Im sure everyone has been following the continuing story of the lost millions of local authorities that have dissappeared in the thermal springs of iceland.
thats the country not the frozen food company btw.
what staggers me is the explanations eminating from powys hq and especially those attributed to chief exec mark kerr.
first after the fall out of the lights out situation he states in print that a immediate u turn by switching the lights back on would make the council look indecisive and weak.
Why not try bumbling and untrustworthy mark.
Then he tries to explain the loss of the icelandic investments as part of the day to day 'managing' of finances.
If they knew that the credit crunch was biting and lets face it most of us have known the economy was in trouble for over a year with house prices falling alongside their sales as well as standard and poors rating of icelandic offshore investments as high risk then why were they not withdrawing the maximum amount each day!!!
Ok so their might have been risk in investing the withdrawn sums in uk banks and institutions but at least if they were managing daily they could of moved the sums around in a diversified portfolio like most private investors do.
Both kerr and michael evans seem to think that as since its only a 'reserve' fund that is kept for emergancies then it is no great loss but then they turn round and state the annual budget recieved from cardiff bay is again inadequate to run all services.
surely this 'reserve' could of been withdrawn and used to cover the short fall in the street lighting budget.I would say that is sufficent enough of an emergancy.
All this on top of mark kerrs arrogance when he stood in front of protesting bus companies drivers and prevented them from demonstrating the potential loss of their livelihoods when the contract was 'awarded' to veoila is a step too far and like all fair minded citizens of powys demand that mark kerr does the decent thing and resigns with immediate affect and without a compensation package offered to him.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
small victory for some greater loss for others.
So the result is in.
The gwynfa hostel has been approved, although in reality it was never going to be prevented as powys are committed to these ventures by their paymasters in cardiff and to money saving by offloading properties they no longer utilise.
David Peters on his blog heralds it as a victory against harold nichols tories and their xenophobia but also then points out that a similar venture in llandod failed due in large to its mis management.
well this is exactly what some of the local residents who are long term powys tax payers have been concerned about.
do mid wales haousing association have authority to turf people out if they are unruly,if this scenario happens where will they then go,will they be intergrated into the community by taking accomadation with local landlords such as harold nichols.
we all know that more will be known in time but as large numbers of local residents areelderly and infirm will it affect their immediate quality of life.
The gwynfa hostel has been approved, although in reality it was never going to be prevented as powys are committed to these ventures by their paymasters in cardiff and to money saving by offloading properties they no longer utilise.
David Peters on his blog heralds it as a victory against harold nichols tories and their xenophobia but also then points out that a similar venture in llandod failed due in large to its mis management.
well this is exactly what some of the local residents who are long term powys tax payers have been concerned about.
do mid wales haousing association have authority to turf people out if they are unruly,if this scenario happens where will they then go,will they be intergrated into the community by taking accomadation with local landlords such as harold nichols.
we all know that more will be known in time but as large numbers of local residents areelderly and infirm will it affect their immediate quality of life.
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
change of tac or true meaning
Today is the meeting at powys hq on the gwynfa hostel planning application.
Cllr gary price continued to drum up support yesterday with a mail shot but todays weather may have a bearing on the attendance of locals.
This imminent meeting has seemed to bring a change of direction or a slip from the self appointed champion of the residents of Lant avenue the saintly harold Nichols in the letter page of the B&R in which he now seeems to apportion blame at powys for taking up the option of an hostel for whoever? or as harold likes to call them 'non local drug users and general scum' when there are sixty flats available in town for rent.
This seems very odd as we all read harolds campaigning as keeping out a certain element from llandod and not as relayed to some by Cllr gary price who claims that the reason local landlords would not accomadate homeless or dss was because of the trouble they had done to landlords properties in the past.
The trouble with this appication all along is that powys are commited to welsh assembley govt to find accomadation for homeless single persons.
Whether there are any should be known by social services.
Whether gwynfa situated as it is in a residential area is suitable is a big question that possibly will only be known in time.
If not utilised by this application it will be offered by powys for some other use as they're commited to saving money and offloading properties that they no longer need.
the role of the housing association is also questionable as they have probably acquired a bargain even in todays dropping market.
all told this issue was never going to favour everyone,and the best intentions can frequently cause greater losses and further divide communities.
Cllr gary price continued to drum up support yesterday with a mail shot but todays weather may have a bearing on the attendance of locals.
This imminent meeting has seemed to bring a change of direction or a slip from the self appointed champion of the residents of Lant avenue the saintly harold Nichols in the letter page of the B&R in which he now seeems to apportion blame at powys for taking up the option of an hostel for whoever? or as harold likes to call them 'non local drug users and general scum' when there are sixty flats available in town for rent.
This seems very odd as we all read harolds campaigning as keeping out a certain element from llandod and not as relayed to some by Cllr gary price who claims that the reason local landlords would not accomadate homeless or dss was because of the trouble they had done to landlords properties in the past.
The trouble with this appication all along is that powys are commited to welsh assembley govt to find accomadation for homeless single persons.
Whether there are any should be known by social services.
Whether gwynfa situated as it is in a residential area is suitable is a big question that possibly will only be known in time.
If not utilised by this application it will be offered by powys for some other use as they're commited to saving money and offloading properties that they no longer need.
the role of the housing association is also questionable as they have probably acquired a bargain even in todays dropping market.
all told this issue was never going to favour everyone,and the best intentions can frequently cause greater losses and further divide communities.
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
out of darkness comes.....
The protestations against the blackout is still continuing andindeed growing to such an extent that the County times is warning residents in montgomeryshire that it may arrive at a neighbourhood near you!!!!
so does this mean that radnorshire was part of an experiment, seems odd as cllr millington of howey has stated that county hall is lit up through the night like a blackpool illumination.
Also strange is the new recycling centre adjacent to the new road which has security gates in the form of bollards and a swing gate a lovely surround fence,street light poles which number around 4 to 6 and a grass verge.Now we suppose the cost of this has been met by tesco who as we all know had to pay for the road.
If it wasnt paid by tescos and by the tax payers instead then this is another place where street lighting costs could be saved as the tax payer will be paying for them once they are in use!!
Also why, if the council are so intent on saving money did they permit the erection of a victorian style street lamp in the new one way streeting design in high street.
This little project has always flummuxed us as it seems unnecessary and has not contributed to the greater good or provided better facilities for the busy gwalia junction where access to the precious rock park area is severely tested.
All in all there is too much hypocrisy and money wating of tax payers money by powys county council.
so does this mean that radnorshire was part of an experiment, seems odd as cllr millington of howey has stated that county hall is lit up through the night like a blackpool illumination.
Also strange is the new recycling centre adjacent to the new road which has security gates in the form of bollards and a swing gate a lovely surround fence,street light poles which number around 4 to 6 and a grass verge.Now we suppose the cost of this has been met by tesco who as we all know had to pay for the road.
If it wasnt paid by tescos and by the tax payers instead then this is another place where street lighting costs could be saved as the tax payer will be paying for them once they are in use!!
Also why, if the council are so intent on saving money did they permit the erection of a victorian style street lamp in the new one way streeting design in high street.
This little project has always flummuxed us as it seems unnecessary and has not contributed to the greater good or provided better facilities for the busy gwalia junction where access to the precious rock park area is severely tested.
All in all there is too much hypocrisy and money wating of tax payers money by powys county council.
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
wrong season or silly season
the inevitable public reaction has started in the local press regarding the switch off of the street lights.
It has even brought claims of civil disobiediance by some including a certain gentleman who not only claims he can get 200 fellow drivers to fill powys car park at 6am in the morning as aprotest and no doubt a first,but a threat of if the lighting is not restored to full capacity then residents will stop recycling.
the car park takeover is a grand idea however the recycling stoppage is a no brainer and must not be allowed to get off the ground as if powys and its residents do not meet wales assembley govt targets for recycling then the authority will be punished which will inevitably be passed on to the residents.
Also Cllr david peters pours scorn and a certain mockery at cllr prices',i believe genuine concern over tha darkness from the lack of lighting in certain areas of town.
It should be remembered in the more populated areas of llandod and especially the trefonnen estate safety to its citizens should not be trifled with as recently a property adjacent to the main thouroughfare was the scene of potentially a fatal accident.
The question is did powys conduct a risk assesment with regard to the switching off!!
cllr tampin in the press has encouraged victimsof potential accidents to lodge a civil lawsuit against the council in such an event.
Potentialy costly on all counts!!
This is an issue that is concernng many and should not be underestimated the gravitas of these concerns.
here in llandod comprimises could be found by switching off lights at powys car park,the defra office during holidays and weekends,aldi car park which may also help put a stop to the bi weekly boy racer burn ups,and at the hospital car park far end as few cars park their throughout the night.
It has even brought claims of civil disobiediance by some including a certain gentleman who not only claims he can get 200 fellow drivers to fill powys car park at 6am in the morning as aprotest and no doubt a first,but a threat of if the lighting is not restored to full capacity then residents will stop recycling.
the car park takeover is a grand idea however the recycling stoppage is a no brainer and must not be allowed to get off the ground as if powys and its residents do not meet wales assembley govt targets for recycling then the authority will be punished which will inevitably be passed on to the residents.
Also Cllr david peters pours scorn and a certain mockery at cllr prices',i believe genuine concern over tha darkness from the lack of lighting in certain areas of town.
It should be remembered in the more populated areas of llandod and especially the trefonnen estate safety to its citizens should not be trifled with as recently a property adjacent to the main thouroughfare was the scene of potentially a fatal accident.
The question is did powys conduct a risk assesment with regard to the switching off!!
cllr tampin in the press has encouraged victimsof potential accidents to lodge a civil lawsuit against the council in such an event.
Potentialy costly on all counts!!
This is an issue that is concernng many and should not be underestimated the gravitas of these concerns.
here in llandod comprimises could be found by switching off lights at powys car park,the defra office during holidays and weekends,aldi car park which may also help put a stop to the bi weekly boy racer burn ups,and at the hospital car park far end as few cars park their throughout the night.
Thursday, 11 September 2008
ecological shining beacon or not so bright
Powys county council have this week implemented their money saving 'inititive' by cutting down on the number of street lights in use by switching off one in every three.
This inititive was prompted as a money saving exercise and more dissapointingly as an ecological saving inititive.which should of been the main reason.However,
the good burghers of powys were notified and asked to vote on the matter and we guess the outcome voted in favour.
However this dark damp september is not the time to start it as apart from the weather the natural light is starting to fade.This would of been a much better option in the 'summer' months when despite the awfull weather it would have been more efficent and safer.
despite writing that, all efforts to save the planet and money should be applauded although a better execution by the council would have gone down better.
What also should follow progressively is greater savings could be and should be made by switching off the lighting at Powys HQ carpark, which are left on through out the night.The council never cease to astound me.
The same goes for DEFRA where during the xmas holidays the office lights stayed on 24 hrs throughout.
This inititive was prompted as a money saving exercise and more dissapointingly as an ecological saving inititive.which should of been the main reason.However,
the good burghers of powys were notified and asked to vote on the matter and we guess the outcome voted in favour.
However this dark damp september is not the time to start it as apart from the weather the natural light is starting to fade.This would of been a much better option in the 'summer' months when despite the awfull weather it would have been more efficent and safer.
despite writing that, all efforts to save the planet and money should be applauded although a better execution by the council would have gone down better.
What also should follow progressively is greater savings could be and should be made by switching off the lighting at Powys HQ carpark, which are left on through out the night.The council never cease to astound me.
The same goes for DEFRA where during the xmas holidays the office lights stayed on 24 hrs throughout.
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
the gwynfa hostel
the big story in llandod of late is the proposed siting of a temporary homeless hostel at the bottom of lant avenue in the former pcc offices.
Powys have a precept from welsh assembley govt to havefacilities to house homeless.
llandod already has such a facility for families in the fairview flats on temple street but needs a place for homeless single youngsters.
of course there are two sides to every story and it is not always easy to find the truth,whether there is a need for such a facility for 'local' homeless is the crux of the issue, as david peters writes on his blog,daifull pelt.blogspot there are llandod youngsters who 'couch surf' at friends as they have no other shelter,he claims they have to find a new address most nights and they may number up to ten,if this is infact correct then of curse there is a need for this facility although there ismuch debate in the local press about what constitutes locals, local to llandod,radnorshire or powys and beyond.
vehmently opposing this facility is local landlord and tory supporter harold nichols who ironicly has emptyflats available and housed various dss claimaints during the 1980'sand 90's but like other landlords in the town now ,according to cllr gary price refuses to accomadate owing to their poor behaviour in the past.
one of the requirements for such a facility is alack of available properties but what happens when they are available but when the landlords are unwilling to let them to certain claimants is unsure.
Harold has promoted himself as spokesman for the local residents,who exactly granted that is unclear but what is the time and effort he has put in canvassing and writing to the local press.
finally,the planning meeting for this proposal was deferred as the council needed to view the police report into the callout numbers to such properties and the impact on the locals,surely this should of been sorted out before the meeting.
Powys have a precept from welsh assembley govt to havefacilities to house homeless.
llandod already has such a facility for families in the fairview flats on temple street but needs a place for homeless single youngsters.
of course there are two sides to every story and it is not always easy to find the truth,whether there is a need for such a facility for 'local' homeless is the crux of the issue, as david peters writes on his blog,daifull pelt.blogspot there are llandod youngsters who 'couch surf' at friends as they have no other shelter,he claims they have to find a new address most nights and they may number up to ten,if this is infact correct then of curse there is a need for this facility although there ismuch debate in the local press about what constitutes locals, local to llandod,radnorshire or powys and beyond.
vehmently opposing this facility is local landlord and tory supporter harold nichols who ironicly has emptyflats available and housed various dss claimaints during the 1980'sand 90's but like other landlords in the town now ,according to cllr gary price refuses to accomadate owing to their poor behaviour in the past.
one of the requirements for such a facility is alack of available properties but what happens when they are available but when the landlords are unwilling to let them to certain claimants is unsure.
Harold has promoted himself as spokesman for the local residents,who exactly granted that is unclear but what is the time and effort he has put in canvassing and writing to the local press.
finally,the planning meeting for this proposal was deferred as the council needed to view the police report into the callout numbers to such properties and the impact on the locals,surely this should of been sorted out before the meeting.
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