March 2021

Following the latest Welsh Government announcement, the Council can confirm that all of its Library branches have now returned to the same levels of service provision as before the latest lockdown period in Wales.

Welsh Labour Environment Minister Lesley Griffiths has said she does not believe a public inquiry is needed "at this stage". At what stage should there be a Public Inquiry? What are Welsh Labour Natural Resources Wales afraid of?

The Law Society has agreed to provide the secretariat for the new Law Council of Wales and to facilitate its establishment.

The Council has provided an update on its ongoing activity across the County Borough to clamp down on dog fouling and fly tipping – with 21 Fixed Penalty Notices issued for offences last week. 

The Shadow Minister for Transport, Russell George MS, has reiterated the Welsh Conservatives’ commitment to deliver an M4 Relief Road.

He said:

RHONDDA CYNON TAFF COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

NOTICE UNDER SECTION 123(1) (2A) OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972

A brand new primary care centre will open its doors in Mountain Ash next week, bringing modern healthcare services to the local community.

International flights to and from state-owned Cardiff Airport were put to the First Minister during Plenary by Andrew RT Davies MS – the Welsh Conservative Senedd Leader – who asked why it is permitted to fly from Cardiff to Alicante, but not to drive from Cardiff to Aberystwyth.

A contractor is now appointed for the upcoming scheme to the Blaen-y-Cwm Road river wall – to carry out preliminary work in April and full repairs from May, when seasonal restrictions on working within the river come to an end. 

Cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Support gave more than £68,000 in hardship grants last year to help people with cancer in Rhondda Cynon Taf struggling with the pandemic’s financial impact and the unexpected costs cancer can bring.

Whole area testing with lateral flow device (LFD) tests in Merthyr Tydfil and lower Cynon Valley is estimated to have prevented 353 cases of COVID-19, 24 hospitalisations, 5 Intensive Care Unit admissions and 14 deaths, according to a new report.

New polling from YouGov, published today (Friday, March 19th) by Unchecked UK, shows that Welsh voters from across the political spectrum are strongly supportive of well-enforced regulations, and value them for the role they play in keeping society running smoot

The Shadow Minister for Economy, Russell George MS, has reacted to the online report that a decision will not be reached until “the last moment” on whether Wales’ tourism sector will reopen in time for Easter.

WALKIES are a part of daily life for all guide dog owners – and this one is no exception. Andy Muxlow, of Cwmaman, is so delighted with new guide dog Ernie that he has vowed to walk a total of 200 miles with him during March to raise money for Guide Dogs Cymru.

Leading sight loss charity RNIB Cymru is warning that the needs of blind and partially sighted people are being forgotten as the COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out across the nation.

Residents are urged to take extra care and to be vigilant following the theft of storm drain gulley covers in Rhondda Cynon Taf overnight.

Excellent progress continues to be made in the delivery of a range of exciting improvements to Dare Valley Country Park, with work on the Gravity Family Bike Park nearing completion. 

New figures released today reveal that almost 12,500 patients across the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB) region have still been able to receive medical consultations during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite not being able to visit the GP surgery or other healthcare setting in pers

Diabetes UK Cymru is highlighting how quickly undiagnosed type 1 diabetes can become a medical emergency as another child had a lucky escape despite goinginto 

Diabetes UK Cymru has launched a radio ad campaign in Wales to show that anyone can develop type 1 diabetes, tell people what the main symptoms of the condition are and urge them to get a finger-prick test with their GP if they are concerned.

The Council is pleased to confirm that the Ynysangharad Park (M&S) Bridge in Pontypridd will reopen later this week, as the significant scheme to repair the structure following Storm Dennis is nearing completion. 

A new Clinical Research Centre designed to enhance Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB’s research work and give patients access to new therapies, treatments and therapeutics has opened at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant.

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council

(Miscellaneous Town Centers in Rhondda Cynon Taf) Order (Experimental Speed ​​Limit) 2021

Welcome to Young Carers’ Action Day – 16 March 2021.

Young carers are children or young people who take a significant role in caring for a family member. The family member could be suffering from physical or mental health problems, a disability or drug and alcohol problems.

In its newly-published report, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in Wales recommends that learning from the COVID-19 pandemic is used to ensure that infection prevention and control (IPC) nursing teams are recognised as an essential contributor to patient protection and safety.

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Commenting on the first anniversary of the first death of a person with Covid-19 in Wales, Angela Burns MS – the Shadow Minister for Health – said:

An innovative, multi-disciplinary model of providing treatment for patients with lung diseases is reducing waiting times at Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend.

Have you been spending more time on your phone or laptop? The way we spend our time has been changing as a result of COVID-19. Whether it’s during a lockdown or as we adjust to new norms, it’s likely you’ve been spending more time on your devices.

The Council has appointed a contractor to deliver a major Welsh Government-funded scheme on the A4059 between Asda and Tinney’s roundabouts in Aberdare – to ensure the road is more resilient during heavy rainfall.

Commenting on the First Minister's U-turn regarding the opening of non-essential retail, Welsh Conservative Senedd leader, Andrew RT Davies MS: 

RHONDDA CYNON TAF COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Town and Country Planning Act 1990

Welsh Office Circular 32/92 Application for Major Development

Application 21/0269/16

Applicant: Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council

The Shadow Minister for Economy, Russell George MS, has called on the Welsh Labour Government to stop keeping Wales “in the dark” and urgently publish a roadmap out of lockdown.

The Shadow Minister for Economy, Russell George MS, has warmly welcomed reports that Wales is to receive a free port.

He said: “Freeports will generate jobs, trade and innovation, and I welcome the fact that Wales is set to get one from the UK Government.

Patients who attend the Royal Glamorgan Hospital (RGH) with a minor injury late in the evening are being offered a choice of waiting to be seen or returning the following day for a timed appointment, under a new pilot scheme to reduce waiting times.

Cardiff Airport is now worth just £15 million, according to the Welsh Government.

The valuation was revealed in response to questions by Welsh Conservative Darren Millar MS during the Economy, Skills, and Infrastructure Committee meeting today (March 10).

Responding to the Welsh Government’s admission that it is no longer following its Coronavirus action plan, Welsh Conservative Senedd leader, Andrew RT Davies MS said:

Housing and local government minister Julie James has launched the national spatial strategy in a 180-page document called Future Wales.

Welsh Conservative Senedd Leader Andrew RT Davies MS today (March 9) tackled the First Minister over comments made by the one of his Cabinet that “… if you give people an inch, they’ll take a mile”.

The Shadow Minister for Local Government has branded the latest local government settlement “a bitter blow”.

Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board will be held on Thursday, 25 March 2021 at 10:00 am.  

Swansea University and Children in Wales launched a survey at the end of 2020, to develop a better understand of the impact of the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic on Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) provision.

Residents and businesses in Mountain Ash town centre will shortly receive a letter outlining upcoming work to demolish two buildings in Oxford Street – to enable significant future improvements at Rhos Square. 

In the early hours of Sunday morning (March 7, 2021),  a fire incident happened at one of our community hospitals –  Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda.

The fire affected one ward and no harm came to any patients or staff as a result of the incident.

Residents, developers and landowners are reminded that the first stage of the process to revise and replace the current Local Development Plan will soon end – with the Call for Candidate Sites closing at the end of the month. 

The winners of Theatr Iolo’s Young Playwright’s competition have had their plays read by professional actors and turned into audio plays to be released on 11 March.

A Rhondda Cynon Taf student has won the Welsh Government’s Stay At Home poster competition, beating hundreds of other entries across Wales in the fight to keep everyone safe and promoting the key COVID-19 safety message.

RHONDDA CYNON TAFF COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

(HIGH STREET, MOUNTAIN ASH) (TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE) ORDER 2021

Welsh Conservatives have announced their plan for managing coronavirus in the long-term in Wales ahead of a panel discussion with a leading health and social care think tank.

Cabinet Members have agreed for a detailed review of Rhondda Cynon Taf’s special schools to be undertaken – with the intention of bringing forward future investment proposals to improve current provision and meet growing demand. 

A leading cancer consultant from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, is urging anyone with worrying symptoms not to let the ongoing lockdown put them off getting checked by their GP or miss scheduled tests or treatment.

The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

RHONDDA CYNON TAFF COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL (VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN RHONDDA CYNON TAFF) (EXPERIMENTAL SPEED LIMIT) ORDER 2021

Commenting on the Welsh Government’s latest statement on financial support for Cardiff Airport, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Economy, Russell George MS said:

“The aviation sector has been badly hit by coronavirus and governments across the world are supporting the industry.

A group of leading Welsh children’s charities is calling on all political parties to put the needs of babies and the youngest children at the centre of their policies for the next Senedd.

The Council has submitted a planning application for the future A465 Cynon Gateway North (link road to A465) highways scheme – an important landmark following the Pre Application Consultation that took place during autumn 2020. 

Cabinet has received a five-year update on the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal – outlining progress on the South Wales Metro and wider investment to help develop exciting projects such as the Porth Transport Hub and Zip World.

RHONDDA CYNON TAFF COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

(FOOTPATH 35 ABERDARE)

(TEMPORARY FOOTPATH CLOSURE) ORDER 2021

Stroke survivors who speak Welsh should get an equal opportunity to rebuild their life, according to The Stroke Association.

Commenting on the announcement of a further £682 million being released by the Welsh Government to tackle Coronavirus, Andrew RT Davies MS – the Leader of the Conservatives in the Senedd – said:

MACS pupils have once again shown how much talent is in the Cynon Valley! Launched just under one month ago, we have received hundreds of entries for homework, creative and stage competitions in this slightly different Eisteddfod for 2021.

RHONDDA CYNON TAFF COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

(A4059 ABERDARE) (TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE AND TEMPORARY 30MPH SPEED LIMIT) ORDER 2021