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Leader Live
12-06-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
MS for Delyn provides several updates in this weeks column
MS for Delyn Last week in the Senedd, I paid tribute to those at the heart of our communities during Volunteers Week – volunteers, groups and organisers who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Whether it's Mold Community Clubhouse & Gardens, hospital leagues of friends or Walk & Talk Today in Ffynnongroyw, their work matters and makes a difference – and, during Pride Month, let's also celebrate the people powering our local Pride events, such as the first ever Flint Pride last year and Prestatyn Pride last weekend. In the Senedd debate, I called on the Welsh Government to build on its support for volunteers not just with funding, but through creative partnerships that help more people get involved. You watch all my questions in the Senedd on my Facebook page at The NHS matters to us all. Last week in the Senedd I talked about the challenges that remain for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, but also the positive progress that we are seeing being made – two-year waits are down by 67 per cent over the last three years, more than 12,000 patients have come off the two-year wait list and the new Llandudno orthopaedic hub is on track to make a difference when that opens later this year. This demonstrates the difference additional funding makes, thanks to having two Labour governments working together. But investment alone isn't enough, it also takes system change and that won't work without our incredible NHS workforce. That's why during a debate in the Senedd last week, I called for reassurance that staff on the ground will be fully supported and involved in shaping the improvements we all want to see. NHS staff are key to turning around the health board – I am hopeful that we are heading in the right direction, but of course there is a lot more work to do. It was a real pleasure last week to attend the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Community Awards ceremony on Thursday evening. The awards recognise individuals and organisations who are making a difference and making life better for victims, for communities and supporting the police in their work right across North Wales. It was especially lovely to see the work of Louise Rudd and Heather Williams and all the team at Walk & Talk Today in Ffynnongroyw rightly recognised in the Community Champion Award. A few years back now, I joined them at the opening of their first premises and, since then, I've seen them go from strength to strength, making a real and lasting difference to the village and surrounding area. Llongyfarchiadau Walk & Talk Today! Regular readers will know that I'm passionate about amplifying young people's voices – young people are truly the future of Wales and politicians aren't always good at listening to what they have to say. Here in Wales, we have the Welsh Youth Parliament which gives young people the chance to represent their communities from their own perspectives and recently I discovered a podcast entitled 'Get Informed and Get Involved', which has been made by the Youth Voice Network for Wales. If you like podcasts, it's worth a listen – the young presenters tackle how young people can navigate social media, how to tell the difference between reliable information and misinformation and give tips on how to get involved in democracy. I recently met with campaigners from the League Against Cruel Sports and Animal Aid to discuss the urgent need to end the caged breeding of game birds in Wales. Every year, tens of thousands of pheasants and partridges are kept in tiny, wire-mesh cages and are denied the ability to move freely. There are currently no specific regulations protecting these birds and no routine inspections of game bird farms in Wales – despite public opposition and clear welfare concerns, progress has stalled for years. Residents from across my constituency have been in touch about this issue asking for real action. Wales must follow through on its commitments to animal welfare and ban cages for breeding game birds. Finally, I had the chance on Friday to visit Theatr Clwyd to see Tick, Tick… Boom, the first performance in the newly-transformed theatre which will run until June 28 – the venue is operating a phased return so that it could stay open longer during the building work. The transformation was made possible with support from Flintshire County Council, the Arts Council of Wales and £22m of Welsh Government funding and I have to say it's a stunning building which will continue to serve our communities here in North East Wales for many years to come – the new-look theatre, restaurant, community facilities and landscaped areas around it will make the theatre even more of an asset to our area. As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don't hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don't need to wait for an advice surgery.
Leader Live
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Flint councillor elected county council chair as leader wins vote
She succeeds Cllr Dennis Hutchinson in the role for 2025/26. The council also re-elected Llanfynydd Cllr Dave Hughes as leader of the council at its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday in a hotly-contested battle. Cllr Hughes saw off competition from Flintshire People's Voice Cllr Gillian Brockley representing Hawarden Aston, Buckley Mountain Cllr Carol Ellis of the True Independents and Cilcain councillor and Liberal Democrat group leader Andrew Parkhurst. Tributes were paid to outgoing chair Cllr Hutchinson for his firm and fair approach to the role over the past 12 months. Gwernaffield and Gwernymynydd Cllr David Coggins-Cogan said: "It's been a really fun year with you as chair. "I think I would characterise this as the 'naughty table' as I think between us we've had more tellings-off from the chair than any other members of groups in the chamber. "However they've always been taken in good grace because they've always been very fairly applied. There's often a battle between the ruling and opposition groups but there is no doubt in anyone's mind that You yourself have led in an independent and fair manner and you've been a credit to the county, thank you." Buckley Bistre Cllr Mike Peers also paid tribute, saying: "You've done well Dennis. you've been firm but fair in allowing members of the council the opportunity to have their voices heard within the council chamber. "Politics has not come into it with you allowing anyone the opportunity to take part in the debate. Dennis is a friend, a co-ward member and a man of the people." Long-time friend Cllr Chris Bithell added: "I've probably known Dennis longer than most. "You've been wonderful in the chair this year. You've put me in my place on occasion and that's what we expect, that's what you've done. "You're well respected and well liked and that has ben a boon to the council during your year in office. Thank you for all that you've done and to you consort Jeannie too." Seemingly the new chair will have big boots to fill, but Flint Coleshill and Trelawny Cllr Michelle Perfect had no hesitation putting forward Cllr Buckley for the role. "I've known Mell all my life," she said. "However I got to know her properly in 2012 when she was arranging a watch party for the London Olympics as we cheered along to victory taekwondo legend Jade Jones. "What struck me was how Mel brought our community in Flint together. The energy, community spirit, the pride. She made it all happen. "Since then Mel has proven time and time again that she was made for public service, serving the people of Flint and Oakenholt brilliantly. She brings people together, even in tough times and she does it with a quiet strength and community focus. "One of the most powerful things Mel has done, as our town's mayor, was organising the first ever Flint Pride. It was a landmark moment for our town and a celebration of inclusion and community. "But it wasn't easy. Mel faced real challenges at great personal cost but she has never backed down because she believes that standing up for others matters." Cllr Buckley was elected chair of the county council unopposed. It was not the same story when councillors were asked to nominate the leader of the council. Incumbent leader Cllr Dave Hughes, who has led the coalition cabinet since October 2024, faced a number of challenges. He was nominated by Cllr Christine Jones, who praised his 'strong leadership'. "Cllr Hughes has shown strong leadership since taking the position eight months ago," she said. "He has led us through some difficult and challenging times especially with the budgetary constraints we have faced this year." Flintshire People's Voice Cllr Alasdair Ibbotson challenged by nominating his party colleague Cllr Gillian Brockley. "As well as being a crusader for the residents of Hawarden and Aston, Cllr Brockley is a Welsh-speaker and comes into this role with a clear proposal to improve the lives of the people of Flintshire," he said. Northop Cllr Marion Bateman nominated fellow True Independent Cllr Carol Ellis saying: "She would be a very strong leader of this council, which is what we need." Meanwhile Cllr David Coggins-Cogan put forward fellow Lib Dem Cllr Andrew Parkhurst. "Andrew as part of the Welsh Liberal Democrats has already delivered for Flintshire by bringing an extra £1.25m to Flintshire in the last budget round," said Cllr Coggins-Cogan. Despite strong arguments made for most of the opposition candidates, Cllr Hughes was re-elected as leader with 43 votes.
