Dear resident,
Please find below a summary of some of the issues which I have been working on over the last few weeks.
Please feel free to forward this email to your friends and colleagues who may be interested in any of the subjects included in my news update.
I would be grateful for any feedback and please let me know if I can help in any way or if you have any questions.
Mid Wales Connection Project
Mid Wales Wind Farm Inquiry decision postponed
Earlier this week, the Department for Energy and Climate Change announced that a decision on the Mid Wales (Powys) Conjoined Wind Farm Inquiry will be postponed until the beginning of the next Parliament.
This decision deserves very careful consideration, and my objective has been to ensure that it's not in any way rushed. I am therefore pleased with this announcement.
The inquiry took evidence over the course of 2014 in a series of public meetings. Its focus was the Llanbadarn Fynydd, Llaithddu, Llandinam, Llanbrynmair, and Carnedd Wen wind farms.
The Department for Energy has said that the applications require careful consideration of the planning and energy policy issues involved following the Planning Inspector’s recommendations which were submitted to the Secretary of State on 8th December.
The full announcement is available at https://www.gov.uk/consents-and-planning-applications-for-national-energy-infrastructure-projects
Assembly debate on Activities of National Grid
I raised the issue in the National Assembly during a short debate this Wednesday. Please follow this link to read my full contribution. Click here to view my short debate on Senedd TV.
In summary, I rehearsed some of my long-held beliefs that the proposed scale of wind farm development in Powys in unacceptable. I also highlighted the appalling way in which National Grid have behaved in its public engagement on this project and called for the Welsh Government to join me in making representations to National Grid that the project should be suspended on the grounds that not a single wind farm has yet been approved for connection to the proposed grid.
Agriculture
Rural Communities
At the end of last month, I took part in a session on the importance of rural communities at the Welsh Conservative Party Conference.
In short, I called for an end to the Welsh Government’s imposition of urban solutions on rural areas of Wales, without fully reflecting on the challenges of delivering vital public services over large rural areas and also called for the creation of a dedicated voice at the Welsh Government Cabinet table with an exclusive focus on farming and rural communities.
Young Farmers Clubs (YFC)
I was disappointed to learn that funding for the Young Farmers organisation in Wales from both Natural Resources Wales and the National Youth Voluntary Organisations Fund will cease. The loss of these grants is a hugely damaging cut to the vastly important Wales YFC.
I called for a comprehensive rethink and I am pleased that the minister will at least work with the organisation on a way forward. It is now absolutely crucial that the beneficial education programmes run by Wales YFC do not face the axe.
At a time when we should be engaging with young people in rural communities, the Welsh Government should be doing all it can to help and support the YFC movement. This is an issue which I will pursue with Welsh Ministers.
Health
Mid Wales Healthcare Conference
The Welsh Government hosted a conference yesterday (Thursday 12th March) at Cefn Lea Park in Dolfor, which brought healthcare professionals together with the aim of addressing the issues raised in the Mid Wales Health Study undertaken by the Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care last year.
While I had committee commitments in the Assembly in the morning, I was pleased to be able to attend the afternoon session and our MP, Glyn Davies, was also in attendance.
The Mid Wales Healthcare Study spent nine months listening to the views of patients, the public and local NHS staff across Mid Wales, reviewing the plans of the local health boards, and looking at good practice in rural healthcare across the world. The study report can be found here: http://wihsc.southwales.ac.uk/midwaleshealthstudy/
Elective operations at Bronglais
Earlier this week during questions in the Assembly, I asked the Welsh Government to intervene to ensure that elective operations proceed without delay at Bronglais General Hospital in Aberystwyth after a number of constituents contacted me to say that elective operations were being cancelled due to so-called “winter pressures”.
Two constituents have contacted me to say that they have already had their operations cancelled three times and are still waiting. This is clearly unacceptable. I have asked the Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board, Steve Moore, to provide clarity on the situation at Bronglais.
Education
Secondary Education
Powys County Council’s Cabinet has recently accepted a report that has suggested the closure of a number of high schools and sixth forms in Powys. The council is due to bring more details and specific proposals for which individual schools they propose to close shortly. Whilst I understand the financial pressures on the council, the most important issue is the future education of our children.
One of the key reasons why the council is proposing change, is a direct result of the lack of adequate local government funding. Many constituents and parents have been outraged that schools over the border in England are better funded than schools in Wales. It's a matter for the Welsh Government how much money is allocated to schools in Powys.
This week during weekly questions, I raised these concerns in the Assembly with the First Minister, Carwyn Jones AM, and the Minister for Public Services, Leighton Andrews AM. Mr Andrews denied that the local government funding formula was unfair despite the fact that Powys will yet again receive one of the largest budget cuts of all 22 Welsh local authorities next year.
It’s clearly difficult to make any further comment until we know what Powys Council’s cabinet are going to propose, but both Glyn Davies MP and I believe it is imperative that not one of our six important Montgomeryshire High Schools is closed, and will do all we can to defend them from such closure.
NPTC Newtown college
There are huge concerns about the reduction in funding at the college and I have recently met with the site principal to discuss the matter. I will provide a more detailed update on this in my next newsletter in a few weeks. If there are any staff or students that want to be updated on this issue, then please email me directly - [email protected]
Holidays during Term Time
Last month, I highlighted the confusion and ambiguity which exists relating to term time absences.
As it stands, The Welsh Government are stating that head teachers have the flexibility to allow leave during term time. However, Powys County Council’s position is to strongly advise head teachers not to allow time off.
Dedicated family time can be just as important to a young person’s growing up as their formal education and family breaks should not be automatically written off as a lack of learning time. Head teachers are best placed to decide what is best for their pupils and can work with parents on a case by case basis. This confusion for parents and teachers must be resolved, I will continue to raise the issue with Ministers and Powys County Council.
Transport
Welshpool One Way System
Last year, I conducted a survey which showed that local residents in Welshpool are divided on their views about the one-way road layout. A narrow majority would like to see the one-way system reversed. Powys County Council has now confirmed that an initial Scrutiny Report into the one-way system concluded that significant and major changes to the one way system were unwarranted.
Despite the Council forming this view, there are some proposed alterations being considered to support the better flow of traffic in the town. These include pedestrianising parts of Hall Street with the exception of loading by goods vehicles, plus a review of on street waiting and loading prohibitions. I’m not a direct decision maker in this process, but I will continue to present views and ideas that are submitted to me to Powys County Council and the Welsh Government.
Montgomery Canal Crash Barrier Repairs
I have recently questioned the Welsh Government on the delays to the repair of the crash barriers at the Montgomery Canal between Garthmyl and Abermule in January.
Whilst I appreciate that there are a number of factors which are impacting upon the repair, I’m not content that it has taken over 6 weeks since the accident to repair the barriers and remove the temporary traffic lights on the A483 between Newtown and Welshpool.
I have discussed the matter with the Transport Minister, and have urged the Welsh Government to make the repair without further delay. I intend to further raise this issue on the floor of the Assembly next week, and request that the Minister provides a timetable for the urgent repair.
Flooding
Clywedog & Vyrnwy Reservoirs Flood Review
Last year, I brought a number of interested people together to discuss concerns relating to flooding and releases from the Clywedog & Vyrnwy Reservoirs. Natural Resources Wales has followed this up by organising a meeting in Newtown which took place last month after my calls for an update on progress. Attendees included a number of constituents who have previously contacted me with flooding concerns attributed to the Vyrnwy and Clywedog rivers.
The consultants undertaking the review were present to provide details on the progress of the review and the information provided by residents will now be fed into the review as scenarios to analyse the possibilities for future releases and reservoir levels for the Clywedog and Vyrnwy dams. The draft report is due to be finalised by the end of this month. A ‘Local Liaison Group’ has been set up. Please contact me should you wish to be involved in the ‘Local Liaison Group’ due to flooding concerns associated to the Clywedog and Vyrnwy rivers.
General Election 2015
Make Your Vote Count
The UK General Election will be held on Thursday May 7th and you cannot vote unless your name is on the Register of Electors.
If you have recently moved house or if your details have changed, you must tell Powys County Council.
Register to vote using the Electoral Commission website or if you prefer to complete a paper application, please contact Electoral Services.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01597 826717
Address:
Electoral Services
Powys County Hall
Spa Road East
Llandrindod Wells
Powys
LD1 5LG
The deadline for receiving applications to register to vote is Monday 20th April.
And finally...
Congratulations Sam!
I was pleased to have the opportunity to raise awareness of the British Red Cross Ebola Emergency Appeal in the National Assembly for Wales this week.
Samuel Lauder, an Environmental Health officer from Newtown, who usually works for Powys County Council, has recently returned from Sierra Leone where he was part of a British Red Cross team helping to tackle the Ebola outbreak.
Sam was deployed on a four week mission as an Infection Prevention and Control health delegate to the International Federation of the Red Cross’ Ebola Treatment Centre in Kenema.
I’m proud that Sam represented Powys by taking part in this project, working alongside national and international staff to rid West Africa of this devastating disease. I was pleased that on raising this issue, the Business Minister Jane Hutt AM, joined me in congratulating Sam!
Surgeries
I have published a full list of surgeries for the coming year. You can find the complete list on my website. Please find below my upcoming dates. Please call my office to make an appointment:
- Saturday 14th March – Llansantffraid – The Lion Hotel – 10am – 11am
- Thursday 19th March – Caersws – Please call for venue – 10am – 11am
- Friday 20th March – Newtown – 13 Parker’s Lane – 10am – 12pm
- Monday 23rd March – Bluebell Inn, Churchstoke – 1pm – 2pm
- Saturday 28th March – Meifod – Community Centre - 11am – 12pm
- Wednesday 1st April – Welshpool – Conservative office – 11am– 12pm
- Wednesday 1st April – Llanidloes – Library – 1.30pm – 3.30pm
- Wednesday 8th April – Llandinam – Please call for venue – 10am – 11am
- Wednesday 15th April – Llangynog – The New Inn – 10am – 11am
- Saturday 18th April – Kerry – Please call for venue – 10am – 11am
I hold more frequent surgeries at my Newtown and Welshpool offices. Please contact my constituency office on 01686 610887 to make an appointment or to discuss any issue you want to raise with me.
Useful Telephone Numbers
Police, Ambulance & Fire – 999
Police Non-Emergency – 101
Powys County Council – 01597 826000
Severn Trent Water – 0800 7834444
Electricity Emergency – 0800 0015400
Gas Emergency – 0800 111999
NHS Enquiries – 0845 46 47
Powys Mental Health – 01686 628300
ShropDoc – 08444 068888
Samaritans – 08457 909090
Citizens Advice – 0845 6018421
Age Cymru – 01686 623707
Best wishes,
Russell George
National Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire
Aelod Cynulliad dros Sir Drefaldwyn