Anglesey - Island of Opportunity?

Ty Mawr, Llanfairpwll - Farcical Public Inquiry expected in 2009 (31C169C/TR/EIA/ECON)

Readers will be aware that Anglesey Council, entertained a planning application at Ty Mawr Llanfairpwll that was less than well put together; heard at two Full Council Committees but mysteriously under Planning & Orders Committee rules adopted especially at those committees but no audio recordings of the vote "adopting Planning & Orders Committee rules" are apparently available.

The Councils Full Committee on 30th January 2009 voted in favour of the previously defeated proposal however under the Planning & Orders Committee rules because the application was with an officers' recommendation for approval (God knows why?) then it had returned to Committee following a months cooling off period from the original hearing of 5th December 2008.

There is evidence to suggest that the application heard before Committee on 30th January 2009 was biased, inaccurate and key facts were misrepresented and naturally this will become further apparent in the fullness of time. We are aware that The Welsh Audit Office have taken a keen interest in the Ty Mawr, Llanfairpwll saga.

Jane Davidson AM, Minister of Environment, Sustainability & Housing has notified Anglesey Council by way of a "call-in" letter dated 30th March 2009 details are reported previously here.

Notice was received via Anglesey Council on Friday 5th June 2009 of a "Public Inquiry" to hear the body of evidence for and against the proposal before a Welsh Assembly Givernment (Planning Inspectorate) Planning Inspector later in 2009.

The developer will be arguing before The Inspector in favour of the proposal. Anglesey Council (with its members having voted in favour of the proposal at Full Council Committee stage) will also be compelled to argue in favour of the proposal. We are aware (of a body of thought) that Anglesey Council may have approved the proposal "just to appear to be in favour of development and jobs" whereas it in fact all along wanted the "problem" to be dealt with by WAG.

A Public Enquiry is a very costly process and normally a developer would expect to get no change from £250k but if costs we're awarded against the developer then this might then add a further £250k leading to a £500k bill for costs.

It is normal to employ "the very best" experts to provide evidence before The Inspector including barristers. Usually the developer and The Council would cross swords but in this instance they are on the same side in trying to get the planning permission allowed. A strange situation as the few objectors will need to club together and pool resources to make their case before The Inspector.

A David and Goliath scenario; furthermore Planning Inspectors very much dislike situations where the Council and Developer are "on the same side" because it means the hearing looks inequitous and unbalanced. Anglesey rate-payers might not think this is so bad but consider for a moment the following:

1. The Public Inquiry cost to Anglesey Council might lead to permission being allowed. This means Anglesey Council have "part funded" the defence of the permission.

2. The Welsh Assembly have provided tokenism to locals after some public unrest in Bangor citing lack of investment and choice in the town centre by announcing "grants for Amlwch, Holyhead, and Bangor" (You will recall WAG already spent £150M trying to improve Holyhead's core over a 10 year period and failed dismally as there are 50 vacant shop units and the Pettifer out of town scheme dominates the retail scene)

Why should permission for Ty Mawr, Llanfairpwll "stand" given the mountain of evidence including National Planning Policy and Anglesey Council breaking six of its own key policies?

3. Anglesey Council with Crown Estate just funded a lengthy court case regarding a marina proposal on mussel beds at Gallows Point, Beaumaris. The legal costs were not disclosed in last weeks single page spread in the Holyhead & Anglesey Mail where Clive McGregor as new Council Leader took the poisoned chalice to explain what went wrong as The Mussel Fishermen won. Clearly the previous Leadership (not Original Independents) took the decision to challenge the Mussel Fishermen but what was the cost?

Anglesey ratepayers need to ask why The Council appears to be backing some developments and not others such as the proposal by StMalo at Llangefni.

The ludicrous side of the foregoing is explained next. If the Planning Inspector finds in favour of the Ty Mawr, Llanfairpwll proposal and that the decision (to approve) should stand......wait for it..........The Welsh Assembly Government can still decide to overrule the Planning Inspectors' decision!!

What a farce! Keep watching...

"Call-in" application - European Funding or mirage?

Since our last post, all appears to have been quiet, or has it?

The "called in" scheme is now being considered by the office of Jane Davidson AM in The Wlesh Assembly Government. Readers may be aware of a suggestion of (approved) WEFO finance for the B1 office element of the scheme.

According to the Daily Post 26/11/2008 p19 the developer is quoted as saying "that the scheme had passed through the first stage of project assessment (to secure WEFO funding) and that the company were is talks with WEFO officials regarding its business plan"

At Anglesey Council's Full Committee of 5th December 2008 that first considered the application it was suggested that WEFO funding was available, the committee voted 14 to 13 against the proposal. However because the Council had "apparently" dispensed with Full Committee rules and adopted the "Planning & Orders Committee Rules (but are yet to subsequently prove it)" then a months' cooling off preiod is given because also the decision went against the officers' recommendation for approval.

At the 30th January 2009 Full Council Committee to again consider the foregoing planning application (after the cooling off period), it was stated by none less than The Corporate Director that "the project had WEFO funding." Indeed this point added weight and credibility to the applicants' development proposal. Was this situation entirely correct or was it misunderstood?

Sources close to those "in the know" in Cardiff have suggested that in the case of the above, WEFO had not provided the developer with a letter confirming that European Funds were available for the project at the time the planning application was being heard by Anglesey Council. Furthermore, it is suggested now that "NO" WEFO funds might be available for such a project, especially given the current economic climate.

Also, the developers have had many companies according to records obtained via Companies House and WEFO would have to be convinced of the applicants trading record met the stringent criteria for European Funding.

Watch this space. 

Anglesey - Council implosion or something else?

Readers will be aware of Wales's Auditor General investigation of Anglesey Council commenced on Monday 30th March 2009.

There nevertheless appears to be great confusion regarding "what exactly" is going on within the Council.

The team from the Wales Auditor Generals office headed by Rod Alcott are conducting interviews of politicians and senior corporate Directors to establish the facts. The Auditor Generals' office have set up camp at Oriel Mon where public participation is invited to help Rod Alcotts team with their enquiries.

We also hear of North Wales Police being called in by a "senior member of staff" with accusations of bullying. Anglesey residents must wonder what on earth is going on, why would the Council seek to have the MD despatched along with other Senior staff?

There are allegations and counter-allegations nevertheless the word amongst those in "the know" seems to be pointing towards a key principle. When decisions are made by the politicians there seems to be a problem in getting those decisions implemented, viz; a lack of co-operation by some Corporate Directors. This has apparently led to an erosion of trust and the situation as set out above.

Fundamental principles are at stake, no less than the "impartiality" of some public servants is called into question. Council workers are, after all, "Civil Servants" who are expected to execute orders regardless of political flags, colours or their own personal political beliefs.

An inability or failure of senior management to act with probity leaves the ruling political coalition with no option but to "cleanse" the Council. If individuals have grievances or bad personal experiences or been given the "rough end of the pineapple" by the Council whether via politician or staff member then it is important you make The Wales Auditor General aware of the problems you experienced.

Business is suffering in Anglesey not only because of the recession but also because of "an image problem" and "an inability to get anything done quickly that involves Council input." Ratepayers whether working or retired are quietly suffering at the "Island of Choice."

No Council in Britain can afford to defy its electorate; the aim should be in providing "excellent public administration" and failure to deliver or be accountable should lead to "a purge" as remember, they work for us!

Anglesey - Ty Mawr "called-in" by Welsh Assembly Government Minister

We can exclusively report that Jane Davidson AM, Minister of Environment, Sustainability & Housing has notified Anglesey Council by way of a "call-in" letter dated 30th March 2009 in respect of the foregoing departure application granted planning permission on 30th January 2009.

In the call-in letter to Anglesey Council the minister states the reason for all in as:

1. That the proposed development raises planning issues of more than local importance.

2. That there are issues which may conflict with National policy in respect of development in the open countryside

3.  Sustainability issues

4. Siting of and impact ofdevelopment in the open countryside.

5. To potentially have an effect beyond the immediate locality in terms of of its impact on other centres within the locality.

The foregoing potentially spells good news for Anglesey and Caernarfonshire as whereas members of Anglesey Council were seduced by the proposal, the silent majority were opposed to the proposal, we hope common sense shall prevail and the Welsh Ministers will "switch off" the permission.

A copy of the call-in letter is below:

 

Anglesey Council - Welsh Audit Office (Jeremy Colman, Auditor General)

Anyone wishing to contact the Wales Audit Office click here

Anglesey Council - Executive Management future resolved?

Today it emerged that in advance of Anglesey Councils' Audit Office visit next week that an exit deal is thought to have been forged with the potential of an immediate departure of the MD with a compensation package. More on this soon.

Valley Market - bucks the trend, despite Council "bullying"

Anglesey Council continues to bully independent markets in Anglesey however it is revealed in yesterdays' Daily Post that to survive, Anglesey Trading Standards Portfolio Holder Bob Parry has commanded a "regime change" by slashing of market operators' fees to ensure Council run markets survive.

At Valley Market, times are tough due to Council imposed "license fees" however bucking the trend and with a poisitive business attitude, Eleanor Webber continues to attract new business. A photo taken on 25th September 2008 shows the popularity of Valley Market, integral in the Valley community.

See Valley General Retail Market & Car Boot Sale website

Readers comments are welcome

Anglesey - tension; somethings' got to give.

Readers will be aware that "all has been quiet" for some weeks following the revelation that Jeremy Colman of the Welsh Audit Office flew-in to Llangefni following a letter of complaint sent by senior management at Anglesey Council.

Indeed Steve Thomas, Chief Executive of the Welsh Local Government Association has even had input, it's pretty serious stuff.

Deep suspicion and mistrust lies at the heart of the matter, essentially putting Anglesey Council at risk of being governed from Cardiff if a route forward cannot be agreed.

Nevertheless, it appears that by Friday this week some key decisions will have been made that somehow will allow The Council to function properly and be the provider of "excellent public administration" which Anglesey desperately needs in order to focus on jobs, homes, tourism and riding-out the recession as a winner.

There are grave concerns that Anglesey is slipping into the mire, its public perception is not good, even a butt of jokes especially regarding governance and planning related issues. We cannot continue to allow The Island to be perceived in this light, resident taxpayers deserve better. Members have an almost fiduciary duty to the electorate and they are entrusted to make the best decisions for Anglesey.

Readers comments are welcome to comment.

------------------

"Anglesey Day" - promotion of island at Westminster

Yesterday in Westminster, Albert Owen hosted a celebration of Anglesey and what it has to offer.

The idea was to celebrate the islands' tourism, diversity and culture, which formed part of an exhibition supported by local businesses, Anglesey Council and RAF Valley as one of the islands' (expanding) employers with entertainment including traditional songs and dance plus a tour of the palace.

In essence, the "Anglesey Day" in Westminster is aimed to raise the islands profile.

However there are some issues that require attention that we list as follows:

1 Clearly, the message from Westminster is "business as usual" despite 10 years of procrastination regarding the future of Wylfa and a weakening Anglesey job market.

2. Holyhead centre's retail core is imploding, capture of 2million annual ferry-users "potential monetary spend" by Anglesey businesses has not materialised.

3. The mixed-use retail permission Ty Mawr, Llanfairpwll impacting all local centres hopefully will be rejected by WAG as it breaks six planning policies.

4. The Island Games planned for 2015 was quietly switched off...why?

5. The Gallows Point Marina proposal (upheld at the Court of Appeal) is being challenged at the House of Lords. Another marina would be good news for tourism. Why not a marina at Amlwch?

6. Diversification is key to Anglesey's survival but why does the LDP timescale take so long when prestige business parks and industrial units could be allocated with schemes in the pipeline?

7. Llangefni requires massive investment - will the Council push for redevelopment of its Ysgol y Bont / Ysgol y Graig site?

Any more on this list?

Anglesey's "profile", we ask you to comment upon the "positive and negative" aspects of Mon Mam Cymru.

This is an open debate, please comment.

------------------

Anglesey - allowing public speaking at Council planning committees to be reviewed?

Readers may have previously read here at YnysMon.com about Anglesey Council's stance regarding public speaking at Planning committee (The Anglesey County Council Planning & Orders Committee) however in this weeks' Holyhead & Anglesey Mail an article covers the story of 3 minute egg timer costing £1.99 being sent to Anglesey Council as a potential technical solution in allowing public speaking. 

John Arthur Jones ex-Anglesey Councillor first mooted the public speaking idea in September 2007 however the Council are yet to implement the proposal blaming procrastination on an inability to find funds to procure the technical element of allowing public speaking (now potentially resolved by use of an egg timer) and that Planning & Orders Committee Members are yet to further observe how public speaking works at neighbouring authority, Wrexham Council.

Readers views and comments are welcome.