GLYNNEATH NEWS & VIEWS - FESTIVAL of DEMOCRACY

Day 1 Today's question is What is Democracy? CLICK HERE		According to Wikipedia "Democracy is a system of government in which state power is vested in the people or the general population of a state." I believe that in the UK we have two types of democracy: Direct democracy where the people vote directly on a particular issue, good examples of this are Brexit and Devolution Representative democracy where you vote for someone to represent you. The recent parliamentary general election is a good example of this as is the by election on the 14 November. What does democracy mean for you?
Day 1 poll		Are you satisfied with the democratic systems of governance in the United Kingdom? If you vote no, what would you prefer to see.?
Day 2 Candidates standing in the election CLICK HERE		This image shows that 5 members of the public in Glynneath have been nominated to stand in the election. Jennifer Herbert, Phil Pendry, Marie Powell, Gerry Reynolds and myself Dai Richards. None of us live in the West Central ward so why are we standing? Each of us will have a purpose for putting ourselves forward. What do you think? What reasons do these 5 people have for putting themselves forward, what is their purpose? JENNIFER HERBERT - PHIL PENDRY - MARIE POWELL - GERRY REYNOLDS - DAI RICHARDS
Day 3 Memories of Roger Simons CLICK HERE		ROGER'S ROUNDS - MEMORIES OF ROGER The following recording is of a Glynneath resident who knew Roger well and was on Roger's Rounds. Roger's Rounds were a group of residents who Roger called on unannounced to chat about local issues and life. I was one of these people, the first time he called, I answered the door and he said to me "David Richards" I've heard about you, my name is Roger.............. and we struck up a friendship from there. Were you on Roger's Rounds - I'd be keen to record your stories of Roger if you were or you can tell them here. We are also looking for photos of Roger from any period in any pose.
Day 4 CLICK HERE	GOVERNANCE	What is governance ? I would suggest that once you've exercised your right to democracy and you've made your selection for government your elected official enters a system of governance.......... more.......
Day 4 CLICK HERE		ROGER THE POLICEMAN & ROGER'S MOTORBIKES Glynneath resident Kenwyn Davies with his memories of Roger Simons.
Day 5 20241025R-FOVI-dedicated 20241025R-WBVI-dedicated GNAV-DEMO-VIDE CLICK HERE FOR THE FACEBOOK POST		WOULD YOU VOTE FOR THIS MAN ? I moved to Glynneath from Neath in August 2007. I was really happy here until the politically motivated Councillors Janet Collins and Del Morgan joined my quiz team. Then life turned from good to worse and then worse again when I discovered I was living next to a toxic waste dump. I'm only placing this video on News and Views because I had so much fun doing this and to help me to remember what 'fun' is. It is dedicated to memory of Tony Morgan formerly of the Halfway who with his wife Claire created an environment where for a couple of hours a week I could be myself, have fun and enjoy being part of this community.
Day 5 CLICK HERE FOR THE FACEBOOK POST		COUNCILLOR QUESTION Today's second question is also directed to Councillor Davies of Neath Port Talbot Council and the Glynneath Town Council Dear Councillor Davies Your co-councillor Simon Knoyle delivered a letter to the residents of Brynhyfryd, Woodland Park and Waun Gron in February 2022. In his conclusion of the letter Councillor Knoyle states: "I await the findings of Public Health Wales and once their report is issued, I will release that information so that everyone can see this. I will then be making sure that the findings of the report are reviewed and anything which needs addressing will be addressed." However, we know that Councillor Knoyle received the report on 11 April 2022 and he has not updated the residents of these streets on the contents of the report. Could you either invite Councillor Knoyle into the group to provide information about the report to the group or inform the group of the report's findings - regards Dai Richards, Chairman, Glynneath Residents Against Contamination.
Day 5 CLICK HERE FOR THE FACEBOOK POST		COUNCILLOR QUESTION Today's Festival of Democracy question is an invitation directed to group member Councillor Hayley Davies of Neath Port Talbot Council and the Glynneath Town Council. I've known Hayley for what must be close on 30 years so I'm sure she'll be delighted to take part and make an active contribution to this discussion. Dear Councillor Davies - We invite you to take part in our festival of democracy to help the members of the group understand how our systems of governance work. I am a candidate in the by-election in your ward next month so potentially we would be able to work together to support the community. I am standing for council in order to represent the people of that ward to the best of my ability, however there may be concerns by some of the residents in the area relating to my integrity considering the statement by your co-councillor Simon Knoyle in an email to the former MP Christina Rees on 20 April 2023 in which he states? I (and previous Cllr Del Morgan) were subjected to a tidal wave of abuse, bullying, harassment, slander and libel against us which continues to this day. "Christina - I am more than happy to come and see you and show you all of the email correspondence that I have and copies of all of the social media posts from Mr Richards in relation to this item, let me know when it is convenient for you." Please could you either invite Councillor Knoyle into the group to provide this information about me to this group or can you in your role as an NPTC & GTC councillor and group member inform the group of the relevant information that my local councillor wanted to show a sitting member of parliament. I believe that it is important for the group to understand any integrity issues that may exist with myself. I would consider that the United Kingdom Parliament is the highest authority in the land so the information that Councillor Knoyle wanted to present to the member of that parliament must be extremely important and a damming condemnation of my character. regards Dai Richards - Glynneath News and Views admin
Day 6 CLICK HERE FOR THE FACEBOOK POST		Today's topic is COMMUNICATION with your local councillors and we ask the question: How do you communicate with your local councillors? Here is an image of your local councillors contact details as they appear on the Glynneath Town Council website. If you have an issue you would like to contact them about it, in these days of multi media you have email telephone, letter, what's app, facebook, twitter. So many options available to contact them. What is your preferred method on contact.
Day 6		ROGER SIMONS Is there anyone out there who would like to tell some stories, post some pictures, be recorded talking about Roger Simons. It would be nice to get some more content about him.
Day 7 CLICK HERE FOR THE FACEBOOK POST		POWER PLAY - INDEPENDENTS v PLAID CYMRU FESTIVAL OF DEMOCRACY DAY 7 A feature of the Glynneath political scene is the constant battle between Plaid Cymru and the Independents for the money to develop their relative areas of culture. For Plaid Cymru its the Bethania Community Centre and the Independents, the Welfare Park. This video shows a power play between both parties when Councillor Knoyle identifies political subterfuge by the Plaid Cymru faction and their 'non' political side the Friends of Bethania. Its an interesting watch. Can you see anything else in the video that adds to the dialogue?
Day 8 CLICK HERE FOR THE FACEBOOK POST		POWER PLAY - INDEPENDENTS v PLAID CYMRU FESTIVAL OF DEMOCRACY DAY 7 WHAT DID YOU SEE? Following on from yesterday's video we see how Councillor Simon Knoyle breaks the conduct of councillors within 40 seconds of a long lecture on councillor conduct by Geraint Thomas a consultant clerk. He calls out the Plaid Cymru councillors and accuses them of predetermination in regards to the Friends of Bethania organisation. Toward the end of the video he shows double standards in relation to his earlier openness and transparency quote. Councillor Knoyle is still waiting in the wings to join the group. Would you care to click that button Councillor Knoyle and let us have your thoughts on this video.
Day 8 CLICK HERE FOR THE FACEBOOK POST		WEST CENTRAL WARD 2024 ELECTION - TIMETABLE We see from the election timetable that today is the first day in which postal votes may be sent out.
Day 8 CLICK HERE FOR THE FACEBOOK POST		WEST CENTRAL WARD 2024 ELECTION - TIME & PLACE This document gives the times for the opening of postal votes, place of voting and the location and time of the count.