Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal Democrats

Commenting on the launch of the Welsh government's White Paper on Local Democracy, the Welsh Liberal Democrats Shadow Minister for Local Government and Communities Peter Black AM said, "This represents a complete failure of the Labour party to acknowledge the real problems that face local democracy in Wales. In the local elections a few weeks ago, we saw too many uncontested elections and turn out that was far too low, yet one of the proposals the government has put forward to change the name of the body that draws up election boundaries. This is not the radical thinking that Welsh communities need. "The Scottish experience was that a proportional electoral system using fair voting meant no more uncontested elections, a wider choice of candidates for voters and higher turnout. Any attempt to reform local democracy without making this essential change is, frankly, a waste of time. "Likewise, without implementing elections to National parks or devolving many more powers to local authorities so that they can deliver for their areas, we will never breathe life back into our local democracies. "I will be tabling amendments to the bill to ensure these matters are considered." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson, Peter Black, has criticised Government housing targets published today as late and unambitious. Mr. Black was reacting to a statement issued by the Minister for Housing Regeneration and Heritage today in which he announced that the Labour Government would seek to build an additional 7,500 new affordable homes during their five year term, and bring 5,000 empty properties back into use. "Although the appearance of a target is welcome, the Minister has left himself a lot to do by waiting until a year into his tenure to announce them," said Mr. Black. "Statistics are not yet available to show us how many new affordable homes were built in Wales in 2011-12, nor is there any clear definition of what constitutes a new affordable home in the statement. The One Wales Government for example bolstered their own totals by including the mortgage rescue scheme, when clearly no new home had been created that was available for those in need. "What I am concerned about is the disparity between these targets and the Government's own research into housing need. A research document commissioned by the government in 2010 said that an estimated 284,000 additional homes are required in Wales between 2006 and 2026 - 183,000 of these in the market sector and 101,000 in the non-market sector. These estimates average 14,200 dwellings a year of which 5,100 should be affordable. In addition, they identified a backlog of unmet housing need which is estimated at 9,500 households. The minister's target does not even scratch the surface of what is required. "The target for bringing empty homes back into use is welcome and if achieved will make a huge difference to many communities, but the Government needs a proper strategy to drive this forward and so far they have resisted bringing one in. "If we are to take these targets seriously the Government need to provide proper definitions and ensure that there is a timely publication of statistics on a quarterly basis so that we can monitor how they are doing and hold them to account. There has to be transparency in this process and much less of the smoke and mirrors that characterised similar targets set by the One Wales government." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

The Welsh Liberal Democrats Finance and Social Justice Spokesperson, Peter Black has reiterated his opposition to the introduction of regional pay in advance of a debate in the Welsh Assembly tomorrow. Speaking on behalf of the Welsh Liberal Democrats group in the Assembly, Mr. Black said that they believe that the introduction of regional pay would be disastrous for Welsh workers and the Welsh economy. "I believe that there should be a rate for the job within the public sector," said Mr. Black. "As such I continue to support a national pay bargaining structure which reflects that principle. Freezing people's salaries for an extended period until they equalise with local private sector pay rates is demonstrably unfair and would lead to declining living standards and the further economic depression of many communities in Wales. "While housing costs in Wales are on average less than those in some areas of England, gas, electric and fuel bills are often much higher. Food costs are the same, or as is the case for many rural parts of Wales - much higher. Any move to reduce or freeze public sector wages based on differences between private and public sector salaries will merely serve to further ingrain deprivation as a fact of life for many Welsh communities." "Welsh Liberal Democrats do not believe that regional pay will stimulate the local economy, and instead urge the Welsh Government, the WLGA and UK Government to work closer together on appropriate private enterprise stimulus packages. The best way to tackle an 18% salary difference between private and public sector workers in Wales is to raise up earnings in the private sector through the development of high value, high quality jobs. "It is important we do not forget that it was under Labour that regional pay was first introduced in to the courts system. We opposed that move then and we oppose the current suggestion made by Chancellor George Osborne that a similar system could be rolled out across other civil service departments. "Like many of our colleagues in Westminster, Welsh Liberal Democrats are fundamentally opposed to regional pay." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

As part of the Budget, the Chancellor has announced that from next year, the Income Tax threshold will be raised further, ensuring that no one pays any income tax on the first £9,200 they earn. In Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, and Bridgend that means 7,990 local people will be lifted out of paying Income Tax all together and a further 191,300 will receive a £220 tax cut. This is on top of tax cuts of £200 last year and a further £130 next month. The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black said: "The Chancellor has done the right thing in listening to Liberal Democrat calls for the Income Tax threshold to be raised further. "As a Liberal Democrat, I want to see a fairer tax system where help is provided for those who need it most and where the richest pay their fair share. "Raising the Income Tax threshold to £9,205 will help average working people in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, and Bridgend who have been struggling with bills and higher cost of living." Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said: "Liberal Democrats have been clear in our priorities for the Budget. We wanted to see a Budget for the millions, not the millionaires. Today I believe we have achieved that. Since 2010, 133,200 workers in Wales have been lifted out of paying income tax and a further 1.1 million will see more of their salary in their pocket thanks to the Liberal Democrats." Notes to Editors: When the Coalition came to power in 2010 the Personal Tax Allowance was £6,475. Increasing it to £10,000 will mean £700 back in the pockets of working people, or approximately £60 a month. Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

The Welsh Liberal Democrats Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has welcomed the decision by Environment Minister. John Griffiths to abandon the previous Government's cull of badgers in north Pembrokeshire and parts of Ceredigion and pursue a vaccination programme instead. "This decision is very much in line with the available scientific evidence, including the peer-reviewed paper prepared by the Independent Science Group (ISG) on the results of the Randomised Badger Culling Trial that was released in July 2010," said Mr. Black. That paper concluded that "reductions in cattle TB incidence achieved by repeated badger culling were not sustained in the long term after culling ended and did not offset the financial costs of culling. These results, combined with evaluation of alternative culling methods, suggest that badger culling is unlikely to contribute effectively to the control of cattle TB in Britain." "Given the divisions and acrimony generated by the previous cull decision and the legal problems associated with this course of action, a vaccination programme was the best way forward as part of efforts to control this disease. Not only is it scientifically sound but it also prevents the unnecessary slaughter of badgers, which are a protected species." "At last we are getting a commonsense approach to this problem." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are using their debate in the Assembly this week to call on the Welsh Government to learn from previous mistakes regarding their allocation of EU funding in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, and Bridgend Latest official figures from the EU show that West Wales and the Valleys, the region where the three councils are located, have become relatively poorer despite receiving billions in EU funding. South Wales West regional AM Peter Black commented: "Despite receiving more than £6bn of EU aid, Wales has continued to become poorer over the last decade when compared to the European GDP average. The new figures released last week confirmed fears that the Welsh Labour Government has allowed the Welsh economy to take yet another step backwards. It is a damning verdict on the Welsh Labour Government's economic competence - the people in our region deserve better. "The Welsh Government has in the past lacked any sort of vision for how to spend billions of pounds of EU money and sadly Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, and Bridgend have paid the price for the Government's failure to allocate these funds appropriately. Hopefully lessons have been learnt from past mistakes and the Welsh Government will put this right if we qualify for even further funding in 2013." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

Welsh Liberal Democrats at the Spring Conference 2012 in Cardiff have voted overwhelmingly in support of a motion calling for more freedom for Local Authorities. Welsh Liberal Democrats have long believed that public services are better delivered when they are managed by the appropriate level of government. In contrast to the Labour-led Welsh administration Liberal Democrats think that when it comes to local services, Local Authorities should have greater control. Councils should be able to protect local interests and services without unnecessary restrictions and interference from the Welsh Government. Peter Black, Shadow Minister for Local Government, commented: "Current bureaucracy imposed by the Labour Welsh Government is hampering hard-working councillors across Wales in their attempts to deliver change for their communities. Under Labour's watch local services have been eroded and often withdrawn. "Despite spending restrictions and many needless bureaucratic requirements enforced on Local Authorities by the Welsh Government, Liberal Democrat run councils have still been able to provide excellent and efficiently run public services while maintaining low council tax increases. "In the Welsh Liberal Democrat run council of Swansea, a cut of 20% in special responsibility allowances paid to councillors has saved the council £1million over the last eight years. This has allowed the council to freeze tax for 2012/13. Under Labour the average yearly council tax rise was a hefty 7.6% compared to the Liberal Democrat administration's modest average increase of 3.4% per annum. That constitutes a saving of more than £3,100 for families living in an average Band D property in Swansea and it's the same story across many over Welsh Liberal Democrat run councils. In Cardiff the average annual increase in council tax has been just 2.7% compared to 11% a year under the previous Labour administration. "The Welsh Government needs to cut back on bureaucracy and allow Local Authorities greater freedom to deliver public services efficiently." Welsh Liberal Democrats have also called for the implementation of single transferable vote for local elections which will provide a fairer democratic system than first-past-the-post. Unlike the Labour Welsh Government, who recently announced that elections on Anglesey would be postponed for a year despite calls for democratic renewal of the council in May, Welsh Liberal Democrats believe in fair and democratically accountable government. Mr Black added: "There is no convincing reason to delay Council elections on Anglesey until May 2013 when, in the interests of democracy, it would be appropriate to hold elections along with the rest of the country in May 2012. "If there is any Council in need of democratic renewal, it is Ynys Mon. Despite huge cuts proposed by the Commissioners, currently running the council, their budget will not be subject to democratic approval despite it having far reaching consequences. "Unlike Labour, a Liberal Democrat Welsh Government would have allowed elections to go ahead on Anglesey this May. "Welsh Liberal Democrats are committed to fair and accountable democracy in a way that other parties are not. Our policy for electoral change at a local authority level represents a fairer system of government which amplifies the voice of the electorate." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

South Wales West Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, Peter Black has given his support to Age Cymru's 'Rule Out Abuse' campaign, which calls on the Welsh Government to introduce new legislation to strengthen support and protection for victims of elder abuse. An estimated 39,000 older people in Wales suffer abuse in their own homes with that abuse taking many forms including physical abuse, financial abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. Currently there is no legal obligation on public authorities to investigate when concerns are raised that an adult is at risk of being abused. To show his support Mr. Black has signed the "Rule Out Abuse" charter which lays out ten changes that need to be made to better support and protect vulnerable adults in Wales. Mr. Black said: "We need urgent action to protect some of society's most vulnerable people from harm. This is why I am backing Age Cymru's campaign and have signed the 'Rule Out Abuse' charter." "It is concerning that Wales has the highest rate of elder abuse in the UK and I am committed to working with Age Cymru and other organisations to tackle this problem head on. Abuse can happen anywhere and is most often carried out by people in a position of trust." The Rule Out Abuse campaign has been developed by Age Cymru following extensive research into ways of tackling elder abuse and consultation with adult protection experts. The campaign identifies a range of actions which should be taken to better protect adults at risk by increasing awareness and strengthening adult protection processes, so that tackling abuse is given the priority it deserves. Victoria Lloyd Age Cymru's Director of Influencing says: "Age Cymru is delighted that Peter Black has given his support to the campaign. "We believe that a clear legislative framework, outlining legal duties for key agencies to tackle abuse, would ensure that individuals are adequately supported through the adult protection processes and that each agency brings their specific expertise to stop incidents of abuse. "This is why Age Cymru feels that introducing a legal obligation to investigate suspected cases of abuse would be a significant step forward in ruling out elder abuse in Wales once and for all" For further information and to sign the Rule Out Abuse charter visit www.agecymru.org.uk/ruleoutabuse What can legislation do? Age Cymru believes legislation is needed to strengthen powers and duties in this area, to give adult protection a higher priority and to make it a 'must do' for all agencies - including local authorities, health bodies, the Police, care settings and housing providers. There is currently no statutory duty in legislation to investigate concerns of abuse against an adult (there is relation to children). Age Cymru wants legislation to include: A duty to investigate concerns of abuse A duty on all agencies to share information and to cooperate fully in investigations A duty to report concerns of potential abuse. What does Age Cymru want people to do? We want people and organisations to sign up to support the campaign and to sign our Rule Out Abuse charter We will distributing copies to politicians and key organisations People can view and sign the charter on our website: www.agecymru.org.uk/ruleoutabuse It will be available in local Age Cymru shops and offices. Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have welcomed reports that the police are investigating allegations of dishonesty among staff at the race relations charity Awema (All Wales Ethnic Minority Association). Peter Black, Shadow Minister for Heritage, commented: "The Investigation Report on funding for Awema was highly critical of the charity's cavalier attitude towards public funds. It is entirely right that the Police are to investigate the strong allegations of dishonesty that the charity has been accused of. "Awema's financial conduct was raised with the Welsh Labour Government in 2002, 2004 and 2007. Despite this, the charity continued to secure funding commitments for projects worth more than £8 million. The Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling for the Welsh Government to detail why it failed to act despite repeated warnings of financial and managerial malpractice. So far, it has avoided taking any sort of responsibility for its evident failings to do so." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black is asking constituents who live in park homes to make the Welsh consumer watchdog aware of any issues they face so as to provide an evidence-base for his private members bill. Consumer Focus Wales is interviewing individual park homes residents from across Wales about their experiences for their major report, which will be launched in autumn 2012, and want more residents to get in touch to discuss their experiences - both good and bad - of living on a park home site. Some residents have reported blocking of sales by site operators which causes great financial loss to the park home owner and an easy profit for some rogue site operators. Other residents have spoken to Consumer Focus Wales about their experience of buying a park home, their electricity, gas and water supplies, their written agreement and pitch fees and the quality of life on their park home site. Consumer Focus Wales is gathering evidence to help to strengthen the protections available for residents in a new bill being drawn up by Mr. Black. 'I am asking residents in my constituency to get in touch with Consumer Focus Wales so we can help combat issues residents face and protect older people from financial abuse," said Mr. Black. "We want to talk to as many residents as possible, whether they've had good experiences or bad. 'We know that difficulties are caused because park home residents own their home, while a site operator owns the land. Site operators can withhold consent to park home residents reselling their home, although this consent should not be withheld unreasonably. There is evidence that some site owners do this for their own financial gain, which means that home owners can be hit massively in the pocket.' If you know of anyone who would like to take part in this project, please ask them to contact Lowri Jackson, Policy Manager at Consumer Focus Wales, by phoning 029 2078 7108 or emailing ParkHomes@ConsumerFocus.org.uk Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

Responding to the news that the WLGA expects the average Council Tax increase across Wales for 2012-13 to be at a record low, at approximately 2.1%, Peter Black, Shadow Welsh Liberal Democrat Local Government Minister said: "The pressure on family finances is growing and the last thing councils should do is make people pay more for the services they rely on. "Careful financial planning and prudent spending by councils, especially Welsh Liberal Democrat-led councils, means that more money will be staying in Welsh people's pockets during these difficult times. "Welsh Liberal Democrat-led councils are keeping council tax increases low, and have consistently kept them low over the past four years, to help people out in difficult financial times." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

Responding to the Investigation Report on Funding for AWEMA, Peter Black AM, said: "For ten years, the Labour government has stood by as millions of pounds of taxpayers money is wasted by a charity that has played fast and loose with public money. "The Welsh Labour Government was repeatedly warned over the last decade that all was not well at Awema, however, they still continued to throw Welsh tax payers' money at this charity. "This report is highly critical of a charity that has been wasting Welsh tax payers' money with cavalier abandon. It is astonishing that the Labour Government has the gall to blame others. They need to look closer to home. "That key individuals involved in running the charity have now been suspended from the Labour party over this scandal only serves to highlight the cosy links between key Labour figures and this discredited charity. "While further investigation by the Charity Commission and the Welsh Audit Office is welcome, it is clear that the spotlight must now be shone also onto the links between Government ministers, a charity riddled with financial malpractice and the Labour Party." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

Further evidence of Welsh Labour Government inaction over Awema has come to light. A Written Assembly Question reveals how, Jane Hutt, the then Equalities Minister had not met with Awema officials in her new tenure following a critical report of the race charity in 2004/2005 In April 2006, Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM asked: "What meetings has the Minister had with the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association officials in the last 12 months? Jane Hutt responded: "I have not had any meetings with AWEMA officials over the past 12 months." Responding to this revelation, Peter Black, Shadow Welsh Liberal Democrat Equalities Minister said: "In light of the recent critical Awema report, my written assembly question to the then Labour Equalities Minister casts a dark shadow over Welsh Labour Government's reluctance to take action over a charity in receipt of thousands of tax payers' money. "The Welsh Labour Government was warned not to continue funding this charity because of concerns surrounding project management, performance monitoring and financial management controls. Not only did the Welsh Labour Government continue funding this charity despite this warning, it seems that the Equalities Minister did not meet with officials to monitor their spending of millions of tax payers' money. "The more we research what has been happening in Awema and in the secretive corridors of the Welsh Labour Government, the more murky and serious this affair is becoming." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has described recent announcements of future price reductions by big energy suppliers as too little too late compared to the massive price hikes of the last two years. All the big energy companies have followed the lead of British Gas and announced that they are reducing prices by around 5% at some point this spring. Mr. Black said: "Fuel poverty in Wales has soared to 41% of households which is the highest in the UK. Many of those struggling to cope live here in South Wales West. Obviously, any price reduction is welcome as it will help hard-pressed families throughout our region. However, one of the main reasons for household incomes coming under pressure has been the price hikes that the energy giants have imposed on us all over the last two years. A cut now is the least that they could do. "I am concerned that most of the Big Six energy companies have cut the price of one fuel only. For instance, British Gas has only cut electricity prices, EDF and Scottish and Southern Energy (which is SWALEC around here) have only cut gas prices. British Gas has twice as many gas-buying customers as electricity customers. EDF and SSE have many more customers who buy electricity than gas. That does not appear to be a coincidence. "When the Big Six pushed their prices up, gas and electricity prices rose together. That us not the case when we experience price cuts. Wholesale prices have fallen from their 2011 peak by 19% for gas, and 25% for electricity, and yet we are only being offered a 5% reduction that will come into effect as winter ends, and fuel use falls. "The energy companies are indulging in yet more cynical PR posturing. If they were serious about playing their part to tackle fuel poverty they would reduce prices across both fuels, increase the size of the cut to reflect their falling costs, and introduce it immediately. "It is obvious that they will not change until they are forced to do so. That is why the Competition Commission needs to investigate this latest manoeuvre urgently." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

Peter Black, Assembly Member for South Wales West, has responded to news that the Swansea-Cork ferry service is to close with the loss of 78 jobs. Peter said: "I am sorry to hear about the loss of jobs announced today. I very much regret the Fastnet Line ferry service is to close, but I have to accept the Minister's comments on face value that the proposition presented by Fastnet Line was not commercially viable. "The service was estimated to be worth around £20 million to Swansea's economy, so it is essential for Swansea Council and the Welsh and Irish Governments to work together in order for another service to be back up and running as soon as possible if it can be proven to be commercially workable." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Housing Minister, has today been given permission by the National Assembly to introduce a bill that will regulate the process by which mobile homes (park homes) are regulated and sold in Wales. Currently, there are many cases throughout Wales' 80 park home sites of unfair practice. Problems faced by residents range from a lack of site maintenance to changes in ground rent and site policy without consultation, through to harassment and bullying. The Bill would ensure that negotiations between park home site owners and park home owners are independently monitored and that there will be a system of arbitration for owners who have cause for concern about administrative processes. The Bill will also seek to establish a requirement that the owners of park home sites must pass a "fit and proper" persons test as part of a licensing system. Peter Black won the all-member ballot to introduce a Member Proposed Bill before Christmas. There is strong cross-party support and talks with the Welsh Government have been constructive. Peter Black, Shadow Minister for Housing said: "I am delighted that the Assembly has today given the green light for my Park Homes bill to proceed to the next stage of legislation. It is an honour for an Assembly Member, who is not part of the Government, to be able to introduce legislation that will make a difference to the lives of so many people across Wales. "This is a huge issue in Wales that has needed attention for a long time now. In the past the Assembly has lacked the necessary powers to be able to pass legislation on issues like this. During the referendum campaign for increased legislative powers for Wales, we promised people that we would legislate to improve the standard of their lives. This is exactly what we will be doing with this legislation. "This bill I have introduced to the Assembly will seek to protect people by bringing in fair, easy to use processes and clear rights for both residents and site owners. My aim is to impose stricter controls over park home site owners. "At present there is little protection for residents from unscrupulous park homes site owners, a minority of which may exploit their position for personal gain. Problems can include poor site management, vetoing or deterring legitimate sales. "Meetings between potential buyers and site owners will be independently monitored and a system of arbitration will be established for park home owners who feel that they have lost money as a result of undue interference. "The Bill will also develop a "fit and proper" persons test for park home site owners, acting as a licensing system, so that park home owners can be confident that their site is effectively managed. "I must pay tribute to Kirsty Williams AM, who has been campaigning for better protection of park home owners since she became an Assembly Member back in 1999. Her tireless dedication to defending the rights of park home owners in her constituency and many others across Wales will hopefully come to fruition with this bill." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

Post Offices in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend have been saved by Liberal Democrat Business Minister, Ed Davey. After ending Labour's shameful Post Office closure programme, which saw more than 7100 Post Offices disappear in their 13 years in office, Ed Davey has announced that a ten-year deal between the Post Office and the Royal Mail has been reached. The deal gives additional certainty to subpostmasters across the UK and covers the full range of Royal Mail products available at post offices such as first and second class post, parcels, air mail, recorded and special deliveries. It adds to other recent progress for the Post Office, with extra Government cash kicking in, new national and local government contracts won, successful piloting of new models to transform many local post offices and improvements in financial services offered. Regional Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, Peter Black welcomed the agreement. He said; "After years of Post Office closures under the Labour Government, it is excellent news that Liberal Democrats are doing the right thing by ensuring that the Post Office has a sustainable future ahead of it through investment and by brokering this deal with Royal Mail. "Post Offices are a vital part of our communities and are the lynchpin of our towns and villages. More than 20 million people visit a Post Office every week to send letters to loved ones, to manage their finances or to renew passports for holidays and hundreds of thousands of pensioners rely on them every day for their pensions. "Labour left Royal Mail in a terrible mess and it is Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government who have stopped closures and put Royal Mail and the Post Office on a secure footing. Our plans mean that we will never see the kind of planned closures that devastated local communities under the previous Government. "The 20 million people who use the Post Office every week don't deserve anything less from us." Commenting further, Ed Davey said: "A year ago I set out a radical plan to transform Post Office's future, with £1.34bn of Government support and investment but without any closure programmes. "Since then the Post Office has made good progress to become more competitive, building on its strengths. "While it will take several years to turn round the Post Office's finances, it's increasingly clear the reforms are beginning to work. "The 10-year deal struck between Royal Mail and the Post Office will give subpostmasters and others greater confidence. "The signs are extremely encouraging for the future of the Post Office." ENDS Notes to Editors: In November 2010, the Coalition Government published its plans to secure the future of the Post Office. Post offices play a key role in their communities and that is why the Government has committed to maintain a network of at least 11,500 branches, building a long-term future for those branches. Under the Labour Government, Post Office numbers fell by more than 7100, or 38%. In March 2010, there were 11,905 post offices in the UK. Post Office Ltd remains in 100% public ownership. A new Board has been appointed to oversee the Post Office as an independent business with certainty about its future. Post Office Ltd has been developing innovative Government services. The most recent example of success is its appointment as the UK Border Agency's delivery partner for Biometric Residency Permits. Other examples include providing identity checks for London taxi drivers and a range of 'front office' transactions for Westminster Council. Significant progress has also been made in developing the Post Office's financial services business. In September access to RBS accounts over Post Office counters was extended and in November new products like the Junior ISA were introduced. Moya Greene, Royal Mail Group's Chief Executive, today warmly welcomed the new, commercial agreement between the Royal Mail Group and Post Office Ltd: "I am delighted with this agreement. It provides a firm foundation for the Post Office's long-term, sustainable future and ensures Royal Mail's customers continue to get access to postal services in Post Office branches nationwide, the UK's biggest retail network. "Royal Mail and the Post Office have reached an agreement that is in the best interests of our customers and both businesses. The Post Office will continue to benefit from the sale of stamps and other delivery services. For Royal Mail, the business retains the current, unrivalled, UK-wide, retail distribution network for its products and services aimed at consumers and small businesses. We look forward to a new chapter in our continuing, close relationship." Paula Vennells, Managing Director of Post office Ltd, said: "This is a good agreement for the Post Office, for the millions of customers a day who visit our branches and for our subpostmasters. We are the number one mails' retailer in the UK and postal business accounts for a third of our income. A long term relationship with Royal Mail ensures we continue to provide the unrivalled access and great customer service in mails and parcels services, which individuals and business customers want from the Post Office. "This vital agreement, along with our ambitious plans for growth in government services, our branch investment and modernisation programme, and our development of digital services will all help to build a long term and sustainable Post Office." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Local Government, Peter Black, has welcomed the decision by the Welsh Government that it is no longer planning to legislate to force local councils to collaborate. The Minister's announced in July 2011 set out the Welsh Government's intention to bring forward a Local Government (Collaborative Measures) Bill, giving Ministers the power to merge local councils. The Minister has now told Plenary that as a result of the Welsh Local Government Compact committing local authorities to further collaboration, and because of their progress that has been achieved already, he is "minded that there is no immediate need for further legislation in the area of collaboration." Peter Black said: "Any attempt to legislate to force the merger of Councils or to allow Ministers to interfere in the way that they are run and work with their partners would have proved controversial. I suspect that a minority Labour Government would have had difficulty getting a bill through the Assembly. I welcome therefore the decision of the Minister to step back from this particular abyss and to recognise the good work that is taking place throughout Wales. "However, there is little evidence that the collaboration agenda has spread to the Welsh Government themselves. Although there is good work going on between social services and health in particular, the vast majority of Welsh government departments continue to plough on in splendid isolation. Ministers themselves need to pull their departments out of their silos and insist that they are more proactive in working with each other and with local councils so as to improve the quality of services and get good value for money." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, met with two deaf young people this week [Tuesday 17 January] to learn about acoustics, as part of a campaign by the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) Cymru to make schools accessible to children with a hearing loss. Deaf young people, Kurtis Olding and Daniyaal Munir, both aged 15 from Cardiff, described to Mr. Black how noisy, echoing classrooms make it difficult for deaf children to learn. At the event, held at the Welsh Assembly buildings, Mr. Black listened to audio classroom simulations, to hear how a classroom with poor acoustics can sound to a child with hearing loss. Mr. Black is supporting the 'Let's Make a New Year's Resolution that Sounds Good' campaign, launched by NDCS Cymru last month, which calls on Assembly Members to sign up to a special New Year's Resolution in support of good acoustics in new school, college and nursery buildings. Research published by NDCS Cymru reveals that acoustic regulations for new school buildings are often ignored, leaving children across Wales struggling to learn in noisy and echoing classrooms. Less than a third of schools built in Wales between 2003 and 2010 received any input from an acoustic expert. It also shows that just 11 per cent of schools built during this time were tested to check that they met acoustic standards*. Mr. Black said: "It was a great privilege to be able to meet deaf young people today to learn more about how poor acoustics can affect them at school. Barriers such as this must be broken down if we want to give deaf children the best chance of achieving their full academic potential. I fully support the campaign to improve acoustics in schools across Wales and I am calling on my fellow Assembly Members to follow suit so that we succeed in putting the issue firmly on the political agenda." Jayne Dulson, NDCS Cymru Director, says: "We are delighted that Mr. Black is supporting our campaign and that he met with Kurtis and Daniyaal to better understand the challenges that deaf children face in classrooms with poor acoustics. "Good acoustics in schools are important for all children, but particularly so for deaf children. Although many deaf children use devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants to access sound, these become almost useless in noisy classrooms. We now need the Welsh Government take action on this important issue." In 2010, following calls from NDCS Cymru, the Welsh Government agreed to ensure that schools funded through its 21st Century Schools Programme would meet acoustic standards. This was great news, but only affects schools funded in this way. The charity's campaign is now calling on the Welsh Government to go a step further and use its new powers on Building Regulations to strengthen the existing law on acoustic standards, ensuring that all new school, nursery and college buildings will sound good - regardless of how they are funded! Poor acoustics in schools create a barrier to learning for all children, but present a particular barrier for children with a hearing loss (i). There are more than 1,700 deaf pupils in Wales (ii). Furthermore, 80 per cent of all children will experience temporary hearing loss before they reach the age of ten (iii). For more information on the campaign, please visit www.ndcs.org.uk/nyacoustics. - Ends - For more information, please contact: Debbie Thomas Email: debbie.thomas@ndcs.org.uk Tel: 029 2037 3474 Anna Galandzij Email: anna.galandzij@ndcs.org.uk Tel: 020 7014 1178 Faith Dawes Email: faith.dawes@ndcs.org.uk Tel: 020 7014 1149 Notes to editors NDCS is the leading charity dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and young people: www.ndcs.org.uk. For more information on childhood deafness parents can contact the NDCS Freephone Helpline on 0808 800 8880 (voice and text), email helpline@ndcs.org.uk, or chat online at www.ndcs.org.uk/livechat. UK Government standards on acoustics are set out in Building Bulletin 93. Since 2003, BB93 has applied to all new school buildings and major refurbishments in Wales. Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, Peter Black has raised concerns that convicted drink drivers will have to go to England for Drink Drive Rehabilitation courses unless Ministers introduce legislation in the Welsh Assembly within the next few months. Mr. Black has written to the Minister for Local Government, Transport and Communities asking him to commit to legislation for a Drink Drive Rehabilitation Scheme in Wales. Courses provide offenders with important insight into their behaviour and strategies to avoid drink driving in future and are often included as part of sentencing in the courts. Responsibility for such schemes will be passed from the Department for Transport to the Welsh Assembly in October 2012. To ensure that there is a seamless continuance in service from Drink Drive Rehabilitation Scheme course providers it is vital that legislation is passed by the Welsh Government before approval of existing course providers is revoked in the autumn. This is vital too, so as to protect jobs in Wales associated with these courses. Mr. Black said: "There are a number of organisations across the UK who provide courses that drink drive offenders can be referred onto by the courts. These courses provide offenders with the ability to gain an insight into their behaviour and offer strategies to avoid drink driving in the future. It also means that their driving ban can be reduced on attendance of the course. "As the responsibility for the administration of this scheme has been devolved to the National Assembly for Wales I am advised that separate legislation will have to be introduced by the Welsh Government if there is to be a DDRS in Wales. "I have asked Carl Sargeant to confirm what plans the Welsh Government has to introduce this legislation in time for the revocation of approval for course providers in October." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY