Chairing and speaking in the first session of the Policy Forum for Wales Seminar in Wrexham, “Delivering the Growth Deal for North Wales”, I highlighted the “strength that comes from the whole of our region working together”, and the Deal’s even greater importance following the suspension of work on the Wylfa Newydd project. 

Questioning the Economy Minister, Ken Skates AM, about Wylfa Newydd, I asked him to retract his statement that the Prime Minister hadn't raised this with the Prime Minister of Japan, when she confirmed in the House of Commons that she had.

I called on the Local Government Minister to meet Flintshire County Councillors when they visit the Assembly to air grievances over unfair local authority funding . Under the Welsh Government’s Local Government Settlement 2019-20,  the largest cuts are in Flintshire, Conwy, and Anglesey, alongside Monmouthshire and Powys, as nine out of 22 Councils receive an increase.

I also questioned her about Wales Audit Office findings that “the current standard of financial management and governance remains disappointing at too many Town and Community Councils”, and the recommendations of the Independent Review Panel on Community and Town Councils in Wales.

Responding to her Statement ‘Preparing our Public Services for a No-Deal Brexit - Civil Contingencies”, I criticised the Welsh Government’s proposal for a ‘Brexit In Name Only’ and questioned her about the potential impact on civil order were there to be a second referendum.

Following concerns raised by ‘Save the Welsh Independent Living Grant’ campaigner, Nathan Lee Davies, at the recent Assembly Cross Party Group on Disability meeting in Wrexham, I called for a Welsh Government Statement “because time is running out”.

I closed the Welsh Conservative Debate calling on the Welsh Government to rule out a rise in devolved income tax during this Assembly term. Only Plaid Cymru voted against.

Questioning the Energy Minister, I stated that Flintshire’s Affordable Warmth scheme should have been a flagship project to be emulated across Wales.

I questioned the First Minister over why prison sentences in England dropped 16 per cent, but increased in Wales, between 2010-17.     

Assembly engagements included Farmer Union of Wales’ Farmhouse Breakfast, British Council Wales, and Holocaust Memorial event.

I also attended the Holocaust Memorial Day event in Wrexham. We must never forget.

Other North Wales engagements included a meeting with pupils at St. Christopher's School, Wrexham, the ‘Autism: Future Employment Conference 2019’ in Wrexham, and meeting North Wales’ newly-elected Welsh Youth Parliament Members.

If you need my help, please email mark.isherwood@assembly.wales or call 0300 200 7219.