IT may have been freezing cold in Ebbw Vale over the weekend but that didn’t stop thousands of people turning out to Festival Shopping for the Christmas-themed Valleys FaCE festival.

Valleys FaCE, launched in April this year, was set up by a group of Blaenau Gwent businessmen and woman, aimed at showcasing the best products and services the borough has to offer.

Its first event, held in July was so successful that organisers decided to hold a festive event too.

I had a stand there on Saturday and it was great to see so many people coming along and taking part in this community event.

It really does go to show what can be achieved when people get together and support each other. I was honoured to have been invited back for the event and look forward to continue to support it for many years to come.

Congratulations to the Valleys FaCE committee and everyone at Festival Shopping for a job well done.

It’s been a busy couple of weeks at the Assembly with the announcement of new devolved powers to the Welsh Government.

The reforms mean the Welsh Government will be able to borrow to invest in new infrastructure projects across Wales - which will create jobs and support the economy. This includes early access to borrowing to help fund an enhancement of the M4, subject to the ongoing consultation.

Other reforms include the devolution of Stamp Duty Land Tax and Landfill Tax: this will allow the Welsh Government to reform them to become fairer, simpler and more efficient. The devolution of SDLT will allow the Welsh Government to further support the Welsh housing market; the full devolution of Non-Domestic Rates to Wales , which is an important economic lever that will now be under full Welsh control, which will allow the Welsh Government to further support the Welsh economy; the power for the Assembly to legislate, with the agreement of the UK Government, to introduce new taxes and associated tax credits, opening a new avenue for policy development in the longer term.

These measures will go a long way to securing our financial stability and will give the Welsh Government the power to make a real difference to help our communities and our economy.

We cannot underestimate the gravity of this move and its significance in terms of the devolution of Wales.

I’m holding a surgery in Abertillery tomorrow (FRIDAY) from 12-1pm. Feel free to pop along for a chat on any Blaenau Gwent issues.