VIEWS
WrexhamChronicle, January 22, 2009
Wrexham Chronicle, Unit 2, Daniel Owen Precinct, Mold CH7 1AP / chroniclenews@cheshirenews.co.uk
HUGHEStheVIEWS Spread tax rates
T
HE 44th president of the United States of America has taken office with the eyes of the world now turned to the White House. Never before has so much hope, and the fears of so many nations, rested on the shoulders of a new president. George Bush’s time
Do you agree with Kevin Hughes? We want to hear from you
as the leader of the free world proved, in so many ways, to be a disaster both at home and abroad. From the look of horror as he was told of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center to his premature victory speech on board a US aircraft carrier following the invasion of Iraq. And his woefully inadequate response to Hurricane Katrina and the disaster that was his environmental policies and his refusal to accept global warming was actually a problem. Bush left a legacy of a more divided Middle East, a collapsing world economy – which began life in the American sub-prime market
– and a world that was ever more distrustful of America and her intentions. The worry now is President Obama will struggle to drive through the changes the world wants to see. Closing Guantanamo Bay as his presidency begins would be a start, as would taking the first few faltering steps down the long road to lasting peace in Gaza and the rest of the Middle East. The simple truth is, although President Obama may never have heard of Wrexham, the decisions he makes in the months and years ahead will, whether we like it or not, have a huge bearing on the lives of people here too. We must all hope, as the euphoria of his inauguration fades, he really can deliver.
I READ with dismay the council tax precept for my community council, Minera, is to be increased by more than 5% for 2009/10, following approval by Wrexham Borough Council. I also expect a similar increase by the county council and no doubt a larger increase by North Wales Police. This at an interest rate at an all time low of 1.5%. Hundreds have already been made redundant and many more are under threat of redundancy in Wrexham, pensioners who have saved and miss council tax relief and relied on interest from savings will now get almost nothing in return for being thrifty. Every one is feeling the pinch except, it would seem, the stat-
utory authorities. I am aware Wrexham County Borough Council is led by excellent decision makers, both voluntary councillors and officers, who have the difficult task of fixing the tax, hopefully with as little increase as possible, but the more than 5% precept already fixed for the community council sends out warning signals. I have written to my county councillor for Minera, Dave Kelly, suggesting to assist ratepayers during these very difficult times, instead of 10 rate payments a year, could Wrexham council assist by allowing the rates to be paid in 12 payments, thereby allowing some relief to what is a major burden paying over 10 months, thus allowing money to be spent on essentials?
Tourism’s important role OUR REPUTATION IS YOUR GUARANTEE NS KITCHE N W O CR F 30% OF 5mm Study
of 2 00 Worth ver Plus £10 E with Orders o E R F g in Shelv £2500
JANUARY SALE NOW ON
BENEFIT: Are we maximising the natural assets, such as Llangollen, the region has to offer? tmc270808lang
Home B Kitchens rand u 45% Dis p to count
KITCHENS
See in store for other fabulous offers
NEW SHOWROOM NOW OPEN!
Supply only made-tomeasure doors also available
Before you buy from one of the ‘BIG’ retailers, try Images own factory brands. Friendly, professional help, FREE Plan and Design and a great range of products.
S F OF OOR % 20 G D IN ID L S
S MS NGE O RO RA D BE TED C D TE SELE T FI FF O % 0 5
Unit 3 Riverside Trade Park, River Lane, Saltney, Chester CH4 8RL Tel: 01244 677 579 Opening Times Monday to Friday Saturday Sunday
I
SLIDING DOORS
BEDROOMS
SPENDING the festive break getting up to speed on my new portfolio and contact with companies has made me appreciate what an important role tourism can play in helping us beat the economic downturn. I also began to realise we are not maximising the natural assets available to us. We should be
F S OF ICE F % 35 OF ME O H
HOME OFFICES
68-70 Wallasey Road, Liscard, Wallasey, Wirral CH44 2AE Tel: 0151 630 5044
Opening Times 9.30am - 5.30pm Monday / Tues / Thurs / Fri 9.30am - 5.00pm Saturday 11am - 4.00pm Sunday / Wednesday
9.00am - 5.00pm 9.00am - 5.00pm Closed
e-mail: images.bedrooms@btconnect.com
smarter and stronger at marketing Wales to take advantage of the currency benefits for incoming visitors while also providing a much-needed boost to our local economy. ELEANOR BURNHAM AM Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Communities, Culture and Equalities
T MAY be a truism, but for politicians, co-ordinated action is vital. Such actions work on many levels and two recent responses to the current global financial crisis can be used to illustrate this. One is in Wrexham, the other is being taken as I write by the UK Government. This week, I went to visit JCB, where a number of job losses have been announced in recent weeks. I visited the factory to meet senior management, who explained to me the problems the company faces and some of the ways I could help. Later that day, I met – along with Lesley Griffiths AM – union representatives. This meeting was as important as the meeting with management – and a co-ordinated approach which involves both senior management and the
The borough council, with its reserves, would still get its money from ratepayers, but assist those in need, who miss getting any relief due to savings especially pensioners. I await my councillor’s response from Wrexham council officials which I hope is not negative due to administration or procedure, but positive showing understanding and compassion to cash-strapped ratepayers. I have canvassed my county councillor and would suggest those who would like to pay council tax 12 times a year in place of 10 also talk to their own councillor. BOB HARGREVES Old Roman Rd, Bwlchgwyn, Wrexham
Politically correcting A LETTER published in the Wrexham Chronicle (January 15) wrongly claimed named North Wales Assembly Members were “non-elected politicians purporting to represent people”. Elections to the Assembly are based on the “Additional Member System” (AMS), which elects both constituency and regional members. Mark Isherwood AM “First past the post” elections at UK level still ensure sufficient opposition members’ to do the essential work of democratically scrutinising Government and holding it to account. In Wales, by contrast, “first past the post” would create the real risk of monopoly by a minority party (Labour). Electors at Assembly elections are given two ballot papers – constituency and regional. Party names, party logos and candidates names are included on both. MARK ISHERWOOD AM Shadow Minister for Social Justice, Equality and Housing
VIEW FROM
WESTMINSTER
Ian Lucas Wrexham Labour MP workers on the shop floor is, I believe, vital. One of the areas which we examined was an Assembly scheme which helps provide funds for training. As this is an Assembly scheme, Lesley and I will be working together to see how it could apply in JCB’s case. There is much to do, but a co-ordinated approach involving management and unions working with the MP and the AM, is, I believe, the best way to handle the matter. Similarly, on the national stage, the Government announced further measures to ensure further confidence in the banking system.
The Prime Minister has criticised the irresponsible nature of some banks – and I believe many will agree with him. However, the new measures are, I believe, very important. I know businesses are still being affected by the crisis in confidence among our banks, and making sure lending can resume to these businesses to enable them to keep growing – and to keep employing staff – is vital. Working in co-ordination with other measures announced by the Government, it is designed to help bolster our economy against global turbulence.
The Wrexham Chronicle conforms to the newspaper industry’s voluntary Code of Practice, administered by the Press Complaints Commission. If you feel we have made an error in a report, or have fallen below our usual high standards, please write in the first instance to Eric Langton, editor-in-chief, Trinity Mirror Cheshire, Chronicle House, Commonhall Street, Chester CH1 2AA. Tel: 01244 606401. Email: eric.langton@cheshirenews.co.uk. The PCC code of practice, along with details of how to complain, is available from Halton House, 20/23 High Holborn, London EC1N 2JD. Website: www.pcc.org.uk. Email: complaints@pcc.org.uk. Telephone: 020 7831 0022. Helpline: 0845 600 2757.