Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your considered statement and response to the nine recommendations of the steering group. I want to start by noting the comments you make with regard to Cadw and what you say about impressive improvement to the visitor experience and an increase in visitor numbers, alongside embracing new audience and technology. I think that stands out to me because it...
Hannah Blythyn: 2. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on how the Welsh Government is using its taxation powers to support high street businesses? OAQ(5)0115(FLG)
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. Since being elected last year, I’ve regularly been in contact with small businesses and communities across my constituency, and small business representatives, such as the Mold business forum, to take on board their concerns and to bring that to people’s attention to take action where needed. Most recently, I’ve been working closely with representatives in...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I welcome the opportunity to have this short debate today: School of Politics—Empowering the Next Generation of Active Citizens in Wales. It’s perhaps a shame that the debate has actually fallen on today’s debate, on the eve of poll of the local elections, but given today’s short debate is focusing on enabling more active participation in politics,...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you for calling me to speak in this debate, Deputy Presiding Officer. I speak in this debate as somebody who is proud to have served working people in my previous role, working for a trade union, and is committed to continuing to do so in my role as Assembly Member. It also means that I come at this debate with a little bit more of an understanding perhaps than some of how the...
Hannah Blythyn: We got more than you. [Laughter.] I feel it’s necessary to stand up again in this debate to actually try and rebut some of the rhetoric and the misunderstanding about how trade unions work in practice. So, the first thing to touch on, and I’m sure other colleagues will, is the collection of subs through check-off. It is a pretty straightforward and accessible means of doing this and,...
Hannah Blythyn: Of course.
Hannah Blythyn: Absolutely, because, obviously, it provides a mechanism for these things to be resolved and to be talked through before they actually reach a stage when it actually places an extra burden on the management and on the organisation. Just in closing, at lunchtime today it was my pleasure to step in and host an event to celebrate 10 years of the life-changing learning partnership between the...
Hannah Blythyn: 5. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the use of digital technologies in Welsh primary schools? OAQ(5)0118(EDU)
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Cornist Park primary school in Flint, in my constituency, has been recognised as a digital pioneer school, where the headteacher, Nicola Thomas, has put digital technologies at the centre of their teaching and learning and has supported pupils to be able to take the lead on this themselves. Pupils have led on projects, which include raising awareness,...
Hannah Blythyn: I’d like to just briefly contribute to this Plaid Cymru debate today as a Member who serves a constituency where travelling across the border for specific specialist services is a standard occurrence, whether that be heading to Clatterbridge or Christie’s for specialist oncology treatment, Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool, or even the well-established link between Betsi...
Hannah Blythyn: 2. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on commemorating our industrial heritage in Wales? OAQ(5)0166(EI)
Hannah Blythyn: 4. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the provision of mental health services and support in north Wales? OAQ(5)0169(HWS)
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. A sense and celebration of our history is important, not just to our sense of place today, but to build the foundations for our future as well. We have a particular rich industrial heritage across the Dee coast in north-east Wales, from the steelworks in the east, going across to where Courtalds was in Flint, and then to the Point of Ayr Colliery. Earlier this...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you. Thanks for your response, Cabinet Secretary. I’d like to acknowledge the work that the Welsh Government is doing and the commitment to raising awareness and tackling the stigma around mental health. The challenges facing us in north Wales have been and are well documented. I welcome the health board’s new multi-agency approach to developing the new mental health strategy, which...
Hannah Blythyn: Today is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. Since 2004, 17 May has been recognised as a chance to shine a light on the violence and discrimination still experienced by LGBT people across the world. The date is significant as it marks the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. Since then, we’ve come a long...
Hannah Blythyn: 6. Will the First Minister provide an update on how the year of legends will benefit north-east Wales? OAQ(5)0617(FM)
Hannah Blythyn: Since being elected a year ago, I’ve not only wanted to serve my own constituency, but also to be a strong voice for the whole of north-east Wales. I’m pleased that in the past 12 months we’ve witnessed much Welsh Government investment in my own constituency alone, from Flint castle to Theatr Clwyd, to support for local businesses, but alongside major proposals to improve our...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, First Minister. As part of the Year of Legends, we are awaiting with great anticipation the winning design for our new Welsh Government-supported installation at Flint Castle. I’m sure everybody in the community is looking forward to this latest legend descending on the shores of the castle, but there was another local legend of old that the constituency and particularly the...
Hannah Blythyn: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on Welsh Government support for post office services in Wales?
