Listening to Chesterfield

Shortly after being selected as Chesterfield Labour Party’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate I embarked upon the biggest ublic consultation exercise in Chesterfield’s history. Listening to Chesterfield was launched by Government Minister Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP on November 6th, and shortly afterwards a survey was delivered to over 47,000 houses across the Chesterfield Constituency.

The first survey was general in tone and asked people to outline their number 1 priority and also asked questions on a range of topical issues. The response was overwhelming with literally hundreds of completed returns arriving every day. For the first time in years the people of Chesterfield were being listened to.

The three issues considered most important by Chesterfield people were immigration, health and crime. Following this an Immigration Information Pack was put together outlining Government action on this key issue, and a second survey seeking more detailed feedback on Crime and Immigration’ was commissioned.

The first sign that the voices of Chesterfield people were really echoing around the corridors of power was received when Toby was invited to put local people’ s views to DCLG Minister Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP. Toby asked the minister about the future for local government and discussed the £4.5m windfall that she had given to Chesterfield Borough Council to reduce worklessness in the area.

Alongside the general public consultations Toby has met with a number of organisations, individuals and companies that are a part of the fabric of Chesterfield life.

So far he has met senior officials at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Trust, Parkside, Ashgate Croft and Dunston Schools, Derbyshire Primary Care Trust, Derbyshire County Council & North Derbyshire Home Improvement Agency.

The programme of listening events received the ultimate accolade when Toby and his family were invited to Downing Street to interview Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, the Prime Minister. The issues raised by the people of Chesterfield including crime, the economy, immigration and health were put to the Prime Minister putting Chesterfield’s concerns right at the top of the agenda.

Shortly afterwards Chesterfield pensioners had their turn in the spotlight when many of the hundreds of respondents enquiring about Pensions policy got the chance to put their concerns to Rt Hon James Purnell MP, the Minister for Work and Pensions. James was put through his paces by over 60 Chesterfield people and was asked about issues as wide ranging as the Australian reciprocal agreement, compensation for members of failed pension schemes and Public sector pensions. There were also representatives of Chesterfield 50+ Forum on hand to quiz the minister at Club Chesterfield on Chester Street.

A further survey on the Health service to mark the 60th anniversary of Labour’s greatest achievement, the NHS, brought another big response with a clear majority in favour of extended GP opening hours and the Smoking ban but a less decisive impression on the subject of the Opt in Organ donation system.

All of the surveys can be accessed using the links above, and if you haven’t completed any yet and want to be a part of building a safer, smarter, fairer Chesterfield then complete one and send it in to us, you don’t need to be asked to be involved!