On behalf of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and all its Members and Officers can I wish every resident of the County a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Cllr Mike Powell made great claims that he was going to question Labour Cabinet Members at the latest Council meeting about the plans for the Taff Vale Precinct in Pontypridd but I do hope no members from the public attended with much expectation.

After hearing the detail of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, as if we didn’t already know, we had it confirmed that the UK Government 's economic policies are not working. After cutting billions of pounds from infrastructure projects earlier this year and damaging the economy further they now announce funding for some of the projects they scrapped, doing a complete U turn.

Setting the councils annual budget is one of the most important duties placed on a councillor, as councillors we are duty bound to set a legal and balanced budget for the forth coming year. .

Fantasy Politics by Plaid   In response to the recent letter entitled "Plaid Called For Road Link For Years" the facts are nothing further from the truth. Firstly it was myself as a then back bench Councillor, along with Councillor Ann Crimmings that put forward a notice of motion in 2007 calling on the council to press for the dualling of the Heads of the Valleys road by 2020, as previously suggested by the Assembly. .

As you may have recently read, the Cabinet has set its budget for the forthcoming financial year and has honoured its commitment to protect frontline services by being one of the few, if indeed the only Council in Wales not to be cutting services and cutting jobs. Through strong financial management we have been able to protect our essential frontline services from the cuts being imposed on Wales by Cameron & Clegg. .