6 minute read
NEWS
COETY PRIMARY VISIT THE SENEDD
It was wonderful to welcome Coety Primary School’s Student Council visit to the Senedd recently. Pupils and teachers were able to have a tour of the Senedd, view the Chamber where debates and questions to Ministers happen, and have a mock debate on a topic of their choice. The pupils spoke to me about issues they cared about, including making parks better for all children and keeping our community clean from litter. Having schools visit the Senedd is vital in demonstrating to pupils how the decisions that impact them and others across Wales are made. It is also incredibly important to show children of all ages that they can make a difference in our community and that their voices matter. I am pleased that the Senedd is once again able to offer school visits now pandemic restrictions have been lifted. I am keen to ensure that other schools and pupils are given this opportunity – it really is one of the best parts of my role. If you are a pupil, parent or school that wishes to attend the Senedd, please do not hesitate to contact my office. You can email me at: Sarah.murphy@senedd.Wales
SARAH MURPHY MS Member of the Senedd for Bridgend
HELP WITH COST OF LIVING CRISIS
The Cost of Living crisis is top of the political agenda, especially rising energy costs, and I am pleased that Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced further measures to help people. Readers may have missed details of the package, which includes: *£400 off the energy bills of every household *A £650 cash grant for people on Universal Credit and some other benefits which will be paid in two instalments *An additional £300 payment for pensioners who get the winter fuel allowance *A £450 additional payment for those receiving disability benefits. Householders are also getting £150 off their council tax. This package, which has a £15 billion price tag, far exceeds what Labour was proposing or what many organisations were calling for. It shows that this is a government which is doing its best to offset some of the worst effects of the cost of living crisis but no government of any persuasion can totally offset the staggering worldwide rise in fuel and energy prices. The truth is that Rishi has shot Labour’s fox by doing far more than they were demanding to help struggling families - leaving them with nothing new to say.
JAMIE WALLIS MP for Bridgend
PUT SENEDD REFORM TO PUBLIC VOTE
1-in-5 on waiting lists in Wales, more than 10,000 people waiting more than 12 hours in A&E. Our education system failing children in Wales with PISA ranking Wales at the bottom of their league table out of the UK nations. A Tourism Tax on the horizon, penalising businesses after they have suffered tremendous losses over the last few years. The latest ONS statistics have shown Wales is the only UK nation that has seen its economy shrink. Failing to support the next generation of homeowners. But yet, here are Labour and Plaid Cymru discussing another constitutional concoction where they would rather spend up to £100m to increase the size of the Senedd, rather than on the priorities of the people of Wales. Why are we not surprised? If this Senedd, believes in devolution, it needs the consent of the people it serves to strengthen the case when changes of this significance are made. It must never be our place to tell the people of Wales what’s best for them. You should tell us that. You give us our mandate and we’d be fools to forget it.
TOM GIFFARD Welsh Conservative regional Senedd member for South Wales West
GRIFFIN PARK’S FUTURE IS SAFE
I want to thank everyone who took part in the recent consultation on the appropriation process for 20 hectares of land in the Sandy Bay and Griffin Park area as this forms an important part of Porthcawl’s regeneration. As two specific rumours emerged during the consultation, I’d like to address them both. Firstly, I can assure you there are no plans to build houses on Griffin Park – in fact, quite the opposite is true. Under the proposals, Griffin Park will double in size from four acres to eight acres, and will use land including the former Monster Park site to form a green corridor extending all the way down to the Sandy Bay shoreline. When the time is right, we will be asking what sort of new community-use facilities you would like to see included in the expanded park. Secondly, local tennis facilities are not being scrapped. While the plans entail relocating the current courts to a new spot, they also include providing new, modern all-weather tennis facilities, and we want to work closely alongside the tennis club to deliver this. Ultimately, both Griffin Park and Porthcawl’s tennis facilities will remain at the heart of the local community for future generations to enjoy.
COUNCILLOR NEELO FARR Cabinet Member for Regeneration Bridgend County Borough Council Tel: 01656 643643
STAY SAFE AT THE SEASIDE THIS SUMMER
Following news that Rest Bay, Trecco Bay and Porthcawl Marina have all retained their prestigious Blue Flags, it is great to see RNLI lifeguards patrolling the local coastline once more. The lifeguards have returned to Rest Bay along with a new initiative which enables visitors to scan a QR code to receive up to date information and make their trip to the beach even safer. They already provide daily patrols at Coney Beach, Sandy Bay and Trecco Bay between 10am-6pm. These are jointly funded by Bridgend County Borough Council and Parkdean Resorts, with the RNLI covering additional costs through their national and local fundraising activities. Huge crowds are expected to visit the coast once more this summer, so it is good to know that the RLNI will be keeping a watchful eye. Even so, there are simple tips we can all follow to stay safe – such as swimming between the red and yellow flags, avoiding solo swimming, keeping children under supervision, and of course calling 999 or 112 in an emergency and asking for the coastguard. If you get into trouble, remember ‘Float to Live’. Lie on your back, relax, and resist the urge to panic – help is close at hand.
COUNCILLOR JANE GEBBIE Deputy Leader Bridgend County Borough Council 01656 643643 www.bridgend.gov.uk
THANK YOU MA’AM FOR A WONDERFUL WEEKEND
It has been wonderful working with so many helpers and residents of Porthcawl and the new Mayor Mark Chegwen and wife Debbie were there at every function going. What a community, A big thank you from PTC and myself to EVERYONE who helped make the weekend special also the Seaside News for their help too.
