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Posted: Sat 10th Aug 2024

A view from Wrexham’s Member of the Senedd

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area

Wrexham.com has invited local Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home – you can find them all here. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌‌‌​‍‌​​​‌​‌‌‍‌​​​‌‌​‌‍‌​​‌‌‌‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌​​‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‌​​

In this month’s column Wrexham’s Member of the Senedd, Lesley Griffiths, writes:

A lot has happened since my last Wrexham.com column. These past few weeks have been among the most challenging I have experienced in my entire career, having been a member of the Labour Party for over 40 years, a Member of the Senedd for 17 years and a Member of the Welsh Government for 14 years.

Readers will be aware I resigned from the Government with a heavy heart, along with 3 other colleagues, which led to Vaughan Gething stepping down as Welsh Labour Leader and First Minister of Wales.

After much consideration and discussion, I felt I was left with no option other than to tender my resignation.

My letter outlines my reasoning and can be read here. The decision was not easy or pleasant and I am very grateful for the support I have received from many constituents, and people across Wales.

The process has moved on quickly and I congratulate Eluned Morgan on becoming the new Leader of Welsh Labour and First Minister of Wales.

I nominated Eluned and I am proud we have a female First Minister for the very first time.  I have known Eluned for many years and worked and campaigned with her for over a decade.  She has the skills and ability to unite the Party and deliver for the people of Wales.

This has undoubtedly been a difficult period for everyone involved but I hope this tumultuous chapter has drawn to a close and we can move forward, positively, proactively and united behind the new First Minister.

Along with the support of a new Labour Government in Westminster, there is a golden opportunity for the Welsh Government to deliver further tangible benefits for people in Wrexham and across the country.

In Wrexham, I was pleased to be invited to St Giles Church to attend a heartwarming farewell service for Revd Canon Dr Jason Bray.

Rev Bray has been appointed the new Dean of Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff so will be leaving Wrexham in early September.

I send my very best wishes to Rev. Bray who will be sorely missed.

Happy birthday to The Venture!

Based in the heart of Caia Park, Wales’ flagship integrated children’s centre marked its 46th birthday last weekend by arranging a fun day and community parade.

Andrew Ranger MP and I joined in with the celebrations and I remain so proud to be patron of such a special organisation.

The Venture has provided an invaluable service to children and families in Caia Park for decades and long may it continue.

It’s no secret the cost-of-living crisis is taking its toll on many families who are constantly budgeting.

There are a number of mechanisms introduced by the Welsh Government that aim to help people through these difficult times.

Parents and guardians are being urged to sign up for the Childcare Offer before the autumn term starts.

Under the scheme, working parents with children aged 3 to 4 can claim up to 30 hours of early education and childcare a week, for up to 48 weeks of the year.

Lessening the burden of childcare costs helps parents from Wrexham and across Wales return to work, increase their hours or work more flexibly.

In addition to the Childcare Offer, applications are also open for the Schools Essentials Grant.

Lower-income families could be entitled to up to £200 to help pay for key school equipment such as uniforms, shoes, stationary and sports kits.

This grant could be a real lifeline, reducing financial pressures and helping ensure pupils have the necessary equipment to attend and enjoy school.

Finally, it has been lovely to welcome students from Ysgol Bodhyfryd, Ysgol Bro Alun, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and St Joseph’s Catholic & Anglican High School down at the Senedd in recent weeks.

I’m glad everyone enjoyed their time in Cardiff, especially the students from St Joseph’s who attended the Taylor Swift concert at the Principality Stadium!

It is pleasing to see so many young people from Wrexham visiting the Senedd and if any other local schools or youth groups are interested in visiting, there are travel subsidies available.  All the information can be found online.

While I am no longer a member of the Welsh Government, I remain the Member of the Senedd for Wrexham so if you’re a constituent and there is anything I could help you with, please email me: [email protected] or call 01978 355743.  You can sign up to my regular e-newsletter by clicking here.



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