A view from Clwyd South’s Member of Parliament

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South constituency Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home. (You can view an archive here).

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes writes…

Since my last monthly column, I’ve continued to provide advice and support to Clwyd South residents dealing with the pandemic. I’ve also continued to visit re-opened businesses and organisations in Clwyd South, all of which have adopted new social distancing and hygiene rules to keep local people safe, meaning big changes to the way they operate.

And since the start of September, MPs have returned to Westminster following a busy Summer Recess, meaning we’re now able to meet again with Ministers face-to-face, albeit from a safe distance, to raise issues that matter to our constituents.

Simon Baynes MP querying Matt Hancock MP at Health Questions on 1 September 2020.

In the House of Commons, I was pleased to speak about the need to upgrade the Doctors Surgery in Hanmer, following a visit I made there on Wednesday 26 August where I met Dr Redman, County Cllr John McCusker and representatives of the Hanmer Surgery Patients Action Group. I hope very much that the new Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board CEO, Jo Whitehead, makes this vital project a top priority.

For this same reason I’ve also joined the ‘Levelling Up Taskforce’ of MPs in Parliament – a group of more than 40 Conservative MPs who are pressing the Government to ensure areas like Clwyd South which are in need of additional investment are at the top of the agenda.

I have continued to visit and speak to local hospitality business people, such as those at the Telford Inn at the Trevor Basin where Sarah Kinton-Chittenden and her team are doing a fantastic job of safely welcoming visitors to enjoy a drink and a meal by the Llangollen Canal.

Sun Trevor owners, Paul and Katy Jones, their daughters, Seren and Darcey, dog, Poppy, and Simon Baynes MP outside the Sun Trevor near Llangollen on Wednesday 12 August.

And the team at the Sun Trevor near Llangollen, who used time during lockdown to refurbish their premises, including the kitchen and toilets, which now have full disabled facilities. I’ve also organised a series of virtual meetings with key members of the Clwyd South wedding industry to see how we can help them recover from the impact of Coronavirus.

On Wednesday 12 August, I made a socially distanced visit to The Pharmacy Coedpoeth to learn more about how they’ve been at the forefront of introducing new medical services.

Simon Baynes with Rhos Rugby Club and Sun Inn volunteers at Rhos Rugby Club on Wednesday 26 August.

And on Wednesday 26 August, I met with Rhos Rugby Club officers and volunteers to hear about how they’ve supported Rhos, Ponciau, Penycae and the wider area during the Covid-19 pandemic and to thank them for all their hard work in the community. I also held a residents’ meeting in the car park of the Hanmer Arms in relation to dog thefts, although fortunately in Clwyd South this is a rare occurrence.

Mark Evans (Director of Glandŵr Cymru), Lynda Slater (Destination Supervisor), Simon Baynes MP and County Cllr Rondo Roberts at the Trevor Basin Visitor Centre on Wednesday 12 August.

I also made a socially distanced visit, along with Canal River Trust Wales / Glandŵr Cymru representatives and County Cllr Rondo Roberts, to the Trevor Basin Visitor Centre where from Wednesday 9 September they will be moving from part-time to full-time daily opening from 10am to 4pm. And later on that day, I met with local County Cllr Paul Rogers and Nick Amyes from Brymbo Heritage Trust to discuss their ongoing work to conserve and celebrate Brymbo’s industrial heritage. Across Clwyd South, I continue to work with local residents on improving broadband and have had meetings recently in the Ceiriog Valley and Higher Wych.

Back in Parliament, I attended a meeting with the Chancellor at No11 Downing Street to discuss Airbus and the UK Government’s ongoing support for the industry. I also attended an evidence session of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee where I quizzed experts on Brexit and trade in Wales. Finally, I attended a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Woods and Trees and the APPG for Wales in the World, the latter of which I was elected Treasurer.

As your Member of Parliament, my team and I are always here to provide advice and support. If you’re a Clwyd South constituent, you can contact me at any time by email on [email protected].

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if there’s anything I can do to help you.

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South constituency Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home. (You can view an archive here).