FAIR CONSULTATION ON THESE GROUNDS?

I am sure that the residents of Anglesey are most grateful in being given the opportunity to be involved in the consultations on setting the Budget for 2015/16. I was also intending to be involved so sent the following email with four pertinent questions relating to the subject to the council leader:

A full and detailed list of all non statutory services supplied / provided by the Isle of Anglesey County Council at present.

A full and accurate list of the number of users/beneficiaries of each of these services.

A full breakdown of the actual cost of provision of each of these services.

A figure for each of these costs against the council’s annual spend.

And was grateful to receive a response as follows:

“Dear Glyn, thanks for your email. Unfortunately the information you are requesting is not currently available in the format you request. It would take considerable effort to gather it in a short time.

“This year we are consulting on the proposals that are in the attached document.

“I’ve been requesting that we review budgets from a zero base since I’ve been a councillor.

“The type of information you are requesting would help us to review our budget in this manner. Early in the new financial year the finance department will begin analysing budgets by activity, we will also indicate whether the activity is statutory or not and try to identify the number of users for the particular activity.

“I’m sorry that the information isn’t available at the moment but I’m pleased to say that we will use a methodology similar to what you are suggesting to look closely at the budget for 16/17 and 17/18.”

Surely after Employing an Interim Head of Finance for a lengthy period for a sum of £15k per Month that the Information I requested should be available immediately.

How can any business be operated without the knowledge of Annual Running Costs etc?

Is this what they call consultation? Glyn Jones,

Aberffraw

IT is always a pleasure to welcome constituents to Parliament. Over the last couple of weeks I have hosted many including Brynsiencyn Youth Club. Following a tour I held a Q&A session and was impressed with their views on such issues as leisure and sport, jobs and transport. I will remain focused on these matters which are so important to future generations.

I welcome the Justice Committee report into Manorial Rights. It called for an end to unilateral notices which caused so much anguish to Anglesey residents, for the streamlining of tribunals and for a review by the Law Commission into the impact of Manorial Rights.

These are the issues I raised on behalf of Anglesey residents when I led the campaign in Parliament and called for the inquiry. I am glad they have been supported by the Committee. However, I want to see the balance permanently moved in favour of ordinary residents. I will work with the Law Commission, this and a future Government on these matters.

My campaign on mobile phone coverage continues. This week, I met with the operator Three here on Anglesey where we were joined by the Tourism Association. Three have plans to improve coverage this year which I welcome. However, I will continue to put pressure on the operators on behalf of residents who deserve a better mobile service.

Dairy farmers are suffering due to the fall in milk prices. Unfortunately, the UK Government watered down the powers of the Groceries Marker Adjudicator. My Private Members Bill would have created an ombudsman with real teeth. The Government needs to do more to give the independent adjudicator the power of inquiry so that it can face up to big organisations who do not treat farmers fairly.

Finally, I organised the first meeting of an Island Games Bid. The next meeting will be open to the public and will establish a fully inclusive team to involve the public, private and other sectors and formulate a quality bid plan to host the Games and provide a legacy for sport, leisure, tourism and health on Anglesey.