'Fly the Green Flag with pride'

MS for Delyn

In recent weeks, I’ve written about what there is to do across communities in our area, especially as we’re in the school summer holidays. In the last few years, many of us have become much more appreciative of the green space here on our doorstep in Delyn and indeed, we’re lucky to have two locations that have received the prestigious Green Flag Status – Greenfield Valley Heritage Park and Bailey Hill in Mold. This is an amazing achievement for two great local assets and thanks in large part to the volunteers and staff who work hard to maintain the high standards which mean that these areas rich in both natural beauty and heritage are able to fly the Green Flag with pride. Congratulations to everyone who has been part of this excellent achievement.

Congratulations also go to Flintshire based RainbowBiz who won a National Award at the WalesOnline Diversity and Inclusion Awards last month. RainbowBiz CIC were one of four organisations from across Wales recognised in the CSR Initiative Category in an award that celebrated an activity, initiative or campaign that has had a positive social or environmental impact and linked to inclusion. RainbowBiz run The Hippy Shop in Mold and every week run a range of projects across the county, making a real difference to individuals and communities.

It's been a while since I’ve provided an update on coronavirus in my regular column and whilst coronavirus has not gone away, cases are now decreasing again. The approach the Welsh Government continues to adopt is that COVID-19 is not over, and the transition from pandemic to endemic needs to be determined by the public health conditions at the time. In view of the latest evidence, including decreasing prevalence, from 1st August the provision of free lateral flow tests to members of the public with symptoms of COVID-19 will be paused, in line with the long-term COVID-19 transition from pandemic to endemic for Wales.

However measures will remain in place under TTP to provide and protect the most vulnerable and in certain settings, including LFD testing for people visiting care homes, LFD testing for symptomatic health and social care staff and LFD tests for regular asymptomatic testing for health and social care staff. The COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay Enhancement scheme will also be extended until 31st August to support social care staff to stay away from work due to testing positive. Full details of a recent statement on TTP (Test, Track and Protect) Transition can be found at: www.gov.wales/written-statement-test-trace-protect-ttptransition-0

Finally, sadly, we have had to move from our previous constituency office but I am, as ever, still here to serve constituents across Delyn, throughout the year. The new constituency office contact details are: 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, CH7 1BH and the new phone number is 01352 753464. The email remains the same – Hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales – and you can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/hannahblythynMS. As always, if you have any questions about my work as your Member of the Senedd or would like to ask for advice and support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.