Assembly Powers Referendum explained!

February 27, 2011

A few people have asked me to explain what the Assembly Powers Referendum is all about in a biased and simplest way as possible – A Hard job!

I was pleased when our MP Glyn Davies copied me in to an email this week, as I think this achieves the above objectives!

Here goes:

Firstly there must be an understanding of the Government of Wales Acts of 1998 and 2006.

In the 1998 Act, competence (power) was granted to the new National Assembly for Wales in 20 policy areas only – health, education, agriculture, environment, culture etc. However the Assembly could not create ‘primary law’.  It could only implement ‘secondary law’. Trying to explain this would be too confusing for the purposes of this email. Until 2006, the Assembly’s power was derived from the 1998 Act, and thereafter by what are called ‘framework powers’. – new ‘secondary’ powers included in any new Act passed into law at Westminster after 1998.  An example of this would be a clause in a new Health Act at Westminster promoting a range of issues about prentative care stating that “all powers relating to illness prevention in Wales will be granted to the National Assembly”. However no powers outside the original 20 policy arears could be devolved.

The 2006 Act granted power to the National Assembly to make primary law itself for the first time – but only in specific areas asked for by the Assembly and then granted by Westminster. But the process of transfer of these powers is so complex that very few people understand how it works. In effect primary law making powers are being transferred to the Assembly ‘bit by bit.  Again it must be noted that no powers outside the original 20 policy areas can be devolved.

The referendum on March 3rd, asks whether the people of Wales are in favour of transferring the primary law making powers that are currently being transferred ‘bit by bit’ all in one go. Again it must be noted that no powers outside the original 20 policy areas can be devolved.

The above will spawn lots of secondary questions which I would be pleased to answer.  However, I have sought to limit my explanation to the absolute essential.  The more I write, the more confused the issue will become.

So there goes!

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Posted by russellgeorge

£1.3 million boost for Newtown

April 7, 2010

We are now into day two of the election campaign. As the news broke yesterday, I was out campaigning in Broad Street, Newtown with Glyn Davies the Conservative candidate, who I very much hope will be elected as the next MP for Montgomeryshire one month today. 

However, my blog post is not on election news, but on good news for Newtown. 

The five Newtown County Councillors, Peter Harris, Frank Torrens, Richard White, Bob Mills and myself have been working together to secure funding for a number of Newtown projects, and we have recently had conformation of funding for three of our top priorities. 

A skatepark is just one of the options that a panel of young people will consider

 

I’m most excited about the funding for the Skate Park myself. A young persons group will be set up. Youth service staff have been investigating various options to put to Newtown’s youth including different options for a skate park, an Adizone, which is an outdoor gym sponsored by Adidas, and a multi-use games area. I have asked a member of the youth staff to attend a community meeting in my ward on 28th April at 6.30pm at Trehafren meeting hall and all are welcome. 

What is important to me is that the locations of these facilities are in appropriate places and are good value for money. I’m keen that what is selected is not just a fad and that the facilities will be used for many years to come. 

The largest sum of money, £812,000, has been set aside for improvements at Theatre Hafren, they can now make improvements to there facilities and I’m excited about the proposals which will now be drawn up. I am fully expecting the theatres management team (which I sit on) to use this sum to leverage further match funding. 

£397,000 has been earmarked for improvements at Maldwyn Leisure Centre – £230,000 for the replacement of the synthetic pitch, £87,000 for the athletic facilities and £80,000 for replacement of tiling at the pool. 

Although this funding is welcomed, we have further work to do. Our top priority has always been the refurbishment of the Market Hall. I believe we must have investment in the commercial centre of Newtown and especially since the loss of big names such as Woolworth’s and Curry’s. What better way to do this than a total refurbishment of the hall for the benefit of small and new start up business with further facilities such as tourist information centre to make this a focal and centre point in Newtown to be proud of.

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Posted by russellgeorge

Secondary education in Powys

February 4, 2010

I’ve been busy attending public meetings, answering piles of emails and letters and getting into discussions on Facebook about my views on the document regarding secondary schools in Powys. I’m currently on top of answering all correspondence and this now gives me a chance to blog my views.

This is all on a document for consultation about the re-organisation of secondary education in Powys. The document lists four options, options vary from the closing of Llanfair Caereinon, Llanfyllin and Llanidloes High Schools to the closure of sixth forms at there current locations.

I should say that no decisions have been made. The Council is only at the start of a process of reviewing its secondary schools.

I read the 38 page document through and I should say that the County Times did an excellent job of summarizing the report in last weeks edition.

Anyway, now my views, I disagree with all the options put forward in the document and I can not support or vote for any option which includes the closure of Llanfair Caereinon, Llanfyllin or Llanidloes High Schools. Indeed, I can not support the closure of any secondary high school in Powys, unless its what the schools and residents want.

At last Thursday’s meeting of the Full Council, Councillor Aled Davies, who also wants these 4 options to be binned, called for an emergency debate to discuss this issue.  All members of the Conservative group on Powys County Council, of which I am a member, are against the closure of any secondary high school if  against the wishes of the school and community.

I have been helping Parliamentary candidate Glyn Davies organise Public Meetings to fight these closures over the past week.  Two meetings were held last week in Llanfair and Llanfyllin and this week meetings have been held in Welshpool and Llanidloes. I’ve been taking notes at the meetings and along with all the correspondence that I have received, I will be cousulting  my colleagues to make sure that the issues raised are discussed in the forthcoming council debate.

One good thing to come from this, If I can say that, is the creation of the facebook site “No to the closure of Llanfair, Llanfyllin and Llanidloes High Schools!” One of my passions as a younger County Councillor (If I can say that also!) is too get younger people more involved in local issues and politics, and out to the polling station at election time.

The Facebook site very much helps this aim, so please visit it at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=272411473480&ref=ts

This is a subject with much more to run, so I will try and keep you updated.

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Posted by russellgeorge

I’m not on my own

April 7, 2008

I left our meeting this morning feeling so glad that I’ve got the backing of my party, the Welsh Conservatives.

I have the constant support of our parliamentary candidate Glyn Davies and our association chairman Simon Baynes who has just been elected (unopposed) to represent his area on Powys County Council and the Montgomeryshire Conservatives.

Walking into the office this morning, there was a real buzz of being part of a strong team. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the many “independent” candidates throughout Powys who don’t have the backing of a strong political party.

It is great to be able to phone up the office and get advice on a particular issue, normally from Pam. And if she can’t help, she’ll know someone who can.

On leaving the office this morning I did feel bad that I hadn’t thanked Pam enough for all she’s doing for each of the candidates. Sometimes when you are totally focussed on the campaign, it is difficult to get a moment to properly say thank you.

Surely it makes sense for a county councillor to be part of a wider group, one that has influence in the Welsh Assembly, in London and in Europe? What can an independent councillor do when they face issues that affect our local area but are decided by bodies outside of Powys?

What is more, as well as offering advice, expertise and resources, I know that the more backing I receive from my party, the more of my time will be freed up to devote to the important issues that matter to you.

If I’m privileged enough to be elected, I’ll feel reassured to know that I’m not on my own.

1 Comment | conservatives, independent candidates, issues, montgomeryshire conservatives, powys county council, welsh assembly, welsh conservatives | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by russellgeorge

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