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.”

AM Warns of Asbestos Danger

Do you have an asbestos roofed shed in your garden? Think before you demolish it warns local AM.

Gwenda Thomas, AM for Neath, said: "I’ve recently been receiving many enquiries from constituents worried about pulling down asbestos laden out-buildings."

"One of my constituents, an elderly lady, contacted me because she was terribly worried about her son who intended to replace the roof of her garage without safety equipment. She thought it might contain asbestos but she had no idea how she could check. She was afraid that a professional survey could prove very expensive."

"Fortunately I was able to put her in touch with Neath Port Talbot Council’s free asbestos advice service. Within days an inspector had visited the property, confirmed that it did indeed contain high levels of asbestos and helped her contact professionals who were able to remove and dispose of the potentially deadly material."

"I know there are many other houses in Neath, especially in the valleys villages, that still have asbestos roofed sheds and garages. If people want to take these structures down it’s vitally important that they take care not to expose themselves to asbestos dust. Asbestos dust is linked to several deadly diseases including asbestosis and various cancers."

"I would encourage anyone who wishes to demolish and dispose of a structure that potentially contains asbestos to contact the Council’s Customer Service Centre on 01639 686868. They will be able to make an appointment with an inspector who will be able to offer help and advice about safe disposal."
　

AM WANTS VIEWS ON PLASTIC BAGS

How thick should a ‘bag for life’ be? Is 7p the right price for a disposable bag? Should bags for raw meat and fish be exempt? The Welsh Government wants your answers to these and other questions says local AM Gwenda Thomas.
Mrs Thomas, AM for Neath, today encouraged her constituents to respond to the consultation on the Single Use Carrier Bag Charge before the deadline of the 2nd of August.
Mrs Thomas said: "Once again the Welsh Assembly is at the vanguard of attempts to make Britain a more environmentally responsible country. It costs Wales over £1 million a year to dispose of plastic bag litter. Plastic bags can take hundreds of years to degrade. They often become an eyesore and a danger to wildlife. They take up huge amounts of space in landfill sites and add substantially to our nation’s carbon footprint."
"For all these reasons we’re determined to reduce the number of single use plastic bags in Wales. This is why we intend to bring in a compulsory charge for them. We’ve already consulted on the principle and I’m happy to say that it seems the majority of people support of the scheme.
"We’re now at the draft regulation stage and we’d appreciate the public’s help in ensuring we’ve got the detail of the regulations right. This is, I think, without doubt, a significant step forward but it’s vitally important that we bring the people of Wales with us."
"I really hope the shoppers and shopkeepers of Neath will take the time to let Welsh Government know what they think about the proposal as it currently stands."
Copies of the consultation document and response forms are available on the Welsh Assembly’s website (wales.gov.uk/consultations/) or by contacting Gwenda Thomas at her constituency office at 7 High Street, Pontardawe; Tel. 01792 869993.

WELSH ASSEMBLY CLAMPS DOWN ON PREMIUM RATE GPS NUMBERS

The number of GPs surgeries in Neath using premium rate phone lines will soon decrease said Gwenda Thomas, AM for Neath.
Until this year some GPs surgeries were still able to take out contracts for premium rate ‘084’ phone lines that charged substantially above the national landline rate.
Mrs Thomas said: "Many people assume, quite reasonably, that a call to their GP will be, if not free, at least charged at the normal landline price. It’s only when they receive the phone bill that they realise they’ve been charged over the odds. Clearly this is not an insignificant issue, especially for those on a restricted income."
Following recent changes to the regulations, instigated by Edwina Hart, Minister for Health in the Welsh Government, GPs surgeries are barred from entering into or extending contracts for phone services that charge more than the cost of a local call.
Mrs Thomas said: "I'm happy to reassure my constituents that although some surgeries are still contractually committed to providers of ‘084’ numbers we’ll see more and more switch to local rate phone lines as these contracts come up for renewal over the course of the year."
If GPs practices have not switched from ‘084’ numbers by 1st April 2011 the regulations will oblige them to consider introducing a ‘ring back’ system where patients can request the practice call them back at its own expense.

Praise for Examination Results

Gwenda Thomas AM today commended the students of Neath Port Talbot College and YG Ystalyfera for their hard work over the last two years which has once again produced exceptionally high standards in A level and National Diploma qualifications.

‘There have been some outstanding results this year over the whole curriculum with many of our young people heading off to university and further education throughout the UK.’

‘I wish everyone well in their chosen path, be it in pursuit of a degree, apprenticeship or the world of work. I realise that there will be some young people who will be disappointed today but urge them to seek the advice of their teachers and lecturers who are well placed to help them make the next step.’

Mrs Thomas also thanked the dedication of the teachers, lecturers and staff.

‘The education of our young people is a vital role in our communities and I wish to thank and congratulate everyone involved in the process which has resulted in such a superb standard of results today.’