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    July 30

    DENBIGH ON THE UP!!

    Over the last couple of weeks and especially this week I have been disappointed in how much negative press and negative marketing our local town of Denbigh has been receiving.  What is even more frustrating is that our negativity is created by our local Mayor , and some Town and County Councillors in the Denbigh area.  I would have thought that they would have known better. If we keep talking our town down, THEY will be repsonsible for its downfall. One has to question their motive of doom and gloom ?  Is it just for their own publicity?  One thing is for sure, it is certainly not helping Denbigh town and businesses. 
     
    I visited Denbigh on Saturday and shopped in both new and established businesses and no better than to talk to the people themselves and hear it from the horse's mouth.  The first shop, Images, the helpful staff inform me that they are so busy they could cope with two deliveries a week. Their stock is moving so fast. A sign of a booming  business. Walking out of the shop onto my next visit, I was struck by a town surrounded by beautiful hills and wonderful old buildings.  I felt proud of how good Denbigh was looking.
     
    The second shop, The Patchwork Cat, what a delight.  This shop was bright, fun and welcoming.  Again, a shop which is booming and has exceeded all expectations.  It really is not all doom and gloom in Denbigh. I think everyone needs to be very careful with this negative attitude.
     
    If we want new businesses and investment in Denbigh, we are not going to get it with comments like Denbigh town is in a critical situation or Traders in Trouble.  People are elected to make a difference. What we need to see from these people are some new idears, answers and positive ways forward for Denbigh.  It is easy to be negative, however it takes energy and commitment to get local results.
     
    Denbigh needs more positive action and less negative talk ...........
    8:49 PM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it
    July 14

    TRUST CUTBACKS COULD COST LIVES!

    Having read articles about the cutbacks being propopsed by Conway and Denbighshire NHS Trust in this weeks Daily Post, I felt that I had to look further into the  facts of what is exactly is going on with our local Health Trust. I read with horror the Trust Board papers dated Monday 5th June , and I feel that I must share with readers my concerns and findings.
     
    The Clwyd Community Health Council and the Welsh Assembly Government have stated that the consultation time for any major changes in North Wales of hospital services will be extended to the 28th July 2006 . But the Trust say in their Service change and efficiency plan, [SCEP] scheme that the closure of HMS Stanley will save one million pounds! and Abegele outworking of second care, saving £400k.  What worries me is how this can be done before the Governments agree deadlines before 28th July. Or has the decision already been made??
     
    The SCEP scheme marked Strictly Private and Confidential on the website of the Trust for all to see shows savings of £11,720 million in two years with £7.120 million being saved in the first year.  To save this amount of money in two   years must be health care sucicide.
     The local community heath council have written to the Trust saying these savings can't be acheived in two years!
     
    Conway and Denbighshire Trust have been requested to makes as many savings as possibley in 2007 by the Welsh Assembly Government.  (The year of the Assembly elections?)  Surely this is madness and will stretch the health service to breaking point in North Wales. The staff are already overworked because of the current recruitment freeze at Glan Clwyd but patients will carry on coming through the hospital doors.
     
    I appeal to the Health Minister, Dr Gibbons, AM.  This whole situation needs to be carefully reviewed urgently 
    Financial decisions shound not come before health and patient  care.  Do something before it is too late - use your authority wisely before it costs lives!
    9:23 AM | Add a comment | Read comments (1) | Permalink | Blog it
    July 10

    Lib Dems keep a warm Welcome

    Following on from the campaigning and all round good effort at the recent Welsh byelection I have received the following from party HQ

     

    "Simon Hughes MP and party president along with Roger Williams MP wish Councilor Mark Young every success in his new role as Vice Chairman of Vale of Clwyd Lib Dems.

    Simon Hughes sent his regards to all the Lib Dem members and newly elected officers in the Vale of Clwyd the best of luck

    Support and advice has been offered as Mark Young starts his political apprenticeship with the Welsh Liberal Democrats……………………………"

     

    In case any of you are wondering why Roger, Simon and myself are pictured standing next to an ambulance – let me tell you! It was at press release whereby the Liberal Democrats were saving the Ambulance Service from New Labour! 

    9:15 PM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | News and politics
    July 08

    Tories Cling on to Bromley


    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 04/07/2006 )


    In what was the 17th safest Tory seat in the whole country, the Conservatives have only clung on after a recount in Bromley!

    This is the worst by-election result for the Conservatives in a seat they held since Wirral South in the depths of John Major's unpopularity.

    The story isn't much better for Labour either. They sunk to fourth place, losing two thirds of their votes. It is the first time the party in government has finished fouth in an Englis by-election since Liverpool, Walton, way back in 1991.

    The Liberal Democrats can be proud of Ben Abbott's result and a big thank you to the thousands of people who came and helped with Ben's campaign.

    Also well done to Amy Kitcher and Steve Bard and their team in Blaneau , Gwent who increased our vote in the by-elections there too!

    11:47 AM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | News and politics

    New Labour on the Slide in the Vale of Clwyd

    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 17/06/2006 )

     

    Last week I wrote to the Free Press with regard to putting records straight and the letter was published. I was responding to a letter from Gwyneth Kensler, May 25 in which he stated that the Liberal Democrats had lost control to Labour in Islington, London
    Not true!
    The Liberal Democrats still have overall control in Islington . Gwyneth was responding to an article (free press, May 11) where Chris Ruane and David Jones MP talked about local election results in England.
    The point is that Chris Ruane is only talking about one Council where he said he had a positive impact. He doesn't mention that the Liberal Democrats came second to the Tories in the local elections in England and Labour came a disappointing third! Bubblegum politics is my name for this! Choose one positive point about their own results and talk down the real alternative - the Liberal Democrats.

    Surely, Chris would be better spending time in his local constituency knocking on doors in the Vale of Clwyd , North Wales , rather than Islington, London, England!

    Perhaps this is why the results for New Labour are on a downturn in the Vale. Too much focus and activity outside the constituency for the people Chris should be serving.

    The facts in the Vale , our local constituency are; New Labour; down 5,742 votes since 1997. Tories down 8,192 since 1992. Welsh Lib dems; up 762 since 2005. Therefore the only growing party in the Vale of Clwyd is the Welsh Lib Dems.

    This is the fact and not bubblegum politics

    11:46 AM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | News and politics

    Lib Dems visit Vale of Clwyd

    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 04/06/2006 )

     

    Last Thursday I had the honour of organising a visit of Mike German, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Leader, Eleanor Burnham , Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales along with Bobby Feeley local Liberal Democrate Party Member.

    Our first visit was to Jones Brothers , Ruthin. This is a local engineering company which employs more than 200 staff and enjoys a national turnover of £24 million.

    Jones Brothers have a concern about how Welsh Assembly contracts will be awarded in the future as there has been some talk that smaller companies in Wales will not be able to tender directly for Government works. Financial Director, Anne Jones told the visiting party ; "We , at Jones Brothers are keen to learn how we can work with the Assembly in the future".

    After a tour of the offices at Jones Brothers, the Assembly Members were taken to a local impressive site which is under construction by the company. It was the 1.1km Glasdir bypass route.

    From Ruthin we moved onto Prestatyn where we met the League of Friends and were shown around Chatsworth House Hospital. Here we discussed the valid concerns of residents for the proposal of the closure of this local Community Hospital

    The feelin is that the hospital is in excellent condition and this was confirmed when the group was shown around. I personally feel that it is quite obvious to anyone who is willing to listen that the people of Prestatyn want Chatsworth House to stay open. I am completely disappointed that Clwyd Community Health Council have failed to make the views of the community heard. In my opinion, the CHC should very carefully review their position of their Chair.

    The remit of the CHC is to consult with the public to ensure they are properly reflecting the views of the public community. I believe that the CHC has failed in this remit and has therefore let the community of Prestatyn down. A new consultation process should take place immediately following the correct guidelines and including the option of retaining Chatsworth House. If this does not happen , the Chairman should resign!

    From Chatsworth House, we moved onto Rhyl. Here we set up a street survey about One Force Wales. The Association of Police Authorities is estimating the Police mergers will cost up to £600m across Britain, the equivalent of employing 22,000 full time police officers. Yet Labour have not said where the money is coming from. We had amazing feedback on our survey and have gathered over 400 petitioners against the move to add to our petition which will be going to the Home Office to push for them to abandon the plans to abolish the North Wales Police Force and create an all Wales Police Force.

    11:45 AM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | News and politics

    Plaid to make this issue Political War

    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 04/06/2006 )

     

    I have had a busy week last week. I arranged a Liberal Democrat visit for Mike German, AM and also Eleanor Burnham AM. I will tell you more about this in my next blog. But before the visit, I had to put pen to paper for the letters page in the Visitor responding to Mark Jones's letter of May 24! I felt very strongly that I had to put Mark straingt on some of his inaccurate points raised in his letter; "Concern for Hospital". All parties have been concerned about the proposed closure of Chatsworth House. However, Mark's letter reads as if he is trying to score political brownie points on this emotive issue.

    Why on earth bring up who is doing what from a party point of view and make this issue a political war. In all other health issues in this aea, we have worked together for the benefit of the community and politics has not got involved and we have concentrated on the issue in hand.

    This, I believe, is what we were all trying to do with regard to Chatsworth House. Mark completely misses the point when he states in his letter that the local Lib-Dems behaviour is odd as they were the party to establish the LHB.

    This is not the problem, it is the way that the LHB and the CHC are conducting themselves in this area and are not listening to the views of the community. They are not following their own guidelines and remit. This is the point we are trying to make.

    To say that it is a bit late for Lib-Dems to start complaining now is outrageous and unhelpful. Mark has no idea about the work that myself, Mike German and Eleanor Burnham AM's have been doing the background to try to ensure that the views of the local community are heard and that we all share the view of trying to keep the hospital open, or even expand and develop .

    I believe that in this area, the responsibility for running community hospitals should go to Denbighshire County Council with the appropriate funding in place.

    I encourage you, Mark and all parties to focus on the health needs of Prestatyn and not play party politics. I , for one will continue to work in this way.

    11:45 AM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | News and politics

    Public Meeting Was only for the Few

    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 18/05/2006 )

     

    Last Wednesday I atempted to attend a local health board meeting held at Rhyl Coucil offices which was deciding the fate of Prestatyn Community Hospital - Chatsworth House.

    You can imagine my shock and horror when I, plus 12 others (of which four were members of staff) were refused entry to this meeting.

    Enraged I went home and got on the website for the Local Health Board and clicked onto "Who are we?" - There it was in black and white, board meetings will be open to the public - so, I suppose this means no more than 23 members of the public will be admitted as there was a sign outside the meeting when we arrived to this effect.

    It also said "We will work closely with our population" - Well there is 97,000 plus population and they only allow 23 members of the community to attend.

    The prime function of the Local Health Board is public engagement... Well that is, if you can get in!

    This is just not good enough. This meeting did not appear to follow their own standards and guidelines and matters of such importance should not be allowed to be discussed in this way and swept under he carpet. The meeting should be rececalled and held in Prestatyn in a large enough venue. The meeting should also be held at a reasonable time, not 10am in the day when people are at work or have committments, but in the evening.

    In the future, the Local Health Board should promise to keep to their word, and guidlines in relation to engaging wih the public and working closely with the population. Any decision that was made at the meeting is unfair, and unjust and should ethically should not stand.

    11:44 AM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | News and politics

    Help Waned to CANTER

    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 03/05/2006 )

     

    As a keen horseman, I wanted to mention CANTER. (Create a Network to encourage Riding and Driving).

     

    Access Week, 20-29 May is the BHS's, British Horse Society's annual event to raise awareness of access issues and the work being done by the Society , it's volunteers and Affiliated /Bridleways Groups on behalf of riders across the UK CANTER is being launched for the first time this year and is focusing on the National Bridleroute Network project. CANTER is a nationwide cry for help in getting routes opened, mapped and onto the network.

     

    The opening up of bridlepaths and private land is something that local hunts are very keen and helpful in doing. Some of the rides I have been on locally in the Vale of Clwyd have been the best scenerey I have ever seen and it is only that the Flint & Denbigh Hunt and landowners allow riders to do this that gives people the opportunity. For more information on how to get involved with Access work and the CANTER campaign, contact the Access department on 01926 707813

    11:43 AM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | Organizations

    Londoners go Shopping in Denbigh

    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 22/04/2006 )

     

    I felt urged to write a letter to the local paper this week which I was pleased to have it published. I was responding to a letter written the week before in Denbighshire Free Press where the author of the letter was saying how Denbighshire did not have much to offer for visitors and locals. The author mentioned Broughton Retail Park, Cheshire Oaks and that they have longer opening hours and a greater variety of shops.

     

    This led me to carry out a Denbigh survey over Easter & here are my findings;

     

    My first face to face survey was with a group of three ladies from London. They were visiting the area and chose to shop in Denbigh and Ruthin. When asked why they visited here , they told me "We are bored of the same shops in the High Street. Everything looks the same in the shops and the big retail parks are characterless and impersonal". They also said they found the shops in Denbigh unique. The first shop they visited they stayed in for an hour. This shop, Baroque offered a variety of purchases, ranging from jewellery to shoes. Their next stop was another shop, Poppies which again offered choice and value for money and some unusual gifts. Laden with bages, the ladies informed me that they were off to Ruthin for some sightseeing and a visit to Ruthin Castle. Their day was to be finished off by dinner at the White Horse, Llandyrnog. They said what a fantastic time they had and that they would be returning with their families.

     

    The author also mentiones how the A55, M53 and M56 give convenient access to Liverpool and Manchester. What good news!! Of course this also opens up Denbighshire to visitors from Liverpool and Manchester. It is all very well to have a go at Denbighshire County Council. After all , it's not perfect but what Council is? The Council does a great job of promoting toursim in Denbighshire.

     

    Denbighshire offers so much. Take a look at how many people visit to go walking, bird watching and even sledging when we have all the snow!

     

    Of course there is a long way to go. What we need to do is work together, see the positives and invest in our local shops, services and amenities and not go out of town.

     

    Every penny spent locally is an investment for the future of Denbigh and the surrounding areas.

    11:42 AM | Add a comment | Read comments (1) | Permalink | Blog it | News and politics

    Flint and Denbig Hunt Ride at Cefn

    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 18/04/2006 )

     

    I hope you all had a good Easter. I always find at Easter that it seems like everyone comes out of hibernation. Families and friends get together and go to Church and spend time gardening and spring cleaning or catching up on their hobbies! I did just that. I spent a wonderful day out riding with close friends. There were 7 of us and so I aptly called us "The magnificent 7!" .

     

    A fun ride, 10 miles around what I can only describe as stunning countryside, best kept secret in Wales!! The ride was wonderfully organised by Flint and Denbigh Hunt. They spend a huge amount of time marking the ride out, supplying stewards at various points and to top it all at the end of the ride they ensure that there is food and refreshments available and that everyone has returned safely. At the end of the day everyone looked refreshed and glowing from being in the country air and the horses tired and ready to go home for some well earnt hay and feed. The whole day was a credit to everyone who helped. I believe that there were over 200 horses out riding and while out on the ride and chatting to people I gathered that people came from Cheshire and Merseyside to enjoy what we have on our doorstep in the Vale.

     

     A big thank you to Flint and Denbigh Hunt and all your helpers.

    11:41 AM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | Organizations

    Save North Wales Police Force

    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 12/04/2006 )

     

    I went to a meeting last week in the Town Hall, Rhyl, involving the Police and Community Consultative group (PCCG), to discuss the topic "one force for Wales". The Police Authority wants to kow what the public thinks about plans to swallow the North Wales Police into an all-Wales police force.

     

    The Meeting was extremely productive with healthy debate being offered from members of the public. Home secretary Charles Clarke says that larger forces would have the resources to make policing more efficient and more effective against serious crime So, basically he wants rid of the four forces in Wales to make them one. It was apparent at this recent local consultation meeting the majority was not in favour of this move towards one force in Wales.

     

    Crime in North Wales is at its lowest for 30 years. Robbery is down 25%. This does not suggest to me that the system we have now is in need of change (if it's not broken , why fix it?) The objective of a better police force is something we should all aim for. However this whole process and the haste which is being forced on everyone to make fast, perhaps wrong , decisions is unworkable. These changes are going to cost £77m plus to implement . If the labour government has this sort of disposable money then why not spend it on local policing, more local Policemen and community officers?

     

    The Welsh police authorities in Wales have voted against doing this and will unite and lodge objections with the Home office. What worries me is that there is pressure on Welsh Labour MPs and AMs not to get involved in this debate. I invite Labour Mps and AMs to comment on where they stand on this very important matter.

     

    I urge everyone to get involved in this urgent issue to safeguard the success of one of the finest crime fighting operations in England and Wales.

    11:40 AM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | News and politics

    Welsh Farmers and Business Wanted

    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 02/04/2006 )

     

    After the comments about the supporting of British farming link I feel I should respond and make a couple of quick comments.

     

    Firstly this is a new blog and I wanted to just start the ball rolling. Secondly I will be proud to grow the links, specifically if they are of a farming nature or feature local business interests. Dont forget though that many people from the Vale have companies in the Vale of Clwyd and around the UK.

     

    Of course I will help them any way I can and although most of you wont know this, the farm in the link is part owned by a person here in the Vale of Clwyd. So to summ up, if any Welsh farmers or businesses from Denbighshire wish to be featured on my Blog as a link, please leave your details on this comment post and I will gladly add them to the side bar.

    11:39 AM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | News and politics

    Independent Joins Welsh Lib Dem Party

    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 25/03/2006 )

     

    Over the last couple of weeks I have been busy! I announced last week that I was to join the Welsh Liberal Democrats. As you all know I stood as an Independent candidate in the 2005 General Election for the Vale of Clwyd having become disenchanted with the lack of attention to local issues amongst some of the mainstream parties.

     

    Having thought long and hard about my way forward in politics and also about my beliefs, I decided that the clear "Real Alternative" party for me is the Welsh Liberal Democrat Party. Since the election, I have to say I have been most impressed with the modern, fair and balanced thinking of the Welsh Lib Dems. I find them a very forward thinking party and I have been inspired by the courage shown by the party as it went about the difficult task of selecting a new leader. It showed me that the party is not afraid of change.

     

    I have every intention of making myself available as a candidate for selection in future elections. At the same time I will of course still continue to carry out my local work with charities, sports foundations and the local community in the Vale of Clwyd.

     

    I will keep you all posted and look forward to getting out and about meeting as many of you as I can this Spring

    11:38 AM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | News and politics

    The Trust got it Wrong

    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 08/03/2006 )

     

    The weeks seem to fly by and soon it will be Spring! I think we are all looking forward to that. The snow was fun though and I did manage to fit in some sledging.
    I also managed to fit in some letter writing!

    I felt compelled to write back to an article in The Visitor about Conwy and Denbighshire NHS Trust Chief Executive, Gren Kershaw stating that he was winning the battle to gain public acceptance to car park charges at Glan Clywd Hospital. He quoted that 70% of hospitals in Wales charge for parking. That still does not make it right to charge in an NHS car park! If he is going to give us a benchmark like this then why are why are we paying more than double of the charges in a neighbouring Chester Hospital?


    The Trust have already had to drop their proposed charges for staff by a massive 48%. This is a real admission to getting it wrong! Mr Kershaw states that at a meeting of the Rhyl Town Council last week that the icy reception to the Trust's Pay to Park programme is steadily thawing.

    I do not believe that this is the case. I have a letter from the Trust which has been sent to all staff at Glan Clwyd. It states that "unfortunately there continues to be unpleasant incidents between Glan Clwyd staff and Vinci staff". The Trust states that it "will not tolerate staff using abusive and threatening language to Vinci staff". This shows that not only is the atmosphere still icy but it is worse than that. The dedicated staff are unhappy and demotivated. It should never have been allowed to get this far. I suggest that Mr Kershaw has a meeting with his staff and listens and then tells us how it is.

    I look forward to a response from Mr Kershaw on this important matter. At the same time, perhaps he could confirm a date for a meeting between myself and he which was promised via a recent article in December and I still await confirmation.
    I will keep all of you up to date on any progress on this as I know all of you are keen to see this matter sorted out.

    11:36 AM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | News and politics

    A Sporting Car Wash

    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 06/02/2006 )

     

    What better way than to bring the buisness, community and sports together - A Charity Car Wash!

    I wanted to raise money for Llandyrnog Sports Association, Denbigh Rugby
    Club and Denbigh football club. I feel that local sports and associations are a critical part to everyday life for young and old. Everyday we read how we all need to be more healthy and that there is more obseity in our society than ever before.
    Being in a sports Club is mentally and physically good for you. It is hard for our local clubs and associations to raise funding and think of ideas all of the time.

    In mid winter, one thing is for sure, we all have dirty cars if we are driving around. So, it was a call to our local car wash,Maldwyn Williams. He eagely agreed that he was more than happy to watch me wash dirty cars for any callers! After a quick lesson, and dont forget bottem up not top down, I started off with the power wash. My first caller, Mr Peter Wilson who is on the LSA Committee He was not happy to see me sweat over one car but went home to fetch his wife's car! Thanks Peter.


    Maldwyn kindly agreed to give the takings from midday until 4pm. After nearly 100 cars later and not many tea breaks, I returned home to a radox bath with aching muscles!![We raised £690 happy days]

    So a big thank you to everyone who supported this charity car wash; Maldwyn Williams Car Wash, Howdens Joinery who have kindly made a donation and sponsored the event and everyone who bought their dirty cars for a wash!

    11:35 AM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | News and politics

    Merry Christmas

    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 26/12/2005 )

     

    I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all of you for reading my diary and for supporting me this year.

    As you know I am not going away! You will see much more of me in 2006!

    Enough of that! Merry Christmas to all of you and a Happy New Year.

    Snow is on its way so if you are travelling, travel safe and wrap up warm..........

    See you all in 2006.

     

     

    11:35 AM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | Entertainment

    Save Glan Clwyd Hospital

    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 29/11/2005 )

     

    What is happening to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd? First car park charges because of over capacity which the Trust stated was forecast to worsen in the future! Then the announcement of children ward closure at weekends. And most recently the threat of closure of Ward 7 a surgical ward - due to under capacity over the last 18 months - they say? Then it was a deficit of £7 million and now it is a deficit of £11 million. The Health Minister for Wales has stated that he will not be helping out the Trusts.

    Either way, over capacity, under capacity, 7 or 11 million- the Trust needs help. The Health Minister should commission immediately a management team to go into Glan Clwyd and help them sort out all of the probblems. It is unacceptable to be downgrading our hospital especially in the light of the threat of an exceptionally cold winter and a publicised warning by the first minsiter Rhodri Morgan of winter flu outbreak! I want to know who is going to take responsibility if there are not enough beds this winter at Glan Clwyd!

    Ian Bellingham of Glan Clwyd Hospitl says "it's not a reduction in services. It's making better use of our resources!"

    This is not cost saving - this is cost avoidance I say!

    The Health Minister, The Trust and the local AM's how can you all sleep at night in the knowledge of what is happening to our local hospital.

    I fear for the future of Glan Clwyd .

    This situation is now in a critical state and somebody needs to take responsiblity

    An open meeting with all the stakeholders should be held immediately so a rescue plah can be put in force. Act now, before it is too late..............

    11:34 AM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | News and politics

    New Protest at Car Park Charge

    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 29/11/2005 )
     

    Following my visit to the Welsh Assembley and the delivery of a letter to Dr Brian Gibbons about the public objection to the car park fees at Glan Clwyd - I am bitterly disappointed with the response

    I have received a letter and it basically says that the Health Minisiter is unable to help ! Dr Gibbons has neatly passed the problem and the responsiblity back to the Trust! What a lucky man being able to just deflect and delegate problems of this size back to exactly the place where I don't believe they should be, The Trust. What does the Minister do then if he does not get involved with this type of problem?
    What do AM's do as well if they are not there to help sort this expensive, unfair problem out?

    It is simple - We live in one of the poorest areas in the Vale of Clwyd! and we will be paying one of the most expensive car parking fees.....................

    I think that this is just the beginning of problems at Glan Clwyd and that basically it needs finance and that it will either do it this way to hit all visitors and patients or we will start to see cutting back of staff, treatment etc

    Watch this space but whatever happened to the good old free NHS?.................

    11:33 AM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | News and politics

    Business in the Community Cymru Wales

    (This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 27/10/2005 )

     

    A couple of weeks ago I attended an excellent conference run by "Responsible Business Wales 2005". A most invigorating and motivating day. The event was designedfor Senior Managers from corporate businesses and SMEs based in Wales. I was invited in my role as a local politician and am proud to say I was the only politician there!

    Business sustainability is vital to the Welshy economy. The event concentrated on how companies in Wales address the range of impacts they have in the marketplace, community , workplace and on the environment

    For me, a couple of speakers really made the day . Peter Williams , Director of Business in the Community Cymru/Wales and Professor Dylan Jones Evans, Director of the National Entrepreneurship Observatory. Professor Dylan Jones Evans made a point in his speech which haunted me; "In Wales, over 400,000 people of a working age are not in education or work!". Roughly about 24% of the population! Scary!

    Towards the end of the day, I was requested to ask some questions to Andrew Davies, Minister for Economy & Transport, Welsh Assembley Government. Of course one question which had to be posed was that of how did the Minister suggest we sort out this worrying figure of 400,000 people! His answer was enlightening. "There are no quick fixes!" however we should be pleased to know that a plan is in place ! So guys watch this space...............

    11:33 AM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | Organizations