Waste Watchers

WASTE WATCHERS


The Welsh Liberal Democrats will expose an example of the waste and inefficiency of Labour and Plaid Cymru in government on each day of the Welsh general election campaign.





In August 2010, it was revealed that the Labour-Plaid government had spent more that £400,000 in a year on external PR companies while employing 25 full-time PR and communications staff. A Freedom of Information request revealed the Labour-Plaid government used external PR firms from April 2009 to March 2010.

Waste Watchers

The Welsh Liberal Democrats will expose an example of the waste and inefficiency of Labour and Plaid Cymru in government on each day of the Welsh general election campaign

Last November, it was revealed that £3.5 million of Welsh Government money had been spent in the last three years on ‘climate change awareness’, rather than programmes that directly reduce carbon emissions. Grants include £20,000 over two years for an annual newspaper supplements on climate change and over £0.5 million a year to the Sustainable Development Commission and Cynnal Cymru.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats estimated that this money could have paid for around 1000improvements to homes in fuel poverty through the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme making an immediate impact on carbon emissions.

Nick Clegg Visits Llandudno Junction

We had a great day today with Nick Clegg coming to support my Welsh Assembly Campaign.

Nick told everyone that:

These are difficult times for people across Britain, but this week has shown that this can also be an opportunity to reshape Britain into a fairer, more equal and greener country.


Labour's financial legacy has left our country needing to borrow an extra £400million, every single day, just to get by. Labour also left us paying £120 million in interest on our debt each and every day - for that we could build a new primary school every hour.


Conwy’s share of the country’s debt now stands at a dangerous £3.92billion and something needs to be done.


But despite all this, Liberal Democrat policies coming into action this week are making a positive difference to people’s lives.


Over the last seven days in Conwy, thanks to Liberal Democrats:
42000 people are getting a £200 income tax cut - benefiting 23 million people across the country
2200 people have been lifted out of paying income tax altogether, with more to come
pensioners have been given an extra £4.50 a week – and those retiring from today will be on average £15,000 better off over their retirement.
Liberal Democrats in government will not stop there.


This week also saw Pensions Minister Steve Webb announcing that the Government will be introducing a simple, flat-rate state pension of £140 to replace the current complicated, unfair and means-tested system.


Business Secretary Vince Cable is cutting regulation to promote small business and create jobs.


Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Chris Huhne revealed that Britain will be hosting the 2012 Clean Energy Summit - putting Britain at the heart of the Green Energy Revolution.


The Liberal Democrats have entered government at one of the most challenging times for the country. We did not choose the moment but we have not shrunk from our responsibility to act in the national interest. We will not miss the opportunity we have to build a greener, fairer and more liberal Britain.


Nick was very well received by all and I thanked him for taking time out to support my campaign.

Dog Fouling Fixed Penalty Notices March

I have had a meeting this week with Regulatory Services and discussed various ways of tackling this issue, from Education to fining. I will feedback on this later as it was a very comprehensive and productive meeting.

Fixed Penalty notices issued 1st March to 31st March (Fines)

Dog Fouling 22
Dropping Litter 2

I can also confirm that there will be more activities in relation to tackling this type of problem in the near future.

Interesting Estimates

It is estimated that one in three households include a dog, with around 100,000 households in Conwy and Denbighshire, it is estimated that we have around 33,000 dogs.

Each dog potentially produces, a conservatively estimated, 100 grammes of waste a day, collectively around 3.3 tonnes per day or just over 1200 tonnes per annum.

So just the mindless minority not picking up after their dog is quite a problem.

Welsh Assembly Campaign

Well today see's the start of delivery of my first leaflet constituency wide and my team and I have been busy working on three other leaflets with maybe two more to follow.

We have our office up and running in Llandudno Junction and plans are now in place to step up our Welsh Assembly election campaign.

Quick Update:Dog Fouling

Spoke to our PCSO (Police Community Support Officer) today and he informed me that another morning was spent yesterday tackling dog fouling. A number of people were spoken to and I believe 3 fixed penalties were issued to people not picking up after their dogs. This was on the Deganwy to West Shore section of the cycle track. Varying excuses ranging from "I didn't see the dog do it"!! to, I was not paying attention as I had to text my friend.

Yesterday, I had a ward walkabout with my colleague Councillor Sue Shotter and as we were walking by the Weekly News, we witnessed 2 dogs doing their business as their owner walked ahead oblivious. It was pointed out to her that her dogs had made a mess and the embarrassed owner picked it up.

I will post more on this issue.

Welsh Spring Conference

Off to Cardiff for our Welsh Spring Conference tomorrow. One thing that I have noticed is the increased security, photo ID and passes in all sections of the building, I suppose this is the price you have to pay for being in government.

I will be proposing a motion to Conference and will blog this later on how it went.

Lot's happening locally, the fruits of our work should shortly be seen. Spoke to a resident today who at the Marl Ward Election voted Labour but confirmed support for me in the Assembly Election (That was good to hear). Other political party supporters are being very positive towards me for differing reasons. We have our plans in place and I am very grateful to my team for their support and dedication, especially Christine Humphreys my agent, She is an absolute star.

If people put their faith in me, I promise to repay them.