The National Assembly for Wales is back in session. I enjoy spending as much time as possible out and about in the constituency, trying to help with a wide variety of issues that arise for individuals, businesses and other organisations. However, representing you in the Senedd is why an AM is elected, and the coming months promise to be busy, with plenty of matters on the agenda that are hugely important to us here on Ynys Môn.
 
Much of my time is taken by issues relating to the NHS, both as a member of the Assembly’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee and in my role as Shadow Health Secretary.
 
That role involves keeping pressure on the Labour Government to deliver a better, more resilient and sustainable health service. Government could be so much cleverer in the way it runs the NHS, I think. From opposition I and Plaid Cymru have recently been able to persuade ministers to set up a review of the way the NHS works in general, and a detailed review of Individual Patient Funding Requests, where patients can ask for funding for the latest treatments and medications. My hope is that this will lead to the end of the current postcode lottery where you can get some treatments in some areas of Wales, but not in others.
 
I met last week with heads of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and sought assurances about the future of services at Ysbyty Gwynedd and at Penrhos Stanley. They assured me that they want to strengthen those services, but we have to be on our guard to ensure that decisions taken in the context of scarce public funding don’t erode those services that are vital to us.
 
I also met some of Anglesey’s GPs last week. Primary care – your local surgery – has seen its share of total NHS funding erode over the years. Around 95% of patient contact with the NHS is with GPs and other staff at local surgeries, yet primary care gets just 7.5% of NHS funding. Let’s invest in this sector to save money down the line.
 
The same goes for Pharmacies. I visited the Rowlands pharmacy in Llanfairpwll last week to discuss the kinds of services that pharmacies can deliver directly to take the pressure of the GP and hospitals. They can – and want to – do much more.
 
The NHS means so much to us all. Let’s put it on a firmer footing.

As you can imagine, my work is currently dominated by the fallout from the EU referendum. Anglesey was split down the middle, but we know what the overall result was, and perhaps people are starting to see the implications of that historic vote.

My opinion was that we were better off as EU members. Much better off in Anglesey and Wales’ case! We must now safeguard our position.

We have to ensure that if Brexit happens, UK government delivers for us the EU benefits we have been receiving. Billions paid for everything from job training to roads, universities and theatres to farming subsidies have to be matched. I’ll be asking the First Minister this week about a new Menai crossing. The EU could have been expected to contribute because the A55 is an important European route. What happens to that now?

It’s a long, bumpy and potholed road ahead, but I will do all I can to help navigate along it.

You’ll note that I said “if Brexit happens”. Many argue the misleading nature of the Leave campaign raises doubts over the result. There are calls for great care over the activation of Article 50 (that starts the process of leaving). Me? Well, the result stands of course, but I certainly believe that because those of you who voted Leave weren’t told what you were voting on (because no exit plan was published!), it’s only fair to you that everyone is given a say on accepting whatever deal that is brokered, and what it actually means to us.

Wales’ international links will be vital now. I was elected Chairman of the Assembly’s Commonwealth Parliamentary Association last week. I’ll be seeking to build our links with Commonwealth countries worldwide. I’ve also established a Wales International cross-party group, which will seek new ideas on developing Wales’ place in the world and our international trade and cultural ties.

I also love building links between Anglesey and the Senedd, and the regular visits from the island’s school pupils are always enjoyable. Ysgol y Parc and Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern popped in during the last couple of weeks, and this week, my visitors are from Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni. Our Welsh Parliament belongs to us all, and it belongs to the generations of the future, so it’s great that the Senedd’s owners, of all ages, are given a chance to look around their home!

The hard work now resumes!

Since the early hours of last Friday morning, I’ve now had a little time to reflect on the election and the result in Ynys Môn. It was a pleasure to work alongside a brilliant Plaid Cymru team on Anglesey and to have thousands of conversations with wonderful people across the island.

I couldn’t have dreamed that the 2013 by-election result could be exceeded, but that’s what happened, with Plaid Cymru’s majority in Ynys Môn now the largest for any party in Wales.
Thanks to everyone who played a part – no matter how large or small – in the campaign, but above all thank you to everyone on Anglesey who once more placed your trust in me and Plaid Cymru to represent you in the National Assembly. I will do my best to repay that trust.

Since I was first elected nearly three years ago, I hope I’ve shown that I’ll always give 100% in pursuing what’s best for Anglesey and in seeking a better future for our nation. I promise to continue to do that. In the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, I will continue to be vocal in making sure that our needs and interests are firmly on the agenda and are heard by Government Ministers.
We know what the challenges are. We have to ensure that everything possible is done to provide more and better job opportunities, and that we build on our strengths to seek a more prosperous future. We must hold the minority Labour Welsh Government to account and put pressure on them to make real differences in areas of public service in which they’ve previously underperformed, especially health and education.

Obviously I cannot do this alone, so I invite all of you on Anglesey to join me in this joint venture over the coming 5 years.
We are an island blessed with fantastic resources – our history, natural beauty, produce of land and sea, energy, a living culture – but most importantly, our people. Together we can make Anglesey’s communities stronger.

Once again, thank you. Diolch o galon.

The National Assembly met for the last time before the election last week. In my last contribution in the chamber before dissolution, I reminded the government of the importance of investing in the whole of Wales.

The Cardiff City Deal announced recently is obviously good news for the south-east, but in the north, as in other parts of the country there is concern that this investment is happening at the expense of others and, coming on top of Labour’s £1 billion M4 ‘black route’ plans, there is understandably, a feeling of ‘where’s the equivalent investment for us?’

This is important, not only in terms of economic development, in practical terms of job creation, improving transport connectivity and so on, but there’s also a very important political dimension that I think we ignore at our peril. Welsh Government must work for the whole of Wales and any perception that it isn’t is bad for devolution, potentially, and bad for what should be a common endeavour to all of us, which is to join up Wales and have that joint national venture to create a fairer and more prosperous Wales. I and Plaid Cymru are committed to uniting Wales and spreading prosperity.

With no more plenary meetings to attend, I have been able to spend even more time on Anglesey. Last week’s meetings included a visit to Minesto’s new offices in Holyhead to hear about their exciting developments in tidal energy and to meet some of the local workforce. I also met community council representatives from all over the island to discuss the latest steps I have been taking to oppose National Grid’s plans to erect a new line of pylons across Anglesey. And I attended an Age Cymru Gwynedd a Môn event in Newborough promoting steps to keep healthy, warm and safe in the winter – offering advice to over 50s on how to keep energy bills low and keeping the home safe and also offering blood pressure tests. I was relieved to hear that, even with an election looming, my blood pressure was normal!

I also held a constituency surgery in Benllech as well as an open event in Aberffraw with the local Plaid Cymru councillor Ann Griffith. Thanks to everyone who dropped by. I will, no doubt, see many more of you in the coming weeks. Representing Anglesey is a real honour, and I’ve always seen the work of promoting the island’s interests as a joint venture between myself and all of you.

In the Assembly last week, I raised concerns about a cut in funding for Careers Wales and the Welsh Government’s policy of moving away from face-to-face careers advice for pupils. As a result, there is, on average, now only one Careers Wales officer for every six secondary schools in Wales – that means less than one for the whole of Anglesey. Careers funding has more than halved under the current Labour Government, and it’s very worrying.

Making sure our young people are aware of what opportunities are available to them, and knowing how best to pursue their chosen career path is vitally important. We have a number of exciting developments in Anglesey at the moment – with various big energy projects from Wylfa Newydd to biomass and marine energy, the Science Park in Gaerwen or the growing food and hospitality industry.

It was clear in a recent public meeting I organised in Holyhead, that job and training opportunities for our workforce is high on the priority list for many people. For those who are eager to work in their own communities rather than having to move away to look for work, it is important that they know what jobs are on offer on the island and how they can gain the necessary skills for those roles.

And we have so many talented young people on the island. Only last week, a group of students from Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones in Amlwch took over the BBC’s new bulletin, with items about Wylfa Newydd and school uniforms – well done to Siwan and Owain who spoke so well and confidently on the radio. And congratulations to Carmen Smith who has just been voted NUS Wales’ Deputy President – I know she will do a great job.

I also met with Dafydd Jones last week, who has just been taken on by Orthios as an apprentice fitter. Dafydd studied engineering at Coleg Menai and is now looking forward to building a career at the new Eco-Park at Holyhead. I was pleased also to hear Orthios pledging to tap into and develop local talent to help them push on with their plans.

And please forgive me, but I can’t not mention my own success in London this weekend, as I scored a try for Wales (and somehow was chosen as man of the match)! No, I wasn’t playing with Warren Gatland’s men, but the Welsh Assembly team defeated the Westminster rugby team 33-22 in London, whilst also raising money for Bowel Cancer UK. A few hundred yards away on the same day George North scored too – Anglesey doing the business!
 

I’m looking forward to the end of this winter. Waking up to another storm has become the norm. Over the past week, I’ve held meetings with Dŵr Cymru-Welsh Water and Anglesey Council about what can be done to deal with the effects of bad weather.

With Dŵr Cymru, I was able to press for action on sewage and drainage across the island, from Llangoed to Pentre Berw, Dwyran and Newborough. Hopefully some persistent problems which cause misery to many, will be resolved soon.

The Council came under huge pressure in the harsh weather of December and January, and worked all hours to battle the effects of the storms. The next battle is for Government support to deal with the damage and build in more resilience. I shall help in any way I can.

Economic storms persist throughout the UK (and further afield), but thankfully there are good signs here on Anglesey. I welcome the announcement that work is set to start on the Orthios Eco Park in Holyhead. The development is set to create over 500 permanent jobs, as well as others in the construction phase.

This is great news, not only in terms of job opportunities – both at the site itself and in the supply chain – but also in terms of bringing new business activity to a site that has been so important to Anglesey and Holyhead’s economy in the past.

Economic regeneration was also a hot topic in Cardiff Bay last week. In a Plaid Cymru debate in the Senedd, I made the important point that economic regeneration has to cover the whole of Wales. One important piece of legislation that Plaid Cymru would introduce in government would be a regional regeneration Act. We can’t allow wealth to accumulate in one part or certain parts of the country at the expense of others. So, we would make it a legal requirement to ensure that investment brings benefits to all parts of the nation.

In the Assembly this week, I intend to question the Welsh Government about the plan to build new pylons across Anglesey and its possible effects on the environment. We need to build a strong case to the National Grid to make them realise what impact the pylons would have on the island, and pressing on them the need to make the necessary investment in an alternative solution.

Two consultations and the packed public meeting in Gaerwen before Christmas have already sent a clear message that the vast majority of the people of Anglesey oppose any overhead cable development. The meeting with the Grid this Friday will be another chance to reiterate that view.

The Christmas and New Year season brought cheer to most, but challenges to many.

I struggle to remember a winter like this. Yes, we’re used to wind and we in Wales are no strangers to rain. But week after week of heavy downpours appeared endless, and by the time Frank struck last week we had already been battered by gales for months.

I visited Beaumaris as town and county council workers and volunteers as well as Police, Fire and Rescue crews and other emergency teams brought order after the Boxing Day deluge. I spoke with those who’d sprung into action to begin the clean-up, and I spoke to some of those who’d suffered more flooding.
And that’s what’s of particular concern here – flooding in Beaumaris is becoming an ever more regular occurance. That’s why I’ll be staying in close contact with various agencies, and putting pressure on Government to ensure that the neccessary action is taken to give the town the protection it needs. This can’t go on.

I feel also for businesses affected and hope they are able to get up-and-running again soon. I sympathise enormously with Anthony Tavernor after his lovingly developed Plas Cadnant Gardens in Menai Bridge suffered major damage. I know it’s blossom again.

Flooding hit our transport system, too. In Trearddur and Malltraeth, Penmynydd and Beaumaris and elsewhere, many roads were closed. We must work together to see what extra measures could ensure more resilience in future storms.

But what happened on the A55 is inexcusable. To have the main north Wales transport artery shut down by flooding when Welsh Government already knew of the potential problem and delayed taking action beggars belief. There can be no excuse for further inaction.

And so we enter a new year. It’s a time of hope… of new beginnings. Learning from lessons of the past and building on our strengths we can set our sights on a brighter future.

It’s a time when we traditionally make resolutions, promises aimed at achieving a positive change in our lives. The challenges thrown up by the winter weather showed the best of Anglesey spirit, when neighbours helped each other and communities rallied around to assist the less fortunate. So, let’s promise to be even better neighbours to each other in this new year.

May 2016 bring you, your loved ones and your neighbours health, happiness and prosperity. Blwyddyn newydd dda.

Last Thursday was Social Enterprise day – part of the Global Entrepreneurship Week – and I marked it with a visit to the Holyhead and Anglesey Weightlifting and Fitness Centre. Thanks to Ray Williams for the welcome and to his father Doug who put me to shame with his strength and determination!

The gym, which has produced many champions, is a real asset to Holyhead and Anglesey, and it was a pleasure to be able to add my support for the work that they do. HAWFC is a fine example of a social enterprise making a huge contribution to its community.

I had the opportunity to congratulate other champions from Anglesey as well recently, as producers from all over Wales were honoured in the Great Taste Awards in Cardiff. Melyn Môn recipe butters, Caws Rhyd y Delyn cheese and Halen Môn salt all received Gold Taste stars for their produce. It was great to hear of their success and to chat about exciting plans for the future.

At the National Assembly, the Royal College of GPs launched their manifesto ahead of the Assembly elections next year. During the launch, I discussed my wish to see more Doctors being trained in north Wales to help with recruitment issues. RCGP representatives confirmed that Doctors doing their training in rural locations such as Anglesey are then more likely to stay here.

During First Minister’s Questions, I emphasised the frustration felt by users of the A55. It feels that as soon as one section of road repair is completed, another section of work starts! Maintaining the road and its safety is of course crucial, but I asked the Government to be far more proactive in the way they inform people who use the A55 about the work that is ongoing and is going to be happening in future, so that people can have a better picture of what’s going to be happening on the road in the future.

Finally, all roads led to Llangefni on Saturday for those wanting to show that we are a peaceful, tolerant society. Several hundred took part in a colourful, positive rally.

Free speech is very important to us, and it is a principle that I as a journalist hold dear. However if we have protests that make some people fearful, all should be done to limit the disruption caused. Many had feared Saturday’s far right rally. Ultimately, the best of Anglesey shone through.

Those of us who use the bridges to the island on a regular basis are more than familiar with the congestion problems. As well as pressing for a third crossing across the Menai, I had also been asking the Transport Minister for a 3 lane peak flow system as a short-term measure. However, last week, she wrote to me to say that it’s not being investigated further because of safety concerns. She did however say that a business case for a third bridge will be sought in order to tackle congestion issues.

Delays in the morning and evening and during other peak times are only a part of the problem. It’s also about resilience and future-proofing. The two lane bridge is prone to closure in high winds and the emergency services in particular are concerned about that. Having Anglesey cut-off would also be economically damaging. Now is the time for action and for a big push for a third crossing.

A number of you got in touch with me during Betsi Cadwaladr’s consultation on maternity services in north Wales, sharing my opposition to any proposal to downgrade service in Ysbyty Gwynedd.

A public meeting is now to be held in Bangor Rugby Club on Thursday (November 12th) to discuss the growing concerns about the loss of consultant-led maternity services at Ysbyty Gwynedd and the spiralling effect that could have on other services at the hospital. Please come along if you’re able. It’s important that the Health Board are made aware of the strength of feeling on this matter and of the many reasons why we need to keep maternity services in Ysbyty Gwynedd to protect mothers and babies.

It has been a pleasure to be able to congratulate young people from Anglesey over the past weeks. The schools’ rendition of Les Miserables, performed in the Wales Millennium Centre, was excellent, and a great experience for those from Anglesey taking part, I’m sure. Gwen Elin from Benllech won the coveted Bryn Terfel Scholarship, and Steffan Lloyd Owen from Pentre Berw won the Kathleen Ferrier Bursary for Young Singers. We certainly do have a wealth of talent on the island.