In her latest blog for Caerphilly Observer, Islwyn AM Rhianon Passmore reflects on the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, the potential merging of local authorities, employment levels, and tackling fly-tippers.
In Remembrance
Aberfan is a small Welsh village that is known throughout the world. Much has been written and spoken during the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Aberfan tragedy. I want to take this opportunity, on behalf of the former mining communities of Islwyn, to extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Aberfan.
We remain totally in solidarity with them as we were fifty years ago. I was born after the tragedy yet its resonance still reverberates for me down the decades. The shocking realisation of the loss suffered with 116 children and 28 adults killed never ceases to make me pause.
The humanity and strength of character shown by the community of Aberfan is an example to the world of Welsh resolve and heart. We shall never forget.
It was a privilege to hear the voices of the Ynysowen Community Primary School, Aberfan’s junior school, in the Senedd last week as they gathered to honour the generation of children from Pantglas Junior School who lost their lives. We shall remember them.
No merger
In the Senedd, Mark Drakeford, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, recently announced that there be no forced merges of local authorities. This is an issue that I have discussed at length with the Minister and then raised in the chamber. I would like to place on record the hard work of Council leader Reynolds and my predecessor Gwyn Price in standing up for communities when the early idea of radically forced merges was envisaged.
Even during tough times Welsh Labour’s prudent management of Wales is paying dividends. Employment in Wales stands at 73.5%, the highest rate on record, with 38,000 more workers in employment across Wales than at this same time last year. Local government, and the services it delivers across Wales, will see an increase of £3.8 million in its funding for 2017-18 compared to 2016-17. This is the first increase in the settlement for local government since 2013-14.
Tackling the fly-tipping
In Islwyn recently called a multi-agency meeting with Police and Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert and various agencies to start drawing together what we can do to stop the blight of environmental crime that has been seen on Twmbarlwm Twmp. It was a constructive meeting that has led to a number of pathways, to develop how various agencies can work closer together to tackle this.
National Resources Wales have a fly-tipping number 0800 807060 that I urge people to use and I will continue to work to combat such damaging anti-social behaviour.