GCSE results.
Once again our local schools and teachers here in Aberconwy have surpassed themselves in their effort to support our pupils, as we witness excellent results achieved at GCSE level, Ysgol John Bright has once again achieved an higher than average pass rate also. My sincere Congratulations to all staff and pupils for this record achievement.
It is fair to say that education in Wales since devolution and under the Welsh Labour Government has been in decline. Whilst the attainment gap between Wales and other parts of the UK has narrowed slightly, it still remains a concern that, the Welsh education system continues to under perform.
We have seen continued stagnation in several key skills including, most worryingly in mathematics where nearly 22,000 Welsh students or 50% of the cohort failed to get a grade C or above. We do welcome the much needed improvements in a number of key STEM subjects including the sciences, but are concerned by the continued rapid decline in both entries and performance in modern foreign languages.
We are though indeed very fortunate that here in Aberconwy and despite these problems, our Head teachers and dedicated staff pull out all the stops to secure the best possible results for our own hardworking and deserving pupils. - Well Done All.
Cancer waiting times.
Recent news headlines are quite worrying to learn that once again the cancer target waiting times have been missed. Seriously long delays are gambling with patient's lives. They are unfair and have no place in a modern NHS. It’s incredibly concerning to see this target missed month in, month out, and today’s figures must be the final failure that forces the Welsh Labour Government Ministers into action. Six years have now passed without this potentially life-saving commitment being met with many now commenting that it is now a matter of national shame. With unacceptably long delays – and a mistaken refusal to introduce a cancer drugs fund – Labour’s entire approach to cancer care in Wales must be questioned.
Hard-working staff have been hampered by Labour’s record-breaking Welsh NHS budget cuts and it’s about time they and our patients receive the full support they deserve.
Local Authority Accountability.
Many of the issues that I deal with as a Constituency elected Assembly Member are matters that are the responsibility of the local authority and other statutory bodies.
This can range from bins going un emptied, broken pavements, dog fouling and litter. Other matters such as care for the elderly through Social Services, or support for those requiring Additional Learning Support, these are all issues that my team and I deal with on a most regular basis.
Occasionally, I am confronted with issues requiring my intervention on matters such as Anti Social Behaviour, Criminal Activity and Neighbourly disturbance. The statutory duties for these type of issues fall under the responsibility of North Wales Police, Conwy County Borough Council and the Health Authority, all working together as the Community Safety Partnership.
Another aspect of my role responsibility is that as the Shadow Minister for Local Government in Wales. This role requires me to shadow the Welsh Government Minister Lesley Griffith's AM and also to challenge failings and policy decisions emanating from Cardiff Bay. I am currently looking at further improvements required in terms of policy decision to evaluate how we can bring about some real change in how our local authorities are accountable and are truly serving the local area needs and it's people. For me the ethos of transparency is a fundamental requirement in ALL Council business and across the current 22 Local Authorities in Wales.
Alongside Efficiency, Democratic Accountability and Financial Probity, Transparency is so often muted during proceedings and in some instances,seldom applied.
A recent newspaper article referring to where I have challenged Conwy County Borough Council, once again, for frequently excluding the press and public on key decisions during Cabinet meetings has attracted much interest and many agree that where there are issues of public monies being spent, controversial decisions to be made and when things might have gone wrong, that they have a right to know and also too that all 59 locally elected Councillors are privy to these conversations also.
More to follow on this .......
If you have any queries or require my advice and support, please do not hesitate to contact my office on 01492 871198 or email [email protected]
Thank you - Diolch
Janet Finch-Saunders - Assembly Member for Aberconwy.
Shadow Minister for Local Government.