#elin hywel

[l8in]

Cyngor Gwynedd council held a planning committee meeting on July, 29th, 2024. The webcast can be found here - https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/900838

Application No C24/0011/30/AM Bodernabwy, Aberdaron, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 8BH was submitted by Aled Bryn Williams, through agent Berwyn Owen, of Berllan Properties Ltd.

Miriam Williams, the legal head for the planning committee, declared an interest and left the meeting. Gareth Williams, the local councillor supported the application.

There had been concerns that this application was outside the local development plan and inside an area of outstanding natural beauty but was passed.

It was reported in the local press - Local Councillors Approve Self-Build Housing Scheme in Gwynedd Village https://north.wales/news/gwynedd/local-councillors-approve-self-build-housing-scheme-in-gwynedd-village-49507.html

Application No C24/0083/18/LL Cartref Nyrsio Penisarwaun, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 3DB was to turn a former care home that closed in 2019 into a holiday hostel. The applicant was a local person with the idea of starting his own business and the planning department recommended the application for approval. But most of the councillors were against the proposal, claiming over development and too much traffic...

Councillor Gruffydd Williams proposed a motion that councillors reject it. It was rejected by 9 votes to 2. This too was reported on - https://north.wales/news/gwynedd/planners-reject-proposal-to-convert-former-gwynedd-care-home-into-holiday-hostel-49496.html Planners Reject Proposal to Convert Former Gwynedd Care Home into Holiday Hostel -

Cllr Louise Hughes was concerned over the impact of the “clientelle that hostels attract. “They attract youngsters having a good time…coming and going,” she said. John Pughe Roberts also noted there was a chapel in his area had been converted into a hostel.“It sleeps 10 people and there have been problems, people go there to drink and so on,” he said.

Application No C23/0556/19/LL Land At Cae Stanley, Bontnewydd, LL55 2UH was refused by the committee. The proposal was for development of 21 residential units comprising of 6 one bedroom flats, 12 two bedroom flats and 3 three bedroom houses, along with associated landscaping and new vehicular access. 6 of these units would be 'affordable'.

Daniel Russell, the agent speaking in english over video claimed that the entire scheme was to be for affordable units but the council would not support this. He also claimed that there was a shortage of one and 2 bedroom properties in Bontnewydd. He stated that in April, 2024, there were 291 people on the social housing list, 81 wishing for a one bedroom property. The video was stopped blaming sound quality so his words were then read out by an officer.

Menna Trenholme, the local councillor for the area, spoke against the application stating there was no need for this type of housing in the area and questioned where the agent got his figures from...

So what are the true figures? Many areas in Gwynedd lack one bedroom units thus preventing people downgrading and freeing up larger properties. Is Bontnewydd any different? And what of the agent's claim that all the properties were originally meant to be 'affordable'? What happened there?

Next up was Application No C24/0331/41/LL Tŷ'n Lôn, Afonwen, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 6TX. This was for nine additional caravans for the current touring caravan site and the planning department recommended acceptance. 

The applicant has not long won an appeal against the planning committee and this was mentioned often in the discussion. One councillor appeared to blame officers and even the commissioner for the council losing the appeal and asked for the cost to the council...

In this case, it was explained, there were no costs as such bar that of officers time in preparing the case. No consideration was given to the costs of the commissioner and its office dealing with the appeal, nor the applicants further time and costs.

A vote to accept the application was proposed. A registered vote was called for and the decision was 9 votes to 3 not to accept.

The meeting then became messy. A new proposal was raised by Elin Hywel to reject the application. The planning officer called upon the councillor to state the legal grounds for refusal. She mentioned over development, the cumulative effect in the area and cited a planning rule. 

The planning officer intervened and suggested a different rule more relevant to what she was saying and basically coached her through her proposal so he could make a case if needed - at appeal?

The committee then refused the application by 9 votes to 2 - suggesting one member did not vote... The agenda pack with all planning applications can be found here - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5209/Public%20reports%20pack%2029th-Jul-2024%2013.00%20Planning%20Committee.pdf?T=10

Something is so very wrong within Gwynedd council...

[poems-from-around-the-world]

Still Life - Elin Ap Hywel - UK/Wales

Translator: Unknown (Welsh)

A purple crocus

its stamen creme-egg yellow;

northern light

a shiver glaze

on the white enamel mug.

You're my Dutch painting:

the place the light gets in,

making everything strange

seem ordinary.

[nightsidewrestling]

D.U.D.E Bios: Caoimhe O'Hannegan

The Ogre Princess of C.R.C Caoimhe O'Hannegan (2020)

Kirby's cousin, Hywel's niece and Rhodri's daughter, Caoimhe. An Irish-Catholic woman living in Wales and a gentle, optimistic and caring mother. Caoimhe helps train her kids as well as her nieces and nephews.

"So gross, but that's Fionn for ya."

Name

Full Legal Name: Caoimhe Meadhbh Gráinne Niamh O'Hannegan (Née Rhydderch)

First Name: Caoimhe

Meaning: Derived from Irish 'Caomh' meaning 'Dear, Beloved, Gentle'

Pronunciation: KEE-vye

Origin: Irish

Middle Name(s): Meadhbh, Gráinne, Niamh

Meaning(s): Meadhbh: Modern Irish form of 'Medb', which means 'Intoxicating'. Gráinne: Possibly derived from Old Irish 'Grán' meaning 'Grain' or 'Gráin' meaning 'Hatred, Fear' Niamh: Means 'Bright' in Irish

Pronunciation: MYEHV. GRAW-nye. NYEEV

Origin(s): Irish, Irish Mythology. Irish, Irish Mythology, Old Irish. Irish, Mythology

Surname: O'Hannegan (Née Rhydderch)

Meaning: Variant of 'O'Hannagain', from Irish 'Ó hAnnagáin', which means 'descendant of Annagán'. 'Annagán' is a diminutive of 'Annadh' meaning 'Delay'. (Rhydderch: From the given name 'Rhydderch' from the Old Welsh 'Riderch', derived from 'Ri' 'King' and 'Derch' 'Exalted')

Pronunciation: O-ha-neh-GUN (HRUDH-ehrkh)

Origin: Irish (Welsh)

Alias: Ogre Princess, Caoimhe O'Hannegan

Reason: This is Caoimhe's ring name

Nicknames: N/A

Titles: Mrs, Ma'am

Characteristics

Age: 41

Gender: Female. She/Her Pronouns

Race: Human

Nationality: Welsh. Irish-Welsh Mix. Dual Citizenship ROI-UK

Ethnicity: White

Birth Date: March 1st 1979

Symbols: Ogres, Ogresses, Crowns

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Religion: Irish-Catholic

Native Language: Welsh

Spoken Languages: Welsh, Irish, Scottish (Scots Gaelic), English

Relationship Status: Married

Astrological Sign: Pisces

Theme Song: 'Mary Jane' - Alanis Morissette (1997-)

Voice Actor: Caitríona Balfe

Geographical Characteristics

Birthplace: Tullahought, Kilkenny, Ireland

Current Location: Llanfaethlu, Anglesey, Wales

Hometown: Llanfaethlu, Anglesey, Wales

Appearance

Height: 5'4" / 162 cm

Weight: 124 lbs / 56 kg

Eye Colour: Blue

Hair Colour: Ginger

Hair Dye: None

Body Hair: N/A

Facial Hair: N/A

Tattoos: (As of Jan 2020) 20

Piercings: Ear Lobes (Both)

Scars: None

Health and Fitness

Allergies: None

Alcoholic, Smoker, Drug User: Smoker, Social Drinker

Illnesses/Disorders: None Diagnosed

Medications: None

Any Specific Diet: None

Relationships

Allies: (As of Jan 2020) The Rhydderch Clan

Enemies: (As of Jan 2020) None

Friends: Maeve Pritchard, Deirdre Llewellyn, Bridget Griffiths, Rosaleen O'Sullivan, Aisling O'Hannigan, Eithne O'Hannagan, Kathleen Mulrennan, Haf McFarlane, Tydfil McFarland, Olwen McDermott, Gwen McCracken, Branwen McCormick, Llinos McConnell, Viola Nye, Giselle Herbert

Colleagues: The C.R.C Locker Rooms /Too Many To List

Rivals: None

Closest Confidant: Cadell O'Hannegan

Mentor: Rhodri Rhydderch

Significant Other: Cadell O'Hannegan (42, Husband)

Previous Partners: None of Note

Parents: Rhodri Rhydderch (77, Father), Grania Rhydderch (78, Mother, Née Kavanaugh)

Parents-In-Law: Meurig O'Hannegan (62, Father-In-Law), Elin O'Hannegan (63, Mother-In-Law, Née Morgan)

Siblings: Fionn Rhydderch (47, Brother), Aisling O'Hannigan (41, Sister, Née Rhydderch), Uilliam Rhydderch (38, Brother), Ivor Rhydderch (35, Brother), Eithne O'Hannagan (32, Sister, Née Rhydderch)

Siblings-In-Law: Unity Rhydderch (48, Fionn's Wife, Née Sauvageon), Keaton O'Hannigan (45, Aisling's Husband), Whitney Rhydderch (39, Uilliam's Wife, Née Sauvageau), Oneida Rhydderch (36, Ivor's Wife, Née Richelieu), Januarius O'Hannagan (33, Eithne's Husband)

Nieces & Nephews: Rachel MacGregor (27, Niece, Née Rhydderch), Bruce MacGregor (28, Rachel's Husband), Queen MacEntire (24, Niece, Née Rhydderch), Coinneach MacEntire (25, Queen's Husband), Pace Rhydderch (21, Nephew), Urve Rhydderch (22, Pace's Wife, Née MacEalair), Odin Rhydderch (18, Nephew), Naomh Rhydderch (15, Niece), Macy Rhydderch (12, Niece), Comhghall Rhydderch (9, Nephew), Kaiser Rhydderch (6, Nephew), Jacinth Rhydderch (3, Niece), Ida Scott (24, Niece, Née O'Hannigan), Cillian Scott (25, Ida's Husband), Hale O'Hannigan (21, Nephew), Briallen OHannigan (22, Hale's Wife, Née Sangster), Gabriel O'Hannigan (18, Nephew), Faith O'Hannigan (15, Niece), Eartha O'Hannigan (12, Niece), Dagda O'Hannigan (9, Nephew), Cade O'Hannigan (6, Nephew), Bambi O'Hannigan (3, Niece), Tacey Rhydderch (18, Niece), Sadb Rhydderch (15, Niece), Raeburn Rhydderch (12, Nephew), Quirinus Rhydderch (9, Nephew), Paisley Rhydderch (6, Niece), Olive Rhydderch (3, Niece), Napoleon Rhydderch (15, Nephew), Macdara Rhydderch (12, Nephew), Lalla Rhydderch (9, Niece), Kayleen Rhydderch (6, Niece), James Rhydderch (3, Nephew), Iain O'Hannagan (12, Nephew), Haidee O'Hannagan (9, Niece), Garnet O'Hannagan (6, Niece), Fabius O'Hannagan (3, Nephew)

Children: Aaliyah Wallace (21, Daughter, Née O'Hannegan), Zayden O'Hannegan (18, Son),Yorick O'Hannegan (15, Son), Xavia O'Hannegan (12, Daughter), Wednesday O'Hannegan (9, Daughter), Vance O'Hannegan (6, Son), Uhtric O'Hannegan (3, Son)

Children-In-Law: Matháin Wallace (22, Aaliyah's Husband)

Grandkids: Gwilym Wallace (1, Grandson)

Great Grandkids: None

Wrestling

Billed From: Kilkenny, Ireland

Trainer: The C.R.C Wrestling School, Rhodri Rhydderch

Managers: Cadell O'Hannegan

Wrestlers Managed: Cadell O'Hannegan

Debut: 1997

Debut Match: Caoimhe Rhydderch VS Grania Rhydderch. Caoimhe won via submission

Retired: N/A

Retirement Match: N/A

Wrestling Style: Grappler

Stables: The Rhydderch Clan (1997-)

Teams: No Team Names

Regular Moves: Rotating Punch To The Stomach, Backbreaker, Running Knee Lift, Belly To Belly Suplex, Diving Shoulder Block, Dropkick, Gorilla Press, Lariat, Scoop Powerslam, Spinning Spinebuster, Three Point Stance Tackle, Tiger Suplex

Finishers: Boston Crab, Senton, Sitout Gutwrench Powerbomb, High Angle Belly To Back Suplex

Refers To Fans As: The Fans, The Family

Extras

Backstory: Caoimhe O'Hannegan (Née Rhydderch) of the C.R.C (Welsh Wrestling League / Cynghrair Reslo Cymru) owning Rhydderch Family. When Rhodri dies Caoimhe will have a 1/48th ownership of the promotion. Caoimhe is an 'Ogre Style' (Grappler) trainer. She's a quarter-Welsh and three quarters-Irish.

Trivia: Nothing of Note

[dragontrailz]

YesCymru - The Struggle for Power (Part 2 of 4 - 2021 to 2023)

This is the backstory to what happened when Gwern Gwynfil was dismissed in late 2023 and what's happened since (that will be covered in Parts 3 and 4). Part 1 will cover the 2021 coup (which is summarised briefly in this Part) in more detail and was written in late 2021 and edited recently for clarity.

The detailed story is indeed to act as a historical document in order to inform the membership that restructuring is needed. What happens next is up to the membership. It has become necessary to publish something to stop the paralysis that has overcome the movement and seems entrenched.

Introduction - 2021 to the Gweithgor

I first joined YesCymru in 2020 for a 12 month membership period, as the movement was scaling impressively with the Covid Pandemic bringing more attention to the campaign. Mark Drakeford was perceived to be handling the crisis better than Boris Johnson. A low bar you might think, but it seemed to be drawing attention to how devolved power was allowing us to manage our own affairs and resolve our own problems. 

It was during this period of rapid growth that a group of interlopers with a subversive agenda began to plot and to mount a coup. As the May 2021 AGM approached, the plotters saw their chance to create an opportunity where new members could be voted onto the Central Committee, whilst simultaneously targeting two founder members from retaining their place on the committee. 

All of this might have remained a secret, if it wasn’t for the online bragging by the co-ordinator of the meeting, a Labour Councillor for Prestatyn called Bob Lloyd.

According to a prominent right-wing third-sector blogger named Mr Jones, the plot appears to have been coordinated by Bob Lloyd, Mark Hooper, Lab4IndyWales co-founder Ben Gwalchmai, ‘All Under One Banner’ founder Llewelyn ap Gwilym (who was on the Committee at the time) and a final plotter, who was a key person at a now defunct Welsh media outlet. For the purposes of the story, let’s just call him ‘he who does not like to be named’ (HWDNLTBN).

They were assisted by Momentum’s Harriet Protheroe-Soltani and Elin Hywel from radical-left IndyWales campaign group Undod. Happy to go along with the plot were a collection of artists who seemed to be using YesCymru as a promotional vehicle. 

I verified Mr Jones’ work back in 2021 and it checked out. It was a shame that the research was inflected with some colourful language in places, which seemed to deter some people from engaging in its content. Rather strangely at the time, Nation Cymru, a major rival to HWDNLTBN’s paper, weren’t able to really call out what was happening. I’ve never really been able to ascertain why, but I suspect someone behind the scenes was sympathetic to the aims of the coup plotters.

Once in power the group prioritised trans rights, which they knew could be used as a wedge issue to cause internal tensions within the organisation. Their shift in direction triggered a response, where the wider YesCymru movement made clear their discontent, eventually resulting in the resignation of the Central Committee on August 2021. It was a turbulent 3 months. While Ben Gwalchmai took to Twitter for some epic rants, the wider movement breathed a sigh of relief and Mr Jones, who it was now rumoured to be in retirement in the Dysynni valley, claimed the credit for being the only journalist, employed or retired, to call what was going on. 

A prominent tweeter who resides somewhere not too far from this author’s location stated on X that “everyone knew what was going on, but no one was able to stop it”.

Well that was because you never got organised enough to do anything about it.

The Gweithgor

After allowing my membership to lapse for a month, I rejoined for a second year, briefly sitting on the Gweithgor transitional council that attempted to regained control of the organisation. The aim was to put in place a new constitution and legal structure, but it was beset by problems from the start.

At the time, it was clear that YesCymru was going through a period of flux after 18 months, largely dominated by the Covid Pandemic, which had seen the organisation scale beyond what anyone had really expected. The tight timescales meant it was challenging for those who sat on the Gweithgor to attend the meetings, communicate the outcome to their group, obtain feedback, integrate the group’s wishes into the process and be ready in time for the next cycle. 

Some members seemed to expect miracles, many others were simply not engaged with the process. YesCymru wasn’t used to operating effectively and democratically across these two tiers, which was a real indication of the trouble yet to come. It seemed clear to me and others I was in communication with, that there were still troublemakers in the working groups obstructing progress.

Despite the obvious obstacles and the rushed timeline, in December 2021, an Extraordinary General Meeting voted to adopt the recommendations of the Gweithgor. 

The movement looked forward to a new start in 2022, albeit with a reduced membership. Almost 3,000 members voted to change the legal status of the organisation from being an unincorporated association to that of a company limited by guarantee. This gave YesCymru a strong mandate to proceed and nominations opened for positions on the new National Governing Body (NGB).

The majority of members who were nominated to YesCymru’s governing body were elected automatically, due to a lack of candidates, after the movement moved to a new regional structure based on Senedd regions. 

Elfed Williams assumed the Chair and the role of Financial Lead; Nerys Jenkins took the Vice-Chair; Louise Aikman the Legal Lead; Geraint Thomas the Communications Lead; whilst Phyl Griffiths headed up Campaigns and Marches. The organisation issued an update, where it looked to professionalise the movement, increase grassroots participation, drive the Independence agenda in the media and engage key demographics.

Barry Parkin was elected unopposed as Director for ‘Outside Wales’ alongside Louise Aikman, who only lasted until May 2022 as Director, before being removed on a technicality after not attending three consecutive meetings. The solicitor, branded the organisation ‘dysfunctional’, after a clash with Barry Parkin and Elfed Williams, a pairing she referred to as the ‘gerontocracy’.

The removal of Louise Aikman appears to have been the start of a process where Barry Parkin and Elfed Williams began their consolidation of power. Her departure left Parkin as the only ‘Outside Wales’ Director, as she was not replaced until April 2023, when Dafydd Smith was appointed as a new Director for that region.

A month after Louise Aikman’s departure, in June 2022, the organisation took to the streets of Wrecsam, for their first national march in almost three years. It was recognised to be a huge success and there was a general feeling of relief and euphoria, which carried YesCymru through the summer. To most members at this time, the organisation looked to be back on track.

In September 2022, Gwern Gwynfil was announced as the new CEO and he set to work to re-establish YesCymru, stating that the organisation needed to raise its membership in order to be effective. 

A second march of 10,000 people took place in Cardiff in October 2022, at which the new CEO addressed the crowd, alongside former Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Wigley, actor Julian Lewis Jones, novelist Ffion Dafis and Irish comedian Tadhg Hickey. 

My impression was that Gwen Gwynfil was popular and he seemed to be doing a good job. The reality was the membership were not engaged with the NGB via the regional group structure and many did not realise how the organisation was being governed. This lack of democratic engagement with the grassroots, was to prove a real limiting factor. However, YesCymru did attempt to address this by organising a National Conference in Aberystwyth during the summer of 2023. 

What happened next came as a shock to the membership and raised the spectre that there were hidden problems at the heart of the movement, which had been overlooked when Louise Aikman was sacked.

[l8in]

The Care Scrutiny Committee at Cyngor Gwynedd council held a meeting on the 13th June, 2024.

Dewi Jones, the mayor of Caernarfon and councillor for the Peblig ward, was elected as deputy chair of the committee and began his tenure by making a political statement. He was quickly rebuked by more experienced councillors and made to withdraw his comments. 

The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted. The meeting on the 11/4/24 heard from one councillor who described his experience of the social services complaints process and felt the process merely defended the service. The minutes state - It was not believed that the Children's Services behaved defensively and that everyone was always ready to learn from the lessons and improve services.

A reminder that the Ombudsman for Wales has called out the service for its ignorance of law, policy and procedures and that the head of department has herself commented on the need to read and understand reports...

The first report of the meeting was the Council's Ability To Implement The Deprivation Of Liberty Safeguards, authored by Mannon Emyr Trappe and can be found on page 17 of the agenda pack - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5187/Public%20reports%20pack%2013th-Jun-2024%2010.30%20Care%20Scrutiny%20Committee.pdf?T=10

Gwynedd council do not have the ability... This is a high risk to the public purse as some local authorities are having to pay compensation of between £3000-4000 for every month in which the individuals have been deprived of their liberty without authorisation. There is a waiting list in Gwynedd of 340 individuals who have been deprived of their liberty without authority and 20 individuals have been waiting over 3 years for an assessment.

On average, 67 DoLS applications are received monthly by the council. Gwynedd council state they have one best interest assessor (BIA) who works two days a week and one co-ordinator who works four days. But there are in fact 18 trained BIA's working within the Adult's department...

The meeting was notable not just for the slapdown of councillor Jones but also concerns were raised that recruitment of much needed staff may be hindered by the requirments for the Welsh language being spoken. Also, this was yet another meeting where the Chair ignored requests of councillors. Following on from Elin Hywel ignoring proposals from councillors of a different committee, Beth Lawton now did the same at this meeting. Non Plaid councillors may be wondering what is the point of the care scrutiny committee?

One can only imagine what these councillors will think when they realise that the reports they were meant to be scrutinising had already been accepted and passed by members of the cabinet two days earlier. How can something be scrutinised after it has already been accepted by the policy makers...?

Usually, webcasts are uploaded to the council's website one day after the meeting. In this instance, neither the Cabinet nor the Care Scrutiny meetings are yet available for the public and other councillors to view.

Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council...

[l8in]

Cyngor Gwynedd council held a Communities Scrutiny Committee meeting on the 18th April, 2024. First up on the agenda was the 'Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board delivery arrangements' report authored by the council leader, Dyfrig Siencyn.

The committee will remember last years annual report being presented. It was ridiculed for its lack of detail and concerns were also raised that documents were missing from the Board's website. Councillors asked how there could be proper scrutiny without them. One councillor compared the plans to a ‘slow motion car crash whilst laughing along the way.' A proposal to defer the report was voted down and bizarrely the committee passed the report in spite of their concerns.

Just as last year, Cllr Siencyn did not turn up for this meeting either and his report had to be presented by Geraint Owen, the council's executive officer. Councillors again criticised this report for its lack of detail and no 'meat on the bones'. Geraint Owen, who explained that he now sits on the Board agreed with some of the criticism. For councillors who were present at the July meeing it must have been a case of deja vu.

Just as last year, a councillor proposed that the report be deferred until more detail was provided. The chair, who had herself been very vocal in her criticism of the report asked that the conversation be completed first. 

But Elin Hywel did not deal with the request for deferral and went straight on to make her own recommendations one being to accept the report. Once again, a Gwynedd scrutiny committee passed a report in spite of their serious concerns and what many consider to be wholly inadequate. A mere tick box exercise to cover for officers badly produced homework..?

This is NOT scrutiny. For far too long, it would appear that Gwynedd councillors have followed the party line and supported senior officers to avoid reputational damage. The leader and executive officers have warned that the culture within the council must change - not fully grasping that they themselves are responsible for the culture that exists. This culture exists because of the failure of scrutiny members to hold officers to account also.

The report, for what its worth, can be found here - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=40660 Cllr Siencyn's report is notable more for what the Board is NOT doing...

The webcast of the meeting can be found here - press the english tab for the translated feed. https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/875173

Something is so very wrong within Gwynedd council...

[l8in]

Services Denied...Again.

Services Denied…Again.

Why do Plaid Cymru run Cyngor Gwynedd Council Social Services Department mark the Disabled box with a NO when assessing a child with “high functioning” #Autism #PDA ? Elin Walker Jones Plaid Cymru Gwynedd Derwen Plaid Cymru Arfon Plaid Cymru Bangor Leanne Wood Plaid Cymru Pwllheli Hywel Williams AS/MP Liz Saville Roberts AS/MP Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board Carl Sargeant Rebecca Evans AM