During my last meeting with Wokingham Borough I was reminded that Wokingham has a target to build  856 new homes a year from 2013. (LEP study of housing need Feb 2016) That makes Wokingham’s share of the West Berkshire total 30%, with the other Councils  providing the rest of the 2855. Reading itself has a lower target of 699, despite having substantial brownfield redevelopment potential, the coming of Crossrail and the possibility of more starter home and smaller flats in the centre.  Bracknell has to build just 635 a year. Going forward there needs to be a fair division of the requirement.

The total numbers needed in the future also should take into account any change of migration policy designed to lower the numbers of additional people coming to live and work in the country as a whole. The current high numbers of new home sis partly the result of adding 330,000 extra people each year to our population, as we wish anyone coming to live and work here to have access to decent housing. If the government sticks to its target of a substantial reduction and takes the necessary measures on leaving the EU, could  the targets be lowered.

Were the Council to agree to a new settlement at Grazeley of 15,000 homes that would on its own provide 17.5 years worth of housing against targets. Would the development be spaced out over such a time period? Is it feasible to say no to building on any other large sites throughout such a  long time period? Or  might Grazeley  add to the build rate? If other sites are granted on appeal or run over from past grants of planning, then we need to build even more infrastructure to take care of a faster build rate than present plans.

I am writing to the authorities to ask what thought is going in to future targets in the light of these issues.

14 February 2017 – Methamphetamine is increasingly being seized by law enforcement in Afghanistan, and there is also evidence that it is being produced in the country, according to the first of its kind assessment on synthetic drugs released today by the United Nations drug and crime agency.

After spending eight-months gathering information on drugs known locally as ‘glass,’ ‘tears of love or ‘sheesha,’ the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) concluded that “there are strong indications that methamphetamine use is establishing itself among opiate users, which are already one of the most vulnerable parts of Afghan society.”

“The report comes in a timely fashion, adding another layer of understanding to the very complex Afghan drugs situation,” said UNODC’s Director of Public Affairs, Jean-Luc Lemahieu.

He praised Afghan contribution to the report, noting that the country has had “impressive” growth in capacity.

The Afghanistan Synthetic Drugs Assessment includes missions to five provinces in Afghanistan, where interviews were conducted with over 100 key sources, drug users and law enforcement officials at government offices, health service centres and drug treatment providers.

“Although data and information remains scarce, reports from law enforcement officials, drug treatment providers, forensic experts and drug users in Afghanistan point to a differentiated market for synthetic drug,” the investigators reported.

“Increases in the number of methamphetamine seizures, together with reports of methamphetamine manufacture and increases in treatment registrations in certain parts of the country, suggest that synthetic drugs are of growing concern in Afghanistan,” says the report.

Among its findings, the report noted that the largest number of methamphetamine treatment registrations have been reported by treatment centres in Kunduz province, in the north-east of Afghanistan, and Nimroz province, to the south-west of Afghanistan.

It also found that the current national drug control law seems to provide a much lower penalty framework for methamphetamine compared to other drugs such as heroin or cocaine.

Investigators conclude that the issue must be studied more thoroughly by national and international partners.

The European Commission has today awarded Pork from traditionally reared Pedigree Welsh Pigs with Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (TSG) status. It joins a number of Welsh products that have been successful in achieving EU protected status. These include PGI Welsh Lamb and Beef, PDO Halen Mȏn/Anglesey Sea Salt,  PGI Pembrokeshire early new potatoes, Conwy Mussels, PGI Carmarthen Ham and PDO & PGI Welsh Wine. 

Unlike geographically specific protected foods, Pedigree Welsh Pork can be produced anywhere in Europe, providing the animals are pedigree and are registered with the British Pig Association or a similar breed association. Pig keepers using the TSG designation will be encouraged to become members of the Pedigree Welsh Pig Society who will be able to offer help and support to ensure pigs are reared according to traditional methods, keeping to the high standards of husbandry. 

The application process for TSG status began over 4 years ago with support and funding from the Welsh Government. Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths welcomed the announcement. She said: 

“I would like to congratulate Pedigree Welsh Pig Society for gaining the first Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (TSG) EU status in Wales.  I am pleased the Welsh Government was able to assist the application with funding and support.  

“This is further confirmation of what we already know – Wales produces world leading food and drink.  Our Protected Food Name basket is growing, which gives recognition to the dedication of our producers to quality and it ensures their products are protected under EU law.”

Bob Stevenson, Chairman of the Pedigree Welsh Pig Society and an eminent pig vet said:

“Consumers can now be 100% certain when buying traditionally reared Pedigree Welsh pork that provenance is assured and that the meat has been produced in a way that has prioritised the well-being of the animal throughout its entire life.”

“This is a great accolade for Wales’ native pig breed and one that will help further elevate the profile of Welsh pork”, says Melanie Cargill, representative of a new initiative to develop the pig industry in Wales. “Shoppers are increasingly looking for assurance when it comes to their food purchases and this gives discerning customers that something extra.”

“Being only the third TSG awarded in the UK, it really demonstrates how unique the Welsh pig is.”

Lesley Griffiths also spoke of the Welsh Government’s intention to ensure Protected Food Names continue to be recognised after the UK leaves the European Union:

“We are working closely with Defra, who act as the link to the EU, to ensure a future for protected food names when we leave Europe. There are other countries outside of Europe with protected food names and this sets a precedent for the UK to consider a similar reciprocal scheme in the future.” 

Following today’s Finance Ministers Quadrilateral in Edinburgh the devolved administrations have voiced their disappointment at the UK Government’s lack of assurances that there will be meaningful engagement over the approach it proposes to take on Brexit. The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Ministers also underlined the economic and public finance challenges this lack of clarity presents.

The meeting was attended by Scotland’s Finance Secretary Derek Mackay, Chief Secretary to the Treasury David Gauke, the Welsh Government’s Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford and Stormont Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir.

Welsh Government Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said:  

“Our White Paper, Securing Wales’ Future, which was discussed at the recent JMC (EN) provides a comprehensive, credible plan for the negotiations as the UK prepares to exit from the EU.  It focuses on Wales’ priorities but in a way which would work for the whole of the UK.

“We have always been clear that a hard Brexit would be highly damaging to the Welsh and UK economy. That is why we have repeatedly called for full and unfettered access to the single market in our negotiations with the UK Government.  Our economy is closely integrated into the single market and our success in attracting foreign investment owes much to this access.

“The fact of Brexit is not in doubt but we need to ensure a good outcome for Wales.  We will continue our discussions with the UK Government through the JMC (EN) but we need to see these discussions intensify over the next few weeks as the triggering of Article 50 approaches.  We need a clear signal from the UK Government that the views of the devolved administrations are taken into account so we secure a future post Brexit that works for Wales and works for the rest of the UK.”

Scotland’s Finance Secretary Mr Mackay said: 

“While I am disappointed about this lack of progress with the UK Government, we will continue to work with the Welsh and Northern Ireland Governments as it is essential for the devolved administrations to be at the heart of any decision making. We need clarity from the UK Government as we have the right to have our say on how devolved budgets and our economy will be affected by a hard Brexit. I asked again today that the UK Government give serious consideration to the proposals the Scottish Government has put forward in response to the outcome of the EU referendum and responds constructively, in the interests of the people of Scotland.

“We have been clear, keeping Scotland in the European single market is absolutely essential for Scottish jobs, investment and long-term economic wellbeing.”

Stormont Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir said: 

“ I have previously been on record saying that there is a lack of understanding of the calamitous effects that Brexit would have on our local economy and there has been no appreciation of the need for a special status for the North within the EU. Nothing I have heard today changes that.”