Assembly Government needs to speak up for people of Merthyr

By Veronica German AM, on April 5th, 2011

The Merthyr Liberal Democrats first became aware of Covanta’s proposals for an incinerator in 2008 and immediately organised a public meeting in the town centre.

From then on we have been trying to raise awareness of this issue.

This is not what some might describe as Nimbyism (‘Not in my back yard’). This is making sensible arguments against proposals that are too large and clearly contradict Welsh Assembly Government policy.

For example, the Government’s policy on waste states that any incinerator needs to function at 60% efficiency (or better) in order to be environmentally acceptable. To achieve this, incinerators must generate electricity and fully utilise the heat as heating for homes and for industry. These proposals suggest this will not be the case.

The size of the plan would demand that Assembly Government accept this single incinerator to deal with all the residual waste in Wales. That would require waste to be moved from all aprts of Wales. This is also against Assembly Government policy.

The incinerator planning process is an example of democracy not working. The consultation with local residents has been poor. It is startling the number of people I have spoken to who weren’t aware of the proposals, or at least were not aware of the size of the development planned.

I must question the Assembly Government’s role in these proposals.

Only recently I quizzed the First Minister on his Government’s involvement in the proposed incinerator. He informed me that it was “not a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government” !

In the past the First Minister has said that he would not be able to intervene because his Government was not a statutory consultee in the IPC’s (Infrastructure Planning Committee) application process. However, on the IPC website, it clearly states that the Assembly Government is a statutory consultee at both the pre-application and examination stage of the process.

The fact is that the Assembly Government could have influence if it wanted to. Carwyn Jones needs to explain why his Government has decided to stay silent on this.

The IPC suggest it may be useful for the local authority to receive comments from local people to help them compose a Local Impact Report. I believe there is a strong moral obligation for Merthyr Council to do this and I suggest that residents send their views to the Leader of the Council.

The incinerator would create a handful of jobs, but this would be incredibly short sighted: A recent report showed that increased recycling could provide more than 3,000 new ‘Green Jobs’ in the Heads of the Valleys. The research said that recycling creates 10 times as many jobs as incineration and the region could have a green, successful and thriving future. This is the direction the region needs to be heading, rather than the unsustainable incinerator.

First published in Merthyr Express.

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First Minister is turning his back on Merthyr and the incinerator

By Veronica German AM, on March 30th, 2011

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales East, Veronica German has today questioned the First Minister on his government’s involvement in the proposed Covanta Incinerator in Merthyr.

Speaking in the Assembly today Ms German asked if he could explain why the First Minister had stated that his government was a not a statutory consultee on this planning application.

The Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) website clearly states that the Welsh Assembly Government is a statutory consultee at both the pre application and examination stage of the process.

When asked, the First Minister stated that it was “Not a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government”.

Ms German Commented:

“I am amazed that the First Minister can so easily turn his back on the people of Merthyr.

“It comes just days after a protest outside the Senedd by protesters from Merthyr, the Rhymney valley and Blaenau Gwent.

“They do not understand why their government are not willing to state their position on this proposed development, particularly since it seems to conflict with the government’s strategy for waste.

“The fact that the First Minister refuses to even comment is shameful.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats are determined to fight this inappropriate proposal all the way.”

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Veronica German AM attends ‘No Incinerator’ action day

By Veronica German AM, on March 21st, 2011

Veronica at the action day with Cllr Bob Griffin

Welsh Liberal Democrats Veronica German AM and Councillor Bob Griffin last weekend took part in a ‘No Monster Incinerator’ action group day in Merthyr town centre.

Over the course of the day, 600 local residents completed and signed the IPC (Infrastructure Planning Commission) registration forms in protest against the incinerator.

Ms German, Assembly Member for South Wales East commented:

“I am pleased with the support local residents are giving to the campaign against the proposed incinerator. In fact, people felt so strongly on this issue that they were actually queuing up to register their objections to the plans. Recent community public meetings have been packed, illustrating the strength of feeling of local residents.

“The incinerator might create a few jobs, but this would be incredibly short sighted. A recent report illustrated that increased recycling could provide more than 3,000 new ‘green jobs’ in the Heads of the Valleys. The research showed that recycling creates ten times as many jobs as incineration and that the region could potentially have a green, successful and thriving future. This is the direction the region needs to be heading, rather than the environmentally unfriendly incinerator.

“There also seems to be a big problem over the lack of consultation with local residents. It was startling the number of people I spoke to who hadn’t been aware of the proposals, or at least were not aware of the size of the development planned. Covanta held some meetings which according to many residents lacked any sort of detailed information. Since then, the IPC have held some meetings that were poorly advertised and also lacked any proper information. There is a sense of feeling in the local community that their voices are not being heard.”

Veronica will be meeting a group of constituents who are visiting the Senedd tomorrow afternoon after they have presented a petition to the Infrastructure Planning Commission.

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Letter to Infrastructure Planning Commission regarding proposed Incinerator in Merthyr

By Veronica German AM, on February 23rd, 2011

Dear Sir,

Residents have recently been in contact with me regarding the location of the sessions you have recently held in the Merthyr area. I appreciate the aims of the events, which were to allow local residents the chance to learn how to submit their opinions to you. Nonetheless, I must question the choice of location for your event held at the Blaen Dowlias Rugby Club on Friday 18th February 2011. Blaen Dowlais, on the edge of the Merthyr Borough, is not particularly easy to get to. I find it strange that the one event that was actually held in Merthyr was not in the town centre, but instead on the northernmost edge of the area. The other two sessions held seems as if they were also not designed with the aim to allow easy access for residents of Merthyr Tydfil. Neither Fochriw or Rhymney, both outside the Merthyr catchment area, have good transport links from Merthyr town centre.

I welcome the fact that residents of both Fochriw and Rhymney were consulted on this very serious issue that will also affect them. I also welcome that both of the events held outside Merthyr were held at a reasonable time for residents to attend. But why was the Merthyr session held on a weekday between 09:00-12:00? This is clearly not a sensible time as obviously a number of people would be at work. So not only was the event held in an unsuitable location, it was also held at a time that allowed few people to attend.

Residents have contacted me regarding their disappointment in the actual session that IPC provided. There was a lack of information before the session which led to many residents believing that IPC would be engaging the public in discussion about the application itself. This was not the case, which led to residents making lengthy journey’s in hope of learning more about the application, but instead they left none the wiser with the feeling of confusion. I have been told that no information was available whatsoever at some of your sessions. How are people supposed to submit their opinions when they believe they are not well enough informed to do so?

There also seemed to be a problem with the advertising of the sessions being held. The vast majority of residents had no knowledge that the sessions were taking place, let alone where and when. I appreciate that details were made available on your website, but more efforts must be made so residents are fully informed on what is being planned.

I am aware that Covanta themselves held a public consultation, but local residents and elected member felt that it was lacking in detailed information.

This is clearly a contentious issue and the perception is that the views of local people are not being heard. I would be grateful for your comments regarding this matter.

Yours Sincerely,

Veronica German AM

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Veronica German AM questions location of IPC’s ‘drop-in’ session

By Veronica German AM, on February 23rd, 2011

Veronica German, Assembly Member for South Wales East, has criticised the drop-in sessions hosted by decision-making body the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC).

A series of events to help those interested in proposals for an incinerator in Merthyr were recently held so that residents could find out how to put their case to the IPC. Many residents have contacted Ms German complaining that they did not know about the sessions, whilst others have complained that the sessions were uninformative.

Ms German commented:

“Firstly I must question the location of the event held in Blaen Dowlais. The club where it was held is right on the edge of the Merthyr Borough and is not at all easy to get to from town. I find it bizarre that the one event that was actually held in Merthyr was not held in the town centre, which clearly would have made more sense.

“Also, it is unacceptable that the Merthyr session was held on a weekday during the afternoon. This is clearly not a sensible time as obviously a number of people would be at work. So, not only was the event held in an unsuitable location, it was also held at a time that allowed few people to attend.”

Ms German also noted that very few residents knew that the sessions were actually taking place. She added:

“The vast majority of residents had no knowledge that the sessions were taking place, let alone where and when. The lack of information before the session led to many residents believing the IPC would be engaging the public in discussion about the application itself. This was not the case, which led to residents leaving feeling rather confused.

“I am aware that Covanta themselves held a public consultation, but local residents and elected members felt that it was lacking in detailed information. This is clearly a contentious issue and the perception is that the views of local people are not being heard.”

Ms German has written to the Infrastructure Planning Commission expressing her concerns.

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