JNanuarey 201w5 pThe officiral ntew spaMper ofa Newtpotrt Ceity Crous ncil Top award Residents thanked for leader Newport City Council leader, Councillor Bob for views on budget Bright, was named Welsh Local Politician Newport residents are being thanked for the feedback provided on the council’s budget of the year at the Welsh proposals. In the council’s most widespread programme of engagement to date, more than Politician of the Year awards. 1,000 people joined in the budget conversation, giving their views and suggestions on how Speaking about his award, the council can close its £10 million budget gap. Councillor Bright, said: “To Newport City Council’s the proposals, but the fact is receive the Welsh Local cabinet met before Christmas we will have to make very Politician of the Year award to discuss a range of draft tough decisions. Details of is a real honour, and I would budget proposals for the next some of the most difficult are like to put on record my financial year and recognised detailed later in this article.” sincere thanks to all those that this was going to be a Newport City Council who have supported me and difficult process for the provides nearly 1,000 the city council – fellow council and residents alike. services but savings of politicians, council officers Councillor Bob Bright, almost £10 million have to be and partners. leader of the council, said: “I found in 2015/16 on top of “I have been in politics for know that people will be around £50 million that has many years and 2014 must frustrated and sometimes already been made over have to rank as one of the disappointed with some of recent years. most momentous so far, the changes that may take Listening to what’s with the city hosting the vulnerable adults, waste and Residents were also asked Nato summit and seeing place, but I can assure you important to you recycling, and education and what the council could do regeneration make giant that the council’s aim is not Ahead of considering skills were the areas of the differently to save money. leaps forward.” to destroy what is important where it could save £10 council’s work that were The top three responses Councillor Bright was to the people of Newport. million, the council carried valued most by residents. were: less senior managers chosen by a panel made up Unfortunately this is out a city-wide budget Some services that and reduced senior of cross party politicians and becoming the most difficult conversation, which saw residents ranked lower management salaries; senior media financial period in the history more than 1,000 residents included libraries and support more volunteering; representatives. of local government. give their opinions. community facilities, sports, and improve recycling He received the award for “There has been much Care for the elderly and speculation about some of leisure and cultural facilities, services. the way Newport has and children's play or youth In recent years, the number promoted itself and for his services. Of course some of council staff has greatly membership of the people feel strongly about reduced and the number of European Committee of the these services, but in the managers is also being cut – Regions ensuring that Welsh overall feedback people with savings of around £800k local government has a rated them as less of a next year. All staff salaries strong voice in Europe. priority. continued on page 3 . e d i s n I Another milestone Community learning February half Schools awarded for Make a recycling for Friars Walk supplement term fun work with families resolution Recycle for Newport – pop me in your blue recycling box News... Newyddion... Schools recognised for Supporting people work with families following hospital stays Work has started on a care and wellbeing, said: Fourteen Newport schools worked closely with the them in the education of their new scheme which will “Older people can lose their have achieved a schools to help them evaluate children. give vital support to older confidence following an illness or fall which has prestigious award and show the evidence of “Previously it has been people and help them required a stay in hospital recognising the work they their work in order to gain difficult to assess the extent of regain their confidence what they do but gathering but they want to return to do with families of their the award. and independence after Cathy Barnett, of Eveswell the evidence for the Investors their own homes. pupils. leaving hospital. Primary School, explained: in Families award enables the “Intermediate care can help Investors in Families is a Newport City Council is “The scheme has allowed us full picture to be presented bridge the gap between national scheme which aims using a Welsh Government to look in detail at our and we can see the tangible, hospital and home by to value and support the grant to fund the conversion support for families and how positive and sometimes life- helping them to rebuild that important role that families of a number of rooms at we liaise with them. We changing difference schools confidence and relearn the play in the life of the child. Parklands Residential Home constantly take the views and are making to the lives of skills they need to live Newport High School, in Malpas for intermediate needs of individual families pupils and their families. independently. Crindau Primary, Duffryn care, also known as ‘step on board. Anything that “I would like to “It could also help prevent Infants, Eveswell Primary, down beds’. supports parents and families congratulate all those schools longer than necessary stays Maindee Primary, Malpas To minimise the disruption to get involved in school will that have been awarded the in hospital for people who Court Primary, Millbrook to the home’s residents, be of great benefit to our accreditation, and those who have recovered their health Primary, Milton Infants, arrangements were made for pupils.” are nearly there, as well as but need more support Monnow Primary, them to move temporarily Councillor Debbie Wilcox, encourage others to seriously before they can return Pillgwenlly Primary, St while the work takes place. the council’s cabinet member consider going for it. It is not home.” David’s RC Primary, St Councillor Paul Cockeram, for education and young an easy process but is It is expected that the new Mary’s RC Primary, Ysgol cabinet member for social people, said: “I know our definitely worth the effort. I unit will open spring 2015. Gymraeg Ifor Hael and schools work very closely would also like to thank our Fairoak Nursery have all with families and make officers for the assistance they received the accreditation. Community equipment strenuous efforts to involve have given the schools.” Newport City Council has Newport residents are arrange for it to be collected. able to borrow equipment Some items, such as hoists to help them maintain and and bath lifts, have to be improve their serviced as well as having their need and use reviewed independence from the every year. It is very Gwent-wide integrated important that people co- community equipment operate with these safety service (GWICES). checks and reviews. A loan can be made If the team are unable to following an assessment by a gain access to service or social or healthcare review the suitability of the professional and equipment is loaned equipment, it would delivered, collected, serviced be necessary to remove the and maintained by Vision equipment and review the Products based in the city. position to see the best way to The equipment remains the meet that person’s needs. property of Newport City If you are struggling with Council and is identified with everyday tasks call 01633 a bar code, the name Vision 656656 and request an Products and the council’s assessment or ask for a leaflet telephone number, 01633 detailing local suppliers From left to right: Mason Bush, head teacher Cathy Barnett, Elinor Webb, teacher Sue Webb, 656656. When the equipment where you can buy your own Malika Asad, Councillor Wilcox, and Ayaan Ali. is no longer required, people equipment. should phone this number to #visitnp New location for ship There are some great events, attractions and offers in Newport and you can now Newport’s Medieval The conservation work of the ship’s timbers will keep track of them on Twittter with #visitnp Ship has a new home at continue and public open We’ll be highlighting not only council-run events and activities, but all things local Unit 20 Estuary Court, days will be held at the new including special offers and some of the lesser-known treasures of our city. Queensway Industrial location – details to follow. Follow us @newportcouncil Estate. 2 Call the city contact centre 01633 656 656 NEWPORT MATTERS News... Newyddion... Residents thanked for views on budget continued from page 1 prospects, more preventative becoming difficult to Council tax online questionnaire, email have been reviewed and one measures are seeing people maintain the current level. The council is proposing to [email protected] of the new proposals is to live independently for Some of our buildings are increase its council tax level ov.uk or write to Budget reduce the number of cabinet longer and we are not fit for purpose. The which would see residents in Consultation, Policy and members. continuing to explore ways proposal is to review the Band D properties paying Partnerships, Newport City What we’re investing in of working with partners to service which could reduce only an extra 86p a week.