General Election 2015
This Thursday (May 7th), the people of Montgomeryshire will go to the polls to elect their next Member of Parliament. I am looking forward to working closely with our next MP to support the residents of Montgomeryshire on the many important issues which are affecting the area. Naturally,
I very much hope that my close working relationship with Glyn Davies can continue.
During the Easter break while the National Assembly wasn’t sitting, I enjoyed spending time meeting local people on the doorstep whilst on the campaign trail.
Many people will have already taken the opportunity to vote by post, but for those of you who still go to the ballot box, if you are unsure about where your polling station is, please click here.
Of course, even though the General Election Campaign is in full swing, my work as your Assembly Member goes on. Please find below an update on the issues which I have been working on in recent weeks.
Healthcare in Montgomeryshire
Health Debate in National Assembly
Last week, I sponsored a debate in the National Assembly for Wales on the challenges and opportunities for healthcare services in Mid Wales.
During the debate, I raised a range of important healthcare issues which affect the people of Mid Wales including the need for an Urgent Care Centre in Montgomeryshire and a 24 hour Minor Injuries Unit in Newtown; the challenges of delivering healthcare services in a cross-border context; and the need for elective operations to recommence at Bronglais General Hospital.
I believe in the common sense approach that NHS services should be delivered closer to home to give patients the confidence that the NHS will be there for them in their time of need.
I also believe that Powys Teaching Health Board needs to react quickly to the changes which are occurring in Shropshire.
Mark Drakeford AM, the Minister for Health and Social Services, acknowledged the concerns which I highlighted in providing healthcare in Mid Wales. The Minister also indicated a willingness to meet with me and local health campaigners to further discuss the health challenges in Mid Wales.
A full transcript of my debate is available on my website.
Rural Economy – Broadband & Community Banking
Debate on the Rural Economy
Last Wednesday I was also pleased to lead a further debate on measures to support the rural economy in Wales. Of course, the agricultural sector is facing challenges and it is vitally important that the Welsh Government takes action to support the industry. I focussed my remarks on the current Superfast Cymru broadband rollout and the recent spate of bank closures in Montgomeryshire.
Broadband
On the current broadband rollout, the BT Superfast Cymru project is clearly a very ambitious scheme in that it aims to deliver fibre broadband at a minimum speed of 24 Mbit/s to 96% of the Welsh population by June 2016. I welcome this ambition as it has the potential to revitalise the economy of Mid Wales. However, in recent months, I have seen a notable increase in correspondence from residents who are fearful that rural areas of Montgomeryshire in particular will be left behind and that the digital divide between rural and urban areas of Wales will expand, leaving businesses in Montgomeryshire at a competitive disadvantage compared to their urban counterparts. I’m aware that some industry commentators also believe that the Superfast Cymru project will fall short of its ambitious target.
Therefore, during the debate, I called for the Welsh Government and BT to publish a detailed timetable for the rollout of the remainder of the project to provide clarity to residents and businesses in rural areas who are yet to benefit from a broadband upgrade.
Banking
With regards to the regrettable recent closure of several high street banks in Montgomeryshire, I called on the Welsh Government to facilitate discussions on a community banking model with the banks, the Post Office, and regulators on ways in which they can share buildings and make improvements to inter-bank agency agreements to ensure that "over the counter" services continue to be viable in rural Mid Wales.
The combination of these bank closures have the potential to devastate Montgomeryshire’s town centres and have a detrimental effect on residents and businesses who rely on "over the counter" banking services.
Small businesses, particularly those engaged in retail activity, third sector organisations and elderly or disabled residents are the most disadvantaged by high street bank branch closures and online or mobile branch banking does not always adequately replace permanent "over the counter" facilities.
I recognise the pressure which high street banks are under as a result of technological developments and other factors. All the more reason for them to come together to explore a new innovative model of community banking which will see them share buildings and services to ensure they continue to serve their customers in rural areas of Mid Wales.
NPTC Newtown College
Last week, I attended a protest at the Senedd held by college lecturers, staff and students from further education institutions across Wales. The Newtown campus of NPTC are facing a 50% cut in adult education funding. The college, which I attended myself for 5 years, gives local people the opportunity to garner skills to enter industry through apprenticeship programmes and eventually full-time employment. Without Further Education Institutions like NPTC, not only would this not be possible, but it would also deprive learners of a bridge between school and higher education, as well as the opportunity for adult learners to develop their skills.
I oppose the cuts the Welsh Government have imposed on the Further Education sector. The lack of information from the Welsh Government means that FE institutions cannot plan and prioritise as effectively as they would like, it puts staff positions in doubt, and it means FE institutions will not be able to provide a quality education to its students.
Additionally, the Welsh Government’s lack of urgency in informing FE colleges about whether they will receive their share of the Sector Priorities Programme Fund means that the FE sector could face additional cuts to their budgets. This would particularly affect part-time provision, which is so important for those in employment who want to develop their skills.
I have also recently met with staff at the college. I will continue to raise this issue with the Minister as a matter of urgency to press the Welsh Government to go back to the drawing board on this and look carefully at the way they have allocated the education budget.
Surgeries
I have published a full list of surgeries for the coming year. You can find the complete list on my website.
Please find below my upcoming dates for May:
Saturday 9th May – 12 noon – 2pm – Machynlleth, Y Plas
Monday 11th May – 10am – 12 noon – Newtown, 13 Parker’s Lane
Saturday 23rd May – 11am – 12 noon – Four Crosses (venue TBC)
Please contact my constituency office on 01686 610887 to make an appointment or to discuss any issue you want to raise with me.