Politics

Multi-billion infrastructure upgrade promised

Published

8 years ago

February 1, 2016

Rhun Ap Iorwerth: ‘Plaid could be a driver for economic growth’

A PLAID CYMRU government will deliver a multi-billion pound investment in Wales’ infrastructure to reboot the economy, the Party of Wales’ Shadow Economy Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has said. He said that a Plaid Cymru government, if elected in May, would be a driver for economic growth.

Rhun ap Iorwerth said that one of his party’s main goals is to bring wealth generated per head in Wales up to the UK average. Currently the figure – at 71.4% of the UK average – is the lowest of any UK nation or region.

Earlier this week Rhun ap Iorwerth set out his plans to revive Wales’ economy, planning to re-establish the WDA brand for a new trade and investment body, establish National Infrastructure Commission Wales (NICW), and to help Wales’ businesses grow by establishing a National Bank of Wales to bridge the funding gap of £500m a year faced by Welsh SMEs.

Through NICW, he said, Plaid Cymru will deliver a major a multi-billion pound investment programme that will upgrade physical and digital infrastructure in Wales.

Plaid Cymru Shadow Economy Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “A Plaid Cymru government can be a driver for economic growth. Our over-arching objective is to reverse Wales’ ever-widening economic attainment gap with the rest of the UK within a generation. There is no reason for Wales to lag behind, yet the wealth generated per head is lower than any other part of the UK, wages in Wales are around £100 per week lower than the UK average, and unemployment in Wales is higher.

“As part of our plans, we propose to establish a new body, National Infrastructure Commission Wales, an independent public corporation that will plan, fund and deliver the aspirations set out in the National Infrastructure Investment Plan.

“NICW will raise funds independently of the government, and will invest in both physical and digital infrastructure. “It’s an ambitious plan, but it is Plaid Cymru’s opinion that we cannot afford not to upgrade our infrastructure and build the foundations for a period of steady economic growth. We must secure the right transport, technological and connective environments for businesses in Wales to thrive.

“It’s time to reboot the economy, and a Plaid Cymru government can be a driver for the economic growth we need.”

The WDA was credited with bringing a number of major companies to Wales, including Ford and Toyota, between its creation in 1976 and its ultimate demise 30 years later. However, in 2014 the record of the WDA over the last 15 years of its existence was criticised by First Minister Carwyn Jones, who claimed that it had done ‘absolutely nothing’ during this time, in response to Conservative claims that a new arms-length body should be set up to attract inward investment.

“The WDA prospered at its best in the late 90s, and all they did was put a huge amount of money on the table and said to businesses: ‘come to Wales, there’s money on the table,’” he said. “When that money went, the businesses went as well.

“They said to people – come and invest in Wales because wages are lower than anywhere else. The WDA had its day 20 years ago. But for the whole of the last decade, and most of the 90s, it delivered absolutely nothing.”

In 2014 Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “The WDA achieved some successes especially in attracting branch factories of foreign companies to Wales which countered much of the unemployment at a time of de-industrialisation.

“However, Plaid Cymru at the time emphasised the need to encourage Wales based companies with R&D [research and development] capabilities which would be less likely to migrate and increase GDP. We were proved right.”

Climate

£1m turbine application to be decided by all councillors at County Hall

Published

4 seconds ago

April 25, 2024

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

A TWICE-BACKED £1m scheme for a “20-storey-high” wind turbine at a Pembrokeshire mansion will have to be decided by all councillors.

Mr and Mrs Glen Peters of Western Solar Ltd are seeking permission for a single turbine on land near the Grade II-listed Rhosygilwen Mansion, which includes an arts and functions building known as Neuaddydderwen.

Members of the April meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee were recommended to refuse the scheme, despite backing it at their March meeting.

This backing meant the application returned to the April meeting for ratification after a ‘cooling off’ period; the application having been deferred at the January meeting pending a site visit.

It was initially recommended for refusal in January for several reasons, including potential harm to the setting of the Grade-II-listed house and grounds, and fears of threats to the safe operation of West Wales Airport at Aberporth in neighbouring Ceredigion, some 9.5 kilometres away.

The last concern was later withdrawn.

In papers ahead of the April meeting, officers, again recommending refusal, have said the scheme “would not protect or enhance the setting [of Rhosygilwen] but rather would result in significant harm to this interest of acknowledged importance”.

They have also warned any backing of the scheme against policy recommendations could set a precedent for similar developments.

News

Crime Commissioner candidate welcomes retail crime crackdown

Published

10 mins ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A RAFT of new measures has been announced in the fight against epidemic levels of shoplifting on our highstreets.

Increased use of tagging for repeat offenders and the roll-out of facial recognition cameras are part of the crackdown.

A new standalone offence for assaulting a shop worker will carry a sentence of up to six months in jail or an unlimited fine. Criminal Behaviour Order will also ban offenders from returning to that shop.

The moves have been welcomed by Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner candidate for Dyfed Powys, Ian Harrison.

Ian said: “Shoplifting is the scourge of our highstreets. Local shops are the heart of our communities, especially in rural areas, and this sends out a tough message to those who think it is acceptable to rob local businesses and abuse the people who work in them.”

“Of particular concern is the appearance of organised shoplifting gangs, targeting our smaller High Street retailers. One local shopkeeper advised me that police response has been woefully inadequate.”

Announcing the crackdown, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “I am sending a message to those criminals – whether they are serious organised criminal gangs, repeat offenders or opportunistic thieves – who think they can get away with stealing from these local businesses or abusing shopworkers, enough is enough.”

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said the voices of three million people working in retail had finally been heard after relentless campaigning for a specific offence for assaulting shop workers.

She said: “Victims are ordinary hardworking people – teenagers taking on their first job, carers looking for part-time work, parents working around childcare. This announcement sends a clear message that abusive behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Retail crime is reported to cost business across the UK over £1bn every year.

Politics

Councillor Di Clements announces she is standing for council leadership

Published

20 mins ago

April 25, 2024

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

PEMBROKESHIRE Conservative group leader Councillor Di Clements has announced she is standing for the council leadership.

The announcement by Cllr Clements, county councillor for Martletwy and current chair of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, follows current leader Cllr David Simpson officially stating earlier this week he is to step down.

The position will be decided at the council’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting on May 10, with Cllr Clements, a councillor since 2017, the first to put her name forward.

Cllr Clements said: “It is with a profound sense of duty and optimism that I put my name forward for leader of Pembrokeshire County Council.

“Our community deserves robust leadership that not only understands our unique challenges but also the immense potential of our beautiful county. I am proud to call Pembrokeshire my home and I am committed to working hard to ensure we as councillors prioritise spending for the betterment of all residents.”

She added: “As your council leader, I pledge to ensure that taxpayer funds are spent wisely and not to shy away from the responsibility of managing council spending.

“We must ensure that every pound is invested in a way that delivers real value and benefits directly to the taxpayers of Pembrokeshire.”

‘Honour of a lifetime’

Cllr Simpson gave official confirmation he was to step down at April 22’s Cabinet meeting, saying his seven-year tenure has been “an honour of a lifetime”.

Western Telegraph: Pembrokeshire Council Leader David Simpson is to stand down. Picture: Pembrokeshire County Council
Lampeter Velfrey councillor David Simpson became leader in 2017, after leaving the-then ruling IPPG group after losing confidence in the way cabinet was being run by Cllr Jamie Adams, the leader at the time.

Chairing his final Cabinet meeting as Leader, Cllr Simpson said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family.

Cllr Simpson said: “It has been the honour of a lifetime to be the Leader of your council and the best part of the job has been meeting so many people who are committed to making this county a better place to live and work.”

Cllr Simpson will continue to serve as the county councillor for Lampeter Velfrey.

Cllr Simpson had faced a narrowly-defeated challenge to his leadership last May.

An Extraordinary Meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, on May 18, 2023, considered a Notice of Motion of no confidence in the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor David Simpson.

That no-confidence vote was 29 for, 31 against.