AM challenges Minister over council mergers

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has hit out at Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews AM for "steaming ahead" with Labour’s proposed council mergers regardless of the multi-million cost to frontline services.   

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, commissioned by the Welsh Local Government Association, showed that council mergers in Wales could cost as much as £268m, he points out.

 

Mr Isherwood, who has previously warned that forcing councils to merge would be "grossly irresponsible" because of the cost at a time of spending cuts, challenged the Minister over his plans in a recent meeting of the Assembly Communities, Equality and Local Government Scrutiny Committee.

 

He said: “As you’ll be aware, we’ve had evidence from a number of bodies expressing concerns about the costs of merger and how those costs would be covered, including the Welsh Local Government Association referring to the number of jobs that would be lost at all levels, with a potentially significant impact on local employment and economies, but also reference to staffing costs in the context of mergers being a big issue in terms of cost benefit and the business case for mergers. What further thought, if any, have you given to how the transition costs of the mergers might be funded, and what level of support the Welsh Government may provide?

 

He added: “I think local authorities might say that it’s a time of very severely constrained budgets for them as well, and therefore the timing of this will have an impact if additional financial support isn’t given. In that context, how do you respond to the statement to this committee by the Auditor General for Wales that local government reorganisation would not help in delivering savings in the short term, which is the period in which local authorities will be struggling, especially given their current budget constraints?”

 

The Minister replied: “It would obviously be preferable to be carrying out this process at a time when Welsh Government budgets were increasing significantly, and at a time when local government budgets were increasing significantly. However, we are in the situation that we are and, as I say, there is a significant cost to the current system.”

 

When Mr Isherwood asked him if he was flexible over the map (of proposed merging local authorities) if this “triggers, as it must, due diligence tests and cost-benefit analyses, which suggest, in parts of Wales, different configurations”, the Minister replied “I don’t think the publication of a further map is the start of the process”.

 

In February, Mr Isherwood criticised the same Minister for dismissing a newspaper reader poll on a possible merger between Wrexham and Flintshire local authorities which showed that the overwhelming majority of over 700 readers who responded said they were against them joining forces and in favour of giving people in the two counties a vote on the merger.  

Cantorion Rhos in St Collen's concert

St Collen's is hosting an Eastertide concert with Cantorion Rhos at the church next Saturday evening.

Details are in the poster below ...

llanblogger's guide to General Election candidates

llanblogger highlights the candidates contesting the local Clwyd South seat at the General Election on May 7. 

Duncan Rees Green Party

Born and brought up in Cardiff, he studied at Liverpool University, lived 20 years in London, moving to North Wales in 1995 – where he has since lived in the village of Brynteg outside Wrexham. 

He has worked for a number of organisations in the campaigning and charity field, including CND and Oxfam.

For 21 years to 2014 he worked as a membership and community officer for the Co-operative group – including 14 years in north Wales.

Mr Rees chaired the Wales Fairtrade organisation during its successful campaign to make Wales the world’s first Fairtrade Nation in 2008. 

Married with two grown up children, he  takes an active interest in local issues, and is particularly interested in environmental matters, supporting local community and co-operative development, and promoting sustainable transport solutions – such as better public transport and improved cycle routes.

He is currently chair of the Wrexham Fairtrade Coalition, and has worked as a volunteer on the Llangollen Railway for 10 years.

Bruce Roberts Liberal Democrats

Born and brought up in Wrexham, he has lived and worked in the area almost all his life.  He is married to Anna who is a local primary school teacher. His three children were all educated at Ysgol Clywedog and Yale College/Coleg Cambria.

After completing degrees in physics and philosophy and then a short spell in scientific research he trained as a chartered accountant.  He started his own business in 1997 and has provided accountancy services to small local businesses since then.

Mr Roberts was chair of governors at Victoria Infant School for a number of years and has served on two different community councils. 

He has been involved in the governance of Glyndwr University for almost 10 years and is currently chair of its audit committee.  He has also volunteered as a charity trustee and also as a business mentor for The Prince’s Trust and Careers Wales.

His particular political interests are in education and the economy (including tax policy). 

In his spare time he can be found swimming or canoeing long distances in lakes and rivers or walking in the hills.  

David Nicholls Conservative Party

Born and brought up in Ruislip in northwest London, he went to school at Haberdashers’ Aske’s in Elstree, Hertfordshire.

At Keble College, Oxford he read theology in 1996.  He then read for the Bar and was called by Lincoln’s Inn in November 2002.  He has worked as a commercial chancery barrister since that time.

Inspired by two friends who stood for Parliament in 2010, he has since been a regular campaigner, helping former Clwyd South Candidate, Boris Johnson, secure re-election as the Mayor of London in 2012 and successfully standing for election as a borough councillor in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea in 2014.

Mabon ap Gwynfor Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales

He lives with his wife and three children in Llandrillo, near Corwen.

A first language Welsh speaker, he is a lifelong campaigner for peace and equality, with most of the campaigns that he is involved with being community based.

Most recently he has been involved in the campaign to improve health services across north Wales, including the battle to prevent the closure of Llangollen Hospital and establishing the Keep Lllangollen Health Services campaign, then setting up and chairing the North Wales Health Alliance.

A school governor at Ysgol Bro Ddyfrdwy in Cynwyd, he is also a director of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru (The Welsh Language National Theatre Of Wales) and an adviser to a company specialising in dementia care and research.

Mandy Jones UK Independence Party (UKIP)

(No picture of Mandy
Jones available)

An experienced small-businesswoman with a background in the agricultural sector, she says she is passionate about animal welfare and regularly takes in rescue dogs and has previously rehabilitated birds of prey under licence.

A qualified teacher in adult education and special needs, she says she cares deeply about improving the education system.

Susan Elan Jones Labour Party

The Member of Parliament for Clwyd South since 2010, she comes from Rhosllannerchrugog and lives in Pentre Bychan.

She attended Ponciau, Grango and Ruabon schools before going on to the universities of Bristol and Cardiff.

After graduating from university, she taught English in Japan. She then spent 15 years working for charities before becoming an MP.

Ms Jones was also a councillor and deputy leader of the Labour group in Southwark.

Since October 2011, she has been a front bench member of Labour’s Parliamentary team. She is also co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Civil Society and Volunteering (Charities) and vice chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Wood Panel Industry.

Locally, she is a member of many different organisations – including the Brymbo Heritage Group and St David’s Church, Rhos. She is vice president of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and honorary vice president of Rhos Male Voice Choir. 

General Election 2010: Clwyd South results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Labour	Susan Jones *	13,311	38.4	-6.8
	Conservative	John Bell	10,477	30.2	+4.8
	Lin Dem	Bruce Roberts	5,965	17.2	+1.7
	Plaid Cymru	Janet Ryder	3,009	8.7	-0.8
	BNP	Sarah Hynes	1,100	3.2	+3.2
	UKIP	Nick Powell	819	2.4	+0.4
Majority			2,834	8.2
Turnout			34,681	64.5	+3.3

Eisteddfod means £1.5m boost for the area

* The iconic eisteddfod parade through the town centre. 

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will boost the local economy to the tune of £1.5 million.

That’s what the great annual event means to the south Denbighshire area and the town of Llangollen which has been hosting the festival since 1947 and which will again welcome the world this July.

 

The famous event that helped launch the career of opera superstars Luciano Pavarotti is again expected to attract nearly 40,000 visitors.

 

The arrival of so many people from outside North East Wales means a cash injection that ripples out across businesses within a 20-mile radius of Llangollen.

 

Last year 36,000 people came to the Eisteddfod and with an average daily visitor spend of £42 that added up to a massive £1.5 million cash injection for the local economy.

 

This year’s Eisteddfod starts on Tuesday, July 7, and runs until Sunday, July 12, and already one of the biggest draws is proving to be the Thursday night concert when Alfie Boe will be joined on stage by Britain’s Got Talent star Jonathan Antoine.

Other musical highlights include Oscar-winning music legend Burt Bacharach (pictured left), the immensely popular Canadian singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, choirmaster Gareth Malone and former Royal harpist Catrin Finch.

Another big draw will be and Ali Campbell, the voice of UB40 who sold 70 million records, who'll be reunited on the eisteddfod stage with two other founding members of the group, percussionist, trumpet player and vocalist Astro and keyboard player Mickey.

 

Meanwhile, members of Jonathan Antoine's fan club, the Fantoines, are gearing up to travel to Llangollen from far and wide, from all over the UK and from Europe too and even from Dubai.

 

Musical Director of the Eisteddfod, Eilir Owen Griffiths, says reaction to the news the Britain’s Got Talent star would be appearing at Llangollen has been amazing.

 

He said: “Jonathan Antoine is a real talent and has a huge career ahead of him; there is no doubt about it. I’m really not surprised at the sheer numbers of fans that have expressed an interest and booked tickets for the concert.

 

“And the huge distances fans are travelling is amazing and with most booking accommodation in and around Llangollen its clear the festival has a massive and positive impact on the regional economy.

 

“It really is going to be a special evening of music and I’m looking forward to greeting some of Jonathan’s ‘Fantoines’ to Llangollen.”

 

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates, who is also the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, is a big fan of the Llangollen Eisteddfod.

 

He said: "I love the International Eisteddfod and was honoured to become a Vice President of the festival last year. It is a fantastic event and one of the jewels in the Welsh cultural crown.

 

 “The Eisteddfod gives Llangollen another opportunity to showcase itself and provides a massive boost to the local economy, but it also helps to promote Wales on an international stage, which is hugely important as we strive to further strengthen our burgeoning tourism industry.”

 

News of the Eisteddfod's £1.5 million economic contribution to the area was music to the ears of the festival's Chairman, Gethin Davies.

 

He said: "Llangollen has long been known as the town where Wales welcomes the world.

"The Eisteddfod has always been lauded for the cultural enrichment it brings to the area and I am delighted the event is also being recognised for the economic riches it generates."

 

Among this year's visitors will be retired teacher Jan Smith, 62, of Andover, Hampshire, who describes herself as ‘Head Fantoine’ and she block books concert tickets so fans can sit together, hands out merchandise promoting Jonathan Antoine’s website and keeps runs a dedicated website.

 

She said: “I’m driving up on Thursday to visit the Eisteddfod before the show. I’m coming with a friend and we have booked accommodation in Wrexham.

 

“I have block booked tickets for the Fantoines and we have people coming from all over the UK, from Denmark and Germany for the concert with one fan who coming from Dubai.”

 

Jan was spellbound when she first saw Jonathan on Britain’s Got Talent stage and said: “I was channel hopping that night and saw Jonathan and his then singing partner Charlotte Jaconelli walk out on stage. I have to admit I was intrigued. He looked so out of place.

 

“But then he began to sing. He has a voice that just has an effect on you. There is just this feeling you get that he’s singing to you and you alone. I’ve been reduced to tears on more than one occasion.”

 

Pam Rose, 71, is driving up to Llangollen in a campervan from her home in Hemel Hempstead for the concert and is staying three days.

 

She said: “I just adore Jonathan. I don’t like Britain’s Got Talent but happened to drop on his audition with Charlotte Jaconelli by accident.

 

“There was this overweight and clearly very nervous 17-year-old dressed in a shabby T-shirt. And then he started to sing and I was hooked. I have now seen him several times including in a concert with Russell Watson at the Royal Festival Hall.”

 

NHS admin officer Liz Whelan, 60, is travelling to Llangollen for the concert from her Glasgow home along with her sister Janice Leleux, 57, and their 79-year-old mum, Elizabeth Wortman.

 

Liz said: “We are staying in Wrexham and have booked into a hotel for a few nights. I watched Jonathan and Charlotte’s Britain’s Got Talent audition and when he began to sing, wow!

 

“I don’t know what it was about Jonathan but his voice is so powerful and so incredible. I just fell in love.

 

“I bought his album and played it in the car. I had to pull over as I was crying so much I couldn’t see properly. His voice is such a joy.”

 

Sally Anne Adams is travelling to Llangollen from Essex and said: “I have travelled all over the UK to see Jonathan perform. I first saw him at St Pancras Station and I plucked up the courage to ask for a picture with him and not only did he oblige but his mum knew who I was from a comment I’d put on his page. She actually knew my name.”

 

The Eisteddfod will also feature Children’s Day and the Parade of Nations on the Tuesday, led by Eisteddfod President Terry Waite before the evening Heart of Llangollen concert featuring a galaxy of international talent.

 

Highlights of Wednesday will include the debut of the International Young Musician of the Year and the Children’s Choir of the World while Thursday’s competitions will see another first, the International Voice of Musical Theatre Trophy.

 

Friday’s Open Category for choirs will showcase styles like gospel, barbershop, jazz, pop and glee styles and will also see the International Voice of the Future decided with the prize including the chance to sing at one of the evening concerts the future.

 

The Blue Riband event, the Choir of the World for the Pavarotti Trophy, is decided on Saturday night as well as the Lucile Armstrong Dance Final and Sunday sees the Eisteddfod let its hair down for Llanfest before the climactic final concert with Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey.

 

* To book tickets and for more details on the 2015 festival go to the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Story highlights town's traffic "chaos"

The Denbighshire Free Press has a story today (Thursday) saying that the long-running roadworks on the A5 in Llangollen caused traffic chaos over the Easter weekend.

For the full story see: http://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/146400/llangollen-lane-closure-causes-easter-weekend-traffic-chaos.aspx

Time to act on climate change, say Friends of the Earth

 

* Members of Llangollen Friends of the Earth at their gathering.

 

Members of Llangollen Friends of the Earth (FoE) gathered together to let the Government know it’s "Time to Act on climate change".

 

This local event tied in with a national march in London which saw over 20,000 people converge. 

 

The aim was to ensure climate change is high on the agenda ahead of the General Election. 

 

A broad coalition of organisations are calling for investment in renewable energy, energy savings through insulating and adapting buildings, and greatly improved public transport. 

 

It is estimated that these measures would together create one million jobs, says FoE. 

 

The campaigners are also calling for the UK to support a global agreement to cut warming emissions of all kinds.

 

Warren Davies, chair of Llangollen Friends of the Earth, said: “We want to ensure parliamentary candidates of all parties know that time is running out to take action. 

 

"We are already seeing the devastating effects of climate change, and unfortunately the poor are being hit the hardest. 

 

"It’s imperative that our government takes action now through these measures, which would also create a million new jobs for the UK.”

 

Some members of the Llangollen group also travelled down to London to take part in the national march.  

 

Pauline Smout, from Llangollen Friends of the Earth, said “The march was absolutely fantastic, the diversity of groups taking part shows how much energy and passion there is for action on climate change.”

 

* See http://www.timetoact2015.org/ for more information on the Time to Act campaign.       

New rules come in for cycling races

New safety regulations on the organising of cycle races on Welsh highways have come into force.

 

This should be of interest to people in Llangollen, an area which a number of these races pass close to. 

 

orth Wales South East Wales South West Wales The Cycle Racing on Highways (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2015 provide an update to the previous regulations made in 1960, bringing them up to date with current road conditions and modern approaches to public and competitor safety.

 

Working with Welsh Cycling, the Welsh Government has developed the new regulations to shift the emphasis from the imposition of prescribed conditions to a more flexible approach based on risk assessment.

Transport Minister Edwina Hart said: “Cycling is an increasingly popular sport in Wales with a number of races taking place each year.

"Races can boost the economy and tourism and inspire more people to take up cycling. These new regulations will create more opportunities for on-road races, and bring the legal requirements for arranging cycle races in line with modern health and safety standards.”

Anne Adams-King, Chief Executive Officer of Welsh Cycling said: “Welsh Cycling welcomes the simplification and modernisation of these regulations, which will make it easier for race organisers to design courses and run safer events.”