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Wales Online
2 days ago
- Politics
- Wales Online
Residents in a part of Wales could face big changes to their bin collections
Residents in a part of Wales could face big changes to their bin collections Reduced collections are 'an option within our sustainable resource strategy,' a senior councillor in Powys has said Generic image of black wheelie bins (Image: Darren Quinton/Reach ) People living in a part of Wales could be facing big changes to their bin collection under new council plans. Residents in Powys have been consulted on general waste collections being changed from three-weekly to monthly. While the changes are not certain to be implemented, a senior Powys councillor has said the change is an "option". The council held a three-month public consultation on how waste should be dealt with in Powys for the next five years and fewer than 200 people gave their views to the council. One of the questions was about a potential move to monthly black bin collections. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Of the 193 people surveyed, 121 said they would be able to 'cope' with this change. The consultation prompted Reform councillor Karl Lewis (for Llandinam with Dolfor) to ask: 'Does the Liberal Democrat-led administration intend to implement an increase in residual waste collection times from three weeks to four weeks at any point between now and the next full council elections in May 2027?" In response the recycling cabinet member, Lib Dem councillor Jackie Charlton, said: 'There are no current plans to reduce the frequency of residual waste collections although it remains an option within our sustainable resource strategy which is due to be finalised shortly following the engagement exercise, we carried out earlier this year. Article continues below 'We are following the Welsh Government's blueprint for waste and recycling with our weekly collections of recycling and food waste and three weekly collections of residual waste.' The council's research suggested 45% of the waste put into black bins 'could' be recycled. Moving to a four-week collection cycle could be a consequence of not improving recycling rates, said Ms Charlton. 'If all residents were to use the kerbside collection service that we provide to maximise their recycling there would be no requirement to reduce the frequency or capacity of residual collections," she added. 'But there may be a requirement to take other measures if we are to achieve and maintain the Welsh Government's statutory recycling targets.' If the council fails to hit the 70% recycling target that came into force last year, it could be fined by the Welsh Government. Article continues below Powys's current figure is 68%, up from 66% two years ago. The potential fine for failing to hit target works out at around £100,000 for every percentage point it is missed by. The council has said it will be 'increasing awareness and education' to encourage those who don't recycle enough to do so.
Powys County Times
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Opinion: Lib Dem led council must not close Powys day centre
They say 'a society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable'. Yet as highlighted in last week's County Times, the future of the Sylfaen centre at Llanidloes is under threat. Sylfaen is a Powys County Council-owned day service in Llanidloes which offers service users aged 19 to 72 a programme of sensory-based activities including soap making, sensory craft, gardening, cooking and day trips. Yet there are fears that it could close under Powys County Council's Liberal Democrat-led cabinet. Bearing in mind that Disability is a Protected Characteristic under the Public Sector Equality Duty, public organisations have to consider the potential impacts fully and share the impact assessment with those affected. With that in mind, we need assurance that a full impact assessment about the closure of Sylfaen has been done and not a mere tick box. The general duty of the Equality Act 2010 (also known as the Public Sector Equality Duty or PSED) sets out that those subject to the duty must have due regard to the need to: Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act. Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. In Wales, the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) goes further and contains express provisions about engagement (Regulation 5) and equality impact assessments (Regulation 8) which are not present in the English PSED. Regulation 8 (1) of Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) (Wales) Regulations 2011, states that: a. assessing the likely impact of its proposed policies and practices on its ability to comply with the general duty; b. assessing the impact of any: 1. policy or practice that the authority has decided to review, 2. revision that the authority proposes to make to a policy or practice, on its ability to comply with that duty; c. monitoring the impact of its policies on its ability to comply with that duty. The reality is Lib Dem led Powys expect volunteers and Direct Payments to plug the gap yet as is well known that's merely further pressure on carers and families.
Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Council sparks outrage by claiming it has no money to celebrate VE Day
A Liberal Democrat-led council has been labelled a 'disgrace' after claiming it has no money to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) council said it did not have the funds available to hold an official event in Poole on May 8. The authority made the announcement as it is about to employ a new chief executive on a salary of £205,000. Philip Broadhead, the leader of the Conservative opposition on BCP council, said: 'It's shocking to see the council refuse to fund any events for this historic day in Poole. 'It was bad enough that staple events like the [Bournemouth] Air Festival won't return this year, but VE Day is more than just tourism – it's about commemorating our past; and is precisely the type of thing a council should be doing. 'Meanwhile, the council is spending millions of pounds on unpopular, blanket 20mph speed limits throughout the towns. 'They just don't care about the important things any more.' Poole played a vital role in the liberation of Europe in the Second World War, with the Dorset town being the third largest embarkation port on the south coast for the D-Day landings. Officials will light a beacon outside the town hall in Bournemouth, while in Christchurch there will be a wartime-themed 'grand celebration' on the quay. Dismay Neil Duncan-Jordan, the Labour MP for Poole, said that the historic town was being overlooked. He said: 'I am dismayed that BCP council is not planning to mark VE Day in Poole – especially given our town's proud history and vital role in D-Day. 'Last month I raised concerns with the council about the lack of a formal event in Poole to mark VE Day and suggested that we could have a ceremony in Poole Park on the day, at minimum cost. 'The veterans groups are extremely upset that Poole has been overlooked. 'It just seems like a really poorly made decision given Poole's historic role in WWII. 'Our community wants to honour this important anniversary. Poole residents, especially our veterans, deserve better. 'The groups have said that they could do something in the park but they just need the council's approval to make it official. It does not need to be an expensive event. 'Remembrance events held in Poole in November were attended by thousands of people so there is clearly an appetite for it.' Pete Miles, the mayor of Poole, will travel to Cherbourg on May 8 for celebrations in Normandy, but he is having to fund the £55 trip out of his own pocket. 'VE Day needs to be marked' Josh Brown, who served in the Royal Engineers for six years, described the lack of VE Day events in Poole as a 'shambles'. The 29-year-old, two of whose great-grandparents served in the Second World War, said: 'Such a big event like the 80th anniversary of VE Day needs to be marked, it's not small. 'There are other towns and cities that are marking it. The council seems to splash the cash on irrelevant stuff, but not on what matters. 'I am sure veterans and other members of the public will be upset about this. If this sort of thing happens then we are going to find in 10 years time that we don't celebrate it at all. 'World War Two veterans won't be around forever so 100 per cent we should be chucking everything into it. 'How much does it cost to shut a few roads for the day? They seem to manage other events. 'I think we could have a parade in Poole as it is one of the most important towns involved with VE Day.' Residents have also taken to social media to vent their fury. Don Payne said: 'Whoever made this decision should be thoroughly ashamed. Total disrespect for our military heroes. BCP you are a disgrace.' Alasdair Collins added: 'Given the part that Poole played in WW2 this is a disgraceful decision and an insult to all the veterans, some of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice. Hang your heads in shame all those involved in this decision.' 'Proud of Poole's history' A BCP council spokesman said that residents were being urged to stage street parties to celebrate VE Day. But Rich Herrett, the council's portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said: 'If you would like to organise an event in Poole you are welcome to do so, but we are not in a position to fund that at this point, but the events team remain ever supportive and I am sure will be helpful.' Andy Martin, the council's portfolio holder for culture, communications and customer, added: 'We are proud of Poole's history and involvement at Dunkirk during WWII and of the town's historical naval connections. 'To mark the 80th Anniversary of VE day we are organising a Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole-wide beacon lighting ceremony, which will take place on the forecourt of the BCP Civic Centre for all residents across our area. This is the first time BCP council will be organising an event like this to mark VE day. 'We are working to enable and support community hosted events and have received 30 applications for VE Day Street parties across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.'
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Plans for mayor of Cumbria move a step closer as consultation ends
A PUBLIC consultation into the future of Cumbria's democratic makeup has ended. The consultation was launched to gather the views of Cumbrians over the plans to have a directly elected mayor of the county. Cumbria could be set for a combined authority mayoral election in May 2026 under the plans unveiled by the deputy prime minister. Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, Greater Essex, Hampshire and Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton are all six new potential devolution areas throughout England with 'a view to mayoral elections in May 2026", according to Angela Rayner MP. Cumbrian councils were invited to join the government's devolution priority programme after earlier expressing interest in exploring what greater devolution of powers could mean in Cumbria. Metro mayors have proved successful in places like Greater Manchester and Teesside in driving local economic growth and the deputy prime minister has said she would like to see other directly elected, combined authority mayors across the country. Devolution provides regions with more powers and decision-making over matters including transport, employment support, planning, and housing. Senior Labour and Conservative politicians in Cumbria have previously called for a mayor in Cumbria which could bring more powers for local transport links, planning and housing. The proposal to have a mayor in Cumbria has been supported by both the leaders of Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness council. Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said: "This is good news for Cumberland and Cumbria as a whole. "Being included in this priority programme is a vote of confidence in our ability to drive investment and deliver for local communities. "Devolution will unlock more funding and more powers for our area, with decisions being made in Cumbria rather than in London." Critics of devolution say that it adds another layer of bureaucracy and does not offer value for money for taxpayers. Speculation has previously run rife over candidates for a potential mayoral contest, but nobody has officially put their hat into the ring. Carlisle MP, Julie Minns has also backed the plans for a regional mayor. 'Greater devolution is key to unlocking regional growth in Cumbria, delivering on the government's plan and putting more money into working people's pockets, while also empowering them to direct change in their communities,' said Ms Minns. 'It will see Cumbria given sweeping new powers, putting our community on the fast-track to deliver growth, opportunities, transport and housing for local communities." Westmorland and Furness Council has stressed the importance of 'sufficient' funding if devolution in Cumbria is to go-ahead to address a 'legacy of underinvestment'. In response to the government's proposals for a mayoral combined authority (MCA) the Liberal Democrat-led authority said the funding must be sufficient to address 'historic underinvestment' in the area. The response from the council reads: 'We await the outcome of the Spending Review later in the year to provide clarity on the future funding for devolution in Cumbria, this understanding will be essential for any decisions to provide our consent. 'Historically, the area has been funded, via 'per head' funding models that have left the area substantially disadvantaged compared to areas with higher population density. 'Devolution has been shown to work in some larger urban and metropolitan areas, but it is not clear how the funding model will work in rural areas where there is a higher cost of service delivery for a dispersed population over a large land area. 'For Cumbria to be a sustainable devolved geography, the funding our area would receive through devolution must be sufficient to make a meaningful difference and address this legacy of underinvestment.' This comes after the local government finance settlement scrapped the rural services delivery grant which resulted in the council losing £6.44 million this financial year. Deputy leader of Westmorland and Furness Council councillor Andrew Jarvis previously described the 'political shift' in funding from rural areas to urban areas as 'deeply disappointing'. The report from the council adds: 'Acknowledging systematic underfunding of some key services in Cumbria and the vital importance of adequate future resourcing, there are potentially significant opportunities for a MCA [mayoral combined authority] to deliver benefits to the local community. 'Many of the devolved powers are essential building blocks for improving social outcomes, such as improving health, housing, transport, employment and the environment. 'The MCA has the opportunity to lead by example, acting as an anchor institution and taking long term decisions that impact on not only its workforce and the local population, but also the outcomes of generations to follow.' MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron previously said Cumbria should be able to get devolution without a mayor. Mr Farron previously said: 'We desperately need our local council to be given more funding and powers if we are to properly deliver for our local communities. 'So therefore, I support the council wanting to engage with the Government on devolution. 'However, I am concerned that there is still a lack of detail from the government about what is on offer, and I still remain of the view we should be able to get devolution without us needing to have a mayor. 'What is most important is that the government keeps its promise of running a proper consultation for local residents. And if, once all the details are made clear, the public decide that they don't wish to have a mayor, then the Labour government must not impose one on us.' Now that the Government-led public consultation exercise has concluded, both unitary councils will then be required to make a final decision later in the year. If approved, Cumbrians could be set to visit the polls for the new combined authority mayor as early as 2026 ahead of planned local council elections in 2027.
The Independent
09-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
VE Day parade to go ahead after councillor suggested it would be ‘elitist'
A military parade will be held to mark VE Day at a council where a senior member suggested such an event would be 'elitist', Sir Ed Davey has announced. Liberal Democrat-led Dacorum Borough Council in Hertfordshire has overturned its decision not to hold an event to mark the end of the Second World War. Commemorations are being held across the country on May 8 to mark the end of the war, including a flypast in London and a service at Westminster Abbey with members of the royal family. While a Dacorum council meeting heard there would not be parade, in a statement released by the council on Wednesday, a spokesperson insisted no events have been cancelled and one will be held. The intention for the event to go ahead was first revealed by Sir Ed, national leader of the Lib Dems, during a local election campaign visit to Gloucester. 'There will be a VE parade, I'm delighted to say,' he said. 'The council wants that. It would be daft not to have one, absolutely daft. 'I'm really looking forward to VE celebrations, the 80th anniversary. 'I think apparently a council officer took a decision without talking to the politicians. 'The politicians are now really clear, the VE parade will go ahead.' Dacorum council cabinet member Caroline Smith-Wright had told a meeting on April 2 that there were no plans for a parade, suggesting such an event would be for the 'elite'. She said: 'We have decided at this point to enable communities to come together and have street parties, and I think… that's for the community, that's for everyone, that encompasses everybody, it doesn't just leave the elite and people to just, kind of, parade. 'This is about normal people celebrating in their communities, sharing food, sitting at a table celebrating, and I think that's a fine way to celebrate VE Day.' She added that the authority had 'done quite a bit of celebrating last year' to mark the council's 50th birthday. The move received significant backlash, with opposition councillors calling for a rethink. Conservative councillor Graeme Elliot said: 'I'm very dismayed about the lack of celebrations – my father fought in that war, I had an uncle that died in the Battle of France, that was the golden generation. 'You think that 50 years of a celebration of a council is far more important than the men and women that gave their lives so that we could stand here.' David Taylor, Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead, shared a statement on X joining the calls for a rethink. He said: 'I am disappointed by the Liberal Democrat-led council's decision to reject the proposal for a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. I believe a parade is what our armed forces deserve.' Dacorum Borough Council said in a statement: 'The Council has not cancelled its VE Day commemoration event or rejected calls for military parades as reported. VE Day belongs to all of us. We are absolutely committed to honouring the sacrifice of our armed forces and ensuring their memory lives on. 'The Council has a long and proud history of supporting commemorative events and our armed forces community.' They said the council will be holding a joint commemorative event with the Royal British Legion as planned, with a parade at the War Memorial. In addition, the council has purchased two 'Tommy Statues' and will be holding a celebratory Armed Forces Day event in June, a commemorative service for VJ Day in August and the annual Remembrance Parade on November 9 and Remembrance Day service on November 11.
