Penyffordd Covid Testing Centre - Community Cllrs kept in the dark

 http://www.deeside.com/health-board-preparing-to-open-third-covid-19-testing-site-in-flintshire/

But no buses........

http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/16091903.__39_Axing_bus_route_will_cut_off_our_village__39__say_Penyffordd_residents/

No Elections for Penyffordd on May 4th

Cllr David Walker informs me

"After the nominations for Council have closed ( 4th April) there will be no elections in Penyffordd on May 4th
Both County Councillors returned unopposed.

Only 9 applicants for the Community Council. 

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So what this means is that no residents stood for County Councillor apart from Cllr Cindy Hinds and Cllr David Williams our present county cllrs who are standing again.

There was a shortfall for Community Council positions so all those who stood for community council last time and are standing again will be re elected unopposed.

postscript: plus new community council candidates.

Local Bus Hub - Cllr David Walker comments

" Do you not think there is a need for such a service in the light of the latest proposals by ARRIVA. They have decided to reduce the service to Mold and Chester through the village by 50%. As of Monday the 10th April the bus service to Mold and Chester will be every hour. This was done without any consultation with the Community Council and from what I can make out without any consultation with the County Council. The buses to Mold will be 10 past the hour from the institute and on the Hour to Chester from the institute. They have also withdrawn our ONE AND ONLY BUS THROUGH THE VILLAGE ON A SUNDAY. How people are expected to get to work I don't know. "

Community Bus Service - Cllr David Walker

"Can you please publish on your site that starting on the 1st of April there will be a service to the Surgery at Buckley. This will consist of an 8 seater mini bus pick up points will be Vounog Hill Bistre Close St Johns Church Penyymynydd and Dobshill.I will advise you of the times when the County Council confirm them."

PENYFFORDD COMMUNITY TRANSPORT DROP IN

PENYFFORDD COMMUNITY TRANSPORT DROP IN

WEDNESDAY 18TH JANUARY

VENUE PENYFFORDD INSTITUTE

TIME 2-00 pm TILL 4-00 pm

Link http://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Streetscene/Community-Transport-in-Flintshire.aspx

Cllr David Walker who is co-ordinating the above can be reached through below.

Community Cllr Name and Contact  List here http://penyfforddareacc.com/

Community Transport Hubs

Following a comment by Cllr David Walker in my article "Up creek without a paddle" I thought I'd see how other communities manage.

Here's a few links

Buckingham County Council
http://www.communityimpactbucks.org.uk/pages/community-transport.html

http://onlineborders.org.uk/node/14251

http://cthub.org.uk/

http://bristolcommunitytransport.org.uk/community_buses_2/highridge_uplands_and_bedminster_down_

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?source=search_app&gfe_rd=cr&ei=A6EkV-z-KI-3tged5JLoAw&gws_rd=ssl#q=community+transport+hub

A Penyffordd Councillor who cares about speeding traffic ( the lives of Penyffordd residents which includes children )

Now there's a rarity. Stand up Cllr David Walker. David has raised the issue of having a Community Speed Watch. Looks like he's having slight trouble with the paperwork. David however is not to be put off. You will need great determination David,  Penyffordd Council hate anything to do with speeding

How about getting Gosafe on Chester Rd, David?

Each work day between 7 - 9 am there is a significant minority that hammer through the village, speed bumps or no speed bumps. Overtaking outside The Institute.

I think we should have compulsory 20 mph zones. Chester Rd, Spar, Youth Club, minimum.

What's the difference between Gosafe and Community Speed Watch?

Gosafe. - Staffed by ex servicemen who can handle themselves, locked inside a van, they have anti personnel equipment, they give people points and fines. They have the law on their side. They are anonymous, you don't know who they are or where they live

Community Speed Watch
http://www.north-wales.police.uk/news-and-appeals/volunteers-needed-for-community-speed-watch.aspx

You will be known to some of the speeding locals, speeding drivers can be idiots, Are you up for abuse ( no pepper spray for you) The way of dealing with miscreants is too long winded.
Speeding points and fines hurt.

When I was protesting against 2000+ a day speeders through Chester Rd, I got personal abuse, my car damaged twice, late night phone calls ( I'm exdirectory )
Some of my antagonists should be ashamed of themselves, yes I know who you are.

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I think Community Speed Watch is all up hill in effort with little return long term.

Penyffordd Cllrs are famous for their indifference to speeders, most of them live up cul de sacs.
When I complained I was told speeding was nothing to do with the community council ( remember Tom? )

The Way Forward?

1. A big all the way across the road speed bump where Chester Rd goes 30mph coming into the village from Broughton. Also one on the Vounog and near the Spar.

2. Permanent 20 mph zones

3. Regular Gosafe visits.

4. A banning of through HGV

5. Make it unattractive as possible to use the village as a shortcut

First off get FCC to put wires across roads to assess the problem. They're so sophisticated they can even tell what type of vehicle (ie. Ford Escort) goes over them. Only problem being they do not like sharing the data. Residents are too stupid to read spreadsheets. Perhaps I should qualify that last statement. Council Officers for whatever reason do not like residents having all the information.
Perhaps Flintshire County Council have changed?
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Penyffordd Community Council website - Lost in space

Apparently secret agent David Walker is taking over operations from Cllr David Williams.

Why is it  that councilors once elected go into GCHQ mode?

I'm sure however Cllr David Walker will run council website better.

Time to loose fake fir trees David.

Cllr David Walker comments

"A couple of points can you point out to me were the Community Council have agreed to spend all the 106 Money on the institute or is this more hearsay. Having said that with discussions going at County Level regarding withdrawing Discretionary Rate Relief local VOLUNTARY organisations could well be glad of the institute.
Can you also point out to me how you have arrived at this figure of £400 for the council website. I am certainly not aware of this figure and I have yet to see it in the Councils accounts. I can assure you I have made several comments regarding the Website being down and I have been assured that it will soon be up and running trees and all."

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Hi David,

Thanks for the communication. It's good to see.

1. All the council website designers needed was a page saying "Site currently down, will be back up shortly" It's called keeping everyone informed.

The fake fir trees are an embarrassment, perhaps the worst front page council website in UK?

The previous version was good enough. I seem to remember seeing a council minute that said the fir trees would be removed. ( about a year ago)

2. Council website costs. I await to see any figures you can find. Not sure if Clerk Sarah holds full accounts due to her short reign in the position.. I didn't draw the 400 quid out of thin air I remember reading it. If council accounts are digitized it should be possible to do a 10 second search and bring up all the costs associated with website design and running costs. Perhaps I should do an FOI?

3. 106 money for Institute. If you look at the bottom right hand corner of the minutes posted on the Penyffordd Council Board  at the Post Office it is mentioned that a Penyffordd sports club is not happy with the possible allocation of 106 funds for the Institute.

Can't see it all it's on the next page hidden. ( we won't go there)

best wishes Colin

postscript: Item 3 . There are now new minutes on Council Board outside Post Office. If anyone wants to view council minutes when the Council website is down they can usually be found in the desk draw on the left of the Post Office counter near the postal scales.

Arbitary Removal of Sunday Bus Service

Someone brought up the headline subject on a comment.

I'm sure Penyffordd district residents will be waiting for Penyffordd Cllrs to tackle the bus companies on this.

No Spar shop and no buses? Perhaps residents will have to use taxis to get to Buckley or Broughton to get a bottle of wine and a few quavers?

Cllr David Walker said "This is not an impending lack of a Sunday bus service this has actually happened and as far as I am aware without any notification."

Congratulations to our new Penyffordd Community Councillor David Walker

Well done David on being co opted on to Penyffordd Community Council.

Many thanks for making a comment on the blog on political relationships within Penyffordd.
I admit I know nothing about you except from a comment made that your are a friend of County Cllr David Williams.

When 9 out of 10 cllrs have to to stand as Independent, due to Conservatism being out of fashion in Flintshire one has to make groupings.
I have made the mistake of grouping you with the Red Lion Independents.

I am sorry.

I have edited you to being just Independent.

http://penyffordd-district.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/political-make-up-of-penyffordd-district.html

I presume you will be standing next year 2016. I will also presume that you will publish and deliver all your own Penyffordd Cllr candidate literature and will not be on the same sheet as Cllr David Williams or any other . I stood in 2008 and 2012. My wife helped me deliver my leaflets.
At today's rates I think printing leaflets for our area in the region of £300.
Not too bad going and you get to be called councillor and get your ear bent down the pub for free.
Nothing like a few pints of Stella and discussing village issues.

You should also take a good look at electoral law. One of the times I stood I forgot to put on my leaflet that I had published the leaflet myself. A Penyffordd Councillor complained to Colin Everett who then sent North Wales CID  ( yes the police ) to interview me under caution. You should be ok though being one of the Penyffordd Borg. Only Cindy has not been assimilated.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borg_(Star_Trek)

I will be able to check on your expenses to stand as councillor after the election with the Returning Officer Colin Everett, CEO of Flintshire County Council.

The £300 comes out of your own pocket, you should also know that being a community councillor costs you money and time. There is no salary and no expenses. No watching Liverpool on a Wednesday night. Such is the sacrifice necessary in the service of our fellow Penyfforddians.

I think it unfair to to ask you about LDP Pen041, you have been thrown in the very deep end.

I will say this to Penyffordd Community Council if you as a council  think you passed LDP candidate suggestion Pen041 by mistake you are living in cloud cuckoo land. The village won't fall for that line.
We are not all sheep.

I will answer all your points shortly
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This is a test to your Independency.

With regards LDP Pen035 which Penyffordd Community Council voted to bulldoze the The Spar and build houses on it.
Would you like to explain why you as a councillor voted to close one of Penyffordd's most valued assets?
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I can't find any minutes discussing this major decision.