During 2010 we shall see the completion of the new health centre in Glossop and confirmation of the site for the new hospital in Buxton. Both have been keenly awaited for many years but – despite the recession – we are now on the verge of having both up and running. Every family will know that the NHS is thriving locally, with services ever more ready to advise on good health as well as treating poor health effectively.

I hope that 2010 will bring greater clarity on meeting housing need. The government has recently provided money to break the logjam of housing in High Peak. This is partly due to developers getting approval to build but then deciding not to proceed due to financial concerns. This help should bite quickly, but many more homes – built in the right places, with proper infrastructure and services – need to be built.

Our local train operator, Northern Rail, is clearly improving its punctuality and carrying more passengers than ever. I expect even better services to High Peak in 2010.

Our schools and Sure Starts will continue to thrive as further investment is fed into them, with schools’ budgets especially protected against the aftermath of recession.

We will continue to climb out of recession this year. Unemployment will peak at a lower figure than anyone predicted, and the economy will start growing again. Yes, measures have to be taken to control the government’s borrowing to cope with the budget deficit, but not at the expense of cutting jobs or key services. More help than ever will be available from Jobcentres to help people back into work, especially young people.

Oh, and there will be a general election somewhere around the middle of the year, the first since 1983 in which I will not be a candidate.

Have a happy and prosperous New Year.