Leighton Andrews

Downtime

2009-02-02T16:09:00.003Z

Leighton's website is undergoing a revamp.

As a result, it may be off-line for short period of time later today.

Welsh Labour debate

2009-01-31T11:01:00.004Z

My Labourlist article seems to have created a mini-debate on the future direction of Welsh Labour, with an argument against it by two party members in the Western Mail today.

However, they seem to have overlooked the fact that everything I cited in support of my case in my article is the policy of Rhodri Morgan's Welsh Labour-led government - policies we are actively pursuing in fact, as I have said in many Ministerial speeches such as this one.

Assembly debates Gaza

2009-01-21T13:26:00.001Z

Unusually the Assembly has a Foreign Affairs debate today on the situation in Gaza.

A timely opportunity to remind people to donate to Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Smile at the super-mutual!

2009-01-21T09:50:00.004Z

Co-operative Financial Services and the Britannia are to form a new super-mutual as 'an ethical alternative to shareholder-owned bank'.

I argued in a speech in Neath back in November that the current crisis offered a moment of progressive potential that could see a re-emphasis 'on the value of mutual solutions'. A summary of some of the points in that speech was given in my Labourlist article.

This is a very interesting development.

I notice that Britannia's Chairman is Rodney Baker-Bates, who was the Director of Finance when I was at the BBC in the 1990s, having joined the Beeb from the banking sector.

Change

2009-01-20T17:29:00.002Z

Change has come to the White House

Burberry cuts British jobs again

2009-01-20T07:55:00.003Z

Burberry has just announced further 'cost efficiencies'.

This actually means more British job losses, this time in Rotherham.

During the Keep Burberry British campaign to try to save the Burberry Treorchy factory two years ago, we warned that if Treorchy went, Yorkshire jobs would be next.

Yes he can!

2009-01-20T07:46:00.002Z

Debating Welsh Labour's Future

2009-01-17T13:21:00.003Z

I said back in November that though I did not intend to be a candidate for the leadership of Welsh Labour, nevertheless I intended to contribute to the debate.

The Western Mail has picked up on my Labour List article and has published an editorial in support of it.

Digital inclusion

2009-01-16T12:41:00.003Z

Digital inclusion is a process not an event. We are all learning more about interactive opportunities as we go along.

I'd given up on Twitter as having any point to it, but at the EU Digital Inclusion event in Vienna in December some people tried to persuade me that there were uses for Twitter - so I have added it as a way of updating Facebook from the mobile.

Let's see if it makes any difference....

New article

2009-01-16T11:22:00.003Z

I have an article on Welsh Labour and community engagement on Labourlist.

No merger of Post and Mail...but what about Mail and Echo?

2009-01-15T22:10:00.002Z

I see Trinity Mirror has ruled out a merger of the Daily post and the Western Mail - which doesn't surprise me, different papers and different audiences.

But what about the Western Mail and the Echo?

Tory donor says Tories do nothing

2009-01-14T16:52:00.001Z

Tory donor Stuart Wheeler is backing Gordon Brown

‘Surprisingly, Mr Wheeler also backed Mr Brown over the economic crisis, saying: 'I'm inclined to think Labour is right. The US and virtually every other country in Europe is taking similar action. Since everyone else says it is right, my view is that Labour is probably right.

'The Tories are saying nothing should be done. They may be right, but it doesn't look good to say that the best thing is to do nothing.'’

When will the Echo and Western Mail merge?

2009-01-14T14:15:00.002Z

News that Trinity Mirror has merged its Welsh operational management with that of North West England, leading to the redundancy of its MD in Wales, (one of whose last tasks was to escort the Prime Minister around the office) must bring closer the day when the group merges the Western Mail and the South Wales Echo.

Over the last year, the two papers have come closer together, with journalists writing copy for both. A few weeks ago the Echo started appearing in newsagents in the morning at the same time as the Western Mail.

Trinity Mirror's weekly titles saw recent mergers of offices and editors, ( an action we were able to fight off three years ago) and prices have gone up yet again. (The Rhondda Leader now costs 75p: six years ago it was 32p).

They will deny it now I am sure, but in the near future we will see a new paper called the South Wales Echo and Mail, or something like it.

Meanwhile, the BBC is bailing out ITV's regional news operation.

Born under the Tories

2009-01-14T09:42:00.002Z

Lord Davies of Standard Chartered

2009-01-14T09:37:00.004Z

Mervyn Davies has long been cited as one of the architects of the UK banking recovery plan, so it is good to see him joining the UK Government. He has a real commitment to Wales as well and chairs the University Council in Bangor.

A summary of the media coverage can be found here.

Robert Peston says:

Mervyn Davies is almost the only banker to emerge from the mayhem of the
past few years with his reputation enhanced.

He revived Standard Chartered as chief executive and latterly as
chairman. And this British-based international bank has avoided the horrendous
mistakes of its bigger, prouder peers, such as Royal Bank of Scotland and
HBOS.

Labour List

2009-01-13T10:41:00.003Z

Welcome to Labour List. The Mandelson avatar amused me.

It is good to see the party going on the offensive.

Water off again

2009-01-12T06:40:00.002Z

I was rung yesterday by Cllr Ceri Jones who told me the water was off again in Ferndale and Blaenllechau: it is believed that this is because of another water burst as the thaw sets in.

Bluntly, however, this illustrates what I have been saying since last week: Welsh Water's infrastructure in the Rhondda isn't up to it.

Llwynypia Sunrise Today

2009-01-11T12:19:00.001Z

And it goes on

2009-01-09T13:37:00.003Z

100 homes in Maerdy out of water today because of a burst pipe. Welsh Water are distributing bottled water.

My letter to Welsh Water

2009-01-09T09:45:00.001Z

I have written to Welsh Water calling on the company to bring forward investment in the pipes and infrastructure supporting the Maerdy Water Treatment Centre.

I also raised questions concerning the supply of information to residents on the first day of the recent disruption.

I told them that water bowsers needed to be replenished more quickly as residents often found that they had run out.

In my letter to the Managing Director of Welsh Water, Nigel Annett, I said:

‘Can I raise some issues which have been brought up by constituents as they might have a bearing on how you respond to similar eventualities in future? I also want to raise the bigger issue of investment in the Maerdy Treatment Centre and the pipes supplying it.

‘The first point relates to the information supplied to residents on the Tuesday. Constituents have said that they would have found it helpful if on the Tuesday Welsh Water had alerted them earlier, and if the message could have been got out through mobile loudspeakers touring the affected areas, as well as through the conventional media. Some have said to me that if they had understood earlier that the discoloured water could be used eg for flushing toilets, then they would have stored this at the time.

‘There was clearly a problem on the Wednesday with bowsers not being replenished quickly enough. I saw for myself people trying to get water from empty bowsers. Again, I think this needs looking at for the future.

‘More substantially, I think you need to accelerate your investment in the infrastructure, including pipes, supporting the Maerdy Treatment Centre. It is clear that the pipes are old and not fit for purpose. While these were exceptional weather conditions, it seems to me wise for all organisations to plan on the basis of more extreme weather conditions. I know that there are plans to invest at a future date in the infrastructure supporting Maerdy, but I hope that given what has occurred you will bring the planned investments forward.’

These were difficult circumstances but I hope that Welsh Water will learn lessons for the future. We need new investment in the pipes and infrastructure supporting the Maerdy Treatment Centre and they should now bring this forward.

Water, water everywhere nor any drop to drink

2009-01-08T18:20:00.006Z

The latest at 18.10 Welsh Water time is that Welsh Water has carried out two repairs in Trehafod and they think most people there should have water again.

They also tell me the Maerdy reservoirs are stabilising. They say most people in Maerdy should have water back during the evening. They will be supplying bottled water to people but not topping up bowsers. Their emergency number is 0800 052 0130.

Chris Bryant MP has also written to the MD of Welsh Water about the investment in water infrastructure.

Water update: here we go again....

2009-01-08T17:24:00.004Z

Now there is a burst pipe in Trehafod affecting 600 homes. Welsh Water are trying to get this back on now. They now tell me that a temporary connection has been established to ensure people have a supply.

And Welsh Water now tell me are 400 homes that may be without water in Maerdy tonight. They say they have taken over 100 loss of supply calls.

I have already written to Welsh Water asking them to bring forward their investment in the water infrastructure and I have repeated this message to the Operations Director on the phone.

Anyone who knows different please email me at leighton.andrews@wales.gov.uk !

Water Update

2009-01-08T16:20:00.003Z

Welsh Water have just been in touch to say that some residents in Maerdy will experience a reduction in water pressure - they tell me this is not a recurrence of the problem, but is because they have not today yet had the network at full-flow.

What Welsh Water was contending with

2009-01-07T16:38:00.002Z

The manganese contamination that affected the water supply to the treatment centre

Water Situation in the Rhondda Fach 2 updated

2009-01-07T16:35:00.000Z

I have been in Maerdy and Ferndale this morning. I visited Welsh Water's Maerdy Treatment Centre with representatives of Welsh Water. I met local residents who have been without water since yesterday. I also visited a local business that had been affected by the problems. I took a Welsh Water representative to the business, Avon Engineered Rubber, so that a solution could be found to get the factory working again. I understand that the water supply has now been reconnected and the 6 o'clock shift should be able to work there tonight.

Welsh Water tell me they are hopeful that by this evening most properties in the Rhondda Fach should see their water flowing again though there may be some around Ferndale on hillier areas with problems.

Welsh Water tell me that they will have the tankers running throughout and there will be bottled water for elderly and vulnerable people who need it. Obviously they also need to keep the water bowsers replenished.

I have spoken with the Chief Eexecutive and the Operations Director of Welsh Water who have had staff working throughout the night in order to improve supplies as soon as possible. Obviously a lot of activity has been going on since last night. Welsh Water tell me the situation they are facing is virtually unprecedented. I have discussed with them what might be done if similar circumstances arise in future.

Water Situation in the Rhondda Fach

2009-01-06T19:54:00.003Z

I have discussed the situation tonight with a representative of Welsh Water They tell me that this is the first time in 12 years that they have experienced this kind of problem with the supply to the Maerdy treatment centre. I know that Welsh Water is bringing water in by tankers and ensuring that there are bowsers in Maerdy and Ferndale. They say they are also supplying bottled water to people on the special needs register but I have urged them to make sure that older and vulnerable people who are not on the special needs register know that they need to phone their freephone number 0800 052 0130 if they need bottled water. I have also asked Welsh Water to try to make sure this information is repeated regularly on broadcast news bulletins.

For more detail on the reasons behind the problems, there is a press release from Welsh Water here.

David Cameron's Economic Plans spell Disaster for Wales

2009-01-06T08:39:00.002Z

Medical Aid for Palestinians

2009-01-05T17:31:00.001Z

To do something practical, you can donate to Medical Aid for Palestinians here

The charity's main website is here.

Remember Ron Davies?

2009-01-05T14:40:00.003Z

No, not that one.

The former Welsh footballer, described by Sir Matt Busby as the finest centre-forward in Europe.

The Observer yesterday ran a profile on how he is now living with his wife in New Mexico in a mobile home.

I never saw him play live, but I remember watching him on television in black and white when Wales played Scotland on 3 May 1969 in the Home Internationals - the forward line was Ron, John Toshack, and Wyn Davies. Ron scored two of our goals and Tosh the other one. But Scotland scored five.

Ron played for Southampton and Saints fans have set up a fund for him called Give it to Ron

Constituency Caseworker Vacancy

2008-12-30T12:15:00.001Z

Constituency Caseworker

Office of Leighton Andrews AM
Assembly Member for the Rhondda

The relevant scale for this post is £17,444-£25,810 depending on experience and qualifications.

Full time senior caseworker required for busy Porth constituency office. It is desirable that the candidate has previous casework experience, and an understanding of case management software would also be a distinct advantage.

For further information, and details of how to apply please email me - click 'Get in Touch' above

Trealaw Food Co-op

2008-12-10T15:36:00.002Z

Good to see that the food co-op established by Trealaw Communities First makes it into the Guardian today.

Radio Cwmni on-line

2008-12-04T14:21:00.002Z

Radio Cwmni is back - and you can listen online.

I'll be joining Sharon and the team tomorrow afternoon.

Charlie Burton

2008-11-27T14:46:00.005Z

The Rhondda Artist Charles Burton has an exhibition on at the Martin Tinney Gallery in Cardiff. I went last night and I hope many others will also!

David Cameron fails his homework

2008-11-26T14:47:00.005Z

Catching up

2008-11-26T14:14:00.004Z

The last two months or so have been very busy and so it seems timely to do a brief catch-up on some of the things that have been happening on the Ministerial front.

Last week I announced £7 million of funding to help the development of social enterprises in Wales. During the debate on co-ops last week I also confirmed the establishment of a fund worth £8 million over the next three years to support community asset transfer.

I have annouced two new strategic regeneration areas, building on the examples of the Heads of the Valleys programme and Mon a Menai, in the Western Valleys and Rhyl and Colwyn Bay, following my statement on our strategic approach to regeneration. Meanwhile, the Heads of the Valleys programme has been awarded a prestigious Council of Europe Prize of the Regions. We have also made a significant multimillion investment in the Jobmatch programme in the Heads of the Valleys, designed to tackle economic inactivity.

At our regeneration summit, which as IWA Chair Geraint Talfan Davies noted, was a great success, I announced how we are working to create a major multimillion urban regeneration fund under the EU's JESSICA scheme. We also published the proposals for the Centre of Regeneration Excellence in Wales.

Following our representations, I am delighted that the UK Government agreed to award the Post Office Card Account to the Post Office. Earlier this year I launched the consultation on our Post Office Development Fund.

We have extended funding for the Assembly Government's flagship digital inclusion programme, Communities@One until end the of the financial year. Communities@One has been shortlisted for an EU e-Inclusion award which will be announced at the EU e-Inclusion conference in Vienna next week, where I am chairing a discussion on tackling digital exclusion in regional economies.

Vote for Ferndale Skate Park

2008-11-25T09:46:00.003Z

Voting lines are now open to support the Ferndale Skate Park: dial 0871 626 81 46

The Ferndale Skate Park project has been shortlisted in the People's Millions, a UK-wide programme which aims to fund projects that improve the quality of life of local communities. Projects will transform the local environment or provide opportunities or facilities that allow people to enjoy their local area.

The Ferndale Skate Park will feature on ITV Wales this evening, going head to head against another project. The project that receives the most public support will win an award of £50,000.

Voting is open from 9am to midnight. If you wish to support the Ferndale Skate Park please call 0871 626 81 46 to cast your vote.

The runner up with the highest number of votes in each ITV region will also win an award, so every vote counts!

I have already voted.

Pass it on!

Welsh Labour needs a debate

2008-11-21T02:39:00.001Z

Welsh Labour needs a profound debate about its direction, and the run-up to the leadership election next year should see a vigorous debate on our party's future role.

I was proud to be involved in the Yes for Wales campaign in 1997; equally proud to win the Rhondda back for Labour in 2003; and proud to have been given Ministerial office by Rhodri Morgan last year.

I have also been flattered to have been asked by many Labour Party members in Wales to consider standing for the leadership of our party in Wales. I am grateful for their confidence in me and their support.

However, I want to make it clear that I do not intend to be a candidate for the leadership when Rhodri Morgan stands down next year.

I am making this statement now because I do not want every Ministerial decision I make over the next twelve months scrutinised as though it were a calculated move in a leadership campaign.

I hope that there will be a contest for the leadership when Rhodri stands down. Welsh Labour needs to be part of the battle of ideas on the future of Wales and the future of progressive politics in Wales. There is no better way than to ensure that our leadership contest explores the opportunities and challenges before us.

I intend to contribute to that debate, and I believe there are real issues all candidates must confront.

Leadership is not a singular role. Leaders require strong allies and a strong team working with them collectively to deliver change.

I hope that I can contribute skills to that leadership team, particularly in terms of ideas and implementation.

Following the US election and the Glenrothes by-election, this is a moment of progressive potential.

In Wales, we need to take advantage of that moment. Our challenge is to demonstrate the relevance of Welsh Labour – that we are focused on Wales as it is, not Wales as it was.

We need to make it clear that our appeal is to the whole of Wales, not just to those areas traditionally seen as our heartlands – from the Eastern Valleys to the Welsh-speaking North and West, from the M4 belt to the A55 corridor, our Valleys communities and our rural towns and villages in between, there must be no no-go areas for Labour.

Equally, we cannot take any part of Wales for granted. And our performance will need to improve significantly on the 2007 Assembly election.

People are impatient for delivery. They want quality outcomes and they have high aspirations for themselves and their families. They want to see public services that are responsive and personally relevant.

They want a 'yes we can' culture in Welsh public service, not a 'No we can't' culture.

They want a Labour leadership in Wales committed to strengthening the Welsh economy, supporting the private sector in the creation of wealth and supporting the trades unions in ensuring that hard-working families and the vulnerable benefit from it.

They are comfortable in their Welshness but not obsessed with it. They are comfortable with the Welsh language and its role in our culture. They are proud of their heritage but ambitious for the future. They see Wales as part of Britain but a Britain that is changing constantly.

The new Leader will have to take Welsh Labour into the 2011 Assembly election, and support our Westminster candidates in the General Election before that.

He or she will need to explain that our arrangement with Plaid Cymru in the National Assembly is based around the One Wales document and it is a coalition not a merger.

Many will feel that the only leadership choice that really matters is about who can best maximise Welsh Labour's vote in those elections.

These are exciting times for progressive politicians. The new leader will need to grasp those opportunities

Thought for the Day - come home to the Valleys!

2008-10-14T09:07:00.002+01:00

It's not often initiatives we launch as Ministers get to be the subject of the Radio Four Today programme's Thought for the Day, but thanks to the Rev Roy Jenkins our Valleys Homecoming Initiative in 2010 has done so.

You can read Roy's words here, or listen here.

Clydach Vale Communities First

2008-09-29T09:03:00.002+01:00

The Communities First Team in Clydach Vale has a new website with details of local activities. You can access it here.

Valleys Kids

2008-09-15T11:13:00.001+01:00

Just seen that Valleys Kids now has a Youtube site.

Penrhys celebrates

2008-09-15T10:47:00.004+01:00

There can be few better outdoor venues than the amphitheatre on Penrhys looking down into the Rhondda Fawr.

It was the setting for the concert on Saturday to mark the fortieth anniversary of the Penrhys estate - and the 470th anniversary of the destruction of the shrine of Penrhys at the command of Henry VIII in 1538.

You can find a clip of the concert on Rhondda TV .

Lle aeth pawb - where did everyone go?

2008-08-11T16:35:00.001+01:00

A clever bit of photoshopping ages a generation of Rhondda Fach footballers by 30 years instantly on the S4C's lleaethpawb site

Well done, Margaret

2008-08-11T13:22:00.002+01:00

Belated congratulations to Margaret Jervis, Chief Executive of Valleys Kids, on her award of the People's Fellowship at Cardiff University, though I think the Echo got her age wrong!

Our Valleys Heritage

2008-08-11T13:21:00.002+01:00

The HLF has been funding a project on the history of the Rhondda. Some interesting old photos here.

Araith

2008-08-08T11:40:00.002+01:00

Dyma fideo o araith yr Eisteddfod. Here's a video of the Eisteddfod speech.

Ar y Maes

2008-08-06T21:41:00.004+01:00

I enjoyed the CHC debate today with Dafydd Iwan on the Maes, and was able to outline how regeneration strategy will support the Welsh Language. There has been good coverage overall on the BBC principally.

The Archbishop of Wales, Barry Morgan, was in the chair.

My full speech follows. I am too tired to translate it into English tonight:

Mae’n anodd I wahanu polisi Blaid Lafur o’r polisi Clymblaid. R’o’n I’n
Dirpwy Gweinidog dros Tai ar ol yr etholiad diwethaf – am saith wythnos.

Pan on i’n Weinidog dros Dai, cyn y Clymblaid, dwi’n cofio ymateb
I ddadl Plaid Cymru ar y pwnc Tai Fforddiadwy. Dwedais i

gallwn ni weld consensws graddol ar faterion tai

Esboniais I yn y dadl bod y Llwyodraeth yn

- Cefnogi mwy o fuddsoddiad i helpu tuag at ddarparu chew mil a hanner (6,500) o dai
fforddiadwy newydd ychwanegol
- annog pobl i fod yn berchen ar eu cartrefi, er enghraifft trwy’r cynllun cymorth
prynu (Homebuy),
- cefnogi rhoi pwer i awdurdodau lleol yr hawl i wneud cais i Weinidogion i ohirio’r yr hawl i
brynu mewn ardaloedd lle mae angen dybryd am
dai
- wedi ofyn I syddogion I ddiwygio’r drefn reoleiddio ar gyfer cymdeithasau tai, ac ar gyfer ehangu eu rôl hwy mewn datblygu cymunedol
- cefnogu’r datblygiad ymddiriedolaethau tir cymunedol
- defnyddio safon ansawdd tai Cymru (WHQS yn Saesneg) fel cyfle allweddol i sbardun adfywio mewn nifer o’n cymunedau tlotaf.

Hefyd, ar y pwnc dai haf, neu ail gartrefi, dwedais I mod I’n deall bod problem gyda ni mewn rhai ardaloedd yng Nghymru, ac r’o’n i’n hapus i edrych eto ar y pwnc, ac ar unrhyw syniadau ymarferol. Dwedais I bod rhaid i ni gael consensws newydd ar y mater, a sicrhau bod Cymru yn parhau yn wlad sy’n croesawu ymwelwyr a mewnfudwyr.

Ar yr un pryd, wrth gwrs, cymerais i ran yn y trafodaethau arweiniodd y polisi Tai yn y ddogfen
Cymru’n Un, gyda Jane Hutt, Jocelyn Davies, Adam Price a phawb.

Heddiw, fel Dirprwy weinidog dros Adfywio, fi’n trafod y sefyllfa gyda Jocelyn yn aml.

Fel Llywodraeth, ein huchelgais ni yw i weld pawb yn gallu fforddio cartref parchus i’w berchnogi neu i’w renti.

Byddwn hefyd yn rhoi cefnogaeth ariannol i bobl ifanc na allannwh fforddio prynu eu cartref cyntaf yn eu cymuned eu hunain.

Ein nod yw gwella mynediad at dai, cynyddu’r cyflenwad o dai fforddiadwy, sicrhau tai addas ar gyfer yr unfed ganrif ar hugain (21ain) a lleihau digartrefedd yn ein holl gymunedau.

Dyn ni ar fin dechrau’r rhaglen fwyaf i wella cartrefi pobl ers dros trigain mlynedd. Os
wnawn ni hyn yn y modd cywir, gallwn adfywio rhai o’n cymunedau sydd o dan yr
anfantais mwyaf.

Mae’n rhaid i bob awdurdod lleol yn sicrhau bod pob ty cymdeithasol yn cyrraedd safonnau uchel newydd – sef Safon Ansawdd Tai Cymru.

Bydd angen rhyw dair (£3) biliwn o bunnoedd i gyrraedd y safon a bydd fuddsoddiad yn parhau ar ol dwy fil a deuddeg (2012).

Nid yw dros hanner tenantiaid tai cymdeithasol yng Nghymru yn gweithio. Felly mae anelu y buddsoddiad mewn tai at yr ardaloedd hynny lle mae’r diweithdra mwyaf yn gyfle i adfywio cymunedau a chreu swyddi tymor hir lleol.

Er mwyn cyflawni y safon hwn ledled De Cymru, bydd angen hyd at dwy fil saith cant (2700) o weithwyr ychwanegol dros gyfnod o ddeng mlynedd. Bydd hyn yn cynnwys labrwyr cyffredinol, plastrwyr, sgaffaldwyr, ac adeiladwyr.

I gyrraedd y safonn newydd yn Ne Cymru yn unig bydd rhaid buddsoddi rhwng saith can (£700) miliwn ac un pwynt pedwar biliwn a (£1.4) o bunoedd.

Yr wythnos diwethaf, ron’ni’n lansio Cartrefi RCT, sy’n gymdeithas dai gydweithredol guda deg mil gartrefi. Mae’n nhw’n buddsoddi cant saith-deg miliwn (£170) o bunnoedd dros y pum mlynedd nesaf – pum mil cegin newydd, pedair mil ystafell molchi newydd ac yn y blaen. Ac mae’n nhw’n creu un cant saithdeg o swyddi newydd yn y gymdeaithas neu gyda chrontractwyr a chyflenwr neu mewn busnesi lleol. Mae’n nwh’n creu prentisiaid hefyd. Dyma
adfywio ymarferol.

Heddiw, dwi’n cyhoeddi cynllun i ddefnyddio rhaglen adfywio i gefnogi’r iaith mewn ardaloedd strategol. Dyn ni’n lansio prosiectau peilot sef

· pedwar can mil o bunnoedd (£400,ooo) yn Nant Gwrtheyrn i gynorthwyo’r gwaith o
ddatblygu ymhellach y prif gyflesuter preswyl ar gyfer dysgu Cymraeg, gan
gyfrannu rhagor i’r gwaith ehangach o adfywio Pen Llyn
· Pen Llyn hefyd – cefnogi prosiect adfywio sy’n cysylltu’r gwaith o ddarparu cyfleoedd gwaith a thai fforddiadwy gan weithio ar y cyd a chymdeithas dai leol, sef Cymdeithas Tai
Eryri·
Blaenau Ffestiniog – gweithio gyda chymunedau lleol i ddatblygu ymhellach y modd unigryw y gall yr iaith gyfrannu i’r gwaith o genogi gobeithion y gymuned o ran datblygu
economaidd.
· Peblig, yng Nghaernarfon, defnyddio broceriaid i annog pobl leol i ysteried eu sgiliau yn y Gymraeg yn gaffaeliad wrth chwilio am waith.

Fel dwedodd Carwyn Jones dydd LLun, mae’n rhaid i ni roi hyder i bobol i ddnefnyddio’r iaith
Dyn ni’n cyhoeddi hefyd pecyn ariannu am dair blynedd pellach ar gyfer prosiectau gwledig
Cymunedau yn Gyntaf gan gynnwys tri mewn ardaloedd Cymraeg eu hiaith yn bennaf,
sef Pen Llyn, pentrefi ucheldir Tregaron, a Bro Ddyfi.

Dwi’n cofio brawddeg o’r saithdegau: Tai a Gwaith sy’n Cadw’r Iaith. Dyma beth dyn ni’n
gwneud.

I benthyg brawddeg o ymgyrch Bill Clinton yn 1992 : yr economi yw e, twpsyn.

Barry, dwi’n gwybod dy fod ti eisiau gweld y prosiect datganoli yn symud ymlaen. Dwi wedi wastad cefnogi pwerau deddfwriaethol. Dwi’n credu hefyd bod rhaid i ni drosglwyddo pwer i’r cymunedau. Mae dwy enghraifft gyda ni yn y maes adfywio – y cronfa canlyniadau newydd yn y
rhaglen Cymunedau yn Gyntaf, ble mae’r cymunedau yn gallu arwain newid yn y
gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, a’r mudiad cymdeithas tai gydweithredol, fel Cartrefi
RCT a Bron Afon yn Nhorfaen. Dyma ddatganoli dwbl: mwy o bwerau i’r Cynulliad, a
mwy o bwerau i’n Cymunedau. Dyma’r ffordd ymlaen.

Mayor for the Valleys

2008-08-06T21:27:00.004+01:00

In case there is any doubt, I agree with my colleague Huw Lewis that this is a daft idea, as I told the Chair of the Institute of Welsh Affairs on the Maes today. I see that the Western Mail managed to take one of my sentences from the foreword to the IWA publication and make it look like I welcomed the idea. Well, I welcome all discussion on the future of the Heads of the Valleys, but I don't think this is an idea that will go very far.

Just a quick note on Huw's comments. The original budget for the Heads of the Valleys was £10 million per annum: last year under Huw and I between us the programme spent over £16 million and in the previous year under Andrew Davies the programme spent over £15 million. So we are well ahead of the original budget.

But Huw will remember that the Heads of the Valleys are not the Valleys as such. There are only two local authority areas (Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent) and two Assembly Constituencies wholly covered by the Heads of the Valleys programme (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney and Blaenau Gwent). Parts of Torfaen, RCT (including some parts of the Rhondda and some parts of the Cynon Valley constituencies) and Caerphilly Borough (including some parts of the Caerphilly and some parts of the Islwyn constituencies) are included.

Community Mutuals

2008-08-02T07:19:00.002+01:00

The Co-operative Party blog picks up on the launch of RCT Homes as a community mutual, the Co-operative Party's model for public housing.

ITV Wales

2008-08-01T11:04:00.003+01:00

There used to be quite a good programme about politics on ITV Wales called Waterfront, presented by Jo Kiernan and then Lee Waters. It was replaced a year or so back by a less interesting programme called Sharp End.

Now ITV Wales has pulled the plug, meaning that there is even less competition for the BBC in political reporting.

This is what we have all feared.

Tai Cymdeithasol ac Adfywio

2008-08-01T09:09:00.005+01:00

Bydda i'n cymryd rhan mewn dadl yn yr Eisteddfod dydd Mercher gyda Dafydd Iwan a phobol o bleidiau eraill yn y Pabell Sbardun am ddeg o'r gloch yn y bore. Trefnwyd y digwyddiad gan Gartrefi Cymunedol Cymru.

RCT Homes

2008-08-01T08:45:00.003+01:00

We launched RCT Homes yesterday, the community housing mutual - or housing cooperative - which tenants in Rhondda Cynon Taff voted to set up. Its £170 million investment programme will involve the installation of an estimated 5,000 new kitchens, 4,000 new bathrooms and 6,000 energy-efficient boilers. Other improvements will include extensive re-wiring, the installation of new central heating systems, improved security measures and work on roofs, chimneys and walls as well as a promised £1m a year on environmental enhancements.

The Community Housing Mutual model was developed by the co-operative movement in Wales with the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Earlier this year I launched a report that highlighted the unprecedented opportunities the introduction of the Welsh Housing Quality Standard would create.

RCT Homes is maximising these opportunities and creating new jobs, training opportunities, business contracts and major new investment in housing and related regeneration work.

Around 170 jobs will be created through RCT Homes operations. RCT Homes has implemented community benefit clauses in its procurement contracts. Local businesses have bid for and win major contracts against competition from national companies leading to the creation of a total of 59 new local jobs.

RCT Homes has also tied its main contractors into using locally-based suppliers which will generate a total of 61 new jobs and training opportunities.

RCT Homes has been working with the Heads of the Valleys JobMatch initiative to maximise the impact the new job and training opportunities will have on the local employment situation.

RCT Homes itself has created 53 new jobs since it began operations at the end of last year, and took on 6 apprentices.

Torfaen tenants also voted to go down the community mutual route. This is a model approach that I believe others will follow to help regenerate our most disadvantaged communities.

Reachinhg the Welsh Housing Quality Standard is not a one-off opportunity but an ongoing, long-term investment because not only do these new housing standards need to be reached, but they have to be maintained through a rolling programme of work.

Fernhill Colliery plans 'ludicrously optimistic'

2008-07-30T13:01:00.001+01:00

The Rhondda Leader has a good summary of the excellent public meeting held to discuss the future of the Fernhill Colliery site last week at which Chris Bryant MP and I spoke.

The Glasgow result

2008-07-25T08:55:00.003+01:00

Great victory yesterday.

Cardiff City 1, Glasgow Celtic 0.

What did you think I meant?

Assembly Diary

2008-07-23T09:34:00.001+01:00

Last week the First Minister published the Assembly’s legislative programme for next year, building on the One Wales programme for government. One Wales set out our vision of a fair and just Wales, where everyone can live free from poverty and discrimination. We made a commitment to develop Wales-specific solutions to tackle child poverty. Our next step is to bring forward an Assembly Measure to provide greater support to children and families experiencing poverty. It will include a number of initiatives such as a duty on public agencies to demonstrate their contribution to ending child poverty and to provide free childcare places and other early years’ services in specific areas.

As regards older people, One Wales made clear our commitment to help people to be independent and improve the care provided to vulnerable people by public, private and voluntary organisations. A key element of this agenda is to establish a fairer and more consistent approach to charging for non-residential social care. We therefore intend to develop proposals for an Assembly Measure to use our powers to establish a level playing field for charges for specified services levied by local authorities.

We are working hard to get local authorities and other public bodies to work together. Our aim is to have effective and joined-up community planning to deliver high quality citizen-centred local services for Wales. Early in the autumn we expect to introduce a Measure for local government which will link well-being and community planning with service improvement.
A stock of good-quality affordable homes is the foundation of thriving local communities and healthy family life in all parts of Wales. We want to develop a Measure within this legislative programme to give local authorities the power to apply to the Welsh Ministers to suspend the Right to Buy in areas of housing pressure for a limited period of time.

The government is also looking at a draft legislative competence order in relation to the provision of bus and coach services championed by my Merthyr Labour colleague Huw Lewis AM.

Not everything we do in the Assembly depends on legislation of course. I am pleased we have been able to put more money into the Heads of the Valleys programme, well above the original budget of £10million a year.

The Naughtie Gang

2008-07-21T09:36:00.002+01:00

For its 70th anniversary The Beano has developed a strip based on the Radio 4 Today programme.

However, contrary to the BBC's site, it was not developed by Wallace and Gromit animator Nick Park, who said today on the programme that he had not been involved in it.

AM's photos

2008-07-20T07:37:00.006+01:00

The BBC has some of the photos displayed in the AM's photographic exhibition in the Senedd, including this rose from my garden in Llwynypia.

I also displayed a moodier picture I took on Pen Pych in the New Year.

Happy Birthday, Ron

2008-07-19T07:30:00.003+01:00

Congratulations to former Labour Councillor Ron Bundock, still carrying the regimental banner at Royal British Legion events, who is 90.

Ron has been active in a whole series of issues, including crime prevention.

Goodbye, Emmo, and thank you

2008-07-19T06:52:00.009+01:00

At last night's Rhondda Labour GC we paid tribute to Emrys 'Emmo' Thomas, who died recently after an illness which had lasted for some months. Emmo's funeral halted the traffic in Treorchy just over a week ago, following a moving service at his home, conducted by the Rev. Cyril Llewellyn, with Allan Rogers, former MP for the Rhondda, giving the tribute.

Emmo was one of the first people I met in the Rhondda when I was seeking selection for the Assembly seat. He was a great supporter not only of me and Chris Bryant MP, but of every Labour candidate at all levels. The top pictue shows him working on my 2003 campaign. As a letter in the Rhondda Leader said, he was behind every Labour Councillor who ever won election in Treorchy. He never wanted to stand himself, even though the affection for him across Treorchy, Ynyswen and Cwmparc was such that he would have stormed it. He was genuinely respected across the political spectrum, and I recall Plaid Cymru Treorchy Councillor Cennard Davies picking him out for a special mention in welcoming him back to the fray after the local elections this year.

Emmo had been a Labour Party member for 51 years, and last year we held a ceremony in the Stag in Treorchy to give him his 50-year membership award. His uncle Iorrie Thomas was the MP for Rhondda West from 1950 until 1966. He was an active campaigner on community issues as well as in elections. The bottom picture shows Emmo on one of the London demonstrations we held in support of the Burberry workers where his son Leighton worked. He was a strong supporter of the GMB.

Emmo was also a great sports fan. He despaired a little of his beloved Glamorgan in recent years but he was devoted to cricket and football. He enjoyed Cardiff City's play-off final in 2003, and he would watch football on Sky Sports round the clock. I joined him sometimes at Ton Pentre home games where he would organise the teas at half-time.

Emmo was a good man. He will be missed by all, and our thoughts remain with his wife Pat and the family.

Well said, Carwyn

2008-07-19T00:04:00.004+01:00

I am delighted that my good friend Carwyn Jones is following up issues I have recently raised in speeches such as the credit crunch and the importance of co-operatives to Welsh Labour.

Maerdy Archive Group

2008-07-11T09:17:00.002+01:00

I was pleased to welcome members of the Maerdy Archive Group to the Assembly - not for the first time - a couple of weeks ago, for the launch of the Community Archives Wales online records project. You can find the Maerdy Archive Group material here.

The project has been supported by Communities@One, the Assembly's digital inclusion project, which is funded from my Ministerial budgets in the Assembly and from Objective One monies, as well as by the Heritage department in the Assembly.

CAW is a 15-month pilot project to enable eleven groups within Communities First areas throughout Wales to create their own digital archives and share them on the CAW website. The project employs 4 members of staff. It started in January 2007 and the current phase will end in September 2008. Digital community archives are collections of material in private hands that have been digitised and interpreted by community groups, enabling the communities to present their own history in their own words.

Members of the Maerdy Archive Group have been supporting my campaign to get the Maerdy Community Centre run by a broader-based group of people. Chris Bryant MP and I held a meeting two weeks ago where a lot of people indicated they wanted to become involved in the Community Centre, and later today we will be receiving the application forms from those who want to join.

Corporate Greed

2008-07-09T15:41:00.003+01:00

I thought I should put up the full text of my remarks which seemed to get an unexpected amount of coverage in the Western Mail and Daily Post last week. What I said was:

Only Labour is fighting seriously in every area of Wales. But because of the breadth of our challenge, we need policies that work for all areas of Wales.

We must avoid the siren voices who want us to follow false choices. It is not a choice between following London’s lead or being different in Wales for the sake of it. It is not a choice between winning aspirational voters or getting the core vote out. It is not a choice between social justice issues and quality of life issues. It is not a choice between winning in Welsh-speaking Wales and winning in Tory-Labour marginals like here in Clwyd West.

Rather it is the challenge of setting out a broad appeal which chimes with the realities voters recognise. In tough times, people know there have to be tough choices. They understand how corporate greed has brought about the credit crunch. They believe in limits to corporate power to prevent irresponsible lending to those who cannot afford it. They know that unregulated markets undermine security for all of us.

As The Times’s former Economics Editor Anatole Kaletsky warned on Tuesday, we cannot go on living

in a world of naive market fundamentalism, where politicians and media
commentators assume that the market is always right, despite the copious
evidence that markets are often very wrong indeed.

It is precisely because I spent half my working life running businesses in the private sector that I am more sceptical about markets than many in New Labour ever were. Markets have their place – but market naivety is an irrational approach for socialists. The herd instinct of the market can distort economic policy judgements and investment decisions.

You only have to look at the construction sector to see how wrong markets can be. Irresponsible lending fuelled high property prices, a short-term sense of personal wealth, and irrational investment in get-rich-quick buy-to-let schemes.

The result was dramatic falls in the share prices of construction companies, many having crippling debts, and properties which in some places builders cannot sell at vastly reduced prices.

It will be public sector regeneration, construction and development schemes that will carry the construction sector through in Wales in the immediate future.

People are not stupid. They can see how corporate greed has got us into this mess. We need to restore some passion to our appeal. People see how decisions taken in other parts of the world affect their quality of life and the pound in their pocket. They want us to be on their side and take action against the short-term rip-off merchants. This is an issue that unites core Labour voters and those who want us to persuade them to vote Labour. It unites those who call themselves working class and those who call themselves middle class. In Labour language, it’s about fairness, about responsibility, and about social solidarity.

Welsh Labour’s response to the May elections has to be political as well as organisational.

We know we have to restore a campaigning edge to Welsh Labour. But we need to restore a political edge as well. We announced an Economy Commission in February to develop new ideas for the future. It is understandable that election pressures have meant it has been on hold since February. But that Commission now needs to be convened and to start taking evidence.

Trade unionists had a key part to play in developing Labour policies. Some people think that trades unions are only interested in bread-and-butter wage packet issues. The reality is that trades unions are actively concerned about quality of life issues and social justice issues. Trade unionists are actively involved in leading debates on childcare, environmental issues, and public health. Trade unionists are actively involved in their communities and understand the concerns people have about the quality of their local schools and local services and their concerns about the safety of their communities.

Renewal in office is a challenge for any government, but it can be done. We’ve achieved a lot, but crowing about our achievements won’t win us future elections. People want to hear about what we are going to do, not what we’ve done. The country has changed so much in eleven years. Welsh Labour needs new policies, new ideas and new thinking. We need to focus on the future.

Labour can only win the next election by being on the side of hard working and aspiring individuals and families.

Fernhill meeting

2008-07-09T14:39:00.004+01:00

I have written before about the proposals for development at the Fernhill Colliery.

Residents have now called a public meeting for the 24th July at the Top Club, Blaenrhondda.

The developers' site is now up - you can find it here.

Meanwhile one resident has a blog here and the Conservation Group's Facebook group is here.

Tappers Garage, Treherbert

2008-07-09T14:30:00.003+01:00

Tappers Garage, Treherbert, was demolished with money form the Welsh Assembly Government's Heads of the Valleys programme and it will become a community facility.

Treherbert resident Sharon Morris has sent me these pictures o the murals designed by local children. I thought they deserved a wider airing.

Tower Colliery

2008-06-24T14:13:00.003+01:00

Until recently a number of my constituents were working at Tower - now some have moved to Aberpergwm.

Tower's achievement is a shining example of the cooperative ethos of popular power and workers' control - and I was delighted to attend the reception held by the First Minister last night to commemorate the workers' achievement.

Rhondda Trust launched

2008-06-23T12:50:00.003+01:00

A good turnout for the launch of the Rhondda Trust on Friday.

After a suggestion from Cllr Cennard Davies of Treorchy, I am changing the Welsh version to Cronfa'r Rhondda.

When Burberry closed its factory in Treorchy last year, the GMB led campaign successfully secured an investment of £150,000 a year for ten years to further the education and training opportunities of people in the Rhondda. The total will amount to £1.5 million. The Rhondda Trust has been founded to receive this money from Burberry and to make grants to individuals and organisations in the Rhondda.

Local charities and community groups can apply for this funding, as can national organisations for work carried out in the Rhondda. Individuals who live in the two Rhondda Valleys can also apply for funds. In particular, the Rhondda Trust is looking to fund new projects that will make a lasting difference to the Rhondda.

Further information on how to apply for funding is available on the Trust’s new website www.rhonddatrust.org.uk or by contacting RCT Regeneration Resources Team on 01443 665789.

Rhondda Trust/Cronfa Rhondda

2008-06-20T08:41:00.003+01:00

Today we are setting up the Rhondda Trust - or Cronfa Rhondda as I am calling it in Welsh. This is based on the money received from Burberry following the closure of the Burberry factory in Treorchy last year.

A website for the Trust is under construction and application forms will be available from today.

Honesty about 1968

2008-06-19T06:54:00.002+01:00

I was ten getting on for eleven in 1968 and the big event for me in May of that year was Cardiff City playing SV Hamburg in the European Cup-Winners Cup semi-final. So it's good to read some sober and honest analysis of that year from Fred Halliday rather than the over-rated nostalgia on offer from many of the superannuated ultras.

Fernhill News

2008-06-18T17:44:00.002+01:00

A local resident has now set up a blog for news on the proposed Fernhill development.

The developers' site is still not ready.

Does Mark Thompson have a point?

2008-06-18T15:39:00.004+01:00

BBC Director-General Mark Thompson has made several BBC Wales journalists very cross by suggesting that the BBC Wales newsroom holds back good stories from the network.

But maybe he has a point.

Yesterday BBC Radio Wales reported in the morning that the Israeli ambassador had said that the Presiding Officer of the National Assembly had 'disgraced himself' by his email last week.

No mention of this on Wales Today. Nor on BBC Online.

If they don't report significant stories properly themselves, perhaps it's no wonder BBC network news doesn't get told?

Communities First

2008-06-17T18:29:00.003+01:00

I outlined the plans for the future of the Communities First programme today in the Assembly.

Included in the plans is a new Outcomes Fund to boost community regeneration in some of the most deprived areas of Wales, worth at least £25 million over the next three years.

The Outcomes Fund is the centrepiece of our plans for the next phase of Communities First. Communities First partnerships will be able to bid for the funding but will need to demonstrate that their proposals will help deliver key Communities First priorities. They will also need to show that they are working in partnership with local public bodies and have engaged with local people in planning local services.

Plans for the next phase of Communities First will give the programme a sharper focus on stimulating practical improvements to tackle poverty, contribute to wider regeneration initiatives and improving employability. They follow an extensive consultation process earlier in the year. The programme will continue to be called Communities First with some new initiatives called Communities First plus. It will also contain new measures to intervene in partnerships that are struggling to make an impact locally.

A higher proportion of the overall budget will be spent in Communities First areas.

Tonypandy Young Roots

2008-06-16T16:41:00.006+01:00

On Thursday I attended the launch of the brilliant DVD by young people at Tonypandy Community College on the subject of the Powerhouse in Llwynypia.

I was pleased that First Minister Rhodri Morgan was able to attend the launch. Rhodri was stunned by the DVD and the professionalism of the filming. You can find more on this here.

There is more on the plans for the Powerhouse's development here.

The Powerhouse Trust's website is here.

Fernhill Colliery

2008-06-16T16:33:00.003+01:00

I went to see the exhibition Cofton's were running on their plans for the Fernhill Colliery site at the Blaenrhondda Social Club on Saturday. I am keen to hear from local people about their thoughts on the plans. I think 800 homes are too many.

The developers are planning their own website here, though it is not functioning yet.

Some local residents have set up a Facebook group here.

Censorship Rules Overturned

2008-06-12T20:30:00.005+01:00

For the last month I have been campaigning against the proposed censorship of Assembly Members' websites.

I have now received Counsel's Opinion and I am pleased to report that Assembly Members have won the battle against censorship of their websites by the Assembly Commission. The legal advice states that the rules set out in the Guidance would not satisfy the requirements of Article 10 of the Human Rights Act because they lack clarity and certainty.

Counsel also concludes that the Assembly Commission would also be vulnerable to Judicial Review. The features of the Guidance which render it vulnerable to challenge on human rights grounds would make any decision to refuse an allowance equally vulnerable to challenge on traditional administrative law grounds in that Guidance would be open to attack on grounds of irrationality and lack of proportionality.

Counsel warns that the guidance ‘seems to lack any logical basis and to be unworkable’:

The purported distinction between Assembly business on the one hand and political activities, or promoting the interests of a person or party on the other, seems to lack any logical basis and to be unworkable. The lack of clarity as to the sanction in an individual case compounds the problem. These difficulties are of a scale that I advise that a claim that the Guidance was in breach would probably succeed and certainly the prudent course is to avoid any proceedings.

In his advice, Counsel also agreed there is ambiguity about the status of the guidance and a lack of clarity as to the dividing line between the kinds of general “political” activity. Counsel says:

If all political activity is prohibited how can that be distinguished from Assembly business: is there a category of Assembly business which is clearly not political? If there is what is the justification for excluding use of allowances for matters which are Assembly business because they are political even if not party political and how can the distinction ever be applied logically and consistently?

Counsel also comments that:

the specific point has been made that publication of speeches on the web would be acceptable but that publication of the same content not as a report of a speech would not. I think that this does serve to illustrate the problem of the distinctions which would become necessary as above. Introducing a topic as part of an account of a particular session of the Assembly may be relatively straightforward, but are verbatim passages all that are permitted? What of paraphrase or commentary, what of follow up questions and comments? Why is political or party political comment in quotation marks allowable but the same comment repeated independently on a website impermissible?

I welcome Counsel’s advice. This is a victory for common sense and freedom of speech.

The Guidance will now have to be withdrawn, and as a consequence all Assembly Members are able once again to communicate openly and honestly with their constituents, without fear of repercussion.

SUMMARY OF ADVICE FROM COUNSEL IN RELATION TO GUIDANCE ON USE OF OFFICE COST ALLOWANCE TO PAY FOR WEB-SITES

There is no legal objection in principle to the laying down of rules by the Commission as to the content of web-sites for which payment may be made using AMs' allowances or, alternatively, to the issuing of guidance by the Commission to help AMs to understand how such rules should be interpreted. Guidance must however be consistent with the rules since it is the rules themselves which must be applied.
there is ambiguity about the status of the "Guidance". It is not expressed as guidance in interpreting the Commission's Determination but as strict rules which must be observed. Those rules are more detailed and restrictive than the Determination itself. Since the Commission has the power to lay down rules (i.e. a determination) laying down rules is not outside the Commission’s powers but ambiguity about the status of the document contributes to a general lack of clarity affecting it. This is relevant to difficulties in giving effect to the "Guidance" identified below.

It as at least very arguable that insofar as the rules set out in the "Guidance" restrict those web-sites which may be paid for by an AM's Office Allowance by reference to the content of the web-site, Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights is engaged and it is essential therefore that those rules should, in practice, be tested against the practical requirements of Article 10.

The rules set out in the Guidance would not satisfy the requirements of Article 10 because they lack clarity and certainty. Exclusion of material furthering personal or business interests is clear and uncontroversial. However, there is lack of clarity as to the dividing line between the kinds of general “political” activity which may or may not be carried on through a web-site paid for out of the allowance. Also, there appears to be a lack of a logical basis for the distinction drawn between activities which are to be regarded as being in furtherance of an AM’s duties and those which are not. Such matters would make it impossible to satisfy the tests that a restriction on free expression must be "prescribed by law" and "necessary in a democratic society".

The features of the Guidance which render it vulnerable to challenge on human rights grounds would make any decision to refuse an allowance equally vulnerable to challenge on traditional administrative law grounds in that Guidance would be open to attack on grounds of irrationality and lack of proportionality.

Update:

The Western Mail report is here.

The Daily Post reports the news here.

Juvenile Gestures

2008-06-12T08:48:00.005+01:00

The Western Mail has more on Dafydd El's gesture politics.

Oh, and this old blogger says:

Had I received Dafydd El's email as well, I would have cancelled any other engagement to make sure I could attend, hopefully the cancelled meeting being one with the Presiding Officer himself.

Dafydd El Presidente

2008-06-12T08:43:00.002+01:00

I forgot to post this, from last week's Assembly proceedings:

The Presiding Officer: Order. That was not guidance; it was a ruling. The reason for the ruling, which I have stuck to throughout my period of presidency so far, is to ensure the independence of local government. Ministers can answer questions on their relationship with local authorities, but we should not be second-guessing what local authorities do any more than MPs in Westminster should try to second-guess what we do........

......Leighton Andrews: Llywydd, or perhaps I should say 'El Presidente’—[Laughter.]

The Presiding Officer: Order. For the avoidance of doubt, I meant to say 'during my presiding period’. The Welsh word Llywyddu covers both.

Leighton Andrews: And 'El Presidente’ is a translation of Llywydd into Spanish, I think.

Thanks, Mohammad

2008-06-11T17:57:00.002+01:00

I have received a nice email back from Mohammad Asghar AM which reads as follows:

Your comments are perfect, encouraging and helpful Kind Regards Asghar

The Presiding Officer and Israel

2008-06-11T16:11:00.004+01:00

It's been reported in a few places that the Presiding Officer has summarily announced he will be boycotting the visit of the Israeli Ambassador in two weeks time. The Ambassador is being invited by the Plaid Cymru AM Mohammad Asghar.

I cannot be at the event because of a prior commitment, but I have emailed Mohammad as follows:

I am unlikely to be able to attend the meeting with the Ambassador as I will be travelling to an evening engagement in West Wales.

However, I do not want my absence to be seen in any way as part of the juvenile gesture politics provoked by the Presiding Officer. I think his response to the invitation to the Israeli Ambassador is discourteous to you, insulting to the people of Israel, and demeaning to the National Assembly.

UK Government policy recognises the role of Israel as a liberal democracy and also recognises the need to safeguard Israel’s security, as well as seeking to achieve justice for the Palestinian people. As the Foreign Secretary said yesterday ‘There is evidence of the possibility of reaching a solution to the situation between the Israelis and the Palestinians based on the two-state idea….the solution lies in achieving justice for the Palestinians and guaranteeing security for the Israelis.’

Were I able to attend the event, I would want to convey to the Ambassador my concern about the situation faced by the Palestinian people.

I have supported the rights of the Palestinians for decades. Thirty years ago I attended the funeral of the assassinated PLO Representative in London, Said Hammami, at the invitation of Palestinian friends who were students with me at Bangor University, one of whom is now the Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and was involved in the drafting of the Oslo Accords in 1993.

I believe that we will only see peace in the Middle East if there is a viable Palestinian state based on the boundaries of 1967 – and equally an Israeli state free from terror, recognised by the Arab world. That means dialogue, not pointless gestures.

Regards

Leighton

Euro 2008

2008-06-07T22:53:00.002+01:00

I drew Greece in the Assembly Labour Group sweepstake. They won in 2004, but they are in the same group as Spain who I think might do well this time.

Over there

2008-06-06T07:10:00.000+01:00

I want the Democrats to win the US election - no surprise there - and though I am alarmed about the number of pro-Obama Conservatives in the National Assembly, I am glad that the contest is finally settled.

Justin Webb points to a campaign to get Hillary as Vice-President, and also draws attention to Andrew Stephen's analysis on the New Statesman blog.

Likely to be censored

2008-06-06T07:06:00.001+01:00

I am still awaiting the legal advice on the Assembly Commission's rules on websites, so in the interim I am adding a new tag to my posts. 'Likely to be censored ' means I think that the Assembly Commission rules would not allow me to post a specific item on this site.

Foundation Phase

2008-05-22T12:19:00.001+01:00

From September, the Assembly Government is pioneering our early years initiative, the Foundation Phase. Last week Education Minister Jane Hutt announced an additional £5 million this financial year, on top of the £25 million grant already secured in 2008/09.

The Foundation Phase for three to seven year olds is designed to give children in Wales the best possible start in life. It is based on learning through play, active involvement and practical activities which enhances their creativity, knowledge, skills and understanding which are invaluable for future learning.

The scheme has been widely supported by teachers and head-teachers. One head-teacher has written to me to say:

I constantly praise (the) Welsh Assembly Government and in particular our Welsh education system to English friends. We were first to take the brave step of removing SAT testing and we have a far more holistic approach to education with less concern about league tables and academic comparisons between schools. I believe that the philosophy of the Foundation Phase was to be the “crowning glory.” At last we can allow young children to be individuals and develop in their own way. Apart from the improvement in oral language I honestly believe that it will drastically reduce the disaffection which we battle with later on, especially with boys. If properly funded, it would make us world leaders in education.

However, there have been concerns about the funding of the Foundation Phase, and I met several Rhondda head-teachers yesterday to discuss the issues that they face. I have already written to the Education Minister on the issue and I was pleased to hear about the additional £5 million last week.

I believe that the Foundation Phase will mean a step-change in the education of children in our primary schools, and I want to ensure that we get the introduction right….

Terry Venables

2008-05-22T07:17:00.004+01:00

Terry regularly returns to Clydach Vale where his mother grew up to support the Cambrian Village Trust. There is some footage of his most recent visit here.

The Trust was formed in 2000 with the aim of promoting sport in the area for both children and adults. It was also a founding member of the Communities First Partnership in Cwmclydach.

Terry launched a CD on football training paid for by Arriva Trains. More than 100 primary schools throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf are to benefit from the educational CD.

Speaking on behalf of the Trust, Phil Williams (him with the moustache) said: “Our main objective in producing the CD is to help children at Key Stage 2 to develop skills in four areas of the national curriculum – maths, geography, history and grammar. We used football as the general theme, which will help the children learn in a fun and interactive way. It also has the benefit of being available in schools, youth clubs or at home”

Bevan Assembly Art

2008-05-21T17:48:00.002+01:00

Normal Mouth argues that it is Aneurin Bevan's sculpture that should not be present in the Assembly. I reproduce below the comment I have left on his site.

No-one could exactly call Aneurin Bevan a fan of devolution. But, as I have argued before in Cambria magazine, his support for Wales, the Welsh language, Welsh culture and Welsh identity is often under-stated. Bevan’s father was a Welsh-speaker and gave his son the name of the poet. As Dai Smith points out in his essay on Bevan, ‘The Ashes onto the wind’, Bevan joined a committee established to consider the question of a Secretary of State for Wales in 1943. He supported the concept in 1959. He said in the first Welsh day debate during the war ‘there may be an argument – I think there is an argument – for considerable devolution of government’. No-one would argue that at this stage in his career Bevan was a supporter of devolution as we know it. However, Richard Weight outlines in his marvellous book Patriots much more detail of Bevan’s views on devolution based on Cabinet committee discussions on Wales in October 1945. Bevan raised questions that went beyond the creation of a Secretary of State, saying that if Ministerial functions were transferred there would have to be some devolution from Parliament to ‘a separate Welsh body’, and suggesting that administrative devolution for Wales could only be justified if local government was regrouped on a regional basis. His views, as Dai Smith has suggested, were much more complex than is normally claimed.

Robert Griffiths in Planet (41) rescued Bevan’s Welshness. In the annual Welsh day debate in 1953 Bevan said:

Although those of us who have been brought up in Monmouth and in Glamorgan are not Welsh-speaking, Welsh-writing Welshmen, nevertheless we are all aware of the fact that there exists in Wales, and especially in the rural areas, a culture which is unique in the world. And we are not prepared to see it die. (my italics)

Bevan believed that Welsh culture did not depend on speaking Welsh: he defended the culture of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire. He told Tribune readers that Wales was different because ‘she has a language of her own, an art and a culture’. In 1958 he welcomed the Eisteddfod, which he called ‘a monument to civilization’, to Ebbw Vale, telling the Western Mail, that though ‘We in Monmouthshire…speak English and no Welsh we are essentially a part of Wales’. Monmouthshire’s ‘characteristics are Welsh, its legends are Welsh’. Indeed, Y Cymro was full of his attendance at the Ebbw Vale Eisteddfod in 1958.

Thatcher Assembly art

2008-05-21T15:53:00.003+01:00

Much debate. What do you think?

Rhondda Calendar

2008-05-21T14:35:00.001+01:00

Local organisations wishing to apply fro support from the Rhondda Calendar should now get in touch.

Back to work

2008-05-20T17:39:00.003+01:00

Following yesterday's Panorama there has been more coverage of the action needed to help people back into work.

Last week, I explained how I was launching the Jobmatch programme funded by the Heads of the Valleys programme and DWP. ITV Wales ran a good report on it, which you can see here.

Poll result

2008-05-20T06:42:00.003+01:00

47 people voted in the poll - where were the rest of you?! A couple of hundred people view this blog daily....

Results 35 against censorship, 12 for, or 74% to 25%.

Partial censorship climbdown

2008-05-19T13:26:00.003+01:00

We have received clarification that we are allowed to reproduce our speeches in the Assembly Chamber, no matter how party political. This means of course that we can carry party political content on our websites, so the guidance is now self-contradictory:

Fair and accurate verbatim accounts of what was said by you or others in Assembly proceedings may be included, irrespective of content.

I'm gutted but....

2008-05-18T17:03:00.002+01:00

proud of the team

Bluebirds!!

2008-05-17T09:38:00.000+01:00

I'll be there....with my little pick and shovel....

Go and see Black Watch

2008-05-16T11:25:00.003+01:00

Black Watch is tremendous. You can see it tonight or tomorrow night in Ebbw Vale.

EBBW VALE: Leisure Centre (01874 611 622), National Theatre Of Scotland’s Black Watch. 1pm, 7.30pm. Tickets £18/£15.

Interim victory on websites

2008-05-16T10:48:00.005+01:00

The Assembly Commission has now decided that the guidance on websites will not become operational until 1 September 2008.

But we are warned:

In the interim, those Members who use office costs allowance to support their websites should review them.

I will be carrying on as before on this weblog while awaiting legal advice. By 1 September, we will of course have long had Counsel's opinion.

A lengthy reply has been sent to me by the Clerk to the Assembly Commission on the points I raised here. I will be responding to it in detail next week. It demonstrates how badly thought-through the advice is, and the answers given raise yet more questions.

I know of only two AMs who really support the guidance on websites - the Presiding Officer and the member of the Assembly Commission responsible for ICT, who seems to think this is a 'one-blog' protest. He can't count then either: see here and here, to start with.

Censorship exposed

2008-05-15T09:13:00.002+01:00

Good article by David Williamson in The Western Mail on the censorship issue.

Job Match Launch

2008-05-15T08:30:00.003+01:00

Later this morning I will be launching the Heads of the Valleys Job Match scheme. Some initial coverage is here from the Western Mail, and here from the BBC.

The scheme is based n a successfu pilot in Blaenau Gwent where 1,300 people were helped back to work iand 70% were still in work a year later.

It is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government jointly with the Department of Work and Pensions and with Working Links.

Censorship update

2008-05-15T06:31:00.001+01:00

With the backing of AMs from all four parties in the Assembly, including Peter Black's, I am getting Counsel's Opinion on the guidance on websites published by the Assembly Commission.

I have also sent a long list of questions to the Chief Executive of the Assembly Commission concerning the guidance as published. The guidance is designed to restrain us from carrying 'political' material on our websites/blogs. Some examples are given below. The Guidance is quoted in italics and my questions/comments in bold:

The Office Costs Allowance may be used to pay for setting up and/or maintaining a website only if its purpose is to inform or communicate with constituents about your work as a Member and/or to provide contact details.

How does the Assembly Commission define "work as a Member" and how do you distinguish that from political activity?

You may not use the Office Costs Allowance to pay for individual web pages or parts of websites, where other parts of the site are paid for from other sources.

(a) Why, and (b) What do you mean by "parts of websites"? This seems to misunderstand completely the interactive nature of the web. If I had a "political" website which consisted of three pages and then an "Assembly" website which consisted of a further two pages - both with almost identical design and website addresses and I decided to link from each page to another - but referred to them as separate websites - would that be OK?

The following material is likely to be allowable:
* information about you
In which case, would information about a political life and career be allowed?

* information about the Assembly, debates etc

In which case, is information about party political debates in the Assembly allowed or would this have to be censored to comply with the rest of the guidance? Does this mean that I can reproduce speeches I make or have made in the Asembly as a backbencher or as a Minister, including polemical and party political comment? Is it permissible to reproduce speeches only with party political comment left out?

* news e.g. press releases or articles about your work as an Assembly Member
Again, what do you mean by "work of an Assembly Member"? If I am promoting a scheme of the Welsh Assembly Government as a supporter of that government is that permissible? If I am contrasting a new scheme by the government with the absence of similar provision elsewhere in the UK is that permissible?

* services that allow you to promote your Assembly activities, but not your political activities, digitally. This might include the use of podcasts, weblogs and other related activities

Most people would consider almost all Assembly activities to be political activities. Who decides what is meant by "political"? What part of the job of a politician do you consider not to be political and therefore permissible for promotion on a blog?

You must not use your website
* for fund raising
what about charity fundraising? Assembly Members regularly fund raise for worthwhile charities and collect sponsorship online for marathons, walks etc. - are they not allowed to use their website to do this? Also, what about the Rhondda calendar, something I established as an Assembly Member, which raises money for local Rhondda charities? Is that not allowed to be promoted?

* to publish or promote any publication, unless it meets the rules above
What "rules above" ? it is unclear what they mean by this. But presumably Assembly Members wouldn't be allowed to promote, for example, a government consultation on smoking in public places or a referendum on future powers for the Assembly? Or a book by a local historian or novelist? Or a book, say, written by the Member him or herself concerning the Assembly?

* to advance perspectives or arguments with the intention of promoting the interests of any person, political party or organisation you support, or damaging the interests of any other such person, party or organisation.

This is so vague and could easily be interpreted as "you are not allowed to debate, praise or criticise anything or anyone on your website". Does that mean I would not have been able to urge people to vote for the Sustrans project in the recent lottery vote?

In order to maintain a clear distinction between your website, which is financed from public funds, and any other domain, you must make a clear distinction between your site and any site to which links are provided. You may do this by taking users through a page that confirms they are leaving your website, or by requiring them to acknowledge it through a pop-up form.

I have pointed out that this entirely misunderstands the nature of blogs which link directly to articles

Surveys should relate only to matters of importance locally or for use by the Member locally and not be based on party political campaigns.

Again, what is the agreed definition of "party political campaigns"? Am I allowed to run surveys jointly with my Member of Parliament on local issues?

Petitions should be restricted to those initiated by you and propose specific, non-party political action. For example, it is acceptable for a petition to seeking support for the retention or expansion of local services. But it is not appropriate in the wording of a petition to criticise those who may take an opposite view.

Part of the job of a politician is to scrutinise and, at times, criticise constructively. Also, why should petitions be restricted to those initiated by a member? What is wrong with an AM promoting a petition started by a member of the public (e.g. against school closures) or an organisation in our constituency?

Web technology is developing rapidly, and you may take advantage of these developments by using your website to promote your activities digitally, including the use of podcasts, weblogs etc, provided this meets the principles and rules given above. New forms of online presence are becoming available. These are likely to be acceptable to the extent that they conform to the principles set out in this guidance. In cases of doubt, contact the Members' HR & Allowances Team.

The guidance is prohibiting us from taking advantage of developing web technology.

You should not encourage party political comment or engage in party political debate on line.

Encouraging people to comment is part of the value of weblogs and I would argue is part of the responsibility of a politician.

Black Watch

2008-05-15T05:48:00.004+01:00

I am looking forward to seeing the National Theatre of Scotland's performance of Black Watch tonight in Ebbw Vale.

As I have said before, we are funding the National Theatre of Scotland's Welsh debut from the Heads of the Valleys programme as part of our campaign to change perceptions of the Heads of the Valleys. I believe tonight's performance is close to a sell-out, but there are tickets for tomorrow and Saturday.

The play is being performed at the Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre. Tickets via Theatr Brycheiniog.

That Absurd Assembly website guidance

2008-05-14T08:15:00.004+01:00

So here's how it is likely to work.

You have an Assembly researcher, funded from Assembly funds. Your researcher prepares background material for a speech, using Assembly-funded resources like the library and through Internet searches.

You deliver a political speech in the Chamber, based on the research. The speech is of course broadcast online and on TV, paid for by Assembly resources.

You email the speech to the Western Mail, the Rhondda Leader and the BBC, using the Assembly-provided email system.

Your speech gets coverage on the BBC, in the Western Mail and in the Rhondda Leader.

On your website you post links to your speech in the Assembly's Record of Proceedings, and to the online versions of the BBC, Western Mail and Rhondda Leader stories about your speech.

However, because your speech is political and polemical, you are not allowed to carry the verbatim record of your speech, or the video footage of the speech, or your own press release based on it, on your website, because your website is paid for by Assembly funds.

That is how I read the guidance. Anyone wish to argue?

Stop the censorship!

2008-05-13T21:21:00.008+01:00

My colleague Huw Lewis rightly raises an internal issue which has been pre-occupying Assembly Members today - the attempts of the Assembly Commission to censor our weblogs under new guidance circulated to us all by email.

This illiberal guidance is supported by the Assembly Commission member responsible for ICT, Peter Black, normally the self-appointed champion of liberal causes.

I have had support from colleagues in all four political parties in the Assembly for my challenge to this guidance. I am taking legal advice on its application.

Ludicrously the Assembly panjandrums are saying that we cannot say on our websites what we can say in the Assembly Chamber.

This is madness.

Heads of the Valleys

2008-05-13T18:02:00.003+01:00

I spoke at the launch of the Bevan Foundation's new report on the Heads of the Valleys yesterday - and was pleased to be able to report that we have spent more on the Heads of the Valleys programme than the £10 million per annum originally planned. In fact it has been £17 million last year and £15 million the year before.

I am also pleased that we were able to announce a further £1.3 million investment in social enterprise last week.

Roll on Saturday

2008-05-13T06:59:00.001+01:00

Mike Morris reveals the City symbol now adorns Wembley.