A view from Clwyd South’s Member of Parliament

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 his monthly column for Wrexham.com, Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes writes: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The month leading up to the summer recess has been a busy and productive time, both in Westminster and in Clwyd South, and I would like to take this opportunity to share some of the highlights.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being an MP is to celebrate the achievements and contributions of the people and organisations in our community.

I am a strong supporter of our NHS, and on Tuesday 4th July I invited Dr Kieran Redman of Hanmer Surgery to attend a Local NHS Champions Reception at 10 Downing Street, hosted by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP.

The Hanmer Surgery, which is run by Dr Redman and his team, won a GP Achievement Award 2023 and the Secretary of State was delighted to be able to congratulate Dr Redman in person and thank him for his service to our community.

Simon Baynes MP with Dr Kieran Redman and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP

On Monday 10th July I took part in Oral Parliamentary Questions to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

During the session, I highlighted the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund’s potential for community organisations in Clwyd South, and particularly how it can allow them to take control of assets and amenities.

Additionally, I asked about how the bidding process is benefiting from recently announced changes.

In answer, the Minister highlighted the changes, including an increase in maximum funding from £250,000 to £1 million per application and the right of parish, town, and community councils to make applications.

I am a passionate advocate for the environment, and so in my role as the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Woods and Trees I was honoured to host The Woodland Trust’s Summer Parliamentary Reception on the 12th July.

Simon Baynes MP with members of The Woodland Trust and guests at the Trust’s Summer Parliamentary Reception.

Guests had the opportunity to hear from Trudy Harrison, the Minister for Natural Environment and Land Use, Dr Darren Moorcroft, Chief Executive of the Trust, as well as Dr Rebecca Heaton, Director of Environmental Sustainability for Lloyd’s Banking Group.

The reception follows on from the last meeting of the APPG, where the Trust’s report on Nature Recovery was discussed.

I have always been a strong supporter of our farming community, and I was therefore delighted to have the opportunity to meet with Ian Rickman, the new President of the Farmer’s Union of Wales during his visit to Parliament on the 12th July.

During our meeting, we discussed the concerns of the FUW and its members in Clwyd South, along with how the group is helping to hold the Welsh Government to account.

I look forward to working with Ian and his team in the future to ensure that the views of our farmers are heard loud and clear in Parliament.

Simon Baynes MP with President of the FUW, Ian Rickman.

I am proud of our Welsh culture and heritage, and previously served as a Trustee of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod prior to my election as a Member of Parliament.

The Eisteddfod brings thousands of visitors to Llangollen and serves as a testament to the character of our community.

I was pleased to hear that the Secretary of State for Wales, Rt Hon David TC Davies MP, referred to the Eisteddfod during his visit as “a fantastic international day right in the heart of Wales”, which is a testament I share.

Our market halls and traders are vital to our communities in Clwyd South and around the UK, and I am very keen to continue supporting them in my role as an MP.

As such, I was delighted to be re-elected as Chairman of the APPG for Markets at its recent AGM on the 18th July.

Going forward I intend to work with my parliamentary colleagues, markets, and market traders to advocate on behalf of this vital sector of the economy.

Simon Baynes MP with members of the APPG Markets and members of the National Association Of British Markets (NABMA).

Prior to my election as the MP for Clwyd South, my wife Maggie and I founded the charity, Concertina – Music for the Elderly, to provide live music in day centres and care homes.

This has allowed me to see up close the impact that charities can have, and I am delighted at the level of community support for charities that exists in Clwyd South.

I was therefore honoured to be given a tour of the grounds of Chirk Community Hospital by The Circle of Friends of Chirk Hospital. During this visit, I had a chance to see the improvements to the gardens paid for by The Circle of Friends, including the new Dementia Area, which Brother Industries also helped to build by volunteering staff.

I was impressed by the dedication and generosity of The Circle of Friends, and would like to thank Jackie Allen, Dot Griffiths, Sheila Dee and Barbara Humphries for showing me the refurbishment of the grounds.

Jackie Allen, Simon Baynes MP, Dot Griffiths and Barbara Humphries, in the grounds of Chirk Community Hospital.

As your Member of Parliament, my team and I are always here to provide advice and support.

For updates on my work in Clwyd South and Westminster, please visit my website www.simonbaynes.co.uk

If you’re a constituent and you wish to contact me with an issue of concern, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on [email protected]