I am pleased to have returned to the Government as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister of State for Local Government, John Healey MP. John as a former Economic Secretary to the Treasury has brought a wealth of experience to the DCLG team under Secretary of State, Hazel Blears MP.

John had, prior to entering parliament, worked for a campaigns company, the MSF union and was TUC director of campaigns in the mid 1990s.

Major announcements recently include; the Sub National Review which looks to strenghten the effectiveness and accountability of our regional institutions and the restructuring of a limited number of local authority areas.

The Sub National Review seeks to:

- Give local authorities and communities greater responsibility and opportunity to boost economic growth in their area,

- bring consultation and planning for jobs, homes, investment and the environment closer together at both local and regional levels,

- strengthen public scruitiny and accountability of regional plans and the work of Regional Development Agencies, both in the region and in the House of Commons.

Further information can be found here:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/statements/corporate/developpment-regeneration

The announcemnt that the Government has awarded unitary status to Ipswich council will be much welcomed in Ipswich and I hope the representations that I made to ministers in part contributed to this outcome. The decision is subject to some minor financial checks, but in principle allows the planning for integrated delivery across all services in the borough to begin. It is important that all those involved in the negotiations now ensure that service delivery is seamless during the transitional phase and that assets and resources are transferred to Ipswich that ensure the borough can deliver the best possible services to the people of the town.

John Healey's statement on local government restructuring can be read here:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/statements/corporate/local-government

The Prime Minister Gordon Brown, has made Professor Sir Ara Darzi a peer and a minister in the Department of Health. Lord Darzi is a former health professional and has been asked to undertake a review of health services - Improving Lives; Saving Lives. There is a regional consultation for the East of England that poses 12 pledges for the NHS to deliver over the next three years. These include:

- being the best health service in England,

- adding 5 million years of life to the regional population by 2011,

- improving patient satisfaction,

- quicker access,

- seeing a GP more conveniently,

- NHS dentistry available to all,

- fewer people suffering from heart disease, stroke and cancer,

- safer healthcare,

- better quality of life for those with long term illness,

- reduced inequality in life expectancy

- and healthcare for marginalised groups.

The consultation seeks views on these pledges and further information is available from the NHS in the East of England and at www.eoe.nhs.uk

The Suffolk Mental Health Partnership Trust is consulting on its proposal to establish itself as a foundation trust. Foundation trusts are established to be member organisations and Membership is open to anyone over 12 years of age. Members are able to elect Council Members who appoint the Chair and Non-executive directors of the Board. Members are able to shape the future of the Trust.

The SMHPT is currently consulting on this proposal and seeking members. Further information on the proposal and application forms can be found here:

http://www.smhp.nhs.uk/FoundationTrust/tabid/76/Default.aspx . I can only encourage as many individuals as possible to consider becoming members of the trust.

Chris Mole MP