Neath Ferret www.neathferret.co.uk Neath's Discussion Website & Private Eye Looking for Community Problems Blaenhonddan / Dyffryn Clydach Edition PRINTS THE NEWS THAT NEWSPAPERS WON'T Contact: News or Comments:   news@neathferret.co.uk or use our new readers letters facility November 2009   Version 24.2 (2nd update this month) Welcome to the website that aims to inform everyone about what is happening in our community and to highlight problems in order to discuss them in a democratic way. Now with more readers than local newspapers in this edition area See our new website extension   Express your views -- have your say Add this page to your favourites Please note that the latest news does not always appear at the top of the page. Updates are constantly being made to existing items, we therefore suggest you make frequent visits to this website for changes and additional news items.   Please note that the version suffix number changes with every update. Our readers' letter page gets more lively about MP expenses - see comments below Older People's Forum Meeting: 24th November 2009 - 2:00pm Neath Abbey and District Older People's Forum moves to The Carnegie Hall, Evelyn Road, Skewen (the Post Code is SA10 6TQ for those with Sat Nav in their cars) for their next meeting. Mr Ken Stone from the Shaw Trust will be giving a talk on the 'Direct Payment System' he administers on behalf of the Council. Direct payments are those the local authorities make to allow people to buy their own care. If anyone has a disability and is receiving community care services, or if they are over 65 and the care needs have been assessed, they may be able to get direct payments. The session will be of interest to those who have expressed concern about the provision and cost of 'continuing care' in the community. Contact telephone No: 01792 321 530 Community Council Finances Facts and figures available for discussion Facts and figures in the public domain have been analysed and published on the website of a former community councillor. Linda Ware, who was the chairperson of the former Finance Committee of Blaenhonddan Community Council before the present members disbanded it, give facts and figures on her website for everyone to see how the community council tax is spent. Comments on the figures are welcome on this website as they are on Linda Ware's website. www.lindaware.co.uk Is this right? Perhaps it will make you think! Ever since we published a joke to discuss political correctness, we have had many dozens that we cannot print. However, some of the things sent to us are perhaps more than a joke because they provoke thought. How correct the following item is, we do not know - perhaps someone can tell us? Why is it that if you cross the North Korean border illegally you get thrown into prison and get 12 years of hard labour... If you cross the Iranian border while out supposedly leisurely hiking in the hills you get arrested and imprisoned... But if you cross the UK Border illegally you get a drivers license, a Social Security card, housing and free health care? The person who sent this in suggests that the BNP has a point. Now don't get us wrong, the BNP has criticized this website and has yet to aplogise - so we are not condoning them in anyway. However, a lack of apology does not prevent us mentioning their name or thoughts from those who may agree with some of their comments. You will also read elsewhere on this website that the BNP Parliamentary candidate for Aberavon is taking an interest in another local matter. Here again we must say we are reporting without favour. If our own MP did the same thing we would give it equal prominence. Councillor's Surgery News from Janice Dudley Cllr. Janice Dudley monthly surgeries will resume on the first Saturday of the month at the Owain Glyndwr Community Centre with the next one being on 7th November 2009 at 10:00am. Mrs Dudley is the County Borough Councillor for South Bryncoch, in addition to her role as Community Councillor. It should be noted that this councillor hires the community centre at her own expense - even although she is providing a community service to benefit residents. This follows a community council decision made earlier this year to charge for such meetings. Cllr. Tony Wyn-Jones strongly objects to this in principle and says he performs street surgeries instead. Cllr. Dudley says that her newsletter will be out shortly to keep residents informed about recent events. It has been noted that past editions of the newsletter have not been political and have included some useful telephone contact numbers We are pleased to note that Cllr.Dudley is back in action after her recent spell of ill health. QUESTION: Do you think that any councillor should be charged £10 for hiring a community centre for one hour in order to hold a surgery to benefit residents? This charge adds up to over £100 on an annual basis. Please send in your comments to our letters page. No charge at Dyffryn Clydach for councillor's surgeries In contrast to Blaenhonddan Community Council charging councillor's £10 to hold a surgery at any of their community centres, the neighbouring Dyffryn Clydach Council charge nothing at all. They consider that a councillor's surgery provides a service to the community. An interesting letter from Mr Brian Davies on our reader's letter page suggests that some Blaenhonddan councillors are just being vindictive towards councillors who hold surgeries while they, themselves, allegedly do not. One of our reporters says he doubts if Peter Hain MP is charged for his sugeries - no matter where they are held. Surgeries held by any councillor, or any MP, should be free of charge because they are providing a service to the community. However, this should rightly not apply to party political meetings where the motives are certainly different. It must be said that Blaenhonddan community council have done several U-turns over the past year and perhaps in their wisdom may consider yet another, in view of Dyffryn Clydach stance in this matter. Perhaps the newly installed (we cannot say elected) councillors may have new ideas and some common sense.. South Bryncoch and Dyffryn Clydach to merge ? Proposed boundary changes are currently under condideration. The idea, so we understand, is to balance the representation of community councillors in relation to the number of residents. Housing developments in certain areas are said to justify this. We would like to have your thoughts on the matter. Perhaps boundary changes may influence the item mentioned above? Comparisons between existing councils may influence your thoughts. Sometimes a council is difficult to manage when it is spread over a large geographical area. There seems much to be said for smaller easy to manage councils - no matter where they are. South Bryncoch PACT meeting coming up The next meeting is due to take place at the Owain Glyndwr Community Centre on Monday 9th November 2009 at 6:30pm. Vote No for Council House Transfer? We have received a disturbing report about what has taken place at council meetings and the attitude of some councillors. The vote 'yes' or 'no' should be left to council home owners after they have looked at the facts. The website mentioned below has yet to receive a statement for a good reason to vote 'yes' - but many sensible facts to vote 'no'. The website should be looked at and the facts presented judged on their merits. Vote No website Latest letter highlights concern about Tesco riot The following letter appears on our letters page. We would like your comments. "I read with interest in the press about youths running riot near the Tesco's store near Caewern and the community centre. At the council meeting the councillors said that they were drunk or on drugs, if this is true, firstly should not the Police try and find where these youths were sold the drink from, also what is the attraction in this area to draw these youths there, also if they are local youths and causing trouble all the time, surely the police have the authority to dish out ASBO'S to these individuals." In a follow up letter the writer thinks a CCTV camera could help to prevent the problem. We must add that the Daily Mail newpaper strongly opposes our current drink licensing laws and that something should be done about it. Do you agree? Letters Page Dai Dust writes again! and makes some unkind comments about the MP for Neath We know for a fact that Dai Dust is not a member of the BNP. However, the comments that Peter Hain has made againist the BNP and the BBC has more than annoyed him. The fact that Dai Dust lives in our area and writes the way he does makes us report on his website and his scathing remarks. We think that what he says warrants a response. As for ourselves, we make no comment - except to say that what Dai Dust says should not go unanswered. www.daidust.co.uk Port Talbot BNP candidate takes an interest in the Linda Ware saga We note with interest that Cllr. Kevin Edwards, the BNP Parliamentary candidate for Aberavon has taken an interest in the Linda Ware saga (see Linda Ware's news release) and says he has it on his agenda. More details can been seen on his blogg website where he also mentions another case - Linda Lewis, thought to be more involved than that of Linda Ware. Both cases concern the Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and the way they have handled the affairs. We do not yet know who is the BNP Parlimentarty candidate for Neath, and are wondering is he/she will think along the same lines as Kevin Edwards when it comes to Linda Ware? One thing is certain, there will be no support from Peter Hain MP., who in a copy of his letter to the Western Mail on his website says: "Plaid Cymru activist Linda Ware is fond of throwing dirt...." With comments like that, what can you expect? We firmly believe that most residents in Neath are not aware of all the facts and we think that Mrs Ware's case is far from settled in the minds of many people. It would certainly make a first class drama for television and we urge Mrs Ware, who is an established author. to put her pen to paper. It may even help her financially! Kevin Edwards - website Peter Hain's Truth talk back Calm before the storm More about Linda Ware Following on from the above item, we note with interest that Linda Ware's website has not been updated since the so called settlement of her case with Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. This seems a little out of caricature for someone of her nature. Perhaps she is waiting for the dust to settle - only she knows. We believe it may be the calm before the storm. Perhaps she is aware that the BNP is taking an interest and may be leaving it to others who may have a more powerful impact than anything she may say. However, her website can also be a powerful tool for her to express her thoughts and opinions. www.lindaware.co.uk www.pipelinetwitter.co.uk Related background facts. Neath Guardian says goodbye Paper finishes after 84 years The present economic climate has caught up with the Neath Guardian and in its edition dated 1st October 2009 it said goodbye to all its readers. There was evidence of financial problems when it closed its Queen Street office in Neath and moved to Bridgend earlier this year. The Neath Guardian is just one of many provincial newspapers to cease publication this year. The regional managing director of Trinity Mirror North West and Wales said: "The decision to cease pubication of the Neath and Port Talbot Guardians reflects the challenging economic conditions affecting our local advertising markets and a declining trend in weekly newspaper sales." The report went on to say Media Wales will develop their online presence through WalesOnline.co.uk. On the date of this report the BBC news website stated that Internet advertising has now overtaken television advertising. New Community Website for Neath Neath Community News is the name of a brand new website for Neath and is now on line in its basic format. It will hopefully help to soften the blow of losing the Guardian as a news medium. It will take a while before it gets into top gear and much will depend on the news sent in to it. The reporters will be its readers and it will be more interactive than any weekly publication. View the new website: www.neathcommunitynews.co.uk Welsh Assembly Overturns 3 Council Planning Decisions Something seems wrong somewhere? There were three unrelated reports in a Swansea based newspaper on Saturday, 25th September 2009, about three planning applications approved by the Welsh Assembly. It appears that all three were rejected by local councils after which the applicants successfully appealed to the Welsh Assembly. Does this mean that councils are passing the buck to the Welsh Assembly? In other words, because the responsibility of the overturned application no longer rests with the councils, does the Welsh Assembly accept legal responsibility for their actions? We are aware of a case where an applicant won an appeal about a building plot that was previously turned down on environmental grounds. Who is now responsible for that, because the applicant has now sold it on to a third party for a massive profit after winning the appeal? Another question arises - can anyone appeal against the decision of the Welsh Assenbly (a case of appealing against the result of an appeal) - or are they a law to themselves? We are aware of at least one objector not being informed or consulted by the relevant Welsh Assembly 'Planning' office before a decision was made. We are now wondering if recent events will open the flood gates when it comes to rejected planning applications? People are likely to say: "appeal to the Welsh Assembly - because it seems they are a soft touch," - at least, it appears that way. Westminster v Welsh Assembly Response to residents letters We feel that it is fair to report that it is now over one year since Dr Dai Lloyd, Plaid Cymru AM for this area, was asked to investigate the allegation that the Welsh Assembly is paying Waterstone Homes, Bridgend, 20% of the building costs for their 'White's Folly' development at Waunceirch, on the basis that they are building 'affordable homes' for first time buyers. The development is regarded as Neath's biggest eye sore, and residents want to know if the Welsh Assembly is paying towards it? The houses being built have high pitched roofs and will eventually tower above the single storey Tesco Express store that has just been built on the ridge top scheme. When Peter Hain, MP for Neath, was asked to clarify some unrelated matters at Westminster, those concerned had replies from him and the relevant departmental Minister within weeks. The delay at the Welsh Assembly is now causing concern and the comparison with responses from Peter Hain puts Westminster ahead of the game. TV Digital Change Over Councillor offers help to elderly residents County Councillor Tony Wyn-Jones has had much praise from the residents he has helped to date in South Bryncoch, the area he covers, with the TV digital change over. Further re-tuning was necessary on 30th September and his offer of help still stands. Contact details What are your thoughts on this? Press Release relating to Linda Ware The following press release relates to a person (Linda Ware) acting for and on behalf of residents of Cilfrew against the siting of a LNG pressure reduction station within 600 metres of the village. After Linda Ware won the case the local authority won the appeal and are therefore claiming costs. The Press Release: "Linda Ware accepted an out of court settlement of the costs claim against her by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council due to lack of full coverage of her legally aided environmental challenge by the legal services commission. On Thursday 16th September 2009 the legal services commission withdrew funding from Linda Ware for the case on 22nd September 2009. The solicitor and barrister, Richard Buxton and David Woolfe, for Linda Ware, proceeded to the hearing on a conditional fee agreement. Should the case not have been settled out of court then the case would have progressed to the court of appeal once again. Linda Ware should like it known that she is no longer prepared for her local authority to waste the taxpayers of Neath Port Talbot’s money on lengthy court proceedings. The settlement was £7,000 in full and final settlement of costs. to be paid at a rate of £9.75 per week for 14 years until Linda Ware reaches the age of 75 years. This is the maximum legally permitted to be taken from the pension of Linda Ware. Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council have stated in the agreed offer that Linda Ware should not be bankrupted unless she defaults on this payment. It was also stated in the offer made to Linda ware by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council that the debt would die with her should she not live for the requisite 14 years. It was stated by the Barrister for Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council that the reason NPT CBC is pursuing these costs is that Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council cannot be seen to be a ‘soft touch’ especially regarding environmental issues. It was also stated that the money was not why Linda Ware was being pursued; when NPT CBC knew she did not have the money to pay these costs. It was stated Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council pursued Linda Ware on a matter of principle. At a time when cutbacks in all public services are biting hard and affecting education and jobs badly it seems there is plenty of PUBLIC money to pursue vindictive court cases in order to squash any individual that fights for the environmental rights of the people of their area." Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council is the authority that lost millions of pounds when they invested in an Iceland Bank. A member of the council allegedly said the money would not be missed in view of their substantial reserves. Links relating to this issue:- The dangers of LNG and details of protests Evening Post on-line report regarding current court results Court Case appeal dated 27.11.07 What would have been the next step if there was no settlement? The Aarhus Convention? The Aarhus Convention considers the right of an individual to protest without penalty when it relates to human rights and/or the environment. More details about Aarhus Dai Dust says - "it's a big council cock up" As expected. Dai Dust is fuming over the way Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council handled Linda Ware's appeal case with the highly paid barristers they employed to get their way. You can read what he has to say by clicking on the link below. Dai Dust, a former Neath Ferret correspondent, now has his own website on which he expresses his views in no uncertain terms. Many of his past letters to the press were so hot that they refused (or were afraid) to print them. Dai Dust has a top listing on Google. A search for his name puts him in the No.1 position from 950,000 listings. Going by these results we reckon that his website is more widely read than some people think. He has already caused a stir at a community council meeting. Read what Dai Dust has to say Dai Dust gives his readers the right to reply and comment on his views. National Older People's Day 1st October 2009 The first newsletter of Neath Abbey and District Older People's Forum has been sent out to all those interested in the forum, which works closely with Age Concern. The newsletter gives details of the Forum's Afternoon Tea Party to be held at 2:00 pm on 1st October at Treherne Court, Stratton Way, Cwrt Herbert to which everyone and their friends are warmly invited. The event will be free of charge and a raffle will be run to raise funds. The Forum is a new independent, non-policical group with its own committee and bank account. It was set up under the guidance given by the Speaking up for our Age Programme (Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in Wales). Information about the forum can be obtained from the Group Secretary:- Sheila Manning - Tel. No: 01792 321 530. Report on the last Forum's meeting. MP's Expenses A resident writes in about Peter Hain - MP for Neath Our reader's letters page contain some lively letters - including some that the local newspaper will not print. The latest letter raises questions about the rent paid for our MP's office. Further down the letters page you will find a follow up question (by the same writer) about expenses relating to Peter Hain's home from where his wife allegedly runs her 'Boss Hunters' ** business. As always, the right to reply or add comments is given so that this website can remain fair and balanced. As for ourselves, we make no comment as we prefer readers to have their say and draw their own conclusions. In fairness, we give below a link to Peter Hain's website - in case the answers may appear there. Additional links are added for relevant background information. Our letters page Peter Hain's website Peter Hain's talkback page where he is likely to reply to comments. BBC biography with family details **All about Boss Hunters Mirror report Wales On Line report At first we could not believe it! Tucked away on the reader's letters page of a local newspaper was a letter from someone who said that Mr Peter Hain refused to go on a TV Question Time programme because a member of the BNP had been invited. We thought that this cannot be true? If the BNP member has been elected by the people then democracy should prevail. To find out more about this we searched the Internet and found the following item:- Report from Wales On Line We would like to have your views We note that several readers comments have been deleted from the Wales On Line website - so we must ask our readers to be fair, polite and objective - and please keep letters short and to the point. People can make their point without being offensive or using foul language. We wish to remind readers that the BNP are no friends of ours. Read what they said about this website. In spite of this, we think elected individuals should be allowed to have equal air time on any TV show when other political parties are represented. A Response From Peter Hain's Office In fairness we feel we must draw attention, and give equal prominence, to a reply letter on our readers' letters page from Mr Lyn Harper, Parliamentary Constituency Office Manager to Peter Hain MP. An explaination is given about the rent paid for Mr Hain's Neath Office. The writer criticises the Neath Ferret for "promoting smears like this" and makes the point that the office provides a first class service for constituents. The question arises - are we right or wrong to allow readers to express their views? Also, are we being fair in giving the right to reply - and also to highlight other websites where explanations or other informtion may be found? The debate continues on our readers' letters page Mr Lyn Harper response has stimuated a reply from the reader who brought up the matter of Peter Hain's office expenses. We are pleased that this matter can be discussed sensibly by both parties. The writer, who responds to the smear comment, has a valid point when he says that Peter Hain's website does not give the right to reply like this site does. Perhaps his point can be taken on board by Mr Hain's administration. In the meantime we will continue to give balanced views and hope that facts will speak for themselves. The least we can say is that Peter Hain's office is not ignoring the matter, as they could have done. Let's hope they will respond again. BCC moves positively forward with IT Council approves new software Blaenhonddan Community Council has approved the purchase of new software (a version of Microsoft Office) for use by their clerk who has been sending out email attachments that most councillors could not open. This had been previously highlighted to the clerk by a former councillor who created the council's website free of charge. As advised, the new software will be more compatible for downloading items to the council's website, the address being: www.blaenhonddan.co.uk and not, as stated in error, Blaenhonddancc.co.uk on the council's headed notepaper. Hump Speed Retarders are dangerous States Community Counciller The dangerous practice of motor cyclists suddernly swerving to avoid speed humps in the Bryncoch area has been brought to the attention of Blaenhonddan Community Council. It appears that these speed retarders are proving to be more dangerous than ramps that cover the full width of the road. The humps were thought to be installed so that vehicles with wide wheel-bases, like ambulances and buses, could pass over them without jolting their passengers. Perhaps further thought could be given to speed control instead of these humps that are also difficult to negotiate when thoughtless drivers park their vehicles either side of them in the absence of 'no'parking' line markings. Are these speed humps an accident waiting to happen? Let us have your views. Speed Hump regulations Community Art puts Dyffryn Clydach on the Map Another venture to interest the community View We're Flying the Glyndwr Flag in Dyffryn Clydach! View LDP - Bryncoch Action Committee Chairman writes to Council Planning Department View Councillor's Continued Concern over energy saving lamps View Bats now take second place at Rowan Tree Close, Bryncoch View Alcohol Free Zones in Neath Port Talbot? View How safe are emails? Security alert View Bryncoch Environment School children featured on website View LDP - Local Development Plan Great concern in Bryncoch & Dyffryn Clydach View New General Election Website For Neath Port Talbot View News in brief from other websites Public money to be spent on private property owned by unknown people. See report Council are annoyed with the number of tenants who want to VOTE NO See details Concern about corruption grows - read about "Get Snouts Out of the Trough Party" See details Mobile Phone emergency information added: Click to view Websites Censored by Newspapers? Press fail to tell readers about serious content View Neath Abbey and District Older Peoples Forum Meeting report View Dyffryn Clydach PACT August Meeting Police And Communities Together - Meeting Report View The Letter the local weekly newpaper did NOT print Was there a good reason? View Community Councillor runs to Police - about a joke! View More sneaks at work in Neath - Warning to shop owners Sneak reports shop owner For listening to his own radio View Neath Eye Sore Development 4 more houses to be crammed in View New Anti-corruption WebSite www.anticorruption.tk YOUR VIEWS Have you written to the press and they have not printed your letter - or have they edited it unfairly? Have you written to your MP or the Prime Minister and have had no reply? If your answer is 'yes' then let us know. Remember we print what newspapers won't. Libel laws must apply - also the right to reply. Watchdogs and our code of practice A few words from our editorial team View New VOTE NO website A website that looks at the forthcoming ballot on council house stock transfer to a housing association www.voteno.tk Controversial website launched - Pipeline Twitter Highlights grave dangers of LNG at high pressure www.pipelinetwitter.co.uk Welsh Assembly to look into eyesore Dr Dai Lloyd investigates A letter from Dr Dai Lloyd AM stating the question of the Welsh Assembly paying the developers of Neath's Waunceirch eyesore 20% of their costs for building 'affordable homes' is being looked into. Link to Dai Lloyd's website Letter Page 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. . Please note that complaints about the Community Council should go directly to the Clerk of the Council - see her address on the Council's website. Any letters that we receive relating to community council complaints will be forwarded for her attention. 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 View version 22 - September 2009 Concern over energy lamps View version 21 - August 2009 Mobile Phone information View version 20 - July 2009 The tomato plant issue. View versions 18/19   LNG Pipeline and its dangers. Back to version 17   Is Health & Safety going over the top? Back to version 16   Neath Ferret v BNP, Environmental award. Back to version 15   Bryncoch Environment Group new website. Back to version 14   BNP insult our MP, Community centre news. 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 issue. 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   Liberal Councillor's website leads the way. 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 eye sore? 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 editorial team but will not be divulged to any third party We aim to put the community first and make the residents of Neath aware of unjustances. The website is hosted for and on behalf of the editorial team on the understanding fairness prevails and there is right to reply on any issue.