April 2020

The Shadow Transport Minister – Russell George AM – has today (April 30) added his voice to the appreciation of all involved in maintaining and developing critical roads infrastructure in Wales. 

The Council’s Youth Engagement and Participation Service (YEPS) continues to expand its daily activity and support for young people – from virtual youth clubs to Zoom challenges, Instant Messaging sessions and online activities. 

Today marks one year since I published the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives joint report, following their review of maternity services at the former Cwm Taf University Health Board.

Over 200 cannabis plants have been discovered at a building in Church Village. The plants were found on Tuesday, 28 April, after two police officers followed their sense of smell as they patrolled in the area.Their enquiries led them to a commercial premises in a back lane off Main Road. A search

In the virtual Plenary session today (April 29), Paul Davies AM – the Leader of the Opposition – grilled the First Minister over one of the most concerning aspects to Wales’ response to the Coronavirus pandemic: the underreporting of deaths of people with the virus.

Janet Finch-Saunders, the Shadow Social Minister, has reacted with shock at the announcement today (April 29) that the Minster for Health has refused to expand Covid-19 (Coronavirus) testing for all residents of care homes.

Police seized cocaine from a man in Tonyrefail on Friday (24 April, 2020).Two eagle-eyed officers spotted the driver of a black Corsa acting suspiciously he drove through Gilfach Goch at approximately 6pm.They vehicle continued into Tonyrefail but officers followed and pounced when they saw the c

Information obtained by the Welsh Conservatives suggests that bus companies and the routes they operate are under threat as a specific grant for bus services in Wales to help them through the Covid19 pandemic has not been passed on by Welsh Government.

Caring for the most vulnerable people living in our communities across RCT is a job that Natalie Eshelby finds so rewarding, none more so than during these most difficult of times.

A WELSH care agency is launching a campaign (April, 2020) to get people gardening during the current Coronavirus restrictions to help improve mental and physical wellbeing for those at home.

Doctors, and the whole healthcare team, are under intense pressure. The impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) means they might need to deliver care in different ways. They are trying to do their best for all the patients they treat and to protect the health of the public.

If your child is involved in starting deliberate grassfires, you can expect a visit from us.

Despite the flooding and the Coronavirus crisis, the community spirit of Pontypridd is stronger than ever according to Plaid Cymru’s councillors.

The latest batch of NHS Wales waiting time figures – published today – are the first that have been released since the full Covid-19 (Coronavirus) lockdown came into force.

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) presents unprecedented challenges to vulnerable families and is placing increasing pressure on children’s services.

New survey reveals extreme ways COVID-19 is affecting people with multiple sclerosis

The COVID-19 pandemic is heavily impacting the lives of some of those most vulnerable to the virus, leaving them without essential medications and support, a new survey shows today1.

HSE is advising healthcare workers currently using respiratory protective equipment (RPE) on 

I am going to give Members an up

Paul Davies AM – the Leader of the Opposition in the Welsh Parliament – has called on the Welsh Government to accelerate the opening of all testing centres for key workers.

The Council’s seven Community Resilience Centres, established in the wake of the COVID-19 Coronavirus situation, are ‘vital cogs in the wheels of our communities,” according to one centre manager, whose team helps hundreds of individuals each day.

Based upon the availability of current resources, the Council will reinstate the collection of ‘Bulky Waste’ items for residents from Monday 27th April.The collections will be limited to a restricted list of large bulky household items, which will only include large essential household items (e.g

South Wales Police arrested three people in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday, 21 April) on suspicion of committing arson with intent.At approximately 4.45am, police stopped a car being driven along the A4059 and arrested two males, aged 19 and 17, and a female, aged 16.They remain in poli

The Council’s Trading Standards department is undertaking significant work to protect residents from Coronavirus-related scams, including additional safeguarding exercises with those who are particularly vulnerable.

Recharge Rooms are being set up in our hospitals to help staff manage their mental wellbeing during the Coronavirus crisis.

THOSE currently fit and healthy but unable to work following business closures and Coronavirus restrictions can earn money in their own community with a Welsh care firm (April, 2020).

Responding to the new initiative that the Welsh Government has unveiled for pupils, Shadow Minister for Education, Suzy Davies AM, said:

“The pandemic is causing havoc in our daily lives and our educational sector is no exception.

During these unprecedented times, the Council is continuing to support South Wales Fire and Rescue Service as part of Operation Dawns Glaw - a taskforce set up to reduce the number of deliberate fires across the region, and we are urging residents not to be tempted to burn garden or household was

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Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Sobell Leisure Centre has been transformed into the Council’s Food Distribution Centre during the COVID-19 Coronavirus national emergency.

First Minister Mark Drakeford and NHS Wales are appealing to the Welsh public to download a new COVID Symptom Tracker app to help the NHS response to COVID-19 in Wales.

As of 9am on 16 April,417,649 tests have concluded, with 18,665 tests carried out on 15 April.

327,608 people have been tested, of whom 103,093 tested positive.

As of 5pm on 15 April, of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 13,729 have died.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister, Angela Burns AM, is calling for a change in how the testing system in Wales is managed in a bid to end the delay and deliver results after “… failure has been exacerbated by inefficiency”. 

Based on current staff resources, the Council has been able to temporarily reinstate the online recycling bag request and delivery service. This will run for as long as possible, but is subject to change and under constant review.

The health board has been inundated with numerous offers of support from our communities and the kindness and generosity has been overwhelming.

Commenting on the Welsh Government confirming the changes to the curriculum are being brought forward before the summer, Shadow Welsh Conservative Education Minister, Suzy Davies AM, said: “I would like to thank all the teachers and support staff who have worked tirelessly to provide opportunitie

A woman was arrested in the early hours of this morning for drink driving and for taking a vehicle without consent. Patrolling officers were called a street in Treherbert last night following reports that a car with significant damage to its side and a tyre missing had been abandoned.

Flexicare Medical Limited, in Mountain Ash, is increasing production of lifesaving devices such as ventilator breathing systems, humidifiers, and resuscitators to support the NHS.

Shadow Welsh Conservative Social Care Minister, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, has called on the Welsh Government to follow the UK Government’s announcement that all care home residents and staff who have suspected Covid19 symptoms will be tested.

The Council is continuing to deliver a programme of adult education provision at this time by utilising online technology and resources – and residents will soon be able to sign up for summer courses. 

THE Welsh Ambulance Service has challenged businesses to develop a new innovation to speed up the decontamination of ambulances during the Coronavirus outbreak.The Trust has asked businesses to come up with a solution to accelerate the cleaning of its vehicles so that crews can get back on the ro

A social group in Pontypridd is working to combat loneliness during the COVID-19 outbreak by moving its presence online.

A BIG Cheer of thanks to our dedicated frontline heroes, who, despite these unprecedented and difficult times, are still delivering key frontline services to Rhondda Cynon Taf residents.

A recent judicial review claim of a local authority's school transport policy in the light of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 and the Equality Act 2010 is understood to have been only the third Welsh medium High Court matter to date.

A WELSH care provider is supporting a charity campaign for people each lunchtime during the COVID-19 restrictions to open their windows and shout ‘hello’ to their neighbours (April 2020).

A maximum of 1,300 (26 percent) of the anticipated 5,000 Covid-19 (Coronavirus) tests are being achieved each day, the Health Minister admitted in a briefing earlier today.

GP practices and pharmacies across Cwm Taf Morgannwg are open for extended hours over the Easter holiday period due to the unprecedented demands of fighting Coronavirus.

Our residents are once again being encouraged to take part in another huge round of applause to show our appreciation of all those working in the NHS, and across all frontline services, at such a difficult time.

A member of staff from Tonyrefail Community School is hoping to deliver daily free packed lunches to feed up to 300 local children during the coronavirus crisis.

Are you, or someone you know in self-isolation, at home or in hospital at the moment and feeling lonely?

If loneliness is affecting your life, our volunteers can help and are available to talk to you.

The MS Society is looking for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to provide vital information on how coronavirus is affecting them.

You must only make a report under RIDDOR (The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) when: 

Performance Masterbatches Ltd in Blaenau Gwent, which makes the colour for the Nescafe Gold Blend lids and also counts Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover and Honda among its customers, has invested in new processes to help address the coronavirus pandemic, with aroun

South Wales Police are appealing on behalf of the Coroner to find the next of kin for Raymond Davies who died in non-suspicious circumstances on 30 March, 2020.Raymond was 80 years-old and lived in Twynygarreg, Treharris – to date we’ve been unable to trace his next of kin and we are appealing fo

As the coronavirus national health emergency continues, the Council has taken the decision to extend the cancellation of all Authority-run events up to and including the month of September.

THE Welsh Ambulance Service is appealing to the public not to call 999 for a Coronavirus test.

Some patients have been demanding that paramedics perform an on-the-spot test to rule out the virus, according to feedback from crews.

The Council is asking Year 7 and 8 pupils to get creative and help current Year 6 pupils who lost their final term in primary school to feel confident and excited about #MovingToBigSchool this September. 

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AN AWARD-WINNING Welsh homecare provider is offering virtual interviews to people currently out of work due to Coronavirus restrictions to help reduce the need for them to leave their homes unnecessarily (April, 2020).

In order to increase capacity on the major sites and better protect our patients, the Clinical Haematology Services from Prince Charles Hospital and Royal Glamorgan Hospital (Day Units and OPD) will be moving temporarily to a new area.

A new guide, published by 

A new community clock in Tonteg has turned blue in support of the NHS during the Coronavirus public health emergency.

Chairman of Tonteg Community Centre John David, said:

Concerns are mounting that people who have a stroke or TIA/mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack) are not calling 999 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Council’s Youth Engagement and Participation Service (YEPS) continues its vital support for young people at this time – through new functions such as instant messaging, online workshops, virtual youth clubs and much more.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is working closely with South Wales Police to deter would-be fly-tippers who are intending to dispose of waste illegally during the coronavirus lockdown.

Experts from HSE and PHE have carried out a rapid review of the evidence supporting the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare and in the context of COVID-19.

This work was delivered by HSE for the Government Chief Scientific Adviser. It’s in two parts:

Our residents are once again being encouraged to take part in another huge round of applause to show our appreciation of all those working in the NHS, and across all frontline services, at such a difficult time.

Calling all parents!

Is your child a budding artist?

If so, let them show off their creativity and self-expression by taking part in the health board’s art competition.

Taken from Facebook I'm still lucky enough to be able to go to work every day but I'm seeing and increasing amount of disturbing behaviour. Of course I understand that people are bored, cabin fever, stir crazy, but there are people EVERYWHERE.

THE Welsh Ambulance Service is urging the public to be honest about the nature of their illness when calling 111 or 999 for help.It has become apparent that some members of the public have been withholding information about their illness during the Covid-19 outbreak for fear of not being sent an

Welsh Conservatives have reacted with shock at the announcement made today (April 1) by the First Minister that the Labour administration will push through legislation to change the local government election system, despite the continuing Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

A WELSH home care provider is keeping the vulnerable and elderly at home and away from the NHS during the COVID-19 crisis, but it urgently needs more staff to help (April, 2020).

From downloading books, e-audio and comics to viewing photo archives and learning a new language – you can access numerous FREE resources through the RCT Library Service from the comfort of your home. 

Can you be sure you know what they are doing?

Emergency Services were called on Sunday afternoon following reports that a group of youths were seen starting, and then running away from a fire on wasteland on Trebanog Hill.