Latest news with #BlaenauGwentCouncil
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New drive-through Burger King set to create 84 jobs
PLANS for a drive-through Burger King in Brynmawr have been given the green light by councillors despite objectors arguing that it will be bad for people's health. At a meeting of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council's Planning committee on Thursday, June 5 councillors received a planning application by Starburst limited for a drive through Burger King, a pizza restaurant/takeaway, and a tanning 'shop' on land at Blaina Road in Brynmawr. The development could create 84 full and part time jobs, Planning officer Joanne White explained that outline planning permission had been granted in 2018 for a nearby Costa Coffee drive through which also included building 25 houses on the site. Ms White said: 'But the residential part of the permission has never been implemented and has since lapsed.' Bid to turn building back into a pub falls short in planning appeal Long-running neighbour dispute over access to a lane finally resolved She believed it would be 'unlikely' that a housing scheme would ever be built there and recommended that councillors approve the plans. Cllr Jules Gardner (Labour) one of the county councillors for Brynmawr spoke against the proposal and said that he and his fellow ward councillors had received a 'plethora' of complaints from people against the proposal. Cllr Gardner said: 'This project will provide no new experiences or facilities but offers purely a duplication of existing services, more fast food outlets, another burger bar and pizza parlour only 100 metres from an existing drive-through McDonalds.' He added that the development could also cause more antisocial behaviour, traffic congestion and have a detrimental impact on the town centre. Objector Chris Nottingham said: 'The proposal would undermine our collective efforts to improve population health and in particular children's in Blaenau Gwent. 'Our local stats are shocking, over a quarter of our children are overweight or obese. 'The top six diseases for general population in Blaenau Gwent are all linked to poor diet in particular type-2 diabetes cardio-vascular disease and certain cancers. He believed planning policy 'can' be used to support improving health. Mr Nottingham said: 'We cannot do this by allowing the clustering of fast food takeaways especially near schools and areas with high deprivation. 'We're way above the average for fast food density and this is not by accident, the business model exploits the economic vulnerabilities of communities and deepens health inequalities.' The meeting was then opened up to comments and questions from committee members. Cllr George Humphreys (non-aligned – Independent) asked: 'What support would be put in place to help and support the added pressures on local doctors and health service due to this.' Development management team manager Steph Hopkins said: 'It would be unfair to assume that this development is going to have a direct impact on the health service. 'I don't think we would be looking for a financial contribution here to put towards health services.' Cllr David Wilkshire (Labour) said: 'It's a difficult one for planning but we have to consider the health of the community in general.' 'There's lots of things that could be developed on that site which could be more useful to the community.' With the belief that the development would cause extra traffic congestion Cllr Wilkshire believed this would 'add another burden' on the town and he would vote against it. Mrs Hopkins stressed: 'There's been ample opportunity over the years for the market to come forward with alternatives including housing. 'Clearly this site has not been an attractive proposition.' 'There are no local or national policies which restricts the provision of fast food takeaways. 'It's not the function of planning policy to dictate consumer choice. 'Consuming food from a fast food restaurant can form part of a balanced diet in moderation, there are also healthier options provided these days.' She added that people also have the choice of walking or cycling there. The committee then went to a vote which saw four councillors vote in favour of the proposal and two against.
Wales Online
11-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
'Significant' failings identified at large Welsh school
'Significant' failings identified at large Welsh school Reading skills were among the key problems highlighted by the inspector Abertillery Learning Community (Image: Blaenau Gwent Council ) An all-through school has been told it is need of "significant" improvement after a disappointing inspection. Abertillery Learning Community, a mixed comprehensive in Blaenau Gwent, was criticised for a range of failings in the report by education watchdog Estyn. In 2022 a good report had led to Abertillery Learning Community being removed from Estyn's list of schools requiring significant improvement. But the school has slipped back into that category following its latest inspection, which highlighted issues including that only "a few" primary-aged pupils make strong progress in reading and writing. The English-medium school, which has 1,666 pupils, "provides too few opportunities for pupils of all ages to develop their literacy and numeracy skills across the curriculum", wrote the inspector. The report continues: "In a minority of sessions, teachers do not provide enough challenge or engaging activities. This limits pupils' opportunities to develop independence and thinking skills. "In these cases, teachers overuse worksheets or talk for too long, meaning that pupils spend less time on meaningful tasks. As a result, pupils rely too much on teacher guidance and do not make sufficient progress, particularly in the upper school." In some lessons, teachers' expectations of pupils were found to be "too low". The inspector added: "They provide pupils with tasks that are unengaging and lack sufficient challenge. In these sessions, many make limited progress. Article continues below "In a few cases, classroom practices, such as having all pupils working at the same pace, further limit the progress that pupils make." Most lessons were deemed to be "too teacher-led" and did not give children enough opportunities to "take the lead" in their learning. This left some pupils relying heavily on teacher guidance and not being engaged enough, particularly in the upper school. "In a few cases, the overuse of worksheets limits pupils' ability to develop independent learning skills or to write at length," the report continues. "In the younger classes, teachers do not provide pupils with sufficient purposeful and challenging independent learning experiences, nor use the outdoors well enough to support pupils' learning." Written feedback from teachers was only effective in a "few" cases, according to the inspector. "In addition, a minority of secondary aged pupils are over-reliant on their teachers when faced with unfamiliar words," the report goes on. "In the lower school, many pupils develop their writing skills appropriately and a minority make strong progress with their writing. However, by the end of year six, a minority do not spell or punctuate accurately enough and have weak handwriting. This remains the case as they move through upper school." Leaders' planning for improvement was found to lack "precision", while Welsh language provision was described as "underdeveloped". Estyn concluded that the school needed "significant improvement" and an action plan to address four key recommendations. The recommendations centred on the quality of teaching; literacy and numeracy skills; planning for improvement; and ensuring the school meets the statutory requirement for pupils to study Welsh up to the age of 16. Article continues below Estyn will monitor the Abertillery Learning Community's progress for around 12 months. The school's budget is subject to a deficit reduction plan approved by Blaenau Gwent council.
Wales Online
10-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Large Welsh school plunges into special measures
Large Welsh school plunges into special measures Reading skills were among the key problems highlighted by the inspector Abertillery Learning Community (Image: Blaenau Gwent Council ) An all-through school has plunged back into special measures after a disappointing inspection. Abertillery Learning Community, a mixed comprehensive in Blaenau Gwent, was criticised for a range of failings in the report by education watchdog Estyn. In 2022 a good report had led to Abertillery Learning Community being removed from Estyn's list of schools requiring significant improvement. But the school has slipped back into that category following its latest inspection, which highlighted issues including that only "a few" primary-aged pupils make strong progress in reading and writing. The English-medium school, which has 1,666 pupils, "provides too few opportunities for pupils of all ages to develop their literacy and numeracy skills across the curriculum", wrote the inspector. The report continues: "In a minority of sessions, teachers do not provide enough challenge or engaging activities. This limits pupils' opportunities to develop independence and thinking skills. "In these cases, teachers overuse worksheets or talk for too long, meaning that pupils spend less time on meaningful tasks. As a result, pupils rely too much on teacher guidance and do not make sufficient progress, particularly in the upper school." In some lessons, teachers' expectations of pupils were found to be "too low". The inspector added: "They provide pupils with tasks that are unengaging and lack sufficient challenge. In these sessions, many make limited progress. Article continues below "In a few cases, classroom practices, such as having all pupils working at the same pace, further limit the progress that pupils make." Most lessons were deemed to be "too teacher-led" and did not give children enough opportunities to "take the lead" in their learning. This left some pupils relying heavily on teacher guidance and not being engaged enough, particularly in the upper school. "In a few cases, the overuse of worksheets limits pupils' ability to develop independent learning skills or to write at length," the report continues. "In the younger classes, teachers do not provide pupils with sufficient purposeful and challenging independent learning experiences, nor use the outdoors well enough to support pupils' learning." Written feedback from teachers was only effective in a "few" cases, according to the inspector. "In addition, a minority of secondary aged pupils are over-reliant on their teachers when faced with unfamiliar words," the report goes on. "In the lower school, many pupils develop their writing skills appropriately and a minority make strong progress with their writing. However, by the end of year six, a minority do not spell or punctuate accurately enough and have weak handwriting. This remains the case as they move through upper school." Leaders' planning for improvement was found to lack "precision", while Welsh language provision was described as "underdeveloped". Estyn concluded that the school needed "significant improvement" and an action plan to address four key recommendations. The recommendations centred on the quality of teaching; literacy and numeracy skills; planning for improvement; and ensuring the school meets the statutory requirement for pupils to study Welsh up to the age of 16. Article continues below Estyn will monitor the Abertillery Learning Community's progress for around 12 months. The school's budget is subject to a deficit reduction plan approved by Blaenau Gwent council.
South Wales Argus
07-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Abertillery parkers pressured with fines despite no evidence
It recently came to light that dozens of people have received £100 penalty notices for parking in one of four bays besides Iceland in Abertillery. It is widely understood that the bays in question are public, a fact confirmed by Blaenau Gwent Council, leading to questions over the legitimacy of the fines. The parking bays in question are believed to belong to Blaenau Gwent Council (Image: Supplied) Those to be fined have since spoken out about the methods implemented by the parking company and how requests for clear photographic proof of wrongdoing have been denied. In what's been likened to 'bully tactics', those fined report being threatened with extra charges and even bailiff action if they fail to pay. Amanda Davies is one of many to report having paid a reduced £60 fine under pressure. 'I received the notice just before going away and paid it in a moment of panic,' she explained. Whilst unsure of what she had done wrong, Ms Davies said, 'I felt powerless and confused.'. 'The only evidence provided was of my car driving down the side of Iceland and exiting. That does not clearly demonstrate a parking violation. But I still wasn't sure who had the authority to issue the fine,' she added. There is particular concern over the impact on vulnerable individuals who receive the fines, with many reporting experiencing significant distress and confusion. Despite the ongoing exposure of the issue, it remains unclear how many individuals have been fined and how many have paid due to feelings of pressure and panic. Highlighting the impact on vulnerable individuals, another explained, 'I paid £60 straight away because they said it would go up to £100 and I suffer with depression and anxiety and didn't want it making me feel worse'. Neil Milkins, who first raised the issue publicly, continues to be contacted by individuals affected and says the scale of the problem is significant. 'I have been made aware, mainly from Facebook, that dozens of people have since March 2024 been sent £100 penalty notices' he said. Adding, 'Some have had more than one notice. Many have been pressured into paying with the bait of paying £60 if paid within 14 days. If not paid within 28 days, a £70 extra charge will be added, with further costs if bailiffs are involved.' Mr Milkins successfully contested the two £100 fines he received, with both being dropped. Nevertheless, he remains concerned for all those with fines outstanding and those who have felt pressured into paying despite a lack of evidence. 'But dozens of motorists are still being harassed to pay for parking legally,' he explained. At the time of publication, the parking company has yet to respond to the concerns regarding the legitimacy of the fines or their methods for extracting payment.
Sky News
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Coal tips: 'Blame game of the past' not helpful, Wales's deputy first minister says
The deputy first minister of Wales has said the "blame game of the past" on coal tips is not "helpful". Huw Irranca-Davies was visiting residents in Cwmtillery, Blaenau Gwent, on Thursday after the partial collapse of a coal waste tip in November during Storm Bert forced dozens to leave their homes. His visit comes days after Sky News spoke with affected residents, who said more needed to be done to ensure their safety. A coal tip is made up of waste material from coal mining, many of which have existed for several decades. The deputy FM, who is also the environment secretary, said it was "essential" to speak with residents directly. "I don't think it's helpful to get into the game of looking into the past and say who should have told who that there was a coal tip there," he told Sky News. 1:09 Mr Irranca-Davies said he was "trying very hard here to avoid the blame game of the past" and accepted the Welsh government had some responsibility. "We have responsibility as Welsh government to do two things," he said. "One is to make sure that we've got the quantum of funding to make coal tips safe, not just in Cwmtillery, but right across Wales. "But secondly to put in place the right statutory framework, so to bring forward the legislation which we're doing now at pace." The Welsh government has outlined proposals for a Disused Tips Authority for Wales, which would take on responsibility for coal tip safety in the future. He also welcomed the £25m announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in last autumn's budget to help ensure coal tips are safe. "We see that as a very welcome, but first, instalment, in a partnership of making good and safe these coal tips," he said. "We need to keep this going across not just this Senedd, but for five, 10 years, decades ahead and keep on making these tips safe." A spokesperson for Blaenau Gwent Council said it carried out "immediate work" to rectify the slip. "We continue to monitor the site closely which includes twice daily visits during periods of heavy rainfall," they added.
