Summer musings from Pontyclun

Tyle Garw and Pontyclun

The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales has proposed that the boundaries of the Community of Pontyclun are extended to include the approximately 700 residents of Tyle Garw who are currently served by Llanharry Community Council. This proposal is subject to further public consultation until mid September.

The existing community of Pontyclun, represented by the Pontyclun Community Council, includes Talygarn, Brynsdaler, Pontyclun, Ynys Ddu, Miskin, Mwyndy and Groes Faen. There are just over 8000 residents.

Pontyclun Community Council would offer a warm welcome to the residents of Tyle Garw if this proposal is implemented.

Pontyclun centre has many amenities which are used extensively by Tyle Garw residents: the primary school, nursery schools, the GP surgery, the dentist, the post office, the bank, the credit union, Café 50, Pontyclun Park, the Rugby and Football Clubs, the shops, restaurants and cafes.

For the financial year 2019-20 Pontyclun Community Council agreed a budget of £118,480. It charges the average Band D household £33.80 each year – compared to £75 in Llanharry, £64 in Llanharan and £41 in Llantrisant.

The services offered by Pontyclun Community Council include:

• -          Pontyclun Park
• -          Ivor woods
• -          Maintenance of public rights of way
• -          Maintenance of war memorial
• -          Café 50 and its wide range of social activities for older residents
• -          Summer flowers in Pontyclun, at the station, in Miskin and Groes Faen
• -          Christmas lights
• -          Summer Festival
• -          Christmas Festival
• -          Walks Festival
• -          Grants in support of local groups
• -          Encouraging visitors and promoting the local economy
• -          Putting pressure on those who have an impact on Pontyclun – Welsh Government, Transport for Wales, Cwm Taf Health Board, RCT Council

Pontyclun has always been eager to share its facilities and services with the residents of Tyle Garw and the changed boundary would give Tyle Garw residents a say in how Pontyclun develops – electing its own member to the Community Council.

Pontyclun Community Council would be eager to discuss with residents of Tyle Garw how it could extend its services to the Tyle Garw area – providing summer flowers and Christmas lights.

Pontyclun Community Council  will be surveying each household in Tyle Garw on the proposal to include Tyle Garw in the Pontyclun Community.

If you have a view, for or against, you can also contact me directly by e-mail or telephone.

With the inclusion of Tyle Garw, the Boundary Commission is recommending that Pontyclun has three, instead of two, representatives on RCT Council. My view is that there should be a RCT Councillor for each of the following three areas:

• -          Groes Faen and Mwyndy (all roads off Ffordd Cefn yr Hendy)
• -          Miskin, Hendy and Ynys Ddu
• -          Tyle Garw, Maesyfelin, Brynsadler and Talygarn.

Is giving in your Blood?

Ray Blank one of Pontyclun Community Council staff has just been given an award for making 350 blood donations over the last 20 years.

This is a fantastic achievement and will have saved many lives. We know that he is not the only person in our community who donates and volunteering like this is another way that we show how we are a caring community which looks after those who are in need.

I am in awe of Ray – I have not yet reached 100 donations.

If you would like to give blood, please contact the Welsh Blood Service on 01443 622000 and arrange to visit them at the Welsh Blood Service Centre near the Royal Glamorgan Hospital or at their mobile service which visits Pontyclun and Talbot Green.

Paul Griffiths

Chair, Pontyclun Community Council