October 2017
Dear Resident,
It has been a busy first month of the new Assembly term and in this month's newsletter, I've focussed on the new phase in the campaign to reopen Carno station; the progress towards developing a bus interchange in Machynlleth; the potential ramifications of the Welsh Government's decision to explore a Tourism Tax; and I also report back on an innovative new healthcare partnership in Llanidloes.
I have also uncovered crime figures which indicate an alarming increase in crime in our area. I will be meeting with senior police officers over the coming week and I intend to report back further on this issue in my November bulletin.
I hope you are enjoying the new look newsletter and I look forward to receiving your feedback. As always, please contact me if I can offer any help or support by emailing [email protected] or by telephone on 01686 610887.
Best regards,
Russell George
Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire
Bus & Rail Improvements in Carno & Machynlleth
It is great news that the Cabinet Secretary for Transport has confirmed that his officials will now seek further information from Network Rail on the potential of reopening Carno station.
The Cabinet Secretary's letter to the Carno Station Action Group, coincided with the delivery of the Group's second petition, and will mark the next phase of the campaign in an effort to reopen the station, ten years after the first petition was submitted to the National Assembly. The above picture shows the petition being handed to myself and other AMs earlier this month at the Senedd.
I also coordinated a meeting in Machynlleth last month with representatives from the Welsh Government, Powys County Council and Lloyds Coaches in relation to developing a bus interchange for Machynlleth.
It was agreed that a bus interchange is needed to help address current issues of congestion and safety on the trunk road by the train station. The Welsh Government has now been tasked with carrying out a brief study to review and develop a shortlist of options for a bus interchange which could include the train station along with additional car parking.
A new model for delivering health services
I was delighted to host a meeting for Assembly Members in the Senedd to learn more about an award-winning healthcare partnership which originated in Llanidloes.
In association with Arwystli Medical Practice, the independent prescribing service, which has recently won UK-wide recognition at the prestigious C&D Awards, enables Dudley Taylor Pharmacy in Llanidloes to treat patients with acute illness within the Pharmacy, reducing the need to visit the GP.
The new independent prescribing service has the potential to transform the way in which healthcare is delivered in rural areas and it is pleasing to see that Dudley Taylor Pharmacy and Arwystli Medical Practice are pioneering a service which is ensuring that primary care, treatment and advice is quickly available to local people from the community pharmacy on the high street, alleviating pressure on GPs and providing a more convenient service for patients.
Results from my 2016 health survey indicated that patients are generally pleased with their local GP practice, but there is a particular concern with how long patients have to wait to receive an appointment. This new model of delivering care will serve to combat this issue, relieve workload pressures on GP practices who are currently facing a recruitment crisis, and allow consultations for minor self-limiting conditions to be effectively managed in community pharmacies, increasing capacity and reducing costs.
As a result of the success in Llanidloes, I hope that this innovative approach will be rolled out across Wales and beyond.
No to a Tourism Tax
Earlier this month, the Welsh Government floated the idea of introducing a Tourism Tax which would see a charge levied on accommodation. I am really concerned that the plans will have an adverse effect on Mid Wales tourism businesses and discourage people from visiting Powys.
The introduction of a tourism tax may have the desired effect in countries which have low sales taxes, but in Wales, where the full rate of VAT is charged on accommodation, on meals, and attractions, an additional tourism tax will in effect mean that the visitor pays twice!
I believe that a tourism tax will heap additional pressure on small businesses and B&Bs in Powys who already pay tourism VAT and have seen an increase in business rates, inflation and the costs of food and energy.
I sincerely hope that the Welsh Government will take the opportunity of following the advice of industry and rule out the introduction of this ill-conceived idea.
If you agree with my views, a petition can be signed here
Increasing crime rate concerns
Earlier this month, I met with representatives from Powys of the National Association of Retired Police Officers who held a regional welfare seminar in Senedd. It was good to meet with members from Welshpool and Newtown (pictured above).
In other police matters, following a request for information from myself, I was alarmed that there has been a 154% increase in business crime in Newtown over the past year. In 2016/17, 127 crimes were recorded against business premises in Newtown compared with 50 in 2015/16 and in Dyfed Powys as a whole, the figure has more than tripled.
Next week, I will be meeting the Powys Chief Superintendent and I also hope to meet with the Police & Crime Commissioner to discuss this alarming increase in crime in our area, their staffing priorities and the need to increase CCTV in our towns.
There have been a number of serious incidents over recent weeks and months, and I intend to support a group that is being set up to bring about action to reverse this worrying trend.
Beat the Flu!
I would like to urge all eligible people to get their free NHS influenza vaccination to protect them and others against flu this winter.
Vaccination is the best protection against catching or spreading flu, which is a debilitating and potentially deadly illness.
At risk groups include pregnant women, those with certain long term illnesses, people aged 65 or over and carers.
All children aged two to eight years are also being offered protection with a simple nasal spray flu vaccine, so no needles.
Two and three year olds will have their nasal spray vaccine at their GP surgery and children in reception class or years one, two, three or four in primary school will be offered their vaccine at school.
To find out more about how to get your free vaccine visit www.beatflu.org
Christmas Card Competition
I'm inviting children from across Montgomeryshire to take part in my 2017 Christmas Card competition.
I hope that all children (aged 5 – 11) will have a go at designing the official picture, depicting a Christmas scene, which will feature on the front of my cards later this year.
Prizes are given to the winner and runner up and every child taking part in the competition receives a certificate. Last year's winning card (shown above) was designed by Rhianna Bratton (then aged 9) from "Allstars" Children Club, Hope Church, Newtown.
All entries should be maximum A4 or smaller and entries should be submitted via hard copy to my office at 13 Parkers Lane, Newtown, Powys, SY16 2LT or 20 High Street, Welshpool, SY21 7JP by Friday 27 October 2017.
I am very much looking forward to receiving and judging this year's entries.
Treaty of Montgomery
At the end of last month, I was delighted to take part in celebrating the 750th anniversary of the Treaty of Montgomery.
I was pleased to have the opportunity to draw Assembly Members’ attention to the history surrounding the treaty and the celebrations which occurred in Montgomery to mark the occasion including a short re-enactment of the treaty signing with local schoolchildren taking part and a Medieval Banquet in the Town Hall which I was pleased to attend.
For those who are not aware, on September 29th, 1267, King Henry III of England and Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, Prince of Gwynedd, signed the Treaty which recognised Llywelyn as the Prince of Wales.
The 1267 treaty gave Llywelyn Builth, Brecon and Whittington Castle in Mid Wales. He also received an assurance that no castle would be built at Hawarden for 60 years by Robert of Mold, securing the north-eastern border of Wales.
However, following the succession of Edward I as King of England in 1272, relations between England and Wales deteriorated and Edward declared war on Llywelyn in 1276.
Countryside Alliance Awards
The annual Countryside Alliance Awards are now open to public nomination to celebrate people going the extra mile to ensure that rural Britain’s food and farming industry, small businesses, traditional skills and forward-thinking enterprises can flourish.
These awards are an excellent way to promote the local businessmen and women who are working hard to keep rural Mid Wales thriving. Let’s see if we can bring an award home to Mid Wales and tell a positive story about Montgomeryshire.
The Awards run across the following categories:
- Local Food Award
- Village shop/ Post Office Award
- Rural Enterprise Award
- Butcher Award
- Rural Pub Award
You can nominate by visiting: www.countryside-alliance.org/campaigns/caawards/
Advice Surgeries
I will be in the following areas on these dates.
Please call my office on 01686 610887 if you would like to meet.
Friday 20 October – Newtown
Saturday 28 October – Churchstoke
Monday 30 October – Llandinam
Monday 13 November – Lake Vyrnwy
Monday 13 November – Welshpool