www.neathferret.co.uk Looking for Community Problems Blaenhonddan Edition
Weekending 27th December 2008 Version 12.2 Chairperson problems Putting electors in the picture We have no intention on reporting on what the press may regard as a political issue because we don't see it that way - and we trust that they will agree, although somehow we doubt it. The majority of Community Councillors (with the possibility of 1 or 2 exceptions) agree that the Community Council should be non-political. Members work to benefit the community in an unpaid capacity - they don't even get paid expenses! At a special extraordinary council meeting held on 19th December 2008, the members present expressed no confidence in Chairperson Doreen Jones following her handling of recent meetings, and in particular the December Council meeting when many members of the public were present. One Council member was asked to leave the room when he continually made political alegations, which others agreed were totally out of order and unfounded. To her credit, the Chairperson, reprimanded the said Counciller before he left the meeting. Although it was stated that Councillor Doreen Jones was not voted into office of chairperson after the May elections, she stated that she had the right to remain in office even after the vote of no confidence, a point endorsed by the Clerk of the Council. A Councillor, thought to be supporting the Chairperson, said that meetings had been lively but it was up to every member of the Council to behave in a manner expected of them. In reply to this it was stated that in the end it was up to the Chairperson to control meetings and not condone and agree with comments shouted out from the public gallery or make the alleged personal remarks and innuendos to fellow members. The position of the Chair of the Council will have to be clarified in order that council business can be conducted with with confidence of all the elected members. NOTE..... The meeting referred to above was held in the presence of the public and press. Is this a Lame Duck situation? Some thought provoking facts to get to the root of the problem. We looked around the Internet for information about 'Lame Ducks' and similar situations and came up with some interesting facts. In the political world the term is applied to someone who loses power while still on office. In the case mentioned above it has been argued that the office in question was not held in accordance with statutory provisions, which over-ride any formulated standing order that may have been imposed. To put it another way, the Chairperson was not voted into office at the start of the term. It therefore seems that the vote of no confidence, referred to above, has simply highlighted a situation that should have been taken into consideration long before now. It is only natural to wonder why this matter has been allowed to brew for several months. No doubt someone, somewhere, has an answer that many would like to hear. An article on the Internet states that: "Lame Duck officials tend to have less political power, as other elected officials are less inclined to cooperate with them. However, lame ducks are also in the peculiar position of not facing the consequences of their actions in a subsequent election, giving them greater freedom to act in an unpopular manner." This may not seem very democratic to the man in the street and we would welcome views on this. Rhodri Morgan's Duck Gobbledegook We are reminded about the AM's First Minister's question to a television interviewer: "Does a one legged duck swim in circles?" No doubt this also refers to a lame duck. It may lead to a situation where going around in circles will mean not getting anywhere. We feel that common sense will prevaill with those who want to benefit the community and hope that 2009 will be a happier year. The foregoing comments are intended to stimulate thought and create a fair discussion. They are in keeping with the Council's open and above board policy of keeping electors informed - that is why the press and public were allowed to attend the meeting. For the record, they are only excluded when financial matters affect council employees. In the long run the Council will be more respected once they are seen to be acting in the interests of the electors who put them in office. Caewern Community Centre Morality v Financial Reality The two sides to the story With the threat of closure hanging over the Caewern Community Centre because of inherited health and safety problems from a previous administration, we thought we would look at both sides of the argument with the hope that everyone would understand the situation. We therefore asked two contributors to present five facts for you to consider and digest. Your views are welcome, as always, on our letters page. Why there is a need for the Caewern Centre and why it should keep open
As stated in our last version, the life of the hall has been extended to the end of the current financial year at an estimated cost of £4,000 to the Council. This goodwill gesture was agreed by all Councillors to allow time for the hall users to make suitable arrangements. In the meantime there are some working behind the scenes to find another possibility. An ideal solution, if it were possible, would be for Struthers Church to take over the lease. It is thought that they may have the finances to put the building in order and run it to benefit the community. There is an old saying: "Where there is a will there is a way." A lot can happen in the weeks ahead! Peter Hain MP - Offers help Follow up to our previous report 
Mr Peter Hain was informed that people are paying the builder deposits up to £1,000 for houses that have not been built on the Llwyn Helyg development at Waunceirch. He was requested to ask the Prime Minister if it were possible to safeguard these deposits in view of the uncertainty in the current financial situation.We understand that Mr Hain is prepared to take up the matter of those involved if they contact him directly. This may be fine for those who are his constituents - but the snag is that some prospective buyers currently live in areas who have MP's of an opposition Party, and may think that their own MP should represent them. We think that Mr Hain would do the nation a big service if he took this matter up in Parliament in view of the fact that it is not just a local problem. It would reveal his foresight and do him much credit. It would certainly be better if he did this before an opposition MP highlights the matter. Peter Hain's website Dai Lloyd AM - Still Waiting Follow up to our previous report 
Dr Dai Lloyd attended Councillor's Dudley's monthly surgery and forum on the first Saturday of the month (6.12.08) at the Owen Glyndwr Community Centre and told residents he is still waiting for answers about the Welsh Assembly funding the Neath Eye-sore development at Waunceirch, known as "White's Folly." Dr Lloyd was made aware of people paying deposits of up to £1,000 for houses that have not yet been built and that no work was being done on the site.
Community Housing - Housing Associaton Scheme Dr Lloyd clearly stated that council tennants (and they alone) would have the opportunity to vote and have the final say regarding the options now being considered by the local authority. He went to to say that there were varying responses in other areas and added that a change was rejected in the neighbouring Swansea area. Dai Lloyds website Tesco opens Waunceirch store Tesco Supermarkets opened their Tesco Express Waunceirch Store at Dwr-y-felin Road on 10th December 2008 and we hope it will provide a good service to the community. A close watch will be kept on the new commercial activity as the combined sales of alcohol, tobacco, chewing gum with the adjacent cash machine could cause problems. Chewing Gum Fact It costs 3p to buy a stick of chewing and costs 10p to remove it from the floor. Look at the ground outside the Caewern Post Office and see the result of those who have no pride in the area in which they live.
Tell your friends about this website - or send them a copy by email, our website address is:- www.neathferret.co.uk Email news and comments to: news@neathferret.co.uk or use our readers letter page. Go to LATEST version Back to version 11 What Tesco wants Tesco gets. NOTE. Issues in version 10 are included in version 11 - including details of the Council's new complaint procedure following our item in version 9. Back to version 9 A Case for Public Services Ombudsman? Back to version 8 Councillor's website leads the way - an example for others to follow? Back to version 7 £5,000 reward for information Back to version 6 Councillor put in the picture. Back to version 5 PC Councillors scold Neath Ferret Back to Version 4 Neath Port Talbot dentist leaving NHS Back to Version 3 Anger over Neath Guardian Back to version 2 Planning consent for paedophiles? Information for this website is accepted and printed in good faith. It is gathered from various sources and may, or may not, reflect the views of the webmaster or any member of the community council or its officials. No responsibility is accepted for any errors that may occur from time to time. Sources of information must be made known to the webmaster but will not be divulged to any third party We aim to put the community first and make the residents of Neath aware of injustances and wrong doings. Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret", Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret", |