It’s that time of year again….the Local Elections are now only a week away, with polling day being on Labour day, Thursday 1st May. It’s vitally important in a healthy democracy that everyone entitled to vote uses their democratic right to vote. It’s your chance to express your view on how well you feel you are represented by your local councillor(s), and on the quality of the public services provided to you by Neath Port Talbot Council, such as your local schools, social services, the award-winning refuse collection service and the innovative neighbourhood management scheme.

There are two Neath Port Talbot Councillors in the Neath area that have both decided to call it a day after many years of dedicated public service. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank them both publicly. Elwyn Jones, who has represented Aberdulais and Cilfrew, and Malcolm Jones, who has represented Pontrhydyfen and Tonmawr, have both done so with integrity, commitment and enthusiasm for many years, and I have been honoured to have been able to work with them for the past 9 years as AM for Neath, and for many years previous to that. I’m very pleased to be supporting Doreen Jones and Lance Whiteley as their replacements, who will be, if elected, prove to be sterling replacements.

The official opening of the Amazon.co.uk distribution centre in Jersey Marine last week is a terrific boost for Neath and Port Talbot, bringing with it 1,200 new jobs, with many more during peak periods. The fact that Amazon are in Jersey Marine is in itself a wonderful testament to the hard work and determination of the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government and the Labour-controlled Neath Port Talbot Council to ensure that Amazon chose Wales over other potential sites elsewhere in the UK.

If you wish to contact me for any help and assistance that you feel I can provide you as your local Assembly Member, please do not hesitate to contact my constituency office in Pontardawe on 01792 869993 or e-mail . You can also keep up-to-date with my activities as your AM by logging on to gwendathomas.com