I recently had to cancel two surgeries because the venues where they were to be held were not available.  In one case the community hall had been subject to an appalling arson attack, in the other the pub was up for sale and had been closed.  Having to cancel these two venues led to a debate with a number of people about what surgeries are for and where and how they should be held.

Surgeries offer constituents a dedicated time to meet and discuss problems with their MP. Over the last year there have been problems with immigration, policing, benefits, housing, military, employment, health, ant-social behaviour, social services and much more.  Where problems are with the local Council I try and engage the local Councillor in resolving them. One recent problem had me talking to one Minister while waiting in the lobby to vote and we agreed I would follow up the conversation with a letter while also submitting two written questions to another Minister.  Some problems, especially those relating to the Child Support Agency or benefits can involve long telephone calls to government agencies. 

Then there is the question of where to hold surgeries.  Some MP’s stay in their constituency office and see everyone there.   I don’t do this as my office is not accessible to people who have problems with stairs. I travel around the constituency, using pubs, Church and community halls as venues.

When to hold surgeries is limited by the fact that MP’s are in Westminster from Monday until late Thursday.  I see people on Friday afternoons leaving Saturday mornings free for street surgeries.  Three mornings a week my constituency office is also open for surgeries where people can talk to my staff who then discuses the problems with me. 

Then there is the question of how surgeries are run. I use an appointments system so that constituents know roughly when they will see me.  Appointments can be obtained even on the day of the surgery; time is tight and inevitably with complex problems appointments over run.

The experience of the last year helped me decide to restructure my Surgeries.  Reviewing the pattern of attendance at surgeries I could see that some venues had no-one attending. At one venue I was told that an AM had sat there for 45 minutes with no appointments.  The number of locations meant I was travelling between venues longer than I was in surgeries; and people attending had usually travelled across the constituency to see me.

I have a new plan for surgeries which will concentrate on fewer venues, for longer period with more time for constituents.  Venues have been selected for ease of access and comfort for people waiting to be seen as well as location.

My Surgeries help resolve anxious situations for constituents.  It is not always possible to obtain the answers people hope for but where possible issues are pursued and answers obtained.  Surgeries are for people and problem solving.

The new Surgery list will operate from late September 2006 through to July 2007.  A new poster available from late August will give all the details of venues, dates and times. I look forward to seeing you there.