Appetite Grows for Devolution

The Welsh public have demonstrated a thirst for greater powers for Wales and Plaid must lead the way. That was the message from  Plaid Cymru’s Ieuan Wyn Jones during a panel discussion at the Plaid Cymru spring conference at Ffos Las, Trimsaran on the Future of the United Kingdom.

During the discussion, Mr Jones pointed out that recent polls show that the majority of people in Wales believe that the Welsh Government should have tax-raising powers. He said that the wheels had been set in motion on this with the Silk Commission’s inquiry
into the devolution of fiscal powers, and that Plaid Cymru is in a position to lead the debate on this.

Plaid Cymru’s Ieuan Wyn Jones AM said:

“We are currently in an interesting situation, where post-referendum on law making powers, the Welsh people have clearly indicated an appetite for more powers. They want Wales to have more responsibility and more accountability.

“Plaid Cymru now have an opportunity to move this debate forwards. We have submitted a detailed and thoughtful contribution to the Silk Commission which sets out which powers we think should be devolved to Wales, and we will continue to make the case for this. When Plaid Cymru is strong we can make our voices heard.

“At present, the electorate are ahead of the institutions on this matter, and we need to continue to push the agenda forwards.” 

WELSH HEALTH SERVICE

THE FACTS ABOUT 

WELSH HEALTH 

SERVICE

The health services we depend on in our local hospitals are under threat. Labour is in government in Wales – and it is Labour that controls the Welsh health service.

Despite promising just before last May’s Assembly elections hospitals or centralise core health services, Labour is now doing just that.

The Labour Health Minister has asked local health boards to make plans which will lead to downgrading hospitals and centralising core services.

This may all sound familiar to you. That’s because Labour attempted to do exactly the same thing in 2007.

Back then, as a condition of our coalition deal, Plaid Cymru stopped those plans. Together, we safeguarded the future of our local hospitals and invested in them. Now we need to do the same again

                                                                                                          

FACT CHECK

Fact:   Labour is in Government in Wales

It is Labour that controls the Welsh health service, not the UK Government.

Fact:   Labour denied they would downgrade hospitals or centralise health services just before the 2011 election

Now in government Labour is drawing up plans in all areas of Wales that will lead to the downgrading of hospitals and the centralisation of core services.

Fact:   The Conservatives’ NHS reforms are for the English NHS , Labour in Wales is also trying to dismantle local health services.

What’s the alternative?

Fact:    Plaid Cymru is committed to our District General Hospitals and the essential services they provide

Downgrading hospitals and centralising core services causes increased risk for patients and can lead to increased costs too

FORGET POLITICS LET'S TALK ABOUT JOBS

FORGET POLITICS

LET'S TALK ABOUT JOBS

Just like you, we believe that there is no issue more important in Wales today than creating and protecting jobs. 137,000 people in Wales are out of work and everyone agrees that the situation is going to get worse.

Now is the time for Wales to stand together and pledge to do whatever can be done in order to save jobs and to protect families.  Unlike the others we will not sit on our hands and let the Conservative and Lib Dem cuts take their toll in Wales in the worst possible way.  It’s time to put Wales first.

This is why we want to see this Welsh government shifting its money in order to;

• Invest in building projects which will help our construction industry. 
• Give greater help to small, local businesses
• Support the survival of our manufacturing sector
• Provide money for people to re-train if they lose their jobs
• Help companies so that they can avoid redundancies

We also want to see our councils treating their workers fairly – we want fairness for all those who work tirelessly everyday for our communities.  We would never treat our public sector workers in the way they have been treated by Labour councils.  Forcing through pay cuts and changing terms and conditions with minimum consultation is not the way to treat a workforce.  Our way is to invite workers to work with management in order to plan a way forward together.

Plaid exists not for its own sake, but for Wales.

We believe that despite the cuts, more can be done to protect jobs and communities. Plaid has a plan that really could make a difference to you, your family and your community. We would urge you to join us in saying that now is the time to make protecting jobs an absolute priority. Like you, we want a better future for Wales.  

Afan Lido may be replaced in Neath Port Talbot by 2013

A new swimming pool, sports hall and community centre that will replace a seafront leisure complex destroyed by fire could open by late 2013.

More than 2,000 people took part in Neath Port Talbot council consultation on replacing the Afan Lido in Aberavon.

It was gutted in December 2009 and clearing the site has been hampered by the presence of asbestos.

The council is preparing to start rebuilding but said a like-for-like replacement was too expensive.

Although many people said they would like to see an identical rebuild, the council said it was costing £700,000 a year to keep the old lido going.

Instead it is proposing a new 25m six-lane swimming pool to replace the Aquadome water attraction and slides that used to exist.
Sports hall

There will also be a four court indoor sports hall and it plans new community facilities to replace existing community centres.

Sandfields Library and Sandfields Lifelong Learning Centre would move to the site once it is completed.

  

Councillors have been told the total project cost had been budgeted at £13.6m.

In a progress report they were told the site had finally been cleared of asbestos in May and work to demolish the remaining structures was targeted to begin in September.

It is hoped planning applications could be submitted by the end of the year with the new centre opening towards the end of 2013.

It said 2,628 people and six groups had been represented during the consultation process.

"Many of the suggestions were of a very detailed nature and particularly from disability groups and individuals around equipment rather than the overall provision," it said.

"Many of the suggestions may be considered within the design, subject to cost effectiveness, including the potential for a health or hydrotherapy suite and details regarding disability access."

above article is from the BBC website