AS WE enter 2017, it provides us with an opportunity to look back and reflect on the year which has just passed.

2016 was a positive year for me – being re-elected as the local Assembly Member for Cardiff South and Penarth, as well as being made cabinet secretary for health, wellbeing and sport, having responsibility for the NHS in Wales, community sport and improving the general health and wellbeing of everyone in Wales.

This has increased the amount of time I spent travelling around Wales, having meetings, making speeches and opening new medical units, but I am glad to say I’ve still got the time to travel around the constituency and regularly meet with residents and businesses to keep up to date with everything that is going on.

It is always great to spend time in Penarth, whether it’s meeting with local businesses like Curves and the Umpa Lumpa Sweet Shop, visiting our fantastic schools which are going from strength to strength, or joining members of the community in remembrance, I always feel welcomed.

There are also the great shops on the high street and around the town centre, as well as plenty of local beauty spots, which my family regularly enjoy throughout the year, so although I may be slightly biased, I do think Penarth is a great place to live.

As we look to the year ahead, I am glad to say that there are already lots of things lined up for me to do with Penarth, including visits to the Senedd from some of our primary school children and visits to businesses and organisations which provide so many services to the people Penarth.