I AM always struck by the creativity, intelligence and determination of youngsters in Islwyn. This was reinforced to me as I recently viewed the artwork of pupils from Cwmcarn High School, Blackwood Comprehensive School and Risca Community Comprehensive School at an exhibition in Blackwood to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Alongside artist David Garner’s artwork B for Defiance, which was an exact replica of the sign at Auschwitz, and under his guidance some profound and heartfelt pieces of work were created. We shall pass on from one generation to the next what happened in order to remember and to educate.

The Welsh First Minister, Carwyn Jones AM, unveiled Welsh Labour’s six election promises to the Welsh people last week. I was delighted to see the First Minister respond to the concerns that regularly make up my mailbag and inbox. From free childcare for working parents, creation of 100,000 quality apprenticeships for all ages, to help for older people selling homes to pay for care - nobody will be left behind. Everybody knows how tough life has been in these years of austerity under the Tory UK Government but the National Assembly for Wales continues to ensure Wales’ distinctive voice is heard. This was seen in the recent passing of the Welsh Government’s budget that saw an extra boost of £278M to the Welsh NHS in the face of the 3.6% cut in UK government funding to the Welsh Government over five years.

It is vital that people vote in May. It is estimated that as many as 70,000 people in Wales are not even registered to vote. It takes 5 minutes and can be done online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. I urge everyone to ensure that they are registered and that people exercise their franchise.

One of the reasons people tell me they are turned off politics is by the disingenuous way it is often conducted. A perfect example of this recently was the synthetic claims that Caerphilly Borough Council would charge parents for their children bringing sandwiches to school. I was glad that the straight talking Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Rhianon Passmore, quickly put the issue to rest when she stated: “We approach the silly season with the Assembly election looming and yet another deliberately misleading story from Plaid Cymru.”

What there can be no doubting is that Caerphilly Borough Council has proposed the lowest council rise, with an increase of a mere 1%, of all 22 Welsh authorities. I am impressed with the way Council Leader Keith Reynolds, along with his colleagues, have consulted and listened to the people. Hence dramatically revising the council tax figure. It is with partnership working that the Welsh Labour Government and the Welsh Labour run Caerphilly Council have shown in setting their budgets that we can protect our communities as we walk on through the storm of austerity.

Gwyn Price can be contacted at Gwyn.Price@assembly.wales on 0300 200 7099 or on twitter @gwynrprice. Gwyn’s website is www.gwynprice.co.uk