Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal Democrats News Stories (Peter Black a Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Gorllewin De Cymru)

2013 Mai 10:
- Assembly member welcomes decision to make vital drug available to cystic fibrosis sufferers in Wales
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has welcomed the decision of the Health Minister to ensure that the drug Kalydeco is made available for the 13 sufferers of Cystic Fibrosis in Wales who will benefit from it. Mr. Black had previously written to the Health Minister on behalf of a number of constituents to ask him to overrule the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group decision not to approve this drug in Wales. The Minister has now decided that a way must be found to provide Kalydeco within NHS Wales for those eligible patients with cystic fibrosis. He has therefore confirmed that Kalydeco will be available for these 13 individuals Commenting Mr. Black said: "The drug, which has been approved for use in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland could lead to an increase in life expectancy of 10 years and already has made an improvement to the quality of life for people with the G551D mutation of Cystic Fibrosis in other parts of the UK. "I am pleased that commonsense has prevailed in this case and that the Minister is also tasking the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer to set up a review of the appraisal process to deal with these new, innovative medicines for rare diseases." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2013 Mai 8:
- Queen's Speech will bring down crime, help pensioners and support local businesses says AM
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has welcomed measures in the Queen's Speech that will help 4,520 businesses in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend by cutting National Insurance Contributions, introduce a flat rate pension for all and take action to tackle anti-social behaviour. The National Insurance Contributions Bill announced by the Queen will introduce a National Insurance employment allowance of £2,000, reducing the cost of employment and supporting small businesses aspiring to grow and wanting to hire their first employee or expand their workforce. The Anti-Social Behaviour Bill will build on the Coalition Government's already impressive record on tackling crime, the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour inSwansea, Neath, Port Talbot, and Bridgend has already fallen by over 34,000since 2010, by ending the discredited ASBOs, which became a rite of passage among some young offenders and were routinely breached by them. Among other measures, the new legislation will introduce a Community Trigger, ensuring communities can trigger investigations if they have not been dealt with properly up to that point, and a Community Remedy which will give victims of low-level crime and anti-social behaviour a say in the punishment of the offender once they've admitted guilt. The Government also plan to bring in a single flat rate pension of £144 a week from April 2016. The change will help women who have given up work to raise children and end means-tested top-ups such as pension credit. This is in addition to the triple lock, championed by the Liberal Democrats, which has ensured a record rise in the state pension of £12.50 a week since 2010. The triple lock will continue to safeguard an increase in the state pension in line with earnings, inflation or 2.5%, whichever is higher. Mr. Black said: "These changes are important components of the Coalition Government's agenda of protecting communities, reintroducing fairness and helping to stimulate the local economy. "Building strong local businesses that last, ensuring that pensioners get a fair deal and tackling anti-social behaviour are popular measures that will make a big difference for many people and communities in the region I represent." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2013 Ebrill 24:
- Ambulance service on the brink
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has branded the Welsh Labour Government's failure to address ambulance response times an 'absolute disgrace', as figures show that in Bridgend only 45.5% of ambulances responded within the 8 minute target, the figure for Neath Port Talbot is 51 % of ambulances, whilst for Swansea it is 56.2%. This makes it the 10th successive month in which the ambulance service has missed the important category A (immediately life-threatening) All-Wales response target. The Welsh Labour Government's target is for 65% of category A calls to receive an ambulance response time within eight minutes. These figures are the worst since 2010. Mr. Black commented: "The Welsh Labour Government's failure to address ambulance response times is an absolute disgrace. This Welsh Labour Government has completely failed to get a grip on poor response times and the issue is only getting worse. "Why should the people of Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend have to put up with some of the worst response times in the whole of Wales? "I recognise that there were a large amount of calls in March with difficult weather conditions, but there really is no excuse for these appalling figures. Welsh Labour Ministers should hang their heads in shame. "Fast ambulance response times often mean the difference between life and death. Targets here in Wales are already 10% behind those in England and Scotland, yet still Wales is nowhere near meeting these unambitious targets. "Welsh Ambulance staff are working incredibly hard to deliver the best response times they can, but they are clearly working in a failing system that is getting in the way of them doing their job." ENDS Response times can be found here: http://wales.gov.uk/docs/statistics/2013/130424-ambulance-services-march-2013-en.pdf Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2013 Ebrill 17:
- Assembly Member calls for urgent action on cancelled operations
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly for South Wales West, Peter Black has called for urgent action from the Welsh Government to tackle the burgeoning number of cancelled operations in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend as a result of the measles outbreak. Mr. Black raised the issue with the Welsh Health Minister in the Assembly this afternoon, following reports that the number of patients hospitalised from measles has increased by 24% in the past week. He told the Minister that this had left little capacity in local hospitals with the result that many more operations are being cancelled for lack of a bed space. Mr. Black said: "I accept that we need to put resources into tackling the real threat that is posed by the measles outbreak; however we also need to balance that against the clinical need of other patients and ensure that urgent operations, particularly in life-threatening situations are not lost. "The accounts I have had of cancelled operations, some of which have been from people in very distressing circumstances, are from across the range of NHS specialisms provided in our region. "I would have expected Ministers and health boards to have shown the necessary foresight to make sure the system has sufficient in reserve to be able to cope with situations like that now facing us. For instance, Ministers should have found out years ago which areas in Wales had low rates of vaccination, and put plans in place then to educate parents and target vaccinations at older children. "People in South Wales West have a right both to expect that important operations to relieve painful and disabling chronic conditions should be carried out as arranged, and to expect that those needing emergency treatment can get it as needed. "Rather than waiting for problems to arise, Ministers need to begin to anticipate likely problems and plan to meet them. Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2013 Mawrth 19:
- £1bn childcare investment to deliver much needed help for parents in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend
  Families in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend are to get greater financial support for childcare thanks to a major new initiative. Welsh Liberal Democrats analysis shows that the £1 billion boost to help parents with childcare costs could benefit 18,445 families in the area, 8,368 in Swansea, 4,966 in Neath Port Talbot and 5,111 in Bridgend. The Coalition Government's scheme will save the typical working family with two children up to £2,400 a year. The Welsh Liberal Democrats Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has today welcomed the plans, which were announced by Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, as "much needed help" for working families. "Everyone knows that the cost of childcare is a big worry for many families," said Mr. Black. "Almost a quarter of employed mothers say they would like to work longer hours but can't do so because of the cost of childcare. "Making sure all families, and mothers in particular, can afford to work is important to help build a stronger economy as well as deliver a fairer society. This has been an absolute priority for Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats and I am delighted we are able to give parents this much needed help." Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg said: "The rising cost of childcare is one of the biggest challenges parents face and it means many mums and dads simply can't afford to work. This not only hurts them financially, but is bad for the economy too. "This announcement of a £1bn investment in childcare will make sure it pays to work. "An extra £1,200 for each child will make a real difference to families in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend and families across the country just like you, who find it constantly worrying about how to juggle the family budget. "Extending support for working families on Universal Credit will also make sure it is worth working extra hours even if you're on low wages." ENDS Notes to editors: It will be phased in from autumn 2015 and will ultimately be open to around 2.5 million families with children under 12. From the first year of operation, all children under five will be eligible, initially opening the scheme to 1.3 million families, and the scheme will build up over time to include children under 12. To be eligible, families will have all parents in work, with each earning less than £150,000 a year, and will not already receive support through tax credits and later, Universal Credit. They will receive 20% - equivalent to the basic rate of tax - of their yearly childcare costs up to £6,000 per child. The new tax-free childcare scheme will massively extend support compared to the current system of Employer Supported Childcare (ESC). ESC will continue for current members if they want to stay in it, but new claimants will get support through the new tax-free offer. ESC will also continue to be open to new joiners until the tax-free childcare scheme is available. Eligible ESC recipients may choose to move into the new tax-free childcare scheme if they wish, but will not be able to receive both. For a family with two children, the new offer will be worth more than double the amount of a single claim for ESC, and will be open to around five times as many families. For parents who currently receive childcare support through tax credits and in due course Universal Credit, the Government will increase childcare support to improve work incentives and ensure that it is worthwhile to work up to full-time hours for low and middle income parents. An additional £200m of support will be provided within Universal Credit, which is equivalent to covering 85% of childcare costs for households qualifying for the Universal Credit childcare element where the lone parent or both earners in a couple pay income tax. The details of how to provide this support will be determined as part of the consultation on the scheme for parents not in receipt of Universal Credit, to ensure the two schemes operate effectively together. The new tax-free offer will be phased in from autumn 2015, partly funded by the phasing out of ESC. The £200m Universal Credit offer is planned to be phased in from April 2016 as childcare support moves from tax credits into Universal Credit and will be funded from within social security budgets at the time. Details will be set out in future spending reviews. The Government will shortly consult on the detail of the new tax-free childcare scheme, including on how employers could continue to play a role in supporting their employees with childcare costs within the new system. Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2013 Mawrth 9:
- Welsh Liberal Democrats secure an extra £6.5m for local schools
  The Welsh Assembly budget deal between Labour and the Welsh Liberal Democrats 16 months ago is delivering over £6.5 million extra into schools in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend from next month. The deal in November 2011 secured an extra £450, given directly to schools to provide support for the poorest pupils. However, the Welsh Liberal Democrats insisted that this would not be a one-off. Instead they agreed that the grant to be repeated for three years. Despite the fact Labour refused to increase the amount for the next financial year, local schools will get the same boost this year and the year after. "This is a good deal for local school children," said Peter Black. "It means that for the second year running schools in Swansea will receive over £2.8 million between them, Bridgend schools more than £1.7 million and schools in Neath Port Talbot will share nearly £2 million. "Four in five of those pupils receiving free school meals will fail to get five good GCSEs including maths and English. Investment in local schools is the best way to break down the cycle of poverty, poor health and a weak economy. "The deal that Welsh Liberal Democrats did with Labour in 2011 so as to get their Assembly budget through ensured a much higher priority for education. That will continue into the next financial year and the one after that." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2013 Chwef 26:
- AM challenges First Minister on Government failure over IVF provision in South Wales West
  The Welsh Liberal Democrats Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has challenged the First Minister to justify his government's failure to provide IVF facilities for couples in South Wales West after it was revealed that there is now an 18 month waiting list for treatment. Speaking during First Minister's Questions today, Mr. Black pointed out that the new IVF treatment centre at Neath Port Talbot Hospital is a year behind schedule, meaning that it will not open until April this year. That is 18 months after the Welsh Government ceased to send patients to the London Women's Clinic at Singleton Hospital because they disagree with private medicine. Women waiting for IVF treatment are being sent to Bristol at an additional cost of £500,000 to the NHS. Mr. Black challenged the First Minister to say whether he thought this was value for money: "The Welsh Government's ideological decision to make this change has led to additional cost to a hard-pressed local health service, greater stress and anxiety for those women and their families who have to travel over 60 miles for treatment and a much longer wait overall," he said. "It is quite scandalous mismanagement by Welsh Labour Ministers." "The London' Women's Clinic in Swansea should not have been closed until the new clinic in Neath Port Talbot was open. Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2013 Ion 31:
- Welsh Governments treatment of IVF patients is scandalous
  The Welsh Liberal Democrats Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has described the Welsh Governments treatment of IVF patients in South and West Wales as scandalous, following revelations this morning that there is now an 18 month waiting list for treatment. Mr. Black was responding to news that the new IVF treatment centre at Neath Port Talbot Hospital is a year behind schedule, meaning that it will not open until April this year. That is 18 months after the Welsh Government ceased to send patients to the London Women's Clinic at Singleton Hospital because they disagree with private medicine. Women waiting for IVF treatment are being sent to Bristol at an additional cost of £500,000 to the NHS. "The Welsh Government's ideological decision to make this change has led to additional cost to a hard-pressed local health service, greater stress and anxiety for those women and their families who have to travel over 60 miles for treatment and a much longer wait overall," said Mr. Black. "It is quite scandalous mismanagement by Welsh Labour Ministers." "The London' Women's Clinic in Swansea should not have been closed until the new clinic in Neath Port Talbot was open. "Welsh Liberal Democrats have been raising their concerns with Welsh Ministers on the floor of the Assembly constantly over the last two years but they have consistently failed to take action. Their inefficiency is costing people their health and costing the Welsh taxpayer money" Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2013 Ion 30:
- Peter Black calls for improvement on ambulance times in Bridgend
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has called for the Welsh Labour Government to urgently address poor ambulance response times in Bridgend after statistics released today have shown that only 49% of urgent calls arrived within the target time. The statistics have shown that the All Wales ambulance response rate was its lowest in 2012 and the 65% all-Wales target was missed for the seventh successive month. The Welsh Labour government's target is for 65% of category A calls to receive an ambulance response time within eight minutes. Only 56.1% of calls in December received an ambulance within that time. Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats is also calling on the Health Minister to raise the all-Wales target to 75% to match Scotland and England and so that the current review into the ambulance service can be based on realistic funding to attain that target. Peter Black commented: "The figures released today have shown that ambulance response rates in December were the lowest of any month in 2012. Wales has the slowest ambulance response times in the whole of the UK and they have been getting worse. The Welsh Labour government cannot hide behind adverse weather conditions or unusually high sickness rates as they have done in previous winter seasons. "People in Bridgend are not getting the service they deserve at critical times in their lives. One major reason for these dismal figures is the persistent failure of the Welsh Labour Ministers to establish what resources are needed to match rising demand for ambulance services. "An ambulance service that is able to respond quickly, with well-skilled, motivated staff is often the crucial first stage in a response to medical emergencies. While paramedics and technical staff are striving for excellence, they are facing immense pressure and having to work with increasingly stretched resources." Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, commented: "Until now, Wales has funded its ambulance service to meet a target of 65% of ambulance responses to life-threatening conditions within 8 minutes - whereas England funds to achieve 75%. The Minister herself should now decide to raise that target, so that the review can be based on realistic funding to attain it. "What Wales does not need is another period of re-organisation, such as by breaking up the all-Wales ambulance service and losing many of its specialist personnel. Uncertainty may cause some to go in the next few months unless it is made clear that the review will be focused on financing and efficiency - not on breaking up the organisation." ENDS Stats can be found here. http://wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/headlines/health2013/ambulance-services-december-2012/?lang=en Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2012 Rhag 7:
- Assembly Member expresses concern about fracking application near Maesteg
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has written to Bridgend County Borough Council to oppose plans to test drill for gas at the old St John's Colliery site. The plans are believed to be a prelude to a full scale application to extract shale gas from the site using a controversial technique called fracking. This involves pumping water at pressure into fissures in the rock so as to force the gas to the surface. Mr. Black said, "There have been a number of incidents in other areas where this "fracking" has been allowed to go ahead such as the earthquakes reported in Blackpool. I am concerned that as these old mine shafts are linked to others there could be a catastrophic effect should there be even a small tremor" "That is why I have written to Bridgend Council to add my voice to many others opposing these proposals. I hope that the Council will see sense and refuse this application. I have also asked them to tell me whether they are carrying out an environmental impact assessment of any potential contamination of the ground water in the area." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Welsh Liberal Democrats win regional pay battle
  The Chancellor announced in his Autumn Statement that the Government no longer intends to expand regional and local pay - a policy that would have had a detrimental effect on Wales. Over the past year the Welsh Liberal Democrats have led the campaign against regional and local pay. In September, the Welsh Liberal Democrats took a motion to the UK party conference calling for Ministers to put an end to Tory plans for regional pay. South Wales West Liberal Democrats Assembly Member, Peter Black commented: "I am delighted that the Liberal Democrats have put a brake on George Osborne's plans for regional or local pay. Yes, we need to rebalance the economy, but regional or local pay isn't the answer. "The Welsh Liberal Democrats have always believed that moves towards regional or local pay would further ingrain regional inequalities. It is the people of Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend that would have paid the price for this ill-thought out policy. That is why we took our campaign against regional pay to our Party Conference, which not only secured our party's position on the matter, but also gave our Ministers in Government a clear direction. I am immensely proud that the Welsh Lib Dems played such a key part in this campaign." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2012 Rhag 5:
- 50,900 Bridgend taxpayers will get Income Tax cut in April
  Commenting on the raising of the Personal Allowance further than already planned, the Welsh Liberal Democrats Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black said: "Liberal Democrats are working for a stronger economy and a fairer society, so that everyone can get on in life. That's why we are cutting taxes for working people in Wales. "Today's announcement means that by April, 50,900 ordinary working people in Bridgend will get a further Income Tax cut, bringing the total tax cut to £600 a year since Liberal Democrats joined the Coalition Government. "This news is particularly welcome because it also means that the Liberal Democrats have lifted 6,260 low-earners out of paying Income Tax altogether since the Coalition Government came to power. "Liberal Democrats want fairer taxes, which is why we made raising the tax-free allowance our number one priority at the General Election - so important that we put it on the front page of our manifesto. "When times are tough, with rising bills and wages not keeping pace with inflation, we want to give people real, practical help. "Cutting Income Tax will not deal with all of those problems, but it will help. And I hope it will make a big difference to every family in this country." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2012 Tach 28:
- Decline in Ambulance response times is deeply worrying
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has expressed his concern to official figures that showambulance response times in the Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend lagging well below the all-Wales target. The all-Wales figure has also fallen to 59.9%. The Welsh Government's all-Wales target is for 65% of category A (immediately life-threatening) calls to have an ambulance response time within eight minutes. The Bridgend area though has returned a figure for October of just 50.9%. In Neath Port Talbot only 52.8% of calls saw ambulances turning up within 8 minutes for the most serious cases.. Swansea's response time also lags well behind with 60%. Mr. Black said: "The response time figures released today are deeply worrying. The all-Wales figure of 59.9% for October is the lowest so far this year. We have the slowest ambulance response times in the whole of the UK, and that is despite the Welsh Labour Government having set a response time target which is fully 10% below the English target of 75%. "Yet rather than seeing the service improve, it is getting worse. In parts of Gower the dependence on part-time fire fighter co-responders is growing. In one case a co-responder waited 45 minutes with a 15 year old suffering from chest pains before a paramedic arrived. "Our ambulance staff strive for excellence, but face immense pressures and have to work with increasingly stretched resources. They need to be able to count on the Welsh Government to help them do their job properly. At the moment, that is clearly not happening. "Last month the Welsh Liberal Democrats exposed the fact that the Welsh Ambulance Service budget had not been set a full six months into the financial year. The Welsh Labour Government had forced the Ambulance Trust into an impossible position. It is clear that Wales is suffering the consequences of having a Welsh Labour Government that is wholly inept at handling our NHS. "In the Welsh Liberal Democrat ambulance debate held earlier this month, the Labour Health Minister announced there will be yet another review into the performance of the ambulance service. This will be the ninth review in six years - we've seen enough reviews, what we want to see is improvement." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2012 Tach 26:
- Assembly Member urges health board to retain key services in Bridgend
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has formally responded to the consultation on the future of key health services across South Wales with a plea to retain Accident and Emergency and a full maternity service at Princess of Wales Hospital in South Wales. Hospital provision in South Wales is being reviewed with the intention of concentrating major services in fewer hospitals. The 12 week engagement is looking specifically at obstetrics, Accident and Emergency, Neonatal and in-patient paediatrics. The intention is to reduce the number of sites on which these services are available from 7 hospitals to 4 or 5. This could mean Princess of Wales Hospital competing with Prince Charles Hospital and the Royal Glamorgan to be one of these centres of excellence. Mr Black said: "I think it vital that Princess of Wales Hospital Bridgend retains the full range of services that it offers at present. "In my letter to health chiefs I pointed out that with a catchment of 160,000 people drawn from Bridgend, the Maesteg area, a significant part of Neath Port Talbot, and the western part of the Vale of Glamorgan, this hospital provides swift easy access to full accident and emergency, maternity, and children's care, not to mention the many other specialisms that go to make up a major acute secondary care hospital. "The overall reputation of the staff is excellent, and the hospital has no difficulty in recruitment, unlike some. The location of Princess of Wales Hospital is strategically significant, and its closeness to major transport arteries is a major asset. "Any move to downgrade the hospital will bring about a considerable worsening of hospital services provided to people in the eastern part of South Wales West, and beyond. "That is why I am supporting the campaign to retain the full range of hospital services at Princess of Wales Hospital." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2012 Tach 21:
- Assembly Member welcomes promise of action to halt knotweed invasion
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has welcomed the Assembly Environment Minister's announcement today, that he is considering legislation to halt the invasion of Japanese Knotweed The Minister was responding to a question from Mr. Black asking for action on the pernicious weed. Mr. Black made the point that councils had no power to compel action where it was growing on land which is not in their ownership, despite its impact on buildings and on the ability to attract a mortgage. "I have raised this matter on a number of occasions in the Assembly and am pleased that my concerns are being listened to," said Mr. Black. "Japanese Knotweed is a huge problem in the area I represent and I have received many representations from constituents to help them deal with it. However, where it is growing on private land the Council is powerless to act. "Knotweed is also growing in many public spaces such as the recently opened Wales Coast Path. Unless it is dealt with properly, Japanese Knotweed will keep coming back, re-invading those cleared lands. It is only with legislation that we can ensure a joined up approach to remove Knotweed around Wales." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2012 Tach 11:
- Assembly Member backs Independent for Police Commissioner role
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has given his backing to Independent candidate, Mike Baker in Thursday's election for a Police Commissioner for the South Wales area. Mr. Black met Mr. Baker today at the remembrance march in Bridgend and was impressed with both his experience and commitment to the role. "The Welsh Liberal Democrats are not contesting this election because we believe that the Police should be above party politics," said Mr. Black. "My vote inevitably will therefore go to one of the independent candidates. "Mike Baker is a retired Police Officer, having served across the South Wales Police area for 30 years. He is currently working as a civil and criminal solicitor within the South Wales area. As such he has experience on both sides of the fence, being familiar with the system as well as the demands put on a modern police force. "It seems to me that the Police Commissioner role was designed with people like Mike Baker in mind, an independently minded individual, who knows what is needed to ensure that front line policing gets the resources and support it needs. I will be giving my vote to Mike Baker on Thursday and I urge others to do so as well." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2012 Hyd 25:
- Park Home Residents in Bridgend to benefit from Peter Black's Park Homes Bill
  Residents of Park Homes in Bridgend stand to benefit from the first Private Member's Bill since the National Assembly for Wales gained primary legislative powers. The Regulated Mobile Home Sites (Wales) Bill will be formally launched at 2pm on Thursday 25 October by the Welsh Liberal Democrats Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black at an event in Llandrindod Wales. It will directly benefit residents living in Happy Valley, Weigfach and the Heronstone Park Homes site. The Bill is intended to modernise the licensing system for park homes across Wales - giving local authorities the resources and powers to award and police licenses and to ensure site owners pass a fit and proper persons test. The Bill is intended to offer more protection to mobile home owners wishing to sell their homes without prior agreement with site owners. "Throughout the course of researching and gathering opinions on this Bill I have often been disturbed by stories of mobile home owners being harassed, intimidated and exploited by a small minority of site operators," said Mr. Black. "Of the responses I received to my survey locally, 77% were from mobile home owners living in Bridgend who were retired and consequently on fixed incomes. Just over a third were over the age of 70. "Many of them feel that they do not have the protection of the law and the support of local councils with regards to their rights in disputes with site operators. "This Bill will put those rights on a firm, statutory footing. "This is the first Private Members' Bill to be put before the National Assembly for Wales since the people of Wales overwhelmingly voted yes in the referendum on further powers in March last year and I'd like to thank all those involved in helping to form it." The Regulated Mobile Home Sites (Wales) Bill was drawn at random in a Presiding Officer's ballot in November last year. It will be formally introduced into the National Assembly for Wales on Wednesday 7th November before being considered by the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee in Stage One of the legislative process which examines the general principles of the Bill. Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2012 Hyd 9:
- Assembly Member urges residents to take up flu vaccine
  Following years of campaigning from the Welsh Liberal Democrats, it has been announced that the flu vaccine will be available from some pharmacies for the first time in Wales. Details of the pharmacies across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend that have been chosen to provide the vaccine are available from the NHS Direct website. Those who should receive the jab include: The over-65s and people in long term care People with long term respiratory disease, such as severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis People with long term heart, renal or liver disease, neurological disease and diabetes. People with a weakened immune system due to diseases such as HIV and Aids or cancer. Health professionals, carers, pregnant women and members of voluntary organisations who provide emergency first aid at public events should also receive the vaccine. Peter Black, Assembly Member for South Wales West, commented: "If you're in any of the 'at risk' groups, then it is essential that you get the flu jab as soon as possible. It is a safe way of protecting you and your family in a matter of minutes. People should remember that flu remains a serious threat. "The Welsh Liberal Democrats have been arguing for some time now that pharmacists should be playing a bigger role in the NHS. Not only does it make it easier for patients to have access to some treatments, but it will consequently lead to there being less of a strain on our local GPs as well." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2012 Medi 13:
- Assembly Member disappointed by Unilever job loses in Swansea and Bridgend
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has expressed his sadness at the confirmation that Unilever are restructuring with 250 job losses including the closure, by the end of 2013, of the former Alberto Culver manufacturing and distribution sites in Swansea and Bridgend. "I very much regret the decision by Unilever to go ahead with this restructuring. This is very sad news for the workers and their families in this area. "I am disappointed that the Welsh Government fails to have a good manufacturing strategy. This leaves our manufacturing bases susceptible when restructuring and our manufacturing workforce at risk. We now pay the ultimate price with local people being made redundant. I call on the Minister to provide support and advice to the affected workers immediately." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
2012 Gorff 16:
- Peter Black welcomes decision to electrify rail line to Maesteg
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has welcomed today's announcement that the UK Coalition Government is to extend electrification of the railway line to Maesteg. The proposals form part of a £10 billion investment in railway infrastructure over the next ten years, that will help to stimulate the economy, improve journey times, reduce carbon emissions and contribute towards getting people out of cars and into public transport. Mr. Black said: "This is very welcome news indeed and will make a huge difference to residents in the Llynfi valley. It was made possible by the decision to extend electrification of the main line beyond Cardiff and is exactly the sort of capital investment the area needs to attract new jobs and to improve the quality of life of those living in the area." "Like others, Welsh Liberal Democrats have been lobbying very hard behind the scenes for this outcome. This investment demonstrates how Bridgend and Ogmore are benefitting from the Coalition Government." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

Peter Black a Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Gorllewin De Cymru

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