Connect - Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

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Your Executive Members Meet our new Executive. Des Hillman, Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, heads a team of nine councillors - they make important decisions on the services the Council provides for local people. The Executive meets regularly - the meetings are open to the public. Each Executive Member has responsibility for their own portfolio of services. Cllr Des Hillman Council Leader Cllr John Mason Deputy Leader Housing Jason Owen Leisure and Culture Cllr Stephen Bard Education Cllr Don Wilcox Regeneration and Highways Cllr Keith Barnes Environment Cllr John Rogers Social Services Cllr John Taylor Resources Cllr Den Hughes Governance You can make initial contact with the Executive through Democratic Services on 01495 355095. Councillors have individual contact details but can be contacted initially via this telephone number. 8 A b e r t i l l e r y B l a i n a & N a n t y g l o B r y n m a w r E b b w V a l e T r e d e g a r
Your home - your future Council launches largest consultation with tenants The Council has launched the most extensive tenant consultation in its history so tenants can shape the future of their homes. The Welsh Assembly Government has set a standard of improvement which all Local Authority properties must meet – the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. Every tenant will be consulted on proposals to transfer all of the Council’s 6,300 homes to a new, not-for-profit registered social landlord. The proposal would unlock around £111 million to improve tenants’ homes. The £111 million investment would be around £83 million more than the Council would be able to invest in the same period. It would bring all the tenants’ homes up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) and provide safer, more attractive environments - all within the first five years of transfer. The work involved in delivering better homes is expected to create jobs and apprenticeships. Tenants pictured are, from left to right: Maria Edwards, Emma Watson, Deborah Mapps and Yvonne Price.They are all members of Sirhowy Tenants & Residents Association. Tenants will have the final say over the proposals by voting in a confidential ballot. Crucially, transfer will only go ahead if the majority of those tenants who vote in the ballot, vote in favour. In the coming months, tenants will receive a series of informative newsletters. They will have the opportunity to visit roadshows that set out what transfer would mean for their rents, rights, and the quality of service they can expect. Before the ballot begins, tenants will also receive a formal consultation document, which will set out the full details of the transfer proposal. Cllr John Mason, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Housing, said: “This is a hugely important consultation with our tenants on a decision that will determine the future of their homes. I am committed to ensuring every tenant has the information they need to make an informed choice.” Better homes The Welsh Assembly Government set the Wales Housing Quality Standard. It requires every council home in Wales to be: • in a good state of repair • safe and secure • adequately heated, fuel efficient and well insulated • located in safe and attractive environments • well managed • they should also have modern and up-to-date kitchens and bathrooms. Finally - as far as is practical - council homes should meet the tenants’ specific needs. Contacting the tenant advisor An independent tenant adviser has been helping tenants with their questions. One of our oldest tenants, Mrs Winne Lowry - aged 105 - is pictured making a phone call at her home in Brynmawr. The independent tenant adviser can help with information and guidance. Call 0800 919 994 or call the Council’s freephone number for information regarding the process: 0800 678 3616. You could also email: admin@domeconsultants.co.uk for Council news & information visit www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk 9
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Page 11 and 12: Rail targets smashed Ebbw Valley Ra
Page 13 and 14: New ways to have your say Survey in
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Connect - Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

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