Local AM Gwenda Thomas today welcomed the news that the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government is to provide over £ 350,000 to support the work of 2 local projects.
The funding is part of a £7 million package of support over the next three years for 48 projects across Wales through the Assembly Government’s Community Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP). The new funding will help community and voluntary organisations to provide new facilities and activities which will promote the regeneration of communities in the local area.
Welcoming the news, Gwenda Thomas said:
“I am delighted that these local projects are to benefit from this latest round of funding from the Assembly Government. It is a big boost for local groups and I am sure that this money will make a real difference to people’s lives.
Here in the Neath Constituency initiatives like this are providing important services and activities in our communities and it is good to see the Assembly Government recognising the tremendous work that they do. It also shows yet again that the Labour-led Assembly Government is delivering on its commitment to regeneration across Wales.”
The two projects who will benefit from this particular package are DOVE Workshop Ltd, who will receive £ 299,857 for their Café Sarn Helen expansion, and Cwmgors Halls Committee who have been awarded £ 57,803 for the Cwmgors Ball Court and Play Area.
Thursday, 6 August 2009
CASH BOOST FOR LOCAL PROJECTS WELCOMED
Monday, 27 July 2009
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.
Thursday, 16 July 2009
£ 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.”
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
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
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)
