Responding to the concerns of Kidwelly residents regarding the loss of the ‘dial a ride’ town bus service and difficulties in using the train service, Dr. Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s Westminster candidate for Llanelli and local AM Helen Mary Jones have asked for a series of meetings to look at the effects of poor transport and to find solutions. Myfanwy has written to Plaid leader and Minister for Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones to ask his officers to assess the impact of limited access to transport on Kidwelly residents and businesses. Helen Mary has also asked for a meeting with County Council officials to discuss the future of the ‘dial a ride’ scheme which had used local taxi and minibus companies to provide services within Kidwelly town but which will come to an end next month (December) as no tenders were submitted for the service.
Myfanwy said:
“Train, bus and taxi companies in Kidwelly are making commercial decisions based on their assessment of demand. In the case of the train company however, it is likely that the current arrangements where passengers catch the train by hailing it like a cab and need to ask for the train to stop at Kidwelly, serve to discourage potential train users. Helen Mary and I want a proper analysis made of the effects these transport problems may have on businesses and residents in Kidwelly. We are also keen to discuss with the Council what progress has been made towards meeting the gap in transport services left by the failure to maintain ‘Dial a ride’ contracts.
Helen Mary said:
“The railway station has been in need of upgrading for many years. Now with the ‘dial a ride’ town service being withdrawn we need to take a really good look at transport needs in Kidwelly and see what support we can find to provide necessary services.
Huw Gilasbey, Kidwelly Town Councillor said:
“Many people in Kidwelly with limited mobility depend on the ‘dial a ride’ service and are distressed that it is being lost. It is also high time that proper thought was given to upgrading Kidwelly station because it is not fit for a town of our size”.
Friday 27 November 2009
Wednesday 25 November 2009
Helen Mary and Myfanwy slam fake consulation on Council’s plan for Llanelli's older people
Following a packed meeting at Caemaen Residential Homes last night, Helen Mary Jones AM and Plaid Westminster candidate Myfanwy Davies, have condemned the way in which the consultation has been conducted by officers and demanded that Pat Jones, the executive member in charge of social care take responsibility for her decision and the conduct of the consultation.
Last week the Llanelli Star reported on council plans to close Caemaen and St Pauls’ residential homes in Llanelli. Responding to this news, Myfanwy and Helen Mary sought and received a reassurance from Bruce McLearnon, Carmarthen’s Director of Social Services who claimed in a letter, that all options were open and that no decision had yet been made on closing the homes.
Nonetheless, yesterday evening Bruce McLearnon supported by Sheila Porter as Director of Integrated Services, affirmed that his preferred plan was for the closure of Caemaen and the development of support services at home known as ‘extra care’. Ms Porter, who was recently employed by the County and who had developed “extra care’ programmes in Bromley vociferously supported his position many times silencing residents and their families in order to advocate this contentious model of care which is associated with failure in England.
Throughout the meeting, the Director also emphasised the need to cut costs as a primary motivator for the plan. Residents and families at the packed meeting were vigorously opposed to closure with residents making a unanimous show of hands in support of staying at Caemaen.
Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones said:
“Myfanwy and I had been assured that all options were open. It is clear that they are not insofar as Carmarthen Council is concerned and it is also clear that these decisions are being made for financial reasons. Yes, there is less money available and some of those MPs who voted to bail out the banks need to look carefully at their consciences now, but Carmarthen Council still finds funds for showcase projects and for its own publicity.”
“It is unacceptable that officials have sought to mislead families and residents by suggesting that Caemaen contravenes care standards by not having en-suite facilities. That is not the case. During the meeting, officials sought to suggest their plans were in some way intended to protect older people’s dignity. Those residents present made their views known by a unanimous show of hands, how much dignity does it afford any of us that their wished are denied?”
Myfanwy added:
“After receiving assurances from Mr McLearnon, Helen Mary and I went to the meeting with open minds. It is now clear that Carmarthen Council’s mind is already made up. Indeed when residents and families asked whether their opposition had made any difference at all to the Director’s view, he replied that it had not. That in itself is shocking proof of the need for Burry Port Labour Councillor Pat Jones, the lead on Social Care to stand up and take political responsibility for her decision and the conduct of her officers.”
“In general, I would support plans that keep people at home and independent where that are properly supported but there are sadly few examples of these plans working. We heard last night how residents in Caemaen had not been able to stay at home with existing home care support and had in some cases suffered serious neglect within home care. It is just not acceptable that older people should be moved against their will”.
Myfanwy and Helen Mary have pledged to support an action group that will fight these closure plans.
Last week the Llanelli Star reported on council plans to close Caemaen and St Pauls’ residential homes in Llanelli. Responding to this news, Myfanwy and Helen Mary sought and received a reassurance from Bruce McLearnon, Carmarthen’s Director of Social Services who claimed in a letter, that all options were open and that no decision had yet been made on closing the homes.
Nonetheless, yesterday evening Bruce McLearnon supported by Sheila Porter as Director of Integrated Services, affirmed that his preferred plan was for the closure of Caemaen and the development of support services at home known as ‘extra care’. Ms Porter, who was recently employed by the County and who had developed “extra care’ programmes in Bromley vociferously supported his position many times silencing residents and their families in order to advocate this contentious model of care which is associated with failure in England.
Throughout the meeting, the Director also emphasised the need to cut costs as a primary motivator for the plan. Residents and families at the packed meeting were vigorously opposed to closure with residents making a unanimous show of hands in support of staying at Caemaen.
Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones said:
“Myfanwy and I had been assured that all options were open. It is clear that they are not insofar as Carmarthen Council is concerned and it is also clear that these decisions are being made for financial reasons. Yes, there is less money available and some of those MPs who voted to bail out the banks need to look carefully at their consciences now, but Carmarthen Council still finds funds for showcase projects and for its own publicity.”
“It is unacceptable that officials have sought to mislead families and residents by suggesting that Caemaen contravenes care standards by not having en-suite facilities. That is not the case. During the meeting, officials sought to suggest their plans were in some way intended to protect older people’s dignity. Those residents present made their views known by a unanimous show of hands, how much dignity does it afford any of us that their wished are denied?”
Myfanwy added:
“After receiving assurances from Mr McLearnon, Helen Mary and I went to the meeting with open minds. It is now clear that Carmarthen Council’s mind is already made up. Indeed when residents and families asked whether their opposition had made any difference at all to the Director’s view, he replied that it had not. That in itself is shocking proof of the need for Burry Port Labour Councillor Pat Jones, the lead on Social Care to stand up and take political responsibility for her decision and the conduct of her officers.”
“In general, I would support plans that keep people at home and independent where that are properly supported but there are sadly few examples of these plans working. We heard last night how residents in Caemaen had not been able to stay at home with existing home care support and had in some cases suffered serious neglect within home care. It is just not acceptable that older people should be moved against their will”.
Myfanwy and Helen Mary have pledged to support an action group that will fight these closure plans.
Tuesday 24 November 2009
Helen Mary and Myfanwy slam fake consulation on council’s plan for Llanelli older people
Following a packed meeting at Caemaen Residential Homes last night, Helen Mary Jones AM and Plaid Westminster candidate Myfanwy Davies, have condemned the way in which the consultation has been conducted by officers and demanded that Pat Jones, the executive member in charge of social care take responsibility for her decision and the conduct of the consultation.
Last week the Llanelli Star reported on council plans to close Caemaen and St Pauls’ residential homes in Llanelli. Responding to this news, Myfanwy and Helen Mary sought and received a reassurance from Bruce McLearnon, Carmarthen’s Director of Social Services who claimed in a letter, that all options were open and that no decision had yet been made on closing the homes.
Nonetheless, yesterday evening Bruce McLearnon supported by Sheila Porter as Director of Integrated Services, affirmed that his preferred plan was for the closure of Caemaen and the development of support services at home known as ‘extra care’.
Throughout the meeting, the Director also emphasised the need to cut costs as a primary motivator for the plan. Residents and families at the packed meeting were vigorously opposed to closure with residents making a unanimous show of hands in support of staying at Caemaen.
Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones said:
“Myfanwy and I had been assured that all options were open. It is clear that they are not insofar as Carmarthen Council is concerned and it is also clear that these decisions are being made for financial reasons. Yes, there is less money available and some of those MPs who voted to bail out the banks need to look carefully at their consciences now, but Carmarthen Council still finds funds for showcase projects and for its own publicity.”
“It is unacceptable that officials have sought to mislead families and residents by suggesting that Caemaen contravenes care standards by not having en-suite facilities. That is not the case. During the meeting, officials sought to suggest their plans were in some way intended to protect older people’s dignity. Those residents present made their views known by a unanimous show of hands, how much dignity does it afford any of us that their wished are denied?”
Myfanwy added:
“After receiving assurances from Mr McLearnon, Helen Mary and I went to the meeting with open minds. It is now clear that Carmarthen Council’s mind is already made up. Indeed when residents and families asked whether their opposition had made any difference at all to the Director’s view, he replied that it had not. That in itself is shocking proof of the need for Burry Port Labour Councillor Pat Jones, the lead on Social Care to stand up and take political responsibility for her decision and the conduct of her officers.”
“In general, I would support plans that keep people at home and independent where that are properly supported but there are sadly few examples of these plans working. We heard last night how residents in Caemaen had not been able to stay at home with existing home care support and had in some cases suffered serious neglect within home care. It is just not acceptable that older people should be moved against their will”.
Myfanwy and Helen Mary have pledged to support an action group that will fight these closure plans.
Last week the Llanelli Star reported on council plans to close Caemaen and St Pauls’ residential homes in Llanelli. Responding to this news, Myfanwy and Helen Mary sought and received a reassurance from Bruce McLearnon, Carmarthen’s Director of Social Services who claimed in a letter, that all options were open and that no decision had yet been made on closing the homes.
Nonetheless, yesterday evening Bruce McLearnon supported by Sheila Porter as Director of Integrated Services, affirmed that his preferred plan was for the closure of Caemaen and the development of support services at home known as ‘extra care’.
Throughout the meeting, the Director also emphasised the need to cut costs as a primary motivator for the plan. Residents and families at the packed meeting were vigorously opposed to closure with residents making a unanimous show of hands in support of staying at Caemaen.
Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones said:
“Myfanwy and I had been assured that all options were open. It is clear that they are not insofar as Carmarthen Council is concerned and it is also clear that these decisions are being made for financial reasons. Yes, there is less money available and some of those MPs who voted to bail out the banks need to look carefully at their consciences now, but Carmarthen Council still finds funds for showcase projects and for its own publicity.”
“It is unacceptable that officials have sought to mislead families and residents by suggesting that Caemaen contravenes care standards by not having en-suite facilities. That is not the case. During the meeting, officials sought to suggest their plans were in some way intended to protect older people’s dignity. Those residents present made their views known by a unanimous show of hands, how much dignity does it afford any of us that their wished are denied?”
Myfanwy added:
“After receiving assurances from Mr McLearnon, Helen Mary and I went to the meeting with open minds. It is now clear that Carmarthen Council’s mind is already made up. Indeed when residents and families asked whether their opposition had made any difference at all to the Director’s view, he replied that it had not. That in itself is shocking proof of the need for Burry Port Labour Councillor Pat Jones, the lead on Social Care to stand up and take political responsibility for her decision and the conduct of her officers.”
“In general, I would support plans that keep people at home and independent where that are properly supported but there are sadly few examples of these plans working. We heard last night how residents in Caemaen had not been able to stay at home with existing home care support and had in some cases suffered serious neglect within home care. It is just not acceptable that older people should be moved against their will”.
Myfanwy and Helen Mary have pledged to support an action group that will fight these closure plans.
Monday 2 November 2009
Give us free parking for Town centre say Myfanwy and Helen Mary
Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones and Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s Llanelli Westminster candidate have joined local business leaders in calling on the County Council to release the Stepney Hotel site for free car parking over the Christmas period. The call follows a breakfast meeting arranged by Myfanwy and Helen Mary at which Ieuan Wyn Jones, Economy Minister and Plaid Cymru Leader met with business leaders to discuss problems faced by the town centre.
The number of shoppers visiting the town centre continues to decline despite many empty shops having recently being filled. Many businesses are nervous of borrowing from banks even where credit is available. Increasing the number of shoppers visiting the town centre during the Christmas period will be crucial to the survival of many local businesses. Traders also noted that free parking in out of town centres represented an unfair advantage over the town centre.
In a letter to Ieuan Wyn Jones, Myfanwy wrote:
Our town centre businesses are under severe pressure due to the developments at Parc Trostre and Pemberton but also due to the wider effects of the recession on lending and consumer spending. Releasing the empty Stepney Hotel site in the town centre could provide an important boost to visitors in the run up to Christmas. I understand that the County Council believes that the site cannot be released due to concerns about pollution - presumably by petrol. I would be grateful if your officers could discuss options for opening the site or another suitable site and providing support for marketing free car parking during the Christmas period.
Myfanwy said:
“We are asking the County Council to do something very simple to help support Llanelli’s businesses during a period when they have seen an unprecedented fall in sales. Our businesses pay their rates and it is right that they expect suitable support from the county council.”
Helen Mary added:
“Free parking at Christmas would give people the opportunity to see how much Llanelli town centre has to offer. I understand that plans are in place for the site to be developed, but whilst we’re waiting for the plans to come through, I don’t see why the site can’t be used as a free car park. We’re still in a situation where people can park for free in Trostre Park, and charged in the town centre. Releeasing the empty Stepney Hotel site would be a small way to sort out this inbalance.”
St Elli Shopping Centre Manager Gilmore Jones said:
"I would warmly welcome the release of the Stepney Hotel site for parking over the Christmas period and into late January. I have been approached by a number of traders and tenants asking for this to happen - the site is the first thing visitors to the Town Centre see and is a complete eyesore as it currently stands. Utilising the site for free parking would mitigate its negative image, and would be an enormous boost to the Town Centre - putting us on a level playing field with Parc Trostre."
The number of shoppers visiting the town centre continues to decline despite many empty shops having recently being filled. Many businesses are nervous of borrowing from banks even where credit is available. Increasing the number of shoppers visiting the town centre during the Christmas period will be crucial to the survival of many local businesses. Traders also noted that free parking in out of town centres represented an unfair advantage over the town centre.
In a letter to Ieuan Wyn Jones, Myfanwy wrote:
Our town centre businesses are under severe pressure due to the developments at Parc Trostre and Pemberton but also due to the wider effects of the recession on lending and consumer spending. Releasing the empty Stepney Hotel site in the town centre could provide an important boost to visitors in the run up to Christmas. I understand that the County Council believes that the site cannot be released due to concerns about pollution - presumably by petrol. I would be grateful if your officers could discuss options for opening the site or another suitable site and providing support for marketing free car parking during the Christmas period.
Myfanwy said:
“We are asking the County Council to do something very simple to help support Llanelli’s businesses during a period when they have seen an unprecedented fall in sales. Our businesses pay their rates and it is right that they expect suitable support from the county council.”
Helen Mary added:
“Free parking at Christmas would give people the opportunity to see how much Llanelli town centre has to offer. I understand that plans are in place for the site to be developed, but whilst we’re waiting for the plans to come through, I don’t see why the site can’t be used as a free car park. We’re still in a situation where people can park for free in Trostre Park, and charged in the town centre. Releeasing the empty Stepney Hotel site would be a small way to sort out this inbalance.”
St Elli Shopping Centre Manager Gilmore Jones said:
"I would warmly welcome the release of the Stepney Hotel site for parking over the Christmas period and into late January. I have been approached by a number of traders and tenants asking for this to happen - the site is the first thing visitors to the Town Centre see and is a complete eyesore as it currently stands. Utilising the site for free parking would mitigate its negative image, and would be an enormous boost to the Town Centre - putting us on a level playing field with Parc Trostre."
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