www.neathferret.co.uk Looking for Community Problems Contact: webmaster@neathferret.co.uk 3rd August 2008 Version 4 Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret Neath Guardian Disappoints Councillors Feeble reporting again for the second week running Neath's local paper, The Neath Guardian, once the pride of the community, has disappointed some Blaenhonddan Councillors with their attempt to clarify the previous week's badly written report on the Community Council meeting held in July at the Owain Gyndwr community hall. The newspaper, once priced at 10p then a freebee now costing 53p, and arguably containing more advertisements than news, failed to readdress the previous week's front-page report of the Council proceedings, with what looks like a rewritten item on page 2 instead of the front page where it should justifiably have been placed. Some Councillors have brought the matter to the Press Complaints Commission and have asked them to keep the matter on file in case of any reoccurrence of reports that put the council in disrepute with inaccurate and possibly biased reporting. The new report did, however, state why Plaid Cymru Councillors thought there should be a Finance Committee to match other authorities and to have a more rigid control over council taxpayers money. It failed to mention that Community Councillors are not paid in anyway for their efforts, in view of the fact that many of their readers are unaware of this. Loose Lips The Neath Ferret thinks it wrong that the Neath Guardian should refer to a Labour Councillor as 'Loose Lips' and that more respect is called for to councillors of all parties. It is early days for the new administration but already some of the new councillors have drawn attention to several items that deserve closer attention. The newspaper justifiably stated that 5,810 people had voted for 10 Plaid members whereas 3,120 had voted for 7 Labour members. As one Plaid Councillor said: "That's overwhelming support to change - and we are determined to give them that change." Neath Guardian Ignores The Neath Ferret As we predicted, The Neath Guardian is ignoring The Neath Ferret. This is because they possibly regard us as a rival news media. More and more people are have access to the Internet and will be in a position to judge for themselves the facts presented to them. Our previous versions are still online to you to check them out. Village Halls - Devon leads the way Village halls, or community halls as we call them, are not being used to their full potential say Blaenhonddan councillors. Better booking facilities are being planned for the future. The need for an Internet Broadband facility to attract commercial enterprises to use the halls must also be considered. BBC Radio Devon reported that one village hall in their area recently had a £50,000 lottery grant for the building of an annexe. Devon has its own Village Hall website, which is somthing that should be considered for the area we live in. Check out the link below and see what is happening in Devon. www.devonvillagehalls.co.uk Disputed building site is springing up at Waunceirch Llwyn Helyg is better known as White's Folly At a time when some building firms are slowing down in the current financial climate, the site officially known as Llwyn Helyg or "White's Folly" to the local residents, is rushing ahead for some reason. The Neath Ferret understands that the Welsh Assembly Government has been asked several questions about the site, which according to Neath Port Talbot Council, is owned by them. An unconfirmed press report has stated that grants are made to firms building affordable homes. What is meant by affordable homes on this site and the people likely to occupy them remains to be seen. The site is nicknamed "White's Folly" after the name of Geof White - the planning officer who said that this was not a ridge top scheme and dismissed residents views that bungalows would be more appropriate to blend with the adjacent single storey school and the Owain Glyndwr community hall. The plans for the site show that three storey houses will overlook the playground of the adjacent primary school. Generally it is a compliment to have something named after you - but we cannot say that in this case. NEXT WEEK we are going to tell you about Neath Port Talbot dentists leaving the NHS (now 60 years old) and suggesting that you join a private plan that can cost you £14 to £19 per month. Also we will tell you what can be done about it. Tell your friends about this website - or send them a copy by email. www.neathferret.co.uk Go to LATEST version Back to Version 3 Go to our page 2 Information for this website is accepted in good faith. It is gathered from various sources and may, or may not, reflect the views of the webmaster. 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 Ferret,"Neath Ferret", Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret", |