Happy Christmas/ Nadolig Llawen and Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

It’s been a memorable year in Montgomeryshire, we had a brilliant National Eisteddfod in Meifod, the opening of Glanhafren Market in Newtown, the relaunch of Rekindle - the mental health resource for young people, and the celebration of one year of Wild Women - an organisation to support enterprising women in Montgomeryshire.

A more positive piece of news was the agreement in Paris in December to curb climate change internationally, but a lot of work is needed to meet these targets, and to increase our renewable energy capacity. Let us not shirk from our commitment to these targets.

The future of the health service is still a real worry. There continues to be uncertainty over the Accident and Emergency unit at Shrewsbury Hospital and the shortage of doctors and nurses in our surgeries is getting worse. An Urgent Medical Centre in Montgomeryshire would relieve pressures on many health services and provide a better service for local people, we need to continue to make that case in 2016.

Our strength is our rural communities and we must ensure they continue to thrive. Montgomeryshire continues to innovate and punch above its weight, it’s a great place to live, a great place to farm, a great place to bring children up. Montgomeryshire has had a momentous 2015.

Let's work to support our farmers, our businesses, our shopkeepers and our charities to make sure Montgomeryshire has an awesome 2016. And let us hope that we have a compassionate response to refugees, and that we do all we can to play our part in tackling climate change.

Diolch yn fawr i chi gyd - pob lwc am 2016.

With very best wishes,

Jane Dodds