Switchover Advice

Carl Sargeant AM Raises Awareness of the Digital Switchover Help Scheme

On the 28th of October 2009 the TV service in the Alyn & Deeside area will be switching to Digital and the existing analogue TV signal will be switched off, to keep your TV service residents will need to convert their TV’s to digital, if they haven’t already done so.
Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn & Deeside is aiming to raise awareness in the area that help, advice and financial assistance is available to help people convert their TV to digital. To qualify for assistance residents have to be aged 75 or over, or have lived in a care home for six months or more, or get (or could get) certain disability benefits, or are registered blind or partially sighted.
Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn & Deeside said
“I am aware that many people, particularly the elderly may find the switchover to digital, to be confusing and I am raising awareness that the Government has set up a help scheme for those who need the most assistance to switch to digital. The help scheme will assist people who qualify for help to switch one of their TV sets to digital. If residents are in need of help, they will explain digital TV to you clearly and simply. They can install what you need in your home and make sure you're happy with how it all works.”
The Switchover Help Scheme can be contacted on 0800 408 5900 or by visiting helpscheme.co.uk

Special Celebrations

Carl Sargeant to attend Shotton Infants School Centenary Celebrations

Shotton Infants School is a hundred years old and Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn & Deeside will attend the School’s Centenary Playground Party this Friday the 3rd of July. The event will be a celebration of the school from its beginnings through to the present day, it will include an historical fancy dress parade, an exhibition of the history of the School, stalls, and party games, singing and dancing. Also a pottery mural of the School and surrounding areas will be unveiled.
Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn & Deeside said “Shotton Infants School has been an important part of our Community for the past one hundred years and I am delighted to be able to join the School in celebrating this milestone anniversary. I am looking forward to joining the Chair of Governors Cllr Ann Minshull at the School on Friday for what promises to be an action packed celebration of the School’s history

AM To Visit Development

Carl Sargeant AM to meet with the residents of Llys Eleanor
Carl Sargeant is to visit Shotton’s prestigious new Extra Care Development scheme at Llys Eleanor on Thursday. The £7 million extra care scheme opened its doors to new residents earlier this year. The scheme provides 50 state of the art apartments including a restaurant mini cinema gym games room and hairdressing salon. Apartments are available to purchase or rent to people aged 60+ who have care and accommodation needs which meet Clwyd Alyn Housing Association and Flintshire Council’s eligibility criteria for the scheme. Carl Sargeant Assembly Member for Alyn & Deeside will meet with residents and staff of Llys Eleanor accompanied by the WAG Housing Minister.
Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn & Deeside said
“Llys Eleanor provides local residents with a new option for independent living and I am looking forward to meeting with the Residents in their new homes and witnessing first hand the fabulous facilities provided at the scheme.”

AM Calls For Action

CARL SARGEANT AM URGES WELSH WATER TO PAY CUSTOMERS AFTER BOIL WATER WARNING
Alyn & Deeside AM Carl Sargeant has urged Welsh Water to quickly sort out payments to customers affected by the ‘boil water’ crisis that took place in late AprilMost of Flintshire was affected when routine tests at the Alwen treatment works showed traces of bacteria forcing Welsh Water to issue a boil water boiling which affected households and businesses across Flintshire and Denbighshire. The company at the time promised a ‘£10 'ex gratia' payment to every household affected.’ Many residents in Flintshire have revealed they are still waiting on this payment.Mr Sargeant said: “It is appalling that Welsh Water appear to be stalling over these payouts. Having to boil water seriously inconvenienced my constituents and it is imperative that Welsh Water issue these payments as soon as humanly possible. Ten Pound is a measly sum in any case and real term cost should be applied, many of my constituents bought bottled water at a larger cost than £10 and incurred bigger energy usage bills than normal”

Boost To Learning

Carl Sargeant AM has welcomed a £10.5 million Boost that will contribute to tackling economic inactivity in North East Wales
Two projects investing over £40 million to help economically inactive people back into the labour market and into learning will receive a £10.5 million boost, Welsh Labour’s Deputy Minister for Skills, John Griffiths has announced.
The funding boost will assist the Wales Council for Voluntary Action's(WCVA) Engagement Gateway programme and North Wales Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) project which both focus on helping people into work through skills training and job placements. It consists of £4.5 million from the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government’s Targeted Match Fund, £4.2 million from the European Social Fund and £1.8 million from other organisations across Wales. This is in addition to the £43 million funding package given to the projects last year to support activities in the Convergence region of Wales. Both projects will offer contracts of up to £150,000 to organisations of all sizes to deliver activities aimed at reaching economically inactive people.
Carl Sargeant AM said“ I fully support the North Wales Intermediate Labour Market Project and welcome this additional funding boost from the Labour led Welsh Assembly Government, we must do all that we can in Flintshire to assist those people that find themselves out of work during the present period. I will be fighting hard for even more investment that is aimed at assisting people back into work through re-training projects such as this.”
The schemes are now set to be extended to Flintshire, Wrexham, and five other Counties’s across Wales and expected to support more than 35,000 people over the next three years.

Support For Businesses

CARL SARGEANT AM TO ATTEND BUSINESS BREAKFAST
Alyn & Deeside AM Carl Sargeant is to attend a Business Breakfast on Friday, June 26 alongside representatives from Flintshire County Council, ahead of the first ever ‘Advice Week..
The meeting, due to be held at Old Padeswood Golf Club in Buckley, will look at providing financial help to businesses during the economic downturn.
The ‘Advice Week’ scheme was launched by the Welsh Assembly Government and will take place during the week commencing July 13 2009 and businesses throughout Wales will be offered advice on financial and business planning, funding and specialist support.
Friday’s meeting will include a presentation by a representative from the Welsh Assembly Government who will be addressing those present about the Flexible Support For Business initiative (FS4B) and also the Single Investment fund.

AM Welcomes Support For Homeowners

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES MORE SUPPORT FOR STRUGGLING HOMEOWNERS
A new plan to help people homeowners facing repossession was launched by the Deputy Minister for Housing, Jocelyn Davies AM, today [24 June].In light of the current economic climate, the Mortgage Rescue Action Plan has been produced with a number of partners including Local Authorities, Housing Associations and the Council of Mortgage Lenders to provide support to struggling families and to make sure they know what help that is available.Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn & Deeside said, “We must provide support for people who are going through this traumatic experience of repossession. We cannot underestimate the psychological and emotional effects this can have on families across Wales”A recent estimate suggested that there may be around 2,250 repossessions in Wales during 2009 and the Welsh Assembly Government is determined to do all it can to support the most vulnerable households.The Plan includes steps to be taken to help people at risk of losing their homes. It includes actions to provide easier access to debt advice, specialist training for front line staff, new affordable housing solutions, (including opportunities for equity sharing), and development of a national Financial Inclusion Strategy.Ms Davies said, "The growing number of repossessions is a matter of concern for us. We are working hard to try to minimise the impact in Wales and to support families and individuals who are faced with extremely difficult circumstances. I hope that this plan will help them to find the help they need.”Responding to the economic downturn in 2008, the Welsh Assembly Government introduced a Mortgage Rescue Scheme, five months before a similar scheme was introduced in England. The grant can be used by Housing Associations to provide a Homebuy equity loan to reduce the outgoings of the householder to a manageable level. Where home ownership is not sustainable, the property can be purchased outright and the owner can be offered an assured tenancy to allow the household to remain in the home. So far the scheme has helped 58 families stay in their home with £3.6 million of funding. An additional 49 properties are in the process of being purchased. For this financial year we will be providing £9.5 million of support.Ms Davies said, “Home owners who are getting into difficulties should be given early advice to prevent problems escalating. All parties including lenders should take all actions to ensure that repossession is used as an absolute last resort.”Next month we will launch our Ten Year Homelessness Plan which will aim to change services so they can respond flexibly and at a much earlier stage to help vulnerable families.”The latest homelessness figures for Jan-Mar 2009 are due to be published today (24 June). Notes Actions under the Mortgage Rescue Action Plan include: o Social Housing Grant funding of £9.5m to fund our Mortgage Rescue Scheme. This scheme will fund Local Authorities and Housing Associations to purchase properties from people who are unable to continue with their mortgage payments, and enable them to continue living in the property on a rental basis. o Provision of funding of £80,000 for a new Housing Debt Helpline which will be launched on the 1st July. This service will offer housing and debt advice counselling to people who are threatened with homelessness. It will be run by the Consumer Credit Counselling Service in partnership with the Wales Co-op Centre, and aims to advise over 2,500 households a year. o Consultants have been commissioned to carry out a mapping exercise of all debt advice services in Wales. Once this has been completed we will work with the FSA, Legal Services Commission and other partners to expand access to debt advice services. o A series of training workshops for front line housing and homelessness staff to highlight best practice and demonstrate how home owners and tenants can be helped as early as possible through budgeting and other financial advice. o We are developing affordable housing solutions including equity sharing. This will give opportunities for people struggling with mortgage payments to remain in their homes on a part homeownership part rental basis. o Improving the implementation of the existing Court protocol on mortgage repossession actions, which expects the home owner to have explored every alternative to repossession through alternative repayment arrangements. This will involve discussions with the Court service and judiciary. o Expanding the extent of Duty Advisor schemes in courts which are available to offer on the spot advice to people who are subject to repossession actions.

Carl Sargeant AM says “Rise in burns to children puts heat on modern homes”

Most parents think of electrical sockets and irons when asked about dangers to young children in the home but, unknown to parents, new and unexpected risks from modern home gadgets such as hair straighteners are posing a growing threat to toddlers’ safety in North Wales.During Child Safety Week, Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn & Deeside has spoken out saying “Accidents are the second biggest childhood killer in the UK. Six children and young people die every week. 2,000 more are admitted to hospital every week because they’ve been injured in accidents. Some are left scarred for life or permanently disabled.
While overall accident rates have started to decline1, figures highlighted today by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) show a 50 per cent rise2 in the number of under fives admitted to hospital due to contact burns over the last ten years. With the increasing popularity of hair straighteners, hospitals are treating increasing numbers of children with serious burns.
Hair straighteners can reach temperatures of 220 oC, so can burn children as badly as an iron. They can also still burn children up to eight minutes after they have been unplugged. As young children’s skin is fifteen times thinner than an adult’s, burns from hair straighteners can cause permanent scarring. 3
Sian Falder, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital has seen first hand the impact on toddlers of this growing trend: “We are seeing more and more children with severe burns to their feet, mouth and hands due to hair straightener injuries. On average, we see 44 children a year who need extensive treatment to repair their injuries. It is becoming a major area of concern for us, as parents just aren’t aware of these items as posing a threat.”
Children in the North West have the highest number of home accidents in the UK, with 3,608 admitted to hospital last year.
A poll by online mums’ portal, NetMums, commissioned by CAPT to mark the launch of Child Safety Week (Monday 22 to Sunday 28 June), showed many mums are unaware of the threats from modern day home hazards. Topping the list of their concerns were electrical sockets – which due to legislation do not pose a significant threat to young children4 – with almost one in five mums feeling their child was at risk of being hurt. In contrast, only one in 12 worried about hair straighteners.
Katrina Phillips, Chief Executive of the Child Accident Prevention Trust, says: “With the rapid pace of modern life and the speed at which children develop, it can be a challenge for parents to stay one step ahead in preventing serious accidents.
“It’s often the small changes that make all the difference. The trick is to make them a habit – like putting your straighteners in the same place out of young children’s reach – that way you’ll feel less like you constantly need eyes in the back of your head. Child Safety Week helps alert parents to these changes and the simple steps they can take to make their homes safer for children”.
Less common but potentially serious home accidents highlighted in the NetMums survey included eating detergent capsules and getting tangled in blind cords. At least one child every year dies from blind cord strangulation.
Siobhan Freegard, Founder of NetMums, says: “All children suffer bumps and knocks, they’re part of growing up and often as a mum your attention is grabbed by more obvious dangers, like roads for example. But increasingly we’re seeing mums highlighting accidents occurring in the home in ways they just haven’t expected, and warning other mums of the risks. Once mums are aware of an issue they focus their attention to prevent it.”
To find out more about child safety, including advice and information on how to make your home safe, visit www.childsafetyweek.org.uk.

AM Support For Raise Awareness Day

GET ON BOARD FOR NATIONAL FALLS AWARENESS DAY says ALYN & DEESIDE AM, CARL SARGEANT.

Carl Sargeant AM is backing Age Concern on 23rd June 2009 to mark National Falls Awareness Day in Flintshire.
Organised as part of a national awareness campaign, run by Age Concern and Help the Aged and this year supported by Abbey, the day aims to raise awareness about the risk of falls among older people.
Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn & Deeside said “Raising awareness of falls is still a critical issue since one person dies every five hours as the result of fall in the home. It remains the biggest cause of accidental death for older people.”
The theme of this year’s National Falls Awareness Day is ‘Get on Board’. The overall aim for the day is to raise awareness of the risk of falling as we age and to promote simple practical ways that can reduce the risk of falls and fractures.
Alongside an event in Flintshire & Wrexham, hundreds of other events are expected to take place right across the UK, building on the 620 events that took place last year for the 2008 National Falls Awareness Day. Groups and event holders have been supported by Age Concern and Help the Aged with action packs and promotional resources including banners and posters, to kick start their events.
Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: “Just one fall can devastate an older person’s life – aside from the serious effect on long-term mobility, it can make that person too afraid to leave their home or to get out and about.as they did before. Falls are also the greatest cause of accidental death among older people.
She continued, “However, falling is not an inevitable part of growing older, so it is good news that events such as the North East Wales Strategic Falls Board Event is to be held in Mountain Park Hotel, Flint on 23rd June supporting National Falls Awareness Day, help to show that there are simple, practical steps we can take now to avoid falling in later life. These events are a vital way to encourage older people to get their falls risk assessed by a local falls service and help the maintain their independence.”
Supporters of National Falls Awareness Day who would like to raise funds to help the Charity carry out its vital work to support older people can take part in an exhilarating sponsored skydive. Please call 020 7239 1964, or text Dive to 82100, or visit www.helptheaged.org.uk/events.
The Charity has a bespoke web site with falls information that older people can access at www.helptheaged.org.uk/slipstrips. Information on National Falls Awareness Day can be found at www.helptheaged.org.uk/fallsday.

AM Voices Concerns

OFWAT’S RAIN TAX IS RIDICULOUS SAYS CARL SARGEANT AM
Water regulator OFWAT have instructed water companies to use a new way of charging Scout Groups and other charitable/voluntary organisations who would normally be exempt from surface water drainage charges. The new charges state that these charges should be calculated on a “site area” method. Under this scheme, if the local group has a property with a roof, or even an area of tarmac, it will now be charged for any rain that falls onto the premises and drains into the water system.Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn & Deeside said, “This charge is ridiculous, scouting and other groups have not been billed like this before, it could result in increases on finances by 1000% or more depending on size. A village hall in Cheshire experienced a rise from £54 to £2580 by 2010, an increase of 4777%. I will be writing to Ofwat and the Minister to see if we can reverse this daft suggestion, our organisations just can’t afford it.

Lottery Funds In Alyn & Deeside

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES LOTTERY FUND AWARDS IN ALYN & DEESIDE
Alyn & Deeside AM Carl Sargeant has welcomes news that four groups in Flintshire have been awarded with much needed Lottery Fund money.
The fund as part of £14million initiative that brings both Lottery and European Social Fund money together to support carers, care leavers and also to economically inactive families to help them engage with education, learning, employment and volunteering.
Ewloe Green Pre School Playgroup, Treuddyn Community Council, The Estyn After School Experience and Meithrin Terrig will all benefit from the £8265 fund money.
Mr Sargeant said: “I am delighted that these establishments have benefited from these funds. It is important that they have the very latest facilities and equipment to provide people with first class services.”

The Housing Debt Helpline

LAUNCH OF DEBT HELPLINE
The Wales Co-operative Centre and the Consumer Credit Counselling Service have launched a new housing debt helpline to support people vulnerable to losing their homes.
The ‘Housing Debt Helpline Wales’ offers support to home owners and those in rented property who are finding it difficult to meet their mortgage or rental payments.
The helpline is operated by the Consumer Credit Counselling Service, a registered charity whose purpose is to assist people who are in financial difficulty by providing free, independent, impartial and realistic advice. It has been funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and is supported by the Wales Co-operative Centre.
Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn & Deeside said “Support from independent advisors and early intervention is really important. I welcome this new help line and am reassured that people who find themselves in difficulty can ring someone up to discuss their issues through”
Housing related debt is an increasing problem. In the current economic climate, more and more people are struggling to meet their mortgage and rental payments. Over the telephone, the helpline advisor will perform an immediate assessment of the situation ending in emergency help or the offer of a counselling appointment. Counsellors will conduct a full review of the caller’s credit and debt situation followed by a recommendation.
The helpline is available free of charge to those living in Wales. It is operated between 8.00am and 8.00pm Monday to Friday. For further information on the service visit www.housingdebthelplinewales.org. The Housing Debt Helpline Wales number is 0800 107 1340.

FLY THE FLAG

CARL SARGEANT AM SUPPORTS ARMED FORCES DAY

The 27th June sees the first Official Armed Forces Day in the UK giving the nation the opportunity to show their support for our brave men and women who make up the Armed Forces Community. In addition to events and activities being held across the country, businesses, Councils and members of the public alike are being encouraged to ‘fly the flag for our Armed Forces’.
Speaking about the day Alyn & Deeside AM Carl Sargeant said:“I’ll be supporting the ‘fly the flag’ for our brave Men and Women both past and present. They make huge sacrifices on a daily basis to preserve our way of life and defend our interests – it’s time to show our appreciation!”

AM Support For Food Standards Agency

CARL SARGEANT AM WARNS OLDER PEOPLE OF DANGERS OF FOOD POISIONING
As Food Safety Week kicks off Carl Sargeant AM is supporting the Food Standards Agency in warning older people about the life-threatening danger of listeria food poisoning and the simple steps that can be taken to avoid it.
The number of cases of listeria in people over 60 years of age has doubled in the past nine years. And one in three of the people who get food poisoning caused by listeria die as a result.
Alyn & Deeside AM Carl Sargeant said “‘Listeria can make people very ill and 95% of cases end up needing treatment in hospital’
Listeria is a type of food poisoning bacteria that can live and grow in a wide range of food – chilled ready-to-eat food in particular – for example pâté, cooked sliced meats, certain soft cheeses and smoked fish.
The Agency is working with GP surgeries, pharmacies and a range of community groups across the UK, specifically in areas with large populations of older people, to advise the over 60s to take care with chilled food. They are being advised not to use food past its 'use by' date, to make sure their fridges are between 0°C and 5°C, and to follow storage instructions on food labels.These food safety messages are being targeted directly at older people through a poster and leaflet campaign, and advice will also be handed out on millions of pharmacy paper bags used for dispensing.
Research published today by the Agency finds that the over 60s are more likely to take risks with ‘use by’ dates, are reluctant to throw away food and are often confused by fridge temperatures

AM Speaks Out

CARL SARGEANT AM CONDEMNS “MINDLESS” TRAIN VANDALS

Alyn & Deeside AM Carl Sargeant has spoken out after three separate vandalism incidents left two trains damaged and endangered lives.The three incidents that occurred on Saturday night and Sunday morning happened just before Shotton low level station. The first incident on Saturday night took place just after 8.30pm and the second just after 10pm. Both trains were seemingly damaged by objects hanging off a bridge over the railway with the first train suffering a smashed windscreen.On Sunday afternoon at 1.25pm a brick was thrown at train heading towards Flint.All three trains have been removed from service.Mr Sargeant said: “I am disgusted to hear this. These mindless individuals have risked the lives of the people travelling in these trains. I urge anyone who has any information to contact the British Transport Police on 0800 405040.”

AM Welcomes News

Welsh patients to get refund for prescription costs at English hospitals

Carl Sargeant, Assembly Member for Alyn & Deeside welcomes news that Welsh patients who are charged for prescriptions at hospitals in England after having treatment will be able to get a refund, as announced by Health Minister Edwina Hart today. At present, patients who have prescriptions from English hospital pharmacies have to pay for prescriptions at the English rate of £7.20, if they are not exempt due to age or medical condition.Amendments will be made to the free prescriptions legislation so that patients who are treated in England can reclaim the cost of their prescriptions. In addition, the legislation will be amended to reflect the change in England that entitles cancer sufferers access to free prescriptions. It is anticipated that the necessary changes to the legislation will be in place by early autumn.Carl Sargeant said “ Many of my constituents are treated in the Countess of Chester and Merseyside Hospitals, I am pleased that while having the services needed close to home, some are delivered in Hospitals across the border – This will ensure access to services aren’t prevented because of financial constraints.’

Surgery Dates

Surgery Dates

Carl will be holding a surgery on Friday the 12th June at 3.00pm at Mancot Village Hall.

Carl Sargeant AM will be available on Friday 19th June 3.00pm at Aston Community Centre and then at 4.15pm at Higher Kinnerton Community Centre.

On Saturday the 20th June he is available at 9.15am at Shotton Cmmunity Centre and later at 10.45am at Connah's Quay Labour Club.

AM Backs Scheme

CARL SARGEANT AM BACKS SCHOOL BUS TRACKING SCHEME
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn & Deeside, has backed a scheme launched in Denbighshire in which parents can track their children after they have boarded the school bus.The scheme, which will use satellite tracking systems, will also be used in schools within Flintshire. Swipe cards and GPS technology will be used in a bid to improve behaviour on school transport.Bus drivers will also have access to the system and can send a report in to the school and local authorities when it is deemed necessary.If the scheme, which is running for one year, proves successful then it is hoped that it could be rolled out throughout the whole of Wales by the end of 2010.Mr Sargeant said: “I welcome plans to introduce this scheme in Flintshire schools. It is important for parents to know that their children are on the bus safely.”

AM Welcomes Local School To The Assembly

PENARLAG PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS VISIT ASSEMBLY
The Welsh Assembly has welcomed more than 40 very special guests today - pupils and staff from Penarlag Primary School in Hawarden were greeted by Carl Sargeant AM.The pupils were treated to a full and interactive guided tour of the Assembly building and the Education Suite. Mr Sargeant said: “I am always delighted when Alyn and Deeside School groups make the trip down to Cardiff to learn more about what Assembly Members do and about how our democracy in Wales works. I hope the pupils had a thoroughly rewarding, interesting, and enjoyable time.”

AM Welcomes Local School

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES YSGOL LLANFYNYDD TO ASSEMBLY
Twenty one pupils and their teachers fromYsgol Llanfynydd have today visited their Assembly Member Carl Sargeant at the National Assembly for Wales.The pupils met with Mr Sargeant in the Assembly Chamber’s public gallery, where Mr Sargeant talked to the pupils about the his work at the Assembly and about the environmental aspects of the Assembly chamber, including its geothermal heating system. Mr Sargeant said: “I really enjoyed meeting the pupils of Llanfynydd Primary School and their teachers. Welcoming local groups from Alyn and Deeside to the Assembly is one of the most special parts of my job. “It is great to see such an enthusiastic group of young people. The pupils asked some really interesting questions. “I hope the children enjoyed their visit as much as I did.”The children were also treated to a full and interactive guided tour of the Assembly building and the Pierhead building which houses a museum about the Assembly.