Archive for Election 2012

Education, education, education

11 April 2012 jonathanbishop No comments

In 1997 I joined New Labour – I have never seen myself as Labour, only ever New Labour. Having grown up and seen my father going from a modest construction manager to owning a top 100 Welsh firm the traditional Labour values are as important to me as the new ones relating to choice and competition. This video shows Tony Blair’s famous speech on ‘education, education, education’ and it was speeches like this that convinced me to join Labour. At the time I saw the extremities of socialism as preferable to the extremeties of capitalism, but Tony Blair convinced me one could have the best of both – through New Labour.

If I am elected to Llantwit Fardre I will be pushing the choice agenda, particularly if I am appointed a school governor. The council should not be there to be a social club for councillors – You won’t believe the number of sit-down meals they had when I was last on – it should instead be proving the services people need.

In the last four years, opportunities for informal learning like play schemes have been cut by up to 50%. I want more of the council tax we pay to be going to Llantwit Fardre community council and not RCT. In recent years RCT’s proportion of the council tax precept has gone up but the community council – dedicate to our area – has gone down exponentially. This must change.

Election 2012

Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime

11 April 2012 jonathanbishop No comments

There is a link in many of our minds that there is a strong link between youth unemployment and crime. We have some of the most severe economic conditions at present and I hope to tackle it over the next community council term.

I would propose to the council to use the powers given to them by New Labour under the Safe Communities and Environment Act to do this. This would involve giving young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs) the chance to take part in Modern Apprenticeships in Team Leading and Customer Service by giving them fixed-penalty notice issuing powers. This would mean young people would be at the heart of cleaning up the community by acting as a deterrent to abuse to the community and an enforcement where the deterrent wasn’t strong enough.

As I did with the Emotivate Project at the Treforest Underpass recently, I will involve young offenders in the project at the Efail Isaf Underpass so justice can be seen to be done.

Election 2012

Top 3 Priorities – Supporting the old, engaging the young, remembering the fallen

11 April 2012 jonathanbishop No comments

Over my term of office I am committed to helping young and old alike in Efail Isaf so that they can play a greater part in the community. As explained in the video below, this includes:

  • Install more bus shelters
  • Give young people the chance to paint four murals in the underpass in Efail Isaf
  • Re-dedicate a monument to the Land Armies who served in the World Wars

 

Election 2012, Video, Video

Policy on the High School at Garth Olwg Community Campus

10 April 2012 jonathanbishop No comments

I have written on this issue in the past, on how I think it would be a good choice for the free school model introduced into Wales in order that the Welsh medium high school at the Garth Olwg Community Campus have the right to name itself. This policy may not happen in Wales, but I encourage the Head Teacher to examine whether it is possible for the school to opt-out of LEA control so it can officially change its name and decide its status as a sixth form.

What’s in a name?

I do however have a policy that could be implemented tomorrow. When I graduated with pride from Aberystwyth University in 2011 I had the choice over whether I had ‘University of Wales’ on my certificate or ‘Aberystwyth University’. I chose the latter.

I would like the pupils at this Welsh medium high school to have the same choice. This can be done through the school ‘reactivating’ the Ysgol Uwchradd Gymraeg oedd Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen ‘centre number’ and then when pupils take their exams they would write onto the examination paper the centre number for the school name they want on the certificate. This could be:

  • Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen
  • Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg

On my degree at Aberystwyth University I found that one value that united generations was choice. And I want the people attending the Welsh medium school at Garth Olwg Community Campus to have the same choice I did when I graduated from one of Wales’ oldest universities, regarded as highly as Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen was and could become again if my police is adopted.

Self -determination over sixth form status

If the Welsh Medium High School at Garth Olwg were to opt-out of LEA control, assuming that is possible in Wales like it is in England where New Labour gave people more choice, then it could decide its own status as a sixth form. When I was 14 I wanted to leave school and go to college – I had to wait until I was 16 to go to university. Even so, I think it should be students’ and parents’ choice where they study and that choice should be supported.

This is why I want to convince the local authority to adopt a ‘voucher’ policy. Anyone entitled to education in RCT would be sent a voucher in the post each academic year which they could take to any school or college in the borough to receive education tailored to them. That would mean those who enjoy the community of the Welsh Medium High School at Garth Olwg Community Campus would be able to be there between 11 and 18, and maybe beyond with the life long learning centre, if this is expanded.

Auto-Wiki, Election 2012, Notices and Announcements, Policies and Consultations

Manifesto (2010-2013)

6 April 2010 jonathanbishop No comments

This is my manifesto for working within the current structures of local government and the European Union.

The Economy and the Public Sector

I have a Master of Economic and Social Science (MScEcon). I am fully aware of how public sector economics works, having published on the subject since 2003 and been involved in million pound public procurement contracts for a Top 100 Welsh firm.

Modernising and Improving the Quality of our Public Services

I believe in transforming public services through more effective collaborative working. I believe we need to build the capacity of public service sectors to deliver higher quality services. I think a public service is one that members of the public have a stake in and shouldn’t have to be controlled by the State. I am committed to promoting the use of ‘vouchers’ to encourage choice in public services. For instance I believe that if someone needs to see a hospital consultant then their GP should give them a voucher to use an any hospital within the health trust.

Building the Knowledge Economy

I will continue to contribute to the research and development of innovative technology. My firm, Jonathan Bishop Limited, is developing a number of smartphone applications, including one to help people learn Welsh idioms and another to help them hold politicians to account by checking whether what they are saying is contradictory.

I will continue to call for the building of dedicated computer centres accessible by all parts of the localities they serve, from school to university students, and amateur photography groups to professional graphic designers. I think it is important that we maximise the use of existing resources, such as sports club, before building new ones.

Improving Business Competitiveness

I will encourage greater entrepreneurship from all parts of the community. I believe no ones idea should be talked down because the government didn’t think of it and would support greater business financing for social enterprises. I believe that we need to develop a strategic infrastructure for the modern economy, and believes this should include not only businesses, but schools as well.

Transport and the Environment

I have in the past  been a member of the Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment a member of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineer’s Power and Energy Society.

Sustainable Transport

I believes there needs to be a strategic infrastructure for transport in Wales. I believe you should be able to get on one bus in Swansea and end up in Llanharry for example by only buying one ticket. He will continue to call for the technology used in concessionary bus passes to be extended to all citizens in Wales to create a system like the Oyster Card in London. I also want to make bus services, which are currently very inefficient, become ‘bookable’ so they can be diverted to areas where people need the transport can access it.

Creating an Attractive Business Environment

I believe it is essential to invest in new energy programmes in order support a growing economy. I don’t believe in the creation of any new gas-fired power stations, which are dependent on limited fuel sources from abroad. I doe, however, believe there need to be more nuclear and carbon-capture coal power stations. I believe that by tackling environmental opportunities and risks we will be able to create sustainable economic growth.

Building Sustainable Communities

I believe there needs to be greater physical regeneration, including town centre renewal. I will continue to put community economic development at the heart of his social entrepreneurship.

Education and Employment

I hold an MSc in E-Learning and has set up businesses creating several new jobs and training schemes, so knows a thing or two about education and employment.

Supplying Young People with Skills for Learning and Future

I will support schemes that tackle under achievement and raise skills and aspirations, such as through encouraging funded community projects to provide work experience for apprentices.

Increasing Employment and Tackling Economic Inactivity

I believe in helping people into sustainable employment as well as helping people remain in work whatever difficulties they face in their life.

Improving Skills Levels and the Adaptability of the Workforce

I believe in raising the skills base of the workforce and supporting progression in employment through basic and intermediate level skills. I believe that we need to develop skills for the Knowledge Economy, including higher level skills and systems for workforce development.

Promoting Equality in Employment

I believe everyone should be entitled to rewarding work whatever their background. I believe in equal pay for equal work based on qualifications and experience rather than gender or other background. People should, as the Welsh Bard has allowed, be able to achieve greatness, even if their day job has low responsibility, such as a road sweeper.

Election 2012, Election Manifestos, Policies and Consultations