The big news in the Senedd last week was around the Welsh Government agreeing and publishing a final budget, which readers will have heard about on the news. While the budget will need to be debated and voted on in the Siambr in March, there are a number of things which I welcome on behalf of our communities here in Flintshire, not least an additional £8.24m to secure a funding floor for local authorities like our own at 3.8% – something I have been calling for some time in order to protect our area’s public services. The budget also includes extra money for social care, part of a plan to improve NHS hospital discharges, as well as further investment in childcare, and much more.
From my work in communities across the constituency, I know how important improvements to public transport are to people and this is especially the case for younger constituents – I’ve heard this at the public transport forum I organised towards the end of last year, as well as in meetings with We Mind the Gap and Delyn’s Youth Parliament member Ben Harris. So I’m pleased to see the Welsh Government also set out a new scheme for cheaper bus travel for people aged 21 and under. The £15m pilot will see a single bus journey cost just £1 and £3 for all-day travel. This paves the way for the landmark Bus Bill later this year, which is set to transform bus services so that they serve people and places rather than simply profits.
I’m also pleased to see the government move towards banning greyhound racing in Wales. Our country will be leading the way once again by being the first nation in the UK to take this step for animal welfare – I have been among those calling for a ban on greyhound racing and recently raised this with the Deputy First Minister during a Senedd committee meeting. A recent public consultation saw two-thirds of respondents in favour of a phased ban – support for action is clear and, last week, it was confirmed that a ban will be implemented as soon as practicably possible.
Prior to half term, I spoke in the Senedd about how pleased I am that Flintshire County Council is working alongside the Welsh Government and other partners to make claiming essential support – like free school meals, the School Essentials Grant and council tax reduction grants – as simple as possible. This is about fairness, equality and social justice – people deserve and are entitled to this support as part of a civilised society. I also used the opportunity to highlight Unite trade union’s campaign for further financial support for pensioners in Wales – an issue I’ve raised before and will continue to push for. Too many people don’t reach out for support and suffer as a result.
Closer to home, it is great to see one of our local institutions – Mold Bookshop – shortlisted for the Independent Bookshop of the Year award as part of the British Book Awards, one of only five in Wales including the Berwyn Bookshop in Buckley. As an avid reader and someone that has grown up going to Mold Bookshop, I want to wish the team at Mold Bookshop the best of luck!
Finally, as it’s half term this week there’s still time to take advantage of various offers to eat out with the kids – many supermarkets, restaurants and food venues across Flintshire are offering to feed children for free or for just £1 during the school holidays, helping to provide affordable meals for families and easing the cost of living during school breaks. You can find out the sort of places offering deals this half term at Flintshire County Council’s cost of living hub at https://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Cost-of-Living-Hub/Home.aspx
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 for an advice surgery.