In his regular blog for Caerphilly Observer South Wales East AM Lindsay Whittle gives his take on recent news.
Smoking in cars
During questions to the First Minister, I raised the issue of the outcome of the Welsh Government’s consultation on smoking in cars carrying children.
I was informed that the public consultation is still underway and is due to close on October 24.
I made the point to the First Minister that the medical profession is united in its bid to have smoking in cars carrying children banned as soon as possible and then referred to the ban on smacking, which has been talked about in the National Assembly for 12 years and was possibly the longest debate in world politics.
I made it clear that I did not want to be talking about the smoking in cars issue with children in 12 years’ time and wanted action now.
The First Minister responded by saying that was the plan. I will be watching closely to make sure he lives up to his pledge.
Also in the Senedd I raised local government reorganisation with the Public Services Minister.
I pointed out that the average council tax per household is significantly less in Caerphilly than in some neighbouring authorities, such as Blaenau Gwent, where a band D property costs around £400 more per year and, in Torfaen, it is about £90 more per year. How would this be resolved?
Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent councils also outsource their leisure services, while Caerphilly does not. Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent have no housing stock, while Caerphilly does. I suggested the minister needed to go back to the drawing board.
Memorial committee
I attended the annual dinner of the Senghenydd Memorial Trust last week in the local rugby club.
The guest speaker was veteran BBC Wales Welsh Affairs Editor, Vaughan Roderick who did a fascinating talk on his family links.
Vaughan’s grandfather was Tawelfryn, a famous Welsh preacher. The family has strong connections with all chapels in the valley.
The committee awards grants to help young people further their careers.
Child safeguarding
The safety of children across the UK has been in the headline a lot recently and is paramount. As chair of governors at Cwm Ifor School, I attended a course on child safeguarding.
The course providing important advice and information on ensuring pupils are protected at all times which is key for everyone connected with schools.
Caerphilly Borough Council, of which Lindsay is an elected member, has declared its formal opposition to Welsh Assembly policy of mergers between Councils.
Other local authorities in Wales have agreed to `talks`.on such mergers. The plain fact of life on this issue is that Lieghton Andrews Minister for Local Government has already said that in the event of any authority not prepared to follow the Assembly position on this issue will have the mergers impossed upon them.
In defiance of the declared Welsh Assembly policy on such mergers the Caerphilly Labour Party and Caerphilly Plaid Cymru Group have decided that our council will not merge with anyone. There aer clear cost saving to such mergers according to the Wesh Assembly Minister, but, given that current elected members in Caerphilly disagree, and, considering that all current candidates in the Asssembly election in 2016 from both these parties will only field candidates who DISAGREE with mergers with other authorities, it will be interesting to see if there will be a candidate putting themselves forward as a `FOR MERGER` candidate? Election leaflets would be very interesting to read, perhaps it would be a UK Candidate,?. At least there would be clear water between the `for` and `against` in that election.Or will it all be to late and mergers will be impossed by then and we, the piper, will not be able to call the tune.
We need an inquiry into welsh NHS:
https://www.assemblywales.org/en/gethome/e-petitions/Pages/petitiondetail.aspx?PetitionID=653