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Jack Abbott calls for Police Connect meeting in Ipswich

News

Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich, has written to Suffolk police leaders requesting a Police Connect meeting be held in the town centre. The request comes after Ipswich was not included in the planned locations for these community engagement events.

The big picture: The request highlights the importance of community-police engagement, particularly in larger population centres like Ipswich.

Why it matters: Police Connect meetings allow residents to engage with high-level police officials. Ipswich, Suffolk's largest town, is not currently scheduled to host one of these meetings, though a meeting is scheduled for Martlesham.

Letter from Jack Abbott
Full letter from Jack Abbott to Tim Passmore, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, and Rachel Kearton, Suffolk Chief ConstableJack Abbott

Key points:

  • Abbott addressed his letter to Tim Passmore, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, and Rachel Kearton, Suffolk Chief Constable.

  • Police Connect meetings are planned for other Suffolk locations this autumn, including Martlesham.

  • The MP suggests that excluding Ipswich could be perceived negatively by residents.

What they're saying: "These events are important opportunities for the public to engage with policing in Suffolk at the highest level," Abbott said. He added, "Despite being Suffolk's largest town by some distance, there is a perception that Ipswich is sometimes treated as an afterthought."

Abbott further stated that omitting Ipswich "would be a mistake at a time when we need to be fostering positive relationships and providing reassurance to residents."

Tim Passmore, Suffolk Police & Crime Commissioner, responded: "Each year we stage a public meeting in each of the three policing areas and this year we will also host one mid-county in Stowmarket to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to engage with myself and Chief Constable directly.

“We will look at the possibility of adding a meeting in Ipswich and will update you once details are confirmed.”

Meetings are currently scheduled at:

  • Martlesham: 6:30pm on October 9th at the Police Headquarters in Martlesham.

  • Stowmarket: 6:30pm on September 12th at The Mix in Stowmarket.

  • An online meeting via Microsoft Teams is scheduled for November 6th at 6pm.

  • The meetings aim to provide updates on Suffolk's policing and allow residents to raise concerns.

What's next: These meetings provide a platform for residents to learn about and contribute to discussions on local policing strategies and concerns. It remains to be seen whether Suffolk police leaders will add an Ipswich meeting to the schedule.

Ipswich hospital trust netted millions in parking profits before increasing fees for staff, patients and visitors

News

The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), which runs Ipswich and Colchester hospitals, collected £3.5 million in parking charges in 2023-24, with more than half a million pounds coming from staff just months before increasing their parking fees by up to 226%.

Why it matters: The figures come two months after the hospital trust controversially implemented significant parking fee increases at both Ipswich Hospital and Colchester Hospital, affecting thousands of staff, patients and visitors.

  • Lowly-paid Band 2 staff saw increases of up to 226%

  • While higher-paid consultants saw their prices increase by just 2.9%

By the numbers: The trust generated a total of £3.5m parking revenue in 2023-24:

  • £2.9m from patients and visitors

  • £565,000 from staff parking

  • They spent £730,000 running the parking services, netting £2.7m profit

Visitor car park fees sign at Ipswich Hospital
Car parking tariff at Ipswich HospitalOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

What they're saying: GMB Union said: "Health workers are on their knees – they need help and support. Charging them to park is kicking them while they are down," says Rachel Harrison, GMB national secretary."

Patricia Marquis, Royal College of Nurses executive director for England, says nursing staff "shouldn't be forced to spend a significant portion of their wages just to park at work,"

The other side: NHS England says revenue from parking is reinvested into trust services. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson says while trusts are responsible for their own parking charges, "any charges must be reasonable and in line with the local area."

The bottom line: While ESNEFT maintains parking charges help fund hospital improvements and promote alternative transport options, the increases have sparked criticism from unions and come during an ongoing cost-of-living crisis affecting many families.

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