By Mark Isherwood

MS for North Wales

Questioning the First Minister, I called on him to respond to legitimate holiday let business owners resident in Denbighshire and Flintshire who are being forced to close because of the Welsh Government’s 182-day rule, leaving owners at risk of Council Tax premiums of up to 300%.

I also referred to a survey commissioned by Wales Tourism Alliance, UK Hospitality, and the Professional Association of Self-Caterers UK, which already shows that fewer than 25 per cent of Welsh self-caterers will hit the threshold this year, despite over 70 per cent discounting to try and achieve it.

In my Short Debate on ‘Parental blame and the Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile of Autism’, I highlighted shocking cases where parents of Autistic children fear losing their children to the care system, because they are being blamed for their Autistic children’s presentation by professionals.

I stated: “My casework confirms the desperate need for mandatory Neurodiverse training not only for staff in NHS Wales, but also in our Schools and Social Services departments”.

Earlier in the week, I met with the campaign to Make Neurodiversity Training Compulsory in Welsh Schools, desperately needed to ensure children's learning experiences are not harmed or hindered.

I used my 90-Second Statement to mark five years since the sad passing of Ali Thomas, from Flintshire, who died of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), a complication of his diabetes; to highlight the campaign by his Mother, Dee, to raise awareness of DKA, which can mean the difference between life and death; and to promote the music festival, Ali Fest 2024, being held in North Wales on Saturday 6 July next year in Ali's memory, with all funds raised donated to Diabetes UK Cymru.

Engagements included Royal College of Psychiatrists; Wales Rare Disease Roundtable; City Hospice Volunteering Showcase; Bangor University event on the importance of the Prince Madog research vessel to North Wales; the charity DEBRA, for people living with epidermolysis bullosa, a group of rare genetic skin conditions; the new Senedd Chaplaincy Service launch; and Wales Environment Link, to discuss the ‘State of Nature Wales 2023’ report.

I also met online with Lightsource bp, when I raised questions on behalf of residents concerned about the potential impact of the proposed Plas Power Solar Project near Coedpoeth, Wrexham, on their homes; joined Lyndsey Vaughan Jones at Clwyd Special Riding Centre for her ‘Pass Wide and Slow’ ride to raise awareness about passing horse riders safely; and re-visited the Centre of Sign-Sight-Sound (COS), Colwyn Bay.

For my help, email mark.isherwood@senedd.wales or call 0300 200 7219.