A view from Clwyd South’s Member of the Senedd

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 MS Ken Skates writes…

It was an honour to attend the remembrance service in Cefn Mawr yesterday and lay a wreath at the war memorial in memory of the brave men and women who gave their lives for our futures.

The Minister responsible for veteran’s support in Wales, Hannah Blythyn, last week thanked past and present Armed Forces personnel for their bravery as the nation remembered their sacrifices.

This time of year is always a very poignant and timely reminder for us all – people of all ages – to remember those who have lost their lives in conflict all to help preserve our freedom and way of life.

They will never be forgotten.

Last week, I joined Welsh Government Minister Dawn Bowden on her visits to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct – the first transnational UNESCO World Heritage Site – and then at Chirk Castle after my meeting there with National Trust chief executive Tim Parker.

It’s always a pleasure welcoming Ministers to Clwyd South, especially to two of the jewels in its crown, and I’m always incredibly proud to show what our area has to offer.

I enjoyed getting out and talking to residents in Chirk with Cllr Frank Hemmings (second right) on recently, and discussing a range of local issues.

We’ll be back in Chirk in soon, and I will be holding more street surgeries in different areas of the constituency over the coming weeks and months.

I will be holding my next advice surgery with North Wales Police in Llangollen later this week.

Surgeries are an important fixture in elected members’ diaries and provide a valuable opportunity to sit down face-to-face with constituents, discuss issues of concern and to offer support and advice.

Clearly, the pandemic put paid to public surgeries for much longer than we expected or hoped, but now restrictions allow it’s important that we resume them.

By teaming up with the police it means people can raise any concerns or information directly with them in confidence which they might otherwise not report, as well as speak to me about anything else they need help with. We are hopeful these one stop shop-style surgeries will help local people if there are a number of issues they want to discuss.

The surgery takes place on Friday, November 19, from 10am-midday. Appointments can be booked by emailing [email protected] or calling my office on 01978 869058.

On Friday I welcomed Mark Hooper from Banc Cambria to Clwyd South for further discussions on how a Community Bank of Wales could benefit local communities – and to press the case for one of the first branches in Wales to come to our area.

I raised the issue of local bank closures in the Senedd earlier this year after previously launching the Community Bank plans during my time as Economy Minister.

Banc Cambria is working with the Welsh Government to create the UK’s first community bank, and I am hopeful that Clwyd South – as the North Wales constituency hit hardest by bank closures – will be chosen as one of the project’s pilot areas.

The Community Bank will provide everyday banking throughout Wales. Unlike other banks, it will be owned and controlled by members – not outside shareholders.

It was really a very productive morning showing Mark around Ruabon with Cllr Dana Davies and also visiting Cefn Mawr to talk to local high street businesses about their banking needs.

Over the coming weeks before my next Wrexham.com column, my commitments include meeting with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board over plans for a new health centre in Cefn Mawr and the latest cross-party meeting on Kronospan.

Finally, I would like to wish the team at Glyn Wylfa in Chirk the best of luck at the UK Social Enterprise Awards in London next month.

Glyn Wylfa opened in 2013 with support from the Welsh Labour Government and has gone from strength to strength since, expanding year on year.

The team to do a wonderful job, and it’s fantastic to see Clwyd South represented at the awards again after the recent success of Plas Madoc Leisure Centre. Pob lwc!

If you need advice or support, please email [email protected] and include your home address and a contact number. You can also find regular coronavirus updates on my Facebook page and sign up to my weekly newsletters here.

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).