tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89491224358320690492011-08-03T22:21:35.848+01:00<center>Have your say on this blog if you are concerned with preserving democracy in Torfaen&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</center>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.comBlogger401100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-55901787831066244002009-09-22T06:41:00.006+01:002009-09-22T11:10:28.311+01:00

This website was created in the interests of democracy in Torfaen.From The dictionaryDemocracy n., pl. -cies.1.Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.2.A political or social unit that has such a government.3.The common people, considered as the primary source of political power.4.Majority rule.5.The principles of social equality and respect for the

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-58179501186484290182009-09-15T08:08:00.003+01:002009-09-15T08:15:43.425+01:00

Following much activity on the Grumblesheet about this application, culminating in a Meeting in Pontypool on Monday 14th of September, we hope that discussion can continue here, and allow the Grumble Sheet to discuss other matters. Please comment on this blog topic for matters concerning St James Field.Fuller details can be found below and hereEssentially, Park Est have applied to put an 8 place

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-56351135447600371762009-07-26T11:00:00.007+01:002009-09-22T06:29:56.679+01:00

At the next meeting of the council on the 28th of July 2009 the Deputy Chief Executive, at the request of the leader, will present a report seeking to change the times of monthly council meetings from 5pm to 10:30am, with a guillotine of 4 hours long maximum.The majority of the labour supporting councillors don't work (in fact at least one has never worked). The majority of the opposition have

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-80786220420063179592009-07-13T08:34:00.004+01:002009-07-13T09:46:08.916+01:00

(Leader finds an £8K extra allowance for yet another Labour Councillor)With all the media attention focussed on politicians allowances and expenses, perhaps the last thing you might expect is for a cash strapped council to create a new committee with the primary purpose of giving an extra allowance to one of their councillors. However, on the basis of evidence received, that is just what has

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-61918842010433481662009-06-07T20:51:00.007+01:002009-09-05T08:36:28.186+01:00

Your comments are invited on the prospect of Pontypool Councillor, Fred Wildgust, standing as an independent candidate for Torfaen in the next general election, which must be held in the next 12 months or so. Comments that are simply abusive will be removed but we hope for constructive comments for and against him standing against Paul Murphy.Naturally we will welcome comments from Paul Murphy

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-83771158186127738952009-06-01T10:12:00.010+01:002009-06-06T16:07:36.481+01:00

The Annual Metting of TCBC took place on the 19th of April. The following is an extract from our report on that meeting.Bob Wellington then went on about a chat he had with Duncan Forbes, head of Bron Avon Housing, about grant money that they could get which the council could not get. Then he mentioned parking problems in housing estates, with roads often blocked so that service vehicles could

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-60255588822143517792009-05-24T15:04:00.003+01:002009-07-21T12:12:27.130+01:00

It may be that just one of the appointments that Bob Wellington, the labour leader made in May 2008, was illegal, because the chair of the audit committee should be elected by the councillors on that committee. I think that the way the other appointments are made, probably legally, is totally wrong and undemocratic.The appointments are made by the leader, they are voted for as a package and as

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-8911364088683644712009-05-18T19:07:00.004+01:002009-05-18T19:20:52.838+01:00

Email received from "DT" concerning an article in the Argus on the 15th of May (see here) "I read with interest the comments made by Torfaen Labour AM. Lynne Neagle. The way her and Husband Huw Lewis juggle there expenses so they can maximise their claims, together with her comments lead me to believe she really believes in the saying charity begins at home and will pocket every last penny? and I

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-61838539172515551172009-05-13T08:40:00.007+01:002009-05-14T08:18:57.819+01:00

Fred sent out the following email today....Dear Group MembersIn today’s Freepress you will see an article about me. It is publicly announcing that I intend to stand as an Independent Parliamentary Candidate in the Torfaen constituency, I didn’t inform you prior to the announcement in the press as I am well aware that some members of the group feed information directly back to the Labour party. I

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-958746105517891532009-05-11T13:27:00.008+01:002009-05-12T18:03:13.206+01:00

For those that don't recognise him this man is Stuart H Evans, Independent Councillor for Blaenavon. Since May 2008 he has been leader of the opposition and has to be congratulated for his dignity and integrity in carrying out that position.However the main thing he should be congratulated for is his refusal to accept a position on the cabinet, with an extra allowance of £13000 plus.It may look

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-62852629889460216752009-05-04T13:25:00.006+01:002009-05-20T13:50:59.685+01:00

Update 20th May 2010: At the Annual meeting last night Tom Huish, Independent Cllr for Blaenavon was nominated by The Labour Leader for Deputy Mayor. He was elected by 28 votes to 16, the other candidate being conservative Margaret Pead.The AGM of Torfaen CBC will be held on the 19th of May, at 5pm and should prove interesting.Nye James is retiring as Mayor. It is usual for a retiring Mayor to be

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-19133565681692360432009-03-31T22:58:00.005+01:002009-04-15T14:30:14.586+01:00

It came as little surprise in the end, but, at tonight's meeting on 31st of March 2009 the council voted by 23 to 16 to reject a conservative amendment to freeze allowances because of the present economic crisis.Ordinary Councillors will now get a basic allowance of £13,030 per annum. (Backdated to last January)All the labour members present and the three Plaid members and two independents who

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-49972505926732365502009-02-20T09:21:00.004Z2009-02-20T09:37:41.016Z

(The following is a response from Cllr Cunnington to the news that The Independent Group - Torfaen is leaving the Torfaen Peoples Coalition. It is copied here with his permission.)Following the election I was criticised by some of the newly elected councillors for not joining the Torfaen Peoples Coalition and was agressively jibed at for having the forsight to choose, in the interest of stability

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-20930493073425568072008-12-03T16:34:00.002Z2008-12-03T16:47:38.036Z

"Concerned" from St Cadocs/Penygarn ward has posted on our Grumble Sheet as follows!"I wonder had People's Voice had more of a success at the elections would they still be campaigning for democracy?"This subject warrants further discussion. Correct me if I am wrong but People's Voice only won seats where there was no independent candidate. Also I believe Fred Wildgust, as an Independent, beat a

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-6156322669849405192008-09-11T16:10:00.008+01:002008-09-14T16:42:07.598+01:00

Torfaen Councillors will be asked at the September council meeting to accept a motion put by Cllr Tom Gould to freeze their basic allowances, and reduce the extra allowances allocated to the Leader, Deputy Leader, Cabinet Members and all Chairs of Scrutiny Committees by 50%Cllr Gould says, “We are being constantly told that there will be a tight budget, so it is only right that we set an example

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-8869956293722637202008-08-13T18:58:00.002+01:002008-08-13T19:01:48.315+01:00

Press release from Cllr Elizabeth Haynes as follows... Over the last few months, residents have become increasingly worried about therumours surrounding the siting of a Prison in Cwmbran.Many Residentscontacted the 2 ward Councillors who have been campaigning against this sinceMarch. They are Councillor Elizabeth Haynes (St Dials Ward) and Cllr CatherineLewis (Greenmeadow ward).

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-30285277548461566722008-07-23T07:51:00.003+01:002008-07-23T10:36:18.609+01:00

It is the 23rd of July and the much talked about petition is launched today. If you want to discuss the need for the petition, or the way the campaign is going then please do so by commenting on this post. You can see the full details of the petition here.

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-59455026560574964912008-07-12T23:44:00.002+01:002008-07-13T00:48:28.218+01:00

.nobrtable br { display: none }I’ve had my curiosity awakened by reading some of the responses to the last posting – especially the fascinating stuff about just how many memberships and committee places our elected councillors can boast of holding, even though it clearly means they wouldn’t have time to sleep or eat if they gave each one the attention it deserves. And being easily distracted by

TheAxxeleratornoreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-36242834790593264972008-07-04T13:50:00.005+01:002008-07-04T16:09:28.838+01:00

Today the Argus reports that a new executive member has been appointed, with responsibilities for equalities. It is being given to Councillor Cynthia Beynon! It is obvious this post has been created for her because she was the only labour councillor to not have a position of extra responsibility, as there were not enough to go around after handing out 5 posts to the 3 plaid and two independent

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-33990010455460980892008-07-01T07:41:00.007+01:002008-07-01T18:20:54.201+01:00

You cannot blame the abolition of the 10p tax band or Gordon Browne for the demise of the labour vote in Torfaen. If you take away the inherent inbred bias towards voting labour then the labour party have done very badly indeed. People wanted a change. The labour members were gutted, but showing the superb skills that have kept Bob Wellington in charge over the years a defeat was turned into a

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-40600233251384635842008-06-25T19:33:00.002+01:002008-06-25T19:52:20.114+01:00

So…I’ve been clicking around the TDF site – giving due consideration to all sides of the argument concerning certain elected public servants and their ‘strategic’ decisions – and then I find this link to ‘Clause 4.16.9’ of the TCBC Constitution. And suddenly I go from mildly amused, to terribly intrigued. That same part of me that quite likes ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and gets all excited by cryptic

TheAxxeleratornoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-77051212471395377162008-06-19T21:50:00.002+01:002008-06-19T22:02:33.705+01:00

This blog post is specifically for anyone who wishes to express their support for the petition campaign to make the Labour-run council of Torfaen aware of how and why we will not accept them as our DEMOCRATICALLY elected representatives, and for anyone who wants to fight for democracy in our wonderful county! Although Cllr Wildgust is spearheading the campaign we can assure you that we the people

Cchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18403903336045917894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-72231559213832426552008-06-19T21:40:00.000+01:002008-06-20T01:15:22.570+01:00

"Councillor Wildgust is organising a Torfaen-wide petition calling for proportional representation, and is planning a major protest march from county hall in Cwmbran to the civic centre in Pontypool at the beginning of July.He said: "I have had dozens of letters and e-mails calling on me to act. I want to motivate the population and get people marching for democracy."My message to the Labour

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-60709389404625052872008-06-18T08:06:00.008+01:002008-06-18T16:21:19.867+01:00

On the Free Press website yesterday a John Turner has made the following comment,"Well done Labour for retaining control of the Council. Clearly the opposition could not agree to power sharing so labour showed them how it should be done. Hopefully this will give the Council some stability to get on with the job of governing and by those with experience and ability rather than by an unfocused

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-73718295827453728242008-06-15T15:10:00.002+01:002008-06-15T15:32:00.971+01:00

Every election (local/regional/national) there seems to be the same chorus " Empathy is everybody's enemy" "People should vote for what they think!". Well certain (Famous Five/Labour) Torfaen councillors should be proud in their ability of killing any pride or respect that people had in them and confirming the worst beliefs that people have in all politicians. How can they hold their heads high

Mr Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458316971136486084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-2954593660173292422008-06-13T16:37:00.002+01:002008-06-13T16:48:58.444+01:00

Let me elay any fears that I am a Labour supporter, far from it, baring in mind that I still have the scars from when they stabbed me in the back!On the face of it and the mis-reporting by the Argus (which they agreed was as a result of incorrect information given to them initially), I quite appreciate that the electorate will feel betrayed, I would feel the same, however my decision when

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-61970469017809897842008-06-13T09:08:00.001+01:002008-06-13T09:10:50.392+01:00

As an independent councillor, I am free of any party whip and cannot be controlled by the restrictions of party policy. When I stood for the council my mandate was that I would work to secure better financial accountability, improved environmental management and where dubious or immoral decisions had been made I would root it out. more....

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-10256262993337189562008-06-10T07:17:00.006+01:002008-06-10T12:25:35.216+01:00

Well that is what senior members of the labour party think, by definition. No-one else has the experience to form a leading group. So in spite of a poor show at the polls, for the labour party and himself, leader Bob Wellington has justified his "arrangement" of eventually finding 5 former sworn enemies to support his next year in a very well paid office to bring "stability to local governance in

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-37289378926418329762008-05-28T20:34:00.003+01:002008-07-04T14:05:30.057+01:00

Councillor Cynthia Bynon was first elected in May, and is a labour member for Panteg. She is in fact the only labour councillor not to get an additional position with an additional allowance. Every other labour councillor has, plus the Torfaen 5 (what would Bob have done if they hadn't accepted the jobs?).Why was this lady left out? Is the as yet unfilled position, Chair of the Co-ordinating

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-39256421665488231232008-05-27T16:04:00.011+01:002008-12-11T08:25:36.883Z

Only time will tell if the two independent and three Plaid councillors who supported the labour group in their hour of need have done the right thing. On the face of it it looks like a betrayal. However what does the average non-labour voter want in Torfaen? Change, yes, but what we need is a long term radical change in the way the council is run, making it more accountable to the people.To do

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-21841698629609628402008-05-23T12:08:00.005+01:002008-05-24T09:58:17.527+01:00

Even if the three "plaid" (now labour) councillors and the two "independents" had not liked the opposition "package" they could have stayed in the middle and balanced the two sides, voting for best from the experienced labour group and adding talented new blood.But no, from the moment the five took Judas's purse the meeting was a waste of time, we are back to the old regime except they have

Tumbleweedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725055576063595233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-66104464766169801202008-05-22T10:30:00.002+01:002008-12-11T08:25:37.021Z

I must amend my last post, maybe the lady concerned has just learnt the way life really is, very quickly. She has just agreed to accept the labour whip, and at the same time accepted an additional £5,402 per year. The more cynical might see this as a bribe.Below I show you the allowances members get, all sum are in pounds, per year, and the rates are accumulative. Therefore if you are leader you

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-79679706539848490532008-05-21T11:04:00.004+01:002008-05-21T23:16:35.363+01:00

A lady who had just snatched a seat from labour in Torfaen was surprised to hear that there was any allowance, let alone £12,000 for being just an ordinary councillor. I am not saying that hard working councillors don't deserve some renumeration but this does show that this particular lady put up for all the right reasons.

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-51234650809214955642008-05-20T08:29:00.006+01:002008-05-20T23:27:51.069+01:00

I hear rumours that the Labour party may stay in power in Torfaen with the support of another political group or a number of independents. The independents apparently cannot get their act together and they are the second major "group". See here (Peoples Voice are 3 of the "others") and here.If this means that the previous labour administration stays virtually unchanged, with a few (very well paid

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-11868255757399692512008-05-10T01:03:00.006+01:002008-06-17T07:21:21.531+01:00

This was overheard in the House of Commons (see here)"Ah yes, Torfaen - that famous Labour marginal.""What happens when you've got a load of mad buggers (independents) in charge? It'll be officers' play-time!"This is unfair. Either our dedicated officers would guide an inexperienced cabinet and not take advantage of the situation OR they will carry on running rings around the administration like

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-29956398947933383132008-05-06T09:26:00.001+01:002008-05-10T01:00:27.199+01:00

Betsan Powys' Blog on BBC Wales Website gives the (near) final figures on the Welsh Local Government elections, see it here; indeed it does show that The Labour Party have had a "good kicking"Independents gained 348 seats, 5 more in total than Labour in Wales. Add on small parties, an extra 26, and say 50% of the other parties, for those that vote for other parties as a way of getting or keeping

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-87876037157630142522008-05-05T10:35:00.000+01:002008-05-05T13:47:11.131+01:00

I am a bit shell shocked with the results of the Torfaen Elections. This forum/blog, was started with never a thought that the balance of power would change so dramatically! Labour losing overall control, unbelievable but what a marvellous opportunity to reduce the influence of officers and the party system in Torfaen politics forever.So I am both pleased and apprehensive. Who will be in charge,

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-75969296570500079172008-05-01T10:19:00.004+01:002008-06-25T19:39:43.100+01:00

At the council meeting in July 07 , without one elected member noticing, they unanimously passed a new clause in the constitution that has made Public Question Time all but useless. Click Here to see all about the problems of clause 4.16.9

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-13700724366266375192008-04-30T20:35:00.002+01:002008-06-17T07:24:01.415+01:00

If you need to ask a Public Question at council you will probably be told "This question should more appropriately be asked at another forum" (at least that is what the minutes will say). However they will never tell you where this other forum is!Maybe here?

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949122435832069049.post-24656824066809345962008-04-30T18:03:00.000+01:002008-05-05T13:42:42.926+01:00

Democracy in Torfaen is a sham. General Council meetings are stage managed by the officers and any discussion or dissension is considered inappropriate and usually not allowed. The party system as operated by the labour group means that any discussion and decisions are done at a closed group meeting before the main meeting and labour members are then required to vote as they are told and not

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07126511449833652375noreply@blogger.com2