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Councillor Gail Giles – working for you
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Councillor Gail Giles – working for you
Gail and her Labour colleagues continue to oppose
the damaging policies of the present Conservative/Lib Dem led council
in areas such as Council Tax rises and
the increase in fees for voluntary organisations at Caerleon Town Hall.
Now that we have a Conservative/Lib
Dem Alliance coalition led Council Caerleon residents are finding themselves
with a 3.9% Council tax rise, proposed increases in the Caerleon Town
Hall fees and talk of closing Caerleon library.
Following Gail's request, a meeting took place
with Tory Coalition Lib/Dem Cabinet Member for Leisure and Continuing
Learning, Councillor Mike Hamilton, and organisations who hold meetings
in Caerleon Town Hall. Gail lobbied hard with the organisations representatives
to persuade Cllr Hamilton to change his mind and consider the difficulties
raising the fees would pose for residents. Despite both Conservative
Councillors, Charles Ferris and Angela Jones, openly supporting the
rise in fees Councillor Hamilton agreed to postpone increases until
next year.
Caerleon Library update
Following written objections and questions at full Council by Gail,
Tory Coalition Lib/Dem Councillor Mike Hamilton, Cabinet Member has
backed down so Caerleon Library which will not now close. We will be
keeping a very close eye on the situation to ensure there are no further
moves to
get rid of this very important facility in our community.
Ryder Cup
Concerns have been expressed about how the Ryder Cup will affect Caerleon residents.
Gail has raised the matter with Lib Dem Councillor Ed Townsend, Cabinet Member
for Regeneration and the Economy, at Full Council. Reassurances have been given
that communication and the provision of information will be improved. Meanwhile, you
are very welcome to write to Gail with your queries or concerns.
Council Minutes are available on the Newport City Council website : www.newport.gov.uk
Gail plays a major role locally - looking after the interests of Caerleon residents
and representing them at the Civic Centre. Since the 2008 elections, as well as opposing the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition's 3.9% increase in Council Tax and supporting Labour's proposal for a 0% increase this year she has also been directly involved in:
- Dispersal orders in the centre of Caerleon to reduce anti-social behaviour
- Supporting local organisations and youth clubs
- Traffic calming bumps on Goldcroft Common
- More street litter bins
- Plans for further traffic lights and calming measures on
Lodge Hill
LABOUR'S
GROUNDWORK IS STILL MAKING THE DIFFERENCE
LABOUR went into the May 2008 council elections in Newport with a tremendous
record of
achievement:
- We were recognised as one of the fastest economic growth areas in the UK.
- We had the second lowest council tax rates in Wales.
- We were accredited as the best local education authority in Wales.
- Our financial management and delivery of services were praised by outside bodies.
So what' s happened since then? Labour lost control but……
Newport City Council is still benefiting from a healthy financial legacy left by Labour.The Local Government Data Unit's latest survey shows that Newport City Council was one of the best overall performers in Wales in 2007-8.
Newport has once again been recognised as one of the best education authorities in Wales, outperforming every other Welsh council on primary school performances in particular.The biggest tribute came from the new Conservative Leader on Newport City Council, Matthew Evans, who said he was "very pleased " with Newport's performance - i.e. Labour's husbandry is still bearing fruit.
The late Jim Waggett 1922-2008
Gail with the help of Caerleon Labour Party members recently marked the late Jim Waggett's remarkable contribution to the community by planting a rosebush in the precincts of St Cadoc's Church. He was a Labour Party member for more than fifty years, a member of Caerleon Urban District Council (and subsequently of Newport County Borough
Council) and a church warden at St Cadoc's .