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Mandelson hosted goldmining company in US before embassy warned NI's top civil servant of ‘negative' planning delays

Mandelson hosted goldmining company in US before embassy warned NI's top civil servant of ‘negative' planning delays

Campaigner say these revelations raise 'serious legal and democratic concerns'
The UK's Ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, invited a company behind plans for a controversial Co Tyrone goldmine to a St Patrick's Day breakfast in Washington — and one month later a letter was sent from his embassy to the head of the NI Civil Service claiming delays to the project are off-putting for potential investors.
Private documents obtained under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act reveal that Lord Mandelson and Dalradian discussed the huge mining project in Washington and communicated afterwards.
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Loss of lollipop patrols means Edinburgh streets 'never less safe' for children walking to school, claims MSP
Loss of lollipop patrols means Edinburgh streets 'never less safe' for children walking to school, claims MSP

Scotsman

time13 hours ago

  • Scotsman

Loss of lollipop patrols means Edinburgh streets 'never less safe' for children walking to school, claims MSP

A Lothian MSP claims it has "never been less safe" for children to walk to school in Edinburgh. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Tory MSP Miles Briggs made the comment after obtaining official data showing the number of lollipop patrols in the city had dropped by nearly 18 per cent over the past decade. But transport bosses dismissed his claim, which they said was not backed by any evidence. The number of school crossing patrols in Edinburgh has fallen by nearly 18 per cent over the past decade. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The figures, which Mr Briggs received following a Freedom of Information request, showed that in 2015 there were 169 school crossing patrol officers, but in 2025 that had fallen to 139. He said: 'Parents across Edinburgh have noticed an absence of lollipop men and women in comparison to years past. 'They are rightly concerned about the impact this has on road safety, especially with so many areas getting busier with new housing. 'Both the Scottish Government and council keep saying they want more kids to walk to school. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'And yet this cut in crossing patrollers suggests it's never been less safe for children and their families to do so. 'The SNP government must explain why it continually cuts council budgets to the bone, resulting in reductions such as these which put kids' safety at risk.' However, Edinburgh's Labour transport convener Stephen Jenkinson rejected Mr Briggs' claim that it had never been less safe for children walking to school. He said: "That's quite a strong claim to make and it doesn't seem to be backed up by any evidence apart from his own say so. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "School road safety is hugely important to me and to the council. Over the past 12 months we have placed a real focus on improving the experience of children getting back and forwards to school." Earlier this year, the transport committee agreed to scrap 17 school crossing sites where the council had been unable to recruit a lollipop person. Some had been without a crossing guide for 15 years or more and many now had a pedestrian crossing. Cllr Jenkinson said there had been historic issues around recruitment of school crossing patrol officers. "The council took over the responsibility from the police but never changed it, so we have now taken steps to rationalise some of the routes previously covered." But he said lollipop patrols were just one element of making sure children's journeys to and from school were as safe as possible. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Mr Briggs is right that we are encouraging children and parents to take more active travel routes to school. But I don't agree it's less safe than it was a few years ago." He said there had been a "constant improvement" in safety measures, including the roll-out of school streets, where cars are banned outside schools, either fully or between certain hours, as well as improved pedestrian crossings, widened pavements, segregated cycle lanes and 20mph limits. 'Putting this front and centre as a policy for the council is the right thing to do and I'm convinced we will continue to move in the direction on road safety and school rod safety in particular.'

Former workhouse and NHS clinic set to boost business in Pwllheli
Former workhouse and NHS clinic set to boost business in Pwllheli

North Wales Live

timea day ago

  • North Wales Live

Former workhouse and NHS clinic set to boost business in Pwllheli

A former 19th century workhouse which later became an NHS health centre is set for a new lease of life as part of a plan to promote enterprise in Pwllheli. The former Pwllheli Poor Law Union which later would become the Pwllheli Health Centre is a complex of buildings in a residential area of the town centre. The site on the Ala Road had been empty and disused for more than eight years, until it was finally sold by auction last year. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter In a successful planning application to Cyngor Gwynedd the site's owner Iwan Rhys Parry had called for a change of use of the former health centre in order to house storage units and offices. His submission said he had a "vision" to breathe new life into the building and to develop the site to attract local businesses. Situated along the main A499 the workhouse was originally built in 1837. Established to house the destitute, workhouses served as a last resort for those who could not support themselves. Workhouses became known for their harsh conditions and strict rules. Pwllheli's workhouse was developed as the Pwllheli Poor Law Union, on June 3 of that year, and served around 32 parishes. Families were often separated, and residents were required to perform work, often similar to the punishments metred out in prisons, such as oakum picking, in exchange for basic food and shelter. Until the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834, relief of the poor had been the responsibility of the parish, according to Gwynedd Archives. Following the Act, parishes were then grouped into Unions which were charged with providing relief of the able-bodied poor. The latest plans for the building describe changes and floor plans to the main building development on an area of 4021 square metres The applicant had stated: "I have very recently become the owner of this substantial site with the intention of developing and renovating the buildings for the benefit of the town and surrounding area. "My vision is to develop the site to attract local businesses to the site. There is a large car park and courtyard which would be ideal for this purpose. "The site is listed by CADW as a Grade II listed site with the reference 4468. The site has been empty for the past eight years and has therefore fallen into a state of disrepair." After enquiring about the availability of grants, he noted that "substantial investment" would be needed to restore the roofs, windows, doors and internal floors and rooms. The application was agreed by council planners with conditions, on Wednesday, August 6. Conditions included a requirement to "ensure the satisfactory development of the site to safeguard the visual amenities of the area". The application describes storage units in the main building and storage boxes in some of the larger rooms, as well as business offices. It also stated the development could provide two full time jobs.

Former workhouse and NHS clinic set to boost business in Pwllheli
Former workhouse and NHS clinic set to boost business in Pwllheli

Wales Online

timea day ago

  • Wales Online

Former workhouse and NHS clinic set to boost business in Pwllheli

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A former 19th century workhouse which later became an NHS health centre is set for a new lease of life as part of a plan to promote enterprise in Pwllheli. The former Pwllheli Poor Law Union which later would become the Pwllheli Health Centre is a complex of buildings in a residential area of the town centre. The site on the Ala Road had been empty and disused for more than eight years, until it was finally sold by auction last year. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter In a successful planning application to Cyngor Gwynedd the site's owner Iwan Rhys Parry had called for a change of use of the former health centre in order to house storage units and offices. His submission said he had a "vision" to breathe new life into the building and to develop the site to attract local businesses. Situated along the main A499 the workhouse was originally built in 1837. Established to house the destitute, workhouses served as a last resort for those who could not support themselves. Workhouses became known for their harsh conditions and strict rules. Pwllheli's workhouse was developed as the Pwllheli Poor Law Union, on June 3 of that year, and served around 32 parishes. Families were often separated, and residents were required to perform work, often similar to the punishments metred out in prisons, such as oakum picking, in exchange for basic food and shelter. Until the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834, relief of the poor had been the responsibility of the parish, according to Gwynedd Archives. Following the Act, parishes were then grouped into Unions which were charged with providing relief of the able-bodied poor. The latest plans for the building describe changes and floor plans to the main building development on an area of 4021 square metres The applicant had stated: "I have very recently become the owner of this substantial site with the intention of developing and renovating the buildings for the benefit of the town and surrounding area. "My vision is to develop the site to attract local businesses to the site. There is a large car park and courtyard which would be ideal for this purpose. "The site is listed by CADW as a Grade II listed site with the reference 4468. The site has been empty for the past eight years and has therefore fallen into a state of disrepair." After enquiring about the availability of grants, he noted that "substantial investment" would be needed to restore the roofs, windows, doors and internal floors and rooms. The application was agreed by council planners with conditions, on Wednesday, August 6. Conditions included a requirement to "ensure the satisfactory development of the site to safeguard the visual amenities of the area". The application describes storage units in the main building and storage boxes in some of the larger rooms, as well as business offices. It also stated the development could provide two full time jobs. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now

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