THE Fourth Assembly certainly went out with a bang – or should I say, without a ban!

The opposition parties’ defeat of the Welsh Government’s proposed ban on E cigarettes was a victory for common sense.

“Vaping” is widely recognized as a valuable tool for smokers trying to kick the habit. That’s why so many groups were up in arms when the Welsh Government tagged the draft legislation on to the Public Health Wales Bill.

Once we go down the line of banning things when there is no proof they are harmful to health we really are on a slippery slope - so this was at least a small victory for democracy.

Unfortunately the same cannot be said for Torfaen County Borough Council’s plans to scrap Croesyceiliog School’s Sixth Form.

Now I must declare an interest as Croesyceiliog is my old school! Although I’m clearly biased, I have to say the business case for the change simply doesn’t stack up.

The local authority favour replacing a number of local sixth forms with a new purpose built college based in the centre of Cwmbran.

This is a classic error. This type of centralisation never delivers the benefits expected but would lose the years of expertise and respect built up at Croesyceiliog School. Hands off our Sixth Form!

Monmouthshire County Council has in the meantime been busy decentralising and the rewards are no more apparent than in social care.

The “Monmouthshire Project” has given control over budgets and decision-making to carers on the ground so they can tailor care to those being looked after. The benefits of this approach became clear to me on a recent visit to the project. My constituents are happier with the greater say they now have over their lives.

Perhaps fittingly at the close of this Assembly, it was an honour to be invited to inspect a platoon of HMS Monmouth at the recent Freedom of Monmouth parade in the town. As residents in the town will know, the ship’s company have the right to march whenever they wish - with bayonets fixed!

The young men and women of the ship’s crew are a tribute to their country, the town and indeed to the whole county of Monmouthshire.

It is a county which I continue to defend with my “Save Monmouthshire” petition and one which I hope to be able to call home for many years to come.