| | Funding
needed to reopen swimming pool
TREHERBERT swimming pool's future
was questioned by Leanne Wood AM at the Senedd. The Plaid Cymru politician,
who lives in the Rhondda, has asked questions about securing vital funding for
the pool, which was closed last year. Ms Wood brought up the future of the
pool during plenary with Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones. The pool was closed
after Rhondda Cynon Taf Council withdrew funding. An action group was formed
by local people after the decision was announced and they are still looking for
funding to reopen the pool. Councillor Geraint Davies, on behalf of the group,
has been pressing for the council to support the community initiative. But
RCT Council have said the Assembly's free swimming scheme will not be available
in the community-run pool, which means they will lose out on vital income. The
South Wales Central AM said: "Minister, in Treherbert, the community has
rallied to try to take over the swimming pool that the local authority closed
last year. "The community group behind the bid to reopen the pool is currently
exploring funding options. "Unfortunately, it has been stonewalled by
the local authority over its ability to adopt the free swimming scheme." Job
scheme is a success
RHONDDA MP Chris Bryant met with young people
from the valleys to see how the Government's Future Jobs Fund scheme was helping
the community. He met staff at Cwmclydach Communities First, and talked to
co-ordinator Keith Jenkins about how successful the scheme has been already. There
are currently staff employed in child care, catering, administration and sports
coaching. A further three posts are due to start shortly, including Environmental
Wardens. The Future Jobs Fund enables local councils to apply for funding from
the Department for Work and Pensions to create new jobs within their areas. The
£1bn fund targets unemployed youngsters between 18 and 24 who are at risk
of becoming long-term unemployed. Bids demonstrating sustainable jobs and training
possibilities are eligible. Mr Bryant said: "As soon as this scheme was
announced I made contact with RCT to make sure we benefited here in the Rhondda. "It's
working out really well and the young people employed with the fund are getting
a chance to work and improve their skills." Top
marks for the builders at Ynyshir Primary
TOP class construction
companies, builders and architects are celebrating after Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's
Building Control Quality Awards. The awards, which recognise the high standards
of construction projects throughout the county borough, rewarded firms for the
excellent quality of their building projects. Ynyshir Primary School came out
on top in the commercial category. Their contractors were Wilmott Dixon Constructions
Ltd. The fourth annual awards, sponsored by LABC Cymru and Rhondda Heritage
Park Hotel, were announced by the council's director of regeneration and planning
Jane Cook who described each of the individual developments. From house extensions
to large-scale industry, Deputy Mayor of RCT Councillor Simon Lloyd presented
the winners of each of the five categories with specially-designed trophies, while
certificates were also presented to those who reached the highly commended standard
of excellence. The audience at the Rhondda Heritage Park was presented with
images of each of the developments which were shortlisted because of the quality
of the construction. Winners will go forward to the LABC South Wales Building
Awards in March and some may be entered into the national awards in London. The
five categories were divided into domestic extension and alterations; small housebuilder
and barn conversion; volume housing (multiple dwellings); commercial projects
and sustainability projects. The awards highlighted the challenges developers
face today as they consider the environmental impact of their schemes. Coun
Lloyd said: "The building trade often attracts bad press and cowboy builders
make the headlines. This award scheme highlights and acknowledges those that strive
to achieve quality in their work and recognises the importance of Building Control
to achieve these high standards. "Today we quite rightly have high expectations
of quality in the things that we buy - whether it's clothes, toys, food or furniture.
I think we should have similarly high expectations of the places where we live
- our homes and communities. "We need to work together to ensure that
high expectations can be met, and that is why these awards are important. "These
awards reflect the council's interest in buildings, and it's commitment to raising
the standard of building projects, by identifying and rewarding high-quality design
and construction." School vandal
attacks cost council thousands
VANDALISM on Rhondda Cynon Taff schools
have cost more than £56,000 in the last three years, Plaid Cymru AM Chris
Franks has learnt. Attacks such as the theft and damage of school roofs,
including at Hafod Primary School in July last year, Trallwn Infants in September
last year, and Treorchy Primary School, where lead was stolen in an attack in
February 2008. The biggest vandalism bill was at Penygraig Junior School, which
cost £4,359 to repair in May 2007. In the year 2007/08, £25,554.50
was spent on clearing up after vandalism in schools; in 2008/09, £24,049.96
was spent, and in the last year, the bill so far is £6,890. Intruder
alarms, CCTV and security fencing have been installed as part of efforts to minimise
damage. And new anti-vandal roofing materials are being fitted during planned
maintenance and capital refurbishment projects in schools, the Plaid AM for South
Wales Central was told. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council also said that school boundaries
were being secured to prevent illegal access and external doors were being improved
along with restrictions on window openings. Andrea Richards, Education Maintenance
Manager for Corporate Estates at RCT council, said: "Schools continually
work with the fire service and local police at PACT meetings to improve relationships
in the community to prevent vandalism." Chris Franks said: "I support
measures such as the installation of CCTV and fencing to reduce vandalism. But
I must say I am surprised that the bill is not higher given that the figure in
neighbouring Cardiff is eight times higher. While Cardiff is a larger authority,
it is difficult to believe the position is eight times worse there. My concern
is that RCT's figures may not be accurate and, unless they are, how can you fully
respond to the problem? "Vandalism not only costs a significant amount
of money but does disrupt children's education. Plaid wants to make sure that
the council does everything to protect our schools I urge people living around
schools to report anything suspicious they see to the police."
Pension
changes to help workers
CYNON Valley MP Ann Clwyd said she welcomes
pension changes that will move millions of workers a step closer to getting a
workplace pension for the first time. The Government is acting to protect moderate
and low earners in their old age with private pension reform. "From 2012,
up to nine million workers will be offered the chance to save in a pension with
a guaranteed contribution from their employer and the Government, many for the
first time," said Ms Clwyd. "This is the most radical change to workplace
entitlements since the introduction of the National Minimum Wage - employers of
all sizes would be joining employees in paying into a pension scheme. "These
reforms are vital in giving thousands of people locally the chance to save in
a pension, and mean all employers will be required to pay into a pension for the
first time. "Currently 14m people get no contribution from their employer
towards a pension and around 7m people are not saving enough for their retirement. "Because
we live in an ageing society, these reforms are vital. "They will give
everyone the chance to build up a pension," said the MP.
South
Wales Valleys residents urged to have a diabetes test
TYPE 2 diabetes
is still a silent killer in the South Wales Valleys - and more than half of people
diagnosed with the condition last year did not recognise its early symptoms. A
new a report by leading health charity Diabetes UK reveals that 56% of people
did not think they had the life-long condition as they failed to identify its
early symptoms. Late diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes leaves people at risk of
developing the serious complications of the condition, including stroke, heart
disease, blindness, kidney disease and amputation. Half of people with the
condition already show signs of complications by the time they are diagnosed. In
addition, the majority of people were diagnosed with the condition "by accident"
while undergoing routine medical tests or while being treated for other conditions
or medical issues. Diabetes UK Cymru estimates there are up to 50,000 people
in Wales who have diabetes but are not aware of it. Symptoms include going
to the toilet all the time, especially at night, increased thirst, extreme tiredness,
unexplained weight loss and genital itching. Dai Williams, national director
of Diabetes UK Cymru, said: "We need to make sure that people are aware of
the risk factors and symptoms. "And we need to encourage them to ask for
a diabetes test. "Just make an appointment with your doctor this week."
Bells
issued in Rhondda Cynon Taff to stop pickpockets
SHOPPERS are being
told to "put a bell on it" in a bid to stop pickpockets. Store owners
and South Wales Police have developed a new initiative together to crack down
on thieves who have been preying on shoppers in packed streets and shops. Hundreds
of bells have been bought by the RCT Business Crime Reduction for shoppers to
slip into purses and wallets to alert their rightful owners if they are removed
from bags or pockets. The RCT Business Crime Reduction Partnership meets regularly
with the police and Rhondda Cynon Taf council to share information and get details
of the latest crimes, offenders, suspicious activity, scams and initiatives. And
they share a radio system that allows them to communicate and hold regular briefings
between police officers and CCTV operators. Inspector Steve Jones said: "We
have a strong network of people working constantly on behalf of the safety of
our communities." RCT council cabinet member John David said: "By
joining together and working with the police and the council, these traders are
making a real difference." New
transmitter brings DAB radio to Rhondda
A NEW transmitter to carry
all of the BBC's network services on DAB digital radio has been switched on in
Rhondda. The new transmitter, situated near Clydach Vale, means another 34,000
people in the Tonypandy, Pentre and Treherbert areas are able to listen to the
BBC's national stations, Radios 1, 2, 3, 4 and Five Live, as well as the digital
only stations such as 6 Music and 1Xtra. The north Rhondda transmitter completes
a programme of work that has seen eight new transmitters built in the south Wales
valleys in the last 15 months, bringing digital radio coverage to around 250,000
people in the area.
Grant
support for health 'hub'
FUNDING for a new health and social services
hub in the South Wales Valleys has been approved. Health Minister Edwina Hart
has given Rhondda Cynon Taff council a £310,000 grant to develop and improve
the existing communications centre at Ty Elai in Tonypandy. The new communications
"hub" will be the largest in Wales and will manage the call-handling
and co-ordination of several health services, including GP out-of-hours, non-emergency
ambulance bookings, district nursing services, as well as day-to-day local authority
services. An IT system will connect systems that traditionally do not speak
to one another, allowing clinical staff to access certain patient information
quickly and securely. The expanded centre, due to be completed by mid-2011,
will mean that patients only have to call one number to access a range of health
services. It is expected that the hub will handle 700,000 calls a year. Mrs
Hart said: "This funding will help expand the current communications centre
to become a one-stop-shop for the public, patients, carers and healthcare professionals
in the Cwm Taf Health Board area. "This will help to signpost the best
route of care for patients, allow for early intervention and help minimise unnecessary
admissions into hospitals. The new centre will allow patients in the area who
are unsure of where to go for advice to call one number to access a range of services."
40
years since Rhondda Fach nearly flooded
FORTY years since the entire
Rhondda Fach valley was almost flooded, we look back at the averted disaster of
the Lluest Wen dam and reservoir. In December 1969 and January 1970, the catastrophe
of unprecedented scale nearly overwhelmed the village of Maerdy, and would have
caused devastation to the rest of Rhondda Fach if it had not been thwarted. The
Lluest Wen dam and reservoir, at the top end of the Rhondda Fach above Maerdy,
was built in 1898 and covered an area of 20 acres and held upwards of 242 million
gallons of water. The first sign of problems at the dam came on December 23,
when local man Lynn Jones was riding his horse Sally close to the dam. The
horse plunged into a hole 5ft deep, 6ft long and 2ft wide, which had appeared
beneath it. Mr Jones ran the two miles to Maerdy Colliery for help and firemen
and forestry workers took two hours to free the trapped horse. Fire officials
then phoned the water board for the dam to be inspected. After an inspection
of the dam, officials estimated that if it were to break, a 20ft tidal wave would
sweep down the valley. More than 350 residents were evacuated from streets
close to the Rhondda Fach river, seven schools were closed and workers from Mardy
colliery were transferred to other mines. To relieve pressure on the dam, the
water had to be drained from the reservoir. An RAF helicopter was used to ferry
supplies to the site and soldiers laid an alternative route along the Forestry
Commission track running across the Rhigos Mountain. With the united efforts
of the army, RAF, fire brigade, Water Board and others, the pumping of water from
the dam finally lessened the risk of it breaking and flooding the valley. The
all clear was finally given on January 25, 1970, and the residents of Maerdy and
the rest of the Rhondda Fach could breathe a sigh of relief that the possibility
of disaster had been averted. During the emergency works the water levels were
finally reduced by 30 feet, which meant that the reservoir's capacity fell to
just 65 million gallons. The total cost of repairing, strengthening and giving
better road access as we can see it today was in the region of £1.5million. Alun
Clement, a historian who has published two books on Ferndale and the surrounding
areas, was a pupil at Porth Grammar Technical college at the time. He said:
"I was 14, nearly 15 and I remember the drama creating a lot of fear and
excitement for people living close to the river." Alwyn Davies, 75, got
married on January 10, 1970 - the day the dam was predicted to give way. He
and wife Joyce, who were living in a basement flat in North Road, Ferndale, were
in danger of being flooded had the river burst its banks. "We went ahead
with the wedding at Pontypridd register office and luckily it went without a hitch,"
said Alwyn, who still lives in Ferndale. "It was a rather frightening
experience for a lot of people - the whole village would have been under water." Dennis
Inkpen, a former local authority worker who helped divert water from the dam,
remembers the torrential rain that blighted the effort. He was a work mate
with Lynn Jones, and rushed to the scene to help prevent the flood. He said: "It
took us a fortnight and it was freezing cold - there were about 200 or 300 of
us, including about 50 from the local authority, putting sandbags down to support
the banks. Other people were putting sand in the bags - it was like a conveyor
belt. "For a few days, there were about 50 soldiers form the army base
in Brecon to help us out. It's something I'll never forget." Actor Phil
Howe, who has appeared in TV shows such as Hollyoaks, was one of the young evacuees
from Taff Street, Ferndale. He was 17 at the time and spent a few nights sleeping
on the floor at Maerdy Infant School along with many of his friends and neighbours. "I
remember being with my brother Terence, who's five years younger, and all our
mates. "We took the Scalextric up the school and had a laugh - it was
a bit of an adventure for us. "I actually had a pony at the time and I
kept it on the same level as Taff Street, so we had to take him somewhere higher
up so he would be safe. I don't think we ever dreamt that the dam was going to
burst. We didn't consider the consequences." Familes
reaping benefits of £22m homes revamp
IN just two years, a
valleys housing association has spent £22m on improving homes for families
and individuals. This month RCT Homes marks its second anniversary after becoming
Wales' largest social landlord in 2007 when it took ownership of more than 10,000
homes from RCT Council. The association became responsible for refurbishing
homes on more than 60 housing estates and in 27 sheltered housing schemes - the
largest home improvements project ever in Wales. In total 4,116 homes have
been part of RCT Homes' major improvement programme so far, with 1,116 fitted
kitchens, 1,118 new bathrooms, 124 uPVC windows, 2,265 doors, 1,268 rewires and
2,784 gas fires being installed throughout the borough. Another 1,233 adaptations
have also been undertaken to ensure that tenants are able to live comfortably
in their own homes. As well as being a landlord, RCT Homes' rules commit the
organisation to supporting the economic regeneration and communities it serves.
Over the last 24 months RCT Homes has created 88 new jobs through the contracts
it has put in place with its supply chain and contractors. And 56 local people
have been employed directly by RCT Homes in addition to the 200 who were transferred
from the council. Stella Wheeler, a tenant and chair of the RCT Homes Board
since September last year, has found herself at the helm of an organisation with
an annual turnover of more than £25 million. "RCT Homes is a very
special organisation as it is a community mutual - owned by tenants. Tenants have
been involved in everything," she said. "We are on every committee
and we have even travelled all around the country to interview contractors to
make sure that we get the best possible services and the high quality of materials
and standard of workmanship that tenants deserve. "We've been able to
make sure that each tenant is treated as an individual. For the first time ever,
tenants have actually had choices about the styles of kitchens and bathrooms they
have installed in their homes." "The promises that contractors and
suppliers have made to create local jobs and training opportunities are very important.
Taking on local labour and creating apprenticeships and training places will really
help our local communities." Innovative
work scheme picks up a top accolade
A SCHEME designed to help people
with mental ill-health get back to work has seen a Rhondda Cynon Taf-based training
provider pick up an award. Interlink, the county voluntary council for Rhondda
Cynon Taff, was announced a winner at this year's National Training Awards ceremony. Based
on the knowledge that mental health can be improved through employment or volunteering,
Interlink developed its innovative Routes to Recovery (R2R) programme. It supports
people with mental health issues to set goals, providing a stepping-stone towards
volunteering, further training or employment. In addition it helps improve each
individual's skills, confidence and self-esteem. The sessions are delivered
through a mixture of presentations, question and answer sessions and group discussions. Potential
participants are referred by mental health professionals, GPs, job centre staff,
via voluntary groups or through self-referral. It is hoped that the project
will be used as a model for other service areas and it has been recognised by
the Welsh Assembly Government and local statutory partners. Interlink operations
manager, Ann Philpott, said: "We're really pleased that our hard work has
been recognised with this national award. "Since the programme was established,
participants have reported positive personal outcomes like coping better, voicing
their views on available treatment, increased confidence, independence and a willingness
to talk to others about their illness." Interlink representatives were
congratulated at the award ceremony by Deputy Minister for Skills, John Griffiths,
for winning in the education and training category | |