Malice in Blunderland & Rhondda Cynon Taff Council

A shop closed every other day on the Welsh high street last year

2012-02-18T09:38:00.000Z

Sales-hungry shoppers give retailers a surprise January present
Claire Miller Walesonline 17th February 2012
Quote:

A separate survey revealed today pound shops, bookies and charity shops are increasingly replacing Wales’ traditional high street stores.

However, the research from PricewaterhouseCooper (PwC) and the Local Data Company, found that although a shop closed every other day on the Welsh high street last year, there was actually a net increase in stores, with supermarkets, bakers, credit unions moving in – as well as the low-cost retailers, bookmakers and charity shops.

Awema scandal: Naz Malik and Saquib Zia are dismissed

2012-02-17T16:39:00.002Z

Awema scandal: Naz Malik and Saquib Zia are dismissed

BBC News Wales 17th February 2012

Quote:

The chief executive and finance director of a race relations charity at the centre of a funding scandal have been dismissed following allegations of mismanagement.

The sackings of Naz Malik and Saquib Zia were announced by the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (Awema).

The charity has been at the centre of allegations of financial irregularities and bullying.

Awema's funding was halted by the Welsh government after a damning report.

A statement on the Awema website by its chair Dr Rita Austin said an administrator would also be appointed to take over control of Awema's business and assets from the charity trustees, and close the business.

Awema's decision follows the Welsh government internal audit services report from 9 February which terminated all grants of public funds to the charity.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-17079316

Breaking: Awema chief Naz Malik dismissed over spending allegations

Update: 18th BBC Wales News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-17083917

South Wales Evening Post http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Charity-s-bosses-dismissed-following-damning/story-15264906-detail/story.html

Colwyn Bay ex-forces group boss accused of fraud

2012-02-17T15:50:00.003Z

Colwyn Bay ex-forces group boss accused of fraud

DWP West 31st January 2012

Quote:

THE managing director of a project set up to help ex-forces veterans has appeared in court accused of fraud and theft.

Christopher O'Neill, 50, of Princes Drive, Colwyn Bay, has been charged with a £125,000 grant fraud in 2010 and theft of £74,800 from Forces for Good between March and November last year.

He is also accused of acquiring criminal property at Llandudno – £74,800.

Yesterday the former military policeman was remanded on bail by magistrates at Llandudno with a condition that he lives in Cheshire.

There will be a hearing next week to commit the case for trial at the crown court.

Prosecutor Julie Hughes said: “It's a particularly complicated case.”

Update:

Ironically I blogged about this charity back last year ( see below).I shall not make any comments on this case but will be following it.

http://rctcbcmalice.blogspot.com/2011/03/forces-for-good-offers-helping-hand-to.html

How to get companies to act more ethically

2012-02-17T15:35:00.000Z

“Oxfam stands on very high moral grounds and we have to work very hard not to fall off that,” she said.

“That’s quite important for business to learn as well in terms of reputation management, as more and more consumers are demanding that businesses do the right thing.

Yes, make money, but not at the expense of poor people.”

Dame Barbara Stocking

Quote:

THE chief executive of Oxfam has urged consumers to make their opinions known if they want companies to act more ethically.

Speaking ahead of a keynote speech to Cardiff Business Club, Dame Barbara Stocking said customers do not have to switch shops if they are concerned about their behaviour.

“If you fill in some of the customer satisfaction cards or make some sort of complaint those companies listen very hard to what their customers are saying,” she said.

“If 10 people told a major supermarket we don’t like this that you are doing you would be amazed at the impact that could have on the buying power of that big company. People should never feel they can’t make any difference.”

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-news/2012/02/15/oxfam-chairman-dame-barbara-stocking-speaks-to-cardiff-business-club-91466-30332116/#ixzz1meUkiJDq

Wheelchair user left stranded by Flintshire Council travel cut

2012-02-17T11:45:00.000Z

“Flintshire Council have fully considered Michael Evans’ situation and have no further comment to make.”

By Lois Hough The Leader 7th February 2012

Quote:

A WHEELCHAIR user has been forced to give up his two beloved jobs because his free transport was axed.

Flintshire Council revoked the free transport concession for Michael Evans, 37, who has Down syndrome, following a review of his benefit entitlement.

His concerned parents Sue, and Norman, both 67, who live with their son on Wrexham Road, Mold, lodged an appeal against the decision but have since learned they were unsuccessful.

Michael, who travelled by taxi to work placement schemes at Abbey Metal, Flint, and at the County Hall canteen, Mold, has now had to give up his jobs.

Sue said: “Michael is really sad about it.

“He absolutely loved his jobs but now he spends his days watching DVDs.

“The other day he brought me his £6 wages and asked whether that would pay for his taxi.”

Council bosses revoked Michael’s free transport following an assessment of his Disability Living Allowance.

http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/110095/wheelchair-user-left-stranded-by-flintshire-council-travel-cut.aspx

It must really please some jobsworths in some Councils no end to be able to make a disabled persons life miserable. This is discriminatory and disabling not enabling in my opinion.Not to mention callous.I sincerely hope that theMP involved will do all he can to help the family and get this ridiculous decision reversed.I can understand wishing to try and make him more independent but still.I think he has more than demonstrated his struggle to be independent by coping as he already has done.I am sure he feels he is being punished.Why weren't any considerations given to his needs and his wishes in all this? So much for showing any equality.Or indeed showing any form of understanding in this situation. I hope I can report back on this case with some good news in due course.I shall keep my eye on this

Update :

I have tweeted the News link not the Blog Link. I want to keep this separate to stand out on its own. It has kindly been picked up by disability campaigners and tweeted on. I hope that will help in some small way.A bit more publicity wider than locally just might work.

Pound stores and charity shops make up new face of high street

2012-02-17T11:02:00.001Z

“In Swansea, for example, the new shopping centre which was built on the site of the closed David Evans store is still, even two years after the first shops opened, only approximately 50% full.”

“Many empty shops are visible throughout the city centre and the proliferation of ‘pound stores’ and charity shops is ever more visible. Traditional retailers are facing greater and far more destructive challenges than anything they have previously confronted.”

Richard Dunstan
Senior lecturer in accounting at Swansea Business School

Pound stores and charity shops make up new face of high street
By Aled Blake 17th February 2012

Quote:

POUND shops, bookies and charity shops are increasingly replacing Wales’ traditional high street stores, research suggests today.

And although a shop closed every other day on the Welsh high street last year, there was actually a net increase in stores, with supermarkets, bakers, credit unions moving in – as well as the low-cost retailers, bookmakers and charity shops.
The research from PricewaterhouseCooper (PwC) and the Local Data Company illustrates how much the high street has changed since the credit crunch hit in 2007.

Plenty more on this subject further back.

Village green campaigners vow to fight on in court

2012-02-16T15:07:00.000Z

Village green campaigners vow to fight on in court

by Daniel Brennan Cynon Valley Leader

Jan 19th 2012

Quote:

A LEGAL battle to keep one of Wales’ largest village greens intact will make its way to Cardiff High Court in November.

The 30-acre Gloucesters and Ironworks site in Hirwaun, which has long been used as a haven for wildlife and a venue for community events, was granted village green status in 2009.
But Piper Land Development, who want to build houses on the 30-acre site, hope to overturn its status so it can be used for future development.

Last week, at the High Court in London, applicant Richard Jones – on behalf of the Action for Hirwaun Group – attempted to throw the case out of court to stop Piper Ltd from overturning any previous council decisions.

Public Services (Social Enterprise and Social Value) Bill

2012-02-16T14:50:00.001Z

Public Services (Social Enterprise and Social Value) Bill

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmbills/006/2011006.pdf

Thoughts on Responsibility

2012-02-15T18:10:00.000Z

Welsh council in datacentre funding probe

2012-02-15T15:34:00.001Z

Torfaen County Borough Council asked to cover £400,000 funding black hole at local datacentre facility

By Caroline Donnelly

CRN Channelweb.co.uk

15th February 2012

Quote:

A Welsh council previously accused of rushing through a PC procurement deal must stump up £400,000 to cover a funding shortfall at a datacentre whose activities are being probed by local police.

The £3m datacentre in Blaenavon, south Wales, is part of an initiative led by Torfaen County Borough Council (TCBC) to share ICT services with neighbouring local authorities.

The tier three-to-four datacentre, which opened last year, also forms the centrepiece of TCBC's plans to become the UK's "most digitally connected community".

A Hat Tip to @publicwatcher for tweeting that link.

A Councils stance on Bullying and Hate Crime

2012-02-15T15:21:00.001Z

Councils who do not tolerate Bullying and Hate Crime...

I thought I would quote some of a randomly selected Councils policy on Bullying and Hate Crime.Note - This is not from RCTCBC.

Quote:

X Council believes that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect and that harassment and hate crime is totally unacceptable. The Council will work to prevent any form of harassment from happening in the first instance and where it has already occurred, will work to prevent it from happening again.

Quote:

If you feel you have been discriminated or harassed by X Council Staff in anyway please let us know using the Complaints and other Feedback procedure

The Council will take any allegations seriously and has an internal harassment and bullying policy and procedure for dealing with staff.

Boundary Commission for Wales seeks views on changes

2012-02-15T14:51:00.003Z

"Ideally what will carry more weight with the commission is if people can come along or write to us and let us know whether they have any counter proposals."

Boundary Commission for Wales secretary Ben Whitestone

Boundary Commission for Wales seeks views on changes

BBC Wales News 15th February 2012

Quote:

Voters are being asked for their views on plans to cut the number of Parliamentary constituencies in Wales from 40 to 30.

Public hearings begin in Swansea on Wednesday before moving around the country during the next five weeks.

The boundaries are being redrawn as the UK government wants all parliamentary constituencies to have roughly the same number of electors.

The Boundary Commission for Wales says it wants to hear ideas from the public.

Changes are planned across Wales and the proposed new constituencies also take into account local issues such as geography, local authority boundaries, roads and community links.

Quote:

The act stipulates that the number of electors in each constituency must be between 72,810 and 80,473.

All submissions will be transcribed, translated and posted online, along with any written submissions received during the initial 12-week consultation.

The commission's final proposals will be submitted to Parliament by October 2013.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-17038015

Plenty more on this subject further back.

Torfaen schools 'unsatisfactory', Estyn report says

2012-02-14T12:21:00.001Z

Torfaen schools 'unsatisfactory', Estyn report says

BBC Wales News

14th February 2012

Quote:

Torfaen council's education services have been heavily criticised in a report by the school's inspectorate, Estyn.

It found that standards were well below what was expected, with an overall judgement of "unsatisfactory" - the lowest rating given

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-17023862

Lynette White corruption trial collapse investigation to be held by police watchdog

2012-02-14T10:02:00.001Z

Lynette White corruption trial collapse investigation to be held by police watchdog

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/02/13/lynette-white-corruption-trial-collapse-investigation-to-be-held-by-police-watchdog-91466-30324860/#ixzz1mLhFkjzI

Wirral council leader loses no confidence vote

2012-02-14T09:54:00.000Z

BBC News 14th February 2012

Quote:

The Labour leader of Wirral Borough Council has lost a vote of no confidence after opposition councillors called on him to stand down.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-17009338

Update - The Wirral Leaks response

http://wirralleaks.tumblr.com/post/17603356404/destination-door

The Circumlocution Office

2012-02-13T19:45:00.000Z

Extract from Chapter 10 of Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens

Containing the whole Science of Government

The Circumlocution Office was (as everybody knows without being told) the most important Department under Government. No public business of any kind could possibly be done at any time without the
acquiescence of the Circumlocution Office.Its finger was in the largest public pie, and in the smallest public tart. It was equally impossible to do the plainest right and to undo the plainest wrong without the express authority of the Circumlocution Office. If another Gunpowder Plot had been discovered half an hour before the lighting of the match, nobody would have been justified in saving the parliament until there had been half a score of boards, half a bushel of minutes, several sacks of official memoranda, and a family-vault full of ungrammatical correspondence, on the part of the Circumlocution Office.

This glorious establishment had been early in the field, when the one sublime principle involving the difficult art of governing a country, was first distinctly revealed to statesmen. It had been foremost to study that bright revelation and to carry its shining influence through the whole of the official proceedings.Whatever was required to be done, the Circumlocution Office was beforehand with all the public departments in the art of perceiving - HOW NOT TO DO IT.

Through this delicate perception, through the tact with which it invariably seized it, and through the genius with which it always acted on it, the Circumlocution Office had risen to overtop all the public departments;and the public condition had risen to be - what it was.

It is true that How not to do it was the great study and object of all public departments and professional politicians all round the Circumlocution Office.

It is true that every new premier and every new government, coming in because they had upheld a certain thing as necessary to be done, were no sooner come in than they applied their utmost faculties to discovering How not to do it.

It is true that from the moment when a general election was over, every returned man who had been raving on hustings because it hadn't been done, and who had been asking the friends of the honourable gentleman in the opposite interest on pain of impeachment to tell him why it hadn't been done, and who had been asserting that it must be done, and who had been pledging himself that it should be done, began to devise, How it was not to be done.

It is true that the debates of both Houses of Parliament the whole session through, uniformly tended to the protracted deliberation, How not to do it.

It is true that the royal speech at the opening of such session virtually said, My lords and gentlemen, you have a considerable stroke of work to do, and you will please to retire to your respective chambers, and discuss, How not to do it.

It is true that the royal speech, at the close of such session, virtually said, My lords and gentlemen, you have through several laborious months been considering with great loyalty and patriotism, How not to do it, and you have found out; and with the blessing of Providence upon the harvest (natural, not political), I now dismiss you.

All this is true, but the Circumlocution Office went beyond it.Because the Circumlocution Office went on mechanically, every day, keeping this wonderful, all-sufficient wheel of statesmanship, How not to do it, in motion. Because the Circumlocution Office was down upon any ill-advised public servant who was going to do it, or who appeared to be by any surprising accident in remote danger of doing it, with a minute, and a memorandum, and a letter of instructions that extinguished him.

It was this spirit of national efficiency in the Circumlocution Office that had gradually led to its having something to do with everything. Mechanicians, natural philosophers, soldiers, sailors, petitioners, memorialists, people with grievances, people who wanted to prevent grievances, people who wanted to redress grievances, jobbing people, jobbed people, people who couldn't get rewarded for merit, and people who couldn't get punished for demerit, were all indiscriminately tucked up under the foolscap paper of the Circumlocution Office.

Numbers of people were lost in the Circumlocution Office.

Unfortunates with wrongs, or with projects for the general welfare (and they had better have had wrongs at first, than have taken that bitter English recipe for certainly getting them), who in slow lapse of time and agony had passed safely through other public departments; who, according to rule, had been bullied in this, over-reached by that, and evaded by the other; got referred at last to the Circumlocution Office, and never reappeared in the light of day.

Boards sat upon them,secretaries minuted upon them,commissioners gabbled about them,clerks registered, entered, checked, and ticked them off, and they melted away. In short, all the business of the country went through the Circumlocution Office, except the business that never came out of it; and its name was Legion.

Sometimes, angry spirits attacked the Circumlocution Office. Sometimes, parliamentary questions were asked about it, and even parliamentary motions made or threatened about it by demagogues so low and ignorant as to hold that the real recipe of government was, How to do it.

Then would the noble lord, or right honourable gentleman, in whose department it was to defend the Circumlocution Office, put an orange in his pocket, and make a regular field-day of the occasion.

Then would he come down to that house with a slap upon the table, and meet the honourable gentleman foot to foot.

Then would he be there to tell that honourable gentleman that the Circumlocution Office not only was blameless in this matter, but was commendable in this matter, was extollable to the skies in this matter.

Then would he be there to tell that honourable gentleman that, although the Circumlocution Office was invariably right and wholly right, it never was so right as in this matter.

Then would he be there to tell that honourable gentleman that it would have been more to his honour, more to his credit, more to his good taste, more to his good sense, more to half the dictionary of commonplaces, if he had left the Circumlocution Office alone, and never approached this matter.

Then would he keep one eye upon a coach or crammer from the Circumlocution Office sitting below the bar, and smash the honourable gentleman with the Circumlocution Office account of this matter.

And although one of two things always happened; namely, either that the Circumlocution Office had nothing to say and said it, or that it had something to say of which the noble lord, or right honourable gentleman, blundered one half and forgot the other; the Circumlocution Office was always voted immaculate by an accommodating majority.

Former coroner bailed

2012-02-13T13:00:00.001Z

Former coroner bailed

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/coroner-bailed/story-15214057-detail/story.html

Controversial Awema charity used public funds to back National Assembly Yes campaign it is revealed

2012-02-13T12:38:00.000Z

Controversial Awema charity used public funds to back National Assembly Yes campaign it is revealed

Just found this:

A Crisis Brewing In Wales - Dale & Co Blog 12th February 2012

Alison Goldsworthy thinks that the AWEMA scandal could result in uncovering more public funds abuses.

http://iaindale.com/posts/a-crisis-brewing-in-wales

Horses for courses

2012-02-13T12:10:00.000Z

I arrived at this conclusion: if a horse doesn’t want to be led to water, then there ain’t no point flogging it until it’s dead!

Lisa Francis former AM and Welsh Conservative Party Member

BBC Wales News reports:

A former assembly member has quit the Welsh Conservatives in protest at the way the party is run.

Lisa Francis called for better communication with grassroots members, who "need to feel a sense of belonging and inclusion".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-17009550

Back to Wirral Council...and a roundup

2012-02-13T09:50:00.002Z

“This is about the quality and the judgements senior officers have made,”

“What we have seen is a series of appalling errors of judgement and crass inefficiency from a small group of senior officers.”

Frank Field MP

“This is the tip of the iceberg for Wirral. There’s a lot that has gone wrong but for politicians to side-step their responsibilities and hand blame over to officers is political cowardice at its worst.

“The people who were responsible and were leading the council should take the blame that is attributable to them.”

Esther McVey MP

MP's blast: 'Incompetent council officers cost Wirral £60m in lost grants'

http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/9516561.MP_s_blast___Incompetent_council_officers_cost_Wirral___60m_in_lost_grants_/?ref=mc

More news here:

Anger over council watchdog investigation delay

http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/9526127.Anger_over_council_watchdog_investigation_delay/

Council wins Court of Appeal battle

http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/9525571.Council_wins_Court_of_Appeal_battle/

BBC News - Wirral council leader faces no confidence vote ( today)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-17009338

Wirral Watch

http://wirralwatch.wordpress.com/

Wirral Leaks

http://wirralleaks.tumblr.com/

Ministers questioned over lack of action

2012-02-12T13:11:00.000Z

Ministers questioned over lack of action

South Wales Evening Post 11th February 2012

Quote:

WELSH government ministers are being called on to explain why action was not taken years ago against a Swansea- based charity which has been condemned for "significant and fundamental failures".

The Welsh Government and the Big Lottery Fund have terminated all funding with immediate effect to the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association following their joint report published on Thursday which concluded there was a "fundamental lack of control" within the charity, which handled £8 million of public money.

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Ministers-questioned-lack-action/story-15198358-detail/story.html

I am not remotely interested in any party politics or any political spats.But I do feel certain questions now need to be asked.

Revealed: Councils' bizarre competition prizes

2012-02-12T12:17:00.000Z

Revealed: Councils' bizarre competition prizes
by Ciaran Jones Walesonline February 12th 2012

Quote:

FLAT-SCREEN televisions, tablet computers, yo-yos and thousands of pounds worth of cash and cheques were given away by Welsh councils as competition prizes last year.

All of the prizes were disclosed following a freedom of information request by Wales on Sunday. Four of Wales’ 22 unitary authorities failed to meet their statutory duty to comply with the request within the legal timeframe.

Rhondda Cynon Taff rejected the request on cost grounds.

Bully for them

Cardiff Three family speaks out over collapse of the £30m Lynette White police corruption trial

2012-02-12T11:50:00.002Z

“Everybody – including our family – put their faith in the police to find the right people and to do the right thing for justice, but that didn’t happen. After that many people lost their confidence in the police, which is a shame, because the majority of police officers do a tremendous job in keeping our streets safe.”

Michael Parris

Cardiff Three family speaks out over collapse of the £30m Lynette White police corruption trial

By Claire Hutchinson Wales on Sunday 12th February 2012

Quote:

THE family of one of the surviving members of the Cardiff Three has today pleaded for the chance to take the witness stand if a public inquiry into the collapse of the £30m Lynette White police corruption trial goes ahead.

Michael Parris – the nephew of Tony Paris, who was wrongfully convicted of Ms White’s murder in 1990 – said the families of the three acquitted men and of the murdered prostitute had a “right to be heard”.

It comes as the 30-year-old, who now lives in Sale, Manchester, gave Wales on Sunday an exclusive behind-the-scenes account of a family “devastated” by the wrongful conviction of Tony Paris almost two decades ago.

'Questions must be answered'

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/02/12/cardiff-three-family-speaks-out-over-collapse-of-the-30m-lynette-white-police-corruption-trial-91466-30311140/2/

Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women

2012-02-12T11:07:00.000Z

Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/equalities/international-equality/united-nations/cedaw/

Inquiry on interest fixing shakes the City as sixteen RBS workers are fired

2012-02-11T23:29:00.000Z

Inquiry on interest fixing shakes the City as sixteen RBS workers are fired

Simon Watkins Money Mail 11th February 2012

Quote:

A fresh scandal is sweeping the City this weekend after it emerged that several banks and brokers, including taxpayer-owned Royal Bank of Scotland, dismissed staff amid an investigation into alleged rigging of one the world’s key measures of interest rates.

Three London employees of RBS have been dismissed in connection with the investigation by regulators into Libor – the rate banks charge each other to borrow money.

Other banks caught up in the probe include Barclays, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and UBS. ICAP, a leading broker headed by Michael Spencer, a prominent Conservative fundraiser and former party treasurer, has also been drawn in, with a trader reportedly suspended.

Read more: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2099889/Inquiry-fixing-shakes-City-sixteen-RBS-workers-fired.html#ixzz1m7PVbigO

Update 12th -more on this subject

RBS staff are held in dawn raids over firm's tax scheme following weeks of undercover surveillance

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2099821/RBS-staff-held-dawn-raid-film-tax-scheme-following-weeks-undercover-surveillance.html#ixzz1m9wL8gE0

Awema charity’s finance chief hits back over audit report

2012-02-11T09:21:00.002Z

Martin Shipton of the Western Mail with more today on the AWEMA scandal

Swansea Council leader defends accepting Liberty invites

2012-02-10T16:16:00.001Z

Swansea Council leader defends accepting Liberty invites

South Wales Evening Post

Quote:

SWANSEA Council's leader has defended accepting hospitality at the Liberty Stadium for football matches, rugby games and concerts.

Chris Holley has come under fire from the Labour group in Swansea.

He has accepted hospitality from the Ospreys and Swansea 66 times since January 2010. Mr Holley was also a guest of the Stadium Management Company for the JLS and Rod Stewart concerts.

Other cabinet members including Mike Day and Graham Thomas have also accepted hospitality.

Members of the Labour Party, including leader David Phillips, Robert Francis-Davies and Nick Bradley said Councillor Holley should be using the council box to help attract investment instead of accepting invitations to other corporate boxes at the stadium.

Mr Francis-Davies said: "I find Councillor Holley's behaviour excessive, indulgent and unreasonable. Instead of using the council-owned box to entertain local businesses or attracting new businesses, he has been accepting grace and favour freebies from a private company."

Labour has previously demanded to know the details of hospitality accepted by cabinet members at the Liberty Stadium over the past two years, along with the market rate of the hospitality provided and the cost of hospitality per person in the council's box.

ht tp://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Swansea-Council-leader-defends-accepting-Liberty/story-15175585-detail/story.html

Councils must take data protection seriously, Information Commissioner warns

2012-02-10T11:46:00.003Z

News release: 10 February 2012

Five councils breached the Data Protection Act by failing to keep people’s personal information secure, Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham, said today.

http://www.ico.gov.uk/news/latest_news/2012/councils-must-take-data-protection-seriously-information-commissioner-warns-10022012.aspx

Update on the AWEMA Scandal ( Updated)

2012-02-10T09:38:00.000Z

Update: Startling report reveals scale of Awema scandal

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/02/10/update-startling-report-reveals-scale-of-awema-scandal-91466-30301797/#ixzz1lyC47Cdb

Awema race charity faces 'orderly exit' after funding axed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16975155

I happen to think that had it not been for the power of the internet and this subject being highlighted and perisistently pushed this entire affair would have been given the usual treatment we get in Wales.
Some Kudos therefore goes to the Blogger Jack O @North IMO for digging around and highlighting a wide variety of relevant issues.

http://jacothenorth.blogspot.com/

Further update -

I see that Jack O'North has now updated his Blog since posting.

I will be adding feedback from a random variety of sources below.

Waleshome

http://waleshome.org/2012/02/awema-%E2%80%93-a-failure-of-governance/

Gareth Hughes

http://ogarethhughes.blogspot.com/2012/02/government-stop-cash-to-awema.html

Inside Out

http://insideoutswansea.blogspot.com/2012/02/awema-statement.html

BBC Wales News

Awema: Finance chief 'should have blown whistle sooner'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16975155

Charity Commission opens statutory inquiry into Welsh equality charity

http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/Governance/article/1116602/charity-commission-opens-statutory-inquiry-welsh-equality-charity/

South Wales Evening Post comments

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/end/story-15188045-detail/story.html

BBC Wales Betsan Powys Blog ( one I missed sorry)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16909500

National Left

http://nationalleft.blogspot.com/2012/02/awema-still-questions.html

Will keep adding any other general Bloggers reports and comments
I find on here but I am keeping away from any party political ones.

Councils must negotiate the complex terms of the human right to housing

2012-02-10T09:27:00.002Z

Councils must negotiate the complex terms of the human right to housing

Local authorities are vulnerable to legal challenges if they fail to make housing decisions based on rights to private and family life

Rema Patel Guardian Professional

Friday 10 February 2012

Quote:

The courts have recently warmed to recognising the social value of homes in their decisions. Last year the supreme court admitted the possibility of a human rights defence in the case of local authority evictions, where (in Manchester city council v Pinnock, for example) it was deemed possible to appeal against a local authority eviction decision if it infringed the resident's right to a private and family life.

The decision invites the question: is it possible for local government to deliver housing reform that is proportionate to the need to respect private and family life?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/local-government-network/2012/feb/10/local-authorities-human-rights-housing

Quote:

The risk to authorities, in the light of such reforms, is also that councils will be increasingly vulnerable to legal challenge for making decisions which seem disproportionate to the human right to private and family life.

Written Statement - Investigation Report on Funding of AWEMA

2012-02-09T17:33:00.004Z

Written Statement - Investigation Report on Funding of AWEMA

Jane Hutt, Minister for Finance and Leader of the House

http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2012/awema/;jsessionid=8m6mPz6ZDhnv3Dyk2sp24QVdjJQ2hnhQRDCzF2Gx2GqGMsng9sLN!-351825548?lang=en

Leader of the House?!!!

Y Cneifiwr - Carmarthenshire Libel Case Update Rhodri Glyn Thomas asks Carl Sargeant

2012-02-09T17:15:00.000Z

Y Cneifiwr - Carmarthenshire Libel Case

Rhodri Glyn Thomas asks Carl Sargeant

http://cneifiwr-emlyn.blogspot.com/2012/02/carmarthenshire-libel-case-rhodri-glyn.html

AWEMA Report

2012-02-09T16:47:00.002Z

A Joint Report by Internal Audit Services of the Welsh Government and the Big Lottery Fund

A Review of the Effectiveness of Governance and Financial Management within the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association
( AWEMA)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/81067806/AweMa

Join me in the House of Lords

2012-02-09T15:32:00.000Z

I have become Baroness Blunderland of Wonderland to save legal aid.

Join me in the House of Lords

http://act.scope.org.uk/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1677&ea.campaign.id=13038

Dear Baroness Blunderland of Wonderland,

Warmest congratulations on your initiation into our House of Lords!

As the Legal Aid bill enters the real House of Lords, Peers have it within their power to put a stop to plans to cut legal aid. But they need to be convinced that there is public support for doing this. By taking your seat in our virtual House of Lords you’ve helped to show there is.

But there is one more thing that we need you to do to help us save free legal advice for thousands of disabled and vulnerable people.

Please encourage your friends and family to now take their seat alongside you in our virtual House of Lords. Each person who shows their support is really helping to make a difference.So go on - encourage your friends and family to join you in our House of Lords by sharing the campaign through your networks today.

Thanks for your continued support, and look forward to seeing you on the Lords benches soon.

Best wishes,

Jamie Robertson

I suppose I could have picked a better name.Never mind its not important.Please join up and pass on the details to encourage others.

Previous chairman and two trustees of Awema quit in 2007

2012-02-09T14:33:00.002Z

Previous chairman and two trustees of ethnic minorities charity Awema quit in 2007

Martin Shipton Western Mail 9th February 2012

Quote:

A PREVIOUS chairman of Wales’ foremost charity for ethnic minorities resigned five years ago after alleging that its chief executive was awarding himself unauthorised pay rises, we can reveal.

The Welsh Government is due to publish a report today into Awema, the All Wales Ethnic Minorities Association. It will focus on whether public money has been properly spent.

Last month the Western Mail disclosed that Awema’s chief executive/director Naz Malik had been given a written warning after admitting using Awema’s money to pay off a personal credit card bill of £9,340.36. He claimed he had seen the money as advance expenses.

Awema has been awarded £8.4m of European aid money to run projects aimed at improving the employment prospects of people from ethnic minorities.

Documents seen by the Western Mail show that on July 2, 2007 the acting chairman of Awema, Mr PK Verma, resigned, together with two other trustees.

Citizens Advice charity investigates Conwy bully claims

2012-02-09T14:17:00.001Z

Citizens Advice charity investigates Conwy bully claims

BBC Wales News 9th February 2012

Quote:

Citizens Advice says it will hold an independent investigation into claims of bullying at its Conwy office.

The charity said the decision follows a previous inquiry at the centre, after a review found that "parts of the investigative process were flawed".

Other allegations of harassment and disability discrimination have also been made at the Conwy bureau.

The charity said further details of the timescale and investigation team are yet to be confirmed.

A spokesperson for the charity confirmed: "Citizens Advice will be commissioning an independent external body to reinvestigate some elements of complaints made by two former volunteers at Conwy Citizens Advice Bureau, concerning allegations of bullying and harassment and disability discrimination.

"The decision follows a review of the original complaint handling that has found that parts of the investigative process were flawed."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-16964947

Why is chief executives' pay not linked to performance?

2012-02-09T13:01:00.001Z

In recent decades chief executive pay has risen exponentially compared to workers' salaries

Why is chief executives' pay not linked to performance?

By Max FlintBBC Radio 4, The Report 9th February 2012

Quote:

Here is just one statistic: In 1978 the chief executive of British Aerospace was paid £29,000 a year.

In 2010, the chief executive of BAE Systems, Ian King, was paid over £2.3m, a rise of 8,000%.

Yet BAE is making up to 3,000 workers redundant, which under government defence procurement rules, the state will pay for.

So is it fair to pay Ian King millions while the taxpayer bears the cost of sacking the workers?

Alan Johnson is the MP for Hull West and Hessle where many of the BAE workers live.

He says executives are being generously rewarded for making the wrong decisions.

"I think it would be unacceptable even if BAE were making the right decisions. And if you look at their performance they haven't done that.

"They made a decision to get out of civil aviation," he adds. "It was completely the wrong call and workers in this country are suffering as a result of that."

Executive pay used to be 30 or 40 times the wages of the lowest paid worker, now it is more like 300 or 400 times.

In what one could call an arms race for pay, how has executive compensation gone from large via massive to excessive?

By committee is the answer.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16932043

Pass the Bunker on your left hand side...

2012-02-09T11:50:00.000Z

"I know I said they had a Bunker Mentality but..."

A news article in the Rhondda Leader informs us that the Llwynypia 'Court' which closed its doors to injustice ( with Aberdare ) last year
( note the lack of public protestations) is now being turned into a Learning Centre.Yes I learned a lot there.What an eye opener.

Quote:

The 20-year-old, two-storey Llwynypia building includes rooms originally used for court hearings, juries, lawyers and the public as well as cells for prisoners.

But it is most notable for an extraordinary network of underground, lead-lined rooms, built to withstand the aftermath of a nuclear explosion.

During the Cold War, authorities in Britain wanted to make sure at least some administrators and key personnel in every county survived an attack, emerging after 14 days.

The courthouse basement comes complete with a sophisticated air filtration system, blast-proof doors, self-contained water and power supplies, food storage and eating areas.

Extracted from this weeks Rhondda Leader.

*Crackle* ... *Court no 2 please*

I guess that just about sums it up for me about the blundering Bunker Mentality I have had to try to deal with.Mission Impossible.

Swansea Council - Who is using council's box?

2012-02-09T07:35:00.000Z

South Wales Evening Post asks Who is using council's box?

Thursday 9th February 2012

Quote:

BUSINESSES that offer hospitality are told to be careful how often they wine and dine the same guests.

Offer hospitality to the same individuals or companies too frequently, and questions inevitably are asked about inappropriate relationships.

So it is not surprising that some Swansea councillors' very regular attendance at the Liberty Stadium as guests of either the Swans or the Ospreys has come under scrutiny.

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/using-council-s-box/story-15175556-detail/story.html

Awema: 'Welsh government negligent' says AM

2012-02-08T14:43:00.001Z

"I'm quite shocked that after so long we have seen similar allegations being addressed in that report (2004) as are coming up now,"

"And you have to ask yourself what has been happening over the last eight years whereby an organisation like Awema is able to continue in this way with question marks about its approach to public funding and the management of public funds without ministers apparently taking the appropriate action which is necessary to put that right.

"The fact that we are having similar allegations now indicates to me that the government has been negligent in the way it has actually been dealing with this issue,"

Peter Black AM

Awema: Welsh government negligent, says Lib Dem Peter Black

BBC Wales Politics 8th February 2012

Quote:

Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black has accused the Welsh government of negligence over the handling of a race relations body at the centre of claims of wrongdoing.

A 2004 report into the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (Awema) said no new projects should be funded until it demonstrated improved management.

A review into more claims of financial mismanagement is due out on Thursday.
The Welsh government said it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.

The 2004 review, which has just come to light, was the second of three reviews into the performance of Awema.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-16941261

Update 9th - from BBC Wales

Awema: Report due into under-fire race equality charity

Quote:

The future of a prominent charity for ethnic minority people hangs in the balance as ministers prepare to publish a report into alleged financial malpractice.

Letters have emerged warning the Welsh government about irregularities at the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (Awema) in 2007.

They came three years after a critical report into the charity.

Ministers are due to make a statement on Thursday.

The Welsh government has been under pressure from opponents over the funding it has paid the charity.

BBC Wales has seen correspondence showing the Welsh government was in discussion with Awema after allegations were made about the way it was run in 2007.

An earlier report in 2004 said no new projects should be funded until it demonstrated improved management.

Finance Minister Jane Hutt will release the findings of the latest probe into Awema, and a written statement to Welsh assembly members, on Thursday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-16953152

Wrexham council failed disabled man confined to bedroom

2012-02-08T12:33:00.001Z

"We will be apologising to this gentleman and his mother”

Andy Lewis -Wrexham's head of housing

Wrexham council failed disabled man confined to bedroom

BBC Wales News 8th February 2012

Quote:

A council has been criticised after a disabled man spent years mostly confined to a bedroom in his mother's rundown council house.

The public service ombudsman for Wales was told the man lived in premises both "totally unsuitable" and "in disrepair" despite applying to be rehoused.

Wrexham council was found guilty of maladministration and ordered to apologise and pay him £1,500.

The council said it was reviewing its procedures to avoid any repeat.

The unnamed man, who suffered a severe head injury and multiple limb fractures in an accident, complained that his mother's council house was not adapted and unsuitable for his needs.

He complained that he had applied for housing "…over 10 years ago" though the council's records only showed that his first application was made in July 2007.

An investigation concluded there were "systematic failings" in the council's handling of the unnamed man's housing application.

It said the authority had failed to follow relevant legislation, statutory guidance and its own policies and procedures.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-16936684

Carmarthenshire council leader Meryl Gravell faced with vote of No Confidence today

2012-02-08T08:38:00.000Z

“I get so frustrated and cross with some of the rabble that was outside today.”

Meryl Gravell Leader of Carmarthenshire Council

Carmarthenshire council leader Meryl Gravell called hospital protesters "rabble

Quote:

Welsh council leader Meryl Gravell is facing a vote of no confidence following remarks she made about authority staff.The under fire boss of Carmarthenshire council has also been criticised for calling hospital protesters “rabble.”

Her words were filmed by a member of public sector union Unison and posted on YouTube.
The motion accuses her of an “unacceptable slur” on Carmarthenshire staff and members.

She has said her language was “ill chosen” but that she “never meant to criticise council staff”.

Quote:

In his motion Mr Hughes Griffiths states: “Blaming the authority’s 9,000 staff for all the county council’s problems, by implying that they are not hardworking and enthusiastic, is an offensive and unacceptable slur on staff and members of Carmarthenshire County Council.”

Calling the remark “unjustified and unacceptable” it says: “ It was an affront to all who attended the rally, and – by association – everyone who opposes the closure of the A and E unit.

“Such unjustified and contemptuous statements by the leader reflect poorly on this authority and shows a deplorable attitude towards county council staff and the people of Carmarthenshire in general.”

Unison’s Mark Evans told BBC Wales that Mrs Gravell's comments were “extraordinary”.

“Our members are extremely disappointed and are struggling, really, to understand it,” said Mr Evans, branch secretary of Carmarthenshire county branch.

“To have the council leader come on and say people are not working hard enough, or as enthusiastically as the person running the drugs centre, our members find it very disparaging.”

He claimed council employees had written to Mrs Gravell to tell her their thoughts.

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/02/08/carmarthenshire-council-leader-meryl-gravell-called-hospital-protesters-rabble-91466-30288397/#ixzz1lm9Mx45m

“We have 9,000 employees in Carmarthen (council) and if all... worked as hard as Alan and were as enthusiastic... my goodness, we would not have a problem at all in the council.

“But there we are. We are where we are.”

Meryl Gravell Leader of Carmarthenshire Council

I wonder where 'we' will be by the end of the Council Meeting today.
I wonder if she will get a verbal 'handbagging' and be sent packing - handbag and all.@caebrwyn will be in attendance and also on Twitter.

Update:

Just had a tweet from @Caebrwyn who informs us that Meryl Gravell stays by 5 votes. Why are we not surprised.These are my comments not her actual tweet BTW.Please see Caebrwyns Blog for update later.

http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/

Update BBC Wales News reports.I am off ...back to my cup of tea.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-16932455

Update 9th -

I see that Blogger Y Cneifiwr has Blogged reports on yesterdays overall Council Meeting in 4 parts.

A Novel Token Gesture

2012-02-08T07:06:00.001Z

What a Novel idea.

Yesterday saw the following politicians being given a Dickens Novel as a gift by the Culture Minister Jeremy Hunt to mark the occasion of Dickens 200th Birthday.Wish I had thought of doing that.

David Cameron, Prime Minister - Hard Times, Great Expectations
Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister - Oliver Twist
Iain Duncan Smith, Work & Pensions Secretary - Oliver Twist
George Osborne, Chancellor - A Tale Of Two Cities
William Hague, Foreign Secretary - The Uncommercial Traveller
Michael Gove, Education Secretary - A Child's History Of England
Ken Clarke, Justice Secretary - Little Dorrit
Lord Strathclyde, Leader Of The House Of Lords - Bleak House

Here are my further suggestions for Wales.Copies of all the books to everyone in the Assembly (or Welsh Government as they prefer to be known as) Likewise all Councillors and Senior Officers in RCTCBC.

The Bleak House in The Bay. No Great Expectations just Hard Times

Solictor-General tells MPs of 'huge regret' over collapse of Lynette White corruption trial

2012-02-08T06:21:00.002Z

Solictor-General tells MPs of 'huge regret' over collapse of Lynette White corruption trial By David Williamson Political Editor Walesonline

Quote:

UK SOLICITOR-GENERAL Edward Garnier tonight expressed “huge regret” at the collapse of the Lynette White police corruption trial.

Future criminal allegations against police officers should be investigated by different forces, demanded former barrister and Conservative MP Robert Buckland.

Welsh MPs told the Commons of the shock in South Wales at the collapse of what has been described as the UK’s biggest police corruption trial and which cost the taxpayer approximately £30m.

I see the lesser spotted MP for this valley had something to say on matters.That comes as more of a shock than the collapse of the trial.

Awema: Welsh government warned in 2004 to stop funding

2012-02-07T22:10:00.000Z

Awema: Welsh government warned in 2004 to stop funding

BBC Wales News with the latest.

Quote:

The Welsh government was warned eight years ago to stop new public funding for an under-fire race equality body, BBC Wales can reveal.

A 2004 report into the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (Awema) said no new projects should be funded until it demonstrated improved project and performance management.

It follows allegations of financial irregularity at Awema.

First Minister Carwyn Jones insisted his government had "nothing to hide".

The 2004 report, which was commissioned by ministers, also recommended more stringent scrutiny from civil servants.

Awema is currently at the centre of claims of financial mismanagement, with a Welsh government audit into its spending of £8.4m in public funding due to be published on Thursday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-16933176

Update - More from Matt Withers Walesonline

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/02/07/welsh-government-was-advised-to-stop-funding-awema-in-2004-new-report-reveals-91466-30286076/

Second force to probe fraud at Cotswold Water Park

2012-02-07T21:46:00.000Z

Second force to probe fraud at Cotswold Water Park

BBC News 7th February 2012

Quote:

A second police force is to take part in a fraud probe at Gloucestershire's Cotswold Water Park following an independent review of the case.

The original inquiry led to the jailing of former charity boss Dennis Grant, 63, who admitted fraud totalling more than £650,000.

City of London Police has now been invited to work on the investigation.

Dep Ch Cons Mick Matthews said they were advised to "consider a number of additional issues".
He said the move would "ensure an independent and transparent approach" to the investigation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-16923060

Caebrwyn with Petitions Update

2012-02-07T21:11:00.000Z

@caebrwyn -Filming and spending petitions back at the Senedd....

http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2012/02/filming-and-spending-petitions-back-at.html

So just more of the usual buck passing and same old pussyfooting around by the seems of things.Why did we expect anything different?

A Dickensian Soapbox and a Musical Interlude - No good window dressing if the shop is empty

2012-02-07T19:20:00.000Z

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness,it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity,it was the season of light,it was the season of darkness,it was the spring of hope,it was the winter of despair.”

A Dickensian Soapbox and a Musical Interlude

No good window dressing if the shop is empty

In this day and age there are so many similarities to Dickens time but in a modern day context. We still have far too many Artful Dodgers
( in all sectors of society) and Oliver Twists ( not always polite when they ask for more) all in different guises. Those who really only consider themselves and who are not really 'one of us'.You can do your own list.There are so many things that we use to take for granted not so long back that were a way of life that have vanished.Others that we are in the process of losing forever.Our towns lack things that arent always physical in their presence but make any town what it is.Its personality and its presence coming from its people that make the buildings and surroundings come to life.Ghost towns are created when people and businesses leave.Or people give up.Or consider only themselves.Or feel there's no need or any point in visiting them any more.Commerce is impeded by closed minds, political or selfish motives, stupidity, greed, power struggles or spite.There are wastages of money or ideas which could be better directed to make towns better but instead of being allowed to do it for ourselves it is forced on us.Instead we are given what's good for us by experts or consultants or party political people et al. Yet the real experts are the real people arent they? Their expert advice also comes free.They want improvements and know what is needed.

However up against immoveable objects and obstructive attitudes often for decades they eventually give up.The result is everyone suffers in the end often because of something simple like parking fees or business rates being reduced permanently which helps to coax people back into town centres and local traders to keep going.

So while we perhaps consider that and reflect on times past and present others might like to consider themselves and also their attitudes.Not just about their shopping habits but about how to help our towns and our traders across Wales? I have highlighted comments from a selection of traders hoping someone, somewhere, anywhere in fact will actually wake up in time before any more businesses fail and our towns that still have some life in them end up as ghettos.

Admittedly there are many factors outside of anyones control but there are those that arent and are root problems that need to be urgently faced up to and addressed.No good window dressing if the shop is empty.Consider yourself one of us for a change.Also consider allowing the real experts to have a real say.There are no great expectations or more like any expectations whatsoever of anything I witter on about on here being taken notice of by anyone.So let's have another burst of Consider Yourself for Mr Dickens 200th birthday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNapDkz1urc&feature=related

Shops in Wales ‘more likely to be empty than those in Scotland or England’

2012-02-07T10:44:00.000Z

Port Talbot was the best performing town centre,
according to the Local Data Company, with a vacancy rate of 8%.

Claire Miller Western Mail 7th February 2012

Shops in Wales ‘more likely to be empty than those in Scotland or England’

Quote:

A survey of town centres across Britain by the Local Data Company found the vacancy rate in Wales is around 17%, compared to 15.5% in Scotland and 14% in England.

Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: “Today’s figures show that while some high streets are thriving, others remain locked in a spiral of decline.

“To turn these areas around will be difficult and will need landlords, retailers and local authorities to work closely together to adapt to changes in the way we shop.”

Newport has the highest vacancy rate in Wales, at 27.9%, a rate that has increased by 1.9% in the past six months.

Ken Ellis, from the Newport Chamber of Trade, said as the town loses shops and becomes less attractive, shoppers were more likely to travel to Cardiff or Bristol instead.

Rita Austin: Awema attack is 'racially motivated'

2012-02-06T18:42:00.000Z

"The glee with which the press and TV convey the partisan attacks of opposition politicians is catching Awema in its backwash, creating the unedifying spectacle of a concerted attempt by powerful institutions to characterise Awema as a corrupt organisation: a time honoured way of debasing and devaluing the contributions of black and minority ethnic people, often on the basis of scant evidence, which is well known to many of us."

"It is as though the great, the good and the powerful have already rushed to judgement and made their minds up about what should happen to Awema, long before the Welsh government internal audit, with which we have been co-operating fully, has reported.

"It was always the way."

Rita Austin

Rita Austin: Awema attack is 'racially motivated'

BBC Wales News 6th February 20112

Criticism levelled at a charity that faces allegations of financial mismanagement is racially motivated, its chair has suggested.

Rita Austin defended the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (Awema), saying it had become a "stick to beat the Welsh government".

She claimed attacks on it were a "time honoured way of debasing and devaluing" black and ethnic minority people.

The Welsh government is due to complete a report into Awema this week.

Awema's chief executive, Naz Malik, has been accused of financial irregularities and bullying staff.

A report recommended he be suspended pending a disciplinary hearing. He received a written warning.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-16909562

Well the BBC Wales Dragons Eye interviews last week ( including ones with former staff/volunteers ) were rather telling for me.Anyone interested in this ongoing subject should follow the Jack O'North Blog.

Pembrokeshire council to show meetings on internet

2012-02-06T13:34:00.000Z

Pembrokeshire council to show meetings on internet

BBC News Wales 6th February 2012

Quote:

Pembrokeshire council is to broadcast its meetings on the internet, claiming to be only the second authority in Wales to do so.

The move will cost about £15,000 a year and would be phased to show full council meetings initially.

Cabinet and planning meetings are among others which could follow if it proves successful.
The council's corporate governance committee is set to approve the plan later on Monday.

Head of legal and committee services, Huw Miller, along with David Thomas, the council's head of marketing and communications, say in their report only Cardiff council streams meetings in Wales, but others were considering it.

Their report adds that 40 out of about 400 councils around the UK have introduced the webcasts.

Quote:

"If the council were to proceed with a scheme to webcast meetings, there would need to be a proper procurement process," they said.

"But discussions with some operators would suggest that annual costs of a basic service contract to provide the cameras and other equipment, training and support and hosting would be in the region of £15,000 per annum."

The average number of viewers per month is around 500 for those councils that have adopted webcasting, according to the report.

It says some of these viewers watch live but many are using the archived recordings of proceedings.

The move to broadcast meetings came from a motion by councillor David Howlett.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-16906831

Well done to Pembrokeshire Council and Councillors on facilitating this.Which begs the question as to why are other Councils making it so difficult? Isnt it time others followed suit without anymore hassle?

As a reminder (again) RCTCBC had facilities to stream live podcasts around 10 years ago and did it once so a precedent has been set.

I wonder what has happened to the equipment they purchased way back then.Also how much it cost.Also why they didnt continue with it.

Carmarthenshire legal battle update

2012-02-06T12:55:00.000Z

Blogger Y Cneifiwr. Also a Poll has been set up on the Blog.

http://cneifiwr-emlyn.blogspot.com/2012/02/misinformation-carmarthenshires-press.html

http://cneifiwr-emlyn.blogspot.com/2012/02/poll-is-carmarthenshire-right-to-use.html

No doubt there will be more comment debate or speculation on matters on the Blogosphere or in the press.I will keep you updated as and when. I wont comment as I dont wish to jeopardise anything.

I also see that a campaigning RCT Plaid member has something to say on matters on the Pontytown site.

http://pontypriddtown.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=politics&action=display&thread=1770

Happy to confirm that I know Plaid wouldnt resort to such action.Also that I have never had any trouble from them in this regard. Even if they may have had cause in the past.However please read Blog links.
They may have a chance in Carmarthenshire.I dont think they need be so confident about RCTCBC again.Or of turn out and of votes.

Quote to Note

2012-02-06T10:14:00.000Z

I believe how we care for the vulnerable in our society

defines us as a civilisation.

Gwenda Thomas Assembly Member

& Deputy Minister for Social Services

Can We Change Aberdare Town Centre?

2012-02-06T08:47:00.000Z

Asks our local website. I have already blogged about Mary Portas and town projects on here further back.However here is an update on it.

http://www.aberdareonline.co.uk/content/can-we-change-aberdare-town-centre

Sorry but with the very best intentions in the world it is an impossibility given the general ethos around here.Waste of time.I dont think I need elaborate as to why. I should imagine it is pretty obvious as to why.What a sad state of affairs and there is nothing that can be done about it.Merthyr Tydfil is doing better though.

Llandudno traders welcome lower business rates

2012-02-06T07:46:00.000Z

“It’s going to be a lot of help to our business as, because of the recession, without a reduction in the rates I don’t think we’d still be here. We’re very pleased about it.”

Llinos Lewis

Llandudno traders welcome lower business rates

By Judith Phillips North Wales Weekly News

February 2nd 2010

Quote:

A REDUCTION in their business rates has brought massive relief to traders struggling to survive in a town centre.

Several businesses in Llandudno’s Madoc Street will benefit from significantly lower rates bills after prolonged negotiation involving them, land owners Mostyn Estates, Conwy MP Guto Bebb and the Valuation Office.

Edward Hiller, managing director of Mostyn Estates, commented: “I am extremely pleased with the outcome. This has been as a result of the efforts of many people.

Quote:

Shop owners in Madoc Street say the recession and the current economic climate has meant the reduction in the rates they have to pay has come at a crucial time.

Shani Davis, of shoe and accessories shop Step Up, commented:

“It will make a big difference to us in these difficult trading times.

“There’s not a lot of passing trade in this street and a lot of people don’t seem to know there are shops here.

“This is a very good reduction in the rates and we’re very happy about it. We’re also grateful to Mostyn Estates for the way they have helped us negotiate with the Valuation Office.”

http://www.northwalesweeklynews.co.uk/conwy-county-news/local-conwy-news/2012/02/02/llandudno-traders-welcome-lower-business-rates-55243-30246009/

HSBC's closure of last bank in town will choke off investment in Blaenavon

2012-02-05T10:18:00.000Z

‘This town has done much over the past ten years to regenerate itself, but this is nothing but negative. If there is no bank on your doorstep it’s hardly sending out an encouraging signal to people or businesses who may want to come into the town.’

Mayor Stuart Evans

HSBC's closure of last bank in town will choke off investment in Blaenavon

By Jeff Prestridge Moneymail 5th February 2012

Quote:

The people of the town of Blaenavon have a great deal to be proud of. In the 19th Century this area of south-east Wales was the most important producer of iron, steel and coal in the world.

Twelve years ago the town was granted World Heritage status for its landscape, which is rich in industrial history and wildlife, and in recent years there has been massive economic and environmental regeneration.

But Blaenavon took a big step backwards last week when HSBC refused to change a decision taken last month to close its branch – the last bank in town – in May, leaving people and traders in Blaenavon with a round trip of at least 12 miles to do their banking.

Quote:

Janet Jones, manager of estate agent Foy Williams in Blaenavon, uses the HSBC branch for the business as well as for the local chapel and the town brass band. She says she will have to shut the office whenever she has to do some banking.

‘It will mean a round trip of 12 miles to Pontypool,’ she says. ‘But I’m more worried about the impact on the town’s elderly, who make up a big proportion of the population. How are they going to cope?’

Janet says it is ludicrous that though Blaenavon is a World Heritage town attracting thousands of tourists, it will be without a bank.

‘When the branch closes, it is obvious some residents will go elsewhere – Abergavenny or Pontypool – to do their banking and shopping. Local traders will suffer.’

Andrew Nummelin, who runs Browning’s bookshop, says:

‘Some businesses no doubt will close as a result and it will trigger a downward spiral that could be difficult to stop.’

DWP Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings & Departmental Fraud

2012-02-05T09:46:00.000Z

Hansard.15 Mar 2010 : Column 596W

Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) disciplinary and (b)capability procedures have been (i) initiated and (ii) completed in her Department in each of the last five years; how much time on average was taken to complete each type of procedure in each such year; how many and what proportion of her Department's staff were subject to each type of procedure in each such year; and how many and what proportion of each type of procedure resulted in the dismissal of the member of staff. [320623]

Departmental Fraud

Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff in her Department were responsible for each instance of fraud or attempted fraud attributable to such staff (a) against the benefits system and (b) in other areas in each of the last five years. [316400]

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm100315/text/100315w0004.htm#10031512000840

Barclays bank worker admits £100,000 fraud charges

2012-02-05T09:37:00.000Z

Walesonline 3rd February 2012

Barclays bank worker Gaynor Russ admits £100,000 fraud charges

Quote:

A trusted bank worker has admitted using her position to siphon off more than £100,000 in customer investment cash.

Gaynor Russ, 59, of Treherbert, in the South Wales valleys, operated a secret workplace scam over 10 months to May 2008.

She admitted 13 charges of fraud when she appeared before Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court in a plea hearing.

Awema update

2012-02-05T09:24:00.000Z

No bets on how all this will be dealt with and how it will all turn out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16881762

Developers owe Welsh councils £2.3m under Section 106 agreements

2012-02-05T09:11:00.000Z

Sunday Politics at 11:00 GMT on BBC One Wales.

Developers owe Welsh councils £2.3m under Section 106 agreements

By Paul Heany BBC Wales News 5th February 2011

Quote:

More than half of Welsh councils are owed money from private developers which should be going towards community facilities.

BBC Wales has found that nearly £2.3m was outstanding in December 2011, in figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests.

One council was repaid over £80,000 after BBC Wales made its inquiry.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16887974

Musical Interlude - How to keep warm in Wales?

2012-02-03T13:46:00.000Z

Of course! And it will save money on haircuts as well!

Public Information film on How to Keep Warm in Wales?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA9A5WnT0rM&feature=related

No more from me I have to go my Things are frozen.

On Human Rights and The Duties of The State?

2012-02-03T12:09:00.000Z

Quote:

Reiterating that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated and should be promoted and implemented in a fair and equitable manner, without prejudice to the implementation of each of those rights and freedoms,

Stressing that the prime responsibility and duty to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms lie with the State,

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/freedom.htm

Fridays Musical Interlude - Dear Prudence

2012-02-03T10:36:00.000Z

Siouxie and The Banshees - Dear Prudence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vltPrtmnA8c&feature=related

Back to Carmarthenshire Council & #DaftArrest

2012-02-03T06:55:00.000Z

#DaftArrest an incident that went viral on Twitter
photo credit Carmarthen Journal

This Blog posting should be dated Friday 3rd ( something wrong with settings my apologies more blunders will take a look at it later)

Some good News from @Caebrwyn in that the Undertaking system adopted by the Council has been dropped *Please see below for correction and clarification.

http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2012/02/council-abandon-unlawful-filming.html

Y Cneifiwr with some not so good news on the #DaftArrest issues and a recap.

http://cneifiwr-emlyn.blogspot.com/2012/02/legal-news-daftarrest-libel-cases.html

Update - Martin Shipton of The Western Mail picks up on the story which was Tweeted yesterday/today.Wasnt up to blogging -too cold.

Taxpayers to pay for libel action by council chief

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/02/03/taxpayers-to-pay-for-libel-action-by-council-chief-91466-30256943/#ixzz1lIwkQHRw

Further Update

THE chief executive of Carmarthenshire Council is counter-suing an internet blogger who is suing him, the council has confirmed.

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Boss-counter-sues-blogger/story-15119895-detail/story.html

Update from Caebrwyn

http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2012/02/libel-case-update.html

I shall refrain from any further comments on this subject for the moment but no doubt others might have something to say about it.
I will keep you updated accordingly.Health and weather permitting.

Another update from Y Cneifiwr

http://cneifiwr-emlyn.blogspot.com/2012/02/legal-news-daftarrest-update.html

Bringing up the rear the BBC finally catches up with the story here

Carmarthenshire council funds Mark James libel fight with blogger
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-16873670

* Editorial Note

I happened to check back on the comments on there and it appears that this is not so.Please refer to the correction by the Council.

Awema Update : Allegations of bullying and harassment

2012-02-03T06:44:00.000Z

Awema race equality charity bosses 'bullied staff' claim

BBC News Wales 2nd February 2012

Quote:

Allegations of bullying and harassment at Wales' foremost race equality charity have been revealed.

Former and current employees said complaints against two bosses at the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (Awema) have not been properly investigated or resolved.

Awema's chief executive Naz Malik is already under fire over alleged financial irregularities.
Mr Malik says he will not comment until investigations are concluded.

The allegations centre around Mr Malik and his daughter, Tegwen Malik, Awema's operations director.

A former trainee who worked at Awema as part of the future jobs fund youth employment scheme gave BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme her opinion of Mr Malik. Naseibah Al-Jeffery told Dragon's Eye: "He's a bully, he's a mean bully.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16856975

Felicity Evans of BBC Wales Dragons Eye covers the matter here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mvzk

Update link added

Report into malpractice at race charity Awema rubbished by boss

Update - some comments from the Inside Out Blog

http://insideoutswansea.blogspot.com/2012/02/official-silence-is-no-answer.html

Thoughts on Soldiering On

2012-02-02T15:32:00.001Z

2 Police Cases in Wales settled out of Court

2012-02-02T15:00:00.000Z

Two cases today (2nd Feb)of members of the public taking action against the Police and getting out of Court settlements.

South Wales Police

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2094714/Innocent-man-rang-999-police-van-roughed-officers-gets-figure-pay-out.html

Gwent Police

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/02/02/retired-robert-whatley-wins-20-000-from-police-who-smashed-his-car-windows-91466-30252813/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2095341/Pensioner-gets-20k-police-smashed-Range-Rovers-window.html

Too cold to Blog

2012-02-01T12:01:00.000Z

BBC Wales Week in Week Out -How Monmouthshire Council is coping with cuts

2012-01-31T13:29:00.000Z

BBC Wales Week in Week Out -How Monmouthshire Council is coping with cuts

Last nights programme

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007hj4j

Update: Awema 'should have been high risk'

2012-01-31T12:38:00.000Z

Race equality body Awema 'should have been high risk'

BBC News 31st January 2012

Quote:

A charity facing allegations of financial corruption should have been graded "high risk", Wales's top civil servant has said.

Funding to the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (Awema) has been stopped after a highly critical report.

Welsh assembly members were told it was up to the police to investigate whether there should be prosecutions.

Permanent Secretary Dame Gillian Morgan said the Welsh government was "extremely concerned".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-16811080

Pembrokeshire council criticised over ‘informal culture’ and ‘inconsistent’ decisions

2012-01-31T11:48:00.000Z

“Keeping appropriate written records is an effective way of assuring people that trust is well placed and that policies or instructions are being followed as intended.

“Without this, the council is exposed to risk because it makes it more difficult to hold people to account.

“There is also a lack of clarity and understanding in relation to some roles and responsibilities, along with some lack of transparency which means that effective challenge and scrutiny of policies and decisions is inconsistent.”

Pembrokeshire council criticised over ‘informal culture’ and ‘inconsistent’ decisions

Quote:

A lack of clarity and accountability means a Welsh council has made “inconsistent” decisions, a critical report has said.

In a special inspection report, the Auditor General for Wales criticised Pembrokeshire council for “too much informality” which had weakened accountability within the authority.

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/01/31/pembrokeshire-council-criticised-over-informal-culture-and-inconsistent-decisions-91466-30231496/#ixzz1l2Fkw4ku

There was also this comment or observation made a while back and which like the quote highlighted also reminds me of a certain Council.

http://rctcbcmalice.blogspot.com/2011/08/quote-to-note.html

The cost of complaint handling in public sector organisations and a question of attitude

2012-01-30T22:19:00.000Z

I found this little piece of information on how much it costs or might cost to handle a complaint.Maybe some might like to read this article from 'Complaints r Great' ( now there's a positive approach!).

Quote:

The cost of complaint handling in public sector organisations is not always as apparent as in many private sector complaint interactions. Our own studies of complaint handling in a local authority have shown that a complaint resolved in one contact with a complaints team will have an average cost of between £2.50 and £3.00. Two or three contacts will increase the average cost to between £10 and £15. The same costs would apply to a complaint handled at the point of service delivery.

More below and also a case study.(This is not an endorsement or advertisement but of general interest).

http://www.complaintsrgreat.com/drupal/content/costs-complaint-handling

Welsh Government accused of turning back on people living in fuel poverty

2012-01-30T21:14:00.000Z

Here we are in 2012 and its another hard winter for many of us throughout Wales trying to keep warm.Last Winter was bad enough.Winters come and go but nobody down there seems to care.

Welsh Government accused of turning back on people living in fuel poverty

Quote:

The Welsh Government has been accused of turning its back on hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people who live in fuel poverty after deciding to abolish a group of experts set up to tackle the problem.

Wales is now the only country in the UK without a specialist forum looking at how to tackle fuel poverty, which is estimated to affect 320,000 homes – nearly a quarter of the nation’s households.

A little Housekeeping

2012-01-30T14:40:00.000Z

Just a quickie to let you know that from time to time this week I shall be doing some odds and ends to the Blog.I shall be putting the Blog in Maintenance mode and amending or trying different things etc. Also Google have altered the editing format so I need to sort that out.More Blundering ahead.Thanks for your patience.

Pembrokeshire Council has 'very positive attributes' but needs more formality

2012-01-30T13:38:00.000Z

Auditor Generals Report

Pembrokeshire Council has 'very positive attributes' but needs more formality

http://www.wao.gov.uk/news/news_4520.asp

Musical Interlude - Blue ( with cold) Monday

2012-01-30T13:29:00.000Z

New Order - Blue Monday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9U-sPc8bzM&feature=related

As a reminder of the fuel poverty in Wales.

Blunder land: Welsh Government forgot to buy part of site needed for Aston Mead housing development

2012-01-29T16:15:00.000Z

"It’s a massive cock-up on the Assembly’s part,"

Aston councillor Helen Brown

Blunder land: Welsh Government forgot to buy part of site needed for Aston Mead housing development

The Flintshire Chronicle 26th January 2012

Exclusive by Dave Goodban

Quote:

AN ‘EMBARRASSING’ Assembly blunder is delaying ambitious plans to breathe new life into a barren former housing estate.

Deeside councillors have condemned Welsh Government officials after it emerged a patch of land ‘the size of a rug’ is stalling the Aston Mead overhaul because it is under different ownership.

"It’s a massive cock-up on the Assembly’s part," said Aston councillor Helen Brown, who is Flintshire County Council’s executive member for housing.

"It’s embarrassing. People keep asking me what’s going on with Aston Mead, they want answers – and so do I."

http://www.flintshirechronicle.co.uk/flintshire-news/featured-stories/2012/01/26/blunder-land-welsh-government-forgot-to-buy-part-of-site-needed-for-adton-mead-housing-development-51352-30203904/

Quote:

"We are fed up of waiting for the Assembly to sort their mess out, and I call upon the minister to resolve this as soon as possible," said Cllr Brown.

"Lots of people have worked very hard to try and get this project up and running and we’re being let down – nothing can happen until this is sorted out."

She added:

"The land is probably the size of a rug you’d have in your front room – it’s pathetic."

No criminal action to be taken over collapse of Farepak savings scheme

2012-01-29T14:06:00.000Z

“It’s disgusting we have not been told about this, it is immoral.”

Rosslyne Martin Former Farepak Agent

No criminal action to be taken over collapse of Farepak savings scheme

James McCarthy, WalesOnline 29th January 2012

Quote:

Former Farepak agent Debbie Harvey is secretary of the Farepak Victims Committee.

She said:

“I presumed they would not get prosecuted but I did not know that the Serious Fraud Office had nothing to do with that decision.

“I am absolutely outraged.”

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said although a criminal prosecution was not happening a civil prosecution was underway.

A spokesman said: “It is not the case that we are not prosecuting.”

City luminary Sir Clive Thompson and eight other chiefs face disqualification from acting as directors as a result of the civil case.

A spokesman for liquidators Martha Thompson and Dermot Power said: “The action against the directors that were running Farepak at the time of its collapse is a matter for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Government’s insolvency service.”

More than 200 customers have died since the Wiltshire-based firm collapsed. None of them got a penny of their money back.

' Disconnection from Voters'

2012-01-29T13:25:00.000Z

Disconnection from voters - Pearson Politics UK Seventh Edition

Quote:

For at least a decade, it had been plain that there was a widening gap between Britain’s major political parties and the electorate

For a representative democracy this is a significant problem

This has manifested itself with several symptoms:

Declining turnout

Declining identification

Declining membership

Alternative forms of political participation

http://wps.pearsoned.co.uk/ema_uk_he_jones_politics_7/163/41887/10723314.cw/index.html

“As mayor, your behaviour was unacceptable and some of your actions were petty in the extreme.”

2012-01-29T01:33:00.000Z

Former Saltney mayor Klaus Armstrong-Braun handed 12-month suspension as town councillor

by Mark Dowling,Flintshire Chronicle 27th January 2012

Quote:

Kate Berry, chairwoman of the panel, said it was “a very grave concern” Cllr Armstrong-Braun had breached so many items on the code of conduct over a prolonged period of time.

Speaking to Cllr Armstrong-Braun, she said: “When you became mayor, you said you had great aspirations to lead the council, and in May 2008 you had the support of the majority of the town council and the town clerk.

“It’s almost unbelievable that in a matter of weeks there would be several motions and votes of no confidence in the mayor as members turned to despair.

“You had responsibility to ensure leadership of the council. I believe you became so embroiled with other councillors that you lost perspective.

“The panel was particularly concerned of a pattern of behaviour you were unable to accept any personal responsibility, in particular, your failure to appreciate the seriousness of your call to Hettie Wilson is shocking.

“You have partially apologised about that, but it is not us to whom you should apologise, it is Mrs Wilson.

“It is also disturbing that your bullying and your attitude to (Saltney town clerk) Alan Thorniley was so shocking that he considered resigning, given that, in my view, Mr Thorniley is not a shrinking violet.

“You have still failed to consider some of the findings the panel made to be facts.

“As mayor, your behaviour was unacceptable and some of your actions were petty in the extreme.”

http://www.flintshirechronicle.co.uk/flintshire-news/local-flintshire-news//tm_headline=former-saltney-mayor-klaus-armstrong-braun-handed-12-month-suspension-as-town-councillor%26method=full%26objectid=30212720%26siteid=51352-name_page.html

Lynette White £30m corruption trial latest

2012-01-28T18:46:00.000Z

Lynette White £30m corruption trial latest: Cardiff 3 solicitor raises questions over how case ended

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/01/27/lynette-white-30m-corruption-trial-latest-cardiff-3-solicitor-raises-questions-over-how-case-ended-91466-30214249/#ixzz1kmQGE5F3

( Off topic comment.I see that the opportunists within RCTCBC have hogged an advertising slot for the Mayor 'having a Ball' on that news item.Wonder how much that advertisement cost?)

Update: The Observer 29th January 2012

Justice must be seen to be done in South Wales police scandal

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/29/call-for-inquiry-into-south-wales-police

Weekend Musical Interlude - Sweet ...Nothings

2012-01-28T15:47:00.000Z

Peggy Lee - Sweet Nothings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWgyum5fjJc

Updates on Awema

2012-01-28T15:35:00.000Z

Western Mail - Charity asked to explain finances

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/01/28/charity-asked-to-explain-finances-91466-30214747/

Awema facing emergency meeting with Charity Commission over finances and management

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/01/27/troubled-charity-called-to-meeting-over-finances-91466-30213284/#ixzz1kleQbedj

Thinking outside The Bay Bubble

2012-01-28T15:08:00.000Z

I have said enough on the subject of why I am no longer interested or care about Welsh Politics ( all parties).I do however care deeply about Wales and all our futures.I came across this article which is worth a read.I know I said I wasnt going to bother anymore with politics but I actually feel I can relate to what is being said.Yes - it surprised me.

http://www.clickonwales.org/2012/01/whither-plaid-cymru-on-the-left-without-a-plan/

Fridays Musical Interlude - Actions and Words

2012-01-27T12:05:00.000Z

Fed up with 'words'?

Charlie Chaplin entertains us with actions and interpretations of words.Do they match? No idea but I doubt it very much.Enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMSyDmw0L3w&feature=related

Public funding pulled from race relations body Awema

2012-01-26T17:17:00.000Z

Public funding pulled from race relations body Awema

BBC Wales News

Quote:

Public funding has been pulled from a race relations organisation during an investigation into alleged financial corruption, BBC Wales can reveal.

It follows a highly critical report into the chief executive of the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (Awema), Naz Malik.

BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye also raises questions about how much the Welsh government knew about alleged wrongdoing at Awema.

Mr Malik declined to comment publicly.

The Welsh European Funding Office (Wefo) is holding back £3m from Awema, which receives £8.4m of public money, including European and Lottery funding.

The Big Lottery Fund has pulled its funding and the Welsh government, which says it is liaising with the police, is also suspending payments.

The decision could have implications for bodies that are in turn funded by Swansea-based Awema, which says its principal objectives include promoting equality and racial harmony.

A report by Dr Paul Dunn, the former head of an equality body in England, lists accusations against Mr Malik, including that he approved his own pay rise without authority.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-16741178

Update and reminder

Dragon's Eye tonight on BBC2 Wales 7pm and also @11:45pm on BBC1 Wales

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mvzk

Update 27th -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-16754546

Blunt speaking on town hall cuts from English CEOs

2012-01-26T15:43:00.000Z

Blunt speaking on town hall cuts

BBC Home Editor Mark Easton 26th January 2012

Quote:

"Stop believing what the government tells you" - advice from one senior executive in a Conservative-controlled council in England on local government cuts.

"This is the most unfair and unjust settlement I have ever seen, and the sooner it is seen off the better," said another, also working for a Tory authority.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) on Thursday publishes details of some of the telephone conversations they have had with top officials in English councils in a report on the impact of reductions to local government budgets for the most deprived communities.

Quote:

Twenty-five local authority chief executives or senior officials were interviewed in what the report describes as a broadly representative sample of English councils. The researchers, perhaps expecting that officials in Tory areas would be more supportive of Conservative ministers in Westminster, express surprise at the unanimity of response.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16744676

Our towns, markets and shops - revisited.

2012-01-26T15:07:00.000Z

Time for deeds - not words as our towns are in dire straights

"Our inquiry showed that throughout Wales there are examples of weak and vulnerable High Streets, blighted by empty premises and poor shopping environments.

"Key to tackling these issues is strong, effective leadership at ministerial level, which must then be complemented locally in towns and communities across Wales.

"We want Welsh towns to have comprehensive plans, developed by local stakeholders, which contain actions for addressing the issues affecting town centres."

Nick Ramsey AM

Wales' flagging High Streets 'need national strategy'

BBC Wales News reports

Quote:

Many of Wales' High Streets are flagging and need strong leadership from the Welsh government and revised planning policy, a report says.

A clearer national strategy is needed to regenerate towns like Caerphilly, Welshpool and Denbigh, says the assembly's enterprise committee.

Challenges include competition from out-of-town developments, rising business rates and parking charges.

Ministers said they backed regeneration and would consider the findings.
The Federation of Small Businesses said concerted action was needed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16708807

Quote:

Caerphilly retailer Eddie Talbot, who runs Jet Models and Hobbies, summed up trading conditions in his town with one word: "Dire."

He continued: "The bottom end of town is suffering slightly with the development there, but the top end of the town is suffering terribly.

"There are a number of issues that need to be addressed like business rates and a level playing field with out-of-town retailers.

"They aggressively target the smaller traders. Combined with the recession, it's difficult."

Mr Talbot said a recent Welsh government-sponsored holiday from business rates had helped but that retailers would be back to square one when it ended, and added not all retailers had been eligible for it.

He believed recent roadworks which ran from the summer to Christmas had compounded the problem, taking trade away from the centre.

"I know one retailer who's been here for 40 years who's looking at selling up. I don't know anybody who's doing really well."

One I missed from the Telegraph on the 4th January 2012 as an update on here.

Government accused of 'complacency' over Mary Portas review

The Government has been accused of “staggering complacency” by not releasing its formal response to Mary Portas’s review of the high street until the spring.

Quote:

Ms Portas, the TV presenter and retail expert, released her long-awaited report into the future of the UK’s high streets last month. It in, she said that years of neglect had pushed the UK’s shopping streets to a “crisis point”.

At the time of the report’s release, the Government said that it would respond to her 28-point plan to reinvigorate town centres in the spring.

However Simon Danczuk, the Labour MP for Rochdale, has written to Grant Shapps, the Local Government Minister who will oversee the Coalition’s response, urging him to bring its release date forward.

Mr Danczuk said that “urgent action” is needed to support the high street, which is reeling from the economic downturn and the recent collapse of chains such as La Senza, Barratts and D2 Jeans.

In the letter he said: “In light of this worrying picture and the concerns raised by the British Retail Consortium for the sector in 2012, I hope you will review your timetable and take action immediately in order to help inject some confidence into the high street and give retailers clarity of policy direction.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8990770/Government-accused-of-complacency-over-Mary-Portas-review.html

Eric Pickles is having a laugh, say market traders

Telegraph 27th January 2012

Market traders are frustrated that Communities Secretary Eric Pickle's first response to the Mary Portas High Streets review has not attracted additional funding

Quote:

Government-backed plans to create a “Love Your Local Market” fortnight this summer have been met with derision from market traders.

Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, will today announce the initiative as the first formal response to the recommendations contained in the Mary Portas review of Britain’s high streets.

The scheme, which runs from June 23 to July 8, will see local authorities offering stalls for £10 at many of the 2,000 regular markets so that budding traders could turn up on the day and try out their business ideas.

Joe Harrison, chief executive of the National Market Traders Federation, said his 30,000 members would be “hugely disappointed” by the response, which involves no additional public funding.

He said while the £10 stalls were welcome it would not lead to “sustainable businesses” being created without “investment” in local authority-owned market places.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/yourbusiness/9039443/Eric-Pickles-is-having-a-laugh-say-market-traders.html

Update:

Just adding another aspect of this coming from Planning Blog

Jamie Carpenter 13th December.

The Portas Review: the sector reacts

http://planningblog.planningresource.co.uk/2011/12/13/the-portas-review-the-sector-reacts/

Portas is not strong enough on planning

Richard Garlick 13th December 2012
http://planningblog.planningresource.co.uk/2011/12/13/portas-is-not-strong-enough-on-planning/

Lynette White police corruption trial: DPP orders review into £30m case collapse

2012-01-26T14:37:00.000Z

Lynette White police corruption trial: DPP orders review into £30m case collapse

BBC Wales News 26th January 2012

Quote:

A review into the collapse of the biggest police corruption trial in British legal history has been ordered by the director of public prosecutions.

Quote:

Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer QC said on Thursday that he had asked Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) to carry out a review of the management of the prosecution in the perjury trial.

"It is important that the public can have confidence in the way the CPS conducts its cases and the Inspectorate will examine the issues with the utmost thoroughness," he said.

"Inevitably this will take time but will be completed as soon as is practicable and a report prepared for the DPP.

"South Wales Police has decided to refer their part in this matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and we will work in tandem with the IPCC inquiry into what happened.

"Both organisations are committed to sharing all relevant information with each other and arrangements are being made to ensure there is meaningful liaison between the two inquiries."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16737162

Update - 27th

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/01/26/lynette-white-corruption-trial-lost-evidence-which-led-to-collapse-of-trial-is-found-91466-30207126/

Further Update -

Retrial very unlikely, says QC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-16757255

Tribunal to hear ex workers case - Amewa

2012-01-26T12:17:00.000Z

Martin Shipton of the Western Mail with the latest on the Amewa (All Wales Ethnic Minority Association) matter.I hope to follow this but I dont intend commenting on it further.I shall just post the updates.

Quote:

A publicly-funded charity whose chief executive has admitted using its funds to pay off a £9,000 personal credit card debt is facing an Employment Tribunal claim from the ex-employee who told trustees about the irregularity.

Awema (the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association) is in turmoil following our revelation earlier this month that chief executive Naz Malik had been given a written warning after using a cheque pre-signed by the charity’s treasurer to pay off his credit card bill of £9.340.36. Mr Malik said he considered the money as advance expenses.

The Welsh Government has launched an inquiry into this and other alleged irregularities at Awema, which has received £8.4m in European aid to run projects aimed at increasing the employment chances of people from ethnic minority communities.

Quote:

We have now confirmed that Sylwia Bobrowska, a former finance officer with Awema, has lodged an Employment Tribunal claim against the organisation. Her case, due to be heard in April, is being pursued on four grounds – unfair dismissal, breach of contract, discrimination and a breach of her rights under the Public Interest Disclosure Act.

The Western Mail has a copy of a letter from Ms Bobrowska to Awema’s trustees after she was summarily dismissed last October.

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/01/26/tribunal-to-hear-ex-worker-sylwia-bobrowska-s-case-against-awema-91466-30201383/#ixzz1kZ7TlmEB

One to watch - Inside story on Monmouthshire Council by Week In Week Out

2012-01-25T13:09:00.002Z

Hat tip to @councilwatchuk for this.Also a reminder to those who already knew ( I didnt so I am grateful). Definitely one to watch.

Quote:

A new BBC Wales documentary tells the inside story of cuts and job losses at Monmouthshire County Council (MCC).

Next Monday (30th January) BBC Cymru Wales current affairs series Week In Week Out returns with a 45-minute special programme looking at how the council faces tough choices dealing with multi-million pound budget cuts.

http://www.councilwatchuk.co.k/index.php/forum/MONMOUTHSHIRE-COUNTY-COUNCIL/4283-BBC-tells-the-inside-story-on-Monmouth-County-Council.html#4283

Carmarthenshire Council leader: 'Rabble' blast misunderstood

2012-01-25T12:06:00.000Z

How to protest in Wales these days?

"There were people from all parties there. There were at least a dozen members of the association there aged between 60 and 80. To call us rabble, it's totally ridiculous. These are normal, ordinary people fighting for what their fathers and grandfathers fought for.

"She should step down."

Jeff Owen
chairman of the Lakeside Residents' Association

Carmarthenshire Council leader: 'Rabble' blast misunderstood

Llanelli Star 25th January 2012

Quote:

CARMARTHENSHIRE Council leader Meryl Gravell has apologised after being accused of labelling hospital protesters "rabble".

Mrs Gravell made the comments at the Chooselife centre's 15th anniversary celebrations, which were overshadowed by a protest outside over the proposed closure of Prince Philip Hospital's A&E department.

Around 300 people — many of them elderly — had turned out to show their concerns to First Minister Carwyn Jones, who had come to Llanelli to speak at the event.

More here:

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Carmarthenshire-Council-leader-Rabble-blast/story-15028437-detail/story.html

Well people get the same kind of treatment here in the Cynon Valley. Back in the General Elections the MP described a group of local residents ( disabled people, parents with children and babies in prams) as 'An Angry Mob' and snubbed them.Furthermore, we have attitude problems with certain elected members of the Council too.Some dont think twice about being rude, abusive as well as bullying and snubbing taxpayers.Just who do some of these people think they are? Perhaps it is time the public started reminding them?

Maybe I misunderstood Cllr Gravells remarks yesterday when I watched a video tweeted. It seemed to me ( there again I wasnt in the best of moods yesterday due to pain) that she wasnt exactly complimentary about Council Staff.Well misunderstandings of people can arise especially if you are in a bad mood as the MP showed us but there again she is hardly known for being a 'people person'.

I see that Caebrwyn has blogged about the videoed comments
so I shall leave it to you to judge for yourself on these matters.

http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2012/01/one-just-cant-get-staff-these-days.html

I cant help thinking that there are some in positions of all kinds who tend to get far too big for their boots when in office for too long.

Soapbox - The Bay of Apathy and Flan flinging

2012-01-24T15:32:00.000Z

Soapbox - The Bay of Apathy and Flan flinging

I am posting very little party political stuff nowadays as to be blunt I have had enough of the whole lot of them.All we seem to get are promises, pledges, commitments and lots of glossy words and very little to show for it.However my attention was drawn to this news item on the BBC Wales site. Are they all in denial or what?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-16701194

The criticisms of Labour are valid. As anticipated very little if any movement or anything since the new powers. Cobwebs spring to mind.BUT it also is a valid criticism of the rest of them too.Devoid of ideas, devoid of action, off message,off on tangents and fully paid up members of the Flan flinging club.All hot air and wind.No actions just words and half the time they are gobbledegook or corporate speak.How many more glossy costly waste of paper reports and whatever do we have to put up with from any of these Paper Tigers?

Who do they represent?What do any of them stand for these days? Why cant I relate to any of them anymore? Not one of them speaks our language.I dont mean in terms of Welsh but as ordinary working class people ( who dont work for the State). Taxes are paid but there is no respect for that.If you dont fit their PC remit you can forget it.Nobody down there represents the forgotten hard working people in Wales unless I have missed something.The elections come and go it's just another Groundhog Day to me.The only change -amount of Flans flung.Are we ever going to see someone down there pulling their fingers out and their socks up? Or will the Political Patisserie Parade just carry on? Elections come - Elections go... ad nauseum.

Flan Flinging in the Bay

Update -

I just popped onto the Aberdareonline site news section and see some are now out touting their wares.I'm off for a cream cake.

Curiouser and curiouser?

2012-01-24T13:38:00.000Z

I see that the excellent Photon blog which covered a wide variety of very interesting subjects and with excellent information from up there on the Isle of Anglesey appears to be still missing after taking a short break a little while ago. I do hope that it is just a temporary situation and he will be back blogging again.I shall leave it in my Blog list as it is one of my favourites and just hope that The Photon returns to us soon. Photon you are missed.Hope to see you back.

Bonmarche chain bought by private equity firm

2012-01-23T16:45:00.000Z

Bonmarche chain bought by private equity firm

BBC Wales News

Quote

Fashion chain Bonmarche, part of the Peacocks Group, has been bought for an undisclosed sum by private equity group Sun European Partners.

However, the deal could lead to 1,400 redundancies.

Sun, which bought the entire chain apart from three stores, has said it will continue to run 230 stores but will close about 160.

Peacocks went into administration last week, having tried unsuccessfully to restructure its £240m debts.

Sun, which also owns the Alexon and Jacques Vert brands, has bought Bonmarche out of administration in a pre-pack deal.

This is where the sale of an insolvent company's assets is arranged before the formal insolvency process is completed.

The store closures mean it will continue to employ about 2,400 of the chain's 3,800 strong workforce.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16680318

Musical Interlude -Sheep & Baaa.. lot Boxes

2012-01-23T15:11:00.001Z

Musical Interlude -Sheep & Baaa.. lot Boxes

What you get from your Valleys Ballot Box - sheep and poodles

A reminder why and why nothing will or can ever improve in RCT.

http://rctcbcmalice.blogspot.com/2012/01/pembrokeshire-county-council-officers.html

Our Ballot Boxes here in RCT are just Baaa lot boxes and have always been since this Council was formed in 1999.No matter who gets in.

* I stand corrected the Council was created in 1996 my apologies
( face palm)

Time for some music with The Housemartins -Sheep

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIWOhisqrP8&feature=related

Baaa... humbug.

From Blunderland... to Barnet

2012-01-23T13:50:00.000Z

"Ballot Boxes packed away ... he's off to Barnet "

Mrs Angry of Broken Barnet Blog fame has just inadvertently reminded me on Twtter via @Caebrwyn that the Deputy Leader of Barnet Council was a Conservative Candidate for the Assembly Elections. In the Cynon Valley in 2003!I dont recall who stood in those elections or if I voted. Anyway I looked him up.Small world isnt it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynon_Valley_(Assembly_constituency)

'The police will only be re-professionalised through proper leadership - and that in turn will only be restored when politics is taken out of policing.'

2012-01-22T18:32:00.000Z

Better to Vote Katie Price aka Jordan?

I appreciate that Melanie Phillips is not everyones cup of tea (or whatever) but I think she is right in her Blog posting below.

The policing hokey-cokey

Melanie Phillips Blog

18th January 2012
Quote:

Ever since the idea of elected police commissioners first surfaced from the then Conservative opposition, I have argued that this is a seriously bad idea. Its superficial attraction derives from the undeniable fact that the police in England and Wales have largely lost the plot, often abandoning the streets to thugs and villains and thus leaving people especially in the poorest areas effectively imprisoned inside their homes too terrified to go out.

Recognising correctly that this represented an endemic breakdown of the professional ethic of policing, the Tories decided that the way to tackle it was to hand control to local people through elected police commissioners, so that through them the police would be held accountable to public wishes. This was in accordance with the party’s thinking that ‘people power’ was the way to shrink the reach of the state, revive community networks and reconstitute civil society.

Although in general I am an enthusiastic supporter of this philosophy, I always thought that it should not be applied to the police. This is because it would run the risk of placing the police under political control. Elections, after all, are an intrinsically political process – and are invariably hijacked by political or vested interests of one kind or another.

http://phillipsblog.dailymail.co.uk/2012/01/the-policing-hokey-cokey.html

Plenty more coverage on this subject on here further back.

Welsh government to investigate alleged abuse of charitable funds

2012-01-22T10:15:00.000Z

Further coverage of what appears to be a subject that is now grabbing the attention of the wider public - those outside Wales.

I am grateful to a Blog follower for sending me this link.

Welsh government to investigate alleged abuse of charitable funds

CivilSociety.com 20th January 2012

Quote:

The Welsh government has launched an investigation into the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (Awema), which is mired in a trustee row over alleged misuse of charity funds by its chief executive.

Vice-chair of the charity Dr Sibani Roy has resigned in protest at the refusal of Awema’s chief executive Naz Malik to step down following an inquiry report commissioned by some of the trustees, which found instances of serious abuse of funds and other misconduct within the organisation.

The inquiry was conducted by Paul Dunn, an independent investigator who is also a retired charity chief executive.

Dr Roy told civilsociety.co.uk that she had a total lack of confidence in both the chief executive and the newly-elected chair, Rita Austin, to carry forward the work of Awema.
The inquiry report, seen by civilsociety.co.uk, lists a number of allegations of misconduct against chief executive Malik.

These include extracting Awema funds for personal use; making inappropriate sexual remarks; bullying staff and causing a conflict of interest by hiring his daughter.

More here:

http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/governance/news/content/11342/welsh_government_to_investigate_alleged_abuse_of_charitable_funds

For those with interest in this subject you can follow the Blogger Jack O'North who is covering the case and subject matter in more depth.

http://jacothenorth.blogspot.com/2012/01/wales-squandered-european-funding.html

Pembrokeshire County Council - “officers dominate and members follow”.

2012-01-21T18:09:00.000Z

Leaked report reveals ‘absence of democracy’ within Pembrokeshire County Council

Western Telegraph 21st January 2012

Quote:

A panel of trouble shooters parachuted in to Pembrokeshire County Council in the wake of major child protection failures has described an organisation where there is typically a “paucity of true democratic and open governance”.

The views of the Ministerial Advisory Board (MAB) have been outlined in a report leaked to the Western Telegraph which describes a council where “officers dominate and members follow”.

The MAB examined issues highlighted by a joint Estyn and CSSIW report in August last year including the culture of the authority, safe recruitment, the handling of cases as well as challenging/ supporting the development of an action plan.

MAB members interviewed a range of elected members and officers on a number of visits to County Hall and examined a substantial number of documents, including policy documents, minutes and agendas for relevant Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Committees, submissions by members as well as the council’s draft action plan.

The council culture was said to represent a picture of an organisation where typically there is a “paucity of true democratic and open governance”.

Quote:

The board also highlights concerns about the “nature and degree of influence of the Corporate Officers Management Board (COMB)”.

It found that agendas and records were kept, in the form of file notes as reminders for officers, but not in the public domain.

The report states that this offered a view of a council where “officers dominate and members follow” where it is as though “negative or unpopular reflections of the authority are frowned upon, discouraged and rejected in favour of anodyne, or even positively skewed, accounts of performance in a tightly controlled regime”.

http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/9485006.Leaked_report_reveals____absence_of_democracy___/?ref=twtrec

The very same could be said about RCTCBC. Which is why (and I have changed my views a lot over the time I have been Blogging for a wide variety of reasons) I will now maintain it is pointless even voting as the Council is run as a 'dictatorship' and not a democracy by unelected and wholly unaccountable Officers. So I am sorry but I see no need to vote for political puppets when there are Puppet Masters pulling the strings.In any event nobody will stand up to them despite the spin we shall be fed in the next few months from all and sundry. Not even AMs or MPs.Everyone pussyfoots around.Only one Councillor ever tries to speak out and just gets a lot of flack for his troubles.I may or may not always agree with his approaches or agree with his party politics or whatever but ten out of ten for trying at least.All being elected here really means is getting a well paid position on the Council and keeping your head down.Just nodding things through etc.

We may or may not get to see a little bit more 'voice' or 'presence' demonstrated in the future but I am yet to be in any way convinced of that.I tested certain waters last year and that is the conclusion that I have come to.I cant speak for other Councils but it is quite clear that Officers at the top here have too much power and are IMO above the Law.Hardly healthy for democracy is it? It doesnt take a costly report to point that out surely?Which is why whenever I hear that word 'democracy' being tossed around by whoever I feel it is just an empty word.Maybe its just me? Perhaps my situations and ongoing experiences have clouded my views or my judgement? Well if this is so you can hardly blame me for that.Little wonder the voting numbers are always dropping to such low levels.They will carry on falling too.

Apologies for editing after publishing - struggling to Blog.I might take a break tomorrow to give my eyes and my hands a complete rest.

Update 22nd - Sorry I forgot to thank @councilwatchuk for the link.