Letter from the desk of Michael Hodges, WWCA Chairman - Autumn 2015
Dear WWCA Member,
An eventful year draws to a close. This time last year we were relishing the 2015 Election campaign with all its associated uncertainties. Our challenges, as we end the year, are of perhaps a different nature and scale but they are nevertheless present and require vigilance and purpose. As I write, our majority Conservative Government is delivering on our manifesto promises. Conservative administrations at County and District levels are committed to maintaining or improving service delivery whilst unlocking synergies and savings. As an Association we must remain supportive. 2016 will soon be upon us with Police and Crime Commissioner Elections in May. May 2017 will bring County elections. Preparations for both are underway. At some point the country will also face a referendum on EU membership and, as an Association, we will be doing our very best to ensure that those that have a vote use it!
Following her return to Westminster in May 2015 with a 22,578 majority, West Worcestershire Conservatives were delighted when the Prime Minister awarded Harriett Baldwin a Ministerial Post. Many have requested a list of her responsibilities. Here is a summary of Harriett’s duties:
Harriett Baldwin MP for West Worcestershire & City Minister
Economic Secretary to the Treasury (City Minister)
Responsibilities include financial services policy and overall strategic relationship with UK financial services, including:
· Banking and financial services reform and regulation (at home and in the EU) including the PRA
· financial stability
· City competitiveness
· bank lending and access to finance
· Help to Buy
· financial conduct and the FCA
· asset management
· RBS, Lloyds and UKFI
· Bank taxes
· Asset freezing and financial crime
· Retail financial services, including consumer finance, financial advice and capability, working with the DWP Pensions Minister
· Equitable Life
· Delivery of pensions reforms
· Foreign exchange reserves and debt management policy, National Savings and Investments and the Debt Management Office
· Departmental minister for HM Treasury Group
· Women in the economy
· Parliamentary deputy on economy issues
To command a portfolio of this scale and attend to constituency business in a seamless manner must require superhuman qualities! We must be grateful that Harriett has these in abundance!
Visit www.wwca.org.uk/events for an updated list of all Association events
Visit www.facebook.com/WestWorcsCA to like us on Facebook
Follow Harriett on Twitter @HBaldwinMP
In relation to the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election in May 2016, you may have read that John Campion has been chosen by the Conservative Party to contest the Election in West Mercia.
The 39-year-old, who lives in Bewdley, was selected by party members from Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire following a meeting held in Droitwich on Friday October 2nd 2015.
John is currently the cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration at Wyre Forest District Council. He is also Worcestershire County Councillor for Bewdley and a Cabinet Member for Children and Families.
From 2007 to 2014, John was Leader of Wyre Forest District Council. He also previously held the post of finance chairman of West Mercia Police Authority and worked as an intelligence officer for HM Prison Services. John, who has recently been helping with our By Election campaign i in the Teme Valley and who spoke at the recent Malvern Wells Branch lunch tells me that he feels that it is a great honour to be chosen as the Conservative PCC candidate. He believes passionately in our local police service and will work hard to make sure the voice of our local communities is heard as our Police Service evolves.
I am delighted that we have a young strong candidate. Where Conservatives have been elected to this post in other authorities Police Forces have reaped the benefits of strong business management. John has all the qualities that will bring sound business principles to the fore at West Mercia.
So in summary there is much to look forward to as we progress into the New Year. It must be of great comfort to our elected representatives to know that committed party members are supporting them as they seek to serve our communities.
Best wishes to you and your families for Christmas and 2016.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Hodges
P.S. And finally, Dan Dalton MEP has launched a survey into Broadband Speeds. Please visit www.westmidlandsspeedtest.co.uk . Dan would be very grateful if you could visit the website, take a quick speed test and provide the results via the online survey provided on the website.
Stop Press
Teme Valley By-Election
Following the tragic loss of dedicated and long serving Malvern Hills District Councillor Gill Farmer, a hotly contested By-Election took place on 3rd December 2015 to allow Teme Valley residents to select a worthy successor. I am pleased to announce that Caroline Palethorpe was elected on 3rd December. We were delighted to have been able to support Caroline throughout her short campaign and now look forward to supporting her as she seeks to represent Teme Valley residents.
For more news and events from West Worcestershire Conservatives, visit wwca.org.uk.
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