Keep Wales Tidy

CARL SARGEANT AM TO PRESENT CONNAH’S QHAY HIGH SCHOOL WITH TIDY TOWNS CHEQUE
Faced with the prospect that Wales’ litter and waste clean up bill could soon top £50 million, Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has welcomed a Welsh Assembly Government funded initiative designed to tackle problem hot spots and to encourage local groups to get involved. The £3 million ‘Tidy Towns’ programme aims to strategically empower the people of Wales to take responsibility for the quality of their local environment. It is being delivered by encouraging community groups to adopt known black-spots and, with professional support from Keep Wales Tidy project officers, help to restore them to their former glory.Mr Sargeant is celebrating the news that Connah’s Quay High School Voluntary Development Groups has been successful in its bid for funding and has been awarded £700 under the scheme to buy equipment to help keep York Road Park and children’s play area clean and safe. Mr Sargeant will be presenting the group with their cheque on 5th February at York Road Park (Spar Park), Connah's Quay.Mr Sargeant said: “I am delighted that Connah’s Quay High School Voluntary Development Group have taken the initiative and have made the most of this funding opportunity. I commend their positive actions to improve the community, and I am confident that the project will continue to be both enjoyable and rewarding.“The intention was always that the Tidy Towns project would be community-led. In addition to regular clean ups, communities could also undertake creative projects such as developing community gardens, improving disabled access or promoting waste amnesties. “We all have a duty to help contribute towards the creation of a cleaner, safer and tidier Wales. I hope that this new investment will continue to be a catalyst for change, and that more and more communities and groups in Alyn and Deeside will follow Connah’s Quay High School’s lead in seizing this new opportunity.”Judith Wright, Project Officer for Keep Wales Tidy said: “I am thrilled that the Connah’s Quay High School pupils have been successful in receiving this funding, and I am very impressed by the hard work and the dedication that the children have already shown in transforming and maintaining the park. I know that the new funding will ensure the project goes from strength to strength.“The children are looking forward to spending the grant on tools, native flowers, and bird boxes to further enhance the park and to encourage local wildlife.”Extra Keep Wales Tidy staff are being put in place right across Wales so that communities in every local authority can have access to expert advice and support. The team will also be charged with raising awareness of the short and long term effects that litter, waste and anti social behaviour has on the wellbeing of communities.

Keep Wales Tidy

CARL SARGEANT AM TO PRESENT CONNAH’S QHAY HIGH SCHOOL WITH TIDY TOWNS CHEQUE
Faced with the prospect that Wales’ litter and waste clean up bill could soon top £50 million, Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has welcomed a Welsh Assembly Government funded initiative designed to tackle problem hot spots and to encourage local groups to get involved. The £3 million ‘Tidy Towns’ programme aims to strategically empower the people of Wales to take responsibility for the quality of their local environment. It is being delivered by encouraging community groups to adopt known black-spots and, with professional support from Keep Wales Tidy project officers, help to restore them to their former glory.Mr Sargeant is celebrating the news that Connah’s Quay High School Voluntary Development Groups has been successful in its bid for funding and has been awarded £700 under the scheme to buy equipment to help keep York Road Park and children’s play area clean and safe. Mr Sargeant will be presenting the group with their cheque on 5th February at York Road Park (Spar Park), Connah's Quay.Mr Sargeant said: “I am delighted that Connah’s Quay High School Voluntary Development Group have taken the initiative and have made the most of this funding opportunity. I commend their positive actions to improve the community, and I am confident that the project will continue to be both enjoyable and rewarding.“The intention was always that the Tidy Towns project would be community-led. In addition to regular clean ups, communities could also undertake creative projects such as developing community gardens, improving disabled access or promoting waste amnesties. “We all have a duty to help contribute towards the creation of a cleaner, safer and tidier Wales. I hope that this new investment will continue to be a catalyst for change, and that more and more communities and groups in Alyn and Deeside will follow Connah’s Quay High School’s lead in seizing this new opportunity.”Judith Wright, Project Officer for Keep Wales Tidy said: “I am thrilled that the Connah’s Quay High School pupils have been successful in receiving this funding, and I am very impressed by the hard work and the dedication that the children have already shown in transforming and maintaining the park. I know that the new funding will ensure the project goes from strength to strength.“The children are looking forward to spending the grant on tools, native flowers, and bird boxes to further enhance the park and to encourage local wildlife.”Extra Keep Wales Tidy staff are being put in place right across Wales so that communities in every local authority can have access to expert advice and support. The team will also be charged with raising awareness of the short and long term effects that litter, waste and anti social behaviour has on the wellbeing of communities.

AM Welcomes Investment

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES APPRENTICESHIP INVESTMENT
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has welcomed a £68m funding package put in place by the Assembly Government for apprenticeships and support to businesses, employees and learners.The ProAct scheme will assist employers and employees in dealing with a fall-off in orders, and will provide an alternative to redundancy by way of short time working and retraining during the days not being worked.The scheme will receive £48m of Welsh Assembly Government funding – including £30m from the Convergence European Social Fund – to cover the year 2009-10 and the current pilot phase.To support apprenticeships during the economic downturn a further £20m will be made available, subject to support from European Structural Funds, to help sustain and encourage new apprenticeship recruitment.Mr Sargeant said: "The ProAct initiative will deliver for businesses, employees and learners during these harsh economic times."Subsidising re-training is crucial in anticipation of an economic upturn."We are trying to make this recession as short and shallow as possible to help the people of Alyn and Deeside and this scheme will go a long way to achieving that aim."

AM Helps Raise Awareness

CARL SARGEANT AM IN ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS MEETING
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, will tomorrow meet with a representative of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Wales Sub-Group on Arthritis to discuss ways in which the Assembly Government can further help raise awareness of the little-known condition Ankylosing Spondylitis, and explore what action can be taken in order to ensure that people with the condition are diagnosed promptly in order to access the appropriate medical and physiotherapy services as early as possible.Mr Sargeant has previously hosted a round table discussion on Ankylosing Spondylitis at the National Assembly for Wales, where attendees included representatives of the National Angkolysing Spondylitis Society, leading clinicians, and people with the condition.Ankylosing Spondylitis is a chronic, painful, degenerative inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the spine. The condition affects approximately 1 in 200 men and 1 in 500 women. Men, women and children can all suffer from AS. It typically strikes people in their late teens and twenties, with the average age being 24. However, symptoms can start at other periods of life. AS is more common in men, with nearly three times as many men having it as women.Mr Sargeant said: “I am pleased to be involved in this campaign because there is such low public awareness of this condition. “Young men are most at risk of developing this condition, with the average age being 24. Young men are not renowned for being overly concerned about their health, so they often suffer needlessly for some time before seeking help from their GP. Early diagnosis and intervention are important because the condition, which cannot be cured, can be effectively managed. “The condition is also often misdiagnosed. I am confident that we can help raise awareness among health professionals. We need to ensure that people with the condition access the appropriate medical and physiotherapy services as early as possible.”

AM Highlights Grant

AM HIGHLIGHTS NEW HEALTH IN PREGNANCY GRANT
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is informing mums-to-be in Alyn and Deeside with babies due on or after 6 April 2009 that they will be eligible to receive the new £190 Health in Pregnancy Grant. Around 34,000 babies are born every year in Wales and the one-off payment is intended to help pregnant mums stay fit and healthy in the run up to the birth, and help meet some of the costs as the big day approaches. The money can be claimed from the 25th week of pregnancy, after receiving health advice from a midwife, or other health professional. Mums-to-be will be given a claim form to sign and send off, which must be done within 31 days. When the claim is approved, the money is paid directly into the expectant Mum’s bank or building society account. Women who apply in the first three months of the year will get the cash in April. Mr Sargeant said: “The run up to a birth is a very expensive time for families. I welcome this new grant which will help expectant Mums meet the extra costs and give their child the best possible start in life. “There are no constraints on how the grant must be spent. Pregnant women can spend the money as they wish. They could use it to stay healthy by buying extra fresh fruit and vegetables, or could spend it on essentials for the baby such as nappies or a baby bath.“The cash is also available for all expectant Mums – it is not tied to any other benefit or links to income or earnings.”Pregnant women can get more information at direct.gov.uk/money4mum2be.

Healthy Start

CARL SARGEANT AM SUPPORTS FARMHOUSE BREAKFAST WEEK
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is joining groups including the School Milk Project, the National Farmers’ Union and Visit Britain in inviting local people to get involved with Farmhouse Breakfast Week 2009. Now entering its tenth year, the campaign, which runs from 25th – 31st January, aims to highlight the importance of breakfast and draw attention to the range and quality of regional breakfast produce available in the UK. Farmhouse Breakfast Week is an annual campaign that emphasises the importance of eating a healthy breakfast every day. 'Think Breakfast' is the theme of this year's celebration to encourage everyone to wake up to breakfast as part of a healthy balanced diet and active lifestyle. Nutritionists agree that a healthy breakfast is essential for starting the day.Mr Sargeant said: “Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast provides an important boost to our intake of vitamins, minerals and fibre, and studies show it can be difficult to make up on these nutrients if you miss the opportunity at breakfast.
“Research also suggests that a healthy balanced breakfast can aid concentration and mental performance and reduce stress levels. This is important for both adults and children. Teachers and parents can testify that children are more able to concentrate and are better behaved in class if they have had a healthy breakfast. This is one of the reasons that in the Assembly we have made it possible for all primary schools to start a free school Breakfast Club, should they wish to.
“It is also why I’m encouraging people to support our local farming industries and experiment with the wonderful array of locally produced foods that are available to us.”
For further information on Farmhouse Breakfast Week, see http://www.farmhousebreakfast.com/

AM Highlights Scheme

CARL SARGEANT AM HIGHLIGHTS MORTGAGE RESCUE SCHEME
As the UK Government announces plans to help home owners in England, Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is reminding constituents that a rescue fund is already available in Wales.
In June of last year, the Assembly Government led the way by taking the decision to expand its Mortgage Rescue Scheme to address consequences of the current ‘credit crunch’. The Mortgage Rescue Scheme now totals £9.5 million a year after receiving a £4.5 million boost in December.
The scheme allows a housing association to either purchase the home outright so that the home owners then become assured tenants, or can purchase an equity share where the mortgagees can afford a smaller loan.
Mr Sargeant said: “The Assembly Government recognises that the current economic climate is creating a set of serious problems for some home owners who are finding that they are unable to meet the repayments on their mortgages and are in danger of losing their homes.
“When a family loses their home and becomes homeless there are many worrying consequences, such as the children having to move schools. The health and wellbeing of all of those affected can deteriorate. The expansion of the Mortgage Rescue Scheme will help more home owners avoid the nightmare of repossession.
“The additional funds that we are ploughing into this scheme show that the Assembly Government is willing to respond appropriately to global economic challenges. Our homelessness prevention agenda is an important one and I am confident that this intervention will alleviate pressure on local authorities and provide a safety net to those facing the unfortunate reality of becoming homeless. Indeed councils have been telling us that they expect an influx of applications as the credit crunch continues to bite.”
The Assembly Government will be working with local authorities and housing associations to allow families facing homelessness to access the mortgage rescue scheme.The funding is intended as a last resort measure and will deal with the most urgent cases which would otherwise result in homelessness, giving rise to additional pressures on social housing waiting lists and use of temporary accommodation.

AM Seeks Constituents Views

ASSEMBLY SEEKS VIEWS ON PROMOTION OF WELSH PRODUCE
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is inviting constituents to share their ideas on how Wales can best promote Welsh food during the credit crunch.The National Assembly’s rural development sub-committee is seeking views on the promotion of local food from its production to its consumption and wants to hear what the public thinks.Mr Sargeant said: “The Welsh Assembly Government is keen to maximise every opportunity to ensure that our excellent Welsh produce is promoted at every step from production to the plate. “The inquiry will be assessing the efficacy of Assembly initiatives in this area to date, and will explore future strategies and directions.“The inquiry is seeking views from across the board – from producers and processors to retailers and consumers. The Assembly’s sub-committee will be very pleased to hear from any constituents who have views and ideas on this matter.”The committee is keen to hear from interested parties on the efficacy of agri-food sectoral strategies, marketing initiatives such as True Taste; challenges and opportunities facing the sector and examples of best practice. To gain a comprehensive view of the effectiveness of Welsh Assembly Government initiatives in stimulating the growth of the agri-food sector in Wales, the committee wants to hear from those directly involved in the sector. This includes producers and the trade, processors, those involved in the promotion and marketing of Welsh food products, retailers and consumers.Interested parties are invited to submit written evidence to the Committee by no later than 13 February 2009 at Sustainability.comm@Wales.gsi.gov.uk.

CARL SARGEANT AM IN CALL FOR MORE FREE-TO-USE AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINES
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has written to the First Minister asking the Government to take action to tackle the number of pay-per-use ATMs still in operation in Wales, often charging up to £2.00 per transaction.
Mr Sargeant said: “These pay-per-use machines are more likely to be in rural areas and the more isolated parts of urban areas where there is little or no access to the free ATM services offered by mainstream banks. Indeed, recent research found that 11% of people using fee-charging machines do so because they have no other choice.”
In December 2006 the Treasury Committees ATM Working Group concluded that many disadvantaged areas throughout the UK had restricted access to free cash machines. Using the 2005 Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation as a guide, the working group identified 198 areas where free ATMs should be introduced. To date only ninety-eight have been installed.
Mr Sargeant said: “Given this slow progress, I believe that pay-per-use ATMs should either be banned outright or should come under Government license. I have written to the First Minister seeking his views on this. I have also called for the Government to redouble its efforts to see free-to-use ATMs introduced in all those places identified by the ATM Working Group, and to increase the number of free-to-use ATMs more generally across Wales.
“During these tough economic times, we should be doing everything possible to lessen the financial burden on people in all our communities.”
Mr Sargeant is keen to hear from his constituents regarding their experiences with access to pay-per-use or free ATM machines. Please email him at carl.sargeant@wales.gov.uk or call 01244 823547.

Funding Boost

FLINTSHIRE AMs WELCOME £2.3 MILLION FOR COMMUNITIES FIRST IN FLINTSHIRE
Flintshire AMs Carl Sargeant (Alyn and Deeside) and Sandy Mewies (Delyn) are welcoming today’s news that five Communities First areas in Flintshire are set to benefit from new funding of over £2.3 million over the next three years.Bryn Gwalia Communities First Partnership in Mold, Flint Castle Communities First Partnership, Higher Shotton Communities First Partnership, Holywell Neighbourhoods Communities First Partnership and Rural North Flintshire Communities First Partnership, which covers Mostyn, Ffynnongroyw, Gronant and Talacre will receive a share of the funding: • Bryn Gwalia Communities First Partnership - £432,814 • Flint Castle Communities First Partnership - £467,660 • Higher Shotton Communities First Partnership - £401,857 • Holywell Neighbourhoods Communities First Partnership - £513,379 • Rural North Flintshire Communities First Partnership - £503,194 The money will fund key posts, premises and associated costs in the Communities First areas from April 2009 to March 2012. The funding will also pay for consultation and publicity activity across the areas.Mr Sargeant said: “The Communities First initiative is delivering targeted and bespoke solutions to localised problems in Wales’ most disadvantaged communities. The scheme puts the focus on the local people and communities.“Since the scheme began, Higher Shotton Communities First Partnership has received £739,182.83 in Assembly funding and is running a wide range of initiatives in order to make Higher Shotton a safer and more healthy place to live. It is working hard to increase aspirations and attainment.”Mrs Mewies said: “I hope that Communities First Partnerships across Delyn will use this significant new funding to build on the good work that they are already doing. “This Assembly investment will help the Communities First teams continue to deliver practical solutions to tackling poverty, and will help support regeneration initiatives in communities.“In addition to today’s announcement, I also hope that Partnerships in Delyn will take the opportunity to bid for a slice of the new £25 million Outcomes Fund which was announced in December.”

Have Your Thoughts Heard

CARL SARGEANT AM HIGHLIGHTS NEW INITIATIVE TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE A VOICE
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is asking children and young people in Alyn and Deeside to consider becoming part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s new National Independent Advocacy Board.The new initiative aims to support children and young people in speaking up for what they want and will help them access their rights and entitlements. Joining the board will give young people the opportunity to have their say and make changes that will help them and their friends.Mr Sargeant said: “The Welsh Assembly Government is looking for children and young people who want to have their voices heard and want to make a real difference to how services for children and young people are delivered across Wales by becoming part of the new National Independent Advocacy Board.“The Advocacy Board will meet to talk about advocacy services for children and young people in Wales and will give advice to the Minister on how to best deliver for children. I know from my visits to schools in the constituency and from meeting with groups of local children and young people when they visit the Assembly that they are more than up to the task. I would love to see Alyn and Deeside’s children and young people getting involved.“This is an excellent opportunity for children and young people to develop team working skills, problem solving skills and communication skills, and most importantly they will get the chance to have a real say on policies that affect them.”Members of the board are asked to commit 3 or 4 days a year to attend the National Independent Advocacy Board. Lunch will be provided and the Assembly Government will pay travel costs. Members will also receive training to help you with the new role. For further information, please contact Carl Sargeant AM on 01244 823546 or email carl.sargeant@wales.gov.uk.The deadline for applications is 27th February 2009.

AM welcomes News

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES 4 MILLIONTH CHILD TRUST FUND
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has welcomed today’s announcement from the UK Treasury that 4 million Child Trust Fund (CTF) accounts have now been opened since they were introduced in 2005, supporting the savings habit and providing children across the UK with a lump sum when they reach 18. The latest figures show that, between the introduction of the scheme in April 2005 and 15 December 2008, a total of 4.01 million accounts have been opened, with 3.07 million opened by parents themselves.Mr Sargeant said: "I encourage any parents who haven’t already done so to open a Child Trust Fund for their children, and to engage with it once it has been opened. Parents, grandparents, and family friends can all help save for the child’s future by making contributions to the account. "Aside from the obvious benefits of helping to secure the child’s financial future, Child Trust Finds are also great ways to help teach children about money and saving. It is never too soon to start teaching children the value of money and the importance of budgeting and saving, and Child Trust Funds are an ideal tool to help in doing this. For example, there might be children who have received money for Christmas or who receive regular pocket money. It might be good to chat to these children about putting a percentage of that money into their Child Trust Funds.“The figures released today show that over four million children now have savings put aside for their future, thanks to the Child Trust Fund. The UK government will continue to work to build on this success, and 2009 will see the first Government payments to seven-year-olds, as well as the roll-out of new financial education resources for schools, as part of the My Money programme.”

Recycle Your Christmas Cards

CARL SARGEANT AM URGES CONSTITUENTS TO RECYCLE CHRISTMAS CARDS
As the Christmas trimmings are packed away for another year, Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn and Deeside is urging his constituents to join him in supporting the Woodland Trust’s Christmas Card Recycling Scheme.Mr Sargeant said: “In the 12 years that the Woodland Trust Christmas Card Recycling Scheme has been running, 600 million cards have been recycled. This has enabled the Woodland Trust to plant 141,000 trees, save 12,000 tonnes of paper from landfill and stop 16,000 tonnes of CO2 from going into the atmosphere – the equivalent to taking more than 5,000 cars off the road for a year.“Last year, 73.6 million cards were recycled as part of the scheme. It would be great to beat that figure this year.“Local Authorities pay the Trust for handling the waste which would otherwise go to landfill, and the money generated by recycling the cards enables the planting of native trees. “The importance of recycling, reusing, and reducing our waste was discussed widely in 2008, from classrooms to news programmes, and for many of us recycling is becoming second nature. That is wonderful, but of course we can always do more.“Taking part in the Christmas card recycling scheme is a simple but effective way of helping our environment. It reduces the amount of waste going to landfill sites and transforms our rubbish into products that we can use again. The scheme also helps remind us of the stress that we put our environment under, and makes us think twice about what we throw away.”From 2-31 January 2008 The Woodland Trust will be collecting cards at WHSmith, Tesco, TK Maxx and Marks and Spencer for recycling.For further information, see: http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/