Dental Places available to patients from Neath

Neath Port Talbot LHB currently has 4 practices that are able to treat new patients.
These are practices in Neath, Port Talbot, Briton Ferry and Brynamman. Patients should call 01792 326500 for more information.


Gwenda Thomas AM stated: “I welcome the provision of new dental places in Neath provided by the Neath Port Talbot Local Health Board. This is fulfilling the pledge of the Labour led Welsh Assembly Government in aiming for a healthier Wales by ensuring that all people who want one can have access to an NHS Dentist.”

Gwenda Thomas at the Launch of Action For Children on the 9th of October at Techniquest, Cardiff Bay

It gave me great pleasure to see how well our Paralympians did in Beijing and it was excellent to see the success our swimmers had under the training of Neath-born coach Billy Pye.
Apart from possessing outstanding athletes, Wales has a higher proportion of older people than anywhere else in the UK and the numbers are increasing. More than one in five of Welsh people are aged over 60 and in 20 years’ time just under one in three of us will be over 60.
As the general population gets older we are all aware of the media portrayal of the strains that this will place on our health and social services. Conversely, I’m sure we all appreciate the powerful influences for good that older people can have over all our lives. Different cultures such as those of South East Asia place a much higher appreciation on the positive influence and contribution that older people can have, however in Wales this is not always so.
It is good that we are living longer and healthier lives which is why the Welsh Assembly Government is committed to improving the lives of older people by ensuring that services are in place to help the older generation live independently with dignity, care and most importantly enjoying life. The strategy for older people provides a 10-year framework to improve services for older people. This strategy was commended at the International Federation on Ageing conference in Montreal last week, for considering the needs of our ageing population regarding economic activity, housing and social inclusion.
I was delighted to launch phase two of the strategy – Living Longer, Living Better – in March. On top of the £13m already allocated I have made an additional £7m available for the next three years. This will guarantee that the strategy will continue its momentum and ensure that older people in Wales will continue to benefit.
October 1st is the UK day for older people, the focus this year will be the valuable contribution older people in Wales make within their communities. Last year a commitment was given to develop a co-ordinated approach to the relationships that can be built through shared interests and activities between older and younger people.
I hope that these commitments will dispel the myths and fears regarding older people as successfully as the Paralympics have improved society’s view of disabled people.

The proposed plans for the development of a Waste Recycling Plant at the former Abernant Colliery site near Rhydyfro in the Swansea Valley have been recommended for refusal by the Planning Department of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council.

Refusal was recommended on these points:

§ The proposal was in breach of the proximity principle. This advocates that waste should be disposed of (or otherwise managed) close to the point at which it is generated; Abernant is not close to the point of production of the vast majority of the waste, these being the urban conurbations of Neath, Port Talbot, and Swansea. The processed waste will be hauled to a cement works in the Midlands with only 6% of this going to the nearby landfill site of Pwllfa Watkin.
§ Approximately 90% of the Facility was outside the B2 designated General Industrial Area of the Council’s Unitary Development Plan pertaining to Abernant Enterprise Centre.

Gwenda Thomas AM stated: “Many local residents have approached me with their concerns about the Abernant Recycling Plant, so I am very pleased that the Council’s Planning Department have recommended refusal for this proposal. I am delighted that the nearby villages of Cwmgors , Gwaun Cae Gurwen and Lower Brynamman will be spared the presence of this waste recycling facility as it would have been so close to the Pwllfawatkin tip.

Back in 2005, a building project was started to develop a new community facility at Saint Mary’s, Blaengwrach which Gwenda Thomas fully supported. £300,000 was required for the renovation and work began in early 2006.
St Mary’s church has been renovated with a new roof & flooring and extensive repairs to the interior & exterior walls, bell tower, windows & pathways. A modern disabled-access toilet & kitchenette, efficient under-floor heating project and combined a new natural light system with modern lighting have been fitted. Outside, the stone walls are in the process of being rebuilt and the development of some garden areas as places of stillness; internally historic stone monuments have been conserved and re-sited to create a wonderful sense of both traditional and new building design. The Centre, which is equipped with new light-weight furniture of tables and chairs, is going to provide a very special place for meetings in the community.
The project has received the support of many national funding bodies including the Labour led Welsh Assembly Government and has been identified as key in the “Valleys Strategy”, a document outlining the Neath Port Talbot Borough Council’s long term plans for economic development in its valley communities. In addition to continuing as a place of worship, St Mary’s Centre will bring a sense of renewal to the local communities.


GWENDA THOMAS said:
It gave me great pleasure to be at the opening of Blaengwrach Community Church, a facility such as this will be a tremendous asset for the community. I feel that this project will invigorate the community in Blaengwrach and will aid in the social and economic development of this area.
The provision of areas of stillness is a beautiful idea, for in this hectic and pressurised world of ours a place of stillness is difficult to find.
I cannot say how much a tremendous asset this church is for the community. I congratulate all who have been involved in this magnificent effort.

A grant of more than £270,000 has been awarded by the Welsh Assembly Government for flood alleviation works in Crynant. This will reduce the risk of flooding to homes in the vicinity of Ynyswen Terrace, Crynant.

The money is part of the £5.8 million grant aid that the Welsh Assembly Government has made available this year to support Local Authority flood and coastal risk capital schemes and projects.

In their application for the £273,993 grant Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council’s report described a history of frequent flooding from two watercourses crossing the A4109. Four properties are at risk of flooding and the A4109 itself floods to a depth of 300mm. The Council aims to start work on the new scheme later this month.
Gwenda Thomas AM said “I really welcome the awarding of money by the Labour –led Welsh Assembly Government to alleviate the problems of flooding here. This has always been a black spot for flooding and is excellent news for local residents who have suffered the effects of this for many years.”