Last Week was Armed Forces Week, culminating in the Wales National Armed Forces Day on Saturday, and I was honoured to represent the Welsh Government at a special event held in Newport to celebrate the contribution of those currently serving in the Armed Forces, veterans and volunteers. Many of us – myself included as my grandfather did national service after World War II in Nigeria – and every community has a connection to the Armed Forces community, past or present, and it’s a privilege to lead on Welsh Government support for our Armed Forces here in Wales. The event was a chance to pay tribute to our Armed Forces community and say thank you for all they do and all they have done.
Back in the Senedd, this week the Welsh Government set out the upcoming legislative programme, which includes ambitions changes when it comes to the future of bus travel in Wales. This builds on last week’s announcement on the Bus Transition Fund and aims to address the failings of the current bus system which puts profit before people. That’s why the Welsh Government will bring forward a Bus Bill, to reform the failed system of deregulation to enable all levels of government to work together to design the network of bus services our communities need. I know from my own work and experience, including the transport survey I previously carried out, that this will be welcome news for many people in our area.
The Welsh Government also recently announced £58m funding for active travel schemes and Flintshire has benefitted from some of that money in the shape of two Safe Routes for Communities grants awarded – six schools in Flint have received £300,000 in funding as well as the Holywell area which got £487,000. According to Councillor Dave Hughes, Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene and the regional transport strategy, the money will be spent on improving conditions for walking and cycling by reducing traffic speeds, improving pedestrian priority and widening footways, encouraging more people to walk and cycle more frequently.
A new national phoneline for people who require urgent mental health support has been launched by the Welsh Government. The NHS ‘111 press option 2’ for mental health is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for all ages. People can use this number if they have an urgent mental health concern themselves or about someone they know – by providing access to a mental health professional without the need for a GP referral, the phoneline can really help to support people to manage a mental health crisis.
Last week I joined Sam Evans and Shauna Guinn – famous for starting the Hang Fire Southern Kitchen restaurant and appearing on TV shows like MasterChef – as they discussed same-sex marriage on their Radio Wales show Queerly Beloved. It’s 10 years since gay marriage was legalised in the UK and Wales in particular has come a long way since then – the Welsh Government’s LGBTQ+ Action Plan, which I launched earlier this year, aims to make Wales the most LGBTQ+ friendly nation in Europe and the legalising of same-sex marriage was one of the first steps in a long process to make this a reality.
If you are feeling isolated or alone, Flint Town Council is offering regular community coffee mornings every Thursday between 10am and noon at the Town Hall, so feel free to drop in to meet new friends and talk to people from the community – everyone is welcome, young and old, for a free cuppa, biscuit and chat. https://www.flinttowncouncil.gov.wales/events/community-coffee-morning/
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/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.