Russell George AM's monthly update on his work in Montgomeryshire and the Assembly
Dear Resident,
I’m pleased to update you on a number of different issues. You may also like to read my recent article regarding Welsh Governments funding settlement for Powys County Council here
Mobile and broadband
Mobile - Earlier this month, the UK Government announced that it intends to oblige mobile operators to improve their coverage through mandatory mobile roaming. This is good news for rural Mid Wales. Please click here to read more about this story.
Superfast broadband - The first households and businesses in Newtown, Welshpool and Machynlleth can now access high speed fibre broadband through the Superfast Cymru project.
This is very welcome news and is an important development for the towns. Households and businesses who are interested in superfast broadband services should contact an internet service provider of their choice to place an order.
Information about the Superfast Cymru roll-out is published on the Superfast Cymru website (www.superfast-cymru.com) including a coverage map which provides details of roll-out plans.
The map below shows that rollout of superfast broadband has already begun in some areas (green) with rollout scheduled to begin in Winter/Spring 2015 (pink) and Summer/Autumn 2015 (purple).
Mid Wales transport
Newtown bypass - The Draft Orders for the bypass scheme are expected to be announced towards the end of November. The Draft Orders will confirm the route of the bypass and the land needed for the construction of the bypass. All residents along the route and those within a 100metres of the route will be sent an information pack which will contain information on how they can raise concerns, or support the bypass, with contact details for Welsh Government and Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd. Compulsory Purchase Orders are expected to be announced mid December. Any issues that Welsh Government or Alun Griffiths fail to address will have to go to Public Inquiry, which if this should be the case, is expected to take place next Spring. The bypass is currently on schedule to start construction next Summer and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.
There will be a further two day Public Exhibition planned for early December in Newtown. Dates have not been confirmed as yet but keep an eye out for a notice of the exhibition in the local media. The exhibition will provide an opportunity for residents to raise any concerns surrounding the detail contained in the information pack or just an opportunity for a further update of the scheme.
I am supporting a number of residents who are affected by the bypass, please feel free to contact me if you believe I can support you. I would be happy to meet the contractors with you and support you as I can.
Health
Urgent Care Centre needed in mid Wales - Last month, I had the opportunity to question the First Minister on the need for an urgent care centre in Montgomeryshire. You can read the exchange here.
I am pleased that the First Minister has committed the Welsh Government to looking into improvements to the health service in North Powys.
For more on this story please click here.
Cross border healthcare - The House of Commons Welsh Affairs Select Committee is holding an inquiry focusing on cross-border arrangements between the English and Welsh healthcare systems. The Committee wants to hear from residents who rely on services on the other side of the border.
You have the opportunity to shape and inform the inquiry by sharing your views via an online web forum. Click on the link below to access the web forum and have your say:
Cross-border health-care between England and Wales web forum
The closing date for submissions is Monday 1 December 2014.
Mid Wales Healthcare Study - Last month saw the publication of the independent Mid Wales Healthcare Study report published by the Welsh Institute for Health and Social care. The report findings were led by Professor Marcus Longley. This report was commissioned by Welsh Government and we currently await their response. The report was welcome and stated what so many of us are firmly aware of. The report was 200 pages long, but here is a summary of the report's main findings:
- Hywel Dda with support from Betsi Cadwaladr and Powys health boards should publicly announce its vision for the future ‘strategic’ role of Bronglais Hospital
- Bronglais must remain an ‘acute centre’ and provide urgent and non-urgent services
- Cardiology services must not be centralised away from Bronglais
- Further work is needed to protect general surgery and maternity and obstetric services at Bronglais
- ‘Unnecessary’ journeys for treatment should end
- Engagement with the public must be improved
- Hywel Dda, Betsi Cadwaladr and Powys health boards should form a new body to plan services on a mid Wales regional basis.
Wales Air Ambulance Service - This month, I received positive assurances from the Welsh Government on the way in which specialist doctors will join Welshpool’s Air Ambulance crew from April 2015.
This follows last month’s welcome announcement that £3 million a year will be invested as part of a new service which will see consultants joining Air Ambulance crews from Welshpool.
Click here for the full story.
Local services
Community banking - This year, we have seen bank closures in Llanidloes and Llanfair Caereinion. Nat West have also recently confirmed that it will be closing its branch in Montgomery from January 2015. This is of huge concern to many residents and businesses who rely on “over the counter” banking services.
I had the opportunity to raise the decline of community banking with the Minister for Communities, Lesley Griffiths AM, in a debate on Town Centre Regeneration. In a subsequent letter to me, I am pleased that the Minister has committed to looking at my suggestion of a shared community banking model through the possible creation of a Development Bank for Wales.
For more on this story, please click here.
Surgeries
I am happy to meet at my Newtown or Welshpool office. If you believe I can help on any matter, please contact me.
- Welshpool - Friday 28 November
- Newtown – Friday 12 December
- Llanidloes – Monday 15 December
- Newtown – Tuesday 16 December
- Llanfyllin - Wednesday 17 December
- Machynlleth – Saturday 20 December
Please contact my constituency office on 01686 610887 to make an appointment or to discuss any issue you want to raise with me.
Best wishes,
Russell George
National Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire