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October 2021

Every day, police officers and staff go above and beyond to provide an excellent service to our communities, often putting themselves in harm’s way to serve others
Here are the stories of some of those who were recognised in our latest set of Chief Constable’s Commendations:***Detective Constable Vincent JonesOver 18 months DC Jones conducted a thorough investigation into a historic sexual assault, identifying further witnesses and lines of enquiry.After a len

STAYING WELL AT WORK AND CARERS WALES EVENT
The Carers Wales Team is proud to be partnering with the Staying Well at Work team  for two special virtual events on Friday, 5th November, 10am – 12pm and Wednesday, 10th, November 4.30pm – 6.30pm. If you are a working carer or a small or medium-sized enterprise in Rhondda Cynon Taff and want to kn

Arbed Scheme takes aim at Fuel Poverty and Carbon Emissions
Warm Homes Scheme Arbed am Byth Scheme  https://www.arbedambyth.wales/eng/home.html must be selective residents who qualify for funding? Step one Eligibility Coming soon?  Step 2 Feasibility Coming soon? Step 3 Satisfaction Coming soon?Below

Representing Wales: Literature Wales’ Professional Development
Programme for Under-represented Writers  The second round of Literature Wales’ professional development programme for writers, Representing Wales, has been launched, with the aim of seeing writers from low-income backgrounds reach their long-term writing ambitions.Literature Wales wants the literary

Mumbles Oyster Wharf stays public
The Open Spaces Society has welcomed the news that Oyster Wharf, part of the seafront at Mumbles, will remain a public place.In 2017, the application was made by Nextcolour Ltd to Swansea Council for planning permission for development at Oyster Wharf, in which the wharf was described as: ‘Area to b

Welsh Labour’s NHS winter plan is a “copy and paste failure”
Commenting on the Labour Government’s plan to deal with winter pressures in Wales’ NHS, Welsh Conservative Russell George MS said:“Labour’s plan to support the NHS this winter is basically the same one from last year that has led us to the position where we are experiencing the worst A&E waits o

Ground investigations at privately-owned Graig Ddu Tip in Dinas Rhondda
The Council has appointed a contractor to carry out ground investigations at Graig Ddu Tip in Dinas.

A flood map for planning
The Cynon floodplain seems to be getting wetter. It is not clear why this is happening. It may be due to the closure of collieries that pumped groundwater to keep the pits dry, or it may be due to increased rainfall and runoff arising from climate change.

Controversial pavement parking Rhondda Cynon Taf

Is it time to make our streets safer for children on supposedly safe routes to school?

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council purchased Rhos House Surgery 55 Oxford Street Mountain Ash 28 June 2019
As a follow up to the report on AberdareOnline on the 9 December 2019 regarding Rhos House Surgery 55 Oxford Street Mountain Ash, as the building is still unoccupied and

Data on death notifications involving COVID-19
Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) today published data showing COVID-19 death notifications received from individual adult care homes in Wales between 1 January 2020 and 30 June 2021.

‘The joy of my job has gone’ Royal colleges call for national action to prepare for winter
As the Welsh NHS enters a second pandemic winter, 17 medical royal colleges and faculties have come together with a joint statement calling for national action on workforce shortages, health inequalities and the NHS backlog (attached). 

GREATER ACTION REQUIRED TO PREVENT IRREVERSIBLE OUTCOMES FOR FARMING
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South Wales Police dismantled two cannabis factories in Tonypandy and Treherbert.
Police in Rhondda have dismantled two cannabis factories.Acting on concerns from local residents, officers seized cannabis plants from houses in Tonypandy and Treherbert.Three men were arrested at the property in Tonypandy after trying to escape through a window and a teenage boy, who had been repor

Wales still languishes at bottom of disposable income table
New statistics have revealed that Wales had the lowest disposable household income in the UK before the pandemic struck, leading to accusations by the Welsh Conservatives that the Labour Government in Cardiff Bay “is not paying off for the people of Wales”.Figures from the Office for National Statis

Calls for urgent action to boost teacher numbers to be debated in Senedd
Supply Teachers' Pay (Wales)https://www.nasuwt.org.uk/advice/supply-teacher/supply-teachers-pay-/supply-teachers-pay-wales.htmlSupply Teacher - Chelmsford 

Welsh Conservative comment on “devastating” health board report
A report by the Royal College of Physicians has uncovered “frightening experiences” for staff in Gwent hospitals, where some trainee doctors and consultants are “scared to come to work”.The report looking at Aneurin Bevan health board has further fuelled concerns about the Labour Government’s long r

Royal College of Physicians Cymru Wales: ABUHB report

In response to today’s BBC Wales story about th

Theatr Iolo and Hyderabad Children's Theatre Festival launch international playwriting competition for children and young people.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural competition, Theatr Iolo have announced they will be running their Young Playwrights’ Competition for a second year this autumn.

Welsh Conservatives demand FM announces Wales specific Covid-19 inquiry
Welsh Conservatives have repeated the call for a Wales-specific Covid-19 inquiry. On behalf of the Senedd Conservatives, Paul Davies MS challenged the First Minister over his refusal to hold a Welsh specific inquiry and denying victims’ families the answers they deserve.The questioning from the Wels

Labour’s economic mission “admission of its own failures”
The Cardiff Bay Labour Government launched its vision for the Welsh economy today which amounted to “an admission of a quarter of a century of failure”, according to the Welsh Conservatives.In a speech today, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething outlined his vision for recovery from the pandemic, saying

Military to support Welsh Ambulance Service from tomorrow
 THE Armed Forces will begin to support the Welsh Ambulance Service from tomorrow.Fifty troops from 4 Regiment Royal Logistic Corp will drive ambulances across Wales from Tuesday having undergone training at Newport’s Raglan Barracks on the weekend.They will be joined in the next we

Reports of an assault on a man outside the Colliers Arms, Penywaun, Aberdare.
Police officers were called just after 1.10am this morning, Sunday 17th October, following reports of an assault on a man outside the Colliers Arms, Penywaun, Aberdare.The man was taken to the University Hospital of Wales where it is believed he has very serious injuries.Detective Chief Inspector Ma

So what happened to the £22 million part of which was to reinstate the Parish Road?
Selar, Glynneath.This site extends to a total of 380 ha, is operated by Celtic Energy Ltd and has been the subject of a series of extensions, with a current undetermined planning application for a further extension being considered by the LPA (Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council).

Sporting Memories Club Volunteers Required

St Winifreds, Heol Bryn Gwyn, Penywaun, Aberdare, CF44 9BBWe are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to facilitate weekly Sporting Memories clubs for people aged 50+.No experience is necessary as you will receive training and support from the local project coordinator which will allow you to lead in

Conservative statement on ex-hospital chief “people will die” comments
For the second time this week, someone with top-level experience at NHS Wales has warned about the current state of the health service.Dr Iain Robertson-Steel, former director of Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, said that without an urgent shake-up of the Welsh NHS, lives will be lost.

Half term closure of Miskin Road and Mountain Ash Southern Cross Valley Link
The Council is advising residents and road users of remedial work required at Miskin Road in Mountain Ash, which also requires day-time closures of the Cross Valley Link – scheduled for the school half term to minimise disruption.The Mountain Ash Cross Valley Link opened to motorists, cyclists and p

Upcoming site activity at the Wattstown Standard Tip
Important work will shortly begin at the Wattstown Standard Tip to manage the potential for a future landslip at the privately-owned site – thanks to a partnership between The Coal Authority, Welsh Government and the Council. The scheme is scheduled to start in the week commencing Monday, October 18

Cwm Taf Morgannwg launches Menopause@CTM for staff on World Menopause Day
On World Menopause Day (October 18), Cwm Taf Morgannwg (CTM) University Health Board is delighted to be launching a new Menopause support service for staff, to have a better understanding of menopause and how it affects relationships and families.

£250m of taxpayers’ cash spent on supply teachers across Wales
More than £250 million has been spent on supply teachers in schools across Wales since 2016, new figures have revealed.Welsh Conservatives said that while supply teachers are a necessity now more than ever, the amount of taxpayer money spent is extremely concerning.Figures obtained by the party show

Wales Labour Health Minister has said she "can't rule out" routine NHS services being suspended during the winter months.
Conservative response to potential cancellation of NHS operationsLabour’s Health Minister in Cardiff Bay has said she "can't rule out" routine NHS services being suspended during the winter months.On the BBC Wales Live programme, Baroness Morgan MS said “staffing pressures may force some health boar

RCN Wales in trade dispute with Welsh government over 3% pay award for NHS Wales nursing staff
Our members have stated that 3% is not enough so we are asking for further pay negotiations. RCN Wales has lodged a formal trade dispute with the Welsh government over its 3% pay award for NHS Wales nursing staff.

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board welcomed the appointment of new Independent Board Member Lynda Thomas
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board Chair, Emrys Elias, has welcomed the appointment of new Independent Board Member Lynda Thomas, by the Minister for Health and Social Services.

Stagecoach Dispute Unite Leader to stand with union members in dispute
Unite Wales members at Stagecoach are now set for significant industrial action following a breakdown in talks with ACAS.

Shadow Finance Minister Peter Fox MS has today questioned the potential deal between the Welsh Labour-Plaid Cymru and the effect it will have on the upcoming budget.
Welsh Conservatives slam Plaid’s ‘voodoo economics’Shadow Finance Minister Peter Fox MS has today questioned the potential deal between the Welsh Labour-Plaid Cymru and the effect it will have on the upcoming budget. During his questions to the Minister this afternoon, he also accused Labour of sign

One Million Illegal Cigarettes Seized
One million illegal cigarettes, with a street value of more than £200,000, have been seized in Wales as part of a major crackdown on the country’s illegal tobacco trade.  The milestone was hit by Welsh Trading Standards Teams taking part in Operation CeCe, an ongoing National Trading Standards initi

Zouk Capital backs initial £30m investment in EV charging company Zest
By providing fast charging where people regularly park, and removing financial barriers for landowners, Zest is set to drive the mass adoption of electric vehicles in the UK."A new way to charge EVs without disrupting people’s routines, and at the same time making it easy for landowners to join the

Local education initiative launches to inspire future generation on renewables
Local education initiative launches to inspire future generation on renewables Primary school children living in communities surrounding the Pen Y Cymoedd Wind Farm will soon have the opportunity to have fun learning all about energy and climate change, following the launch of a local community educ

A Covid report – which focusses entirely on the British Government’s response – shows is why we need a Wales-specific Covid inquiry,
Welsh Conservative response to parliamentary committee Covid reportCommenting, Welsh Conservative and Shadow Health Minister Russell George MS said:
“The pandemic was an unprecedented crisis and as these reports show decision-makers in government followed the science and evidence provided

First Minister denies appointment crisis as GP struggles worsen in Wales
Senedd Conservatives used First Minister’s Questions today to quiz Mark Drakeford on the difficulties facing those seeking face-to-face appointments with GPs. Deputising for the Welsh Conservative leader, Paul Davies MS quoted comments from the Royal College of GPs’ Mair Hopkin, who said the crisis

Shelter Cymru has told a Senedd Cymru hearing that police have been assisting in unlawful evictions.
Police assist illegal evictions of tenants from their homes, charity claims Shelter Cymru has told a Senedd Cymru hearing that police have been assisting in unlawful evictions.The charity said in 

Over 14 years pass and now South Wales Police say Drivers warned as police put brakes on vehicle asb in Aberdare
Police have stepped-up patrols in and around the Tesco car park in Aberdare following complaints from nearby residents about revving engines, speeding cars and screeching tyres.Since the beginning of September, eight motorists who have been identified and caught offending have been issued with Secti

Welsh Conservative response to Covid regulations review
Commenting on the First Minister’s announcement regarding the three-weekly review of coronavirus regulations, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister Russell George MS said:
“Like the First Minister acknowledged, vaccinations have proven to be the key that unlocked society and the econo

Conservative response to HIW report on Welsh ambulance delays
Healthcare Inspectorate Wales has found 32,699 occasions in 2020/21 where ambulances took over an hour to transfer a patient from the vehicle to hospital, concluding “the issue of prolonged handover delays is a regular occurrence outside Emergency Departments across Wales”.A recent report focusing o

Council tax warning
Councils are asking for more council tax money for less and less services council tax banding for RCT. Band A 1,029.52           Band A 1,235.42           Band B 1,441.32           Band C1,647.23Band E1,853.13Band D2,264.94Band E2,676.74Band F3,088.55 Band G3,706.26Band H4,323.97 Do we already pay t

Toll Road on A470 debate: Conservatives against, Plaid Cymru for!
There has been recent media attention surrounding the Welsh Government’s survey of residents on the potential for toll roads on the A470 at Upper Boat and the M4 at the Brynglas tunnels.The survey and the prospect of tolls roads has likely come as a response of the Welsh Government, after they were

Welsh Conservative response to latest report on maternity scandal at Cwm Taf Health Board
Commenting on the publication of a report into the maternity scandal at Cwm Taf, Welsh Conservative shadow health minister, Russell George MS said:
“This is a tragic day for families in south Wales who have had it confirmed that their precious babies died needlessly.“This latest report in

New Aberdare Community Hub Open Its Doors.
The countdown to the long-awaited opening of Cynon Linc in Aberdare is over, the doors of the new inclusive hub opened its doors to the community on October 4th.Cynon Linc is a vibrant community hub set on Seymour Street in the heart of Aberdare town centre.

Go Pink this October for Tenovus Cancer Care
ctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Tenovus Cancer Care, Wales’ leading cancer charity, needs you to Go Pink on Friday 22nd October. Each year, 55,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer. That’s 150 people a day.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Communities affected by overnight flooding
A number of properties in Rhondda Cynon Taf - in areas including Trehafod, Cilfynydd, Tonyrefail and Rhydyfelin - have been affected by flooding overnight. The Rhydyfelin area was impacted particularly severely with approximately 30 properties affected by the extraordinary rate of rainfall, which fe

Jjourney towards rigorous improvements in its maternity services CTM responds to IMSOP thematic review and progress report
As part of its journey towards rigorous improvements in its maternity services, Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB has made an official response to two reports published today, October 5, by the Independent Maternity Services Oversight Panel (IMSOP).These reports are the Thematic Review (stillbirth category) and

Time is running out for tax credits and Child Benefit customers with Post Office card accounts
From 1 December 2021, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will stop making payments of Child Benefit, Guardian’s Allowance and tax credits, into Post Office card accounts. HMRC is urging customers who receive their payments via this method to act now so they still get their money on time.

Diabetes UK Cymru looking for runners for the Swansea Half
Diabetes UK Cymru asks runners to sign up for iconic Swansea Half Marathon Diabetes UK Cymru is calling for people to put on their running shoes and tackle the 13.1 miles of the Swansea Half Marathon on Sunday, 17 October.

THEATRES STAFF AT PCH RECOGNISED WITH SPECIAL AWARD
Four members of the theatres department at Prince Charles Hospital have been honoured for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic with a special award.The team received their award from the High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan, Mr Jeffrey Edwards MBE OStJ DL JP, last week.The award recognises the four staf

New sentencing guidelines covering modern slavery and trade mark offences come into effect today
New sentencing guidelines for modern slavery offences and unauthorised use of a trade mark come into effect today (1 October 2021).Modern slavery offencesThe first sentencing guidelines for offenders convicted of modern slavery offences including slavery, forced labour, human trafficking or an offen