Following last week's news that the Welsh Government has extended the lockdown here in Wales by another three weeks, I'm sure that we all want this one to be the very last. I and my colleagues will work with the Welsh Government to do whatever it takes to ensure that this is the case but we all know that Coronavirus doesn't follow a predictable pattern.
From my perspective, I would encourage Welsh Government Ministers to start work to develop a route map out of lockdown, which should include crucial targets concerning the rollout of coronavirus vaccines, falling numbers of infections and the reopening of schools and businesses.
I am pleased to see an increase in vaccination numbers and pay tribute to everyone involved in primary healthcare and at Powys Teaching Health Board who are doing their very best to administer this vaccine to priority groups.
This has been such a difficult period for us all, but as the vaccination rollout picks up pace and the finish line is in sight, it is for Welsh Government Ministers in the coming weeks to lay out a roadmap to economic and societal recovery in Wales. I remain concerned that current Welsh Government business support schemes are not adequately supporting small and hospitality businesses in particular. I have raised this issue a number of times with Welsh Government Ministers, and this morning I again highlighted gaps that exist with Ministers and provided amendments which I believe they need to make to existing schemes.
Finally, following his appointment in January, I'm pleased that the Welsh Conservative Leader in the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies MS, has asked me to continue in my role as Shadow Minister for the Economy & Infrastructure as well as Shadow Minister for Mid Wales. I will continue to do my very best in this role for the remainder of this Senedd term and very much hope that the Senedd Election can go ahead as planned in May and that there is no delay.
Russell George MS
Member of the Welsh Parliament for Montgomeryshire
Coronavirus - Useful Links & Frequently Asked Questions
The best source of information for the Wales lockdown rules, with Frequently Asked Questions can be found here.
The best UK Government rolling page with updated information is here.
Advice from Powys County Council is available here.
Information and Support for the Third Sector is available from the Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO) here.
The Business Wales website is a good point of reference, which is updated regularly for those who want advice about business support.
The symptoms of Coronavirus are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss of smell or taste. To view more advice on what to do if you think you have symptoms, please click here.
Public Health Wales provides a daily update about the number of cases of coronavirus in Wales. It is available here.
Covid-19 Vaccination Deployment in Powys
I have regular meetings with Powys Teaching Health Board, and I’m pleased that our local Health Board has consistently performed better than the Wales average and is on target to vaccinate the four stated priority groups by mid-February. It has now reached the milestone of 23,000+ vaccinations.
At the beginning of last month, I did have concerns about the lack of information and clarity on the local rollout plans, and there were issues with people not being able to get through to the advertised phone lines. I’m greatly encouraged with how the Health Board has moved forward with plans over recent weeks, and I’ve received good feedback from those that have attended the mass vaccination centre in Newtown. I’m also pleased that the Health Board have expanded their booking and appointment systems, with a new phone system in place with significantly more lines.
I also think that the Health Board's updated COVID-19 vaccination web pages have been designed to make it easier to find the relevant information.
Powys Teaching Health Board has said that it aims to deliver swift, safe and effective approved vaccines for COVID-19 in accordance with the Vaccine Strategy for Wales which was published on 11th January.
This means they will deliver the vaccine to the whole population, beginning with Priority Groups 1-4 (all care home residents and staff; frontline health and social care staff; those 70 years of age and over; and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals) and then Priority Groups 5-9 (people over 50 years old and all adults with significant underlying health conditions) as recommended by the UK’s independent Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation.
Priority Groups either have or will be invited to attend for vaccination. The North Powys Mass Vaccination Site at Maldwyn Leisure Centre has the initial capacity to deliver 1968 vaccines per week. The Newtown Mass Vaccination Centre is the largest of the three in Powys with 12 lanes. All GP Practices in Powys will offer vaccinations with an initial capacity of around 4000 vaccines per week and community pharmacies will also be delivering the vaccine.
The opening of GP practice clinics have also brought access closer to home for more people but Powys Teaching Health Board is encouraging everyone who can take up an appointment at a mass vaccination centre to do so – these are the only locations where they can deliver their guaranteed supplies of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
As well as my regular virtual meeting with the Health Board, they have also provided a written update and I also include this key information.
The information below is the progress update for the vaccination for people in Priority Groups 1 to 4 (who should expect their vaccination appointment by mid-February).
Priority Group 1: Residents of care homes for older adults - nearly all residents have now received their vaccination – there are some residents who should not have the vaccine yet for clinical reasons.
Priority Group 2: People aged 80 and over – all registered patients aged 80 and over should now have received their invitation - use the online form if you know someone who has not received their letter.
Priority Group 2: Frontline health and care workers – information has been sent to employers across the county to invite employees for vaccination.
Priority Group 3: People aged 75 and over – vaccination is under way across the county, and you should receive your invitation by mid February.
Priority Group 4: People aged 70 and over – vaccination is under way across the county, and you should receive your invitation by mid February.
Priority Group 4: People who are “clinically extremely vulnerable” – vaccination is under way across the county, and you should receive your invitation by mid February.
The key messages from Powys Teaching Health Board are:
- If you are aged 80 and over and have not received your invitation yet then please let them know by completing the form.
- If you are not able to attend your appointment due to travel disruption then please let them know, or contact your GP practice if your invitation is to their clinic.
- More people aged 70-79 will begin to receive their invitations – and plans are also under way to invite the “clinically extremely vulnerable” for appointments before mid-February.Vaccinations are by appointment only, and please arrive as close to your appointment time as possible to give everyone the best possible experience at the vaccination centres.
- You will receive your invitation when you are due for your appointment, based on the priority order across the UK.
- Please don’t contact your GP, pharmacy, health board, hospital or local authority about an appointment – until you receive your invitation.
My thanks to the great efforts of those involved across the county, and to the many volunteers that are supporting the vaccination roll out plans.
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Reopening of Schools
The Welsh Government has confirmed that schools will continue with online learning until February half term. Schools will still be open but only for children of critical workers and vulnerable learners.
If Coronavirus transmission rates continue to fall, pupils will begin returning to school in a phased approach starting with the youngest learners in primary schools from Monday 22nd February.
For me, children’s safety, as well as that of school staff, must be the top priority. So, while it is disappointing that schools will remain closed until the February half-term due to the high rates of Coronavirus, it is a sensible safety-first measure.
However, in the long term, it is clear that online learning at home is not an adequate substitute for face-to-face learning, or even blended learning.
Furthermore, whilst the Welsh Government has provided money for digital equipment for children eligible for free school meals, some children in rural parts of Powys in particular don't have a reliable internet connection so it’s not hard to see why relying on home schooling cannot go on much longer.
We now need to see a clear plan from the Minister for Education on how schools will re-open later this month, as well as how children will be helped to catch-up with their learning following yet more disruption. This plan needs to reflect the updated advice that the Minister has recently received to safely open schools, such as improving social distancing, enhanced ventilation and staggered returns.
School staff are, inherently, in no more danger than anyone else. However, prioritising school staff for a vaccine not only protects their health, it helps break the current cycle of school closures which is so detrimental to long-term wellbeing and education of children and young people. However, it is clear that people who at most risk of serious illness must come first based on clinical need.
Face-to-Face Banking must be protected
The decision by HSBC to close its Welshpool branch from 24th September is very disappointing.
The ramifications of the proposed closure of the HSBC branch could be significant. This would be the latest in a long line of bank branch closures across Montgomeryshire..
Another bank branch closure will not only have a detrimental impact on the bank's loyal staff and customers, especially those who are elderly and disabled, but it will also have implications for the local business community, for Welshpool as a town, and for the reputation of HSBC.
I have a virtual meeting later this week with HSBC managers to voice the opinion of the people of Welshpool and surrounding communities.
I will also be asking the Welsh Government to exert some pressure to ensure that an adequate alternative solution is found before any permanent closure takes place. It is clear to me that the transfer of banking services to the Post Office and mobile or online banking doesn’t replace permanent over the counter facilities.
I also intend to have a further meeting with the organisation that is bringing forward plans for a community bank for Wales.
Please also consider completing my residents' survey on banking here. Please also feel free to share this survey with others.
New Deal to Improve Mobile Coverage
It is welcome news that O2, Three and Vodafone have agreed a new deal to enhance Powys' rural mobile coverage.
The three mobile network operators will build and share 33 masts in Wales to boost their 4G rural coverage and eliminate partial not-spots.
This programme will deliver the first stage of the £1 billion Shared Rural Network which is a UK Government initiative aiming to improve rural mobile coverage and was agreed by the mobile network operators, Government and Ofcom in March 2020.
Funded by the mobile industry and UK Government, investment will be made in new and existing phone masts to increase all operators' 4G coverage to at least 90% of UK landmass and their aggregate coverage to 95% by 2026.
The construction of the new masts will commence this year and is scheduled to be completed by 2024 in line with the agreement reached with the UK Government and Ofcom.
From my perspective, it is essential that we have a good proportion of these masts in Montgomeryshire because when it comes to mobile coverage, Powys continues to lag behind the Wales and UK average.
I have ongoing discussions with all mobile network operators, highlighting areas where there is no mobile signal at all. I'm hoping that this announcement will be the beginning of eradicating these "notspots" forever.
The exact number and location of masts will be subject to finding suitable sites, obtaining power supply and backhaul and securing the necessary permissions through the planning system so it is essential that operators, local Government, and Welsh Government all work together.
We have seen new planning policy and updated guidance in England and Scotland which has helped speed up the process for new mobile phone masts in appropriate locations. The Welsh Government now needs to put this in place here in Wales as a matter of urgency and we need an updated accord with our National Parks that recognises the importance of digital connectivity to the residents, businesses and visitors to these sensitive rural areas.
I will also continue to press the Welsh Government to use the devolved policy levers at its disposal to incentivise commercial investment in our telecoms infrastructure so that the 'digital divide' in Mid Wales is narrowed rather than widened. However, all in all, this is a very positive development for Mid Wales which I welcome.
Campaigning to Secure a Better Road Network
In 2018, we saw the opening of the Newtown bypass. This was a momentous occasion for Mid Wales. I firmly believe that the bypass has already helped the economy of our area.
Since the opening of the bypass, my attention has turned to the need for other important road schemes. Many people in Montgomeryshire live, work and access public services on different sides of the Wales-England Border, and I feel that stronger cross-border infrastructure will provide a major boost for communities in Mid Wales. There are also a number of key pinch points where smaller schemes can make all the difference.
With regards to the Dyfi Bridge, the Transport Minister has informed me that an announcement on the start of construction works for the new Dyfi Bridge will be made soon. The Dyfi Bridge was never designed to carry the current volume of traffic and I can’t stress enough just how important it is to improve the reliability of crossing the River Dyfi and to improve access to key services including employment opportunities, healthcare and education for the people of Machynlleth and the surrounding area.
In the east of the county, improved links to Shrewsbury are also needed and in recent years, we have seen how delays to repairing the Cefn Bridge in Trewern has caused congestion and huge disruption for people living in the area and across Mid Wales. The bridge has been hit a number of times and traffic lights have caused a lot of inconvenience for motorists.
We have also seen how flooding has forced the closure of the B4393 at Llandrinio on a number of occasions. Most people agree that both the A458 Road (Welshpool to Shrewsbury) and the B4393 Road (Llandrinio to Shrewsbury) need improvements.
For the A458 road, a significant number of people have expressed concerns about the safety of Cefn Railway Bridge and also raised concerns about the speed of vehicles on this road. I will continue to work alongside Cllrs Amanda Jenner and Lucy Roberts on these matters.
Last week, I raised these issues again with Ken Skates MS, the Minister for Transport, on the floor of the Senedd and the Minister has committed to updating me on progress over the coming weeks.
I have also had discussions to initiate a number of smaller schemes to resolve traffic flows and safety concerns in the county including the dualling of road sections at Llangurig and Llanidloes along with improvements at Moat Lane Crossing near Caersws with a roundabout replacing the current junction. Also in Caersws, along with County Councillor Les George and others, I have been promoting a new footbridge over the river, as the current bridge is dangerous for pedestrians crossing. I have again raised the need for improved safety on the trunk road going though Landinam, and will continue to work closely with Cllr Karl Lewis on this matter.
Finally, we now have a commitment from both the Welsh and UK Governments that the long-awaited Pant-Llanymynech Bypass will be delivered after 40 years. I know that our MP, Craig Williams, has recently been working on this and has informed me that significant progress is being made after the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £10 million of UK Government funding for a consultation and feasibility study for the proposed bypass. It is pleasing to know that the timescale hasn't slipped in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic. The next major stage will be this August when options are expected to be presented on potential routes and a value for money report will be published. Highways England are leading on this along with the Welsh Government and local authorities on both sides of the border.
Advice Surgeries
As your local Senedd Member I’m here to represent you, your family and our community in the Welsh Parliament. In ‘normal times’, I hold advice surgeries throughout Montgomeryshire. During the remainder of the Winter and into Spring, I am going to continue to hold telephone or virtual meetings.
If you have any issues to raise that you believe I can support you with, please call my office on 01686 610887 or email [email protected] so we can arrange for a suitable time for a conversation.
I have also arranged specific times for specific communities across the County, and where appropriate, I can also involve relevant County Councillors. If your community is not mentioned, or a different day is more suited for you, I am happy to meet at another time that suits.
For the meetings listed below, no prior appointment is required so please just call my office on the day. You can also call in advance to book a call back time.
Aberangell
Thursday 25 February
Llangurig
Thursday 18 February
Arddleen
Thursday 11 March
Llangyniew
Thursday 11 February
Bont Dolgadfan
Thursday 25 March
Llangynog
Friday 12 February
Buttington
Thursday 4 March
Llanidloes
Thursday 18 February
Caersws
Thursday 25 March
Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant
Friday 12 February
Carno
Thursday 25 March
Llansantffraid (incl: Llanfechain)
Thursday 1 April
Castle Caereinion
Thursday 1 April
Llansilin
Friday 12 February
Cemmaes Road
Thursday 25 February
Llanwddyn
Friday 12 February
Crew Green
Thursday 11 March
Llanymynech
Thursday 11 March
Dolfor
Thursday 4 February
Machynlleth
Thursday 18 March
Forden
Thursday 4 March
Meifod
Thursday 11 February
Four Crosses
Thursday 11 March
Middletown
Thursday 4 March
Guilsfield
Thursday 1 April
Newtown
Thursday 18 March
Kerry
Thursday 4 February
Penybontfawr
Friday 12 February
Leighton
Thursday 4 March
Penegoes
Thursday 25 February
Llanbrynmair
Thursday 25 March
Pontrobert
Thursday 11 February
Llandinam
Thursday 4 February
Sarn
Thursday 4 February
Llandrinio
Thursday 11 March
Trefeglwys
Thursday 18 February
Llanfihangel-Yng-Ngwynfa
Thursday 11 February
Trewern
Thursday 4 March
