tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post2344910490265568105..comments2023-05-08T10:46:34.371+01:00Comments on Y Cneifiwr: Turkeys voting for ChristmasUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-24234262558982002682014-03-03T12:38:33.427+00:002014-03-03T12:38:33.427+00:00If that's the quality of the council leader wi...If that's the quality of the council leader with that speech, then god help us!!!!! Mr Madge go back to school to study presentation skills, it was embarassing to say the least. Too many oldies who still in the dark ages, lining there own pensions with day outs in council meetings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-50352634565970186732014-03-02T14:38:17.496+00:002014-03-02T14:38:17.496+00:00stentinel, longer than you may think. when someone...stentinel, longer than you may think. when someone has a 'complaint',there is a reason. people do not have a concern for no reason at all as most people like to get on with their lives.<br />But it is a real issue when things happen to someone directly, and it actually does become personal.<br /><br />once again i have received information from an officer and felt compelled to check it out myself as i do have an interest in the sports fees situation.<br />It becomes sublime when a councillor has spoken to me and mentions he has also spoken to the same officer as i did, and as usual, the officer talks on behalf of the corporation, so when they present something, they have to do it in a good light.<br /><br />Whether the officer gave a slightly different version or not is debatable, but the councillor basically repeated what the officer told him.<br /><br />i see things as they are even if the info is slightly contradicting. In this case, it misleading. <br />the councillor believes the officer and settles for that.<br />daft as it sounds, even though the councillor knows me, if i say what i know, the councillor will be more inclined to believe the officer. Even if a councillor is a member of the public themselves.<br /><br />and yesterday's site visit confirmed my initial thoughts by seeing for myself and talking to the people involved inside the clubs. i could have gone to any club at random, but because i have personally played on this particular pitch myself some years ago, and was relying on my own memory, and when i arrived, it seemed that it's exactly the same now as it was then.<br />and was confirming that the council was not doing what they say they were.<br /><br />at the end of the day, the word fobbed off springs to mind.<br />what have they got to achieve by this? if that is their version of society.. as the words of our kev, we must look at our way of governence... or is that just empty wordsjohnsouthwalesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-59445323809019748872014-03-01T10:12:51.861+00:002014-03-01T10:12:51.861+00:00Anonymous 28/2/14 23:21 - Many of us recall the Om...Anonymous 28/2/14 23:21 - Many of us recall the Ombudsman's report following a complaint by Mrs Breckman and Mr Roberts. This you recall was about Carmarthenshire's planning department, concerning their failure to deal with their neighbours Andrew and Karen Thomas, who were running a haulage business without planning permission for nearly 10 years. <br /><br />The subsequent lack of action by Dyfed-Powys Police, should also attract criticism as there was - in my view - clear evidence of substantial harassment contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.<br /><br />I have been informed by a former council employee, there have been other occasions, not reported to the press, concerning the planning department's failure to act on issues that caused harassment and discomfort to residents in Carmarthenshire. <br /><br />The matter was referred to the Ombudsman, but an investigation was time barred, because to complainant delayed reporting her concerns. <br /><br />This failure to assist the complainant involved, not only the Planning Department, but also the public health department, who have a duty to investigate statutory nuisances, including excessive noise and burning of waste.<br /><br />The bungling incompetence of Carmarthenshire County Council's departments has gone on for years, because of the ineptitude of county councillors, who allow themselves to be fobbed off by senior officers.<br /><br /><br /><br />Stentinelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-38070865129126534292014-02-28T23:21:07.939+00:002014-02-28T23:21:07.939+00:00that's another victim of carmarthenshire to ad...that's another victim of carmarthenshire to add onto the list over the years.. breckman, jones, jenkinsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-11399564800690770282014-02-28T23:13:54.944+00:002014-02-28T23:13:54.944+00:00i've always said that there is more to carmart...i've always said that there is more to carmarthenshire than mr james. i know people have got work to do and usually left to their ability, but when things go wrong, they do go wrong. and that culture is set in the mindset.<br /><br />it's true about that recent newstory featured in the SWG - my gripe with the SWG is that they could have easily written in a piece giving the briefing of what the distance between homes and windturbine's are. carms have a 2km bufferzone but this is a guideline, and boils down to noise issue, and not law. why? because there isn't a law. another recommends 500m and that deals with flicker, which isn't far but as the nearest dwelling to the turbine is approx 350m, this is inside the zone.<br />two problems with this planning. one is the tan8 guideline, carms not adhering to the spirit, and the planning officers attitude.<br /><br />Senior planning officer Mr Noakes accepted that the application had "polarised public opinion" but insisted that "any harm {to people or properties} was not severe enough to merit refusal of the application". <br /><br />wonder what our kev reckons about this?<br /><br />if carms are going to change, how come this took place.<br /><br />http://www.southwalesguardian.co.uk/news/11004847.Blaenau_boss_welcomes_turbine_decision/johnsouthwalesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-62126818420988405432014-02-28T22:08:08.852+00:002014-02-28T22:08:08.852+00:00I thought Glynog Davies made a good speech,to me h...I thought Glynog Davies made a good speech,to me he<br />described the facts as they really are.What the heck <br />Anthony Jones was on about I don't know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-6057737758318785742014-02-28T21:04:14.943+00:002014-02-28T21:04:14.943+00:00And still no answer: whose idea was the tax dodge ...And still no answer: whose idea was the tax dodge and whose idea was it to indemnify the CEO? I do hope the answers are in the boxes the Constabulary took away.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-58942405398359157882014-02-28T20:46:25.647+00:002014-02-28T20:46:25.647+00:00No Anon@20.34 because what you wrote was untrue an...No Anon@20.34 because what you wrote was untrue and libellous. I will not be accepting any more comments on this, but you could always try writing to one of the papers.Cneifiwrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08767078276794410524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-48195341151342812312014-02-28T20:34:29.459+00:002014-02-28T20:34:29.459+00:00You haven't added my comment regarding sian ca...You haven't added my comment regarding sian caiach?? Yet all comments against Kevin Madge, Meryl and mark James are posted! Shame on you cneifiwr! Showing how biased this blog truly is!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-81792434421641822012014-02-28T19:57:31.804+00:002014-02-28T19:57:31.804+00:00It is perfectly clear from yesterday's quite e...It is perfectly clear from yesterday's quite extraordinary display of sycophancy from certain councillors being led by their noses, that they are severely lacking in the ability to think for themselves. Of course it well and truly suits Mark James to surround himself with flunkies who are easily manipulated who lack a mind of their own and are completely unaware . Very very worrying state of affairs. This whole sordid episode is as about as serious as it gets - but swept aside by Labour and the Indi buffoons as tho it's just another staff meeting in the office - unforgivable - what on earth goes on in this rotten council that we never get to hear about. Time for the Welsh Government to identify and remove from office this disreputable cabal under 'special measures' who are seriously undermining true democracy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-47649213938857560242014-02-28T18:55:22.353+00:002014-02-28T18:55:22.353+00:00what was all that about in the southwales guardian...what was all that about in the southwales guardian the other week when leader madge all the truth will come out in the meeting? kevin madge and cllr jones both labour and mining industry backgrounds means miners rule, or their brand of socialism. capitalism gone wild and paying the officers the market rates. they been throwing the money around for years so why now after they have been caught.<br />where has cllr jones been for years?<br /><br />jones didn't give a hoot when there were some serious problems going on affecting the electorate, but it would be fair to say that plaid cymru didn't give a hoot as well.<br />and maybe the blogging communuty too.<br /><br />but at least i can say that the only actors i seen on that screen yesterday were the ones in the madge arena<br /><br />BAFTAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-13262413441949996912014-02-28T18:20:44.145+00:002014-02-28T18:20:44.145+00:00And where does this leave brave Jacquie Thomas - w...And where does this leave brave Jacquie Thomas - without whom most of this scandal would have remained secret. A woman who stands to lose her home for sticking to her principles?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-25241851495037121172014-02-28T17:37:12.951+00:002014-02-28T17:37:12.951+00:00By their own admission - i.e. they said they got i...By their own admission - i.e. they said they got it wrong - some senior councillors have apparently conceded that they aided the Chief Ecec to avoid paying tax. They seem to have condoned misconduct in public office.<br /><br />We can only hope that at the next election that these bumbling sycophants get voted out.<br />Sentinelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-79024371110235972642014-02-28T17:21:46.922+00:002014-02-28T17:21:46.922+00:00Well I was told in the 1970s not to take any inter...Well I was told in the 1970s not to take any interest in politics in Wales because if a monkey had a labour rosette on it would be voted in. After watching the exhibition yesterday I now find I have to agree.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-38486804682715144162014-02-28T15:00:41.844+00:002014-02-28T15:00:41.844+00:00I don't think many voters have been fooled by ...I don't think many voters have been fooled by the contrition voiced by those who spoke for the ruling group yesterday. Weak and reluctant apologies do not compensate for the damage inflicted upon ratepayers purses by the Executive Board members underhanded conduct in approving unlawful tax dodges and libel counterclaims. The usual smug performances for camera. The rest looked gormless, said nothing and were out for a day trip, all expenses paid of course!(all extras on a film set?) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-15950770083767507682014-02-28T13:10:03.134+00:002014-02-28T13:10:03.134+00:00The officers don't want a Leader who can make ...The officers don't want a Leader who can make himself understood - they want one who does as he is told, so they have got what they want. Of course, we don't get what we want.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-51601593020276709652014-02-28T12:09:44.701+00:002014-02-28T12:09:44.701+00:00John Jenkins and myself are the only truly indepen...John Jenkins and myself are the only truly independent councillors. I set up the people first organisation in Carms to try to change the system and separate myself and like minded people from the "Independents". If all the councillors wouls sign up to Bell's Principles, which include not only the Nolan Principles, but also not to take a whip, not to enter coalitions but work together to represent your electorate's views, constantly consulting them as much as you can.<br />The Party systems are all flawed.To be fair, many Labour Party supporters and members are horrified at the behaviour of the Labour Councillors who, unlike the independents, are supposed to represent a political ideal. <br />I'm sorry to say that, due to some variant of the Stockholm syndrome, many labour and indy's really do admire Mark James and feel he's been hard done by. He's been their mate, attending their group meetings and making helpful suggestions to them for years. They do not have the perspective of the average Carmarthenshire resident. <br />My consultation prior to the meeting revealed not only that Pam Palmer is not generally known in Llanelli, but also that Meryl and Mark are extremely unpopular and I have recently heard and seen numerous expressions of utter hatred and/or contempt towards them. Not one person wanted me to support Mark James or the executive board members.<br />The cuts are biting and the list of grievances towards the council increasing, and there is real despair about how the council is run. sian caiachnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-33930172367539342622014-02-28T11:30:10.091+00:002014-02-28T11:30:10.091+00:00Why are people harping on about this being a polit...Why are people harping on about this being a political argument.An unlawful act has taken place and whatever party is culpable has to be challenged.That is democracy.Oh I forgot in Carmarthen that is dead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-49382240503380580922014-02-28T11:22:19.128+00:002014-02-28T11:22:19.128+00:00A question was asked yesterday "Who first sug...A question was asked yesterday "Who first suggested the libel indemnity payment"? <br />Did anyone else notice it was never answered?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-58564477845168834702014-02-28T10:39:58.616+00:002014-02-28T10:39:58.616+00:00The council should consider a special translator f...The council should consider a special translator for Mr Madge's speeches as he is virtually incoherent. He obviously has difficulty speaking in English so why wont he speak in Cymraeg? Anyway, much as I don't like ad hom comments, I'm afraid his utterances yesterday were a nonsense and we all have a right to expect the Leader of our Council to at least make himself clearly understood.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-67691892112419598842014-02-28T10:02:10.567+00:002014-02-28T10:02:10.567+00:00Labour and Independent councillors in Carmarthensh...Labour and Independent councillors in Carmarthenshire for backing council leaders (i.e the leader of the council, Kevin Madge and all councillor members of the ruling Executive Committee) have admitted they’d acted unlawfully in aiding their Chief Executive to avoid paying tax. A person who acts unlawfully has broken the law and is, surely, a criminal by whatever definition you choose.<br />Criminals should be prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service and be made to answer for their actions in court, and if found guilty, be punished according to the law.<br />Illegal payments need to be repaid – by those who sanctioned the payments ( i.e. councillors on the Executive Board) out of their own pockets and not out of public funds. Likewise, the Chief Executive himself must be made to repay out of his own pocket, all (now admitted) illegal monies he received.<br />Only by following this course of action, can any respectability be returned to Carmarthenshire County Council, the councillors involved and the chief executive. But will this happen? Don’t hold your breath……………going on past evidence, these people are only in it for their own glorification and financial gain…..<br />Jack Old Oaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-92171192203872393862014-02-28T09:51:53.059+00:002014-02-28T09:51:53.059+00:00I implore people to stop voting for Independents, ...I implore people to stop voting for Independents, it doesn't exist, how can it as a party? By its very nature it can't be a party and yet it is. The trouble with Independent councillors are, that they are all things to all people, they can lie to you and you and you on various issues and tailor their beliefs according to whomever they are speaking to. Vote Labour, vote Plaid, even vote Tory, at least then you know what you're getting but don't vote Independent again! Pleasssssssseeeeee.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-20346939917810441532014-02-28T09:42:01.725+00:002014-02-28T09:42:01.725+00:00I spent all morning and most of the afternoon in t...I spent all morning and most of the afternoon in the public gallery in County Hall yesterday and during that exceptionally embarrassing and depressing time, listening to the Great and the Good of the county pontificating about spending time down the mines, being in politics for over thirty years (time to retire then?), saving us all from the recession, building bungalows for old people, providing us with a brand new shopping experiences - and so on and on and on ad infinitum, I learned one or two things.<br /><br />1. It was very interesting to see that with no Chief Executive at his side, the Chairman was more in charge of the meeting and was able to allow councillors - especially Cllr Sian Caiach - to speak at length without interruption and without telling them very rudely that time was up and to sit down immediately. Is this the way forward or was it just because it was an extraordinary meeting? <br /><br />2. With some exceptions (mainly Plaid I have to admit), most of the contributors to the "debate" are appalling speakers. In fact some of them, particularly Cllr Madge, seemed to have difficulty even reading a speech. Doesn't fill one with confidence.<br /><br />3. Muriel Chippings seemed to think she was addressing a classroom full of infants and needed to do her version of a Joyce Grenfell act. I hereby nominate her for the best Outraged Innocent act ("we were only doing our best guv")in the future Carmarthenshire Oscar Awards.<br /><br />4. In order to be a councillor you need to be able to speak for at least four or five minutes saying absolutely nothing at all and making very little sense. Is there some sort of training course that they are sent on in order to learn this art form?<br /><br />So, was this a day wasted or not? Yes - it was obvious the way the wind was blowing after the first vote and we could all have packed up and gone home. But it's a salutary and horrifying experience watching this lot in action and I am extremely dismayed that they are still there making such a mess of things. There is no hope for this county.<br /> Lesleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-63047003631969172632014-02-28T09:31:56.422+00:002014-02-28T09:31:56.422+00:00There needs to be a big review on the number of Co...There needs to be a big review on the number of Councillors. There are loads of hangers-on and they don't say anything so what is the point in paying so many of them just to sit there. Cut them by half and some of them are far too old.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-2515549818151608472014-02-28T09:23:41.879+00:002014-02-28T09:23:41.879+00:00They might have won the vote but the people of Car...They might have won the vote but the people of Carmarthenshire are still very angry, and where was the information Kevin Madge said would be produced on the 27th to show they had done nothing wrong?<br />It seems to me they were all told at the 11th hour to admit mistakes were made, but the public aren't stupid. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com