Mike Hedges AM welcomes news that Welsh Government Bus grants will keep Wales moving

Mike Hedges AM welcomes news that Welsh Government Bus grants will keep Wales moving

Economy Secretary Ken Skates has announced £25m to help support vital bus services across Wales.

Mike Hedges AM said… this is great news for local bus users. We know that many local communities rely on their bus services, and any reduction in service would have a really serious impact on these communities. I am really pleased that this announcement will enable some certainty to bus operators that they will continue to receive Welsh Government subsidies to continue to run these services. I urge people to use local bus services.

Funding under the Bus Services Support Grant (BSSG) is allocated annually to Wales’ local authorities by a formula that reflects their overall populations and their rural or urban characteristics.

The £25m grant will be shared between the 22 local authorities, and will allow each to subsidise socially-necessary bus and community transport within their areas.

The grant will supplement local authorities’ own expenditure on bus and community transport services.

South West Wales                                                 £5,090,415

Carmarthenshire Council

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

Pembrokeshire Council

Swansea Council

Press release RE succesful funding event on 22 March 2018

On Friday 23^rd March 2018 Mike Hedges organised a Free Funding Advice event at Morriston RFC, it was very successful with over 60 attendees. He had arranged for Arts Council for Wales, Big Lottery Fund, Community Foundation in Wales, Heritage Lottery Fund, SCVS, Sport Wales & Swansea City AFC Community Trust to attend. Each funding organisation conducted a presentation to advise the community groups on what type of funding they could offer & how to apply. It was very informative & a great success.

Some community groups had travelled from as far as Brecon. We look forward to hearing of any successful outcomes following the event.

Mike Hedges welcomes Continued funding for British Transport Police

Mike Hedges welcomes Continued funding for British Transport Police

Mike Hedges AM said… This is great news for passengers and for people living close to Railway lines where the Transport Police are an extra resource when dealing with children playing on the Railway lines. I am aware of the great work that the Transport Police do in ensuring Passenger Safety and educating young people about the dangers of playing on railway lines. I am sure that this funding will ensure that this good work continues in the future.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates has announced £1.2m to continue funding the “Tripartite Agreement” between Welsh Government, Arriva Trains Wales and the British Transport Police and to expand the neighbourhood policing scheme.

The continuing revenue grant funding will see £265,000 in 2018-19, £273,000 in 2019-20 and £281,000 in 2020-21 going to British Transport Police to fund their existing additional operational personnel operating in the Welsh Sub Division.

Mike Hedges AM welcomes Welsh Government announcement of funding to tackle Period Poverty.

Mike Hedges AM welcomes Welsh Government announcement of funding to tackle Period Poverty.

Mike Hedges AM said…. ‘I greatly welcome this announcement by the Welsh Government to address the issue of Period Poverty. I am aware of how difficult it can be for women to purchase the necessary hygiene products if they are living in poverty. This announcement will go a long way to ensuring this inequality is tackled.’

Assembly Minister Julie James said. It is unacceptable that some women and girls in Wales cannot afford to buy essential feminine hygiene products when they need them. I am committed to doing everything I can to tackle this inequality.

As part of the of the gender and equality rapid review which the First Minister has asked me to lead, he has asked us to work with local government to create a national, sustainable response to period poverty. This announcement is the first step towards achieving that goal.

Yesterday, I wrote to local authorities offering them a package of funding to help deliver the change that is needed.

Local authorities will receive £440,000 over the next two years to tackle period poverty in their communities where levels of deprivation are highest by providing feminine hygiene products to those women and girls most in need.

Additionally £700,000 of capital funding will be available to improve facilities and equipment in schools, ensuring that all girls and young women can access good sanitary facilities when they need them.

Local authorities are best placed to know where to target effective action for tackling period poverty in their communities, which is why we are asking them to use their knowledge to identify and help those who need it the most.

My officials will be contacting all local authorities with details of the funding available to them in the coming days and we will continue to work closely with them and third sector organisations to evaluate the situation and ensure resources are being allocated to their maximum effect.

This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Assembly returns I would be happy to do so.

Mike Hedges AM Welcomes news that Swansea has benefited from Extra Active Travel Funding

Mike Hedges AM Welcomes news that Swansea has benefited from Extra Active Travel Funding

Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport, Ken Skates, has written to AM’s informing them of an extra £700 000 which has been added to an existing investment of £8 million for active travel schemes. Included in the scheme is extra investment which will improve road safety within the catchment area for Pentrahafod Comprehensive School, including - 

Swansea Llangyfelach Road to Cwm Level Road

SRIC 110,300 Construct a plateau at the existing puffin crossing, provision of new puffin crossing, provision of a controlled crossing, 20 mph zone. Pentrahafod Comprehensive School and Brynhyfryd Primary School.

Speaking after receipt of the letter, Mike Hedges AM said ……this is great news for the Pentrahafod school catchment area. These investments will make a significant contribution to the safety of children walking to school – I would encourage parents to walk to school with their children rather than driving them – these developments will support and encourage parents to do just that.’

Ends

Mike Hedges AM Speech supporting the Ombudsman Bill

Mike Hedges AM  Speech supporting the Ombudsman Bill.

I fully support the proposed ombudsman Bill. I'm pleased that the first recommendation from the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee is to agree the general principles of the Bill, or this debate would have finished a lot earlier than it's going to. I also agree with Mark Drakeford that all legislation being brought forward can be improved during the legislative process. I think that's something that we all, perhaps, need to think about. Can I also thank Simon Thomas for leading on this Bill throughout this Assembly? I would also like to put on record my thanks to Jocelyn Davies, who chaired the Finance Committee in the last Assembly and produced the basis of this Bill.286

I wish to concentrate today on three main points. The ability to carry out own-initiative investigations, which is available to several other ombudsmen, is important, but it is also important that there are checks and balances to ensure this is not abused. Suggesting the ombudsman consults with other regulators and commissioners before doing so is an important one. Also, if the Assembly controls the budget of the ombudsman, and if the Assembly believes the own-initiative investigations are not value for money, then it can refuse to provide funding for it in the future. I think that is key. The other thing is that, without own-initiative, if you've got seven nursing homes that are owned by one company, and we've had complaints from four of them, you can't go into any of the other three that are run by the same company, which are likely to have the same problems, because you haven't had a complaint from them. The danger is that the bad practice in the other four will be carried out in the other three and you cannot investigate.287

One of the key proposals is that oral complaints are received. We as Members regularly receive oral complaints. A lot of people are much happier talking to us and giving us an oral complaint than they are putting it in writing, either e-mail or letter. They're not confident in writing. Allowing the ombudsman to receive oral complaints will allow people who do not now complain to do so. The ombudsman accepting oral complaints is in line with the NHS Concerns, Complaints and Redress Arrangements (Wales) Regulations 2011, collectively known as 'Putting Things Right'. So, we don't want a situation where you can go to the NHS, you go through the whole of the NHS procedure complaining, and then when you want to go to the ombudsman, you can't complain orally, you have to put it in writing. That is going to debar a number of people. They're going to be the people who are going to be less educated, less capable of going through the process, and I don't think anybody in this room would like that to happen. So, I think it really is important that those who are not happy in writing are able to deliver their complaints orally.288

I support the ombudsman having the power to investigate private medical treatment. We've had cases where people have gone to the NHS, gone back to private, gone to the NHS again, and they have a problem. The ombudsman can do the two NHS bits, but the bit in the middle that has been done privately he cannot go through. That is a definite problem, and it's one the ombudsman himself recognises. He cannot be sure at what stage and where the problem occurred. It does limit the ombudsman's ability to investigate private care as part of an NHS patient's journey pathway. It means he cannot give the complainant a full response and this, I feel, and I'm sure other people feel, is unsatisfactory. Any finding with regard to maladministration or service failures should have the same principles applied as NHS healthcare to ensure consistency.

This Bill is about improving the ability of the ombudsman to deal with complaints of the people of Wales, and I urge Members to support it because it's about making life better for the people we're here to represent.

Mike Hedges AM Asks Questions about Non Native Invasive Species at Senedd ( Japanese Knotweed)

4. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on efforts to tackle non-indigenous plant species in Wales? OAQ51922

14:05

Hannah Blythyn AM 14:05:00

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The Welsh Government continues to work with partner organisations and the public to tackle the threats of invasive non-native species, which continue to have significant environmental, social and economic impacts in Wales. On Japanese knotweed, we have funded innovative trials with its natural psyllid predator and chemical treatment research. 58

                              

Mike Hedges AM 14:05:18

Can I thank the Minister for that response? We have problems with a number of non-native species, but in my part of the world, Japanese knotweed is far and away the most problematic. Can the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the trials that are taking place with the natural predator—I note you avoided trying to pronounce its name as well; I'm doing the same—and any progress with chemical treatments, because it really does cause a blight on houses, on areas, and makes houses unsaleable, and makes some of them dangerous?59

I thank the Member for his question. I know you've been vociferous in representing your constituents and communities in raising this area, and you're right, it does cast a blight on our buildings and on our local environment. I do notice I get the formal words for these—it does take you a while to get your tongue round some of them. I'm learning quickly on that.

60
You asked about the data in terms of the trial. Swansea University is currently analysing the data from their initial two-year chemical control trial, with the aim of producing technical advice to help tackle Japanese knotweed. I look forward to reading the final report, as I'm sure the Member will look forward to too. I can also confirm that the Welsh Government has provided additional funding for the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International to continue the psyllid project for 2017-18.

Mike Hedges AM welcomes good news on Welsh passports

Mike Hedges AM welcomes good news on Welsh passports

Mike Hedges AM said… this is welcome news and it is good that the UK government is recognising that Brexit will not affect Welsh Language provisions made during our time in the European Union. I also welcome that welsh language passport applications will shortly be introduced online.

Early this year, the Minister with responsibility for the Welsh Language, Eluned Morgan AM wrote to the Minister of State for Immigration Caroline Nokes MP seeking assurances that the UK Government will continue to use the Welsh language in new passports that will be issued following the UK’s departure from the European Union and reminding the Home Office of its obligations to the Welsh Language under the 1993 Welsh Language Act.

Following this correspondence, the Minister has received a letter confirming the Home Office intends to continue to provide the same Welsh provision as is currently available.

End

Local Labour AM Mike Hedges AM has proudly voted to support a new law that will offer more protection for our police, firefighters and NHS workers.

Local Labour AM Mike Hedges AM has proudly voted to support a new law that will offer more protection for our police, firefighters and NHS workers.

The Welsh Labour Government this week voted that a proposed new law aimed at cracking down on attacks on emergency workers should apply in Wales by backing a Legislative Consent Motion.

Welsh Labour Rhondda MP, Chris Bryant, has put forward legislation to Parliament that would make it an aggravated offence to attack an emergency worker. The vote in the Senedd on Tuesday 27^th February ensured the new law for 999 staff would also apply in Wales.

With 248  police officers assaulted in South Wales last year and 1250 of NHS workers in  ABMU health area in 2016 (the last year for which official statistics are available), this law aims to help deter people from assaulting the workers who protect our public on a daily basis, and to ensure those that do face tough sanctions.

The new law has support from the Royal College of Nursing, Unison, The Fire Brigades Union, the Police Federation, The British Transport Police and the GMB union.

Mike Hedges AM said.....

“I was proud to back this legislation. Any assault on emergency workers is unacceptable, and it’s about time the law reflected the seriousness of attacks on people working for the public good.  Society owes a debt of thanks to our emergency workers, so Parliament now needs to give them the support and protection they need.”

“It’s absolutely unacceptable that the hard-working men and women in [insert area]’s NHS, Fire and Police services face serious assault and abuse simply for doing their jobs trying to keep us all safe and well.”

The new law has support from the Royal College of Nursing, Unison, The Fire Brigades Union, the Police Federation, The British Transport Police and the GMB union.

It comes after Chris Bryant MP came top of the ballot for ‘Private Members Bills’ in Parliament, a mechanism that allows an MP to put forward a proposal to be debated in parliament and potentially made into law. After opening a public vote on which issue to put forward, Mr Bryant went with the majority winner which was this Bill to stop attacks on emergency workers.

Chris Bryant MP said:

“I’m taking forward this Bill after hearing of the literally thousands of horrifying attacks on our emergency workers every year. No one should be attacked just for doing their job, let alone when that job is putting themselves on the line for the public good.

“Passing this Bill will send a clear message that we will not tolerate violence and abuse towards those who protect us, and it will hopefully help stem the tide of this worrying trend of assaults towards them.”

**Ends**

NOTES:

·A Legislative Consent Motion may be tabled, before the National Assembly for Wales if a UK Parliamentary Bill makes provision in relation to Wales for any purpose within, or which modifies the legislative competence of the National Assembly.

·The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill (the “Bill”) is a Private Member’s Bill introduced by Chris Bryant MP in the House of Commons on 19 July 2017. The Bill has the support of the UK Government.

Local Stats 

The full regional breakdown for England and Wales provided by the office for Chris Bryant MP can be found below.  Statistics for NHS assaults in Wales are not provided by NHS Protect so are sourced from an FOI request reported here.  The Home Office has published figures on assaults on the police here.  Whether NHS Wales data is combined with Police data for 2015/16 (the same year the Health FOI data is from) or 2016/17 (the latest year police data is available) there were over 20 assaults a day on average.

Wales
	verbal	physical
Abertawe	306	944
Aneurin	949	872
Cardiff and Vale	839	951
Cwm Taf	104	275
Hywel Dda	264	575
Powys	8	26
Betsi (combined assaults)	377
Total assaults		6490
Police 2015/16	Self-reported assaults	Police recorded crime - assault without injury on a constable
Dyfed-Powys	74	146
Gwent	37	150
North Wales	N/A	285
South Wales	22	236
Total assaults	133	817
Total police assaults Total NHS and Police assaults		7359
Assaults per day		20.1616438

MIKE HEDGES AM ASKS CABINET SECREARY TO CONSIDER REOPENING LANDORE STATION AS PART OF REVIEW OF POTENTIAL NEW RAILWAY STATIONS.

MIKE HEDGES AM ASKS CABINET SECREARY TO CONSIDER REOPENING LANDORE STATION AS PART OF REVIEW OF POTENTIAL NEW RAILWAY STATIONS.

Local Am, Mike Hedges has as the Assembly Cabinet Secretary for infrastructure, Ken Skates to consider re opening Landore station as part of any future Rail infrastructure investment.

Speaking after Plenary, Mike Hedges said…. ‘I have representations from Landore residents on a regular basis arising from the problems they have with road congestion and problem parking close to The Liberty Stadium. Reopening the railway station in Landore would provide an alternative greener transport option for those attending games at The Liberty. In addition to addressing road congestion and parking problems in the area, a reopened railway station would also help improve air quality in the Hafod Area of the City, and area known to have greater pollution levels, caused by heavy traffic in the locality. I look forward to the results of the exercise to be carried out by Network Rail in the Ministers reply.’

10. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on transport plans for the Swansea Bay City region? OAQ51830

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Yes. The national transport finance plan, which was updated just last year, sets out our programme for the next three years and beyond.153

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I thank the Cabinet Secretary for that response. I would like to ask: will the Cabinet Secretary consider quick wins such as the reopening of railway stations such as Landore, creating bus-train interchanges within the region and completing cycle routes? 154

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Yes, I will consider quick wins of that nature, particularly those relating to active travel, given my stated desire to see a significant increase in the availability of capital funding to support active travel projects. A proposal for reopening Landore station is being considered as part of a Welsh Government assessment of proposals for new rail stations. We'll be putting Landore forward as one possible option to be considered as part of the exercise being undertaken by Network Rail.  

Swansea East AM, Mike Hedges has asked First Minister, Carwyn Jones, to comment on the role of the Universities in Wales to act as drivers for the local economies

Swansea East AM, Mike Hedges has asked First Minister, Carwyn Jones, to comment on the role of the Universities in Wales to act as drivers for the local economies

Speaking after the Plenary Session, Local  Assembly Member, Mike Hedges said…’ there are several examples in other Cities in Nort America, Europe and England  where the university sector acts as an incubator for innovation and new business development. I have written about cities such as Mannheim and Aarhus work in supporting entrepreneurs and new business opportunities on previous occasions. I would like a similar approach to be adopted in Wales

I welcome the First Ministers reply that the Welsh Government are aware of the potential and are already exploiting these opportunities’

5. Will the First Minister make a statement on the role of universities in Wales as economic drivers? OAQ51829

First Minister of Wales

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Through their teaching and research activities, Welsh universities are contributing to the wider prosperity and well-being of Wales, raising the country’s profile internationally and attracting investment. And, of course, they have an important role to play in delivering our economic action plan.71

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Mike Hedges - Can I thank the First Minister for that response? Across Europe, North America and parts of England, universities act as major drivers of economic development and not just as major employers. For example, Mannheim has the Mannheim Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and provides a founder and incubator platform for students, young entrepreneurs and investors. Aarhus has, like Cambridge, a research park fostering innovation and employment. Does the Welsh Government have any proposals to emulate those two successful European cities within the two city regions of Wales?

First Minister of Wales

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Well, I would argue, of course, that they are already in place, to a great extent, and are being developed. If we look, for example, at the Menai science park development around Bangor University, it's one example of collaboration between Government, industry and Bangor University itself. Other examples? Well, Swansea University's second innovation campus, of course—one of the largest knowledge economy developments in the UK, which, I know, before the Member for Aberavon points out to me, is in his constituency, but nevertheless, of course, it's an important driver for both neighbouring constituencies and beyond.

We have the Trinity Saint David SA1 innovation quarter and that is estimated to contribute more than £3 billion to the regional economy over the next 10 years. We have SPECIFIC, based, of course, at Swansea University, collaborating with Tata Steel, with NSG Pilkington and AkzoNobel, and that focuses on the generation storage and release of energy related to buildings, and, of course, more widely, a compound semiconductor cluster infrastructure between Cardiff University and IQE and Aberystwyth's innovation and enterprise campus. So, we are seeing now the development in a number of universities of innovation and—the example I've given in Bangor—science parks in order to turn intellectual property and research into jobs.