Questions over deputy PCC role
GRŵP Llandrillo Menai is leading the way in providing training in the latest legislation for the construction industry.
Following the passing of a new law on domestic fire safety by the Welsh Government, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has had the official seal of approval for training the tradesmen and women who will help fit water sprinkler systems in all new and converted homes across Wales.
The Domestic Fire Safety (Wales) regulations were implemented on 1st January 2016, following many years of hard work by North Wales Assembly Member, and the Welsh Assem- bly’s new Deputy Presiding Officer, Ann Jones. There are an average of 2,168 fires, 17 deaths and 503 injuries in homes in Wales every year.
The Grŵp has been working with BAFSA and Skills for Industry to develop a training programme to upskill existing plumbers and heating tradespeople. They will then be equipped with the skills to be able to install, commission and maintain water sprinklers in domestic premises.
Mike Green, Chair of BAFSA Skills & Development Committee says: “These new training opportunities in North A POLICE and crime panel has refused to confirm the appointment of a new deputy police commissioner after claims there had been “a lack of transparency” and the job, with a salary of up to £42,000, hadn’t been advertised.
Some members were also concerned that Ann Griffith, 55, said she would devote three days a week to the post and could not give an assurance that she would give up her role as an Anglesey county councillor at next year’s elections.
After a 30-minute discussion behind closed doors at a special l meetingi at Conwy, the chairwoman of North Wales Police and Crime Panel, Julie Fallon, announced that they were not confirming the appointment. “Reasons will be sent within the next seven days,” she added.
Afterwards both Ann Griffith, of Wales can only offer further support to those wishing to evidence their competency in installation, maintenance and inspection of such systems.”
At Coleg Menai’s Bangor and Llangefni campuses, there are a wide range of apprenticeships, full-time, part-time and short courses on offer, including bricklaying, carpentry & joinery, construction, electrical installation, gas safety, overhead lines, plastering, plumbing and more.
The college also offers courses in Maintenance & Repair for Light Vehicles and Heavy Vehicles. Plaid Cymru, and Commissioner Arfon Jones, who is remaining as a Plaid Cymru member of Wrexham Council but will give up next year, said they would not comment until they received the reasons. However, Mr Jones, 60, a retired police inspector, has theth right to make the appointment.a
When it was re revealed a few days a ago that he was nomin nating Cllr Griffith, th there was criticism fr from two Tory Welsh A Assembly Members – Ja Janet Finch-Saunders a and Mark Isherwood.
At the start of last week’sk’ meetingi Cllr Fallon said there was “concern about the lack of transparency we feel has occurred throughout this process”. There had been no advertising and recruitment process.
Mr Jones said his choice of deputy had been based on her skills, values and a priority to keep young people out of the criminal justice system. She had 30 years of experience working with vulnerable children and adults.
Cllr Griffith insisted she had the knowledge and integrity to do the job, and said for 10 years she had worked with the NSPCC.
Cllr Philip Evans, of Conwy, wondered how she could cope with also holding chairmanships in Anglesey for planning and licensing. She replied that she would liaise with the Anglesey council’s monitoring officer to ensure there were no conflicts of interest, devoting three days a week to the deputy commissioner’s role.
Asked about whether she will stand in next year’s council elections, she told Cllr Neville Philips of Flintshire she would need to discuss this, bearing in mind her link with the people of Anglesey and her political party.
Councillor Phillips said: “I think that’s very honest.”