Heledd Fychan Canol De Cymru - South Wales Central

I recently attended public meetings regarding the potential closure of two Taff Vale practices: one in Cilfynydd and the other in Ynysybwl. The overwhelming feeling by residents is clear – these surgeries are a lifeline for these communities. The closure of either one of these branches will have a devastating impact on those already struggling to secure appointments. I’ll be working closely with the local councillors Paula Evans, Amanda Ellis and Hywel Gronow to ensure we explore all options and fight to save these GP surgeries.

As winter approaches, many households are already struggling with high living costs. Many are finding it hard to afford the essentials, with renters, people with disabilities, families with children under 18, and those reliant on benefits hit the hardest.  

This month I held my fifth cost of living networking event. A huge thank you to all the organisations and community groups that attended and especially the networks speakers from Pontypridd Foodbank, Riverside Advice and Manage Money Wales & The Community Sharing Shop.

Following the publication of a consultation by RCT Council proposing to close the school, Heledd Fychan MS recently visited Rhigos Primary School, meeting with both staff and pupils.

During the visit, Ms Fychan spoke with the Chair of Governors, staff and learners and learnt how special a school it is, and why parents and the local community have launched a campaign to save the school.

It was recently announced that nearly 500 workers at the UK Windows and Doors sites in Treorchy, Williamstown, Llwynypia, and Taff's Well would be losing their jobs. This news is absolutely devastating for the workers and their families so close to Christmas. 

Heledd Fychan MS joined staff and volunteers from Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay to mark the charity’s annual Coffee Morning fundraising event.

The event was an opportunity to find out more about how Macmillan in Wales is supporting people living with cancer, as well as meeting with inspirational Macmillan volunteers, fundraisers and professionals.

This year, the cancer charity is celebrating its 33^rd annual Macmillan Coffee Morning which sees millions of pounds raised in events organised in homes, schools, workplaces and community spaces.

I had the pleasure of meeting with the CEO and Chair of Sport Wales at the Senedd this week. It was an exciting opportunity to discuss the future of community sport and the investments being made to support it.

It was great to hear about the £885,182 investment from the Be Active Wales Fund for the 2022-23 period, benefiting community sport clubs in South Wales Central. This substantial funding will undoubtedly have a positive impact on sports initiatives in the region.

On Tuesday 13th September, Professor Elwen Evans KC's independent review of local government section 19 and Natural Resources Wales reports into extreme flooding in the winter of 2020 and 2021 was debated in the Senedd. Secured by Plaid Cymru as part of the Cooperation Agreement, the review is an important step to improve how flood risk management, including the response to flooding instances and their aftermath, is delivered across Wales.

Bute Energy is proposing to build an energy park called Twyn Hywel on the border between Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf.  The proposal is for 14 200m high turbines to be placed along the mountain of Egwysilan and Llanfabon, above Cilfynydd and across down to Senghennydd.   

Many residents have contacted me to express their concerns and worries about the proposed developments so I have submitted these in a response to Welsh Government’s Planning and Environment Decisions Wales body today.  You can read this here.  If you would like to have your say about the plans you see them here. To have your say contact: [email protected]

I recently wrote a letter to the health board expressing my concerns over the potential closure of the only GP practice in Cilfynydd. This branch of the Taff Vale Medical Practice is a vital lifeline for many residents, particularly the elderly who rely solely on public transport to access healthcare services.