Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service

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 National Policing Improvement Agency has launched a website where you can view and download certain local crime statistics for your area via a map interface. It may be of interest and provides comparisons between local areas.

The Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee has agreed to undertake an inquiry into the use and regulation of sunbeds in Wales and is calling for those with an interest or expertise in this area to submit written evidence. Please find attached the background and guidance for witnesses.

From the Neath Port Talbot CBC website:

A new initiative to raise awareness of abuse in all its forms comes under the spotlight next week in Neath Port Talbot.  A DVD ‘Why didn’t we see it?’ is to be launched locally by The South Wales Adult Protection Forum (SWAP) to coincide with Elder Abuse Awareness Day. For more information go to http://www.neath-porttalbot.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=2482&pr_id=3562

Please see below the website link for Children and Families of Offenders which contains the booklets and posters regarding the impact of prison on family life and also young peoples’ rights in prison.  Please note the link at the top of the page titled ‘Info for CYP partnerships’ as this is particularly useful.  www.cfopathway.org.uk

Information from the Welsh Assembly Government’s website:

A new pilot project to help families with disabled children claim the benefits they are entitled to was announced on 12 May 2009 by Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, Dr Brian Gibbons. The £500,000 pilot scheme will look over the next two years at the best ways to increase the household incomes of families with disabled children. Citizen’s Advice Cymru will deliver a campaign to increase benefit uptake as part of their existing Wales wide Better Advice Better Health initiative.  http://wales.gov.uk/news/latest/090513benefituptake/?lang=en

Please find attached supplementary information and covering letter by the Department of health for third sector organisations to facilitate planning for a potential pandemic.

The aim of this information is to bring together the UK’s planning assumptions and the Government’s response strategy for the various aspects of an influenza pandemic that will be particularly relevant to the third sector. This will enable those at various levels in all third sector organisations to consider the direct impacts that a pandemic will have on their organisations and ways in which they can protect themselves and others, whilst helping to facilitate the wider response to minimise its impacts on the most vulnerable groups of society.

The consultation proposes new thinking on welfare and sets out plans for improving support and work incentives to create a system that rewards responsibility, gives people the incentive to do the right thing and encourages them to look for work and to seek the skills they need for the future.

The closing date for responses is 22nd October 2008. You can download the document from the Department for Work and Pensions website or download it here.