Latest news with #MandyHawkins
North Wales Live
4 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Live
Conwy's new Reform leader hits back and invites cabinet to join party
Conwy's new Reform leader has hit back at criticism that two Llandudno councillors jumped ship from the Tory party. Yesterday it was reported that Llandudno councillors Louise Emery and Tom Montgomery resigned from the Conservative party and joined Reform UK. This decision led to a backlash from Aberconwy's Conservative MS Janet Finch-Saunders, who called on the pair to resign, arguing there must be a by-election to re-elect the seats on both Conwy County Council and Llandudno Town Council. Other criticism followed from Labour too, with fellow Llandudno councillor Mandy Hawkins going on record suggesting Reform could privatise the NHS. Speaking to the local democracy reporting service today (Thursday), Cllr Emery defended her position, as well as that of Cllr Montgomery, as the new Reform Conwy leader. 'The last 24 hours we have been totally overwhelmed by the support that we have received from residents and supporters,' she said. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox. 'Despite this we have seen the classic mudslinging, misinformation, and school-ground name calling from the usual suspects in both Labour and Tory camps. 'The sudden interest in by-elections from Janet Finch-Saunders MS and Cllr Mandy Hawkins is fascinating. Particularly when you consider that both have been silent over the last three years when three councillors have left the Labour group whilst remaining councillors. Where were these calls for by-elections then? 'It seems that both of their comments are less about genuine concern for democratic values and everything to do with political point scoring. Also, we have to call out the misinformation coming from the Labour party that we or Reform are interested in privatising the NHS. 'Labour have said that the NHS was going to be privatised by the Conservatives time and time again. And guess what, the NHS hasn't been privatised, and Reform UK isn't going to privatise the NHS. Let's stop using the NHS as a political football to scare people into voting for Labour. 'We are open to new ideas about how we save the NHS because neither the Conservatives and more so Labour in Wales have delivered for people. We want a health service that works first and foremost for patients and is free at the point of use. "We can disagree. We can debate on the issues. We can stand up for what we believe in. But let's leave the name calling and misinformation out of it because our residents deserve better.' She added: 'I'd be delighted to hear from any cabinet members who wanted to join the Reform party.' It emerged yesterday too, that Old Colwyn councillor David Carr is also a member of Reform UK, despite being an independent councillor. Cllr Carr has declared his membership on his council profile website page. The local democracy reporting service attempted to contact Cllr Carr for a comment. The local democracy reporting service also contacted all Conwy cabinet members to ask if they might be members of undeclared political parties, which included Reform UK. Cabinet members Charlie McCoubrey, Emily Owen, Julie Fallon, Cathy Augustine, Penny Andow, Geoff Stewart, Nigel Smith, Goronwy Edwards, and Chris Cater all denied being members of any party than that declared. Cllr Cathy Augustine gave the strongest response to the question. She said: 'My values and principles are such that everything to do with Reform UK is anathema to me. My only involvement with Reform will be to oppose them and their vile, divisive views at every opportunity.' Deputy leader Cllr Emily Owen also said: 'I can categorically and firmly put on record that my values and principles do not remotely align with that of Reform UK, and I want absolutely nothing to do with them.' The local democracy reporting service is awaiting a response from Plaid Cymru councillor Dilwyn Roberts.
Wales Online
23-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
'Essential' Llandudno phone mast plan approved
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Plans to install mobile phone antennas on the roof of Venue Cymru have been approved by Conwy 's planning committee - despite objections from planning officers. The application, submitted by Cornerstone, was granted conditional planning permission at a meeting held at the council's Coed Pella HQ last week. The telecoms company sought permission to install six new antennas on two steel frames on the roof of the council-owned Venue Cymru building in Llandudno. But planning officers had recommended the application be refused, citing concerns from the council's conservation officer. The committee heard how residents had contacted Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders as part of a campaign supporting the plans, while others said the bad reception was turning tourists away. Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Mandy Hawkins proposed councillors voted against officers' advice and said: 'It will improve the connectivity, as it is essential for digital inclusion and supports local commerce, tourism, and daily communications. Sign up for the North Wales Live newslettersent twice daily to your inbox. 'A reliable mobile service is crucial for businesses operating in the area, particularly those reliant on digital transactions and online engagement. This facilitates economic resilience and supports growth across multiple sectors.' Cllr Kay Redhead seconded Cllr Hawkins' proposal to go against the officers' recommendation. 'We pride Llandudno on being a Victorian resort, but that doesn't mean we have to live in the Victorian ages when it comes to technology,' she said. 'I disagree with what the conservation officer has said about it being a blot on the landscape and the visual impact. I think Venue Cymru itself is a blot on the landscape; it sticks out like a sore thumb. It goes against the rest of the promenade. You can see it from every angle driving into Llandudno. 'To put some antennas on that for the betterment of the community, I think, is a good thing. We've got an ageing population in Conwy and are slowly doing away with house phones, and everybody needs a better phone signal.' The site already hosts two existing antennas but is located within the Llandudno Conservation Area and the Creuddyn and Conwy Historic Landscape. Before the vote, the planning committee heard how the maximum heights of the new masts would be between 4.01 and 4.42 metres - exceeding the existing 3m equipment. Planning officer Elizabeth Wood reiterated the conservation officers' concerns. 'We agree with the conservation officer that it shouldn't be at the expense of the heritage,' she said. 'That site is clearly visible on approach to the town and adds too much to the visual clutter. With quite extensive changes, the proposed mast is going to have significant detrimental impact on the conservation area, which is our premier conservation area for the whole of the county.' Cllr David Carr also supported the application, pointing to the practical problems residents and visitors experience. 'The council's parking meters are affected by this because there are queues on the front (promenade) and people are not able to pay,' he said. 'They keep presenting their (debit or credit) card, and it doesn't work. I spoke to the relevant officer, and he said it is the connectivity; the signal is not coming through. I can't believe that 10 years ago you couldn't get a signal on Mostyn Street, and if I go with my phone now - and I've changed from O2 to EE - I still can't get a signal on Mostyn Street. 'I can go to the retail park and suddenly you can get a signal, but we don't have the phone boxes we had now, so people coming into Llandudno can't contact people, can they? I saw a few years ago a lady fell, and we wanted to ring, but the phones wouldn't work. It took about five or ten minutes to go into somewhere and ask them to phone. It is 2025 and we haven't got connectivity. People can't use their mobile phones.' Despite officer objections, members voted in favour of granting conditional planning permission. The plans include an electric meter cabinet, an equipment cabinet, two transmission dishes, and associated equipment such as Remote Radio Units. The equipment is intended to improve 2G, 4G and 5G coverage in the area. The planning committee will have to reaffirm their decision at the next planning committee meeting after going against officers' advice. Public notices in your area
North Wales Live
23-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
'Essential' Llandudno phone mast plan approved
Plans to install mobile phone antennas on the roof of Venue Cymru have been approved by Conwy 's planning committee - despite objections from planning officers. The application, submitted by Cornerstone, was granted conditional planning permission at a meeting held at the council's Coed Pella HQ last week. The telecoms company sought permission to install six new antennas on two steel frames on the roof of the council-owned Venue Cymru building in Llandudno. But planning officers had recommended the application be refused, citing concerns from the council's conservation officer. The committee heard how residents had contacted Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders as part of a campaign supporting the plans, while others said the bad reception was turning tourists away. Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Mandy Hawkins proposed councillors voted against officers' advice and said: 'It will improve the connectivity, as it is essential for digital inclusion and supports local commerce, tourism, and daily communications. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox. 'A reliable mobile service is crucial for businesses operating in the area, particularly those reliant on digital transactions and online engagement. This facilitates economic resilience and supports growth across multiple sectors.' Cllr Kay Redhead seconded Cllr Hawkins' proposal to go against the officers' recommendation. 'We pride Llandudno on being a Victorian resort, but that doesn't mean we have to live in the Victorian ages when it comes to technology,' she said. 'I disagree with what the conservation officer has said about it being a blot on the landscape and the visual impact. I think Venue Cymru itself is a blot on the landscape; it sticks out like a sore thumb. It goes against the rest of the promenade. You can see it from every angle driving into Llandudno. 'To put some antennas on that for the betterment of the community, I think, is a good thing. We've got an ageing population in Conwy and are slowly doing away with house phones, and everybody needs a better phone signal.' The site already hosts two existing antennas but is located within the Llandudno Conservation Area and the Creuddyn and Conwy Historic Landscape. Before the vote, the planning committee heard how the maximum heights of the new masts would be between 4.01 and 4.42 metres - exceeding the existing 3m equipment. Planning officer Elizabeth Wood reiterated the conservation officers' concerns. 'We agree with the conservation officer that it shouldn't be at the expense of the heritage,' she said. 'That site is clearly visible on approach to the town and adds too much to the visual clutter. With quite extensive changes, the proposed mast is going to have significant detrimental impact on the conservation area, which is our premier conservation area for the whole of the county.' Cllr David Carr also supported the application, pointing to the practical problems residents and visitors experience. 'The council's parking meters are affected by this because there are queues on the front (promenade) and people are not able to pay,' he said. 'They keep presenting their (debit or credit) card, and it doesn't work. I spoke to the relevant officer, and he said it is the connectivity; the signal is not coming through. I can't believe that 10 years ago you couldn't get a signal on Mostyn Street, and if I go with my phone now - and I've changed from O2 to EE - I still can't get a signal on Mostyn Street. 'I can go to the retail park and suddenly you can get a signal, but we don't have the phone boxes we had now, so people coming into Llandudno can't contact people, can they? I saw a few years ago a lady fell, and we wanted to ring, but the phones wouldn't work. It took about five or ten minutes to go into somewhere and ask them to phone. It is 2025 and we haven't got connectivity. People can't use their mobile phones.' Despite officer objections, members voted in favour of granting conditional planning permission. The plans include an electric meter cabinet, an equipment cabinet, two transmission dishes, and associated equipment such as Remote Radio Units. The equipment is intended to improve 2G, 4G and 5G coverage in the area. The planning committee will have to reaffirm their decision at the next planning committee meeting after going against officers' advice. Public notices in your area
