Speaking in the Debate on Probation Service Reform, I again challenged calls by the Labour Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru for the devolution of the criminal justice system, and backed proposals contained in the UK Ministry of Justice’s ‘Strengthening Probation, Building Confidence’ Consultation Paper for all offender management services to sit within the National Probation Service from 2020, and for HM Prison and Probation Service in Wales to explore options for the commissioning of rehabilitative services to better reflect the devolved responsibilities of the Welsh Government. Calls for the devolution of criminal justice to Wales fail to recognise that criminal activity does not recognise national boundaries or that the criminal justice system in North Wales has a closer affiliation with north-west England than the rest of Wales.
Questioning the Culture Minister, I called on the Welsh Government to help Mold’s Theatr Clwyd secure enough funding for its proposed redevelopment project.
Following calls for a British Sign Language Act in Wales at the North Wales ‘Lend Me Your Ears 2018’ Hearing Loss Conference, I called for a Welsh Government Statement on British Sign Language.
It is nearly four months since I wrote to the Health Secretary after concern had been raised with me by the two remaining providers in Wales of ‘Tier 4’ residential detoxification and rehabilitation substance misuse services that these services are under threat. Having still not had a response, I called for a Welsh Government Statement, noting that previous independent reports called for increased capacity.
Questioning the Leader of the House following the recent demolition of a railway bridge in Llangefni, I called for its rebuilding to reinstate the rail line from Gaerwen to Llangefni.
I hosted and spoke at the ‘MESiG’ and WAMES (Working for ME in Wales), ‘Unrest in the Senedd’ event, calling for urgent action to improve support for sufferers of ME (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) in Wales.
Assembly engagements included Chairing the Cross Party Group on Funerals and Bereavement, Royal British Legion’s Poppy Ride in the Senedd, speaking with both Wrexham Museums and Flintshire Museums Service at the ‘Museums at the Senedd’ event, discussing rural energy usage with Calor, and 'Community Powered-Health’ with Tempo Time Credits.
North Wales engagements included meetings with Wrexham Glyndwr University’s Vice-Chancellor, and with the National Probation Service in Wales and Eagle House Youth Development Community Interest Company to discuss Eagle House’s provision of training and support for young people involved with or at risk of committing crime.
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