A view from Clwyd South’s Member of the Senedd

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Members of Parliament and Assembly Members to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home – you can find them all here. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​ ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​ ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​ ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​ ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​ ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In this month’s column Clwyd South’s MS writes: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It was a pleasure to meet with Jane Townend, founder of UAREUK, and refugees Polina, Volodymyr and Vitalii earlier this month.

UAREUK is a Wrexham-based grassroots humanitarian movement dedicated to helping those fleeing war and persecution, and does so much to support refugees with issues including school uniforms for their children, travel and accommodation.

Jane leads an amazing organisation which makes such a difference to so many lives.

Refugees from the Wrexham hub performed as part of a mass choir at the White Flower peace concert at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and took part in the Eisteddfod’s famous Parade of Nations.

The charity also hosted a stall on the Maes throughout Eisteddfod week to raise vital funds and awareness of the wonderful work they do.

Lesley Griffiths and I have written to the real estate company which owns Island Green car park to urge it to consider ending its relationship with Euro Car Parks.

Wrexham is on the up, with an increasing profile, but the conduct of this company is driving people away.

We have suggested Nuveen Real Estate seeks an alternative client which will make a positive contribution to the city, rather than one which is becoming an ever-growing stain on it.

I’m pleased that ticket offices at Welsh train stations will not close, as is happening in England.

I raised the issue in the Senedd last week, when First Minister Mark Drakeford said many people see the move as ‘a retaliatory measure’ in the ongoing industrial dispute in England.

Rail union RMT said the closures “will restrict passengers’ access to the best value tickets, worsen passenger service, accessibility, safety and security and lead to a de-staffing of stations”.

I also welcome Transport for Wales’ confirmation that ticket offices at stations it manages in England, such as Chester and Shrewsbury, will remain open.

I also raised concerns about battery storage facilities like the one planned for Bersham in the Senedd.

I have also written to the Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, to ask about the Welsh Government’s position on hosting these lithium-ion battery farms.

In supporting the move to green energy, we must be mindful of the unintended consequences. I am concerned about the risk they pose, which appears to still not be fully understood.

I have teamed up with St John Ambulance Cymru to arrange a defibrillator awareness event which could help people save a life.

The session at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre will take place from 1-3pm on August 16, and I’m inviting constituents to take part. Places are limited, so please book your place now if you’re interested.

St John Ambulance offers free first aid-related courses to communities, youth groups and schools as part of its goal to put a first aider on every street in Wales.

This is a great opportunity for me to work with them to offer my constituents the lifesaving skills of using a defibrillator and performing CPR. These skills really make a difference in saving lives.

To book your place email [email protected] or call 01978 869058.

The company behind the proposed Plas Power Solar Project near Coedpoeth have organised an additional consultation session in Rhostyllen on Thursday, July 20.

Lightsource bp said it had received several requests for an extra drop-in event after those held in Coedpoeth and Brymbo recently.

It will be held from 2.30-5.30pm at Rhostyllen Parish Hall, Vicarage Hill, Rhostyllen (LL14 4AR).

The consultation deadline has also been extended to Thursday, July 27, to allow feedback from the event. Further information about the project can be found here.

If you need help or advice, you can email [email protected] or call my office on 01978 869058. You can also follow me on Facebook and subscribe to my regular e- newsletters.