English Version - Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

ConnectYour community magazine for Blaenau GwentA better place to live and workWinter 2011www.blaenau-gwent.gov.ukInside this issueHow we’reperforming againstour business planEstyn report:our response so far“I didn’t dare believe Icould achieve so much”What adult learning could do for youFoundationsto improveare in placePLUS:DISCOVER...why we love fostering teenagersYour essentialWhat’s OnGuideAlso in this Issue:• Are you caught short bychanges to housing benefit?• Find out if your businesscould receive a cash boost• “I get great support fromthe Council” Meet localcarer Alan Hunt

Learning communitiesConnect 2 Blaenau Gwent 01495 311 556We are working hard to provide the best services we canfor you – our customers.Our trained advisers are ready to deal with a wide range of enquiries.Visit our Flickr,YouTube,Twitter, Delicious, MySpace and Facebook pages byclicking links from www.blaenau-gwent.gov.ukRemember our number - 01495 311556 (Mon-Fri 8am-5.30pm)Emergency Out of Hours - 01495 311556What to askAsk our trained advisers about:• Education• Recycling and refuse• Fly-tipping• Street lighting• Benefits and Council tax• Job applications• Noise nuisance complaints• Anti-social behaviour• And moreFor news and information on all Council services log on to the website: www.blaenau-gwent.gov.ukHow to get in touchVisit our new customer servicecentre at the Civic Centre, EbbwVale. Call in at Connect 2 BlaenauGwent Outreach service in sportscentre and libraries.Email: info@blaenaugwent.gov.ukMinicom: 01495 355959Fax: 01495 353350By post: Connect 2 Blaenau Gwent,Central Depot, Barleyfield IndustrialEstate, Brynmawr, NP23 4YF.Call Connect 2 Blaenau Gwent:01495 311556 (press option 5)For other services please use thephone numbers on the right.Social Services Duty TeamYour first point of contact forenquiries regarding social services01495 315700Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pmFridays 9am – 4:30pmSocial Services Out of Hours0800 328 4432Looking Local• Access it on Sky TV• Or Virgin users press:Interactive>News/info>LookingLocal>Wales>Blaenau Gwent• You can also text your postcodeto 07786 203 957Connect 2 Blaenau Gwent 01495 311 556(Press option 5)Council Tax, Sundry accounts and Business rates 01495 311 556Text Tracey on 87474 to see if you are entitled (Press option 3)to benefitsBenefits and Free School Meals 01495 311 556(Press option 2)Automated Payments 01495 311 556(Press option 1)Social Services 01495 311 556(Press option 4)Get on the web!Check out our easier-to-use website and accessservices online at www.blaenau-gwent.gov.ukSupport a ‘green’ CouncilSign up for your e-copy of this magazine. Simplyemail your contact details to lisa.davies@blaenau-gwent.gov.ukLearning Action CentresAbertillery 01495 355 895Blaina 01495 290 034Brynmawr 01495 355 595Cwm 01495 371 117Ebbw Vale 01495 303 544Tredegar 01495 303 544Sports CentresAbertillery 01495 212 206Ebbw Vale 01495 303 766Nantyglo 01495 310 785Tredegar 01495 723 554Blaenau Gwent LookingLocal Wii and online at:www.lookinglocal.gov.uk/BlaenauGwentIf you would like Connectmagazine in large printformat, contact Lisa Davieson 01495 356 073.Connect magazine is published byBlaenau Gwent County BoroughCouncil and distributed – free ofcharge – to every household in thecounty borough. Every effort is madeto ensure that all the information isaccurate at the time of print.

ConnectYour community magazine for Blaenau GwentWelcomeContentsHow we’re performingagainst our business planp4Welcome to the winterissue of Connect, thefirst edition since I becameLeader of the Council. I’vesaid clearly that electedmembers and Council staffare working together to putBlaenau Gwent communitiesfirst. We are determined toget on with the important jobof delivering the very best wecan for Blaenau Gwent, andimprove in those areas wherewe know we must do better.This magazine gives you an insightinto how we’re doing exactly that.On the next pages, you can read allabout where we are on corporategovernance, and the progress we’vemade so far in responding to Estyn’sreport.See our Learning Communitiespages for the latest news onEducation. Here you can meet alocal lady that we’re helping to getinto her dream career; and learnabout how we and our partnersare working together to improvethe educational achievements ofour young people.On page 8, you can find out howwe’re promoting 5 Star Towns, anddiscover why we’ve already helped122 young people gain confidenceand social skills. Businesses may beinterested in learning how we’rehelping local enterprises on page 10.Pages 12-13 tells you how your oldfurniture can help local good causes,and how we’re tackling the litterlouts that spoil our streets. Onpage 14, a local carer shares hisopinion of the support on offerfrom the Council, and you can alsolearn how we’re getting on in ourwork to integrate our socialservices with nearby Caerphilly onpage 17.Young offenders are paying backthe community on page 16, andwe’re talking about a great newhangout for young people. Don’tmiss the chance to win free ticketsto a show on page 20.Finally, as the winter months drawin, I’d like to tell you about thisCouncil’s new campaign which aimsto help you look after yourwellbeing in the months ahead.Wrap up warm, take care ofyourselves over the festive season,and I will see you in the nextedition of Connect!Councillor John MasonLeader of Blaenau Gwent CouncilOn Track to Improve: Ourresponse to the Estyn reportHelping children achieve moreat schoolRaising the confidence andaspirations of young peopleBoost for BlaenauGwent businessesTip top training foryoung peopleDitch the couch, help agood causeTackling litter louts anddog foulingAn extra helpinghand for carersFoster carers share why theylove looking after teenagersYoung offenders givesomething backAre you caught short bychanges to housing benefit?Why we’re teaming up onsocial servicesWhat’s onCompetitionp5p6p10p10p11p12p13p14p15p16p17p17p18p20for Council news & information visit www.blaenau-gwent. gov.uk3

Leading communitiesFind out howwe’re performingThe CorporateImprovement Plan(CIP) is our business plan,now approved by full Council.It outlines what we want toachieve by 2012, as it’s ourcontribution to the big20-year plan for the area.The 11 improvement objectives arebased on what you have told us isimportant to you.We have listenedand the objectives are:1. Give customers more choice inhow they access our services2. Help vulnerable people tolive independently at home3. Reorganise education inEbbw Fawr Valley4. Increase pupil attendancerates in all schools5. Prevent more young peoplefrom becoming Not inEducation, Employment orTraining6. Engage more local fostercarers through our recruitmentcampaign7. Promote a clean and pleasantenvironment8. Promote a culture of recycling9. Maintain and improve thehighways network10. Provide direct financialsupport to businesses11. Sustain and develop vital andvibrant town centresYou can find out how we’re doingagainst our objectives in thismagazine.You can also read theCIP Stage 2 online.Copies are also inlibraries, Civic Centre,sports centres andlearning action centres.Improving GovernanceHere at the Council, wehave recently received anindependent report from theWales Audit Office (WAO) onour corporate governancearrangements.The judgement is that no externalintervention is needed at this time.The report contains a statutoryrecommendation.We have made progress anddemonstrate features of goodgovernanceIn reaching its conclusion, the WAOhas recognised the progress that wehave already made and some of thedifficult decisions we have taken inorder to improve.The Council wastold in the report that we do havefeatures of effective governance, butmust make sure they are appliedmore consistently in challengingpoor performance and ensuringaccountability for the benefit ofBlaenau Gwent’s communities.The WAO noted some areas ofgood governance, including a goodtrack record in managing our budget,and that we are developing the wayswe engage with local people, and arecommitted to working with partnersto deliver improvements.We have made difficultdecisions and the foundationsto improve are in placeThe WAO recognised in its reportthat the Council has made somesignificant, often difficult, decisions tohelp it improve to date.Theseinclude the transfer of its housingstock to a social landlord, progressinga strategy that helps older peoplelive more independently and anumber of high profile educationdecisions, particularly aroundschool reorganisation and post-16education.The WAO also pointedout that we are working positivelywith Caerphilly Council to integrateour social services – you can readmore about that in this edition ofConnect.Local people can be confident thatthe foundations are firmly in placefor future improvement and thattheir Council is not complacent.We must do more to addresssome inconsistencies andweaknessesWe know more must be done andwe are already working to addresssome of inconsistencies andweaknesses noted by the WAO.We are expected to produce anaction plan that sets out how we willdeliver improvements to governancearrangements and addressinconsistencies before the end of thisfinancial year, as well as demonstratinghow significant improvements will besustained into the future.The WAO also placed on record its‘appreciation for the Council’s verypositive response to the additionaldemands placed upon it’.We knowwe need to make more positivechanges that will further strengthenhow the Council is run, in order todeliver better outcomes for thepeople of Blaenau Gwent.We have 30 days to make a formalresponse to this report – this is thestandard timeline for a statutoryrecommendation under the LocalGovernment Measure - and we arealso working on the comprehensiveaction plan.

ConnectYour community magazine for Blaenau GwentEquality for allOther councils are nowpicking our brains, aftera very successful Equalitiesevent.The event wasdesigned to ask opinionsfrom local and regionalstakeholders to help shapethe council’s Equality Plan.The plan will ensure that localpeople are not discriminatedagainst, and that Council servicesare accessible for all.Tai Calon, the Welsh LocalGovernment Association, DisabilityAdvice Project, GAVO andVALREC are just some of theorganisations which attended andshared their views. Other localauthorities have also been intouch for advice on organising asimilar event in their area.OnTrack to ImproveOur response to the Estyn reportIn summer, Estyn publishedits report on our EducationServices, and we acceptedthat our efforts to improvehad not gone far enough, orfast enough. Now, Connectreports on the significantprogress we’ve made so far inimproving outcomes for alllearners.We’ve welcomed the EducationCommissioners Bethan Guilfoyleand Isobel Garner, and AdvisoryEducation Commissioners NerysEvans and Alan Evans.They bringvital extra support and expertisethat will benefit Blaenau Gwent’schildren and young people, asCouncil services and schoolstandards improve.Our initial action plan - puttogether with input from the TaskForce - was accepted by Estyn asa starting point. What’s more, acomprehensive unified action planhas now been agreed with theCommissioners and presented toEstyn.The action plan has also beenlooked at by the Education andLeisure Scrutiny Committee.Families will also notice the Council,schools, and governing bodiesworking more closely together todrive up standards - an importantfeature of the school improvementstrategy that is now being rolled out.You can also expect to see the localauthority and schools doing evenmore work with families to improveschool attendance, one of the bestways to make sure children andyoung people get the most out ofschool.Education is a top priority for thisCouncil, and there is a significantpackage of measures to improvestandards now coming forward.For example, Blaenau Gwent willbenefit from multi-million poundinvestment in educational facilities,and school reorganisation.Check out our LearningCommunities pages to learnmore about developments ineducation. Or log on towww.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk tofind out more about how wewill be improving.Surf’s upLocal people can now benefitfrom even better access totheir council, 24 hours a day,thanks to our new website.It is part of the Council’scommitment to become evenmore accessible by offering widerchoice in accessing its services.Check outwww.blaenaugwent.gov.uk,and happy surfing!for Council news & information visit www.blaenau-gwent. gov.uk5

ConnectYour community magazine for Blaenau GwentFamilies: what you canexpect from the Learning ZoneIn September next year, thedoors of the new, state-ofthe-artBlaenau GwentLearning Zone will open!Whether you are interested inAdult Education or you havefamily who will be the first tolearn at these great facilities –you will want to know aboutwhat’s on offer near you.The Learning Zone will offer a rangeof A-level programmes alongside afull range of vocational courses.Students will benefit from specialistfacilities for hair and beauty,performing arts, media and art, IT aswell as a range of other subjects.Coleg Gwent will run the facilities withsupport from a Partnership Board.Asimilar partnership with secondaryschools at Coleg Gwent’s CrosskeysCampus has led to fantastic A-level andvocational results.Jen Jenkins, Crosskeys CampusDirector, will lead the campus teamand co-ordinate the partnership withour secondary schools. She’ll workclosely with local schools to ensurethe Learning Zone offers its newstudents an outstanding curriculum,excellent student support and greatnew facilities.A-Levels at theLearning ZoneThere will be an extensive rangeof A-Level subjects available atThe Blaenau Gwent Learning Zoneincluding Art & Design, EnglishLiterature, Government & Politics,Photography and Welsh.Vocational CoursesColeg Gwent has excellent success inthe vocational courses it runs – manywith 100% pass rates.The BlaenauGwent Learning Zone will offer awide range of full time and part timecourses including Administration &Office Skills, Hair, Beauty & Holisticsand Public Services.Higher Education (HE)Those wanting to study universitylevelcourses will be able to do so,right on their doorstep. On offer willbe a number of Foundation Degreesin areas including Media & CreativeIndustries, Business, Management &IT and Health & Care, as well asAccess to Higher Education Coursesand professional qualifications.Coleg Gwent’s HE courses areoffered in partnership with theUniversity of Wales, Newport, andthe University of Glamorgan, andUHOVI.For more details, please seewww.coleggwent.ac.uk or look outfor events happening in the local areasoon.You can also learn abouteducational transformation andeducation and skills in the Headsof theValleys at www.A465.comIf someone in your family will studythere, you will be pleased to hear thatstudents will benefit from enhancedIT with video conferencing and thelatest teaching technology, a fullyequipped Learning Resource Centre,and a roof garden.All students willhave a personal tutor with one-toonesupport.Blaenau Gwent Learning Zoneopens in September 2012.for Council news & information visit www.blaenau-gwent. gov.uk 7

Learning communities“I didn’t dare believe Icould achieve so much!”Find out howtwo greatprojects arehelping one Blaenau Gwentresident fulfil her dream of acareer in nursing.In 2009 Ceri Bevington metadvisors from the Genesis Project.Having left school at 15, with noqualifications, Ceri felt unsure ofher academic ability.The tailoredsupport she received from herGenesis advisor helped her togain confidence and realise heraspiration of becoming a nurse.Linking with the Bridges into WorkProject, Ceri was able to achievequalifications, including GSCEEnglish and Maths. Bridges intoWork was then able to give Ceriinformation on how to get intonursing. After attending a collegeopen day, with her mentor, Cerienrolled on an Access to Nursingcourse and has now completedthe first year.Ceri said: “When I started twoyears ago I didn’t dare believe thatI could achieve so much. I wouldlike to say a big thank you toeveryone who has given me somuch support.”As well as getting support toachieve her career ambition, Ceriwas also crowned joint winner ofthe Blaenau Gwent Adult Learnerof theYear Award for 2011. Genesisand Bridges into Work are bothBlaenau Gwent European SocialFunded Initiatives, aimed at helpingpeople back into training andemployment. If you would like moreinformation on how they can helpyou, please contact Claire Smithfrom Genesis on 01495 355450or Mel Sacre from Bridges intoWork on 01495 309951.Business Plan in focus:Reorganisingeducation in EbbwFawr valleyBlaenau Gwent has a highpercentage of young peopleleaving school without arecognised qualification –in fact it is the highest inWales.This improvement objective helpsus measure the impact oftransforming our educationservices – a top priority for theCouncil.This year, pupils gainingfive or more A* to C grades roseto 54%. Our EducationImprovement Strategy has beenapproved.We’ve progressed ourSchool ReorganisationProgramme and built a newWelsh school.We are also makinggreat headway with developmentsat the Learning Zone.Discover moreabout the Council’sbusiness plan onpage 4.7TopTips for ParentsEverybody wants the best for their children, and making sure they attend school regularly isone of the best opportunities we can give them.Here are some suggestions for howyou can help them get the most fromtheir education, by attending regularly:1. Return your child promptly toschool when they are over anillness2. Don’t allow time off for trivial upsets3. Make appointments with the doctoror dentist outside of school hours4. Take your holidays during theofficial school breaks5. Don’t allow days off for birthdays,or other occasions6. Talk to your child about why it isimportant to attend schoolregularly7. Discuss any issues that may affectattendance with school staff.Children in Blaenau Gwent onaverage have lower attendance atschool than the average for Wales,and it’s important that families,schools, and the Council all worktogether to change that. Schoolattendance is so important we’vemade it a new improvementobjective in our businessplan – check out page 4for more information.

Thriving communitiesConnectYour community magazine for Blaenau GwentWhy we’repromoting5 Star townsThe Council,together withlocal businesses and withsupport from theWelshGovernment,has developed anew initiative designed to attractand retain much-neededinvestment in Blaenau Gwent’stown centres.This could helpcreate jobs and moreopportunities locally.The 5 StarTown Centres marketing andbranding initiative promotes our towncentres as the beating hearts of ourcommunities,and good places to dobusiness. As well as an attractive newbrand,we’ve produced a comprehensivemarketing strategy and are targeting newinvestors with special information packs.Investors could create new jobopportunities in Blaenau Gwent.Soon,town centres will also be able tobenefit from a brand new website.Thesite will showcase what Blaenau Gwentcan offer investors,as well as providinglocal businesses with great tools topromote their enterprises.Potentialvisitors to the county borough will alsobe able to discover things to see and doin our area,as well as shopping andeating out.You can also do your bit to support yourtown centre:take advantage of greatlocal produce and friendly customerservice by shopping locally in the run upto Christmas.For further information aboutthe 5 StarTown Centres andwhat’s on offer,please contactTown Centre Managers on01495 355565Business Plan in focus:Sustain and developvital and vibranttown centres5Star Towns is part of awider programme ofwork to revitalise our towncentres. It’s about providinga much-needed boost tothe local economy,andhelping to make BlaenauGwent a better place to liveand work.One of the key achievementswe’ve made in this area is tosecure funding for two major towncentre regeneration programmesin Abertillery and EbbwVale.Discover more aboutthe Council’sbusiness plan onpage 4.Business Plan in focus:Maintain andimprove thehighways networkBlaenau Gwent’s highways arehugely important to local peopleand businesses, and it’s a Councilpriority.The latest figures showthat as well as bringing forwardthe massive investment ininfrastructure, we’ve alsoreduced the percentage of ourroads which are in a poorcondition and completed tworoad safety engineering schemes.On top of that, we’ve workedwith hundreds of children tomake sure they’re road and cyclesavvy.Read aboutthe Council’sbusiness planon page 4.£5.8m investment in roadsWe know that harsh winters and increased traffic havetaken a severe toll on the condition of our highways. Butnow, a three year scheme to improve the condition of many ofBlaenau Gwent’s worst roads is on track and set to powerahead.The multi-million pound programme, which covers pavements as wellas roads, also aims to cut the number of potholes, which should makejourneys smoother for you and your family.The works mark the start of a five year period of major highwayschemes in the county borough.These include dualling big sections ofthe A465, which we also plan to link to one of Europe’s largestregeneration sites,The Works in Ebbw Vale.Investment in our highways has been hailed as a key element in creatinga more vibrant future not just for Blaenau Gwent, but for the whole ofthe Heads of the Valleys.for Council news & information visit www.blaenau-gwent. gov.uk 9

Thriving communitiesRaising the confidence andaspirations of young peopleWe’re expanding a project that is helpingyoung people at risk of not being engagedin education, employment or training.The PRE-VENT programmeidentifies young people at risk ofbeing disengaged and works withthem to improve their selfconfidence, raise aspirations andintroduce them to further learningor employment.So far, 122 young people agedbetween 14 -19 years old havebeen referred to the project.Of these, 75% say they’ve gainedconfidence and improved theirsocial skills.The PRE-VENT team ismade up of youth workers whowork throughout Blaenau Gwent,and is funded by the EuropeanSocial Fund.Boost for BlaenauGwent businessesWhile the majority ofLocal InvestmentFund grants are awarded tobusinesses in manufacturing,the grant is also available fortourism projects.For example, we recently workedwith The Kings Arms pub,Ebbw Vale, to help with itsrefurbishment and boost thenumber of customers through itsdoors.For more information on thescheme, please contact JoanneSims,Youth Service Manager,on 01495 357866 orJoanne.Sims@blaenaugwent.gov.uk“The project is helping youngpeople feel better aboutthemselves, more confident and,ultimately, to access some form oflearning which will hopefully leadto them finding employment.”Joanne Sims,Youth ServiceManagerProprietor Cheryl Bowen hasnow opened a bed & breakfast atthe pub. It will soon be open forbusiness with five ensuitebedrooms available.We helped the business getfinancial support through ourEconomic Development Unit, andalso through the Local InvestmentFund scheme – a European Fundedproject supported by the WelshGovernment.Business Plan in focus:Prevent moreyoung people frombecoming Not inEducation,Employment orTraining (NEET)The number of young peoplewho are NEET in BlaenauGwent has been above theWelsh average for years.This issomething we are trying totackle.We’ve reduced thepercentage of young peopleleaving school without anapproved qualification – but at1.7% it is still higher than theWales average.This last year alsosaw a rise of 2% in schoolleavers not known to be inemployment, education ortraining.Work is now underwayon ‘Raising Aspirations’, anexciting multi-agency responseto reduce the number of youngpeople who are NEET.Discover moreabout the Council’sbusiness plan onpage 4The property also got a grant forthe refurbishment through theother European funding andHeads of The Valleys programmes.Wondering what financial supportyour business may be eligible for?Please call Sally Edwards, BusinessDevelopment Officer, on01495 355713 to find out.

ConnectYour community magazine for Blaenau GwentTip top training for young peopleBlaenau Gwent’s youngpeople have goodvocational trainingopportunities right on theirdoorstep, according to anational inspectorate.Our Training Centre, which worksto boost the employability of youngpeople, received a ‘good’ rating inEstyn’s last Education and Traininginspection.This reflects excellenttraining staff and facilities for youngpeople.Based over two sites at the ViTCCand Business Resource Centre, inTredegar, the Training Centre is partof the council’s approach to helpyoung people realise their potential.Many of the people who make useof the vocational opportunities onoffer have no formal qualifications.The Centre provides learning andskills such as construction, businessmanagement, auto skills, andpainting and decorating. It alsoworks together with employers,Carers Wales, Jobcentre Plus andCommunities First to help getpeople into work.Might you benefit from tip toptraining? Why not find out foryourself – pop in to a TrainingCentre open day, held everyWednesday between 9.30am and12pm.You can also get in touch withBarrie Rees, Learning DevelopmentOfficer, on 01495 355850.Business Plan in focus:Provide directfinancial support tobusinessesWe helped create 226 local jobsin 2010-11 – more than half ofwhich came from new contractsat The Works.We also helped15 new businesses to get off theground, and want to achieve thesame next year.Check out page 4to find out moreabout our businessplan.for Council news & information visit www.blaenau-gwent. gov.uk 11

Green & Sustainable communitiesDitch the couch,help a good causeNew sofas are top of many people’s wish lists in the Januarysales. But what will you do with your old furniture?Whatif there was a way you could help local good causes, and ditchthe couch in an environmentally-friendly way? And all withoutcosting you a penny? Well… now there is.Our new Reuse schemeprovides a new lease of lifeto old furniture that previouslywould have headed straight forlandfill.Together with localcharities – including Hospice ofthe Valleys and Homemakers –we are making sure thatunwanted furniture is repaired,cleaned, and sold on to supportlocal good causes.Business Plan in focus:Promoting a cultureof recycling refuseand reducing wasteBlaenau Gwent currently has thelowest recycling rate in Wales,and, like all councils, we mustmeet strict targets or risk heavyfines.Top greenmarksWe are reducingcarbon emissions andyou can all be proud thatThe Works has received atop accolade for its greenperformance.The £350m regeneration site,which is core to the Council’sstrategy to revitalise BlaenauGwent, won an exemplary ratingin the Green Print statusby BRE (Building ResearchEstablishment). It received an87% rating following anassessment of how it promotesthe sustainable use of resourcesincluding water, materials andwaste – among other things.Even items that can’t be re-usedare broken down into separatematerials and recycled.The Reuse team will pick upyour old or unwanted furniture– including beds, mattresses,chairs, tables, sofas, wardrobes –for free.To get your old furniturepicked up, log on towww.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk oremail info@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk.You can also text ‘Recycling’ to87474 or call 01495 311556And if you enjoy a realbargain when you needsome furniture, visitwww.hospiceofthevalleys.comwww.hmcrecycling.co.uk orwww.greenhorizonsmerthyr.co.ukto see what’s on offer.This year, Blaenau Gwentrecycled 6% more waste thanlast year, and reduced theamount of waste sent to landfillto almost 21,000 tonnes a yearin the first quarter. But, morethan 5,800 Blaenau Gwenthomes still don’t recycle.This isthe number of households wehave identified in the first threemonths of this year and weknow this figure is much higheracross the borough. Our wastewardens have visited many ofthese homes, and we’ve workedhard to raise awareness –including through dozens ofroad-shows.Learn more aboutthe Council’sbusiness plan onpage 4.The site’s Energy Centre willprovide very efficient heatand power to the main publicbuildings at The Works, througha network of pipes that arebeing installed right now.Thisalone is expected to reducecarbon emissions by about 35%.The Council, together with theWelsh Government, leads ondeveloping the 200-acre site.The scheme includes deliveringnew residential, education,recreational and leisure facilitiesas well as improved transportlinks.

ConnectYour community magazine for Blaenau GwentOver 200 fined incrackdown on litter loutsStreet cleanliness and dog fouling are major concerns forlocal people – therefore big priorities for your Council.We’ve stepped up the fight against litter louts and those whodon’t pick up after their pets.Over 200 fixed penalty noticeshave already been issued topeople in Blaenau Gwent forlittering or not picking up aftertheir dogs following theintroduction of new enforcementwardens recently.We’ve started a scheme to workwith private company XFOR toissue on-the-spot fines in acrackdown against those caughtflouting the law.The scheme wasespecially welcomed bycouncillors as it came as no extracost to the Council.Both XFOR and the Councilreceive an income from the fixedpenalty notices issued, and thelocal authority will be using thisproactively to employ a furthertwo enforcement wardens tospecifically target dog fouling.The wardens’ uniforms carry boththe XOFR and Blaenau Gwentlogos.They are also equipped withbody cameras so that theirinteraction with members of thepublic can be recorded and viewedat a later date for both health andsafety and evidence purposes.Business Plan in focus:Promote a cleanand pleasantenvironmentWe know you want us topromote clean streets and tackledog-fouling, and this initiative willhelp us do that. In our businessplan we reported that less than0.5% of residents complainedthis year about the cleanliness oftheir area, and we responded to98.7% of fly-tipping reportswithin five working days.We andour partners also cleared onetonne of street debris duringthe partnership eventNeighbourhood Together thissummer.Discover moreabout the Council’sbusiness plan onpage 4.The enforcement wardens -employed by local authoritysupport provider XFOR - workon behalf of the Council to issuethe £75 fixed penalty notices toanyone witnessed littering thestreets or not cleaning up aftertheir dog has fouled.They first hitthe street at the beginning ofOctober.We’ll keep you posted onhow this scheme is going.Of the fixed penalty notices issuedso far, the majority have been forsmoking related litter and dogfouling.The XFOR scheme was approvedfor a pilot period of six months –but already seems to be having aneffect in the county borough withan improvement noted in towncentre cleanliness surveys carriedout by the Council.for Council news & information visit www.blaenau-gwent. gov.uk 13

Healthy communitiesWorking hardfor a healthyBlaenau GwentThe Council works hardwith its partners tohelp people to be healthy,and make sure they get theright care and supportwhen they need it.That’swhy we’re delighted withthe good news from theAneurin Bevan HealthBoard, which has had thehard work of its staffrecognised at a specialevent.An extra helpinghand for carersCarers can now get even more support and specialist advicefrom the Council, thanks to a new online resource.Alun Hunt, a carer from BlaenauGwent, took the time to tellConnect about the challenges andrewards of being a carer, and gaveus his opinion of the new Carer’sForum website.Alun looks after his wife Kath Hunt,78, who suffers from Alzheimer’s.Over 100 members of staffattended an awards ceremonyin September. More than 90nominations were made for sixawards.The Nursing Team fromYsbyty Aneurin Bevan scoopedthe Chairman’s award.All the nursing team haveembraced the move fromcommunity hospitals Tredegarand Blaina to the new hospital,Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan, in EbbwVale.They’ve adapted welland have embraced new ways ofworking and the technology nowavailable to them. Best of all,they’ve brought their caringcommunity spirit with them intothe new hospital.Since opening its doors, thehospital has received a numberof heartfelt thank-you lettersfrom patients and their families.‘I have no family living locally but Iget great support from the Council.’Alun Hunt, local carer“Whatever I want to do I have toreally plan in advance,” he said.“I have to second guess what couldgo wrong. I have learned tounderstand Kath’s reactions todifferent things which could upsether. I care for Kath around the clock.I have no family living locally but Iget great support from the Council.“I was quickly able to access theservices important to me. Although,when Kath was first diagnosed, fiveyears ago, I still felt isolated.Thenew website is fantastic – a greatresource for any carer to sharesupport with each other. I am luckythat my wife has a happy disposition– just seeing her smile helps mecope.”The new website,www.bgcarersforum.co.uk, is freeand open to all carers. Local carerswho feel they would benefit fromextra support and training can alsocontact Louise Tovey, GAVO, atlouise.tovey@gavowales.org.uk or01495 315626 or Paul Price, SocialServices, at paul.price@blaenaugwent.gov.ukor 07964 943594.Business Plan in focus:Help vulnerablepeople to liveindependently athomeFewer Blaenau Gwent peopleaged 65+ are now in residentialand nursing home care – andmore are supported to liveindependently. 82% of our adultclients believe that we’ve helpedthem lead a more independent life.We’ve also made a lot of progresson getting the Gwent Frailtyprogramme – designed to improveoutcomes and value for money –up and running.Find out more aboutthe Council’s businessplan on page 4.

ConnectYour community magazine for Blaenau GwentFoster carers share why theylove looking after teenagersWe’re appealing forlocal people toprovide care for localteenagers. Here, three fostercarers tell Connect whythey’re delighted that theCouncil is recognising thatlooking after teenagers couldpotentially be more difficult,and that their work isappreciated.Lisa Robins said:“It is hardenough to be a teenager – I canremember that myself.The youngpeople just want someone to talkto, a family to be part of.”Jackie Jones has fostered for morethan four years and looked aftermore than ten teenagers in thattime.“Looking after teenagerscould be very challenging at timesbut it is very rewarding too,” shesaid.She and husband,Tony, are lookingafter two girls aged 14 and 15 atthe moment.When one of thegirls came to live with the Jones’,she was not in school - but she isnow in full time education.“She isdoing very well, she only neededsome guidance andencouragement,” Jackie told us.“I’m looking forward to Christmas,because I can offer her somethingI know she never had.“I find there’s always someonefrom the Council there to supportme when I need it. I only have topick up the phone.”Lisa Hole has a 17 year old girlwith her and told us:“My girlswho are nine and 12 look up toher and really enjoy having a ‘bigsister’.“Young people are very goodcompany,” she added,“You canhave a good laugh together, goshopping, or out for a mealtogether – it’s great.”Carers are now benefiting from anew ‘Teenage Scheme’ givingsupport to foster carers lookingafter children aged 13 and over. Itmeans they get an additional fee,as well as the fostering allowance,specific training and extra supportfrom the fostering team andpsychology services.Blaenau Gwent is actively lookingfor new foster carers – for moreinformation please ring01495 357792.Business Plan in focus:Engage more local fostercarers through ourrecruitment campaignWe have been working hard tomake sure looked after childrenhave access to more stablefoster care placements inBlaenau Gwent. Latest figuresshow that only 9% of our lookedafter children had three or morefoster placements – that’s betterthan the Wales average. Also, thisyear has seen an increase inadoption, which is a positivemove for children.Discover moreabout the Council’sbusiness plan onpage 4.Keepinghospitals andclinics smoke freeAneurin Bevan HealthBoard is askingsmokers not to light upwithin its grounds.Smoking will be banned fromthe grounds of all hospitals andclinics in Blaenau Gwent fromMarch, in a bid to keep NHSspaces as pleasant and safe aspossible for everybody.Stop Smoking Wales providesexcellent support for anyonewho wants to quit smoking –please call 0800 085 2219.Left to right: Foster carersLisa Robins and Lisa HoleFoster carer Jackie Jonesfor Council news & information visit www.blaenau-gwent. gov.uk 15

Fair & Safe communitiesCalling allyoung people!Are you 11 to 25 andfancy going somewhere a bit different? Popinto Ebbw Vale Institute.Our Youth Service recentlymoved from Anvil Court toEbbw Vale Institute – which has awhole new look. From musicworkshops to a video editingsuite, there’s something foreveryone.You can meet yourmates in the café and enjoysnacks and drinks. Or even makeuse of the recording studio inyour very own bid for stardom!A team of qualified youthworkers can give information,guidance and advice to youngpeople aged 11-25.The Institute is on ChurchStreet and you can also callJoanne Sims on 01495 357866.Helping keep Blaenau Gwentsafe and well this winterThe Council is running aspecial campaign to helplocal people stay safe andwell this winter.The Winter Wellbeing campaign isdesigned to provide local peoplewith tips on looking after theirwellbeing in the wintry monthsas well as information about theCouncil’s winter maintenanceprogramme and services indisruptive snow conditions. Itincludes tips on safe driving, animalwelfare and clearing snow safely.Winter weather informationwill go to every household inBlaenau Gwent.You can alsocheck out the latest informationon Winter Wellbeing online atwww.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk, andsign-up for updates throughsocial media sites includingTwitter and Facebook.Grit binsWe have removed grit bins onroutes which will be grittedanyway.We will concentrate onproviding grit bins in areas not ongritting routes. Any requests fornew grit bins will be assessed andbins will be provided for areasmost in need.We would remindpeople that this grit is for publicfootpaths and highways only. It isnot for private property such asgarden paths or driveways.Young offenders give something backYoung offenders havebeen doing great work inthe community, with thesupport of your Council.We encourage young offenders totake responsibility for their actions.Communities also benefit frompayback schemes which the youngoffenders are involved in. Afantastic example is the group of14 to 16-year olds that gotinvolved in a clean-up at thePresbyterian Church of Wales inGarnlydan.When a church leaderasked us if the Youth OffendingTeam could help clean up thegrounds, everybody was keen toget stuck in!The young people painted windowssills and iron gates and dug upunsightly weeds. Mrs Sylvia Evans, ofBeaufort, who attends the church isdelighted with what the youngpeople are doing within the localcommunity. She said:“It is fantasticto see them doing somethingpositive and giving something backto the community.”Blaenau Gwent Council workswith Caerphilly Council withinboth boroughs.This is an ongoing project,however we’re always lookingfor new schemes within the area.If you have an idea or would likemore information, please call01495 235645.

ConnectYour community magazine for Blaenau GwentAre you caught short bychanges to housing benefit?Connect finds out how theCouncil can help localtenants affected by nationalchanges to housing benefit.“Changes mean that some peopleare finding that their housing benefitdoesn’t cover their full rentanymore,” says Tracy Mason, thenew Tenancy Sustainability Officer.“Obviously, it is a worrying situationand one that the Council is tryingto help with.“My most important task is to helplocal people who receive housingbenefit and are struggling to remainin their rented homes. I also workwith private landlords where theirtenants have a shortfall, and needassistance to continue theirtenancies.”If you’re struggling as a result ofchanges,Tracy could help you with:• Advice on how to apply for aDiscretionary Housing Payment,and assistance in making thatapplication• Negotiations to allow directpayments to landlords in certaincircumstances.Get in touch withTracy on 01495 355439,mobile 07780677249 oremail Tracy.Mason@blaenau-gwent.gov.ukWhy we’re teaming up onsocial servicesPeople in Blaenau Gwentand Caerphilly are set tobenefit from a strong newsocial services directorate.Here, Connect looks at whythe initiative – the first of itskind in Wales – makes sense.Like many councils, we’reresponding to some of the someof the biggest financial challengesfaced by local government in recenthistory.Working together is seen bythe Welsh Government as a greatway to sustain efficient and effectiveservices to local people.What’s more, Blaenau Gwent andCaerphilly Councils have a long andsuccessful history of workingtogether.This latest partnership willsee the local authorities teaming upto share resources and expertise -ultimately making sure that socialservices remain strong, andcontinue to meet the needs of localpeople in both county boroughs.We expect this new directoratethrough economies of scale to beable to deliver a range of servicesthat our communities need, andcreate a better service that helpslocal people to achieve theirpotential and keep them safe.The new directorate will cometogether in phases over the nextthree years, and is expected to befully up and running by 2014.Connect will continue to keep youposted.Make a PACT,have your sayPartnerships and CommunitiesTogether (PACT) meetings area chance for you to have yoursay on priorities for the Policeand their partners. Seewww.gwent.police.uk to findout more.Badminton Ward6/1/2012, 6.30pm at GlyncoedComprehensive School, EbbwValeRassau Ward12/1/2012, 6.30pm at RassauCommunity Centre, Ebbw ValeBeaufort Ward18/1/2012, 6.30pm at theChurch on The Rise, BeaufortCwm Ward19/1/2012, 6.30pm at WaunlwydCommunity CentreEbbw Vale South Ward25/1/2012, 6.30pm atEbbw Vale InstituteEbbw Vale North Ward26/1/2012, 6.30pm atWillowtown Community School,Ebbw ValeBrynmawr Ward7/2/2012, 7pm at St. Mary’s ChurchinWales School, BrynmawrBlaina Ward8/2/2012, 7pm at St. Peter sChurch, BlainaNantyglo Ward9/2/2012, 7pm at WinchestownO.A.P. Hall, Nantyglofor Council news & information visit www.blaenau-gwent. gov.uk 17

What’s onFor up-to-date information on any event, please visit www.blaenaugwentvenues.comWhat’s on atthe Beaufort Theatreand Ballroom,Ebbw ValeBox Office:01495 355800Wednesday 21 December –Saturday 24 December2pm and 7pm1pm on December 24Billy & Bonzo meetDick WhittingtonWe are pleased to welcome backfamily entertainer, Stan Stennett,for another great Panto adventure.Billy and his faithful dog, Bonzo, goon an adventure on the high seaswith Dick WhittingtonTickets £8 adults / £7 children /£25 family ticketSaturday 31 December,7pm – 12.30amNewYear’s EveRock n Roll Party50s and 60s music with Class of'58 and DJ Simon FlintstoneIncludes a welcome drink andbuffetTickets £15Pre-booking is essential19–20 January, 7.30pmAbertilleryYouth Drama& Music Society andBlaenau GwentYoungStars:We Go TogetherThe 19th and 20th of January seestwo of Blaenau Gwent’s talentedsocieties come together for thefirst time to bring to you 'We GoTogether'.The concert boastssongs from some of the WestEnd's most popular musicals suchas Billy Elliot, Hairspray, LesMiserables and The Lion King.Thenight is in aid of raising money andawareness for the two societiesand Ty Hafan Charity.We hopethat you join us on what will be afantastic night full to the brim withBlaenau Gwent's finest talent!Tickets £5

ConnectYour community magazine for Blaenau GwentWhat’s on atthe MetropoleCultural andconference Centre,AbertilleryBox office:01495 322510www.the-met.co.uk27th JanuaryPaul Jones & Dave KellyThese long standing co-vocalists with The Blues Band get a big buzz outof simplifying the music, and sharing their own individual approaches toa dynamic set of Country Blues.Venues large and small have beenenraptured by the sense of ‘old times’ in the Mississippi Delta.Tickets £13.50 / £10.50 Blues Club Members11th FebruaryGwentYoung People’sTheatre: Butterfly KissAn experimental new play writtenby international award winningplaywright Charles Way.Supported by the Arts Councilof Wales ‘Butterfly Kiss’ is anexploration of the dreams of youngpeople.The writer has created amysterious but revealing piece oftheatre.The play reflects the realexperiences, hopes and fears of therising generation. It is a poetic playwith evocative music – rich in visualimagery that will appeal to thosewho are 11 years-old or over.for Council news & information visit www.blaenau-gwent. gov.uk 19

Learning communitiesYour chance to winFREE ticketsEntry form. Please fill in your name and address below:Name: _____________________________________________________Address:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Postcode: ___________________________________________________Tel:________________________________________________________Age: (Only those under 16 need to give their ages please) _____________Please answer each question by putting a tick or cross in the box:Question 1Pupils from how many schools are competing to namethe new 3-16 school at the Works site?Pupils from 2 schools ■Pupils from 4 schools ■Question 2Pupils from 3 schools ■What percentage is the Energy Centre expected toreduce carbon emissions by?25% ■ 10% ■ 35% ■Your chance to win two FREE ticketsWin two FREE tickets for a show at Beaufort Theatre and Ballroom,Ebbw Vale. The tickets are for the Comedy Night, 8pm, on 9/2/12and are worth £20 in total.See Stuart Goldsmith who recently starred in ‘Show Me the Funny’ on ITVand James Acaster who has been on TV lots recently includingRussell Howard's ‘Good News’ and Chris Addison's ‘Show and Tell’programme. The bar opens at 7pm and bar meals are available.Closing date 05/01/2012.Please post your completed entry form to:Connect competitionCommunications and Marketing Team, Blaenau Gwent Council,Civic Centre, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6XBGo green, keepconnectedConnect aims to provideyou with the latest newsabout your Council, theservices we provide, andhow we’re working to giveBlaenau Gwent a morevibrant future.Now, if you wish, you can getyour hands on an electronicversion of your favouritecommunity magazine. It’s easyto sign-up for e-editions ofConnect, instead of your usualpaper copies.Interested? Please send yourname, postal address, and emailaddress to Lisa.Davies@blaenau-gwent.gov.ukThis competition is open toresidents of Blaenau Gwent.Only one entry per householdmay be entered into thecompetition. If entrants areunder the age of 16, they mustobtain permission from aparent/guardian beforeentering. Entries must be onConnect magazine competitionforms.The winning entry will be thefirst correct entry drawn.Thejudge’s decision is final. It is acondition of entry that theserules are accepted as final.■ We would like to send youmore information aboutentertainment and events inBlaenau Gwent. If you don’twish to receive this, pleasetick this box.