NEWS

WELSH NHS NEEDS DIGITAL UPGRADE TO BEAT BACKLOGS

I HAVE challenged the delays in introducing electronic prescribing in Wales. England has had it for ten years but the failure to do so here has resulted in a less nimble NHS, massively contributing to the delays and backlogs, which have been a feature of our health service for too many years. I asked Welsh Health Minister Eluned Morgan for an update on the introduction of these changes, which will assist the primary care sector. She said we are dependent on the suppliers of GP and pharmacy IT systems but work is underway with a pilot scheme being planned. I welcome these developments but have to ask - Where have you been until now? Welsh health ministers have responded at glacial speed to the evolving needs of the NHS either with digital prescribing or with the setting up of surgical hubs only now being rolled out when there are over 100 in England. These are vital tools in tackling the massive backlog of patients waiting for treatment or surgery in Wales with one in four of the population on an NHS waiting list. Wales cannot remain behind the curve like this when people’s health and futures are at stake.

DR ALTAF HUSSAIN Regional Senedd Member

NEW SERVICE AIMS TO SUPPORT YOUNG CARERS

An all-new service has been launched to help children and young people who act as unpaid carers for a relative, neighbour or friend. The Young Carers service provides direct support as well as practical advice, guidance and more. Operating out of a new centre on Five Bells Road, it looks after the health and wellbeing of young carers, and includes opportunities to gain new qualifications, develop important life skills and take part in issuebased workshops as well as signposting them to further support. The service also provides a youth club with various social activities, and a home transport service that ensures the service and its facilities remains available to all young carers on a weekly basis. Run in partnership between Whitehead-Ross Education, Welsh Government and Bridgend County Borough Council, the service forms part of the Families First programme, which supports the most vulnerable children and adults within our communities. This fantastic new service is going to be a major source of support, and I hope that young carers make full use of it. A wide range of further support and advice is also available for anyone who acts as an unpaid carer - you can find out more by visiting the carers page at www.bridgend.gov.uk

COUNCILLOR JANE GEBBIE Deputy Leader Bridgend County Borough Council 01656 643643 www.bridgend.gov.uk

£750,000 FUNDING FOR SAFER STREETS

A joint initiative between the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales and Bridgend County Borough Council has resulted in the local Community Safety Partnership receiving almost £750,000 to deliver new initiatives to prevent neighbourhood crime. Part of the Home Office Safer Streets programme, the funding will be used to help make streets and town centre areas safer through a range of initiatives. These include the installation of street-based CCTV cameras at key locations, free self-defence classes, rolling out mobile youth unit vehicles to boost youth engagement, and the commissioning of a safe space scheme where people can seek refuge if they feel threatened or intimidated. With crime prevention roadshows targeting specific areas to reduce residential burglaries and encourage more neighbourhood watch schemes, police patrols will be increased and a new ‘taxi marshal’ scheme introduced for Bridgend town centre. The funding will also support a street art project targeting locations suffering from graffiti and vandalism, and ‘Don’t be a Bystander’ training for people working in the night-time economy which seeks to reduce violence against women and girls. This funding will be of huge help in ensuring the safety of local residents - find out more by visiting the Bridgend Community Safety Partnership.

COUNCILLOR NEELO FARR Cabinet Member for Regeneration Bridgend County Borough Council Tel: 01656 643643

FREE MEALS FOR RECEPTION AGE PUPILS

The 2022 autumn term in Bridgend County Borough has coincided with a new initiative to ensure that primary school children will not go hungry. All children who attend reception classes at local primary schools are being offered the option of a free school meal. The move marks the first phase in the roll-out of the Universal Primary Free School Meals scheme – a £25m Welsh Government initiative that will help ease the burden of the ongoing cost of living crisis. As part of this Wales-wide scheme, the council is investing £1.1m improving kitchen facilities in local schools to support the initiative, which is on track to cover all primary school year groups over the next two years. The initiative has been launched at a time when it will also help local families cope with the difficulties and challenges of the cost of living crisis. This initial phase is targeting our youngest learners, and the next phase will see the offer extended to pupils in Years One and Two before moving on to target children in Years Three, Four, Five and Six. Ultimately, we want to ensure that by 2024, all primary school children can receive the offer of a free school meal.

COUNCILLOR HUW DAVID Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council Tel: 01656 643643 www.bridgend.gov.uk

SEWAGE POLLUTION OF PORTHCAWL BEACHES MUST BE TACKLED

Following sewage pollution incidents along the coast at Porthcawl, I contacted Welsh Government to ask what action will be taken to prevent these incidents in the future. As these matters are devolved, it is Welsh Government that is responsible for regulating water quality and storm water overflows in Wales. Shockingly, a report by the Senedd ‘s own Environmental Committee earlier this year revealed that untreated sewage had been discharged into Welsh waterways more than 100,000 times in just 12 months. Storm water overflows should operate only in extreme weather conditions but in Wales they are used all the time. I back calls in the Senedd from Welsh Conservatives for Welsh Government to take urgent action to overhaul the Victorian sewerage system we have in Wales. But no plans have been announced. In England, water companies are now regulated under the Environment Act 2021. This places new duties on them to monitor and publish data on storm water overflows and to check water quality both upstream and downstream of the overflows and also of sewage treatment plants. They must also take action to tackle these issues long term. Yet again, Wales is behind the curve. Welsh Government needs to act now.

JAMIE WALLIS MP for Bridgend

ADDITIONAL LEARNING FUNDING

Access to support in schools and wider community for additional learning needs (ALN) is a key issue for constituents across Bridgend and Porthcawl. In May this year, I asked the Minister for Education what the Welsh Government is doing to support schools to catch up with ALN assessments to ensure no child falls through the gaps due to the pandemic. The Minister for Education responded that ALN provisions are a priority for our Welsh Government and have provided £18 million to support schools, health boards, and young people. The Welsh Government recently announced funding for a Speech, Language, and Communications (SLC) identification tool. The tool will allow early-year professionals to identify children at risk of language difficulties early in life, making it possible for them to get the support they need, preventing longterm effects. We must make sure that all children can strive to their potential. This means prioritising early intervention, investing in initiatives that ensure children most in need, or who need extra support are offered support by the right person, in the right place, at the right time. This support by the Welsh Government is hugely welcomed. If anyone has any queries, please contact my office at sarah.murphy@senedd.wales

SARAH MURPHY MS Member of the Senedd for Bridgend

NEWS FROM THE PORTHCAWL MAYOR

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barnetviolin@gmail.com I am writing this with mixed emotion as we are still in the aftermath of losing our Monarch. Queen Elizabeth II. We have observed how well loved and respected the Queen was throughout the World and for all but a few of us she was the only sovereign we have every known and will be greatly missed. Many members of the local community visited the Council offices to sign the Book of Condolence, flowers were laid as a mark of respect outside the Porthcawl Museum and a Service of Remembrance was held at All Saints Church in recognition of the remarkable dedication and loyal service of the Queen. On behalf of the people of Porthcawl I would like to convey our deepest sympathy to the Royal family at this sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. The impact of the loss of our Queen will, I am sure, resonate for many years to come.

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CLLR MARK CHEGWEN, MAYOR On behalf of Porthcawl Town Council

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