Evening Star Column - 28th December 2011

"I hope you all enjoyed a merry Christmas. The weather was certainly mild, a contrast to Christmas 2010, and it seems that the High Streets had some Christmas cheer. Relaxing, enjoying a few more channels since the switchover, Dr Who was a modern take while Downton Abbey harked back to a classic age and had the best one-liners, particularly from Maggie Smith. Like many TV shows, it is time to do a Christmas special and a review of the year. Quite a daunting task given what a busy place Suffolk Coastal is (and I will not cover everything) but a few statistics first.

I spoke in Parliament 82 times asking questions, making speeches and contributions to debates. I asked 36 written questions. I signed 31 Early Day Motions, proposing three on War Memorials, BBC Local Radio and IT Skills Launch. In July, my Private Members' Bill (on shipwreck removal costs) received Royal Assent and is now an Act of Parliament. An additional 3400 constituents contacted me for the first time. My team and I have handled over 6000 queries. I have continued to hold two surgeries every month, except August when I am out and about across the constituency. I visited nine schools (and will visit many more in 2012) and have proactively contacted schools and charities on various opportunities, particularly concerning the Olympics. Thanks to my team (those who are still here and those who have moved on) for their support.

A year ago, the unwelcome Christmas present was that the Environment Agency had dropped the Felixstowe seafront coastal defence works. Quickly into action, working with Cllr Andy Smith, we managed to get the works restored and I am delighted that they have progressed so well. A welcome Christmas present higher up the coast for Thorpeness residents who came together with the EA and council to defend their shoreline in an innovative approach, which I think will act as a blueprint across the country for partnership working. More work is needed though on Marine Conservation Zones which is part of an attempt to bring some planning structure to our marine environment. The case still is being made for our fishermen and trying to increase quotas. I appreciate the proposals are not wholly popular but I think they provide an opportunity to ensure fishing stays within our small communities from the Ferry upwards.

Later in the year, the Port celebrated its 125th Birthday. The party was spectacular at the Port and on the seafront. With a touch of magic from Princess Anne and a visit later in the year from the new Secretary of State for Transport, helping the Port is one of my key activities as it is so important for the prosperity of Felixstowe. That is why I serve as Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Group for Ports and Maritime, as well as Co-Chairman of Coastal and Marine which focuses more on erosion, conservation zones and coastal communities. I was pleased to be re-elected to both those posts this year.

Another key national infrastructure asset is Sizewell. Much progress was made in the year to move this project on which again is good nationally for our energy resilience and locally for new jobs and potential contracts. EDF has submitted its planning application for its Somerset plant and soon, we should see the same for Sizewell. A key part of that will be resolving the A12 situation for the 4 villages. Offshore, the wind turbines have started turning and more are due in 2012. The Green Coast of Suffolk is becoming THE energy centre for the UK and that was recognised by the Prime Minister.

Further recognition from the Prime Minister came to the people of Suffolk for their role in raising over £3 million for the Treehouse Appeal. I really saw how people came together across the county to support those less fortunate than ourselves. I appreciate this happens regularly and that is another aspect of Suffolk life that makes the county very special. I was delighted later in the year to welcome David Cameron and the Cabinet to Suffolk. It was a welcome boost for members of the Cabinet to get out and about in East Anglia to see our successes and our challenges.

One of my proudest moments in the year was to welcome the Commanding Officer (CO) and RSM of 23 Engineers to Parliament. This followed the Parliamentary Welcome of 16 Air Assault Brigade with our own CO leading the parade with the RSM bringing up the rear. Under Lt Colonel Ross' leadership, the regiment continues to be a source of pride for the local community. Long may that continue with the new CO due in the spring. Endorsing our military engagement in Libya was a key moment in the year. I am proud the UK did involve itself and am even more pleased that the campaign is now over. Of course more can be done in other states but we will only press on if we get the whole UN Security Council endorsement for such action.

A significant issue for any rural MP is healthcare. The CQC failure at Ipswich was an unwelcome note but I was pleased that the Hospital staff recognised the challenge and fixed it. I never take our hard working nurses, doctors and support staff for granted but nor will I stand back from focusing attention where it is needed. That is also true of ambulances. Working with other Suffolk MPs, we have put the spotlight on the Ambulance Trust and it is starting to pay dividends. While most call-outs do not require people to go to hospital, it is important that rural constituents receive a very good service when they dial 999. I have also taken up concerns on the Out of Hours service and pressed the case for a new surgery for Felixstowe. Other emergency services also had to be protected and I was delighted to campaign with the Evening Star on keeping a permanent fire service in Felixstowe.

A few things where I have not made as progress as I would like are on post offices. There are a number of constituents not getting the service they should and I will keep fighting their corner in the New Year. Ditto for the businesses in Hamilton Road who had a terrible shock with business rates increases that were completely unplanned. I will support any individual appeals made. Something which I have been working on for a while has been the cost of fuel for those living away from the gas grid. The cost of heating oil is still very high but the OFT study I helped secure did not lead to concerns on competition grounds, though the same could not be said for those using LPG. I will continue to work on this in 2012. More meetings with the Minister were held in December and I have now set up a Parliamentary group on the matter. I am looking to secure greater consumer protection for such residents as well as focusing help on those houses hardest to insulate. Fuel poverty is highly acute in Suffolk Coastal and perhaps a forgotten issue in Westminster.

The beautiful surroundings in which we live should never be taken for granted. Our farmers do a lot to keep our country fed as well as preserve the countryside. A big issue early in 2011 was the Government's proposals concerning forests. I held a lively public meeting in Rendlesham where questions and opinions were addressed. I took a lot of these back to Westminster and was pleased to see significant changes to the policy. I still think there are changes to be made to help improve biodiversity and stop the daft situation where we still import most of the wood we used but hopefully addressed in a more considered way. The issues surrounding Sutton Heath's change in habitat as well as tackling issues on noise were also contentious issues. It is true that finding a balance to conserving the environment and everyday practicalities (like the A12 issues) can be quite a tightrope but one on which we must gain consensus. The lack of rain early in the year contributed to a scorched looking Suffolk with genuine concerns for our farmers, many of whom rely on abstraction from aquifers and rivers in order to irrigate crops. No sooner had I raised this with the Prime Minister and the rain shortly followed but still there is work to be done on building up reservoirs and modifying licences to allow abstraction around the year, as well as allowing our rivers to recover.

My ongoing work on the Select Committee for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport has continued to be very enjoyable and, I think, worthwhile. The headlines went to our inquiry on phone-hacking, including the grilling of the Murdochs. Other reports included the Arts, FIFA and Football Governance. The most important inquiry we undertook though was for the Spectrum Auction. This probably has the most direct relevance to Suffolk Coastal residents in improving mobile broadband access with the next generation of spectrum being lined up for auction. I was pressing for coverage that would include Suffolk residents. This is not to go against the fixed-line broadband programme (which after a difficult start is progressing well) but to supplement it. All Suffolk MPs are working hard to ensure that we have much better broadband alongside the County Council and our LEP.

I know that 2011 has been a difficult year financially for many and there is no getting away from 2012 being another challenge. I do think the Government is right to tackle the deficit, to redirect funds to schemes which it believes will produce better results for children and youngsters. I also think it is right to push more decision-making down to local level away from Whitehall. There are a number of reforms concerning welfare, employment, education, health and local government that will have long-lasting, beneficial effects for us all.

I look back with a lot of fondness on 2011 (including turning the big 40) and am looking forward to 2012. More to say on that next week – dreams of Olympics and Paralympics glory, the Diamond Jubilee (God willing) and much more progress on broadband and trains."

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