Thursday, March 31, 2005
RIP Jim Callaghan (1912-2005)
Many people more eloquent than ourselves have already paid tribute to Trowbridge and St. Mellons Member of Parliament from 1945 - 1987.
For the benefit of those of us who too young to directly remember the 60's & 70's the 10 Downing Street website offers this brief biography:
The son of a naval chief petty officer, James Callaghan left school at 14. He worked as a tax officer and was later employed by the Inland Revenue Staff Federation.After serving in World War Two he was elected as a Labour MP for Cardiff South in the post-war Labour landslide, and later represented Cardiff South East. He rose steadily through the party in Opposition, and stood for the leadership after Gaitskell's death in 1963, losing with respectable minority support.
As Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1964, Callaghan's decision not to devalue the pound proved disastrous. After devaluation the discredited Callaghan resigned as Chancellor, to become Home Secretary, where he salvaged his reputation.During this time he sent troops to Northern Ireland in 1969 to cope with worsening violence. As a staunch defender of trade unions, he opposed efforts to reform them, earning the title 'keeper of the cloth cap'.
In Opposition Callaghan became Shadow Foreign Secretary, and in government after 1974 it was his job to renegotiate the terms of Britains EC membership. When Harold Wilson resigned unexpectedly, Callaghan was not the favourite to win the leadership, being the oldest candidate at 64. However, he was the least divisive candidate, and won the vote.
As Prime Minister Callaghan presided over a sterling crisis, which led to negotiations with the IMF for a rescue package, but he did keep his Cabinet team together during the controversy over the conditions set. Spending cuts and pay restraint were demanded, but the left wing Labour conference nevertheless voted for more spending.
Things were made more difficult still when Labour's small majority disappeared in 1977, making Labour dependent on the support of the Liberals. However, Callaghan persevered in office even when this pact broke down.
During the 'Winter of Discontent' in 1978, industrial action over pay policy severely damaged the governments authority. The government lost a confidence motion on 28 March 1979 by just one vote a classic piece of high-tension political theatre.Callaghan was obliged to hold a general election, which was won by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Party. As Labour's left wing gained strength in the early 1980s, Callaghan's influence waned, and he resigned as leader after 18 months.He retired from the House of Commons in 1987 and was active in the House of Lords as a life peer.
Lord Callaghan passed away at home in East Sussex on 26 March 2005, one day short of his 93rd birthday. He was the longest living former British PM in history.
A more detailed biography is here
His successor as our Member of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Alun Michael JP, MP said:
"Jim Callaghan personified the link between national leadership and the people. Coming from a poor family, he never forgot his background. He was a trade unionist before he was an MP. And above all his personal roots and loyalty to the people who first elected him in 1945 never wavered – even long after he stood down after 42 years as the MP for Cardiff South & Penarth.
At the heart of our constitution is the relationship between the MP and the constituency – talk of Ministers being "out of touch" ignores the fact that each Minister is also an MP, returning each weekend to family, friends and the people who send us to Parliament. As the only person ever to hold the four Great Offices of State, who better to set the tone for Parliamentary democracy than Jim ?Respected by world leaders for his shrewd insight and sound judgement – the Falklands War could never have happened on his watch - Jim still asked what people were saying in Splott and Llanrumney and Penarth. He held monthly surgeries, took part in the monthly meetings of the Constituency Labour Party and listened to local views passed through a passionately loyal group of supporters - not least his agent Jack (now Lord Brooks of Tremorfa) and his constituency chairman, Gordon Houlston.
This went far beyond public opinion. As Chancellor and Prime Minister, he sought to help the economy of South Wales – the Mint in Llantrisant, Companies House, Fords in Bridgend and many other developments reflected his belief in the need for renewal of our economy. Had the 1979 election not allowed Mrs Thatcher to put a stop to it all, British Rail and Ministry of Defence jobs would have followed to Cardiff.Even in retirement, he continued to be a tower of strength for Cardiff’s future – he knew better than most that the devastating loss of jobs which followed the closure of East Moors required more than incremental change. When the battle raged, he backed the new vision for our capital city which only the Barrage could provide.He also led the search for the right building for the new Welsh Assembly Chamber – and no-one should underestimate Jim’s contribution to the building now under construction in Cardiff Bay – at last.
One commentator said that given a decent majority Jim "could have been" a great Prime Minister. No, Jim was a great prime minister. He gave strong leadership despite having no majority and in the face of overwhelming odds. As a trade unionist, Jim could never have been against the trade unions – but through the tribulations of his final months in office he reminded us that the Labour Movement exists not just to represent its members but also to create a better society and opportunity for all. On that there could be no compromise.Jim’s death, as the longest-living ex-premier, follows close on the death of Audrey who campaigned vigorously for children and on health issues. We salute and remember two wonderful people who gave us so much over the past 60 years.
"The Prime Minister & Leader of the Labour Party pays tribute to his predecessor here.
"He was a patriot, a loyal servant of party and country and a devoted husband and father. His love for Audrey was very special."
Cardiff West AM & Welsh First Minister, the Rt. Hon. Rhodri Morgan AM has also paid tribute.
Other obituaries penned by contemporaries from the Labour governments of the 1960's & 70's include Shirley Williams in the Independent on Sunday, Gerald Kaufman in the Sunday Telegraph and the late Roy Jenkins who penned his obituary for the Sunday Times shortly before his own death.
Representing the younger generation, Tom Watson MP recalls his first meeting with Jim in 1995.
A Book of Condolence has today been opened at City Hall in Cardiff.
Anyone living locally with memories of Jim Callaghan in his days as our MP, or subsequently, is very welcome to post a comment, or email us, and we will pass them onto his children, Margaret, Michael and Julia in due course.
Jim Callaghan was truly representative of the political generation, shaped by the war, whose undogmatic socialist credo, combined with his bluff personality and superb political skills to take him to the Premiership. His tragedy was that his decision to see through his government's programme (including the delivery of devolution for Scotland & Wales), rather than going to the country in 1978, followed by the 'winter of discontent', marked the final phase of the post war social democratic consensus he personified.
A big man in every sense, Jim Callaghan will be warmly remembered and sorely missed.
For the benefit of those of us who too young to directly remember the 60's & 70's the 10 Downing Street website offers this brief biography:
The son of a naval chief petty officer, James Callaghan left school at 14. He worked as a tax officer and was later employed by the Inland Revenue Staff Federation.After serving in World War Two he was elected as a Labour MP for Cardiff South in the post-war Labour landslide, and later represented Cardiff South East. He rose steadily through the party in Opposition, and stood for the leadership after Gaitskell's death in 1963, losing with respectable minority support.
As Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1964, Callaghan's decision not to devalue the pound proved disastrous. After devaluation the discredited Callaghan resigned as Chancellor, to become Home Secretary, where he salvaged his reputation.During this time he sent troops to Northern Ireland in 1969 to cope with worsening violence. As a staunch defender of trade unions, he opposed efforts to reform them, earning the title 'keeper of the cloth cap'.
In Opposition Callaghan became Shadow Foreign Secretary, and in government after 1974 it was his job to renegotiate the terms of Britains EC membership. When Harold Wilson resigned unexpectedly, Callaghan was not the favourite to win the leadership, being the oldest candidate at 64. However, he was the least divisive candidate, and won the vote.
As Prime Minister Callaghan presided over a sterling crisis, which led to negotiations with the IMF for a rescue package, but he did keep his Cabinet team together during the controversy over the conditions set. Spending cuts and pay restraint were demanded, but the left wing Labour conference nevertheless voted for more spending.
Things were made more difficult still when Labour's small majority disappeared in 1977, making Labour dependent on the support of the Liberals. However, Callaghan persevered in office even when this pact broke down.
During the 'Winter of Discontent' in 1978, industrial action over pay policy severely damaged the governments authority. The government lost a confidence motion on 28 March 1979 by just one vote a classic piece of high-tension political theatre.Callaghan was obliged to hold a general election, which was won by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Party. As Labour's left wing gained strength in the early 1980s, Callaghan's influence waned, and he resigned as leader after 18 months.He retired from the House of Commons in 1987 and was active in the House of Lords as a life peer.
Lord Callaghan passed away at home in East Sussex on 26 March 2005, one day short of his 93rd birthday. He was the longest living former British PM in history.
A more detailed biography is here
His successor as our Member of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Alun Michael JP, MP said:
"Jim Callaghan personified the link between national leadership and the people. Coming from a poor family, he never forgot his background. He was a trade unionist before he was an MP. And above all his personal roots and loyalty to the people who first elected him in 1945 never wavered – even long after he stood down after 42 years as the MP for Cardiff South & Penarth.
At the heart of our constitution is the relationship between the MP and the constituency – talk of Ministers being "out of touch" ignores the fact that each Minister is also an MP, returning each weekend to family, friends and the people who send us to Parliament. As the only person ever to hold the four Great Offices of State, who better to set the tone for Parliamentary democracy than Jim ?Respected by world leaders for his shrewd insight and sound judgement – the Falklands War could never have happened on his watch - Jim still asked what people were saying in Splott and Llanrumney and Penarth. He held monthly surgeries, took part in the monthly meetings of the Constituency Labour Party and listened to local views passed through a passionately loyal group of supporters - not least his agent Jack (now Lord Brooks of Tremorfa) and his constituency chairman, Gordon Houlston.
This went far beyond public opinion. As Chancellor and Prime Minister, he sought to help the economy of South Wales – the Mint in Llantrisant, Companies House, Fords in Bridgend and many other developments reflected his belief in the need for renewal of our economy. Had the 1979 election not allowed Mrs Thatcher to put a stop to it all, British Rail and Ministry of Defence jobs would have followed to Cardiff.Even in retirement, he continued to be a tower of strength for Cardiff’s future – he knew better than most that the devastating loss of jobs which followed the closure of East Moors required more than incremental change. When the battle raged, he backed the new vision for our capital city which only the Barrage could provide.He also led the search for the right building for the new Welsh Assembly Chamber – and no-one should underestimate Jim’s contribution to the building now under construction in Cardiff Bay – at last.
One commentator said that given a decent majority Jim "could have been" a great Prime Minister. No, Jim was a great prime minister. He gave strong leadership despite having no majority and in the face of overwhelming odds. As a trade unionist, Jim could never have been against the trade unions – but through the tribulations of his final months in office he reminded us that the Labour Movement exists not just to represent its members but also to create a better society and opportunity for all. On that there could be no compromise.Jim’s death, as the longest-living ex-premier, follows close on the death of Audrey who campaigned vigorously for children and on health issues. We salute and remember two wonderful people who gave us so much over the past 60 years.
"The Prime Minister & Leader of the Labour Party pays tribute to his predecessor here.
"He was a patriot, a loyal servant of party and country and a devoted husband and father. His love for Audrey was very special."
Cardiff West AM & Welsh First Minister, the Rt. Hon. Rhodri Morgan AM has also paid tribute.
Other obituaries penned by contemporaries from the Labour governments of the 1960's & 70's include Shirley Williams in the Independent on Sunday, Gerald Kaufman in the Sunday Telegraph and the late Roy Jenkins who penned his obituary for the Sunday Times shortly before his own death.
Representing the younger generation, Tom Watson MP recalls his first meeting with Jim in 1995.
A Book of Condolence has today been opened at City Hall in Cardiff.
Anyone living locally with memories of Jim Callaghan in his days as our MP, or subsequently, is very welcome to post a comment, or email us, and we will pass them onto his children, Margaret, Michael and Julia in due course.
Jim Callaghan was truly representative of the political generation, shaped by the war, whose undogmatic socialist credo, combined with his bluff personality and superb political skills to take him to the Premiership. His tragedy was that his decision to see through his government's programme (including the delivery of devolution for Scotland & Wales), rather than going to the country in 1978, followed by the 'winter of discontent', marked the final phase of the post war social democratic consensus he personified.
A big man in every sense, Jim Callaghan will be warmly remembered and sorely missed.
Friday, March 18, 2005
Lib Dem Cardiff leisure centre cuts slammed
Lorraine Barrett AM
January/February 05 Councillor’s Report from Cllr. Ralph Cook
Budget & Council Tax: The last month or so has been quite hectic because of the annual budget setting process. In a hung Council the onus falls on each Party Group to work up their own budget proposals but the task was also complicated by the impact of rebanding and revaluation and the threat that Council spending would be capped by the National Assembly if it increased by more than 5.6%.
The Labour Group’s proposals, which were rejected by the Council achieved the target set by the Assembly without hitting frontline services or causing compulsory redundancies and also improved the Council’s Education budget in comparison with the Lib Dem budget. The Lib Dems succeeded with their proposals thanks to the support they received from the Tories. We think the Tory proposals which the Lib Dems included in their final budget do mean that compulsory redundancies are highly likely.
Either way, thanks to the intervention of the Assembly (although I oppose capping on principle) Cardiff’s Council Tax is actually lower than last years although because of revaluation over 80% of households will face an increase of between 16 and 23% on their Council Tax bills.
Schools Re-organisation Consultation: Despite promising improved
Consultation with Cardiff residents the Lib Dems series of school re-organisation consultation meetings were a disaster. Firstly details of the series of meetings were only announced in a press release issued on the 10th of February. Although all Councillors received a copy at the same time as the press, the release was circulated to us as an attachment to the e-mailed daily media brief. As its description suggests the daily media brief is e-mailed on a daily basis and takes about half an hour to read thoroughly. Few Councillors read this (I do) and fewer still actually notice the attachments which appear in small type. I read the relevant media brief but did not see the attachment. Either way this is not an appropriate method of advising Councillors of important meetings/events.
The South Wales Echo published details of the meetings on the 16th of February only four days prior to the first meeting held in Cardiff West which was attended by only 16 parents. The East Cardiff meeting was held the next day (Tuesday 22nd February) and this attracted over 100 people. The following day Cardiff North was attended by only 30 people.
The reason for the very good attendance at the Cardiff East meeting was that Labour in Trowbridge & St. Mellons, Rumney and Llanrumney joined up to publicise the meetings. We produced special leaflets informing parents of the Lib Dems incompetence and the details of the meeting and distributed 1,300 at schools in Trowbridge/St. Mellons, Llanrumney and Rumney.
At the meeting we got some good points across and I hope our constituents understood that their representatives were on their side (as we are) and that we were appalled by the sloppiness of the organisation with respect to the calling and the publicity given to the meetings (which we are).
The message from the parents is that they didn’t trust the Council, that they were concerned about potential school closures and did want to be involved and kept informed.
After initially defending the consultation process in the Echo, the Lib Dem Executive Member in the Council with responsibility for Education has since admitted that the “Council” got it wrong.
Trefaser Crescent: To my dismay I learnt from a resident that the proposal to block up Trefaser Crescent has been shelved. I asked a question in Council about who, why. when and etc. and I am continuing to pursue the issue with the Council and residents.
Trowbridge Shopping Centre: At long last the planning application has been submitted and will go before the Council’s Planning Committee (of which I am a member) sometime in the next couple of months. I will be abstaining in any vote at the planning committee, although I hope to be able to speak on the application.
Miscellaneous:
A few problems have emerged from the work at Hendre Lake and I have been working with residents to sort them out.
Motorbikes I have been approached by a parent whose son’s motorcycle was seized by the police recently. She wants to lease land for “legal” scrambling. I’ve offered to assist on the proviso that I will not support a site located near homes or where the police oppose.
The Labour Group’s proposals, which were rejected by the Council achieved the target set by the Assembly without hitting frontline services or causing compulsory redundancies and also improved the Council’s Education budget in comparison with the Lib Dem budget. The Lib Dems succeeded with their proposals thanks to the support they received from the Tories. We think the Tory proposals which the Lib Dems included in their final budget do mean that compulsory redundancies are highly likely.
Either way, thanks to the intervention of the Assembly (although I oppose capping on principle) Cardiff’s Council Tax is actually lower than last years although because of revaluation over 80% of households will face an increase of between 16 and 23% on their Council Tax bills.
Schools Re-organisation Consultation: Despite promising improved
Consultation with Cardiff residents the Lib Dems series of school re-organisation consultation meetings were a disaster. Firstly details of the series of meetings were only announced in a press release issued on the 10th of February. Although all Councillors received a copy at the same time as the press, the release was circulated to us as an attachment to the e-mailed daily media brief. As its description suggests the daily media brief is e-mailed on a daily basis and takes about half an hour to read thoroughly. Few Councillors read this (I do) and fewer still actually notice the attachments which appear in small type. I read the relevant media brief but did not see the attachment. Either way this is not an appropriate method of advising Councillors of important meetings/events.
The South Wales Echo published details of the meetings on the 16th of February only four days prior to the first meeting held in Cardiff West which was attended by only 16 parents. The East Cardiff meeting was held the next day (Tuesday 22nd February) and this attracted over 100 people. The following day Cardiff North was attended by only 30 people.
The reason for the very good attendance at the Cardiff East meeting was that Labour in Trowbridge & St. Mellons, Rumney and Llanrumney joined up to publicise the meetings. We produced special leaflets informing parents of the Lib Dems incompetence and the details of the meeting and distributed 1,300 at schools in Trowbridge/St. Mellons, Llanrumney and Rumney.
At the meeting we got some good points across and I hope our constituents understood that their representatives were on their side (as we are) and that we were appalled by the sloppiness of the organisation with respect to the calling and the publicity given to the meetings (which we are).
The message from the parents is that they didn’t trust the Council, that they were concerned about potential school closures and did want to be involved and kept informed.
After initially defending the consultation process in the Echo, the Lib Dem Executive Member in the Council with responsibility for Education has since admitted that the “Council” got it wrong.
Trefaser Crescent: To my dismay I learnt from a resident that the proposal to block up Trefaser Crescent has been shelved. I asked a question in Council about who, why. when and etc. and I am continuing to pursue the issue with the Council and residents.
Trowbridge Shopping Centre: At long last the planning application has been submitted and will go before the Council’s Planning Committee (of which I am a member) sometime in the next couple of months. I will be abstaining in any vote at the planning committee, although I hope to be able to speak on the application.
Miscellaneous:
A few problems have emerged from the work at Hendre Lake and I have been working with residents to sort them out.
Motorbikes I have been approached by a parent whose son’s motorcycle was seized by the police recently. She wants to lease land for “legal” scrambling. I’ve offered to assist on the proviso that I will not support a site located near homes or where the police oppose.
Rubbish in Trowbridge
Residents have, rightly, been complaining about the build up of fly-tipped domestic rubbish on Trefaser Crescent and the Treynewdd Road site. We have been trying to get these two areas cleaned by the Council with little success so far but we have been promised a “clean and clear” for this weekend (12 &13 March).
However, Trowbridge is gradually improving and we have been more successful in getting rubbish cleared from other parts of Trowbridge where development is not taking place. I have also been talking to Tesco about picking up shopping trolleys dumped in Trowbridge.
Cllr. Monica Walsh
However, Trowbridge is gradually improving and we have been more successful in getting rubbish cleared from other parts of Trowbridge where development is not taking place. I have also been talking to Tesco about picking up shopping trolleys dumped in Trowbridge.
Cllr. Monica Walsh
The Lib Dems won the June 2004 Cardiff Council elections, how have they done?
The Liberal Democrats in Cardiff are a populist party that fought a highly personalised campaign against the former Leader of the Council, Russell Goodway, during the last Labour Administration. One dimensional political campaigning and a lack of experience in exercising power has resulted in an unimaginative Liberal Democrat Council more interested in popularity than decision-making.
As a first step the Liberal Democrats dismantled the Council’s decision-making structures in the expectation of replacing them with a complex committee structure this year, then the National Assembly for Wales stopped their plans because they were undemocratic! Decisions are taken by a seven person Executive but unlike the Labour Administration no one Executive Member is personally responsible for decisions making it difficult to hold the Executive to account for their actions.
In July the Lib Dems denied Labour (with 27 Councillors) seats on the powerful Welsh Local Government Association yet gave the Tories and Plaid Cymru (who between them had only 15 Councillors) three seats.
In autumn the Lib Dems launched a process that will probably lead to school closures. A series of public consultation meetings were held in February but the Council failed to publicise them properly and only 150 people turned up to the three meetings, reducing the value of holding them.
In September Labour Councillors revealed e-mail evidence of an attempt to mislead the residents of Splott. Although cleared of breaching the Councillors Code of Conduct, the Lib Dem Deputy Leader, Cllr. Judith Woodman, agreed the wording of her e-mail to a colleague was “ill-advised”. Then Cllr. Jane Reece left the Lib Dems criticising Council Leader, Rodney Berman and Deputy Leader, Judith Woodman of not dealing with issues she had taken to them.
The Lib Dems tried to blame Labour in the Assembly for increasing Council Tax but their fox was shot when it was realised the Lib Dems were trying to hide unnecessary increases in the Council’s budget behind the smokescreen of revaluation.
As a first step the Liberal Democrats dismantled the Council’s decision-making structures in the expectation of replacing them with a complex committee structure this year, then the National Assembly for Wales stopped their plans because they were undemocratic! Decisions are taken by a seven person Executive but unlike the Labour Administration no one Executive Member is personally responsible for decisions making it difficult to hold the Executive to account for their actions.
In July the Lib Dems denied Labour (with 27 Councillors) seats on the powerful Welsh Local Government Association yet gave the Tories and Plaid Cymru (who between them had only 15 Councillors) three seats.
In autumn the Lib Dems launched a process that will probably lead to school closures. A series of public consultation meetings were held in February but the Council failed to publicise them properly and only 150 people turned up to the three meetings, reducing the value of holding them.
In September Labour Councillors revealed e-mail evidence of an attempt to mislead the residents of Splott. Although cleared of breaching the Councillors Code of Conduct, the Lib Dem Deputy Leader, Cllr. Judith Woodman, agreed the wording of her e-mail to a colleague was “ill-advised”. Then Cllr. Jane Reece left the Lib Dems criticising Council Leader, Rodney Berman and Deputy Leader, Judith Woodman of not dealing with issues she had taken to them.
The Lib Dems tried to blame Labour in the Assembly for increasing Council Tax but their fox was shot when it was realised the Lib Dems were trying to hide unnecessary increases in the Council’s budget behind the smokescreen of revaluation.
News in brief
• Your Councillors are investigating why plans to stop-up Trefaser Crescent as part of the Trowbridge Green Environmental Improvement programme have been shelved.
• The Council has submitted its plans for the redevelopment of the Trowbridge Shopping Centre site to the Planning Department. Some concerns, mainly about the positioning of the block of flats at the junction of Aberdaren and Caernarvon Way, have been expressed by residents and Cllrs. English and Walsh are handling these. Cllr. Cook is on the Council’s Planning Committee but will be "declaring an interest" when the plans come before the Committee.
• The Trowbridge & St. Mellons Labour Party extends a warm welcome to Inspector Alex Chadd the new Police Inspector for Trowbridge, based at Rumney Police Station. He recently joined Councillor Ralph Cook on a tour of the Ward to obtain a “Councillor’s eye-view” of the area.
• We support the local police securing an Anti-Social Behaviour Order against a young Trowbridge man with a history of unacceptable activity in the area.
• The final phase of the work on the eastern end of Hendre Park is to be completed this year. 75,000 tons of silt have been dredged from the lake to create deep areas for fish and new paths have been laid. A bridge across the sluicegate, to be built this year, will enable visitors to walk around the lake safely.
• The Council has submitted its plans for the redevelopment of the Trowbridge Shopping Centre site to the Planning Department. Some concerns, mainly about the positioning of the block of flats at the junction of Aberdaren and Caernarvon Way, have been expressed by residents and Cllrs. English and Walsh are handling these. Cllr. Cook is on the Council’s Planning Committee but will be "declaring an interest" when the plans come before the Committee.
• The Trowbridge & St. Mellons Labour Party extends a warm welcome to Inspector Alex Chadd the new Police Inspector for Trowbridge, based at Rumney Police Station. He recently joined Councillor Ralph Cook on a tour of the Ward to obtain a “Councillor’s eye-view” of the area.
• We support the local police securing an Anti-Social Behaviour Order against a young Trowbridge man with a history of unacceptable activity in the area.
• The final phase of the work on the eastern end of Hendre Park is to be completed this year. 75,000 tons of silt have been dredged from the lake to create deep areas for fish and new paths have been laid. A bridge across the sluicegate, to be built this year, will enable visitors to walk around the lake safely.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
News in brief
Cllr.Ralph Cook accompanied another horse catch in St. Mellons and Trowbridge on a stormy night at the end of January. Only one horse was captured- the next day Ralph found 17 horses in the area. Ralph also took part in Radio 4's "You and Yours" programme on the subject of stray horse in Frbruary. The Lib-Dems Council Executive Member for the environment has said he needs more evidence to justify anti-social behaviour orders against horse owners!
Inspt. Alex Chadd of St. Mellons Police reports that February 28th is the date when all horses, ponies and donkeys are legally required to have "passports". The passport is required when horse are moved into or out of Britain; at competitions; when it moves to a new keeper; when it is taken to a abattoir; when sold , or when it is used for breeding purposes. Not having a passport may lead to £5,000 fine, or a custodial prison sentence for the owner.
A bid for £800.000 has been made to the Council's Capital Programme to modernise the St. Mellons Community Education Centre. This arose from local Councillors argument that some of the income from the sale of land formerly ear-marked for a High School should be used in St. Mellons.
Councillor Monica Walsh has raised complaints about the condition of local roads ( Willowbrook Drive, Willowdene Way, Cypress Drive, Brookfield Drive and harrisons Drive ) which are deteriorating. We have asked what has happened to the schedule of pothole inspections established when Labour ran the Council.
The Lib-Dems factually inaccurate public consultation on Council Tax, which cost the Council at least£20,000, revealed exactly what we told them it would reveal: Council Tax payers do not want above inflation Council Tax increases!
Inspt. Alex Chadd of St. Mellons Police reports that February 28th is the date when all horses, ponies and donkeys are legally required to have "passports". The passport is required when horse are moved into or out of Britain; at competitions; when it moves to a new keeper; when it is taken to a abattoir; when sold , or when it is used for breeding purposes. Not having a passport may lead to £5,000 fine, or a custodial prison sentence for the owner.
A bid for £800.000 has been made to the Council's Capital Programme to modernise the St. Mellons Community Education Centre. This arose from local Councillors argument that some of the income from the sale of land formerly ear-marked for a High School should be used in St. Mellons.
Councillor Monica Walsh has raised complaints about the condition of local roads ( Willowbrook Drive, Willowdene Way, Cypress Drive, Brookfield Drive and harrisons Drive ) which are deteriorating. We have asked what has happened to the schedule of pothole inspections established when Labour ran the Council.
The Lib-Dems factually inaccurate public consultation on Council Tax, which cost the Council at least£20,000, revealed exactly what we told them it would reveal: Council Tax payers do not want above inflation Council Tax increases!
Liberal Democrats make a mess of public consultation on schools
The Liberal Democrats who marginally won control of Cardiff County Council in last June's local elections promised voters a more open and honest and listening Council. Sadly they have fallen at the first major hurdel - consultation with parents and Councillors over thier school re-organisation plan.
First they hid the details of a series of local public meetings from Councillors in ae-mail daily media brief that few Councillors need to check.
Worse still the details fo the meeting were released not to schools but to the South Wales Echo which published them on the 16th of February - in the middle of the half-term holiday. Finally the date for the meeting in east Cardiff (22nd February ), was the first day back at school.
To ensure local parents were aware of the meeting your Councillors produced and distributed leaflets about it outside schools in St. Mellons and Trowbridge. But many parents will have been unable toarrange child-care at short notice and and were, in effect, excluded from discussing thier children's future education. If Labour were still running the Council we would have had to look at reorganising schools but I'm certain we would have got the public consultation exercise right!
On an economic analysis alone, school closures may prove to be necessary. However children in areas of deprivation like St. Melloms and Trowbridge will benefit from attending small schools. Therefore we have a strong case to argue against any school closures in the ward.
Cllr Ralph Cook
First they hid the details of a series of local public meetings from Councillors in ae-mail daily media brief that few Councillors need to check.
Worse still the details fo the meeting were released not to schools but to the South Wales Echo which published them on the 16th of February - in the middle of the half-term holiday. Finally the date for the meeting in east Cardiff (22nd February ), was the first day back at school.
To ensure local parents were aware of the meeting your Councillors produced and distributed leaflets about it outside schools in St. Mellons and Trowbridge. But many parents will have been unable toarrange child-care at short notice and and were, in effect, excluded from discussing thier children's future education. If Labour were still running the Council we would have had to look at reorganising schools but I'm certain we would have got the public consultation exercise right!
On an economic analysis alone, school closures may prove to be necessary. However children in areas of deprivation like St. Melloms and Trowbridge will benefit from attending small schools. Therefore we have a strong case to argue against any school closures in the ward.
Cllr Ralph Cook
Editor's Comments From the "St. Mellons Rose"
Your Councillors have been heavily involved in resisting attempts by the Liberal Democrats to unnecessarily increase Council spending (which increases Council Tax). In Council where no one Political Party has overall control the involvement of every Councillor counts. Additionally many of the early successes achieved by your Councillors before last years election have reached crucial stages and since Labour lost power in the Council a close eye is required on the progress of these projects.
As a result of this increased Council related activity, your Councillors have not been able to deliver both newsletters published since the local elections last June to every part of St. Mellons. The three arease affected will receive back copies of missed newsletters with this edition.
Schools ae very high on the Councillors list of priorities. Some school closures are the likely result of the Lib Dems school re-organisation plan. Your Councllors have already agreed that as children in deprived Wards benefit from attending small school they will be fighting any proposels to close primary schools in St.Mellons and to support Llanrumney and Rumney Councillors in thier effort to protect Rumney and Llanrumney High School.
I hope you enjoy this issue of St. Mellons Labour Rose, comments are welcome.
Maria Lester, Editor of the St. Mellons Labour Rose.
As a result of this increased Council related activity, your Councillors have not been able to deliver both newsletters published since the local elections last June to every part of St. Mellons. The three arease affected will receive back copies of missed newsletters with this edition.
Schools ae very high on the Councillors list of priorities. Some school closures are the likely result of the Lib Dems school re-organisation plan. Your Councllors have already agreed that as children in deprived Wards benefit from attending small school they will be fighting any proposels to close primary schools in St.Mellons and to support Llanrumney and Rumney Councillors in thier effort to protect Rumney and Llanrumney High School.
I hope you enjoy this issue of St. Mellons Labour Rose, comments are welcome.
Maria Lester, Editor of the St. Mellons Labour Rose.
