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HOLIDAY TIME

A weeks holiday now beckons. The weather looks good and as every year we will be taking a week off near Blackpool, but we are hoping to go to Scotland for a few days during the week. Scanning websites for B&B's near Loch Lomond and Oban. Watch this space !!

VISIT TO NEW MILLS DOCTORS

Accompanied by Mark Simmonds, Shadow Health Minister, I have been to see the Doctors at the Sett Valley practice to talk about their ideas for a Out of Hospital Care Project. I have seen the proposals, but I thought it would be useful for Mark to speak to the Doncotrs to not only hear about their ideas for the project, but also to give them the opportuinty to voice their fears and concerns over the health service. Their project is very exciting and whilst still being only in the early stages, it would provde and excellent facility for residents in the central area of the High Peak.

EXPENSES - HEAVY READING

The local MP's expenses are heavy reading. Already I have spotted two questions, (in addition to the many already being asked), that I would be interested to hear the answer.

1. The money paid to Barnard Braggins. Is it true that this company is based inside Labour Party headquarters and run by two former Labour Party employees?

2. Why does he use a private mail company instead of the Royal Mail, thereby supporting the Royal Mail and our Post Offices as I do, albeit I dont have any public funds to spend ?

I am sure there wll be other questions to come

MORE REVELATIONS ON MP's EXPENSES

It seems that someone has gone mad with the black marker pen as the official release of MP's expenses appears on the internet. I can understand some things need to be blacked out eg. bank account details but was it really necessary to be so lavish with the pen. People are losing all faith in politics and politicians and this is just rubbing salt into an already open wound !

GLOSSOP RENTS - THE FINAL ACT ?

After months of negotiation, dialogue and indeed good old fashioned arguing with the Rent Service they have appeared to have delivered their final verdict. Glossop will sit in a Broad Rental Market Area with Ashton and Tameside. However Oldham and Rochdale will be in a different area. Whilst this is better than their first proposal, it is not as good as I would have wanted. It appears that this is the final say on this matter as there is no room for appeal. We almost had the best solution until Government legislation implemented in January scuppered us !

BUXTON ROTARY CHARITY WALK

I have been asked to take part in the Buxton Rotary Club charity walk. Both I and the MP have been asked although he didn't do the walk, instead turned up at the start. A bracing 6 mile walk from Burbage over the moors to Derbyshire Bridge. benefitting from a lovely day, it was a pleasure to do. Also chatted with various different people about all sorts of subjects which made the whole thing go very quickly.

ELECTION PAPERWORK

Any election carries with it a large amount of paperwork, from Nomination papers at the outset through to the completion of the expenses forms at the conclusion. Acting as Agent for all 8 Conservative candidates, I need to shut myself away for a few hours to ensure that all the paperwork is correctly completed and handed in to the relevant authority.

EUROPEAN ELECTION COUNT

Back to the Octagon again in Buxton, this time for the counting of the votes for the European Elections. The High Peak is part of the East Midlands so our count results will be fed into the central East Midlands count from where the results will be declared. Some time after we have finished in the High Peak, it is declared that the Conservative will retain 2 MEPs despite the East Midlands' representation dropping from 6 to 5. Roger Helmer stays on and my good friend and colleague Emma McClarkin will occupy the second berth.

MAYORAL CIVIC SERVICE

It is the Civic Service for this year's Mayor, Cllr. Tony Bingham (I tend to call him Dad!). I have a lesson to read, albeit the shortest of the three. My brother Ian was due to read a lesson but hasnt sufficiently recovered from his operation to be well enough. As well as a civic occasion it is a big family occasion for us as it is the first time that all our family has been together for almost 10 years.

DERBYSHIRE TURNS BLUE

After a hard fought campaign, the results of our labours are that Derbyshire County Council has been taken by the Conservatives for the first time since 1981 !  Whilst I am disappointed that we didnt take seats in Whaley Bridge & New Mills we did achieve fantastic results in Glossop South and Buxton North where Jean Wharmby and Pam Reddy took seats from Labour. Tonight we will enjoy the moment - tomorrow the hard work begins !

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