01-08-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Blackwood councillors 'excluded' from meeting with minister
I have asked Ruth Jones, MP for Newport West and Islwyn, if she would be kind enough to contact the minister, as I wrote on June 14 and received no response. If an invite had been received, these could have been asked verbally.
The questions are:
1 - I certainly welcome the fact to fund local government to deliver the Connect to Work, and I would be most grateful for a little more information about funding, partnership working with DWP, Housing, Communities and councils to make this a success.
2 - I assume there will be joint action plans between local and central government, so the best can be achieved for all residents.
3 - How will other departments feed into this process, please like Education and Health to ensure we are all joined up?
4 - Do you envisage there will be a different formula used for urban and rural communities, and how will the Senedd be involved, please?
5 - I have long been a supporter of Youth Hubs as a previous peer mentor trying to get clients back to work in South Powys. We involved the voluntary organisations in confidence building and positive outcomes and objectives which many clients appreciated.
6 - The European Social Fund was a lifeline then for many.
7 - Will a plan be developed with private sector organisations and employer engagement plans please?
8 - You will be aware of the Senedd Elections next year, so will these plans be in place prior so we can move forward together, and how will councils be involved please, as we are at the forefront of our communities, and will the scheme differ from England please?
Always a pleasure to work in partnership
Cllr Kevin Etheridge.
