Conservative MP Alun Cairns has welcomed the OFCOM report into nuisance calls published today (17.5.13).

Alun Cairns, who has campaigned for some time for stronger actions said that the report highlighted the scale of the problem in that 82% of participants in their survey received unwanted calls over the 4 week period.

The Vale of Glamorgan MP held a debate in parliament in March when he highlighted one constituent who regularly received more than a dozen nuisance calls a day. He has also prepared legislation to prevent any commercial organisation from withholding their number.

Mr Cairns said:

“This OFCOM survey scratches the surface and I fear that the problem is much worse.

“Current arrangements make nuisance calls difficult to complain about in that so many companies withhold their number.

“I am pleased that OFCOM is responding to widespread demands. Since the parliamentary debate, I have been overwhelmed by the response from across the country.

“We need to make the complaint process simple and straight forward and ensure that penalties for breaching standards lead to change in call patterns.

“Few people who are not at home during the day would appreciate the scale of the problem. Pensioners are hardest hit.

“In credit to the Minister, Ed Vaizey, he has responded positively and taken action to co-ordinate activity between the telephone companies, OFCOM, the Information commissioner and consumer rights groups. A white paper later this year will be the first step to introducing new legislation.”

Local school boy, Ben Lloyd championed the issues surrounding Dyslexia in the House of Lords. Ben has become one of the UK’s leading campaigners on the issues and was invited to share his experience to Members of the Houses of Parliament.

Ben has been the Dyslexia Action Young Person of the Year in the past.  The event organised by Dyslexia-SpLD Trust included some of the UK’s senior politicians with an interest in the field.

Student Ben Lloyd and his family were joined by local MP, Alun Cairns and following Ben’s presentation were taken on a tour of the Houses of Parliament.

Alun Cairns MP commented:

“It was fantastic to welcome Ben and his family to Westminster and hear all about the Dyslexia SpLD Trust.

“Ben did a tremendous job in presenting to the parliamentary reception attendees about the issues that have affected him in growing up with Dyslexia. As the Dyslexia Action Young person of the Year a few years ago, and his leading role in the production of ‘My Dyslexic Mind’ for CBBC’s Newsround programme, Ben has already achieved so much in raising awareness about life with dyslexia.

“At the event, the Dyslexia-SpLD Trust proposed amendments to the Children and Families Bill. Ben’s presentation was key in highlighting the issues involved.”

Last week, I voted for the amendment to the Queen’s Speech in the House of Commons that would bring about a referendum on our membership of the European Union.

Over the next few years, Europe is going to change significantly. The financial crisis in the Eurozone has meant that there needs to be an ever closer relationship between the countries that use the currency. Common taxation policies are highly likely.

Thankfully, we are not part of the single currency area but we will be affected by the changes. Many will be wholly unacceptable to the British people.

This process is our great opportunity to change the relationship. It is an opportunity to revert back to the sort of Europe that we joined in the first place. A Europe based on trade and co-operation, rather than a federal super state.

The negotiations to bring about the changes are likely to start in earnest after the German elections later this year. This is why the Prime Minister supports a referendum in 2017. It is an opportunity to negotiate the changes that we want to see.

I want to see a more flexible Europe that respects the role of each individual nation. The single market needs to be completed and nations need to be allowed to better manage their borders. All too often Europe’s regulations mean that we are too restricted in responding to market changes.

In credit to the Prime Minister, he has already shown significant influence in some key areas; he is the only Prime Minister who has exercised the UK veto against an EU wide financial services transaction tax. This would have affected every part of the UK more than any part of Europe. More recently few offered real hope to see the EU budget being cut. Again, he delivered on this, receiving credit from all sides of the political spectrum.

The 2017 deadline is also important to rebalancing our economy. We are now growing our exports to China, Brazil, India and Russia after a slow start over the last decade. If we want to have a real choice in 2017, then it is in our interests to be less dependent on any one market and to use the intervening time to diversify.

Finally, many will say that even contemplating leaving Europe will damage our long term prospects. I would suggest that they were the same people that said exactly the same over us not becoming part of the single currency.

After all, President Obama this week described the situation quite well when he said, that it would be better to try to fix a relationship, before breaking it off.

The Prime Minister is committed to renegotiate our relationship with Europe based on one that is more flexible and focused on trade. I strongly agree with this.

At the end of the negotiations, there will be a referendum on whether the UK should remain part of the EU or withdraw. The Prime Minister has set a deadline of 2017.

Last month Alun Cairns MP had expressed his concern over news that bus operators had been led to understand that the current level of subsidy from the Council may not be possible for the new contract to enable them to provide a like for like basis.

The Vale MP has received much correspondence from constituents who are keen to stress that as medical services are being centralised, bus services are even more important. The Service between Llantwit and Barry is essential and key to access the hospitals in Llandough and the Heath in Cardiff.

Patients in Peterston, St Georges, Pendoylan and surrounding communities see their GP in Cardiff.

Mr Cairns, having met recently with local bus contractors has called on the local authority to prioritise their budgets to help support the local bus services.

The Welsh Government have negotiated a 3 year deal with the bus industry and local authorities that has provided financial certainty for the flagship concessionary travel scheme for elderly and disabled people. Under the agreement, around £213m is being provided to support the scheme until March 2014 which includes contribution from local authorities to the operation of the scheme.

The all-Wales concessionary fares scheme is administered by local authorities who are responsible for both issuing passes and reimbursing bus operators who have carried pass holders for free. Local authorities are in turn reimbursed by the Welsh Government.

Mr Cairns said:

“I don’t understand why the Welsh Government has cut the bus operating grant so much more than in England and it seems that the Vale Council will have to prioritise this service.

“At a time when £52M has been spent on an airport, they need to understand that some of the most vulnerable people use bus services for essential purposes.”

Vale MP Alun Cairns has called on the Vale Council and Barry community to make full use of the excellent new facilities at the Castleland Community Centre and the services provided by Drop In Centre Development Trust.

Mr Cairns visited the centre to see how the £500,000 renovation and refurbishment was serving the community. The BIG Lottery Fund money and the funds from the Welsh Government’s CFAP grant fund has transformed the building, increasing the Drop in Centre’s current community services in support of local residents. Many other services are on the way, including the development of a Social Firm through the centre’s community cafe which will assist local people in their search for employment.

Mr Cairns said:

“The Castleland Community Centre and Sensory Garden is first class and I take my hat off to Eileen Moore and her colleagues for succeeding in attracting such a large investment to Barry.

“The Community Centre can be used for so many purposes. There are plans for IT support, for encouraging community engagement, a diverse range of volunteer and training support for all members of the community and the Drop in Centre is already making a difference by providing a range of volunteer and work based placement opportunities.

“Having attracted such large capital funds, I hope that the Vale Council will make best use of it and support the running of the facility. After all, building a facility is one thing but people and staff make the real difference.

“There are various community grant facilities that the Vale Council run and I hope that a way can be developed where the Drop In Centre and Castleland Community Association can play their part. Community enterprise is just one of many.”

Alun Cairns MP for the Vale has called on the Vale Council to come clean and explain why they haven’t been able to deliver on building the new access road to Barry Island. He said that Barry Island has exciting prospects but access will be essential.

Mr Cairns said that Barry Island needs to be at the centre of our plans to redevelop Barry as Wales’ largest town.

The articles in last week’s local papers highlighted the importance that residents and businesses alike place on seeing the new access road built as soon as possible. The Vale MP who raised his concerns earlier this year about the delay in progressing the build of the new road, continues to receive calls from constituents who want to see a new access road built without delay.

The Vale MP has heard from several traders who’ve made contact since Bank Holiday Monday’s gridlock debacle. Many lost money on cancelled bookings as party goers were unable to reach their venue in time, whilst others served disgruntled customers who were furious at the length of time taken to arrive on the Island and then find car-parking space.

All are pleading for the new access road to be built. Currently local traders simply can’t win.

Once again, the influx of visitors and tourists to one of our most popular resorts in the Vale caused traffic mayhem. With slow-moving traffic from Culverhouse Cross, residents and visitors to Barry were held up in gridlocks across the town as many tried to get to the Island.

The Vale MP has called on the Vale Council to push through the proposed ‘second phase’ of the new access road as a matter of urgency. The first phase of a new road will be built by 2015, although this is primarily to access the new supermarket on The Quays. The second phase, completing the road to Barry Island, however, may take another 5 years.

Mr Cairns is pleased that the Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Carl Sargeant AM will visit Nell’s Point on 16th May, and the Vale MP is keen that the Minister understands the importance of the area to Barry as a whole. Mr Cairns hopes that the Minister will take on board the importance of the Collins Report and the urgency for the building of the new access road.

Mr Cairns said:

“Having met and spoken to the developer earlier this year, they explained that they offered the Vale Council the option of either building the road all the way to the Island or to build social housing. Not one of the many residents and businesses who have contacted me on this issue has asked for the social housing development on the Island to take priority over the building of the new access road.

“Access to Barry Island is key. Visitors and residents alike need to be able to get on and off the Island efficiently.

“I’ve called on the Council and the Welsh Government to prioritise the new access road and to be clear in their reasons for not progressing the new build as a matter of urgency.

“I’m delighted that the Minister’s visit to Nell’s Point this week will provide the ideal opportunity for him to better understand the need for further investment in Barry. It’s also a chance to emphasise the importance and urgency of creating the new access road to the Island and the delivery of the Collins Report developments including the aquarium and family visitor centre.”

Charging for car parking is naturally a controversial issue. They can destroy a high street or shopping area overnight; they can drive people to out of town shopping areas and they can price people out of shopping in their own community.

Readers will be aware from press articles over the last few weeks that car parking and car parking charges have been under scrutiny. The Vale Council position is confused. Before the election they said they would scrap any plans to charge but now there are hints that they plan to introduce a fee structure.

The Council’s budget suggests that they plan to derive a significant income from this source. Hitting the motorist again is wholly unacceptable.

Having been contacted by constituents about the issue, I asked the Vale Council to clarify their policy on car parking charges throughout the Vale.

The response I received from the Council last week was that surprisingly there is currently no policy on car parking within the Vale. There was confirmation that the only car park charges levied are on a seasonal basis at Ogmore, Kymla and Harbour Road, Barry Island. These charges have been in place for the last ten years.

I also understand that the Councillor responsible for Visible and Housing Services is working on a car parking strategy which he hopes to present to Council Members during the summer. This cannot come soon enough for many – including those who visit Barry Island. Perhaps the strategy can address the rather bizarre scenario of the car park that’s closest to the Promenade not being used as the first car park for visitors, rather it is the third car park to be filled during busy times on the Island – as an overflow.

I’ve received correspondence from many residents and businesses across the Vale who simply do not want to see car parking charges introduced for key shopping and retail areas in towns like Cowbridge, Barry and Llantwit and would urge the Council to proactively listen and take on board the calls of those living and working in our towns across the Vale.

It’s a confusing situation as the Council had promised not to introduce charges but budgets suggest a need to charge for parking in certain areas. Retailers are finding it hard enough in this current climate to attract shoppers – car parking fees would only exacerbate matters by potentially sending local shoppers to out of town shopping opportunities where parking is free. Charging for parking also alienates visitors to an area and would not help to draw tourists to the wonderful towns in the Vale.

The most successful High Streets offer free parking, strictly managed for short periods, usually of some 3 or 4 hours. Local authorities should be encouraged to implement free parking schemes to encourage shoppers back on the high street.

The previous Council administration looked at the options of introducing fees and decided not to pursue the matter. The current administration had promised not to introduce charges, but budgets suggest that they plan to do so. It’s vital that residents and businesses alike are given clarity on what the plans are for car parking in our towns. The council should also consult widely, particularly with shop keepers and residents alike.

Alun Cairns MP took part in the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes® event in Barry last weekend to help raise awareness about the causes and effects of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Atal y Fro (previously Women’s Aid) in Barry is an organisation dedicated to the elimination of domestic abuse, and the Vale MP joined the many men – fathers, uncles, brothers and sons – in the sponsored walk along Barry Island Promenade recently.

Mr Cairns said:

“I was delighted to be asked to take part in the walk once again this year, having seen first-hand the work and support provided by Atal y Fro over recent years, I was only too happy to support them by donning a pair of women’s shoes for the sponsored walk.

“Atal y Fro do a terrific job in helping vulnerable people in the Vale, and the walk provides an opportunity to raise funds to help support those who suffer from domestic and sexual abuse.

“The walk itself was great fun – with some of the men going to great lengths with their outfits and shoes for the day!”

The Vale MP played a part in winning agreement and pushing through the need for a new Medical Centre over three years ago. His focus since then has been to allow for local pharmacies to use the pharmacy space on the new medical centre site. Welsh Assembly Government rules mean that pharmacies sited closest to the site are not permitted to apply because they are the wrong side of the railway line.

The move to brand new premises has brought a number of important and beneficial changes to the way the Practice offers services for its patients.

In support of the new Centre and as a result of requests from local residents, the Vale MP had written to the Health Minister to try and breakthrough the bureaucracy that currently stops local pharmacies from opening on the Medical Centre site – despite there being space for one.

One local pharmacist, Judith Evans Pharmacy, appealed to the Welsh Ministers against the Health Board’s decision to refuse their relocation from current premises to the West Quay Medical Centre. The appeal process by the Welsh Government is scheduled for determination on 15th May 2013.

Alun Cairns MP said:

“It’s a ludicrous position where red tape is stopping the Practice from establishing local pharmacy businesses within the local surgery – something that the Medical Centre and patients want and need to have.

“Since September 2010, this issue has been looked at by the Welsh Assembly Government, and finally it would seem that a decision will finally be made through the appeal’s process. I hope that common sense prevails.”

 

Alun Cairns MP and local Llantwit Major campaigners Lyn and Lucy Thomas have welcomed the news that the Welsh Government Health Minister has confirmed that Kalydeco (Ivacaftor) will be made available to cystic fibrosis patients in Wales.

Earlier this year Alun Cairns MP had called on the Minister for Health & Social Services in the Welsh Government to accelerate the assessment process for the drug that targets the basic genetic defect associated with cystic fibrosis.

Ivacaftor (Kalydeco) is the first licensed drug that targets the basic genetic defect, G55ID. The drug significantly improves the wellbeing of those with the condition. Well-known campaigners parents Lyn + Lucy Thomas have worked with their local MP over many months to help raise awareness of the condition and the issues affecting sufferers in Wales.

Mr Cairns had only recently met Lucy Thomas to find out more about the online petition to call on Welsh government to allow people in Wales access drugs already available to people in England and Scotland. 

Mr Cairns said:

“I had written to the Minister for Health earlier this year to urge for a decision to be made as soon as possible so that people in Wales with Cystic Fibrosis can benefit as soon as possible.

“I’m really pleased that the Minister, Mark Drakeford AM, has finally made the right decision which ultimately could have a significant positive impact on the lives of many.  It is disappointing though that campaigners had to fight for the right to have access to the life-changing drug that is already available in England.

“Congratulations to all the campaigners and supporters who pushed the Minister in Cardiff Bay to address the issue.  Lucy & Lyn Thomas’ online petition and social media campaign had already reached over 500 signatures in the space of a few days – proving just how important an issue the availability of the Kalydeco drug is for cystic fibrosis sufferers and their families.”