WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Carwyn pushing for more powerful Wales in 2010

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Carwyn pushing for more powerful Wales in 2010: "“In 2009 we faced tough economic challenges, but our core values of social justice have served us well.
“I was brought up to respect the idea of chwarae teg, fair play – and now we are able to ensure Wales’ strong sense of social responsibility and justice guide our young democracy.
“By working together in that spirit we are weathering the storm, and during the coming year we will continue the task of building the economy we need to ensure prosperity for all."


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We need new sustainable housing and jobs, not hot air and £millions being squandered on 'art', offices and shipping stuff over to the US.

Honours List: Order of the British Empire, OBE (names L-Z) - Home News, UK - The Independent

Honours List: Order of the British Empire, OBE (names L-Z) - Home News, UK - The Independent: "Edmund Caerwyn Roberts, MBE. Chairman, Snowdonia National Park Authority. For services to the community in Gwynedd. (Harlech, Gwynedd)"


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I predict that 2010 will an 'interesting' year for Caerwyn.

WalesOnline - News - World News - Wales must apply its own pressure on China over human rights, say activists

WalesOnline - News - World News - Wales must apply its own pressure on China over human rights, say activists: "It argues that the 4,030g of smuggled heroin could have resulted in 26,800 deaths. The execution by lethal injection of someone responsible for such a load is not considered an affront to human rights"


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This man was arrested two years ago, no evidence of innocence was forthcoming despite this period which we can only assume is provided for such a purpose.

This man knew the penalty for being caught was death, that is Chinese law. The death penalty also exists in the US and other countries, some people in the UK believe we need a deterrent which does actually deter rather than foster further crime.

Please move on.

Saturday, 26 December 2009 - Herald Scotland | Comment | Herald Letters

Saturday, 26 December 2009 - Herald Scotland | Comment | Herald Letters: "As the SNP, and Plaid Cymru for Wales, are significant bona-fide participants at Westminster, they are entitled to take part in the televised debates, indeed, they are duty-bound to have a presence to put forward the views of the countries they represent, which can be contrary to the Unionist parties’ views about Scotland and Wales, and they deserve to be heard also by the English."


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I am confused, you want independence but you still want to be heard by the English?

As a Welshman I find that to be an oxymoron.

North Wales Police | Our Vision "A Safer North Wales" | http://www.north-wales.police.uk

North Wales Police | Our Vision "A Safer North Wales" | http://www.north-wales.police.uk: "“Our text messaging service has been a huge success,” said PC Dewi Wynne from the Meirionnydd Neighbourhood Policing Team.
“Since the launch back in the summer, the feedback we’ve received has been very positive. We have hundreds of Farmwatch members who have all signed up to receive a text message as soon as anything suspicious has been reported to police in the area.”"


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If we text the police every time we see a farmer's son driving like a madman will anything be done about it?

Wales: Funding deal under fire as S4C sees budget rise of just 0.3%

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-news/tm_campaign=Wales_email_business%3A20091224%26headline=funding-deal-under-fire-as-s4c-sees-budget-rise-of-just-0-3%26method=full%26objectid=25461461%26siteid=91466-name_page.html?campaign=Wales%5Femail%5Fbusiness%3A20091224

Labour’s heritage spokesman in Wales, AM Alun Davies, said the channel was not receiving a fair funding deal from the DCMS against the back drop of the challenges of the switchover to digital and above CPI inflation television production costs.

Mr Davies, a former S4C executive, said: “S4C has been treated quite badly by the DCMS over a number of years.

“Even in the good years of funding it didn’t keep up with the increasing costs of broadcasting.

“S4C is also the only terrestrial broadcaster not to be given a digital dividend to help prepare for digital switchover. Life has been made more difficult for S4C and the DCMS should look to make sure it can help it compete effectively in a digital world.”

Mr Davies said S4C was more than just a broadcaster, but key in helping to create and develop a more dynamic creative industries sector in Wales.

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Pathetic viewing figures and awful programmes interspersed with English language advertising, what is the point? Apart from some selective coverage of the Royal Welsh Show I fail to see why it exists. Time to kill S4C off or demand higher contributions from the minority audience?

It cannot go on because we can't afford it.

:: Snowdonia National Park

:: Snowdonia National Park: "We have made repeated requests to meet Kemble - they have refused to meet us and they will not answer letters about their intentions. They simply prefer to issue press releases attacking environmental charities. The National Park Authority is being kept in the dark too. Why won't Kemble come clean about their plans"


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Who cares? Locals need jobs and homes, not grass!!

BBC News - Welsh aid for Uganda aid despite gay death penalty plan

BBC News - Welsh aid for Uganda aid despite gay death penalty plan: "The £75,000 from the assembly government will help volunteers from the Pont project in Pontypridd, which has been linked with Mbale for three years."


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What on earth are we doing spending money abroad when our own people are so in need?

BBC News - Plaid complains over TV debates

BBC News - Plaid complains over TV debates: "But Elfyn Llwyd said it did not matter what 'might or might not be cobbled together in the future to appease us in Wales... we've been left out.'"


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Can Elfyn Llwyd name a few other minority parties which have also been left out?

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - ‘Wales must take stronger measures to cut greenhouse gases ’

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - ‘Wales must take stronger measures to cut greenhouse gases ’: "“The Assembly Government’s recent decision to set a target of cutting emissions by 40%, from 1990 levels, by 2020 is an important step in the right direction.
“To achieve it though will require stronger policies than the ones that are currently on the table.”"


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Wales is mostly rural with grass and trees all over the place, the vast majority of Welsh people can't afford to run a gas guzzler.

Realistically, what difference can Wales make? We are poor enough as it is!!

BBC News - Sprinklers in new homes proposal

BBC News - Sprinklers in new homes proposal: "A 'Welsh law' to require builders to install sprinkler systems in all new homes in Wales has won the support of MPs after a request by an AM."


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How much is this going to cost? Has a cost/benefit analysis been carried out?

What are the downsides of having your house waterlogged when a system is faulty or goes off when some moron thinks it might be fun?

Wales is fast becoming a laughing stock what with the only UK tax on plastic bags.

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Wales right up against it to meet carbon cuts target

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Wales right up against it to meet carbon cuts target: "CARBON emissions in Wales will need to come down substantially in 2010 if the Assembly Government is to meet its own target, a new report says."


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How does building offices all over the shop cut emissions?

I drive past various public body offices at night and the lights are all on.

Public sector workers travel to the same meetings in separate cars, are they unable to share a car in order to reduce fuel waste and expenses?

As the main employer in Wales is the public sector you should take a look at your own carbon footprint before waving the finger at those who pay your wages and are burdened with your unaffordable pension scheme.

BBC News - Marketing call as tourism falls

BBC News - Marketing call as tourism falls: "'It is particularly worrying that fewer people from the UK have decided to holiday in Wales.'"


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Given that there is hardly anything for visitors, children in particular, to do when it rains these figures are not newsworthy.

The problem as I see it is the myopic planners and the nationalist political will opposing any development which caters for 'incomers'.

For North Wales the future looks paticularly bleak.

Plaid MP calls for devolution of Welsh justice system - politics.co.uk

Plaid MP calls for devolution of Welsh justice system - politics.co.uk: "“A great deal of progress has been made and I am firmly of the opinion that had we a separate jurisdiction for Wales we would by now have the right to empanel a bilingual jury."


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Dim diolch!!!!

Some people get away with too many speeding convictions as it is!!

AND. In parts of Wales they would be dragging Welsh speakers into court on an almost permanent basis because there wouldn't be enough of them to make up the jury numbers.

BBC News - Unemployment in Wales rises to 125,000

BBC News - Unemployment in Wales rises to 125,000: "'People will look at these figures and judge both Labour and Plaid Cymru on their record of failure to keep Wales working. This failure is all the more relevant as we approach Christmas,' she said."


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What percentage of the total jobless speak Welsh? What prospect is there of the English speakers getting a job in a local authority or other public body?

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Welsh Brussels chief sacked for false expenses claims

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Welsh Brussels chief sacked for false expenses claims: "“It’s not a massive amount of money, but obviously they took the view that he could no longer be trusted and had to go.”"


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Anything to do with the fact that he wasn't a Welsh speaker?

Why is it that MPs, AMs and MEPs can get away with far more serious fraud?

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Welsh Brussels chief sacked for false expenses claims

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Welsh Brussels chief sacked for false expenses claims: "A Brussels insider said: “An organisation like the WLGA maintains an office here because a range of European issues has a direct impact on local authorities."


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Yet more mouths to feed!

BBC News - MPs back assembly Welsh language powers

BBC News - MPs back assembly Welsh language powers: "But he warned: 'No-one would like to see the private sector prevented from investing in Wales because of burdensome Welsh language duties being inappropriately imposed on business. 'What is right in respect of a large public authority need not be necessary be right for a smaller private sector company.'"


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We must ensure that this view is held in perpetuity.

But why should a public authority use Welsh exclusively to the detriment of prospective employees who are not fluent in Welsh?

BBC News - Plaid AM defects to Conservatives

BBC News - Plaid AM defects to Conservatives: "Mr Asghar, the assembly's only ethnic minority AM, said he felt 'out of tune' with Plaid policies, in particular its desire for an independent Wales."


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As a supposed 'minority' first language English Welshman I can see his point.

BBC News - Jones warning over Tory victory

BBC News - Jones warning over Tory victory: "Asked about the impact of a Tory win on Wales, he said: 'I don't think a Conservative government would hold Wales' best interests at heart. I know that a Labour government in Westminster would."


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Was this the same party headed by Tony Blair who said "bloody Welsh", or something like that.

We need a referendum on whether we keep devolution...

Dr Lewis would have struggled as a letter writer under the Nazis - Caernarfon Herald

Dr Lewis would have struggled as a letter writer under the Nazis - Caernarfon Herald: "When people like Dr Lewis write about militarism and wars I can assure him that as far as Wales was concerned, Hitler would not have stopped at Offa’s Dyke"


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Rumour has it that the Welsh Nationalists were Nazi sympathyzers and did a fair bit of spying...

Robyn Lewis couldn't have picked a worse time to insult the RAF - Caernarfon Herald

Robyn Lewis couldn't have picked a worse time to insult the RAF - Caernarfon Herald: "Clearly a man devoid of dignity."


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Clearly a man devoid....

Robyn Lewis is at his best yet again - Caernarfon Herald

Robyn Lewis is at his best yet again - Caernarfon Herald: "Our Robyn does not need Batman on his side, as erudition is its own reward"


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Erudition? More like erasion...

Dr Lewis should go to Korea and test his freedom of speech - Caernarfon Herald

Dr Lewis should go to Korea and test his freedom of speech - Caernarfon Herald: "I suggest he go to North Korea or Iran and proclaim his views outside their seats of government, he could then understand what freedom and democracy is all about whilst sitting in a cold, dark North Korean jail with his life on the line."


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I was told to leave him alone because he is a 'nutter'.

BBC News - Fall deaths 'were accidents'

BBC News - Fall deaths 'were accidents': "Addressing the family, the coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones added: 'The only comment I would make is that the presence of alcohol and cocaine may have affected his ability to cope with an emergency.'
But he said that, sadly, slipping and falling was all too common on Snowdonia footpaths."


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Of course it is the only comment he would make...

BBC News - Experts' climate policy warning

BBC News - Experts' climate policy warning: "Ms Davidson defended the assembly government's record on existing targets and said the new proposals were not unrealistic."


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Policymakers in denial will do us no favours, a tax on plastic bags will not save the planet, it will simply damage the 'Welsh' economy, whatever that is.

British banks quizzed on exposure to Dubai crisis | Business | The Guardian

British banks quizzed on exposure to Dubai crisis | Business | The Guardian: "The Financial Services Authority is understood to have demanded that the firms it regulates are open about their exposure to the troubled Dubai entities and along with the tripartite authorities – which also include the Bank of England and the Treasury - the FSA is continuing to monitor the situation closely"


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How about a list of things the banks are exposed to?

Where do I start?

Next Welsh first minister could lead Labour's post-election resistance | Politics | The Guardian

Next Welsh first minister could lead Labour's post-election resistance | Politics | The Guardian: "And here is the remarkable thing: with Labour more than likely to lose next year's general election to the Tories, and Alex Salmond entrenched in Edinburgh until 2011 at the earliest, whoever wins will probably become his party's biggest executive hitter – a kind of left-leaning Boris Johnson, with the added bonus of being in charge of a whole country, and possibly becoming the de facto leader of any anti-Conservative resistance.
When I mention that prospect, Jones – raised 40-odd miles away in the Bridgend constituency that he represents – is at pains to seem somewhere between unimpressed and horrified. 'Under no circumstances would I want that to happen,' he says. 'It would be bad for the party. Not because it would be me, but because we wouldn't have a Labour government in Westminster.'"


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What happens in 2011 if Labour loses its AMs? It could be a very short period of euphoria...

Next Welsh first minister could lead Labour's post-election resistance | Politics | The Guardian

Next Welsh first minister could lead Labour's post-election resistance | Politics | The Guardian: "Hart is by far the leadership race's most unspun voice, who last week caused a brouhaha connected to the fact that she doesn't speak her country's native tongue. As some see it, Morgan's bilingualism built Welsh-speaking into the first minister's role. Jones ticks that box, and Lewis is learning the language, but Hart told an interviewer that its importance is perhaps overrated.
To massed gasps, her choicest quote ran as follows: 'I'd also find it very useful if I could speak some other languages like Bengali or Chinese when I'm in the Swansea community.'
She tells me that rating any candidate by their linguistic facility is akin to 'judging them on having red hair, or how loud they shout at the rugby'. And such bluntness is carried over into just about everything she talks about. Keen to maintain the fabled 'clear red water' that separates Cardiff and Westminster, all three candidates sit well to the left of, say, Lord Mandelson – but Hart is as old Labour as could be imagined."


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Why doesn't she learn Bengali then?

Next Welsh first minister could lead Labour's post-election resistance | Politics | The Guardian

Next Welsh first minister could lead Labour's post-election resistance | Politics | The Guardian: "'I'm a convinced devolutionist,' he says. 'What I'm frustrated about is that my party has subsumed its basic mission into something quite different: the future of the assembly and Wales's constitutional arrangements, instead of the future of Welsh communities.'"


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Absolutely spot on, but this is what happens when humans are drunk with power.

BBC News - Hain 'no veto' pledge on powers

BBC News - Hain 'no veto' pledge on powers: "On Tuesday, senior Plaid sources had threatened an end to the coalition if the issue was not clarified.
It followed a Labour statement ruling out any progress before the UK general election on a referendum to give the assembly full law-making powers.
The statement was issued in the name of Mr Hain, Welsh Labour chair Garry Owen and First Minister and Welsh Labour leader Rhodri Morgan.
Sources had called the Labour news release the most serious threat to the coalition since its formation in 2007."


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As the 'coalition' it is such an uncomfortable alliance of alien policy makers it should never have been allowed, it only exists so that power mad Labour AMs can appease the truly self-serving Plaid Cymru element who use the Welsh language as a smokescreen for their attempts to 'assimilate' non-Welsh speakers while feathering their own nests.

Daily Post North Wales - Business - News - Assembly finance minister answers criticism of Spatial Plan

Daily Post North Wales - Business - News - Assembly finance minister answers criticism of Spatial Plan: "Assembly Member Eleanor Burnham said a north east Wales-based pressure group had claimed that the Spatial Plan was “completely anti-democratic”.
Mr Davies said he did not know “where that idea comes from” because preparation of the Spatial Plan had been subject to democratic procedures in local authorities and the Assembly itself."


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I have to support the criticism of this 'Spatial Plan', the people have never been consulted and it therefore follows that it is indeed "completely undemocratic".

BBC News - Coalition in danger of collapsing

BBC News - Coalition in danger of collapsing: "'Because a 'No' vote in a referendum could set back devolution for several decades, triggering the referendum process needs to be based on a firm prospect that public opinion is ready to respond positively in the referendum."


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Is this democratic? Or have I missed something here?

Tory councils 'less likely to grant planning permission' - Planning Resource Daily Bulletin - PlanningResource

Tory councils 'less likely to grant planning permission' - Planning Resource Daily Bulletin - PlanningResource: "Conservative councils are less likely to grant planning permission for new homes, according to research published today."

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Even less chance with a Plaid Cymru council, unless you are one of them of course!

BBC News - 'Failures' of scrapped jet repair work that cost £113m

BBC News - 'Failures' of scrapped jet repair work that cost £113m: "Mr Morgan said his colleagues welcomed the learning of lessons but also recognised there 'is still some uncertainty as a result of devolution about the way in which public bodies should work tighter on a project of this kind'."


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Dear Mr Morgan

There will be some uncertainty as a result of devolution.... full stop

RAF Hawk jets come within 50ft during training exercise over Wales - Telegraph

RAF Hawk jets come within 50ft during training exercise over Wales - Telegraph: "The pilots failed to spot each other until the final moment because of the their low altitudes and the rolling terrain, it was found."

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Once upon a time they were organised, now they fly willy nilly all over the shop and even in opposite directions at the same time!!

Very dangerous practiced at RAF valley nowadays.

Very annoying too with constant aerobatics overhead, particularly in the Snowdonia National Park.

Bring back Llanbedr airfield.

BBC NEWS | Wales | Wales politics | Park airfield request turned down

BBC NEWS | Wales | Wales politics | Park airfield request turned down: "Its director, Alun Pugh said: 'It's a question of planning. The site was used by the military in recent years for a very specialist type of research and development, but that doesn't give them carte blanche to conduct all sorts of general aviation operations.
'As a society we have always pressed for a full and public debate on this and the best way to do that is to have a full and formal application for planning permission.'"


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Dear NIMBY

Thanks for nothing.

BBC NEWS | Wales | Wales 'old fashioned' says study

BBC NEWS | Wales | Wales 'old fashioned' says study: "He said: 'Unfortunately, these stereotypes are still out there. We have got to try to address these stereotypes but make sure once people are here these stereotypes are really addressed and people go away feeling that there is a tremendous welcome and that this is a modern and vibrant country.
'There are a small number of miserable people in any part of any country in the world.
'What we have got to make sure is when tourists come here they are treated properly.'"


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Lots of 'stereotypes' in that paragraph!

Yes there are lots of miserable people in parts of Wales, Gwynedd in particular, they don't want visitors in case they decide they like it and then buy a house!!

£4,350 per family to bail out Britain's banks - Telegraph

£4,350 per family to bail out Britain's banks - Telegraph: "The near-collapse of RBS resulted in the resignation of Sir Fred Goodwin, its chief executive, who led its aggressive expansion into investment banking. His house in Edinburgh was attacked by protesters after it was disclosed that he had retired on an annual pension of £703,000, later reduced to £342,000."

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Not much of a pay cut in the scheme of things, the rest of society wonder why is is allowed to have a pension or even stay in this country.

BBC NEWS | Wales | AMs pass bid for language powers

BBC NEWS | Wales | AMs pass bid for language powers: "'The increase in the number of children who receive their education through Welsh is encouraging but despite the success, it is still a battle to increase the use beyond the school gates. '"

'Clearer'

Mr Jones said part of that effort was the commitment in the One Wales coalition agreement signed by Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru to establish the right to use Welsh when accessing services.

"The LCO recognises that public, private and voluntary organisations play an important role in the provision of services to the public in Wales and recognises the need to make things clearer.

"Members of the public in Wales want to receive consistent and high quality [services] through the medium of Welsh."


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The language will only survive beyond the school gates when it is of use beyond Wales where most of our youngters have to go to establish careers which are outside the public sector.

Alun Ffred Jones said: "Members of the public want to receive consistent and high quality [services] through the medium of Welsh." Dear Mr Jones, please supply the evidence in each county, each town and each community, public statements must be supported by fact, not rhetoric.

BBC NEWS | Wales | Plastic bag charges by May 2011

BBC NEWS | Wales | Plastic bag charges by May 2011: "The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said customers should be encouraged to change, and not 'clobbered' with new 'taxes'."




Could not agree more, give them some powers and they will abuse them.

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But Ms Davidson said the evidence showed that "introducing a charge works".

"Ikea and Marks & Spencer already charge for bags and they have seen reductions of between 80% and 90%," she said


Has anyone noticed how badly both companies are doing in the marketplace?

Daily Post North Wales - News - North Wales News - Luxury cruise liners to pump nearly £1m into North Wales economy

Daily Post North Wales - News - North Wales News - Luxury cruise liners to pump nearly £1m into North Wales economy: "Cllr Bryan Owen, economic portfolio holder at Anglesey council, said: “This is definitely good news for Anglesey, tourism has been one industry that has held its own over the credit crunch and given a boost to the island."


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Is the news good enough to rescue the Council? Will the passengers simply cross the island to get to the mainland attractions?

Crime Fighting Is Getting A New Take On Crime Scene Cleaning | The Gov Monitor

Crime Fighting Is Getting A New Take On Crime Scene Cleaning | The Gov Monitor: "“Ultima Cleaning has continued to expand and move into new markets and I am pleased it has been benefited from the range of specialist support from the Assembly Government that has helped it grow to become an important employer in the region.”"


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Very enterprising but what does it do for manufacturing in Wales, apart from cleaning things...........

BBC NEWS | Politics | Iraq inquiry hearing 'snub' claim

BBC NEWS | Politics | Iraq inquiry hearing 'snub' claim: "Mr Llwyd said Wales has been 'completely left off the radar' by the decision not to hold any hearings in Wales.
He said: 'Yet again, Wales is barely an afterthought."


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Does he also suffer from the well know affliction: Plaid persecution complex?

Daily Post North Wales - Business - News - Spatial Plan yet to deliver result in North Wales say leaders

Daily Post North Wales - Business - News - Spatial Plan yet to deliver result in North Wales say leaders: "BUSINESS leaders in North Wales say that the Welsh Assembly Government’s much-touted Spatial Plan has yet to deliver any discernible results for the region."


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A 'Plan'?

BBC NEWS | Wales | Hain warning on powers referendum

BBC NEWS | Wales | Hain warning on powers referendum: "The AM said Mr Hain was wrong to suggest that only 'the chattering classes' want to see a law-making parliament in Wales."


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No, he isn't wrong!

BBC NEWS | Wales | North West Wales | 'Suitable site' key to new prison

BBC NEWS | Wales | North West Wales | 'Suitable site' key to new prison: "'I'd be very glad indeed if we had a facility anywhere closer to where it is now, because there are considerable problems for all kinds of people getting up to the prisons in Liverpool."


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Would it not be more cost effective to reduce the number of 'criminals' through a review of the mountain of new 'crimes' create by New Labour and a new campaign to raise social awareness and responsibility among the families who produce the hardended 'criminals'?

BBC NEWS | Wales | Wales politics | Devolution report will 'surprise'

BBC NEWS | Wales | Wales politics | Devolution report will 'surprise': "Sir Emyr said: 'I made an offer to the people of Wales at the beginning of this process - any views on any aspect from anyone, anywhere in Wales."


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Your didn't ask me Emyr!

And £1.5 million for 3,000 resposes and 700 pieces of evidence....bit expensive innit!

BBC NEWS | Wales | Wales politics | 'Most want' more powers for Wales

BBC NEWS | Wales | Wales politics | 'Most want' more powers for Wales: "The poll, which was carried out online in early October"


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How many people knew there was a poll? How did they select the voters?

BBC NEWS | Programmes | Politics Show | Regions | Wales | Late-paying councils 'cost firms'

BBC NEWS | Programmes | Politics Show | Regions | Wales | Late-paying councils 'cost firms': "You have a firm in one part of Wales who is able to survive because they're getting paid on time and a similar firm elsewhere that has to close their doors simply because they're not getting their invoices paid"


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Is it time for an overhaul of public services in Wales?

It is a fact that in some counties of Wales you are treated differently to those in other, often adjacent, counties. Whether it be planning policy, contract awards or payment for services as is highlighted here there is discrimination based upon your postcode.

Would it be more efficient, and more transparent, if many functions which are duplicated by way of personnel yet disparate in the manner they are carried out were made available through a central apolitical system?

Housing remains cash priority in Wales - Planning Resource Daily Bulletin - PlanningResource

Housing remains cash priority in Wales - Planning Resource Daily Bulletin - PlanningResource: "A total of £40 million, which was planned for spending on building and buying affordable home in 2010-11, was spent earlier to provide a fiscal stimulus to the Welsh economy."


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Was that wise?

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Influential members expected to endorse Jones’ leadership bid

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Influential members expected to endorse Jones’ leadership bid: "CARWYN JONES’ campaign to succeed Rhodri Morgan as Welsh Labour leader got a significant boost today, with the endorsement of a clutch of influential MPs."


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Carwyn Jones for President, he has a good legal brain so let's get on with appointing him.

Government denies Wales powers over large-scale energy projects - Williams - politics.co.uk

Government denies Wales powers over large-scale energy projects - Williams - politics.co.uk: "“The implication is that Wales can't be trusted when it comes to energy infrastructure projects of national significance, and it opens the door for major nuclear or wind projects to be built in Wales without any elected body having a say."


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And anything else of importance for that matter? I hope so.

BBC NEWS | Wales | North West Wales | Art centre £15m grant announced

BBC NEWS | Wales | North West Wales | Art centre £15m grant announced: "Other projects include £20m for affordable housing, £3.5 for the Glyn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea, £8m for the Childrens Hospital for Wales and £5.3m for a new school at Hendre, Caernarfon, Gwynedd."


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How many affordable houses would £15 provide for Gwynedd residents who face decades on waiting lists?

Will mortgage reforms kill off the recovery? - Mortgages, Money - The Independent

Will mortgage reforms kill off the recovery? - Mortgages, Money - The Independent: "Among the expected reforms, the FSA could put the final nail in the coffin of self-certificated mortgages by establishing a rule that will compel lenders to insist that their customers provide clear proof of income."

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Did the FSA have to provide proof of income prior to borrowing all those £millions? many bsuinesses (the self-employed included) rely upon loans attached to an asset, a building for example, quite often the loan is for expansion when income is only a projection forward. a hope rather than reality.

Regulation is in dire need of balance.

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Campaigners want nuclear station listed

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Campaigners want nuclear station listed: "“The National Park is here to conserve the natural beauty of the area. This building doesn’t contribute to that at all.”"


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If the SNPA can list a 50 year old cowshed they can protect a monument to man's ability to build whatever he wants where he wants if he has enough power to railroad the opposition, take an agrigultural worker's dwelling in Dyffryn Ardudwy for example, despite local opposition the applicant, a community councillor, obtained planning for a dwelling in the open countryside and the proposed occupant, his council worker son, demands a house almost four times the size of the brand new social housing he and his family inexplicably occupy, if he can afford to build a house that size he can afford the deposit for market housing. The SNPA membership is dominated by a farming elite who are never challenged by other members, partularly the ones appointed by the Wesh Assembly Government. An unaccountable Oligarchy is causing great unrest among the residents they see as peasants, residents who have no representation whatsoever, there is no democracy in Gwynedd and certainly none the the 'national park', which nation I ask.

Daily Post North Wales - News - North Wales News - Cash-strapped Gwynedd Council bosses give themselves bumper payrises

Daily Post North Wales - News - North Wales News - Cash-strapped Gwynedd Council bosses give themselves bumper payrises: "Last night critics branded the rises 'insensitive and unacceptable', at a time when nationally, chancellor Alistair Darling has announced a planned pay freeze for all public sector managers"


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Ordinary people don't need any more evidence to support the belief that public sector workers are so far divorced from reality that they deserve no sympathy in the future.

The time of reckoning is long overdue.

Welsh Assembly Government | First Minister opens new Aberystwyth office

Welsh Assembly Government | First Minister opens new Aberystwyth office: "“The opening of this new office in Aberystwyth heralds the latest step in our commitment to bringing our services even closer to the people of Wales."



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Dear Mr Morgan and everyone else at the WAG

What the people of wales need is housing and jobs, not more offices.

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - WAG seeks adviser to promote science and technology

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - WAG seeks adviser to promote science and technology: "WALES is searching for a £120,000-a-year Chief Scientific Adviser to deliver First Minister Rhodri Morgan’s vision of a “small, clever country”."

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And I thought Gwynedd County Council were mad for wasting money on an 'ambassador' who would go 'clubbing' in London with a view to persuading 'clever' Welsh people to return to the impoverished hillsides in Welsh Wales. Now we are wasting £360,000 (plus) on a 'teacher'. Good grief.

Betws-y-Coed's ‘spaceship’ toilet designs flushed away by planners - North Wales Weekly News

Betws-y-Coed's ‘spaceship’ toilet designs flushed away by planners - North Wales Weekly News: "They were adamant the design, with oak and glass walls, was unsuitably futuristic and shouldn’t be built in a conservation area."

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What do they want? Mud huts? If they go far back enough in history they would find people urinating and defacating wherever they stood. If something pleases the eye and makes them think then what is the problem? The NIMBY element are once again creating unnecessary expense for everyone apart from themselves.

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Wales’ heritage gems snubbed by ‘at-risk’ list

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Wales’ heritage gems snubbed by ‘at-risk’ list: "But conservationists Mark Baker and Michael Tree expressed disbelief that no Welsh sites have made it onto the list."

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I thought the whole of Gwynedd should be on the list, if xenophobic Plaid Cymru policies are allowed to strangle the communities in the way they have for the last few decades they may have the largest museum on the planet.

BBC NEWS | Wales | 'Unhealthy tensions' at watchdog

BBC NEWS Wales 'Unhealthy tensions' at watchdog: "'This includes so-called 'cherry picking' of staff for projects and allocation of staff without the opportunity to express an interest in the work which contributes to perceptions of nepotism and a lack of transparency.'
'Positive feedback'
The report said a smaller, more coherent executive committee at the audit office could help address some of the issues, but only if its members work together at a senior level within the organisation.
Despite the criticisms, the review found that the body received consistently positive feedback from the organisations it was called in to investigate."
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Our opinion:

Too many organisations providing 'positive feedback' does not inspire confidence in the work of the Wales Audit Office (WAO), is this a direct result of the 'cherry picking' of staff for projects? Having the same auditors going into the same local authorities year after year is unhealthy.

BBC NEWS | Wales | Taxpayers' money for steel plants

BBC NEWS Wales Taxpayers' money for steel plants: "Steelmaker Corus is being given £1.1m Welsh Assembly Government funding in a scheme designed to head off redundancies.
The money is to train workers at plants in Port Talbot and Llanwern.
It is the single biggest payout yet from a fund to help companies retain staff in the recession, rather than making them redundant.
The money comes from the ProAct scheme, which is designed to help companies in Wales cope in the economic downturn.
The funding, a £2,000 training subsidy and £2,000 wage subsidy per worker, is aimed at helping firms keep their staff rather than making them redundant
So far, the scheme has spent £17.3m on helping 129 companies."


Some small businesses could do with some assistance but yet again it is the big boys who receive the cash which evenually pours down the drains at the pub.

Welsh green scheme's impact overlooked says union

Welsh green scheme's impact overlooked says union: "This highlighted a viable and profitable upland farming industry could, in addition to its primary role in food production and environmental protection, deliver a number of wider social, economic and cultural activities."


What did the 'uplands' look like before farmers cleared all the heather, burnt the 'eithin', shot the birds and drained the marsh?

BBC NEWS | Wales | Wales politics | Plaid to tackle its 'false image'

BBC NEWS Wales Wales politics Plaid to tackle its 'false image': "Party strategists have long been aware of the dangers of it being seen as simply a party for Welsh speakers or rural areas, more interested in independence than the more immediate concerns of ordinary voters"

In Gwynedd and the Snowdonia National Park these are not simply perceptions Ieuan, they are facts of life. More acurate would be the statement that it is a party for its own members' interests, a party for bigotry, a party for discrimination and for xenophobic policies. It is a dead party.

Commonsense approach to Welsh language

Peter Hain welcomes commonsense approach to Welsh Language

6 Oct 2009 03:49 PM

Amendments agreed to the Welsh Assembly Government's proposed Welsh Language Order will ensure a commonsense approach to safeguarding and promoting the Welsh language for the future, Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain said today.

Mr Hain said: "As everyone is aware, I am a strong supporter of the Welsh language and I firmly believe that the National Assembly for Wales is the natural home to legislate in relation to the language.

"My aim is to ensure a strong and healthy future for the Welsh language, building on the solid foundations set out in the Welsh Language Act 1993 in a commonsense, evolutionary way, and ensuring that the Welsh language is a source of pride for everyone in Wales - whether or not they speak Welsh.

"Over the summer the Wales Office and Welsh Assembly Government agreed a number of changes to the proposed Legislative Competence Order (LCO) to ensure a more sustainable and commonsense approach to safeguarding and promoting the Welsh language for the future. We agreed these changes after considering the recommendations of the Welsh Affairs Committee and Assembly's Legislation Committee No 5, as well as the views of businesses and the Welsh public.

"I believe we are now striking the right balance in this LCO between the interests of those Welsh speakers who wish to conduct their day-to-day lives in the language, and the majority of people in Wales who do not speak Welsh."

Mr Hain added: "The new challenge mechanism gives strong reassurance to organisations that duties cannot be applied to them unreasonably or disproportionately. This is an especially important safeguard for smaller organisations and charities. Other modifications to the LCO make sensible changes to better define its scope and ensure that only essential sectors of business are included.

"No-one wants to see companies put off investing in Wales because of burdensome duties being imposed on business. The LCO allows the National Assembly to legislate on the language to apply solutions in a variety of circumstances - there's no 'one-size-fits-all' solution for delivering services in Welsh."

A Welsh Grand Debate on the Welsh Affairs Committee report on the Welsh Language Order will be held next Wednesday (14 October). The proposed Order is also set to be debated by all MPs on the floor of the House of Commons later in the autumn.

Notes to Editors

The UK Government and the Welsh Assembly Government have agreed changes to the Welsh Language LCO following the scrutiny of the proposed Order undertaken by the Welsh Affairs Select Committee at Westminster and a Committee of the National Assembly.

The key changes are:

• The Assembly will be able to impose duties on a body only if there is a means for that body to be able to challenge the imposition on grounds of reasonableness and proportionality. This means the reasonableness of duties will be a key consideration in developing an Assembly Measure.
• The minimum threshold for bodies receiving substantial sums of public money is increased to £400,000 a year. This higher threshold ensures key organisations of a national character, such as the National Botanic Garden, come within scope, but local voluntary, charitable and sporting bodies do not. Welsh language duties will not be placed on bodies receiving one-off grants.
• Bus services are to be brought within competence (railway services were already within scope).
• The type of bodies established by prerogative instrument (Royal Charter) which come within scope will be more clearly defined so as to leave out a long list of bodies, including the Girl Guides and Royal British Legion.
• Shops are excluded from the LCO, with the exception of certain retail services such as Post Office counter services and the sale of tickets and timetables for bus and railway services.
• Only training funded wholly or partly by public money will come within scope.
• Electricity and gas production and transmission are to be deleted from the LCO given that they have little direct interface with the public.
• Any Welsh language duties placed on broadcasters may not relate to programming or editorial freedom.

The Welsh Grand Committee will debate the LCO on 14 October. Following that debate, the Secretary of State and Welsh Assembly Government will reflect further and, subject to the Assembly's approval, will present the draft LCO to Parliament later in the autumn.

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Wales Office » Archive » Peter Hain welcomes commonsense approach to Welsh Language

Wales Office » Archive » Peter Hain welcomes commonsense approach to Welsh Language: "“I believe we are now striking the right balance in this LCO between the interests of those Welsh speakers who wish to conduct their day-to-day lives in the language, and the majority of people in Wales who do not speak Welsh.”"

Here, Here, well said Mr Hain.

Daily Post North Wales - Farming - Farming News - We don’t want EU aid in Wales

Daily Post North Wales - Farming - Farming News - We don’t want EU aid in Wales: "Yet the Welsh dairy sector is still worth £350.7m a year"

How much does it cost in taxpayer subsidy whether is be via the EU or elsewhere?

Rural dwellers 'face 280 year wait' for affordable home - Planning Resource Daily Bulletin - PlanningResource

Rural dwellers 'face 280 year wait' for affordable home - Planning Resource Daily Bulletin - PlanningResource: "So few affordable homes are being built in rural areas that residents could face a wait of up to 280 years, according to a new study."

We wonder how long people in Gwynedd and the Snowdonia National Park will have to wait.

Article

Article: "“Together with the operations of the North Wales Traffic Management Centre, this will bring social and economic benefit to the whole of North Wales.”"

North Wales as in a narrow strip of land between Chester and Holyhead?

The Wales Spatial Plan and its "Update" has designated the vast gap between Cardiff and Llandudno as a tourist destination, what planet are these 'Ministers' on? It leaves the door open for the Welsh Nationalists to create a tribal reserve where discrimination will be the order of the day.

I suppose the Deputy First Minister is OK, he has his own airline to hop across the great divide of Wales, it is called Ieuanair.

Llais y Bobl

Independent Wales?

"Bywyd Cymru support the suggestion of a proper referendum but would add that a cost benefit analysis be carried out before a vote.

Nationalists are purusing their own agenda and that will benefit few people in Wales, apart from their own followers of course.

We need debate, rational debate, not hysterical mud slinging by people who refuse to listen.

We will ask Gordon Brown to repeal the Government of Wales Acts so that the whole thing can be looked at in a new light, the Welsh Office was quite efficient but now we have a Levithan at large and apparently all we have to show for it is free bus passes and hospital car parking. The negatives are related to affordable housing, education, rural communities single farm payments and dangerous weeds.

Do we need another layer of government? A layer which costs so much yet hasn't produced any visible advantages, aprt from that odd looking building in Cardiff Bay."

Wales - one voice two languages

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