By Hannah Blythyn

MS for Delyn

Recently the Welsh Government reported on action it’s been taking to make Wales litter and fly-tipping free – it’s an area which affects all areas of Wales, including our corner of north east Wales. Litter and fly-tipping can harm our wildlife, damage our natural environment and blight our communities and it also reduces the number of valuable materials that could be recycled and reused.

Wales recently became the second-best recycling nation in the world – has demonstrated our ability to make positive environmental behaviour the norm and in recent years Wales’ ban on single-use plastics has helped to control littering, but there is much more work to be done. The Welsh Government has been working with businesses, local authorities, town and community councils, environmental groups and regulators to promote actions which prevent litter and fly-tipping from occurring in the first place.

I am pleased to see that the Welsh Government will invest £36 million in information and advice services through the Single Advice Fund over the next three years. Information and advice services play a vital role helping people access their rights and often benefit those who are least able to help themselves. Applications for funding have opened and will close in 12 weeks’ time, individual providers or collaboration of providers may apply. These vital services have already helped 280,000 people with over a million social welfare issues, securing £137 million in additional income and writing off £38.5 million in debt. You can find out more information and apply for the single advice fund grant by visiting https://www.gov.wales/apply-single-advice-fund-grant

Public Health Wales are launching a new mental wellbeing campaign entitled ‘Hapus’. The campaign aims to encourage people to prioritise and make room for things in their life that bring them joy, creating a ‘National Conversation on Mental Wellbeing’. There are many ways to improve our mental wellbeing. I personally find joy in walking the dog around Flintshire, however, it could be anything from riding a bike, swimming or listening to music. I am encouraging readers to share ideas and resources to protect and improve our mental wellbeing. You can get inspired and also find out more by getting involved in the ‘Hapus’ campaign - https://hapus.wales/get-inspired/

It was announced just before the summer recess that water bills in Wales are set to rise, which will cause some concern among many residents. Ofwat, the regulator for the water industry in the UK, has allowed water companies to increase bills as part of a longer-term plan to invest in the system and protect rivers and waterways.

Unlike in England, where water companies are profit-driven, here in Wales our main supplier, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, is a not-for-profit organisation so the extra money won’t be going to pay shareholder dividends, but nonetheless it’ll be a concern to Flintshire residents as bills for Dŵr Cymru are expected to increase by around £27.40 each year, an increase of £137 by 2029-30 – overall average annual bills will rise from £466 currently to £603 by 2030, a 29% increase. If you’re a customer of Hafren Dyfrdwy, average bills will be going up by around £26.50 a year, an increase of £127.88 by 2029-30 – meaning overall average annual bills will rise from £396 currently to £524 by 2030, a 32% increase.

Age Cymru recently launched a new telephone listening service, designed for older people who may be experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation. Volunteers provide a safe space where people are listened to and supported to explore the issues that are important to them. To access the Listen and Connect service, you can call 0330 055 4818 between 10am and 4pm. Age Cymru is also on the lookout for volunteers as well, so if you can spare a few hours email CAPlisten@agecymru.org.uk or call 07425 422 683. On a similar note, Carers Wales has launched a survey which hopes to outline what it’s really like for unpaid carers in Wales. The survey, entitled State of Caring 2024, can be accessed at www.surveymonkey.com/r/JL65YBP.

As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales. You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/HannahBlythynForDelyn. Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don’t need to wait for an advice surgery.