Pontardawe: Car Parking Charges and Town Centre Regeneration

Before Christmas I received many representations from traders in Pontardawe expressing concerns regarding the proposed introduction of parking charges in the town. There was great concern that this change could have serious consequences for the economy of the local area. It was also felt that the time allowed for consultation on these plans was insufficient for a full and proper consideration of the issues.

I believed at the time, and continue to do so, that changes in parking arrangements can have substantial effects on the viability of any town centre, all the more so in the case of a relatively small town such as Pontardawe. A decision on this subject should only be taken after robust consultation. For this reason I contacted Steve Phillips, the Chief Executive of Neath Port Talbot Council, and strongly suggested that he consider extending the consultation period to allow the public more time to feedback their analysis of the proposals. I am happy that Mr Phillips agreed to this proposal, and that the consultation produced a large number of public responses.

Alongside specific fears about the changes in parking arrangements, many of you expressed more general concerns about the future of the Pontardawe economy. I am writing to you, now, with good news that I hope will reassure you that both the Welsh Assembly Government and the Council remain committed to regeneration of the Pontardawe region.

Following final approval last Thursday by Neath Port Talbot Council three projects, with a total project value of £ 2.4 m, and partly funded by £600,000 from the Welsh Assembly’s Western Valleys Strategy, will begin over the next six weeks.

Substantial improvements to Herbert Street will create a new public square, as well as installing new paving, lighting and disabled parking. Environmental improvements will continue on the former Motorworld site, creating an attractive gateway to Pontardawe town centre. Finally work will begin on the Cwm Du Glen bridge, providing a fitting landmark for the local area.

In combination these projects, as well as bringing a substantial injection of money into the local economy , will improve the amenities of the town in such a way as to enhance Pontardawe’s place as a shopping and leisure destination. This will in turn provide a much needed boost for local businessmen and women.

I am very glad to be able to report that the Council has recognised that, whilst regeneration work on this scale is being undertaken, it does not make sense to continue an assessment of the possible effects of the introduction of car parking charges. The Council has therefore decided to defer any consideration of car parking charges until after regeneration. A review of parking policies will then be undertaken only when the regeneration projects are completed and their full effect can be assessed.

Gwenda

BANWEN & ONLLWYN SURGERY

Gwenda Thomas AM will be holding a surgery at
The Dove Workshop, Banwen on Thursday 24th February from 5 pm - 6 pm.

Mrs. Thomas will be delighted to meet with any constituents who would like to raise any issues with her.

Statement on TRW

As the Assembly Member for Neath, I had an opportunity yesterday (16.2.2011) to ask the Minister for the Economy and Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones AM a question during the Plenary Session regarding TRW in Resolven.

Gwenda Thomas: "I am speaking in my capacity as the Assembly Member for Neath.
Ieuan, I would like to add my voice to the many who have paid tribute to the workforce, recent and past, of TRW. Despite the best efforts of the Welsh Assembly Government, recently and over a long period of time, the best efforts of the union and, most importantly, as you have said, the best efforts of the workforce of TRW, TRW has turned its back on Resolven, but not immediately. As Bethan said, a peaceful demonstration started at 7.30 a.m. this morning outside the factory. I understand that it arose as a result of the company’s inability to negotiate fair terms for the existing workforce to continue there for a month. I also understand, from talks with the union, that the company in Germany is not ready yet to take the transferred work from Resolven. The belief remains that there is no business plan or case for the closure of this factory and that this internal and political decision by the company to close TRW has been taken at the expense of the skilled and committed Welsh workers there. May I therefore refer to my most recent letter to you, dated 30 November, and ask you to confirm that the Welsh Assembly Government continues to offer maximum support to the employees in Resolven who have lost their jobs? Could you, perhaps, seek clarification regarding the situation that arose this morning?

The Deputy First Minister: "I will certainly seek clarification regarding the situation that arose this morning. I can also say publicly that I wrote to the vice-president of the European steering operations of TRW on 27 June last year, offering support in recognition of the difficulties that the company was facing. We offered a range of assistance for training and development, including both ProAct and Skills Growth Wales, and for environmental improvement activities and capital investment. That offer was made to the company. I also know that the local authority offered an immediate cut in business rates and, as I have indicated in an earlier reply, the workforce itself was prepared to take a substantial cut in wages. That was a very generous offer to the company and we are all disappointed that it has decided to walk away from the site. I will do what I can to get further information from it, but under these circumstances it was disappointing that the company turned down the offer made".

Since then I understand that the agency workers have been withdrawn.

Major Reforms to Social Services in Wales Unveiled

Radical new plans to put social services on a sustainable footing were announced today by the Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas.

Sustainable Social Services for Wales – A Framework for Action sets out the Assembly Government’s plans to renew social services and social care for the next decade. Around 150,000 people receive some form of social care in Wales every year and more will become dependent on such services, or have a relative that relies on them.
The plans include:

• introducing portable assessments so that if a person moves location they do not have to have their needs reassessed;
  
• establishing a national outline contract for care homes to improve consistency of services; and,
  
• establishing a National Adoption Agency to improve rates of successful adoptions.

Gwenda said: “This is a visionary statement on the future of our social services for the next decade. We have used this opportunity to think carefully about the small number of big changes that we need to focus on to make a positive impact and renew social services in Wales.”

"The key to achieving the Assembly Governments vision will be to ensure that services are centred around the citizen. Users and their carers will have a much stronger voice and greater control over services. Services will be built around people – not around organisations."

“Social services must become sustainable but sustainability means much more than funding. It will require more fundamental changes than simply becoming smarter at what we already do. We need to focus on what is really important and ensure that we are all working to the same ends by securing more efficient and effective ways to deliver services through greater collaboration and integration. This paper gives us the means to do that.”

First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “High quality responsive citizen centred social services are essential to a successful Wales. I expect services to be built round people not organisations. This framework gives us that opportunity.”

A National Social Services Partnership Forum will be established to drive the changes.

Other commitments include:

• ensuring that social workers and social care workers are at the heart of services. This will ensure that the workforce is more confident and is supported in applying its own professional judgement;
  
• cutting complexity, by reducing the number of Local Safeguarding Children Boards and cutting back on the detailed guidance sent out by government;
  
• better integrating services by rolling out Integrated Family Support Teams and re-ablement services across Wales; and,
  
• changing the approach to target setting and the type of guidance issued, with providers and commissioners of services becoming accountable for quality and safety to allow for a better focused and streamlined regulation and inspection.

£2 Million Announced for Autism Services in Wales

Welsh Labour’s Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, has announced a funding package of £2million to support children and adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for 2011-12.

This funding will continue to secure Wales’ place as a world leader in ASD work and will maintain the momentum initiated by the ASD Strategic Action Plan for Wales. Since the Action Plan was launched, much has been achieved in raising the awareness of this condition and in improving the lives of both children and adults with ASD.

However, the Assembly Government believes that more needs to be done and this funding will allow new and innovative projects to be established across Wales. These include:

• Develop a pre/post diagnostic service for children with ASD
  
• Develop an adult diagnostic and counselling service.
  
• Support a series of new regional projects to offer practical help to individuals and families across Wales
  
• Develop regional monitoring and support for adults with Aspergers Syndrome
  
• Set up an ASD Learning and Improvement Network and an ASD e-learning resource

Breakdown of ASD funding for 2011-12

ASD co-ordination, regional child-focussed projects and guidance on Unified Assessment Process: £1,540,000

Development of pre/post diagnosis services for children and adults: £466,000

Improvement of employment prospects of adults with ASD: £2,076,000

£453,476 FUNDING FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS

Three Welsh organisations are to receive a total of £453,476 funding to help them deliver the Social Enterprise Action Plan for Wales, thanks to the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government.

Welsh Labour’s Social Justice Minister Carl Sargeant has announced that the Wales Co-operative Centre will receive £175,000; the Development Trusts Association Wales, £172,713; and Social Firms Wales, £105,763 for 2011 / 12. The funding will be used to provide specialist advice to the Welsh Assembly Government, support both new and existing social enterprises towards sustainability, and to help raise awareness of the sector.

Gwenda Thomas AM said: 'Some organisations in my constituency have been helped by the Wales Co-operative Centre, such as DANSA Community Transport Scheme located in the Dulais Valley and Neath Port Talbot Credit Union. The work done by these groups has been invaluable, and this is why the funding given to these organisations is so vital as it helps to reduce social inequality ’.

Notes

The Social Enterprise Action Plan published in 2009 sets out how the Welsh Assembly Government will work with partner organisations to promote social enterprises in Wales to create a thriving sector that will support community and economic regeneration and create local jobs. The plan contains 20 key actions to help the sector expand, to grow existing ventures and help new social enterprises to become established. The Action Plan is an update and refresh of the three-year Social Enterprise Strategy published in 2005.

£900,000 to Help Young People Into Work

The Labour-led Welsh Government has launched a £900,000 pilot scheme to help young people aged 16 to 17 into employment. This programme will offer 180 employment opportunities in Communities First areas in parts of South and West Wales, for a six month period.

Gwenda Thomas said: "There are several Communities First areas in disadvantaged areas of Neath. This scheme will be an excellent for opportunity for young people to be helped into work. This is part of the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government’s strategy to reduce social inequalities in these areas."

"Taking that first step onto the employment ladder is extremely difficult for many young people. We all know how tricky it can be to get that first job with no previous work experience. By giving them a chance at proper paying work this scheme will give a boost to the future career prospects for dozens of young people in Neath."

This new project is a component of the Intermediate Labour Market Programme (ILM), which, itself, is part of the Welsh Assembly Government's Youth Engagement and Employment Action Plan.

Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and European Social Fund, the ILM is provided through the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action and already operates across North Wales. It will now contract organisations in South and West Wales who are able to support and develop young people who are not in employment education or training.

The scheme provides structured, relevant and supported employment to those furthest from the labour market in order to give participants new skills, increased confidence and work experience.

Participating organisations will deliver the structured and relevant supported employment with a view to developing:

• Participant confidence and motivation for work.
  
• Generic behaviours and skills required by employers.
  
• A reference which can be used to assist employment applications.
  
• An interest in life long learning including the development of basic skills.
  
• People who are workless to actively seek employment.

The outcome for all participants will be progression into either sustained employment or further learning at a higher level.

Deadline for Referendum Voting Registration Approaches

The deadline to be included on the Electoral Register for the Welsh Assembly Referendum is 5pm on Wednesday 16 February. If you aren't already registered go to this website. It will take you through the steps required and generate a form that you can print off and send to your local Electoral Registration Officer. For residents of Neath the address is:

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
Electoral Registration Officer
Civic Centre
Port Talbot
SA13 1PJ

If you know anyone who isn't on the Electoral Register please encourage them to sign up. Remember, along with British nationals, Commonwealth, Irish, and European Union Citizens who are resident in Wales also have voting rights in referendum.

Gwenda Thomas AM Backs Sewerage Proposals

Gwenda Thomas AM has backed proposals that would make it the responsibility of water and sewerage companies to maintain private sewers and drains – and not householders in the Neath Constituency.

Welsh Labour’s Environment Minister, Jane Davidson, put forward the proposal as part of her published water policy statement.

Mrs. Thomas said: “This is fantastic news for householders across - Neath / Swansea Valley / Amman Valley - who often don’t even realise they might bear responsibility for private sewers and drains.

“This can be very expensive if you are unfortunate enough to be liable for any damage and these changes will alleviate that burden.”

Welsh Labour’s Jane Davidson said: “We are taking action to bring greater clarity and fairness to the management of sewerage and drainage systems in Wales.

“The intention is that from October 2011 responsibility for private sewers and lateral drains will lie with water and sewerage companies rather than with individual householders.”

The Assembly Government is currently drafting the necessary regulations to make this change happen. The transfer is still subject to National Assembly for Wales’ approval but is on course to take place in October 2011.

The revised Water Policy Statement is available at
here