Constituency Week.
Last week was recess, although I prefer to call it Constituency week, as instead of travelling to Cardiff, this allows me more time getting out and about in the constituency. I had the immense pleasure of attending the book launch in Llanfairfechan of The Hill Farmer written by the well known tweeting farmer Gareth, Wyn Jones. There were over 250 in attendance and this was a musical evening with many purchasing the book. Gareth is very well known locally and he has done much to highlight the many issues faced by our struggling Welsh Hill farmers. He is also very proactive in promoting the sale of local Welsh produce and is fast becoming well known as a TV celebrity with a recent appearance on Come Dine with Me and his very popular weekly series on hill farming.
NORTH WALES TIDAL ENERGY.
On Friday I was very pleased to attend the Corporate Launch of a Sustainable Energy, Coastal Protection and Economic Development Scheme by the above company. I was particularly impressed with the breadth of knowledge, skills and expertise, that exists within the company of directors. The development of a robust, sustainable solution to the dual challenges of generating renewable tidal energy and enhanced coastal protection in the proposed scheme is one of such magnitude that if implemented will certainly put North Wales on the map and although this scheme is very much in its infancy in terms of development I would certainly like to wish them all the very best as they work towards bringing forward a clear evidence based plan to include all the Environmental Impact Assessments required to fundamentally underpin this scheme.
Ganol Treatment Works Visit.
There has been much concern recently in Glan Conwy and Llandudno Junction regarding some of the odours emanating from this plant and this led to a staged protest one Saturday morning. Along with local elected councillors, Sarah Lesiter Burgess, Dan Worsley , Alwyn Ap Hugh Humphreys and other affected residents, we went along to the treatment works to meet with senior officials from Dwr Cymru to discuss the matter and to see how the treatment of raw sewage takes place. Concerns were listened to and Dwr cymru are now working to look at ways that the odours can be controlled more effectively in the future.
I also visited the local meat processing plant Conwy Valley Meats in Llanrwst and I went along to Coleg Llandrillo to discuss concerns around the lack of retraining facilities available for the over 25’s. This is a very worrying issue as the numbers currently unemployed within this age group is particularly worrying. I have raised this with the First Minister and the responsible Minister Julie James AM in the Senedd.
Deganwy Promenade Shelter.
On Tuesday evening I was kindly invited along to the Deganwy Residents meeting where concerns were raised about repairs to the very badly storm damaged shelter. Clearly, the local authority will not be funding any scheme and it looks likely that the only way forward is for a constituted committee to make a grant application to the heritage lottery fund. I sincerely hope that some progress is made with this approach and that we do see this much valued shelter fully restored once again.