News

Further review of car scheme

Published

10 years ago

July 16, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Bryn’s wheels: A review of
council policy was sparked by
previous extravagent spending

A FURTHER review will be carried out into the executive car scheme as the council continues to look at cutting its costs. At a meeting of the Senior Staff Committee on Thursday (Jul 2), councillors held a lengthy debate on the matter. Cllr Bob Kilmister had originally submitteda noticeof motion asking that the council make a 15% cut in the car scheme.

At a previous meeting of the Senior Staff Committee Cllr Kilmister criticised the lack of information and asked for a detailed report to be carried out. That report came back to the committee at Thursday’s meeting but Cllr Kilmister still raised questions over the report. He talked about Co2 emissions that come from the current lease cars and added that the council could look into the possibility of using hybrid or electric cars. The committee were unsure of the implications of using such cars and a further report will now be carried out. Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Kilmister said: “In my submission I stated that I believed the cost of the scheme to be £119,000.

The actual figure is £183,000 which is 53% higher than we were told at the seminar. We are told that 28 officers are entitled so this reaches out at a cost of £6,537 each. I think the scheme still needs further work. I am not against the scheme but I think we need to look at lowering the substantial cost. I still believe a 15% saving is desirable and achievable. Restricting the number of cars could bring a large saving, do our officers actually need such gas-guzzling vehicles. I accept the need for some to have four-wheel drive vehicles but you can now get hybrid-electric four wheel drives. By reducing the director’s and head of paid service’s new lease deals to £6,381, reducing the chief officers to £4,471 a 15% saving would be made. I accept this cannot happen overnight but the new rules should be applied as soon as possible. Having looked on the internet, I found that a four wheel drive vehicle is leased on the same conditions we currently have for a total of £1,944, that was a Kia.

A four-byfour Mitsubishi Outlander, top of the range, electric-hybrid, was available at £3,984. A four-by-four BMW, top of the range, was available at £5,172. All those examples, which are quite elaborate, quite big, would be considered by the public to be more than adequate, are below the rates I have published with the exception of the BMW. It looks to me as if we could still, on the basis of this £7,000, that somebody could still get another Porsche and the whole idea of this was to make sure that we don’t get to the situation where the Porsche was clearly unacceptable. At a time of great cutbacks, if we don’t make a cut here and we reject this we are going to send out entirely the wrong message when we are making major changes to other public services.

I would urge you to look at this deep down but I am not convinced by the report and a 15% saving is not only necessary but desirable.” Chief Finance Officer John Haswell pointed out that he had taken up the opportunity to have a hybrid lease car. He added: “Because of staff turnover, there has been a budget saving over recent years. At present time there are 24 officers with a lease car but that may go up because of recent appointments. Chief Officers are entitled to choose the car that they wish. I now vet all the applications, so somebody could get another Porsche but they wouldn’t because I wouldn’t allow it.” Cllr Tessa Hodgson asked why he wouldn’t let officers drive a Porsche and John Haswell replied it was down to reputation and that there would also be other cars he wouldn’t allow because the council wouldn’t want an officer driving certain types of car.

Council Leader Jamie Adams said: “We shouldn’t be in a position of penalising those in the scheme at the moment because of what has gone on in the past.” Councillors were all in agreement that the scheme should be looked at further including the scope of cars available that will provide savings based on Co2 emissions, clarity on insurance and infrastructure costs for putting in charging points.

Health

New Chief Medical Officer for Wales appointed

Published

45 mins ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PROFESSOR Isabel Oliver has been named the new Chief Medical Officer for Wales, bringing a wealth of experience to the role.

Prof. Oliver joins the Welsh Government from her position as Director General of Science and Research and Chief Scientific Officer at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). She will provide clinical leadership and offer independent professional advice to the Welsh Government on health and public health matters. Her role includes tackling health inequalities and leading efforts to improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes across Wales.

Having started her career in acute hospital medicine in the West Midlands and South West England, Prof. Oliver transitioned to public health. She previously served as Director of the National Infection Service at Public Health England (PHE) and is co-director of the National Institute for Health Research’s Health Protection Research Unit on Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol. She is also an honorary professor at University College London.

Cabinet Secretary’s Welcome
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, praised the appointment, saying:
“Professor Oliver brings a wealth of experience to Wales after working at a senior level in public health in the UK, and I look forward to working with her.
“I’m delighted she has joined us as we work to improve health and wellbeing, and I’d like to offer her a warm welcome to Wales.”

Excited for the Challenge
Prof. Oliver expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating:
“It is an honour to be appointed as the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, and I am very excited to work with the dedicated health professionals and communities across Wales to create a healthier Wales and safeguard our NHS.

“Today, we face challenges from our ageing population, inequalities, and global factors such as climate change. For someone like me, with a great passion for health and wellbeing, Wales offers unique opportunities to secure major improvements in public health and health services, thanks to innovative policies and effective collaboration between sectors. It will be my privilege to serve the people of Wales to secure healthy, resilient, and prosperous communities.”

Prof. Oliver, a keen runner like her predecessor, is set to participate in the Newport Marathon later this year. She succeeds Sir Dr. Frank Atherton, who steps down at the end of January.

Contact Details:
William Davies
0300 0258 788
[email protected]

Let me know if further tweaks are needed!

Crime

Three men jailed for £620,000 cannabis production at former Llandysul school

Published

55 mins ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THREE men have been sentenced for producing cannabis worth up to £620,000 at a former school building in Llandysul.

Njazi Gjana, 27, and Ervin Gjana, 24, were each sentenced to two years and six months in prison, while Armeld Troski, 29, received a three-year and four-month prison sentence.

The operation followed a warrant executed by Dyfed-Powys Police on Friday, November 15, 2024, after reports from the public about suspicious activity at the site. Upon entry, officers discovered a large-scale and sophisticated cannabis cultivation setup spanning three floors. The building had been heavily modified to accommodate the illegal operation.

***Llandysul school burned down after the cannabis grow was discovered (Pic: Herald)***

Arrests made after pursuit

During their search of the property, officers heard movement downstairs and arrested two individuals, Njazi and Armeld, on-site. A third man, later identified as Ervin Gjana, escaped by climbing over a wire fence and fleeing into nearby fields. However, police used a drone and conducted a physical search, eventually locating Gjana on a roadside. He was soaking wet and scratched from brambles when arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis.

All three men were charged with producing a Class B drug and pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, December 20, 2024.

***The police took photos after the grow was discovered (Pic: DPP)***

Police praise public for vigilance

Detective Constable Ben Nicholls said: “I’d like to thank the Llandysul community for their vigilance and proactivity in reporting suspicious activity to police.

“The information we receive from members of the community helps us build the picture of illegal activity that allows us to execute warrants such as this to ensure our area remains hostile to those who deal drugs.

“Monday’s sentencing serves as a reminder of our dedication to removing and preventing harmful substances damaging our communities, and we thank the public for the crucial role they play in this work.”

Signs of cannabis cultivation

Police encourage the public to report any concerns or suspicions about cannabis cultivation. Indicators include:

A distinctive aroma coming from a property and noises from ventilation fans.
Blacked-out windows to avoid detection.
People and vehicles arriving at odd hours.
Bright lights on continuously in seemingly vacant properties.
Excessive condensation on windows.
Unusual wiring or bypassed electricity meters.
‘Garden’ rubbish, such as plant pots, fertiliser, and chemicals.

Any information, no matter how small, could assist in tackling drug-related crime. Reports can be made via:

🖥️ | Online contact
📧 | [email protected]
💬 | Social media direct messages
📞 | Non-emergency: 101

For the deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired: text 07811 311 908.

For updates on local policing, appeals, and events, follow Lampeter, Aberaeron, and Llandysul Police on Facebook.

Community

Drop in sessions to help reshape Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Published

1 hour ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) is pleased to announce the launch of a series of community drop-in sessions designed to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders. This initiative aims to identify issues and challenges that may impact the delivery of the Community Risk Management Plan 2040 (CRMP 2040).

The CRMP 2040 outlines the Service’s commitment to addressing risks, threats, and challenges faced by communities. These drop-in sessions provide an opportunity for residents to help shape the future of fire and rescue services in Mid and West Wales, ensuring safety and well-being remain a priority.

Shaping the future together

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray said: “We believe the best way to serve our communities is by involving them in the planning process. These drop-in sessions are an opportunity for us to listen, learn, and collaborate with the people we serve.”

The drop-in sessions, details of which are available on the MAWWFRS website, offer a platform for open dialogue. Residents can share their insights, concerns, and suggestions, contributing to the development of a modern Fire and Rescue Service tailored to their needs.

A data-driven approach

The CRMP 2040 adopts a data-driven approach, focusing on prevention, protection, and response to reduce emergencies’ impact and enhance public safety. By tailoring services to community needs, MAWWFRS is committed to building safer and more resilient communities.

Get involved

Community members are encouraged to attend these sessions and provide their feedback. To thank participants, MAWWFRS is offering a chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher. To enter, simply attend a session and complete the survey.

For more information about the plan or the upcoming drop-in sessions, visit the MAWWFRS website or contact the team at [email protected].

About MAWWFRS

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is dedicated to protecting and serving the communities of Mid and West Wales. Through prevention, protection, and response, the Service works tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors.