Beginning of the end to freebie Welsh policies?

Could this be the end of freebie policies as popularised by the Welsh Assembly Government?

Free bus travel for all pensioners in Wales should be scrapped because of the cost, an advisory group has urged.

The independent ministerial advisory group on transport wants the assembly government to begin an urgent review, arguing it is becoming unaffordable.

Instead, the group suggests a more targeted approach for certain areas or social groups to save £25m a year.

But ministers say there are "no plans whatsoever" to scrap the scheme and they wanted to reassure the public.

Alliance vs The Welsh Assembly Government

Friends of the Earth may be happy with the recent update to Welsh Assembly Government transport policy, and business leaders angry at the recent announcement - worried about the economic impact of a decision to scrap the proposed M4 relief road. Meanwhile Ieuan Wyn Jones will enjoy the break of recess as he tries to juggle the two balls of his brief.

In another part of town, an alliance of Welsh organisations had already called on the Assembly Government to perform a U-turn on transport policy.

1. BayTrans
2. Bevan Foundation
3. British Heart Foundation Cymru
4. BMA Cymru
5. Bus Users UK Cymru
6. Campaign for National Parks
7. Confederation of Passenger Transport Cymru (CPT)
8. CTC Cymru
9. Energy Saving Trust
10. Passenger Focus
11. Physical Activity Network for Wales
12. Railfuture Wales
13. Severn Tunnel Action Group
14. Snowdonia Society
15. Sustrans Cymru
16. Traveline Cymru
17. Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA)
18. WWF Cymru
19. YHA Cymru

The long-awaited National Transport Plan is put out to consultation and an unprecedented coalition has come together to call for a shift away from road building to fund a bold package of measures to help tackle climate change.

For the first time public transport operators have joined passenger watchdogs, health groups and NGOs to press for greater priority to be given to a range of initiatives that promote green transport.

Lee Waters, Chair of Sustainable Transport Cymru:

We’re fed up of strategies promising greener transport when half the transport budget is tied up in road schemes. From past experience we know this will result in more people driving further and faster.

If we are serious about tackling climate change and creating a healthier Wales, we urgently need a bold shift in transport policy. Projects which cut car use should be given priority.

The Sustainable Transport Cymru coalition has agreed a list of measures which command widespread support to cut car use and reduce carbon emissions:

• Measures to promote integrated transport, for example, multi-modal ticketing, bus / rail interchanges, Smart Cards and secure cycle parking.


• A range of ‘Smarter Choices’ measures. For example, Travel planning, Car Clubs, Car sharing, Bus Real Time information systems, Park & Ride, showers and lockers in workplaces.


• Traffic calming and speed restraint in residential areas to encourage walking and cycling


• An extensive network of shared paths for walking and cycling (segregated from traffic)


• Congestion charging allied with extra investment in public transport


• Parking control (including low parking standards for new developments, charging, use of workplace parking levies, re-development of parking space for more productive uses);


• An extension of safe routes to schools (for example, by using traffic-calming measures near schools and by creating or improving walking and cycle routes to schools).


• Reallocation of road space towards sustainable modes of transport


• An integrated marketing strategy to target information on those who are susceptible to change the way they travel;


• Demand responsive services, including community transport, to tackle social exclusion in rural areas and other areas of transport poverty.


• A wide reaching awareness raising campaign educating the public in the techniques involved in more efficient driving, for journeys where sustainable modes of transport are not an option.

These measures to reduce car dependency should be funded by a shift away from road building.

Sustainable Transport Cymru is an alliance of Welsh organisations from the private, public and voluntary sectors. They support efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of travelling and to create an environment where people have access to essential local services without the need to use a car.

Stage Management: exit stage left (from London)

Today, the Welsh Government (that will sour some faces in certain parts of Wales) comes to Wales.

Gordon Brown and his ministers are heading to Cardiff for the first meeting of a UK government cabinet in Wales, which has been likened to stage management by opposition parties. At the very least they've demonstrated to the Welsh Assembly Government how to make a big policy announcement.

Revolving Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said:

The Wales of the 21st Century has hi-tech industry, world class centres of innovation and a diverse talented workforce that is split almost 50-50 men and women.

Today will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase what Wales has to offer to the rest of the UK and the world.

This is the first time that the cabinet has met in Wales. I am sure that my colleagues will leave Wales today eager to spread the word about what a dynamic and innovative place Wales is.

Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said:

The prime minister has barely visited Wales since he took office - and since Conservatives beat Labour in Wales at last month's European elections we're surprised he wants to come at all.

This is a shallow attempt to pretend that Wales matters to him. If Gordon Brown thinks (the) visit will persuade people to forget that Labour is to blame for the difficulties facing Wales today then he will be very disappointed.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams described the event as stage managed and said:

...it would not replace real engagement with Welsh communities and meaningful reform of our damaged democracy.

Anti-Conservative Emails

Sustainable transport charity the Campaign for Better Transport is to strengthen its volunteer induction procedures after a temporary member of staff sent out an email to supporters asking for evidence that the Conservative Party was "hostile to good public transport".

Harry Phibbs, a Conservative councillor on Hammersmith & Fulham Council, said he had complained to the Charity Commission. He wrote on the ConservativeHome blog: "Here is a charity behaving in the most blatantly partisan manner."

The CBT's trustees had been asked to read the regulator's campaigning guidance and send "a clarification with regard to meaning" to the recipients of the email.

Stephen Joseph, Executive Director of CBT, said the email had not been seen by any of the charity's staff before it was sent and did not reflect the intentions of CBT. He said its campaigning followed commission guidelines and a clarification email had already been sent. "We have strengthened our volunteer-induction procedures and are confirming this to the commission," he added.

Blow the whistle and they don't come running

The Western Mail's latest leaky story concerns CLAIMS made by an Assembly Government civil servant raise serious concerns about the running of the Department responsible for the Welsh economy, according to the Conservatives.

In a letter to the Western Mail, the whistle-blower lists a series of alleged shortcomings, claiming they illustrate how the Department for Economy and Transport is letting Wales down, and which include:

• Recent Ministerial refusal to meaningfully engage with the UK Government on stimulating bank lending to Wales’s businesses in favour of WAG lending of public money direct to business;


• hundreds of millions of pounds of European aid being diverted from the private sector into the continuation of longstanding, re-branded public sector schemes with poor track records;


• the much-trumpeted Single Investment Fund and WAG’s SME (small and medium enterprises) relationship manager support is only reaching a minuscule number of Welsh businesses;


• millions of pounds of funding intended for SMEs not being used and handed back;


• an expensive IT project to develop a customer relationship management system not delivering;


• major problems with the public transport concessionary fares scheme;


• ministers’ decision to reject connecting with the highly praised Business Link and Direct Gov websites, helping millions of individuals and businesses elsewhere in the UK, on the grounds that they are “too English” and would make the millions of pounds invested in WAG’s site look embarrassing;


• expensive staff events continuing at some of Wales’ best hotels regardless of the recession; and
• the department’s staff having the least faith in senior management, according to staff survey results.
  
  

Shadow Minister for the Economy David Melding said:

Businesses and workers across Wales are looking for leadership and support as the recession tightens its grip. They need to have confidence that after five economic summits and countless policy announcements the Assembly Government is delivering on its promises.

These claims, however, suggest the Assembly Government is failing to match words with delivery. They also highlight poor morale among staff at the heart of the Assembly Government and underline the concerns we have raised about ministers’ failure to implement a proper package to help businesses survive the recession. They also raise questions about the performance of [Plaid Cymru leader] Ieuan Wyn Jones as the Minister responsible.

The Assembly Government needs to satisfy the public it is doing all it can to help businesses and workers overcome the growing economic difficulties – not just in terms of words, but also by providing tangible evidence of delivery on the ground.


An Assembly Government spokesman would not respond on a point-by-point basis to the allegations, but said:

This is merely a list of unsubstantiated and spurious claims [that we wouldn't like to talk about] from an anonymous individual [coward] claiming to work for the Department for Economy and Transport [contradiction in terms]. If a member of the Department has any legitimate concerns [and are not bothered about advancement] then they are encouraged to raise them through the proper channels. *

* Correct course of action: Express concern to senior manager - senior manager rejects your concern and explains that you don't have sufficient experience in such matters - senior manager reports to colleagues - discussion takes place behind closed doors while alarm bells are silenced, hoping that no one else will stir up a fuss - problem solved.

Lower-grade recruitment has started and finished

Team Supports (North Wales) - Ref:1083092
Team Band £15,500 - £19,000
Division: DE&T, CISD, DCELLS, Rural Affairs & Heritage
North Wales various - Majority will be relocating to Llandudno Junction 2010
Actual starting salary : £15,500

Work Pattern:
Applications from candidates who wish to work full-time, part-time or on a job-share basis will be considered.

Purpose of post:
Individuals recruited will have a flexible approach and a willingness to contribute to the business of the Welsh Assembly Government. The postholder will provide administrative support to the team. This may include dealing with clients, liaising with partner organisations and professional advisors, and carrying out the administrative functions such as maintaining databases, managing enquiries, producing reports and raising the required Purchase Orders and processing invoices. The Welsh Assembly Government values diversity highly within the workplace and welcomes applications from individuals of all genders, ages, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, disabilities, faiths and religions so that it can be more representative of the people whom it serves. The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to the employment of disabled people and is fully committed to the ‘positive about disabled people’ two-tick scheme it employs. Applications from Welsh speakers and under-represented groups are particularly encouraged.

Key tasks:
The key tasks will depend on the post to which the successful candidate will eventually be appointed. Jobs could be available in any of our North Wales offices based in and around St Asaph Business Park, Colwyn Bay or Caernarfon initially with the post and postholder required to relocate to the new Llandudno Junction Office in 2010. Most team supports working in the Welsh Assembly Government undertake the following tasks: Undertake general administrative activities such as drafting emails; letters; filing etc; Use a variety of Microsoft Office packages such as Word, Outlook and Excel; Respond and offer solutions to customer queries quickly and effectively; Undertake projects as delegated by their line manager; Arrange meetings and undertake the role of minute taker;

Don't rush to apply as the deadline was 31 October 2008. The jobs were previously advertised here.

Define "I have led a government without any scandals"

Scandal:

Offense caused or experienced; reproach or reprobation called forth by what is regarded as wrong, criminal, heinous, or flagrant: opprobrium or disgrace.

Speaking on BBC Radio Cymru discussion programme Wythnos Gwilym Owen, Rhodri Morgan said he had not heard the comments [The 39-page document, ‘Rhodri Morgan: Leadership Without Purpose’] himself but he had "heard from some sources that there is some really unpleasant political stuff going on and you just have to accept that".

"I've chosen to ignore them [the comments] completely," he said.

When pressed to respond to the criticisms, Morgan said his administration compared well with others throughout Europe.

"If you look at our record I have led a government without any scandals," he said.

Reacting to an accusation from Mr Bourne that he had "squandered" public money, Mr Morgan said the assembly government had consistently been given a clean bill of health by auditors.

I suggest the following for starters. I'm sure that others can think of more:

• Morgan speaks out on school buses [Wales urged to pave the way on school bus safety]
• Commissioner fears old people widely abused
• Wales going backwards over affordable housing
• End ‘confusion’ plea over first-time buyer scheme

This is only a conservative [small c] estimate of headlines over the last month. Just don't get me started on Culture, Economy, Education, Environment, Equal Opportunities, Finance, Freebies, Health, Heritage, Housing, Local Government, Policy Performance, Poverty, Quango, and Transport.

Balancing the books on public finances in Wales

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans kindly took me up on my offer of considering what has been the biggest waste of public money.

If I keep this to the field of economic development in Wales, we could be here all day. However, to be really naughty over this one, you could argue that the £200k or so that WAG spent on having a full-time North Wales Director and Director of Enterprise since 2006 was a monumental waste of money as she has now been replaced by another senior colleague doing this part-time on top of another major job (Director of IBW).

The spin over the new part-time position is that 'it gives North Wales a direct voice in Cardiff" although the real reason is that that the economic development division simply do not have the money for a replacement appointment having overspent by millions on transport (BBC, there's a story for you if you bothered to do any research!)

Worryingly, this arrangement seems to be working out extremely well than the previous arrangement, which may show that we have too many civil servants in the Assembly at a senior level.

I can certainly think of one or two who certainly would not be missed as they seem to spend more time counting paperclips than worrying about the fact that unemployment has increased by its largest amount since the last recession and Wales is facing its biggest economic crisis in years.

More significantly, this behaviour by senior civil servants in DET is certainly having an effect, quite wrongly, on the reputation of the Minister within the business community. He is being seen as weak and in thrall to his civil servants which is probably unfair to an individual who brokered one of the most significant political deals ever made in Wales.

Certainly, Andrew Davies may thank his old department for providing a potential solution to balancing the books on public finances in Wales.

This leads me nicely onto another topical post:

Wales' biggest winners: Criticism of bonuses awarded to top civil servants in Wales

Update 24 July 2008 07:57 from Dylan Jones-Evans:

Miss Wagstaff. Let me elaborate further.

Every day I deal with excellent civil servants, largely at a middle manager level who work extremely hard, care about their jobs and the effect they have on Wales. I doubt if any qualified for a bonus last year.

They are a credit to the Assembly and Wales and the work they undertake. However, they are drowning in a miasma of unnecessary bureaucracy and hierarchical decision making which is largely a result of prevarication, inaction and lack of vision by senior colleagues (with a few notable exceptions).

I am hopeful, given her pronouncements to date, that the new Permanent Secretary will begin to deal with this issue, as Wales deserves a dynamic civil service that does the country credit. Certainly, if we began to see real and sustainable improvements in health, education and the economy, no-one would begrudge any bonuses to every civil servant in Wales.

Another Platform: Job transfer for civil servant

Thank heavens for the Western Mail when it comes to providing updates on previous posts and conflict of interest within the Assembly.

A Civil Servant who was responsible for monitoring the huge Arriva Trains Wales contract with the Assembly Government even though she lives with the firm’s managing director has been transferred to another job, after opposition parties demanded discussions with Deputy First Minister and Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones about any possible conflict of interest.

The Western Mail understand that Ms Teague has been moved to another job within the Assembly Government’s economy and transport department that takes her away from the Arriva Trains Wales franchise altogether. Her move, which she requested in light of the concerns that had been expressed, coincided with a reorganisation within the department.

Yesterday an Assembly Government spokesman said: “We don’t comment on personnel issues relating to individual members of staff.”

I bet you don't, Assembly Government Press Officer. I bet you don't.

Potential conflict of interest on track in Assembly Government

An assembly government civil servant in charge of monitoring a rail franchise is in a relationship with a top train boss, it has emerged.

The senior official, Alison Teague, is responsible for monitoring the £100m Arriva Trains Wales franchise for the assembly government, and is said to be living with the Managing Director of Arriva Trains Wales, Tim Bell, who was appointed last December.

Opposition assembly members are demanding a meeting with the assembly government about the issue. But the assembly government said stringent processes are in place to avoid any conflict of interest issues.

The Shadow Minister for the Economy and Transport, Welsh Conservative AM David Melding has said he wanted a discussion with Deputy First Minister and Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones about any possible conflict of interest.

The assembly government needs to explain whether it thinks this position is appropriate given the size of the Arriva Trains Wales franchise.

I am seeking an urgent meeting with the transport minister to discuss this situation... I am confident guidance is in place to prevent potential conflicts of interest or the appearance of such conflicts.

The Welsh liberal democrat's transport spokeswoman Kirsty Williams AM, said there was a clear conflict of interest, and the public would question the situation.

I find it incredible that the minister could think it acceptable that the official with responsibility for ensuring value for money for the taxpayer from the subsidies received by Arriva Trains Wales shares a home with the boss of the company.

Whatever procedures are in place, and whatever the integrity of the individuals in question, there is a clear conflict of interest, which raises questions in people's minds.

Air Force One... for one

Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones told Conservatives he had used the service 42 times since its launch a year ago.

Plaid said it was "no surprise" the only north Wales cabinet member used it more and it was a "tiny proportion" of 14,000 journeys taken on the service.

The Anglesey-Cardiff flight's subsidy from the Welsh Assembly Government is £2.4m over three years.

Mr Jones is AM for Anglesey, as well as economy and transport minister.

Mr Jones celebrated the first anniversary of the service last Friday by joining a special flight on the 18-seater aircraft. He said that the service, operated by Highland Airways, was a "huge success", beating expectations.

The airline said it had been "astonished" at the uptake.

Flying Cabinet

• Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones - 42 journeys
• Education Minister Jane Hutt - six journeys
• Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones - three
• Heritage Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas - two
• First Minister Rhodri Morgan, Finance Minister Andrew Davies, Social Justice Minister Brian Gibbons - one journey each
• Sustainability Minister Jane Davidson and Health Minister Edwina Hart - no journeys
  

Numbers of flights between Anglesey and Cardiff, up to 16 April 2008.
Source: Welsh Conservative Party

This gives some free publicity for the service, with a huge recommendation and thumbs-up from the Deputy First Minister. Within time, perhaps other transport links will be improved and receive such a ringing endorsement.

Improving transport links between north and south Wales - Air first, rail next??

Quote of the Week (21 April)

My quote of the week comes from an article by David Williamson in the Western Mail concerning Ministers’ car bill accelerating to £¼m.

ASSEMBLY Government ministers have been accused of enjoying a “limousine lifestyle” after new figures showed a four-fold increase in spending on official cars.

Figures obtained by Conservative Shadow Environment Minister Darren Millar show that in the last five years total expenditure on Assembly vehicles has risen by 352%.

In 2007-08, £240,016 was spent, up from £53,063 in 2003-04. In the last financial year £159,750 was spent on new cars. The ministerial fleet is made up of Volvo S80 2.4 diesel automatics.

The full article can be read here and if you scroll down to the bottom you can read:

The fleet consists of seven ministerial cars, plus two for use in emergencies. The basic models were purchased. They lack optional extras such as sunroofs.

One Wales is a dream and not a reality

While clearing up newspapers that have been piling up for weeks, I came across a letter in the South Wales Echo by a Mr. D Hughes, London.

He writes with regard to a recent regular visit to Wales and his surprise at the naming of the coalition government, 'One Wales'. Thought readers may like to read his take on it all.

I have been visiting family here in Wales for the past month, due to a family illness and was surprised that the AMs down the Bay are calling the coalition government the One Wales.

How can this be when we have a nation divided by lack of public transport, language and regional finances?

Rugby is only played along the M4 corridor and our three major football teams play in the English system.

Rugby unites us when we are doing well, even if we are coached by a New Zealander and an Englishman.

I found to my dismay that it is not possible to visit the National Library in a day by public transport, even though it is only 120 miles away from Cardiff!

What is the Transport Minister in the Assembly being paid to do?

I have never come across so many people who are anti-English, blaming anyone but themselves when anything goes wrong.

Thankfully the English are not so petty with their feelings towards the Welsh.

In this the 21st Century, it's time we learnt to stand by ourselves proving we can govern ourselves efficiently and not blame everyone else for our shortcomings.

Before anyone who replies gets on the language bandwagon, I can speak and write Welsh fluently, and have done so since the age of 15.

Although this is only one man's opinion, some elements do ring true with the general public and thought it worth a mention.

Assembly civil servant resigns, but what about the inquiry?

Providing an update to earlier posts (here, here, here and here) it's been announced by the BBC that the civil servant involved in an alleged groping incident at the Assembly Government has now resigned.

The civil servant who was a highways manager in Ieuan Wyn Jones' department, was found in court to have sexually harassed a female Welsh Assembly Government colleague and has now resigned before a fresh internal inquiry has been concluded.

The Civil Court action took place in January 2008 and was followed on 15 January by an announcement from Sir Jon Shortridge, Permanent Secretary of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Sir Jon said at the time he was "very concerned" the court hearing had reached a different conclusion to the assembly government's own internal investigation. He ordered a fresh review and said the independent legal review would provide evidence on which he could decide whether any "further action I should take in this case and whether our procedures need to be changed and improved because of it".

This second Assembly inquiry is continuing into the incident, and is now coming up to the three month mark. Just how long does it take for such an inquiry to be completed?

One Wales: Not worth the paper it's written on

With an early call for more cash than expected for a Daily Newspaper in Welsh, the One Wales Agreement now has more cracks than my Grandmother's china. The upcoming local election will no doubt also add to the tension between the two coalition partners.

In the latest chapter from today's news, Ned Thomas, chair of Dyddiol Cyf, said they were "firmly of the opinion" the assembly government was not fulfilling a pledge in the coalition One Wales document to back moves to expand the Welsh-language sector, and set up a daily paper in the language.

This is just a short post on the subject, but considering the many events since July 2007, we can't help but think that this 'One Wales' document isn't worth the paper it's written on.

The Blaenau Gwent Choo Choo

There will be huge disappointment for Blaenau Gwent residents this Christmas, after the Assembly announced that the long-awaited Ebbw Vale rail link has been delayed.

Just two days before a special celebration train service was due to be laid on this Friday, in readiness for the opening of the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff line to passengers on December 22, Assembly Deputy First Mininster, Ieuan Wyn Jones, issued a statement saying: "I have been informed this morning (December 12) that Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council has been unable to meet the agreed timetable for passenger services to commence before Christmas.

.

Blaenau Gwent’s Independent AM Trish Law said last night:

This bombshell announcement that the Ebbw Vale/Cardiff railway is not now to open on Friday beggars belief. We are told that Blaenau Gwent Council still has a number of ‘outstanding issues’ and I understand it will cost £2m to rectify these matters.

How is it that Blaenau Gwent have only now told the Assembly of their concerns? It was on Tuesday that WAG issued a press statement [which] went on to list what it called a community celebration to mark the completion of the £30m railway project.

How is it that such elaborate arrangements were made before the line was given a clean bill of health? Who will finance the £2m of work that needs doing?

This isn't going to encourage former Labour voters to vote Labour, which surprisingly could mean that the constituency remains Independent Central at the next general election.

Next Stop...????

Labour will breathe a sigh of relief that there's no election lurking around the corner.