To celebrate 10 years of the Assembly

(© Eleri Griffths. The Assembly Project/Prosiect y Cynulliad)

I was delighted to be asked to take part in the Assembly Project which is to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the National Assembly for Wales. Each AM was asked to be photographed in a place in their constituency that meant something to them.

I wanted to be photographed with people that reflected the constituency. With the permission of the Chief Fire Office of Mid and West Fire and Rescue Services, the photograph was taken at Pontardawe Fire Station with members of Green Watch.

I understand that photographs taken as part of this project will be included in an exhibition at the National Assembly for Wales and National Library of Wales archive.

£ 9 MILLION SCHOOL INVESTMENT WELCOMED FOR NEATH

Gwenda Thomas AM today welcomed a massive £ 9 million Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government funding boost to improve school buildings in Neath.

This grant money, spread over three years, will facilitate the building of a new lower school for Dwr Y Felin Comprehensive School on the upper school site.

The investment is part of a £165m fund to build new schools and repair existing sites across Wales. This additional funding will enable the delivery of a total capital investment programme in education that exceeds £530 million, and is a key part of the Labour led Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to deliver schools fit for purpose for the 21st century.

Gwenda Thomas said: “I am delighted to welcome this investment in education in Neath. This substantial funding is great news for both the students and teaching staff of Dwr Y Felin Comprehensive School.

“Having modern first class facilities is essential for improving the already excellent results achieved at this school, and this investment will help ensure that.”

NEW HOUSING DEBT HELPLINE SET UP

RESIDENTS in the Neath Constituency who are struggling to pay for their homes will be able to access a new housing debt helpline.

The Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government has launched the helpline to provide free advice for those who have mortgage or rent arrears or face eviction or repossession.
The helpline will provide free and impartial advice from experienced debt counsellors. Anyone living in Wales can access the service by ringing 0800 107 1340.

The helpline is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government with support from the UK’s leading debt charity, Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS), which will operate the helpline, and the Wales Co-operative Centre which will ensure awareness of its availability among those who need it.

Gwenda Thomas AM said: “The ultimate aim of this helpline is to help people keep a roof over their heads. In the current economic climate, residents need somewhere to turn to for free, professional advice and this helpline will provide that.

“This is another example of the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government providing a practical innovation to help those who need help.

“I welcome the efforts of the CCCS and the Wales Co-operative Centre and look forward to working with them in the future.”

Gwenda Thomas AM Salutes Armed Forces Day 2009

Gwenda Thomas AM today supported the celebrations for Armed Forces Day with members of the Pontardawe branches of the Royal British Legion and Royal Air Force Association by flying the Welsh Dragon and the Union Jack outside her constituency office in Pontardawe. The Mayor of Pontardawe, Emlyn Williams and the President of the British Legion Branch, David Robert Joseph Williams was also present along with representatives from the army, navy and air force.

A whole host of events have been planned around the country to recognise the dedication of HM Armed Forces, past, present and future on Saturday 27th June.

For the last 3 years, the nation as come together on 27th June to celebrate Veterans’ Day and to build on this success and by public demand, from 2009 the day will also celebrate and recognise the men and women still serving in our Armed Forces, regular and reserve, as well as our young cadets.

‘This is a fantastic way for us to show our appreciation to all the members of our superb Armed Forces. It must also be stressed that there are many ways in which we can support them 365 days a year, not just on Armed Forces Day. My constituents can offer help by becoming involved in service and service related charities, by supporting troops on operations and supporting wounded personnel,’ advised Mrs. Thomas.

Mrs. Thomas stressed, ‘In these difficult times, it is important that we show our Armed Forces posted all over the world, that they are not forgotten and that their service to our country and vulnerable communities globally is being celebrated back home.’

Information and links to these organisations including the Army and RAF Benevolent Funds, the Christmas Box Scheme which supplied over 24,000 boxes in 2008, Help for Heroes, Combat Stress and the Royal British Legion, can be found on the Armed Forces Website, http://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/ .

(Sent to the Press - 26.6.2009)

Lloyds TSB helping to invest in young people and sport in the Neath Constituency

Gwenda Thomas AM for the Neath Constituency has been asked by Lloyds TSB to help them promote the Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week from 29th June to 3rd July 2009.

Many schools in Neath have already registered for a free Teacher Planning Pack but Mrs. Thomas is encouraging other schools to follow suit.

Gwenda Thomas AM said, “ Lloyds TSB is partnering with the Youth Sport Trust to deliver this initiative hoping to inspire children across Wales and the UK to participate in more high quality PE and sport each week, playing an important role in getting Welsh school children to be healthier and more physically active.”

Lloyds TSB advises that working alongside the Youth Sport Trust, they will use the power of it’s partnership with London 2012 to inspire and motivate young people to take part in more sport. The week is to celebrate all that’s already been achieved in schools and they are also encouraging Welsh Olympians and Paralympians to contact their old schools and provide inspiration for both the children and the teachers.

To find out more about this initiative and to register online please look at the website www.schoolsportweek.org .

Lloyds TSB are also supporting 16 athletes from throughout Wales via their Local Heroes initiative, by providing them with a £ 1000 award towards training and competing costs, all of them being emerging Olympic and Paralympic prospects.

“Funding is always a major barrier in the development and progression of young athletes, and I am pleased to help make hopeful young athletes in Neath aware of any funding that may be available to them,” said Mrs. Thomas.

Details of this can be found at www.lloydstsb.com/localheroes .

(Sent to the Press - 10.6.2009)

Call for young people in Wales to give their climate change views to the world

Gwenda Thomas AM for Neath today added her support to the initiative being headed by Environment Minister Jane Davidson giving young people from across Wales the opportunity to have their say in what the world’s decision-makers decide to do to tackle climate change when they meet for crucial talks in Copenhagen later this year.

‘Countdown to Copenhagen’ is an event being held at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea on 1st July for young people in Wales to get together, learn about climate change and make their opinions heard about what should be done in Wales and across the world to face up to this real and serious problem.

Environment Minister Jane Davidson is looking for 300 under 25s to attend so their views can be passed on to world leaders in December at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in the Danish capital. The talks will see heads of government, such as US President Barack Obama, coming together to try and agree a new deal on climate change.

The ideas and recommendations of those who attend will be taken to Copenhagen by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The event will include the producer of the popular climate change film ‘Age of Stupid’, introducing key parts of the film, workshops, a graffiti wall and video booths where youngsters will be able to record their views.

Gwenda Thomas AM was delighted to hear that once again, Cerith Rhys Jones from Cwmgors, who was chosen last year to be a young Climate Change Champion for Wales 2009, is having direct involvement in this event and will be speaking to the attendees.

“We are indeed fortunate that Cerith worked hard to become a Climate Change Champion and is now representing the young people of this area, Wales and the UK,. He is a positive role model and is playing a vital part in the future of climate change issues in Wales,” stated Mrs. Thomas.
“I urge all young people to follow Cerith’s lead and if possible attend the event on 1st July. To be able to put forward views and ideas that will be taken directly to the United Nations in December, is a golden opportunity for the young people of Wales and my Neath Constituency to be part of the world wide debate on the way in which climate change is altering the world we live in and finding ways to solve the huge problems which world leaders and scientists now face.”

(Sent to the Press - 11.6.2009)

CWMGWRACH AND TONMAWR POST OFFICES TO RECEIVE FUNDING BOOST

Labour Neath AM Gwenda Thomas has congratulated Cwmgwrach and Tonmawr Post Offices for their successful application to the new Post Office Diversification Fund.

These Post Offices are among the first to be awarded part of a new £4.5m fund to help sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses diversify and improve their facilities. The fund, which will run for three years and is open to every sub post office in Wales, aims to help with business and marketing advice, advertising, training and some set-up costs for new services. Funding can also be applied for improvements such as creating better access to buildings, upgrading computer equipment, improving security or providing better signs for the outside of premises.

Under the scheme 63 post offices throughout Wales have been awarded grants worth over £1.1million. 15 Post Offices have been awarded grants of up to £5,000 each for small capital projects and 48 have been awarded up to £20,000 each for larger capital projects.

19 of the Post Offices have also received up to £15,000 in revenue funding which will help employ new staff or increase staff hours to provide more services.

Labour Neath AM Gwenda Thomas said “I am delighted Cwmgwrach and Tonmawr Post Offices are to benefit from this fund. Post Offices are at the heart of the community, and are a necessary line of communication for vulnerable and disadvantaged people. This money will help us to keep Post Offices open by ensuring that they are sustainable and viable businesses, and I am delighted that two Post Offices in my Constituency have taken advantage of this scheme.”

Welsh Child Trust Fund top-up to begin in September

Labour Neath AM Gwenda Thomas has today welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government Dr Brian Gibbons, that from September, thousands of families across Wales will be able to claim the new Welsh top-up to the Child Trust Fund.

The Child Trust Fund Cymru will mean eligible children will be entitled to a voucher worth £50 to be paid into their Child Trust Fund account. Children from families on low incomes will be eligible for a further £50. More than 32,000 children in Wales will be eligible to claim the top-up.
The top-up is a key One Wales initiative to help address the consequences of child poverty in Wales and will encourage saving, improve financial literacy and tackle financial exclusion.
Child Trust Fund accounts enable families to start saving for their childrens’ future by providing £250 at birth and again at age seven with additional payments for children from low income households. The Child Trust Fund Cymru will be in addition to this.

Gwenda Thomas AM said: ‘One of the priorities of the Labour led Welsh Assembly Government is to tackle child poverty and financial exclusion, giving a whole generation of children a better future. The Child Trust Fund Cymru will help to achieve this aim’.
‘This Child Trust Fund Cymru means that Welsh teenagers will have extra in their bank accounts when they turn eighteen, and act as an incentive to save more. They will have savings as they move into adulthood, and managing an account will also improve their financial capabilities. Hopefully the accounts will also encourage family and friends to invest in the future of Welsh children.’
The announcement is the first in a series of 24 events and engagements to mark the second anniversary of the One Wales agreement. The 24 events – one for every month since the One Wales agreement was signed - have been chosen to highlight progress made in delivering the ambitious programme of commitments.

Neath Guardian Column - June 09.

I was very pleased to recently meet Superintendent Julian Williams, the new Divisional Commander of Neath Port Talbot Police, to discuss with him the problems which the people of Neath and the surrounding areas face with regard to issues of law and order.

People have the perception that crime is increasing and getting worse. However, the latest figures released by the Home Office show that crime in Neath Port Talbot is continuing to fall.

Statistics for the last quarter of 2008 show a reduction in crime of 14.6 per cent compared to the previous year. House burglaries fell by 38.9 per cent, while violent crime was down 18.9 per cent and car crime down by 23.5 per cent.

The police’s performance in crime reduction is excellent, and they are making Neath Port Talbot a safer place to live, work and visit. They recognise that it is not all about figures, and are working hard on issues such as making people feel safer and ensuring that people’s perception of crime reflects the true figures.

Of particular interest to me was the work being done with trading standards officers to target rogue traders who prey on the vulnerable and elderly. A number of operations have been aimed at tackling bogus workmen and traders, who are often linked to distraction burglaries. Examples of this include charging for unnecessary work, damaging property deliberately in order to obtain money to repair it, leaving work unfinished or even intimidating residents in order to extort money. I ask for local residents to look out for elderly relatives or neighbours to ensure they do not become victims.

An important problem which the Police and Fire Service are tackling is the Illegal use of off-road motorcycles on roads and pavements. This is a problem which I have raised many times, and last month saw the launch of a new joint police and fire service off-road team which will now be deployed in hotspot areas.

Anti-social behaviour is taken seriously in Neath Port Talbot, and it is the only area of Wales to have a dedicated public referral telephone service for people to report individuals who commit anti-social behaviour. The Safer Neath Port Talbot Partnership, run by the Labour run Council and the Police, has resulted in a substantial reduction in the number of anti-social behaviour incidents over the past 12 months. The Anti-Social Behaviour Hotline is 01639 889709.

Residents can find latest PACT meeting information, updates on PACT priorities and contact details for their local Neighbourhood Police Officer at www.ourbobby.com

Gwenda Thomas supports plan to reduce free one-use carrier bags in Wales

Labour Neath AM Gwenda Thomas has today welcomed plans to reduce the number of free single-use plastic carrier bags in Wales, which were unveiled by Jane Davidson, Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing this week.
A consultation was launched by the Labour-led Assembly Government asking for views on proposals to introduce a charge on single use carrier bags at the annual Welsh Litter summit at the Swalec Stadium, Cardiff.
Supermarket members of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) have already agreed to reduce the amount of single-use carrier bags they give out by 50% by spring 2009.
Gwenda Thomas AM said: “The voluntary agreement is excellent but it is important that we continue our efforts to improve the quality of the environment in Wales. Not all retailers subscribe to this agreement, and this means that half of all plastic bags are still used only once.
“It is vital to examine how we can further reduce the amount of single use carrier bags, and how to encourage more people to re-use bags.
“Approximately 480 million plastic bags are used every year in Wales. These bags can take between 500 and 1000 years to degrade.
Gwenda added: “The pollution caused by these bags cannot be sustained, and we must think of the legacy of environmental damage being left for future generations.”
ENDS