Local elections are upon us..

Yes, we all know the local elections are happening, especially when opposition debates at the Assembly are tabled in a clear attempt at political point scoring for effective local press releases! We've just had a rant from Darren Millar about dog fouling in his area, and while he acknowledges that responsibility is on the Council for rectifying such situations, he seems intent on calling for 'directives' from the National Assembly. Good to see the Tories calling for centralising services at the Assembly! I wonder what his Council colleagues would say?

I have been out and about on the doorstep canvassing with local candidates in the run up to the election, and the response has been favourable, I must say. Ieuan Wyn Jones is visiting Neath and Swansea tomorrow, and I look forward to raising the profile of the party locally alongside our leader. Plaid's innovate policies for Local Government, alongside our commitment to putting local people first is appealing to the people of this area.

On the other hand, Labour in Pontardawe have sadly resorted to fly posting on BT phone boxes in the area- clearly unable to find a resident willing to put a poster up in their window!!

I hope that we will make gains all over Wales in this coming election. In Neath we are gathering support and interest in the party, as in other areas of Wales such as Caerphilly and Cardiff, not to mention Rhondda Cynon Taf ( despite Chris Bryant's attempt at negative spin in the Welsh press about Plaid candidates) We have to build for the future, and ensure that we get more candidates, and more people from a wide, cross section of society represented on our community and Borough Councils.

Creative ideas for AM surgeries

I've had quite a productive day today. I've been out doing a street surgery in Pontardawe, and there is plenty of issues to get stuck in to in the area. I like getting out and about because I think that going to talk to people is much more accessible than having to wait for them to come to you at a designated time. It also takes you to different areas, and allows you to meet different people with varying concerns. I'm looking in to the idea of holding surgeries in alternative venues so that I can be more accessible. For example, during the election, the cafe La Cucina in Skewen were more than happy for us to use the Cafe as a base, and it was an ideal location to meet people. Aileen Campbell, the youngest MSP at the Scottish Parliament has also researched this possibility, and held a surgery at a local fayre over the summer so as to raise her profile locally.
In Camarthen East, I know that Adam Price MP holds surgeries with local groups or charities. I am going to trial it in this area, and see what the response is like.

This afternoon I was also at a meeting with Bridgend Council. This meeting is intended to keep AM's updated with the work of the Council generally, concentrating on regeneration plans in the area. It was very informative, much like the meeting that I attended last month with Swansea Council Leaders. It's a way of keeping us in the loop with any developments, and a key opportunity for us to question the Council with regards issues that have arisen through our work as AM's. I am not sure if Neath Port Talbot are organising such meetings, but I think that it would be a positive initiative for them to take on.

Tomorrow I am going to a Cut the Carbon rally organised by Christian Aid in Cooper's Field in Cardiff. Hollywood actress Greta Scacchi and others will be speaking at the rally. Then I will go on to the Football match at the Millennium Stadium. I hope we put up a good fight!