Latest news with #JaneMudd
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Initiative aims to boost Gwent residents' influence on policing
Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Mudd has introduced a scheme to ensure that Gwent's residents are heard by top decision-makers at Gwent Police. The Public Accountability Forum, established by Commissioner Mudd, will spotlight key issues and concerns from across the region, bringing them directly to Gwent Police Chief Constable Mark Hobrough's attention. The first forum was recorded at Tredegar Medical Aid Society Heritage Centre, with plans for further sessions in Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen. Commissioner Mudd said: "I was elected to hold the Chief Constable to account on behalf of the people of Gwent, and that means listening to what matters most to our communities. "The Public Accountability Forum is a platform for raising the real issues people are facing and ensuring they are addressed at the highest level. "This is about more than just asking questions. "It is about building trust, improving transparency, and making sure that policing in Gwent reflects the needs and expectations of the people it serves." Each forum will be made available online to ensure transparency and accessibility. This initiative is part of Commissioner Mudd's commitment to shaping local policing priorities.
South Wales Argus
08-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Complaint at Monmouthshire meetings 'behind closed doors'
Jane Mudd, who was elected as a Labour candidate last year to the post that oversees the police service and helps set its priorities, is due to attend a briefing that is only for Monmouthshire County Councillors in September. While regular meetings of the council, and its various committees, must be held in public, with only limited powers to go into confidential session, the briefings referred to as 'member seminars' are closed to the public including members of the press. Councillor Armand Watts, who chairs Monmouthshire council's public services scrutiny committee, questioned the number of seminars being arranged, with his committee having been attempting for a number of months to arrange a meeting with Ms Mudd. That committee meeting, which will be open for members of the public to attend to view in person or follow on the council's YouTube channel, has now been pencilled in for the end of October, with the member seminar on September 1. Labour's Cllr Watts told his committee: 'My natural democratic instinct is to have these meetings with all the members there. I think it would have been a great meeting.' The Chepstow Bulwark and Thornwell councillor said the seminars are held 'behind closed doors' and questioned the number being held: 'They keep doing this. Committees have identified issues and they grab hold of it and have a seminar.' READ MORE: Questions over Severn Bridge monitoring group Magor West councillor councillor Frances Taylor said she would like the public services committee to have a meeting with the Cardiff Capital Region, which is made up of 10 local authorities including Monmouthshire. It recently had to fund a £5.25 million settlement following a High Court case brought over a contract to demolish a former power station, at Aberthaw, near Barry, it bought in 2022. Cllr Taylor, who leads the council's independent group, said: 'That email about the 'fine' was the first communication I've had from the Cardiff Capital Region in quite some time. I'd be really interested to know about the cost, and the benefits, as we are quite financially strapped.' Cllr Watts said he would consult the council's legal and democratic services officials over inviting the Cardiff Capital Region, which is also the combined joint committee, as he sits on the city region joint committee and the committee clerk said there is also the Corporate Joint Committee on which all 10 local authorities are represented.
South Wales Argus
28-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
PCC Jane Mudd on police and LGBTQ during Pride month
I want our communities to be places where everyone can live their lives as themselves, free from fear and harm. Where everyone treats each other with the values of acceptance, tolerance, and respect. Coming together and celebrating our cultural differences helps us to build more cohesive communities and this month has been one of celebration. June is Pride month, and as well as joining colleagues and partners from across Wales to celebrate Pride Cymru in Cardiff, my team and I have supported smaller events across Gwent. We attended Torfaen Pride, which is now in its second year and is going from strength to strength, and the very first Bedwas Pride event in Caerphilly. Members of LGBTQ+ communities have often had a difficult relationship with policing, and our presence at these events is important to build trust and confidence. At the start of the month we celebrated national Volunteers Week and I met with members of my animal welfare visitor scheme who are responsible for welfare checks on Gwent's police dogs. They ensure the animals are happy, healthy, and well looked after. I would like to thank them, and all of Gwent's many volunteers, for the hard work they do to support their communities. I was honoured to be invited to the Senedd twice this month to celebrate occasions that are important to many of our residents. I attended a fantastic event to mark the end of Eid and it was lovely to join with our Muslim community to mark this important occasion. My team and I also took part in a special celebration to mark Windrush Day and recognise the contribution that the Windrush Generation have made here in Wales. The Windrush Generation refers to the African-Caribbean men, women and children who arrived in the UK on HMT Empire Windrush in 1948. They came at a time of great labour shortages in the UK and were welcomed as part of the country's efforts to rebuild after WWII. It was a joy to join with so many partners and pay tribute to those who have contributed so much to our communities. I campaigned for election with a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and I will never waver on this. I promised to invest in our communities and have created a new fund which aims to bring people across Gwent together, and build our mutual trust, confidence and respect. I look forward to launching this in the coming months. Jane Mudd is the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent.
South Wales Argus
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Newport: National Children's Day celebrated at Cathedral
The event, attended by Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Mudd, saw the youngsters perform songs and poems, tackling subjects such as racism in communities. Commissioner Mudd and Chief Constable Mark Hobrough also hosted a group of Heddlu Bach from Nant Celyn Primary School at Gwent Police headquarters. The children toured the building, visited the control room, and had the opportunity to question the Commissioner and Chief Constable. They also received a talk from the dog handling team and a special demonstration from police dog Ruby. Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Mudd said: "National Children's Day celebrates the importance of healthy childhoods and protecting the rights and freedoms of children and young people. "One of my commitments as Police and Crime Commissioner is that I will do all that I can to ensure that children and young people are listened to and that what they are telling us shapes the way we deliver services. "I am working on a Children's Charter which will set out the way my office will work with children and young people going forward".
