Storm Bert caused terrible damage across our valleys, with areas like Cwm suffering terribly. Homes were washed out, stored children’s Christmas presents ruined and many families without insurance counting the cost.
Roads were damaged and, worryingly, a landslip took place in Cwmtillery, with people living there evacuated for safety.
The emergency services response was exceptional, and I know that our local council staff and councillors worked so hard to support people through the worse of the flooding.
Our communities too, as ever, banded together to help each other through the emergency.
I wrote to the Chair of the Coal Authority to ask for an update on the coal tip in Cwmtillery seeking assurance that everything is safe and to ask what action they will be taking to provide confidence to the local community.
I also raised a question, which I followed up with a letter, with DEFRA Secretary Steve Reed MP to ask him that, in conjunction with the Coal Authority and Welsh Government, he would look again at the safety of our coal tips and these extraordinary weather conditions.
I was pleased to hear in his response that the Prime Minister had spoken with the First Minister to make available any additional support that the Welsh Government may need.
The Prime Minister is familiar with the damage storms can cause in our area, he came with me to visit flooded homes in Llanhilleth a few years ago. I spoke during Prime Ministers Questions to welcome the £25m Labour has committed to coal tip maintenance in Wales and ask that he remain committed to prioritising coal tips to keep our communities safe.

Remembrance
It was a privilege to be part of events across the Remembrance weekend. This year I was at very well-attended events in Tredegar and Beaufort and a small, but very poignant, service in Princetown.
With others I made the trek to the top of Trefil to lay a wreath at the site where Wellington Bomber T2520 crashed in December 1940, killing the six airmen onboard.

Pension Credit
Following the Pension Credit event I held in Blaenau Gwent last month, I wrote to pensioners in the upper Rhymney valleys with advice on how to claim Pension Credit and also inviting them to come along to a similar event in Rhymney.
I’m very grateful to the partner organisations, Citizens Advice, Caerphilly Cares and the DWP, that attended.
It’s also fantastic to see Blaenau Gwent Council and the Caerphilly Cares team holding events in their respective areas. It’s really important that we do all we can to drive up Pension Credit uptake to ensure that everyone entitled to it is receiving it.
To find out more about Pension Credit you can:
Visit – www.gov.uk/pension-credit
Call – 0800 99 1234

Digital Connectivity
I recently spoke in the House to raise the issue of improving internet access and the rollout of Project Gigabit to some of the more remote parts of Blaenau Gwent & Rhymney.
I followed this by meeting with Digital Minister Chris Bryant to push this along.
Being up to speed with the fastest possible internet connection is vital today, and it’s important that no part of our communities are left behind.

 

 

House of Commons Commission & Chair of the House of Commons Administration Committee
I’m very pleased to have been nominated to be a Commissioner (Board member) for the House of Commons and elected as Chair of the House of Commons Administration Committee, by my colleagues.
There’s much for the Committee to be getting on with in this Parliament. As MPs we will be focusing on a busy agenda, and through the committee we will also be making sure that the House is working as effectively as possible to support MPs in their work.

Ray Reardon
It was an honour to be present for the posthumous granting of the freedom of the borough to Tredegar-born snooker-legend Ray Reardon, with his family accepting the honour on his behalf.
I’m pleased to have got the ball rolling on this honour being granted, after speaking with Ray’s cousin John Reardon following Ray’s death. Many thanks to Cllr Chris Smith for taking it forward and to all Blaenau Gwent councillors for voting in favour of it unanimously.

Coffee Morning – Everyone Deserves a Christmas
We have had a brilliant response to the call-out for volunteers to help us pack hampers for this year’s Everyone Deserves a Christmas campaign, thank you to all who signed up.
We will be packing on Monday, December 23rd from 7.30am at Merthyr Town Football Club. It will be a fun and festive morning for a good cause, please let me know if you want to join in.
You can also pop along to the coffee morning we are holding at Ebbw Vale Institute (Church Street, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6BE) on Friday, December 13, 11.30am to hear more.

Surgery
It was great to join Cllr Carol Andrews at her surgery in Gilfach recently, my next surgery will be at Stocktonville Hall, Gelli Road, Tredegar, NP22 3RD on Friday, December 13, 5pm – 6pm.
Please book a slot if you want to come along by calling 01495 313167 or emailing nick.smith.mp@parliament.uk

Assisted Dying
A majority of my colleagues supported a bill which would allow terminally ill adults expected to die within 6 months to seek help to end their own life.  I did not participate, as I’m yet to make up my mind on the bill.  As it happens it was a very busy Friday coming just after the devastation of Storm Bert and there was much to do at home. As part of my deliberations, I met the Head of our local Hospice last Friday.

Brynmawr Medical Practice
There have been concerning complaints about provision of services at the Practice. I have written to the ABHB CEO on a number of occasions on behalf of constituents and have met with her and am waiting for a written response.

Link to Instagram Link to Twitter Link to YouTube Link to Facebook Link to LinkedIn Link to Snapchat Close Fax Website Location Phone Email Calendar Building Search