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August 2020

Schools looking forward to welcoming learners in September
Schools across Rhondda Cynon Taf are looking forward to welcoming pupils back to school for the beginning of the 2020/21 academic year, starting with a phased return of learners from Thursday, September 3. On July 9, Welsh Government announced all pupils will return to school from September 2020, su

Time for transparency over ‘hidden’ diagnosis figures and renews call for action over a Covid inquiry in Wales
Commenting on the report from the ONS that Wales has one of lowest Covid-19 mortality rates, Andrew RT Davies MS – the Shadow Health Minister – said:“While we all view these figures with a sense of relief, it doesn’t detract that, for the families of each person affected or who has sadly dies, it’s

Cleaning your workplace to reduce risk from coronavirus (COVID-19)

As an employer, you must protect people from harm. This includes taking reasonable steps to protect your workers and others from coronavirus.Coronavirus can transfer from people to surfaces. It can be passed on to others who touch the same surfaces.

Save up to £2,000 with Tax-Free Childcare
 As schools return in Wales, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding working parents they could save up to £2,000 per child per year to pay towards after-school clubs and other childcare services. Around 70,000 families in Wales are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare, which can cut thousands of poun

Rules on pupils wearing facemasks on school transport ‘inconsistent and confusing’
Suzy Davies MS – the Shadow Minister for Education – has called for a consistent approach from local authorities to pupils wearing facemasks on school transport.

Diabetes UK Cymru joins Distance Aware campaign
As lockdown measures eased in Wales, with shielding ending last week, many people living with diabetes and their families are concerned about venturing out more and returning to work and school.

Funding for flood-hit RCT welcome, but people are suffering because of Welsh Government delays
Janet Finch-Saunders MS – the Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs – has broadly welcomed the announcement today (August 24) of an additional £1.1 million for flood-hit areas in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Digital Communications Survey
Children in Wales and Young Wales are currently undertaking a Digital Transformation Project to change the way that we communicate with our membership and followers.

One in three people with diabetes in Wales struggling to access food in pandemic
New research from Diabetes UK has revealed that 32% of people with diabetes have experienced food insecurity since the COVID-19 lockdown came into force in the country.

What did Rhondda Cynon Taf Council achieve up to now

RHONDDA CYNON TAF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN UP TO 2021 The key issues outlined in the LDP for Rhondda Cynon Taf are efficient use of land, soil and minerals, the protection of geological sites, the reduction of energy consumption, managing the effects of climate change, focusing development away from f

Mountain Ash Cross Valley Link Update
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council Policy NSA 20 – Major Road SchemesIn addition to those schemes identified in Policy CS 8 land will be safeguarded and provision made for the development of the strategic highway network in the Northern Strategy Area, including:-1. Mountain As

Major Pontypridd Redevelopment Project to Commence Shortly
Work will soon start on the initial stages of a major redevelopment scheme in Pontypridd, with the demolition of the former Bingo Hall and Angharad’s nightclub buildings, following the successful acquisition of grant funding support from the Welsh Government.

Free expert tips on spotting signs of dementia
EXPERTS at a Welsh care provider are offering advice to people on spotting the early signs of dementia as part of World Alzheimer’s Month next month (September 2020). Carers at Abacare have undergone extensive dementia training and can recognise the symptoms of the condition and are sharing their kn

Local company R&M Williams Appointed for Construction of Robertstown Business Units
The Council is pleased to confirm that R&M Williams have been appointed as the contractors to deliver the almost £4m development of 20 commercial industrial units near Wellington Street in Robertstown, Aberdare.Site preparation for the main construction

New online NHS course helps people improve their mental health
Feeling worried or anxious can have a big impact on your health, and for some people life at the moment can be particularly difficult. Improvement Cymru for Public Health Wales is offering everyone in Wales over the age of 16 free access to an online self-help video course designed to help them unde

Penalty charge notices for motorists in Cardiff rose by nearly 300 per cent
Russell George MS – the Shadow Minister for Economy, Business, and Infrastructure – has reacted to a news report today (August 19) on fines for motorists saying that drivers must not be seen as “cash cows”.

GMC clarifies no role in medical education places
This is a difficult and confusing time for hopeful students and medical schools.In light of recent media reports, the General Medical Council has clarified its role in medical education.Professor Colin Melville, Medical Director and Director for Education and Standards at the GMC said:‘While it’s en

All RCT Libraries Set To Reopen This Week
The four remaining libraries across Rhondda Cynon Taf are set to reopen on Thursday (August 20) offering the new and popular ‘Order and Collect’ service.Book lovers from across the County Borough will be able to select and reserve up to five books via the Council’s online catalogue or by telephoning

Thumbs up for family wellbeing course
Young people and their parents and carers have described a family wellbeing course as ‘comforting and reassuring’ during difficult times.The Families 2gether 4 Wellbeing course, run by wellbe

Millions of teenagers to get access to pot of money each over the next nine years
Tens of thousands of teenagers in Wales are set to benefit for the first time from money in Child Trust Funds (CTFs) that has been waiting for them since they were young children. Since 2002, around 6.3 million CTF accounts have been set up, roughly 4.5 million by parents or guardians and a further

Thumbs up for family wellbeing course
Young people and their parents and carers have described a family wellbeing course as ‘comforting and reassuring’ during difficult times. The Families 2gether 4 Wellbeing course, run by wellbeing charity Valleys Steps, is a free course designed for young people, aged 14-18, accompanied by their pare

‘Hot labs’ announced as stagnant Covid testing figures released
Commenting on the Covid testing results released today (August 17), Shadow Health Minister Andrew RT Davies said:“Another week and another disappointing set of figures have been released showing that Welsh laboratory capacity remains stagnant at 15,257 a day, and just a third (33,219) of 106,099 tes

Ten tips for nurturing emotional wellbeing in the home
The new school year will soon be with us: make sure youngsters feel calm about what lies ahead. Former teacher Catherine Lynch of education resources and lesson-planning experts 

Bikers prove ‘lifeblood’ of vital out-of-hours service
Dedicated bikers and supporters who provide a vital out-of-hours NHS service couriering blood and other fluids between hospitals in Cwm Taf Morgannwg are gearing up for a special awareness day, after being ‘busier than ever’ during COVID19. Today is Blood Bikes Awareness Day, an annual event to cele

Work begins to reopen Abernant to Cwmbach Public Right of Way
Works will shortly begin to replace the damaged culvert at Blaenant y Groes, which has caused the footpath between 

Welsh Conservatives concerned over £315m local authority deficit
Reacting to the announcement today (August 17) of an additional £260 million funding from the Welsh Labour-led Government for local authorities in Wales, Shadow Minister for Local Government and Housing – Mark Isherwood MS – said:“According to the Welsh Government, this brings the total in the pot t

New £2 Million bridge between Llys Cadwyn and Ynysangharad Park to open
The Council has confirmed the opening date for the new bridge in Pontypridd Town Centre, which will provide a new pedestrian link between Llys Cadwyn and Ynysangharad War Memorial Park from Saturday, August 15. Despite significant challenges brought by Storm Dennis in February, followed by the Coron

Is Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council accountable?

We’re all aware of COVID 19 and the disruption caused in the early days but things are slowly getting back to normal if it ever will be normal again, we are informed that all schools will be open for all pupils in September around 3 weeks time with no social distancing in place. My question is why h

Will Cynon Valley get a direct bus service to Cardiff? Welsh Government has announced an additional £10m to help the country’s bus industry.
It said the new academic term will see a significant increase in the number of children, young people and parents relying on bus services.The new cash is to help operators manage the increased pressure on scheduled bus services, recognising that social distancing measures mean reduced capacity and s

Teaching children vital gas safety awareness
Local children are being urged to learn lifelong gas safety lessons this summer while being in with a chance of winning a national competition.

11 great jobs that don’t require a degree
According to teen magazine 

Aberdare student takes the lead with shaping National Lottery funding in Wales
Today (August 12th), for International Youth Day, The National Lottery Community Fund announced that it is partnering with young people from across Wales to help inform how its funding is used in the future.Jessica James, who is from Aberdare has been as one of 10 young people from across Wales to s

South Wales Police Response to the Court of Appeal judgment on the use of facial recognition technology
“The test of our ground-breaking use of this technology by the courts has been a welcome and important step in its development. I am confident this is a judgment that we can work with.

More than £450,000 can be spent on runing ministerial vehicles in just a single year,
Hundreds of trips have been made over three years by Welsh Labour-led Government-owned vehicles to just transport documents – without a minister inside – a Welsh Conservative FoI has uncovered.A total of 242 trips transporting official documents, without a minister present, were made between

Leading charity Diabetes UK Cymru is looking for cyclists in Wales
Diabetes UK is looking for people from Wales to get on their bikes and take on the UK Wide Cycle Ride this September.This September take your fitness up a gear and complete our coast to coast virtual challenge.

South Wales Police use of facial recognition technology was unlawful but did not contravene article 8 finds Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal has held that the use of facial recognition technology by the South Wales Police Force (SWP) was unlawful but that its use was proportionate under article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Take action to prepare for 1 January 2021
While the government continues to negotiate a free trade agreement with the European Union, there are actions your business can take now to prepare for the end of the transition period after Brexit.You can use the straightforward checker tool at 

Diabetes UK Cymru Awards for tireless volunteer and support group in Neath/Port Talbot and Bridgend area
Paula Jarrett from Bridgend and the group Type1derful have won a Diabetes UK Inspire Awards.Paula has been volunteering for Diabetes UK since her daughter Hannah was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 13 years ago.

Retaining wall replacement at Gwawr Street in Aberaman
Photographs were taken in 2018 before RCTC did necessary safety work after part of the retaining wall collapsed into the Nant Gwawr.The Council will begin a complex scheme to replace a retaining wall at Gwawr Street in Aberaman – requiring traffic management at certain points throughout the work in

Rhondda Cynon Taf Weather Statement
Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “The Council is aware that there is a risk of thunderstorms and significant rainfall in localised areas over the next few days, and Council Officers are taking immediate action to prepare and mitigate risks where possible, includin

Endoscopy services during the Covid-19 pandemic
Emergency endoscopy procedures have continued throughout the Covid-19 pandemic at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend.

Support for working families affected by Coronavirus given an extra boost
Families who benefit from government funded childcare support were given a boost as the Government announced that they would not lose out due to COVID-19. Working parents or carers, who are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare but have temporarily fallen below the minimum income requirement as a result o

Shadow Health Minister questions Welsh Labours delay in crucial winter protection plan
Commenting on the Welsh Government’s announcement that the Winter Protection Plan for this year will only be published in September, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health and Social Services Minister, Andrew RT Davies MS, said:“I appreciate the demands on government have been substantial

FRAUD ALERT
The Council has been made aware of an e-mail that has been sent to individuals which is an attempt to illicit bank account details from them.

Stroke charity is ‘Here for You’
The Stroke Association has launched a new volunteer-run telephone support service to help stroke survivors who are feeling lonely or isolated. 

Welsh dental hygienist overcomes dyslexia to see new business shortlisted for national entrepreneur award
Neath dental hygienist, Kirsty Shaw is on a mission to improve the country’s oral health one smile at a time, and her new business the 28 Day Smile has been shortlisted for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2020.

Ask CERi – a virtual way to get your COVID-19 queries answered
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has launched CERi.CERi is a virtual agent (virtual artificial intelligence system) that can be used to answer Coronavirus queries from any digital device.CERi will answer anything on your mind, questions around mentally and physically healthy throughout the

New charter for Wales’s open spaces
 The Open Spaces Society calls for a better deal for open spaces in Wales.  We have published a charter and have written to Julie James, the Minister for Housing and Local Government, and

Welsh Labour-led Government must apologise for ill-thought decision
Commenting on the report that patients were sent into care homes despite not receiving COVID-19 tests, the Shadow Minister for Health, Andrew RT Davies MS, said:“There can be no excuse for such an ill-thought decision which, of course, will have had a profound impact on some of our most vulnerable i

South Wales Advanced Motorcyclists stages post-lockdown comeback with socially-distanced ride-out (with pictures/video)
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Join Tenovus Cancer Care for a night with Welsh sporting legends

Wales rugby international Cory Hill and double Paralympic champion Aled Sion Davies are among the stars lining up for an evening with sporting legends to raise money for Tenovus Cancer Care.They will be joined by Commonwealth Games and Winter Olympic athlete Mica Moore, British, Commonwealth and WBA

Action must be taken to avoid a tsunami of cancer deaths
Andrew RT Davies – the Shadow Minister for Health, Social Services and Sport – has warned of a potential “tsunami of cancer deaths” – unless action is taken now to encourage people to seek treatment if they suspect they have any signs of cancer or other potentially life-threatening conditions.Welsh

Police in Aberdare are making an appeal after a pram was found on the Taff Trail in Abercynon.
Officers were called on 3 August 2020, following the discovery of the pram which was in the undergrowth.It appears to be in good working order and was left containing provisions such as nappies and a bottled water.Officers have searched the immediate vicinity but have found nothing and are appealing

Acceptance of fly-tipping is ruining Wales
Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs, Janet Finch-Saunders MS, is calling for better enforcement of fly-tipping to end the apparent acceptance of fly-tipping which is ruining Wale, ensuring that local councils have the resources they need to carry out enfor

EAT OUT TO HELP OUT LAUNCHES TODAY – WITH GOVERNMENT PAYING HALF ON RESTAURANT BILLS
  • From today customers will get up to 50% off on bills when visiting participating restaurants, pubs and cafes;
  • Half price discount will run through August and applies to all food and non-alcoholic drinks consumed on the premises – with Pizza Express, Costa Coffee and Nando’s among tho

Famous film school launches annual scholarship for black students