AM: Time to celebrate a People’s History of Wales

Ann Jones AM has today called on the Welsh Assembly Government to consider the creation of a Museum of People’s History for Wales.

In a question to the Assembly Government’s Heritage Minister, the Vale of Clwyd AM spoke of the need to properly recognise the extraordinary history of ordinary working class people in Wales.

The trade union, ASLEF has campaigned for a museum of people’s history to celebrate the economic, social, cultural and political developments made in Wales – the world’s first industrialised nation.

Manchester’s ‘People’s History Museum’ exists as a testament to the social history of many in England but Wales currently has no comparative resource.

Ann Jones AM said: “I think it’s high time we created a museum that documents the innovative and exciting history of those who lived truly revolutionary lives in Wales.

“It would be great to encourage tourists to track their family history with genealogy services alongside stimulating exhibits on the lives of those people.

AM welcomes safer rail travel in North Wales

Ann Jones AM has welcomed a 30% fall in crime along North Wales’ train stations and railway line since 2007.

British Transport Police figures show that arrests have fallen from 103 in 2007 to 71 in 2009.

After campaigning for more British Transport Police Officers for the region, Mrs Jones welcomed a boost of 11 new officers helping to bring about this fall in crime.

Ann Jones AM said: “I am pleased that this increased British Transport Police presence is making rail travel so much safer for passengers in North Wales.

“We have sadly seen some dangerous crimes committed across this line which is why an enhanced level of policing is so important. Crime reductions like this are down to the joint working between, North Wales Police, British Transport Police and Arriva Trains Wales and I am so glad that our campaigning is starting to pay off.

Wales Boiler Scrappage Scheme announced

Housholders in Denbighshire are set to benefit from a new boiler scrappage scheme introduced by the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government.

£2.5m has been allocated to the scheme which is expected to help up to 5,000 homes across Wales.

A further £1.4m has been allocated towards tackling fuel poverty through the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme.

Ann Jones AM said the scrappage scheme, which will be launched from April 1, would bring great benefit to those needing to replace their inefficient older boilers.

Ann said: “This is great news for the people of Denbighshire. This boiler scrappage scheme will save hundreds of pounds for many householders who are currently suffering from fuel poverty.

“It will also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – a key part of Labour’s green agenda.

AM welcomes Assembly flood defence funding for Clwyd Estuary

Ann Jones AM has welcomed news that the Labour-led Assembly Government is investing £644,000 for flood defences in the Clwyd Estuary between Rhyl and Kinmel Bay.

The projects form part of the £79 million Flood and Coastal Risk Management programme – led by the Welsh Assembly Government and supported with £36m from the European Regional Development Fund. To date, 75% of the available European funding has been committed to flood and coastal risk management schemes across Wales.

The embankments in the tidal stretch of the Clwyd from Rhyl up to Rhuddlan are slowly sinking into the peat and were last topped up to the required height in 1991. Since then, they have continued to settle. Without this vital work, further settlement means that in ten years time the number of homes at risk would more than double to 2,760.

Welsh Assembly votes ‘yes’ to sprinkler law for new homes

Welsh Assembly Members voted unanimously today voted in support of Ann Jones AM’s bid to make the installation of sprinkler systems mandatory in Wales’s new homes.

The Vale of Clwyd AM’s proposal has been described as historic by Chief Fire Officers across Wales and numerous organisations in the Fire Safety field including the National Fire Sprinkler Network.

Since introducing the Assembly’s first ever backbench Legislative Competence Order (LCO), Ann Jones has won the full support of amongst others, the Welsh Assembly Government, Wales’ 3 Fire Services and the FBU.

With overwhelming supportive evidence from the expert and industry community, Mrs Jones’s LCO successfully received approval from cross party Committees in both Wales and Westminster.

Crime drops but bobbies must stay on the beat

New figures show crime has fallen across Britain in the last year. This comes despite predictions over the last few months of a recession-linked crime wave.

Vale of Clwyd AM, Ann Jones, said: “This drop in crime is good news and shows that our community has not been broken by the recession.

“This has not happened accidentally. It is because of the brilliant work of our neighbourhood police teams. Police officers and community support officers (CSOs) in the Vale of Clwyd should be very proud of their work during these tough times.

“Getting more bobbies on the beat in our streets is my top priority. That’s why I have supported Labour investment that has meant 16,000 more police officers and 16,000 more CSOs on Britain’s streets.

“What we won’t stand for is cuts to frontline police officers and CSOs. Conservative plans would mean 3,500 fewer officers on Britain’s streets. I don’t think this is the right way to fight crime.

Mandatory sprinkler law moves ahead for new Welsh homes

Ann Jones AM yesterday officially laid the National Assembly for Wales’ first backbench Legislative Competence Order (LCO) ahead of an Assembly debate scheduled for 27th January 2010. Mrs Jones described the progress of the LCO, which seeks to make the installation of fire sprinklers mandatory in all new Welsh homes, as “historic”.

On successfully gaining the Assembly’s approval, the LCO will face votes in both Houses of Parliament before being approved by Her Majesty in Council.

Ann Jones AM said: “As I said from the outset, this is common sense legislation – which is why it enjoys the support of, amongst others, Wales’ Fire Services, Wales TUC, the Welsh Assembly Government and every political party in Wales.

AM welcomes £5m for flood prevention from Welsh Assembly

Vale of Clwyd AM, Ann Jones, today welcomed the Welsh Assembly Government’s decision to invest £5 million in a flood risk management scheme in Denbigh.

The scheme will target those areas most at risk from flooding by protecting older, more vulnerable properties. As well as enhancing the physical environment directly, the investment will also create a new Flood Risk Management Plan aimed at improving awareness and the co-ordination of local emergency response arrangements.

After raising flood prevention in the Vale of Clwyd with the Minister earlier today, Ann Jones AM said:

“I am delighted to see Denbigh benefit from this major European investment allocated by the Labour-led Assembly.

AM welcomes new jobs for local people at RYAG

Ann Jones AM has once again visited Rhyl Youth Action Group’s (RYAG) new facility ‘The Hub’ to find out how the group are using new projects and Assembly investment to offer local people new job opportunities.

As a beneficiary of Rhyl City Strategy’s Future Jobs Fund and the Assembly led Strategic Regeneration Area (SRA), RYAG has successfully created work for local businesses and individuals in Denbighshire.

The bulk of the work will rely on a mass of local labour to re-build the Youth Café and other buildings whilst more than 30 people will be taken on over the next year or so in roles ranging from administration to youth work.

Welsh MPs back Ann Jones’ sprinkler law

The Welsh Affairs Select Committee has today reported in favour of Ann Jones AM’s LCO which will see the installation of fire sprinklers made mandatory in all new Welsh homes.

The Vale of Clwyd AM’s proposal has been officially supported by: the Welsh Assembly Government; Fire Brigades Union; the TUC; Wales’ three Fire & Rescue Services; the National Fire Sprinkler Network; and every party at the Assembly level.

The report comes just five weeks since Mrs Jones gave evidence to the committee on 10th November 2009.

The ex-fire control officer, Ann Jones has stressed that this legislative bid has one motive – to save lives.

Ann Jones AM said:

“I am very grateful to the members of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee for working without delay to ensure that this LCO could progress to its final stages.