Wrexham MP celebrates volunteers during special Week
Last week saw my Private Member's Bill on Licensing Hours Extensions pass on to the next stage following my presentation of the Bill to the committee.
The Bill proposes that pubs and other licensed premises should be able to open for extended hours for significant national events.
The benefit of this small change to existing legislation will mean that at short notice, such as Wales progressing in a major tournament whether it's the Rugby World Cup or the Football Euros, venues would be able to open their doors to customers at times of the day that suit the events.
The important change being that they would be able to serve their full range of drinks.
Ultimately if the Bill becomes law it will reduce costs, time and bureaucracy for hospitality venues, local council licensing offices and Parliament, whilst making it easier for communities to come together in pubs and bars to celebrate major national moments.
The Bill now moves on to the report stage and 3rd Reading in the House of Commons.
Volunteers' Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the incredible contribution that volunteers make to our communities.
I visited CALL Mental Health Helpline which is staffed by volunteers and operators to hear about the vital support that they provide.
Their service is free and confidential and listens to those who call as well as offering guidance and emotional support for people facing mental health challenges and signposting them to other relevant support services.
I also visited the Venture on Caia Park to hear from Chief Officer Councillor Malcolm King about their plans for their share of the Welsh Government Child Poverty Innovation and Supporting Communities Grant.
The Venture plan to use the money to build on the Children's Commissioner's 'No Wrong Door' report.
This aims to reduce the effects of child poverty by helping more families access services by creating additional capacity.
We also talked more widely about the range of community-based services that The Venture provides, vital to the community in Caia Park.
What really shone through was the importance of working collaboratively, something which Caia does so well through its Caia Park Together initiative and this is something that other areas of Wrexham would benefit from.
As ever, if you have any queries or concerns or you have an issue that you would like me to try and assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01978 788854 or Andrew.Ranger.mp@parliament.uk
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