Fair green future
Dyfodol teg, dyfodol gwyrdd

We will work to create pride in Denbighshire where both businesses & residents feel the services provided are relevant for our community, efficiently delivered and provide value for money . 

• Education.  Create a long-term plan so that our children have a good quality education. By stakeholders listening to what is needed  and working with parents, Governors, teachers and the council who are there to support the process. Defending village schools will be our priority.   

• Communities.  Support our communities so that we have good policing, that the streets are clean, we have recycling for all and that our roads are repaired promptly. Ensure our buses are more regular, that they link into the rail system, that villages and towns are equally served. We will help farming & Businesses flourish.

Roger has agreed to offer a general overview of the issues at stake for our rural communities: school shutdown fears, post office closures, lack of start-up business opportunities for youngsters in our rural communities and the lack of meaningful transport links from rural villages to the towns.  

Agenda

Chairperson – The Lord Roger Roberts of Llandudno / Cadeirydd – Yr Arglwydd Roger Roberts o Landudno

7 – 7:30 = Refreshments / LLuniaeth

7:30 – 7:40 = Introductory speech by The Lord Roger Roberts of Llandudno / Araith arweiniol gan Yr Arglwydd Roger Roberts o Landudno

7:40 – 8:10 = The future for rural educational services in Denbighshire and launch of the Education Working Group / Y dyfodol ar gyfer gwasanaethau addysg yng nghymunedau gwledig Sir Ddinbych a lansiad Pyllgor Gwaith Addysg (To be led by the candidates with audience participation)

8:10 – 8:40 = Our vision for post office services, rural public transport and sustainable business development in rural Denbighshire / Ein gweledigaeth ar gyfer gwasanaethau swyddfeydd post, trafnidiaeth cyhoeddus a datblygiad busnesau cynnaladwy yng nghefn gwlad Sir Ddinbych (To be led by the candidates with audience participation)

8:40 – 8:50 = Summary by The Lord Roger Roberts of Llandudno / Crynodeb gan Yr Arglwydd Roger Roberts o Landudno

8:50 = End of public meeting / Diwedd y cyfarfod cyhoeddus 

                                      “Re-connecting with our rural communities”/”Ail gydio a’n cyumunedau gwledig”.

Public Meeting in Llandyrnog Village Hall, April 26^th 7pm – 9pm / Cyfarfod Cyhoeddus yn Neuadd y Pentref Llandyrnog, Ebrill 26ain, 7y.h. – 9 y.h.

Meeting led by the Lord Roger Roberts of Llandudno and open to all interested participants / Arweiniaeth y cyfarfod gan Yr Arglwydd Roger Roberts o Landudno ac yn agored i unrhyw cyfrannwyr a diddordeb

Colum MCCORMACK X Rhyl West

Paul Penlington X

As has been widely reported, last Thursday 28^th March 2008, saw numerous Voluntary and Community organisations attend a public meeting at Rhyl Town Hall in order to demonstrate their support for the Denbighshire Community Agency, which is under threat of closure, following the withdrawal of it’s funding by Denbighshire County Council. I could go on almost forever in listing the numerous organisations up and down the County who have benefited from the support and guidance of the Agency, and the effect of its closure are I think agreed by all to be drastic in the extreme.

The campaign to persuade the County Council to rescind their decision is one that cuts across party political allegiances and I would urge therefore that all candidates standing in the forthcoming County Council elections should publicly demonstrate their support for the Agency.

Yours sincerely,

Jonathon T. Bentley

Welsh Lib Dem. Candidate Prestatyn South-West Ward

Welsh Liberal Democrats launched their local election campaign in North Wales today highlighting their achievements in building safer, greener communities – and providing better value for money.

At the North Wales launch of their manifesto – Safer, Greener, Better Value –in Wrexham Mike German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said his party’s record of achievement in the North was the envy of other parties.Wrexham’s record includes a spectacular 33% drop in crime, a transformation from bottom to top of the recycling league in four years, and all while keeping council tax low.

Mr German AM, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: ”Wrexham’s record is the envy of Labour councils across Wales. All the parties are talking about safer and greener – but the Welsh Liberal Democrats have the action to prove it.

”We’re hearing lots of huffing and puffing from Labour at this election, but the action is there for people to see. Welsh Liberal Democrats have delivered – that’s why people don’t want Labour back.

Cllr Aled Roberts, leader of Wrexham council said: “When we talk about community safety, we have the figures to back it up. Over the last four years, our investment in additional PCSOs has led to a 33% drop in crime in Wrexham.

“On Greener communities, our record speaks volumes too. From 21st in Wales under Labour, Wrexham is now second over the last six months. Recycling has gone up from 12% to 43%! That’s green action.

“And we’ve done this while investing in education, raising levels of achievement and keeping council tax low – that’s better value for money.”

North Wales AM Eleanor Burnham added: “Across North Wales, Welsh Liberal Democrats are contesting more wards than ever before. We are proud of our record in Wrexham, where we have shown we can make a positive difference to the town. And even in Conwy, where we have just one Welsh Liberal Democrat on the executive the results have been spectacular – a major increase in recycling, achieving Assembly targets two years ahead of schedule.

“People are tired of Labour. They are tired of their bumbling in Westminster, tired of their centralising of power in Cardiff Bay and tired of their old fashioned way of running local authorities. They can see what the Welsh Liberal Democrats have done where they've taken over from Labour, and want some more of that change in their communities."

Notes: The Welsh Liberal Democrat manifesto – “Safer, Greener, Better Value” is available to download from www.welshlibdems.org.uk</A< p>

charge.

Printed by Australian Welsh Print Services Ltd, 93/95 Whitchurch Road, Cardiff. CF14 3JP .

Published and promoted by J. Foster on behalf of Welsh Liberal Democrats, both at 102 Bute Street, Cardiff CF10 5AD.

Michael German AM

Leader, Welsh Liberal Democrats

Fairer Communities

Welsh Liberal Democrats believe in fairness – that those who are left behind in our society should not be

forgotten. Making our communities fairer is an area that needs to take account of a whole range of issues

and policies. Welsh Liberal Democrats believe local Councils need to take a comprehensive approach to

making sure that the benefits of our society are shared by all of us.

That is why Welsh Liberal Democrats have approached local politics with a vision of a fairer society. In

leadership positions in local councils, we have used their powers to create a fairer education system, provide

fairer social care and offer fairer housing.

• We believe in fairer education

Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that education is

the best way to tackle the lack of opportunity that

still exists in Welsh society. That is why they have

invested heavily in education. Welsh Liberal Democrats

have increased the amount they spend on

education and on average the Welsh Liberal Democrats

exceed the government’s own targets for

education spending. But our children’s education

opportunities could be improved.

Welsh Liberal Democrats want to cut primary

school class sizes to 25. At the moment, government

policy pushes class sizes up to 30. We believe

having fewer pupils in a room gives teachers more

time to teach, improves discipline and raises school

standards. We want to work towards a legal, maximum

class size of 25, and to alter funding arrangements

to make this possible.

We believe that everyone has the right to education

through the medium of Welsh. We would

make it a responsibility of local councils to assess

demand for Welsh-medium education and plan to

meet it.

We want to work with local authorities to develop

a strategy to ensure more continuity between

primary and secondary schools.

•

Democrat Action

Welsh Liberal Democrat-led councils

have boosted their spending on education.

On average, they are now exceeding

the government’s own targets.

During the past two years, Welsh Liberal

Democrats in Cardiff have eliminated the

need to house homeless people in bed &

breakfast accommodation. This has saved

taxpayers' money and provided a better

quality environment for homeless people.

In Swansea, the Welsh Liberal Democrats

school buildings since 2006, overcoming

Labour’s chronic underinvestment which

They have set a target to make all schools

fit for purpose by 2020.

Bridgend council is leading the way on the

Exercise Referral Scheme – a scheme

which allows doctors to give subsidised

exercise programmes to people on prescription.

Bridgend has the highest takeup

in Wales.

Greener Communities

Respect for the environment is a key Welsh Liberal Democrat value. Climate change affects everyone, and

we all have a responsibility to ensure that we reduce our waste. Local councils can play a major role in this

– encouraging recycling, taking a lead on energy efficiency and planning for the future. But greening our

communities is also about tackling litter and removing graffiti. It is about protecting green spaces.

Welsh Liberal Democrats have been working hard to make sure that Wales’ councils are playing their role

in creating greener communities. The Welsh Liberal Democrats’ record is outstanding. Recycling rates in

Welsh Liberal Democrat-led councils have more than doubled since 2004.

•

Safer Communities

Many people across Wales are worried about crime and anti-social behaviour. Welsh Liberal Democrats

believe in freedom from crime and the fear of crime. Much of this needs to be done by the governments in

Westminster and Cardiff Bay, but local councils and communities have their role to play as well.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that tackling anti-social behaviour demands make good policy, not just

good headlines. We also believe that it is important to involve local people in making policing decisions – so

that local needs are taken into account. Across Wales, we have been working with the police to develop

effective, practical policies to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and to increase community safety.

•

number

The Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that the

single, non-emergency number -101- has been a

huge success in Cardiff. It has freed up police time,

increased response rates and reduced the number

of calls going straight to 999. But the Labour government

in Westminster has axed its funding. The

Labour-Plaid Assembly Government refused to pay

for it. It was left to Welsh Liberal Democrats on

Cardiff Council, in conjunction with South Wales

Police to find the money to keep it going. The

Welsh Liberal Democrats in the National Assembly

are campaigning for the Government to roll-out a

National service, rather than leave local councils to

pick up the costs.

•

• We support attempts to improve

road safety

The Welsh Liberal Democrats believe there is a

good case for a 20mph speed limit around most

schools in Wales – helping to keep our children

safe. The Welsh Liberal Democrats also support

the Safe Routes for Communities scheme. We

encourage the establishment outside schools of

traffic calming measures and of ‘walking buses.’

• We support greater community cohesion

Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that all citizens of

Wales are equal. We want to act now to stop

inter-community tensions from flaring, and to encourage

community cohesion. That is why, where

appropriate, we will support councils who develop

schemes like Wrexham’s ‘One Wrexham’ initiative.

This scheme aims to tackle myths about migrants

and to promote a multi-cultural ethos across the

borough.

• We support working constructively

with our young people

Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that our young

people are often unfairly demonised. We want to

see local councils provide better youth services,

which is why we would make youth service provision

a statutory responsibility. This will mean local

councils will have to meet the demand amongst

young people for leisure and education-based facilities.

We support developing Acceptable Behaviour

Contracts in order to complement ASBOs and will

work to ensure that local councils have the relevant

legal framework to enforce them. ABCs have

been successfully pioneered by Liberal Democratled

Islington Council, as a preventative approach to

tackling crime and, we would support the development

of such a scheme in Wales.

Democrat Action

In Wrexham, the Welsh Lib Dem-led coalition

has invested in 56 PCSOs to work

across the borough, including a specialist

anti-social behaviour team. This has resulted

in impressive reductions in crime

figures.

Swansea’s Welsh Lib Dem-led council has

spent part of the Road Safety grant to

place 20mph limits and plan to have these

in place around all of the City’s schools

within a few years.

In Cardiff, the Welsh Liberal Democrats,

along with South Wales Police, have invested

money to save the successful 101

non-emergency number after Labour announced

plans to axe it. The number

takes 500 calls a day and has had a demonstrable

effect in freeing-up police

time.

Welsh Lib Dems in Bridgend have piloted

the first ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ in the

borough in Llys Faen. The scheme aims to

protect vulnerable residents from bogus

calls and allows them to develop the confidence

to deal with uninvited callers.

Community Regeneration

The changing global economy and the move in Western economies away form mining and manufacturing

towards service industries, has created amazing opportunities, but also a challenge to traditional models of

development and prosperity. Naturally, each community in Wales has different needs and requires different

solutions. Where Welsh Liberal Democrats have been in positions of power they have been implementing

policies to regenerate our communities.

Regeneration is essential to restoring pride to our communities. But it is no use looking back to Wales’

past to find jobs – we must look the future.

•

• We support smaller businesses

Across Wales, our number one priority is creating

an environment where small and medium enterprises

(SMEs) can develop. This way, the money

that is created in the community stays in the

community. Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that

local authorities can play a significant role in this.

We encourage local councils to offer public contracts

to local businesses if they can offer the

services required. We also believe that SMEs

across Wales are stifled by too much red tape. The

Welsh Assembly Government should work with

local authorities to reduce the burden of inspection

on local businesses. This will lead to better quality,

joined-up inspections as well as lower costs for

SMEs.

We believe that councils should work with SMEs to

ensure that they are able to easily access resources.

We encourage local authorities to keep a directory

of available premises and make it accessible to the

public.

•

Offices

The Post Office Network plays a vital role providing

valuable and essential services, particularly to

the elderly. Welsh Liberal Democrats are committed

to saving as many Post Offices as possible from

Labour’s crazy cuts. Welsh Liberal Democrats believe

we should restore many of the services that

Labour has taken away from the Post Offices – cuts

which have made them unprofitable. We would

re-introduce the Post Office Development Fund

and Liberal Democrats in Westminster would inthe

UK. We will fight to keep as many branches as

possible open.

•

• We support better transport links

Transport is essential to economic development.

That is why the Welsh Liberal Democrats want to

support local authorities that improve their transport

links. We want to make it easier for local

authorities to adopt and introduce bus contracts

that are more responsive to people’s needs. We

will also repeal sections of the 1985 Transport Act

that restrict co-operation in public transport provision.

We support encouraging Network Rail and local

authorities to promote stations as community gateways,

providing local information and operating

more effectively as a transport hub.

•

Democrat Action

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have reopened

Swansea Leisure Centre which

was closed due to Labour mismanagement,

despite massive public opposition.

Before it closed, the leisure centre was

one of the most visited attractions in

Wales.

Bridgend council has invested significantly

in Bridgend town centre – to restore it to

its historic status – and in Portcawl the

Council has worked with a major local

landowner to regenerate Porthcawl, including

plans to revitalise the harbour

area, reuse of historic buildings and a vibrant

waterfront..

Wrexham council has ploughed significant

resources into a road maintenance programme

to help ease the transport problems

and have also encouraged

investment in Eagles Meadow shopping

scheme which will also lead to the regeneration

of Wrexham town centre.

In Gwynedd, Welsh Liberal Democrat

councillors have been pushing to ensure

that the benefits of regeneration in the

county are available to all – which is why

they have been pushing for greater economic

development across the whole

county.

Better Run Communities

work together

Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that our local

councils cannot work by themselves. Where there

is the need, they should share ideas and services to

help with each other and with other bodies. That is

why the Welsh Liberal Democrats support the

creation of Local Service Boards so that councils

and service providers can work together to improve

services, but we believe they need to be

made more accountable and transparent in the way

they work.

Welsh Liberal Democrats support an independent

review into the best and worst practices of open

government across Wales with a view to spreading

transparency and inclusive government.

•

better deal

Since the National Assembly was founded in 1999,

its budget has risen by 80%. But it has raised the

budgets of local authorities by only 50%. All the

while, it has increased the responsibility of local

councils. This year’s Local Government Settlement

is derisory. Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that

local councils need the financial resources to carry

out their duties and we will work in the National

Assembly and with other organisations to secure

them.

• We support local control of politics

Wales has a strong network of town and community

councils – but these are often forgotten. Welsh

Liberal Democrats believe that we should support

community engagement and decentralisation by

implementing measures to enhance the powers of

town and community councils. Where appropriate,

we would support the transfer of funds to ensure

this.

National Park Authorities play an important role in

promoting the economic and social well-being of

the communities they serve. It is a disgrace that

local people have no direct say in who governs

them and council representatives have no obligation

to live anywhere near the National Park.

Welsh Liberal Democrats want to see a proportion

of the National Park Authorities elected by

residents with further places guaranteed for representatives

of local Councillors and community

councils.

Democrat Action

Welsh Liberal Democrats have kept

council tax down. Over the last four

years, they have the lower average rises

than Labour, the Conservatives, Plaid and

Independent-led administrations. Welsh

Lib Dems are spending your money bettered

than anyone else.

Cardiff Council consults every year before

it sets its Council Tax. This has included

asking citizens what their priorities

for the annual budget are before making

any decisions.

Welsh Lib Dem-led councils allow opposition

councillors a fair say on the council.

Scrutiny committee chairs are appointed

proportionally. Many Councils refuse to

do this – in contradiction of Welsh Assembly

Government guidance.

Welsh Liberal Democrats in Bridgend

have worked hard to put open government

at the heart of the council. They

have also reduced the number of top

managers from 25 to 17 – freeing up

more money for frontline services.

enquiries@welshlibdems.org.uk