Council Watcher
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Council sees sense –(sorry not Wrexham) Angelsey throw Kingdom contract into a waste paper bin.
https://www.olddailypostlink.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/it-bit-risk-says-council-14520571
The article about Ty Pawb has shown some very strange thinking on behalf of the Council – a figure of 10,000 shoulder to shoulder is not a good headline. The reality on Monday was that that inside did not see what was there as they were effectively being pushed around by a single crowd. Browsing for many was non-existent and therefore may not come back due to the ‘shoulder to shoulder’ experience.
Shopping or eating has to be a good experience to generate repeat visits – the opening Monday did not offer that.
As for the lack of WiFi and to be “expected in that type of building” – that is a ludicrous statement and shows that either the architects had not put a full specification together or the IT contractor is undersupplying routers and booster points. If the Broadband is in the building the signal should be readily available. Are the traders having to leave their stalls and go and make business calls outside?
The new study area in Glyndwr Uni looks far more inviting, relaxing with variable light options arty and a space to enjoy food and company — and yes it is a modern design.
I believe that Council workers doing a journey of 100 miles or more have to use a hire car as this is cheaper than them being paid 45p a mile or 50p if they have a passenger. The hire charge and fuel are cheaper than the mileage allowance. One example I know of was someone going to Colwyn Bay with a passenger – their hire car was a Ford Ka at £20 and fuel only £15- milage 86 x 50p = £43 saving £8. Might not seem much but it adds up and longer journeys clearly significant savings across all the staff doing out of county or even within county.
Car Parking sorted now what about travel expenses: some Local Authorities regard a Councillors place of work as being their home and therefore they claim travel expenses at 45p a mile– does anyone know if Wrexham pays travel from home to Guildhall..
The following is on the Council website for 2016/17 which does not show many travel expenses claims but that does not mean they have not been aid as they could be coded under another heading.
This is an example of an expenses claims for another LA.
“27. For the purposes of calculating claims, a councillor’s normal place of residence (his/her
home) is regarded as his or her normal place of work, so expenses associated with
travel from home to the council headquarters, and other locations to conduct council
business, may be claimed back. Where a councillor travels on council business from
his or her employment or business (which is not council related) he or she may be
reimbursed for the cost of the journey. However, if the cost of making this journey
would have been lower had it started from the councillor’s home, then that lower cost is
the maximum amount which should be reimbursed. For example if the distance from a
councillor’s home to council offices is 5 miles and from a councillor’s business to
council offices is 10 miles, a maximum of 5 miles may be reimbursed. “I wonder if Cllr Hugh Jones who has Ty Pawb as his pet (sorry about the pun!) project will bring one of his other pet projects out Control Orders — it is possible to issue a Dog Control Order the same as the type in place in the Town Centre for drinkers!
The Law seems to indicate a dog (or any other animal) would be permitted but not in the areas where there is food preparation or open food on display.
I assume that if dogs are going to be allowed then they will have to install poo bins and bag dispensers.
Don’t forget that many people will be turned off if they see dogs in this type of location and won’treturn..
Ty Pawb – success — Who for?
Looks like anyone who wants a Night Club venue when the art element ceases to attractAdvisory Group — what has happened to the appointment of people to the Advisory Group- if they had been appointed I’m sure they would have been paraded around yesterday. Without people with an ounce of commercial understanding, the Council Members will block any free speech from their officers to ensure the party line of everything being wonderful is adhered to.
Public Health Inspections- did all the food outlets actually have their Food Hygiene rating certificate in place as they did not seem to be on display- (oh I almost forgot the Council needed them open for the launch so they will inspect at a later stage!) – Is this true or false -could Andy Gallanders or Alex Jones enlighten us on this one.
Listening to the comments about only one door in and out of the performance space – if this is the case what about in an emergency?
Looking at the picture of Cllr Terry Evans, Ronnie Prince and Andrew Atkinson not being able to reach the floor with their feet typifies the Council as not being grounded with feet firmly on the ground for the project.
First I would like to congratulate those members of community organisations who took part in the parade today and braved the weather.
End of compliment-
Although the community had been involved with making the ‘huge’ parade models they did appear to be a damp squib in the end. The promise of large-scale models similar to Notting Hill Carnival was very far off the mark – yes that is what the first consultants appointed to put the event together had promised (I wonder why they were dismissed?).
The parade lacked so much of the enthusiasm that existed in past Christmas parade when many community groups spent hours decorating their floats- again promised by the consultants. We have done it before in Wrexham why not for this event. Christmas and Round Table Parades brought out 100’s taking part and 1000’s to watch..
It is astonishing that Cllr Jones says “it is a pity that not everything is open.” Why should this be a surprise to him — he is the Lead member does he not talk to his staff who only two weeks ago were desperate to almost giving the stall space away at rock bottom prices just to get them full for today. I wonder who was around the meeting table when a reduction in rent was discussed between officers and Council Members.. wait until the stall holders start talking to each other and they realise they are paying different rates- those who are late to commit paying less than those who first signed up!
As for the building the disabled access issue has been highlighted again — £4.5 million and they cant even get a disabled toilet sign up speaks volumes for the level of control in place. Very little comfortable seating for older peole so they are not likly to pop in for a coffee and sandwich.
It was difficult to hear people talk in some places due to the many hard surfaces and echo – this will become worse as the number of people present on a normal day is far lower than today.
There seems to be a number of comments about the buzz in the place today — as there are probably as many pop up table top stalls as actual stalls when these are removed this evening much of the space will look and feel empty. Also, the music area will be removed– I wonder how the Council will deal with requests from youngsters who want to busk in the venue
The food outlets may be complementing themselves at the moment but what happens when there is a price war over how much to sell coffee to attract footfall — Kings Coffee vs the Tapas Bar — Any Gallanders and Alex Joines shouting their prices out to get people to buy from them.
A huge marketing campaign will be required to get repeat visits (oh and by the way I don’t know what will be on in the future as I couldn’t find a programme of events anywhere today)
That’s enough negativity from me — can someone please give me something to try and change my mind.Can’t believe I am part supporting Ty Pawb by justifying some expense!!
Before people actually, go totally bonkers over the £43k quoted for the event today this can be broken down as:Artists doing workshops at a number of venues in advance of the launch today. This took art out to the community so some new people engaged. Fully support
Large giant street carnival characters. Don’t support – what happened to the good old days when groups would decorate a vehicle — how many people remember the Christmas Parades, Round Table Extravaganza etc. ‘Art’ in its purest raw sense but had 100’s of people helping from across all types of organisations ranging from Play Groups to Pensioners- something for all… Jazz Bands, Morris Dancers etc.
Fireworks — been told they are £10k what a waste- anything less than New Year London/Sydney style fireworks are no longer worth watching- environmentally unfriendly – why not have a light show- something different and no pollution.
If Jane is right about this issue then it is disgraceful that on a £4.4 million publicly funded building that elements to ensure that disabled people can enjoy a venue. It would not be the first time that the Council have ‘forgotten’ about adaptions for disabled people – when the King Street redevelopment went ahead they did not adequately install the correct ‘pimple’ slabs at the edge of the payment – some actually led visually impaired people in the direction of buses.
The Ty Pawb developer needs to be-be brought to account immediately to explain why these features had not been incorporated.
Andrew you are missing the fundamentals about the transport grant cut — it was not in the gift of the Council to pass or and as it has been separate funding stream from Labour WG. The Council no matter who was ruling had no choice but to accept what was being offered 0 so, therefore, amendments to budgets. Unsure of why the link is to the Mayoralty budget.
