View this email in your browser
November 2024 Newsletter
Welcome to my November 2024 Newsletter
I have provided several updates in my newsletter this month, but I also wanted to mention that following Nidec / Control techniques announcement that 65 employees are facing redundancy, I have sought a meeting with Nidec, as well as raising the issue in the Senedd. If you or a family member are affected, then I'd welcome a chance to meet with you.
The new UK Governments first budget made several announcements that I know has concerned employers and farming families. I will report back on these issues separately.
As ever, if you would like 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.
Cambrian Line News
My thoughts are with the family of Tudor Evans, who sadly passed away following the tragic train incident near Llanbrynmair, and also with those who have been injured. Clearly, there are many questions about how this accident happened, but for now, it’s important that investigators are allowed to do their work. My thanks go to all the emergency services who were in attendance.
On the subject of the Cambrian Line, I have raised concerns about the delays to the introduction of the new fleet and the commitment to introduce an hourly service between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury.
I continue to be assured that the new trains will deliver increased capacity for passengers and will also have faster acceleration, allowing services to meet the timetable more reliably. However, we are still waiting for them.
I was originally told that the new rail stock would be coming online in 2023; that was delayed until winter 2024. More recently, I was informed that the new stock will not be available until the latter part of 2025. It is very disappointing when other parts of the country are already using the new fleets.
When raising with the First Minister, she told me that there will be an hourly service from the summer months between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury from 2026.
Air Ambulance High Court Challenge
Some very welcome news last month on the campaign to challenge the changes to the Welsh Air Ambulance Service, which include the closure of the Welshpool base. The High Court has granted permission for the case to proceed to a full hearing, meaning that the judge has agreed the case is arguable. I believe the hearing is likely to be held in the new year.
As campaigners, we believe that the decision taken by the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee in April to close and centralise the Welshpool and Caernarfon Air Ambulance bases was fundamentally wrong. Campaign groups in both areas have been working together to challenge the decision.
A judicial review will allow a judge to re-evaluate the decision-making process, and I believe it will bring much-needed transparency and objectivity, examining to what extent the process delivered a predetermined outcome.
Powys Health Changes Raised With FM
Russell George MS raising Llanidloes Hospital changes with the First Minister
In October, Powys Teaching Health Board approved proposals for temporary changes to some minor injury and ward-based services in the county. At a public meeting of the Board, members approved recommendations that included a temporary change to the model for inpatient care in Llanidloes.
During a public meeting held in Llanidloes in August, which saw hundreds of concerned community members in attendance, issues raised included not only concerns voiced by the public and local politicians, but also strong opposition from healthcare professionals, including current and former General Practitioners (GPs), to the Health Board’s proposed changes.
I raised this issue in the Senedd, asking for the First Minister’s position on the matter.
Works at Royal Shrewsbury hospital
In October, I was pleased to visit and observe the building works at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, which have been underway for several months. This work is part of broader plans for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to become the main emergency hospital centre serving North Powys, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin.
The planned services are more comprehensive than a standard A&E department. The plans also include the return of the consultant-led inpatient women and children’s service to Shrewsbury, along with the Head and Neck department, critical care, and the stroke unit.
These changes mean that the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital will specialise in Emergency Care, while The Princess Royal Hospital in Telford will become a centre for Planned Care. Both sites will continue to have a 24-hour Urgent Care centre.
A470 Teleddig Road Closure
Russell George MS raising the Trunk Road Network with the Cabinet Secretary.
The repair works on the A470 at Talerddig are very much needed and long overdue. However, my concern, as well as that of the community and affected businesses, is the complete road closure for up to seven weeks. The official diversion is a 70-mile route, which would cause significant disruption and potential chaos on smaller roads.
Having raised this issue in the Senedd last week, the Cabinet Minister announced that the works will be delayed until the new year. Our hope is that this delay will also allow the Government to consider other options, such as working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to complete the works more quickly or keeping one lane open during working hours.
The Powys County Farm Estate
I was pleased to speak in a Welsh Conservative debate on council-owned farms. Council farm estates provide a valuable means of securing a foothold in the industry for many young farmers and new entrants to the sector. If the council farm network were not in place, this avenue for embarking on a career in farming would be shut off to so many people, resulting in fewer farmers producing food and caring for the countryside.
Farm estates are a valuable asset and should be regarded as such, offering a potential ongoing revenue stream for local authorities and providing a crucial first step into the industry for many.
