I HAVE been supporting my constituents in their calls for better local bus services and met with Cardiff Bus on July 21 specifically regarding the X91 and the 98.

I was pleased to hear that the X91 is now likely to travel again through Rhoose village taking passengers through to Cardiff. I have been equally concerned to improve the 98 Barry service and have called for later daily and weekend services.

I have invited a representative from Cardiff Bus to attend a meeting of the Barry Friends and Neighbours group in September to hear directly from bus users about the problems they have been experiencing with the 98 timetable.

Cardiff Bus informed me that it is undertaking a review of bus services in the Vale - especially in Barry which is welcome news. I will continue to raise concerns on behalf of local bus users and will monitor developments.

Last week, the Vale of Glamorgan Parks department received another Green Flag award –for Barry Island Promenade. These awards recognise the very best parks and green spaces and Barry boasts multiple green flag locations at Victoria Park, Romilly Park, and Knap Gardens.

The Green Flag awards also recognise the hard work of volunteers and local groups to maintain and preserve green spaces, via the Green Flag Community Awards. These have been awarded to four new locations in the Vale of Glamorgan this year: Barry Community Garden, Birch Grove Woodlands, Old Hall Gardens and Elizabethan Orchard.

Previous winners include, Upper Orchard Field, Wenvoe Community Orchard and Cwm Talwg local nature reserve.

It is wonderful that as residents in Barry and the Vale, we have such an array of beautiful green spaces on our doorstep to enjoy.

Finally, I was very happy to join other supporters in celebrating 30 years of the Gibbonsdown Residents Board last week, with Molly Conway, councillor Margaret Wilkinson, Tim Reynolds and Vale Council Housing officers.

The residents’ board has worked with partner agencies, to achieve successes such as the establishment of the Pencoedtre Park skate facility, the Splashpad, improved street lighting and a reduction in crime.

Here’s to another 30 years.