THIS month, I was pleased to host a community engagement forum focussing on economic growth and job creation in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Held at the Vale Hotel, it was an extremely positive event, providing an excellent opportunity to engage with the local community, listen to views, inform policy and discuss new and alternative ways forward in all walks of Welsh life.

Attendees included members of the business community; from larger organisations - including Lafarge Tarmac, to smaller local businesses and voluntary organisations such as Pride in Barry.

The potential for a Cardiff City Deal and access to finance for businesses were two issues that dominated the agenda.

The event is the 15th community engagement forum I’ve organised since becoming Welsh Conservative leader and I would be very keen to hear the views of businesses in Penarth – how do you think a Welsh Conservative Government could assist you in ensuring sustained economic growth and job creation?

Please send me your ideas, submissions, concerns or comments to AndrewRT.Davies@Assembly.Wales and they will all be considered as we look to deliver a new Wales, a Wales which isn’t hamstrung by a Welsh Labour Government that doesn’t understand business.

This year’s Vale Show once again showcased the very best of the Vale of Glamorgan. In what has been a mixed summer, we were very fortunate to have such good weather and it was great to catch up with old friends and meet plenty of new faces too.

A lot of thanks must go to everyone who made it all possible, including competitors, stewards, organisations with trade stands and of course all those who attended. I’d also like to give a special mention to general secretary Sarah Fenner and her team who did a superb job of organising it all.

Finally, I would like to offer my congratulations to the students, teachers, parents and governors of Stanwell School and St Cyres on outstanding A-level and GCSE results.

The results represent the conclusion of many years of hard work and everyone should be extremely proud of their efforts.

Unfortunately, schools in Penarth were the exception, as the performance gap widened between England and Wales.

That’s despite clear promises from Labour’s First Minister to turn performance around and challenge – and surpass – English results.

Carwyn Jones has admitted to “taking his eye off the ball” and by doing so has failed students in their efforts to get higher, and more consistent, grades.