2014 NATO Conference:

It has been estimated that the 2010 Ryder Cup boosted the Welsh economy by £82.4m. The 2012 NATO Conference at Chicago saw £133m spent in the local economy, together with the generation of over 2,000 jobs.

It is extremely rare for a city, anywhere in the World, to attract two such high profile events in such a short space of time. Newport attracted these events because of the determination of an individual and a government. Newport must seize this further opportunity to generate economic growth.

The City Council and the Welsh Government must clearly demonstrate that they have learnt from the Ryder Cup experience and that they are able to ensure we realise the maximum opportunities for investment and growth arising from the 2014 NATO Conference.

M4 Relief Road:

A key announcement by the Prime Minister last week was the proposals for delivering an M4 Relief Road. David Cameron equated the M4 around the Brynglas Tunnels as a “foot on the windpipe of economic growth”. It is vital that this enhancement to the M4 around Newport is realised as soon as possible.

The Southern Distributor Road was not designed to be an alternative motorway route around Newport. This fact is illustrated at the times when it has been necessary to close the M4 and the SDR quickly becomes gridlocked as it has numerous roundabouts, traffic lights and 50mph speed limit.

Although I have campaigned for an M4 Relief Road for over 25 years, throughout this time I have also highlighted the need to promote public transport, especially the greater coordination of rail and bus links.

I appreciate concerns for the environment, but believe that these will be offset by innovations in engine and fuel technologies and the design of the roadway.

Ambulance Response Times:

I continue to be alarmed by the poor response times to emergency callouts for ambulances throughout South Wales East. The latest figures (Sept 2013) indicate that just 49% of emergency callouts in Torfaen were responded to within the eight minute target. The number of emergency callouts throughout the Aneurin Bevan LBH area responding within eight minutes was 58.2% - the Welsh Government target is for 65% of emergency calls responded to within eight minutes.

We have had numerous appraisals and reviews of our ambulance service. It is essential that improved response times are delivered, as it is universally acknowledged that immediate treatment for most life threatening incidents leads to more successful outcomes.