Ten years of Care & Repair £11m development begins Melin Homes is


A local agency that has helped to save Torfaen health and social care services £1.3million in the last year alone has celebrated 10 years of helping older people.


Care & Repair Torfaen marked its first decade of helping homeowners within the borough to live independently, safely and securely in their own homes, with a jubilee-style street party at Melin Homes’ flagship extra care scheme, Ty George Lansbury.


The agency, which is based at Melin Homes HQ in Pontypool, has accessed an extra £580,000 in welfare benefits and raised almost £300,000 in benevolent funding to help its clients in the decade.


It provides a free home visiting service, giving information about choices that can improve the comfort, safety and security needed to support


older people to remain living independently in their own homes.


This can include advice, help to apply for grants and accessing the services of reputable contractors.


Care & Repair can help with small jobs, like installing hand rails, to major building works such as replacing a roof or installing specially adapted bathrooms.


Agency manager Nicola Maule said: “Our aim is to keep older people independent and safe in their own homes.


“By carrying out relatively inexpensive minor works or adaptations, for example fitting handrails to client’s homes, we can prevent the need for hospitalisation that may arise from accidents in the home.


“We are able to do this by utilising funding from Welsh Government, Aneurin Bevan Health Board, Torfaen council and Melin Homes.”


Councillor named WLGA leader


embarking on its biggest development to date. The £11.1million Caer Nant


development, which is being built on the site of the former Brookfield Primary School, will bring 111 new homes to the heart of Cwmbran.


As well as a variety of houses and apartments available to rent or buy, the new development will also include a 41-unit extra care scheme.


The building has been designed in-line with the Welsh Government’s guidance on extra care and will be built to a BREEAM Excellent environmental standard. It is hoped that its location in the heart of Cwmbran town centre will encourage the new residents of the extra care scheme to remain active and retain their independence.


Caer Nant is being built for Melin by Greenhill Construction


Ltd and is due for completion in autumn 2013.


Melin has worked with Torfaen council on this project, to help meet current housing needs within the borough.


Melin Homes chief executive Mark Gardner said: “Melin is proud to be providing such a large quantity of high-quality and affordable homes in the heart of Cwmbran.


Local learners take awards


The achievements of some of Torfaen’s top adult learners were marked at a special ceremony at the Settlement in Pontypool.


As part of Adult Learners’


Week, Torfaen council held its annual adult learning partnership celebration of achievement awards ceremony on 24 May.


The leader of Torfaen council, councillor Bob Wellington, has been elected as the new leader of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA). Representing all 22 local councils in Wales, the WLGA promotes


local government and democracy, and supports councils to improve local services for the benefit of their communities.


Accepting a leadership portfolio that spans the breadth of


local government policy and service delivery in Wales, councillor Wellington stated: “While my priority will always remain the residents of Torfaen, I am delighted to become the leader of the WLGA and to follow in the footsteps of some of the stalwarts of local government in Wales. I will follow this tradition and will extend the hand of friendship to all councils, regardless of political persuasion. We must work together if local government in Wales is to successfully meet the massive challenges of service pressures, cuts and austerity head-on.


“One of my priorities is to widen the contribution of councillors


from across Wales, and encourage input from a new generation of elected members. We must work hard to ensure that fresh insight can be translated into effective local government policy.”


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Deputy leader councillor Lewis Jones said: “Yet again, we supported Adult Learners’ Week with a full programme of fun and interesting events designed to inspire Torfaen residents to try something new.


ry something


“This culminated innated in the awards ceremony, where we heardar


er


inspirational stories of local people making positiveive improvements to their lives, with the


stories e


ts


help of adult education courses.


“I’m delighted ted


so many people have taken advantage of the courses we offer and have achieved so much.


“I hope other Torfaen


residents will be inspired by these success stories and take advantage of the wonderful learning opportunities that are available in the borough.”


The overall winner was Donna Roynon-Berry (pictured below), who has been studying IT for the last three years. In 2011-2012, she also studied GCSE maths and ECDL Advanced.


For more information on the courses available in Torfaen, call 01495 742910.


“I am pleased we are able to


offer such a range of housing solutions to the people of Torfaen and, in no-time at all, we will be welcoming families into their new homes.”


Melin Homes is a not-for-


profit landlord providing quality homes and services across Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Newport, Powys and Torfaen.


Local surface


improvements Works to improve highway and canal tow path surfaces in Torfaen have been completed. The works, funded by the


Valleys Regional Park’s Valleys Cycle Network project, aimed to encourage cycling and walking in the area. Improvements were made at the Fountain Road rear lane in Pontymoile, the tow path from Commercial Street to the start of the Five Locks in Pontnewydd, and the tow path from Bevan’s Lane, Pontnewydd to the canal crossing between Elm Grove and Richmond Road, Sebastopol.


The works were primarily


improvements to surfaces and the installation of new handrails, edgings and motorcycle barriers.


i


a h


m


The tow path sections were re- surfaced with tarmac to match other sections of canal tow path in Torfaen, to improve access for all and reduce areas of water retention on surfaces and any minor trip hazards.


s o i


a m The surface to Fountain Road


was re-surfaced with additional drop kerb crossing points.


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Recycle Torfaen Talks - pop it into your black recycling box


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