Alun Ffred Jones

Alun Ffred Jones on the Spot

What’s going to be different about the Assembly after May?

For the first time in centuries Wales will have some power to pass its own laws – limited power, but a big step forward. Mwy » More »

1. Affordable childcare for all
2. Every pupil over 11 provided with free laptop for school work
3. Student debts – support for graduates who live in Wales for 5 years after graduation
4. Housing – grants of up to £5000 for first time buyers
5. School nurses – new community health centres
6. Energy savings – 3% annual cut in Carbon Dioxide emissions
7. Reduction of up to 50% in business rates

HOW PLAID CYMRU WOULD HELP YOUNG FAMILIES TO FIND A HOME OF THEIR OWN

Caernarfon couple Iwan and Danielle and their 11-month old daughter Eliya are living with Iwan’s parents, but are trying to buy their own home. They’ve seen several suitable properties but can’t raise enough money for the deposit. They recently put in a bid for a house but were ‘gazumped’ by people who could offer a higher price. Mwy » More »

Plans to relocate the Heulwen ward from Ysbyty Gwynedd to Llangefni are causing concern. This is the unit where elderly people are assessed to determine the most suitable treatment. Two who are opposing this are John and Elina Owen, Bethesda. As a minister, the Rev John Owen often visits patients at Heulwen.

“This plan would make things awfully difficult for people in Arfon and Pen Llyn — it’s hard enough for them to get to Bangor let alone Llangefni if they rely on buses and so on,” he says. Mwy » More »

HEART TREATMENT

Pat Larsen is among hundreds of North Wales patients who have had to travel to Manchester for heart treatments. “The service there is excellent but the journey is arduous and it can be difficult to get in when waiting lists are so long,” she said.

Alun Ffred says:

We need an angiography service immediately in Ysbyty Gwynedd and full treatment should eventually be available here in Bangor.

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ALCOHOL WATCH

Reducing alcohol use would bring great benefit to our health system as well as improving community safety. Plaid Cymru supports a call by the Royal College of Nursing for the Welsh Assembly Government to have a specific and fully funded ring fenced strategy in place to reduce alcohol consumption in Wales. Mwy » More »

WIGLEY BACKS STATION DEVELOPMENT

Plans to improve bus connections and parking at Bangor station have been given the thumbs up by Plaid list candidate Dafydd Wigley.

Alun Ffred Jones said:

I am very proud that these plans were developed when I was leader of Gwynedd Council. Improving North South links – the A470, and faster trains is one of Plaid Cymru’s priorities.

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To feel safe on our streets and in our homes, whether in towns and villages or remote rural areas, is a fundamental right for all of us. Arfon is by no means at the top of the crime league, and in general North Wales Police are doing a good job. But many electors feel threatened by vandalism, antisocial behaviour and petty crime. Politicians have a duty to address the issue, and I’d like to share some ideas with you. Mwy » More »