One Year as a County Councillor: Jennifer Burke Davies

JenniferBurkeDavies

We’ve invited all the County Councillors in Cardiff North to write about their first year since being elected in May 2017.

The first article is by Jennifer Burke Davies, Labour Councillor for Llandaff North.

 

As I reminisce over my first 12 months as a Councillor, I’m struck by how quickly time moves but Local Government, does not.

Overwhelmingly, my experiences have been positive – I enjoy the wide variety of opportunities that have come my way from being involved in Committees to attending Full Council Meetings but by far, the most rewarding aspect of the role is speaking to local residents.  Whether this is in surgeries or when I’m out walking the dog. I’m always happy to stop and have a chat to residents about local matters, particularly if I can be of some help!

The area where I’ve found I’ve experienced the most frustration is how so slow it can be to get a response, up to 10 working days, or how it can feel like walking through treacle to make progress on a project. I’m sure all Councillors, old and new, will share my dismay at Local Government Funding – ultimately, this comes from the UK Government and is disseminated to Councils through the Welsh Assembly Government. We have been living in a period of austerity since 2010 and councils around the UK have felt the full force of this, some facing cutting their budgets to the bone in order to maintain essential frontline services.

I’m pleased to say that our Labour run Council here in Cardiff have protected library services and continued to put record investment into our Schools but that doesn’t mean that there haven’t been hard decisions, when there’s no money in the budget to work on projects that would benefit or improve the lives of Llandaff North Residents. That’s one of the reasons I’ve been working with some local residents to create a Charitable Trust Fund, it would enable the community to bid for funding that would benefit the wider area and Council Officers have said that they’re supportive of working with the community to achieve the aims of their mission statement.

Rather than concentrate on what we haven’t been able to do (yet!) I’d like to come back round to talk about the positive impact I feel I’ve been able to make! We’ve had Sustrans visit Hailey Park to look at improving the Taff Trail for all users, with feedback due in April 2018. One of my particular areas of passion is to support the park area to become safe and enjoyable for everyone who wants to use it – mainly to improve Taff Trail access. I’m beginning work on a Resident’s Association for the Lydstep Area, I hosted a Great Get Together Coffee Morning in the Llandaff Hyb and raised £250 for the Jo Cox Foundation. Cllr. Ali and I are working on bringing forward a consultation to residents to address parking issues in various parts of the ward and I’ve lobbied Cllr. Caro Wild, Cabinet Member for Transport, to bring some of the new NextBikes to Llandaff North, I’m looking forward to seeing them arrive! By the end of the summer holidays, we will also have not one but two brand new school buildings in the ward for Gabalfa Primary & Ysgol Glan Ceubal, with a massive £8 million of investment, this will mean quality education for both English and Welsh Mediums in our area.

Overall, I’ve enjoyed my first year as a Councillor but I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and achieving more in the next 4 years!

By Jennifer Burke Davies (Councillor for Llandaff North)

Photo by Ceri Davies

Cardiff’s Transport and Clean Air Consultation

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Cardiff Council have launched a consultation to share and gather ideas about the city’s transport system and air quality.

Complete the survey online here – bit.ly/cdftransport

Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, Cllr Caro Wild, said:  “We all know that Cardiff’s transport system has to change – too many of us have been stuck in traffic trying to drop off our children, or late for work because the bus didn’t turn up, and whilst a growing number want to walk or cycle, the facilities to do so are often inadequate.

“Like all major cities in the UK the effects of congestion are being felt on people’s health. Welsh Government has now directed us to carry out a Clean Air feasibility study which will identify the issues in Cardiff and make recommendations on the best way to resolve them.”

The council have produced a report, which contains ideas and proposals for improving the city. They want to hear your views and to prompt discussion.

Read the report – bit.ly/cdfgreenpaper

The report has already prompted lots of discussion and responses.

The report says there will be a series of consultation events for you to find out more. It also suggests organising your own event for local groups and communities.

Image credit – Jeremy Segrott

Julie Morgan Launches Campaign for Deputy Leader

Julie Morgan

Cardiff North constituency Assembly Member Julie Morgan has launched her campaign for Welsh Labour Deputy Leader.

Nominations opened today and Julie says on her campaign website:

“I think it is fantastic that we will have a female deputy leader and that three women have thrown their hats into the ring. I am the only woman who has had experience as a councillor, AM and MP so I think I’m uniquely placed to use that experience to bring people together in Wales. I was a councillor for 12 years, an MP for 13 years and have been an Assembly Member since 2011.

“I would see my role as working to bring together all sections of the Labour movement including trade unions and affiliates and I feel strongly that all voices should be heard and that being a member of our great party should really have meaning for all the thousands of members out there.

“I’m immensely proud that Welsh Labour will have a gender balanced leadership as equality is something I’ve campaigned for all my working life.”

 

 

Julie told Wales Politics, “I think I am in a good position to bring all parts of the party together and to work closely with the members.”

Mark Drakeford AM nominated Julie and she has the backing of 13 AMs and MPs.

You can follow Julie’s campaign on Twitter and Facebook.

The winner will be announced at the Welsh Labour conference in April.

Anna McMorrin MP in the News

Cardiff North MP Anna McMorrin
Cardiff North MP Anna McMorrin (© My Cardiff North)

Anna McMorrin MP has been in the news recently talking about her first seven months as a Member of Parliament. In the Wales Online article she says, “It can be frustrating being a backbench MP. My experience while in Government in Wales was that our things got done. But it’s the Government who legislate and we know we have got to do everything to ensure that we’re the next Government if we want to enact change”.

The Cardiff North MP was also featured in an article about Welsh MPs who will be in the spotlight in 2018. The article suggests that Anna, who apparently speaks French and Spanish, could “gain a major profile” as the UK’s future relationship with the EU is up for discussion.

If you’d like to keep up to date with Anna, she publishes a regular email newsletter. The easiest way to sign up is by joining the mailing list at annamcmorrin.co.uk.

The next surgeries are:

Friday 12th January 11am – 12:30pm at Anna’s office in Whitchurch

2 Codas House, 52-60 Merthyr Road, Cardiff CF14 1DJ

This is by appointment only so please call my office on 02920 624440 to arrange.

Friday 19th January 9:30am – 11am at Llanishen Hub

11 Station Road, Cardiff, CF14 5LS

No appointment needed so please come along with any issues or concerns.

 

Llanishen to Get a New Community Hub

Llanishen to Get a New Community Hub

Llanishen Library will close next week ahead of the library service transferring to a brand new hub in the community.

The library on Kimberley Terrace will close from 1pm on Wednesday, November 22 in preparation for the opening of the new hub just a short walk away on Station Road.

The exciting new Llanishen Hub will open on Monday, November 27at 9am with more services and better facilities.

The hub is being developed in partnership with South Wales Police and will be situated on the ground floor of the Llanishen police station building.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: “Our hubs are all about bringing more and better services to our communities and making those services more accessible and convenient for people to use them, all under one roof.

“This new hub in the community will be a real benefit for people in Llanishen and the local area.”

While the library is closed before services transfer to the hub, the nearest libraries are Rhydypennau Library and Rhiwbina Library. Recycling and food bags are available at Llanishen Leisure Centre.

Via: Cardiff News Room

Image by Sionk

Velindre Cancer Centre Consultation Ends this Week

Velindre Cancer Centre Consultation Ends this Week

The public consultation period for plans to build the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff North ends this week.

The planning application can be viewed on Cardiff Council’s website. There are over 200 documents and nearly 150 comments.

Cardiff North MP Anna McMorrin has submitted a letter supporting the application but noted her concerns on several issues. She says, “I have looked at the development’s proposals in great depth, as well as having met with constituents and environmental groups throughout this process. It is clear that a number of my constituents remain very concerned by this development, in terms of the environmental and logistical issues this development evokes.”

Julie Morgan, Constituency Assembly Member for Cardiff North, also supports the application. Her letter begins, “At the outset I should recall that in the Welsh Assembly Election May 2016, I pledged to my constituents that I would support a new state of the art Cancer Centre for Velindre but, of course, I have still considered the range of views on the above proposal very carefully. After much deliberation I have decided to support the proposal and i will explain why.”

Charley-Kai John, a reporter from Cardiff University’s “The Cardiffian” website,  interviewed Cardiff North Community Network members and residents who oppose the plans.

Community Coordinator, Pamela Coombes, worries that extensive development around Poplar House could cause disruption for its residents and exacerbate their existing health and mobility issues.

The consultation ends on 9th November.

Anna McMorrin MP Responds to the Velindre Cancer Centre Planning Application

I’ve contacted Anna McMorrin MP, Julie Morgan AM and the four Whitchurch and Tongwynlais County Councillors for their views on the Velindre Cancer Centre planning application.

Anna McMorrin has sent me these comments:

“I support the Velindre NHS Trust planning application for the development of the new Velindre Cancer Centre on land to the North of Whitchurch Hospital playing fields, Whitchurch, Cardiff.

“I have had many discussions with Velindre Hospital, local residents and organisations over the past few months to discuss the development and have considered all of the issues very carefully, weighing the very real environmental concerns with the health needs of our communities and that of South East Wales.

“Planning permission has already been granted for 86 houses to be built on the Whitchurch Meadows site. I would prefer the space to be used for a world class centre of excellence that leads the UK, and is desperately needed in South East Wales, where cancer is the second highest cause of death.

“However, I am concerned that there will be a significant environmental impact on a part of Whitchurch meadows and am keen that the developers seek to mitigate as much of this as possible in their design and delivery of the project. I am also aware that there are crucial concerns about traffic, transport and parking.

“I have spoken a number of times to the developers and with Cardiff Council to discuss all of these concerns and in particular to ask whether the site could be developed on a brownfield site elsewhere. The current Whitchurch hospital site is a Grade two listed building and therefore cannot be built on or adapted and I have been assured that there is no other NHS owned or brownfield public land available in the vicinity to accommodate the development. The other consideration is that the Cancer Centre must be close to the Heath Hospital in order for patients to receive surgery.

“Following discussions with Cardiff Council, I have been informed that their own consultation responses on public rights of way and ecology are yet to be submitted. I will be following these responses and the proposals with interest and am also meeting with the developers again in early September.

“Although the pre-planning consultation period has come to an end, I am continuing my discussions with environmental groups, Friends of Forest Farm, local residents, the developers and Cardiff Council. I have also sought a meeting to discuss the proposal with Natural Resources Wales. I am committed to ensuring that Cardiff North residents voices are heard and that the upmost is done to reduce the impact on the local community, as well as on Whitchurch meadows.”

Anna Mcmorrin MP (contact Anna at anna.mcmorrin.mp@parliament.uk)

(Received by email on 14 August 2017)

Julie Morgan AM Responds to the Velindre Cancer Centre Planning Application

I’ve contacted Anna McMorrin MP, Julie Morgan AM and the four Whitchurch and Tongwynlais County Councillors for their views on the Velindre Cancer Centre planning application.

Julie Morgan has sent me these comments:

“I do support this application. I have been involved with Velindre Hospital for many years and have taken part in many discussions about the plan for a new hospital and for delivering cancer services as close to home as possible for patients in South East Wales.

“The plan is for a new hospital to be sited on the Whitchurch Hospital Meadows. I have opposed development on the meadows for many years but planning permission was finally given for houses in 2001. There will therefore be development on the meadows in any case. I am therefore supporting a hospital rather than houses. This view is backed by the Friends of Forest Farm, who work, voluntarily, to protect and maintain Forest Farm.

“I have met the developers on a number of occasions. I believe we must do all we can to minimise the environmental impact. I have also met people opposed to the development. One of the issues raised is why can’t it go somewhere else. There is not enough room at the Whitchurch Hospital site as the hospital is a listed building and cannot be demolished. I am assured that there is no other NHS or public land available for the development and it needs to be near the Heath Hospital where cancer surgery is carried out.

“I am in support of having the best possible modern service for cancer patients in South East Wales so that we can improve the life chances for the increasing number of people who suffer from cancer. I am satisfied that there is no other suitable site available so I will be doing all I can to support the development to be as environmentally friendly as possible to take on board the views of local residents and my own views.”

Julie Morgan AM (contact Julie at juliemorgan.org.uk)

(Received by email on 28 July 2017)

Anna McMorrin’s First 3 Weeks in the Job

Houses of Parliament

After winning a 4,174 majority in the recent general election, Anna McMorrin has had a busy few weeks.

First Day in Work

Ruth Mosalski spoke to Anna and asked her about the campaign, election night and the first few days in the job.

Anna described her experience at Westminster, “You get to know everybody and meet people in the same position. It’s amazing and humbling to walk into the Palace of Westminster. Coming out of the tube and seeing Big Ben and going into work there is such a privilege.”

Tesco Job Cuts

BBC News reported on 21st June that Tesco are cutting up to 1,100 jobs in their Cardiff North call centre.

Anna sponsored an Early Day Motion on 21st June, which “urges the Government to seek ways to intervene to help prevent such a decision and support the local economy and local community at this time” and has received 16 signatures.

She raised the issue in the Commons on 22nd June and asked, “Will the Leader of the House provide an urgent debate or statement on the issue so that we can hear what help the Government can provide and, at the very least, will the Department for Work and Pensions be dispatching a full emergency taskforce to support my constituents at this difficult time?” Andrea Leadsom, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, asked Anna to write to her and promised to, “seek a response from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.”

Anna and Julie Morgan AM met with Alec Brown, head of UK stakeholder relations, and Rhodri Evans, communications manager for Wales and the West of England on 22nd June. According to a statement published on Julie Morgan’s website, they used the meeting to “press them on their reasons for the job losses and why jobs in Dundee have been prioritised over jobs in Wales.”

They add, “We strongly oppose this decision and asked them to think again and take this back to their chief executive.

“We asked what the rationale was for the job losses in Cardiff and we were told there was more space in Dundee and the company wants to have one site where customer relations staff are based. They said they would come back to us with other reasons as we could not see why Dundee is a more attractive place to base these jobs.

“We feel they are not acting responsibly as a long-standing employer in Wales when the company has employed staff in Cardiff at Maes-y-Coed Road in Cardiff North for 27 years.

“We were shocked that Tesco didn’t even contact Welsh Government to discuss any help it could offer to keep the jobs in Wales before making this decision.

“We are dismayed at the huge number of good jobs that will be lost and it will have a massive impact on staff and their families.”

Julie and Anna arranged to visit Tesco House on 23rd June to meet staff.

Anna used her maiden speech on 26th June to raise the issue again and report on the meeting with staff. She said, “I have had the opportunity to spend time with and speak to many of the workers who have been told they have lost their jobs. They are devastated; many have two or three members of the same family working there.”

Anna’s maiden speech included a tribute to the late Rhodri Morgan, some background on the constituency and Brexit. She ended by saying, “I intend to use my time to stand up against failed austerity measures and for a more prosperous, fairer and more equal society. I look forward to working with my colleagues here.”

“I intend to use my time to stand up against failed austerity measures and for a more prosperous, fairer and more equal society. I look forward to working with my colleagues here.” – Anna McMorrin MP

Communication

I emailed Anna this morning to ask her some questions about how constituents should contact her and how she communicates with us.

There are many ways to get in touch with your MP but some are more effective than others. It’s important to include your address so they know you’re a constituent.

I’ve asked Anna to clarify how she would like to receive questions and if she is going to make a statement on the Velindre Cancer Centre consultations. I’ve also asked if a website is in the works.

Image credit – Eric Hossinger

Velindre Cancer Centre Community Engagement Meeting

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There’s a community engagement meeting this evening to discuss traffic, transport and parking at the proposed Velindre Cancer Centre.

Date: Thursday, June 15th

Time: 6pm – 8pm

Venue: Whitchurch RFC, Samuels Crescent, Cardiff, CF14 2TH

Room: Conference Suite (please note that the room can hold a maximum of 60 people and we are unable to reserve seats)