July 2024 Newsletter
Welcome to my July 2024 Newsletter
The General Election takes place this week, and I set out some general information.
My role continues as the Senedd Member for Montgomeryshire, and As ever, if you want an update on something not mentioned in my newsletter, or I can help in another way, please email me at [email protected] or call my office at 01686 610887.
General Election Information
The General Election will take place this Thursday. Below is a list of all the candidates standing in the Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr seat, as they will be set out on the Ballot paper.
- Brignell-Thorp, Jeremy David - Green Party
- Lewis, Oliver - Reform UK
- Preston, Glyn - Welsh Liberal Democrats
- Vaughan, Elwyn - Plaid Cymru
- Williams, Craig - Welsh Conservatives
- Witherden, Steve - Welsh Labour
Key Information you need to know:
- Your name must be on the Register of electors before you can vote.
- Polling stations will be open from 7am – 10pm
- You will need to bring ID with you. Many people will already have an acceptable form of photo ID, but a full list of the different types of acceptable photo ID, are available on the Electoral Commission's website.
- If you are unsure where your local polling station is, you can check here Montgomeryshire polling districts - Powys County Council
- I have received enquires about the Conservative Party withdrawing support for Craig Williams. Craig Williams will remain be on the ballot paper, as the Welsh Conservative Candidate. If a candidate who has had party support withdrawn is elected, the result stands. They take office in the usual way.
Occupational Therapy must be part of the solution
I was pleased to sponsor an event on behalf of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy at the Senedd.
The Royal College of Occupational Therapy has recently published its Workforce Strategy for 2024-2035 and are launching a Welsh implementation plan. Through this strategy they present and apply real-world and academic evidence to emphasise how the occupational therapy workforce will help resolve the challenges that our systems are facing.
During my address at the event, I highlighted how occupational therapists in primary and community care provide diverse expertise to multi-disciplinary teams to help patients get fast access to the right care.
Occupational therapists can help target the biggest causes of reduced life expectancy. They are clinically trained to work holistically across the life span for patients with physical, mental and social needs.
During the event there was both, primary and community care occupational therapists present from across Wales and I had the chance to meet some of them to discuss issues facing the industry and also, how they believe they can reduce the burden on the NHS.
Children's Hospice Week 2024
To mark Children’s Hospice Week 2024, Tŷ Hafan and Tŷ Gobaith brought a giant butterfly to the steps of the Senedd. Tŷ Gobaith offers support to many children and families in Montgomeryshire, and I wanted to support their work.
This butterfly was made up of 3655 smaller butterflies to represent every child in Wales with a life shortening or life-threatening condition. An incredibly powerful display.
As part of the event, I have joined the two hospices in calling on the Welsh Government to help them colour in those grey butterflies, to help reach more of the children in Wales who may want or need them, and ensure that those children they work with have the best quality of life.
Currently, just 12% of Ty Hafan and Ty Gobaith's care costs comes from the Welsh Government, and they are asking them to raise this to 21%, tied to inflation, to enable their teams to reach more of the children who need help, right across Wales.
A458 Welshpool to Shrewsbury road
There have sadly been several accidents on the A458 Welshpool to Shrewsbury road, including a fatal accident towards the end of 2023. This road needs to be made safer and I believe there is a need for a scheme for this route.
This is an issue that I have taken up with the Welsh Government Minister and with local Police regarding this stretch of road. Last month I attended a public meeting in Trewern, and along with the local community council and County Councillor Amanda Jenner, we are continuing to urge the trunk road agency and the Welsh Government to act.
Please contact me if you want more information on this campaign.
Expansion at Newtown Cell-path
CellPath is a significant employer in mid Wales. Last month I was pleased to visit and tour their new facilities in Newtown, you begin to realise the scope and impact CellPath and StatLab have in providing products to the pathology market.
The work they do is truly astounding and the opening of yet another facility for the company is a milestone moment as they continue to expand their enterprise and provide hospitals and laboratories with the equipment and consumables they need.
Rotary Across Wales Walk
Another year of the Rotary Across Wales Walk has been completed by hundreds of walkers last month.
I want to pay tribute to the fantastic volunteers supporting all those who took part on the walk. The event was well organised. A small core team pull together the event each year, with many more helping hands coming together on the day. The event is arranged on behalf of the three Rotary Clubs - Newtown, Machynlleth and Llanidloes, who come together to raise funds for a nominated charity.
I attended the start point at Machynlleth at 2am to encourage a few friends who were completing the full walk. For me, I’m afraid I did not do the necessary training, but I managed to take part and completed 12 miles from Newtown to the finish line in Montgomery.
For the over 450 walkers who took part, I want to say a huge congratulations for your achievement and once again a big thank you to the
volunteers who make this event happen.
Please let me know if you would prefer to receive my newsletter in Welsh.
