In addition to my overarching work – scrutinising the Welsh Government’s work on behalf of all residents of the Cynon Valley – many residents like to know what work I’ve carried out within their local community. Here are a selection of my activities based on Council wards. Please get in touch if you’d like to find out more.
Aberaman
Worked closely with local councillors and RCT Council to support residents affected by flooding and helped progress flood schemes.
Ongoing campaign over the safety of pedestrian crossing points on the A4059.
Supported the construction of 50% Welsh Government funded 21st Century School in Cwmaman.
Working closely with RCT Council, the Coal Authority and Coal Products Limited to resolve a range of immediate problems on the Phurnacite land, as well as working towards a long term plan for redevelopment which would benefit the area economically and environmentally.
Worked with Coalfields Regeneration Trust, the private sector, local businesses and Cwmaman Arts Centre to help secure a viable future for Cwmaman Institute.
Abercynon
Working closely with local Councillors and RCT Council to try and encourage the owners of private derelict land to develop these plots, and worked closely with Welsh Government to bring forward the ‘Vacant Land Tax’ which will impose financial penalties on such landowners.
Supported Abercynon based Cynon Valley Organic Adventures with a range of grant funding applications, and volunteered with them to distribute food parcels to those in need during the Covid pandemic.
Worked closely with local Councillors to ensure Transport for Wales maintains its land around River Row in a manner which helps reduce flood risk to homes.
Supported Bryncynon Strategy/Feelgood Factory in accessing grant funding.
Aberdare East
Helped secure lottery funding for St Elvan’s Community Heritage Project and St Mair’s ‘Cynon Linc’ inter-generational community facility.
Supported the creation of Aberdare Business Improvement District (BID), and liaise with it on issues relating to town centre regeneration, town centre trading and town centre events.
Supporting the redevelopment of the former Boot hotel, Black Lion Hotel and NatWest bank sites, using Welsh Government funding.
Supported Cynon Valley Museum with a range of projects.
Working with RCT Council to explore a range of potential options for the regeneration of Cardiff Road retail units.
Aberdare West and Llywdcoed
Helped secure Welsh Government investment towards £4.5 million expansion of provision at YGG Aberdar, and for the creation of a Meithrin at the school.
Helped secure £3.9 million funding for expansion of Robertstown Industrial Estate.
Helped secure £1.5 million investment in Dare Valley Country Park through the Welsh Government’s Valleys Regional Park initiative.
Helped Friends of Aberdare Park, of which I am a proud Patron, with their successful bid for a splash pad.
Worked closely with Llwydcoed Community Action Group on a range of issues, most notably road safety.
Cilfynydd
Represented the concerns of parents and pupils regarding reorganisation proposals for Cilfynydd, Pont Sion Norton and Pontypridd High schools.
Worked with local children to re-design Oaklands play area, making it inclusive.
Established the Albion Colliery Disaster Memorial Group to commemorate the historic mining disaster.
Helped Cilfynydd Community Centre with applications for funding.
Supported residents regarding access to local primary healthcare services.
Cwmbach
Campaigning to reopen the Abernant Tunnel, linking Cwmbach to Merthyr, as an Active Travel route and draw for tourism.
Helped secure Welsh Government money under the Resilient Roads Fund for £400,000 flood alleviation scheme at Canal Road.
Continuing to fight for Persimmon to bring the Coed Dyffryn/Tir Founder fields estate up to adoptable standard.
Worked with pupils at Cwmbach Church in Wales Primary and RCT Council to progress a range of road safety measures.
Founder member of the Cwmbach Action Committee working with residents to progress a range of issues.
Glyncoch
Formally opposed extension of Craig yr Hesg quarry and worked with local Councillor to represent concerns of community.
Worked with RCT Council to make Cefn Lane play area inclusive by creating a footpath that is suitable for wheelchair users.
Strong working relationship with Craig Yr Hesg school, bringing the Education Minister to visit and witness its excellent teaching and learning practices.
Supported young people engaged with RCT YEPS based at Glyncoch Youth Club.
Hirwaun, Penderyn and Rhigos
Supported the construction of the new Primary School for Hirwaun, 65% funded by the Welsh Government.
Championed dualling of Sections 5 and 6 of the A465 to Hirwaun on both safety and economic grounds. Working with the A465 Liaison Group and community to ensure the A465 Sections 5 and 6 dualling works are progressed with minimal local disruption.
Working with Transport for Wales and RCT Council to explore a range of options for extending the railway line to Hirwaun.
Working with residents of Cae Felin Parc to establish a Flooding Support Group and Working with NRW and RCTCBC to explore a range of potential schemes to protect homes in Cae Felin Parc from future flooding.
Fighting to get Persimmon Homes to bring the Springfield Gardens and Denbeigh Court developments up to adoptable standard.
Working with RCT Council and Zipworld to support the Zipworld Tower development, and working with a range of developers to support delivery of other projects which would also capitalise on the economic, environmental and tourist potential of the former Tower colliery site in Rhigos.
Worked with Openreach to deliver upgraded broadband in the Penderyn area.
Mountain Ash
Secured £4.1m funding from Welsh Government towards cost of Cross Valley Link.
Championed the work of the ‘First Give’ charity initiative at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School, and hosted the UK ‘First Give’ Awards at the Senedd.
Worked closely with local councillors to secure Welsh Government funding for new £4 million Ty Calon Lan Medical Centre.
Supported the redevelopment of former disused Trading Post Antiques sites on Oxford Street using over £700,000 of Welsh Government funding.
Continue to support Nos Galan races.
Penrhiwceiber
Organised an anti-poverty event bringing together key stakeholders from Welsh Government, RCT Council, housing associations, schools and community groups.
Regularly provide support to volunteers running Lee Gardens Paddling Pool, including building links with British Gas which secured funding and a range of practical help for the project.
Promoted Pengeulan Primary School’s mission to reduce plastic waste, arranging for Welsh Government Deputy Minister Hannah Blythyn and ambassadors from the Refill scheme to meet with pupils.
Supporting ASD Rainbows with their work in the community, including their plans which led to the re-opening of Perthcelyn Community Centre.
Backed campaign to install a blue plaque commemorating Penrhiwceiber-born George Hall, the ‘pit-boy peer’.
Penywaun
Supporting Coalfields Regeneration Trust with their plans for a Resource & Training Centre at the former Cana Centre.
Supporting Penywaun Tenants and Residents Association Volunteer Group.
Helped secure Welsh Government investment towards £12.1 million expansion of provision at YGG Rhydywaun.
Supported Penywaun Community Centre.
Ynysybwl
Working with residents, Natural Resources Wales and RCT Council to progress short- and long-term solutions after Clydach Terrace was flooded during Storm Dennis.
Supported Ynysybwl Regeneration Partnership and Ynysybwl Vision with their plans for economic and environmental regeneration.
Represented the concerns of parents and pupils regarding reorganisation proposals for Pont Sion Norton and Pontypridd High schools.
Continue to monitor plans for the future of the Lady Windsor site.
Appointed as Welsh Environment Link Species Champion for the Nightjar, which nests in Llanwonno forest.