2021
January
I continued working with the foodbank, Denbighshire Support services to provide support and share public information widely. I also supported several families who were isolating due to Covid, by going shopping and the chemist sort of thing.
Set up a facebook page, Prestatyn Area Walks, so people could make the most of being locked down within our town. Added another admin who walks the area a lot, I won’t name him here as he doesn’t do politics.
Reported a Conservative County Cllr to the police for breaching Covid regulations, and publicising it on social media, after several weeks of investigation the police decided not to prosecute, even though the Cllr in question admitted the breach!
That might seem vindictive but at the time we had the highest Covid death rate in the world, the NHS and Police were putting out messages asking people to stay at home for all our sakes, yet she was publicising a significant breach that set a very dangerous example. That didn’t go un-noticed by other Tory Cllrs and I have had some attempts at repercussions from some.
Nominated Heather Norris, Prestatyn+Meliden Foodbank Co-ordinator, as a Journal community champion. The foodbank continues to see massive increases in need, many, many families in Prestatyn need help from her so she’s still my community champion.
Argued against the construction of a large new, mental health facility at Bodelwyddan Hospital. On the grounds it was too large, an institution, and a backward step for people with mental health issues. Those plans were rejected, Betsi Cadwallader are now producing new plans which will hopefully be a better solution for patients and staff.
Objected that a Denbighshire Cabinet Member knew about sewage spills at the Foryd in Rhyl but didn’t formally inform any other Cllrs or the general public. Raised awareness of that with the wider public.
Took immediate action to address an oil spill in Prestatyn gutter, pursued that vigorously for several days to ensure Natural resource Wales actually did something to address it.
February
Ensured a review of the pollution in the gutter was held by NRW.
Challenged DCC over ridiculously wasteful spending plans while planning to raise Council Tax at the same time.
March
Continued the fight for a new High School in Prestatyn.
Along with all other Plaid Cymru County Cllrs, voted against a 3.8% council tax rise, along with other PC Cllrs spoke out against this at that meeting. Not one other Cllr said anything, they all voted in favour.
April
Began doing regular voluntary work with a local children’s charity. I was already doing that I just formalised it.
Campaigned for Plaid Cymru in the Senedd elections. We swapped a Red for a Blue but very little has changed! The comedy factor has increased but there still no sign of any representation in Cardiff.
Consulted residents about plans for a pointless stretch of cycle path at the ffrith, across the wildflower meadow. That seemed to have been instigated as a personal request from another Cllr. I argued against it as it was un-necessary, residents hadn’t been consulted and it was a waste of public money that would be better spent elsewhere.
Supported residents, encouraged DCC to take action, on an illegal encampment at Bastion Field.
May
Took part in two days of Environmentally Prestatyn’s whole town litter pick.
Contacted the Police, and Trading Standards, about a number of fake charities on Facebook taking advantage of people’s generosity during the pandemic.
Challenged DCC Tories trying to make political gain from potholes in our roads, by pointing out it was their programme of cuts that caused that situation in the first place.
June
Expressed concern at DCC’s plans to improve sea defences in Prestatyn. That discussion continues, I have even greater concerns now I’ve looked at it in more detail.
Volunteered with a local Young carers charity during carer’s week at various events. Principally a sandcastle competition on the beach.
I have been planning to run a Prestatyn Pride event for a few years now, unfortunately the pandemic has delayed that.
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Copied from my Facebook, 2nd June: I’ve been asking DCC to review the speed humps from Meliden down to the Ffrith, particularly with regard to the ‘rat runs’ that are developing on several side roads, for several months now.*
They have taken a while to respond so I took it to senior management. I have now received the below (redacted to remove individual names). I’ll continue to chase this up and will update as it develops.
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“We are currently collating data from various sources to determine the effect traffic calming has had on the area. I appreciate there may be, perceived or otherwise, knock on effects as a result of displaced traffic avoiding the traffic calming, and this is being and will continue to be monitored and assessed.
We will also be assessing the impact on safety for all road users on Ffordd Penrhwylfa, as, this scheme was developed in response to a considerable number of complaints from residents relating to speeding vehicles and road safety issues. That is not to say that this scheme should adversely impact residents from other areas, which is why, as I said, we are currently and continually collating the data and information to determine if there is any effect and what, if anything, we need to do.
My colleague is off this week, but when he’s back next week, we’ll sit down to discuss the issues and what we are seeing from the information we are gathering.”
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July
Challenged DCC over ridiculous spending plans again! We definitely need more housing but DCC plan to spend around £270’000 for one flat!
Argued, and voted against, a planned housing estate on a flood plain. Again, we definitely need more housing but not if they’re going to be underwater in a few years.
Didn’t steward Prestatyn Carnival for the first time in many years.
Asked about Westminster plans for the ‘levelling up’ fund in Denbighshire but that was largely illegible due to shambolic i.t. issues. Which strangely were resolved after I had tried to ask a few difficult questions.
Had a look around my ward’s possible flood spost after the storm on 4th July. The gutter was blocked in several spots so I got NRW out to urgently clear the culverts ey-tc.
August
Didn’t do anything dramatic in August. Assisted several individuals, took groups of children on outings and enjoyed the sunshine with my family as much as possible.
September
From a Facebook post 18th Sept
After drawing up a rough business plan, based on existing plans from 2018, for a complete re-build or substantial re-build of Prestatyn High School. I put this forward as a project for the £20 million Levelling Up fund we may get from Westminster.
After a very brief period of alleged consideration I have now been informed from James Davies M.P. via DCC that not one penny of that money will be put into PHS.
On top of my earlier battle to get PHS included in the final round of 21st century schools funding from DCC last year, which not one other Prestatyn county Cllr supported, several actually argued against it.
You have to consider who your Cllrs, M.P. and Welsh Assembly member (who now holds both elected jobs raking in around £85G a year now) actually work for, I would suggest it is most certainly not for the children and families of Prestatyn. Here are all of your County Cllrs, except me, they will soon be knocking on your doors asking for you to vote for them. Feel free to ask why they work against PHS.
PHS now faces many more years of struggling with most buildings built in 1956, buckets catching leaks from the roof literally, and one of the largest pupil populations in Wales with 1800 pupils!
Brief History of my campaign:
The 21st Century schools fund has been delivered over the last 5-10 years. It was mostly money from Europe so it’s ended now. It built two new high schools in Rhyl, a couple of major extensions in St Asaph and several new primary schools and big extensions around the county. I argued PHS should have been included and was promised it would be in the next round, which was around eighteen months ago. However it wasn’t included when it came to it. I got that decision recalled but Prestatyn Cllrs refused to support me and some even argued against it. Seriously I’m not being political, they all ignored me and some argued against it!
The final round is now going to build two new high schools in Denbigh, one in Llangollen and a handful of primary school improvements. And that’s the end of that money.
However, Westminster announced they were replacing European money, the first part being the Levelling Up fund of £20 million to various constituencies. We are one of them. The way the money will be doled out is to be the decision of the local M.P. All Cllrs across the county were asked for ideas on how the money should be spent.
Only five or six ideas were sent in, only one from Prestatyn, mine. I said all, or most, of the money should go on a re-build of PHS, I gave them some stats to demonstrate the need and a rough business plan based on a 2018 plan DCC had drawn up but which had been shelved. The other ideas were around benches and flowers in town centre as far as I know. A complete re-build came in at just over £20 million, a major re-furb at £18 million. So, could have been done with that money.
James Davies M.P. Has said PHS doesn’t meet the criteria so my suggestion will not go any further with the Levelling Up money.
That’s a very brief history of it, I’ve been fighting to get PHS brought into the 21st Century for many years. I’m the only one. I have it all in writing as well as the fact there are currently no plans in place for any future funding to improve PHS.
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Had an illegal oil spill on Gwaenysgor hill cleared up, worked with DCC Countryside services to identify the culprits.
Wrote to several ATM companies to get prices,m abd details of, cash machines we could get in the High Street, asked PTC to add it as a future agenda item. *
October
Submitted a motion to DCC, on behalf of the Plaid Cymru group, that we wrote to Botos Johnson and Priti Patel asking them to add care workers to the list of essential jobs on their new immigration bill, in order that our current care crisis might be relieved. Yet again, only Plaid Cymru Cllrs had anything to say. Several weeks later we got a standardised letter from our MP basically saying no. Although Westminster has now started relaxing rules on the quiet.
Argued successfully at DCC, along with other Plaid Cymru Cllrs, that we re-instate Meifod Wood Products asap, a work centre for adults with disabilities. DCC wwere planning to run it down.
November
Took part in a community litter pick at the Ffrith.
Placed a wreath at the cenotaph on behalf of Plaid Cymru.
Attended a public meeting about the proposed flood defenses around Rhyl Golf Course. I still have concerns, this won’t be coming to DCC lanning until next year but it is one to watch.
Had a look around the ward after Storm Arwen, there was a lot of damage. Am working to support a few residents with ongoing issues resulting from that.
Argued, at DCC cabinet this time. Along with other Plaid Cllrs to save Meifod successfully again.
Again, argued for a new secondary school in Prestatyn. Again the only Prestatyn Cllr to do so.
December
Began looking at DCC plans to charge residents for new bins. I expect this to develop in the new year.
Did some Christmas fund raising for Young carers.
Attended Denbighshire Budget Setting, it is quite dull but very important. It looks at the current and future financial position of the council, and will inform how we vote on things like council tax next year.
It was mostly lengthy spreadsheets and stats, here are some of my own I've drawn up.
90% of Plaid Cymru Cllrs attended.
45% of Independent Cllrs attended.
40% of Conservative Cllrs attended (not our Senedd member though)
27% of Labour members attended.
Made a complaint about our senedd member, his response varied in the two press reports. Contradicting himself and now saying people will be able to bid for public money and he will decide who is worthy!
Most importantly I submitted a motion that DCC access funding for a new secondary school in Prestatyn. I did a lot of advance research and worked out all the costings for a new secondary school in Prestatyn. I then sent an eleven page report to all Cllrs in the county submitted well in advance of the meeting this would be discussed at. Plaid Cymru Cllrs were all in support, only two other Cllrs bothered responding to me to discuss it (Cllr Mark Young from Denbigh and Cllr David Williams from Dyserth. Both independents.), not one Prestatyn Cllr replied to me. On the day various Cllrs talked at length in previous agenda items and the chair was insistent my motion only be given ten minutes to discuss (known as filibustering). So I had no choice but to withdraw it, to return to it next year.
Facilitated a meeting between Prestatyn Athletic and DCC to look at maintaining the Morfas football pitches. It is in hand but one to monitor closely.