Full list of pledges

Cllr promises to investigate funding for boys toilets

On the 4th December 2023, Cllr Sarah Merry had a Dialogue with Christ the King Catholic Primary School. During this session the learners shared some of the real effects the lack of school funding is having on learners. In particular, the children asked Sarah if she could help improve the condition of the boys toilets as they are particularly poor quality. Sarah said she would look into whether there was funding/a grant for this. 

Sarah responded and said:                            

‍“Church schools are able to apply for Cramp funding via the Diocese for such works. There has also been an annual allocation for larger maintenance works from the Welsh Government, this is also applied for via the school’s Diocese representative.

‍Subsequently I have found out that the school has been awarded a £300,000 Welsh Government grant to address condition issues at the school (as was explained in my letter as a Faith School they can access separate funding streams from the Welsh Government). The Local Authority will now project manage the scheme and I have raised the delay with officers.”

MP writes to Local Education Authority over size of school meals

In March 2024, three year 6 classes at New In Primary School participated in a Digital Dialogue with Nick Thomas-Symonds MP. 

During their conversation, a learner asked Nick if he could address the issue of small school meal portions. Nick promised to contact the Local Education Authority (LEA) on their behalf and share the LEA's response with the school.

Within three weeks the LEA had responded and this response had been shared with the school. It was agreed that, going forward, the LEA would consult directly with learners on a regular basis to monitor levels of satisfaction with school meal portions. It was also agreed that the current salad bar would be replaced with a pasta bar to offer a more substantial meal option. The school welcomed these proposals and expressed sincere appreciation to Nick for upholding his promise.

MS offers work experience to learners at Cowbridge learners

In March 2024, an A Level Politics class at Cowbridge Comprehensive participated in a Digital Dialogue with Joel James MS. 

During this discussion, the learners expressed a keen interest in politics as a career and sought advice on how to get involved. Joel extended an invitation to all learners to participate in work experience at his office, providing ‘an excellent opportunity to follow up with learners’. 

The majority of learners accepted this invitation and Joel’s office worked closely with the school to facilitate these placements.

Cllr pledges to look into the increase in dog mess outside school

On the 20th March 2024, Sue Edmunds Cllr visited year 6 learners at Willowtown Primary School. 

During her visit, Year 6 learners expressed concerns about dog mess outside the school gates.

Sue pledged to investigate and address this issue.

In response to concerns raised by Sue, the local council took action by increasing the number of bins around Willowtown. The teacher also commended the efforts of the "School Senedd" in helping to resolve the issue.

MS pledges to visit  school and answer more questions

On the 7th October 2024, Darren Millar MS participated in an online dialogue session with year 6 learners at Ysgol Cynfran. 

Towards the end of the session, Mr. Millar introduced his dog, Blue, to the class and offered to visit the school to meet the learners in person. 

Darren visited the school on November 8, accompanied by Blue, and spent additional time engaging with the learners. This visit was enjoyed by all and helped to foster a positive relationship between the school and their elected representative.

MS promises to look into the Cardiff Airport funding case 

On the 8th November 2024, Hefin David MS participated in an online dialogue with learners from Lewis School Pengam. 

All learners displayed a keen interest in politics during their session with Hefin, with one learner questioning Hefin's views on the continued funding for Cardiff Airport. The learner highlighted the minimal number of flights from Cardiff (just six last Saturday compared to 20 at Bristol) and argued that the funding could be better allocated to the struggling Welsh NHS.

Hefin acknowledged the learner's viewpoint and committed to researching the issue further to form his own opinion. He also stated that he would raise the matter in the Senedd and/or with colleagues and provide a response to the learner.

Hefin provided a thorough response to the learner's question about Cardiff Airport and has plans to visit the school to engage in further discussion with the learners.

MS pledges to visit school in person

Mark Drakeford MS had planned to participate in an online dialogue session with 60 sixth form learners at Radyr Comprehensive on 13th September 2024.

Unfortunately, due to technical issues, the session did not go as planned, and many learners were unable to participate fully.

During the session, Mr. Drakeford agreed to a learner’s request to visit the school in person for a future discussion. This visit took place in February 2025 and was met with enthusiasm from the school.

The class teacher remarked on the learners’ high level of engagement during Mark’s visit and noted that this experience has sparked their interest in engaging with other politicians at both local and international levels.

Cllr pledges to share details of website where learners can pose questions to the council

On 9th October 2024, Cllr Carrie Harper participated in an online dialogue with a Year 8 class at the Maelor School. The learners had prepared lots of questions for Carrie on her role and on local issues. 

Carrie explained that there is also a website where the public can submit questions to the council. She pledged to share the website details with the school.

Carrie later provided the website link to create a consistent communication channel between learners and the council for any follow-up questions.

MS promises to raise concerns over lack of NHS dentists in Llanelli in the Senedd and return to the school 

On the 22nd March 2024, Lee Waters MS participated in an online dialogue with year 6 learners at Bigyn Primary School.

During the session, a learner asked Lee why there are so few NHS dentists in Llanelli. They explained that some of the class haven't been to the dentist in years because of the cost. 

The class asked Lee to raise this issue in the Senedd and Lee agreed. Lee also promised to update the school on the outcome of this pledge by coming in to visit. 

‍Lee visited the school in February 2025 to update the school and meet the new cohort of year 6 learners.

MS writes to Cabinet Secretary for Education on behalf of learners’ concerns 

In February 2025, the school council at Cowbridge Comprehensive had a digital dialogue session with Jane Hutt MS. 

The learners had prepared a variety of questions, including the following addressing education: 

1. Why are certain subjects, such as Sociology and Triple science, being removed from the Welsh Curriculum? How might this impact the opportunities available to learners in Wales and what evidence do you have to suggest this was the correct move to take?

2. What research has been done to show that 'Made for Wales' GCSEs are compatible with qualifications awarded in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and would not disadvantage Welsh learners applying to  universities outside Wales

Jane promised to raise these questions with the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, in order to provide learners with in depth answers. 

The Cabinet Secretary for Education provided a thorough three page response to the questions, which has been shared with the school.

MP pledges to write to the Headteacher over school meal size

In December 2024, Nick Smith MP visited Willowtown Primary School, for a Dialogue session. 

During this visit, one of the learners raised a concern about the meal portions served at the school, asking Nick to intervene to have the portion sizes increased.

Nick committed to writing a letter to the Headteacher of Willowtown Primary School on the learner's behalf, formally raising the issue of meal portion sizes.

MS promises to share details with school regarding subsidising Senedd trips 

In November 2024, Natasha Asghar MS met with the school council at Penygarn Primary School. 

Natasha asked the learners if they have ever visited the Senedd, to which the learners responded that they hadn’t. As a result, Natasha invited the learners to the Senedd and pledged to share information on subsidising the visit with the school. 

Natasha fulfilled this pledge and the school is planning a visit.

MS promises to ask learners question on funding for extra curricular activities in the Senedd 

On October 4, 2024, Carolyn Thomas MS participated in a dialogue with St. George Church in Wales Primary School. During the dialogue, a learner inquired about future funding for extracurricular activities. Carolyn engaged with the learner and the class, asking them about their desired activities.

While Carolyn did not have a definitive answer, she committed to raising this question in the Senedd. Carolyn emphasised that her role as an MS involves asking questions and advocating for her constituents.

Carolyn followed up on her promise by raising the issue of extracurricular funding during a Senedd Culture Committee meeting on community schools.