Temporary closure of 12 beds due to staff shortages the PCT claim. Others claim that this is a national technique used in the NHS. Staff are not replaced so shortages occur so beds are closed for safety grounds, never to be reopened.

When I next meet the PCT in early January, I will raise these concerns with them. The Secretary of State said that no beds should close till the community care teams and the beds in residential and nursing homes were commissioned. This is not complete, therefore the community expects all 21 beds to be open.

After Chairing the latest Safer Neighbourhood Team meeting to which 20 residents came and raised their issues and concerns, the Sudbury & Cornard Safer Neighbourhood Team have set the following 3 priorities:

1. Anti social behaviour in the Uplands Crescent area of Sudbury 2. Anti social behaviour in the Broom St & Stevenson Approach area and 3. training of shop staff for shoplifting and sale of alcohol to youngsters.

The next meeting will be Thursday 21st January at 3pm at Sudbury Police Station where you can hear the feedback on these 3 priorities and help to (re)set the next month’s priorities.

I will be chairing the Safer Neighbourhood Panel meeting for Sudbury where the public can come along and raise your concerns and inform and help the Police set the priorities for the team over the next month.

Hope to see you there or you can always raise any concerns with me via phone or email and I will raise them at the meeting.

Hope to see you there.

Chris Huhne MP is the guest of South Suffolk Liberal Democrats as he visits Sudbury today for our dinner and the Lib Dem National Draw.

Babergh District Council’s Licensing Committee will hear the application for the Boathouse to be a reception venue and be open till 12.30 on the morning of Tuesday 22nd December at Babergh Council Chamber.

Petitions from residents have been reported to Full Council. Martyn Booth, my fellow Lib Dem ward councillor will speak about residents concerns. The paper lists many conditions. It can be viewed at http://www.babergh.gov.uk/Babergh/Home/Council+and+Democracy/Council+and+Committee+Papers/Licensing+Sub-Committee/