Fighting high business rates in Narberth

An action plan to fight the 200%+ business rates hike in Narberth is beginning to take shape.

South Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns has now met local government minister Brian Gibbons and been told that he is considering raising the rates threshold.

"However he was extremely adamant that there was no way they would postpone the rates review," she said.

"He made it clear that businesses have got until April to try to renegotiate their levels and then after that date they can appeal. But by then they should have paid the first instalment and I know that businesses are extremely worried about their cash flow while any appeals go through.

"I had a meeting last week with a business owner in the town who said he was going to close after Christmas because he cannot afford his enormous rate rise."

Two weeks ago Mrs Burns called a public meeting in the town at which the Valuation Agency Office (VAO), which set the rates, promised to review the situation.

A working party made up of representatives from different types of businesses from the town is now being set up by Narberth Chamber of Trade. It aims to collect evidence to show that the increase is disproportionate to present to the VAO.

A petition for concerned traders to sign is being drawn up and it will then be sent to the Welsh Assembly’s petitions committee.

"Every petition is carefully considered by the committee so it is vital that we get the wording right as they only look into exactly what is petitioned for," added Mrs Burns.

“Now that I have had a chance to talk to Mr Gibbons we can ensure that we do.”

South Pembrokeshire’s Conservative parliamentary candidate Simon Hart, who lives near Narberth, is also helping to collate the petition.

"In almost every shop you go into in town the traders are talking about the rates situation and I have heard of at least one that says it will close if the situation isn’t remedied," he said.

"Everyone is keen to work together to fight this increase."

read more... “Fighting high business rates in Narberth”

WAG proposals for more Welsh Olympic winners

Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones has outlined how the recommendations of an independent review into performance and excellence of sport in Wales will be taken forward at the debate in the National Assembly.

The report, which was produced by independent consultants and published in September, made an assessment of systems and processes that to support sport at the elite level in Wales. It also looked at the pathways in place to ensure that young talent is identified and brought forward in Wales.

Alun Ffred Jones said: "Sport is very important to very many people in Wales; to a degree our sense of national well-being rises and falls with the relative successes of our sports men and women, as if sporting success is a barometer for national spirit."

"This review acknowledges, that for a country our size, we are very successful and recognises the role that the Sport Council and our national sporting governing bodies have played in achieving that success"

"We have closely examined where the report says we can improve the systems and structures that are in place to support sport at the top-level in Wales and, working closely with the Sports Council and others, we will restate our policy and targets for elite sport in Wales in the coming months"

Philip Carling - the Chair of the Sports Council for Wales – looks forward to raising the bar:

"In 2008, we saw notable successes at the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games. And this year, we’ve seen promising performances – we’re World Champions in rugby sevens, Becky Brewerton made her second Solheim Cup appearance and Nicole Cooke won her tenth British road race title.

"And what’s even more promising is that younger athletes have made their mark this year. Swimmer Jazz Carlin and cyclist Becky James are beginning to make a name for themselves and both look set to feature at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi next year. It augurs well not only for London 2012 but also when the Commonwealth Games arrive in Glasgow in 2014.

"We welcome the opportunity to review the current position to ensure that investment is targeted smartly and we look forward to working with the Welsh Assembly Government to identify appropriate funding to sustain and build on our track record. It is particularly timely as the UK is attracting major sporting events – including The Ryder Cup in 2010 – and it is crucial that Wales remains at the cutting edge of sporting excellence."

read more... “WAG proposals for more Welsh Olympic winners”

Griffiths plays 'tec on climate change crime scene

Wrexham's Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths, played detective when WWF Cymru staged a Climate Crime Scene at the National Assembly in Cardiff Bay.

2009 is the most important year ever for our climate with UN negotiations concluding in Copenhagen next month.

To raise awareness of this critical time for action on climate change in the run-up to Copenhagen, WWF Cymru staged a Climate Crime Scene at the Senedd on November 17.

WWF Cymru staged the outline of a life-sized polar bear cordoned off by police tape to depict the possible sign of things to come – unless we tackle climate change now. WWF invited members of the Welsh Assembly Government and visitors and staff to the Senedd to view the crime scene and to sign up to our petition for a strong global deal to be agreed in Copenhagen in December to help secure a safe future for the planet.

Lesley Griffiths AM said:

"WWF Cymru has demonstrated with this innovative photo call what the future holds unless climate change is tackled now. Climate change left unchecked will have devastating impacts for people and wildlife across the planet.

"2009 is the most important year for Climate Change – we simply must secure a strong deal between nations in Copenhagen in December to seriously tackle this problem. I ask the people of Wrexham to sign up to WWF’s campaign to show their support and help safeguard our planet."

The Climate Crime Scene photo call formed part of the launch of WWF-Cymru’s second Climate Witness Jerry Percy. Jerry is the Chief Executive of the Welsh Federation of Fishermen’s Associations and he became a climate witness to highlight the concerns that Welsh fishermen have about how climate change is impacting on marine life, the fishing industry and ultimately our nation.

The Climate Witness is a WWF international programme that documents real life accounts from people across the world who are already experiencing climate change.

Welsh Climate Witness Jerry Percy joins WWF Cymru’s first Climate Witness farmer Wyn Evans from Pembrokeshire who became a Climate Witness earlier this year. Wyn’s account revealed how climate change is affecting agriculture.

For more information about WWF’s Climate Witness programme and how you can get involved please visit www.panda.org/climatewitness.

To find out more on WWF’s Global Deal Campaign please visit:

WWF’s Global Deal Campaign

read more... “Griffiths plays 'tec on climate change crime scene”

New youth helpline launched

A new National Advocacy and Advice service for children and young people, backed with £459,850 of new Welsh Assembly Government funding, has been announced by Children’s Minister Jane Hutt.

The helpline will be the first of its kind in the UK to be rolled out on a national basis and will give children and young people the opportunity to get help on issues important to them if they feel they are not being listened to or getting the support they need. The helpline will be available through:

• free phone lines
• free texting
• e-mail and
• instant messaging.

The Advocacy and Advice Service will work with and compliment other advice services and helplines such as Childline which have a prominent safeguarding role.

The announcement comes on the 20th anniversary of the UNCRC. At a celebratory event to mark the UNCRC anniversary the Minister also launched a major new Action Plan ‘Getting it right’, which sets out how we will make important steps to make children and young people’s rights a reality over the next 5 years in Wales.

Key actions in the plan include:

• Addressing negative perceptions of children and young people particularly in the media – through promoting positive achievements of children and young people and celebrating the success that they achieve
• Working to eliminate all types of bullying - through new anti bullying guidance and the promotion of initiatives such as anti bullying week
• Ensuring all children have the right to play - through developing a new play policy and providing more opportunities for children and young people to engage in the music, arts and sport.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan who also addressed the 20th Anniversary UNCRC event added:

"My Government has made it clear that we are determined to ensure that our children and young people can access and enjoy their rights.

"We want to make sure that children and young people can get help when they need it from people who can support and represent them and their views.

"We are working hard to help the children and young people of Wales to live healthier, more enjoyable and fulfilling lives. I am optimistic that the policies and programmes we have in place will help deliver our obligations to the children and young people of Wales."

Jane Hutt said:

"In Wales we use the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child as the basis for all our work with and for children and young people. We are committed to giving a legislative basis to this work, and the First Minister recently announced our intention to explore further the possibility of introducing a Measure to embed the principles of the UNCRC into law on behalf of Welsh children.

"We must support children and young people through difficult times when they may need more support. Articles 12 and 13 of the UNCRC state that children have the right to have their voices heard and to receive and share information.

"The advocacy and advice service I have announced today supports children and young people to do just that. It will be more than an information service. It will provide advice and find services for children and young people to help them in all sorts of situations. It is about giving them practical assistance and support when things become particularly difficult and if they feel they are not getting the help they need or are entitled to."

read more... “New youth helpline launched”

Newid slams ‘undemocratic’ referendum recommendations

Martin Wilding Davies, the leader of Newid, the party campaigning to establish a progressive political system based on a people’s assembly in Wales, has attacked the recommendations of the All Wales Convention as being ‘undemocratic’ and ‘unconstitutional’ in an article written for Open Democracy.

He points out that despite the research figures bandied about by Sir Emyr Jones Parry and others, “Wales has never shown more than a half-hearted commitment to devolution at the ballot box.”

“The turnout for the 1997 referendum that led to devolution was so low (50%) that barely one in four of the electorate actually voted in favour (75% either voted against or abstained). But since all of the main political parties had a manifesto commitment to devolution, and since marginally more votes were cast in favour (50.3%) than against (49.7%), it went ahead anyway.”

“This is what passes for ‘democracy’ in Wales”, he added.

“The only referendum options the Convention considered were ‘more of the same’ or ‘the same’ – not ‘less of the same’, ‘something completely different’ or ‘none of the above’ – they could just have recommended giving each voter their bus fare to the polling station, thereby saving a lot of trouble and ensuring a marginally better turnout.”

He emphasised a point being used by Labour MPs in what appears to be a concerted effort to slow the process, “The needs of the people of Wales seem to be entirely irrelevant to the interests of the political class.”

“Most Welsh ‘voters’ aren’t because they don’t. Only 43% were sufficiently enamoured with devolution to participate in the 2007 Assembly elections. A clear pattern has developed since only 38% voted in 2003 and 46% in 1999 when devolution was still new.”

“Do people not vote because they think the Assembly doesn’t have enough powers? The Convention doesn’t say. There’s no evidence to suggest that a referendum held in the next year or so would achieve more the 43% median turnout for all Assembly elections held to date.”

“And when the majority abstains from voting, it means there is something so seriously wrong with the political process that a referendum on more of the same would be considered unconstitutional in anything other than our electoral dictatorship. We should first consider what alternative political systems might appeal to the majority.”

“It might be popular to believe that all politicians lie, embezzle their expenses, break promises and pursue nothing but their own careers but the chief failure of the political class is in putting its own interests ahead of the people’s need for real democracy.”

“Even the All Wales Convention can smell the coffee. In its executive summary there is a prominent line that reads, ‘Democracy requires that information be provided, the arguments be presented, and the electorate given the opportunity to be better informed.’”

“If Wales is to be a democracy, if the nation is to govern itself rather than be governed by a remote political elite that has little sympathy for the Welsh condition and little interest in improving the quality of our lives, the people should be able to decide from all of the possible options, not just the one that suits the political class.”

Newid is campaigning for a deliberative People’s National Assembly based on a progressive form of democracy called ‘demarchy’ where decisions are made by ordinary people selected at random (sortition), like jury service, rather than by professional politicians chosen in elections. Such a system will remove the need for professional politicians and political parties, eradicate political expediency, eliminate the almost perpetual state of electioneering and greatly reduce the corrupting influence of vested interests.

People’s assembly members will be guided by an independent judiciary and civil service and will hear evidence presented by advocates. They will select a professional executive to deliver policy in specific fields of expertise rather than have their ministers appointed by political patronage.

“Newid can legitimately claim to be representing the interests of all the people of Wales because it can accommodate a wide spectrum of political opinion rather than that of a narrow interest group. Its constitution makes clear that the party will disband in favour of a people’s assembly as soon as that objective has been achieved.”

“Newid is in favour of a referendum on a written constitution that sets out the rights and responsibilities of all Welsh citizens. The key question to ask the electorate is this: which is more likely to give Wales a fresh start, the Assembly it already has with more powers or the world’s most progressive democracy?”

“Newid will give the people of Wales fresh hope. They’ll have the opportunity, at last, to build a sustainable economy with full employment, to establish a better education system, a more efficient health service, affordable housing and a more secure environment with a better standard of living and quality of life.”

“If our politicians have any integrity at all, they should support whatever system is in the best interests of the people of Wales, even if they have to make themselves redundant.”

“Peter Hain, Welsh Labour, Plaid Cymru, the crachach and rest of the political class will of course dismiss these proposals as utopian. They’ll no doubt issue dour warnings to the Welsh electorate to do what they say or suffer dire consequences. But then that’s the only defence they can offer, isn’t it?”

read more... “Newid slams ‘undemocratic’ referendum recommendations”

MP welcomes Gorsedd Bran refusal

Conservative Member of Parliament for Clwyd West, David Jones, has welcomed the news that the Planning Inspectorate has rejected the appeal against the refusal by Denbighshire County Council to grant planning permission for a new wind farm at Gorsedd Bran, near Nantglyn.

David Jones said:

“The cumulative impact of wind farms in the Denbighshire uplands is having a very detrimental effect upon the residents of those areas; there are, quite simply, far too many turbines in the hills.

“Denbighshire is to be commended for its refusal of this application and I am delighted that the Planning Inspectorate upheld the council’s decision.”

read more... “MP welcomes Gorsedd Bran refusal”

AM backs efforts to provide land for steel-makers expansion

The go-ahead has been given for more talks to seal a deal to sell land to steel-makers Celsa for a future major expansion of its Cardiff operations, Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks has learnt.

Deputy First Minister for the Economy and Transport Ieuan Wyn Jones has agreed that the Welsh Assembly Government officials can continue to negotiate to sell 51 acres land at Pengam Green to the Spanish-owned business.

Chris Franks, Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales Central, who area includes Cardiff, said: “I’m pleased that negotiations will continue to conclude a deal with Celsa. They have become a hugely important employer in Cardiff since the collapse of ASW and it is vital that they are able to expand in the future, hopefully, creating a lot more manufacturing jobs for the people of Cardiff and South Wales.”

In September 2007 Ieuan Wyn Jones agreed that the Welsh Assembly Government should negotiate to sell land at Pengam Green in view of Celsa’s £150m investment and the creation of 800 jobs. Celsa want to protect the potential for future expansion of steel making operations from its existing constrained site. The Deputy First Minister has now agreed to a further period of negotiation to conclude an agreement.

The remaining landholdings of the Welsh Assembly Government in the area of around eight acres are required for a future strategic transport proposal led by Cardiff Council.

Appropriate clauses will be introduced in the disposal documents to ensure that the Welsh Assembly Government has a first option to buy the land back at market value in the event of Celsa going into liquidation, wishing to sell to a third party or declaring the land surplus to their requirements.

read more... “AM backs efforts to provide land for steel-makers expansion”

Plaid AM welcomes Minister’s support to retain disabled benefits

Plaid AM Leanne Wood has welcomed support from Deputy Social Services Minister Gwenda Thomas for the retention of Attendance Allowances as a benefit for disabled pensioners.

The South Wales Central AM has been campaigning on the issue because of fears that the UK Government could axe the Attendance Allowance following a Westminster Green Paper published last July and proposals in yesterday’s Queen’s Speech.

Leanne Wood, speaking during a debate on Paying for Care in Wales, told Gwenda Thomas: “You are well aware of the arguments against the abolition of disability benefits such as attendance allowance. Such a move would have a disproportionate impact on Wales and on the Welsh economy as well as on disabled pensioners, because the number of claimants is much higher here. I would be grateful if you could reiterate in the strongest possible terms your opposition to the abolition of attendance allowance.

“I was comforted to hear that you were committed to an effective dialogue with your ministerial counterparts in the UK Government to help you to achieve a shared view on the way forward. I know what your position is on attendance allowance, and I am confident that you will express the opinion of Welsh stakeholders to your counterparts in Westminster.”

Leanne Wood also welcomed plans to improve social services in Wales.

“I hope that that will mean that local authorities will recognise how important those services are to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

Leanne Wood said that she was disappointed that taxation was not favoured as a way of paying for care.

“Can you confirm that, while taxation may be ruled out by the UK Government, you will not rule it out, and that, if a majority of people as part of the consultation favour that option and feel that it is the best way forward, you will argue for it among your counterparts in Westminster? People find it very difficult to understand why social care can be paid for out of progressive taxation in Scotland, but that we cannot afford it here.

Responding Gwenda Thomas said: “Personally, I believe that attendance allowance will still have a role to play in supporting people to live independently. I do not understand clearly enough what the UK Government is saying about people in receipt of attendance allowance retaining the same level of care. That is an issue on which we need clarity and which needs to be a part of this consultation process.”

The Minister pledged that the views of the people of Wales on paying for social care would be conveyed to the UK Government.

read more... “Plaid AM welcomes Minister’s support to retain disabled benefits”

Pembrokeshire’s youngsters failed by poor settlement in Welsh budged, warns AM

Pembrokeshire’s youngsters are being let down because the Welsh Assembly Government is imposing far harsher cuts on higher and further education than any other sector, warns local AM Paul Davies.

The Preseli Pembrokeshire AM said that it was unfair the HE and FE sector was expected to take a funding cut that was three times worse than in other areas.

“I do not understand why, at a time of economic recession, the Assembly Government is requiring the HE and FE sectors to find efficiency savings of 5 per cent when all other sectors are only required to find savings of 1.6 per cent,” he said during a debate on the Welsh budget in the Senedd.

The UK currently has more 16 to 24-year-olds out of work than any other EU nation, and Wales is the worst hit nation in the UK.

“One in six young people aged 16 to 24 in Wales is unemployed,” said Mr Davies. “The Welsh Assembly Government must concentrate its resources on employment and skills. Greater funding has to be provided in order to tackle youth unemployment. The best youth strategy that the Welsh Assembly Government could provide would be a strategy to create more jobs.

“The Welsh Assembly Government must explain why, in a time of recession, when economic development and skills are at a premium, it is binding the hands of these departments with

real-terms reductions in their budgets.

“It is essential that we invest in the skills of our people, and we must support those people who are currently not in education, employment and training, especially during these difficult times.”

read more... “Pembrokeshire’s youngsters failed by poor settlement in Welsh budged, warns AM”

AMs hail victory in IVF campaign

A campaign for extra IVF funding in Wales which was spearheaded by a Pembrokeshire woman and local AM Angela Burns has won a significant victory.

Kara Ellard from Clynderwen and Mrs Burns have been lobbying for NHS funding for three cycles of IVF – as recommended by NICE guidelines. At present women in Wales can only get one cycle paid for by the NHS.

But at an IVF briefing hosted by Mrs Burns in the Senedd on Tuesday the Welsh Health Minister Edwina Hart announced that women will now get two funded cycles.

"This is a great victory for people power and I can’t praise Kara enough for her hard work and determination in securing a fairer deal for women in Wales," said Mrs Burns.

Mrs Ellard helped collect a 4,000 signature petition calling for parity between Wales and the rest of the UK in IVF funding which Mrs Burns handed to the Assembly Government last month.

Mrs Ellard has spent 12 years and £10,000 trying to get pregnant through IVF. She had seven cycles of treatment before she became pregnant, only one of which was funded by the NHS.

"Getting two cycles funded instead of one is great news and I’m really pleased," she said.

"I think it was definitely public pressure that’s done this. All along we’ve been getting standard letters saying that they were not going to change the system and now they have."

Mrs Burns added: "When the Conservatives held a debate on this issue in July in the Health Minister ruled out changing the system so I am delighted that public pressure has made her change her mind."

However Mrs Burns will continue to fight for funding for the recommended three cycles.

"The evidence shows that giving women three rounds of IVF treatment gives them the best chance of conceiving and that is what women in Wales deserve," she said. "You have a 65 % chance of conceiving with three cycles and only a 50% chance with just two, so although this news will make a big difference, it doesn’t go far enough."

Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies also praised Mrs Ellard’s fight.

"She has fought an excellent public campaign to highlight this injustice and I’m delighted that she has secured the extra funding.

"The Welsh Conservatives will continue to press for three funded cycles to bring us into line with the rest of the UK."

Picture: Clynderwen IVF campaigner Kara Ellard is pictured with South Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns and Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies at Mrs Burns’ IVF briefing at the Senedd.

read more... “AMs hail victory in IVF campaign”

AM raises West Wales train pain

Rail services in west Wales will be in the spotlight next week when Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies leads a debate on the subject in the Senedd.

Mr Davies won the ballot to choose a subject for a short debate and he’s elected to highlight the short comings in rail services to west Wales.

"This has been a subject close to my heart for some time," said Mr Davies.

"I have been lobbying for extra services to Fishguard for years now and I’ll be taking a more detailed look at trains and stations in the whole of Pembrokeshire.

“I’ll be calling for Goodwick station to be reopened and will mention the 1,000-signature petition that two Moylegrove teenagers collected calling for more trains to Fishguard and which I handed to the Welsh Assembly’s petition committee last week.

“I know that there are also concerns about the appearance of Whitland station which is a gateway to Pembrokeshire, the run-down state of Tenby station which is used by thousands of tourists every year and access problems at Saundersfoot station.

"We also need a late train to meet the Pembroke Dock ferry. Integration between public transport will be one of the key themes of my speech."

read more... “AM raises West Wales train pain”

Assembly at sea on rates say Pembrokeshire Tories

Businesses in Pembrokeshire are still in limbo about their rates hike because the Assembly Government has no relief plans in place.

The UK Government is planning to raise the business relief threshold in England on September 30 and in Northern Ireland the rates revaluation has been postponed.

But in Wales, the Assembly Government still has not decided what, if any, action to take.

The admission by Local Government Minister Brian Gibbons that there are no "definitive proposals" in place contradicts a letter sent by local MP Nick Ainger to Narberth Chamber of Trade.

In the letter, Mr Ainger revealed that Brian Gibbons had told him at a meeting on November 5 that business rates relief was to be raised to 20 per cent.

But in another letter to the Welsh Conservatives written the same day, Mr Gibbons revealed instead that the Government is only 'considering measures, including raising thresholds'.

The rates revaluation is due to come into force on April 1 and many local businesses are facing 30 per cent higher bills. In Narberth businesses have seen a rise of 200+ per cent.

“The Welsh Assembly Government needs to provide clear leadership on this matter, not muddy the waters by saying one thing to MPs and another to the Chamber,” said South Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns, pictured.

Welsh Conservatives have repeatedly called on ministers to raise the threshold, delay revaluation until at least April 2011 and introduce a scheme to scrap or reduce rates for up to 90,000 businesses.

"I have been contacted by a number of different types of business concerned about their rates revaluations," said Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies.

"Elsewhere in the UK there has been decisive action taken and relief packages announced but in Wales we are still waiting for answers."

Mrs Burns added: "Businesses need to be able to plan their budgets. This revaluation has been on the cards for five years so it can hardly have come as a surprise and yet the Welsh Assembly Government is all at sea."

read more... “Assembly at sea on rates say Pembrokeshire Tories”

Understand Wales says Carwyn

In an article published on The Guardian's Comment is Free website today, Welsh Labour Leadership contender, Carwyn Jones, says it is time the rest of Britain understood Wales, and devolution.

Carwyn says:

"The point of devolution is not to do things differently for the sake of difference, but to do things differently where it makes sense and where we can deliver better and more appropriate services."

Commenting just following the publication of the All-Wales Convention’s report, he adds:

"Wales is not Scotland-lite, some kind of diluted diet version of an authentically-devolved nation. The Welsh relationship to the British state is far more complex than that. Welshness and Britishness are closely interwoven. British Labour movement heroes like Aneurin Bevan took the co-operative traditions of Welsh community socialism and used their models to build the British National Health Service."

Carwyn also points out that he is the product of a modern Wales, and a modern Britain, someone comfortable with the different identities of being Welsh, British and European, saying:

"My experience is the experience of a modern diverse Britain. Born in South Wales, the first language I learned was Welsh. I am married to a Catholic from Belfast. Before I left infant school the UK had joined the European Union as we now call it. I am happy to embrace the multiple identities of being Welsh, British, and European."

In the article, Carwyn reaffirms his commitment to campaigning for a yes vote on law-making powers for Wales, in the referendum promised in the One Wales coalition agreement with Plaid Cymru. He also says that victory in that referendum is more likely to be secured after the General Election if Welsh Labour has fully considered and digested the report collectively.

Carwyn says he came into politics when he saw what the Thatcher government was doing to mining communities. He warns:

"I burn still with an anger about those times and if elected Leader in two weeks time I will fight to stop a Tory government. I reject the defeatist talk now abroad in parts of our movement. It is right to recognize our own challenge in Wales, where the Tories narrowly exceeded Labour’s vote in the European elections. But the Glasgow by-election result showed Labour across the UK that we can fight back to win.

"Let all in our party say they are proud to be Labour – and commit themselves to stopping a Tory government that would slash and burn in Wales as well as elsewhere."

read more... “Understand Wales says Carwyn”

Politicians owe it to people to take Convention advice - Archbishop

Welsh political leaders should now commit themselves to making the recommendations of the all-Wales Convention a reality, said the Archbishop of Wales following the publication of its report this week.

The Convention, chaired by Sir Emyr Jones-Parry, recommends holding a referendum on full law-making powers for Wales.

Praising the thoroughness of the report, which examined evidence from people all over Wales, Dr Barry Morgan said, “Following exhaustive study and consultation, the All-Wales Convention has found that the case for making the National Assembly into a proper parliament by granting it primary law-making powers is overwhelming. The example of the Scottish parliament since 1997 has shown the enormous advantage of a having a clear set of powers with the responsibilities at the Westminster and Scottish levels precisely defined.

"Granting primary law-making powers to the Assembly would strengthen Welsh democracy and give us a stable and effective system of government. We could then get on with addressing the needs of the people and communities of Wales by developing practical and distinctively Welsh policies and deliver them effectively, free from the constraints of a complex and frustrating process of transferring powers.

"I believe that Wales's sense of national identity, nationhood and heritage are gifts from God in which we should rejoice and which for Wales would be enhanced with further self-determination. At the same time these gifts that we have been given, the distinctiveness with which we have been marked, are not for ourselves alone but for the enrichment of humanity."

read more... “Politicians owe it to people to take Convention advice - Archbishop”

Wales commits to 40% emission reduction

Following a Welsh Liberal Democrat debate the Welsh Assembly has agreed, with cross party support, to reduce emissions by 40% by 2020. Shadow Minister for the Environment and Sustainability, Mick Bates AM, is now writing to Gordon Brown calling on the Prime Minister to take forward the message to Copenhagen that Wales and the UK is committed as a nation to agree a vital new global deal, to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.

Commenting, Mick Bates AM:

"The Copenhagen Climate Summit on December 7 is now less than 30 days away. With this key conference on the horizon, tackling climate change is high on the agenda in Wales, Westminster and Worldwide.

"There is only a small window of opportunity to stop dangerous climate change and keep global temperatures below a 2 degrees centigrade rise, so ambitious political leadership is crucial. Norway and Germany have lead by example, offering a 40% emissions cut. The Scottish Government under the Climate Change Bill has set a fantastic target of reducing emissions by 42% by 2020.

"Today Wales also had an opportunity to stand up and be counted as a country willing to lead by example, to do all it can to demonstrate willing to secure a legally binding deal that recognises the right scale of contribution needed.

"I am delighted that the Welsh Government, lead by the Welsh Liberal Democrats, has reached a cross party consensus today to reduce emissions by 40% by 2020 against the 1990 baseline, and to encourage other governments to do the same.

"I will be writing to Gordon Brown to highlight the clear message this sends that Wales is committed as a nation to agree a vital new global deal to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change and we hope the Prime Minister will carry this message forward to Copenhagen."

read more... “Wales commits to 40% emission reduction”

Carwyn welcomes new powers to deliver sustainability in Wales

Welsh Labour Leadership candidate, Carwyn Jones, today welcomed the announcement that building regulations will be transferred to Welsh Ministers - leading the way for the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure buildings are more energy efficient and sustainable.

In a constitutional move laid before both Houses of Parliament, the Transfer of Functions Order has received final approval from Parliamentary Council, with full powers for Wales being effective by 31st December 2011.

Commenting on the news, Carwyn said:

"I am delighted that these powers have been given final approval. It will allow the Welsh Assembly Government to set the agenda for sustainable buildings and ensure reduced carbon emissions in this area.

"Making homes more sustainable goes a long way in helping homeowners and tenants across Wales meet the cost of rising fuel bills and also contribute towards our 3% targets on climate change from 2011.

"This is a major step towards achieving the Welsh Assembly Government’s aspiration to make all new buildings zero carbon.

"When you consider that the built environment accounts for approximately 40% of all the UK's carbon emissions, it is clear that action is urgently needed to help us deliver on our sustainability commitments. As I spelt out in my manifesto, I believe these powers will enable Wales to do just that."

The Welsh Assembly Government will consult fully on any proposed changes to building regulations, including an assessment of the costs and benefits and impact on other policy commitments.

In his recently published manifesto, 'A Time to Lead', Carwyn pledged to use Wales' new building regulations responsibilities "for 100% improvement in energy efficiency for new buildings".

Amongst other initiatives to tackle climate change through the built environment, Carwyn also pledged to:

• increase the emphasis on green jobs with investment in insulation and renewables to tackle climate change and to boost the construction industry;
• make renewables key and building a critical mass of renewable investment; and
• develop a comprehensive programme of retro-fitting renewables and insulation to social and private housing that will also boost the construction industry, building on schemes such as the Heads of the Valleys low carbon programme.

read more... “Carwyn welcomes new powers to deliver sustainability in Wales”

Landmark report on devolution in Wales reflects public mood on a referendum

The All Wales Convention, chaired by Sir Emyr Jones Parry, has today, Wednesday, November 18th 2009, formally presented its report on the future governance of Wales to the First Minister, Rhodri Morgan and Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.

Compiled by the Chair and his 16-strong Executive Committee, the 130 page report is a robust analysis of the formal and informal evidence gathered as part of its public consultation on further law-making powers for the National Assembly for Wales.

The All Wales Convention has concluded that proposals to transfer powers from Westminster to the National Assembly for Wales all at once offers substantial advantage over the current arrangements, where powers are transferred step by step with the approval of the UK Parliament. Transferring powers all at once would offer greater efficiency, permit a more strategic approach to the drafting of the legislation, provide greater clarity and be more consistent with the rule of law and democratic tradition.

The all at once option would only come into effect if there were a ‘yes’ vote in a referendum. The All Wales Convention believes, based on the extensive evidence it has gathered, that a ‘yes’ vote in a referendum is obtainable. However, the result could be influenced by a number of factors which affect how people will vote on the day. These include leadership of any referendum campaigns, instinct and gut reaction, perceptions of nationality, knowledge of what is proposed and understanding of any language used.

The report also makes practical recommendations, which are relevant now and would still be relevant if powers were transferred all at once to the National Assembly for Wales. These recommendations include creating a ‘one stop shop’ where lawyers and members of the public can access an up to date record of the law that applies in Wales, reducing the bureaucratic load on local authorities, and a more sustained effort with regards to scrutiny of laws that apply in Wales. The Convention believes that scrutiny, as the bedrock of any democratic process, merits particular attention.

Sir Emyr Jones Parry, said,

“The question at the heart of the debate was complex and it soon became clear that it wasn’t well understood at all. It was important that people were aware of what was on the table - we were not talking about the scale of law-making powers afforded to Scotland. The National Assembly for Wales would, in the event of a successful referendum, only be entitled to increased powers across the 20 defined areas of Welsh life set out in the Government of Wales Act 2006.

“Our report reflects the wide range of opinions on devolution heard whilst traveling the length and breadth of the country. This is one of the most wide-ranging and exhaustive public consultations of its kind and the people of Wales have spoken. Through the use of innovative and imaginative techniques we have been able to engage with the public in such a way as to draw clear and concise conclusions from the rich evidence base gathered.

“What we found was that the current arrangements for giving the National Assembly for Wales law-making powers through Legislative Competence Orders or LCOs were seen as cumbersome and slow. The parallel route for giving the National Assembly powers through framework provisions in UK Parliamentary Bills was seen to be problematic. Although potentially quicker than the LCO route, this process was seen as being subject to less scrutiny than LCOs, and most importantly not scrutinised by the National Assembly at all.

“Having the powers all at once offers distinct advantages, and can only be obtained through a ‘yes’ vote in a referendum. If that happened, it would give particular legitimacy to the National Assembly for Wales.

“Judging by the anticipation surrounding its contents, the report’s conclusions will create debate within the corridors of power, both here in Cardiff and in Westminster. I hope there will be a wide-ranging debate across Wales. If a referendum is to go ahead before the May 2011 National Assembly elections, a decision should be taken on whether to call a referendum ideally no later than June 2010.

“While devolution is accepted by most as a part of everyday life, the All Wales Convention is all too aware of the need for an informed electorate for democracy to really work. If there is to be a referendum, the people of Wales need to be fully informed about the options on the table, and their consequences.

“It has been a long road travelled, but our work is now done. Decisions on how to proceed are now for the politicians. We trust that our recommendations to the Welsh Assembly Government will be considered seriously, not just by Government but by the people of Wales.”

read more... “Landmark report on devolution in Wales reflects public mood on a referendum”

Carwyn commits to the "Wales for Africa" programme

"I will build on Rhodri Morgan's proud record on Wales’s contribution to fight poverty and inequality in Africa" - that was the pledge made today by Welsh Labour Leadership candidate, Carwyn Jones, following a meeting with a leading charity worker and doctor campaigning to make birth safer in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Carwyn made his remarks when he met Cardiff-based midwife, Angie Gorman, who runs the Hope for Grace Kodindo Trust and Sierra Leonean medic, Dr. Michael Tetti in Cardiff today.

Ms.Gorman established the charity after seeing a BBC 'Panorama' programme about the number of women in Chad, who die from eclampsia in childbirth as a result of not having access to inexpensive doses of magnesium sulphate.

Since 2006, with the support of the Welsh Assembly Government's 'Wales for Africa' programme, Angie has worked in Chad, training midwives getting supplies of magnesium sulphate into the country to help pregnant women.

She has also extended her work to cover Liberia, Somaliland and more latterly, Sierra Leone - one of the most poorest countries in the world.

The life expectancy for women in Sierra Leone, is around 42 years and less than half of pregnant women are attended by a suitably experienced birth attendant. The maternal mortality lifetime risk at 1:7, is currently the highest in the world.

However, since Angie Gorman teamed up with Michael Tetti, the pair have dramatically reduced maternal mortality rates in the country and during a visit to the Senedd, met with Carwyn to discuss the progress they have made, thanks to the help of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Following the meeting, Carwyn paid tribute to the work undertaken by Angie and Michael in Sub-Saharan Africa, saying:

"I am proud of Wales' role in helping dedicated people like Angie and Michael, saves the lives of pregnant women in Africa. I know how valued and how far our aid money can go in helping the world’s poorest communities. As First Minister, I want to look at ways we can reduce the number of maternal deaths even further.

"It is clear, the Welsh Assembly Government's 'Wales For Africa' programme is making a real contribution to help deliver the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to halve global poverty by 2015. That is why I will build on Rhodri’s proud record on Wales’s contribution to fight poverty and inequality in Africa.

"Likewise, on climate change, Wales is contributing to help developing countries understand and plan for the future. Climate change is a huge threat to the world's poorest countries and I want to see Wales' assistance to those nations, continued and strengthened into the future."

read more... “Carwyn commits to the "Wales for Africa" programme”

A Safer Wales – A Plaid Cymru One-Day Policy Conference

Plaid are holding a one-day policy conference this Friday (November 20) in the Victor Salvi Room, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.

The purpose of this conference will be to identify and analyse the security challenges facing Wales on a domestic and international level.

Key questions will include:

• How does a modern, progressive nation deal with the security problems of crime and punishment, including violence, drugs related crime and other illegal activity?
• How do small nations face the problems posed by international terrorism, global poverty and other security dangers?
• How can Plaid take Wales forward into a sustainable future, thus averting the potential security disasters arising from the current climate crisis, peak oil and massive displacement of people around the world?

With key note speakers Jill Evans MEP, Plaid Cymru European and International Issues Spokesperson and Stephen Thomas, Director, Welsh Centre for International Affairs.

Other panellists include Dr Brieg Powel, Lecturer in International Relations, University of Plymouth; Dr Victoria Basham, Research Fellow in Security Studies, University of Bristol; Elfyn Llwyd MP, Plaid Cymru Home Office and Defence Spokesperson; Phil Edwards, Plaid Cymru Parliamentary Candidate for Aberconwy; Dai Lloyd AM, Plaid Cymru Social Justice Spokesperson; Dr Victoria Winckler, The Bevan Foundation; Leanne Wood AM, Plaid Cymru Sustainability Spokesperson; Helen Nelson, Director, Sustain Wales; Paul Allen, Project Director of Zero Carbon Britain, Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth; and Molly Scott Cato, Reader in Green Economics, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff.

read more... “A Safer Wales – A Plaid Cymru One-Day Policy Conference”

"Time to fight for our polical lives" says Carwyn

Welsh Labour Party Leadership candidate, Carwyn Jones, has set-out in the greatest detail to date, how he intends to lead his Party's fightback in the run-up to the next General Election.

Earlier this month, Carwyn revealed his plans to re-build and re-connect his Party with the Welsh electorate, as well as announcing his intention to appoint a campaigning ‘supremo’ to work closely with Party Headquarters in Transport House and the Welsh Parliamentary Labour Party in London in readiness for the General Election of 2010.

In his latest announcement, Carwyn has explained how he intends to harness what he calls, "the collective energies" of the entire Welsh Labour movement in forthcoming elections, by establishing a full-time National Campaign Unit (NCU) at the Party's Cardiff HQ.

The role of the NCU will be co-ordinate Welsh Labour's General, Assembly and Council election campaigns over the next three years across the country using the very latest tools of engagement to mobilise the Party's grassroots to help spread messages, policies and priorities to voters in every constituency in Wales.

Carwyn said one of the tasks of the National Campaign Unit would be to mobilise active trades unionists and turn them into Labour campaigners, as he released a video on his website showing him talking to trades unionists across Wales and a substantial number of trades union figures across Wales declared their support for him.

Commenting on the latest phase of his strategy, Carwyn said:

"From day one, if elected the new Leader of the Welsh Labour, I will set in train a series of measures that will be designed to initiate our fightback.

"I intend to harness the collective energies of the entire Welsh Labour movement in this process and the National Campaign Unit will have overall responsbility for co-ordinating this. The new direction will mean re-prioritising the resources available to the Party, in order to achieve our goal.

"To do this, I will ensure that all campaigning techniques are fully employed by Welsh Labour in the coming months and I also intend to take online campaigning to a new level - a level which I can confidently predict, will be unrivalled by any other party in Wales."

"We must show trades union activists that the rights they enjoy depend on the re-election of a Labour Government. I want to work with the Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation (TULO) to create a new generation on union activists who are also party activists."

Also, in a clear signal of his intent and determination about the task ahead, should he win the Leadership, Carwyn issued a stark warning to Welsh Tories about what they can expect to face in the coming months, saying:

"The next General Election campaign has already started and in just over two weeks time, I intend to lead my Party in the fight of our political lives. There remains all to play for electorally and Welsh Labour will not walk away from the vulnerable people who rely on us.

"Voters in Wales already feel there is an air of arrogance about the Tories' approach to the next General Election - and they are right. The polls show David Cameron has far from 'sealed the deal' with the electorate. The people of Wales do not like being taken for granted and that is why I intend to burst David Cameron's 'bubble' from day one of my Leadership.

"Welsh Conservatives can forget their absurd predictions and wild assumptions of electoral gains equating to a rubgy team. There is only one rugby analogy that will apply to the Tories next Spring and that will be when voters send them back to the 'Sin-Bin', where they belong."

read more... “"Time to fight for our polical lives" says Carwyn”