Work Still To Be Done On Tackling Homelessness

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES LATEST HOMELESSNESS STATISTICS

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has given a cautious welcome to the latest homelessness in Wales figures.The latest quarterly statistical release presents information collected from local authorities about their actions under the homelessness legislation for the period October to December 2007, together with comparisons with figures for earlier periods.These latest figures state that there were 1,488 households accepted as homeless – 6 per cent lower than the previous quarter and 1 per cent lower than the same time the year earlier. The number of households accommodated temporarily at the end of December 2007 was 2,587 – 12 per cent lower than the previous quarter and 17 per cent lower than the same time a year earlier. By the end of December 2007, there were 240 households in Bed and Breakfast accommodation, a fall of 36 per cent since the same quarter the previous year. Mr Sargeant said: “The Assembly has taken the challenge of tackling homelessness very seriously. We have created a National Homelessness Strategy for Wales, and these figures show that our strategy is working. Homelessness in Wales is falling consistently.“However, we will not be complacent. It is important for the Assembly to remember that the fact that the overall trend of homelessness is falling is of no comfort to those individuals and families who are currently without a home. Homelessness can shatter lives and puts great stress on individuals and families, so we must keep this issue at the top of the agenda, and continue looking at ways in which to tackle and prevent homelessness.“Also, we must remember that these figures do not include the rough-sleepers who are at the really sharp end of homelessness. We must continue to explore ways to help and engage with rough-sleepers.“I look forward with anticipation to the next quarterly release, which I hope will show a further fall in homelessness in Wales.”

Learning Boost For Workers In Wales

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES WORKER LEARNING BOOST

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, today welcomed a new Assembly Government learning boost to workers across Wales.
Nearly £1.2million of Assembly funding is being invested in 12 new projects aimed at helping Trade Unions to improve the provision of learning to a wide range of workers under the latest round of the Wales Union Learning Fund, which was established by the Assembly Government.
The successful projects include support for partnership learning initiatives between Trade Unions and retail employers and providing employees with learning opportunities at pre-NVQ Level in the food manufacturing sector.
Mr Sargeant said: “The Wales Union Learning Fund is playing a huge role in helping to develop and train workers in a range of workplaces, ranging from shops to food production businesses and it is also retraining people for new job opportunities.
This latest funding boost from the Assembly Government means that even more workers will soon have the opportunity to improve their skills through learning.
Thanks to the fund, trades unions are working in close partnership with employers, to improve the skills of the workforce across Wales - to the benefit of workers and the businesses they work in.
I want to make sure that Wales is a learning country where everyone has the chance to improve their skills and participate in learning and that is why programmes like this are so important.”

Road Scrapped

CARL SARGEANT AM DELIGHTED BY A494 DECISION


Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has expressed his delight at today’s announcement that the A494 public inquiry’s Inspector has decided that the scheme should not go ahead.

Mr Sargeant said: “This is great news for local residents.

“I have been arguing strongly on behalf of constituents that a scheme of this magnitude is deeply inappropriate for the area, and I am pleased that the Inspector has listened to these concerns. The proposed changes to the road would have had a terrible impact on the quality of life of local people and the environment here. The scheme has rightly been rejected on the basis that the scale and size of the proposed road would have a really negative impact on the area.

“I have also expressed my concern on many occasions that other routes have not been fully considered, and have argued in favour of greater investment in public transport and the reduction of the volume of freight on our roads in Alyn and Deeside.

“I am absolutely delighted by today’s announcement. It is the right decision.”

AM Welcomes Announcement

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES MOVES TOWARD HEALTHY HOSPITAL VENDING

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has welcomed today’s announcement that vending machines dispensing crisps, chocolate and sugary drinks are to be removed from all NHS hospitals in Wales.
The announcement will go towards fulfilling the Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to delivering improvements in hospital food and nutrition.
Mr Sargeant said: “Yet again, Wales is leading the way. We are the first UK country to commit to such an action.
“The Assembly Government is committed to improving the health of the population of Wales and reducing inequalities by tackling the underlying causes of ill-health. Education is key, but we also need to make it much easier for people to make those healthier choices.
“The Assembly Government will be liaising with the major vending providers to identify ways of introducing healthier food and drink to hospital vending machines. Guidance will be issued to the NHS to support the introduction of healthy vending, providing clear definitions of what will be allowed.”

AM's Support For RSPCA Initiative

WANTED: FOSTER CARERS FOR PETS

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is highlighting a new initiative from the RSPCA in Wales aimed at helping more pet owners escape domestic abuse by appealing for fosterers to look after their pets.
Mr Sargeant said: “Sixty thousand women and children stay in refuges each year. It takes an average of seven years for a victim to leave an abusive partner, with many being unwilling to leave without there being a place of safety for their pets. However, very few refuges can arrange pet fostering and most cannot shelter pets due to health and safety regulations and allergy concerns.
“We mustn’t forget that pets are also in danger from violence in the home. They are frequently threatened, injured or killed by the perpetrator who uses violence toward the pet to frighten and intimidate their partners and children, so it is important that there are safe retreats for pets to go to too.
“I am asking Alyn and Deeside residents to consider whether they could become an animal fosterer, to help victims of domestic abuse have that peace of mind that their pet will be cared for when they decide to leave.”
A pet can need foster care for anything from a few days to several months. The pets are mainly dogs and cats, but care can also be needed for rabbits, guinea pigs or birds.
All animals are assessed before they go to a foster home. Fosterers must have patience and understanding, and experience of owning a pet.

AM Welcomes Funding

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES FUNDING BOOST FOR ANIMAL WELFARE

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming today’s news that local authorities in Wales next year (2008/09) will share £700,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure high standards of animal welfare among companion animals. A further £200,000 will be available to the local authorities for special projects.
Mr Sargeant said: “The Welsh Assembly Government takes the issue of animal welfare very seriously, and we want to ensure that all local authorities have the resources to regulate the welfare of companion animals.
“The £700,000 will be allocated according to population, and is specifically targeted for the regulation of welfare among companion animals in line with the Animal Welfare Act 2006.”
Local authorities will be required to assess compliance levels at non-agricultural premises, such as livery yards and animal sanctuaries, and report back to the Welsh Assembly Government on a regular basis.
Local authorities will also be asked to set up local or regional animal welfare forums to work closely with animal welfare organisations, and adopt a Memorandum of Understanding with the Animal Welfare Network for Wales. In addition, local authorities will need to agree and deliver education and awareness plans to promote an increased understanding of the welfare responsibilities of pet owners and keepers of animals.

AM Welcomes Local School

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES WEPRE COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL TO ASSEMBLY
Fifteen pupils and their teachers from Wepre Community Primary School in Connahs Quay have visited their Assembly Member Carl Sargeant at the National Assembly for Wales.The pupils met with Mr Sargeant in the Assembly Chamber’s public gallery, and had a very entertaining question and answer session. Pupils took the opportunity to quiz their AM on a wide variety of questions ranging from what he considered to be the Assembly’s greatest achievements to the hardest decisions he has had to make. Mr Sargeant said: “I really enjoyed meeting with the pupils of Wepre CP School and their teachers. Welcoming local groups from Alyn and Deeside to the Assembly is one of the most special parts of my job. “It is great to see such an enthusiastic group of young people. Many of their questions showed that they are really clued-up about politics and the Assembly, and I was impressed in particular by their clear interest in the environment and the legislative process that takes place during plenary. I hope the children enjoyed their visit as much as I did.”The children were also treated to a full and interactive guided tour of the Assembly building and the Pierhead building which houses a museum about the Assembly, before taking the train back home.

AM's Message To Minister

CARL SARGEANT AM URGES MINISTER TO “JUST SAY ‘NO’”

With a decision on the A494 Road Improvement Scheme due soon, Carl Sargeant, Assembly Member for Alyn and Deeside has urged the Transport Minister to “Just say ‘no’”.
Mr Sargeant has written to the Transport Minister stating: “Any time now you will be making your decision regarding the A494 Road Improvement Scheme. For the local residents who will be affected by the scheme, the only decision can be to say “no” to the proposals.
“You will be aware of the arguments made strongly by myself and many other local residents who believe that a scheme of this magnitude is deeply inappropriate for the area. You have heard arguments against the scheme relating to the effect the scheme would have on the quality of life of local people and the environment. You have also heard calls for other routes to be fully considered, along with calls for greater investment in public transport and the reduction of the volume of freight on our roads.
“These arguments have been well made and highly persuasive, and I hope that you will concur that the only appropriate response is to reject the proposed A494 Road Improvement Scheme.”

CARL SARGEANT AM WARNS SUPERMARKETS OVER PLASTIC BAG GIVEAWAYS

Supermarkets in Alyn and Deeside need to get their act together over the ‘mountains of carrier bags’ they give away every week - or face a Government imposed levy, local Labour AM Carl Sargeant AM warned today.
Carl Sargeant AM was responding to the news that the UK Government has announced that it will use powers to put a levy on single use carrier bags if retailers don’t take enough action themselves by the end of the year.
Mr Sargeant said: “The mountains of plastic bags which our local supermarkets are giving away each week are causing enormous harm in our communities.
“I am very pleased to see the Government making it clear that retailers have until the end of the year to do more, or face legislation to impose charges on these bags from early next year.
“Many of us only use these bags for a few minutes to carry our shopping home, but they can damage our environment for years to come. Discarded plastic bags are a real blight in many communities and they can take thousands of years to break down, often on landfill tips.
“The Assembly Government has already signed up to a voluntary code with supermarkets aimed at reducing the amount of single use carrier bags used in Wales, but this is just the start. The Assembly is currently asking for new powers over environmental protection and waste management, which would also make an impact in this area.
“At the same time, we all have a responsibility to cut down on the number of carrier bags we use when we are shopping. Re-usable bags are better for the environment and they could soon be better for our pockets as well.”

Safe Routes To Schools

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES MORE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming today’s announcement of funding from the Welsh Assembly Government for four new Safe Routes to Schools areas in Alyn and Deeside.The funding will be allocated as follows:Llandfynydd Primary £71,000Elfed High School, Buckley £60,000 Ewloe Green Primary £50,000Wepre Primary, Connah’s Quay £88,000
Mr Sargeant said: “The Assembly Government launched its Safe Routes to Schools initiative back in 1999 with the aim of not only tackling the congestion caused by the school run, but also of reminding children and parents that there are alternatives to the car and that those alternatives can be both fun and healthy. “We are determined to ensure that walking and cycling to school become an attractive option for children, and to reassure parents that their children are safe when travelling to and from school.“Around 300 schools now benefit from the scheme, and I am delighted that four more schools from Alyn and Deeside are among the most recent to get on board.”

Advice For Parents and Carers

“CHILDREN ARE UNBEATABLE,” SAYS CARL SARGEANT AM
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming tomorrow’s launch at the National Assembly for Wales of a new toolkit to help change attitudes to smacking. The “Help at Hand Toolkit” is an online resource providing materials which aims to:• Increase in the number of people who actively support a change to the law on smacking in the UK • Decrease the incidence of physical punishment of children • Decrease the percentage of the population who find the physical punishment of children acceptableMr Sargeant said: “I am very pleased to be backing the “Children are Unbeatable” campaign. The Assembly Government believes that children have the same right as adults not to be hit. “This new toolkit provides first class advice and support for parents and carers, and will help them discipline and manage their children’s behaviour without having to resort to physical punishment.” The toolkit can be accessed at www.helpathandtoolkit.info

Advice For Consumer

CARL SARGEANT AM BACKS CONSUMER COUNCIL ADVICE

Following an announcement by the water industry regulator Ofwat that bills are set to rise this year by an average of 5.8 per cent, Carl Sargeant AM is highlighting the Consumer Council for Water (Wales) advice on how to keep bills as low as possible.Mr Sargeant said: “Consumers should check whether they could save money by having a meter installed. People living alone or those who currently pay higher than average charges are most likely to benefit. Visit the Consumer Council’s meter charge calculator to see if you can save (www.ccwater.org.uk). “Customers who already have a meter can cut their bill by taking simple steps to avoid wasting water they are paying for. Fixing dripping taps, installing a water saving device in toilets, taking showers rather than baths and collecting rainwater for use in the garden are all great ways to be water efficient.“WaterSure is another money saving option for customers with a water meter and on income based benefits such as Income Support, Income based Jobseekers allowance, Pension Credit, Working Tax Credit, Housing or Council Tax benefits, and have either a large family (three or more children in full time education under the age of 19) or a medical condition which requires them to use more water. The programme caps a household's water bill at the average rate for their area, allowing affected households to use the extra water they need without having to worry about a high bill. Customers should speak to their water suppliers about this.“I am please to back this good advice from the Consumer Council for Water, and hope that constituents will explore how they can save water and money.”

AM Welcomes Support For Victims

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES SUPPORT FOR MALE DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has welcomed a new helpline which has been set up to help male victims of domestic abuse in Wales.
The Dyn Cymru helpline (Tel: 0808 801 0321), which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, offers basic support and information to men all around Wales - including heterosexual, gay, bisexual, and transgender men - who experience domestic abuse.
Mr Sargeant, who has previously spoken out in the Assembly chamber about the need for more support for male victims of domestic abuse, said: “I am delighted that the Assembly Government has taken action to support male victims of domestic abuse. While the majority of those experiencing domestic abuse are women, men can also be victims. Indeed, the Home Office has indicated that one in six men will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives. Men can often be too ashamed to admit that they are victims of domestic abuse, and feel that they have no one they can turn to. This helpline will offer confidential, professional advice and support.”

AM's Praise For Local Workforce

CARL SARGEANT AM ATTENDS TOYOTA CELEBRATION

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has today attended the Toyota Manufacturing UK’s ZR Engine Casting and Machining start of production celebration and ceremony at the company’s plant on Deeside Industrial Park.
Mr Sargeant said: “I am delighted to join the workers at Toyota in Deeside to celebrate the second major investment in engine production at the Deeside Plant since 2007. Today’s investment is in addition to the £700 million already invested in the plant here at Deeside.
“This investment will enable the company to maintain its commitment to long-term stable employment for our area, which is great news for employees, and a real testimony to the skills and dedication of the workforce here.”

AM Welcomes Poll

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES RSPCA POLL
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming a new RSPCA poll which shows the recent campaign on the plight of meat chickens reared in the UK each year - highlighted in programmes presented by Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall - has changed people's buying habits.
Mr Sargeant said: “An amazing 73 per cent of consumers said that since recently learning about the poor conditions in which standard chickens are farmed, they now buy chickens that have had a better life. Nearly three out of four people feel that supermarkets should only sell higher welfare chicken such as Freedom Food, free-range or organic.
“This campaign has been immensely successful in terms of raising awareness of the sickening conditions in which many chickens are reared, and people are responding to the campaign by making changes to the items that they are prepared to pay for and eat. Some supermarkets are reporting selling right out of Freedom Food produce.
“The RSPCA is concerned, however, that some consumers are being confused by retailers who use labels such as “barn fresh” or “farm reared.” The only labels which mean the animal has been raised to higher welfare standards are “Freedom Food,” “free range” or “organic.” Anything else is just cleverly marketed chicken raised to poor welfare standards. Shoppers need to be wise to these marketing tools.”
Visit www.rspca.org.uk to read the Good Chicken Guide, to find out where to buy chickens which have been raised to higher welfare standards.

WELCOME NEWS

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES REFORM OF HOSPITAL CAR PARKING CHARGES

Local AM Carl Sargeant has warmly welcomed a move by the Labour-led Assembly Government to allow patients, visitors and staff to park for free at almost every hospital in Wales by the end of 2011.
The announcement means that from 1 April this year, car parking on all NHS Trust sites is to be provided free of charge for patients, staff and visitors, unless external contracts are in place.
Where commercial parking contracts are in place, NHS Trusts are being told to reduce parking costs for patients, staff and visitors from 1st June this year. These reduced-cost schemes will then have to remain in place until the end of the contract.
Mr Sargeant said: “This will be very welcome news for patients and their families across Alyn and Deeside.
“Under the current system, charges vary widely across Wales. This means that patients, staff and visitors can all be hit with the expense and inconvenience of parking charges, often when they are at their most vulnerable.
“While Wrexham Maelor and Glan Clwyd operate commercial contracts and North East Wales NHS Trust is legally bound to honour the terms of these contracts, I am sure that patients, visitors and staff will join with me in welcoming the fact that they will face reduced parking charges from June 1st.
“At last year’s Assembly election, Labour promised that we would reform charges for hospital parking and today’s announcement means that we are well on the way to doing just that by the end of this Assembly term.”

Cogratulations To Local Workforce

Airtanker gives confidence to Broughton Factory
Carl Sargeant AM congratulated staff at the Airbus factory in Broughton on winning a £20 billion plane Aircraft refuelling deal ahead of Boeing. A consortium including European plane maker Airbus has clinched a lucrative US contract to build planes designed to refuel US military jets. The wings made at the factory in Wales signals that the markets have great confidence in the Airbus aircraft.
Carl Sargeant said “ I am delighted that the US government have taken a decision based on clear evidence that the Airtanker capabilities were clearly leaps ahead of the Boeing competitor. This will help stabilise the company in the volatile currency markets giving the workforce confidence for the future of the Broughton plant. Well done to all”
The £20 billion deal to replace aging KC-135 air tankers was clinched by Northrop Grumman corp and Airbus who saw off stiff competition from rival manufacturer Boeing. The news comes as a blow to Boeing that was looking to replace the planes they provided in the 1950s with their new model.
Senior American air force officials have defended the decision saying that the selection process was fair and that the best offer was chosen.

AM Welcomes Investment

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES BIG LOTTERY FUND INVESTMENT

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming new Big Lottery Fund investment in sixteen community projects across Wales worth a total of £2,971,159. The North Wales Deaf Association is the latest group to benefit, receiving a grant of £246,283 to fund the Mobile Advice, Information and Support Project. The money will be used to provide a customised mobile unit staffed by an Information Officer and trained local volunteers to provide advice and support for those with hearing difficulties at locations across North Wales.Mr Sargeant said: “In Wales, the Big Lottery Fund is rolling out close to £1 million a week in Lottery good cause money, which together with other Lottery distributors means that across Wales most people are within a only few miles of a Lottery-funded project. “I am delighted that the North Wales Deaf Association has been awarded this grant, which will help them reach out to more deaf and hard of hearing people across Flintshire and beyond.”The £66 million People and Places programme awards grants of between £5,001 and £1 million for a broad range of community projects. For further information about the People and Places programme and how you can apply for funding, please visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk and use the ‘Wales’ specific search facility.