Cost of Credit

This was advertised on TV today, first I have seen it, apparently it's been running for some time.

Look at the APR!! WOW!!

Christmas Present

A nice little surprise for Christmas!! My wife bought us tickets for Vinopolis in London for my birthday weekend, really looking forward to this. Below is an extract from their website. We have booked the Celebration Tour.

http://www.vinopolis.co.uk/winetours/celebrationtour.php


The Vinopolis Celebration self guided tour is our premium wine tour, designed for those with a thirst for fizz and a taste for the luxurious.
After taking part in a tutored 'How to Taste Wine' to brush up on your tasting technique you can sample 6 regular wines and a variety of premium wines from around the world, 2 whiskies in our whisky room, and finally 3 Nicolas Feuillatte Champagnes in our Champagne bar before indulging in a Bombay Sapphire cocktail. All the Vinopolis self guided wine tours are laid out around the wine producing regions of world including France, Italy, Australia, California, South Africa and some lesser known regions such as Georgia.

For the visitor who enjoys the finer things, this package includes:


•Admission to the Vinopolis Wine Tour
•A 'How to Taste Wine' session
•6 regular wine tastings
•3 premium wine tastings
•3 Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne tastings
•2 whisky tastings
•2 beer tastings
•A Bombay Sapphire cocktail
•A Vinopolis tasting notebook
Approximate duration: 3 hours

A Very Merry Christmas To You All

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year.

Conwy Town Councils Christmas Parade 24/12/2010

I have just taken a message from Conwy Town Council asking if I could pass on this sad news that they have had to cancel this event due to the Weather conditions.

Can you all pass on this info via your Blogs, Twitter and Facebook.

Mike

Update Refuse/Recycling Collections

Today due to the weather conditions NO collections of Refuse or Recycling were made, refuse collectors will try and catch up over the next couple of days and the advice is please leave your Bin/Box out.

Any problems please phone 01492 575337

Refuse/Recycling Collections

There is disruption to Refuse & Recycling collections across the County due to this severe weather. The advice is to leave your bin/box's out and they will try and empty them as soon as possible. If you have any concerns please phone 01492 575337

I will update you in the next couple of days as I receive more information.

Postage Rates

From April 2011 the Royal Mail will raising the price of stamps:

1st Class will rise 5p
2nd Class will rise 4p

I must say that I still like receiving hand written letters but these are now very far and few between.

Has anyone noticed that credit card and loan letters have increased recently and before the recession our household must have received at least half a dozen a week.

An old boss of mine could tell the state of the economy by looking at the amount of franked mail in the Mail Centre, he said that one house sale used to generate up to 30 letters, not sure if that is the case these days with couriers and email.

Driving Home For Christmas

Posted earlier about a Christmas party in the Community Club on Victoria Drive in Llandudno Junction, little did I know that it would take over an hour to get home.

The picture is from my stationary car outside The Killer (Station Hotel) opposite the Railway Station. I could not get up "The Hill". The last time I witnessed this type of Snow cover on Conwy Road was when I was a Kid and tried to charge motorists for assisting them to get up the hill by pushing them up. (Never made much money!!)

Senior Residents Christmas Party

I helped out today at this event and have to say it was well attended and appreciated by all our senior residents. My thanks to Cor Meibion Maelgwn for entertaining us and special thanks to all at the community club that made the day happen.

This is the 3rd Christmas party and the feedback from residents is, "Long may it Continue". The choir sang and the Snow fell, it was great.

I couldn't help thinking about my late Mum, suppose it's the time of year.

Merry Christmas to you all
Nadolig Llawen
Mike

Marl Ward Election 20/01/2011

Today nominations closed for the second seat on the Marl Ward. I can confirm that the following people are standing for this seat:

Susan Gail Shotter - Liberal Democrat
Mike Pritchard - Labour
Julie Fallon - Conservative
Jason Robert Landy - probably Independent but not known

http://www.conwy.gov.uk/upload/public/attachments/439/Statement_of_Persons_Nominated_MARL_20_01_11.pdf

I will be working alongside Susan Shotter during the election which is to be held on 20th January and I fully endorse her. I have known Sue for a number of years and believe that we together can represent the whole of the Marl Ward as a team, something I haven't had for the last couple of years. Sue is a very approachable, polite and enthusiastic person who will represent the ward effectively.

Busy Day

Today I have Cabinet meetings all day, then off to The Walton Centre in Liverpool for an early evening meeting. I am keeping a close eye on the review of Trauma care in England and how it may effect North Wales, especially head trauma.

A Varied Day

Enjoyed the variety of today's activities.

10am we opened up some new allotments in Rhos on Sea. (See previous post)

11.30am it was off to the Welsh Mountain Zoo to feed a couple of camels some of Conwy's Willow. This is difficult to shred in order to compost as when it goes through our shredding machine it tends to wrap around the blades and can cause serious jams. Any willow cut in our parks and gardens is set aside and bulked up and delivered to the Zoo and fed to the Camels, they love it and this saves us money and time from clearing our shredder.

1pm I helped out at Tescos in Junction bag packing in aid of Clic Sargent, Cancer and Leukaemia in Children, this charity assisted my wife and I when our daughter was poorly a few years ago, so we try to support them as often as possible.

Every day 10 families are told their child has cancer. As the UK's leading children's cancer charity, ClIC Sargent is the only organisation to offer them all round care and support.

New Allotments

On Saturday 11th December there will be a ceremony to officially open some new allotments in Rhos on Sea (off Tan y Bryn Road).

There are 72 plots in total including 12 that are DDA compliant, I have been informed that most plots have been taken up and that we have 7 DDA Raised plots left. The event starts at 10am and finishes at 2pm. I am in attendance but will be whisked off to feed some "Camels" at the Welsh Mountain Zoo, this is to do with some of our green waste. I will update on this after the event if I survive! (You never know I might be placed in the LION enclosure by mistake!)

RTC Marl Ward

Saturday morning I received a call at around 08.45 informing me that a bus carrying passengers had skidded off the road and into a garden on Victoria Drive. I understand that there is to be an investigation into this matter, early information is that passengers have praised the efforts of the driver and that if it were not for a garden wall and conifers the bus may have hit the property. It is also reported that there was some black ice in this area. The driver was shaken by this incident and also I believe that an elderly passenger was taken to hospital. I have asked for a welfare check on this passenger and as of yet have not been informed.

This is serious enough but really could have been so much worse. My thoughts are with the injured passenger and driver at this time.

Working Together

I have been sent this picture from a police officer tonight. This is from a couple of weeks ago and is covered in the local paper today and also ties in with a letter that I wrote a couple of weeks ago praising this event.

Basically, our young people looked after our more senior residents on a Saturday afternoon and it was a great success. I left the event proud to have been part of it and to be honest the picture does not do the attendance proud, there were about 35senior residents and about 15 younger residents, having said that the smiles say it all.

Cometh the Frost, Cometh the Fuel Rise

Well the first hard frost has arrived along with an email informing me that my Gas and Electric bills are to rise by 7%. The next thing I will expect in the post is a very special offer, asking me to sign up for a freeze in price rises for the next 2 years!!! (only to see a decrease in energy prices in the following Spring and a penalty clause of about £70 for getting out of the contract that was suppose to save me money)




Prices are going up but we want to help manage your energy costs

Dear Mr Priestley,

We’re committed to providing you with competitive prices. Over the last year, we’ve kept our energy prices as low as possible and were the first major energy supplier to drop our gas prices in both 2009 and 2010. We have also been on average the cheapest major supplier for standard electricity for 75 out of the last 77 weeks*.

The cost of supplying and delivering gas and electricity to your home has been going up and has considerably increased in the last few months. This is an issue facing all energy suppliers. Unfortunately, as a result, we have to increase our prices. Your new prices come into effect on 10 December 2010. Learn more about your new prices

Find out more ways we can help you manage your energy costs

Thank you for being a customer. You are important to us


YEAH RIGHT!! and what have your profits been during this very difficult time


Mike

Future of Policing in north Wales

I received this email from north Wales Police today:



We are writing to update you on our progress in managing the impact of changing finances, and to reassure you that we will continue to provide the highest possible level of policing service to North Wales.



North Wales Police Force and North Wales Police Authority have jointly produced a briefing document. This document is available from our website: www.nwalespa.org. The intention is to clarify some of the challenges we know we are facing, to be open about issues which are yet to be resolved and to initiate a dialogue between ourselves and our communities. Policing and the safety of North Wales is our reason for being, and we want to reassure you that we will do everything possible to minimize the impact of these financial cuts on the services we deliver, but the reality of the situation means that there will be some significant changes in the near future.



We want to be open, honest and transparent with our communities, our staff and Officers. We already know that we are facing unprecedented financial cuts, and we want to ensure that we become more efficient where possible, but the scale of the challenge goes beyond efficiency savings as we know them. Over the next few years we will have to:

· change the way we deliver services,

· review all of our activities,

· prioritise some activities and stop other activities

· reduce our workforce

· reduce our non-staff costs (such as vehicles, premises, information and communications technology)



We are here to serve and protect North Wales, and we want North Wales to aid us in managing the changes that we must face, by providing constructive feedback, by asking questions of us, and being open about your concerns. Although our financial situation has changed our priority has not, we still want to ensure that you have trust and confidence in North Wales Police.



The Government is expected to announce funding allocations on 8 December and further information will be provided on our website as soon as possible after that. We will be sending an update to everyone receiving this email direct from us – if it has been forwarded to you and you want to receive updates, please email us at consultation@north-wales.police.uk or you can write to us at Future of Policing Consultation, Glan y Don, Colwyn Bay, Conwy LL29 8AW.



The Police Authority will be finalising the budget for policing in North Wales on 11 February. We will be agreeing policing priorities for the year ahead at the same time. We will take account of all views received by 27 January (contact details as set out above), but we prefer earlier responses as this will enable us to incorporate views into our planning – particularly in relation to a new district structure.





We look forward to hearing from you.







Mark Polin

Prif Gwnstabl / Chief Constable
Alun Lewis

Cadeirydd / Chair
Tal Michael

Prif Weithredwr / Chief Executive


Dear All

Rydym yn ysgrifennu atoch i’ch diweddaru ynghylch y cynnydd rydym yn ei wneud o ran rheoli effaith y sefyllfa ariannol, ac i dawelu eich meddwl y byddwn yn parhau i ddarparu’r gwasanaeth plismona o’r radd flaenaf i Ogledd Cymru.



Mae Heddlu Gogledd Cymru ac Awdurdod Heddlu Gogledd Cymru wedi cynhyrchu dogfen friffio ar y cyd. Mae’r ddogfen hon ar gael ar ein gwefan: www.nwalespa.org. Y bwriad ydi egluro beth yw rhai o’r heriau yr ydym yn eu hwynebu, i fod yn agored ynghylch materion sydd heb gael eu datrys eto ac i gychwyn deialog rhyngom a’n cymunedau. Plismona a diogelwch Gogledd Cymru yw’r rheswm dros ein bodolaeth, ac rydym eisiau tawelu eich meddwl ein bod yn gwneud popeth y gallwn i leihau effaith y toriadau ariannol hyn ar y gwasanaethau rydym yn eu darparu; ond mae realiti’r sefyllfa yn golygu y bydd yna rai newidiadau sylweddol yn y dyfodol agos.





Rydym eisiau bod yn agored, yn onest ac yn dryloyw gyda’n cymunedau, ein staff a’n Swyddogion. Rydym eisoes yn gwybod ein bod yn wynebu toriadau ariannol heb eu tebyg, ac rydym eisiau sicrhau ein bod yn datblygu i fod yn fwy effeithiol lle’n bosibl, ond mae graddfa’r her yn mynd y tu hwnt i wneud arbedion effeithiolrwydd yn unig. Dros y blynyddoedd nesaf bydd rhaid i ni:

· newid y ffordd yr ydym yn darparu gwasanaethau,

· adolygu ein holl weithgareddau,

· blaenoriaethu rhai gweithgareddau a rhoi’r gorau i weithgareddau eraill

· lleihau ein gweithlu

· lleihau costau nad ydynt yn rhai staff (megis cerbydau modur, adeiladau, technoleg gwybodaeth a chyfathrebiadau)



Rydym yma i wasanaethu ac amddiffyn Gogledd Cymru, ac rydym eisiau i Ogledd Cymru ein helpu ni i reoli’r newidiadau y bydd rhaid i ni eu hwynebu, drwy ddarparu adborth adeiladol, drwy ofyn cwestiynau, a thrwy fod yn agored ynghylch eich pryderon. Er bod ein sefyllfa ariannol wedi newid nid ydyw ein blaenoriaeth, rydym eisiau parhau i sicrhau bod gennych hyder a ffydd yn Heddlu Gogledd Cymru.



Disgwylir i’r Llywodraeth gyhoeddi’r dyraniadau ariannol ar 8 Rhagfyr a bydd rhagor o wybodaeth ar gael ar ein gwefan cyn gynted â phosib ar ôl hynny. Byddwn yn anfon diweddariad at bawb fydd yn derbyn yr e-bost hwn yn uniongyrchol gennym ni - os yw’r e-bost hwn wedi cael ei anfon ymlaen atoch a’ch bod chi eisiau derbyn diweddariadau, anfonwch e-bost atom consultation@north-wales.police.uk neu fe allwch ysgrifennu atom i Ymgynghoriad Dyfodol Plismona, Glan y Don, Bae Colwyn, Conwy LL29 8AW.



Bydd Awdurdod yr Heddlu yn dod i benderfyniad terfynol ynghylch cyllideb blismona Gogledd Cymru ar 11 Chwefror. Byddwn yn cytuno beth fydd y blaenoriaethau plismona ar gyfer y flwyddyn i ddod ar yr un pryd. Byddwn yn ystyried yr holl sylwadau y byddwn wedi eu cael erbyn 27 Ionawr (manylion cyswllt fel yr uchod), ond byddai’n well gennym dderbyn ymatebion ymhell cyn hynny gan y byddai hynny’n ein galluogi ni i gynnwys y safbwyntiau hynny yn ein cynlluniau – yn arbennig mewn perthynas â strwythur newydd yr ardaloedd.



Edrychwn ymlaen at glywed oddi wrthych.


We are writing to update you on our progress in managing the impact of changing finances, and to reassure you that we will continue to provide the highest possible level of policing service to North Wales.



North Wales Police Force and North Wales Police Authority have jointly produced a briefing document. This document is available from our website: www.nwalespa.org. The intention is to clarify some of the challenges we know we are facing, to be open about issues which are yet to be resolved and to initiate a dialogue between ourselves and our communities. Policing and the safety of North Wales is our reason for being, and we want to reassure you that we will do everything possible to minimize the impact of these financial cuts on the services we deliver, but the reality of the situation means that there will be some significant changes in the near future.



We want to be open, honest and transparent with our communities, our staff and Officers. We already know that we are facing unprecedented financial cuts, and we want to ensure that we become more efficient where possible, but the scale of the challenge goes beyond efficiency savings as we know them. Over the next few years we will have to:

· change the way we deliver services,

· review all of our activities,

· prioritise some activities and stop other activities

· reduce our workforce

· reduce our non-staff costs (such as vehicles, premises, information and communications technology)



We are here to serve and protect North Wales, and we want North Wales to aid us in managing the changes that we must face, by providing constructive feedback, by asking questions of us, and being open about your concerns. Although our financial situation has changed our priority has not, we still want to ensure that you have trust and confidence in North Wales Police.



The Government is expected to announce funding allocations on 8 December and further information will be provided on our website as soon as possible after that. We will be sending an update to everyone receiving this email direct from us – if it has been forwarded to you and you want to receive updates, please email us at consultation@north-wales.police.uk or you can write to us at Future of Policing Consultation, Glan y Don, Colwyn Bay, Conwy LL29 8AW.



The Police Authority will be finalising the budget for policing in North Wales on 11 February. We will be agreeing policing priorities for the year ahead at the same time. We will take account of all views received by 27 January (contact details as set out above), but we prefer earlier responses as this will enable us to incorporate views into our planning – particularly in relation to a new district structure.





We look forward to hearing from you.







Mark Polin

Prif Gwnstabl / Chief Constable
Alun Lewis

Cadeirydd / Chair
Tal Michael

Prif Weithredwr / Chief Executive






Dear All

Rydym yn ysgrifennu atoch i’ch diweddaru ynghylch y cynnydd rydym yn ei wneud o ran rheoli effaith y sefyllfa ariannol, ac i dawelu eich meddwl y byddwn yn parhau i ddarparu’r gwasanaeth plismona o’r radd flaenaf i Ogledd Cymru.



Mae Heddlu Gogledd Cymru ac Awdurdod Heddlu Gogledd Cymru wedi cynhyrchu dogfen friffio ar y cyd. Mae’r ddogfen hon ar gael ar ein gwefan: www.nwalespa.org. Y bwriad ydi egluro beth yw rhai o’r heriau yr ydym yn eu hwynebu, i fod yn agored ynghylch materion sydd heb gael eu datrys eto ac i gychwyn deialog rhyngom a’n cymunedau. Plismona a diogelwch Gogledd Cymru yw’r rheswm dros ein bodolaeth, ac rydym eisiau tawelu eich meddwl ein bod yn gwneud popeth y gallwn i leihau effaith y toriadau ariannol hyn ar y gwasanaethau rydym yn eu darparu; ond mae realiti’r sefyllfa yn golygu y bydd yna rai newidiadau sylweddol yn y dyfodol agos.





Rydym eisiau bod yn agored, yn onest ac yn dryloyw gyda’n cymunedau, ein staff a’n Swyddogion. Rydym eisoes yn gwybod ein bod yn wynebu toriadau ariannol heb eu tebyg, ac rydym eisiau sicrhau ein bod yn datblygu i fod yn fwy effeithiol lle’n bosibl, ond mae graddfa’r her yn mynd y tu hwnt i wneud arbedion effeithiolrwydd yn unig. Dros y blynyddoedd nesaf bydd rhaid i ni:

· newid y ffordd yr ydym yn darparu gwasanaethau,

· adolygu ein holl weithgareddau,

· blaenoriaethu rhai gweithgareddau a rhoi’r gorau i weithgareddau eraill

· lleihau ein gweithlu

· lleihau costau nad ydynt yn rhai staff (megis cerbydau modur, adeiladau, technoleg gwybodaeth a chyfathrebiadau)



Rydym yma i wasanaethu ac amddiffyn Gogledd Cymru, ac rydym eisiau i Ogledd Cymru ein helpu ni i reoli’r newidiadau y bydd rhaid i ni eu hwynebu, drwy ddarparu adborth adeiladol, drwy ofyn cwestiynau, a thrwy fod yn agored ynghylch eich pryderon. Er bod ein sefyllfa ariannol wedi newid nid ydyw ein blaenoriaeth, rydym eisiau parhau i sicrhau bod gennych hyder a ffydd yn Heddlu Gogledd Cymru.



Disgwylir i’r Llywodraeth gyhoeddi’r dyraniadau ariannol ar 8 Rhagfyr a bydd rhagor o wybodaeth ar gael ar ein gwefan cyn gynted â phosib ar ôl hynny. Byddwn yn anfon diweddariad at bawb fydd yn derbyn yr e-bost hwn yn uniongyrchol gennym ni - os yw’r e-bost hwn wedi cael ei anfon ymlaen atoch a’ch bod chi eisiau derbyn diweddariadau, anfonwch e-bost atom consultation@north-wales.police.uk neu fe allwch ysgrifennu atom i Ymgynghoriad Dyfodol Plismona, Glan y Don, Bae Colwyn, Conwy LL29 8AW.



Bydd Awdurdod yr Heddlu yn dod i benderfyniad terfynol ynghylch cyllideb blismona Gogledd Cymru ar 11 Chwefror. Byddwn yn cytuno beth fydd y blaenoriaethau plismona ar gyfer y flwyddyn i ddod ar yr un pryd. Byddwn yn ystyried yr holl sylwadau y byddwn wedi eu cael erbyn 27 Ionawr (manylion cyswllt fel yr uchod), ond byddai’n well gennym dderbyn ymatebion ymhell cyn hynny gan y byddai hynny’n ein galluogi ni i gynnwys y safbwyntiau hynny yn ein cynlluniau – yn arbennig mewn perthynas â strwythur newydd yr ardaloedd.



Edrychwn ymlaen at glywed oddi wrthych.

Recycling Targets in Wales

Wales is set to become the first country in the UK to introduce statutory targets for recycling for local authorities. Welsh Assembly Government recently passed legislation which introduces legally binding targets for the amount of municipal waste that councils recycle or compost.

Conwy currently recycles and composts around 43% of its waste. The next target is to recycle and compost 52% by 2012/13 with an overall target of 70% by 2024/25, failure to meet the statutory target will incorporate a fine of £200 per tonne over this limit.

Conwy is looking to introduce improvements to its recycling collections and in the spring of next year, the improvements will include a weekly collection of:
Cans
Paper
Glass
Plastic
Cardboard
Household Batteries
Tetra Packs
Food

Conwy will also be collecting Garden waste and your black bin every other week.These improved collections will assist us to reach and go beyond the 52% for 2012/13.

I believe that these targets can be met but will be a challenge that needs a partnership approach, Residents, Conwy Council and Welsh Assembly Government working together in order for this to be achieved.I believe that jobs will be created in the recycling industry and Councils can make some money from selling the "Resources" it collects, it will also reduce our impact on our planet and the damage that we are currently doing to it. After all the damage to our planet will have to be faced by our children and grandchildren.

Tuition Fees

I have today written to congratulate our new party president Tim Farron MP, I can say that I did vote for him and we have something in common and that is we are against the rise in tuition fees. I have offered my support in opposing this issue.

I agree that difficult descions have to be made, but this in my opinion is a wrong one and it saddens me to see MPs signing the pledge against this during the election campaign.

I think it has to be pointed out that it was Labour that introduced the fee system and they also set out the terms of reference for the Browne Review and there seems to be a little confusion and disagreement between their leader and Shadow Chancellor on moving this subject forward. I also believe that education should be free up to and to the end of the first degree. Education in my view benefits us all in so many ways. These students are our future Business Leaders, Lawyers, Doctors, Nurses, teachers and so on and they will have such a positive role in our communities in the future.

I cannot support a policy that will leave students with tens of thousands of pounds of debt when graduating and I also feel that this will put off many prospective students from going into further education. I feel we need to take a step back and really look at this policy and its implications. Yes money is very tight but surely there could be other ways of funding this, such as a graduate tax or more sponsorship from Corporate Business? Another question, could some money come out of the Trident Project, help or assist in this area?? There are some good points in the Browne Review such as a quarter of graduates would pay less under this system than the current one, you would not have to start repaying until you were earning over £21,000 but I still feel trebling is wrong and wonder what council tax payers would say if we said we were to treble this tax. The above are my views and my views only which I believe are shared with many other Liberal Democrats and this is why I feel this system needs to be looked at and reviewed. I welcome feedback regarding this issue and have taken on board the views from people such as Chris. I for one do not want to throw out the baby with the bath water, but feel the fees need addressing.

Marl Ward Focus

Thanks to the Team this morning. In not great weather we were able to deliver over 1000 leaflets. I enjoy delivering around the ward as it is a great chance to talk to residents and listen to their views and issues.

I have already had 2 telephone calls and a return slip pushed through the letterbox with a ward issue.

North Wales Liberal Democrat Fundraiser

I am out tonight at a Fund Raising dinner, our special guest will be Dr Vince Cable MP. I will post on this after the event.

RHS Tatton 2010 Costs

Below is a breakdown of the Environment departments costs for this years event. This year was another great success and I was particularly pleased to see our tourism brochures being distributed to the 10's of Thousands of visitors.

I hope this is enough information for Anon and I also hope that residents see the promotional work for tourism that has been taken advantage of. I cannot guarantee our attendance at this event into the future, which I believe will be a missed opportunity but perhaps we could look for more sponsorship.



The cost breakdown is as follows

Bedding plants (Sponsored by Ball Collgraves) No Cost

3D Figures £1200.00

Transport £1000.00



Total Charged £2,200



Nursery

Compost £80.00

Plant production 32hours @ Scale point 17 Paid 8.72+3% on cost =£0.39

Total hourly rate (£8.98.)

32 hours @ £8.98 = £287.41



Total Charged £367.41



On site build up

Saturday

Build up 33 hours @ Scale point 17 Paid at enhanced rate 1.5 (£13.08) +3% on cost =£0.39

Total hourly rate £9.12

Total hours 33 x pay rate =£300.82

Uncharged labour 11 @ scale point 38 £16.55

Total uncharged labour (£181.00)



Total Charged £300.82



On site build up

Sunday

Build up 33 hours @ Scale point 17 Paid at enhanced rate x2 (£17.44) +3% on cost =£0.52

Total hourly rate £17.96

Total hours 33 x pay rate =£592.68

Uncharged labour 11 @ scale point 38 £16.548

Total uncharged labour (£181.00)



Total Charged £592.68



On site break down

Sunday

Break down 5 hours @ Scale point 17 Paid at enhanced rate x2 (£17.44) +3% on cost =£0.52

Total hourly rate £17.96

Total hours 5 x pay rate (£87.20)

Uncharged labour 5 @ scale point 38 £16.548

Total uncharged labour (£82.74)



Total Charged £87.20



Grand Total Charged = £ 3548.11

Wedding Anniversary

Today my wife and I will celebrate 17 years of Marriage and according to tradition I need to celebrate this with a gift. I googled 17 year anniversary and it came up with two gift ideas. A traditional gift should be a watch or a modern gift of a piece of Furniture. So god only knows how today will pan out.

It scares me how 17 years have flown by, but on the whole they have been 17 good years with two beautiful girls coming into the world because of our marriage. It makes me feel very proud as they are both a credit to my wife and I (even though sometimes they call me Mike instead of dad). Call me old fashioned but when I said the vows "In sickness and in health til death do we part" I meant them.

I also find myself today thinking of my of my late Mum.

Today will be a celebration of our marriage. Lorraine wants to start off by going to the food festival in Conwy to buy some good local produce for dinner tonight with our two girls.

Smoking Related Litter

A couple of months ago I was contacted by a resident and asked if I could help her son who had been issued with a fixed penalty for discarding his cigarette in the street. I told the lady that I could not help her son as I felt he deserved the fine, she asked me if I was a smoker, I replied no but I used to be. She said that ex smokers were the worst and hung up.

I was in Colwyn Bay on Thursday and noticed this pile of "cigarette ends". I personally believe that such premises must provide a means of disposing the cigarette ends and have reported this particular incident.

In Conwy we have two unannounced independent street cleanliness audits each year where up to One Hundred and Fifty streets are inspected and given a grade of 1, 2 or 3, 1 being clean and tidy and 3 having noticeable litter. These audits are carried out by Keep Wales Tidy and not only look at litter but also look at Graffiti, dog fouling and fly posting. The biggest problem that transpires from these audits every time is smoking related litter.

I have noticed now lots of cars do not have ashtrays and have lost count the times that I have seen motorists flicking their cigarette ends out of their windows. This is a big problem nationwide that needs addressing. Perhaps an extra charge on cigarettes to assist with the cleaning up???

Allotments

One of Conwy's corporate commitments is to provide more allotments for our residents. I am pleased that we will soon be offering up to 60 plots to people on our waiting list including up to 12 plots that are raised and can be accessed by residents with disabilities.

We currently have 355 people on our waiting list and will offer these allotments to people within a 3 mile radius, who have been waiting longest. This site will have its own water source powered by a solar pump and is situated off Tan Y Bryn Road Rhos-on-Sea. I am looking to open this site in December and will have an open day. Anyone wanting to enquire about allotments can do so by phoning 01492 575337.

Family

After a very busy and productive day yesterday I arrived home and was asked if I would like a "cuppa".
It arrived in this Mug that my girls gave me a few years ago for Fathers Day, not a lot more to add to this really, I just had a nice feeling. I am a very lucky man to have such a great loving family.

Marl Ward Clean-Up

Before, The path from Marl Drive to Glyn Y Marl Road




After, Residents can now access St Michael's Church and the Doctors on Glyn Y Marl Road, without the detour up The Hill on Conwy Road




A very busy day today, we filled around 5 skips, we cleared this path above and also some land at the rear of 8-2 Victoria Drive. We gave out around 2 tonne of soil conditioner (Compost to me!!). All in all very successful and some great feedback from residents.

Spending a Day on my Ward

Today is an Environmental clean up day on my Ward and I will be spending the day assisting with picking up litter with the pupils from Ysgol Maelgwn and hopefully clearing a footpath with probation services.

I do enjoy these days as you can physically see the difference that has been made at the end of the day. Will post some photos later.

Press Release

I am delighted to share this press release that has gone out this morning. I was informed of my selection late yesterday. My family as ever are very supportive of my decision to stand and I would like to place on record at this very early stage my sincere gratitude.

MEDIA NOTICE


Aberconwy Lib Dems

Having polled more votes than Plaid Cymru in the recent General Election, Aberconwy Libdems are targeting the Plaid held Aberconwy seat for the Welsh Assembly.

The result of their candidate poll was announced late on Monday with local Councillor Mike Priestley of Llandudno Junction selected with the overwhelming support of Liberal Democrat members.

Mike more than doubled the vote, gained by the Libdems in the last Assembly Election in Aberconwy and supporters are confident that with the retirement of popular Plaid AM Gareth Jones that they can also obtain more votes than Plaid at the Assembly election to be held on Thursday, May 5 2011.

Mike holds the Conwy County Borough Council Environment portfolio and was recently elected a Foundation Governor, representing north Wales, of Liverpool's highly esteemed Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

quote

Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. -Eleanor Roosevelt

The Marl Ward

One part of the job I really enjoy is getting out and about meeting residents on the Ward. The best way to meet residents is when delivering Ward News Letters. Today whilst out delivering I must have spoken to around 30 people and picked up a few issues to resolve along the way. Whilst delivering Victoria Crescent I had the chance to bump into a constituent that I knew was a great Gardener and shows vegetables and flowers in many Horticultural shows. I asked if he had anything on the go at the moment and he invited me into his garden. What a little oasis it was with Leeks 4ft tall and this Dahlia the size of a football, he also had some beautiful gladiola.

Sorry to ramble on but as I said I do really enjoy walking the Ward, if not delivering leaflets I take "Jelly" our dog for a walk.

Some messages of good will regarding my appointment at the Walton Centre were also made today as well as a concern from a resident about a neighbours mental health, you really do not know what's coming next. That said I have enjoyed getting out and about and hopefully getting a little fitter!!!.

The Walton Centre for Neurology & Neurosurgery

I have recently been elected Governor at The Walton Centre, Liverpool. This is an honour for me as I will be representing the people of North Wales. The Walton Centre is now a Foundation Trust. Achieving foundation trust status means that the centre has greater freedom to decide locally how to tailor its services for the benefit of its patients. It is also more accountable to the communities it serves and this is where the role of governor comes in. Basically a governor is a critical friend to the trust. The Walton Centre is committed to being an international centre of clinical excellence in the treatment, provision, research and education of neurological care.

The Walton Centres aim is to become the UKs premier provider of specialist neurosciences services. I have been to Liverpool twice, one for an induction and the second time for the trusts AGM and my first governors meeting.

I stood for this position for a number of reasons. One, this centre saved my daughters life. Two, I led on a petition against the stupid Plaid/Labour proposal to send North Wales Neuro patients down south to Cardiff or Swansea for treatment. Three, I also promoted the Centre to become a foundation trust.

We should be proud here in North Wales as we have the second highest number of trust members out of the four constituencies. The membership is as follows:

Cheshire 984
Merseyside 3,122
North Wales 1,738
Rest of England and Wales 1,006

Anyone can be a member of the foundation trust, it doesn't cost a penny and you do not have to give any commitments whatsoever. You can join by following this link http://www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk/Members/become-a-member.asp

I believe the Walton Centre will be sending out a press release this week regarding my election success.

Ward News, Environmental Clean up

I will be assisting with this "Environment Day" on October 6th. All properties in the area to be covered by this event will receive this leaflet in good time to prepare. Environment days are very popular and we carry out one a month in different wards.

The main areas to be covered are Victoria Drive and Marl Drive and all side roads.

Bring your waste to the community club (Formally The Hotpoint Club) on Victoria Drive. If this is not possible you can pre-book a collection by ringing the Environment team on 01492 575337 or email environment@conwy.gov.uk.

Night out

My wife and I spent the night with friends in Deganwy last night, we started off with a drink in The Deganwy Quay Hotel and then enjoyed a fantastic meal at Paysanne restaurant.

We felt the service was great, the atmosphere was relaxing and the food was excellent.This restaurant really is a little French gem.

www.paysannedeganwy.co.uk


Paysanne Country Restaurant
147 Station Road
Deganwy
Conwy
LL31 9EJ

Conwy Honey Fair Monday 13th September

Another great event in the Calendar is the Honey Fair in Conwy, this will be held in Conwy High Street and Lancaster Square on Monday 13th September, between 9am and 4pm.

Below is an extract from the fairs website and what they welcome:


Honey and hive products.

Plants and seeds.

Local crafts appropriate to the theme of the Fair, eg. Bees and honey and plants.

Home produce: jams, pickles, cakes, pies, fruit etc.

Charities selling their own new merchandise or any of the above.

High Street shopkeepers’ own stalls outside their shops.



This Fair dates back more than 700 years to the reign of Edward 1st, when local beekeepers were given the right to sell honey within the walls of Conwy. I believe they were only allowed to sell on September 13th from Midnight to Midnight.

"Sounds like Eddie was a generous King"!!

I look forward to attending and buying some local produce.

Maesdu Bridge Open Today at 4pm

The long awaited opening of Maesdu Bridge will take place today at 4pm.
There is still some minor work to take place over the next two weeks but I am informed that these works will need little or no traffic management.

Farmers Market

I hope to attend this tomorrow and purchase some fresh produce and it's been pointed out to me that the date tomorrow is 8.9.10.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

I noticed the choose well logo on this information leaflet.

Choose Well
The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is launching a campaign aimed at informing people about where to get the best treatment should they become unwell or are injured.

The Choose Well Campaign will encourage patients to make the right decisions in order to receive the most appropriate and timely treatment.

Not much Choice when you close a facility but is this a sign of the times?

Betws-y-Coed

Well, most of the family made it up to Betws-y-Coed and we had lunch in the Pont-y-Pair Hotel, I can't comment on the restaurant as we had bar meals. I started with Pigeon Breast salad with a raspberry dressing and I must say it was gorgeous, I followed that with a mixed grill which was enjoyable. My wife and daughter shared a Garlic bread with cheese and they both said it was one of the tastiest garlic breads they had ever tasted, for mains my wife had Ham and Mushroom pasta, again very tasty, my daughter had a home made burger as daughters do!!

I will go back and this time eat in the restaurant, probably in the winter time, when I would expect the Hotel to be very cosy.

Welsh Assembly Government Open Day

The Welsh Assembly Government will be hosting an open day for the public at its new office in Llandudno Junction on Saturday, 25 September. You can pop in anytime between 10.00am and 4.00pm.

Llyn Crafnant

What a great peaceful afternoon I have had with my family.

St David's Hospice Dawn Walk

This morning 3.30am my wife was up and ready to take part in this very important fund raising event for St David's Hospice. After registration at 4.15am, about 3-4 hundred women set off from Ysgol Aberconwy to St David's in Llandudno and back, a total of just over 9 miles.

My wife told me that the event was very well organised and everyone who took part was very well looked after at the half way stage.

St David's Hospice hope to raise £50K from this one event.

Farmers Market Conwy Quay

The next Farmers Markets on Conwy Quay are to be held on September 8th & October 6th, both are Wednesdays and will be between 08.30 to 13.00. The first Market was held earlier this month on the 4th and if the standard is maintained I would recommend you pay it a visit.

Christmas in Craig y Don

Whilst on a quest for a plant stand this week with Mrs P, it was pointed out to me by a resident in Craig y Don that the Christmas decorative lights are on Morning,Noon and Night. A quick phone call was made to the council switchboard 01492 574000, where I asked for street lighting and reported it. Hopefully this fault will be rectified soon. Its amazing how people get used to seeing things and yet it only takes one individual to point it out and get it reported.

Shopping in Deganwy

Mrs P wanted a plant stand for our hall this week and we looked in quite a few places. Driving through Deganwy this afternoon and not a parking space to be had on the road, I remembered Cllr Jason telling me about the Two free half hour spaces in the Pay & Display car park in Deganwy. As I drove in, there they were,two empty spaces. Loving a bargain I parked up and we both set off on our quest for the plant stand, not only did we find a suitable stand, we also had a chance to pop into the new deli The Olive Grove and purchased some goods. The free half hour space is a good idea and I have a thinner wallet to prove it. Had this facility not been available I may not have shopped in Deganwy at all.

Marl Ward Information

07:00 to 19:00 from 23/08/2010 until 28/08/2010 Marl Lane will be closed for Carriageway Resurfacing from the Junction of Victoria Drive, the Whole length up to the Junction of Pentwyn Road. A diversionary route will be in operation.

River Festival

A great afternoon was had yesterday, but it was somewhat spoiled by constantly having to be aware of cars driving through the crowds, how long before a serious accident?
Do we really need to have cars on the Quay?
Similar events have road closures, why not this event?

I will take this issue to the relevant officers to be addressed.

The new river taxi service seemed to be doing well, which was good to see.

The Sun

Yesterday "tongue in cheek" on Facebook I asked for The Sun and said "If not for me then please for my Tomatoes"

Well at a charity football match yesterday I saw the sun for half an hour or so. Today I woke up with a bright red burnt face!! So the lesson for today is "Be careful for what you ask for in life----You might just get it.!!

Family Meal

I am going to take the Family for a meal at the Pont-y-Pair Hotel in Betws-y-Coed sometime over this weekend. We have heard some great feedback regarding their menu. Anyone been there?


http://www.hotelbetwsycoed.co.uk/

Conwy Farmers Market

This morning my wife and I visited the farmers market at a new venue on Conwy Quay and although the weather was rather grim there were a few people about all buying produce. I felt the goods on sale were of a very high quality. The fish, fruit and veg were all very fresh and after talking to lots of local people, the feedback was very positive indeed. I believe later on and up to its close at 2pm, the market was very busy indeed and at last its great to see this space on the quay being used effectively. As far as I am concerned the produce was value for money and it was nice to browse and taste the goods before purchasing. It is my understanding that today's market is one of three in a trial to see if this event can be sustainable.

quote

"Ultimately The Way You Lead Can Be No Better Than The Way You Live"

Judah Smith

RHS Tatton

I was at Tatton today and I have to say that our staff have done our beautiful County proud.

The amount of leaflets that visitors were taking was incredible and I hope that this will result in many visitors coming to Conwy, I actually overheard two couples saying that it was their intention to visit Conwy in September. I hope also that the publicity in the national press and media will help attract people.

Peter Barton-Price is the genius behind this creation which is celebrating the Honey Bee and all the work that it does whilst pollinating all our plants. My hat goes off to him and his team.

After the show all the bedding plants will be auctioned and money raised will go to charity. Also Peter tells me that the Bee props will be going up to Ty Gobaith children's hospice for them to be placed in their flowerbeds. Last year the sale of the plants raised £500 for Ty Gobaith.

Sorry for the poor quality photos but my camera packed in, so I used my phone camera. I will post a better photo as soon as I can.

RHS Tatton Park

A quick update, Conwys parks department have won "GOLD" in the flowerbed competition. I will post on this further, hopefully when I get hold of some photos. I am pleased with this result especially because I asked our tourism department to have a presence at the show handing out information regarding Conwy, winning Gold will give even more publicity for our beautiful area.

Green Flag Awards for Conwy

I can today confirm that Conwys Environment department was awarded four green flags for our parks and gardens, also our Countryside services retained a green flag for the Great Orme country park & Local Nature Reserve. My understanding is that Conwy is now Joint second in Wales for these prestigious awards. Green flag to me demonstrates our excellent parks and the facilities within them and the flag is proof that they are also nationally recognised as being up there with the best in the UK, more importantly to me these parks have management plans to continuously improve and manage them into the future.

The Parks are:

Wynn Gardens Old Colwyn (Retained)
Queens Gardens Colwyn Bay (Addition)
Bodlondeb Conwy (Addition)
Happy Valley Llandudno (Retained)
Great Orme Country Park & Local Nature Reserve (Retained)

My thanks go to all our staff, local volunteer groups and residents for making this happen.

Green Flag

Conwy County Borough Council's Parks department has entered four parks for Green Flag status this year. The Green Flag recognises Parks that are well maintained with robust management plans. I personally believe that a well maintained park can add value to the community in so many ways, healthy living, residents are encouraged to visit the Park, economically it can add to the visitor experience and educationally for our children. I also believe that a well maintained Green Flag park reduces crime as residents feel pride for their park and take ownership.

http://www.keepbritaintidy.org/GreenFlag/

The Parks entered are:

Wynn Gardens Old Colwyn (Looking to Retain)
Queens Gardens Colwyn Bay (New Entry)
Bodlondeb Conwy (New Entry)
Happy Valley Llandudno (Looking to Retain)

All Quiet

We usually wake early to the beautiful sound of birdsong, of late it has been noticeably quiet and yesterday we found the cause!!!

Mostyn Ward Llandudno, Election Results

Mostyn Ward Conwy County Borough Council

Jobi Hold (Labour) 348
Gary Burchett (Welsh Conservative) 310
Janet Jones (Independent) 198

Jobi Hold Elected Conwy County Borough Councillor for Mostyn Ward Llandudno

Mostyn Ward Town Council

Frank Bradfield (Welsh Conservative) 253
Jobi Hold (Labour) 351
Robert Edwards (Independent) 67
Gareth Owen (Libdem) 191

Jobi Hold Elected Llandudno Town Councillor for Mostyn Ward

Happy Fathers Day

Here's to all you Dad's out there. My Dad is getting a card and a decent bottle of red! Oh and I get to borrow his Drill and Garden Vac!!

Sex and Relationships Education for 5 Year Olds

www.christian.org.uk/news/teach-5-year-olds-about-sex-say-nhs-advisers/

Do you think that Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) should be taught to 5 year olds?

I say "NO" let them have a childhood and teach them Reading, Writing etc in the first instance. Sure if questions are asked let's give honest answers, just my opinion!

Exam Howlers

Take a look at some of these Exam Howlers, it reminds me of a lad in Aberconwy, who whilst taking his Welsh exam entered "Enw" at the top of the paper where it asked for his name.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1229099/Revealed-The-student-howlers-dumbed-exams-pupils.html

The Mighty Oak

The mighty oak was once a little nut that stood it's ground

.

A to Z

I attended the official welcome home to the Royal Welsh today at Chester Race course, presenting Medals was Her Majesty the Queen, more on this later. I was fortunate to get very close to Her Majesty and had to take this picture of inside Her Bentley!!!!!

Sorry not a great photo of a road atlas.
Do you think it is ever needed?

Pay As You Throw

There are a few questions being asked regarding Conwys policy on refuse and recycling collections. I will give a quick response to some here.

Q:Are you going to introduce a charge to empty our bins (Pay as you throw)?
A:There are no plans to charge to empty your wheelie bin.
Q:Can I leave out extra bin bags on our collection day?
A: No, we have a no side waste policy and I have argued that overflowing bins with side waste will probably contain recycling.

Q:I have a large family and can't manage with one bin can I have another?
A: If you have a family of 6 or more permanently residing in one household and can't manage, you qualify for an extra bin.(A baby in nappies qualifies as 2 persons)

Q:I have an elderly relative who can't cope with getting the bin out, can you help?
A:Yes, we have a scheme that is called assisted collections. This scheme will collect the bin from an agreed location.
Q: Are you going to improve the collection of recycling and collect more stuff like food and plastic?
A: Yes, we have a trial in place collecting plastic and household batteries. We are also collecting food waste (Weekly). This is proving to be a success and very popular. We will be looking at rolling this out as soon as possible with the possibility of collecting further items such as Tetra cartons and brown cardboard. We are also looking at collecting recycling weekly.


I hope the above is of use and I am happy to take questions on this blog. If you have any other queries you can contact the Environment dept on 01492 575337.

Community Payback

I spent some time this morning with the Community Payback Team, cleaning the latest spell of graffiti to blight our area. The community Payback Team are made up of a number of individuals on probation. The range of duties these people carry out is quite diverse from removing graffiti to litter picking within different areas.

I feel that this type of mandatory work is positive but feel there should be more to it, such as more accountability to the community and their Victims. For example, an apology to the victim could make a big difference to them and could help them move on. There must also be a place for training and Education included in the Community hours these people receive. On the whole I feel the Community Payback Team improved the areas they worked in and that has to be a good thing, but feel there should and could be more to it.