Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service

WCVA will be responding to this consultation and would therefore welcome your views on the framework especially within the context the transferring of public services online, how the sector can enable this for excluded groups and what it would need to do this.

The end of the consultation is the 9th September 2010. Please can you send any thoughts you have by Wednesday 1st September to Jessica McQuade jmcquade@wcva.org.uk. If you would like to discuss any aspects of the framework or your response, please get in touch either by email or phone 02920 431759.  The full consultation document can be found on the WAG website.

This consultation seeks views on proposed amendments to the existing regulations governing child care for children below the age of 8.   The closing date for submissions is 6th September 2010.   Further information can be found here.

The National Assembly for Wales’ Legislation Committee No.3 is calling for evidence on the general principles of the proposed Local Government (Wales) Measure. For the details of this Measure please visit the: Website

Orders to remove the terms ‘Local Education Authority’ and ‘Children’s Services Authority’ from primary and secondary legislation and replacing with ‘Local Authority’

The Welsh Assembly Government has notified us that from 5 May 2010, the terms ‘Local Education Authority’ and ‘Children’s Services Authority’ have been repealed and replaced by the single term ‘Local Authority’ in both primary and secondary legislation. This simply brings the legislation in line with current policy and practice and will not change its substantive meaning.

The Welsh Local Government Association was consulted on the planned changes to legislation and gave a positive response.

The relevant Parliamentary Orders are ‘The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authority (Integration of Functions) Order 2010’ and  ‘The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) (Local and Subordinate Legislation) Order 2010’.  In addition, ‘The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) (Wales) Order 2010’ amends the references in Measures of the National Assembly and ‘The Local Education Authorities (Integration of Functions) (Subordinate Legislation) (Wales) Order 2010’, the references in secondary legislation that applies in relation to Wales only.
Hyperlinks to the relevant Orders are provided below:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/uksi_20101158_en_1

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/uksi_20101172_en_1

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/wales/wsi2010/wsi_20101148_en_1

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/wales/wsi2010/wsi_20101142_en_1

The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) is a Welsh Assembly Government funded initiative aimed at making homes in Wales warmer, healthier and more energy efficient. The HEES grant provides a package of heating and insulation improvements up to the value of £3,600 (or £5,000 where oil central heating is required).  To find out if you are able to claim a HEES grant, please visit the HEES website.

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Welsh Assembly Government, Environment Agency Wales, the Local Health Board and Public Health Wales have joined forces to look at ways of improving the quality of air we breathe in Neath Port Talbot.  On 13^th July 2010, the local community are invited to learn more about the work and join in discussing the challenges and possible solutions to improving air quality in the area.  Click on the link below for agenda and to register, or phone 02920 466 029.  Go to the Eventbrite website for more information.

The Welsh Assembly Government recognises that the Third Sector has an important role to play in helping it to achieve its objectives, in particular in realising its vision of a safer and more inclusive society where everyone has the chance to fulfil their potential.
This Code of Practice is published in response to the Welsh Assembly Government’s Third (Voluntary) Sector Scheme.  The code of practice can be downloaded from the Welsh Assembly Government website.

The Youth Service Capital Grant will be available from June 2010 subject to approval by the Welsh Assembly Government.  The purpose of the grant is to develop new opportunities in the Voluntary Sector for youth engagement and participation as described in the National Youth Service Strategy and the Neath Port Talbot Youth Service Review.  To meet the grant eligibility criteria your proposed project should enhance learning opportunities for 11-25 year olds, particularly those aged 13-19 years old.  The application pack can be downloaded from the Funding page of the website.

Non-emergency patient transport enables people to access outpatient, day treatment and other services at NHS hospitals. The closing date for comments is 6th June 2010.  For full information about this consultation go to the Welsh Assembly Government website.

The Climate Change Champions for Wales have created a Facebook Group called ‘Our Future, Our Voice’. This group aims to encourage young people in Wales to: Tell the Climate Change Champions what they think about climate change; Discuss climate change issues and share information about relevant projects across Wales; Give their views on Welsh Assembly Government policies.  At least one Climate Change Champion will attend every meeting, and present your views from the Facebook group on behalf of all young people in Wales.