Aerospace and St Athan dithering

The Record of Proceedings Dydd Mawrth, 11 Ionawr 2011 Tuesday, 11 January 2011

Andrew R.T. Davies: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. Do you share my concern at the lack of progress on the Welsh Assembly Government’s aerospace park at St Athan? In answer to a question, the Minister for the Economy and Transport confirmed that £44 million in Welsh Assembly Government money has been spent on the aerospace park—not the defence training academy—which was announced as a direct consequence of the closure of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency facility at St Athan. There has been no progress to date on job-creation in that aspect of the Welsh Assembly Government’s economic portfolio. When can the residents of St Athan and Llantwit Major expect to see progress on this important scheme?

The First Minister: I am now even more amazed. In order for the business park to prosper, there needs to be a decision on the rest of the site. The dithering of the UK Government and its failure to make a decision are frustrating our ability to offer long-term certianty to potential tenants. If you are a prospective tenant, you want to know what else is going to go there. Until we have a decision from the UK Government, and we until we have some clarity for the people of St Athan, Llantwit Major and the Vale of Glamorgan, it is going to be very difficult for us to attract tenants to the park. We have made our investment and we now need to see a commitment from the UK Government and the Ministry of Defence to deliver on what they said that they would deliver—a training facility at St Athan. Let us hear it. ..................

Andrew RT Davies AM
You will have heard my question to the First Minister about the aerospace park in St Athan. I am concerned about the issues that are being raised regarding the aerospace park and the link to the defence training academy, and also the various planning inspectors’ reports that relate to the northern access road. There is a whole host of issues surrounding this development, and a statement from the Deputy First Minister as to how the Welsh Assembly Government is progressing its side of the development in St Athan, given that it was an announcement in response to the loss of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency jobs, would be greatly appreciated by the local community in order to understand the way forward.

Jane Hutt: In relation to your important first point, there is a forthcoming statement from the Minister for Health and Social Services on the review of those who have been infected by contaminated blood. I completely concur with you on your second point—we need an update on the St Athan situation from the UK Government. I understand that a response is due from the UK Government in March. I have had correspondence, which I am happy to share with you, from the UK Government Minister. The Deputy First Minister will also issue a statement on St Athan in relation to Welsh Assembly Government responsibilities. On the third point, the regulations on the kennelling of dogs will be handled in the usual way, as regulations always are.

Not so many jobs then...John Smith?

I notice that the job figures are going down.. ...down...down...John Smith MP paid for 4 newspaper pages to be published (funded by his parliamentary communications allowance) in the Glamorgan Gem on the 31st Jan 2008 proclaiming that there was to be 5,500 jobs....and has been saying this time and time again since or before Jan 2007. Now it is 3,000 jobs ...maybe ...and we are to believe Metrix???
Will he now apologise for misleading the people of Wales and in his constituency? Will he pay to publish a new more accurate account of the number of jobs available?? Now John Smith MP says we must be careful?....a little late for that noww that the welsh people have been repeatedly told that there will be 5,000 + jobs and that is the basis for ALL the politicians backing it. Time to ask some questions ...the people of Wales deserve better.

John Smith MP in the House of commons on Thursday 28th Feb says there are only 3,000 jobs...

"However, I shall give the revised figures. There will be roughly just over 1,000 trainers' jobs—in training design and general training provision—just over 1,000 support jobs for training on the site; and 1,000 full-time military jobs on the site. That is approximately—we must be careful—3,000 jobs.

Metrix has used the most conservative calculations to show that it will create at least 1,500 jobs in the wider community of my constituency of Vale of Glamorgan and south Wales generally. Metrix uses a multiplier of 0.5. That means that every new military job—uniform or civilian—that comes to St. Athan will create half a job in the community. The company therefore estimates 1,500 jobs and a total of 4,500. That is down from the original total of 5,500 but I stress that the estimate is conservative. The usual multiplier for military bases that move into an area and provide work is between one and a half and three times the number of military jobs.

The number of jobs that we get in Wales depends on us, not Metrix or anybody else. It depends on our preparedness to take up the jobs and the opportunities that come our way as a result of the process. If one read the BBC website on the day of the announcement, one would have believed that we had lost out. The calculation that I explained does not include the training of at least 6,500 military engineers every year at St. Athan. The jobs that that will create are not even factored in. It is a huge opportunity."

Note that Raytheon armsdealers is a key partner of the Metrix consortium - They mislead people in Northern Ireland ....
Raytheon managers have been in collusion with Invest Northern Ireland officials to evade and ignore the policies of Derry City. Representatives of the SDLP and Sinn Fein, have repeatedly said that Raytheon gave them explicit assurances that there would be no arms-related production at the Derry plant. The two parties have explained that it was on the basis of these assurances that they welcomed Raytheon to the north west. It is now clear that Raytheon wasn't telling the truth.

Are we sure they are telling the truth here to the Welsh people???

Contact John Smith MP smithj@parliament.uk

PCS ST Athan Evidence to the WAG Finance Committee

Thurs 21 st Feb 2008 - The Assembly's finance committee is looking as the role of private investment in public services. It is approaching the subject with an open mind and has no agenda, other than to establish whether services remain operational or at risk and whether they are value for money or not.

A response to the Assembly Finance Committee’s Inquiry into Public-Private Partnerships

FIN(3)-04-08 : Agenda

Finance Committee The agendas, papers and transcripts for each meeting of the Committee can be found here.

The Defence Training Academy

FIN(3)-03-08 : Paper 3 - written evidence submitted to PPP Inquiry by PCS

Read the whole report here
A recent example of a central government PFI deal affecting Wales is the award to the Metrix Consortium of a £19 billion contract to provide training for the armed forces at St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan. This consists of a programme to:

• Rationalise defence training across the Ministry of Defence (MoD);
• Reduce the number of sites where training is conducted;
• Use a PFI model to build the new training infrastructure to replace the current training and accommodation facilities; and
• Privatise training support and delivery.

It has generally been welcomed in Wales because of the prospect of thousands of jobs coming to St. Athan and the surrounding area. There are, however, some significant question-marks over the project.

The extent of the jobs gain and savings

The Metrix project originally consisted of two separate packages, which together accounted for an estimated total of 4,000 training staff who would have been in scope for transfer to the private sector, and relocation to St. Athan from numerous locations across the country. It was announced recently, however, that 'Package 2’ - covering logistics, security, intelligence, personnel and policing - is no longer considered economical and has been removed from the scope of the project. This accounts for around 2,000 staff and more sites than Package 1 and therefore calls into question the £2 billion savings that the deal was supposed to deliver

Loss of experience

PCS is extremely concerned about the assumption that the staff providing the services within and around facilities should automatically transfer. In discussions with the MoD, PCS has consistently raised concerns over the risk to defence training of instructional and support staff not transferring to the preferred bidder. Recent transfers indicate that between 80% and 90% of staff will not relocate. Whilst the MoD recognises this as a risk, it has not addressed the scenario, nor indeed offered any solutions. Instead the MoD states that such a risk will transfer to the bidder and is therefore not the concern of the department.

The belief that a single training specialist included in the bidding consortium can deliver the same high standard provided by the current training delivery staff is questionable. If large numbers of training staff were to decide against moving to the private sector, as our indicators suggest, we believe it is unlikely that the bidders could replace them with equally experienced instructors. The project therefore raises the spectre of an incalculable skills drain in specialist training.

Lack of accountability

PCS is concerned that the department will not to be able to control the costs of the project. The contract’s length and the fact that the first breakpoint - unprecedentedly - will not be until 15 years into the contract, will almost certainly lead to spiralling costs. Numerous factors could influence training requirements, including future deployments, new equipment and the quality of new recruits. The changing nature of Britain’s defence response will also impact upon the training requirement, and for these changes the private sector will exact a high financial price. A recent NAO report into MoD contracts noted that over 50% of contracts had to be altered due to changes in specification. In a twenty five year contract in an area as fast moving as defence and its associated training requirement, it is obvious that a large number of contract amendments will be made.

Thursday, 21 February 2008

FIN(3)-03-08 : Agenda

FIN(3)-03-08 : Paper 1 : written evidence submitted to PPP Inquiry by TUC

FIN(3)-03-08 : Paper 2 : written evidence submitted to PPP Inquiry by Unison

FIN(3)-03-08 : Paper 3 - written evidence submitted to PPP Inquiry by PCS

FIN(3)-03-08 : Paper 4 : Written evidence submitted to PPP Inquiry by NUT Cymru (pdf, 290kb)

FIN(3)-03-08 : Paper 5 : written evidence submitted to PPP Inquiry by WLGA (pdf, 116kb)

FIN(3)-03-08 : Paper 6 : Analysis of written evidence received for PPP Inquiry (pdf, 91.7kb)

Elfyn Llwyd MP

Elfyn Llwyd MP for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy 21^st Jan 2008

“As your letter implies the decision was one made by the Westminster Government.

Plaid Cymru recently debated St Athan in the context of its Defence Policy at National Council. After a very interesting and detailed debate it was decided that this would be a constituent of a conventional defence policy.

My personal view is that, although Plaid is not a pacifist party many Plaid members hold that view. I am not a pacifist as such and believe that Wales should play its full part in defending as opposed to conducting any aggressive military policy. …

You will know that we ahve established a strong reputation in the House of Commons in defending human rights and we have consistantly voted agaisnt Afghanistan and Iraq from the very beginning.

The motion that was passed at National council also calls on the Wales Assembly Government not to involve itself in arms sales.”

Contact Elfyn at his Constituency

Sheila Williams
Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales
Ty Glyndwr
Heol Glyndwr
Dolgellau
Gwynedd
LL40 1BD
email sheila@plaid-cymru.org
phone 01341 422661
fax 01341 423990

Westminster

Elfyn Llwyd MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
email llwyde@parliament.uk
phone 020 7219 3000

Surgery Details

Friday evenings, Saturday mornings monthly at:
Balenau Ffestiniog, Bala, Tywyn, Harlech, Bramouth and Llanrwst.

Weekly surgeries are held in Dolgellau.

For further information please contact Sheila Williams on 01341 422661.

National Council:

• notes the attached position paper on defence
• notes that the decision to establish a DTA at St Athan was the decision of the UK government alone
• notes that many party members for religious and moral reasons are campaigning against the development
• reiterates Plaid Cymrus opposition to privatisation, including that of military training

National Council further:

· supports the economic development programme of the One Wales government which will ensure the creation and retention of employment “firmly guided by sustainability principles, encouraging long term, high quality jobs” in all parts of Wales

· calls on the One Wales Government to remain committed to the stautory requirement in the Government of Wales Acts to promote sustainable development

· emphasises the need for the Assembly to be kept fully informed of all developments relating to the Defence Training Academy and to be consulted on all future decisions relating to the project

· notes that there is no direct spending by the NAG on the Defence Training Academy but asks that any ancillary spending by the Welsh government is made public

· calls for more detailed information about the kind of jobs that would be offered to local people and the planned wage levels

· calls on the One Wales Government to seek assurances that the companies involved in the Metrix consortium are not engaged in the illegal trade of unethical arms and to make that information public

· calls on the One Wales Government to request a guarantee from the British Government that no training will be offered to countries which are undemocratic or guilty of human rights abuses

· reiterates our opposition to the Iraq war and notes our concern regarding sending soldiers without them having the appropriate equipment.

Cathy Owen from Amnesty International on St Athan Military Academy

Amnesty shame..I rang amnesty international here this morning and spoke to Cathy Owens who says they are a democratic org with a membership base. They don't have a position on St Athan voted by members. She can't campaign against privatisation or militarisation - or whether armed forces should or should not be trained in Wales. Amnesty doesn't oppose armed conflict as they support peace keepers being well armed and well trained. Is there a human rights issue involved? The St Athan campaign is not a core human rights issue. Amnesty has different priorites!

I am surprised at the negative attitude to one of the biggest issues in Wales involving international coporations involving arms dealers and private military contractors in Iraq. I hope mmembers will put forward a motion on this to the AGM.

Are there political considerations at work here? Is Cathy Owens too close to new labour and R Morgan Labour First minister of Wales?

However...Cathy Owens is a former lobbyist was described as Rhodri Morgan's answer to Alastair Campbell - Yes..Rhodris own spin doctor. Cathy Owens, who joined Amnesty International after a tempestuous three years during which relations between the Assembly Government and some elements of the media reached an all-time low. At one point the Assembly Government apologised to the civil service union Prospect over Ms Owens's allegedly hectoring manner towards some of its members. Previously she worked as a public affairs consultant in Wales, yes? PPS. Some quotes from Cathy -"It's for elected politicians to agree the way forward for public policy in Wales. We are talking about a situation where English speakers have rights too. Turkeys don't vote for Christmas but no one voted for the Language Board either." "All journalists are bastards" ...in a mistaken call to Martin Shipton's voice mail. Yes, that's right, only the chief reporter of the Western Mail!

Israel: Winograd Commission disregards Israeli war crimes

... In addition, the launching of hundreds of thousands of cluster bombs, containing an estimated four million cluster sub-munitions (bomblets), ...31 January 2008

Counter Terror with Justice

The so-called “war on terror” has led to an erosion of a whole host of human rights. States are resorting to practices which have long been prohibited by international law, and have sought to justify them in the name of national security.

John Smith MP claims that Defence Academy is on the Curriculum

Is John Smith pic with pupils from a N power event? Defence academy on curriculum?

Young scientists and their MP enjoy
ic Wales, United Kingdom - 28 Jan 2008
PUPILS who enjoyed a practical science and MP, John Smith. He

Mr Smith said: “Young people learned more from scientists and engineers about

I told you yesterday that many parents will be horrified to read that young pupils at Llanwit Major Comprehensive school were doing course work on the benefits of the defence academy. Are the children being told about the arms companies behind this project? Are they being told about Raytheon’s association with cluster bombs or Sercos links to nuclear weapons? Are they aware of the PCS unions opposition to the privatising of military training? The school has not approached the campaign against St Athan Military Academy for information. The children in the photograph didn’t have the permission of their parents according to Mrs Thomas, deputy head, to appear in this misleading propaganda advertisement where they are pictured showing their work to John Smith who said "I am pleased that the benefits of the Defence academy provided St Athan are being studied in our schools" Deputy Head Mrs Thomas said “the training has nothing to do with politics, this is a Welsh Assembly Government careers education programme provided by Npower.” She went on to say that questions should be put to John Smith MP.

Top Cat..David Davies reply to a letter on St Athan Military Academy

I wrote to David Davies re EDM 785 PRIVATE MILITARY & SECURITY and St Athan Military Academy and his reply....

Does your organisation receieve public money directly or indirectly by any chance?

Regards David TC DaviesDoes your organisation receieve public money directly or indirectly by any chance?

Regards David TC Davies

I replied......with one word ..............Meoooow!!

David Davies (Welsh politician) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Therefore, David Davies is referred to in the House of Commons in Westminster as David T.C. Davies. This has caused opposition MPs to refer to him in jest ...as Top Cat, a cartoon character who shares the same initials.

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/david_davies/monmouth

daviesd@parliament.uk

EDM 785 PRIVATE MILITARY & SECURITY

Early Day Motion PRIVATE MILITARY AND SECURITY COMPANIES EDM 785

24.01.2008

Anderson, David

That this House is concerned by the exponential growth of private military and security companies (PMSCs) since the invasion of Iraq; is disturbed by the substantial rise of reported incidents of civilian killings and human rights abuses by PMSC guards in Iraq who remain unregulated and unaccountable; further notes that problems posed by proliferation of PMSCs were highlighted in a Green Paper in February 2002 that originated in a request from the Foreign Affairs Committee but that, six years later, there is still no United Kingdom legislation regulating PMSCs; believes that self-regulation by the industry is not appropriate in this instance; and urges the Government to bring forward legislative proposals for the control of the PMSC sector as an urgent priority.

Conservative Party Bottomley, Peter Open: 1 Closed: 0 Labour Party Anderson, David Caton, Martin Corbyn, Jeremy Cryer, Ann Drew, David Jones, Lynne Meale, Alan Open: 7 Closed: 0 Liberal Democrats Hancock, Mike

Regulate Mercenaries 24 Jan 2008
Dave Anderson MP has again urged controls on private military and security companies.
This time he has tabled a Commons motion expressing his concern at the unregulated activities of some of these companies in Iraq and calling for regulation.

Martin Canton Addresses: Constituency 26 Pontardulais Road, Gorseinon Swansea SA4 4FE

• Labour MP for Gower
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Alan Meale MP
Ann Cryer MP rowenc@parliament.uk
Lynne Jones

PCS on privatising defence training and METRIX

17 Jan 2007 Des Browne unveils new defence training academy in Wales The defence training review is all about making the investment needed to ... loss of specialist skills and knowledge," said Mark Serwotka of the PCS union. ...
www.politics.co.uk/news/foreign-policy/defence/defence/super-defence-academy-plans-unveiled-$463622.htm - 29k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

18^th July 2006 MoD STAFF IN CANDLELIT VIGIL OVER PRIVATISATION File Format: Microsoft Word - View as HTML
The general secretary is Mark Serwotka and the president is Janice Godrich. * PCS has over 18000 members in the Ministry of Defence. Alex Flynn ...
www.politics.co.uk/.../364840/downloads/18th_july_2006_mod_staff_in_candlelit_vigil_over_privatisation.doc - [ More results from www.politics.co.uk ]

Thursday, 25 Oct 2007nomurderacademyatstathan: PCS WELCOME U TURN ON MOD Privatisation Commenting, Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: “Thanks to the well argued case put by ... ST ATHAN - The Defence Training Review Rationalization ...www.nomurderacademyatstathans.com/2007/11/pcs-welcome-u-turn-on-mod-privatisation.html - 129k - Cached -

Jan 18 2007 Celebration as Wales lands its biggest-ever defence contract - icWales Implementing the Defence Training Review Programme is going to involve numerous ... Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services ...

icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_method=full&objectid=18496158&siteid=50082-name_page.html - 50k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

St Athan Defence Training Academy and the Future of Wales File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
“The only winners in the privatisation of defence training,” says Mark. Serwotka, General Secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union,“are the ...
www.cynefinywerin.org.uk/fileserve.php?mediaid=149 -

Metrix: QinetiQ CUTS 400 UK Jobs so how many will they bring to ...

Is the tide turning on Defence Training Review ... Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: "It is scandalous that a small number of senior managers and ...
metrixconsortium.blogspot.com/2007/11/qinetiq-rewards-mount-with-rise-in.html - 110k - Cached -

UK Political Blog Feeds –

The union hailed the decision to keep one half of defence training in the ... The general secretary is Mark Serwotka and the president is Janice Godrich. ...
www.voidstar.com/ukpoliblog/index.php/fid/835 - 237k -

Ministry of Defence criticised over EDS contract - ZDNet UK Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: "It is astounding that the MoD is ... bid on this contract and other contracts such as defence training. ...
news.zdnet.co.uk/itmanagement/0,1000000308,39285436,00.htm - 67k -

Article The union hailed the decision to keep one half of defence training in the ... Commenting, Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: "Thanks to the well ...
www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/0/BA36DD42ED4EFA5680257380004FF4F0?OpenDocument - 45k -[PDF]

Public Services NOT Private Profit The Case Against Privatisation File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
wholesale privatisation as a result of the Defence Training Review, a PPP contract ... campaign.” Mark Serwotka, PCS General Secretary ...
www.publicnotprivate.org.uk/booklet.pdf -

Luther ap Blissett: St Athan Company Slammed by Government Agency ... "The only winners in the privatisation of defence training," says Mark Serwotka, ... Cardiff Review: Alternative news, views, and reviews from the 'Diff ...
lutherapblissett.blogspot.com/2007/11/st-athan-consortium-slammed-opposition.html - 80k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

[PDF]

SUCCESS IN THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
Defence Training Review.This is the largest PFI project any. government has ever undertaken ..... As part of our campaign General Secretary Mark Serwotka, ...
pcs.live.poptech.coop/Shared_ASP_Files/UploadedFiles/470C643D-A9D9-43B9-B5E2-2AFE7184F616_CBApril07.pdf -

News Story Commenting Mark Serwotka PCS General Secretary said: “Whilst we welcome the ... bids for Defence Training and the Defence Information Infrastructure.” ...
www.prospect.org.uk/news/newsstory.php?news=303 - 12k - Cached -

Civil Service Network - Article Mark Serwotka described the privatisation deal as "obscene", adding: "It is ... Defence minister Baroness Taylor said the auditor’s report had recognised ...
www.civilservicenetwork.com/index.php?id=41&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=26279 - 21k - Cached -

Confused Adam Price AS/MP ???

Get real Adam Price AS/MP Dwyrain Caerfyrddin/Carmarthen East and Dinefwr

Backs the privatised military academy but is not embracing 'militarism' ?
He opposes the Governments Privatisation Policy and this is the largest PFI/PPP ever?
Backs this academy idea on 'ECONOMICAL' factors?

Whoops!!! A bit 'economical' with the truth!

Wayne David MP Caerphilly

This contract will be the largest PFI/PPP project ever undertaken by the Ministry of Defence and will be the largest partnering arrangement ever undertaken in the UK. A Private Finance Initiative (PFI) for DTR in simplistic terms means that the winning consortia will effectively own all of the real estate and services for training for the next 25 years. For this they will be paid an annual sum,and must, by law, make a profit for their shareholders. The contract is worth £19 billion

The governments record on such projects is poor - the audit commissions report on Qinetiq- the privatisation of the railways. This will be a disaster and already half the package has gone down the drain whuch Wayne David doesn't mention

PCS called on the MoD to see sense and halt the privatisation of the other half of defence training which includes technical and mechanical training. The union warned that pushing ahead with remaining half of defence training would represent poor value for money and lead to a loss of knowledge and experience as staff would refuse to relocate to the new training base in South Wales

John Smith McMilitary McPolitican award

Ieuan wins Welsh Politician of Year

Daily Post - Llandudno Junction,UK
... the Year was Vale of Glamorgan MP John Smith, a tireless campaigner on the risks of DVT on aircraft, and to bring the new military academy to St Athan. ...

Each winner received a special Mumph cartoon. I know what I'd like to award him!!!The awards ceremony will be shown on ITV1 Wales at 11.35pm tomorrow.

Deputy is Politician of the Year ic Wales, The Campaigner of the Year title went to Vale of Glamorgan Labour MP John Smith. Chairman of the judges Dr Balsom said, “John Smith’s campaign to bring the Defence Academy to St Athan was a major success. (Welsh Politician of the Year is a competition sponsored by the ITV Wales Yearbook.)

Defence Minister says no date set for St Athan decision
ic Wales - THE decision over the second stage of a £14bn defence contract awarded to a Welsh armed forces training centre is still to be made, Bob Ainsworth, Minister for the Armed Forces, said yesterday...And he was unable even to give a date when the decision over the second contract would be made, despite the first contract being awarded nearly a year ago.

John Smith calls for more roads to the murder academy and the airport

is this what they call sustainable develoment??

‘Act now on airport road’ – call by the Vale MP

Vale MP, John Smith, is calling for action to ease congestion at Culverhouse Cross and improve roads to Cardiff International Airport and the planned Defence Training Academy at St Athan. Mr Smith said: “While I recognise the need for a long-term solution in the form of a direct link from the M4 to the airport and the Defence Academy, there is need for immediate action. “The present situation is not acceptable. Cardiff is one of the fastest growing regional airports in the UK, and building work on the Defence Academy is expected to begin in 2009. This leaves us with a short window of opportunity. “I shall be writing to the Welsh Assembly Government as part of its consultation on improving access to Cardiff International Airport, urging them to examine the possibility of improvements to the present airport access route from junction 33 of the M4 via Culverhouse Cross through north Barry and to the Airport and St Athan. “I believe there is an urgent need for a dedicated route to Barry skirting the western side of Culverhouse Cross. “This would provide vital breathing space while a new long-term solution is built from the M4 to the airport and the Defence Academy,” the MP insisted.

Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd 07 December 07

Is St Athan Project affordable? South Wales Helicopter Fleet to be relocated to St Athan

Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru The National Assembly for Wales

Cofnod y Trafodion The Record of Proceedings

Dydd Mawrth, 13 Tachwedd 2007 Tuesday, 13 November 2007

The Record (PDF 477, kb). Pa drafodaethau mae Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn eu cynnal gyda Llywodraeth San Steffan i sicrhau y cyflawnir Metrix 2 fel y gall safle Sain Tathan ddarparu'r academi hyfforddi Priorities in South Wales Central Q5 Andrew R.T. Davies: Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Assembly Government's priorities in South Wales Central? We are pleased that it is getting off the ground, although there will obviously be an enormous amount of legal negotiations before construction starts, probably in about 15 months. We continue to be confident about the delivery of all the necessary infrastructure.

(Don't you need planning permission first? Don't you need to consult with local residents?)

Category: Business Date: 13/11/2007

Andrew R.T. Davies: I wish to draw your

attention to the Metrix development. At the time of its announcement, all partner
organisations were due a great deal of credit for delivering the Metrix 1 project. However,
there is great concern in my constituency about the status of the Metrix 2 project and
its financial affordability

Datganiad a Chyhoeddiad Busnes
Business Statement and Announcement

The Record. The Record. Credwn ei bod yn anymarferol ailagor y gronfa datblygu swyddfeydd post nes y bydd yn glir sut y mae Swyddfa’r Post yn mynd i ddelio â phleon, fel yr un a wnaeth Christine Chapman yn gynharach dros Benderyn, sy’n dweud bod rhyw swyddfa bost neu’i gilydd yn achos arbennig oherwydd y bydd ei chau yn gadael cymuned wedi’i hynysu’n ormodol, am fod gormod o bellter i’r swyddfa bost nesaf, neu am ei bod mewn cymuned arbennig o anodd neu ddifreintiedig neu ar ben rhiw serth. Y Prif Weinidog: Ymysg ein blaenoriaethau mae rhoi cychwyn ar brosiect Metrix yn yr Asiantaeth Atgyweirio Awyrennau Amddiffyn yn Sain Tathan, sicrhau cwblhad trafodaethau llwyddiannus ar gam 2 yr ysbyty plant, agor y drydedd lôn ar yr M4 o Coryton i Gas-bach, a’r rhaglen welliannau sylweddol ar wasanaethau rheilffyrdd y Cymoedd. Equally, given the tightness of the budget, irrespective of Metrix 2 arriving, is the Welsh Assembly Government able to deliver the infrastructure improvements that such a large development will demand, and which will benefit the residents of the Vale of Glamorgan?

Andrew R.T. Davies: I seek a written statement from the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport on the land bank that the Assembly Government intends to build around the St Athan development? Many are aware of the plans regarding the Matrix development, but there is also the Aerospace Wales park. I understand that there is now a proposal for the South Wales Police helicopter fleet to be relocated to the St Athan area. There is great concern regarding what the Assembly Government is to achieve in that area in addition to what is currently being proposed. I seek a written statement on the land bank and the timeframe for the proposals to be implemented

Category: Business Date: 20/11/2007

AMs, Cllrs and MPs support the Metrix bid but why?

You are here: Publications and Records > Commons Publications > Select Committees > Welsh Affairs > Welsh Affairs

Select Committee on Welsh Affairs Fourth Report

http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:h4rBudLeD0oJ:www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmwelaf/1129/112905.htm+Wales+All-Party+Military+Academy+Group.&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=uk&client=firefox-a

3 The Metrix Bid

Metrix

15. Metrix is a consortium which is bidding for both of the packages and propose to site them both at St Athan. Chris Bryant MP, Chairman of the M4 St Athan Parliamentary Steering Group explained that Metrix was a consortium of companies that included "some of the biggest players in their respective fields". [20] The full list of consortium members are Augusta Westland, City and Guilds, Currie and Brown, Dalkia, EDS, Laing O'Rourke, Land Securities Trillium, Nord Anglia Eduation Plc, Qinetiq, Ratheon, Serco, Sodexho Defence Services and The Open University.[21]

16. We do not set out the details of the Metrix bid in this report as they remain commercially confidential until the conclusion of the competition. Instead, we gauge the support for the bid in Wales.

17. While the two Metrix bids represent a significant proportion of the St Athan site, we were told by a number of our witnesses that the Metrix bids would not impinge on the current commercial development of the site. Furthermore, the two bids could be located on the St Athan site alongside existing contracts with ATC Lasham and the Special Services Support Group. John Smith MP, a Member of the M4 St Athan Parliamentary Steering Group and the local Member of Parliament told us that RAF St Athan was the largest military base in the United Kingdom covering 1000 acres. He confirmed that St Athan could "accommodate the two packages for the Defence Training Review on 600 acres of the remaining land" which would still leave between 200 and 300 acres to continue the development of a commercial aerospace park on the site.[22] Therefore, development of the site for the training academies could proceed without any disruption to existing activity at St Athan.

Benefits of the Bid for Wales

18. Jenny Randerson AM, told us that successful bids would have an important impact on the economy of south Wales. She explained that St Athan had "a travel-to-work employment population of 600,000 people within 45 minutes' drive-time" which included the population of Cardiff where there was "an academic and training infrastructure to support this development".[23]

19. Councillor Harvey also highlighted the potential for a successful Metrix bid to act as "a motor for economic growth not only in the Vale of Glamorgan but in the sub-region and the Welsh economy as a whole". He added that the bids would also help to "maintain and grow the critical mass we need to have a sustainable, expanding aerospace industry.[24] Jane Hutt AM agreed that successful bids would have a significant impact on employment in the region. She argued that it could create "up to 1,500 direct construction jobs during the building of the academy, and creation of 5,550 permanent jobs - 4,000 on site and 1,500 off-site; once the academies were up and running".[25]

20. In 2004, our predecessor Committee published its report on Manufacturing and Trade in Wales. That report examined the defence sector, including defence spending in Wales. One of the witnesses in that inquiry, Professor Gripaios, the Head of South West Economy Centre, University of Plymouth, argued that while Wales did well in identifiable public expenditure, which was defined as "expenditure incurred on behalf of a particular population", Wales did "very poorly from the non-identified component of public expenditure, principally Defence". In conclusion he asserted that Wales had the lowest defence spending of any UK region.[26]

21. During our inquiry our witnesses returned to that issue. Representatives of the M4/St Athan Parliamentary Steering Group stated that while 9% of military personnel were recruited from Wales, only 6% of MoD public spending and procurement came to Wales. They saw a serious inequity in that situation and argued that St Athan could help to restore that balance.[27]

22. David Melding AM also believed that the MoD had to recognise the fact that all the home nations should be able to contribute fully to the defence of the United Kingdom, and that the Metrix bid would help Wales to achieve that goal.[28] In addition, Chris Bryant MP highlighted the military tradition in south Wales, which he described as being "an enormously supportive environment for the military".[29] David Melding AM concurred. He argued that Wales had "a very proud military tradition in supporting the defence of this country and abroad, and we want to go on doing that". He also argued that locating the training academies at St Athan would have "a major impact on the morale of people in Wales as well as being an opportunity in terms of economic development".[30]

23. In relation to the MoD's physical sites Tom Watson MP, Under Secretary of State for Defence, Ministry of Defence, acknowledged that this was a legacy from 50 years ago when many RAF bases were established in the east of England.[31] Nick Evans Director General Management and Organisation, Ministry of Defence, added that like all other government departments, the MoD was subject to the Lyons Review recommendations to relocate people from London and the South East of England, which would reverse that trend. While the Minister declared that not investing in Wales was not an MoD policy, he reiterated the fact that MoD investment decisions "have to be made against what is best for our military outputs".[32]

Support for the Bid

24. In this short inquiry we took evidence from all tiers of government in Wales to assess support for the Metrix bid. Our witnesses included representatives from the Vale of Glamorgan Council, backbench Members of the National Assembly, the Welsh Assembly Government, and backbench Members of Parliament.

M4 ST ATHAN PARLIAMENTARY STEERING GROUP

25. Chris Bryant MP, Chairman of the M4 St Athan Parliamentary Steering Group explained that his Group had been established to help promote the Metrix bid. It was made up of Members of Parliament from all four political parties represented in Wales, and included Members with English constituencies. He argued that such a range of support was important in order to:

"show that there is very strong political support across ideology, across different kinds of constituencies, both rural and metropolitan, both north Walian and south Walian, valleys and cities, and stretching into the work zone of England as well because we believe that that support will be an essential part of delivering the outcomes that the MoD needs".[33]

26. John Smith MP, a member of the Group and the local Member of Parliament, agreed with his colleague's assessment. He stated that it was "vitally important that this campaign be seen as a much broader campaign than just a Vale of Glamorgan campaign" because "the benefits of a successful Metrix bid would go "far beyond the Vale".[34] Furthermore, he was clear that the role of the Group was to promote the merits of the Metrix bid rather than campaign for "some sort of quid pro quo for recent disappointing decisions about DARA". To that end, he believed it was vital to have an All Party Group whose membership extended across Wales and into England.[35]

27. We were told that the role of the Parliamentary Steering Group was to raise support for the Metrix bid "locally, nationally across Wales, and to make sure Ministers understand the unique aspects of our bid".[36] It also tasked itself with presenting the high level of support for the bid to Ministers.[37] John Smith MP explained that the Group had the objective to seek assurances that the evaluation process would be "robust, fair and objective", and was confident that if it was, then the Metrix bid would win on merit.[38] Chris Bryant MP summed up the role of the Group as one of ensuring that "if any ministers in the MoD had a Cosford chip on one shoulder, they at least had a St Athan chip on the other shoulder".[39]

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR WALES ALL-PARTY MILITARY ACADEMY GROUP

28. We also took evidence in Cardif from the National Assembly for Wales All-Party Military Academy Group. David Melding AM, a member of the Group explained that its principal focus was to help the Welsh Assembly Government in its support of the bid. He argued that although colleagues at Westminster had the principal responsibility for "bringing some pressure to bear on the Ministry of Defence", his Group had an important role to play to "demonstrate that there is an enormous amount of grass-roots support in the community" for the Metrix bid.[40] Jane Hutt AM, a member of the Welsh Assembly Government, but talking to us as a member of the All Party Group and the local Assembly Member, told us that the two all Party Groups, alongside the Vale of Glamorgan Council, had demonstrated strong support for the bid. She declared that "there has not been a voice of dissention at all in all of the weeks leading up to the public launch of this bid. It has been universally supported locally".[41] Jenny Randerson AM described the bid as being "of importance to the whole of south Wales".[42]

VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL

29. Councillor Harvey, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure at the Vale of Glamorgan Council confirmed the support of his Council. He told us that Council Members had attended meetings with Assembly Members, MoD Officers, and representatives of other Local Authorities to promote the Metrix bid. In addition to those meetings he confirmed that the Council was taking the initiative on "infrastructure matters" in relation to St Athan.[43]

WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

30. Andrew Davies AM demonstrated the strong support of the Welsh Assembly Government for the bid. He explained that in relation to the Metrix bid, initial contact between the consortium and the Welsh Assembly Government was between Welsh Assembly Government officials, headed by David Swallow, a Welsh Assembly Government official. Andrew Davies AM explained that David Swallow now headed "Team Wales" which was the Welsh Assembly Government's team to support and assist the bid, and that the Team had representatives from his Department, from the Department for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, and the public sector, and included "a very great deal of support from the Vale of Glamorgan Local Authority".[44]

31. In addition to the work of Team Wales, Andrew Davies AM confirmed that both he and the First Minister had already held "a series of meetings, conversations, exchanges and correspondence in terms of saying that in our view the Metrix bid is the best bid not only for Wales but it will be good for the MoD and the armed forces".[45] Furthermore, he confirmed that the Rt. Hon. Rhodri Morgan AM, First Minister, had held meetings with the Armed Forces Minister, while he had held meetings with Wales Office Ministers.[46]

32. We are impressed with the high level of support for the bid and welcome the cross party cooperation at all levels in promoting the Metrix bid to locate the MoD's Military Training Academy at St Athan.

Cllr Margaret Alexander Vale of Glamorgan

Time for politicans to give us the facts - Cllr Margaret Alexander welcomes Raytheon - Not welcome in Belgium, Norway ...

Taking aim at those who finance Cluster bombs
Lima: Taking Aim at Those Who Finance Cluster Bombs

The six biggest producers of cluster bombs — Lockheed Martin, EADS, Thales, GenCorp, Textron and Raytheon —

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has expressed its delight at the news that a £14bn military academy is to be built at RAF St Athan.

Email: mealexander@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Actually 19bn
The Metrix Consortium proposal will bring a large number of highly skilled jobs to the Vale and will transform the area for decades.

Not true - lots of jobs will be transferred to St Athan that the local people don't have the skills for - So how many jobs???

The Council has always maintained the St Athan site is one of the most attractive in Wales for such a development, and Leader Cllr Margaret Alexander said: "It is rewarding to see that this has now been recognised in the decision by the Ministry of Defence. I am delighted at today's news.
"The 4,000-plus direct jobs that this proposal will bring will undoubtedly lead to many more jobs being created throughout South Wales, with all the benefits that this brings to the local economy."

NOT TRUE _ 4,000 jobs - where did you get that figure from??? Certainly PCS fighting MOD cuts and Privatisation elsewhere don't agree

The Council, at both member and officer level, has worked hard with the Welsh Assembly Government and with Metrix in preparing the bid. Cllr Alexander added: "It was important for the Council to demonstrate that it could efficiently deliver a project of this scale through the necessary statutory processes. It has also been very encouraging that the local communities around St Athan have always been supportive of this bid, and I am sure this has been another major factor in its success."
The Council now looks forward to working with Metrix and the Welsh Assembly in delivering the proposal and in ensuring that the benefits are spread as widely as possible throughout the Vale and the rest of South East Wales.

Handicap International activist Anne Villeneuve said that 98 percent of victims of cluster munitions are civilians, the great majority of whom are poor, and many of whom are children.

Cllr Alexander continued: "The hard work that has been undertaken by my colleagues in all parties, along with their partners in the Welsh Assembly and Metrix, has paid off.
"This proposal will transform the area and there will be many challenges to meet in terms of necessary infrastructure, education, skills and housing. This Council is up to the challenge and looks forward to playing its full part in delivering this exciting project."

Exciting project??? - inviting Metrix - including cluster bomb makers Raytheon who are

ONE THIRD OF ALL RECORDED CLUSTER MUNITION CASUALTIES ARE CHILDREN

For more information visit our Planning Development Brief page, which contains the St Athan Development Brief and maps.

Raytheon (USA) produces the AGM154 Joint Standoff weapon (JSOW), an air-delivered bomb with some cluster munition variants. For example the AGM154A, the standard version, contains 145 BLU-97/B sub munitions. Also the Tomahawk cruise missile has amongst its variants a submunition warhead Explosive investments

We need your help to tell the Welsh Assembly Government and Cllrs in the Vale of Glamorgan that this approach is unacceptable.What you can do: Sign petitions• Send an email to Foreign Secretary David Miliband• Sign the Downing Street petition• Collect signatures to Get Them MilibannedWrite to your MP• Write to your MP with the guidance of this sample letter

Increase awareness in your community

Belgium has not only banned the production of cluster bombs, but also adopted a law in March that bans banks and investment funds operating in that country from investing in companies that make these munitions. All countries should follow Belgium’s lead