Help with Council Tax for Wales’ Pensioners

Neath Constituency Local AM, Gwenda Thomas today welcomed Local Government Minister Carl Sargeant’s announcement that the Welsh Assembly Government is allocating £205,642.00 to Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council to help pensioners with their council tax bills.

The move follows the success of last year’s scheme which saw at total of over 32,000 pensioners throughout Wales receive help with their bill. Thousands more pensioners are set to benefit from the initiative during the next financial year as the Assembly Government is doubling the amount it allocates to the scheme, making £4 million available.

“Supporting pensioners through council tax relief is a key One Wales commitment” said Carl Sargeant. “By doubling the available funding, the Assembly Government is demonstrating that it is committed to helping even more Welsh pensioners.”

Mrs. Thomas said, “Neath Port Talbot CBC will receive its’ proportion of the funds to deliver a scheme of assistance that is best suited to local circumstances as they are familiar with the needs of pensioners in my constituency. This way, by administering funds through the local council, pensioners who are most in need of financial help will receive it.”

Mrs Thomas added, “Neath Port Talbot CBC will also receive an additional £5000 to cover the administration costs of this scheme.”

Pensioners are advised to contact Neath Port Talbot CBC to find out if they are eligible for council tax help.

AM welcomes start of boiler scrappage scheme

Gwenda Thomas AM today expressed her support of Environment Minister Jane Davidson’s announcement that with boiler scrappage scheme vouchers of £ 500 will be available from 6th April.

The scrappage scheme in Wales will specifically target people in fuel poverty, and from next month the scheme will be open to applications from homeowners over the age of 60 who can apply for a £500 voucher towards the cost of replacing a G-rated boiler with an A-rated boiler.

‘This will help many pensioners to upgrade their heating systems,’ said Mrs. Thomas. ‘Replacing a G-rated boiler with an A-rated boiler could save up to £235 per year in energy costs’.

‘I already have a long list of my constituents who have contacted my staff on this issue and I urge anyone who would like assistance to contact them for information.’

After its launch on 6 April the boiler scrappage scheme will be managed alongside the Welsh Assembly Government’s Home Energy Efficiency Scheme by Eaga Cymru.

From 6 April applicants will be able to apply by telephone on 0800 316 2816 or online at www.heeswales.co.uk. Successful applicants will be sent a voucher worth £500, which would then be presented to an installer registered with the scheme who would install the replacement boiler.

From 1st April installers will be able to register with the scheme via boilerscrappagewales@eaga.com.
Applicants to the Welsh boiler scrappage scheme may also be able to benefit from additional discounts offered by British Gas, Eaga Heat, npower hometeam and Swalec.

Eaga Cymru or the energy companies involved will be able to provide people with information on how they can benefit from the additional discounts.

If you are not sure if your boiler is G-rated you can check by making a note of the builder number and contact the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012 who will advise you on this issue. There is also a search tool on the British Gas website to help calculate your boiler rating.

Communities First Backs the ‘Goodies in Hoodies’

A film about community participation produced by a group of young people in Neath Port Talbot has won praise from local community leaders.

Neath AM Gwenda Thomas, Aberavon AM Brian Gibbons and Council Leader Ali Thomas have all congratulated Croeserw Youth Action Group (CYAG) on the launch of their film, TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More).

The movie promotes the work of CYAG, known locally as the ‘Goodies in Hoodies’. The youngsters have been supported by the Upper Afan Valley Communities First Team CYAG on this and other projects to help their local community and counteract the negative perception of young people.

Aberavon AM Dr Brian Gibbons said: “All too often people want to put our young people down and stereotype them all as being up to no good when in reality nothing could be further from the truth. Sadly a few bad apples affect the over all perception, which is why groups like CYAG must be applauded for their work.

“These youngsters must be heartily congratulated for their efforts in producing this film. Over the last year they have been involved in numerous projects from running film screenings at a local residential home to helping set up a children’s disco. Their activities span the generation gap and make genuine contribution to the life of the community.”

Gwenda Thomas, AM for Neath said: “This is exactly the sort of project that the Communities First programme has been instrumental in developing. Whilst the recent report from the Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee has demonstrated ways in which the Communities First programme can be improved, this should not overshadow the excellent work that has already been done in helping some of Wales’ most deprived areas.”

“The positive impact that Communities First has had on the lives of so many people must be recognised. In Neath Port Talbot the programme has grappled with some of the most fundamental problems affecting our communities.”

Amongst the many projects initiated by Communities First Partnerships in NPT schemes such as the Melin Advice Centre have provided impoverished communities with a gateway to welfare advice and access to affordable credit through the NPT Credit Union. A variety of projects, including a smoking cessation support group in Ystalyfera and Wii Fit sessions in youth clubs in the Dulais Valley, are helping to improve the health and wellbeing of people throughout the county.

Mrs Thomas said: “We can see in Neath Port Talbot what Communities First can achieve when it has the committed support of the Local Authority.”

Ali Thomas, leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said: “We are very proud of what we have attained in our work with the Communities First partnerships. There are areas where the affect has been nothing short of transformative. Briton Ferry West, for example, stands testimony to this sort of regeneration.

“This said, much work still remains to be done. The coming year will see us learn from and build on our successes. We have, for example, secured money from the Welsh Assembly’s Outcome Fund to extend the invaluable welfare advice provided by Melin Advice Centre throughout NPT’s twelve Communities First areas.”

AM celebrates the 'Pots and Pieces' project

Gwenda Thomas AM was delighted to join with members of the Swansea Canal Society and pupils of Llangiwg Primary School [pictured left] to celebrate the 'Pots and Pieces' project.

The Swansea Canal Society had applied for funding to The Awards for All Wales grant supported by Gwenda Thomas AM, town council & local historical society. The project 'Pots & Pieces' was a Mosaic depicting the name 'Riverside' on the building now leased by Arena Pontardawe from Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council using sherds of Ynysmeudwy pottery unearthed by members of the Swansea Canal Society when the new bypass was being constructed.

Llangiwg Primary School children were also involved, making their own pieces of new pottery instructed by the Artist David Marchant who then incorporated them with the old pieces of Ynysmeudwy sherds to make the Mosaic that can be seen on the side of the Riverside building at the Glantawe Park site.

Gwenda Thomas AM to hold Monthly Advice Surgery

Gwenda Thomas AM will be holding her monthly advice surgery on Saturday 20th March 2010 at her Constituency Office at 7 High Street, Pontardawe, SA8 4HU from 10.30am to 12.00.

2 LOCAL PROJECTS TO GET FUNDING BOOST

Both Neath Afan Gymnastics Club and Pontardawe Arena Partnership are set to benefit from a major £ 484,968 funding boost, thanks to a popular grant scheme from the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government.

Local Labour AM Gwenda Thomas welcomed the news as a tremendous lift to community life and the local economy.

The Community Facilities and Activities Programme funding will pay £ 184,968 for the refurbishment and adaptation of the Neath Afan Gymnastics Centre and a further £ 300,000 to the Pontardawe Arena Partnership to include education and training units, café and parking facilities.

“This is great news as I personally supported Arena’s bid, but I am delighted that both projects have been successful in their applications for this funding. It will help them continue to carry on their good work within our communities,” said Gwenda Thomas, Constituency AM for Neath.

“The funding is also a refreshing boost for community life and the local economy during these difficult times.”

The projects are 2 of 46 across Wales to benefit from the latest round of the Welsh Assembly Government’s popular Community Facilities and Activities Programme. In total, £7 million is being invested in these 46 projects over three financial years.

Adrienne Howes of the Pontardawe Arena Project said:

“We are delighted with the CFAP grant and really do appreciate this significant expression of support for the Arena Project. We are determined to make this project a success and to bring something of significance to our community and the Swansea Valley.”

Nicola Lewis, Manager and Senior Coach of Neath Afan Gymnastics Centre, said that the grant awarded was fantastic news for the club.

“These funds will enable us to make our new premises in Milland Road, Neath both environmentally friendly and accessible for all members of our community with improved access and facilities for our members with disabilities and special needs. With a wider range of classes for all abilities and ages, our local gymnasts will now have a first class facility on their doorstep.”

Gwenda Thomas AM concluded, “The programme is not just about buildings. It’s about people, regenerating our towns and villages and restoring a sense of community spirit.”

AM voices residents concerns for Swansea Valley bus service

Gwenda Thomas AM confirmed today that she had written to First Cymru after receiving countless visits and phone calls to her constituency office.

Mrs. Thomas said, ‘I have had constructive talks with First Cymru in the past and have today written to them asking for clarification of the 120 and 125 services from Ystradgynlais through Godregraig and Pontardawe to Swansea.’

‘Complaints range from confusion over the timetable through to timings of the Sunday service. There has also been concern over the fact that concessionary bus pass holders have to show their passes to the driver twice if they travel further than Pontardawe.’

Neath AM, Gwenda Thomas stated, ‘There has been tremendous confusion over the last few months with changes in timetables throughout Neath and the Swansea Valleys but I am sure that many of these issues have now been resolved. Hopefully services within the Swansea Valley will soon be running smoothly and satisfactory solutions can be found for the issues that I have been asked to flag up with First Cymru.’

GWENDA THOMAS AM WELCOMES £1.9M TO IMPROVE CARE FOR THALIDOMIDE SURVIVORS IN WALES

First Minister Carwyn Jones has announced £1.9million for the Thalidomide Trust to improve the care and support for thalidomide survivors in Wales.

The funding which will be available from April will be distributed amongst survivors to help meet their health needs and minimise any further deterioration of their condition.

This funding will be in addition to £20million announced by the Department of Health last month for the Thalidomide Trust for a pilot scheme to support thalidomiders, as they refer to themselves.

Between 1958 and 1961, the drug, thalidomide, was used by expectant mothers to control symptoms of morning sickness. Tragically, this led to many babies being born with often severe physical disabilities. There are 31 thalidomiders in Wales.

Neath Constituency’s AM Gwenda Thomas said: ‘The responsibility for addressing the ongoing needs of thalidomide survivors rests with the UK Government as it authorised its use, and the survivors in Wales will have access to a share of the money provided by the Department of Health.’

‘It is marvellous news, however, that the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government will provide extra funding to ensure more care and support for people affected by thalidomide.’

‘This funding, in Association with the Thalidomide Trust, will help thalidomide survivors to manage their increasing health needs as they get older.’