I WAS very pleased to learn progress has finally been made in securing a memorial for fallen hero and marine, Paul Woodland, in his hometown of Penarth.

This news was most welcome and has only been achieved through the tenacity and determination of Mr Woodland’s family to ensure he received the recognition he so rightly deserved.

While this has obviously taken far longer than anyone would have liked or expected, this memorial should provide a fitting tribute to a local hero who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect us and the freedoms we take for granted.

Without question, my highest compliments are reserved for Sian, Alicia and the Woodland family for the manner with which they have conducted themselves throughout this campaign and this positive resolution is undoubtedly a victory for them and common sense.

I am delighted to say this year I have the honour and privilege of being president of the Vale of Glamorgan Show which takes place at the magnificent Fonmon Castle on Wednesday, August 10.

The show is unquestionably the premier one-day show in Wales and its success is built upon the outstanding dedication provided by the organisers and the immeasurable generosity of the team of volunteers and stewards.

Please do come and join in with the ample fun on offer as the Vale Show succeeds in bringing together people and lifestyles from both town and country, showcasing the very best of Vale of Glamorgan life and beyond.

Moving from exciting summer attractions to the world of politics, it was a pleasure to welcome our new prime minister to the Senedd last week with Vale colleague and secretary of state, Alun Cairns.

From an Assembly perspective, the Welsh Conservatives will work shoulder to shoulder with Theresa May and the UK Government to ensure that Wales and for that matter, Penarth and the Vale of Glamorgan, enjoys a bright, successful future.

One of the key aspects to continued prosperity will be building on the economic foundations we have laid in government at Westminster since 2010 and it was pleasing to see the latest employment figures showing unemployment has halved in the Vale during the last six years.

However, we cannot afford to be complacent and the new prime minister is determined to develop policies revolving around a One Nation conservatism which delivers a country that works for everyone.

On a local level, I was disappointed to see the Vale of Glamorgan Council inform travellers illegally occupying the Hayes Road site in Sully that no ‘enforcement action’ will be taken against them in the next five years.

In a letter to ‘occupiers’ the Labour-run Vale council said it would not be able to move the travellers on until another site is found – despite the site being illegally occupied since 2012.

The sheer incompetence in tackling this situation is of a huge frustration to the residents and local community in Sully.

For the council to simply say it is ‘working on a solution’ is not acceptable – one year possibly, but four? That’s incompetence of the highest order and the council needs to take action immediately.