AM Dissapointed by Factory Closure Proposal

A Resolven factory making steering parts has been earmarked for closure in the new year.

TRW Automotive has announced that it is considering closing its factory near Neath and transferring production to other sites in Europe.

Local AM Gwenda Thomas said “I’m bitterly disappointed with this news. I have tried to work with the company to avoid this decision. The Trade Unions have cooperated with management to make the plant more competitive. The Local Authority and the Welsh Assembly Government have both offered financial support.“

The Labour AM said that she would be contacting the management of the company to see if any alternative solutions remain.

“Until the factory gates close the Resloven plant will have my support. If there is even the slightest possibility that TRW can be persuaded to reverse this decision I intend to find it. If it cannot be avoided I will, of course, work with the unions to support the many staff that would be made unemployed.”

Llangatwg Credit Union

Gwenda Thomas AM was delighted to open the new Credit Union at Llangatwg Comprehensive School this afternoon.

'This is a fantastic opportunity for our young people to learn about the importance of saving their money in a safe and responsible way. I am very impressed with the number of children who have given up their free time to be trained as tellers, along with the commitment shown by the members of Neath Port Talbot Credit Union, the Head Teacher Mr Roger Skilton and his staff.'

Brian Warlow of Neath Port Talbot Credit Union and his colleague Clare, were also in attendance to demonstrate their involvement with the school and the pupils.

'We cannot set up a credit union within a school unless we are invited in by the headteacher,' explained Mr. Warlow. 'Mr. Skilton, his staff and the children have been very keen to get involved with the scheme and now we hope to reach our goal of 1000 school children on our books very soon with new members from Llangatwg.'

Flood awareness campaign gets some welly in Neath

Environment Agency Wales’ Flood Awareness Wales campaign has received the support of the Assembly Member for Neath Gwenda Thomas, at an awareness event held earlier this month (Thursday 9th September).

The Neath Abbey Tesco store is one of 16 locations across Wales to be visited by the Agency’s Welly Boot Tour, which forms the initial part of a wider flood awareness raising campaign.

Gwenda Thomas, AM, said: “I am pleased to support Environment Agency Wales' Flood awareness campaign. I was impressed with the information packages that are now available and with the advice that can be provided to home and business owners who maybe at risk.”

Knowing that our properties maybe at risk and being aware of how we can prepare to meet this risk could ensure people's safety and reduce the damage that maybe caused by flooding. We should all take heed of this message.


Flood Awareness Wales Project Director Gareth O’Shea said: “Climate change is having an impact on our weather patterns and flooding is likely to become more frequent. We need to raise people’s awareness of this increased risk and work with them so that they can become more prepared. We’re delighted that our Welly Boot Tour could visit Neath Abbey Tesco. We hope that our giant wellies will have caught the attention of local people and will motivate them to check whether they are at risk from flooding."

Gareth added: “Our flood awareness officers have already been out in force in the nearby communities of Cwmtwrch, Ystalyfera, Glynneath and Glyncorrwg, helping people there to understand and manage the risk they face. We’re seeing more and more people becoming aware that although flooding cannot be completely prevented, its impact can be minimised by taking simple steps in advance. Don’t be the only one who isn’t prepared.”

As the campaign progresses, flood awareness officers will also be looking to deliver the ‘be prepared’ message in Port Talbot and Resolven later in the year.

The Agency's Flood Awareness Wales campaign effort focuses on direct engagement with those communities with a high risk of flooding but where awareness of the risk may be low.

Flood Awareness Wales can help you find out if your home or business is at risk and provide advice on what you can do to prepare for this, reduce the impact of flood water on your property and ensure your own personal safety in a flood.

To find out if your property is at risk of flooding call Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

For flood awareness advice or to download a personal flood plan visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodwales or contact the Flood Awareness Wales team via email at floodawareness.wales@environment-agency.gov.uk.

‘Flood Awareness Wales’ is a Welsh Assembly Government funded project.

Fly Tipping Down in Neath Port Talbot

Statistics published today show incidents of fly tipping in Neath Port Talbot are down for fourth year in succession.

The cost fly tipping clearance to Neath Port Talbot Council fell from £96,097 in 2008-09 to £52,075 in 2009-10.

Gwenda Thomas, AM for Neath said: “I’m thrilled by this news. Not only does this mean a significant cash saving for the Council it also shows that people in the region are becoming more environmentally responsible.”

“Fly-tipping Action Wales, a Welsh Assembly Government funded initiative, and the Neath Port Talbot Council have been working hard to combat this anti-social behaviour. Clearly their education and enforcement campaigns are having a significant impact. To reduce the cost of fly-tipping from £150,000 in 2007 to around £50,000 today is an impressive achievement.”

Fly -tipping Action Wales is a Welsh Government initiative that aims to educate all sectors of society on  the scale of the fly - tipping problem, and inform businesses and householders of their legal duty to dispose of waste responsibly. 

Fight Continues to Save Village School

Campaigners against the closure of YGG Rhiwfawr today met with their local AM.

Neath Port Talbot Council have proposed the closure of the village school as part of its ongoing School Reorganisation Strategy. Pupils would be transferred to YGG Cwmllynfell.

Teachers, parents and pupils met Gwenda Thomas, AM for Neath to present a petition against closure and express their concerns.

Local parent Ruth Evans said “This is a fabulous school that has recorded consistently outstanding inspection results. I can’t see how closure can possibly benefit the children of Rhiwfawr.”

“The closure of this school will also have a devastating effect on the village. I know many families who have moved here specifically to bring up their children. Without the school here we will, without doubt, see the population figures go into terminal decline.”

Lisa Morgan, a teacher at the school, expressed concerns at the safety implications of the closure.

“To get to YGG Cwmllynfell from Rhiwfawr you have to walk a long stretch of narrow unpavemented road, frequently used by HGVs from the local quarry. The Council have admitted that this would be an unsafe route to school.”

“They’ve offered to lay on buses at the start and end of the school day but what about children going to school late or half-day nursery pupils? This is an incredibly dangerous road for pedestrians and the risk of a serious accident is very real.”

Gwenda Thomas said: “Yet again it seems that the burden of school closures is disproportionately falling on small rural communities that already face significant problems. I am afraid that any small savings made by closing this and other rural schools will be vastly outweighed by the social and economic problems that will follow as a direct result of closure.”

“I would encourage all the parents and residents of Rhiwfawr to contact the Local Authority to express their concerns. I hope that Neath Port Talbot’s councillors will look carefully at the possible repercussions of their decisions while there is still time.”