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November 2020

New hospital visiting guidance during the coronavirus outbreak: effective from 30 November 2020
General visiting requirementsCTM is aware that visitors are essential to the well-being of our patients and wherever we can we will support you to be with your loved one.

Celebrating the CROW Act’s 20th birthday
Today, 30 November, we celebrate 20 years since the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act obtained royal assent.  Part one of the Act was a great milestone in the history of the access movement, giving the public the right to walk responsibly on all registered common land and mapped mountain, moo

‘Disproportionate effect’ on the hospitality sector of new restrictions
Paul Davies MS – the Leader of the Opposition in the Welsh Parliament – has said the new restrictions announced today on the hospitality sector, which will be imposed from Friday are “disproportionate, and unfair”.From Friday, no alcohol can be served in bars, pubs, or restaurants, which will also h

Unpaid carers in Wales have saved £33 million every day of the pandemic
Unpaid carers in Wales have saved £33 million every day of the pandemic

Recognition of our healthcare scientists
The Royal College of Physicians has recognised the contribution made by respiratory physiologists working in different ways during the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance delivery of care to patients.Respiratory healthcare scientists and physiologists usually work in the outpatient setting.

The Welsh Government has updated its guidance on the use of face coverings in schools. The guidance now states that face coverings should be worn:
The Welsh Government has updated its guidance on the use of face coverings in schools.

JAILED DRUG DEALER | PORTH
A Rhondda woman has been jailed for possessing heroin with intent to supply.On December 11th, 2019, Jamie Day, 28, of Porth was spotted by officers carrying out drug deals throughout her home village from a red Peugeot.They followed the car and witnessed one drug deal after another and called for ne

A relief road must be at the heart of plans to tackle M4 congestion
Russel George MS – the Shadow Minister for Minister for Economy, Business, and Infrastructure – has commented on the report into plans to tackle congestion on the M4  do not put sufficient emphasis on the need for a relief road.Mr George said:“Let’s be clear: Welsh Conservatives are firm believers i

NYAS Cymru launches new report….Missing the Point
Every year in Wales over 10,000 incidents of missing children and young people are reported to the police. That means a child is reported missing every hour.There are many stakeholders across Wales who are concerned with how many children continue to go missing.

Open Spaces Society call for a new fee for common-land swaps
We have written to the Welsh Government’s Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths MS, asking her to introduce a fee for applicants who want to swap areas of common land.  The process is ruled by section 16 of the Commons Act 2006.Clyne Common showing to the left of the t

RESEARCH SHOWS HAND SANITISER USE FALLING AS VACCINE HOPES RISE
RESEARCH SHOWS HAND SANITISER USE FALLING AS VACCINE HOPES RISE“DON’T DROP YOUR GUARD”The latest research* carried out by new Hypochlorous hand sanitiser Steril-eeze released today has revealed that worryingly, we are relaxing our hand hygiene, with 25% fewer people now hand sanitising up to five ti

Welsh Government to consult on changes to how alleged misconduct by senior officers in local government is tackled
The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on changes to how alleged misconduct of senior officers working in local authorities in Wales is dealt with.The consultation follows 

New Chief Superintendent appointed for Mid Glamorgan
Retiring Chief Dorian Lloyd hands baton to homeward bound Stephen Jones…Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones has headed north to become the new Divisional Commander of Mid Glamorgan - South Wales Police’s newly formed division created earlier this year which covers Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Mert

Law Commission says acceptance of majority of its recommendations by Welsh Government will see "dramatic simplification" of planning law
The Law Commission has hailed the Welsh Government’s acceptance of the majority of its proposed reforms to planning laws in Wales.

Vision Products Website Launch
The Council’s award-winning Vision Products has launched its new website, showcasing all the wonderful work it does to the rest of the world.Run as a supported business within Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Vision Products support adults with disabilities to overcome the barriers to employment, by provi

Latest COVID-19 outbreak update
Royal Glamorgan HospitalLinked COVID-19 cases – 237Deaths in linked COVID-19 cases – 66*numbers correct as of 23/11/2020 Prince Charles HospitalLinked COVID-19 cases- 150Deaths in linked COVID-19 cases – 38*numbers correct as of 23/11/2020Princess of Wales HospitalLinked COVID-19 cases– 223Deaths in

Porth pupil wins competition with eye-catching design
Porth’s Esme Shmylo has scooped a top regional prize in a national gas safety competition for her eye-catching poster which warns of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and the signs to look out for. Esme, who attends Cwmlai Primary School, won the Key Stage 1 Wales entry of the ‘Get Creative,

The proposed development at: Lies between the communities of Llwydcoed to the east and Penywaun to the west.
Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) Order 2012 NOTICE UNDER ARTICLE 10 APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION The proposed development at: Lies between the communities of Llwydcoed to the east and Penywaun to the west. Take notice that application is being made by: Rhon

Drug dealing duo from Cynon jailed
Two men from the Cynon Valley caught with drugs including cocaine, MDMA and cannabis have been jailed.Kyle Hopkins,19, from Allan Street, Mountain Ash, was the driver of a black Volkswagen Lupo which tried to speed away from a police car patrolling in Mountain Ash in the early hours of 6th April, 20

Troubling increases in treatment waiting times reported
Figures on NHS activity in Wales – including A & E waiting times, ambulance waiting times, referral to treatment, and cancer treatment – have been published today (November 19) have been described by Andrew RT Davies MS, the Shadow Health Minister, as “troubling”.
  • The number o

First regional helpline to support people who are self-isolating launched across Cwm Taf Morgannwg
Wales’ first regional helpline to support people who are self-isolating has been launched in Cwm Taf Morgannwg (CTM).The new seven day a week service has been set up in partnership by the CTM local authorities, County Voluntary Councils, the CTM Regional Partnership Board, CTM University Health Boar

Merthyr Tydfil COVID testing pilot
Everyone living or working in Merthyr Tydfil will be offered COVID-19 testing,  as part of the first mass testing of a whole area in Wales.All residents and workers WITHOUT symptoms will be offered repeat COVID-19 testing from this Saturday (21st November) to help find more positive cases and break

Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) annual report 2019-20 published
The inspectorate responsible for regulating care in Wales has published its 

'We cannot underestimate the extent of the work that still lies ahead for the NHS workforce' RCP Cymru Wales comment
In response to today’s BBC Wales story that

NRW urges people to get winter ready
With winter fast approaching Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is urging people to take action now to make sure they are ready and prepared to deal with the potential for the changeable and challenging weather conditions the season could bring.The record rainfall and river flows triggered by Storms Ciar

Welsh Government must address alarming environmental governance gap
The Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy, and Rural Affairs – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (November 18) warned that there could be a post-Brexit environmental ‘governance gap’ as a consequence of inaction by the Welsh Labour-led Government.Commenting, following her q

Self Assessment customers warned about scammers posing as HMRC
Self Assessment customers should be alert to criminals claiming to be from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). As the department issues thousands of SMS messages and emails as part of its annual Self Assessment tax return push, HMRC is warning customers completing their returns to take care to avoid bein

Health visitor Kelly completes cancer treatment to be crowned star student
A health visitor who trained while receiving treatment for breast cancer and raising her family has won a prestigious Queen’s Nursing Institute Outstanding Achievement award.Kelly Howell was awarde

Road Safety Week 2020
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is proud to be taking part in the UK’s biggest road safety event, Road Safety Week (16-22 November), coordinated by Brake, the road safety charity, and sponsored by Specsavers and DHL.

'Significant concern' over Coronavirus-positive patients discharged to care homes
Fifty-three people were discharged from hospital into Welsh care homes within 15 days of a positive Covid test at the start of the pandemic, figures released to the Welsh Conservatives show. In a response to a written question from Andrew RT Davies, Labour's Health Minister Vaughan Gething said that

Latest COVID-19 outbreak update for local hospitals Cwm Taf
The latest update for our area hospitals:Royal Glamorgan HospitalLinked COVID-19 cases – 219Deaths in linked COVID-19 cases – 61*numbers correct as of 16/11/2020Prince Charles HospitalLinked COVID-19 cases – 139Deaths in linked COVID-19 cases – 34*numbers correct as of 16/11/2020Princess of Wales Ho

Plans for the redevelopment of two prominent buildings progressing
Plans to bring two prominent buildings in Mountain Ash and the Tonypandy area back in to use are progressing.Both schemes will each be able to benefit from up to £250,000 of Welsh Government funding from their Transforming Towns and Valleys Taskforce initiatives.

Aberdare Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care raises £200 with virtual music videos!

Aberdare Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care have been busy asking young musicians to perform some of their favorite songs and share them on social media to raise vital funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness month!The very talented youngsters have displayed their skill with a flute duet covering

Confusing messaging from Health Minister helps no-one
The Shadow Health Minister – Andrew RT Davies MS – has called for clarity and an end to mixed messaging from the Health Minister after comments made today (November 13) caused confusion and anxiety over the Self Isolation Grant (SIG) scheme.SIG was announced on October 30 by the First Minister, and

Abacare supports carers during Carers Rights Day
AN AWARD-WINNING Welsh care agency is backing a national day aimed at raising awareness of carer’s rights this month (November 2020). Abacare is supporting Carers Rights Day on Thursday, November 26 and says carers, especially those who are unpaid and looking after family members, need to know their

British company launches product range that reduces the spread of viruses by touch
British company launches a product range that reduces the spread of viruses by touchLondon based Veraco has designed and manufactured a range of Antimicrobial adhesive pads and wraps to be used on frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles, shopping trolleys and handrails.

FINALISTS REVEALED FOR WELSH TEACHING AWARDS
26 educational professionals shortlisted for this year’s Professional Teaching Awards Cymru Today 26 education professionals in Wales have been revealed as finalists of the fourth annual Professional Teaching Awards Cymru. After what has been an incredibly challenging year for teachers, staff, pupil

Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB thanks communities for their efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and calls on everyone to continue to work together to stay safe
Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB is thanking people across its communities for their efforts to abide by the recent firebreak lockdown restrictions and reduce the spread of COVID-19.Latest figures show early signs of the rates of COVID-19 starting to come down across RCT, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend and while

RIFW financial fiasco finally ‘settled’ but Welsh Taxpayers lose out again why?
Responding to a statement today that the legal action initiated by the Regeneration Investment Fund for Wales (RIFW) has been settled, Angela Burns MS – Shadow Minister for Government Resilience and Efficiency – said:“The Fund was established to sell valuable packages of Welsh Government land, with

Diabetes UK Cymru calls for improved access to life-changing tech for people living with diabetes
Diabetes UK Cymru is hosting the Type 1 and Tech Conference online on 

Welsh Government settles legal action against property consultancies over land sale?
 The Welsh Government has settled legal action against Amber Fund Management and Lambert Smith Hampton in relation to the portfolio sale of 15 properties in 2012.The legal action was initiated by the Regeneration Investment Fund for Wales (RIFW) in December 2017.The Wales Audit Office had 

Welsh military veteran carers in Wales struggling without the help they need
On Armistice Day the nation will pause to recognize and remember the service of military personnel past and present.

In private hands
The response to COVID would be vastly more effective if the billions spent on outsourcing to private sector multinationals were spent on NHS capacity and local expertise instead, a BMA event heard.

Report by EU advisor: Pandemic signals breaching of planetary ‘tipping point’ by global economy
A new study by a top advisor to an EU-backed scientific research programme concludes that the COVID-19 pandemic is a symptom of global industrial civilisation’s breach of key planetary boundaries, which are critical to maintaining a safe operating space for human survival on the planet.
T

Covid-19 Service Changes Update in RCT
Due to the continuing trend of increasing number of positive Covid-19 cases across Wales and Rhondda Cynon Taf, a two-week national ‘firebreak’ was introduced by Welsh Government on October 23.

Cancer delays 'could cause 2,000 deaths in Wales'
Responding to the news as many as 2,000 people could die because of Covid-related delays in the Welsh NHS, and the comments made by Labour’s Health Minister, Welsh Conservative health spokesperson Andrew RT Davies MS said:“Vaughan Gething is the minister for health in Wales, not just Coronavirus, an

Grab some art and help some hearts – Heart Research UK launch art inspired fundraising campaign where YOU can bag a piece of original world-class art
Selection of artwork & logos – 

Who is right and who has got it wrong? Questions for Labour ministers on strategy to tackle high incidence areas
Commenting on the news that Welsh counties have some of the highest incidence rates in the UK, and with the national Wales-wide lockdown set to end on Monday, Welsh Conservative health spokesperson, Andrew RT Davies MS said:“If Labour Ministers were to apply their Covid logic and policy consistently

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board Meeting Notice – 26 November 2020
Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board will be held on Thursday, 26 November 2020 at 10:00 am.  Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board is committed to openness and transparency, and conducts as much of its business as possible in a session that memb

Poppies take pride of place as volunteers show their skills

Volunteers unable to support patients face to face during lockdown have turned to craft to mark a Remembrance Day with a difference.

Covid-19 Service Changes Update for Rhondda Cynon Taf from Monday, November 9.

Due to the continuing trend of increasing number of positive Covid-19 cases across Wales and Rhondda Cynon Taf, a two-week national ‘firebreak’ was introduced by Welsh Government on October 23.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Weekly list of Planning Applications - View the list
Weekly list of Planning Applications - View the list?https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Resident/PlanningandBuildingControl/BuildingControl/DevelopmentControl

It's time for unpaid carers in Wales to be recognised as the third pillar of our health and social care system
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the public perception of health and social care and its importance.

Uncomfortable questions for Economy Minister over unallocated £1bn
Russell George MS has quizzed the Minister for Economy over a report by Cardiff University that the Labour-led Welsh Government has more than £1 billion unallocated from its fund to fight Covid-19.Mr George, the Shadow Minister for Economy, Transport, and Infrastructure asked his questions during to

Mid and West Wales firefighter scoops prestigious Spirit of Fire Award for Christmas No.1 bid
Firefighter Chris Birdsell-jones from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has today won a prestigious Spirit of Fire award at a virtual ceremony held by The Fire Fighters Charity and introduced by His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge. 

Parents whose children failed to comply with Firebreak rules among those fined by South Wales Police
Parents whose children were involved in antisocial behaviour while also in breach of coronavirus legislation were among those fined in south Wales over the weekend.As Wales headed in to the second weekend of the national firebreak, calls to South Wales Police spiked at almost 1,500 on Saturday, Octo

Merthyr Macmillan Unit built by your donations celebrates 10 years
A Macmillan chemotherapy unit built by the public’s generous donations is celebrating 10 years since it first opened its doors.

Royal College of Occupational Therapists launches careers diversity campaign
As part of Occupational Therapy Week 2020, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has launched a campaign to inspire people from all backgrounds to become occupational therapists. Although there are over 41,000 occupational therapists, across the UK there is still a significant shortage

European Union to ban digital tools uncovering millions of images and videos of child sexual abuse online
Tools that are protecting children from online child sexual abuse will be outlawed in December, unless an agreement can be reached by three key EU institutions.Currently, a number of technology companies operate sophisticated detection tools that help to flag child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and c

Putting Children First: A Manifesto for the Senedd Elections 2021
Children in Wales with leading national children’s charities in Wales have launched a manifesto for the Senedd Elections 2021.

LAND AT RHIGOS MOUNTAIN AND FORMER TOWER COLLIERY SITE
RHONDDA CYNON TAF COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL Town and Country Planning Act 1990 Welsh Office Circular 32/92 Application for Major Development Application No: 20/1076/10 Applicant: Zip World Ltd Pro