- Cymraeg
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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Roll out 101 - don't roll it up
December 5, 2007 12:00 AM
The Labour-Plaid Government have refused to keep alive a popular and effective service to tackle low level crime and anti-social behaviour, in the National Assembly today.
During the Welsh Liberal Democrat-led debate in the Assembly today, the party's AMs argued that all of Wales should have access to the successful non-emergency 101 response service. Despite its success, and 90% approval rate among callers, the Labour Home Office have decided to pull out of funding the scheme. And now the Labour/Plaid administration in Cardiff Bay has refused to maintain and extend the service.
Jenny Randerson, AM for Cardiff Central, has seen the positive effect of the scheme in her area.
She said: "Instead of rolling up the 101 pilot schemes, we should be rolling it out. Other pilots are being closed. The South Wales scheme only has sufficient funding until the Spring. Unless the Assembly can find a way to work with other partners to fund the scheme, it will close here too.
"Labour's 2005 manifesto promised a national scheme. Now Labour have turned their backs on it in Westminster. And their Labour colleagues in Cardiff Bay - in cahoots with Plaid Cymru - have done the same."
Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrat social justice spokesperson, visited the centre last week to see for himself.
He added: "Labour's U-turn is hugely regrettable. When I visited, I was impressed at the work going on. Not just the 101 service, but alongside it is an intelligence service coordinating the police around Cardiff.
"Everyone is agreed that the 101 Centre is providing an excellent value for money service. I want that kind of service for every citizen in Wales.
"The service has proven itself to the hilt as a vital addition to combating crime in Cardiff. Extending it on all all-Wales basis would be both logical and desirable."
Notes:
1. Extract from Labour's 2005 manifesto.
"Not all problems need a 999 response, so a single phone number staffed by police, local councils and other local services will be available across the country to deal with anti-social behaviour and other non-emergency problems."
2. Motion debated today
The National Assembly for Wales:
Believes that the Home Office's decision to cease funding for the 101 service in the Cardiff and South Wales area will increase the financial pressure on local councils.
Amendment 1 - Carwyn Jones (Lab/Plaid government)
Delete all after 'area' and replace with:
"could increase the financial pressure on local councils but notes that this decision is not a matter which falls within the devolved responsibilities of the Welsh Assembly Government."
Amendment 2 - Kirsty Williams (Welsh Lib Dems)
Add new point at end of Motion:
"Calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to work with police authorities and local authorities to roll out the 101 service across Wales."
Amendment 3 - William Graham (Cons)
Add as new point at end of Motion:
"Acknowledges the valuable assistance given to the public by the 101 service."
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