Mike is a Conwy County Councillor and represents the Marl Ward in Llandudno Junction. Mike is also Cabinet Member for Highways, Environment and Sustainability.
Thursday, 24 December 2009
Merry Christmas
Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i bawb.
Tonight I hope to be in Conwy with my family to see Father Christmas and watch the firework display.
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Operation Christmas Goody Box
I would like to thank all that have contributed to this appeal and I pray for a safe tour for our troops. I think the picture says more than I could write, if I can do anything to assist these great people, I will.
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
More Flooding
Monday, 16 November 2009
Copyright
I am going to review my posts as I obviously do not want to breach this. I will also seek some advice as to what I can publish and hopefully offer advice to fellow bloggers.
Saturday, 14 November 2009
Local Flooding
Liberal Policy - Crime & Policing
- We will place 10,000 more police on the streets
- We will introduce more effective policing using technology
- Reform sentences to say what they mean, Life must mean Life
- Provide secure mental health and drug treatment centres
- Establish a violent offenders register so that enforcement agencies could monitor the movements of dangerous criminals
Crime is a major issue within our communities and Britain as a whole and it is also an issue that I would tackle head on. I make no apology for the length of this blog but I hope it has given you a flavour of how I address crime and disorder and also my party. For more information please go to
Friday, 13 November 2009
Ysgol Maelgwn Llandudno Junction
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Affordable Housing under the Tories will drop by 25%
Operation "Christmas Goody Box"
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
"Operation Christmas Goody Box" Appeal
While on holiday in Greece this year, I met a lad from Abergele who is a sergeant in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. One of our conversations turned to Afghanistan and he told me what the conditions were like and how at times it was a very lonely place. The conversation then went on to how well Goody Boxes were received and what a boost to morale this had. This got me thinking that I would like to show my support and appreciation for the very difficult environment they are in and I also wanted to help. When I returned to Conwy, I spoke to Councillor Merfyn Thomas, who has a military background and he was aware of the goody boxes and the positive effect they have on morale.
Whether you agree or disagree with the war in Afghanistan, I believe our local troops deserve our support. Today in Tescos, Llandudno Junction, Councillor Merfyn Thomas and myself Launched Operation Christmas Goody Box. This appeal will run alongside one currently being held in Flintshire.
The Royal Welsh are about to go on a seven month tour in Helmand province. We are appealing for local people to show their support by donating toiletries, wet wipes, toothpaste, deodorant (not aerosol), shower gel and boiled sweets, mints, jellies, no chocolate. Magazines, puzzle books and writing materials are also needed.
A local school has agreed to write Christmas messages which will be placed in each box. Everything that is collected from Tescos in Llandudno Junction will be boxed up in Dale Barracks Chester and flown out hopefully in time for Christmas. Councillor Thomas and myself are looking to extend this appeal eastwards to Rhos on Sea and Colwyn Bay. You can donate from Thursday 29th October until 30th November at Tescos Llandudno Junction (there will be a trolley by the exit). I will update as and when we have more drop off sites.
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Conwy Food Festival
Visited the food festival this morning, Conwy is looking great with big crowds and a steady stream of local people walking across the cob, it's really great to see such an event at the end of the season.
http://www.conwyfeast.co.uk/
Friday, 23 October 2009
NHS
“While we acknowledge that this money is being spent on patient care, it is unacceptable that £1 billion is not being used to the maximum effect to benefit patients. This raises very serious questions about the strategic management of our NHS and its ability to deliver value for Welsh taxpayers’ money.“
http://www.libdemcymru.com/
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Smoke Related Litter
Monday, 19 October 2009
Outdoor Gym
Today in Rhos-On-Sea we launched an outdoor gym for our more mature residents, it was also good to see a couple using the equipment as we arrived for the Photo Shoot. In this picture left to right, Rhos-On-Sea Councillors Phil Edwards and Roger Parry, Lyn Davies Head of Street scene and his assistant Mr Peter Barton-Price and Myself.
Check out the link to find out more on this equipment
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Welsh Conference
- No Welsh Liberal Democrat AM/MP will be able to profit from selling their subsidised second homes. Any AM/MP already owning a second home will return any profits to the relevant Fees Office after ceasing to be an AM/MP.
- I will not flip my second or first residence (unless for significant family or ministerial reasons)
- I will not claim for furniture, household goods, non essential capital improvements or stamp duty
- Any new AM/MP will be allowed a nominal set up cost for any second residence. Any expenditure will represent best value for money and be published in full
- I will claim for rent, ground rent, hotels, overnight subsistence, with receipts, mortgage interest, council tax, service charges, utility bills, telephone, line rental, insurance, building and contents
- I will always aim to get the best value for money on trips, property, overnight stays and any other expenses claimed
- I will always be open with the tax authorities on any rental income received from my second home
- Any couples married or otherwise will only claim for one second residence to the equivalent of one persons rental, mortgage and utilities allowance
- I will regularly publish my own expenses in the interest of transparency
Anybody who fails to sign up to these standards or fails to comply with them will, under the Welsh Party Rules, no longer be eligible to stand as a Welsh Liberal Democrat Candidate.
I will sign up to this Code of Conduct and feel it will go some way in instilling confidence in politics.
I feel that the government should own properties and rent them out to politicians on a fixed term period, perhaps after the 2012 Olympics the government could adapt the athletes village and rent the properties out (i.e. stopping individuals capitalising on second homes) and ultimately having an asset at the end of the contract, just a thought!!.
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Please Can we have some more!
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Parking Attendants/Civil Enforcement Officers
Libdem Meeting
After all the official business I announced my team for the forthcoming general election. I was particularly pleased to announce my Agent, Christine Humphreys, who is currently president of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and is vastly experienced politically and more importantly knows the role of agent. I announced a further ten posts all of which tie in to and will play a major role in the campaign which has started in Aberconwy. I am humbled by local people stopping me in the street and when I am out shopping offering help. My wife Lorraine has now added an extra half hour to our shopping trips!!
I am now very confident that we can campaign across the constituency. We now have up to forty friends and volunteers that can assist, deliver and canvass. A very positive meeting with some good feedback from visitors from Bangor and a good venue to hold a meeting, you could say I made quite a splash!!
When I left the meeting at around 8:15pm I witnessed Conwy's Parking attendants at work, I will blog this later.
Friday, 9 October 2009
WAG Building Llandudno Junction
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Tree Preservation Orders
Conwy County Councils' planning (Regulatory Services) department deals with all matters relating to 'amenity trees'; those trees that are grown mainly because they help to improve the quality of our lives, rather than for their value as a timber crop. Amenity trees are found in town and country gardens, parks and other open spaces, or lining the sides of streets, railways and rivers. Not only do they make places more attractive, but they also provide valuable habitats for wildlife, improve the air we breathe, help to conserve energy and much more.
We have strong legislation that protects trees and woods in conservation areas, and gives Conwy's planning authority wide powers to make tree preservation orders (TPOs). This protection is similar in many ways to the listed buildings system and helps preserve our most valued trees. You may ask Conwy's Planning Authority to consider making a TPO for trees that you feel should be protected.
To check whether a tree is protected and to make an application to carry out pruning or felling work to a protected tree, you should contact Conwy Planning department (Regulatory Services) on 01492 575105 or 574000 and ask for Tree Preservation Officer in Regulatory Services.
Monday, 5 October 2009
Baby mammoth yields secrets after 40,000 years in Siberian tundra - Times Online
Baby mammoth yields secrets after 40,000 years in Siberian tundra - Times Online
Shared via AddThis
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Leaders Debate on!!
Canvassing Deganwy
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Solvent Abuse
Friday, 25 September 2009
Milk & Alcohol
Alcohol and Substance Misuse
I am also attending a police community meeting in the Memorial Hall in Llandudno Junction at 2pm, this will be another opportunity to discuss this and other issues.
To find out more on substance misuse go to www.re-solv.org
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Hospital visit after cancelled Meeting!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at Llandudno Hospital for their prompt care and professionalism. It's times like this that make you realise what a great asset we have in Llandudno and it makes me sad and angry when certain individuals and their party try in a round about way to take credit for saving this great place. I have written to the local paper with my views.
I hope that people like me see through cheap stunts like this. After all it was the people that worked tirelessly to save the services at Llandudno hospital, not individuals. Well done to ALL that have given up many hours to protect this hospital in order for people like me to access it.
Sunday, 20 September 2009
Quotes
Golda Meir
There would be no one to frighten you if you refuse to be afraid
Mahatma Gandhi
In the beginners mind, there are many possibilities but in the experts mind there are few
Shunryu Suzuki
Treasure your relationships, not your possessions
Anthony J. D'Angelo
The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall
Nelson Mandela
I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that wont work
Thomas Edison
Be kind whenever possible, it is always possible
Mahatma Gandhi
Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted
Albert Einstein
Respect!!!!
- Were the Police involved? no they weren't, they did not receive one call
- Should we increase the age limit to purchase alcohol to say 25 years old?
- What damage are these people doing to themselves?
- Should we increase the price of alcohol off sales?
- We know we have a national problem with under age drinking, what on earth are the parents doing to address this problem?
Just a few things going through my mind, so much for my Sunday with the girls (sorry girls) and thanks to the Council for coming out and clearing up after these individuals, it's worth mentioning that there was a youth football match in this area today and at least they did not have to witness such a scene. Also, I know of a blind resident with a guide dog who uses this route most days. So the question is, if respect was taught to our youths (respect yourself, respect others, respect your environment and so on), would this have happened?
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Out & About in Deganwy
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Conwy "Buzzing"
Friday, 11 September 2009
My Allowances 2008/2009
Thursday, 10 September 2009
What a load of Rubbish
So far we have held seven Environmental Days. These are days where the Council provide skips for residents to dispose of any unwanted household items, generally clean-up areas of graffiti etc and where advice is also given on waste management. On these seven days we have taken away 98.5 Tonnes of unwanted household items of which approximately 60% has been recycled.
It is encouraging to see that after these days, recycling participation rates improve and feedback from the public is very positive indeed.
The areas covered so far are:
Pensarn (Abergele)
Belgrano
Mochdre
Llandudno
Llanrwst
Kinmel Bay
Peulwys
Residents are informed by letter that these events are taking place.
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
It's Question and Answer Time!!
There is much debate regarding whether or not this group should be given a platform on the BBC's Question Time, the fact of the matter is that this party have won seats in Councils across Britain and even have two Members in the European Parliament.
I feel this would be an excellent opportunity to expose them for what they really are and place them under national scrutiny, one question for example could be, " Would you really deter asylum seekers heading for Europe by sinking their Boats".
Should we ignore them or expose them?
Sunday, 6 September 2009
Having a Clear Out!!
Meetings this week
Wednesday 9th September
11.00 Llandudno Junction Master Plan, Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre
2.00 Planning Committee, Conwy
Thursday 10th September
All day, Cabinet Meeting, Conwy
Friday 11th September
12.00 Open tenders, Conwy
2.00 Llandulas Landfill Meeting, Colwyn Bay
3.00 Raynes Quarry Meeting, Colwyn Bay
5.00 Liberal Democrat Executive Meeting, Penmaenmawr
7.00 Teenz and Kidz Drama Workshop, Llandudno Junction
Above are some planned meetings for the week ahead, again that is without the phone going, my email and my post and the work these can generate.
Monday, 31 August 2009
What's on this week
Tuesday 1st Sept:
10am Service improvement board, Bodlondeb
12pm Meeting with Environment dept Mochdre
2.30pm Annual Governance Framework Bodlondeb
5pm Environmental Audit with Police around the ward
Wednesday 2nd:
10am Meet planning officer regarding planning issue on ward (8 Overlea Ave) Colwyn Bay Civic offices
2.30pm Waste management programme board Bodlondeb
7pm Police and Community meeting, Llandudno Junction Community Club
Thursday 3rd:
9am Meet Ysgol Aberconwy to discuss results and arrange
Governor meeting (I am Chair)
12pm Meet Head of Environment Mochdre
2pm Ward issues home office
Friday 4th:
10am Informal Council Bodlondeb
12.30pm Public Conveniences task & finish group Bodlondeb
2pm Ysgol Aberconwy Policy review
6pm Teenz & Kidz Drama workshop Junction youth club