WITH the Senedd entering the summer recess period, it’s always a good time to reflect and look ahead to what is a significant nine months.

Of late, we have had a stark reminder of the deeply ingrained incompetence of the Welsh Labour Government in Cardiff Bay; firstly with the RIFW scandal and secondly the continuing decline in cancer waiting times.

To many, the RIFW scandal might not jump off the page. However, when you put it in the terms of holding a winning lottery ticket, but rather than cashing it in with Camelot you simply tear it up, it hits home. And that’s pretty much what Welsh Labour has managed to achieve.

In their wisdom, the Welsh Labour Government sold valuable parcels of land across Wales for well below the market price through RIFW - an arm’s length body.

A highly critical report has been published which puts the loss to the taxpayer at £15million – the single largest loss to the taxpayer since devolution began.

Essentially it confirms what we feared all along; that Welsh Labour ministers effectively sanctioned the sale of public land for peanuts. It’s an absolute disgrace and action must be taken.

Unfortunately, there is also no let-up in the cancer waiting times scandal currently being overseen by this Labour administration.

Labour’s target was last met in 2008 and seven years on there seems to be little to no hope it will be met again anytime soon.

According to latest statistics, just over 84 per cent of patients diagnosed via the ‘urgent suspected route’ started treatment within 62 days. The target is 95 per cent.

This is simply not good enough and with only nine months to the Assembly election – people in Penarth are faced with the stark choice – carry on this road to ruin under a Labour Government that takes people for granted in Wales or vote for a new Wales, one that delivers for taxpayers.

One of the most pressing local concerns has been that of the travellers’ site in Sully.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council's plan to authorise the former civic amenities site as a travellers' camp is clearly complete madness, particularly when you consider the site is so close to Beechwood College and Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice.

The potential threat of local government reorganisation means that there is currently little to no pressure on the Labour-run Vale Council to authorise such a site, particularly when it could cost many thousands of pounds, all of which I might add, is provided by you, the taxpayer.

This week I’ve met with concerned residents from the Saving Sully Action Group and I will be endeavouring to ensure that their voice is heard with the Labour-run council.

On a final, more positive note, the prestigious Vale of Glamorgan Show is edging ever closer. There is no better one-day show in Wales and if you’ve got time on Wednesday, August 12, please do come and say hello at our Vale Conservatives’ stand – I look forward to seeing you all at Fonmon Castle.