• WE all saw the devastating flooding in parts of the UK over Christmas, and how terrible it was for those families flooded just as they should be enjoying peaceful celebrations.

That’s why it was good news that Natural Resources Wales announced £11 million more of flood defences for Gwent, including over £7 million in Newport and £2 million in Monmouthshire. We’ve had lots of investment in flood defence in recent years, including a major scheme in Riverside in Newport East, and we know that needs to be maintained.

As well as building defences to secure the places where we live, there is a wider issue of climate change that we need to face too. Scientific opinion is settled that the pollution we cause is affecting the global climate, and that if this climate change continues and the world warms, we can expect more extreme weather and not less.

Over the coming years, making our homes, businesses, and transport greener and cleaner is going to become more and more important, if around the world we are to reduce floods and other disasters.

• The year ahead will be an eventful one for anyone interested in politics in Wales. As well as Assembly Elections in May, we have elections for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, and probably a referendum at some point on whether Britain should remain in the EU.

To take part, you have to be registered to vote, and with recent changes to registration, many people across the country have dropped off. No matter how you decide to vote in the end, or even if you can’t choose, if you’re not even registered you completely lose your chance to have a say.

It’s a vital right, and the best chance you have to get the Government you want. Young people are particularly likely to be unregistered – so if you have children or grandchildren, please ask them. It’s easy to register: just contact your local council or go online to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

• Finally, as the routine of school and work start back up, I want to wish you all a happy and peaceful New Year. If you managed to have a break, I hope you are refreshed and ready for the year ahead. John Griffiths can be contacted at john.griffiths@assembly.wales on 01633 222302 or on twitter @J_GriffithsAM