Latest news with #MaryAnnBrocklesby
Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Campaign for Severn tidal lagoon continues despite losing UK Government funding
Campaign for Severn tidal lagoon continues despite losing UK Government funding A report in March called for the UK and Welsh Governments to support the new scheme The M48 Severn Bridge (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) A campaign in support of a tidal lagoon to generate energy from the Severn Estuary will continue despite the organisation behind it losing its UK Government funding. The Severn Estuary Commission published a document in March advocating for a tidal lagoon. The report urged both the UK and Welsh governments to back the project, which would be smaller than a previously rejected barrage spanning the Severn. The Cardiff Capital Region, representing the 10 local authorities in South East Wales, and the West of England Combined Authority will now collaborate on the proposal. The commission was previously hosted by the Western Gateway Partnership, which united 28 councils from Pembrokeshire to Swindon and Salisbury with businesses to focus on economic development. However, this partnership is set to formally disband in June. Initially formed as a collaboration between Cardiff, Newport and Bristol councils in 2016, the partnership expanded and received UK Government support from 2019. However, the Labour government announced in its October budget that it would withdraw core funding for what were known as pan regional partnerships. Instead, it wants the new system of elected mayors in England to take up their work. Article continues below Monmouthshire County Council leader Mary Ann Brocklesby stated that while the council wasn't directly involved in the partnership, it was represented through the Cardiff Capital Region, which she chairs. She informed councillors that collaboration with English councils on economic development, including initiatives proposed by the Severn Estuary Commission, will persist. She remarked: "While the decision can be seen as disappointing it has not impacted the commitment of local authorities or other bodies on both sides of the border to continue to work together on projects that jointly benefit all our communities and businesses. "Particularly, the Severn Estuary Commission's suggestion, under the auspices of the Western Gateway Partnership, to capitalise on the tidal energy of the Severn, will be pursued in partnership by the Cardiff Capital Region and the West of England Combined Authority." She mentioned that a memorandum of understanding is being prepared for a formal partnership between the West of England Combined Authority and the Cardiff Capital Region, with shared goals of enhancing transport connections and seeking avenues for "green, sustainable growth." Labour Councillor Brocklesby revealed she has reached out to Helen Godwin, who was recently elected Labour's West of England mayor, and looks forward to meeting her. She also has engagements lined up with Jo Stevens, the UK Government's Welsh Secretary, as well as discussions with the Welsh Government and plans to meet Monmouth Labour MP Catherine Fookes. Article continues below She highlighted that the council engages with both governments to ensure Monmouthshire reaps the benefits from their respective "growth agendas", while she has also presented evidence before a Westminster select committee. Conservative councillor for Llanfoist and Govilon, Tomos Davies, questioning the UK Government's move to cut funding for a key partnership, inquired whether Cllr Brocklesby would "use her position to hold her Labour UK Government colleagues to account and ensure its devolution and growth agenda benefits the whole of the UK and doesn't abruptly stop at the Severn Bridge." He further pressed Cllr Brocklesby on how she intended to champion "further and deeper cross-border economic partnerships."
South Wales Argus
24-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire County Council celebrates food partnerships
This comes after Food Sense Wales published the Local Food Partnership Status Report, which highlights the diverse food activities happening across the country. The council has adopted food strategies, setting measurable targets for procuring and providing local, healthy, and sustainable food. One of the projects implemented by the Monmouthshire Food Partnership is the Welsh Veg in Schools initiative. This pilot project, coordinated by Food Sense Wales, aims to incorporate more organically produced Welsh vegetables into primary school meals across Wales. The project collaborates with partners such as Castell Howell, Farming Connect Horticulture, and various growers to achieve this goal. The initiative recognises that Welsh organic vegetables are more expensive than conventionally grown ones. Therefore, the pilot has covered the price gap between local, organic produce and standard prices. In 2024, the Welsh Veg in Schools initiative served 200,000 portions of fresh, organic veg in more than 200 schools across Wales, including 12 Monmouthshire primary schools. Leader of Monmouthshire County Council, Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby, said: "There's a good food movement happening all across Wales, and we're proud to be part of it. "Local food partnerships are some of the key drivers of change." In spring 2024, Food Sense Wales received additional funding from the Bridging the Gap programme to scale the project and expand its reach across the public sector.
South Wales Argus
23-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby on concerns for future of the world
Not just because it was a round number of years – 80 – since the end of the Second World War. But also because so many of the institutions which were formed amid careful optimism in the last years of the 1940s are now under such threat. I think of the NHS, and the pressures which it now faces; of those struggling to get the services which we have come to expect. Many of the duties we have as a county council were given to us by the post-war government, who established the welfare state, social services and such innovations as school meals, national parks and rights of way, as well as building millions of homes. Much of it resonates in a telling way today as we also have challenging targets to build affordable homes, to resolve pressures on social services and to protect the welfare state. Further afield, I worry for the role of the United Nations, formed in 1945 to provide a universal platform from which national disputes could be resolved by common agreement. Its authority is now too often disregarded. And the International Court of Human Rights, which is being shunned by those who find its rulings inconvenient. We don't have peace in Europe today – the Ukraine war besmirches our continent, and temporary ceasefires and attempts to bring a peaceful end seem little more than military gambits and cynical 'promises'. And in those same years after WWII the state of Israel was formed, after the horrors of the holocaust. What we are witnessing now is so very, very troubling. I am proud that Monmouthshire has a wonderful record of welcoming people fleeing from war and tyranny. And we have so many residents who are working for peace and international justice. Unlike in 1945, I worry that there is not the common determination to make the world a better place. Imperialism is rife. Wealth for the very few has grown exponentially, while at the same time, poverty has escalated, cutting cruel swathes across the globe. The rise of online abuse, political and financial manipulation, lies and deception are ever more pervasive and dangerous, so reminiscent of the propaganda that enabled the rise of fascism. I wonder how this generation can resist these forces and address the new crises we face, like the destruction of our climate? The very best tribute we can pay those who gave their lives in the fight for freedom is to always demand candour and honesty and to refuse to allow our communities to be divided by hatred, misrepresentation and false solutions to complex issues. Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby is leader of Monmouthshire County Council.
South Wales Argus
23-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Tidal lagoon support from Cardiff Capital Region and WECA
A document calling for a tidal lagoon was published in March by the Severn Estuary Commission in a report that called for the UK and Welsh governments to support the project which would be smaller than a barrage spanning the Severn which it rejected. The Cardiff Capital Region, that represents the 10 local authorities in South East Wales, and the West of England Combined Authority will now work together on the proposal. The commission had been hosted by the Western Gateway Partnership, that brought together 28 councils from Pembrokeshire to Swindon and Salisbury with businesses, to work together on economic development but is formally disbanding in June. The partnership was first formed as a collaboration between Cardiff, Newport and Bristol councils in 2016 before expanding and receiving UK Government support from 2019. But the Labour government announced in its October budget it would withdraw core funding for what were known as pan regional partnerships and wanted the new system of elected mayors in England to take up their work instead. Monmouthshire County Council leader Mary Ann Brocklesby said the council wasn't directly involved in the partnership but represented through the Cardiff Capital Region that she chairs. She told councillors work with English councils on economic development, including the proposals put forward by the Severn Estuary Commission, will continue. She said: 'While the decision can be seen as disappointing it has not impacted the commitment of local authorities or other bodies on both sides of the border to continue to work together on projects that jointly benefit all our communities and businesses. 'Notably the recommendation of the Severn Estuary Commission, hosted by the Western Gateway Partnership, to harness the tidal power of the Severn will be taken forward jointly by the Cardiff Capital Region and the West of England Combined Authority.' She said a memorandum of understanding for a formal partnership between the West of England Combined Authority and the Cardiff Capital Region is being drafted and they share interests of improving transport links and exploring opportunities of 'green, sustainable growth.' Labour's Cllr Brocklesby said she has already written to Helen Godwin, who was elected as Labour's West of England mayor earlier this month, and is due to meet with her and also has a meeting planned with the UK Government's Welsh Secretary, Jo Stevens, as well as with the Welsh Government and meets with Monmouth Labour MP Catherine Fookes. She said the council works with both governments so Monmouthshire can benefit from their 'growth agendas' while she has also given evidence to a Westminster select committee. Conservative councillor for Llanfoist and Govilon Tomos Davies, who had asked for a statement on the UK Government's decision to withdraw the partnership's funding, asked if Cllr Brocklesby would 'use her position to hold her Labour UK Government colleagues to account and ensure its devolution and growth agenda benefits the whole of the UK and doesn't abruptly stop at the Severn Bridge.' He also wanted to know how Cllr Brocklesby would advocate for 'further and deeper cross-border economic partnerships.'
Business News Wales
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
'Incredible Work' of Food Partnerships Across Wales is Hailed in Report
Monmouthshire County Council is celebrating the 'incredible work' of Food Partnerships across the country, including the work of Monmouthshire Food Partnership. Food Sense Wales has recently published the Local Food Partnership Status Report, showcasing the diverse food activities happening all over the country. Monmouthshire County Council has adopted organisation-wide food strategies, setting measurable targets for procuring and providing local, healthy, and sustainable food. One project which has been implemented by the Monmouthshire Food partnership is the Welsh Veg in Schools, a pilot project co-ordinated by Food Sense Wales that aims to get more organically produced Welsh vegetables into primary school meals across Wales. Working with partners including Castell Howell, Farming Connect Horticulture and a host of growers, the Welsh Veg in Schools project is helping to get more locally produced organic vegetables into school lunches. Recognising that Welsh organic vegetables are more expensive than vegetables which are conventionally grown, the pilot has covered the price gap between local, organic produce and standard prices. In spring 2024, Food Sense Wales received additional funding from the Bridging the Gap programme to scale the project and expand its reach across the public sector. What began as a small pilot project has since grown into a movement and in 2024, Welsh Veg in Schools served 200,000 portions of fresh, organic veg in more than 200 schools across Wales, including 12 primary schools in Monmouthshire. The Status of Local Food Partnerships in Wales 2025 report offers a snapshot of the current landscape, highlights best practices from the 22 Local Food Partnerships, and includes valuable feedback from partnership members. Leader of Monmouthshire County Council, Mary Ann Brocklesby, said: 'There's a good food movement happening all across Wales, and we're proud to be part of it. 'Local food partnerships are some of the key drivers of change. They bring together public bodies, community food growers, and the voluntary sector to develop local solutions for food resilience.'
