(Title Image: BBC Wales)
Pilot fund for disabled candidates standing in the next Senedd and local elections
As part of the next phase of a diversity drive in local government, the Welsh Government has announced a pilot access to elected office fund.
The funding will help disabled candidates standing in next year’s Senedd election and the next scheduled local government elections in 2022 meet additional expenses associated with their conditions.
Local Government & Housing Minister, Julie James (Lab, Swansea West) said: “I have asked Disability Wales to work with us in developing the details of the arrangement and to take forward the support, assessment and allocation processes as part of the pilot arrangements….Legislation will be tabled later this year to exclude these expenses from candidates’ expenses for both sets of elections.”
Extra £85million to support bus services through the pandemic
Deputy Economy & Transport Minister, Lee Waters (Lab, Llanelli) has announced an additional £84.6million for bus services, taking the total amount of support to bus services during the pandemic to £140million.
Bus companies have suffered due to a drop in passenger numbers and social distancing requirements which reduce onboard capacity.
The Deputy Minister said: “The funding will provide some longer-term stability, and given ongoing uncertainties we’ll continue to work closely with local authorities and bus operators to deliver services.”
Feasibility study launched to investigate stand-alone medical school in the north
The Health Minister has launched a Task and Finish Group which will further consider proposals to establish a medical school in the north.
Cardiff University Medical School students can undertake part of their medical studies at Bangor University – with 19 students taking part in 2020-21 – though the new group will consider the feasibility of a stand-alone medical school.
It follows a report jointly authored by Bangor University and Betsi Cadwaladr health board which set out options for a health and medicine school.
Anglesey to host 2025 Island Games
Anglesey has won a bid to host the 2025 Island Games – a multi-sport event, dubbed a “mini Olympics”, contested by islands in Europe and further afield.
It’s the first time Anglesey will host the Games in full after hosting the football tournament of the 2019 Games, which were moved from Gibraltar. The date could yet change because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cllr. Llinos Medi, Leader of Anglesey Council, told BBC Wales: “This is fantastic news for Ynys Môn and will help once again put our island on the world map.”
