Latest news with #WayneHodgins
South Wales Argus
24-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Blaenau Gwent council 'integrating' Silent Valley staff
At a meeting of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council on Thursday, July 17, Silent Valley was brought up as councillors discussed a response to the outcome of a Peer Panel Assessment which had been conducted in November last year. The panel reviewed the governance arrangements of a council at corporate level in order to assess the extent to which a council: is exercising its functions effectively; is using its resources economically, efficiently, and effectively; and has effective governance in place for securing this. The panel had concluded that the council effectively exercises its functions within the challenging demographic and financial constraints it faces. But they had mentioned that 'legacy issues' such as the council's former arm's length company Silent Valley should be reported on publicly to provide assurance to interested parties. Silent Valley was officially dissolved at the end of March – but there are still lingering problems to resolve. Leader of the opposition Independent group Cllr Wayne Hodgins said: 'It's something that doesn't seem to have gone away just yet and needs to be looked at as a matter of urgency 'We appear to have a two-tier workforce at present.' Cllr Wayne Hodgins raised concerns over a two-tier workforce When visiting the site, the workforce had discussed their issues with Cllr Hodgins, and he said they were feeling 'a bit demoralised.' Council leader Cllr Stephen Thomas (Labour) said: 'There are meetings taking place on that very aspect and it's time the issue was laid to rest.' Director of neighbourhood and environment Mark Thomas confirmed that a review has been conducted on 'how best' to support the Silent Valley staff and make sure that arrangements to transition them into the council are 'equitable.' Mr Thomas said: 'Potentially some staff could have been taken advantage of and we're doing all we can to address that going forward. 'A report will be forthcoming.' Getting back to the panel's report, deputy council leader Cllr Helen Cunningham (Labour) said: 'It was a really valuable way to take stock and have people with a fresh pair of eyes speak to us. 'It outlines the challenges we have in terms of finances and sustainability and also the really good things going on. 'Becoming a Marmot council really has the potential to make a change to our communities and tackle deprivation.' She also noted the 'widespread support' to share a chief executive and greater collaboration with neighbouring Torfaen council. 'I found this exercise really worthwhile,' said Cllr Cunningham. Councillors went ahead an unanimously backed the draft action plan. In February 2022, the council agreed to take over Silent Valley following a damning report by Audit Wales. The report highlighted that the council failed to establish robust and effective arrangements in its relationship with Silent Valley between 2003 and 2017. The transfer of the environment permit in 2023 from Silent Valley to Blaenau Gwent allows the council to operate the landfill site near Cwm until 2076. At a meeting of the county borough council on Thursday, March 27, councillors received a report which explained the final parts of the process to dissolving Silent Valley which had been wound up earlier that month.
South Wales Argus
03-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Racist bullying in Blaenau Gwent schools revealed in report
At a meeting of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council's Children, Young People and Families scrutiny committee on Tuesday, July 1 councillors asked if there was a 'specific policy to deal with racist incidents' if or when they happen in their schools. This was during a session that looked at the safeguarding performance of education department during the last year. Data provided in the report, which attempts to explain the motivation behind of peer-on-peer bullying incidents in schools on 'protected characteristics' as defined in the UK under the Equality Act (2010), showed that 61 of 90 incidents had a racist element. Boy loses finger fleeing 'attack' at Abertillery school Committee chairman, Cllr Wayne Hodgins (Independent) asked if it was down to schools to introduce 'their own individual policy' on bullying or if the education department had a 'blanket cover' that all schools followed. Julie Sambrook said that a member briefing had been given to councillors a couple of months ago on the draft anti-racism action plan produced by the education department. Ms Sambrook said: 'That has been the result of working in partnership with organisations which provide racism support to schools. 'We facilitated an all-headteacher anti-racism awareness day in March.' Abertillery Learning Community closes after Raheem Bailey loses finger She added that following the member briefing session councillors had not made any comments on the plan. Ms Sambrook said: 'The plan in draft has now gone to schools and we're now looking to engage with the local community before the action plan is finalised.' 'We have an action plan we have shared with everyone, and schools are able to either use that as a model plan for themselves. She explained this could be just a protocol within a school's own equalities plan which instructed staff what to do if faced with an issue that could be down to racism. Cllr Derrick Bevan (Labour) ask: 'Are we having racism problems in certain areas?' Ms Sambrook said: 'I think the issue is that it has not been recognised as a problem – we know there's under reporting.' She explained that training is being rolled out by the council so that staff recognise all facets of racism and how it differs from other types of bullying. Ms Sambrook said: 'Schools will say 'we don't have a problem with racism' and then I will have a community cohesion team ringing me asking if I can provide support to a family as there's been incidents of racism.' She believed that getting schools to recognise what is and isn't a racist incident is key to eradicating the problem The report was agreed by councillors. Peer on Peer motivation for bullying, number of incidents Racism – 61 Homophobic – two Sexual – six Transphobic – seven Sexism – one Special educational needs (SEN) – one Others – 12. Total – 90.
South Wales Argus
02-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Talks over CiNER glass bottle making factory in Ebbw Vale
At a meeting of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council's Place scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday, April 29 councillors asked for an update on the much anticipated development, which is expected to see Turkish firm, CiNER build the facility in Ebbw Vale. This was during discussion of the Regeneration and Community Services Performance Report for 2024/2025. The firm were given planning permission by councillors to build the factory at a site on the Rassau Industrial estate back in June 2022 and concerns are raised by councillors every few months or so on the lack of tangible progress being seen with the scheme. This is because of pastprojects such as the Circuit of Wales project which was for a motor racing circuit and technology park development proposal on moorland on the outskirts of Ebbw Vale, which promised much but ultimately failed to materialise. Opposition leader Cllr Wayne Hodgins (Indepdenednt said: 'Ths big ticket question on everyone's minds at present is there any update regarding the CiNER glass factory.' Business and regeneration service manager Owen Ashton said: 'Discussions are still ongoing with CiNER and Welsh Government who are a key partner. 'There are lot of commercial aspects to this, I know there are meetings pencilled in over the next few weeks, and I can provide an update in the next round (of committee meetings).' Cllr Hodgins said: 'It's good to hear that the project at this point in time is not dead in the water, it's very reassuring for us and the wider communities of Blaenau Gwent.' In February 2024 Blaenau Gwent planners approved amendments to the planning permission for the factory. Changes to the scale, height, layout, appearance, access, and landscape of were agreed and a condition about Great Crested Newts was deleted as the amphibians are not present at the site. CiNER is currently working to build two new state-of-the-art glass factories to help increase its glass production capacity to serve the European market. The first glass plant will be situated in Lommel, Belgium which they hope to have built by 2026 – their second factory is the one earmarked for Ebbw Vale. CiNER have been asked to comment.
