This week sees the return of Anglesey County Council's 'Hawl i Holi' sessions, which allow residents to directly question the Leader and members of the Executive Committee regarding any council issue. The schedule is as below and all meetings run from 7-9pm:
18 January Council Chamber, Llangefni
24 January Ysgol Gynradd Llanfairpwll
25 January Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones, Amlwch
26 January Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern
27 January Llanddeusant, Village Hall
1 February Hoyhead High School
2 February Beaumaris Leisure Centre
These meetings are not perfect. In my opinion they have been too restrictively MC'd in the past and are often poorly attended -- but so are other public meetings on the Island, including for example those I recently attended held by the North Wales Police.
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| The Council Chamber in Llangefni. See you there? |
The last two posts on this blog regarding the turmoil at the top of the council have (at the time of writing) attracted over 300 comments. It is obvious that residents are concerned about the current trajectory of the council and therefore I hope that commenters will avail themselves of the opportunity to put their questions and comments directly to the Leader and the members of the Executive. I know I will.
96 comments:
We can ask, yes, but will they listen, Paul? Will they listen? I think many of us already know the answer to that one.
How many of you vocally-anonymous opinionated types will turn up, and face ther Exec. and CMcG, with your intelligent and reasoned arguments, or do you prefer to snipe skulkily on this Blog......lets see ?
The panel will NEVER admit to any wrongdoing although they will move heaven and earth to cover wrong doing. The best way forward would be to IGNORE these HAWL I HOLI meetings and to write our own questions here.
My first question.
Can the Panel inform us who approved the Planning Permission(s) for the house that was built by the Director of Legal Services, and why was the house built without permission, when any other Anglesey Resident would be prosecuted if they had done this?
And to the clown who says we have no balls to attend and speak personally, the questions are vetted before the meeting,to eliminate the monkeys making themselves look stupid and the pen is mightier than the sword.
Coun. Barrie Durkin is to speak and challenge his accusers at the Hawl i Holi tomorrow.
Barry Durkin the main man, were right behind you.
18:44 what nonsense. the questions aren't vetted at all. anyone can ask any question they like.
Councillor Durkin, the people of Anglesey are behind you, we will move heaven and earth to get at the truth, the lies, the cover ups, we have been betrayed for years, we want honest and integrity, no more monkeys running the zoo!!
18.44 You have just proven my point, old chap !
18:46 Ballocks, they can't stand being caught on the hop, we want the truth.
The brainless idiots are out tonight....but they will be nowhere to be seen tomorrow night !
No balls ?
Barrie Durkin's the man with the Balls, he's standing up for the people who have been gagged for years.
19.00 Super.....lets hear him challenge the Exec on behalf of the People tomorrow evening then.....can't wait !
Any more repetitive spam-like comments will be deleted.
19.04....BD and his army of followers on the march ?....can't wait...better switch the venue to the Town Hall !
Just to be sure, you have the right to ask, politely, any questions you like.....but also to tell them what exactly you think of them, but politely, of course.
After all, we are Gentlemen, we hope ?
"...have attracted over 300 comments"
Yeah, probably written by the same five people though!
The same three, Paul, photon and BD
"The same three". And you!
Evidently very little by way of intelligence coming over this evening....lets hope tomorrow evening will be an improvement....over to you Counc. Durkin, and your alleged army of followers.....we are avidly waiting to hear you speak ?
Corrie on...
BD, and elocution = do not mix !
What a sad character we have here Druid. As if Cllr Durkin is going to take any notice of such crap.
Must do better.
HERE WE GO AGAIN
DURKIN DURKIN DURKIN DURKIN
It does get boring Druid, why are you so in love with that name
22:40 - Nothing to do with me.
And as the public servants of Anglesey lose their jobs, the people lose their services and the island bleeds what few jobs it had, the sad, pathetic commentators on here have a pointless little argument between themselves.
That, my friends, is how we end-up continually led by donkeys.
Photon 7.59 You will be at Hawl i Holi this evening to speak your mind, then ?
I always thought that if this Island was to be led properly and guided out of this mess, it would take a miracle, and as most of the people of Anglesey are not on speaking terms with most of the Councillors and this Council, then we will have to wait for a very, very long time.
THE ONLY SOLUTION !
A merger or subsumation with Gwynedd, whereby Anglesey becomes a district of gwynedd, like Dwyfor and Arfon, with a maximum 15-20 councillors. NEW ONES PLEASE !
Let David Bowles search his own heart and conscience before he accuses the people of this Island of being troublemakers. All we are doing is trying to survive, all we are doing is trying to save democracy and our experience has been that democracy has died a thousand deaths on this Island. If we moan we are troublemakers, if we complain we are troublemakers, if we fight back we are freedom fighters.
9.12 Fight back ?........what and how exactly ?
We fight back through the ballot box, we vote for the right people, not the fools who have let us down.
The Political Parties of Anglesey hide the real feelings and opinions of the people of Anglesey.
I agree, its obvious, but what do you say to the suggestion that the majority vote for the WRONG people ?
The wrong people are returned time and time again.....a vicious circle !
That's the cancer we have to live with.
We have to use this blog site, Paul Williams created it as a platform for democracy, a voice for the people, who for years were gagged. The Politcial Parties on Anglesey have desrtoyed the economy of this Island, and has left us with a future that is barren and bleak.
In the past we had a strong belief in our own identity, but that has been stripped away, and left us naked. The major employers on this Island have all left, and has left us isolated and ignored by Westminster and we are being fed the left overs from our own Assembly, not one of the Political Parties has held their hands up and admitted defeat, yet our suffering continues. We could do much better, by tearing down and ripping up the buraucratic rules that apply to inward investment, by taking over these large empty factories and giving them to new employers and asking them to take them and fill them with local workers.
The decisions we make today will affect the future of our tomorrow.
When we are drowning any passing plank will do, and we are drowning, our whole lives are being threatened, our childrens future is in our hands, yet all we hear is indifference, no wonder we face extinction.
Paul Williams created the Druid, if the Romans cam today we would slaughter them, yet we do nothing to stop the slaughter by political incompetence.
Photonic today.
This Council and David Bowles are now in very serious disrepute.
anyone remember not so long ago when HTV(David Williams) confronted those at the top of ACC? There was public meetings and boy did they turn up in their droves. Outcome of said meetings? Nothing, zilch, zero action. I attended the meeting in Gaerwen and was among maybe 600 people. I looked around and thought to myself, poor souls. They really do think things will change. Of course things only got worse and the culprits at that time only learned to hide their actions more carefully. Fair play to anyone who turns up but don't expect anything more than political waffle to satisfy the individual questioners. Lets face it these modern day pirates who've found some political words to use as knives and pistols, will rob us until we die. Rob us of our dignity, our money, our heritage, our sense of being and of our chance to restore this Islands reputation. Not that I ever remember it as having a good reputation.
Test.
Pt 2
It would be interesting to find out what weighting is given to the public's opinion on the matter of closures and what criteria are being used to determine a decision not to close them. After all a consultation that would result in closures regardless of what the public say could hardly be called a consultation.
It's important to get this sort of information (decision criteria) sorted out before the consultation begins, otherwise those objecting to library closures may well request a judicial review to ensure that the consultation was genuine.
Part 1.
'Anglesey campaigners celebrate as four libraries saved' (BBC Wales)
Well not quite, as the article goes on to say that, a recommendation not to close, Rhosneigr, Moelfre, Cemaes and Newborough libraries will be put to 'public consultation', but if rejected then the libraries' future would be re-visited.
Maybe some questions will be asked at the 'Hawl i Holi' sessions; hopefully some questions about what such a 'public consultation' consists of; and how members of the public can be involved in this consultation.
Confused?
I am.
Having spent two days trying to post a comment about the libraries and the Howl i Holi sessions I've finally managed to get my post to stay on the thread for more than a couple of seconds.
It's looking like the problem was my inclusion of a www. reference to the BBC article, as after I finally removed it my comment posted. I've not had this problem before - has anyone else?
By The Way: I can't make it to any of the sessions, so I won't be asking the question I raised in my earlier post.
Could anyone who reads this blog (or Photons) please ask it on everyone's behalf.
If it can't be answered, (the question of what criteria are being used to decide what weighting is given to the 'public consultation'), then there probably isn't a 'consultation' going on, just an undemocratic & autocratic decision spun out with a smokescreen acting as a legal excuse.
PS.
On reflection my last posts tell me that my level of trust in the council/bureaucrats in these matters has sunk to a new low.
This is a shame, as I must admit to feeling a spark of pride when reading of IoACC's Waste and Recycling departments topping of the recycling league.
I have to say that I would much prefer the feelings associated with the latter (pride) than the former (distrust).
It does give a glimpse though of what could be!
The sad truth about local democracy is that people with genuine drive and ability are mostly gainfully employed and busy. This leaves the floor open to the deadlegs and educationally challenged which constitutes a high percentage of local councillors. Ynys Mon is not alone in this respect but has succeeded in turning it into an art form by repeatedly re-electing the time servers with the loudest voices. Unless people of ability stand up and be counted you're stuck with what you've got I'm afraid!!
What we want is the right to be treated with respect and not treated like rubbish. We can never trust an Authority that is so vilified and ridiculed.
May God inspire the people and keep them to make good plans in this meeting tonight, it's a horrible place at present, over-run by greedy power hungry fools that feed on the suffering of the people.
Immediately the dead weight of this Authority is lifted from the heads of the people we will begin to function normally. At the moment we are existing, we are not living, we are smothered and are struggling, just to survive, when will we see the light?
There can be no peace with this Council because there can be no peace with this Council.
YHes it is something to do with you Druid. You delete so much non contraversial comment about the individual but leave all his self praise which is posted under his own name or under all the rediculous pseudonyms he uses such as 'Crewe' or 'Shepherds Hill' etc etc etc.
There are so many good councillors working for this island who never get the praise they deserve. There are allegedly several not so good councillors. If Mr BD knows so much, why does ho not list the bad ones and put his name to the posting? Is it cowardice or is it the fear of litigation?
We have heard so much rot about evidence, about tapes and we have seen numerous 'here I am paradings on WTW TV' , let's have reality and have presentated the real detail. Perhaps he ought to get 'Back In Touch' and start issuing more of his wordy flyers.
Anon 17:26 - My guidelines for deleting comments are set out below:
-comments which contain unfounded allegations against named persons (however obliquely they are referred to);
- comments which threaten violence or are unduly offensive;
- multiple, identical 'spam' posts on one or various threads.
If these rules are not broken then I will not delete the comments. Some of the comments you refer to have actually been deleted as I warned they would be treated as 'repetitive spam' above. Also, all comments referring to 'Shepherds hill' are routinely deleted.
Avidly looking forward to hearing the main man BD challenging the Exec. tonight !
17:26 Stop bringing this Blog Site down to your level, your frighting the Gools away.
"There are so many good councillors working for this island who never get the praise they deserve."
Feel free to do something about that then (subject to the Druid's agreement, as this may not be quite the right place). Prometheus 15:06 might approve too, and the councillors involved hopefully would not mind either.
If this isn't the right place, which might understandably be the case, perhaps someone else could volunteer, perhaps someone who has no published Party affiliation and is already accustomed to pre-moderating all their bog entries, if you see what I mean ;)
Or you could even start your own.
Credit where credit's due, and all that. And fair reporting even when what's due isn't credit.
well, how did it go? Any Tunisianists there? What about the pylon issue? Any thing to report druid
Let me say first that I may not agree with everything Paul believes in, but then again I suspect he may also disagree with some of my views - sometimes I am not sure what my views are, they change.
But above all Paul and I have a common purpose, and that is the betterment of the people of Anglesey.
Maybe others can ask themselves that same question; does my comment on this blog hinder or better the lives of those on the island?
HAWL I HOLI
Last night's session in the Council Chamber was well attended.
A very open and constructive debate and all points of view respected and listened to.
Some commenters raised the Council's bad reputation, a legitimate topic, and CMcG responded that it was indeed unfortunate and it pained him greatly.
It was he said down to some Members with big egos and self-promotional ideas who did not want progress and recovery.
It was clear to me at least that Clive was on top of his game and a very persuasive, honest and transparent speaker last night.
I really can't identify any better Leader for this Council, its a great shame he has been forced to quit !
Tom Jones the Finance portfolio holder broke the news (?) of the £10M budget shortfall over the next 3 years and his plans to cut £7M from expenditure, which will means cuts in services. A tough job. They are looking for savings and perhaps to renegotiate contracts.
These Hawl i Holi sessions are portrayed as a Consultation on the budget, with invitation to all to make representations, by 11 February. Some felt this was too short a timeframe.
BD was nowhere to be seen, thankfully.
DB was lurking at the back of the Chamber.
All in all a worthwhile event, in my opinion.
Barry Disaster Durkin and his alleged army of agitator followers nowhere to be seen last night...thanks be to God.
Interesting to see that the foregoing generally agrees with my perception (and reporting!) of the event.
10.04 I sat next to you.
I think there should be a public outcry, and debate, about whether Clive McGregor's undeserved and bullied ousting by dark minority forces (led by a pipe puffer)should be tolerated by the People.
He stands head and shoulders above any other candidate for the post of Leader.
Other supposed and lesser candidates would be mere proxies for you know who.
Its a disgrace
Clive McGregor is going because he got found out telling lies. Lots of them.
He stands head and shoulders above any other candidate for the post of Leader.
Meaningless. The crust is head and shoulders above the fluid in a sewer but it does not mean it is better.
Druid.
Apart from the Leader and his Executive. Where there another Councillors there? if so, did any of them ask questions?
It sounds like Mr McGregor did a fine job last night and made a good impression.
Maybe it's just as well that he will stay in position till May.
Will there be a public consultation on who should be next leader of the council?
On the strength of this meeting and with similar performances in forthcoming Hawl i Holi meetings Mr Mcgregor could well find himself as leader of the council till the 2012 local elections.
11.17 Disrespectful, and hurtful, to an honest man, and his family, doing a good job in a difficult situation.
11.18 Yes, only 3, did not open their mouths.
11.29 Amen to that...But No, the public will have no say in the election of Leader, regrettably !
Clive McGregor is the best man in that position.....make the effort People, and go and attend the next Hawl i Holi and see for yourselves.......?
Why wouldn't one man show, Clive McGregor, come over well. With the meeting peppered with his supporters, firing pre-arranged loaded questions. What else did you think would happen. That's why the members of the Executive had little to say. Not included.
16.36....spoken like an agitated Councillor ?
16:47.... Spoken like another deluded McGregor supporter?
It doesn't matter how much sucking up to the public that this Council does, at the end of the day they will never ever move forward as long as they ( The Council) think, that they have got away with their past behaviour. Some will never ever forget, and some will never ever surrender.
Anon 11:18 - yes, I think all of the Executive cttee were there. The only ones to speak were Clive himself, Tom Jones, Cliff Everett, Robert Hughes and Hefin Thomas.
Not only but also - thank you and likewise!
I expect the Druid will realise that in these dark days, the people will never let go of the serious issues on this Island, work, housing and justice, nothing else matters, get a grip Druid, your getting brain washed by the idea of watching and listening to the people who created this MESS!!!
DITTO
Promo...
If you think, and you might be right, on one well rehearsed meeting with so many of his supporters planted in the audience, you can now only find praise for Clive McGregor, Perhaps you now feel confident enough to see what, if anything, he has done over the Grants fiasco?
In the Know:
I didn't go to the meeting I just commented on the general flavour of the reports, made on the blogs, from the meeting.
Reviewing my post; One observation, one comment, one question and a weak prediction.
As far as grants goes; I wish as least as strongly as anyone involved in that fiasco, that Mr McGregor would sort it out and root out what, why and how it has all gone so very wrong.
However given his opposition to Mr Durkin, which I believe may involve more than one of the grants cases, I won't be holding my breath in expectation of a transparent investigation.
However, I'm sure it will all come out in the wash eventually.
Sorry Promo..... Partly misinterpreted your comment.
I think by saying, "I won't be holding my breath in expectation of a transparent investigation" epitomises the problems this council has.
If Clive McGregor was anything of a strong leader, he would ensure that any and all investigations were carried out properly, as it is, he is showing that not to be the case and is obsessively opposed to people like Cllr Durkin for doing so. Why.
"any and all investigations were carried out properly."
Quite so. These folks in Llangefni and their pals elsewhere are the kind of people whose Westminster colleagues are fond of saying things like "if you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to fear". But when the boot is on the other foot, the story changes dramatically. Perhaps it's not so true to say "we're all in this together".
In The Know:
'Why'
"aye,there's the rub" (Hamlet)
It wasn't always thus.
(See Druid's Archive)
Counc. Durkin should keep his quarrel(s)with CMcG and DB private and discrete.....and not to sour any public Hawl i Holi session with it.
As Clive McGregor and David Bowles have constantly abused and sullied the Good Name of Cllr Durkin publicly with out any evidence, why should Cllr Durkin not face his accusers publicly.
It seems to me that the Hawl i Holi sessions are the perfect place to do it. All of them.
10.43 Because they are not platforms for BD to agitate and air his grievances publicly, they are for the PUBLIC to ask questions of the Exec.
Good point for the Holyhead meeting on the 1st Feb - homelesssness and the other taboo subject of large-scale building of social housing for rent to do something about the waiting lists.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/northwestwales/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9367000/9367334.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/northwestwales/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9367000/9367334.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/northwestwales/hi/people
_and_places/newsid_9367000/9367334.stm
As a bit of a newcomer to blog sites and not being a Welsh speaker, but learning, firstly what does Hawl i Holi mean?
Secondly, reading down this page item by item, it would appear that Councillor Barrie Durkin is either an investigator or a Guardian Angel. What I do not understand, it seems that despite all the expectations and hopes in the appearance of Councillor Durkin and his massed supporters, nobody showed up at all. Where there riot police outside preventing their entry or is there some other more sinister answer? Perhaps they were kept at bay by a clutch of wailing Druids! (Not accusing you of anything here Druid Paul)
22:25.
"As a bit of a newcomer"
New comer or not, surly you must know. The pen is mightier than the sword.
23.31........you are surely not suggesting that BD and his imagined supporters can actually handle a pen, ?
08:48
Another arrogant B.....D we see.
The seekers of truth and justice support Barrie Durkin, the rest just keep it in the family, well they all do.
18.51 Wake up our pityful uneducated chum, BD is TOAST, he's been used-abused by others, much more savvy in the murky ways of Anglesey politics than himself, he does not know it, but its a FACT....lets move on .
Let's move on.. and leave the victims behind, is that a defence the nazi's tried to use in the nuremberg trials, " What about the jews who were gasses!"
" Let's move on!"
Never, move on, while the blood of the victims are on the streets of Llangefni.
Barriw Durkin the terminator, " He'll be back"
See my point, its proven by these hysterical utterances by or on behalf of BD....uneducated chumps !
19:55.
"See my point".
Ignorance is bliss.
Tell us. How does it feel?
20th 10.43 Am I not correct in believing Mr Barrie Durkin sullied his own name by being brought before the (Anglesey) standards committee long before the arrival of Clive McGregor and David Bowles.
The man is a babbling bufoon and should be herded away!
23.51 Buffoon....or baboon, either way, belongs in a zoo.
22:51 & 09:43
I if you must continue to abuse, at least put your name to it. if you've got the bottle?
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