A ban preventing Caerphilly County Borough Council from dealing with company Veolia Environmental Services has been lifted.
In November 2010, the council adopted a motion by Labour councillor Ray Davies ordering the then Plaid leader and the chief executive not to sign any deal with Veolia or “any company in breach of international law”.
But the Labour-controlled council has now lifted the restrictions after being told that Veolia had not been in breach of international law. It is one of the two remaining bidders for the Project Gwyrdd contract.
Cllr Davies, who is a Labour councillor, originally put forward the motion because of its business activities in Israel.
After the ban was lifted in his absence, Cllr Davies said: “I’m bitterly disappointed. It was most upsetting that it happened while I was away.
“The council phoned me up and told me the report was going to cabinet while I was on holiday. I said to the legal department that as far as I was concerned the council should still refuse Veolia on the shortlist [for Project Gwyrdd]. They’re going to make millions – let Veolia take the council to court.”
Plaid Cymru councillors – who had control of the council when the ban was introduced – have criticised the lifting of the ban.
Councillor Colin Mann, leader of the council’s Plaid group, said: “We are opposing changing policy on this, certainly until we are provided with better information.
“There was a simple two-page report from the deputy chief executive which merely just said that investigations had concluded that Veolia had not been in breach of international law.
“But the Plaid group felt the report was inadequate with very few short paragraphs and no evidence to support the lifting of the restrictions on Veolia. We wanted to defer the matter for more information but that was defeated by the ruling Labour group.
“This is not about a specific company but about the principle that this council or any other public authority should be trading with companies that carry on doubtful practices whether in Britain or elsewhere in the world.
“All councillors were sent information claiming that Veolia Environmental Services were in breach of international law in its dealings with the Israeli state and that included a legal opinion from renowned solicitors Hickman and Rose.
“Labour has chosen to ignore this evidence. There should have been more comprehensive information available. Instead Labour chose to whip this decision through the council in the absence of Councillor Ray Davies.”
So this is the ugly face of New Labour on our Council, neo liberals, selling out to the ugly face of International Capitalism, but, hey what can you expect,when they were in power last, they shut the Miner`s Hospital to build the white elephant cottage hospital in Ystrad.
This is only wrong Ron if the information that Veolia are engaged in activities in breach of international law is correct. You don`t know that it is or is not the case, so, to rip into the current Labour administration in the way you have is disingenuous and political nonsense.
As are the published comments of Plaid Cymru Leader Colin Mann on the subject. simply political opportunism and means nothing without evidence. Do you have it Ron ?????
It didn`t take long before Labour started making decisions which appear to be a bit dubious. Is Caerffili already going from best run council under Plaid to worst run under Labour?
I suppose you can ask that question to the 3000 lowest paid local authority workers who are set to receive a much deserved pay rise under this Labour administration. What on earth did Plaid do to benefit the low paid when they were in charge? Labour have been in for less than three months yet it is we and other Labour – run authorities who have given the green light for the living wage. All Plaid did was whack charges up on those who could afford them least.
The young councillor seems to be getting mixed up. I am not knocking the pay rise. Plaid must have left the finances in really good shape if Labour can afford to do this. What I am questioning is their decision to go behind their own councillor Ray Davies` back and start dealing with a company who seems to have a dubious record with Israel.
Its time James Pritchard started reading previous minutes of the Council he would then see that Plaid did a lot for the low paid ie no Council Tax rises which Labour voted against, equality in the staff pay structure, another item that Labour dodged for years. I also believe it is Cardiff Council who are giving 3000 low paid workers a pay rise NOT Caerphilly Labour.
Huw – I was merely responding to your question "is Caerphilly going from the best run Council under Plaid to worst under Labour" by offering you the example of the impending implementation of the living wage to demonstrate clearly why Caerphilly isn't the worst run Council. I think its a bit of a knee jerk to speculate on whether we're the worst run Councilso early into this term but that's democracy and I understand your loyalty to Plaid Cymru after their recent poor showing in the local elections.
Freezing council tax was nothing but a gimmick. It was the same Plaid Cymru who offloaded as many services as possible. Introduced or increased charging for others and commercialised the reaper to profit from the dead.
So yes, council tax was frozen so long as you weren't elderly, vulnerable or poor and actually used the services.
Veolia are elsewhere in the UK so I don't see how we can not have them on the list. What is all the comment about short paragraphs, I can't see why our council tax should go on officers writing a book, that would be a real waste of money. I think we should make sure the project Gwyrd doesnt have too much pollution.
Caerphilly council may well be in breach of international law if they allow Veolia to bid for this contract. I would draw your attention to the following article in which Richard Falk the UN special rapporteur on human rights is quoted: http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/adri-nieuwhof…
I would urge Caerphilly Council to reconsider it's position in light of Mr. Falk's statement
Yours sincerely
Nick Bray