www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk Worldskills gold


AS the officially named top performing Welsh college at The Skills Show in Birmingham, Coleg Sir Gâr students faced challengers from across the UK to bring home medals, two of which included gold. Construction metal works student Jones, 21, and trainee


Rhodri


plasterer, Ross Richardson-Davies, 21, each won gold in their respective skills at the inaugural Skills Show held at Birmingham NEC. Three other students took bronze medals including mechanical engineering student Richard Harvard Griffiths,


20, Microsoft Applications trainee, Tee Jay Dack, 17, and Construction Metal Works Trainee, Jonathan Price, 21.


In addition 17-year old


Daniel Koehler, who has already been chosen for the UK Squad - training for


WorldSkills event in Germany next year, added to the tally by taking home a silver medal in a special web design contest held at the show. As a result of the competition


success, Coleg Sir Gâr is now joint first with City of Bristol College in the WorldSkills UK rankings.


the international


CARMARTHENSHIRE NEWS • EDITION 11 JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2013


Are you affected by the welfare reforms?


A NUMBER of organisations are available to help people in Carmarthenshire who will be affected by the welfare reforms coming in this year. The reforms mark the biggest overhaul of the benefits


system since it began some 60 years ago. The Government aims to simplify the system, and plans to ensure people are always better off working than being unemployed. Advice Support Carmarthenshire (ASC) is available to


help with information and support for those affected by the changes. ASC consists of over 50 organisations which work


College opens doors


together to ensure that anyone requiring assistance can be directed to the most suitable advice and support available. Visit www.asccarmarthenshire call 01267 234567 email direct@carmarthenshire.gov.uk. For more information on welfare reform visit www.dwp.gov.uk Bedroom Tax ONE of the main changes will be the introduction of


what is commonly known as the ‘bedroom tax’. Working-age council or housing association tenants


living in a home with one or more ‘spare’ bedrooms may see their benefits reduced. For one spare bedroom, housing benefit will be cut by at least 14 per cent of the weekly rent, for two or more spare bedrooms, at least 25 per cent will be cut.


COLEG Sir Gâr will be hosting their open evenings on the following dates in the new year: 22 January, 20 March and 1 July 2013. Open evenings are an opportunity to talk to teaching and support staff about


courses, opportunities and career choices. They are held on every campus, which include the Graig, Pibwlwyd, Ammanford, Gelli Aur and Jobs Well from 5.30-8pm. Contact 01554 748179 or enquiries@colegsirgar.ac.uk


Did You


Know? THE number of dog fouling fines issued in Carmarthenshire has increased five-fold compared to the same period last year.


A total of 103 fixed penalty notices were handed out by environmental enforcement officers between April and November compared to just 18 the previous year.The number of fines for littering and other similar offences has also risen during this period – quadrupling from 56 to 203.


After the May elections, the council’s administration pledged to get tough on dog fouling and litter.


Council re-lets faster


THE average re-let time for an empty council home has dropped from 42 to 23 days. Teams in the Housing and Property departments


Services have


overhauled the system following a review of the process from having one set of keys returned from a tenant to them being handed over to the next tenant. Now, perspective tenants view the


property as soon as it becomes empty and are supported to make choices regarding redecoration and adaptations before they move in, as well as being offered welfare advice. It creates a better experience for


the tenant, and means the council does not waste time and money decorating the home, only for the tenant to move in and redecorate to their own taste. As a result, average re-let


times have significantly, with the fastest re-let


13 Advertorial Council tenants are advised to speak to their housing


officer. Housing Association tenants are advised to speak to their landlords. Advice can also be obtained from the council’s Housing Benefits team - call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567, text 07892 345 678, or email direct@carmarthenshire.gov.uk Council Tax benefit changes CHANGES are being made to the Council Tax Benefit


scheme which will affect around 19,000 households in Carmarthenshire. In April 2013, the current system is being abolished and


replaced with a localised Council Tax Reduction scheme. The move is being made by the national Government at Westminster which is cutting the level of funding it will be providing. It means that from next April, households that have


previously received 100 per cent Council Tax Benefit will have to pay at least part of their bill. Those currently receiving partial Council Tax Benefit will also face an increase in the amount they have to pay. For more information visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01267 234567.


dropped


recorded at just five hours. If the trend continues, the council could receive some £400,000 extra in rent,


which would be used to invest back in to homes and communities.


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