AQUEDUCT DELIGHT!!!!

LOCAL WELSH ASSEMBLY MEMBER, Karen Sinclair, said she was delighted to hear Pontcysyllte Aqueduct had been awarded World Heritage Status over the weekend.

The site has been now been added to the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO after a meeting in Seville.

The AM said she hoped such status would help boost regeneration in the area and bring more tourism into North East Wales.

CLWYD SOUTH AM, KAREN SINCLAIR, said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled and delighted at this news. It puts the Aqueduct alongside other such world treasures as the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal and Stonehenge and it fully deserves to be there, being every bit as impressive as they are.

“The aqueduct is a magnificent example of Thomas Telford’s civil engineering and is the real jewel in the crown of North East Wales. The award will help further open up the aqueduct for the world to appreciate and that is great news.

“It is of course a massive cultural boost for the area and confirms what we all knew locally, that the aqueduct is an important part of this regions heritage and helps tell a story about our significant industrial past. The canal network locally helped shape the industrial revolution and that story deserves to be shared with the world.

“However we also must recognise that this is also a hugely important economic opportunity as well. The aqueduct already brings in a quarter of a million visitors a year and I hope we will now see increased tourism in the area as a result of this newly acquired status.

“It will draw people in like the other major monuments across the world have done and that’s great for the area. The Dee Valley, and North East Wales as a whole, is a wonderful place for tourists to come and visit and we need to do all we can to ensure businesses, small and large, get an economic boost from this new status.

“Now the world can share in a treasure we’ve been enjoying all of our lives!”

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Trust Fund Top-up

CLWYD SOUTH AM, KAREN SINCLAIR, today welcomed news that children in North East Wales will get a top up for their Child Trust Fund from September.

£50 will be given to every eligible child rising to £100 for children in low income families. In total, more than 32,000 children in Wales will be eligible to claim the top-up.

The latest funds announced by the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government will be issued through the Child Trust Fund Cymru fulfilling a key pledge of the 2007 Welsh Labour manifesto.

KAREN SINCLAIR AM said:

“The Child Trust Fund is a landmark policy of the Labour Party and is a major part of our drive to tackle child poverty and financial exclusion.

"Reducing child poverty is one of our key priorities here in Wales and these funds will make a real difference.

“This money will really help these children when they turn 18 and encourage them to save further funds.

“The extra £50 to children from low-income families will mean they are given a leg-up when they become 18.”

Currently, all children born on or after September 1st 2002 and who live in the UK are given a £250 voucher to open a Child Trust Fund account. Family and friends can contribute up to a total of £1200 a year into the accounts and the money is locked into the account until the child reaches 18.

It was recently announced that 18 safely managed community-based credit unions are now offering child trust fund accounts, making them widely and easily available.

The eighteen credit unions are:

Bridgend Lifesavers Credit Union; Cardiff & the Vale Credit Union Clwyd Coast Credit Union; Credcer Credit Union Dragonsavers Credit Union; Gateway Credit Union Haven Credit Union; Landsker Credit Union Llandudno Credit Union; LASA Credit Union Merthyr Tydfil Credit Union; Neath Port Talbot Credit Union Robert Owen (Montgomeryshire) Credit Union; Save Easy (Llanelli) Credit Union Smart Money (Caerphilly) Credit Union; Wrexham County Borough Credit Union Y Llechen Credit Union; All Flintshire Credit Union

For further information regarding Child Trust Funds go to http://www.childtrustfund.gov.uk

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Air Products Closure

CLWYD SOUTH AM, KAREN SINCLAIR, today expressed her sadness at news that Air Products have confirmed they will be closing down its manufacturing facility in Wrexham.
Counter proposals were put forward by staff and unions at the site, but management rejected the plans citing cost pressures for its decision.

The AM said the focus now had to be on providing the best possible settlement for the workers and promised to work with the plant to see that this happened.

KAREN SINCLAIR AM said:

“This is devastating news for the town. Air Products has been an important part of the Wrexham area for many, many years and I’m heartbroken for the workers at the site.

“Unions and staff worked very hard to put a counter proposal to the company highlighting where costs could be saved and jobs protected. Unfortunately this was rejected by Air Products management and they blamed shifting demand to Asia as a reason for the closure.

“I have spoken to management at the site immediately on hearing the news and I have made it clear in no uncertain terms that the company has a duty to workers who have served the company so well to provide them with the best settlement possible.

“Air Products have not closed the Wrexham factory because the company is struggling, it is simply a cost-cutting exercise. As a global multi-national they can and must make settlement terms as generous as they can to the workers who have lost their jobs.

“I will be contacting the Deputy First Minister and the local Council to ask that urgent advice and support is made available to these workers about re-training and other employment opportunities.

“I would also like to put on record my admiration for the men and women at the site who have worked so hard and deserve so much better than this.

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Local AMs demand action from Denbighshire over education funding

DENBIGHSHIRE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS KAREN SINCLAIR AND ANN JONES have made fresh demands for proper investment in Denbighshire’s beleaguered Education Authority.

The local Labour AM made her comments in reaction to Denbighshire’s Chief Executive’s public claims about a lack of investment in Welsh Education. The new Chief Executive, Dr Mohammed Mehmet, made his comments as part of a Week in Week Out investigation by the BBC.

The AMs have consistently led the calls for proper funding for Denbighshire’s Local Education Authority which was the subject of two damning inspection and Audit reports.

Dr Mehmet was initially hired as an interim director of lifelong learning 2008 before taking on his new role.

KAREN SINCLAIR AM said:

“Given the comments made by Dr Mehmet I hope we will now see Denbighshire Council make the investment in local education that has been badly needed from the authority for years.

“Since 1999, education funding has gone up substantially in Wales through extra investment designed to drive up standards. However, the delivery of good education requires a partnership approach with local government to ensure that money gets though.

“We now need to see Denbighshire commit extra funding to education to tackle the poor results the authority has had over the last few years. They need to develop and put in place an immediate funding plan to tackle the problem of under achievement so that every school leaver has the tools they need to be competitive in the modern workplace.

“I’m sure that Dr Mehmet will have been in the area long enough to realise how important it is to put extra resources into education services in Denbighshire.”

Ann Jones AM said

“I hope the concerns that Dr Mehmet has highlighted will mean a serious new commitment to improving the levels of funding received by schools in Denbighshire. Generations of children have been let down by a badly organised, profligate Authority that simply refused to invest in the future of Denbighshire.

“It is important that Dr Mehmet realises how angry local people are with this debacle. In view of these comments, I would like assurances from the Authority that we will see Education funding that matches Assembly Government guidance.

“This Authority has been a centre of bad practice for Education for several years so actions taken to modernise the system will be monitored very closely. The allocations made for the struggling Education Authority must back up the new Chief Executive’s comments if we are to avoid a repeat performance.”

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AM says elderly 'confused and vulnerable' as digital switchover nears

CLWYD SOUTH AM, KAREN SINCLAIR, today said she was concerned about the choices facing elderly people as the digital switchover gets ever closer and has called for more advice and support for elderly TV viewers.

The AM said the array of choices facing vulnerable, elderly consumers in North East Wales risked marginalising older people as the switchover date arrives.

The main Moel-y-Parc transmitter in Holywell, which serves the North East Wales area, is due to be switched off on October 28th this year.

KAREN SINCLAIR AM said:

“When the traditional terrestrial signal is switched off in October, everyone in the area will need to take steps to make sure they continue to receive normal services through a digital signal.

“For vulnerable groups, this can be very difficult because but it means choosing between a range of different and often confusing options including Freeview through a set top box or integrated digital tv, or by signing up to a subscription service with a satellite or cable provider.

“However the costs of each can be very different indeed and I have concerns that some satellite broadcasters in particular are taking advantage of the vulnerability of some groups.

“It has come to my attention that groups of flats occupied by older residents are being visited by salesman who are getting them to sign up to sometimes lengthy and expensive satellite contracts which are inappropriate to their needs.

“Some of the people I have dealt with are unaware what exactly they have signed up to and are not getting the support and assistance they need to make the right choices. In many cases the simple purchase of a Freeview box would be far cheaper and more appropriate for their needs.

“I have written to both the satellite broadcaster concerned and also to Ofcom for their comments on the cases I have come across.

“Elderly people need more support before the switchover comes to avoid any more instances of exploitation in communities across the area.”

Those with questions about the Switchover should contact Digital UK on 0845 650 50 50

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Statement

CLWYD SOUTH AM, KAREN SINCLAIR, today revealed she has been diagnosed as suffering from Myeloma, which is a form of cancer affecting the bone marrow.

Karen said:

“This diagnosis is serious but it also comes as something of a relief. For some time now my ability to move has been very restricted, and anything but the smallest movement has been slow and painful.

“My GP, the consultant and all the staff at the hospital have been marvellous at getting to the root cause of it and now we know what the problem is, we can get on with treating it.

“I am confident that with the right treatment it can be put into full remission quite quickly and I am looking forward to being right back to my old self very soon.

“Obviously, the treatment is going to keep me away from the office for much of the time, but I have a great team working for me, both here in Clwyd South and down in Cardiff, and they will make sure everything runs smoothly at the times I’m not there. So no one needs to worry that their cases might not be seen to properly.

“Anyone who needs my help should continue to phone, write or email me in the usual way, or come to the advertised surgeries just as they would have done normally and my staff will deal with all the necessary casework.

“I am very lucky to have my family around me as well as lots of friends and well-wishers to help me through what will obviously be a difficult time. People may not see me around so much for a while, but I’m not going to be idle – and I’m looking forward to being fighting fit very soon.”

Karen added that anyone concerned about their own symptoms should certainly go to see their GP or contact NHS Direct without delay.

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AM questions First Minister on Tile Factory closure

CLWYD SOUTH AM, KAREN SINCLAIR, today criticised Dennis Ruabon management over the way it has treated workers in the week following the factory closure.

The local AM made her comments whilst quizzing the First Minister in the wake of the historic plant’s closure saying the company abrogated its responsibility to workers at the factory.

Company officials refused to cooperate or even speak to Council officers ready with an assistance programme for workers in the important few days after they were laid off.

In response the First Minister said it would have been good corporate practice to allow Council officials to contact workers laid off in the immediate few days after the closure.

KAREN SINCLAIR AM said:

“The closure of Dennis Ruabon, the only remaining quarry tile manufacturer in the UK, is a devastating blow to its local workforce and their families.

“I have also been very disappointed in the week since the closure with the actions of the management of the company. The Council were ready, following the closure, with an immediate assistance package for workers laid off and the management made absolutely no attempt to help officers in their task of getting help and advice to them.

“No effort was made to give details of those laid off to agencies who could help them and the local authority had to rely on the local and national media to get information to the workforce.

“As the First Minister agreed with me today, this is not good corporate practice and I would have expected more from a factory that has its roots in Wrexham and been a local employer for more than 125 years.”

The Clwyd South AM said she has written to the administrators, Krol based in Manchester, and had urged them to do all they can to find a buyer for the company.

“The workers so far have been let down badly by the company. They failed to protect workers and should hang their heads in shame.”

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