OUR local councils provide all of our front-line services, from emptying our bins to managing our highways and looking after the environment. At present, Caerphilly County Borough Council provides these services to the residents of Islwyn but this is possibly about to change.

As you may know, the Welsh Government launched a white paper consultation on reforming local government on the 3rd of February 3, 2015 and will close on the 28th of April 28, 2015. You can have your say at: http://gov.wales/consultations/localgovernment/power-to-local-people/ This white paper sets out the proposals to reform local democracy, the size and shape of local authorities, how senior officers and elected members are paid, the role of community councils and many other key aspects of how local authorities are run and financed.

Once the consultation has been completed, a map of the proposed new merged local authorities will be produced before the summer recess of 2015.

As a member of the Communities, Equalities and Local Government committee I have been involved in the progress of this bill and expressed my views on behalf of my constituents where appropriate.

It is my opinion that we will have a better and more objective view of the proposed new merged authorities once the map has been made available.

On a more local front, I am delighted to be supporting a significant health and wellbeing event in the constituency hosted by Macmillan and Aneurin Bevan Health Board at Newbridge Memo on Friday April 10, 2015.

At this event both professionals and patients will be offering the best possible advice and opportunities to post-discharge patients, allowing them to self-manage their condition and to consider life changes to help them live with cancer and beyond.

As President of Cancer Careline in Blackwood I fully support any improvement to cancer care services in our communities.

I am very pleased to see Newbridge Memo host this event. This iconic building is a treasure for the constituency and I was honoured to be invited to attend the official reopening in December 2014 in the presence of his Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales. I extend my sincere congratulations to all those involved with the refurbishment process.

Finally I would like to wish my constituents and their families a very happy Easter.