Not a year for heroic acts

I contributed to Radio Cymru's Post Prynhawn with a general feeling that 2008 was not a year for a heroic budget, but something that actually suits this Chancellor's public persona very well, a quiet efficient budget. I think that's what we got.

The 'green' elements are something I actually welcome as the initial steps on a journey that has to develop over the coming years. There are big challenges out there, not the least of which is the polluter pays principle in a democratic system. Yes the pace may not be what some expect but a journey which will unfold.

Giving up pay - Long term commitment ?

So Ieuan joins others in declaring that he will not take the pay rise. They must be happy bunnies down in the coffee bar at the Bay. Now I feel the need to repeat my previous question.

Will Mr Jones submit not only this year's rise, but calculate his future pay on the lower rate, and any consequential pension benefits. It is the offer I made to Alun Ffred Jones the other day and am likewise happy to administer Mr Jones long term increases as well for the benefit of all.

It would ensure we don't have one year's posturing but long term arrangements.

Giving up pay - Long term commitment ?

So Ieuan joins others in declaring that he will not take the pay rise. They must be happy bunnies down in the coffee bar at the Bay. Now I feel the need to repeat my previous question.

Will Mr Jones submit not only this year's rise, but calculate his future pay on the lower rate, and any consequential pension benefits. It is the offer I made to Alun Ffred Jones the other day and am likewise happy to administer Mr Jones long term increases as well for the benefit of all.

It would ensure we don't have one year's posturing but long term arrangements.

Adam follows Eluned

I think it was Eluned Morgan who contributed to Welsh Labour's election de brief by stating that Welsh Labour has to also remember those who have aspirations, and to make sure our tent is big enough to represent their views.

It seems Adam Price has now found a similar message, very confusing this One Wales stuff. I suppose it is budget week so perhaps Adam wants a New Plaid Cymru to replace that socialist clap trap which so upsets some of his traditional cultural colleagues.

Wembley ! Wembley !

Well I avoided Leighton's Cardiff for today's quarter finals so after this I can only look forward to tomorrow's draw.

How that then ????

I suppose it was the spin they wanted because some Plaid AMs have apparently "refused" the pay rise. How did that work ? Have we the evidence that they had submitted evidence against the possible uplifting to recognise their extra responsibilities ?

As far as I know the Assembly has to vote on the recommendations and, if passed, then the pay rise will apply with allowances review to follow. If the group concerned vote no then that's okay by me. See earlier post. I suppose they might even put the extra pay in to some special community fund - I would be happy to administer Alun Ffred's for him locally to ensure fair play.

However with other Plaid people voting yes it is inevitable the 'refuseniks' also gain in terms of eventual pensions etc etc.

Mowbray in the Guardian

The Sports Guardian has an interview with Tony Mowbray ahead of the game with Bristol Rovers.

Rhodri Glyn even upsets London

I thnk one Plaid Cymru Minister faces an interesting conference. It seems here that his acts and words even upset London!

I suppose Elin Jones and Ieuan Wyn should be thankful as he could be the lightinng rod for any One Wales dissent.

Meanwhile how many speeches of resignation can we expect over schools reorganisation ? That would liven things up for us all or will even the Party of Wales have learnt about stage management.

ps any offers on who contributes to Plaid London, and closeness to Adam appreciated ??

The BIG game !

Well you will all have to wait till Sunday when the Baggies take on Bristol Rovers with a semi final at Wembley at stake.

Meanwhile if Wales make it through Dublin tomorrow then the high could carry them to a Grand Slam.

Unlikely ?

In the light of the previous post can it really be likely that Assembly Members would vote for such an increase while home carers, care assistants, front line staff and professionals of various kinds look at some 2%. It may be justified by reference to all sorts of issues but there is a basic question of social justice.

Unlikely - but a good way of generating industrial action I fear !

Public service workers

Surveys like this are of interest to me as a public service worker. It reflects my own experience that, while there is always room for improvement, the great majority of people get a reasonable deal from their public services. It is of course easy to focus on the problems rather than the successes. So I welcome things like Excellence Wales and everyone can learn from the best (and take lessons from the worst!)

Perhaps we have less of the telephone queuing systems, and the call may not always make it through, juggling priorities means direct contact is not always possible and the odd return phone call can be forgotten (we are human).

The value of the surveys is to highlight particular issues requiring more strategic attention and can inform difficult judgements about resource priorities.

Strange politics

It seems the Lib Dems can only be trusted to throw up the unexpected. With a myriad of options that would have allowed the referendum debate too continue without self harm, the new leader hits a self destuct button. Would anyone really have remembered how the Lib Dem MPs voted - I suspect they will remember the falllout.

Its beyond me, but I am sure has some good meaning in the narrow confines of Westminster.

Lovely jubbly !

Mr Phillips - lovely jubbly. Step aside Bristol City because the mighty Baggies are charging back.

A poor Feb but now for the big run in......

Noisy cakes

I work in a town that is affected by the smells of industrial scale food processing and so know what can happen with such sites. However the story of the noisy cake factory brought a smile to my face.

I suppose we should have a competition for what types of cake make such a noise ?

Rock cakes would clearly make a noise, but sound more like a vandals weapon of choice more than a noisy neighbour.

About 40 years ago !!

Life stories - This shot has come to hand which shows "Siop chips" Waunfawr (the one near Caernarfon, not Aberystwyth) just before it was demolished and rebuilt about 40 years ago-snow on the ground. What a fine figure of a working lad that was.The 'new' siop chips is still there and serving great fish and chips friends tell me.

Thankfully with the election of a Labour government in 1997 child slavery was abolished in the UK.

It was about this time I met Dylan Iorwerth who lived in Waunfawr, now MD at Golwg, who (as I recall) is probably celebrating Spurs victory at Wembley. I taught him all he now knows about Welsh literature. That's Dylan's street cred gone in some circles. However I think Golwg deserves a decent slice of the new print monies as they produce a quality product in an attractive format.

Silly !

Why Edwina and Ben feel the need to have such a spat is a bit beyond me !

The merits of Edwina's announcement can be assessed on its own merits and I just hope the opportunity for 'free parking' does not make matters worse around our hospitals. We sometimes live in a strangely selfish world with unintended consequences e.g. I recall Ysbyty Gwynedd being used by people as a free car park close to the A55.

Strange that it should descend in to such exchanges - those of us at arms length are left wondering what has happened in the background ?

Rent equalisation in Gwynedd

I am no fan of council hosuing stock transfer although it is perhaps right tenants make the decision in a ballot. Before that Gwynedd face some interesting questions.

In particualr Council rents across Gwynedd need to be equalised if the Council transfers its housing stock away from the Council and to make sure the tenants in Arfon get a fair deal.

At the moment the Council are working on plans that will eventually lead to a balllot of council house tenants about whether to stay with the Council or move to a new landlord. At the moment rent levels in Arfon are generally higher than other parts of the county and that seems unfair. Gwynedd Council has been in place for eleven years and for some time the Council have told the Labour councillors in Gwynedd that rent equalisation will occur between the areas of the three old districts, Arfon, Dwyfor and Meirionnydd, but there is no firm evidence that this is happening.

It is very important that this matter is clarified and that the tenants in Arfon are given fair play and a level playing field. This must start soon and go in to the future if stock transfer takes place.

It is not an issue which the council can avoid and it will need to be very clear before tenants are asked about the merits of stock transfer. That decision will be a matter for the tenants themselves but they will need to know all the facts about rents before they enter a ballot. I asked the Council's Chief Leader to clarify the position as the discussions about a new housing company are now progressing. He tells me that moves are afoot to address the issue - we wait to see.

Plaid Cymru overcome by modesty !!!

The more I read of the Cangen Bontnewydd blog - unofficial Plaid HQ - the more I find to entertain me. In the recent posting about the Party of Wales v Llais Gwynedd is the following gem about PC candidates :

"Many are specialists in their various fields – others are brilliant politicians".

I won't be as personal as to name a few of these brilliant people, but come on Cangen Bontnewydd I think a sense of perspective is required.

Such modesty - how will the people ever find the cheek to unseat these brilliant people........

What a strange advert that would be - election candidates required, only brilliant people need apply.

Harsh !

Nick Bourne has been speaking to the Welsh Tories :

“Against Labour before the Assembly elections, propping them up afterwards. In the twinkling of an eye they have gone from attack dogs to lap dogs.”

We await to see how the Party of Wales respond at their own conference.

Those Tories are bad for North Wales

Well Labour and Lib Dems had trouble free events but this Tories are bad for North Wales !

Sod off Cameron you put us at risk........ European funding bites back at the Euro sceptics.