Latest news with #TorfaenBoroughCouncil
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Torfaen Welsh language standards compliance report 2024/25
That saw 112, of 718 new or vacant posts advertised, as requiring Welsh and those were broken down as 38 jobs for which the language was 'essential' and a further 69 with it being 'desirable'. Five posts were advertised as Welsh 'need to be learnt' while 606 posts were classed as 'no Welsh skills required'. Torfaen Borough Council's Welsh language officer Alan Vernon-Jones said the percentage of posts advertised as requiring Welsh, in 2024/25, had increased five per cent on the previous year to 15 per cent of advertised posts. Mr Vernon-Jones said: 'In order to encourage candidates to use the Welsh they have learnt in school or classes we now ask for Welsh language as 'desirable' as a minimum on all advertised posts and this has not discouraged candidates and means the council can comply (with Welsh language standards) in a more holistic way.' Since March this year the council has only assessed vacant post against two categories; Welsh desirable or Welsh essential. This is intended to allow candidates to indicate their level of Welsh and contribute to delivering Welsh language services for the council. Councillors were presented with the annual Welsh Language Standards report, for 2024/25, which sets out how the authority has complied with its requirements under Welsh language legislation. Mr Vernon-Jones said Torfaen continues to provide 'appropriate services' to residents but doing so 'face to face continues to be difficult due to locations but it is hoped enhancements made to requirement will address some of this.' The council has 33 members of staff who feel fully competent in Welsh as recorded using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, known as CEFR, system. The council previously used an alternative system and so far only 15 per cent of staff have completed the CEFR assessment. Mr Vernon-Jones said those 33 staff have said they are able to assist with Welsh language queries. Council leader Anthony Hunt said they are an example of staff 'going above and beyond' to assist the council and delivering services. There were no complaints made about the council's compliance with Welsh language standards in 2024/25 and adjustments to training had been made as a result of previous complaints investigated by the Welsh language commissioner which were now closed.
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Plea to help tackle stray sheep roaming around Blaenavon
But Torfaen Borough Council leader Anthony Hunt has said the authority has little power to act when sheep have been crossing private land to wander around Blaenavon. He was asked if the council would take part in discussions over the issue by Nick Horler one of three borough councillors representing the town. The independent councillor said: 'We now have sheep entering the town. This is quite pleasing at times however I am getting an increased number of calls and messages from local residents about the damage these sheep are causing to vegetation in people's gardens and public spaces. 'There are also concerns about sheep leaving mess in gardens and public areas such as parks and play areas causing issues with children using the areas and safety on the main road.' Labour's Cllr Hunt said the 'difficulties experienced are appreciated' and the council had established the World Heritage Site management board which includes a caring for Blaenavon group which he said would be the 'forum for discussion'. He said he and other cabinet members have attended at the group with Cllr Horler. READ MORE: Shepherd to round up stray sheep in Blaenavon idea rejected But Cllr Hunt added: 'Where sheep are able to gain access over private land the council has limited powers to take action and that needs to be taken by the owners of the sheep.' He said the council would continue in discussions with interested groups. In September 2023 the council rejected a plea from Cllr Horler to employ a shepherd to round up stray sheep but did say it would look into the possibility of assisting with a database of animal owners after Cllr Horler reported a ram was terrorising residents in Forgeside.
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Torfaen: Minute's silence for Reverend Canon Harald Thomas
Reverend Canon Harald Thomas, who died on May 16 at his home in Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, after a long illness, had supported a number of Torfaen Borough Council's civic leaders in the role. Council leader Anthony Hunt said: 'Harald was a great friend to many of us and well known for his work through things like the Cadets.' The former British Airways manager was ordained at the Holy Trinity Church in Pontnewydd in 1997 following years of involvement with the church community and recognised with an MBE in the 2007 new year's honours list aged 73. Pontnewydd born and raised he married wife Dorothy at the church in 1963 after a five month whirlwind romance and was a father of two and a grandfather and great-grandfather. He had been a regular compere at community events and summer festivals and served as a chairman of both Cwmbran's Congress Theatre, which he had fought to save from closure, and the Pontypool Jazz Festival while he'd also been involved in local community councils. Rev Thomas' funeral will take place at Holy Trinity Church, Pontnewydd on Thursday, June 12 at 1.30pm. Members at the June 10 full council meeting, in the Civic Centre, Pontypool also offered condolences to cabinet member Mandy Owen following the death of her mother and Cllr Hunt said she was absent from the meeting 'having taken time to grieve'.
South Wales Argus
11-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Councillor concerned at wild swimming at Keeper's Pond
Keeper's Pond, above Blaenavon, is within the UNESCO recognised World Heritage site but local councillors have raised concerns over waste and whether enough is being done to remove it. Independent councillors Janet Jones and Nick Horler, who both represent Blaenavon, asked questions over action to address fly-tipping and litter at Torfaen Borough Council's June 10 meeting. Cllr Jones said the area, which was recognised by the United Nations body for its importance to the development of the industrial revolution, has seen an increase in leisure activities which she said can pose a threat to biodiversity. She said: 'We have seen an increase in the popularity of leisure activities within the World Heritage site. This has led to concerns about the preservation of biodiversity on our doorstep. In particular, the amount of off-roading along the mountainside, swimming, and general gatherings at the Keeper's Pond.' She asked if Torfaen council has a budget to 'manage and protect' its areas recognised as being of 'outstanding universal value'. Her colleague, Cllr Horler, said fly tipping on private land is a 'blight on our heritage landscape' and asked a budget be put in place to make it easier for officers to remove fly tipping once landowners have been given notice to do so. He also said the council should have a process to remove waste within a set time limit and for costs to be recovered from landowners. READ MORE: Council leader Anthony Hunt said he 'fully appreciates the frustration' caused by fly tipping and said the council always takes action 'as quickly as we can' to address it but said 'we do have to take care as regards the law and what we can do within those powers.' The Labour leader also said he'd be 'happy' to involve the fire brigade in discussions around addressing fly-tipping after Cllr Horler said he was concerned it was placing an additional strain on the service. On Keeper's Pond Cllr Hunt said it was recognised enjoyment of the 'beautiful countryside' has increased 'tensions' but said the actual pond is within Monmouthshire County Council's boundaries but he would be 'happy' to raise the issue with the council. He said Monmouthshire County Council is partner in the World Heritage site partnership and retains responsibility for its land and assets in the protected area.
South Wales Argus
22-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Mynydd Maen windfarm to have 'negative impact' says council
A decision on whether to grant approval for the Mynydd Maen windfarm, west of Cwmbran and south of Pontypool, which would have 13 turbines with a height to their blade of 149 metres, will have to be decided by the Welsh Government but Torfaen Borough Council has had to compile a local impact report. That has concluded overall, the impact on the landscape and visual amenity of Torfaen would be 'negative' and the impact on residential amenity is also judged to be 'negative'. The report, which will be submitted to Welsh planning body Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), was presented to Torfaen Borough Council's planning committee at its May meeting. Among concerns raised by councillors was the potential impact on birds of prey, and it was acknowledged the turbines could kill around two every day. The proposed development area covers 376 hectares, of which around 120 is within Torfaen and the remainder within Caerphilly County Borough Council's area and much of it within the Abercarn Visually Important Local Landscape while part of its south eastern corner is within Torfaen's special upland landscape area. Most of the site is within the area that has been pre-assessed by the Welsh Government where there is a presumption in favour of wind generation. Pontypool independent councillor Mark Jones said the turbines would be nearly 150m: 'To put that into context of pylons 150m is around 500 foot high the average pylon is 150 foot. These are absolutely monstrous things.' Cllr Jones said he also didn't understand how the area was proposed when Welsh policy states large scale wind farms won't be permitted in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 'Anybody who has been on Mynydd Maen and can tell me that's not an area of outstanding natural beauty, then I don't know what is,' said Cllr Jones. Planning officer Justin Jones explained an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a 'particular designation in law' which he said the area hasn't been designated but acknowledged it has 'unique features' but has also been assessed as being acceptable for windfarm developments. Mr Jones said details of nesting sites for red kites and peregrine falcons couldn't be publicly disclosed but applicants Renewable Energy Systems has proposed mitigations as part of its assessments It also wants permission to move the siting of the turbines 50 metres in any direction which Mr Jones said would have to be considered in relation to its mitigation proposals to protect the birds of prey. Reform UK councillor for Llantarnam, Alan Slade said: 'I've read these turbines can kill up to two raptors everyday. Will there by any assessment of fatalities after these turbines have gone up?' Mr Jones said he understood the 'anticipated kill rate' isn't a dissimilar figure to the one Cllr Slade had mentioned but said there would be mitigations including that a turbine could be switched off. A condition requiring a turbine be switched off will also be suggested as part of measures to control noise if it is found to have an unacceptable impact. The developer will be expected to respond to the issues raised in the council's report which also considers the cumulative impact with other wind farms proposed nearby at Llanhilleth and Abertillery.
