Coedffranc image

Cyngor Cymuned

COEDFFRANC

Community Council

CARNEGIE HALL, EVELYN ROAD, SKEWEN, NEATH SA10 6LH
Tel: Swansea (01792) 817754
email: enquiries@coedffranc.fsnet.co.uk

12 May 2003

Richards Commission
Caradog House
1 - 6 Saint Andrews Place
Cardiff
CF10 3BE
Dear Sirs
Coedffranc Community Council wish to thank the Richards Commission for allowing them an extension to discuss the document, "The Powers of the National Assembly for Wales - Issues and Questions for Consultation.
As the Community Councils are the first level of the democratic process, relevant examples of the Assembly's action tend to be distant. The involvement of community councils in the consultation process has improved and the time scale for responses has also improved. There have been examples of our local A.M. interviewing and subsequently altering illogical decisions made by officers. The reference to the Double Tax situation made in the Consultation Paper, "Simplifying the System of Local Government Finance in Wales" (September 2000) (Clause 6.20), seemed a leap forward but since them there has been little acknowledgement of the problem. Even following a resolution on the subject in the Welsh Conference of Town and Community Councils, the response from the officials of the Welsh Assembly was vague.
The Government of Wales Act does not provide the Assembly with the powers it needs to be effective. The ability to customise legislation appears to be sound, for example, in the education and health field. But the draughtsmanship of the act appears to be flawed, for example, in the zoning of the fishing areas and the protection of the zones, also the abnormalities brought out during the Foot and Mouth crisis.
The powers of the Assembly should be extended to allow for the freeing up of the democratic process. It is understood that last year there were eight requests for primary legislation alterations made by the Wales Office, but due to pressure of
Parliamentary time only two were advanced, where the Scottish Assembly agreed twelve alterations in primary legislation in the same time period.
The people of Wales appear to have little expectations. With regard to the tax raising powers of the Assembly it would seem that this is vital to allow us to obtain a commercial advantage for the area and to take advantage of windows of opportunity as have our friends the Irish to their great credit.
The consensus model was seen if not to fail, then to lose its way in the early day of the Assembly. As the parliamentary model is in fact in place, changes should be organic, and not set in stone. Perhaps in time we may transcend party politics.
With regard to the relative position of A.M.'s, M.P's. and Peers? It is not a matter of demarcation dispute, but a matter of meaningful subsidiarity. The loss of power of our members of parliament is a possibility as it would for the Ulster, Scottish and London M.P's, together with those from the New Area Forums under discussion. Only someone intent on destroying the U.K. would go down this route.
The Secretary of State's position again is not a matter of demarcation. The Secretary of State for Wales with his cabinet position gives Wales a commercial edge and should be retained as long as possible. The changes of the Wales Office linked with the Assembly, moving it away from the old Vice Regal Welsh Office, can only be advantageous.
With regard to the clearer separation between England and Wales in policy development and implementation - It must be remembered that while we look upon the Assembly to modify secondary legislation and in addition bring about a situation where this area has a commercial advantage; or can negate a commercial disadvantage, Wales is a part of the United Kingdom.
With regard to the financial context and evaluation of costs and benefits - Perhaps we should analyse the growth of the Civil Service with the decline of the power of the United Kingdom, although the approach to the National Standard Committee does not auger well.
With regard to funding - We must refer back to Clause 6.20 of the "Simplifying of the System of Local Government Finance in Wales," which appears to be left to wither on the branch as opposed to England where parliament is still openly discussing the subject. Double Taxation must be addressed if Town and Community Councils are to be effective.
Yours faithfully
Cllr APH Davies
On behalf of Coedffranc Community Council

 

 

NALC CYMRU WALES ANNUAL CONFERENCE

14th SEPTEMBER 2002
MOTION
Coedffranc Community Council
That this conference urges the Welsh National Assembly not to withdraw its support for assistance to Town and Community Councils who are afflicted by the burden of double taxation.
RESULT: CARRIED