Dear resident,
Please find below my latest monthly newsletter. I hope you enjoy reading the update.
Best regards,
Russell George
National Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire
Changes to Planning for Energy Projects
There was one issue this month which concerned me more than any other – the Welsh Government’s attempt to take planning powers on energy projects away from local councils. I recently wrote an article on this. Please click here to read the full article.
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Powys County Council Funding
On Tuesday this week, the Welsh Government’s proposed draft budget was voted on and passed. The budget includes a large cut in funding to Powys County Council. The extent to the cut for Powys was extremely unfair.
In a separate development, the Welsh Government allocated £1.9 million to the council which is to be welcomed, as a number of planned cuts to services will no longer take place, but I’m certainty not going to be popping any Champagne corks!
The extra cash simply means that we went from having the largest cut of all 22 councils in Wales, to now having the joint largest cut of all councils in Wales (with another 3 rural councils), while Cardiff Council virtually gets no cut at all.
Over recent weeks, I had raised Powys’ plight with the Finance and local government Ministers in correspondence, in questions in the Senedd and in debate in the Assembly chamber. During the debate, I again highlighted how the proposed local government settlement will disproportionately penalise Powys and I called for a radical overhaul of the unfair formula which allocates local government funding in Wales.
To read my contribution in the Assembly debate, click here.
Here are a few facts on the local government settlement over the course of this Assembly:
Since 2012/13, rural Powys (-7.86), Ceredigion (-4.97%), and Monmouthshire (-4.33%) have faced devastating cuts; whilst urban councils like Newport (+7.07%) and Cardiff (+3.16%) have fared much better.
I voted against the proposed budget on Tuesday, as did all other Conservative and Plaid AMs. The Labour Government does not have a majority in the Assembly. The Liberal Democrat AMs abstained from voting, which meant that the Welsh Labour Government’s draft budget was passed. I did write to the Liberal Democrat leader last week to urge her and the other Lib Dem AMs to vote against the budget which is so unfair to Powys residents.
In my view, a child born in Machynlleth or Montgomery should have the same equality of access to a great education as a child born in Cardiff. Vulnerable residents who live in Newtown should have access to the same support that residents have in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The Welsh Government should be a government for the whole of Wales, not just the South Wales Valleys.
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Telephone & Broadband
This week, I hosted a meeting with BT’s senior management at the Assembly. On the agenda, a range of telecoms related issues including the on-going rollout of fibre broadband.
I raised a series of issues including the unacceptable situation that several constituents have been waiting months to have their phone lines repaired. I was pleased that they confirmed that this was totally unacceptable and measures would be taken to improve the way in which faults are dealt with.
The meeting was constructive and I was provided with assurances that communications channels with Openreach will improve to ensure that faults are quickly addressed. I have also now been provided with a clear point of contact which will allow me to escalate constituents’ concerns.
On the on-going rollout of fibre broadband, it’s of course good to hear that many areas of Wales are set to benefit from a fibre to the premises solution which will provide ultrafast broadband speeds, but amidst all this good news, I stressed the importance that Mid Wales must not miss out!
I also raised the issue of the lack of a definitive timetable for the rollout of superfast broadband to the remaining premises which are yet to be enabled. The Superfast Cymru team assured me that it will now begin to provide long overdue clarity on those premises which will definitely miss out so that they can make alternative arrangements.
I was also alerted of a new Community Fibre Partnership, which means that any community, which finds themselves outside the scope of the Superfast Cymru project, can approach Openreach for match-funding to bring fibre broadband to their area. This is a scheme which a number of rural communities in Montgomeryshire could benefit from, so I'm interested in pursuing this.
Overall, it was a productive meeting and I now look forward to action being taken by BT to resolve faults as quickly as possible and make further progress on the Superfast Cymru project in Powys. I have accepted their offer to return in the near future to provide a further update - keen to ensure that they are held accountable to their commitments.
As always, if anybody has an issue or concern relating to their broadband or telephone service, please let me know.
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Mobile
I have been in regular contact with mobile operators about the improvements which they intend to make to mobile coverage in Montgomeryshire.
You will recall that I held a meeting in Newtown in November last year with all four mobile network operators (EE, O2, Vodafone and Three) to discuss mobile coverage issues. At the meeting, there was a commitment from EE that all of Newtown will receive 4G during January 2016 which would also help improve the current capacity difficulties experienced.
I have recently asked EE for an update on this commitment as I’m disappointed that they have not completed this work to the original timescale provided.
I have noticed an improvement in parts of Newtown which is welcome, but I have informed them of my unhappiness. I have received assurances from EE that they are intending on providing additional capacity soon. They tell me they are currently implementing quite a complex technical upgrade and testing the equipment before this additional capacity can be rolled out. I will be keeping in contact with EE and will keep you updated.
With regards to other areas of Montgomeryshire, EE is also looking to improve signal in the Llanfyllin, Llanwddwyn and Abermule areas this year.
All operators have also expressed the view that reforms are required to the planning framework to improve the relationship between landowners and communications providers when it comes to the installation of new masts to provide coverage to areas which currently have poor or no mobile signal. I have written to both the UK Government and Welsh Government to ask what plans they have to reform the Electronic Communications Code and the Permitted Development Framework. However, above all, any planning decisions must have the expressed consent of the local community.
Finally, OpenSignal have contacted me to notify me that they have recently launched a mobile app to monitor your signal automatically wherever you go, so that data you collect can reflect users’ experiences. The app offers statistics on the time you spend having no signal, 2G, 3G or 4G. I’m assured that all data collected is anonymous and if you would like to use the app so that we can gain a deeper insight into the range of speeds and experience of coverage in different parts of Montgomeryshire, please visit: http://opensignal.com/
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Transport
Newtown Bypass
This week, I have discussed progress on the Newtown Bypass with the Minister responsible for Transport, Edwina Hart AM. There has been a short delay in physical construction work starting, put much preparation work is underway, and actual construction work is expected to start over the next few weeks. Construction boards will be installed along the route with a works depot being sited near to Black Hall, Dolfor Road. I have been in discussion with Alun Griffiths contractors and have discussed the need for them to use local businesses and they have confirmed that this is their intention. I hope to have details of an open day soon.
The route, which has now been confirmed, will begin the Llanidloes side of Glandulas Holiday Park, with a roundabout which will link the bypass with the existing route into town, proceeding along the back of Mochdre Enterprise Park. The bypass will then proceed to another roundabout for the Dolfor road, which will link back into the town. There will be a flyover over the existing Dolfor road and it will then proceed to the right hand side of the town, with another roundabout at the Kerry road junction, which will link both the existing Kerry road and another point of access into the town. It will then proceed behind the Vastre Industrial estate and the Dyffryn Industrial estate with a bridge over the railway line; it will join the existing Pool road passed the Wool Board building (Wool Producers of Wales), with a roundabout which will link with another access point into the town from the Welshpool side.
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Traffic – Tirgwynt and Garreg Llwyd
Earlier this month, I wrote to the Minister for Transport, Edwina Hart, to highlight the potential traffic disruption in Newtown during the construction of the Tirgwynt and Garreg Llwyd wind farms.
In my view, it is essential that the Welsh Government does not allow large turbine components to be moved during busy periods, especially given the fact that there are serious traffic issues in and around Newtown, which will continue until the Newtown bypass is complete. I’m concerned that the general travelling public, including tourists, should not be inconvenienced more than is necessary.
Both the First Minister and Minister for Transport confirmed to me that Welsh Government officials have been working with developers to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum but I remain sceptical and will continue to scrutinise movement plans.
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Rail
Concerns have been expressed by groups representing passengers about the possibility of splitting the current Aberystwyth to Birmingham International service, with trains on the Cambrian line terminating in Shrewsbury rather than Birmingham International, as they do now.
Last month, I urged the First Minister to make strong representations to the joint Welsh and UK Government Working Group which is considering the services which will be operated by the replacement Wales and Border franchise from October 2018 onwards. I have also discussed the issue with Wales Office Minister, Alun Cairns MP, to look for a commitment from the UK Government that it will retain direct services between Birmingham and Aberystwyth.
I am hopeful for a positive outcome, but clearly I will continue to make representations on this issue and will keep you updated on any developments.
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Agriculture
Single Farm Payments
It has been a very difficult month for farmers who are still yet to receive their single farm payments. Late payments are having serious cash flow implications and an impact on the whole agricultural supply chain.
The Welsh Government has previously stated that it would write to all farmers who had not received payment by the end of January, but as it stands today, many farmers are still in the dark about when they can expect to receive their payments and the specific reasons why they haven’t been paid.
I have called on the Welsh Government to provide additional resource to Rural Payments Wales to enable it to process payments at the earliest opportunity and provide urgent clarity on the timetable for remaining payments to alleviate this unnecessary pressure on an already hard-pressed farming industry.
Please rest assured that I will continue to raise this issue with the Deputy Minister for Farming and Food at every available opportunity but please do not hesitate to contact me if you have specific circumstances you want to raise with me.
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Business
The Exporting is GREAT Hub tour is a joint initiative between the UK Government and Welsh Government. It will be at Cefn Lea Park in Dolfor, Newtown, on 24th February 2016 between 10am and 2pm.
The Hub will provide local businesses with the opportunity to meet with experts to discuss international business opportunities, seek advice on their target markets through a series of one to one meetings and seminars - whatever their size or sector.
I’m delighted that local businesses in Montgomeryshire will have the opportunity to meet with international business experts at the roadshow and would encourage all businesses who are looking to expand to take advantage of this free event.
General information about the Export Hub Roadshow can be found here
For specific information about the activities and how to book at the events in Wales can be found here
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Reporting back on local visits
One of the most rewarding parts of my job as Montgomeryshire’s Assembly Member is being able to visit a range of local businesses, schools, and community organisations.
A couple of weeks ago, I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit Llanidloes High School alongside Glyn Davies MP to encourage students to become more politically engaged. It’s good to see younger people politically engaged, something that I would like to encourage as we approach important Assembly Elections in May.
Last Friday, I was also pleased to attend an open evening in Llanerfyl which was a great showcase for local craftspeople and I was also pleased to learn more about the work at the Menter Berllan Enterprise Hub. It was an excellent evening and I was able to have some useful conversations with local business owners.
I was also delighted to recently visit the community gardens in Machynlleth which is run by a small but dedicated group of volunteers to engage people with health problems.
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Voter Registration
Continuing on the issue of political engagement, the Bite the Ballot National Voter Registration Drive took place last week calling on people to register to vote if they haven’t done so already. With almost 10 million people missing from the Electoral Roll in the UK, it is important that more people, especially young people, who are the most likely not to be engaged in the political process, register to vote so that they have their say in just 83 days when we go to the polls to elect our Assembly Members. For full details of the NVRD campaign please visit www.nvrd.co.uk
Police & Crime Commissioner to visit Welshpool
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Residents of the Welshpool area will have the opportunity to meet our Police and Crime Commissioner, Christopher Salmon, on Thursday, March 17th. He is keen on meeting local people so that the public have a direct say on our criminal justice system and how it is evolving. To book an appointment, please phone the Commissioner’s office on 01267 226440 or complete the simple form on this web page – www.bit.ly/YVD16welshpool. For more information about Dyfed Powys Police, please visit: www.dyfedpowys-pcc.org.uk
Advice Surgeries
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I hold regular surgeries at my Newtown office and I will also be in the following areas in the near future. For more information or to book an appointment to see me to discuss any issue or concern, please call my office on 01686 610887.
• 13th February – Welshpool & Castle Caereinion
• 19th February – Newtown, Llanwddyn & Llangynog
• 20th February – Caersws & Trefeglwys
• 27th February – Llanfyllin & Llansantffraid
• 4th March – Welshpool & Guilsfield
• 5th March – Churchstoke, Sarn & Hyssington
• 12th March – Llanymynech, Four Crosses, Arddleen & Pool Quay
• 18th March – Machynlleth, Llanbrynmair, Carno, Clatter & Talerddig
• 19th March – Llanidloes, Llangurig, Y Fan & Llandinam
• 26th March – Welshpool, Forden & Middletown