AM Supports Initiative

CARL SARGEANT AM SUPPORTS SUSTRANS INITIATIVE
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is throwing his support behind sustainable transport charity Sustrans’ “Change Your World Week.”The charity is asking individuals to pledge that they will swap one car trip between 30th June and 5th July and walk, cycle, use public transport or car-share instead.Mr Sargeant said: “By taking small steps together we can make a big change happen. “Sustrans is asking that we all pledge to swap just one car trip between 30th June and 5th July and walk, cycle, use public transport or car-share instead. Amazingly, if we all drove just one less journey a week, together we’d reduce car traffic by 10%.“More sustainable ways of traveling such as cycling or walking are better for the environment, and they are also good news for our health and our wallets too.”For more information, see: http://www.changeyourworld.org.uk/

AM Welcomes Vote

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES EURO VOTE ON ENERGY

Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn and Deeside, is congratulating Welsh MEP Eluned Morgan on winning a vote at the European Parliament which will force big French and German energy companies to be more competitive.Mr Sargeant said: “Whereas electricity generating and transmission companies in the UK were forced to separate some years ago, firms in France and Germany have continued to operate with vested interests in both sectors. This has meant that British companies have been bought up by bigger companies on the continent.“However, thanks to a proposal moved by our own Welsh Labour MEP Eluned Morgan at the European Parliament, there will now be an EU-wide ban on companies having interests in both the generating and transmission of energy at the same time, which is excellent news.“We are all keenly aware of the rising cost of energy, and Eluned Morgan should be congratulated on working hard in Europe to keep costs down and the market competitive, which is important for us all as consumers.”

AM Highlights Advice

CARL SARGEANT AM HIGHLIGHTS ADVICE FOR DISABLED HOLIDAYMAKERS
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is highlighting new advice issued by the charity Tourism for All which aims to help people with disabilities plan their summer holiday.This advice follows a survey by Leonard Cheshire Disability which found that 61 per cent of disabled travellers had experienced problems boarding flights and 11 per cent had been forced to cancel or delay a flight because of accessibility problems.Mr Sargeant said: “The most important advice is that disabled travellers should make sure that the resort that they are going to caters for their condition. Disabled holidaymakers should let their travel agents know that certain facilities are essential requirements, not merely ‘requests.’“Holidaymakers should also pack extra medication in order to cover any unforeseen events, such as delays or strikes. “Wheelchairs and other equipment may also need to be specially considered in insurance policies.”

Welcome Statement

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES WET AMD STATEMENT

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has welcomed a statement from the Health Minister announcing that the Assembly Government will fund Lucentis treatment for first and second eye patients with Wet AMD in Wales for this financial year, to the tune of £5 million. This service will now be delivered from the autumn of 2008.Mr Sargeant said: “Today I will be welcoming to the Assembly constituents from Alyn and Dee who suffer from Wet AMD, and I am pleased that I will be able to share this good news. “I very much welcome the statement, which re-affirms the commitment of this Assembly Government to assist those with wet AMD in Wales.
“The Minister has also announced a gradual phasing in of treatment centres across Wales to provide appropriate delivery meeting the prerequisites of best practice and equity of access in order to end any “postcode lottery” for treatment. I have written to the Minister asking for the detail on when a centre will be opened for people in our area.”The Assembly Government will also deliver:
• A review of all drugs for the treatment of Wet AMD currently undergoing clinical trials so that they may be provided for treatment as soon as they are licensed;• The development of an electronic record system not just to accurately record data but to use as a teaching tool for ophthalmology;• An appraisal and reappraisal of the treatment protocols to ensure the service delivers the best outcomes for patients; and• Appropriate referrals from primary care optometrists - working to strict protocols - to ensure that patients are referred urgently in order to be assessed for treatment and to deliver the maximum visual benefit.

AM Welcomes Grant

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES LOCAL LOTTERY GRANT

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming the news that the British Driving Society North East Wales group has been awarded a National Lottery Awards for All grant of £4722.
The funding will be used to produce promotional materials for their display stand which is managed by experienced carriage driving volunteers, and which promotes carriage driving throughout Flintshire, Wrexham, Denbighshire and North Powys. The stand will appear at local and county shows and events. The funding will also allow the group to hold an Introduction into Carriage Driving Day early next year. Mr Sargeant said: “The British Driving Society North East Wales is the latest local group to benefit from the Awards for All scheme. “Awards for All is supported by the Big Lottery Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and it awards grants of between £500 and £5,000 for people to take part in heritage and community activities, and projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community.“I would recommend that local groups explore whether they could benefit from this funding as the application process is straightforward and decisions are made within 12 weeks.”For further information, see http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/.

AM Support For National Cycle Training

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES CYCLE TRAINING ANNOUCEMENT
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming today’s announcement of plans for a national cycle training standard across Wales as part of a bid to improve safety and the take-up of cycling amongst children and young people. The Welsh Assembly Government will be investing £250,000 to train more than 100 instructors to teach the new standards across Wales.Mr Sargeant said: “The Assembly Government is committed to encouraging more people to cycle as a regular means of transportation.“Safety is of course paramount, so we need to be providing access to qualified instructors who can deliver cycle training to a consistent standard that prepares children and adults to cycle on today’s roads.“Cycling has so many benefits. It is an environmentally sound way of getting around, and with petrol prices as they are it is a good way of cutting back on spending. And of course the health benefits are enormous.“Today’s announcement is really good news.”

AM Welcomes Moves

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES ELECTRIC DOG COLLAR STATEMENT

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming moves to ban the use of electric training aids, including shock collars, because of concerns about unnecessary suffering to pet animals.The announcement follows a public consultation on the issue. The Minister received 173 responses to the consultation, including one from Mr Sargeant in support of a ban.Mr Sargeant said: “The Assembly Government takes issues of animal welfare very seriously, and I am pleased that we are proposing to ban these barbaric instruments.“Electric dog collars are cruel and lazy ways of disciplining and training canines. Dogs are intelligent animals who respond well to good, consistent training. There is absolutely no need to use pain or fear. “Electric dog collars are inhumane and I strongly welcome a ban on their use.”The Welsh Assembly Government will now produce, and consult on, draft detailed Regulations to introduce the ban, giving further consideration to whether the sale and possession of electric shock collars should be included in the ban. The ban will be the first of its kind in the UK.

Keep Wales Tidy

CARL SARGEANT AM HIGHLIGHTS TIDY WALES WEEK
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is urging people in Alyn and Deeside to get involved with Tidy Wales Week 2008, which takes place this week, from 23rd – 29th June.Mr Sargeant said: “Last year, tens of thousands of volunteers did their bit to clean up Wales in support of Tidy Wales Week. This year we want to get even more people involved.“This year, over 620 clean up events have already been planned by groups across Wales. Over 290 schools, 120 community groups, 30 Communities First partnerships, 13 Police/Fire Stations and 38 public sector agencies have already ordered clean-up kits.“To organise an event, or find out what is happening locally, visit http://www.keep/ walestidy.org.” Keep Wales Tidy has produced 1000 free clean-up kits which have been sponsored by Visit Wales – the Welsh Assembly Government's tourism team – and the Environment Agency Wales. The kits are available to anybody who wants to take part and organise an event as part of the week. The kits contain information on how to organise and carry out a successful clean up including:• Posters – to advertise your event• Promotional Items - pens, pencils, keyrings & badges• Tabards – to keep you clean and tidy• Contacts for the local authority who will provide bags, gloves etc• A booklet full of useful information to help you organise a busy, fun and safe clean up event with hints and tips on getting others involved and gaining local publicity.To order a FREE Clean Up Kit call 029 2025 6767, email: tww@keepwalestidy.org, or visit http://www.keepwalestidy.org/.

AM Welcomes Decision

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES UN SECURITY COUNCIL DECISION
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming the news that the UN Security Council has voted unanimously in favour of a resolution classifying rape as a weapon of war. The resolution describes sexual violence as "a tactic of war to humiliate, dominate, instil fear in, disperse and/or forcibly relocate civilian members of a community or ethnic group.”Mr Sargeant said: “I welcome the news that the UN Security Council has taken this historic step.“It is a terrible fact that rape is occurring on a massive scale in war-torn countries. It is used as an instrument of terror to punish and to instil fear.“It is a positive development that the UN Security Council has set up an inquiry to report on just how widespread the problem is, and to explore ways in which to tackle it.”

Welcome News

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES BOOST FOR NURSES

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming a new drive to boost nurses’ career development, enabling them to work across traditional boundaries to improve patient care and achieve more senior positions in the NHS. The ‘Beliefs and Actions’ statement for nurses, midwives and healthcare specialists also reaffirms the core principles and ethos of nursing in the year of the NHS’s 60th anniversary.Mr Sargeant said: “This strategy has been written for nurses, by nurses, and it pledges that nurses will benefit from expanded and redesigned roles as more care is delivered outside hospital settings. It is important that nurses themselves have been at the core of the development of this statement.“At the same time, it has at its core the patient’s right to respect, dignity, well-being, choice and compassion. Keeping the patient as the central focus in care is at the heart of the belief statement. It stresses the need to recognise that each patient has an individual set of needs and wishes that should be respected. I warmly welcome the development of this statement.”Each nurse in the NHS in Wales will receive a card outlining the new and improved ‘beliefs and actions’ mission statement.The publication of the new strategy comes ahead of the launch next week of a report to further empower ward sisters and charge nurses.

Motoring Advice

BRITS WASTING 1BN ON FUEL,” WARNS CARL SARGEANT AM
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is highlighting new research which suggests that Brits are wasting a cumulative £1 billion in fuel as a result of insufficient tyre pressure.Research from Cooper Tire Europe has found that some 95 per cent of cars have at least one tyre under-inflated by around ten per cent.Mr Sargeant said: “Fuel consumption can increase by 2.5 per cent as a result of under-inflated tyres. Checking tyre pressure is a simple task, and as we see increases in fuel prices and increased pressure on our finances, maintaining proper tyre pressure is one simple way to save money and fuel. “Environmental groups are also telling us that maintaining tyre pressure can also reduce a motorist’s environmental impact.“Furthermore, there is also a safety issue as under-inflated tyres can mean that stopping distances are increased which results in more accidents.”

WORK EXPERIENCE AT THE OFFICE OF CARL SARGEANT AM
This week, 19 year old Matthew Owen Andrew from Mancot and is on work experience with Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside. Matthew is currently doing A Level work at Deeside College.
Matthew is spending the week at Carl Sargeant AM’s constituency office in Shotton. On Wednesday he travelled to Cardiff to tour the Assembly building, watch Minister’s Questions and debates in the Chamber, and assist at Carl’s Assembly office.
Matthew Owen said: “It has been a real privilege to visit the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff and it has been a fantastic experience. You don’t quire realise quite how complex the Welsh Assembly is and how beneficial it is to Wales until you actually see it for yourself and speak to the people on the ground who have been great. I’m truly grateful to Carl Sargeant for providing me with this chance to see for myself how important the Welsh Assembly is for the future of Wales.”
Mr Sargeant said: “I am very grateful for all of Matthew’s hard work this week. I am happy to see that he feels his experience in Cardiff has been beneficial. I wish him all the best for when he starts his second academic year of A Levels at Deeside College.”

AM Supports Event

CARL SARGEANT AM RAISES AWARENESS OF PEOPLE TRAFFICKING
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has supported an awareness raising event at the National Assembly for Wales, organised by Amnesty International with the support of the Women’s Institute, seeking to end the horrors of people trafficking for the sex trade in Wales.Mr Sargeant said: “Amnesty International estimate that at any one time there are around 200 women in Wales who have been sold into the sex trade, living in appalling conditions and suffering daily brutality. It is a horrible fact that large numbers of children are also victims.“Contrary to the perceptions of many, these hidden victims are not restricted to the major cities, but they are also suffering in small communities, right across Wales.“The work that Amnesty International and the Women’s Institute are doing is exemplary in combating this terrible problem. Local Authorities, the Police, and the National Assembly for Wales also need to work together to help end this modern day slave trade, and to support the women and children who are victims to it.”

Cash Boost For Communities First

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES NEW CASH FOR COMMUNITIES FIRST

Efforts to regenerate some of the most disadvantaged communities in Wales have received another boost today, thanks to a new £25m fund which has been announced by the Assembly Government.
Carl Sargeant AM has welcomed news of the new Communities First ‘Outcomes Fund’ which will be open for bids by Communities First partnerships including Higher Shotton. The partnerships will be able to apply for money from the fund, but will need to demonstrate that their proposals will help deliver key Communities First priorities. They will also need to show that they are working in partnership with local public bodies and have engaged with local people in planning local services.
The Fund, which will be worth at least £25million over three years, is the centrepiece of plans for the next phase of Communities First, the Assembly Government’s flagship community regeneration programme, which Labour launched in the Assembly back in 2001.
Mr Sargeant said: “The new Outcomes Fund will be a real boost for our Communities First areas, like Higher Shotton.
“It also shows how the Labour-led Assembly Government is committed to taking the Communities First programme to the next level so that it does even more to regenerate our communities.
“I am pleased to see that the next phase of Communities First will give the programme an even clearer focus on getting practical improvements in place on the ground to tackle poverty, regenerate these areas and improve employability.
“I am looking forward to seeing the Communities First programme going from strength to strength as it enters this next phase and I am sure that it will continue to make a real difference to the lives of so many people in Alyn and Deeside.”

Modern Apprentice Annual Awards

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR MODERN APPRENTICE AWARDS
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is highlighting the Modern Apprenticeship (MA) Awards 2008. The annual awards, managed by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Department of Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, will showcase modern apprentices, businesses and learning providers that have made outstanding contributions to education and training in Wales. Mr Sargeant said: “Modern Apprenticeships are at the very heart of the lifelong learning agenda in Wales, and the number of learners undertaking Apprenticeships has risen steadily over recent years. They provide a wonderful opportunity for those working in various sectors to acquire the wide range of skills which employers are telling us they badly need, and this is vital if we are to achieve our goal of creating a world class workforce.“The competition has three categories of awards – the Learner Award, the Employer Award and the Provider Award. I know that there are many individuals, employers, and providers in Alyn and Deeside who are beacons of good practice. These awards are the perfect opportunity to showcase the talents we have in our constituency.”
The Awards will culminate in a glittering ceremony to reward and celebrate the achievements of Welsh learners and providers in Cardiff in November. For further information on how to apply, call 01443 663783.

AM Welcomes Code of Practice

CARL SARGEANT AM SLAMS RIP OFF BROADBAND

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is hitting out at broadband providers who mislead consumers by advertising and charging for higher broadband speeds than the consumers actually receive.The AM is welcoming a new voluntary code of practice produced by Ofcom aimed at ensuring that internet service providers give greater clarity over customers’ broadband line speeds. However, Mr Sargeant argues that the guidance does not go far enough and would like to see firm legislation in place of a voluntary code.Mr Sargeant said: “Consumers in the UK have been ripped off by broadband providers for too long. We have been paying for broadband speeds that we have no hope of receiving. Providers have shown themselves to be untrustworthy on the issue of broadband speed, so clearly a voluntary code is not enough.“Consumers have not been made aware of the potential limitations of the broadband speed they will receive, which can be influenced by a diverse range of factors including where they live, their choice of ISP, and the time of day they are online.“Providers need to be obligated to provide consumers with accurate and up-to-date speed capability data. It is only with this information that consumers will be able to make an informed choice.”Ofcom will be monitoring compliance to the spirit and letter of the code. If it finds that that the code is not effective in addressing the issue, Ofcom will consider the introduction of mandatory regulations.

AM Welcomes Debate

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES DEBATE ON TOURISM
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming tomorrow’s Government debate at the National Assembly for Wales on the subject of tourism.Mr Sargeant said: “The latest available figures show that in 2006 Wales attracted 9.6 million visitors from within the UK and over 1 million overseas visitors, generating a total spend of £2 billion. Additional spending of £1.5 billion from day visits gave rise to a total tourism economy of £3.5 billion – that’s equivalent to over £9 million of tourism spending being injected into the economy on a daily basis. Clearly tourism is very important to the success of our economy. “Because tourism impacts on a wide range of related sectors such as transport, construction and retail, it must be sustainable and also well placed to act as a catalyst for wider regeneration. Tourism can be an important driver of local and regional economic development and relevant to many aspects of social policy. For these reasons I am very pleased that we will be examining tourism in the Chamber, and look forward to a stimulating debate.”

AM Welcomes Meeting

CARL SARGEANT WELCOMES ON-GOING EFFORT TO TACKLE FUEL POVERTY

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming today’s meeting between the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing and the Energy Retail Association (ERA), who represent energy suppliers, as part of the Assembly Government’s on-going efforts to tackle fuel poverty. Last month, the Minister attended a summit of UK Ministers, energy suppliers and voluntary sector interests, hosted by the energy regulator Ofgem, to agree actions to help the most vulnerable throughout the UK. Today’s meeting aims to ensure that energy suppliers work in partnership with the Assembly Government to ensure the agreed actions reflect the needs of the people of Wales. Mr Sargeant said: “Tackling fuel poverty is high on the Assembly Government’s agenda, and we are aware that it is the most vulnerable people in Wales who are least able to meet the cost of rising bills. “The Assembly Government is exploring what it can do within the areas of its responsibility, and is committed to working with key players including the energy suppliers. It aims to have a National Energy Efficiency and Saving Plan ready for consultation by the end of the year, and a review of the Assembly’s fuel poverty strategy will be integral to this.”

AM Welcomes Record Employment

CARL SARGEANT WELCOMES RECORD EMPLOYMENT IN WALES
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is celebrating the news that employment in Wales has hit record levels. Official ONS figures, released today, show that total employment in Wales now stands at 1,360,000, up 20,000 over the previous year and up 27,000 over the previous quarter.The employment rate amongst the working age in February to April was 72.5 per cent, up 1.0 percentage points on the previous year, compared to a rise of 0.5% for the UK as a whole, and up 1.3 percentage points on the previous quarter, compared to a flatline rate for the UK.The unemployment rate in Wales - at 5.3% - is also down on the previous year.Inactivity levels in Wales fell by 29,000 compared to the previous quarter. The reduction in the inactivity rate over the previous year in Wales was double the reduction for the rest of the UK.Welcoming the figures, Mr Sargeant said: “These latest official figures make reassuring reading and illustrate that Welsh economy is continuing to show remarkable resilience in the face of a turbulent economic climate with the credit crunch and high energy prices putting all sorts of new pressures on the economy. “I am proud that the Assembly Government is investing strongly in the skills sector, and we are putting in place opportunities for people to train and embrace “lifelong learning” in order to reach their full potential.“On a UK-wide basis Labour is making sure that work pays, through initiatives such as the minimum wage, and working towards creating fairer working conditions and environments.”

AM Welcomes Decision

CARL SARGEANT WELCOMES EEC WHALING DECISION
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming the European Environment Council’s decision to back tougher protection for whales at this month’s meeting of the International Whaling Commission. Mr Sargeant, who has written to the Prime Minister of Iceland requesting that he revoke 40 new permits for the killing of 40 minke whales, said: “This decision allows Europe to present a co-ordinated and collective position at the IWC meeting, in which it will back the 1986 whaling moratorium and continue its opposition to the so-called ‘scientific’ whaling expeditions outside of the IWC’s jurisdiction.“Whales are in more danger now that at any other time in their history. Whaling is cruel, unnecessary, and it meets no pressing human need. These majestic animals are hunted for pure greed. “Harpoons using the same explosive grenade heads employed fifty years ago are still used today, and these are often not enough to kill the whales who instead suffer a slow and painful death as they are hoisted aboard vessels still alive.“I am pleased that the EU and its member states will continue to be among the most vocal opponents of whaling.”

AM Welcomes Decision

CARL SARGEANT WELCOMES HCW DECISION

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming the recommendation of the Wales Centre for Health’s review of the role and functions of Health Commission Wales which says that the body be scrapped and replaced by an independent body.
Mr Sargeant, who made a personal submission on behalf of his constituents to the review said: “I have been calling for the abolition of HCW since September of last year, so I welcome today’s news.
“Time and again constituents have approached me with cases which highlight the fact that there are simply too many layers of bureaucracy in the health service, and which have let me to believe that HCW has been hindering rather than helping patients.
“I am a strong believer that the health service should always have the clinical need and the best interests of patients at its core. We need to get the mechanisms which are used to determine the health care treatment for individual patients who require very specialised care just right.”

AM Welcomes Consultation

CARL SARGEANT WELCOMES CONSULTATION ON TRAFFIC SPEEDS
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has welcomed the launch of an Assembly Government consultation on new guidance for setting local speed limits on Welsh roads.
Mr Sargeant said: “I am regularly contacted by constituents who are concerned about specific local aspects of road safety, be it outside schools or through the villages in our constituency. The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to continually promoting road safety in Wales and to reducing the number of road collisions and casualties, and this consultation marks an important step in delivering appropriate speeds in our communities.
“I am very keen to hear what constituents think about this issue, and would encourage interested groups and individuals to share their views with me by calling me on 01244 823547 or emailing carl.sargeant@wales.gov.uk. I will be sure to feed any ideas or comments into the consultation process.”
The 12-week consultation will look at several key issues relating to the setting of speed limits, and includes:• 20 mile an hour speed limits at appropriate locations - such as in the vicinity of schools; • Speed limits through villages; • The categorisation of routes by quality and traffic use; • The potential for, and implications of, 50 mph speed limits on lower quality rural roads; and, • A proposed period of five years for Highway Authorities to review and amend speed limits on their road networks.

AM Welcomes Scheme

CARL SARGEANT WELCOMES EXPANDED MORTGAGE RESCUE SCHEME
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has welcomed the Assembly Government’s decision to expand its Mortgage Rescue Scheme to address a consequence of the current ‘credit crunch’. The scheme allows a housing association to either purchase the home outright so that the home owners then become assured tenants, or can purchase an equity share where the mortgagees can afford a smaller loan.
Mr Sargeant said: “The Assembly Government recognises that the current economic climate is creating a set of serious problems for some home owners who are finding that they are unable to meet the repayments on their mortgages and are in danger of losing their homes.
“When a family loses their home and becomes homeless there are many worrying consequences, such as the children having to move schools. The health and wellbeing of all of those affected can deteriorate. The expansion of the Mortgage Rescue Scheme will help more home owners avoid the nightmare of repossession.
“The additional funds that we are ploughing into this scheme show that the Assembly Government is willing to respond appropriately to global economic challenges. Our homelessness prevention agenda is an important one and I am confident that this intervention will alleviate pressure on local authorities and provide a safety net to those facing the unfortunate reality of becoming homeless.”
The Assembly Government will be working with local authorities and housing associations to allow families facing homelessness to access the mortgage rescue scheme.

Visit To See Local Factory

AM AND MP TO VISIT PROMENS FACTORY

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, and Mark Tami, MP for Alyn and Deeside are to visit Promens Deeside, on Engineer Park, Sandycroft, this Friday 13th June.Promens Deeside specialises in the manufacture of industrial packaging for dangerous substances including chemicals, agrochemicals, detergents and lubricating oil. The core technologies used at the plant are extrusion blow moulding and injection moulding. Mr Sargeant said: “The plant here in Deeside forms an integral part of what is a dynamic and exciting global company. I am looking forward to meeting with the workforce and to hearing about proposals for the future expansion of the company.” Mr Tami said: “"This is an excellent company that is at the cutting edge of technology. It has a loyal and skilled workforce, the type of which we should feel very proud of in Deeside."

AM To Meet Chief Superintendent

CARL SARGEANT AM TO MEET WITH CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is to hold one of his regular meetings with Chief Superintendent Ruth Purdie this Friday.Mr Sargeant said: “I schedule regular and constructive meetings with the Chief Superintendent to discuss issues of crime and local policing. These meetings are a great opportunity for me to raise directly issues of concern which constituents have approached me with.“If there are any issues of particular concern that constituents would like me to raise with the Chief Superintendent, I can be contacted on 01244 823547 or emailed at carl.sargeant@wales.gov.uk.”

AM ' s Praise For Community Project

CARL SARGEANT AM TO CELEBRATE BUCKLEY PROJECT
This Thursday 12th June, Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, will be joining the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government to celebrate the official opening of the “Our Community is Our Backyard” project in Buckley.The Flintshire Neighbourhood Watch Association, which is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, won the public vote in the People's Millions contest on ITV for a BIG Lottery Fund award. Mr Sargeant said: “Flintshire Neighbourhood Watch Association won the hearts and minds of ITV viewers across the region, with their pitch to spend the winning cash on a project to rejuvenate a piece of natural wasteland in Buckley to provide a family and wildlife area.“This project has really brought the community together. Local individuals, schools, and businesses have all joined forces with bodies such as the North Wales Probation Service and Flintshire Community Safety Partnership – to name just a few – to ensure that this project has been a roaring success.“I look forward to celebrating the achievement with the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government.” The launch will take place on Thursday 12th June 2008, at Bistre Church Community Hall, Buckley, from 10.30am.

AM 's Suport For Health Week

CARL SARGEANT AM SUPPORTS MEN’S HEALTH WEEK

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is throwing his support behind Men’s Health Week 2008, which begins today. A large proportion of men's health problems are work-related, such as accidents in the workplace or stress. With this in mind, the theme for this year's Men's Health Week is men and work. The week focuses on areas such as traditional health and safety issues and the workplace's potential as a setting for improving the health of men.Mr Sargeant, who has spoken in the Assembly Chamber about the importance of male health issues, said: “The Welsh Assembly Government is taking this matter seriously, and we have put in place a number of initiatives to improve workplace health, such as our Welsh Backs website which can be viewed at www.welshbacks.com. “Welsh Backs aims to reduce the physical, financial and psychological impact of back pain by engaging employers, health professionals and the general public to raise awareness of the best ways to deal with back pain.”Other Assembly initiatives include: • Workboost Wales - launched on 1 March 2008 in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive, this provides small and medium sized enterprises with free and impartial occupational health, safety and return to work advice. See www.workboostwales.org.uk.• Online Health and Work resource - being developed with GPs to provide access to online training and resources on health and work issues and access to occupational health advice. This resource will be launched on 3 July this year. • Corporate Health Standard - our in house work quality initiative is the quality mark in workplace health and wellbeing. We provide organisations with advice, support and recognition for initiatives in the workplace. • Physiotherapy project - launched on 31 March, this project is piloting rapid access to physiotherapy services to public, private and third sector employers to reduce the impact of musculoskeletal disorders. For more information see www.menshealthforum.org.uk

A First For Wales

CARL SARGEANT AM CELEBRATES FAIR TRADE FIRST

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is celebrating the news that Wales has become the world’s first Fair Trade Nation. The announcement follows a two-year campaign by the Wales Fair Trade Forum, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, to increase the availability of Fair Trade products in towns, cities and counties across Wales, and encouraging schools, businesses and other organisations to switch to Fair Trade.
Mr Sargeant said: “This is a great achievement for Wales, and another ‘world first’ for us.
“Fair Trade has demonstrated its potential to help producers improve their livelihoods, strengthen their businesses and benefit their communities.
“The use of Fair Trade products in Wales is helping thousands of developing country farmers and producers to trade their way out of poverty, and I want to see that continue to increase significantly year on year.
“In Wales we are showing that our simple buying decisions can make a real difference. I hope that we will build on today’s achievement, and inspire other nations to work towards Fair Trade status too.”

AM Welcomes Debate

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES VOTING AGE DEBATE
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming this Friday’s House of Commons debate on lowering the voting age in UK elections.In a free vote at the National Assembly in February, Mr Sargeant called on the Government to lower the voting age to 16.Mr Sargeant said: “Sixteen year olds can gain full time employment, pay taxes, fight in the armed forces and marry – it is simply inconsistent that they are denied the right to vote.“We are always saying that young people need to be responsible. Let’s entrust them with the responsibility of engaging with the democratic process. “In my experience, we do not give young people the credit they deserve. When I visit schools and colleges I am always impressed by the interest young people have in politics and the political process. Issues such as the environment and sustainable living in particular have captured their interest, and we older voters could learn a lot from that.“I am glad that Westminster is giving this issue attention – the time is right for us to take a fresh look at this important matter.”

AM Welcomes News

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES FASTEST EVER TREATMENT FOR CANCER PATIENTS
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming the publication of new figures which show that cancer patients in Wales are receiving treatment faster than ever before. Statistics for the first quarter of 2008 show that 98 per cent of patients referred by their GP as urgent suspected cancer cases started treatment within two months. They also show that 99 per cent of patients referred for another condition – but subsequently diagnosed with cancer – started treatment within one month of diagnosis.Mr Sargeant said: “What these figures show is that nearly every patient diagnosed with some form of cancer started their treatment within the target times, and this represents a significant improvement on last year’s performance.“This achievement is a real testament to the hard work and skill of our NHS staff who are making sure that cancer patients are getting treatment faster than ever. “We know that a swift diagnosis can have a real and positive impact on patient outcomes, as well as helping to minimize stress and anxiety at what can be a frightening and uncertain time in someone’s life.

AM's Praise For Hospices Staff

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES HOSPICE STAFF TO ASSEMBLY
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has welcomed staff from Nightingale House Hospice to the National Assembly for Wales.
Mr Sargeant met with the representatives at a meeting of the Assembly’s Cross-Party Hospice Interest Group which took place last night in the Assembly.
Mr Sargeant, who has previously tabled a Statement of Opinion at the National Assembly for Wales calling for improved support for hospices said: “It was a pleasure to welcome staff of Nightingale House to the National Assembly for Wales, where we had very constructive discussions relating to hospice funding and government support for our hospices in Wales.
“When it comes to the end of someone’s life, it is crucial that people across the community receive the dignified care they deserve – the sort of care we would all want. The work of hospices such as Nightingale House plays a vital and valued role in this, and they deserve support at the highest levels.”

AM Welcomes Decision

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES DBS DECISION

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has welcomed an announcement from the Health Minister that the Welsh Assembly Government is providing £400,000 to Health Commission Wales (HCW) to fund the provision of Deep Brain Stimulation services for Welsh residents, with immediate effect. Patients will be treated at English centres, at least until the outcome of the adult neurosciences review is known and agreed.
Mr Sargeant said: “I welcome this announcement by the Minister.
“I have been contacted by a large number of constituents in support of the Parkinson’s Disease Society’s campaign to increase availability of this treatment for patients in Wales, and have been lobbying the Minister on their behalf.
“There is an increasing body of evidence to support the efficacy of Deep Brain Stimulation therapy, and all patients whose clinical need means they could benefit from the treatment should be able to receive it.”
The Minister has requested that the cost of DBS services in future years should be revisited in the summer to take account of a medical trial evaluation and emerging demand.
The Minister has also requested that the Welsh Neurosciences Expert Review Group should recommend how DBS services should be provided for Welsh residents in the longer term.

AM 's Support For Volunteers Week

CARL SARGEANT AM HAILS LOCAL VOLUNTEERS

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is supporting is Volunteers Week (2nd – 9th June).Mr Sargeant said: “The Assembly Government is committed to championing the voluntary sector's interests at the highest level. Our Strategic Action Plan for the Voluntary Sector Scheme sets out how we will work with the sector including providing continued financial support.“Whether it is volunteering in a charity shop or a youth organisation, or helping a neighbour with the shopping or gardening, there are countless volunteering opportunities. “Volunteering can be extremely rewarding - not only are you giving something worthwhile to the community but you are also learning new skills and meeting new people. “Volunteers Week provides us with a great opportunity to say thank you to the many volunteers in Alyn and Deeside who are improving the quality of life for other people, both locally and further a field, and also to those who give of their time and skills in improving our local environment.”To search for volunteering opportunities, visit http://www.volunteering-wales.net/.