2004 is commemorated in an appropriate manner.

David has signed an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons calling on the Government to 'begin preparations now in order that this extremely important and historic event is commemorated appropriately on its 60th anniversary next year.'

David Ruffley was in the chamber of the House of Commons on Friday 13 June to support the Fireworks Bill personally. This is a Private Member's Bill introduced by Bill Tynan. It passed its final stages in the House of Commons on Friday and now goes to the House of Lords.

David Ruffley will chair the Police Forum organised by WPC Pauline Shadbolt, the local Community Beat Officer, to be held at Rickinghall Village Hall from 7.00-9.00 p.m. on Friday, 12 September.

All residents from Rickinghall and surrounding villages are invited to attend.

David Ruffley will perform the official opening of the Kall Kwik Centre at Angel House, 24 Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, on Friday, 12 September at 3.30 p.m.

Kall Kwik is the largest print, design and copy specialist in the UK. The new franchisee of Centre in Bury is local businessman, Stewart Green.

Stewart will be working with a team of four and aims to develop the Centre's services and hopes to establish the Centre as a one-stop facility for all business-to-business marking needs.

David Ruffley is supporting All Saints Church, Park Road, Bury St Edmunds, in their bids for funding for their imaginative 'Link' project. The Church plans to link the existing church and church hall to provide easier and more welcoming access as well as additional facilities for use by the local community. The Church has applied to the Charles Hayward Foundation and will be making further applications to other charitable organisation. The Church is situated close to the Priors Estate and provides much needed community facilities but the present site needs updating and improving.