Council leaders to speak up for the East of England

The 52 council leaders and elected mayors in the East of England have formed a new organisation to speak up for the people and local communities they represent.



The East of England LGA will campaign on behalf of the people who live and work in the region, ensuring their voice is heard in Westminster and Whitehall. It will also provide a wide range of quality and cost effective services to local authorities.


Under current legislation, the East of England LGA will also constitute the statutory regional “Leaders’ Board” and have responsibilities for regional strategic planning and economic development, in conjunction with the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), as part of the new Regional Strategy Board (See Notes to Editors).


East of England LGA Chairman Cllr Robert Gordon said: “We all know that the next few years are bound to bring substantial challenges for local government, particularly with the anticipated constraints on public spending. I want the regional LGA to be a forum through which its members can identify and share best practice for the benefit of the people and communities we all serve.


“It will concentrate its work in areas where, by working together, we can add value for our member councils and it will speak up for the people and communities we represent, ensuring that local government has an effective voice.


“As the first Chairman of the East of England LGA, I look forward to working with councils of all political parties (and none) in promoting and enhancing our role as the democratic voice of the region.


“We will also have to be ready to adapt should the outcome of the general election bring further changes to the regional architecture.”


The East of England LGA is a new voluntary and independent association set up by the 52 local authorities in the region following the abolition of the East of England Regional Assembly in March 2010.


The Management Committee of the East of England LGA consists of:


• Cllr Robert Gordon (Chairman, Conservative), Leader of Hertfordshire County Council


• Cllr William Nunn (Vice-Chairman, Conservative), Leader of Breckland District Council


• Cllr Ian Nimmo-Smith (Group Leader, Liberal Democrat), Leader of Cambridge City Council


• Cllr Roy Davis (Group Leader, Labour), Deputy Leader of Luton Borough Council


• Cllr Garry Hague (Conservative), Leader of Thurrock Council


Further information about the East of England LGA will be available from the 31st March 2010 at www.eelga.gov.uk when the new website goes live.


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Notes to Editors:



For further information, photographs of the Management Committee or to arrange an interview with an East of England LGA spokesperson, please contact:



Stephen Hinchley - Tel: 01284 729430, Mob: 07710 312237



Claire Sefton - Tel: 01284 729427 Mob: 07920 257940

East of England Local Government Association

1. The East of England LGA is an independent organisation representing the 52 local authorities in the East of England and the regional interests of people living and working in the East of England.



2. The Association is governed by the 52 council leaders and elected mayors. Its meetings are open to the media and general public.



3. Under current legislation, the East of England LGA also constitutes the statutory regional “Leaders’ Board” with responsibilities for regional strategic planning and economic development in conjunction with the East of England Development Agency (EEDA).



Regional Strategy Board

The Regional Strategy Board is the partnership arrangement agreed between Local Government in the East of England and the East of England Development Agency (EEDA). The Regional Strategy Board provides leadership to the region on the preparation and delivery of a Regional Strategy and accountability to the region through the East of England LGA and EEDA. Further information is available at www.eelga.gov.uk/regional-strategy

East of England LGA Management Committee

Cllr Robert Gordon (Chairman), Conservative, 01992 556582

Cllr William Nunn (Vice-Chairman), Conservative, 07766 814214

Cllr Ian Nimmo-Smith (Group Leader), Liberal Democrat, 01223 577257

Cllr Roy Davis (Group Leader), Labour, 01582 730939

Cllr Garry Hague, Conservative, 01375 652099

Family focus puts opticians in line for national award

Ipswich based Kite Opticians has been named as a finalist for the ‘Family Optician of the Year’ award as a result of its family friendly focus.

The practice has many long-standing clients who have entrusted the health of their eyes to Kites for thirty years or more and whose children and grandchildren have also become clients. In many cases three generations of the same family regularly attend for eye checks.

Kite Opticians’ highly professional approach has led to the establishment of a reading difficulties clinic to help families establish whether any eye problems are affecting their children’s reading. In particular Kite Opticians is a specialist in colour overlay testing and colorimetry which can identify visual stress (‘Irlen’ syndrome), an often overlooked cause of reading problems.

The practice also introduced a new range of child-friendly features to eye care including colouring packs and toys while children wait, favourite cartoon characters on eye test charts and a child friendly dispensing area with toddler to teenager frame designs.

For elderly clients Kite Opticians has easy access, a disabled toilet and the latest technology to monitor eye health. Unhurried thoroughness of examinations has led to great loyalty from the clients. A partnership with a hearing care specialist allows people to have a hearing test at the practice when they visit if they wish. Home visits are also provided for those who find difficulty getting out.

The final aspect to impress judges was Kite Opticians’ community involvement, which over the past year has included sponsorship of Team Ipswich and an archery tournament as well as involvement with local schools.

The developments at the practice and the care and attention for clients appealing to young and old alike helped increase the number of new clients by 50% in 2008 and 17% in 2009, despite the recession. Turnover has also increased.

Adrian Kite of Kite Opticians, said:" The Optician awards are very strongly contended from every part of the UK, so it is a real honour to have made the final. It is our approach of personal care and attention in looking after every member of the family's eyes that has resulted in this recognition. What’s really pleasing is the wonderful reaction we’ve had to the news from our clients.”

The final judging required testimonials to be supplied by existing clients.

He added: “The support we had from our clients is testament to the dedicated team we have here who go the extra mile in ensuring everyone who visits us, young or old, enjoy the very best in eye care. I had a warm glow after reading the lovely comments made about us!"

The Family Optician of the Year Award is a category in the national Optician Awards 2010. Kite Opticians will be attending the presentation ceremony at The Hilton, Park Lane in London on 17 April. Four other family based opticians from around the UK have also been short-listed.

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10 tips to networking success

At the networking event which I attended this morning, (Refer-on, Felixstowe) we had a 30min session on the above topic, and I thought I’d share it with all of you!


1. Plan ahead – get the attendee list and make a not of who you intend to chat to

2. Be early – if the attendee lists aren’t available pre-event, this gives you a chance to do the above.

3. Be regular – as your face becomes more familiar, people will gravitate towards you and will be able to match the face to the name

4. Have a tale / story – keep it relevant i.e a similar client or some interesting success you have had recently

5. Meet, greet and move on – don’t spend any longer than you need to with one person. Try to meet 5-7 strangers in each session

6. Effective 60seconds – make sure you take advantage of your chance to make a first impression

7. Volunteer – offer to do a talk at another session, or write the minutes, or provide the lap top – it makes you look professional, helpful and enthusiastic

8. Giving is best – be the first to suggest exchanging business cards, or meeting up for a coffee – don’t expect that it’s coming

9. Have a 1:1 – either after the meeting, or another day

10. Follow up – if you say you will email or call, then do. It makes you look credible and trustworthy.

A final thought…………..”People buy from people they know, like and trust!”

Good luck in your networking endeavours!

Helen

Ipswich Building Society reports on a very good 160th year

1 March 2010



Ipswich Building Society members will from today start receiving details of the Society’s results for 2009.

Despite the turmoil in the financial services industry and the very difficult conditions of the UK recession the Society has announced a strong set of results.

Highlights include


• Total Asset growth of 9% to £462 million


• Mortgage lending of £76 million


• Net savings inflow of £24 million


Commenting on the results, Paul Winter, Chief Executive, Ipswich Building Society, said: “The confidence and trust our customers have shown have been essential to Ipswich Building Society’s success during a period when many other financial institutions have suffered. We have achieved this through taking our responsibility to our customers and to our wider community seriously and through our continual focus on quality of service and innovative, competitive products.”

Further details of the Society’s achievements will be given at the Society’s AGM on 24th March.


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Ref: IBS 025-10


For further press information please contact:


Penny Arbuthnot, Project PR


Tel: 01473 326401 (07885 238374)


Email: penny.arbuthnot@projectpr.biz


Twitter: www.twitter.com/IpswichBuildSoc


Notes to editors:


1. Ipswich Building Society is hosting a media lunch on Thursday 4th March, 12.30pm – 2pm. If you have not already confirmed your attendance and you would like to attend please contact Penny Arbuthnot at Project PR on 01473 326401.


2. Ipswich Building Society has approximately 65,000 members and currently has over 80,000 savings accounts and over 5,000 mortgage accounts.


3. The Society’s head office is at 24, The Havens, Ipswich IP3 9SJ where there is also a contact centre.


4. There are nine branches across Suffolk in Aldeburgh, Saxmundham, Halesworth, Woodbridge, Tower Ramparts Ipswich, Ravenswood Ipswich, Hadleigh, Haverhill and Sudbury.


5. 80% of the Society’s members live in the East of England with the remainder living across the UK.


6. Ipswich Building Society was established in 1849 and celebrated the 160th anniversary of its formation in 2009.


7. See www.ibs.co.uk or www.twitter.com/IpswichBuildSoc