Local news STATE OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY
CARDIFF CAPITAL CITY DEAL
I AM becoming alarmed about the state of our tourism industry in Wales and in Porthcawl. My concerns are shared by Wales Secretary Simon Hart who has urged First Minister Mark Drakeford to lay out his plan for opening up our tourism industry, which employs thousands of people. Everyone agrees that unless they can have some summer season – even if it is curtailed – the outcome will be devastation for the hospitality, entertainment and tourism sectors. The Chief Medical Officer for England, Dr Chris Whitty, recently said that no option in this crisis was without risk. There is no such thing as being completely safe. So Welsh Government, like the others across the UK, has to weigh the risks of the virus spreading against the risk of economic devastation in this sector. And for those who believe that the economy is dominated by big banks and corporations owned by city tycoons, nothing could be further from the truth In Wales. Most businesses here are owned by people who have sunk all their savings into them and who spend every waking minute fighting to stay afloat. The time is fast approaching when decisions about their future have to be made.
I welcome news that Porthcawl and the western part of the borough are going to benefit from the Cardiff Capital City deal although we could do with some dates. Constituents have been asking what they are getting out of BCBC’s £11m contribution. Little has happened on the transport front for this part of South Wales West which is covered by the Cardiff deal rather than the one for Swansea and the west of the region. The deal’s Metro Plus scheme will include a Maesteg-BridgendPorthcawl-Cardiff corridor, which involves train and bus connections. Phase 2 of the Metro includes proposals to provide a purposebuilt bus station in Porthcawl with a park and ride connecting to Pyle Railway Station where improvements were announced some time ago. The plan is to locate the new Porthcawl bus terminus on part of Salt Lake, on the part known as The Green. It will be near to where the proposed food store is to go. This will be subject to public consultation and planning consent. This is not much compared to what South East Wales is getting from the City Deal. Porthcawl’s connectivity needs a lot more investment but it’s a step in the right direction.
JAMIE WALLIS MP for Bridgend
‘CATCH UP’ SESSIONS BEGIN AT LOCAL SCHOOLS Schools across Bridgend County Borough have now started a phased return, and significant changes are in place for emergency childcare provision. In line with Welsh Government guidance, a series of ‘Check In, Catch Up’ sessions are helping pupils prepare for a return to normal lessons in September. The sessions, which are not compulsory, are being carried out with full social distancing and well-being procedures in place. With year groups split into cohorts and staggered starts, lessons and breaks, a mix of online and personalised classroom experiences are helping children and teachers get ready for when the new term begins. The summer term now ends on 27 July, and the autumn break has been expanded to two weeks instead of one. Emergency care is being provided at each child’s own school between 8.30am 4.30pm, and you should check the council website for the latest news on arrangements over the summer break. Once again, I’d like to thank our dedicated heads, teachers, governing bodies, teaching assistants, support staff, catering staff, administrative staff, caretakers, cleaners and volunteers. Without your dedication and ongoing efforts, the impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic on Bridgend County Borough would have been far, far worse – thank you. COUNCILLOR CHARLES SMITH Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration Bridgend County Borough Council 01656 643643 www.bridgend.gov.uk
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SUZY DAVIES AM Welsh Conservative Party www.suzydavies.com
KEEPING WALES SAFE As more restrictions are lifted in England, I have received a number of enquiries asking why Wales is not immediately following suit. In lifting restrictions as we look to rebuild our society and our economy, the Welsh Government continues to take a cautious and careful approach. People’s health and wellbeing is always at the forefront of everything we do. There is not a set template against which everybody is judged on how to handle this crisis. The Welsh Government’s approach to easing the lockdown, planning our recovery and for the safe reopening of businesses, is to lift restrictions at the right time based on the very best science and medical advice available. Thanks to the huge efforts by everyone, the number of new cases continues to fall, as does the number of those being admitted to hospital with the virus. The Welsh Government reviews its coronavirus regulations every 21 days where they consider the latest medical and scientific advice, the state of the virus in Wales and the transmission ratethe R rate. Providing the virus is still declining and the R is below 1,then this gives the Welsh Government the headroom to allow more economic activity to restart. CARWYN JONES AM MS for Bridgend
