Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service

The Charity Commission has been made aware of a scam involving people being telephoned by individuals claiming to represent the Charity Commission. In the phone calls these individuals claim to be from the “debt collection department” of the Commission and they demand payments for various services and advertisements.

Some of the bogus calls have demanded payments of thousands of pounds for various services and advertisements. The Commission has been contacted by a number of people who have received calls of this nature and has already reported this matter to the police.

It is important to be clear that:

• Any call from someone claiming to work with or on behalf of the Charity Commission, and claiming any payment in a threatening way, is clearly bogus;
• The Charity Commission does not charge for any of its services to charities; it does not get involved in debt collection either directly or through contracting third parties to do so, and nor does it collect debt on behalf of charities;
• You should immediately report these sorts of incidents to the police, and the Charity Commission would also like to be informed where its name is being used for suspected fraudulent purposes.

Andrew Hind, Chief Executive of the Charity Commission said;
“I am outraged that individuals are misusing the good name of the Charity Commission in this way. I would strongly urge anyone to contact the police if they receive one of these calls and to please notify us as well.”

Our advice to charities is:

• When you speak to any member of staff from the Commission they will always be prepared to give their name, telephone number and email address;
• Commission email addresses always end with the domain name @charitycommission.gsi.gov.uk;
• Check the number of any suspect caller against the direct dial telephone codes for our offices; these are London 0207 674…, Liverpool 0151 703…, Taunton 01823 345… , Newport 01633 2255…

The best way to contact us is by email or if you need to speak to someone urgently you can call our contact centre on 0845 300 0218. Lines are open from 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, except national holidays.

Neath Port Talbot CVS has organised three local information and funding events, one was held in January and the other two (which were postponed due to poor weather) will be held in March. Information stands will be available from local service providers and funding advice/support will be given. They will be held between 1.00pm and 6.00pm on:

• Thursday 18th March, Peniel Hall,  Glynneath

• Friday 19th March,  St Theodore’s Church, Port Talbot

For more information or to attend please contact Neath Port Talbot CVS on 01639 631246

The Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones has launched a new initiative to encourage the people and businesses in Wales to help shape the Assembly Government’s approach to economic development. The ‘Tell Us’ campaign is asking for the views of every part of Welsh society – from individuals, companies, Universities and Unions – on the Welsh economy and the new Economic Renewal Programme.

Source: Welsh Assembly Government Website

Ceri James (POVA Coordinator) and Liz Woods (Deputy Adult Protection Coordinator) have put together a visual flow chart on the POVA procedure which they are in the process of rolling out to all services.  A copy is available to download.  This should be printed in colour, laminated and placed in strategic locations to assist staff in ensuring they follow the correct procedure in the event of an alert or disclosure or abuse/neglect.

Carwyn Jones – First Minister
Ieuan Wyn Jones – Deputy First Minister, Economy and Transport
Jane Hutt – Business and Budget
Edwina Hart – Health and Social Services
Jane Davidson – Environment, Sustainability and Housing
Leighton Andrews – Education, Children and Lifelong learning
Carl Sargeant – Social Justice and Local Government
Elin Jones – Rural Affairs
Alun Ffred Jones – Culture

Deputies:

Lesley Griffiths – Skills, Innovation and Science
Jocelyn Davies – Housing and Regeneration
Gwenda Thomas – Social Services
Huw Lewis – Children
John Griffiths – Counsel General and Leader of the Legislative Programme

Janice Gregory – Chief Whip

BBC Radio Wales is looking for community groups and organisations in Neath Port Talbot with exciting plans or initiatives for 2010 who would like to share their plans, whether big or small, and showcase their organisation on Wales’s national radio station. If you have ideas and stories to share, contact Andrew Jones at BBC Radio Wales on (029) 2032 3546 or alternatively e mail andrew.jones5@bbc.co.uk.

The National Assembly for Wales’ press office is in the process of compiling a list of third sector organisations in Wales so that it can adopt a more proactive approach to the work of this sector and likewise, so that the sector can be made aware of reports/inquiries being carried out by the Assembly.

The Assembly’s press office is particularly interested in the reports, surveys and accompanying news releases that are produced by organisations in the third sector, because these reports are often not known about until they are issued to the press – by which time it is too late for the Assembly to have any input into their findings.

So, for example, if Barnados were to produce a report about child poverty in Wales, the Assembly would like to see an embargoed copy of the report and get the chair of the relevant committee to comment on it, on behalf of the National Assembly.

Similarly, where one of the National Assembly’s committees have carried out a report and they are issuing a press release, they would like to keep any relevant organisations informed (those who may not have been involved in the inquiry), to strengthen links and make sure that their role is not always reacting but also being proactive.

This will from part of a long-term strategy to create a more inclusive communications strategy between third sector organisations and the Assembly. Ideally, the Assembly the list will be made up of media/press contacts from each organisation, but where this is not possible any contact from the organisation will be absolutely fine.

If you are interested in being added to the contact list of the press office please contact Anna Milewski, Media Relations Coordinator: Anna.milewski2@wales.gsi.gov.uk Tel: 02920 898171

A major new education Measure has been agreed by the National Assembly for Wales giving children and young people with special education needs (SEN) unprecedented rights of appeal with regard to their education. Source: Welsh Assembly Government Website

The latest round of Western Valley Strategy meetings held last month has been hailed a huge success. Over 100 people came to the evening events to give their views and opinions on how well the strategy is working and where they thought more work was needed.

Source: Neath Port Talbot CBC website.

Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust want to know if you want to become a member of their Partners in Healthcare Network?

You will have the opportunity to:

• Find out about Welsh Ambulance Services developments.
• Comment on and be involved in developing our services.
• Have your say about the services we provide, which include Emergency Ambulance Services, Patient Transport Services and NHS Direct Wales.
• Become involved in activities, for example, sharing your patient stories and carrying out surveys.

The Network aims to involve as many patients and members of the public as possible. For further information, or if you would like to become a member of Network, please contact 01792 776252 ext 5400, email ppi@ambulance.wales.nhs.uk or join online: www.ambulance.wales.nhs.uk