'It's great to be able to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Wales Coast Path'

MS for Delyn

As a proud North Walian, I know first-hand how lucky we are to have such fabulous natural environment on our doorstep here in Delyn and throughout our part of the world. Given the last two years our natural environment has never been more important and recent challenges of the pandemic have highlighted the positive impact the outside environment can have to our physical and mental health.

With that in mind, it is great to be able to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Wales Coast Path. Back in 2012, Wales became the first nation in the world to create a dedicated path starting here in Flintshire and going around our entire coastline. As we mark the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the Wales Coast Path, the Wales Coast Path Review Group is focusing on new ways the Wales Coast Path can be realised for people and visitors to Wales, to help maximise its trails network and set out a direction of its future development.

The Review Group have made nineteen recommendations recognising the potential value of the Wales Coast Path, and our wider trails network, to our health and wellbeing, our education and to addressing the climate and nature emergencies. Locally, I am committed to continuing to work with the local community and representatives to better connect residents to our coast and countryside. The report is available at Wales Coast Path: 10th anniversary review | GOV.WALES

The last couple of years has also demonstrated the vital role played by carers both paid and unpaid. Following on from the Welsh Government announcement to uplift care workers to the real living wage, unpaid carers now have two months to claim a £500 payment. The one-off payment, funded by the Welsh Government is in recognition of all that our unpaid carers do.

Unpaid carers who are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance on March 31st this year will be eligible for the payment. Applications can be made at https://digital.flintshire.gov.uk/EFTEST/Eform/Create…through Flintshire County Council and all registration forms must be received before 5pm on 15 July 2022. Further information on the scheme can be found here https://gov.wales/unpaid-carer-financial-support-scheme

Lack of means or opportunity should not be a barrier to any young person who wants to play music. Today the Welsh Government has announced new plans backed by £13.5 million of funding to ensure no child misses an opportunity to learn to play an instrument. A range of new programmes with be rolled out from September 2022 supporting schools and settings to give all children and young people from the ages of 3-16 the opportunity to learn to play an instrument as well as singing and making music in our schools and communities. You can read more about our plans for the National Music Service here: National plan for music education | GOV.WALES

Regular readers know that I have always worked to both drive investment into my own constituency and also more broadly into our corner of the country as a whole. That is why, I am fully supportive of the Wrexham Gateway Development Levelling Up bid, and myself and other local Labour Senedd Members and MPs, are calling on the UK Government to agree to fund the redevelopment of the racecourse as part of the plans to transform the gateway to Wrexham. Devised by Labour Ministers the project already has millions of pounds promised from the Welsh Labour Government.

It is important that the UK Government now pledges its support so that Wrexham and the wider North Wales area can take advantage of the huge benefits this project would bring to the area. This work would provide a much needed facility in North Wales allowing international football to return to the racecourse, as well as the opportunity for other important sporting fixtures to be played together with a transport hub, residential office, student accommodation and a hotel providing a range of improved facilities and resources for residents and visitors alike.

If you have any questions about my work as your Member of the Senedd or would like to ask for advice and support, please get in touch with me on 01352 762102 or at Hannah.Blythyn@senedd.wales.