Labour councillors have said they are delighted with the response on a consultation for the future use of the Caerphilly Library building in Morgan Jones Park.
The library is set to move to a new building in Caerphilly town next year. Councillors James Pritchard and Gareth Pratt launched a 30-day consultation last month to seek the views of local people over the future of the old building.
The councillors want the building restored for a community use and met with officers at Caerphilly County Borough Council recently to discuss the public response to the consultation.
So far, the councillors say, no clear indication has been given on the future of the building but that the result of the consultation confirms a desire for a continued public use.
Almost 60% said they wanted the building to provide youth services. A large percentage of residents also stated that they would like the building to accommodate all ages.
Morgan Jones Ward Cllr James Pritchard said: “We’re delighted that so many people in the ward engaged with the consultation.
“The vast majority of people gave us a firm indication that they wanted the Library building to be retained for a community use and this is what we’ll be fighting for. Its acknowledged that there is a general need for youth provision in the Caerphilly basin and based upon our consultation responses we’ll be exploring in great depth whether such a facility can be realised.”
Bryncenydd Town Cllr Gareth Pratt added: “In light of the responses from members of the public, the existing Caerphilly Library building has to be maintained for public benefit. We’ll be working hard to make sure that the views of the public are considered.”
The two councillors have said they will be seeking further meetings in the near future.
It is a delightful change to see the NEW approach to local politics that both Councillor Pritchard and Gareth Pratt are taking.
When did anyone last see Plaid Cymru Councillors engage with an entire community to seek their view son ANYTHING. It is certainly the case that Councillors in the town normally take the view that they know best, for instance, I see from Council minutes in the notice board outside the Twyn Community Centre, they recently proposed buying a SPEED CAMERA to hand over to the Police, this money is due to come out of the rates we pay, and is in addition to the police rates we already pay, how do they work that one out?, when was anyone in the Town ever consulted on the annual fireworks event?, when was anyone in town last asked their views by Plaid Cymru town Councillors on spending £9,000 of public money to go up in smoke?. When were the public told by these Plaid Cymru Councillors that they have FREE days of use of the Castle? who do they tell about this ? and who do they allow to use this concession? were you asked?. Were you asked if you minded them spending your money on free food for themselves at town events? I never have been. Were you asked about the recent reduction in special parking places for severely disabled people in the town? I was never asked.
Now they are going to pay themselves expenses, were you asked? I never was.
So, to sum up, it is very very refreshing to see these two young Councillors acting in an inclusive way towards the residents in the town and asking them for their views on matters before they vote or propose them, now that IS democracy. Keep it up James and Gareth and the town will be a better place to live for ALL its citizens.
Good point about the firework Jeff. I suppose this year's event will be equally as naff as last year's and the one the year before that. Surely the can find out a way to put on a better display. They hang up posters advertising the Big Cheese so maybe they could use those spots for advertising and any revenue can go towards the display or other things.
In regards to the library, I'll stand by what I said earlier in the year on a previous article. The ultimate decision will be to knock it down.
Why is caerphilly cbc advertising a job on a zero hour contract?
In response to Jeff'a question,
"When did anyone last see Plaid Cymru Councillors engage with an entire community to seek their views on ANYTHING?"
I cannot recall any occassion when they did so, perhaps a Plaid councillor can correct my impression if this is not the case.
All consultation is a good thing. It involves the community in the decision making process, if only to provoke thoughts on the issue in question, its costs or benefits, its desirability, its practicality and so on. I am not so naive as to think that the council will always act on public feeling derived from consultation but these two councillors have demonstrated a willingness to put effort into finding out what the public want to see. For this they should be congratulated.
Well done to James and Gareth ,it's about time the public were asked their views the only time we ever saw Plaid out knocking doors was just before a election.
Dean is so sure the old library is going to be knocked down who has told him this? Ok even if it's knocked down what about rebuilding it ? Surely that's possible.
I am looking forward to seeing the Police report on the wages scandal ,I think that even more should be investigated to see what else they have covered up.
Once again well done James and Gareth showing Plaid how's it's done.
I'll concede that it's great seeing councillors engaging with their public but I wish they would do it over more things. In Caerphilly along you have events taking place and changes to road layouts and number of parking spaces. They didn't ask us our opinion on those matters. it's strange that they suddenly ask opinion on a building. It suggests there are ulterior motives involved.
Dean, you say "it’s strange that they suddenly ask opinion on a building. It suggests there are ulterior motives involved". Well, lets consider a couple of points, first, these two young men have only been Councillors for two years, secondly, these two Councillors have been working behind the scenes on a number of issues in the town, one being the reduction of dedicated parking places for severely disabled shoppers, this reduction was done by the Council having been requested and promoted by the Plaid Cymru Ward Members in the town, Both James and Gareth took this matter up with the Caerphilly Council to get it reversed, I understand this was done after being approached by disabled people from the town, and, after considerable opposition from local Plaid Cymru Councillors, who said on the issue, " all those who needed to be consulted were consulted", County Councillor James Pritchard has managed to have assurances from highways officers that the disabled parking provision for severely disabled drivers are to be reinstated.
I know, because I have heard them speak of them, of exciting proposals these two Labour Councillors have for reinventing some of the events in the town which currently sidestep the interests of local residents.
I dont think your comments about `ulterior motives` is fair, particularly as you clearly do not have any dialogue with these young men on their dedication to the people they represent. If you feel strongly about an ulterior motive Dean let us all in on it and I for one would ask them to explain themselves, in the meantime, and because I have information and a view, formed from following their work as Councillors, which, is contrary to your impression of them I am prepared to form that view on their actions.
More of the Same James and Gareth, it is a refreshing aside in local politics.
I'm with Jeff. James Pritchard certainly comes around the doors asking local people's view on things. No, not just at the elections either. Pleasing to see this happen.
Quite agree Jeff that it's somewhat refreshing but many decisions have been made in the two years. The negative effect of The Big Cheese on residents (residents were never consulted. I have friends who live right by the place and the council gives a half hearted apology and that's it)
The traffic lights at the top of town. There have been complaints that they stay red for too long for cars coming down through town. Local councillors ignore the issue.
Regeneration of town centre. Why not accept public proposals and ask the people of Caerphilly?
The idea that both councillors have come out with song and dance and decided to focus on the library which is proving to be a controversial issue makes it look as if they are only asking for public opinion on this so they have some ammunition come election time. They will use the "We sought public opinion" line.
I expect James and Gareth are consulting the public on other matters which you don't know about,the main thing is that they are out and about asking people their views not only on the library as you seem to think but ANY other matter that they can help with.
I live VERY near the field where the big cheese takes place and I don't think it affects us after all it's only for a weekend,the Stewards do a great job .
Plaid could learn a lot from James and Gareth or has the majority of people lost total faith in Plaid like I have.
"…are consulting the public on other matters which you don’t know about" Considering I'm the public and have friends in their wards, they aren't doing a very good job about it. Surely if they were consulting the public, the public would know?
Really? It doesn't affect you! Surely lower water pressure, noise, mass crowds, road closures, smell, hassle of cleaning up after and everything else affects you.
Did people ever have faith in Plaid? I think most of the people who vote for Plaid are those who like the idea of an independent way but don't fully understand what plaid are for.
Yes Dean you are a member of the public of course but let's be realistic do you really think that you know everything? You might think it but you don't .
The clean up after the big cheese is done quickly and I have never seen any rubbish left,
Re the water pressure being down we have NEVER experienced it.
Caerphilly Big Cheese is great for Caerphilly ,like I said it does not interfere with our day to day living at all.
Like I said when James and Gareth have been knocking doors they have been asking people is there ANYTHING they can help with and I applaud them.
Dean maybe you should have a talk with James and Gareth I think it will put you in the picture rather than guessing things .
When I have met with James (haven't met with Gareth) he is always sympathetic and says he will get things done but nothing happens.
Dean, do you really think that one Councillor can do anything, you are not that stupid I think, but you miss the point by a mile, these two young Councillors are changing the way local representation is happening, and I like it.
You, would clearly discourage Councillors from engaging with their constituents?. You would view such a situation as a cynical ploy to gain popularity, well my friend that`s politics of the best sort, everyone wins not just those who pick up the Council expenses and pay cheque every Monday morning.
Why would it be good news for the old library to be kept in public use? It's falling apart and I would be appalled to see our children and grand kids be considered the only people suitable to use this out of date building. Let our next generation use the best public building in the town centre. The new library looks brilliant and would be a perfect youth venue for our youngsters. We also need to realise welsh government have cut local government funding so all councils will have to make public service cuts. Suggesting more public services could happen through a consultation is misleading. The numbers just don't add up but let's see what happens and judge our councillors accordingly.
Bob makes one or two fair points.
The old library is NOT falling apart, had it not been for the mysteriously financed, (which no-one has yet explained) NEW library Building, the old one would have served the people of Caerphilly for year to come with normal day to day maintainance.
Bob then says " Let our next generation use the best public building in the town centre". I fully and unreservedly agree with that proposal. However, there is a major problem with that suggestion, which, one would expect to happen in any case, NOT SO, for instance, the Twyn Community Centre, provided and financed by CAERPHILLY CBC out of the rates we pay, for use by ALL SECTION OF THE TWYN COMMUNITY, has a determined and well recorded policy, Devised and controlled by the six local Plaid Cymru Councillors ( Town and County Councillors) who make up the majority of its Management Group, NOT TO ENCOURAGE YOUTH AND YOUNG PEOPLE GROUPS TO USE THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, and who are sitting on a bank balance of £70,000 at the last count, so public service cuts should NOT effect this provision, DO NOT ALLOW OR ENCOURAGE "our next generation use the best public building in the town centre". So I think so long as these same people have any influences over the management of the new library the same isolationist policy would prevail.
Bob is also under some misconceived idea that to retain this old library building for use in the community would somehow be, "more public services could happen through consultation is misleading". Bob is incorrect again in his consideration of this new public engagement process by both James and Gareth, any future for building would be a `reconsideration of it use`, and, a re-alignment of Council services for the building uses, as I understand it, youth services, which already exist but would be reorganised to use the building, sport, education, services to the aged in the town, etc etc. So "Suggesting more public services could happen through a consultation is misleading" is a misconception of the process these two young Councillors appear to be activating, Bring more of it on I say. `
For the benefit of 'Mark', and anyone who may believe the nonsense he writes, I have been involved in voluntary work in this town for nearly 20 years. In the last couple of years I have given many hours of my time to raise money for a bronze plaque to commemorate the famous motorbike racer Malcolm Uphill. A by-product of this fund raising is a sum of more than £500 which I, and fellow Independent councillor Ed Talbot, will shortly be presenting to a charity to help those with impaired hearing.
I am currently working with a project to fit landmarks in Caerffili with electronic information tags that local people and visitors will be able to use to display information, again all my time is provided free of charge. Over the years I have raised money for the Caerphilly Woodland Trust and, before I took an industrial cleaning job where I am required to work Sundays, worked out in the woodland in all weathers to help make Coed Y Werin (The People’s Woods) the wonderfully tranquil recreation area it is today. Afraid to get my hands dirty? I don’t think so.
I work for the community quietly and without fuss because I feel strongly that everyone should help others. There is a world of difference in this from annually arranging to send up nearly £10,000 of tax payers money up in smoke and braying about how wonderful their contribution is. Plaid Cymru even put this on their election literature.
Yesterday I took an active part in the ‘One Beat’ event that the council hosts annually where volunteers from all over the borough gather to promote the wonderful work that dozens of volunteer organisations do from Risca to Rhymney. I attend every year and have become friendly with many of the others who spend their time and money to help their communities. My attendance at this event enables me to know which councillors in the borough are actively involved in volunteer work and which ones are not. I sat with two Plaid Cymru County Councillors when the buffet was served and had a very pleasant conversation. If ‘Mark’ ever troubled to talk with his fellow Plaid members he would realise that I am prepared to work with anyone who has the welfare of Caerffili at heart. What I am not prepared to do is mix charity work with politics. I will leave that to the small minority of councillors who do not see things this way.
I know the Independent and Labour Town Councillors would like to work with the Plaid administration on Caerphilly Town Council, but alas every proposal we make is voted down by the majority Plaid administration. Some of the Plaid Town Councillors are amenable to our ideas, but sadly most are not.
I'm glad our very important consultation on the future of the existing Caerphilly Library has generated debate. We believe that asking the public for their opinion on this matter is crucially important given that the building has been open since the 1950's and has served tens of thousands of people over the years.
You won't stop some opponents being sceptical about what we're doing. After all, engaging with the public in this way is an alien concept to some. We're determined however to try to secure the building for a community purpose and the consultation was important in gathering the views on the ground. We can not promise what will happen in an age of big cuts to budgets but we're trying our best and will continue to work for this.
I take great issue with what 'Mark' has posted about us not working for the general people of Caerphilly. I would like to remind 'Mark' that I knock doors twice a week speaking to people about local concerns and I take up a range of cases every week. I also hold a twice – monthly surgery. I believe I'm the only Morgan Jones Ward member who runs a regular surgery. Please feel free to view my councillors report 2012 / 13. This will inform you of my constituency activity and attendance at meetings. Please feel free to compare and contrast my attendance and casework with other councillors. I think you'll get the picture that I work hard in my job and want the best for the people of Caerphilly.
http://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/pdf/Council_Democrac…
1 Big Cheese, until recent years living in Ludlow St, we always had problems with water pressure.
2 Noise effect on Nantgarw Road, for some reason they always place the sound satge on the field at the junction of Crescent Road and Nantgarw Road and it made my mother`s life hell. Why not put in the fairground area or on Crescent Road. The people of Nantgarw Road have to suffer every year, and the Council does zilch.
3 Whats the big deal of people participation? its a bit like voting, the people in power dont listen and if it changed anything they`d ban it, but despite that we elect councillors to make things better for us , thats why they get their expenses.
4 Why pick on Plaid Cymru all the time, a native American friend told me, years ago, that the Welsh were very much like the native Americans, strangers in their own land, and ruled by the White Eyes, i.e the Labour Party. So since then I feel like Geromino, a native American version of Owen Glyndwr, besides which the only Marx the Labour Party know about are Groucho and Harpo, so I dont feel guilty, the Labour party abandoned its socialisism years ago and are now a right wing version of the Tories.