Responding in the Chamber to the Statement on Local Government, which resurrected Welsh Government plans that could see Flintshire and Wrexham merge, and 22 councils merged to as few as 10, I said that “an alternative model might be the collaborative regional approach developed in North Wales by the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, where we know the evidence from mergers in all the sectors is that big is not always more beautiful, cost-effective or efficient”. As the Welsh Local Government Association said “most academic analysis concludes that such reform programmes rarely deliver the savings or changes in performance that were hoped”.
Leading the Debate on Community Transport in Wales, I said “These vital services help to reduce loneliness and isolation, ensuring people can access hospitals, GP surgeries, social events, leisure facilities, places of employment, shops and more” but “the sector currently faces a range of threats.” At a devolved level funding settlements do not enable long-term planning, Community Transport Association members are not remunerated cross departmentally for the work they do, and one off capital funding may be necessary to support growth. Further, operators in North Wales have told me that proposed changes after the European Commission told the UK Government to address how its Directives on passenger transport operator licensing were interpreted into UK law, threaten the continuation of Community Transport here.
Questioning the Public Services Secretary, I called on the Welsh Government to boost funding for Veterans’ mental health services in Wales, following warnings that waiting lists for mental health therapists for the Armed Forces community could rise without additional investment, thereby adding to cost pressures on health and social services.
I also asked him why, given Welsh Government involvement at a devolved level since 2012 in Universal Credit roll-out and ‘Universal Support’ for claimants who need additional support, we keep hearing problems with this raised in the Chamber.
Speaking in the Chamber, I also raised Glyndwr University’s celebration of its first 10 years as a university, the clean-up of Holyhead Marina following Storm Emma earlier this month, and the tragic Red Arrows aircraft crash at RAF Valley on Anglesey.
Assembly engagements included the Blue Cross, calling for measures to tackle online pet sales, the 'Dads Can' project, the Consumer Council for Water and the Residential Landlords Association.
I also attended a briefing at Liverpool John Lennon Airport on the role it plays in the economy of the wider North West and North Wales.
If you need my help, please email [email protected] or ring 0300 200 7217.