Latest news with #Wales-wide
South Wales Argus
16 hours ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Welsh ambulance bosses won't commit to clarity
During his time in charge, ambulance waiting times have increased fourfold across Wales. Mr Killens said the situation had to be addressed. Mr Killens has been Wales ambulance boss for more than six years, a period which coincides with a fourfold increase in Welsh ambulance waiting times. The Argus contacted the service to ask whether Gwent and the Aneurin Bevan Health Board Area could see an improvement in ambulance services soon. However, the Service was not willing to give any assurances or openly comment or speculate on future services in the area. This week, Mr Killens told BBC news that ambulance waiting times were causing a lot of avoidable harm to patients across Wales, a situation he regrets. However, he claims the service is now in a better position after his time in charge. Speaking out this week, the departing ambulance boss said hundreds of patients come to avoidable harm because ambulances are forced to wait outside A&E departments. This service choke, which has been blamed for agonising ambulance waits, has been dubbed 'handover delays.' These delays occur when hospitals are choked and this can cause things such as long waits in ambulances for patients and a slowing down of ambulance dispatches. The situation is said to be beyond the control of ambulance services and a matter for hospital managers and policy makers. Last year's Wales-wide average monthly loss was more than 29,000 hours. In response to our questions about possible improvements in the Gwent area, the Wales Ambulance Service said: 'As Jason's already set out his position on handover delays, it doesn't make sense for us to issue a comment in response to his views when you've already had it from the horse's mouth, as it were.' Jason Killens began working for the Wales Ambulance Service in 1996 and leaves his Wales-based post in July. The South Wales Argus has approached the Welsh Government for a comment on whether ambulance delays are a matter for Welsh policy makers and hospital managers.
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Call for action on ‘fleecehold scandal' from Senedd members
Hefin David warned people living on Redrow's Cwm Calon estate in Ystrad Mynach have just had their third increase in as many years. The Caerphilly Senedd member said the management company, Meadfleet, provides a disgracefully substandard service in return. Dr David told the Senedd that residents need an opportunity to change management company and make complaints to get the improvements But he cautioned that the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act, which would give people more power to challenge estate management companies, has yet to be operationalised. Dr David pointed to statistics from the Competition and Markets Authority, which show that 80 per cent of new developments are subject to leasehold. He said: 'We need to think about what more we can do to prevent more unadopted estates from becoming the norm before we act. There are too many in Wales… in that position.' He supported a private members' bill, introduced by his Labour colleague Alistair Strathern in Westminster, which would go further than the law introduced by the Conservatives. Quizzing Wales' first minister in the Senedd on June 17, Dr David welcomed the 'very good' recommendations of a petitions committee report on the so-called fleecehold scandal. The politician urged the Welsh Government to press UK ministers, 'so these scandals across Wales and the UK can be prevented from happening in the future'. Eluned Morgan, who has served as first minister since August, acknowledged that leaseholders have faced long-running issues with estate management charges. 'People are struggling with the cost of living… without this kind of thing on top,' she said. Baroness Morgan told Senedd members that housing secretary Jayne Bryant will set out the Welsh Government's response to the petitions committee's recommendations in July. She added that the UK Government intends to go further by introducing a new leasehold and commonhold reform bill by the end of the year to 'plug gaps left by the last government'. Laura Anne Jones, the Conservatives' shadow housing secretary, urged governments at both ends of the M4 to 'get to grips' with the Wales-wide problem.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
No 20mph roads to revert to 30mph, council says
No roads will be changed back to 30mph from 20mph in one county following a Wales-wide shake-up. A review of the Welsh government's 20mph speed limit was announced last year following a public backlash. The 20mph speed limit, covering 37% of the Welsh road network, was brought in by ministers in September 2023, attracting some criticism. But Denbighshire County Council has confirmed it had no plans to increase the speed limit on any of the current 20mph roads. Transport Minister Ken Skates previously said the decision to reverse parts of the controversial £34m default 20mph policy was in response to "consistent" concerns raised by "a lot of people". Last July, the Welsh government gave councils more flexibility to assess the "movement" and "road characteristics" of specific routes, beyond just proximity to schools, hospital and other key locations. In March, the maximum speed limit on four busy roads in Cardiff was changed back to 30mph from 20mph, and in February it was announced that 50 stretches of road in Wrexham would revert to 30mph. It comes as the data for the first year of the policy showing there had been about 100 fewer people killed or seriously injured on 20 and 30mph roads. Crashes on 20mph and 30mph roads at 'record low' 20mph speed limit change to be reversed on some Cardiff roads Switching roads back to 30mph to cost up to £5m Chris Evans, councillor for Tremeirchion, said that Wrexham had reverted some roads back, as had Flintshire and questioned why Denbighshire had not. "It is having a massive detriment to travel, slowing things down," he said. "I appreciate through towns and outside schools, but for example going past the golf club, it is 20mph. Why? "It was a 40mph road, to me it needs to change. People are not happy." Councillor Brian Jones said he understood that 20mph was needed outside schools and hospitals, but "if you put your business hat on, and if you are a plumber or an electrician, travelling on Russell Road in Rhyl at 20mph, and you are doing that every day of the week, that will add considerable time on to your journey and will cost you business over a month or year". "Some roads should, like Russell Road, have reverted back to 30mph. I think Denbighshire have missed a trick," he added. The announcement by Denbighshire council follows Monmouthshire council's decision to reject calls to raise the default 20mph speed limit on a number of roads in the county. Denbighshire council said it had received more than 300 submissions for exceptions for a total of 202 roads, adding that barely any requests were made by residents living on any of the roads concerned, with almost all of the requests made by people who travel through rather than live in the area." "After assessing all 202 roads individually against the exceptions criteria, we can confirm that none of the roads met enough of the exception criteria that the council could safely consider increasing the speed limit," it said. More than 85,000 drivers broke 20mph rules in 2024 Serious road casualties drop in Wales since 20mph Some Wrexham roads to raise speed limits to 30mph
Wales Online
28-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
North Wales housing estate anti-social behaviour claim 'unbelievable'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A contentious discussion has erupted amongst North Wales Live readers as a result of a new Conwy housing development, focusing primarily on affordable housing implications and effects on community relationships. A central theme of this debate revolves around differing perspectives on what the term "affordable" signifies and the subsequent impacts of such projects. Amendments proposed to a significant development initiated in 2022 are stirring claims of increased anti-social conduct. In 2020, Cartrefi Conwy's subsidiary, Calon Homes, alongside Creating Enterprise, secured planning approval for the construction of 107 homes in the Maes-y-Felin scheme, Glan Conwy. Initially planned as a mix of market-rate houses and thirty percent allocated affordable homes, the project is currently half-built off the A470. However, Cartrefi Conwy now aims to modify the project plan by establishing 121 houses within the area; all will be the housing group's property and subsequently leased out. The motive behind this change, as stated by the group, stems from an urgent county-wide necessity for Wales-wide affordable housing. Despite this, Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders expressed her worry regarding the whole procedure. She insists that adherence to the original planning consent is paramount, cautioning that more homes would exacerbate traffic and put greater strain on local services. Additionally, she cautioned about a "considerably higher risk of anti-social behaviour and neighbour disputes on estates with a higher proportion of affordable housing". One of our readers, Steamnut writes: "Using that statement 'urgent need for affordable housing' again. Maybe they have not been able to sell all of the 'market value' properties and are looking at the rental sector to compensate or this was the plan all along. When ordinary property owners try to get or change planning permission the whole might of the planning department is brought to bear. Cartrefi Conwy should be made to stick to the original agreement." Everyyear adds: "Unbelievable. Does Janet Finch Saunders have any proof that affordable housing leads to increased anti-social behaviour? No, she does not. That term covers shared equity housing, so owner occupiers who cannot afford the full market price. A couple of decades ago, before the property boom, many of these people would have been able to buy homes at the market rate. No-one was suggesting then that they were likely to cause a rise in anti-social behaviour." PeteAM replies: "You have obviously never read any reports on the causes of crime, and they will all tell you the same. Areas of deprivation have higher crime rates. This suggests there is a strong link between poverty and crime. So yes having less money makes one more liable to behave criminally which is pretty obvious to most people, but keep wearing your blinkers and rose tinted spectacles." DaveT2912 adds: "In a village where the doctors and school are both full." Welshwitch1 believes: "It is an excellent opportunity to help the poor and unemployed people to have somewhere decent to live with dignity. It would enhance their lives and respect for one another. It would also give them an incentive to seek employment or training for work. Commentators don't be so negative, be more positive and forward looking please. Thank you." PeteAM says: "You seek employment or training for work first, that is what gives you dignity, self respect, respect for others, and the aspiration to buy your own property. Well that's what used to happen." CGX says: "Antisocial behaviour is not purely down to where you are on the housing ladder. There are very many people who own their own homes that contribute to ASB." Traderbucks writes: "When building housing expecting higher bad behaviour build a police house for a bobby so there is a local police presence." Indigodebz asks: "Who would buy a brand new home on a modern estate these days as you just don't know what the neighbourhood will become? You can't buy great neighbours." SCATHINGPEN says: "There's that word again, 'affordable'. I've asked many times, what is affordable in Wales? What do a couple, both working have to earn in order to afford, affordable? "There are homes for sale up and down the country that are obviously at the cheaper end of the market but, they take a long time to find a buyer or never seem to find a buyer. Is that because even the cheapest homes in Wales are beyond the financial reach of most? So, building affordable homes is pointless. "Welsh families won't buy many and they will be sold to buyers from outside the region. Then there's the phrase 'anti social behaviour'. Hardly a ringing endorsement for social cohesion and happy communities. Also another probable reason that private landlords have abandoned this sector. Ask any community, whether it's a street, an estate, a village, which would you prefer as neighbours? "Owner occupiers who are working and adhering to the rules of respect for those that live alongside them Or second home owners who do, despite what some claim, add to the local economy. Or perhaps holiday let's, that are not a permanent residence and therefore, not an unmoving problem of anti social behaviour? It only takes one antisocial family to ruin it for all the rest. A housing crisis is one thing. Housing problem tenants, is another." MickHookem answers: "'Affordable' means that the rents should be no more than 80% of the average local market rent, which means (in theory) that LHA should cover the rent in full." Haroc says: "These housing developments are going to pop up more and more to tackle the housing shortage for rentals, as private landlords sell up due to increasing pressures, constraints and higher taxations. There should be a clause put on these new builds for local residents who have a proven residence in the county for 20+ years and registered on the list. There are so many local families living in cramped conditions with their extended family or youngsters sofa surfing, but considered not a priority because they have family to rely on for keeping them off the streets." Do you agree or disagree with Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.
North Wales Live
28-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
North Wales housing estate anti-social behaviour claim 'unbelievable'
A contentious discussion has erupted amongst North Wales Live readers as a result of a new Conwy housing development, focusing primarily on affordable housing implications and effects on community relationships. A central theme of this debate revolves around differing perspectives on what the term "affordable" signifies and the subsequent impacts of such projects. Amendments proposed to a significant development initiated in 2022 are stirring claims of increased anti-social conduct. In 2020, Cartrefi Conwy 's subsidiary, Calon Homes, alongside Creating Enterprise, secured planning approval for the construction of 107 homes in the Maes-y-Felin scheme, Glan Conwy. Initially planned as a mix of market-rate houses and thirty percent allocated affordable homes, the project is currently half-built off the A470. However, Cartrefi Conwy now aims to modify the project plan by establishing 121 houses within the area; all will be the housing group's property and subsequently leased out. The motive behind this change, as stated by the group, stems from an urgent county-wide necessity for Wales-wide affordable housing. Despite this, Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders expressed her worry regarding the whole procedure. She insists that adherence to the original planning consent is paramount, cautioning that more homes would exacerbate traffic and put greater strain on local services. Additionally, she cautioned about a "considerably higher risk of anti-social behaviour and neighbour disputes on estates with a higher proportion of affordable housing". One of our readers, Steamnut writes: "Using that statement 'urgent need for affordable housing' again. Maybe they have not been able to sell all of the 'market value' properties and are looking at the rental sector to compensate or this was the plan all along. When ordinary property owners try to get or change planning permission the whole might of the planning department is brought to bear. Cartrefi Conwy should be made to stick to the original agreement." Everyyear adds: "Unbelievable. Does Janet Finch Saunders have any proof that affordable housing leads to increased anti-social behaviour? No, she does not. That term covers shared equity housing, so owner occupiers who cannot afford the full market price. A couple of decades ago, before the property boom, many of these people would have been able to buy homes at the market rate. No-one was suggesting then that they were likely to cause a rise in anti-social behaviour." PeteAM replies: "You have obviously never read any reports on the causes of crime, and they will all tell you the same. Areas of deprivation have higher crime rates. This suggests there is a strong link between poverty and crime. So yes having less money makes one more liable to behave criminally which is pretty obvious to most people, but keep wearing your blinkers and rose tinted spectacles." DaveT2912 adds: "In a village where the doctors and school are both full." Welshwitch1 believes: "It is an excellent opportunity to help the poor and unemployed people to have somewhere decent to live with dignity. It would enhance their lives and respect for one another. It would also give them an incentive to seek employment or training for work. Commentators don't be so negative, be more positive and forward looking please. Thank you." PeteAM says: "You seek employment or training for work first, that is what gives you dignity, self respect, respect for others, and the aspiration to buy your own property. Well that's what used to happen." CGX says: "Antisocial behaviour is not purely down to where you are on the housing ladder. There are very many people who own their own homes that contribute to ASB." Traderbucks writes: "When building housing expecting higher bad behaviour build a police house for a bobby so there is a local police presence." Indigodebz asks: "Who would buy a brand new home on a modern estate these days as you just don't know what the neighbourhood will become? You can't buy great neighbours." SCATHINGPEN says: "There's that word again, 'affordable'. I've asked many times, what is affordable in Wales? What do a couple, both working have to earn in order to afford, affordable? "There are homes for sale up and down the country that are obviously at the cheaper end of the market but, they take a long time to find a buyer or never seem to find a buyer. Is that because even the cheapest homes in Wales are beyond the financial reach of most? So, building affordable homes is pointless. "Welsh families won't buy many and they will be sold to buyers from outside the region. Then there's the phrase 'anti social behaviour'. Hardly a ringing endorsement for social cohesion and happy communities. Also another probable reason that private landlords have abandoned this sector. Ask any community, whether it's a street, an estate, a village, which would you prefer as neighbours? "Owner occupiers who are working and adhering to the rules of respect for those that live alongside them Or second home owners who do, despite what some claim, add to the local economy. Or perhaps holiday let's, that are not a permanent residence and therefore, not an unmoving problem of anti social behaviour? It only takes one antisocial family to ruin it for all the rest. A housing crisis is one thing. Housing problem tenants, is another." MickHookem answers: "'Affordable' means that the rents should be no more than 80% of the average local market rent, which means (in theory) that LHA should cover the rent in full." Haroc says: "These housing developments are going to pop up more and more to tackle the housing shortage for rentals, as private landlords sell up due to increasing pressures, constraints and higher taxations. There should be a clause put on these new builds for local residents who have a proven residence in the county for 20+ years and registered on the list. There are so many local families living in cramped conditions with their extended family or youngsters sofa surfing, but considered not a priority because they have family to rely on for keeping them off the streets."
