YOUR AM WRITES: Gwyn Price, Islwyn AM (From South Wales Argus)

YOUR AM WRITES: Gwyn Price, Islwyn AM

3:20pm Tuesday 8th January 2013 in News By Gwyn Price AM

I HOPE you all had a great Christmas and are looking forward to 2013.

At this time of year my mind always turns to those less fortunate, especially the victims of the recent flooding in North Wales many whom spent Christmas away from their homes and may not return for some time.

I would also like to pay tribute to the emergency services and the voluntary sector who did so much to help these families.

Many of you will have enjoyed a much-needed break over the Christmas period but there are those in our community that worked through.

The emergency services, hospital staff and many others who work so diligently to help others.

I would like to say to them how valued the work they do is.

My postbag is always full and I have been contacted by numerous people with concerns about the so called bedroom tax.

Where people of working age will have their benefits deducted for spare bedrooms.

One bedroom will see a deduction of 14 per cent and two bedrooms a deduction of 25 per cent.

If you do have any concerns you should contact Caerphilly Borough Council, on 01443 815588.

My Christmas was all the merrier thanks to the children of Penllwyn Primary school, who came to decorate my office window.

Members of the school council – Chloe, Ethan, Ellesha and Levi – along with Mrs Lewis, deputy head teacher, and Mrs Heal assembled a fantastic nativity scene that all the schools children had spent weeks preparing.

The scene was assembled in the front window for all to see and passers-by commented on how it brought something special to the high street.

Finally, I would like to mention that the weather forecasts are for another cold winter and I know many people particularly those on fixed incomes have concerns about the rising cost of utility bills.

I would urge those people in receipt of the winter fuel allowance to use it to keep themselves warm.