I care about Kidwelly, not only because I live here as part of the strong local community with my family. We have so much history, so many attractions and a strong sense of local pride in the town. So I want to ensure we have an effective voice on the County Council for all our community, so we are not overlooked and get the support and resources we need and deserve.
My pledges therefore are:
1: Promote tourism and regeneration. In other counties Kidwelly would be a jewel in their tourist crown. We have so much potential, for so much more than the usual quick visit to the castle. We have the Quay, with its rich bird life, the historic Kymer’s canal, the industrial museum, even plans for this Country’s only velorail! It annoys me therefore that there is no marketing or celebration of the town, not even basic signage in the town or at the station. Big industries are gone, but Kidwelly could have a unique niche position rejuvenating our town centre supporting local small shops and businesses.
2: Support education. I was lucky enough to have teachers who saw beyond the stereotype of someone living in social housing with a single parent in low paid work and encouraged and supported me to get in to Oxford University. I want all children in the County to have their opportunity to fulfil their potential, whatever that is, be it academic or vocational. I will therefore support protecting the education budget, valuing teaching and learning staff and here in Kidwelly push for resources to improve our local schools.
3: Work to keep streets clear of litter and dog mess. Budgets are tight, but this is a bread and butter issue and should be prioritised. I have had to clean children’s shoes, pushchair and wheelchair wheels covered in dog mess. I will support increasing the cleansing budget and putting more bins and people on the street to stop mess by enforcement and clear it up when it happens.
4: Tackle the traffic issues. Given the infrastructure of our town, I have no magic resolve everything solution, but as a resident, I see the speed of traffic on Meinciau road and other streets in Kidwelly and have nearly been clipped by a wing mirror on the corner of Bridge Street. I see the absence of crossing here in Kidwelly and that for example a crossing by the Spar would slow traffic on Water Street, make access into Ferry Road easier and above all be safer for the many children crossing. I don’t want to wait for an accident before things get done and therefore will listen to residents’ concerns and push for long standing issues to be resolved.
5: Promote co-operative working. I carry around with me a card holder, on which I have had engraved one of my favourite quotations which comes from the ‘Mabinogion’, “A fo ben bid bont” “He who wants to be a leader should be a bridge”. I have worked with and for local authorities, the third sector and community groups. I have seen at first hand how negative sectional infighting between groups with people and organisations protecting their own interests rather than thinking about the community. If elected as a Labour and Co-operative party candidate, I will promote co-operative values and joint working for the benefit of the community.
I don’t promise to deliver instant solutions, but as a trade union officer, advice worker, barrister and more recently local Councillor, I have always fought for those I represent and do promise to work my hardest for the whole community.
We must have a bus service on a Sunday.I know that the bus companies are private but surely a little bit of pressure from the council might persuade them to do something about this.
By the way I live in Kidwelly
Hi
I agree the service on Sundays and the evenings is lacking, especially given that the census shows we have about 20% of the population here in Kidwelly with no car in the household.
Labour’s manifesto had a pledge to work to set up a municipal bus company with neighbouring authorities, which I hope will address the gaps in provision.
I do hope that happens.My son works on a Sunday and if he is unable to get a lift,which is often,he has to pay £30 for two taxi trips.He is only on basic wage so it doesn’t leave a lot left after.
On face value no one could fundamentally disagree with anything that Phil Thompson has said, but it is general and worth digging a little deeper into. Phil knows that Cydweli is run at local government level by the County and the Town Council between them. He has just been re-elected unopposed back on to the Town Council, and of course is running for the County seat.
He is for “rejuvenating our town centre supporting local small shops and businesses.” So he is the perfect man to ask about the redevelopment of the Town Hall (next to the White at the bottom of Lady Street) which would fit his aim perfectly. Both Town Centre and its local businesses.
He also knows that cooperation between the two is often the key to any successful development project. For example, a successful project to save and develop the Town Hall for community use would require such cooperation. The building is owned by the County and could be offered to a local trust for virtually nothing. Funding for the development (eg., from the Heritage Lottery) would depend on the Town Council giving the project its full support and offering a financial contribution. Phil is fully aware of this because until recently he was, I understand, a member of the new Town Hall Trust. But here is the rub. The just retiring Town Council refused any financial contribution and its support in writing for the project was ‘grudging’ at best, according to members of the previous Town Hall Trust – not what funders nor the County want to hear – and the major reason why it was unable to proceed. The new Town Hall Trust absolutely need this support from the Town Council now.
Bringing a concert venue, a building society and other useful services to our town centre requires the full commitment of the Town Council, of which Phil is a member, and the County Council, of which Phil hopes to be a member. So my question to Phil is, Do you support the Town Hall development and if so what practical steps will you take to ensure its success?