VALE of GLAMORGAN COUNCIL Castleland Renewal Team And

VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL

Castleland Renewal Team Residents and Christmas Newsletter Castleland Communities First Issue 1

Working in Partnership

at What's Inside? 198 Holton Road Barry • One new (on the corner of George Street) member of the Communities

First Team • Communities First Activities • Facelifiting update • Improvements to Holton Road • Waste Man- agement & Opening Hours Cleansing Please call in Mon: Closed • Age Concern and ask about Tues: 9am-12.30pm our major Face- Wed: 9am-12.30pm • Care & Repair lifting Thurs: 9am-12.30pm • Citizens Advice Project in the 1.30pm-5pm Bureau Castleland Ward Fri: 9am-12.30pm • Safer Vale and meet the Closed for Christmas from 26th Staff Team. December-3rd January • Credit Union

If you require a Welsh version of this Newsletter, then please contact us. Os hoffech gael y cylchlythyr hwn yn Gymraeg y mae croeso i chi gysylltu a ni.

My name is Mark Ellis and I would like to introduce myself as the new Develop- ment Worker for Castleland Communities First. I am really pleased to have joined the team working alongside Angela and Colin in the office at 198 Holton Road.

I attended Barry Boys Comprehensive and Barry College before studying Business Administra- tion at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff.

Having seen a bit of the world backpacking around Canada and Australia, I decided that there is no place like home and returned to Barry in 2004. My first Community Development position was as an Outreach Worker with the Vale Volunteer Bureau before becoming a Mentro Allan Co- ordinator in Bargoed. I really enjoyed working on this project, encouraging people to participate in outdoor physical activities to benefit their health and wellbeing.

Outside of work I like to keep active by playing Tennis, Cricket (I coach the Barry Wanderers Youth Teams) and Football. I also enjoy taking my Labrador on long walks down the beach.

CONTACT DETAILS: Castleland Communities First Office 198 Holton Road Barry, CF63 4HN

Tel: 01446 709170 Mob: 07725 829805 Email: [email protected]

INDUCTION AND FIRST FEW WEEKS IN POST Angela and Colin have helped me settle into my new post giving me a guided tour of the Castle- land Communities First Office, the Civic Offices on Holton Road and an insight into a few of the projects going on in the Castleland area.

THE STORY SO FAR Meeting the Communities First Team, working partners and agencies and attending various meetings and training relevant to my post.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES IMPACT – Working alongside Hugh and Rachel this project will look at interacting with youngsters from both wards to create a DVD highlighting areas around Substance Misuse and the Im- pact that it causes. The first stage of this multi-media based project will start with consultation with young people aged between 13-18 and follows on from the recent Alcohol and Drug survey conducted within the Vale.

FUTSAL – This is a group of Thompson Street young people aged between 6-14 who participate in Futsal every Friday at Colcot Sports Centre. The last few weeks has seen the group take part in a Youth Club at New Life Elim Church where confidence building and rebounding (mini tram- polines) takes place as part of the youth session. It is great to see the children enjoying them- selves and taking part in the activities.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES CONTINUED/

BENDRICKS SPIRIT – Collaborating with New Life Elim Church, Ben- dricks Spirit and Gibbonsdown Youth Forum on a media based project to find out what the young people would like to see going on in their community. The first media workshop takes place on 14 th December 2011 at Dow Corning Eco Centre.

BUILDING FAMILY FOUNDATIONS – A new project to help prevent offending by invest- ing in families and communities. I will be meeting with the Director to help set up the project and working on setting up training and good practices.

SUCCESS STORY

The Jobs Fayre last September offered 100 vacancies in the Vale Vale job-seekers attended the one-day Jobs Fayre at Barry Memorial Hall on Friday, 9 September. Over 100 permanent and temporary vacancies were on offer at the event and attendees met representatives from a range of organisations. Exhibitors included:

The Royal Air Force Argos Avon Newydd Housing Association Home Bargains The Royal Navy Construction Youth Trust Vale of Glamorgan Council The Listening Company Toys R Us Utility Warehouse Pound Stretcher The Army Careers Wales

The event was organised by Castleland and Gibbonsdown and Court Communities First in partnership with the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Job Centre Plus. Castleland Com- munities First Acting Co-ordinator said:

“This was a great opportunity for anyone looking to get back to work. Several high profile employers were present, along with the Careers Wales Team who gave practical advice for job hunters.”

For more information contact Castleland Communities First’s Co-ordinator, Colin Davies on 01446 709170 Email: [email protected] , Website: www.castlelandcommunitiesfirst.co.uk

ACTIVATE This year Communities First introduced Activate, a fun and interactive 3 day event for local youths from the Communities First Wards held at Barry Comprehensive school.

The youngsters, aged 9-15, engaged in football, martial arts, rounders, cooking classes and several creative pop-art and cartoon drawing workshops. The young people also undertook a Victim Empathy awareness workshop discussing issues around the potential impact of anti social behaviour on the victim/wider community.

The event was hosted and organised by Communities First, through funding provided by the Welsh Government Community Cohesion funds. The event was supported by the Gibbonsdown, Court and Castleland PCSOs, local artist Neil Alex- ander, Art group Pink Diesel, the Community Wellbeing Coaches, Penarth Youth Project and the Vale Youth service.

The week was a resounding success with both staff and young people having a great time, and appreciating the opportunity for positive interaction. The young people demonstrated their talents throughout the week. Communities First hope to have ‘Activated’ some inspiration for the young people to carry on and progress with their skills.

Cohesion Pays the Way This Autumn Communities First funded a survey that was distributed to 50% of the Communities First resident population. The survey asked you, for example, what your crime concerns were, what community focused activities would residents want to get involved in and what you would like done in your area to benefit your community?

We would like to express our gratitude to all those who returned surveys to us. We had a fantastic response. We are currently compiling a report which will analyse the findings. We will then look to address issues raised, and develop actions to target your concerns. The Communities First Cohesion report will be uploaded on to the Communities First website in due course.

The lucky winner of our survey prize of £50 High Street vouchers was Marina Jones from Court ward.

Regeneration work gets thumbs up

from residents

Work on the second phase of a scheme to bring a new lease of life to the Castleland area of Barry has begun.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council is giving the area a facelift to bring back confidence to the once thriving area, as part of a 12-year scheme, jointly funded by the Welsh Government. The front of houses in the 1,200 property Castleland Renewal Area are in line for a makeover, with up to 346 up for completion during this financial year.

Contractors have already completed 68 houses in part of Merthyr Street and Greenwood Street, in a move believed to be the first carried out in Wales, to focus on revamping the front of eligible properties. Sheryl Jones, 63, a retired bakery worker, has lived in Greenwood Street, for 32 years and was one of the first people to benefit from the facelift.

Her home, which she shares with husband Brian, 67, a retired council worker, has been given a new look, with an attractive sand-coloured pebble-dashed render. The house also has new fascia boards, guttering and downpipes, making their home the pride of the neighbourhood.

Mum of one, Mrs Jones, said: “People are going past and stopping us and saying our house looks lovely. It was in our interest to have it done. We were going to have it done anyway, but we would have had to wait for our son to have some spare time.”

Cabinet member for Housing and Community Safety, Cllr Paul Church, said he was pleased to see the results of the facelifting scheme. “It brings a new lease of life to the area,” he said. “This follows on from a successful renewal scheme we had in St Augustine’s ward in Penarth. “Mr and Mrs Jones have a property they can be proud of and I hope seeing their home will encourage other eligible homeowners to agree to have the work carried out.”

Work has now started on sprucing up the front of properties at the top end of Merthyr Street and Belvedere Crescent – around 72 houses. Home owners can choose to have their wooden windows replaced with double-glazed UPVC and wooden doors swapped for a more secure type. There was a 100% take-up from the first phase, which also included the opportunity to have renewed fascia boards, gutters and down pipes and re-rendering or cleaned and repointed stone front.

Other streets identified for the £1.475m makeover this year are 96 houses in – Coronation Street and Fryatt Street; 36 in Ben- drick Road and 73 houses in Kingsland Crescent.

For information visit our Castleland Renewal Area pages , call the Renewal Area Team on 01446 709379 or call into the office

Holton Road - how could it be improved?

The Council is considering options to help regenerate the upper part of Holton Road. This is the section between the School and Bassett Park. Your view is important on what should be done.

Starting the week before Christmas and carrying on through the New Year into February, Council Officers will be seeking your opinion on a number of options to improve the street scene in Holton Road.

Open consultation days will be held throughout January in the Renewal Area Office on the 18th and 26th January and the 7th February between 2.30pm and 6pm. At these sessions more information will be available and Officers will be there to answer any questions and to hear your opinions.

In the meantime, information will be available on the Council's website from the week before Christmas. So if you have view on how to improve the area - let us know by contacting the Renewal Area Team.

Waste Management & Cleansing

We have asked the Council’s Waste Management & Cleansing to provide you as a Cas- tleland resident an, ‘at a glance’ update on some of their services; hopefully you will find it useful and pass information on when you can.

Kerbside Collections This September saw Waste Management collections change - you tell us for the better. Every week the Waste Management & Cleansing Team at the Council collects your co- mingled recycling and food waste from your home. On alternate weeks the Council collects black bags and on the other garden waste (during the gardening season).

Co-mingled Collections Thank you for participating, the Council reports that most residents really are on board and are making a difference. Over half of all waste put out is now recycled or composted and that really impacts positively locally and globally – well done. Keen to find out more about co-mingled recycling? Then view two short films (seven and half minutes) via the recycling pages on the Council’s website.

Christmas Collections Not many of you have been affected by Christmas collections this year; please check your recycling calendar if your day has changed over the holiday period.

Real Christmas Trees Every year the Council offers an additional free collection for your real Christmas trees. Please leave yours out on your usual Waste Management day by 7am from 9 th – 13 th

January 2012. Simply remove all decorations and we will do the rest. Don’t forget you can collect a free soil enhancer from our contractors farm at Cowbridge Compost.

Think ‘Green’ This Christmas You will be surprised on how much more you can recycle. In your weekly food waste collection you can add items such as satsuma peel, nut shells, brussels sprouts trim- ming and even the turkey carcass. Indulged in Christmas drinks? Then add all the bot- tles and cans to your kerbside box too. Cards and wrapping paper (as long as they are not foil or have jewels on) can also be included in your weekly co-mingled collection.

Garden Waste Garden waste now operates on a ‘ring & request’ basis, telephone: 01446 700111 to book in a collection. This continues through to Friday 30 March 2012, after which alternate week collections carry on.

Need a Reminder and Lost your Calendar? Simply telephone: 01446 700111 and the Council’s Call Centre will send you another. Remember that failure to leave out your black bags on the correct day by 7am could re- sult in enforcement action against being taken against you, so make it your New Year’s resolution to get it right every time.

Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) Don’t forget you can recycle additional items at either HWRC in the Vale, there is one in Llandow or you can visit the recently opened Atlantic Trading Estate in Barry. Winter opening times are 10am – 4pm; they open 362 days a year and are just closed on Box- ing, Christmas and New Year’s Days.

Report a Problem The Enforcement Team are ever vigilant and besides black bags being left out on the wrong day will also respond to incidents such as dog fouling, graffiti and fly-tipping across the Vale. You can report problems efficiently via the ‘do it online’ pages of the Council’s website at: www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or telephone: 01446 700111. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 abuse could lead to prosecution or an on the spot fine of £75.

Bulky Item Collections If you can’t donate items to charity, friends or family, then look at contacting local social enterprises (such as Track 2000 in the Vale and Cardiff) who seek to redistribute furni- ture locally. Failing that the Council provides a free collection of bulky items such as beds, fridge freezers and washing machines just telephone 01446 700111 to book in a collection.

Contact Telephone: 01446 700111, Email: [email protected] Visit: www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/recycle

££££££££ Putting money in pensioners’ pockets ££££££££

Millions of pounds go in unclaimed benefits each year. The Age Concern Welfare Rights Service is encouraging people to claim their benefit entitlement.

Are you struggling to cope with the rise in the cost of living, or worried about paying bills, and not sure about benefits?

Our experienced Welfare Rights Service has Advisors who can help you to get your benefit entitlements. Celebrating its’ 10th year, the service has helped nearly 17,000 pensioners claim benefits. If you are not sure whether you are entitled and over the age of 60? Then give us a call and find out. Let us help you to get yours.

We offer a free service often providing home visits to complete benefit forms such as Attendance Allowance, Council Benefit and Pension Credit.

Don’t just take our word for it. Below is a selection of quotes from the people we have helped:

“Our sincere thanks, it has made such a difference.”

“Thanks for your help, it will enable me to pay for petrol or taxis.”

“A thank you to you and all the staff at Age Concern. We very much appreciate how kind and helpful everyone has been and the benefits we have received have made life a lot easier.”

Call us today on Cardiff Tel: 029 2056 7883.

If you require help or assistance with home repair, maintenance or adaptation works, then Care & Repair in the Vale could help you.

Who are we?

We exist to support older people to repair, adapt and maintain their homes thereby enabling them to live as independently as possible with increased safety, security, warmth and comfort.

Who can we help?

We help older people who live in the Vale of Glamorgan who own their homes

How can we help?

We help older people complete repairs, improvements and adaptations to their homes, through the provision of expert advice, support and practical assistance.

We help older people with works ranging from very small items such as the repairing of a small water leak or the installation of handrails through to major jobs such as bathroom conversions or replacing a roof.

Our Casework Service

Our Caseworkers can help older home owners by providing:

• Impartial advice about repairs or other works that are required • Details of reputable contractors • Assistance with obtaining and evaluating quotations • Grant / benevolent fundraising assistance • Assistance with overseeing the completion of work

The Agency’s Caseworker services are funded by the Welsh Government and as such, are free for clients. Whilst grants and other fundraising sources may be available, some clients may have to pay to have works done in their homes.

Our Handyperson Service

Our Handypersons can help older home owners or carers by undertaking small works including:

• Plumbing repairs such as dripping taps, small leaks, overflows, ball cocks, blocked sinks • Safety works such as installing handrails or smoke detectors, changing light bulbs or repairing floorboards, stairs and banisters • Security works such as installing door chains and spy holes, fitting locks to doors and windows • Miscellaneous works such as changing WC seats, putting up curtain rails, easing doors

The Agency’s Handyperson services are funded by the Vale of Glamorgan Council. Labour is free for clients but any materials used have to be paid for.

Contacting us

For further information on the services provided by Care & Repair in the Vale, please feel free to contact us or ask someone to contact us on your behalf by:

Telephoning: 01446 704308 Emailing: [email protected] Writing: 121 Broad Street, Barry, CF62 7AL

Our partners

We are a non profit making service and are funded, monitored and supported by:

Don’t get caught out at Christmas by Illegal Money Lending!

Christmas is a time of giving, but you don’t want to give yourself a headache in the New Year with bills and debts you can’t afford. It’s all too easy to overspend – there are tempting offers and pressures to buy, but the key thing is to decide how much you can afford before you start spending.

• If you do need more money, don’t just run up an overdraft without talking to your bank first – it will work out much more expensive. • If you can afford to pay for your goods outright by cash, cheque, or debit card, don’t be persuaded to take out extended credit agreements unless they really do work out cheaper. • Try as many different places as possible to find the best price. Buy what you want and not what other people say you need. Be wary of extended warranties: the cost of a repair can be less than the cost of the warranty. • Check for hidden extras in any credit agreement. Work out the total amount pay- able. Ensure that the monthly installments are within your budget before sign- ing. Interest free credit can seem attractive, but if you don’t pay on time, or miss a payment, you could have to pay a lot more. • There’s a lot to remember at Christmas. If you’ve borrowed money don’t forget that it won’t be long before you have to make a payment. Make sure you pay on time, even if it is only the minimum, or you will be faced with additional charges.

It is important to know that borrowing from an unlicensed lender is not an offence. The offence will have been committed by the lender. Remember, loan sharks usually charge extortionate rates of interest, which can run into thousands of pounds. This creates a situation where you are never able to repay the loan. If you are a loan shark victim, or think there may be a loan shark operating in your area, contact the Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit on the 24 hour Hotline. If you do need more Tel: 0300 123 3311 - All calls are completely confidential.

The Vale of Glamorgan CAB can offer help and advice with: debt, welfare benefits, employment, consumer, health, relationship and many more issues. Our opening hours are: Barry: Monday 9.30-4.30 Tuesday 9.30-4.30 Wednesday 9.30-6.00 Thursday 9.30-4.30 Friday 9.30-4.30 Gibbonsdown: By appointment only Telephone advice: Mon-Fri 10-4pm 0844 4772020

Internet www.valecab.org www.adviceguide.org.uk Email Advice [email protected]

Silent Night Most people enjoy a party to celebrate the Christmas and New Year Season. Generally Neighbours are tolerant if it's not a frequent occurrence and they feel that you are taking reasonable steps to consider them.

Please think about the following if you intend to have a party: • Inform your neighbours - of the date, start and finish times and try to stick to them and remember neighbours may have children or have to go to work the following day. • Be considerate when arranging the music - especially if the party is in the garden. Music carries a long way (particularly bass notes). Entertain your guests, not your neighbours! • Respond to any complaints - be prepared to turn the music down if asked to by neighbours, the Police or the Council. • After 11.00pm. reduce the music volume - take the party inside, close windows and doors and check the noise level from the outside - if you can hear it outside it's probably too loud! • Some houses and flats have thin walls and floors - even if you cannot hear the noise outside, your neighbour may still be able to, especially if the music has a heavy bass beat. • Request that your guests leave quietly - raised voices and slamming doors late at night are equally as disturbing as loud music.

Report anti social behaviour in complete confidence for further information on how to report anti- social behaviour and the work of the Safer Vale Partnership, visit www.safervale.co.uk or telephone (01446) 700111 or 101.

What’s in your drink? According to the health service alcohol consumption in the UK is on the increase. The recommended limits are not to exceed 21 units for men and 14 for women, and no more than 2-3 units per day for women or 3-4 units for men. One pint of normal strength lager usually contains around 2-3 units, a glass of wine can vary between 2-3 units. Drinking above the recommended limits on a regular basis increases your risk of associated health risks including heart and liver disease as well as obesity. Be aware of what you drink and how much you are drinking. More information is available on www.drinkwisewales.org.uk .

Work out your alcohol units for yourself with this handy sum: Strength (%) x Volume (ml) ÷ 1000 = No. of units (e.g. Pint of Stella - 5.2 x 568 ÷ 1000 = 2.95)

Home Security At this time of year we all have extra valuables in the house as we do our Christmas shopping. We need to keep these safe. • Make sure your house looks occupied—use timer switches for lighting and close curtains • Keep your home secure and store your gifts out of sight until Christmas • If you are expecting a parcel, make sure someone is there when it is delivered, or ask a neighbour to take it in. Avoid having it left on the door step • Lock and bolt your doors and windows • Keep keys, mobile phones, purses, wallets and other valuable items locked away out of sight • Don't leave your keys in the door at any time

• Don’t advertise that you’re spending Christmas away from home—ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your property and to notify the Police if they see or hear anything suspicious

A Credit to Castleland Borrow safely with Cardiff and Vale Credit Union

You can take control of your money with the help of Cardiff and Vale Credit Union, encouraging you to save what you can and borrow only what you can afford to repay.

Many people who need to borrow money are tempted to turn to loan sharks operating in their neighbourhood, but this will only lead to extremely high interest rates and intimidation if repayments slip. In the last four years the number of people us- ing loan sharks in Wales has risen by 40%, but there is an alternative.

By saving with the Credit Union for Christmas, holidays, university fees, school uniforms or something for the home you can take advantage of low interest rate loans with no hidden charges. The Credit Union is regulated by the Financial Ser- vices Authority and protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the same as the banks and building societies you will find on your High Street, so your savings will be safe.

Mrs Mary Newman, who has saved with the Credit Union for over 30 years said, “It’s hard to watch people get stuck in cycles of borrowing money from the wrong people. Given the fact that you can save and borrow in such a flexible way with Cardiff & Vale Credit Union, it should be the obvious choice. Your money is safe with Cardiff & Vale Credit Union and anyone needing money should contact them rather than borrowing at extortionate rates elsewhere.”

Repayments are designed for individual needs and unlike some other lenders the loan can be cleared at anytime without penalty charges. Loans up to £5000 are also covered by free life insurance* which will clear the remaining amount if the worst were to happen. *terms and conditions apply.

Anyone who regularly saves with the Credit Union can apply for a loan, with the amount borrowed based on the ability to repay. If you are interested in joining Car- diff and Vale Credit Union and you want to find out more, visit one of the local collection points:

Barry Library, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.30am – 12.30pm Barry Civic Offices, Holton Road, Mondays 10.00am – 1.00pm Gibbonsdown Communities First Office, Wednesdays 11.30am – 12.30pm, 1.00pm – 2.00pm

You can also call 029 2087 2373 or visit the website www.cardiffcu.com for more information.

Dreading Christmas Debt? Take Control With Our…

Countdown to Christmas Savings Club

How Christmas savings with us can benefit you… • Save as little or as much as you can afford • Range of payment options available • Avoid hefty interest rates from lenders • Members automatically receive Free Life Insurance on accounts with us • Your money is Safe (we are authorised and regulated by FSA) • Withdraw at any time, providing you have no loan

Call us for more information on: 029 2087 2373

Or come and see us at

Coming soon to Flying Start, Gladstone Road, Barry

www.cardiffcu.com Cardiff & Vale Credit Union, County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff CF10 4UW. FSA FRN 213467

Need a new TV or appliance for Christmas?

Order your goods through the Credit Union today… • Choose your low cost appliance online at www.coopelectricalshop.co.uk • Join and A pply for a low cost loan to cover the cost (New customers can borrow up to a maximum of £250) • Pay 10% or more of cost into a linked savings account • The Credit Union arranges order & free delivery of your item. • Range of payment options available • Avoid hefty interest rates from lenders and high street stores

Call us for more information on: 029 2087 2373

Or come and see us at Barry Library, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.30am – 12.30pm Barry Civic Offices, Holton Road, Mondays 10.00am – 1.00pm Gibbonsdown Communities First Office, Wednesdays 11.30am – 12.30pm, 1.00pm – 2.00pm www.cardiffcreditunion.com Cardiff Credit Union, County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff CF10 4UW. FSA FRN 213467

Castleland Renewal Team and Communities First Team Contact Details at: 198 Holton Road Barry Vale of Glamorgan CF63 4HN

Gareth Warren Gail Charles Castleland Renewal Area Officer Grant Liaison Officer Public Protection Services Public Protection Services

T: 01446 709379 T: 01446 709832 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Paul Gould Ceri Darwent Grants Officer Support Officer-Private Sector Housing Public Protection Services Public Protection Services

T: 01446 709823 T: 01446 709815 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

Castleland Renewal Area Information Visit our Website at www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk Ewch i’n gwefan yn www.bromorgannwg.gov.uk

Colin Davies Development Worker – Mark Ellis Co-ordinator Development Worker Castleland Communities First T: 01446 709170 T: 01446 709784 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Angela Perry Hugh Carter Administrator Temporary Asst. Cohesion Project Officer Castleland Communities First Castleland Communities First

T: 01446 709432 T: 01446 709854 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Castleland Communities First Information Visit our Website at www.castlelandcommunitiesfirst.co.uk Ewch i’n gwefan yn www.castlelandcommunitiesfirst.co.uk

If you require a Welsh version of this Newsletter, then please contact us. Os hoffech gael y cylchlythyr hwn yn Gymraeg y mae croeso i chi gysylltu a ni.