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And finally, what is ISIS end game. To get the infidel onto the battlefield for a war that will see the end of the world. They believe that when the west send in troops they will see the end of the world with a few of them surviving to see the rebirth of true Islam. So let’s not give them the infidel, let’s get Muslim countries to demolish them.
Oh! And further to my above Mrs Crewe the action won’t be further bombing of Iraq it will be Syria. Does Syria have a democratically elected regime?? It’s easy for people in a cosy living room castigating those making a difficult decision. Am I a Labour supporter? No, I am a concerned veteran who believes that this is best resolved by regional forces supported by the western governments. It’s about time Muslim countries helped resolve the disease that is sweeping the world. Radical fundamentalists don’t listen to negotiation.
I like this Dana Davies from Ruabon. She’s got a bit about her. Looking at the others I don’t know. Agree with your view on the Executive board. I’m not overwhelmed with any of the board. Wish There was an election tomorrow with a credible person to get rid of my Councillor. That’s the problem, too many of them have been Councillors for far too long. They just need to be held accountable, so the answer is either step up at the next election or badger the socks of them to get them working. I don’t think I could stand the games that are played so wouldn’t want to put myself up for the fight. You never know though!
I read the budget consultation document. Anyone else total up the savings/cuts? Pennies. So when will the real cuts happen, will the public be consulted or is this going to be pushed through behind closed doors?? I hope Mr Pritchard gets off his high horse and has some meaningful consultation. Having watched a number of webcasts he sits there with a smirk on his face. Never answers a question and when he is challenged he always comes out with the same attack Political Game scoring blah, blah. The guy can’t answer a question, he always ask an officer or another Executive board member to answer. The guy is a joke. Anyone else watched the webcasts? Democracy? As A well known to character would say “my Arse”.
I served my country in the Middle East on 2 occasions. Mrs Crewe would your view change if you had a loved one in the armed forces and in particular the RAF? I would like to see ISIS eradicated, slaughtered and treated as they treat others but joining a bombing campaign that so far has achieved nothing but increase the recruitment drive of young Muslims from all over the planet is not the answer.
I wish the pilots well and good hunting, and pray for their safe return.
In my view only solution is a regional force supported by the UN in a ground offensive. Having an army able to backfill the voids after bombings. This needs to be Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Oman and the other Arab countries.
In addition to the above can Cllr Wynn post what potential benefits of a merger are as his opening salvo is all focussing on the negative.
In business we do a SWAT analysis which identifies Strengths, Weaknesses, Threats which allow you to make informed decisions. Has Cllr Wynn and WCBC heard of this??
@PhilWynn 17529 wrote:
Why is the Welsh Labour Party hell bent on selling off our proud Town and Villages to “Greater Flintshire”.
As a born and bred Wrexhamite, my conscience is clear when I say, my loyalty is to the people of Wrexham, rather than to the people of Flintshire, or come to that Wales.
So I for one, along with fellow W.C.B.C. elected members, will be openly challenging Leighton Andrews’ [Welsh Labour Party AM for Rhondda] instructions, that we are destined to become a suburb of his vision called “Greater Flintshire”.
Before the accusation is made, my challenge is not motivated by a concern for my own financial well-being, or as a “stick in the mud”, but by a clear sense of injustice that the Cardiff centric politicians of Wales wish to see the face of local democracy changed throughout Wales, without the approval of the people they are meant to serve.
Over the pursuing months I am hopeful that the hearts and minds of fellow Wrexhamites can be won over by the argument that their interests are best served by their own community elected members, serving on a Wrexham based Council, rather than by the Labour Party politicians based in Cardiff, Flint Coleshill, Connah’s Quay, Mold, Mancott,…..who are driving this agenda. It is interesting to note that the remaining Labour Party W.C.B.C. elected members, during the summer, were happy to oppose such a merger, following workshops held in August for members. Likewise at our Council meeting in September, they were happy to abstain [rather than vote against] the Wrexham elected members unanimous decision to decline Leighton Andrews’ invitation to enter into a voluntary merger with Flintshire C.C.
If public support for our stance can be achieved then we have a fighting chance of convincing the Welsh Labour Party, or whichever political party holds power after the 2016 Welsh Assembly election, that there is merit in allowing W.C.B.C. to stand alone, just as the William’s Report recommends Powys CC’s can stand alone, even though population wise theirs is similar to Wrexham.
For me any debate, on the issue of forcing Wrexham C.B.C. to merge with Flintshire C.C., needs to be discussed on many levels, which includes:
1. Does the Welsh Labour Party have a mandate to change the fabric of Welsh local democracy, without the consent of the people of Wales?
2. Come to that, do the elected members of both authorities have the democratic mandate to do likewise, by way of signing up to the voluntary merger which Leighton Andrews’ was arm-twisting Cllr Mark Pritchard to do on behalf of W.C.B.C?
3. As any pending change in local democracy will need to last the test of time, should we not be looking at a boundary review first, rather than forcing existing authorities to merge?
4. What are the unforeseen, or glossed over, consequences of a rushed through decision, settled on terms dictated to by Leighton Andrews’?
5. What are the true up-front costs of a merger and will this be charged to the Wrexham and Flintshire rate-payer?
6. How many years will it take to repay these costs [before any annual savings derived from the forced merger can be spent on front-line services]?
7. What guarantee is Leighton Andrews’ providing the people of Wrexham, that these savings will be retained by a new authority, for the delivery of front line services?
8. W.C.B.C. is in the throes of delivering a Business Plan which will set out how we intend to deliver the £45,000,000 of budget cuts, the Welsh Labour Party are looking to impose on W.C.B.C. and by default our local economy. As such would the added distraction of simultaneously delivering a forced merger derail such plans? If so what future is there for local democracy?
9. Can an argument be made for a new model of delivering local democracy [acknowledging the need to work in an ever closer partnership with Flintshire C.C.] which still allows both authorities to retain their own identities and civic centres?I shall come back with my own thoughts on the questions I have posed, once fellow contributors to the wrexham.com forum have had an opportunity to add their own thoughts.
As I type I’ve just asked myself the question, will wrexham.com be re branded as greater flintshire.com? If so is this first example of the unforeseen consequence of a decision imposed on Wrexham by Cardiff based politicians?
Cllr Phil Wynn – elected member for the W.C.B.C. Brynyffynnon Ward and member of the Independent Group
Councillor Wynn, the easiest way of answering the questions you have posed is to get around the table with Flintshire and discuss and debate the potential make up of any merger. Maybe by doing this you can then advise the people of Wrexham as to what the opportunities/disadvantages of a merger actually are. By doing this would remove the claims of self preservation and the argument turkeys don’t vote for Christmas.
Scaremongering and back biting will solve nothing. As independents it is easy to blame other political groups but to have a leader profess he is against merger because it’s best for Wrexham when it is obvious that all options have not been fully explored.
Excellent point Dylan regarding education standards in Wrexham. How does the current administration propose to improve standards to a satisfactory level without collaboration? I firmly believe that Wrexham should explore all avenues. As a parent I’m extremely concerned about education in Wrexham. We need improvement now not years down the line. Get around the table, discuss and debate and explore all avenues including merger. To discount now could disadvantage us later. By the Evening Leader reports you could have already.
@GVC 15543 wrote:
What a stupid idea this would be!!! everyone knows what a mess Flintshire Council are in, and the fact they were hoping Wrexham will pull them out of the mess they have put themselves in!
The government have said categorically that NO money is available to help with the merger which is estimated to cost in the region of £400 million !!!! just for this one merger!! which us the tax payer would have to stump up!
local identity would be lost, services moved, Rents would rise and i’m sure this would be the tip of the iceberg. We should stand up for ourselves and say NO we will not be walked on by the Welsh Government. This for me is a no brainer!!! NO! sort yourselves out Flintshire!!Absolutely disagree. For Wrexham to stand alone in the face of reduced funding from central government would be a grave mistake. To not even sit around a table to debate it with Flintshire is crazy. As Dylan says there is incentives although its not clear on what they are. To say local identity would be lost is just odd. Services Moved?? Rents would rise?? Where do you get your information?
As for the cost of merger I would imagine this would be absorbed by Welsh Government. Without WCBC discussing or being around the table how does anyone know what the new authority would look like?
I’m not saying merge, but get around the table and see what can be done. Welsh Government have already said that the present number of authorities cannot be sustained. So it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out, discount now, disadvantaged later.
The Ex Leader of the Council Neil Rogers is so vocal on this. Good job for him then that he had a reason to leave the party shortly before the date set by Welsh Government on discussing voluntary merger. Conspiracy theorist I am not but seems very convenient.
I’m no politician but common sense please Councillors. Discuss the merger, if you need more information ask for it. Above all discount self preservation that goes to all Councillors and the Chief Executive.
All credit to the owner. She has tried to make the RAFA Club as appealing as possible and this is another tick in the box. A great working mans club that I hope continues from strength to strength.
@Travis Bickle 15441 wrote:
Two certain individuals have probably cost hundreds of thousands of pounds between them in terms of rehab, court costs, imprisonment and social workers – yet BOTH these middle aged Men “continue” to harass passers-by for spare change etc. Obviously they don’t WANT the proper help.
Unfortunately you are right Travis, but it’s what the authorities can do about it. It is just draining the funds and resources that are there with the knock on effect of the service possibly being diminished for those who are open for help. But you can’t just forget about them or lock them away. Somehow you have to hope that the support workers get through to them. Whichever way you look at it the problem wont go away.
