Latest news with #RussellGeorge
Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Fears Powys planners aren't going out to visit sites
CONCERN over the lack of site visits being conducted by members of Powys County Council's Planning committee ahead of deciding applications, has been flagged up with the Auditor General for Wales. Earlier today, (Friday – June 5) Montgomeryshire's Conservative MS Russell George met with the Auditor General for Wales Adrian Crompton and a team from Audit Wales to work through a list of concerns about the council's planning service. In April, Mr Russell wrote to Mr Crompton raising continued and serious concerns regarding the performance of the planning service. This follows the publication of two reports by Audit Wales on the council's planning service in the last two years. Following today's meeting Mr George MS said: 'The auditor general took on board my concerns and examples provided and will use what I outlined as part of a wider piece of work Audit Wales are undertaking around the governance and leadership of the council.' Mr George explained that they worked through a number of points that formed the basis of the meeting agenda and gave examples of planning issues that he has come across. Mr George said: 'We did spend some time on examples around missing and inaccurate information in reports going to committee. 'I also made the point on the lack of site visits by committee.' Interest in Mr George's concerns around planning in Powys was shown by members of the council's Governance and Audit committee last month. The committee chairwoman and lay-member Lynne Hamilton said that she will be expecting an update on the issue following the meeting. In May 2023 Audit Wales published a damning report into the state of Powys council's planning service and issued a number of recommendations for the council to address. In response, the council set up an internal board to help steer improvements in the service. Last November, Audit Wales issued a follow up report which said that 'overall' they had found that Powys planners had 'responded quickly' to improve its arrangements. Audit Wales said that the planning service has: 'implemented the 2023 recommendations in full.' Mr George believes that the follow-up review did not provide a 'comprehensive examination' of planning.
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Over 80 Powys patients left waiting two years for treatment
The First Minister of Wales revealed that more than 80 patients in Powys have been kept waiting over two years for treatment, when asked by Montgomeryshire's MS. After the First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan MS, revealed that at least 80 Powys patients are still waiting more than two years for their treatment, Montgomeryshire MS Russell George accused the Welsh Government of 'contradicting' itself. With the figure of waiting patients revealed during questions to the First Minister, the Montgomeryshire MS pointed out that a recent Welsh Government press release claimed that Powys Health Board had no patients waiting more than two years for treatment. The First Minister said that many Powys patients are facing long waits, as part of news that the Welsh Government's target to reduce waiting lists by Spring 2025 had been missed. Responding to a question from Russell George MS, the First Minister said: 'There are about 81 people in Powys waiting for two years for treatment, 40 of them waiting for treatment in England. It's England that's slow.' Commenting after questions to the First Minister, Mr George said: 'The First Minister's response to me was bizarre and contradictory. 'She does not seem to acknowledge that recent Welsh Government statements that Powys patients are not waiting more than two years for treatment were incorrect but then goes onto confirm at least 80 patients in Powys are waiting for over two years. 'What's deeply concerning is the Welsh Government's apparent misunderstanding of how healthcare is delivered in Powys. We don't have a district general hospital in the county, and our health board commissions care from hospitals in England and across Wales. 'Rather than taking responsibility, the First Minister then attempted to shift the blame onto NHS England. This was bizarre, as from next month, Powys patients will face even longer delays because the Welsh Government refuses to fund Powys Teaching Health Board to a point where it is able to buy healthcare capacity in England based on English waiting times. 'English hospitals have capacity to treat Powys patients more quickly but are being instructed not to due to funding arrangements from the Welsh Government. 'The people of Powys deserve honesty and action and not excuses. The Welsh Government must ensure fair access to treatment, whether that care is delivered in Wales or across the border.'
Powys County Times
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Meeting between MS and Audit Wales over Powys planning
CONCERNS about the local planning authority will be discussed at a meeting between a Powys Senedd Member and Audit Wales next month, it has been revealed. In April Montgomeryshire's Conservative MS Russell George criticised Powys County Council's planning department, and those comments were raised at a meeting of the council's governance and audit committee on Friday, May 23. Audit Wales staff were updating members of the work they intend doing with Powys council over the next year. Committee vice-chairman and lay member John Brautigam took the opportunity to bring up Mr George's comments directly with Audit Wales officers and asked if any 'progress' had been made on the matter. Gareth Jones of Audit Wales said that discussions were taking place to decide whether or not Mr George's concerns fall within their remit and that arrangements were being made for a meeting. Committee chairwoman, Lynne Hamilton said that her committee will be expecting an update on the issue in 'due course'. Mr George told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): 'The meeting between myself and Audit Wales is taking place next Friday, June 6.' In April, Mr George said that he had written to the Auditor General for Wales, raising continued and serious concerns regarding the performance of the planning service. This follows the publication of two reports by Audit Wales on the council's planning service in the last two years. In May 2023 Audit Wales published a damning report into the state of Powys council's planning service and issued a number of recommendations for the council to address. In response, the council set up an internal board to help steer improvements in the service. Last November, Audit Wales issued a follow up report which said that 'overall' they had found that Powys planners had 'responded quickly' to improve its arrangements. Audit Wales said that the planning service has 'implemented the 2023 recommendations in full'. Mr George believes that the follow-up review did not provide a 'comprehensive examination' of planning.
Powys County Times
17-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Powys holiday park hailed after being named best in Wales
An award winning leisure park in Powys received praise by Montgomeryshire MS Russell George as part of Wales Tourism Week. The Montgomeryshire Senedd Member visited Meadow Springs Country & Leisure Park, a touring and holiday home park in Trefeglwys to congratulate the team on recent award wins as part of Wales Tourism Week celebrations. Opened in February 2022, the park is owned by Jonathan Williams and Lisa Hughes, and recently received the 'Best Caravan, Camping & Glamping' award at the National Tourism Awards for Wales. Clive Bowen, service manager at Meadow Springs Country & Leisure Park said: "At Meadow Springs, we're proud to offer a wide range of leisure facilities to suit all interests and ages. "Whether it's paddleboarding or kayaking on our crystal-clear spring water lake, casting a line in our private stretch of river, or letting the kids explore our adventure play area, there's something for everyone. Guests can also enjoy scenic walks or cycle along our all-weather paths through the park. 'And at the heart of it all is Arthur's Restaurant & Bar, where we serve hearty, home-cooked meals made with locally sourced ingredients in a relaxed, friendly setting. 'I'm glad we had the opportunity to show Russell around what we believe, is a unique selling point for mid Wales tourism." During his visit, Russell George toured the park's facilities, learning about the park's recent £4 million investment, and its future investment of £3 million in new spa facilities with a swimming pool, sauna and gym. He said: 'The exceptional transformation over the last couple of years of the Meadow Springs site highlights the extraordinary innovation that is taking place in mid Wales' tourism industry. "Meadow Springs offers incredible opportunities for visitors, contributing significantly to our local economy and showcases the best of what our area has to offer. 'They continue to invest in improving the site to make it a truly unique mid Wales experience. 'I congratulate Jonathan, Lisa, and service manager Clive Bowen and their team on winning the award for 'Best Caravan, Camping & Glamping' at the National Tourism Awards for Wales, this is a testament to their hard work. The team are not resting on their laurels and it was exciting to hear about their future plans which will only enhance their offer to visitors but also the local community.'
Wales Online
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Welsh MS charged with betting offences pulls out of next Senedd election
Welsh MS charged with betting offences pulls out of next Senedd election MS Russell George said he will fight to clear his name Russell George MS denies cheating A Senedd politician charged with betting offences has quit as a Conservative candidate before the next election. Member of the Senedd Russell George is one of 15 people linked to the party alleged to have made bets on the election date then-prime minister Rishi Sunak would call a general election. The Montgomeryshire MS denied ever cheating and withdrew his candidacy from the May 2026 vote. In a statement shared on Facebook he said he was doing so to clear his name in what would be a "lengthy process". Last week Senedd Conservative leader Darren Millar withdrew the whip from George after the Gambling Commission announced the charges, meaning he now sits as an independent within the Welsh parliament. Article continues below In his Facebook post Mr George said he was "shocked and surprised" to hear of the charges he is facing. He wrote: "I was shocked and surprised to have been informed by the Gambling Commission that I am facing charges for cheating. "To be clear, I have never cheated. However, given the Gambling Commission's decision, and my understanding of what will follow, this is likely to be a lengthy process that may not be resolved by May 2026. "In the circumstances, I feel I have no alternative but to withdraw my candidacy for next year's Senedd elections so that I can focus on fighting to clear my name. "I will of course continue to serve the people of Montgomeryshire to the very best of my ability. "I am grateful for the many messages of support that I have received in recent days, particularly from constituents." Days before the announcement came from the Gambling Commission Mr George had been selected to lead the Tory list in the new constituency of Gwynedd Maldwyn. The party will now have to find a new candidate to lead the list in Gwynedd Maldwyn. The list of people charged also includes former Conservative MP Craig Williams, who represented the same constituency as Mr George, and Welsh Conservative director Thomas James. Article continues below A former police officer has also been charged. The 15 individuals are to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in June.
