A view from Wrexham’s Member of the Senedd
Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South constituency Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home. (You can view an archive here).
Wrexham MS Lesley Griffiths writes…
In light of the threat posed by the new Omicron variant of Covid-19, a number of measures have been announced to help try and minimise the risk of transmission. The JCVI has recommended an acceleration of the vaccination programme, with booster jabs to be offered to over-18s and the minimum gap between the second dose and booster is to be cut to three months. The updated advice will result in significantly more vaccination appointments being issued over the coming weeks. I ask people in Wrexham to do all they can to get vaccinated and to keep their allocated appointment. Getting vaccinated remains our best defence against this awful virus. All the announcements can be found online but if any constituent is struggling to find the latest information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Following advice from the JCVI, we will offer a booster vaccine to all over 18s, at least 3 months after their second dose.
Those aged 12-15 will be offered a second dose.
Immunosuppressed people will be offered a booster (following 3 primary doses).
— Welsh Government #KeepWalesSafe (@WelshGovernment) November 30, 2021
As the booster programme rolls out in earnest, I also want to encourage all eligible people in Wrexham to make sure they get their free flu jab. Back in August the Welsh Government announced its largest ever winter vaccination programme. In addition to the Covid booster rollout, the flu vaccination programme would be extended to all those aged over 50 and all secondary school children. The chances of becoming seriously ill with Covid-19 or flu are greatly reduced by vaccination, as are the risks of spreading these viruses. The process is simple and effective. For most eligible people, the flu vaccines are available from either your GP or community pharmacy. I recently popped into Rhostyllen pharmacy and received my flu jab. The staff were extremely helpful and it was done in minutes.
https://twitter.com/PublicHealthW/status/1463538018401329154
At the beginning of November, the disappointing but not entirely unexpected news broke that Wrexham County Borough Council’s £18.3m bid to the UK Government’s “Levelling Up Fund” had been rejected. It was hoped the extra funding would help complement the ongoing work of the Wrexham Gateway Project and a number of constituents contacted me after this setback expressing their concern. The Gateway Project is something I have championed for many years and I know a lot of work has taken place to get to this stage. Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething MS, has confirmed the Welsh Government, along with its partners Wrexham Council and Glyndwr University, remain “very firmly committed” to the project. It is reassuring the key partners remain determined to work together to achieve something truly special for the town and I will, of course, continue to do all I can to support the Gateway Project.
I am a long-time supporter of Teams4U and I recently visited the charity’s HQ in Llay as the team launched its Christmas Shoebox Appeal. Each year the charity runs this nationwide initiative to provide Christmas gifts to vulnerable children and families who are unlikely to receive any presents. People are asked to find an old shoebox, wrap it in Christmas paper and fill it with useful gifts. Teams4U then deliver the packages to some of the most disadvantaged children in Eastern Europe. The shoebox appeal, which was started in Wrexham by Teams4U founder, Dave Cooke over 25 years ago, is such a worthy cause. It’s still going strong after all these years and the positive impact it has on the lives of vulnerable children and parents cannot be overstated.
👏 Well done @Teams4u who continue to spread joy to children in difficult situations.
🎁 People have until 3 December if they wish to take part in this year’s Shoebox Appeal #Wrexhamhttps://t.co/htTuNWKwci
— Lesley Griffiths (@lesley4wrexham) November 22, 2021
Wales’ First Minister, Mark Drakeford visited Wrexham once again last week to join police officers on the beat around the town centre. An extra £3.7m was announced by the Welsh Government earlier this year to fund an additional 100 PCSOs across the country, helping tackle crime and support communities. The additional 100 PCSOs brings the total funded by the Welsh Government to 600, with 121 in North Wales. Having officers on the ground who know their communities is vitally important and I am pleased the Welsh Government funding is having a tangible impact in Wrexham.
Having officers on the ground who understand the communities they serve is vital in keeping them safe.
It was a pleasure to go on the beat in Wrexham today and hear about the difference additional funding for PCSOs is making.
Diolch for everything you do to keep Wales safe. pic.twitter.com/fF4ySkSLWA
— Mark Drakeford (@PrifWeinidog) November 24, 2021
The Festival of Angels is taking place at St Giles’ Church commemorating those who have lost their lives to coronavirus in Wales. The moving display is open until the New Year and I encourage everybody to attend.
Poignant visit to St Giles Parish Church to see the Festival of Angels @wrexham Each angel represents someone who has passed away with #Covid19 in Wales. pic.twitter.com/AxR8jHo2OZ
— Lesley Griffiths (@lesley4wrexham) November 26, 2021
Finally, it was a pleasure visiting Ysgol Plas Coch to take part in a question-and-answer session with pupils from Year 5 and 6. Wonderful to see so many children interested in politics – da iawn bawb!
Diolch yn fawr iawn🙂
Lots of interesting and insightful questions! https://t.co/WfXPtxzhb2
— Lesley Griffiths (@lesley4wrexham) November 16, 2021
If there is an issue I could help you with, please do not hesitate to contact me – email: [email protected] or call my office: 01978 355743. You can also sign up to my regular e-newsletter by clicking here. 
.
Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South constituency Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home. (You can view an archive here).
Spotted something? Got a story? Email [email protected]
