Welcome
to the website that aims to inform everyone about what is happening in our community and to highlight what needs to be done when an injustice or wrong doing is apparent.
In this version we have several items of special interest plus a number of issues carried forward from the last edition that have been updated. Please note that the latest news does not always appear at the top of the page.
Community Council Election Results
Labour gain seat in Bryncoch North
The election to fill a Community Council vacancy on Thursday, 5th February 2009, resulted in Labour candidate, Mike Teague (334 votes) being elected over Plaid Cymru candidate Keith Reed (194 votes).
We have, however, heard some serious allegations about a certain Labour Community Councillor spreading rumours to the effect that Plaid Cymru intended to close the Bryncoch Community Centre, adding that they (Plaid Cymru) were closing the Caewern Centre. This, of course, is not true in anyway. It was an all party decision to hand back the lease of the Caewern centre to the Neath Port Talbot Council who own it - and this was because of costs and a health and safety issue.
This website is based on honesty and integrity and we must condemn false allegations, innuendos and twisting of the truth. If any resident was told of any such false rumour we would like to hear from them and the name of the councillor who told them. Any information along these lines will be treated in strict confidence.
We are determined to support honesty and integrity in our local community by all parties. Remember there is the right to have your say on this website - and the right of anyone to respond to it. We urge everyone to join our campaign to make our community open and above aboard - and one that we can be proud of.
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:-
Established a positive listing on the Internet and with the Google search facility.
Formed a special Finance Committee to look closely at what is spent with the aim of saving tax-payers money.
Made on-site visits to the children's playing fields to see what improvements can be made.
Looked at the use of the Council Community Centres which cost the tax-payer £99,000 in the year before they came into office - and to make them more cost effective in future to save the tax-payer money.
Introduced annual awards to recognise residents who have served the community with their special efforts.
Adopted a 'complaints procedure' to enable any resident to address a complaint against any member or official of the Council
Agreed on a open and transparent policy of allowing the press or any member of the public to attend Council meetings. (The only exception being when council employees and their wages are being discussed).
Reduced the precept (council tax charge) from 7.9% to 2.7%.
Supported a daffodil planting scheme - which will be evident in the spring.
The foregoing is just a few of the many things done - matters regarding alloments, country walks etc. have also been handled by the council.
There is more work yet to be done - and those on the council are certainly aware of this.
Surgery Forum Time
A look ahead to a new adventure in community communication
7th February 2009 -- 10:00am
On the first Saturday of the month at the Owain Glyndwr Community Centre the two councillors pictured hold their monthly surgery for local residents. The last few meetings have been more of a forum with residents taking part, making worthwhile contributions to the sessions, which usually last about an hour. There have been occasions when a member of the Welsh Assembly has attended, making it all the more interesting.
There are sure signs that these sessions will unite the community in a very unique way while keeping residents informed of what is happening around them. Currently no refreshments are served from the hall's modern kitchen, but this may be a possibility for the future if numbers increase.
A separate room is available if anyone wants to see a councillor privately about any particular matter. Information is also available about Neighbourhood Watch schemes and how you can care for your neighbour.
Saturday mornings have proved to be a very convenient time for these meetings as opposed to going out in the dark on a cold winter's night. The meetings are over at a time when the rest of the morning can be devoted to family shopping or being with your children on the nearby sports field.
NOTE The Owain Glyndwr Community Centre is located at the top of Dwr-y-felin Road, adjcent to the new Tesco Express store. FOLLOW-UP ---- An Apology The councillors mentioned above wish to apologise for the Owain Glyndwr Community Centre being closed on 7th February due to climatic conditions. An apologetic note was put on the gate with a contact telephone number. The telephone numbers of all councillors can be found on the BCC website.
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?
Cost of running Community Centres
On the question of finance, it is interesting to note that the cost of running the council's community centres during 2007/8 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 paying less council tax.
Community Centres are under used
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. Many community halls in other parts of the UK are open until 11:00pm. You can see for yourself by clicking on the following search link: Community Halls closing times
The cost of hiring any of the BCC community centres can now be seen on the Council's website
Precept Reduction
As far as the BCC precept (the percentage of council tax that goes to the BCC) is concerned, the figure during 2007/8 under the previous administration was 7.9% whereas this year the aim is to set it at 2.7%. That is certainly something to the credit of the present council and their finance committee.
Cllr. Frank Little's Blog
A Liberal view
Frank Little, the Community (and County Borough) Councillor for Cadoxton, has mentioned this website on his blog and the fact that some people in another party think that he is some way connected with it. We can confirm he is not - although we appreciate his past open comments.
Having said this, we reiterate that we would like to see other councillors have their own websites for the public to make comparisions between reporting abilities. To date, we think that Frank's website has given a pretty fair account of what is happening.
We can reveal that his latest thoughts are to propose an all party committee so that the Community Council's standing orders can be looked at and clarified to avoid future problems.
In a recent latest version of his website Frank says that independent Councillor, Steve Hunt (Seven Sisters), is going to start his own blog. We therefore feel that Frank shares our view of more open reporting to let people know what is happening in the community from a councillor's point of view. Link to Frank Little's web site
Is there life at the Welsh Assembly?
There are signs of concern!
It is over five months since we asked Dr. Dai Lloyd, the AM for this area, if he could find out if the Welsh Assembly is paying Waterstone Homes (Bridgend) 20% of the delvelopment costs towards the "White's Folly" development at Waunceirch on basis that they are building so called affordable homes.
Dr Lloyd assures us that he working on the case. The longer it takes to answer this question will make people wonder what is behind all this? We are confident that Dr Lloyd will come up with the answers to the questions that so many people are now asking. Link to Dai Lloyd's website which is sure to be updated when he has time to do so.
Readers letters on the following subjects appear on our LETTERS PAGE
Susan Brazier adds her comments to what has happened on the BCC.
Cllr Linda Ware writes from the heart
Resident Kevin Morgan expresses his views about the Community Council
Cllr Frank Little expresses his view about the Caewern Community Centre
Fish and Chips and a parking space create problems
Toads at "White's Folly" - an environmental issue
A parent's concern about a fish and chip shop at Waunceirch
Speaking out - a comment by a community councillor
Tesco - the wasters. Supermarkets cause waste?
Do councillors have more to say behind closed doors?
Letter Page Menu where you can read what others have to say in the community.
You can comment or reply on the above or a new subject - remember your views will be read by those who run your Council, represent you in Parliament and the Welsh Assembly.
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 13 Tesco disappoints, Colourful website for BCC, Chairperson change over at BCC, Peter Hain, MP. offers help.
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!
The discovery of bats at the Rowan Tree Close cul-de-sac has put a different complexion on a pending planning application for a house on nearby land that was formerly an allotment
On the first Saturday of the month at the Owain Glyndwr Community Centre the two councillors pictured hold their monthly surgery for local residents. The last few meetings have been more of a forum with residents taking part, making worthwhile contributions to the sessions, which usually last about an hour. There have been occasions when a member of the Welsh Assembly has attended, making it all the more interesting.
Frank Little, the Community (and County Borough) Councillor for Cadoxton, has mentioned this website on his blog and the fact that some people in another party think that he is some way connected with it. We can confirm he is not - although we appreciate his past open comments.
It is over five months since we asked Dr. Dai Lloyd, the AM for this area, if he could find out if the Welsh Assembly is paying Waterstone Homes (Bridgend) 20% of the delvelopment costs towards the "White's Folly" development at Waunceirch on basis that they are building so called affordable homes.