In his regular blog for Caerphilly Observer South Wales East AM Lindsay Whittle gives his take on recent news.
Assembly Work
As an Assembly Member I get the opportunity to meet a variety of organisations that are keen to promote the excellent work they are doing.
Over the last week I’ve meet the Kennel Club which is promoting strongly the micro-chipping of pet dogs and cats as well.
I’ve got two cats myself and I would certainly recommend micro-chipping. If a pet goes missing there is a very good chance of it being reunited if it has been micro-chipped so the owner can be easily identified.
I also met representatives of Macmillan Cancer Support in the Senedd to hear about the fantastic work they do in the community.
I’m a member of the Assembly’s Health Committee so it is important to keep up-to-date with what key organisations are doing.
With one in three of people getting cancer, we need to have people like those at Macmillan providing support and pushing for better cancer care.
At First Minister’s Questions yesterday, I raised the move towards outsourcing service provision and administration duties of government programmes to private companies.
There have been examples of these firms delivering very poor value for the tax-payer. It is crucial that any public funds used to pay private companies goes to where it is needed most and not just into dividends, profits and shares.
Senghenydd Memorial Trust
The above Trust met yesterday. Every year it invites applications for financial awards to former students at St Cenydd School in Caerphilly.
The awards help those students in their studies, whether in university or college or in other ways.
Things are very difficult financially so I’m pleased that the Trust is able to help worthy applicants.