ONLY 43 days to go to April 1st
What's happening Councillor Geraint Hopkins?
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
45 days to go to April 1st
ONLY 45 DAYS TO GO
TO 1ST APRIL
When we’ve been promised decisions regarding anew Parking Policy for Powys.
Councillor Geraint Hopkins may we remind you of your email to us of 29th January.
I am still moving forward slowly with the area reviews and other work on Civil Parking Enforcement. I certainly am not ignoring your proposals. Actually it is the opposite. Your proposals along with others from other parts of the County are forming the basis of the review. Unfortunately due to lack of resource this is not progressing as quickly as I would have liked and I haven't any money in my budget to bring in any outside help. I will contact you again when I have firm dates for various aspects of the review.
Councillor Geraint Hopkins this means by April 1st you will be paid by us the county’s voters, 45 days of your Powys County Council cabinet member’s allowance of £37.47 per day or £1,686.15 in total.
We do hope that you a recompensed sufficiently to stimulate you to meeting your promises!
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE INTERESTING STATISTICS
TO 1ST APRIL
When we’ve been promised decisions regarding anew Parking Policy for Powys.
Councillor Geraint Hopkins may we remind you of your email to us of 29th January.
I am still moving forward slowly with the area reviews and other work on Civil Parking Enforcement. I certainly am not ignoring your proposals. Actually it is the opposite. Your proposals along with others from other parts of the County are forming the basis of the review. Unfortunately due to lack of resource this is not progressing as quickly as I would have liked and I haven't any money in my budget to bring in any outside help. I will contact you again when I have firm dates for various aspects of the review.
Councillor Geraint Hopkins this means by April 1st you will be paid by us the county’s voters, 45 days of your Powys County Council cabinet member’s allowance of £37.47 per day or £1,686.15 in total.
We do hope that you a recompensed sufficiently to stimulate you to meeting your promises!
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE INTERESTING STATISTICS
Monday, 6 February 2012
Broken law - Broken jaw?
Taking the law into their own hands!
On Friday last ‘Anonymous’ left the following comment on our post "An Update from Councillor Geraint Hopkins":
‘How does it feel to know that some of your so called supporters have resorted to violence, by assaulting a Civil Enforcement Officer in Hay on Wye, who has know (sic) got a suspected broken jaw.’
Well I don't quite know what to say. First and foremost it is quite reprehensible for anyone to take the law into their own hands and we can in no circumstances condone using physical violence against anyone. It's absolutely no way settle an argument - however great the considered provocation.
I don't know why 'anonymous' should believe that whoever, or whatever group of people was/were involved in this alleged incident should be "so called supporters" of CRAP. Our purpose is to work with Powys County Council in order to develop a 'responsible approach to parking' not to go around 'thumping people!
In passing, we note that Civil Enforcement Officers have been plying their trade in Hay six days a week for the last fortnight. Give us a break; this is probably the worst trading period of the year and we are deep in an undoubted recession in consumer spending. We need all the help we can get to encourage people to come in to Hay and spend their money here; surely this parking enforcement concentration on our town is doing little to help us.
Just in who's interests is the current draconian regime of parking regulations enforcement?
In March last year we were told that the introduction of Civil Enforcement would bring us the following benefits:
Can anyone honestly claim the at the current enforcement has done anything to achieve any of these aims?
We look forward to Councillor Geraint Hopkins production of a parking plan for Powys as promised last year and in his recent email to us.
More later!
On Friday last ‘Anonymous’ left the following comment on our post "An Update from Councillor Geraint Hopkins":
‘How does it feel to know that some of your so called supporters have resorted to violence, by assaulting a Civil Enforcement Officer in Hay on Wye, who has know (sic) got a suspected broken jaw.’
Well I don't quite know what to say. First and foremost it is quite reprehensible for anyone to take the law into their own hands and we can in no circumstances condone using physical violence against anyone. It's absolutely no way settle an argument - however great the considered provocation.
I don't know why 'anonymous' should believe that whoever, or whatever group of people was/were involved in this alleged incident should be "so called supporters" of CRAP. Our purpose is to work with Powys County Council in order to develop a 'responsible approach to parking' not to go around 'thumping people!
In passing, we note that Civil Enforcement Officers have been plying their trade in Hay six days a week for the last fortnight. Give us a break; this is probably the worst trading period of the year and we are deep in an undoubted recession in consumer spending. We need all the help we can get to encourage people to come in to Hay and spend their money here; surely this parking enforcement concentration on our town is doing little to help us.
Just in who's interests is the current draconian regime of parking regulations enforcement?
In March last year we were told that the introduction of Civil Enforcement would bring us the following benefits:
- Improve Safety.
- Reduce the misuse of disabled parking bays.
- Improve conditions for all road-users, particularly pedestrians and disabled people.
- Reduce parking problems, especially around schools and in residential areas.
- Improve public transport reliability and journey times.
Can anyone honestly claim the at the current enforcement has done anything to achieve any of these aims?
We look forward to Councillor Geraint Hopkins production of a parking plan for Powys as promised last year and in his recent email to us.
More later!
Sunday, 29 January 2012
An Update from Councillor Geraint Hopkins
An email from Cllr. Geraint Hopkins to CRAP
The following email was received today (29th January)from councillor Geraint Hopkins in answer to our email of Friday last. The email was copied to Councillor Steve Holdaway, Head of Local & Environmental Services, Powys County Council.
Dear Both,
I am still moving forward slowly with the area reviews and other work on Civil Parking Enforcement. I certainly am not ignoring your proposals. Actually it is the opposite. Your proposals along with others from other parts of the County are forming the basis of the review. Unfortunately due to lack of resource this is not progressing as quickly as I would have liked and I haven't any money in my budget to bring in any outside help. I will contact you again when I have firm dates for various aspects of the review.
Regards,
Geraint
We say - Councillor Hopkins, we look forward to details of the 'firm dates'!
The following email was received today (29th January)from councillor Geraint Hopkins in answer to our email of Friday last. The email was copied to Councillor Steve Holdaway, Head of Local & Environmental Services, Powys County Council.
Dear Both,
I am still moving forward slowly with the area reviews and other work on Civil Parking Enforcement. I certainly am not ignoring your proposals. Actually it is the opposite. Your proposals along with others from other parts of the County are forming the basis of the review. Unfortunately due to lack of resource this is not progressing as quickly as I would have liked and I haven't any money in my budget to bring in any outside help. I will contact you again when I have firm dates for various aspects of the review.
Regards,
Geraint
We say - Councillor Hopkins, we look forward to details of the 'firm dates'!
Saturday, 28 January 2012
It really is the World Wide web
53 countries watching our blog - and counting!
It's really quite amazing. Since starting our blog, people from 53 different countries, from all around the world have looked at it.
Armenia . Australia . Austria . Belgium . Cambodia . Canada . China . Colombia . Czech Republic . Denmark . Egypt . France . Germany . Ghana . Greece . Hong Kong . Hungary . Iceland . Indonesia . India . Ireland . Italy . Japan . Jersey . Jordan . Latvia . Malaysia . Mauritius . Mexico . Moldova . Mongolia . Netherlands . New Zealand . Pakistan . Philippines . Poland . Portugal . Romania . Russia . South Africa . South Korea . Spain . Sri Lanka . Sweden . Taiwan . Thailand . Tunisia . Turkey . United Arab Emirates . United Kingdom . Ukraine . USA . Vietnam
Just think all these people from all these countries are watching our battle and learning all about the personalities involved.
It's really quite amazing. Since starting our blog, people from 53 different countries, from all around the world have looked at it.
Armenia . Australia . Austria . Belgium . Cambodia . Canada . China . Colombia . Czech Republic . Denmark . Egypt . France . Germany . Ghana . Greece . Hong Kong . Hungary . Iceland . Indonesia . India . Ireland . Italy . Japan . Jersey . Jordan . Latvia . Malaysia . Mauritius . Mexico . Moldova . Mongolia . Netherlands . New Zealand . Pakistan . Philippines . Poland . Portugal . Romania . Russia . South Africa . South Korea . Spain . Sri Lanka . Sweden . Taiwan . Thailand . Tunisia . Turkey . United Arab Emirates . United Kingdom . Ukraine . USA . Vietnam
Just think all these people from all these countries are watching our battle and learning all about the personalities involved.
Councillor Geraint Hopkins (Powys County Council Cabinet Member and Portfolio Holder Environment and Regulation, responsible for Traffic and Parking) together with Phil Jackson, (Powys Transportation and Development Control Manager) and Kevin Lloyd (Powys Car Parks Manager), Councillor E M Jones OBE Executive Leader, Powys County Council are you men of your word?
Gentlemen remember - the world watches and judges through the world wide web!
Friday, 27 January 2012
An(other) email from Kirsty Williams AM
Kirsty Williams A.M. is Still Battling for Us
We Forwarded the email we sent to Councillor Garaint Hopkins to our Assembly Mmeber Kirsty Williams; below is the email received today (27th January) from Kirsty. We need all the help we can get - so thank you Kirsty
Thank you very much for your email below and for copying me into your letter to Cllr Hopkins. I am aware that parking is still a very important issue for Hay and other towns across Powys and recently wrote to Cllr Hopkins for an update on the Council’s actions. I will of course be happy to copy you into the response I receive and in the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.
Kind regards,
Kirsty
Kirsty Williams AM/AC
Assembly Member for Brecon and Radnorshire
Aelod Cynulliad dros Brycheiniog a Sir Faesyfed
Constituency Office, 4 Watergate, Brecon, Powys, LD3 9AN
Swyddfa'r Etholaeth, 4 Watergate, Aberhonddu, Powys, LD3 9AN
Tel/Ffôn: 01874 625739 Fax/Ffacs: 01874 625635
National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF99 1NA
Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, Bae Caerdydd, Caerdydd, CF99 1NA
Tel/Ffôn: 02920 898358 Fax/Ffacs: 02920 898359
www.kirstywilliams.org.uk
We Forwarded the email we sent to Councillor Garaint Hopkins to our Assembly Mmeber Kirsty Williams; below is the email received today (27th January) from Kirsty. We need all the help we can get - so thank you Kirsty
Thank you very much for your email below and for copying me into your letter to Cllr Hopkins. I am aware that parking is still a very important issue for Hay and other towns across Powys and recently wrote to Cllr Hopkins for an update on the Council’s actions. I will of course be happy to copy you into the response I receive and in the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.
Kind regards,
Kirsty
Kirsty Williams AM/AC
Assembly Member for Brecon and Radnorshire
Aelod Cynulliad dros Brycheiniog a Sir Faesyfed
Constituency Office, 4 Watergate, Brecon, Powys, LD3 9AN
Swyddfa'r Etholaeth, 4 Watergate, Aberhonddu, Powys, LD3 9AN
Tel/Ffôn: 01874 625739 Fax/Ffacs: 01874 625635
National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF99 1NA
Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, Bae Caerdydd, Caerdydd, CF99 1NA
Tel/Ffôn: 02920 898358 Fax/Ffacs: 02920 898359
www.kirstywilliams.org.uk
Thursday, 26 January 2012
A Letter in The Hereford Times
Could Hay-on-Wye's potential tourists and shoppers be frightened off by over-zealous parking enforcement?'Mean' Parking Penalties
Today's Hereford Times (26th January) carried the following letter from Hay-on-Wye resident and business owner, James Gibson-Watt.
We thought it worthwhile reprinting it here.
Despite an apparent relaxation of its efforts over the Christmas and New Year period, it seems that Powys County Council is intent on continuing it vendetta against the shops and small businesses of the county, to devastating effect. The council's civil enforcement officers (CEOs) - traffic wardens to you and I - have been busy slapping penalty charge notices (PCNs) on the few cars that dare to visit the half-deserted streets of our market towns, frightening local people and visitors away to supermarkets inside and outside the county, where there is no fear of receiving a PCN while doing their shopping.
When I recently challenged the council's cabinet member for Highways, Councillor Geraint Hopkins, about this toe told me that if the CEOs did not strictly enforce the regulations 'there would be traffic chaos in Powys’s towns', Well, there may be some truth in that on high days and holidays in places like Hay-on-Wye or Brecon, but on weekdays in the middle of January? I think not.
On Monday, January 16, in Hay-on-Wye I witnessed a CEO issuing a PCN for a vehicle that had been parked for longer than the permitted time in a time-limited zone. Not only were there spare parking spaces in that zone at the time, there were dozens of spare spaces in the other time-limited zones around the town.
The purpose of enforcement in time limited zones is to help free up parking spaces at busy times, There is no purpose in such enforcement when there is no pressure for parking spaces, as was certainly the case on that Monday and has been the case throughout January in Hay, I can only conclude that the PCN was issued because Cllr Hopkins and his colleagues are insisting that the CEOs behave in this way.
When asked why he had issued the PCN In these circumstances the CEO responded by saying he was 'only doing his job', which rather confirms the point.
In mid-winter Powys's shops and market towns depend on local trade. Powys County Council seems intend on destroying that local trade through its ludicrously zealous parking enforcement policies.
When I recently challenged the council's cabinet member for Highways, Councillor Geraint Hopkins, about this toe told me that if the CEOs did not strictly enforce the regulations 'there would be traffic chaos in Powys’s towns', Well, there may be some truth in that on high days and holidays in places like Hay-on-Wye or Brecon, but on weekdays in the middle of January? I think not.
On Monday, January 16, in Hay-on-Wye I witnessed a CEO issuing a PCN for a vehicle that had been parked for longer than the permitted time in a time-limited zone. Not only were there spare parking spaces in that zone at the time, there were dozens of spare spaces in the other time-limited zones around the town.
The purpose of enforcement in time limited zones is to help free up parking spaces at busy times, There is no purpose in such enforcement when there is no pressure for parking spaces, as was certainly the case on that Monday and has been the case throughout January in Hay, I can only conclude that the PCN was issued because Cllr Hopkins and his colleagues are insisting that the CEOs behave in this way.
When asked why he had issued the PCN In these circumstances the CEO responded by saying he was 'only doing his job', which rather confirms the point.
In mid-winter Powys's shops and market towns depend on local trade. Powys County Council seems intend on destroying that local trade through its ludicrously zealous parking enforcement policies.
It should think again before it is too late.
JAMES GIBSON-WATT, Hay-on-Wye,
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