On Saturday morning I attended a very lively meeting organised by the Youth Council in Nercwys who had invited local residents to come and talk to them about local issues.

Our young people often get such a bad press – and regularly get an unfair deal at the hands of our media - so it was refreshing to be able to engage with them and see them taking the initiative to talk to other residents.  

They are working hard to raise funds for a kickback wall, which has planning permission already granted.

They were anxious to talk to residents about any rules they thought there should be for its use, for example they suggested no play after 9pm. I’m sure everyone enjoyed it and went away feeling very positive about the meeting,

I know I certainly did so well done to the Youth Council.

  A survey of local residents by Gwernymynydd Liberal Democrat Cllr Nancy Matthews has delivered overwhelming support for the party’s policy proposals “Make it Happen” to be debated at its conference in

Bournemouth next week.

  The policy paper sets out the Lib Dems priorities for a government in

Westminster, focusing on the key issues and challenges for the future.

 

The proposals include detailed plans on schools, hospitals, tackling crime, taxes and the environment. 

The key findings of the survey showed 100& of those responding supported the Lib Dems proposals for greener taxes to tackle the environment, while over 70% felt that taxes generally should be cut to help hard hit families during the current credit crunch and rising process. 

Almost 86% supported extra funding for those who need it to improve standards in education while 72% were behind the Lib Dems opposition to the introduction of expensive ID cards to stop further invasions of our privacy. 

And more than 85% agreed that the voting system should be changed to ensure everyone’s voice counted. 

Cllr Nancy Matthews said: “The feedback I have had from local residents to my survey shows just how popular some of these policy proposals that Nick Clegg is making in this paper are and how they resonate positively with voters in my area. 

“As with many of our policy papers this one is sure to generate some lively discussion and debate next week in

Bournemouth but given the popularity of the proposals among residents in Gwernymynydd I’m confident they will get conference’s backing.”

  ”a victory for common sense and our future heritage” says Cllr Nancy Matthews

 The Welsh Assembly Minister , Jane Davidson, has upheld the decision of Flintshire County Council to impose a Prohibition Order on Bryn Gwyn Quarry, Gwernymynydd. 

In July 2007 elected members of Flintshire County Council took the brave decision to impose this order, which would prohibit working at the dormant quarry in Gwernymynydd. 

The owners DP Williams Holdings lodged an objection to the Order which resulted in a Public Inquiry held in February, April and May this year. 

The Minerals Planning and Legal Services Departments of Flintshire County Council worked tirelessly throughout the winter supported by the communities of Gwernymynydd and Nercwys and the surrounding villages to prepare a case to put before the Planning Inspector.  

Gwernymynydd Cllr Nancy Matthews said: “We have heard today that the Minister has upheld the Order, a victory for common sense and our future heritage, which ensures the future well-being of local communities.  “Our heartfelt thanks must go to the officers of Flintshire County Council for their work towards this decision which sets a precedent throughout Wales and for the rest of the United Kingdom.”

ENDS

 A report into the future education provision in Flintshire carried out by the Wales Audit Office and presented to the Council’s Executive last month (August 5^th, 2008) exposes yet more Labour failures local Lib Dems have claimed. The report highlights the lack of planning by the previous Labour administration, the absence of a strategy to address the future provision of education across the County and key decisions put off by an Executive “lacking the morale fibre” to tackle the big issues say the Lib Dems. 

The Audit Office also identified that in addition to a backlog of £35million of work needed to improve the condition of schools and to address disability access, the full cost of the work required to make Flintshire schools fit for purpose remains unknown. 

Additionally, spending on Flintshire schools was forecast to be among the lowest in Wales at £215 per pupil compared to an average across the country of £400. 

Cllr Carolyn Cattermoul, Lib Dem Education spokesperson, said: “This report is a damning indictment of the previous Labour run Executive and exposes yet more failures and their lack of morale fibre when faced with making tough decisions. 

“Slowly, but surely, the skeletons are beginning to emerge from the cupboards as the full extent of Labour’s mismanagement at County Hall is gradually becoming known to the new Executive. 

“The scale of the task facing the new Coalition administration is a huge one but I am confident that collectively we can rise to the challenge and under Arnold Woolley’s leadership we can turn these problems around. 

“We have had to listen to constant sniping and petty attacks from the Labour party since their fall from power in May. 

“But faced with the growing evidence of the failings on their watch and under Cllr Shotton’s leadership, maybe it is time for them to take a long hard look at their own performance over the past ten years before commenting further on ours over the last four months.”

ENDS 

 

A recent planning application for a new landfill site for our waste was rejected by the planning committee because of the objections made by local residents and business in the area that would have been affected by this proposal. 

Although there is likely to be an appeal against the decision Buckley councillors were clear in supporting the objectors’ opposition; Enough is enough. 

These words mean a lot to the residents of Buckley, just as they mean a lot to its councillors.  

But the fact is that we can all do something towards bringing a change in how we consider ‘Rubbish’. 

There are currently 6 landfill sites, some almost full to capacity, within 2.5 miles of Buckley, Northop, Ewloe, Altami, Aston, Queensferry and Shotton. Two more new landfill sites are proposed within this same perimeter.  

Landfill sites historically produce visual nuisance, noise, litter, vermin and smells & odours. We can argue about how much and whether we can control them, but it’s obvious that over a period of 15 years or more, the perception of any landfill site is not going to be a positive experience. 

Control measures imposed by planning conditions in relation to some of the problems associated with landfill will only be effective by careful management and enforcement. 

While all these issues are contentious, probably the most difficult one to control are the ‘smells and odours’ caused by rotting food waste. Any methods used to control them results in further odour issues, especially when residents and businesses are in close proximity. 

We therefore have to recognise why there is a need for landfill and what we can all do collectively to reduce that demand.   

The volume of landfill and the number of sites required is completely dependant on our individual response to waste and our long term waste management plan. 

The most logical solution is to remove the food waste that makes up approximately 17% of the waste that goes to landfill so that it doesn’t cause the problem in the first place. 

Flintshire County Council (FCC) is presently considering plans in this direction, in conjunction with other prescriptive requirements from Welsh Assembly Government. 

Of course we should not expect someone else to provide the answer for us, it’s up to us all to understand the problem and contribute towards the formulation of an action plan to reduce landfill site requirement. 

Why do we need landfill? Landfill provides a means of discarding of the residual waste stream. 

What is the ‘Residual waste stream? It is the black bag rubbish that we leave for collection. 

So, what can I do to make a difference? 

By reducing the amount of waste, Re-using all appropriate goods and put more in your recycling bins, thereby reducing the amount of rubbish that needs to go to landfill.  

If we do this, we can all make a significant difference. Remember everything you put in your black bag goes to landfill. The more you recycle the less landfill space we need! 

Let’s face it. Do you want to live or work next to a landfill site? 

‘Think before you Throw’

Flintshire councillors Nancy Matthews and Richard Jones recently visited a pioneering waste processing facility on Merseyside that turns household rubbish into renewable energy.

 The mechanical heat treatment plant, operated by Orchid Environmental on behalf of Merseyside Waste Authority, is one of eight pilot demonstrator projects across the country funded by Defra to explore new methods of dealing with household waste. 

The facility is contracted to process 50,000 tonnes of municipal waste per annum, although it has the capacity to increase that to 80,000 tonnes annually, and reduces the level of waste that would have otherwise gone to landfill by up to 90 per cent. Up to 45 per cent of the waste is converted into biomass fuel products that are being trialled in various industries, while another 20 per cent of the waste is eventually recycled. The remainder is lost as moisture into the atmosphere.  Cllr Matthews said: “The visit was extremely useful for both Richard and me, providing us with an opportunity to see close up one of a series of new technologies in action. “In order to reduce landfill – and thereby minimise the year on year increases in landfill taxes – and to help increase our recycling performance we must look at and consider all emerging new technologies that can help us achieve that goal. “This process is one of many that are currently being considered by councils everywhere and one that has many benefits worthy of serious examination alongside other strategies being developed.” 

Cllr Jones added: “The pressure on Councils to reduce landfill while also increasing recycling is huge and we must evaluate every possible solution if we are to achieve our targets while minimising the impact of landfill tax on local residents.”ENDS

Flintshire Lib Dems have declined to nominate any members to sit as substitutes on the planning committee claiming their approach is “consistent and principled” after they voted against an amendment to allow deputies to be used.

Following a thorough review of the planning committee by consultants Pricewaterhouse Coopers, the issue was discussed at a recent Council meeting when the amendment – against the advice of the Council’s Constitutional Committee – was carried by a majority vote of councillors.

But the Lib Dems did not support the amendment, preferring to support the option to not have any substitutes in line with the recommendations and advice of Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

Lib Dem group Leader, Cllr Robin Baker, said: “:While we understood the arguments for using substitutes as a group we felt we could not support that option and our view was that no substitutes was a better alternative to protect the integrity of the planning process.

“We respect the decision was a democratic one but as it was not a position we agreed with we felt it would be hypocritical to then nominate three substitutes from our group.

“We are therefore taking a principled stance on this issue that is consistent with the group’s position throughout this debate as we feel there is ample opportunity for Ward councillors to make representation on behalf of local residents without putting themselves in jeopardy of fettering their discretion on planning matters.”
ENDS

Flintshire Lib Dems are urging local residents facing post office closures in their area to lobby local politicians and respond to the Post Office before the 15th September deadline opposing the proposed closures.

The announcement on Tuesday means that around 20 per cent of the county’s post offices face the axe unless a strong case can be made for the Post Office to rethink their plans.

The news comes only days after a House of Commons select committee warned that outreach services, set up to fill the gaps left by the closures, will fail because of a lack of cash.

Outreach facilities are being proposed in 14 communities across the region to offset the impact of closures but this latest report highlights that funding for them to be viable may be inadequate.

And the Lib Dems accused the Labour government – and local Labour MP’s – of being determined to destroy the Post Office network across Flintshire.

Cllr. Robin Baker, Leader of Flintshire County Council’s Lib Dem group, said: “Post Offices provide a vital service, particularly to vulnerable people and rural areas. When they close, other services often follow suit, with devastating consequences for the community.

“Mobile offices are being offered by the Post Office, but these wholly inadequate replacements will not provide anything like the kind of service people in rural areas rely on.

“Outreach services are a poor relation to proper post offices. The Government seems to think it can get post offices on the cheap this way. However, even outreach services need to be properly funded.

“At this rate many areas will end up with no post office services whatsoever. Ministers are presiding over the managed decline of our post offices.

“Local MPs – including Delyn’s MP David Hanson - have let down local residents by voting against a motion in the House of Commons in March that would have brought an end to the closure programme in Flintshire.

“I would urge everyone affected by these proposals to write to MP’s David Hanson and Mark Tami, lobby their local councillor and write to the Post Office before the 15th September to let their views be known,” he added.

Responses to the consultation should be sent to
Steve Geraty
Network Development Manager
C/o National Consultation Team
FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM

Email: consultation@postoffice.co.uk

The recent increase in energy prices just re-confirms the need for all of us to be far more efficient in the way we mange power our homes. It may have seemed ‘cheap’ and unecessary to shut doors and close the curtains, but not anymore. This government has done little to assist in any short to medium term plan for energy conservation or communication of an understandable public message in support of the things we can do to benefit not only our planet for the future but also our pockets today. Look at the list below and maybe these can go some way to help you save.
With gas & electric prices rising, this is a good time to remind/alert us all how we can save money and the planet using the top ten tips below.

Gas prices up 35%
Electric prices up 20%
10 ways to help you save energy, money, and help prevent climate change. You could save around £270 per year*.

1 Turn your thermostat down. Reducing your room temperature by 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10 percent. You could save around £50 per year.
2 Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat should be set at 60°C/140°F.
3 Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.
4 Always turn off the lights when you leave a room.
5 Don’t leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily.
6 If you’re not filling up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher, use the half-load or economy programme.
7 Only boil as much water as you need (but remember to cover the elements if you’re using an electric kettle).
8 A dripping hot water tap wastes energy and in one week wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath, so fix leaking taps and make sure they’re fully turned off!
9 Use energy saving lightbulbs. They last up to 10 times longer than ordinary bulbs, and using one can save you around £40 over the lifetime of the bulb. This saving could be up to £60 over its lifetime if you?re replacing a very high wattage incandescent bulb, or one used for more than a few hours a day.
10. Do a home energy check at the ‘www.energysavingtrust.org.uk’ link. Just answer some simple questions about your home and the Energy saving trust will give you a free, impartial report telling you how you can save up to £270 a year on your house hold energy bills.

I hope these tips help you to keep your money in your pocket

Nancy, in her role as the Executive Member for Waste Strategy and Management, recently attended the launch of a state of the art mini power station that has started generating electricity from waste in Flintshire.
Developed on the former landfill site at Brookhill quarry, the eco-friendly plant has been installed by AD Waste and wil generate power from methane and other gases given off as a by-product of decomposing waste.
AD waste will use 10 per cent of the electricity generated for its nearby site while the remainder will be sent to the national grid providing enough power to supply the needs of several hundred homes.
Nancy said: “This is an interesting example of using waste gases to produce energy which demonstrates the ongoing life of a closed landfill site.
“It will help Wales – and Flintshire – meet national targets to use more renewable energy sources and cut down on fossil fuels.
“The Government has set a target nationally for 10 per cent of energy needs to be met from renewable sources by 2010 and I am delighted we are already doing our bit here in Flintshire to contribute to that goal,” she added.