MP celebrates 100th surgery

Posted on 16 May, 2012 by admin

Duncan outside of the Corsham Pound Arts Centre, the venue for his 100th surgery

Duncan Hames, MP for Chippenham, has held his 100th surgery for constituents since being elected in 2010.

The landmark surgery took place at the Pound Arts Centre in Corsham on Friday 4 May 2012. Duncan’s first surgery was on Friday 21 May 2010 at the Jubilee Rooms in Chippenham’s Market Place. Since then, several local venues have hosted the sessions including Bradford on Avon Library, Melksham Town Hall and the Pound Arts Centre.

At surgeries Duncan is often consulted on individual cases, involving matters such as housing and immigration, as well as wider policy issues including the environment and the arms trade. Duncan is keen to ensure that his work in parliament truly represents the concerns of his constituents and therefore contacts ministers and public bodies, in order to raise these concerns. He has had particular success saving the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance along with his continuing promotion of new Wiltshire rail services.

Duncan said, “I am delighted to have held my 100th surgery. Over the last two years I have met with many of my constituents and have tried my best to assist them where I can. I would like to thank all of the local venues who have hosted us during this time and look forward to meeting more local residents at my upcoming surgeries.”

Martin Campbell, Box Office and Venue Coordinator at the Pound Arts Centre said, “The surgeries are very well attended and bring a new audience to the centre who might otherwise not come in. It is good to know that voices are heard. We are very pleased to host the 100th surgery and hope we can host many more.”

The list of Duncan’s upcoming surgeries is here.

If you cannot attend a surgery but would like to raise your concerns with Duncan, please email duncan@duncanhames.org.uk outlining your query and Duncan will get back to you as soon as he can. Unfortunately, there is a strict parliamentary protocol which means that MPs cannot correspond with other MPs’ constituents so Duncan would appreciate you confirming your postcode within your correspondence.

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Business and the Economy | Debate on the Address | Commons debates

Posted on 14 May, 2012 by TheyWorkForYou.com
I generally support the hon. Gentleman’s observations on House of Lords reform, but does he agree that one lesson of constitutional reform is that we should not allow the best to be the enemy of the good, and that we should not take an all-or-nothing attitude?
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Defence Budget and Transformation | Commons debates

Posted on 14 May, 2012 by TheyWorkForYou.com
I welcome the Defence Secretary’s decision to require an estimate of 10 years’ worth of support costs before a project is committed. It makes little sense, after all, to go to a cheaper supplier of respirators, for example, only to pay more each year in servicing them. Will that open the door to a more innovative approach from suppliers, so that we might increasingly be procuring not just kit but in-service capability?
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Duncan Hames celebrates restoration of Wiltshire waterway reaching flight of locks

Posted on 14 May, 2012 by admin

Duncan cuts the ribbon with Peter Williams, John Laverick and Rob Jones

Duncan Hames MP attended the opening of the latest section of the Wilts & Berks Canal to be restored on Bank Holiday Monday.

The MP for the Chippenham Constituency joined the Chairman of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust on the 7th May, to cut a ribbon marking the charity reaching Pewsham Locks.

This follows the dredging and refilling of 1500 metres of the canal between Melksham and Chippenham by volunteers last year.  They gave thousands of hours of their own time to renovate the canal and towpath and have also installed information boards, benches and wildlife boxes.

The day’s events included the Trust’s annual sponsored walk, following part of the old canal route between the two towns. Funds raised from the event will be used to support the restoration of the first of the flight’s structures – Bottom Lock.

Wilts & Berks Canal Trust chairman, John Laverick, said: “With the stretch between Melksham and Chippenham being extended further every year, our dream of a fully restored canal is steadily becoming a reality.”

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Business of the House | Commons debates

Posted on 10 May, 2012 by TheyWorkForYou.com
May we have a debate at the start of this Session on the future of business statements? As is demonstrated by serious contributions such as that ofthe hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman), Members have an appetite for something more than the tiresome trivia that have become a habit at these events. At the least, could we reform the business statement to make it an opportunity to put the deliberations of the Backbench Business Committee centrestage in the House?
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Duncan Hames welcomes new Parkinson’s handbook

Posted on 8 May, 2012 by admin

Duncan Hames MP for Chippenham supported the launch of a new handbook for people living with advanced Parkinson’s disease, in the House of Lords on Tuesday 17 April. 

The Advanced Parkinson’s Pathfinders Handbook was developed in collaboration between the European Parkinson’s Disease Association and Abbott to help people know what they should expect as their disease progresses and to provide information and support on how to get the most out of life with Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition that affects an estimated 120,000 people in the UK.  A further 10,000 people will be diagnosed with the disease each year and one in 20 of those people will be under the age of 40.  Parkinson’s disease is a complex and progressive disease and no two people with the illness will experience the same symptoms in the same way.

There is currently no cure for the disease or any way to halt the progression; however, early identification of symptoms and access to a movement disorder specialist ensures patients have access to the best management and appropriate treatment options as their disease progresses.

Duncan Hames MP said: “I am delighted to be helping the European Parkinson’s Disease Association and Abbott to raise awareness of this important condition.”

“Each UK Member of Parliament represents on average nearly 200 people living with Parkinson’s disease.  Practical guides, such as the Advanced Parkinson’s Pathfinders Handbook, provide a valuable information source so that people know what to expect and how to ask for help as their needs change.”

“People with Parkinson’s disease deserve support every step of the way.”

Dr Mary Baker MBE, Patron of European Parkinson’s Disease Association and editor of the handbook, said: “We welcome the support of Duncan Hames MP.  Parkinson’s disease is a very individual condition and no two people with the illness experience the same symptoms in the same way.”

“It is crucial that patients are involved in decisions about their care and can make informed choices about their treatment.  In reading the Advanced Parkinson’s Pathfinders Handbook, patients are taking a valuable step towards playing a proactive role in their own care and helping to deliver efficiencies for the NHS and society in the long-term.”


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MP joins Jigsaw team to celebrate project milestone

Posted on 4 May, 2012 by admin

Duncan joins the Jigsaw team and GreenSquare staff to cut the specially-decorated cake to mark the 1000 milestone

Duncan Hames MP joined Barnardo’s Jigsaw team on the 21st April to celebrate their success in helping more than 1000 parents and children.

Duncan met project workers and heard examples of the positive impact the service has had on parents and children.

The Jigsaw project is managed by Barnardo’s on behalf of GreenSquare and has been supporting families from its base in Redland, Chippenham since 2006. The team, which also covers Corsham, Calne and Melksham, provides confidential and non-judgemental advice on issues such as behavioural problems and domestic violence. Jigsaw also supports families with benefit entitlement, seeking grants for essential household items and referrals to other sources of help.

Duncan said of the Jigsaw team: “They have clearly gained the confidence of local families and helped them to make substantial improvements in their lives.”

For more information about Barnardo’s Jigsaw, visit www.barnardos.org.uk/jigsawwiltshire

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MP visits Avonpark Retirement Village

Posted on 3 May, 2012 by admin

Duncan joined Avonpark Retirement Village residents for tea and a catch-up

Duncan Hames MP visited Avonpark Retirement Village near Winsley on 11th April, touring the care home and apartments before answering questions from residents.

Avonpark Village is part of a nationwide group of 13 retirement villages and has recently undergone major internal and external refurbishment. An extensive range of social and leisure opportunities is available and residents also maintain links with activity groups in the wider community.

Duncan answered questions from the residents

Duncan met Retirement Villages Ltd Chief Executive Jon Gooding and Barbara Squires, Avonpark’s Village Manager, who gave him a tour of the site including the care home, grounds and facilities. Afternoon tea was then served in the clubhouse, giving Duncan the chance to meet and chat informally with Avonpark’s residents.

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Ministerial Code (Culture Secretary) | Oral Answers to Questions – Communities and Local Government | Commons debates

Posted on 30 April, 2012 by TheyWorkForYou.com

I welcome the open and thorough process that Lord Justice Leveson will be engaged in. I also welcome a Prime Minister who will be personally responsible for ensuring that his Government adhere to the ministerial code of conduct. Will he also make the decision that his Ministers cannot make, and require Lord Justice Leveson to report on his inquiry directly to him?

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Community Sentences

Posted on 30 April, 2012 by Duncan Hames - Early Day Motions
Duncan Hames has signed EDM2595. Motion reads: "That this House recognises the contribution community sentences make to reducing reoffending rates and keeping communities safer as a result; notes that community sentences cost on average a tenth of what it costs to send a person to prison for a year; further notes that community sentences offer a proportionate response to relatively minor offences in comparison to short-term prison sentences which often result in loss of employment, family breakdown and homelessness; further notes that community sentences can challenge and change people for the better compared to short-term prison sentences during which prisoners are left idle in their cells for most of the day; further notes that in 2009 57 per cent. of people who served a short-term prison sentence reoffended within one year of release compared to a significantly lower reoffending rate for community sentences; supports the Howard League for Penal Reform's Community sentences cut crime campaign; and believes that in order for reoffending ratesin England and Wales to fall there needs to begreater use of community sentencing rather than ineffective and expensive short-term prison sentences."
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