IN June 2015 Cllr Shirley Hodges asked for the resignation of a local councillor who had pleaded guilty to assaulting a 17-year-old girl. Unfortunately he did not resign. However, since that time Plaid has taken steps to raise standards and accountability at Barry town council. Cllr Steffan Wiliam insisted that the council adopts a safeguarding children policy via the personnel committee and full council. This was accepted by the Labour-run council.

Shirley also asked the council to agree with the Violence Against Women Act 2015 and work with the Vale council to develop strategies for reducing gender-based violence. This was also agreed.

In March we held a special full council meeting and domestic violence campaign officer Sgt Bryn Glennie attended. He gave a powerful presentation and told us locally there are 1,417 individual victims of domestic violence and the police have attended 1,908 incidents. He told us two women are killed by men in the UK each week.

I have called upon Barry town council to help fund and support Atal y Fro in the important work they do.

I agree with the council decision to help fund the Eats, Beats and Treats weekend on June 4 and 5. I also agree with Cllr Ian Johnson’s call that the Vale rethink the Punch and Judy show. We are making every effort to raise standards in public life. I believe there is no longer a place for children’s entertainment to include a character which hits his wife with a stick and neglects his child.

Councillor Nic Hodges

Romilly Road

Barry