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Motions ‘kicked into the long grass’

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County Hall

County Hall

MEMBERS of the Corporate Governance Committee felt that two notices of motion were being ‘kicked into the long grass’ on Monday.

Cllrs Viv and Mike Stoddart both saw their motions sent to the Constitutional Issues Working Group, a group which has not met since April 2014.

The working group was the subject of much debate and Council Leader Jamie Adams stated that he was happy to commit to the group meeting by the end of February but other councillors were not convinced.

Cllr Mike Stoddart proposed that a person putting forward a Notice of Motion, if he/she wishes, could propose that it be debated on the day and the council would vote on the matter.

Cllr Michael Williams said: “I find the recommendation a bit strange because in the leaders’ meeting last week there was a general acceptance that the Constitutional Issues Working Group was at best in a state of complete torpor. When did it last meet? This is certainly a boot into the long grass”.

Acting Head of Paid Service Ian Westley added: “This particular issue was raised by myself because whilst I understand there are issues about how often this group has met and how affective it might have been, the issue that was raised at that meeting was in fact that it is still in place and we should bring it back on track and use it for its intended purpose. This is nothing to do with kicking things into long grass”.

Cllr Kilmister added: “We already have a constitution which says how a notice of motion should be dealt with and that should be that it goes to this committee for a decision and then it goes on to council. This committee is being used in the wrong way. We need to put it back to council and stop referring these things. We shouldn’t be extending this process. We need to determine this and if it goes to the working group it will be lost for months to come. They haven’t once looked at the notices of motion and it is a complete farce!”

Cllr Jacob Williams said: “These issues do not need to go off to a Constitutional Issues Working Group, which is, in my opinion, kicking it into the long grass and I would also disagree that this committee should be able to kick it there without it going back to council”.

Cllr Viv Stoddart proposed that non-executive members should be allowed to ask questions or comment on an agenda item at an executive meeting.

She said: “My motion seeks to close the gap at Pembrokeshire County Council. A non-executive member can send representations to the Cabinet member who may inform the Cabinet of the issues brought to his or her attention. The key word there is ‘may’. Non-executive members should not have their representations subject to the whim of the Cabinet member. This discretion affords the Cabinet member an opportunity to abuse their positions of power.

“If we go back to autumn 2013, when the proposed merger of schools in my ward was on the agenda for the November Cabinet meeting, I emailed my contribution to all members; did the cabinet member raise my email? There wasn’t a word from the cabinet member.

“There is no equality of arms between the non-executive member and the cabinet member. The Cabinet member, during the debate, can make the case for his ward. This gives them an unfair advantage over the non-executive members.

“When it comes to scrutiny, in September, the leader accepted that Cabinet members needed to be more inclusive in the way they dealt with members.

“If this is accepted it will be seen by the public as being more open and transparent”.

Council Leader Jamie Adams said: “We need to recognise that the process of undertaking a complete review of the constitution is the way forward to provide a firm footing for the council to operate.

“The opportunity is with us to shape how we operate in the future; we’ve got an opportunity in our grasp within three months we could have that on the table. I would suggest our efforts be concentrated on that rather than adopting well-meaning aspects of change when we can have a fundamental review”.

Cllr Jacob Williams said: “I completely support the proposal and it is interesting as the leader says it’s got merit so I can’t see why he would be keen to kick it into the long grass. We’ve got to grab the bull by the horns and get on with it”.

Cllr Kilmister stated that Cabinet should be more accessible and that it was time for councillors to speak for themselves.

Ian Westley added: “I share your frustrations. As officers we are being told of the need to redraft elements of the constitution, it’s in all of our interests to do. You’ve heard the leader commit to calling a meeting of the Constitutional Issues Working Group before the end of this month and his commitment to attempt to get the constitution redrafted by the annual council which is not four months away”.

Speaking earlier in the meeting, he stated that he saw the recommendations for the two agenda items as a positive way of moving forward.

Council Leader Jamie Adams added: “It has proved difficult and we’ve probably got bogged down which is why we agreed a set of principles to guide the council forward. If we’re chipping away at the current constitution I don’t believe we would be doing ourselves much of a service and I gave the commitment at the leaders meeting and I am happy to do it again here that I see a real opportunity to get a new working constitution to council by the AGM this year. I’d like to think that is a far better way forward”.

 

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Flashbang

    February 14, 2015 at 2:24 am

    The sooner this dysfunctional and obstructive council is put into administration the better. What are the reasons it is run in such an underhanded and deceitful way? Who gains from the bizarre decisions made by cabinet? Questions need to be asked at the highest level as to why this council is allowed to continue unchecked.

  2. John Hudson

    February 15, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    Has this “working Group” ever agreed a plan as to how it is to proceed? This at least should be reported to its parent committee and perhaps Council so that it can be held to public account.

  3. ieuan

    February 17, 2015 at 6:13 pm

    The sooner this bunch of idiots are removed from office (the IPPG) the better for us all.

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Crime

Milford Haven disturbance sees two women arrested

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TWO WOMEN were arrested following a disturbance at the Mount Estate in Milford Haven on Saturday night (May 9).

The Herald understands the arrests followed an altercation involving four people.

Video circulating on social media shows two women lying face down on the ground outside while handcuffed and restrained by police officers.

In the footage, officers can be heard telling one woman that she is being arrested on suspicion of assaulting police.

Both women were then taken away, each flanked by officers.

Other women can be seen speaking to those detained while they remain on the ground.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for further details, including confirmation of the number of arrests, the nature of the incident, and whether anyone was injured.

 

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News

Wales enters new political era after historic Senedd election

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WALES has entered a new political era after voters delivered the biggest political upheaval since devolution.

Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the Senedd, Reform UK surged into second place, and Welsh Labour was reduced to its worst result since the creation of Welsh devolution in 1999.

The result ends Labour’s long dominance of Welsh politics and leaves Cardiff Bay facing weeks of negotiations over who will form the next Welsh Government.

Labour dominance ends

For the first time since the Senedd was created, Labour is no longer the largest party in Wales.

The party fell to just nine seats in the expanded 96-member chamber, a result which has sent shockwaves through Welsh politics.

First Minister Eluned Morgan also lost her own seat in Ceredigion Penfro before announcing that she would stand down as Welsh Labour leader.

The scale of the defeat reflects deep public frustration over the NHS, public services, the cost of living, and the perception that Welsh Labour had run out of energy after decades in power.

Ken Skates has now been appointed interim Welsh Labour leader as the party begins what is likely to be a long and painful rebuilding process.

Plaid’s historic breakthrough

Plaid Cymru finished as the largest party with 43 seats, a landmark result for Rhun ap Iorwerth and his party.

It is the closest Plaid has ever come to forming a government in Wales, and gives the party the clear first opportunity to try to lead the next Welsh Government.

However, Plaid fell short of the 49 seats needed for an outright majority.

That means Rhun ap Iorwerth must now decide whether to seek a formal coalition, a confidence-and-supply arrangement, or attempt to govern as a minority administration.

The party campaigned strongly on the NHS, childcare, housing, rural Wales and economic renewal. It must now show that it can move from opposition into government and turn those promises into delivery.

Rhun ap Iorwerth after the election result was announced

Reform becomes major force

The other major story of the election was the dramatic rise of Reform UK.

The party won 34 seats, becoming the second-largest group in the Senedd and reshaping the political map across Wales.

Reform made major gains in former Labour heartlands, particularly in areas where voters have become disillusioned with Cardiff Bay politics and traditional party loyalties.

Dan Thomas, Reform Leader in Wales, after being elected (Image: BBC)

Its success means the next Senedd will be noisier, more confrontational, and far less predictable than before.

Reform will now have a large platform from which to challenge Plaid Cymru, Welsh Labour and the Conservatives on public services, immigration, the economy, and the future direction of Wales.

Dan Thomas, Reform Leader in Wales, talks to the BBC about Reforms impressive ‘trajectory’ into Wales

Smaller parties gain ground

The Conservatives were reduced to seven seats, leaving them much diminished after years of trying to present themselves as the main alternative to Labour.

The Wales Green Party won two seats, giving the party its first real foothold in the Senedd.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats won one seat, ensuring they remain represented in Cardiff Bay.

The new electoral system, which expanded the Senedd from 60 to 96 members and introduced 16 larger constituencies electing six MSs each, helped create a far more proportional result.

It has also produced a chamber in which smaller parties and tactical negotiations will matter more than ever.

Former First Minister Eluned Morgan arrives at the count in Ceredigion, accompanies by Labour candidate Cllr Marc Tierney

What happens next?

The key issue now is who can command enough support to govern.

Plaid Cymru, as the largest party, will be expected to lead the process of forming an administration.

But without a majority, every major vote will matter. Budgets, major laws, confidence votes and key policy decisions will all require careful negotiation.

A formal deal with another party may prove difficult. A minority Plaid government is possible, but it would need support from other MSs to survive.

That means the next few weeks could be decisive for the future of Wales.

A changed country

This was more than a bad night for Labour or a breakthrough for Plaid and Reform.

It was a clear sign that Welsh politics has changed.

Old loyalties have weakened. Voters who once backed the same party for generations have shown they are prepared to move. The next Senedd will be more divided, more unpredictable, and more difficult to control.

For Wales, the message is stark.

The Labour era is over. Plaid Cymru now has its greatest opportunity yet. Reform UK has arrived as a major force. And whoever forms the next Welsh Government will have to prove quickly that change means more than a different set of faces in Cardiff Bay.

 

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Community

Haverfordwest Castle redevelopment on track for 2028 reopening

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Major project will create new visitor attraction, events space, museum and improved town links

HAVERFORDWEST Castle is on course to reopen in 2028 following a major redevelopment project aimed at transforming the historic site into a high-quality visitor attraction.

County Councillor Thomas Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, recently visited the site to see the progress being made.

He said: “As County Councillor for the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, it was lovely to visit the Haverfordwest Castle Redevelopment Project and see the progress that has been achieved.

“I am very much looking forward to the Castle reopening in 2028.”

The project will see the mediaeval castle conserved for future generations, while the Inner Bailey has been landscaped so it can host events for up to 500 people.

These could include concerts, plays, craft fairs, Christmas markets and other community events.

The wider castle grounds are also being improved, with new interpretation explaining the history of the site, as well as family-friendly activities.

The building which houses Haverfordwest Museum, the Governor’s House, is being conserved, while the museum exhibition inside will be completely refurbished and modernised.

The former gaol building will also be transformed into a visitor attraction telling the story of Pembrokeshire’s past and future in an interactive and family-friendly way.

The attraction will include a café, shop, community spaces and exhibition areas.

Work is also taking place to improve the physical route between the castle and the town centre at Castle Back, with better signage planned to help visitors find the castle and navigate Haverfordwest more easily.

The castle is expected to reopen in 2028.

 

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