Improving free access to cash in the Upper Rhymney Valley
Over the past few months, Dawn Bowden AM and I have been campaigning for better access to cash for people in Merthyr Tydfil and the Upper Rhymney Valley, and after holding meetings with Link, operator of the UK’s cash machine network, we were delighted to see that they have now made the ATM in Fochriw free to use.
Nobody should have to pay a charge or make long difficult journeys just to withdraw their cash, and Dawn and I are continuing to work with Link to secure more free to use cash machines across Merthyr Tydfil and the Upper Rhymney Valley.
Parliament in prorogation: hard work continues here in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament to try to force through a no-deal Brexit was outrageous, not to mention dictatorial, and now that the Supreme Court has rightly ruled the prorogation to be unlawful, I am returning to London to continue representing Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney in Westminster, along with my parliamentary colleagues.
During prorogation I have been working as normal here in Merthyr Tydfil and the Upper Rhymey Valley, getting out in the local area to talk to residents about issues and concerns they have and follow these up with my team, and catching up with community groups and events.
Last week, Dawn Bowden AM and I held a joint street advice surgery in New Tredegar with friends and colleagues, with a positive response from local residents on the doorstep and a number of concerns raised which my team and I have taken forward.
I also had the opportunity earlier this month to catch up with Darren Valley 55 Club in Deri at their monthly meeting, updating them on the current situation with Pension Credit, free TV licences for the over-75s and other issues.
On September 7, I was able to join Gwent Police Special Constables on a shift out in Rhymney, and see first hand the importance of the role they play in supporting their Police colleagues and helping to keep communities in the Upper Rhymney Valley safe.