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Rocke · Joined: 08 May 2008 Posts: 795 Location: Abertillery

Finally got around to the rest of the week's update !

Thursday afternoon was Environment & Public Protection.
We just managed to get a quorum ( 4 required ) - there being 4 of us plus the Chair & Vice.

We were given a presentation on the wonderful subject of anaerobic digestion of food and similar waste.
You're all aware of the targets that the Council has been set, and has set, for recycling.
It's important because we get charged £200 for every tonne ( yes, EU had to be in there somewhere ) in excess of targets set.
The Council's looking at a joint venture with neighbouring authorities to get some sort of recycling plant built.

It seems that the latest recycling initiative - all-in-the-same-day, don't have to sort - has had an effect.
The Brynmawr trial saw recycling in that area go up from 23% to 29%.
Indications are that over the whole are we are now hitting 26% and it's felt that will increase once the teething troubles are out of the way and word gets into people that they don't have to spend hours sorting it for us.
I'd like to repeat as well that there is an assisted collection for those that find it difficult to put it out and who let us know - call C2BG and tell them. Our binmen will happily cart it down the path for you - and bring back the empties !
Which brings me to wheelie bins. We discussed the misgivings people are having.
Misinformation I call it ( more of that later ).
No - not misinformation by the Council ( though perhaps in view of the way things are being spread it would help if members were given a briefing before the scaremnogers started spreading it ) but by the rumours that seem to be flying around.
No-one in their right mind is going to force a wheelie bin onto people whose houses aren't suited.

Without being patronising, think about it - if it's well nigh impossible for an able-bodied householder it wouldn't be any different for our loaders would it ?
We don't want collection rates slowed, we don't want loaders off sick with knocks, strains and sprains.
So are we really going to implement a wholesale change to wheelie bins ?

I think not - and it had better not happen either, because here's one person who won't be happy.

Another grisly subject that crops up pretty regularly ( no wonder we don't get that many attendees ) is dog fouling.
We had an update on that. It's pretty clear that people don't think enough is being done.
We've actually issued 4 Fixed Penalty notices over the years.
Yes - 4, and there have been a lot of people educated apparently.
We're hoping PCSO's will become empowered to issue notices.
However, the problem is that the owner has to be given the opportunity to clean it up. Saying they don't have a bag isn't good enough - our officers carry them.
It's only when the owner refuses that action can be taken.

One - if not the main - objective of Scrutiny is to look into how things are going in particular areas and it's Members' opportunity to get some info.
At the last meeting we requested an update on impounding services, following the decision to stop this non-statutory function in order to save money and the initiative our officers had put together with a private individual in order to enable BG rersidents to have some sort of sheep clearing ( that's what I call it anyway ) service.
The trial period of 3 months is up and a report came before committee.
There's a few surprising things in the arrangement and members had plenty to say. Our Executive Member will be looking into matters and we'll also be having further info at subsequent meetings.

Well, that over it was a Communities First meeting on Thursday evening.
I warn you now that this could have had a Part all of its own, so get the kettle on now.

One of the great things about CF, as I've said in the past, is the way it powers organisations and groups of community-minded folk, and the dynamism with which members of the team work.

Cwmtillery has had the benefit of some visionary ideas, in addition to the support etc. of day-to-day efforts - CLEAN, Food Co-op, Blaenau Gwent Pensioners, Bourneville residents and no doubt others.

One of these ideas is the Calon project.
If the ideas inherent in this come into being then handled properly it could have a huge impact on this entire area and it could be the initiator that transforms this area and generates the transformation from industry to tourism that I believe can bring this town back to life. I am not joking and I have not taken leave of my senses. Nor do I have false hope.

Ok, that's how important I think it is.
Last Monday a presentaion and update on Calon took place at the Jim Owen. Unfortunately due to one of my daughters needing urgent dental treatment - and it happening at 1pm of all times - I couldn't make it.
At the previous week's CLEAN meeting I was asked to support using the building that Calon will produce to house those who currently attend Tyleri Court ( now called the Ray Owen Centre, shared with the Leisure centre ). I voiced my surprise and stated that I wouldn't have thought it viable and indeed unnecessary. Anyway I did have a bit of a dig around as you'll see.

Anyway, at the meeting this idea was mooted and Cllr. Steve Bard - who for some reason had been invited there - knocked the idea out of the sky and I understand correctly some complete misunderstandings that Mr. Graham Bartlett had.
Now, I've mentioned Graham in that way because I'm not sure if he was acting as Chair of CF, Clerk of the Community Council or as an individual.
In doing so I understand that Steve also knocked on the head any misapprehensions anyone present might have regarding the planned extension to the Comp.

Right now I've set the scene.
Early item on the CF Agenda - Calon project.
The Chair, since Graham was in it and speaking from it, made a statement about the council and/or some Members doing U-turns, backtracking etc. and even suggested that perhaps some leaning on had been done.
I find this astounding behaviour from someone who has been in public life for many years.
The backdrop is that he - in whatever capacity - has been concerned about the council's strategy for rationalising secondary education ie. expanding the Comp and where the additional pupils will go in the meantime. There's never been any problem about fitting them in, it's simply a case of which is the best way, hence the consultation about the transition as well as the main issues.
He however, suggested that a) the day Centre and all its attendees be moved into the Calon building ; b) the vacated space would be used to house overflow pupils.

Now - a) the Calon project will probably be longer in coming to fruition than the planned extension to the Comp; b) why on Earth do a 3-way move, if anything surely you would use Calon to house the pupils ?
c) why on Earth would anyone be stupid enough to move people out of a specially designed centre into one not specifically designed for their special requirements ?

I asked if he ahd spoken directly to Steve Bard and the answer was 'no'.
How then could Steve backtrack on something he hadn't said ?

I've since found out that Exec for Leisure Jason Owen, whose name was mentioned as another supporter of the idea, had never been contacted about it. It came as news to him when I reported it to Exec the previous Monday, and to our officer who was present at the presentation.

I've also found out that the Exec for Social Care, John Rogers, received a call from Mr. Bartlett and from the tone and words used presumed that he was speaking on behalf of the CF Panel. He therefore, in his words, being interested in anything that might benefit people being supported by his portfolio agreed to a meeting ( note 'meeting' NOT 'idea' ).

I find it absolutely staggering that an innovative, visionary idea such as this, which will have solid support, moral and physical if CLEAN is anything to go by, is being beset by political issues.

I say that because the Calon project is nothing whatsoever to do with BGCBC, apart from any partner involvement and Communities First has no say in Council matters such as Education and Social Care.
This is the BIG issue as I see it - CF must not, absolutely not, get involved in wider issues. Actually what I really mean is that it must not be allowed to become embroiled in issues it isn't designed for.
I think CF has, at the very local level, done as much, if not more than the Council has over the past years. And I can understand that, since the Council is not geared to provide the highly individual support that organisations have. It is a good partner, as I'm sure CLEAN recognises, but would we have had Calon if it wasn't for CF, it's funding stream and people ?
Regrettably this is likely to see a certain amount of angst unless individuals realise which coat they are wearing when they attend and contribute to meetings.
Private citizens who are concerned enough and bold enough ( yes, it does take a bit of spirit to put yourself on the line ) to try to make a difference deserve far better than to become embroiled in politics and this project - indeed CF itself - simply must not be allowed to be used as a political tool.

Hopefully the members themselves will be uneasy enough to express their discontent at the way things have gone.

Anyway, next on the agenda, Roseheyworth Club.
This would have been a Community Hall but for terrible vandalism that has now rendered it useless.
United Welsh have secured the building and are planning for its early demolition.
Guess what - Mr. Bartlett states that the Community Council discussed it at their meeting and he had got H & S up there because the building was unsecured and children were still getting in.
Strange that - the police hase not seen proof of access since the original problems, when United Welsh sent someone up and she arranged for the securing of the building that day.
Strangely - well not - no resident of the area has contacted me to tell me of problems.
I wonder what will happen in the PACT meeting this week ?

We had a look back at Aberfest and I, after apologising for having holidays at the time, asked if there was anything the Council ( the real council ) could have done better.
It seems that more and better bunting would have helped.
As Graham said 'Bob Phillips, Royston and myself normally do it'.
And I thought that the Community Council started the whole thing off, too.

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Rocke