The Senedd Easter recess means a welcome opportunity to have more time to get out and about locally and last week was no exception. Now that spring is upon us once again – although we would be forgiven for it not feeling like it, given the wet and windy weather we have had recently – I have started my street surgeries for 2024 and on Friday I was out in Talacre and Mostyn. The street surgeries always offer a good opportunity for me to reach out to different parts of the constituency and for people to raise any issues with me from the comfort of their own homes. Over the coming weeks and months, I’m planning on doing other street surgeries across the constituency – this will be alongside my regular appointment advice sessions, which you can book an appointment for by contacting my office on the details below.
I also met with Sustrans Cymru in my Mold office to discuss the organisation’s latest report, entitled Walk, Wheel and Thrive: Wellbeing and the National Cycle Network in Wales. The report details the benefits of cycling and sets out the contribution of the National Cycle Network against all seven of Wales’ wellbeing goals and highlights the urgent action needed to protect this important asset for future generations. The National Cycle Network includes more than 1,200 miles of cycle paths in Wales passing through every one of our local authority areas and it passes within a mile of almost 60% of the population, connecting many schools, universities and workplaces – making safe, healthy, low-cost travel to work, school or university a real possibility for many people. We had the chance to discuss further opportunities for investment in our area and plans to get out on the network later in the summer.
In addition, I joined my colleague Carolyn Thomas MS at Swans Farm Shop and Frith Farm at Treuddyn to meet with representatives from the National Farmer’s Union Cymru (NFU). As a regular at the shop, I’m grateful to Ed Swan for organising and hosting. The meeting was an opportunity for local committee members to raise both concerns in respect of things like the Sustainable Farming Scheme proposals and their likely impact on farming businesses across Wales and, in particular, in North East Wales, as well as opportunities for the industry and how we can move forward together.
Over the past few weeks I’ve had numerous conversations with residents who have raised the subject of voter ID. As many of you will know, the Police and Crime Commissioner elections will be taking place on May 2nd and, unlike local council or Welsh Parliament elections here in Wales, Police and Crime Commissioner and General Elections require you to have a form of identification to vote. Not everyone in the constituency will have a form of photo ID so I am adding this to this week’s column to allow those who wish to vote the time to sort out a valid form of ID before the election next month. If you register to vote and apply for a postal vote, you do not need photo ID. If you do not have ID or find it difficult to update your ID, I would recommend applying for a postal vote – it’s easier and quicker to vote from home.
Finally, there is a brand new LGBTQ+ Youth Group starting in Flintshire which is on the lookout for LGBTQ+ young people aged 11-25. The group will hold meetings on the second and fourth Wednesday during term time, with sessions being delivered by Flintshire Youth Service in partnership with Viva and Pride Cymru. This will be a great opportunity for young people to make friends, be themselves and learn new skills – get in touch with my office if you would like further details or contact Kate at kate.glover-jones@flintshire.gov.uk.
As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales. You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/HannahBlythynForDelyn. Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don’t need to wait until an advice surgery.