Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service

Voluntary groups across South West Wales are to benefit from a new partnership of dedicated support aimed at helping the flourishing voluntary sector turn groups into sustainable enterprises. The Collaborative Communities project will give support to hundreds of organisations to help them develop, meet market opportunities and generate income.

For further information regarding the launch please see the Collaborative Communities section

Neath Port Talbot CVS hosted a breakfast meeting on June 11^th, on behalf of the High Sheriff of West Glamorgan, Rowland Jones, where he outlined his programme of activity for his term of office.

Held at Blanco’s Hotel, the meeting, entitled ‘Changing Places’, aimed to bring together local businesses to explore ways in which they could work with local communities to the benefit of each other.  Along with key partners in the public and third sector, the private sector has a key role to play in making a difference in our communities, whether by providing inspiration, role models or practical support and advice.

The valleys in particular, have natural assets in terms of beauty and heritage that can, along with its people, be used to improve the economic prosperity of its communities.

In partnership with Neath Port Talbot CVS, the High Sheriff intends to hold a number of smaller events in local communities, involving business and community organisations, to discuss ways of developing their local area and increasing opportunities for economic prosperity.

At a round table event in the Cabinet Room in Number 10, a group of civil society community activists and leaders met with the Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude and Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd to debate the agreed policies for the Government’s Big Society programme.  Big Society is a cross-Government policy programme that aims to create a climate that will empower local people and communities and devolve power from Whitehall.  The full report can be found on the GRANTfinder website.

My Business Story – a series of events aimed at inspiring you if you’ve ever thought of setting up in business on your own. The events are being run by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Flexible Support for Business (FS4B) programme and are designed specifically for people from under represented groups, including women and young people, individuals from ethnic communities, Welsh speakers and disabled people. Role models from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Dynamo programme – real people from a range of under-represented backgrounds who are running their own businesses – will hold small scale workshops to tell you about their story. If you would like to attend one, please go to the business story website, contact the event organisers, Quadrant on 02920 694900 or email mybusinessstory@quadrant.uk.com.

Following the successful work done by many communities at the Community Action for Climate Change events, The Welsh Assembly Government’s Climate Change Team are making support available for communities acting to reduce carbon emissions and improve sustainability. As part of his secondment to the Climate Change team in WAG, Andy Middleton is able to spend a day before the end of March with community groups and councils anywhere in Wales to help them with work including: Supporting the development of planning workshops to reduce carbon emissions, Helping with definition of project and scope, Facilitating community, council and business meetings, Bringing innovation and enterprise ideas to the table, Network and making new connections.  The days Andy has available are: 26^th February, 11^th March, 23^rd March, 30^th March, 4^th March, 15^th March, 24^th March. There is no charge for the provision of these services; to book a day, please contact Usha Ladwa-Thomas at Usha.Ladwa-Thomas@wales.gsi.gov.uk

To make our communities the safest place to live, work and visit, The South Wales Fire Service are hosting two fire safety seminars for Older and Disabled People. The seminars will be held on 11th March 2010 at The Orbit Centre, Merthyr Tydfil from 10am – 3pm and on 23rd March 2010 at Cardiff County Hall from 10am – 3pm.  Telephone 01443 232000 or e-mail swfs@southwales-fire.gov.uk to book a place. The closing date is 18th February 2010.

CaféZecta3 is a newly opened cafe based in the Primary Care Resource Centre in Baglan. We trade as a social enterprise, which means that all of our profits go back into the community through Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Services to help improve services to your community, your friends and you. As well as serving fresh home-made soup, sandwiches, filled jacket potatoes, panini’s, baguettes, and salads, we offer hot daily breakfast and lunch specials to eat in or takeaway. We are happy to take pre-orders for breakfast and lunch for collection from the Café. If you work close by and don’t have the time to collect your lunch from us we are happy to deliver free of charge to you if you work within a 5 mile radius of the Café.

Whether you are planning a business meeting or family celebration we offer affordable buffets either on-site at the Primary Care Resource Centre in the Café, at a venue of your choice. Buffets start from as little as £3.50, are delivered free of charge within a 20 mile radius of the Cafe and we don’t charge for the crockery or condiments. To help reduce packaging and paper waste we only use reusable crockery, platters, and cutlery and cloth napkins for buffets. We believe passionately in buying and using Fair Trade and local produce. The majority of our fresh ingredients (including meat, eggs, fruit, vegetables and bread) come from local suppliers within a 5 mile radius of the Café.

In support of Fair Trade fortnight, which runs from 22nd February to the 7th March, we are offering ‘Naughty but Nice’ afternoon tea – at a special promotional price of £3.95 per person which will include a selection of home-made cakes, including freshly baked Welsh cakes and buttermilk fruit scones served with clotted cream and raspberry preserve – all served with a selection of Fair Trade coffee, traditional and specialty teas. And if feel like you would like to try something naughtier try our ‘Naughty and even Nicer’ afternoon tea which also includes a selection of finger sandwiches and savory scones made with Welsh cheese. Come along with a couple of friends – book in advance and we will have your afternoon tea ready for your arrival and if more than 4 of you want to reserve a table together you will receive a 10% discount off your total bill!!

The vote for Wales’s Favourite Fair Trade Cuppa also runs until February 24th so come and try us out and if you like our tea log onto their website and vote for your community café – CaféZecta3

If you want to book a table or find out more about speak to Wayne or Jackie at CaféZecta3 on 07814235364 or drop in on us in the Primary Care Resource Centre, Moor Road, Baglan SA12 7BJ. The Buffet menu is available for download.

Public Consultation Paper

A consultation paper on the Community Plan for the period 2010 to 2020 has been published for a public consultation period. The final Plan will be published in the spring of 2010. This is the key partnership Plan for the County Borough, setting out a shared vision and priorities for the next ten years. Councillor Ali Thomas, Leader of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, looks forward to receiving comments on the paper, which sets out how we can work together to improve the County Borough and the lives of all citizens who live, work and volunteer within its communities.

The consultation period ends on 31st March 2010

The consultation paper can be viewed and comments submitted online

If you require any further information, please contact the Corporate Strategy Team on 01639 763173 or e-mail corporate.strategy@npt.gov.uk

Do you know a young person who has used their computer skills to help others get online? If so, why not nominate them for a BT Internet Ranger of the Year award?  The lucky winners will receive an HP laptop plus £250 worth of IT vouchers*. It’s easy to apply.  Simply go to the BT Internet Ranger’s website for an online application form.  The closing date for this exciting award scheme is Friday 15th January 2010 and winners will be notified by 12th February 2010.

Do you want to feel better about yourself, Less stressed, Feel healthier, Fitter and more confident? A New FREE group is meeting between 1.oo-3.oo pm every Thursday starting 14th January. All welcome. It will be a fun course, where you will gain advice, support and learn new ideas. For more information contact YWCA, 23 Depot Road, Cwmafan on 01639 894184.