Eleanor Burnham AM, Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, steps down tomorrow as chair of the North Wales Regional Committee. The chair, which rotates between the political parties will pass to Brynle Williams AM, Conservative Member for North Wales.
Mrs Burnham said "It has been a privilege to chair the North Wales regional committee this last year. Often contentious, always well attended, our meetings have made the work of the Assembly directly accessible to the public. With increasing cynicism and apathy towards politics we need to give people more opportunities to be part of the political process. The North Wales regional committee does exactly that.
"It is important that the Regional committees have a relentless focus on the issues that matter to local people, no matter how awkward or uncomfortable the issues may be. I was determined to give as much opportunity as possible for members of the public to have their say at our meetings. We have discussed issues such as dentistry, affordable housing, rural issues and held the First Minister to account at our meetings.
Mrs Burnham, an advocate of the importance of regional committees, publicly clashed with Lord Ellis Thomas back in January when he called the committee 'a classic talking shop' in an article in the Daily Post. Mrs Burnham replied in a public letter that 'talk is the essence of democracy and talking to people the only way to engage them'. Under the new Government of Wales bill going through Parliament, the committee could be abolished in 2007.
Mrs Burnham added: "The committee must be saved after 2007. North Wales can often seem forgotten in the work of the Cardiff-based Assembly despite the best efforts of North Wales Assembly Members. If we are to prove the Assembly's worth then the committee must be saved to show people how devolution can make a difference to their lives.
"I wish Brynle Williams the very best as the new Chair and he will have my full support for his work. I hope he will join me in fighting to save the committee."
1) Tomorrow's meeting is in Neuadd Goffa, Criccieth Memorial Hall, Criccieth at 10.00am and will be discussing affordable housing.
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Previous news story: Greener Wales bid blocked by Labour complacency (Wed 22nd Mar 2006).
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