www.neathferret.co.uk Neath's Private Eye Looking for Community Problems Blaenhonddan Edition Weekending 31th January 2009 Version 13.2 More Colourful Website for BCC 
As far as the Council's Community Halls are concerned, they are available to residents for all sorts of social functions, including: children's parties, wedding receptions, organised craft classes, keep fit classes, organised coffee mornings, afternoon tea sessions - to name just a few possible uses. Some of the more progressive councillors want the hours of use extended and for some of the centres to be available on Sundays and Bank Holidays. The BCC website also contains useful telephone numbers, including those of the Community Safety team. It is hoped that the Council's website will help to foster a community spirit as it develops. Link to the Council's website Positive thinking What has your Community Council done since being elected in May 2008? This website aims to be positive as well as critical of what needs to be done or what is unjust. With some of the bad press the BCC has had lately, due to one or two unruly councillors, we thought we would look back over the past eight months and list some of the positive things the Council has done:-
There is more work yet to be done - and those on the council are certainly aware of this. Does this website wind you up? 
We would prefer to think that it stimulates thought in a positive way - bearing in mind it reflects the words and thoughts of many people. Those who say it 'winds them up' are perhaps those where it touches a raw nerve. Seriously, we aim to be as fair as possible and give all readers the right to have their say.More than one person has said that they do not believe anything they read in the press and maybe the same ones say that about this website. There are those who only believe what suits them, while others adopt an ostrich attitude and bury their heads in the sand, not willing to listen to another point of view. There are also those who are so sensitive about what is said about them that they back away from issues that matter - it's too hot in the kitchen so nobody gets fed. Maybe its the egotistical type of person who dislikes this website most - the ones who speak to the gallery where the press are sitting, knowing that every word they utter is taken down and used in print. We put forward the point of view that it is only one or two of these 'loose lips' councillors have been responsible for what many regard as bad press. They wind up other councillors and gloat over the response. It only takes one or two bad apples to spoil the barrel. What is sad is that the press does not print the whole story in their reports - and that is why we advocate websites where political parties** can present their factual views in full without slagging each other. Can we wind them up to do this? We only wish we could - because it would clear the air and let people decide for themselves what is right. We end this item by saying that the person who does nothing makes no mistakes - but then no progress is made either. In the end, the pen is mighter that the sword - and that is another reason for having websites** to endorse this. ** See below the item about Frank Little and the Liberal Councillor's website. Should the Community Council have a Chaplin? Or a red card system? The mention of a saying a prayer at the start of a council meeting came up in a recent letter to the press. When standards drop there should be something to fall back on - we don't know if the answer is God with a Chaplin to saying a few words. With a firm Chairperson, who has the respect of everyone, the meetings should be conducted in an orderly manner. A Chairperson should be compared to a football referee. With this in mind perhaps the Chairperson should have yellow cards for a warning and red cards for sending off. And even penalities should come into it for foul behaviour - the ultimate penalty being expelled from the council with no reserve as a replacement. The Mystery Question ...that no one is considering What person or persons handed back the Caewern Community Hall back to the Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council some years ago (cira 2001?)? And what political party was controlling the Community Council at that time? We honestly don't know the answer. We do know that the hall was built as the result of local residents putting their hard earned cash into it. So why did the ownership go to the NPT CBC and end up with them leasing it back to the Blaenhonddan Community Council who had the expense of maintaining it? It is now something that they do not own and is not an asset to them - in fact it is actually a big burden. There is more to this than meets the eye. We would like to know the answer - so would many others. New Finance Committee for BCC Why the objection? We cannot help wondering why some of the older members of the council objected to the new members, elected in May 2008, having a Finance Committee to look at the details not normally covered by the full council because of the time factor. The arguement they put forward is that everything comes back to the full council for approval anyway. But surely a dedicated committee would have the time to look at the finer details and ensure that everything is in good order - this should surely give the full council (and residents) more confidence on how taxpayers money is being spent? UPDATE On the question of finance, it is interesting to note that the cost of running the council's community centres last year was £116,400 while the income from them was only £17,700 resulting in a cost of £99,000. We say 'cost' as opposed to 'loss' because community centres are run to benefit the community and are not expected to make a profit. However, if the 'cost' were reduced it could mean less council tax. It is a fact that the centres are under used - they have to close by 9:00pm and are not available for Sundays and Bank Holidays (with two exceptions). They are in the hands of caretakers who want two weeks notice for bookings - this is simply not good enough. A neighbouring community centre can be made available on Sundays and at 24 hours notice. Community halls in other parts of the UK are open until 10:00pm - and even an hour longer for special occasions. As far as the BCC precept (the percentage of council tax that goes to the BCC) is concerned, the figure last year under the previous administration was 7.9% whereas this year it is to be set at 2.7%. That is certainly something to the credit of the present council and their finance committee. LATE EXTRA The cost of hiring any of the BCC community centres can now be seen on the Council's website Concern about Rowan Tree Close, Bryncoch Residents at the Rowan Tree Close cul-de-sac are concerned about a pending planning application to extend it to build a house on land that was once an allotment. The cul-de-sac has no pavements and there is already extensive on-road parking with the 10 houses having 21 cars between them. If the plan goes ahead it will mean moving mature trees and a hedgerow and will spoil the character of the area - to say nothing of the environment and disappearing land for allotments. Surely it's a case where existing residents should come first? Neath Guardian Shoots up to 60p Sales dive to an all time low The Neath Guardian newspaper has increased its price from 53p to 60p - the second price increase in just a few months while some national newpapers are dropping their price. The Daily Express, for an example, has decreased its price by 50% with a voucher promotion, while others have simply dropped their price, like The Star that is half the price of our local newspaper. Only just a few weeks ago the Neath Guardian reported the closure of its Neath office counter service, indicating that all is not well with the newspaper. This action will not help the paper's advertising section on which it so heavily depends. We did a mini survey at several stores, namely: Tesco, Morristons, W H Smith and the Caewern Stores fo find that very few copies had been sold during the week of the price increase. We venture to say that sales are almost limited to those who created the news and want to see their name or picture in print. Don't get us wrong. We think that this newspaper is capable of being a great service to the community of Neath, binding people together - if the price is right. As it is, declining sales will mean a decline in advertising. As far as the editorial content is concerned it can be compared with Woolworths - a store that lost the plot. At one time the Neath Guardian was printed here in Neath and was thriving with news of births, deaths, marriages and communal activities. Now it seems to concentrate on councillors who go out of their way to have their photograph taken to apparently satisfy their own ego. We have a formula that would more than treble the sales of this newspaper - but they are unlikely to listen to us. We give below, in good faith, a link to their Wales on-line news service, knowing this is something that they would never do for us. We can't be fairer than that! Neath Guardian On-line Putting matters in order A matter of fact - getting things straight 
In version 8 (September 2008) of this website we paid a compliment to Doreen Jones, the chairperson of Blaenhonndan Community Council. It is rather unfortunate that she has had domestic problems which, arguably, has distracted her from her civic duties since then. Further to this, changes to the council's standing orders, altered before the May 2008 elections, were made without reference to statutory regulations which, to say the least, are not in favour of her automatically being the Chairperson.Doreen says that she believes that party politics should not be a factor in community councils - something that we fully agree with. We feel sure that she will retain her dignity by acknowledging the statutory rules that overide the altered standing orders and agree to a majority vote for the office of Chairperson. Such action would gain her much respect now and in the long term. It would certainly confirm her views on democracy and uphold the respectability of the Community Council on which she has served for so long. FOLLOW-UP At the last BCC meeting the Chair was taken over by Councillor Janice Dudley after the word 'democracy' was considered. We understand that Councillor Frank Little intends to call for a cross party committee to look into standing orders so that matters are clarified for the future. Cllr. Frank Little's Example A Liberal view 
Also in version 8 (September 2008) we mentioned that Councillor Frank Little leads the way when it comes to Internet communications. It has not gone unnoticed that Frank was the only Community Councillor to vote in a way as to uphold a certain decision already made by the Council (we will not go into details - just take our word for it). It takes courage to vote for what you firmly believe in if others around you are voting otherwise - it gains much respect in the long run.Frank represents the Cadoxton ward and believes that the Council should act with in the best interests of the community as a whole. He reserves the right to vote for what is right without being tied to any party strings. As the only Liberal on the council he has that advantage of doing just that! Frank's website can be called a 'blog' - another name for an Internet log. It is fair and factual and worth reading. In his latest version he says that independent Councillor, Steve Hunt (Seven Sisters), is going to start his own blog. We hope that some BCC councillors will take the hint! Link to Frank Little's web site Talent on Community Council Facts yet to be revealed We have mentioned members of two political parties, and to balance our reporting we must refer to another - but not just yet. We are just going to say that there is some hidden talent on the Blaenhonndan Community Council that will surprise many people when it is revealed. It is appropriate that community councils should be run by experienced people - those who have the ability to organise and run the council as a business. This will all take time, but the ultimate aim is to look after the money paid by tax-payers and to reduce future tax bills. Community Council Election Coming Up Thursday, 5th February 2009 Bryncoch North -- Under cover report. We feel we must be careful what we say about this as we must not be seen to favour a particular candidate. However, our undercover reporter states that the 'manifesto' (if you can call it that) of one candidate in the local newspaper had to be heavily censored because it bordered on libel. Any prospective candidate historically comes off worse when throwing mud at another party. It is negative campaigning and we have seen the result all too often in the past. We must let the people decide as to whom they think is the most sincere person to represent them. FOLLOW-UP Councillor Tony Wyn-Jones has written to the Neath Guardian newspaper to correct some statements made by one of the candidates. Tesco Express Disappoints First impressions are not good Tesco's slogan 'Every little helps' has a new meaning when it comes to their new Waunceirch Express Store. It seems that the word 'profit' is missing. The additional pence on some items means: 'Every little helps profit.' It is a convenience store and you simply pay for it - the goods and the convenience that is. We are going to look more closely at their prices and let readers decide for themselves. In the end customers can always vote with their feet if they are not satisfied. Is Officialdom really this slow? Follow up to our previous report 
We must be frank and say that we are disappointed in getting such a slow response to our enquiry to Dr Dai Lloyd, the AM for this area. We asked Dr Lloyd to find out if the Welsh Assembly is paying 20% of the Neath Eye Sore development costs to Waterstone Homes (Bridgend) on the basis that they are building affordable homes at "White's Folly."In contrast we have had a fairly quick response from MP Peter Hain when we told him about our concern for people paying deposits for houses that have not yet been built. Mr Hain has offered to take up the concerns of anyone who is anxious about their deposits in the current uncertain financial climate. He can be contacted via his website. Link to Peter Hain's website
Tell your friends about this website - or send them a copy by email, our website address is:- www.neathferret.co.uk Email news and comments to: news@neathferret.co.uk or use our readers letter page. Go to LATEST version Back to version 12 The Caewern Community Hall. Questions about a 'lame duck' situation. Back to version 11 What Tesco wants Tesco gets. NOTE. Issues in version 10 are included in version 11 - including details of the Council's new complaint procedure following our item in version 9. Back to version 9 A Case for Public Services Ombudsman? Back to version 8 Councillor's website leads the way - an example for others to follow? Back to version 7 £5,000 reward for information Back to version 6 Councillor put in the picture. Back to version 5 PC Councillors scold Neath Ferret Back to Version 4 Neath Port Talbot dentist leaving NHS Back to Version 3 Anger over Neath Guardian Back to version 2 Planning consent for paedophiles? Information for this website is accepted and printed in good faith. It is gathered from various sources and may, or may not, reflect the views of the webmaster or any member of the community council or its officials. No responsibility is accepted for any errors that may occur from time to time. Sources of information must be made known to the webmaster but will not be divulged to any third party We aim to put the community first and make the residents of Neath aware of injustances and wrong doings. Neath Ferret,Neath Private EYE,Neath Ferret,Neath Private Eye,"Neath Ferret",Neath's Private Eye, Neath Ferret,Neath Private Eye,Neath Ferret,Neath Private Eye,"Neath Ferret",Neath Private Eye. Neath Ferret,Neath's Private Eye,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Private Eye - a sight for sore eyes! |