Coun Nic Hodges questions Academy feasability

Critics ask plaid Thursday 31st July Glamorgan Gem
‘do you really want defence academy’ by Philip Irwin

The recent visit to communities close to the proposed St Athan Defence Technical Academy (DTA) by the schemes backers has prompted a live debate - with a labour MP and a conservative AM bith questioning Plaid Cymru’s enthusiasm for the Plan.

In last weeks GEM Coun Nic Hodges, the leader of Plaid on the Vale council, visited the DTA exhibition and complained of a “lack of detailed information.” and suggested that the academy would be an “isolated “gated village“. He also said that nearby towns would see an increase in “squaddie rowdiness and drop outs from the academy“

Vale MP john smith replied “This is complete and utter nonsense. Leisure and sports facilities including a swim pool will be available to local communities. “The precise number of jobs is incalculable, nut it will be many thousands, plus an extra 2,000 at the aero space park.”

Conservative AM Alun Cairns said that he was “amazed” by coun hodges remarks, and questioned Plaids commitment to the scheme. He said “We always knew that Plaids official policy is to oppose any military activity in Wales, but we were told locally they were in support . “These remarks, however, seem to suggest that we don’t want the investment. Certainly the remarks in last weeks Gem are sending the wrong message and suggest that we don’t want such an investment”.

John Smith said “benefits to the Vales, especially Barry, and the South Wales economy are enormous, not just in terms of jobs and investment . It will transform the reputation of the reputation of the Welsh economy. “I can not believe that any responsible politician, never mind a leading member of Plaid, is opposing this knowledge and skills -based investment.”

Alun Cairns said; “If Coun Hodges is complaining that the training will go to outsiders, then of course they will. These are specialist jobs and the whole point of the project is to bring these people, currently operating all over the country, to one location - here in the Vale. Their spend will be in local shops, they will eat in local restaurants and will bring new money to our community”.

Alun Cairns added; ”I remember saying on the day that the announcement was made that, if handled properly, the Metrix deal would be of huge benefit to the local community. Let’s put party difference behind us on this project . We need to work together to ensure the impact is positive “.

However, Coun Hodges was unmoved , he said “to mr smith, I would say billions of PFI “never-never money’ does not make it a proper scheme. As far as Mr Cairns is concerned he should spend more time getting the details and information his constituents need.”
http://www.barry-today.co.uk/tindlepool/PDF/Barry%20Gem/web/GC310708001.pdf

Alun Cairns is Tory parliamentary candidate designate. He and John smith happy do/say anything if they think they will get votes!?
e-mail: alun.cairns@wales.gov.uk Alun Cairns AM, 44 St Johns Street, Porthcawl
CF36 3BB Tel: 01656 773060

09/07/08Military Academy phoney consultation hides New Labour toxic legacy

http://www.antimetrix.org/2008/07/military-academy-phoney-consultation.html

TOP SECRET MEETINGS

However top secret meetings reveal a different story. Private Eye 1213 points out that privatising defence training could turn out to be one of labours more toxic legacies, (supported by all Plaid AMs and MPs !)So does the ministry of defence. Private eye tells us that “Documents produced following a recent meeting of the “defence training review executive board” reveal that the project, under which training will be handed to the Metrix consortium through a 30m PFI contract worth around £11bn, poses catastrophic risks on the front line.” Not ‘benefits in efficiency’ then! A confidential “post meeting readout” of deliberations led by deputy chief of defence staff (personnel) Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson exposes “major AFFORDABILITY issues” requiring a “realistic contingency plan” for the deal to privatise training. Hinting at serious difficulties on the deal, the “affordability gap” could not be disclosed even to the project board as it was too “sensitive”.

More alarming still was a list of 15 significant risks with the project, including some that will fill the military on engagements around the world with dread. “trained output fails to meet requirement of operational commands” is one of them, on the grounds that “there is a risk that the Metrix solution will not be able to deliver the numbers of suitably trained personnel that are required and/or that the training output is not to a sufficiently high standard.”

letter in the Gem -St Athan jobs dwindle while costs rise

The Vale's MP is living up to his nickname John 'Metrix' Smith if he
thinks the rise in cost of the contract to "a whopping £12 billion is
great news for the Vale economy" (The GEM July 24). Doesn't he realise
that the extra £1 billion goes to the consortium partners, and that it
more than wipes out the cost advantage of £400 million that his government
claimed justified choosing Metrix over the internal MoD bid?

The other figures Brigadier Neild disclosed to the 'stakeholder'
meeting were numbers of personnel. Military trainer jobs
transferring to Metrix number 1123, some being at other sites than St
Athan, for 8 other 'learning centres' are planned St Athan would have
under 75% of the 6000 standing trainees. Brigadier Neild estimated that
1000 military personnel would be associated with the project, not
necessarily based at St Athan.

The politicians including John Smith should now be admitting they
were misled by Metrix's claims to create 5500 and later 4500 jobs.
Alun Cairns at least is accepting that the trainer jobs are for
specialists moving into the Vale (The GEM July 31).

He says the Vale would benefit from their spending in local shops,
restaurants etc. Yes, £1000 each per year would add £6 million to
the Vale's economy. Increase it to £10 or 20 million to include
spending on home appliances and furniture. Do politicians think an
£12 billion contract should be welcomed on the basis of this tiny spin-off?

Leanne Wood AM did at least raise in a formal Senedd question on July 1
the Defence Training Review executive board's report listing of 15
significant risks of the Metrix proposal, including risks to training of
frontline troops. Brigadier Neild did not deny that report leaked to
Private Eye, which implies service chiefs remain critical and brassed
off over the Metrix proposals.

Doubts over defence contract Shropshire Star , UK- Jul 15, 2008 For the first time, the Government has admitted that the contract won by the Metrix consortium for a new defence academy at RAF St Athan might not be ...
http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/07/15/doubts-over-defence-contract/

send your thoughts to

Nic Hodges Address: 19 Lower Romilly Rd,Barry,CF62 3AZ ContactTel: (01446) 736906 Email:

NPHodges@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Anne says ...The campaign against the military training academy say that the true facts about the academy should be given to the people in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Despite the project being awarded to St Athan last year, Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth admitted that the Ministry of Defence has not yet signed a contract with Metrix! (1)

I agree with Coun Nic Hodges comments in the Glamorgan Gem that there is a “lack of detailed information.” - in fact there is an information dessert. People in the Vale are been given a lot of spin and lies about this training academy which will be for mercenaries and anyone with the money - not just our military services. The very fact that Military training is being sold off, privatised should ring alarm bells about effectiveness, cost and accountability. .

Private Eye has run a number of articles recently highlighting the defence training review executive board grave concerns that the privatisation ‘poses catastrophic risks on the front line’ or grave danger for our soldiers. Another serious problem is ‘major AFFORDABILITY issues”. In fact they found 15 significant risks with the project. Some of the facts that John Smith Mp and Alun Ciarns AM and the PR firm running this pantomime consultation forgot to mention. (2)

The consultation documents do not mention the involvement in the metrix consortium of war profiteers Raytheon (of cluster bomb fame) and Serco, and the already proven incompetent Eds. Raytheon have been boasting that they want to use training as a means of expansion and arms sales. (3)

Nic Hodges suggested that the academy would be an “isolated “gated village“ and yes, security will be high as this will be such a concentration of military services and will invite protestors from all over the world. No chance of community folk strolling in to use the pool then!

John Smith MP must apologise for all the false promises of 5,ooo plus jobs that were a figment of his imagination and not based on fact. It is more likely that because the privatisation of military training project has such serious flaws that the contract may never yet be signed.


Notes

(1) Doubts over defence contract Shropshire Star , UK- Jul 15, 2008 For the first time, the Government has admitted that the contract won by the Metrix consortium for a new defence academy at RAF St Athan might not be ...
http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/07/15/doubts-over-defence-contract/

- ANTI-METRIX http://www.antimetrix.org/
-
School for mercenaries, bright security companies, like blackwater? Campaign to oppose the St Athan privatised military academy - biggest PFI/PPP ever, with arms dealers Raytheon Serco Mike Hayle, chief executive Metrix consortium 'Our aim is that by 2013 if you travelled anywhere in the world and talked about military training, people would say that St Athan was the only place to go. 'It will genuinely be on the world map. People will come from Australia, the Middle East and other parts of the world to train.

Private has raised this issue numerous times and has raised some very worrying details not raised at the consultation. See below 1*


No mention of training mercenaries and who polices who comes to st athan for training. Blackwater? Who trains them - ex mercnearies from..anywhere...keep up the good work. My mobile 078 1751 3610


(2) 09/07/08Military Academy phoney consultation hides New Labour toxic legacy 1*
http://www.antimetrix.org/2008/07/military-academy-phoney-consultation.html

TOP SECRET MEETINGS
However top secret meetings reveal a different story. Private Eye 1213 points out that privatising defence training could turn out to be one of labours more toxic legacies, (supported by all Plaid AMs and MPs !)So does the ministry of defence. Private eye tells us that “Documents produced following a recent meeting of the “defence training review executive board” reveal that the project, under which training will be handed to the Metrix consortium through a 30m PFI contract worth around £11bn, poses catastrophic risks on the front line.” Not ‘benefits in efficiency’ then! A confidential “post meeting readout” of deliberations led by deputy chief of defence staff (personnel) Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson exposes “major AFFORDABILITY issues” requiring a “realistic contingency plan” for the deal to privatise training. Hinting at serious difficulties on the deal, the “affordability gap” could not be disclosed even to the project board as it was too “sensitive”.

More alarming still was a list of 15 significant risks with the project, including some that will fill the military on engagements around the world with dread. “trained output fails to meet requirement of operational commands” is one of them, on the grounds that “there is a risk that the Metrix solution will not be able to deliver the numbers of suitably trained personnel that are required and/or that the training output is not to a sufficiently high standard.”

13/07/08
(3) Raytheon want to use training as a means of expansion amd arms sales.
Note The Metrix-WAG presentation for "key stakeholders" is from 6-7.30 pm Mon 14th July at the Methodist Church "Gathering Place", St Athan centre. See below*

Shows how Raytheon want to use training as a means of expansion amd arms sales. Protest now!!! Write to your AM, MP today
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=a6X0tNLjSjQM&refer=uk
This
……Next week's event allows Raytheon to highlight its role in the Metrix team that won a 16 billion pound ($31.5 billion) contract from the U.K. Ministry of Defense in 2007, Teel, 63, said. That work has drawn interest from North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies and from customers in the Middle East, he said.

Raytheon Says New Training Division Will Build on NASA, GM Work By Edmond Lococo july 9 (Bloomberg) -- Raytheon Co., the defense contractor that helped train astronauts and Mr. Goodwrench mechanics, plans to capture a larger share of the $9 billion professional instruction market, a company executive said.
Raytheon, maker of the Tomahawk missile and Patriot air- defense systems, next week will open a global training division to consolidate business previously spread across the company, said Steve Teel, senior vice president for strategic initiatives. The unit will use expertise culled from working with NASA and General Motors Corp. to pursue commercial and military customers worldwide, he said.
``It was a matter of coming to the realization that training was part of our business, and that we had world-class capabilities,'' Teel said in a June 30 interview.
The company will unveil the unit at the Farnborough International Air Show near London, Teel said.
Training services added about $550 million to last year's sales, or 2.6 percent of Waltham, Massachusetts-based Raytheon's revenue. International growth will help lift training-services sales by more than 6.5 percent annually, Teel said.
The Global Training Solutions unit provides curriculum development, instructor-led training, manuals and simulators. For the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Raytheon helps run a laboratory at the Johnson Space Center in Houston that prepares astronauts for spacewalks in a pool filled with underwater mockups. The company also helps operate a facility that features life-size models of the space shuttle and the space station interior.
`Mr. Goodwrench'
For Detroit-based GM, Raytheon has managed the Service Technical College that trains most technicians in the carmaker's Mr. Goodwrench program. The system has prepared 65,000 technicians for work at 7,000 dealerships in North America.
Raytheon redesigned training from a 98 percent instructor- based technique to one that blends Web-based methods and instruction by satellite. Customers include Pfizer Inc., the world's largest drug company, and Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's second-largest automaker, Teel said.
About 1,500 Raytheon workers are employed in training services, or 2.1 percent of the global staff.......Next week's event allows Raytheon to highlight its role in the Metrix team that won a 16 billion pound ($31.5 billion) contract from the U.K. Ministry of Defense in 2007, Teel, 63, said. That work has drawn interest from North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies and from customers in the Middle East, he said.
Raytheon has a similar training role with the Army through a $11.2 billion program that provides live and computer-based training. Raytheon competes against training-services suppliers such as International Business Machines Corp. and Accenture Ltd.
To contact the reporter on this story: Edmond Lococo in Boston at elococo@bloomberg.net.
Last Updated: July 9, 2008 00:01 EDT
See also
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/07/08/new-homes-in-peril-as-1-100-jobs-axed-91466-21303481/
 This article also refers to DTR. In their new blurb Metrix say they plan to build 559 new homes. Thats not bad for the 5000 new jobs and families they promise !!


http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=a6X0tNLjSjQM&refer=uk

HA HA
(Celtic News, France - 30 Jul 2008 Rhodri Morgan and Ieuan Wyn Jones Deputy First Minister. )Rhodri Morgan, First Minister of Wales : "We are willing and eager to make our own decisions.................The Defence Training Academy at St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan will provide thousands of high quality jobs, training service personnel in an academic environment that will turn Oxford and Cambridge green with envy when it opens for business next decade."
really? ...http://www.agencebretagnepresse.com/fetch.php?id=11660&title=Rhodri%20Morgan,%20First%20Minister%20of%20Wales%20:%20We%20are%20willing%20and%20eager%20to%20make%20our%20own%20decisions

squaddies rampaging around llanwit major?

In the current edition of The Gem (vale of glamorgan's free newspaper) John Smith MP and Tory AM Alun Cairns (whats he got to do with the Vale) launch a dual attack on Plaid Cllr Nic Hodges who apparently made remarks at the st.athan public meeting about 'squaddies rampaging around llantwit major' as well as questioning the academy. The headline of the article is 'Critics ask Plaid: do you really want St. Athan?'."

No Metrix Contract signed ..Welsh Press silence?

Shropshire Star yesterday
Doubts over defence training deal

<http://www.shropshirestar.com/wp-content/uploads/cosford2.jpg>
cosford2.jpgMajor doubts arose today about the multi-billion pound defence training contract won by South Wales in a controversial deal which threatened the future of RAF Cosford.

For the first time, the Government has admitted that the contract won by the Metrix consortium for a new defence academy at RAF St Athan could fall foul of the credit crunch.

Despite the project being awarded to St Athan last year, Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth admitted last night that the Ministry of Defence has not yet signed a contract with Metrix.

He told Tory MP for The Wrekin Mark Pritchard in a Commons reply that the MoD continues to work with Metrix “on a range of issues to achieve an affordable, value for money, acceptable and deliverable project”.

He added: “Cost growth and the implications of the credit crunch on borrowing have been a significant factor.”

Mr Pritchard commented: “This is the first public acknowledgement by a Government minister that the Defence Training Review programme is unravelling.

“The affordability gap would impact on defence training for all of HM armed forces and would also severely affect the capability of Britain’s frontline forces.”

RAF Cosford’s future has been uncertain since the Government awarded the contract, estimated to be worth £16 billion, to South Wales. The MoD’s current position is that Cosford could become a super-garrison for thousands of troops returning from Germany.

14 July 2008

No sign if this contract being signed what with pfi and the 'affordability' gap. So what are the Welsh Assembly Government spending money on a sham inept consultation?

Armed Forces: Training

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact on Defence Training Review project financing of levels of demand from residential developers for his Department’s land at (a) Aborfield and (b) Borden. [217395]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Defence Training Review (DTR) Package 1 Project plans to improve and rationalise phase 2 and phase 3 technical training. As a consequence of this rationalisation both Bordon and Arborfield Garrisons will be released for sale from 2012 onwards.

MOD has sought recent independent valuation advice for both sites as part of financial appraisals for DTR which uses prudent levels of values in its assessments.

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency plans have been agreed by his Department for managing affordability gaps identified in the Defence Training Review. [217725]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Department continues to work constructively with the Metrix consortium on a range of issues on DTR Package 1 to achieve an affordable, value for money, acceptable and deliverable project. Cost growth and the implications of the credit crunch on borrowing have been a significant factor. The Department has been working jointly with Metrix to drive the price down to seek to eliminate the affordability gap without materially affecting the scope of the project.

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to discuss with the Comptroller and Auditor General the treatment of the financing of the Defence Training Review programme in his Department's accounts. [217726]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Ministry of Defence has not yet entered into a contract for the delivery of Defence Training with the Metrix consortium. The treatment of the financing of the Defence Training Review (DTR) programme does not therefore appear in the Department's accounts and consequently there are no plans to discuss DTR with the Comptroller and Auditor General. One

14 July 2008 : Column 164W
minor entry for a contingent liability of £9.5 million will, however, be included in this financial year's account. This undertaking was laid as a departmental minute before the House for 14 working days on 29 January this year.

Defence Training Review Executive Board

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the minutes of the last meeting of the Defence Training Review Executive Board. [217394]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I am withholding the information requested as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice commercial interest.

Sham St Athan Consultation

Latest articles from Shropshire Star at http://www.pcsshropshire.selfip.org/newspage/

‘Outrageous’ tax avoidance by PFIs must stop, says MP
A WELSH MP will bid to change the law today to force firms that build schools, roads and hospitals to pay tax in the UK.more
http://email.icnetwork.co.uk/re?l=bksxz7I38m1qogImViews on St Athan plans sought

WalesOnline - NEW round of public consultations on the multi-billion pound Defence Training Academy at St Athan will be held this month. The Defence Technical Academy ...

The exhibitions at St Athan, Cowbridge and Llantwit are mentioned in the B&DN Press Advert (not in the Gem!) but not the prior event for "Key Stakeholders" on Mon 14 July 18.00-19.30 at St Athan Methodist Church 'Gathering Place', Flemingston Rd.Attached is the report circulated for it and presumably available at the exhibitions (Tues/Wed-St Athan, Thurs-Cowbridge, Fri-Llantwit).Monday's event has a presentation and questions to Metrix, WAG and MoD reps. The organisers Camargue Group Ltd seem flexible
invite.enquiries@st-athanconsultation.co.uk
Phone - 0845 618 0016; website still being set up.

Note the name change to Defence Technical Academy, instead of Training - agreed in the last 2 weeks!


ST ATHAN –
Home of the Defence Technical Academy and Aerospace Park – FAQ, June 2008


THE SCHEME

Where is the proposed site?
MOD St Athan is located in the Vale of Glamorgan close to the village of St Athan. The site is owned by the Welsh Assembly Government and is currently used for a range of MOD training and commercial and aerospace operations. St Athan has always been used to provide training for MOD personnel since it was first acquired by the RAF in 1938 and has been an integral part of the community for more than 70 years.


What will be delivered?
The redevelopment will chiefly consist of a new Defence Technical Academy, with associated housing and facilities, and an Aerospace Business Park.

With a commitment to technological innovation and a dynamic approach to training delivery the Defence Technical Academy will provide training for up to 4,500 students at any one time specialising in aeronautical and electro mechanical engineering, and communications/IT disciplines. The Aerospace Business Park will attract businesses involved in both civilian and military work and will further strengthen the region’s existing track record in aerospace expertise.

Who will deliver the project?
The redevelopment of MOD St Athan brings together a number of parties, primarily Metrix, the Welsh Assembly Government and the MOD.

Raytheon Systems Limited- The Metrix consortium combines the best in technical knowledge, ... The Metrix Solution –Building a World-Class Defence Training Academy ...www.raytheon.co.uk/products/dtr.html - 18k -

In 2007, the Secretary of State for Defence announced that the Metrix Consortium had been selected as the MOD’s Preferred Bidder for the delivery of the Defence Technical Academy. Metrix, a special purpose company that is a 50/50 joint venture between the defence and technology research group QinetiQ and leading British property development and investment company Land Securities Trillium, has extensive experience in delivering projects of this scope and scale. (shhh! don't mention Raytheon arms dealers, Serco?)

The redevelopment of St Athan is being undertaken in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government, which is promoting the development of the Aerospace Business Park and providing major new infrastructure for the entire development.


Why do we need to redevelop St Athan?
Currently, specialist training in aeronautical, electro mechanical engineering and communication/IT disciplines takes place at nine different sites across the UK producing some of the world’s best trained military personnel. The Metrix vision will see the Defence Technical Academy building on this success by creating a single training facility of international standing.

The Defence Technical Academy will bring training, for each of the services; Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, together in one location for the first time. The benefits of this are considerable and will ensure that UK military personnel continue to receive the very best training available, whilst bringing together each of the services in one location will mean further benefits in terms of efficiency and shared learning.


Furthermore, the existing site, specifically East Camp, is currently under utilised with many of the buildings at the end of their economic life or in need of significant investment.

St Athan is also a strategically important asset with an operational runway and as part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s support programme for the aerospace sector is being developed as an Aerospace Business Park.


ABOUT THE PROJECT

What would the Defence Technical Academy look like?
The design and construction of the Technical Academy will be of a high design standard. The former DARA Super Hangar will also be an integral part, ensuring that this recently built facility continues to be used appropriately.

What will the Aerospace Business Park comprise?
Part of the existing airfield site will be redeveloped as an Aerospace Business Park, which will accommodate a number of businesses primarily engaged in commercial and military aerospace activities.

The Aerospace Business Park will complement the training academy as well as becoming a centre for excellence in its own right building upon South Wales’ existing aerospace expertise.

How will the construction process be managed?
A number of measures would be introduced to ensure that any disruption to the local community during construction is kept to a minimum. These include minimising any construction traffic at night and only using specified, pre-agreed routes into the site.


EMPLOYMENT & THE ECONOMY

What local employment opportunities will there be?
The Technical Academy will result in the creation of a number of new jobs. The construction phase will also generate further employment opportunities for the local community and the wider Vale of Glamorgan. The Aerospace Business Park has the potential to provide some 2,000 further jobs for the area together with significant training opportunities through local universities, colleges and training providers. Jobs created by the Technical Academy, together with the trainees attending, would result in an annual multi million pound injection into the local/regional economy.

How can businesses become involved with the redevelopment of St Athan?
The St Athan team is already engaged in discussions with a number of local and regional suppliers and would be pleased to hear from any business that feels it has an offering that would be beneficial in the redevelopment of St Athan – see contact details below.


TRANSPORT

How will traffic be managed?
Improvement works including new accesses and enhancements to Eglwys Brewis Road, St Athan Junction, the B4265 road at Gileston/Old Mill and Waycock Cross roundabout will help ensure the road network is able to cope with any increase in traffic at peak times. Planning applications will include proposals for routing and mitigation measures for construction traffic generated by the development proposals. A Green Travel Plan will also be introduced that that will include a number of measures to reduce car usage, such as encouraging site personnel to use public transport.


How is public transport provision being considered?
A full transport assessment will be undertaken to assess the likely need for any enhancements to the existing public transport network and ensure appropriate provision is made.


THE ENVIRONMENT

What is being done to preserve the local ecology of the site and the surrounding area?
A comprehensive series of measures will be implemented to ensure that the effects on wildlife are minimised and new habitats provided will be of the highest standards. A series of new ponds have already been created and will provide a haven for wildlife and an ideal habitat for the existing population of great crested newts.


What other measures will be taken to minimise environmental impact?
The developers intend to build a high quality development, with appropriate landscaping, in keeping with the character of the location and which will be taken forward, as far as possible, on sustainable development principles. To this end, a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment is being undertaken. To help meet energy needs in a sustainable manner, the proposed development will include an Energy Centre incorporating a bio-mass generator that would be fuelled in part by wood chips, reducing carbon emissions for the technical academy by between 30 and 60 per cent per annum. In addition to this, a series of environmental policies will be adopted, with one of the most comprehensive recycling and composting schemes of any modern development. On site water retention will be introduced to control surface run-off and a waste minimisation strategy will see rubble from the demolition phase being re-used as building materials and in the landscaping of the site.


HOUSING

Will new houses be built in St Athan and will new facilities be provided?
Up to 550 houses will be built to provide family accommodation for personnel during their stay. Design will be of a high standard that will complement the local area. A number of potential sites in and around the area are being considered and assessed in terms of their suitability.

Retail, leisure, medical, sports and recreational facilities will be provided for site personnel to ensure that no additional burden is placed on existing services within the community. In addition, it is anticipated that some of these facilities will be made available to the public at certain times.


CONSULTATION

Do the views of the public really count?
This is a genuine process of consultation and we consider every comment that is made. Comments made during the course of previous consultation exercises have already influenced the emerging plan and we will continue to listen as we move forward together.

What happens next?
Between now and the proposed submission of a planning application in Spring 2009, there will be an ongoing programme of consultation including the distribution of newsletters, a regularly updated web-site, workshops and a series of public exhibitions. The first phase of consultation will take place in July 2008 and will help inform the topics for the workshops that will take place later in the year. If the planning application is approved, and following financial close, construction work could start in early 2010 with completion of the technical academy by 2014.


How can the public get involved?
As well as a series of public exhibitions, there will also be a programme of workshops that will begin later in the year. Dates for the first phase of exhibitions have already been confirmed and these will be used to help identify topics for the workshops. In addition, a dedicated telephone number, e-mail address and freepost address have been set up. These can be used to ask questions, pass on comments or simply raise issues the public feel we need to be aware of. Details as follows:

- Email - enquiries@st-athanconsultation.co.uk
- Phone - 0845 618 0016
- Address - Camargue Group Ltd, Freepost RRKG-AZTG-JLJX,
St Athan Consultation
Eagle Tower,
Montpellier Drive
Cheltenham, GL50 1TA

-ENDS-

The Metrix Consortium
St Athan Academy will be a private facility operated by the Metrix Consortium, which is a joint venture company of Land Securities Trillium and Qinetiq, in partnership with other sub-contracting companies: AgustaWestland, City & Guilds, Currie & Brown, Dalkia, EDS, Laing O’Rourke, Nord Anglia, Raytheon, Serco, Sodexho and the Open University. The Metrix business model for maximising its profits at St Athan is to maximise the amount of training it provides, through serving not just the British military but militaries all over the world. “The only winners in the privatisation of defence training,” says Mark Serwotka, General Secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, “are the shareholders of the Metrix Consortium.”

More information on EDSEDS coporate incompetanceEDS contract slammed by union chief Mark Serwotka PCS

Last minute consultation sham

Views on St Athan plans sought WalesOnline -

A NEW round of public consultations on the multi-billion pound Defence Training Academy at St Athan will be held this month. The Defence Technical Academy ...See all stories on this topic
Too little too late in the holiday period when many are away and with little notice and without consulting in n Cardiff - useless

Who will be training their soldiers at the new Defence Training Academy?

War is Peace Greg Lewis Friday, June 27, 2008

Who will be training their soldiers at the new Defence Training Academy at St Athan?
It’s a question that’s been exercising campaigners who feel the development is not just pledging Wales to a future of “militarism”, but wondering to whose military we are making that pledge.I mean, we are never going to stop people killing other people. But does it look like we even want to?

Especially if private security companies (mercenaries) – like the ones fighting wars for ‘us’ by proxy in Iraq – will be getting trained there. I contacted the Ministry of Defence under the Freedom of Information Act to ask if, for instance, the MoD would ban any particular nations from using the training camp.

And what about private security companies – would they be able to send personnel there?After a short delay I received an email from Brigadier Geoff Nield, a project leader with the Defence Training Review.Under this privatised scheme, it seems, the first decision on who comes in from the outside for training is down to the Metrix Consortium – a group of arms/defence companies and educational establishments like the Open University.

“The MoD is content that Metrix may deliver training and accommodation services to third parties as long as certain contractual conditions and restraints are met,” said Brigadier Nield.“

These include, for example, not impairing the delivery of military training to the MoD, meeting security requirements and maintaining military ethos on-site.

“Furthermore, MoD reserves the right to approve or forbid the use of training assets (including facilities) for third parties.”

So, could a regime like Burma for instance, on paying the right fees, get its soldiers trained here? After all, Britain kindly sold more than 40 Hawk aircraft to the Indonesians during the 1980s and 1990s before world attention suggested that helping the country suppress the East Timorese did not make Britain either great or a land of much hope and glory.

“The MoD…prioritises those countries that receive training on a case by case basis. Where there is a mutual agreement between the UK and countries of interest, agreed scheduled training courses can be attended by those invited, subject to availability and appropriate security clearance.”

There is, some might say, an Orwellian feel to the response. The MoD insists on calling the centre a “college” and the non-UK attendees, “students”.In addition, the MoD also states that the training of private contractors and foreign armies is actually about making a stable world for our children’s children.

“A key tenet of UK foreign policy is to encourage diplomatic engagement with foreign countries so as to not only serve UK interests but also develop long term stability throughout regions of the world,” said the brigadier.
“The MoD supports this policy in different guises, one of which is to train foreign students, both in UK and abroad as arranged through overseas embassies and high commissions.”

War is peace, then, after all.::The Big Issue Cymru, June 16-22, 2008
http://whatiswales.blogspot.com/

The view from the Military....
A MESSAGE FROM BRIGADIER GEOFF NIELD DTR IPT LEADER
The latest news from the DTR Package 1 Project May 2008
DTR PACKAGE 1 UPDATE
This is the second of the Defence Training Rationalisation Package 1
updates this year and, coming so soon after the publication by
Commandant’s of the Project’s People Management Plan (PMP), I
hope that you recognise that we are looking to do more to keep
you informed on Project progress. The PMP is an important document
and, in 13 Sections it provides a fairly detailed statement on the
origins, roles, responsibilities, solution and personnel issues that relate
to Package 1. The aim is to provide all staff with assurance that
civilian ‘People’ issues, including the implications for transfer and
future employment, are being fully addressed from now onwards.
I urge you to read it – in addition to the copies made available by College Commandants a copy has been published on the DTR Website on the Defence Intranet.

There are some omissions in the PMP. We have made very good progress in our discussions with Metrix over recent months to address affordability in the early years of the Project and to close off a range of high level issues following Metrix’ selection as Preferred Bidder. You will, however, not be surprised to hear that as a consequence Metrix’ proposal has evolved in some areas – particularly the training solution and the site layout at St Athan. The latest details were made available to us in the Metrix submission which we received on Friday 2 May.
This is now being evaluated and as soon as we have confidence that the material is likely to remain unchanged we shall share it with you in this routine bulletin. I am also conscious that you will be keen to hear what the future timetable to Financial Close is likely to be.
It would have been inappropriate to release anything to you until we had a high degree of confidence that the dates were broadly fixed and unlikely to change. Well, we are almost there and subject to the evaluation of the Metrix proposal and some adjustments for risk we should be in a position to share with you indicative dates (and these have moved to the right) in the next letter or sooner, if our work is concluded satisfactorily.

I have been really encouraged by the progress the IPT and Metrix have made on a whole range of fronts, and the support that we have received from College and other staff. Much of the progress is not visible to you because it deals with the arcane commercial and financial business associated with a PFI Project, but others will be.
The deployment of the three Metrix Liaison Officers to Colleges earlier in the year and more recently the approval and issue of a Pre-Contract Award Letter (PCAL) underwriting some Metrix activity, have enabled the consortium to mobilise in critical
areas to improve the maturity of the training solution and the design of the estate.

This is vital ground in maintaining momentum to Financial Close; more details are covered inside. Finally, I believe that we are on the cusp of achieving the maturity and certainty that we need for Main Gate, and I or the Programme Director, Major General Inshaw, look forward to providing further details in the next report.
Brigadier Geoff Nield

THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE DTR PACKAGE 1 PROJECT
PACKAGE 1 NEWS
Civilian Post Tagging on HRMS
Following an initial Post Mapping Exercise (PME) to identify the civilian posts that are either wholly or predominately dedicated to the Programme, approximately 1,123 Package 1 posts were identified as being in- scope and will TUPE Transfer to Metrix on Vesting Day. Under TUPE Regulations it is a legal requirement for the current employer to provide "Employee Liability Information" to the new employer about all in-scope employees. To assist with this requirement the People Pay and Pensions Agency (PPPA) has tagged the posts that have been identified as either out of scope (affected) or in-scope (assigned) by the Programme. The tagging of these posts on HRMS will enable the PPPA to extract HR information that is needed by the DTR IPT and Metrix. Only the HR information that is required for TUPE Transfer purposes will be released to Metrix and this will only take place after financial close.

Further information on Staff Transfers under TUPE can be found on the area of the People Service Portal or by contacting the PPPA directly.

Management of Course Change Contract
A risk reduction contract let with Metrix referred to as Management of Course Change was successfully completed at the end of March. The aim of this contract was to prove and refine the MOD’s existing Course Change Approvals Process whilst growing confidence in proposed training design strategy, methodology and implementation plans.

Four Package 1 military courses were selected and Metrix used Raytheon’s Architect process to guide the redesign modules from these courses. Despite a very short timeframe and resource limitations, the outcome of this work has exceeded the expectations of both the MOD and Metrix. The Management of Course Change (MCC) Contract delivered on time and to budget. It has helped initiate and foster positive working relationships between the Partner and all MOD staff who have been involved with the work over the past 6 months. The training aspects of work that are to be conducted during stage one of the PCAL work will build greatly upon the lessons nd knowledge gained from MCC.
The IPT and Metrix are planning to produce a range of articles on the MCC Contract and will be presenting the findings of the contract to the DTR Programme Executive Board on 7 May.
Following the publication of the final report the IPT and Metrix teams plan to present their findings to the wider Defence Community at ITEC 2008 in June of this year. They also intend to offer a series of focus discussions with interested members of the Package 1 DTR training community and look forward to a much greater engagement in the future.

THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE DTR PACKAGE 1 PROJECT
PACKAGE 1 NEWS
DCDS (Pers) Visits MOD St Athan
Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson, DCDS (Pers), visited MOD St Athan in his role as Senior Responsible Owner of the DTR Programme. The aim of the visit was to familiarise DCDS (Pers) with the proposed Defence Training Academy site and give him an understanding of the relevant issues surrounding the Programme. Wing Commander Richard Read, St Athan Site Director, hosted the visit which included a tour of the Superhangar and the surrounding estate. Vice Admiral Wilkinson was extremely impressed by the visit and came away with a
greater understanding of the complexity of taking the DTR Package 1 Project forwards.


Package 1 Commandants Meet to Discuss Transition
The Commandants of the Defence Training Colleges of CIS, Aeronautical and
Electro-Mechanical Engineering met recently at HMS SULTAN to continue the close dialogue between themselves and the Director of Joint Technical Training. Together they continue to focus on taking forward the DTR Package 1 Project with particular attention to the transitional arrangements for the delivery of the training outputs required by the front line commands, both technical and military. Their wide ranging discussions formed part of a series of meetings which will direct the plan for the eventual transfer of authority for training from the 3 Colleges to a
single Defence Training Academy with separate technical streams. Their discussions are proving extremely helpful in identifying and resolving common issues, especially those related to HR, training , and developing a partnering relationship with Metrix during the lead-in work. They are also highlighting key aspects of the Project as a whole that must be communicated to their
members of staff and to the staff of supporting commercial, training and facilities management partners like Vosper-Thorneycroft and Flagship Training Limited.
Wing Commander Richard Read and Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson at MOD St Athan

Interested in finding out about what has been said on the DTR Programme in Parlia-
ment?
All the latest Ministerial announcements and Parliamentary Questions on DTR can be found on the DTR website: www.dtr.mod.uk

THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE DTR PACKAGE 1 PROJECT
arly Work on Package 1
To ensure that we achieve contract signature for Package 1 as soon as possible, the
Department has agreed to underwrite Metrix’ bid costs for a specific programme of risk reduction work. This commitment was given to Metrix on 19 March and is referred to as a Pre-Contract Award Letter (PCAL).
This work will be in two stages. Stage 1 has begun and is expected to last until the main investment decision (Main Gate 2) expected in the Summer. The value of this Stage 1 work will be up to £9.5M although these costs will only be reimbursed in the event that the Department is not in a position to close the deal with Metrix.
The following streams have been identified for Stage 1:
♦
Training Management and Support – A targeted review of training management
support processes across DTR Package 1 sites.
♦
Sample Course Review
– To develop a deeper understanding of the opportunity for course compression, distribution and rationalisation across DTR.
♦
Training Requirement and Course Analysis – Addresses the transition from
Statement of Training Requirement 2005 to 2009.
♦
Sub Contract Rationalisation – Reviews existing contracts to ensure that interfaces can be managed and affected contracts can be effectively managed (e.g. the Flagship and Vosper-Thorneycroft contracts).
♦
Workforce Analysis and Implementation – Examines the role that civilian staff who are expected to TUPE transfer might play in delivering the Metrix solution. Addresses associated implementation issues.
♦
Planning Surveys – A thorough investigation of the St Athan site.
♦
Planning Design and Programme Works – Metrix to clarify their technical solution, produce a strategic brief, refine the Masterplan and progress the Stage C design process.
These activities are likely to continue into a Stage 2 PCAL ( following Main Gate 2) along with another three other tasks; Facilities Management Mobilisation, Pre-Service Mobilisation and IT, Planning Set up and Mobilisation. Stage 2 will be approved as part of the main investment decision and is expected to represent an additional value of up to £50M.
An IPT Project Manager has been appointed for each task and is responsible for the
management of each activity stream, the development of the detailed work content and the refinement of the Stage 2 work. It is expected that the next month will see a significant mobilisation of Metrix staff at each of the Package 1 sites and it is likely that many of you may have the opportunity to contribute to this work. Metrix and the IPT are now looking at identifying the specific areas of work and aim to produce a fully detailed Programme Plan for Stage 1 in early May. In parallel to this, Director of Joint Technical Training is looking at how the Defence Training Establishments can support this work. Further details on this work will
be published shortly.
Page 5
A message from Charles Barrington, Chairman of
Metrix UK
I am very pleased to contribute to this newsletter. I have only recently joined the Metrix team and am delighted that we now have confirmation that pre-contract funding has been agreed.
This will now make possible a programme of analysis and joint detailed planning which can only be achieved by working closely with your teams across the three services in order to make the future handover as smooth as possible for everyone, while minimising disruption to the important work you do today.
This is an important step forward for the DTR Package 1 Project, a project which, as we are all fully aware, is of national importance and designed to improve and modernise the delivery of high quality training to soldiers, sailors, and airmen across our Armed Services. We in Metrix are proud to have been chosen as the MoD's partner is this exciting enterprise. We are determined to create a partnership with our customer that will allow this objective to be met in accordance with the MoD's project requirements. One of my tasks will be to ensure that we
invest our time and resources in that partnership in order to make it real, effective, and robust.

With regard to the communities in South Wales I have now been to St Athan and have met a number of the wider stakeholders in the Project. There I was struck by the support that exists for this project, and I recognise the responsibility this brings in terms of meeting those expectations. Only by understanding all of those stakeholder views will we be able to deliver a successful project.
I look forward to working with Major General Inshaw and his team, and I am pleased to tell you that we have now appointed Jim Morrison as our new Chief Executive Officer, following Mike Hayle's departure. We wish Mike well and I have thanked him for his achievement in winning Preferred Bidder status for Metrix. Jim joins us with a number of years experience of working on major MoD projects and will be a huge contribution to the team. I look forward to welcoming him to Metrix at the end of this month.
Page 5

THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE DTR PACKAGE 1 PROJECT
New Metrix CEO is appointed
The chief executive of Metrix UK, Mike Hayle, has decided to step down from his position within the consortium. Mike has been with the project since February 2005 and was instrumental in achieving Preferred Bidder status for the consortium. The Metrix and IPT teams wish him well for the future.
Jim Morrison CBE has been appointed to replace Mike Hayle. Jim will take up his new role leading this prestigious and important project at the beginning of June 2008. He is at present a Senior Consultant with DLA Piper LLP but is currently seconded to the Ministry of Defence, where he is leading the Army Recruiting and Training Division’s Royal School of Military Engineering PPP that is scheduled to close later this year.
Page 6
Page 6
THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE DTR PACKAGE 1 PROJECT
DTR IPT NEWS
New faces in the DTR IPT.
There have been a few moves amongst the personnel at the DTR IPT in Main Building. This
will result in some new faces and some familiar faces in new roles.
Recognising the need to drive the programme forward with ever more pace and vigour the IPT
has actually managed to make our case for expansion (no easy feat in these days of Head
Office streamlining) and will be welcoming two and possibly three new faces to the team in the
near future.
IN
Commander Tony Podmore has joined the IPT in the new post of SO1 Coherence. He will be supporting the IPTL and IPT Project Manager, providing programme coherence across lines of development and hopefully releasing the IPTL to devote more time to the upcoming negotiations. Tony will, in most instances, be the first point of contact for Brigadier Nield.
e-mail: DGTE DTRIPT-SO1 Coherence. Mil 9621 83797; Phone: 020 72183797
Robert Horvath is an expert who will be providing high level negotiation and commercial support to the IPT senior management team.
Defence Estates have recently appointed a new DTR Client Adviser. This role will represent the interests of Package 1 Schools and Colleges during the estate planning process.
OUT With regret we said goodbye to Victoria Pemberton. Having put in an enormous amount of work on TUPE and People Mapping, Victoria left on a well deserved promotion. The HR department of the IPT is now likely to be restructured, with two new staff members to be recruited in the near future.

SHAKEN ALL ABOUT
Chief Inspector Mark Dudley has swapped roles with Major Dick Haly. Mark will now be moving to the Plans area with particular responsibility for co-ordinating Transition plans. Dick will be taking over the co-ordination role, supporting Tony Podmore.
The DTR Update is accessible via the Defence Intranet along with an up to date DTR IPT Organisational Chart. You can access this site by typing ‘DTR IPT’ into the search facility and selecting ‘Defence Training Review Integrated Project Team (DTR IPT)’.
This DTR Update was produced by the DTR IPT.
May 2008

http://209.85.135.104/search?q=cache:z3cXFZvt-rYJ:www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/485269A0-B77C-41D7-A99D-1252A1C60F5C/0/20080502DTRP1Update.pdf+vice+admiral+peter+wilkinson+defence+training+review+executive+board+meeting&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=uk&ie=UTF-8



Private Eye reports St Athan bid on the rocks
By nomilitaryacademy
Rumours have long been circulated that Metrix’s plan for a privatised military training school at St Athan are in difficulty. Now Private Eye reports the following:. Documents from the Defence Training Review executive board” show that: ...No Military Academy - http://nomilitaryacademy.wordpress.com

Fortress Britain - St Athan mercenary training

Fortress Britain
Media Monitors Network - CA,USA
... for a privatised Military 'Academy' at St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan to train all-service personnel and private 'security services'. ...

..................With the demoralizing effect of ill-conceived interventions abroad, the struggle for politicians is then of rehabilitating the myth of the military, rather that the military itself. What interests policy makers is not so much the military, but the cult of military. Plans are also underway to introduce US-style citizenship ceremonies for children and a new public holiday to celebrate 'Britishness' by 2012, as part of "wide-ranging proposals to strengthen British citizenship."

In sharp contrast to the decrepit military stands the fortunes of the private military industry. The preference of recent governments for market solutions has facilitated the transfer of most military R&D to the private sector, with giants like QinetiQ and BAe Systems securing plum deals. When the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (Dera) was split in two in 2001, QinetiQ, a British company with links to the US-based Carlyle Group, absorbed the majority of its activities.

Along with a raft of other lucrative PFIs, the private military industry is set to benefit from the largest to date, involving at least £14 billion of taxpayers' money, for a privatised Military 'Academy' at St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan to train all-service personnel and private 'security services'. The corporate bonanza in Iraq has had Private Military Contractors – mercenaries – reaping windfalls profits for investors with stakes in the businesses, such as Frederick Forsyth and former Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind (of Aegis and ArmorGroup respectively). The lure of salaries, at times reaching as high as £1,000 a day, may be one reason why the military is losing so many of its men to the mercenary business..................

Gordon brown cluster bombs and Private Eye

Recently Gordon Brown has made a big fuss about ridding the world of cluster bombs and he even promised to dispose of Britain's stocks. Private Eye points out that this doesn't quite fit with what the MoD are proposing for defence training. The company that make these bombs is Raytheon who are part of the Metrix consortium who won the bid to deliver defence training to the armed forces. The Instructional Officers (civil servants) who currently undertake this training will be privatised and expected to move to St Athan in South Wales.

Raytheon 9 Solidarity

A Show of Solidarity with the Raytheon 9!
Stop the St Athan Military Academy Campaign, supported by Cardiff Stop the War Coalition, Cardiff CAAT and other peace groups gathered on 27th May at Transport House, Cardiff .



Raytheon - banned by Liverpool Council, the Norwegian and Belgian government, manufacturer of cluster bombs and lethal weapons are a key part of the new, privatised UK Military Academy being built in Wales.By welcoming Raytheon, our politicians are complicit with war crimes.Rhodri Morgan, First Minister of Wales has defended Raytheon and attacked anti-war campaigners as liars.

for more videos see here

Wyn Jones ..What happened to the party of Lewis, Valentine and Williams?

Sue Fortune Member no 77615 Ruabon Branch, Clwyd South


Dear Mr Wyn Jones

Twice now I have written to you, both in Caerdydd and at your own address, about the grave concern Plaid’s public welcome to the St Athan military training centre has caused me and many others. You have not bothered to reply. Perhaps you have more important correspondents than rank-and-file party members, who are only good for shoving leaflets through doors on rainy weekends just before elections, and putting tenners in the hat at conference after the rousing feel-good session on Friday afternoon.

Perhaps letters from people whose family have been English-speakers for three generations are at the bottom of the in-tray – although I notice no words of Cymraeg on cheques and banknotes, and they seem to move quickly enough. Perhaps someone whose membership of the Party is based purely on political conviction, and not family, chapel or business connections is simply too naïve to be worth a reply.

But naïve or not, I have a few points I’d like you to address, and as you don’t choose to do so, perhaps they’d form the basis of a diverting discussion in public.

Plaid has joined with Labour in welcoming the plans for a military training establishment (please don’t let’s dignify it with the misnomer “academy”; we are talking here about training hired killers, not philosophers) at St Athan. For a while it displayed this welcome on its website, as if it was something to be proud of.

It will cost £14,000,000,000 of public money. Taxpayers’ money.

It will be run in conjunction with Metrix, a consortium of arms manufacturers including the notorious Raytheon, a company famed for its cluster bombs (condemned by the UN and the EU), “bunker-busters (like the ones responsible for the massacres of civilians at Qana and Baghdad), the “Silent Guardian” heat ray weapon (whose potential for use in torture has alarmed Amnesty International and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture) and depleted uranium missiles (have you seen the child victims dying of leukaemia years after such bombs explode? They are pitiful).

And among the indispensible public services it will offer are training for the crews of Trident and its replacement, as well as armed forces from around the world, many with appalling human rights records.

So much for Plaid’s environmental, human rights and anti-nuclear commitments.

But what about all the jobs, I hear you reply. Well, I haven’t got a job, and, as I’m expected to live on £20 a week, naturally I’d like one. But you propose to spend £14,000,000,000 to “create” (and we’ll come to that in a minute) 5,000 jobs, at most. That’s £2,800,000 per job. Well, you give me a tenth of that, and even if I put it in the bank and do nothing but buy new shoes and good wine, I’ll generate plenty of economic growth, without going to the trouble of mass murder and nuclear aggression.

But “create” jobs? We’re told (loudly) that all sorts of skilled technicians will be working at St Athan for meatily high wages (rejoice!) – and then (more quietly) that actually these peole are already doing these jobs, for these wages, in England. They’ll move to St Athan, handsomely kitted out with generous relocation allowances which they’ll spend on local properties, thus inflating house prices ever further beyond the reach of local people. Is lining the pockets of a few Caerdydd estate agents really such a priority for a responsible and principled party? Meanwhile the jobs paradise will consist of the chance to fry chips, clean toilets and serve pints to hordes of squaddies, for the minimum wage. Rather a contrast to the £270,792.67 in expenses alone claimed by a certain AM!

And why are we arguing the toss about the “jobs bonanza” anyway? I’m sure building Auschwitz created many jobs, but surely that didn’t make it right?

I joined Plaid because I wanted to be a member of a principled organisation that was committed to making a change for the better and was unafraid to speak up for what was right. A party that wouldn’t have its head turned by a taste of power in the Assembly; that would be mature and responsible enough to resist the snouts-in-trough blandishments of vested interests. Naïve indeed to think so, I fear. Sure, there was a flutter of embarrassment last autumn, when Jill Evans tried to discuss what was wrong about St Athan. But although a placatory form of words was found, it seemed to make as much difference as Clare Short MP’s opposition to the Iraq war.

What happened to the Party of Lewis, Valentine and Williams?

Many a young lady has had to open her legs from dire necessity, and it’s understandable if deplorable that this in certain cases becomes a habit of rather less than last resort. I’ve no illusions about the whorish propensities of the country I love. I can forgive without condoning.

But never, never, never will I join in with those who pimp for her. And that, Mr Wyn Jones, is what Plaid and its adherents will become, if they lack the guts to to stick to their principles and oppose the disgrace of St Athan..

I won’t be out in the rain pushing Plaid leaflets through voters’ doors this time. Nor will I be voting. And my membership card will be returning to you in the post.

Yours in shame and sorrow

Sue Fortune
Member no 77615
Ruabon Branch, Clwyd South

Anti-metrix demo

Big brother hassles Anti-metrix - St Athan protesters

http://www.cynefinywerin.org.uk/ Anti-Metrix protest march to demonstrate opposition against the St Athan privatised military academy. PCS where there to support the staff whose jobs are threatened and show opposition to the protest - Cynefin y Werin members - CND Cymru and CAAT supporters, Cymdeithas y Cymod and Church, Chapel and other faith representatives. Along with Green Party protestors and speakers Jill Evans Plaid MEP, Davy McAuley of the Raytheon 9 and stop the war.

In an attempt to silence the protesters they were banned from marching through Cardiff city centre as police used the the public order act to suppress opposition and the human right to protest in public. The MOD spend huge sums of money on propaganda and publications especially in the vale of glamorgan and John smith has thousands of pounds to promote the academy and even go in to schools with unbalanced material in favour of the academy. Recently we saw the NUT protest at the MOD & government lies to school children regarding Iraq.

Yesterday - the huge police presence was totally disproportionate and a waste of tax payers money. Police photographers where busy taking pictures and videos - to what purpose - the real criminals and evan murders are the arms dealers Ratheon and serco and the new labour politcans like John smith & rhodri morgan who supported or voted a policy of going to war and this academy to train people to kill.

Yet they want to stop http://www.cynefinywerin.org.uk/ and its suscribing member organisations and supporters like PCS - there defending its members jobs and the public protesting at their expensive failed PFI policy being applied to MILITARY TRAINING.

We don't want a school for mercenaries in Cardiff - we don't need it - we want sustainable jobs to benefit the community not mercenary soldiers to terrorise them and put our young people at risk of rape and worse.

Note this story today Police in court over pictures at arms protest Politics The ...
This article appeared in the Observer on Sunday April 27 2008 on p6 of the ... Arms campaigner Andrew Wood from Oxford claims that his human rights were ...
The power of the police to mount surveillance operations at peaceful protests will be challenged in court this week. In a case seen as opposing Britain's move towards a Big Brother-style society, the High Court will determine if police are legally entitled to take photographs and compile information on protesters even if they do not break the law www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/apr/27/police.humanrights -




More Videos of the protest can be found here
Videos of protest Police crahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ7WfAG0VxU&eurl=http://cardiffpr.wordpress.com/video/ck down hard as St Athan demo finally awakens mass media
OU out of metrix & St Athan military academy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqJcp8fKR0s
No2 privatised military academy at St Athan -anti-metrix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyLaZKD47jU
Jill evans 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkrqpPxG_Bo
Jill Evans 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFm3oTxx8Rk

St Athan protest with Davy McAuley 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqJcp8fKR0s
St Athan protest with Davy McAuley 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXCY4usUAHA