Regular Leader readers will know that I am both a proud north Walian and trade unionist, so I was really pleased to have the chance to address the Unison Wales Regional Council just down the coast in Llandudno last week. The Regional Council presented a timely opportunity to update trade union reps on the landmark Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Bill, which I’ve recently led  its passage through the Senedd, and the potential opportunities it can bring to improve our public services alongside the well-being and work of those dedicated public servants who provide our services. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with trade union colleagues and a wide range of social partners as the legislation is put into practice over the coming months.

Slightly closer to home,  I had a busy constituency Friday, including an advice session in Holywell Town Centre and a catch up with Rev. Martin Bachelor at St.Mary’s Church in Mold. I also had the chance to visit local business Retrospect Energy in Greenfield, which helps to retrofit homes to help both future-proof them in terms of energy usage but to also help people save on their bills, something which Welsh Government has worked hard to lay the groundwork for through its Optimised Retrofit Programme and various funding interventions over the years. I know that the current financial climate and rising energy costs are pushing more people into fuel poverty, and making it harder and harder to stretch household budgets to heat homes and safeguard health. Retrospect Energy offers residents help to access energy efficiency funding through government schemes as well as managing, designing and delivering energy efficiency projects like retrofitting homes with better insulation – making energy more affordable while also lessening the impact on the climate.

There were events in towns and communities across our area and the country as a whole to mark the extra Bank Holiday Weekend for King Charles III’s coronation. Whatever your views are on the Royal Family and the coronation itself,  Flintshire and my family in particular can be proud of the role one of our own has played in the historic occasion. Flintshire’s finest, Composer Professor Paul Mealor’s ‘Coronation Kyrie’ marked the first Welsh language performance at a coronation, sung by famous bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel and the Choir of Westminster Abbey. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​ Paul, who grew up and went to school in Connah’s Quay, was also asked to arrange Strauss’s Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare which could be heard for the first time just after the King was crowned. A proud moment for Paul’s family and for Flintshire.

As the Senedd gets back to business following the Bank Holiday, I’m looking forward to responding to a Senedd Petitions Committee Debate – led by my constituency colleague Jack Sargeant MS – on the potential to pilot a Four Day Working Week in Wales. The debate will hear from a number of members both in favour of and not convinced by the merits of a  pilot, and I will be setting out the Welsh Government’s social partnership approach to this, one that is rooted in our ambition for Wales to become a nation of Fair Work.

As usual, 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/hannahblythynMS  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.