LABOUR CANDIDATE ACCUSED OVER MINERS' COMPENSATION

As reported in the Pontypridd Observer on 2^nd December 2010, Labour's Assembly candidate Mick Antoniw is among the directors of a law firm which paid £88,000 in costs and was "severely reprimanded" following allegations over their handling of miners' compensation claims.

As detailed on their website, The Solicitors Regulation Authority found Antoniw and his Thompsons Solicitors' partners breached the Solicitors' Code of Conduct when handling miners' compensation claims. As reported in the Law Gazette, Thompsons failed to inform miners that they did not have to use their services They deducted administrative charges totalling £10.9m which they then paid to the unions.

The investigation into practices used by Thompsons and a small number of other solicitors acting on behalf of miners has been going on since 2005. It was then that The Times newspaper published a report into what it called "Dubious financial relationships between law firms and trade unions."

This set in place the biggest ever investigation into misconduct in the legal profession. The Times referred to Thompsons as "a large trade union law firm which since 2001 has made 80 donations to the Labour Party totalling £175,000."

The Western Mail, who also reported this story on 30^th November, stated that "there is no suggestion of Mr Antoniw having profited personally from this."

Now whilst there is no suggestion of any direct financial payment to Mr Antoniw surely it can be argued that he does stand to profit indirectly from this. The Labour party is union funded, and he is a Labour candidate. It raises the age old question of the close relationship between Labour and the Unions and how far it extends.

FACT - Thompsons solicitors of which Antoniw is a Director were reported in several notable legal publications as having been severely reprimanded for their handling of miners' compensation claims by their regulatory body

FACT - Money was reportedly taken from the amount of compensation miners received to pay the Unions an 'administration fee.'

FACT - Thompson's solicitors have donated money to the Labour Party, for whom Mr Antoniw is a candidate.

FACT - The Labour Party is heavily funded by the Unions, who will contribute substantially to their Assembly election campaign .

FACT - this information is freely available and verifiable via various websites (Law Gazette, The Times - google Antoniw, miners) .

FACT - the online versions of the story were removed from the Media Wales website which carries Western Mail and Pontypridd Observer news following a complaint from Thompsons.

Rhondda Cynon Taf redundancy packages 'too generous' says Mike Powell.

Figures uncovered by the Welsh Liberal Democrats in recent months show an alarming lack of scrutiny over spending of taxpayers' money. RCT council spent £6,578,000 on voluntary redundancy packages for 153 people in just six months in 2010.

Assembly candidate Mike Powell said:

"Workers were not only given their rightful redundancy payments, and had their pensions payments made up, but also in some cases substantial sums as 'compensatory payments'

In 2010 alone RCT paid out £2,936,400 in what some would call golden handshakes. These are in addition to any redundancy payments the employee is entitled to. I have spoken with colleagues in Swansea and Wrexham Councils who assure me that they pay them out rarely. RCT seem to have been handing them out like free lollies in Little Chef.

We would not deny anyone a fair settlement but this is public money. The people who lost their jobs in Bosch or Burberry or any of the many private sector industries to have gone under during the Labour Government watch did not have the benefit of a few extra thousand pounds to help them along.

Why should public service workers, many of whom were middle managers on a sizable wage and pension, be handed these bonuses, especially at a time when RCT are aiming to hit the lowest paid front line workers with their review of terms and conditions.

The payments were given the ok by a panel of Labour and Plaid Cymru Councillors, in meetings lasting between two and five minutes. For them to fail to question it at all and just nod it through like this is appalling."

Sixth Form Reversal Welcomed

Welsh Liberal Democrats in RCT have welcomed the news that there will be no mass closure of sixth forms in the County. In November 2009 the Labour administration announced plans to close every school sixth form and set up three tertiary colleges instead.

They have now had to scrap that plan. Mike Powell has spoken out firmly against the plans all along,

"There was never any educational case for this - it was all about money. The strong reaction from pupils and parents across RCT shows how out of touch with public opinion they were.It is a sad fact that even now their reasons for not going ahead are again financial. They are not doing this because they have listened to the people, or because they have been convinced by any educational argument.

The report from Officers clearly states that they are not progressing with their plans because the Assembly budget will not allow for it. But whatever the reasons the Welsh Liberal Democrats welcome the decision."

Delivering on our promises

As a result of Liberal Democrat influence in Government policies that thousands of you in this constituency voted for at the last General Election are now being actioned.

• An increase in the income tax threshold will mean 50,000 people in Wales will not have to pay income tax at all. and many

more hard working low income families will be better off.

• 100,000 people in Wales will benefit from the £150 increase in Child Tax Credits
• 615,000 pensioners in Wales will benefit from changes to the state pensions system.
• Lower paid public sector workers (those earning less than £21,000) have been protected from wage freezes benefiting 89,000

public sector workers in Wales

Putting you in the picture - what they did with your money

Many of you are no doubt already sick and tired of the bleating of the Labour sheep who seem unwilling to take any responsibility for the mess their Party got this country in to. So let's get a few things straight.

The Liberal Democrat - Conservative Government inherited nothing short of an economic train wreck. A near £900 billion debt, and a £155 billion shortfall in the budget. Borrowing by the former Government that was at a war time level.

Their reckless spending left the equivalent of £22.400 owed by every man, woman and child in Britain. It is little short of insanity and they cannot simply wipe their hands of it. This is their mess we are left to deal with

Reckless Spending leaves RCT Taxpayers to pay the bill.

Millions spent on golden handshakes whilst they cut services.

RCT council has spent more than £9m on voluntary redundancy packages for 274 people over the past three years.

Workers have not only been given their rightful redundancy payments, and had their pensions payments made up, but have been given in many cases substantial sums of money as 'compensatory payments' This year alone RCT have paid out £2,936,400 in "compensatory payments" - or, as some would say, golden handshakes

Mike Powell says the Labour and Plaid Councillors involved have been treating the public purse "like monopoly money."

"We would not deny anyone a fair settlement but this is public money. People who lost their jobs in Bosch or Burberry or any of the other industries to have gone under during the Labour Government watch did not have the benefit of a few extra thousand pounds to help them along. Why should public service workers many who were middle managers on a sizable wage and pension be handed these bonuses."

"These payments are not compulsory. They are in addition to any redundancy payments the employee is entitled to, and an additional cost over and above what was paid to top up their pensions and give them early entitlement. I have spoken with colleagues in Swansea and Wrexham Councils who assure me that they pay them out rarely. RCT seem to have been handing them out like free lollies in Little Chef.

The payments are authorised by a small panel consisting of Labour and Plaid Cymru Councillors, but a look at the minutes, freely available on the Council website, shows that meetings of this panel lasted between two and five minutes. For these Councillors to fail to question it at all but to nod it through in such a manner is appalling."

To make it worse this revelation comes at a time when the Council have just announced a review of terms and conditions for its staff which will leave many front line lower paid workers worse off.

Unions have condemned the way in which so called negotiations have been carried out - yet representatives of those same unions sat in on the meetings where massive top up payments were given to departing staff. Did they think the pot was bottomless?

YOUR MONEY SAFE IN THEIR HANDS??

RCT Council are keen to ensure residents know exactly what is going on in the area it seems - well, exactly what they want you to know anyway.

Labour spent £85,000 of your money on newspaper adverts last year telling you how good they are. (with the same company that the local Labour Party use to print their 'Herald.' - nice to keep it in the family!))

They spent over £60,000 of your money on their Outlook magazine to tell you how good they are. This came under fire recently in the local press for being little more than Labour propaganda.

Director of Strategy Christian Hanagan said that "A glance through previous editions would show that many feature members of all political groups."

We've taken more than a glance over the past year's and found none yet.

Christian Hanagan is the son of Labour Cabinet Member Edine Hanagan. The Labour Council pay him a very nice salary as Director of Strategy and Public Relations. Your money being spent yet again to tell you how good they are! It begs the question, if the Council is doing such a good job do they need to spend quite so much on telling you?

Oh and in case you are wondering - every leaflet you get from us is paid for by us

Public money should be spent on public services, not on political propaganda.

Labour must accept responsibility

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly candidate Mike Powell says that we will all have to tighten our belts, and the road ahead will not be easy but the Labour Party cannot simply wash their hands of the mess they have left us in.

"The Labour party want you to believe they are blameless, but it was their Government that put this country over £900 BILLION into debt. That is £22.400 for every man, woman and child in Britain.

They made all sorts of promises that they couldn't have kept because the bank account was empty.

Russell Roberts should remember that it was HIS Labour colleagues who were in Government at Westminster and The Bay last year when he put up car parking charges, and home care charges.

When HIS Cabinet shut swimming pools and day centres. Yet suddenly he wants you to believe that it is the fault of the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives that cuts need to be made???

THIS IS THE LABOUR PARTY'S LEGACY - AND GIVEN THE CHANCE THEY WILL DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN

Can We Trust Them With Our Health Service

When the Labour - Plaid Assembly Government announced a reorganisation of the Health Service in Wales they said it was to improve efficiency and cut back on waste.

They set up seven new Local Health Boards to replace the old Trusts and Health Boards. This meant that many senior managers in particular found their jobs no longer existed.

Yet rather than face redundancy they were kept on, and more than 120 of them have been redeployed. Under the terms of their contract, negotiated with Unions, they will have their salaries - which could be as high as £195,000 a year - protected for up to ten years.

A spokesperson for these senior managers stated that "This strategy helps minimise the need for compulsory redundancy, which can be traumatic to the individual and expensive for the NHS."

Mike Powell says the situation is "absolutely crazy"

"Of course there is a need to treat people fairly, and offer appropriate redundancy packages if necessary, and a degree of salary protection, but not at this level for this length of time.

This is a prime example of how the Health service is being mismanaged by the Assembly Government.

Money should be being spent on patient care and services, and ensuring we have enough front line medical staff.

Wasting this amount of money on back room managers whose original jobs no longer exist is little short of crim

KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY?

Six years ago Councils across Wales made a deal which would end years of discrimination against women in particular by introducing equal pay for work of equal value.

In 2007 RCTCBC set aside £14 million to pay for this. In most cases the matter has been settled, but some workers were not happy with the Council's offer.

So the Labour supporting union - Unison was called in. They hired a firm of Labour supporting solicitors - Thompson's - to act, against the Labour controlled council

To keep it in the family, one of the senior directors of the Cardiff based law firm is none other than Mick Antoniw, the Labour candidate for the Pontypridd Welsh Assembly seat!

If the Labour controlled Council had handled this properly in the first place then workers would have received their well deserved pay adjustments and there would have been no need for costly legal battles.

Yet will one senior Officer or Councillor be held responsible?

Welsh Lib Dems welcome Pontypridd funding announcement

regeneration of Pontypridd. £10.5 million of largely European and Assembly money has been set aside for projects to enhance the town centre. Assembly candidate Mike Powell has given a cautious welcome to the announcement and hopes that work will soon get under way.

"Investment in the town is long overdue, and this money could go some way to making Pontypridd a more attractive place for visitors.

It will not in itself be enough to bring about its complete regeneration into the thriving County town we would like to see it become, but if the plans come to fruition then at least it will be a start."

Do Labour really have any credibility left?

Making cuts should not be about axing jobs willy nilly as Labour would have you believe. It should be about handling the public purse properly. This Council could cut back on their spending without affecting services.

They could cut back on the cost of driving around the Leader, Mayor and Cabinet in two chauffeur driven cars - was it really necessary for the Mayor to be driven to Brighton for a fish and chip supper? What benefit has that brought to us in RCT?

Mike and the Welsh Lib Dems believe that your money could and should be better spent on front line services. Highways, street cleansing, education, social care. - not jollies for Councillors and jobs for the boys.

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS - DELIVERING FOR YOU

Following the General Election in May Nick Clegg was true to his word and negotiated to get the best deal for the people of this country. That was, in our opinion, to be found in the coalition Government we currently have.

Thanks to the Liberal Democrats' influence that Government will deliver:

ï'§ A fairer deal for pensioners - state pensions will in future rise in line with inflation, earnings, or 2.5% whichever is greater.

ï'§ More money in to the pockets of workers - raising the personal tax allowance will make most people around £170 a year better off.

ï'§ An extra £2billion into the Child Tax Credit pot to help fight child poverty.

ï'§ A bankers tax that will make sure they help make amends for the mess they helped create.

ANOTHER LIBERAL DEMOCRAT PROMISE DELIVERED

Prior to the General Election Mike stated that:

"The benefits system needs to be simplified and made fairer. Genuine claimants should be able to access help when they need it. and those without a job need help to get back into work and earn a decent living."

Now that policy is being put into place by Liberal Democrats in the coalition Government. A complete overhaul of the system will take place which will make sure that nobody is worse off because they work.

Genuine claimants will not suffer, but more checks will be put in place to prevent thousands from abusing the system, something which we know many of you agree is long overdue.

Time Running Out For Labour

Whilst students struggle to pay fees, elderly people choose between paying for food or fuel, and families cannot make ends meet, Kim Howells has been asked to repay £600 that he over-claimed for mortgage and fuel payments.

This on top of an 'oversight' in claiming too much Council Tax.

He has been claiming £400 a month for food, and all of his fuel and other bills on his house in Pontypridd which he assigned as his 'second home.'

Yet the Labour party will expect you to trust his successor without question .Don't let them take you for granted again

Labour Party Arrogance

A Labour party leaflet distributed during the Town Council by election was a blatant attempt to bully residents into voting for their candidate. It didn't work! The leaflet stated that the Town ward is represented by a Lib Dem Councillor but "since the Liberals have no influence on Council policy, this ward is in danger of being left out when plans for future development are made."

I am sure that the Leader of the Council will be at pains to confirm that this doesn't reflect the true position within RCT . It is an outrageous statement and I am sure residents of non Labour wards throughout RCT would feel cheated if they thought for one minute that is really the case. 'Vote for us or you get no services ' - disgraceful, and a sign of just how desperate Labour are becoming in the face of what they know is a losing battle.

Cllr Mike Powell, Leader WLDA group, RCT County Borough Council

Wales' new NHS boards

The BBC recently revealed that Health Trusts in Wales are set to overspend to the tune of £43million as the meddling incompetence of the Labour Plaid Government continues. Cwm Taf Health Trust which covers Pontypridd is set to end up with an overspend of around £4.3m.

Figures show that Wales is spending more per head than England on the health service, whilst waiting lists grow and services suffer. Yet a recent report showed that hospitals in Wales are struggling with a repairs backlog of £500million. The Royal Glamorgan, a relatively new hospital, has a repair bill totalling almost £1m.

Meanwhile high earning managers whose jobs were no longer there after reorganisation of the Health Boards were kept on the pay roll.

Russell Roberts, Labour leader of RCT Council was until recently the Chair if the Cwm Taf Trust picking up £42,000 a year for a couple of days work a month. Parliamentary candidate Mike Powell says:

"This is an absolute disgrace and a situation which should have New Labour and their Plaid colleagues hanging their heads in shame. Staff on the front line are doing an excellent job whilst mismanagement and political interference is letting them and the public down

Police Funding Agreement Not Good Enough

Welsh Liberal Democrat AMs have voted against the Labour - Plaid Assembly Government's Police settlement stating that they could not support a budget settlement

"which will see police stations put at risk and risk less police on our streets."

Mike Powell says more Officers in the beat are needed, and welcomed the appearance of mounted Police in the town of Pontypridd. He fears that insufficient funds could mean a backward step in provision throughout the area.

Meanwhile residents will have to pay 2p extra a day to fund South Wales Policef rom April, the Police Authority has decided. The Authority is Chaired by RCT Council leader Russell Roberts who claims more than £20,000 a year for this on top of his more than generous Council salary.

He says he is 'disappointed' by the (Labour) Home Office decision to cut their funding. Perhaps he'll wake up and cast his vote against Labour next time as well.......

Arguments over Candidate show Labour's true colours

The Labour Party have yet to select a candidate to fight the Pontypridd seat following the decision of Kim Howells to step down this year. As reported in the Western Mail on 12th Feb, internal arguments have broken out over all women shortlists.

The local party it seems are not going to have a say - their London bosses are going to dictate their choice of candidate, and it seems they insist it must be a woman.

Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Powell says it shows their contempt for the electorate and from Tonyrefail to Taff's well, Talbot Green to Trallwn, people need a representative who cares about the Pontypridd constituency,

"This is a perfect example of Labour taking the people of this area for granted - banking on the hope that people who have always voted for thim will continue to do so no matter what. They may be in for a shock

The people of the Pontypridd constituency deserve better. Someone who understands the area and the problems we face and is willing to fight for a better deal. Male or female, it should be the best person for the job. Not some career politician who has to look up Beddau on a map and think Hawthorn is a shrub!"

The article quoted a local Labour activist as saying " People don't like what seems to be a stitch up" and continued "Mike Powell is a Councillor who gets a lot of publicity and puts himself about" - showing they know where the only challenge to their power base here comes from……..

A Fairer Deal For Our Young People

Young people are being cheated by this recession. Thousands have left school, college and university with hopes of starting a career only to find they cannot even get on the lowest rung of the job ladder. We must give them help now or they will be left behind when the recovery eventually happens.

The Liberal Democrats will make a promise to young people that they will not spend more than 90 days on Jobseekers Allowance before they get more training, education, an internship or a place on a work programme.

We need to instil a sense of pride into our children and young people, a sense of worth. They have so much to offer, and can achieve so much. We have to give them a reason to achieve. Local jobs that can offer them a secure future; decent, affordable housing; safe communities in which to bring up their children. A reason to be proud of their local roots, of their heritage, and a reason to stay and help build a better future

Fears over Police Station Future

Residents of Tonyrefail are concerned over rumours that Tonyrefail Police Station may close.

The local PCSO has reportedly told attendees at a recent PACT meeting that the station is not to close, but the enquiry desk which is open to the public is.

Local resident Hendrik Haye has started a petition calling on the Police Authority to keep the station fully operational. He says

"Everything seems to be being stripped away from our community. We do not want to lose our Police Station as well. We have asked Tonyrefail East Councillor Russell Roberts for information but it seems to be in short supply."

Councillor Roberts is the leader of RCT Council and also the current Chair of the South Wales Police Authority. As Mike Powell points out "if anyone knows and could reassure residents it is him. People here are beginning to feel as if they have been forgotten"

Welsh Liberal Democrat AMs have voted against the Labour - Plaid Assembly Government's Police settlement stating that they could not support a budget settlement

"which will see police stations put at risk and risk less police on our streets."

Mike Powell says more Officers on the beat are needed, and welcomed the appearance of mounted Police in the town of Pontypridd. He fears that insufficient funds could mean a backward step in provision throughout the area.

A Fairer Deal

The Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that the current state pensions and benefits system is unfair. Complicated forms and endless phone calls mean that many end up not getting the help they need. Mike Powell says change is needed

"Older people deserve a pension that they can live on. Plaid have once again come up with pie in the sky policies which are unaffordable, and which they will never be in a position to deliver. Older people deserve a pension they can live on not false promises"

The Liberal Democrats are determined to stop the waste of public money at all levels of Government.

It was recently revealed that £1m in benefit payments had been 'accidentally' overpaid to ten people. The benefits system needs to be simplified and made fairer and simpler. Genuine claimants need to be able to access help when they need it.

The recession has left more people unemployed and having to depend on benefits for months on end with no help to get a job. We believe that people who want to get ahead should be supported and those without a

job need help to get back into work and earn a decent living

Save Our Schools

Labour's plans for 6th forms will close schools

Welsh Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Mike Powell has reacted angrily to the announcement that RCT Council intends to close all sixth forms and replace them with tertiary colleges.

"Our schools provide post sixteen education in a caring environment in which the majority of students flourish. Those students also act as role models for pupils lower down the school, and help with all sorts of activities.

The report that has been produced by the Education department says there have been improvements in results in recent years with schools working together to provide as much choice as possible for students."

Cllr Powell, a Governor at Hawthorn High School, is furious not only at the proposals but the way in which they were announced.

On the day the news appeared in the local press an email was sent out from a senior Education official to Secondary School heads.

Attached was a newsletter for parents, in which it was stated that 'the preferred options of 3 and 4 were selected at this month's Cabinet meeting' - a full seven days before that meeting took place.

"This Labour Council are a complete and utter disgrace. Every Labour Councillor should be thoroughly ashamed to be a part of such an out and out sham. Not one of them has had the decency to speak out against this."

The report states that some schools will close altogether as a result of the plans, with a high possibility that Tonyrefail - where the Cabinet Member for Education Eudine Hanagan is herself a Governor - may be one of them.

Shameful Actions Over Schools Sixth Forms

The plans will now go forward to the Assembly who will decide if they can afford to give RCT the £235 or so million this madcap scheme will cost. Mike Powell spoke against the proposals at the Cabinet meeting.

"This is all down to money. There is nothing in the report that recognises how well schools are performing, or the benefits for students. It is all about number crunching with no regard for people."

Those who wish to stay on and study after the age of 16 would go to one of three colleges in Aberdare, Llwynypia, and Nantgarw.

Coleg Morgannwg would be the provider in the Pontypridd constituency.

The Colleges would be bilingual, which is another blow to Welsh medium education in the area

There are simply not enough teachers / lecturers to deliver all courses in Welsh.

Chair of RCT Welsh Lib Dems Karen Roberts is also a secondary school Governor at Tonypandy

"The Labour Cabinet in RCT have yet again proven themselves to be a complete disgrace, making a mockery of the idea of democracy, and having no regard for the opinions of anyone,

"They will consult they say - do they expect us to believe that when they had clearly made up their minds before the Cabinet meeting.

They are an absolute shower.

They brag about their 'open' style of Government - anyone can go along and watch their sham Cabinet meetings looking at decisions which have already been taken.

They don't even know what democracy means."

OUR PRIORITIES ARE YOUR PRIORITIES

Health - The Labour - Plaid Government in Cardiff Bay are providing us with a second rate health service here in Wales. They are obsessed with target setting, resulting in a service more concerned with ticking boxes than delivering services based on need.

We are told there should be a maximum wait of 14 weeks for an operation and 10 weeks for a first outpatient appointment. Far too long, yet they cannot even manage this, and too many people are waiting unacceptable times for diagnosis and treatment.

Education - We need more investment in schools - many pupils are still being educated in buildings which are not fit for the purpose.

Class sizes are still too high - we believe there should be a maximum of 25 children in Primary school classes.

If we are to get out of the recession and ensure a better future for Wales we need to invest more in education

and training. Yet the Labour - Plaid Government have made huge cuts in Higher and Further Education,.

Housing - We have to provide affordable housing for young people starting out on the property ladder.

Councils should use the powers they have to take over derelict houses do them up and sell them at a low price.

We need to provide a secure future for young people within our communities

ROAD RAGE ..............

The road system in Pontypridd is a nightmare, and needs a rethink. At rush hour each day the town virtually grinds to a halt - especially when the traffic light system has the occasional technical glitch.

The no right turn into Taff Street for those approaching from the Rhondda means an extra half mile trip per car around the roundabout and back. The turning restriction into the Pennant House car park means an even longer detour for those coming from the opposite direction.

The reopening of the Glyn Taff slip road should be seriously considered, with appropriate speed restrictions in place along that stretch of the A470.

Meanwhile the Council play around with an ill thought out pedestrianisation scheme that is neither one thing or another. Add to that increased parking charges, and what incentive is there for anyone to want to come into town?

Oct 09

Confusion Reigns over Treforest Traffic

A recent report which was commissioned by RCT Officers for the Treforest Regeneration Partnership suggested that the opening of the Church Village Bypass would cause major problems in Treforest

When Mike pressed Council Officers for answers as to why this hadn't come to light before, and what the Council intended to do about it he was told that the figures were wrong.

"The report was written by the same consultants who worked with Costain to develop the bypass - Glamorgan Capita - in which the Council is a partner. Yet the claim now is that they were working on incorrect information.

This report cost £25,000 which is a lot of money to pay for figures which are wrong. They say Costain provided the figures. Why weren't these mistakes spotted earlier? Why did they only come to light when we started asking questions? And what are we to believe when the story changes so quickly?

Oct 09

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Getting The Priorities Right

Residents of Pontypridd have been outraged at the £130,000 spent on the so called 'Gateway' sculpture. This coming on top of £43,000 to light up the bridge and viaduct and £65,000 for the arches in Taff Street.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Mike Powell says he is not against public art, but questions whether this is the best use of taxpayers money during a recession.

"It is especially galling when cuts in services are being made everywhere. Home care charges have been put up leaving many people struggling to make ends meet. Leisure facilities have closed, and as anyone can see there is a lack of investment in highways repairs.

Only about 15% of the cost of the sculpture came from the Council, the rest came from various Assembly sources, but it is all taxpayers money. The Labour - Plaid Government need to get their priorities right, as do the Labour administration in RCT. You wouldn't spend thousands on an oil painting if you couldn't afford to plaster the wall to hang it on. Would you?

Coedely Coke Works

The land at the former Coedely Coke Works has now been transferred to the Welsh Assembly Government who are marketing it as a 'development opportunity' for office / industrial use.

So far they have not shown much willingness to help development in the area. The Welsh Liberal Democrats put this site forward as an alternative to proposed offices at Mwyndy.

Parliamentary candidate Mike Powell said

"Mwyndy is one of the few green areas left in the Llantrisant area. RCT Planning committee turned down an application to develop there, but the Assembly Planning Inspector gave it the green light.

"It is a nonsense that the Assembly should have so little regard for our environment, and even less understandable when there is a site they own crying out for development just a few miles away."

Yet again nobody seems interested in bringing development and jobs this far up the valley. Tonyrefail seems to be forgotten territory on every level

July 09

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LABOUR KILL OFF DEMOCRACY IN RCT

On May 20th Labour Councillors voted unanimously to introduce a new rule that means Welsh Liberal Democrat Councillors will only be able to put 2 motions PER YEAR to the Council.

Recent motions put forward by Mike Powell and his colleagues have included proposals:

o That Councillors should not accept a pay rise this year

o That payments to committee Vice Chairs (of which Mike is one) be scrapped.

o That Councillors expenses be published in full

LABOUR COUNCILLORS VOTED AGAINST EVERY ONE OF THEM

Labour leader Russell Roberts claimed that there had been attempts to "hijack the agenda for political ends." And that they needed to put an end to "frivolous motions"

During the past year Mike has put forward motions to help cut the number of empty properties; switch off street lights where possible to save money; retain the name of Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen; look at having more disabled toilets made available; keep the paddling pool in the Park; and suspend car parking charges to help our town centres and protect jobs in these difficult economic times.

Frivolous? The people affected by these issues don't think so. As for political motives, Labour Cllr Em Jenkins (Pentre) stated in the Chamber that the reason the rule was being introduced was to put an end to Mike talking - as he put it - 'trivia'.

Hardly democratic - but then there has been little evidence of any democracy in RCT for some time. The Labour group claim to be open and transparent, but they are afraid to face the public, afraid to engage in honest debate, and most of all afraid because they know their support is fading fast.

The True Price of Democracy.........

For some time now Labour and some so called Independent Councillors have been claiming in the press and Council Chamber that Welsh Liberal Democrat Councillors were costing the public money by daring to put forward motions to the Council.

So we asked the Director of Legal and Democratic Services to provide us with some costs. What he came back with was quite amazing. The figures he provided added up to the salaries shown on the right.

More than a million pounds a year to employ five senior officers. Now this doesn't really agree with the salary grades that these people are allegedly on.

However, as these figures were provided by the legal officer we have no reason to doubt them. Which raises the question - are we really getting value for money?

It did also pose a few more questions. For instance the alleged costs per motion stated that it takes a Group Director three hours to write a report for each motion. Yet not a single report has come to Council over the past year about any of the motions put forward. So who are these reports being written for and why?

Maybe it's not only the costs and value for money of Councillors that the public need to be concerned about.

May 09

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A MATTER OF TRUST

There is no escape from the recent scandals over MPs allowances. It has affected all Parties and left a nasty taste in the mouth of all right thinking people.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and his team at Westminster have long been advocating a fairer, more open and accountable system. Nick broke with years of tradition by becoming the first Party leader to call for the resignation of the Speaker, stating that 'it was tradition that got us into this mess.'

Parliamentary candidate Mike Powell is concerned that the trust of the public will take some considerable time to regain and says that being elected to serve the people of your area should be regarded as a privilege, not an excuse to jump on the gravy train

"The public are rightly angry - as am I. Repaying the money will not make amends, the fact that they thought it ok to spend it in the first place says it all.

" The second home situation is ludicrous. An MPs home should be in the constituency he / she represents not swapped at will to make money and there needs to be sensible limits on spending."

May 09

***

Code of Conduct

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams has announced that a code of conduct is being drawn up in relation to expenses and that: "anybody that doesn't sign up to that code of conduct will not be a Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate in any election."

Pontypridd Parliamentary candidate Mike Powell welcomed the news, although regrets that it has become necessary

"The system at Westminster should have been tightened up long ago, but those involved in the recent scandals cannot just blame the system. There have been examples of blatant abuse of the rules and it is not acceptable for an elected representative to behave in this way."

Mike has been a County Councillor since 1999 and whilst he claims his annual allowance he has never claimed a single penny of the travel expenses he is entitled to believing the allowance is a fair rate for the job. May 09 ***

Plaid - What they say and what they mean

Plaid Cymru are going around in circles at the moment, the right hand not knowing what the left is doing.

They are against student top up fees - so they say. Well the mass members do, their leader and his Cabinet colleagues have voted in favour of them.

Their decision means more and more students ending up in debt, with many being put off going to University at all.

They are against nuclear power too - they have said so for years. Except their leader who says it's ok in his constituency because it will bring jobs. Say one thing, do another.

Mike Powell asks whether anyone can believe what Plaid say any more

"Many people - including many of their own members - were disappointed when they joined with Labour to keep them in power at the Bay. Their actions since are causing huge rifts in the Party and if they are so obviously in disarray then how can they exact people to put their faith in them to represent hem in Government. They have shown they cannot even listen to their own members so what hope can the general public have that they will represent them fairly."

The Welsh Liberal Democrats remain firmly opposed to tuition fees.

May 09

***

Out of ideas and Out of Steam…..

The Labour Party seem to be increasingly panicked at their drop in support and instead of concentrating on getting us out of the mess they got us in to are resorting to childish attacks.

Damian McBride, one of the prime minister's closest advisers, quit and Tories threatened legal action over leaked emails discussing how to attack senior Conservatives, with smears about their private lives

One of Leighton Andrews's aides set up the much critcized 'Aneruin Glyndwr' blog which instead of concentretaing on policies makes personal and childish attacks on members of other Parties. Leighton is AM for the Rhondda and Deputy Minister for Regeneration - something we've seen little of in Pontypridd.

He also joined a Facebook group with the catchy title of "I bet I can find 42,000 people who don't want Mike Powell as AM or MP." The group, set up by Labour Pontypridd Town Councillors Jonathan Bishop (Treforest) and Allen Bevan (Trallwn), provided an excuse for a string of personal attacks on Mike.

"Political attacks on me, the Party, or what I believe in, are fair enough and all part of the political knockabout we expect. However certain Labour Councillors seem to be overstepping the mark.

Still, the Labour party at all levels of Government currently have no other answers. They have messed up and instead of getting this country back on track they are i wasting time with petty arguments and attacks on other parties and individuals.

They are running scared. The latest polls show their support still falling rapidly, and in Pontypridd they know that only the Welsh Liberal Democrats can beat them."

April 09

***

LABOUR DROP IN POLLS AS SCANDAL AND SLEEZE CONTINUES

Whilst we believe MPs should be paid a fair rate for the job they do, and that legitimate expenses should be covered, there have been far too many cases recently of MPs abusing the system

The Home Secretary made the news when her husband - who she employs - charged porn movies to his expense claim. Regardless of what he was watching should any such expenses really be covered by the taxpayer?

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has been pressing the Prime Minster and Conservative leader on this issue:

"I am writing to you to propose that our parties work together to agree an urgent overhaul of MPs' expenses. The recent scandals make it clear we cannot continue with the current system any longer.We owe it to the citizens of this country to ensure a fair deal for taxpayers."

April 09

***

Cable so Able...

The Labour Westminster Government - of which our current MP is very much a part - have left thousands of people to suffer financial hardship.

Job losses are increasing, and bank bosses get huge payoffs whilst thousands of people are being thrown out of their homes because they cannot afford to pay their mortgage.

Welsh Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Jenny Randerson AM says not enough is being done by those in power here or in Westminster.

"The Government at both ends of the M4 must urgently review their responses to the economic crisis. Wasteful VAT cuts, bureaucratic training schemes and warm words are not enough. It is time for action."

Liberal Democrat Economy spokesperson Vince Cable MP has a reputation for talking common sense with regard to the economic mess Labour have led us into.

He warned of problems ahead back in 2003, but Labour would not listen. They should have stepped in when house prices shot out of control along with lending but they did nothing.

He says the Government now need to be tough with the banks. They shored them up with public money - OUR money, but the banks are not passing it on, and many businesses are failing because they cannot get loans or extensions on their overdrafts. April 09 ***

Courage of their convictions

The out and out unashamed hypocrisy of the Labour Party is breathtaking.

Former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain recently said the party had lost its "narrative" and was no longer a "credible force for change".

RCT Council leader Russell Roberts said the budget settlement was 'appalling' and that "core services are being given short shrift by politicians in Cardiff Bay."

Liberal Democrats plans would cut many income tax bills by £700

The party has made a General Election promise to raise the income tax personal allowance to £10,000 putting around £700 a year back in the pockets of people on low and middle incomes.

Mike Powell welcomes the idea, saying it would bring about a much fairer system than anything that Labour or the Conservatives promise.

"The biggest disappointment in the recent Budget is the failure to sort out Britain's unfair tax system. To put money into people's pockets to help them make it through this recession.

"The Labour Government is full of false promises but it has run out of ideas and out of steam. It has put this country deep in debt and we will pay for it for years to come."

April 09

***

But who are these politicians in Cardiff Bay? It's the Labour Party (assisted by their little helpers in Plaid) and they are all busy complaining that there is not enough money from Labour run Westminster.

They can jump up and down in indignation as much as they like but the fact is they are all part of the same Party. They should have the courage of their convictions and walk away from a party that they obviously no longer believe in.

Thousands of voters already have

March 09

Plaid dither over policies as their support dwindles

Plaid Cymru seem to be doing around in ever decreasing circles at the moment, the right hand not only not knowing what the left is doing but not caring.

They are opposed to student top up fees - they have just reaffirmed their commitment to this. Well the mass members have, their leader and his Cabinet members have said they can't do that because they can't deliver it . Seems their partners in crime at the Assembly (the Labour Party) won't let them

They are against nuclear power too - they have said so for years. Except their leader who says it's ok in his constituency because it will bring jobs. Say one thing, do another -that seems to be the only consistent Plaid policy these days - just like when they ran RCT Council. March 09

Councillors Vote Themsleves A Pay Rise

The Labour Council may be busy making cuts and taking more money from the pockets of Council Tax payers in RCT, but they're not too busy to forget to put their own increases into place.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Councillors suggested that in the current economic climate Councillors allowances should be frozen for the coming year and no increase accepted.

Not a new idea, our colleagues in Cardiff did it for four years when their Council were in dire straights. However, it is not one that the Labour party here liked.

So despite cutbacks in services ordinary Councillors will receive an extra £326 a year, and Cabinet Members an extra £845

AS FOR COUNCIL LEADER RUSSELL 'THREE JOBS' ROBERTS.

As Council leader he is paid £54,546. He is appointed by the Council to the Police Authority, which he Chairs, netting another £20,925. To top this off he has been made interim Chair of Cwm Taf Health Trust which earns him a very nice £42,282 (more if the appointment is made permanent). All this plus expenses.

The increase on his Council allowance this year will be £1623

Mar 09

More Openness Needed on Politicians Expenses

It seems you cannot open a paper these days without reading tales of politicians at all levels of Government abusing the system. Whilst Welsh Liberal Democrats at the Assembly an Westminster speak up in favour of a more open and accountable system Mike and his fellow Councillors are bringing that down to Council level.

"We have put a motion to the Council stating that details of all Councillors expenses should be freely available to the public. This follows the example of Welsh Lib Dem led Swansea Council who publish all their on their website.

It is taxpayers money - you have a right to know how it is being spent."

Feb 09

Service Cuts and Price Increases Ahead

Home Care charges are set to rocket as part of "some of the incredibly tough and inevitably unpopular decisions" being made by Labour controlled RCT Council.

Some of the most vulnerable people in RCT are going to facing huge increases in the cost of home care thanks to what the leader if the Council has branded an 'appalling' budget settlement from the Assembly.

There will also be increases in car parking charges, closure of some leisure facilities, and cut backs affecting sporting clubs who use Council grounds.

All the fault of the Assembly…… the Labour Cabinet in RCT are telling us so. The fault of the evil politicians down the Bay who know nothing and don't care about the delivery of public services! Yet who exactly are these politicians? Oh, yes, of course, it's the Labour Party upper tier. The very people who were put there and supported by their Council colleagues. All members of the same Party that has brought Britain to its knees. The same Labour Party in power at every level of Government in RCT. The only difference is that at the Assembly they are kept in power by their little helpers - Plaid. This will not stop local Plaid Councillors complaining about the settlement either. They seem to have some difficulty in realising they are part of the same Party, except when they want to take the credit for anything worthwhile. Feb 09

Russell 'three jobs' Roberts,

The Labour leader of RCT Council, is certainly very well placed to survive the credit crunch.

As Council leader he is paid £54,546. On top of that he is appointed by the Council to the Police Authority, which he Chairs, netting him another £20,925. To put the icing on the cake he has just been made interim Chair of the Cwm Taf Health Trust which earns him a very nice £42,282 (this will rise of the appointment is made permanent). All this plus expenses.

A MINIMUM OF £118,000 A YEAR FROM THE PUBLIC PURSE.

Mike Powell, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats on RCT Council, said:

"Being leader of the second largest authority in Wales with all the associated responsibilities and membership of local government bodies should be a full-time job. Certainly being the highest paid councillor in Wales should be more than sufficient recompense.

However, Russell is not content with that. He has to have a finger in another two very lucrative pies as well. The Labour Party in RCT seem to have no regard for spending of public money on themselves."

Given that the amount he gets paid as Council leader is supposedly based in him doing the job full time is there a chance that he will be donating back part of his Council salary to the public purse? And surely questions need to be asked about a Health Trust that pays the equivalent of two nurses salaries to a person who is little more than a figurehead and who only works a couple of days a month to allegedly 'earn' this over inflated salary?

Feb 09

LABOUR'S FAILINGS BRING MORE GLOOM.

Some of the best known retail names in the UK have disappeared as the economic crisis worsens and the Labour Government looks on helplessly.

High Street favourites such as Woolworth and Adams and furniture store MFI are amongst the big names to go. Welsh businesses such as Ferrari's are closing daily

Like many others Welsh Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Mike Powell is angry that the Government have failed to come up with any solutions.

"They have sat back and watched this crisis deepen for months, and done absolutely nothing to prevent it. Businesses are disappearing daily, and with them much needed jobs.

They were too slow to act on interest rates - if they'd followed the advice of Liberal Democrat Finance Spokesperson Vince Cable they would have taken action months ago. They have spent millions on bailing out banks and done little to help ordinary people whose homes are being repossessed.

Their answer - a temporary drop in VAT. What a difference that will make. Spend £100, save £2.50!! "

Feb 09

WHAT CHANCES FOR THE REGENERATION OF PONTYPRIDD NOW?

The town of Pontypridd has little to show for years of Labour and Plaid plans, proposals, talks and consultations. It is an absolute disgrace.

Jane Davidson has been the AM for the area for nine years and what have we to show for it? Having made her mind up to go it is unlikely that she will start fighting now.

The economy is in free fall - by the time this Council get around to doing anything there'll be no businesses left to come here.

On top of that The Assembly budget will leave Councils struggling to provide services next year. RCT will get only 2% increase

Council leader Russell Roberts says he is appalled by the settlement, yet it is his own Labour colleagues doing this. Local Authorities need more money to provide everyday services, good schools, highway repairs, money for social services. That is where money should be spent not on gimmicks such as free hospital parking. If even their own Party colleagues are saying it why can't Ministers in the Bay see it?

Feb 09

Second Best Again

The revised planning application for the Church Village bypass which downgrades the road from a dual to a single carriageway road was passed by RCT Planning committee on 18th December .

Mike was amongst those who opposed granting the decision, claiming that the road will now not be fit for purpose

"Residents in the Pontypridd constituency have been sold short yet again by both the Welsh Assembly Government and the Labour led RCT Council.

The Assembly's engineers stated some time ago that a single carriageway would be unsafe. So why approve one now

I have pushed for this bypass to be built for years, but cannot support a plan that is second rate, will be unsafe, and which will do nothing to relieve traffic congestion

Feb 09

Home to School Transport chaos - again

Just a couple of weeks after a report into RCT school transport system found serious failings with the system chaos reigned again when the Council forced schools to close across the County.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Mike Powell said the decisions to stop buses for six days recently because of the fear of snow was 'ludicrous'.

"Nobody wants to take any risks where pupils' safety is concerned, but to halt school buses when other traffic including service buses is running freely throughout most of the County was senseless.

"Their crystal balls were obviously a bit frosted over when they decided on the Wednesday of the first week to stop the buses until the end of that week

"Fair enough when there was snow lying in some parts of the County, but by the second Tuesday when parents woke to sunshine and blue skies they were beginning to get more than a little fed up.

"School buses in the main do not run along side streets - they run along main roads which, in fairness to the Highways department, have been fine, and very few school bus routes have been affected.

"Many GCSE and A level students have work which is due in for examination modules. They are missing valuable school time which they can ill afford.

"It would be interesting to know what Tonyrefail Councillor and Cabinet Member for Education Eudine Hanagan thinks of the situation and the effects this over cautious attitude has had on pupils."

Feb 09