By Mark Isherwood

MS for North Wales

I led a Debate in the Welsh Parliament proposing that the Welsh Parliament “Notes a proposal for a Bill that would make provision to encourage the use of British Sign Language (BSL) in Wales, and improve access to education and services in BSL”. The Motion was passed, with 37 in favour, 15 abstentions, and none against.

As a Deaf constituent told me: ‘BSL is a language in its own right, with its own grammar and vocabulary, which enables many of our Deaf citizens to Learn, Work, be Creative, Live Life to full and make their contribution to our culture and our economy’.

Although the proposal cannot now proceed until the next Senedd, there is clearly an appetite for such legislation and I will continue to pursue this on behalf of the D/deaf community.

Responding to the Health Minister’s Statement on COVID-19 Vaccinations, I congratulated everybody involved in the progress made, but highlighted vaccination delays in Chirk and called for assurances that a young elite Paralympic F20 world champion shot putter will be vaccinated in time to compete in Poland at the end of May to qualify for the Tokyo Paralympic games.

I also challenged him over funding for Care Homes in North Wales, following the statement by Care Forum Wales that Flintshire County Council’s decision “to base care home fees on paying half the staff the minimum wage is an affront to care workers”, and asked him to respond to their question: ‘Why, when the dependency of residents in care homes during the last 20 years has increased significantly, is it that North Wales fees have gone from the top of the league and now occupy the relegation zone?’.

Online meetings included the Welsh Parliament’s Finance and Business Committees, the Finance Minister, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Vice Chancellor of Glyndwr University, Anglesey Freeport Steering Group and Anglesey Tourism.

I also attended an online meeting with representatives of the UK’s largest operators of static caravan and lodge holiday park businesses, which have taken a devastating hit at the hands of the pandemic. Although they have several million pounds to invest, this will not be invested in the Welsh economy if Welsh Government Ministers fail to engage with them.

Other online engagements included the Motor Neurone Disease Association, Wrexham Youth Parliament, an update from Banc Cambria on their work to develop a community bank in Wales, an interview with The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme, and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai's AGM.

Stay safe. If you need my help, email Mark.Isherwood@senedd.wales or call 0300 200 7219.