NEWPORT HAS CLEANEST STREETS

According to the Keep Wales Tidy, Newport and Monmouthshire top the list for cleaning up their streets. While Cardiff, and Blaenau Gwent have the most littered streets.

Volunteers from the charity inspected every county in the country across 12 months, and found Conwy to be the cleanest but that Blaenau Gwent was strewn with drink waste and dog fouling and Cardiff was littered with discarded fast food.

Only last year, Newport had been rated the Wales Dirtiest Area, with Monmouthshire coming a close 2nd.

The campaign group checking 3464 streets, the overall cleanliness has improved in Wales.

The most common litter volunteers found were smoking related which was found in an average of 86% of locations, the worst affected being Cardiff, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

EX-PLAID AM'S DAUGHTER NOW ON HIS STAFF

Daughter of Assembly Member Mohammed Ashgar, who defected from Plaid Cymru to the Conservatives before Christmas last year, because he wasn't allowed to employ his daughter, has her now officially on his staff.

Natasha Ashgar's name has appeared on the official list of AM support staff.

Ashgar the only ethnic minority AM, said that he left Plaid, because of their refusal to employ her daughter was 'the last straw'. Even

after her selection by an independent panel and offering to work for free, Plaid Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones refused to her as his assistant.

Plaid made this decision after the last AMs’ expenses, and put forth that no new family members should be taken on it's AM members.

Mr Asghar told the Western Mail: “Natasha is working for me as a volunteer – she is not being paid. She’s not giving up her bank job in London, and will be working for me on her days off, during holidays and at weekends.”

NEW HEAD OF HARTRIDGE LOOKS FORWARD TO CHALLENGE

Peter Jenkins is relishing the exciting challenges he faces in his new role as head teacher of Hartridge High School, according to Newport City Council. Working alongside him is new deputy head teacher Rob King. Both have taken over the top posts as Hartridge prepares for future changes, including a much-needed replacement school building.

The 51-year-old has joined the school after nine years as head at Ferndale community school where official inspectors described his leadership as dynamic and of high quality. Mr Jenkins said the opportunity to be part of a new team taking the school forward was one he could not ignore.

"Schools are going through transition to a skills-based curriculum which offers a lot of opportunities in terms of developing our youngsters."

Mr Jenkins was also enthusiastic about the new school building with work due to start this summer.

"It will give the children the very best facilities in Wales."

Duffryn High School Head Jon Wilson had previously held the post as an interim measure.

FORMER ART COLLEGE - NEARLY DONE & DUSTED

An exclusive interview with Bance Group developers CEO Dave Bance, has revealed that the Former Art College on the riverfront will be open as luxury apartments in June of this year.

Bance Group developers took over the listed building, and have been working on its restoration and redevelopment since 2007. With scaffolding being a permanent feature of the former Art College building it was undetermined when these luxury apartments would be completed. Issues of parking provision, and elaborate roof repairs on this listed building led to continued delays on completion of the luxury flats.

Dave Bance explains, that the development is due to complete in June, the luxury apartments, will be open for sale and to let – “It’s a unique building, a listed building, transferred flooring, glazed brickwork, we’re fusing that with contemporary living…there is no comparison on this building, if I said that it would similar to X,Y or Z, I’ll only be lying because it is a landmark building in a prime location, by the shopping centre, coach station and railway station”

The building also boasts a penthouse in the dome of the building, with a 360 view of Newport City. Savill in Bristol are the letting agent for the property, however they clarified that the apartments are currently not on the market.

When NCR News enquired over whether the Bance Group planned for any further investments in Newport, Dave Bance said that he maintained a commitment to South Wales and he had some projects in the pipeline, but nothing set-in-stone as they were currently premature.

NEWPORT STILL ATTRACTIVE TO BUSINESS - FIRST MINISTER

Newport West AM Rosemary Butler was given assurances by First Minister Carwyn Jones today that Newport is still a place where investment is taking place, despite a report from a firm of leading economic analysts which suggested that Newport is one of the worst affected cities in the UK during the current recession. The Centre for Cities think tank said recently that Newport was near the bottom of the league table when it came to new business start ups and lost private sector jobs. Mrs Butler raised the findings of the report during questions to the First Minister Carwyn Jones.

Rosemary Butler, Newport West: Will the First Minister comment on yesterday's report from the independent think tank "Centre for Cities" which suggests that Newport is one of the UK's biggest victims in the current recession. It's clear that more new businesses and more private sector jobs are needed, as well as a higher level of skills for the local workforce. Will the Welsh Assembly Government make a special effort to make sure that Newport doesn't get left behind once the recession ends?

First Minister: Newport is in quite a favourable position in terms of its geography - its proximity to the M4 and of course the main railway line. Even when we have gone through difficult times, there have been significant investment projects that have been secured in Newport - Admiral Insurance for example, the HSBC insurance services sector, the new power station, the new railway station, the new university campus of course, the city centre and of course Bettws School. So roughly 2,000 jobs have been created across the city between April 2008 and September 2009.It shows that Newport is still very much a place where investment is taking place and very much a place which is attractive for business.

www.thisisnotgwent.co.uk

SOMERTON 'TARDIS' SAVED BY FUNDING

It may not look like much, but the crumbling former Police Box in Somerton is much loved by the locals, who say it has fallen into disrepair due to lack of money to repair it's damaged concrete walls.

Help is now at hand for what's known locally as 'The Tardis' thanks for a £10,500 Cadw grant to contribute towards it's 'regeneration'.

The RASCAL centre in Somerton have been trying to raise money to repair the building and have recieved the boost as part of a dozen other conservation projects sharing £410,000 in Welsh assembly cash.

Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, said: "The range of buildings from this famous telephone box to a school and stables shows the rich variety of heritage sites we have in Wales and the range of sites that Cadw helps preserve.

The old police box is currently fenced off for safety reasons."These grant offers will ensure these important buildings are restored and maintained for the enjoyment of future generations."

Deborah Clark of the Regeneration Association Somerton Community at Large (Rascal), who made the application for the grant, said: "We're delighted to receive this money which will help restore and maintain this very popular local landmark.

"Everyone from this community loves this telephone box as do many people from further afield and we will now be able to ensure future generations can enjoy it too."



Paul Heaney

CITY CENTRE RETAIL SCHEME COULD BE BACK ON THIS SUMMER

The leader of Newport Council says a new developer to replace the ill-fated ‘friar’s walk’ in the city centre could be appointed this summer.

Speaking at the launch of the Newport 2010 festival, Councillor Evans explained that the compulsory purchase of property and land in John Frost Square should be completed by the end of march, paving the way to appoint a new retail developed a few months later.

“March will be the milestone for the compulsorypurchase” said the council leader.
“There is a lot of developer interest already and they’re looking at plans. We’re looking at hopefully getting a developer in towards the end of the summer”.

When questioned whether any new plans would be of a smaller scale, Mr Evans was in no doubt.

“It will be the same scale of development. People deserve to have something of that size. Newport needs a big centre, it’s no good having a tiny little development down there. We’ve got the area, we've got the population, we’ve got the infrastructure and we’ve got the car parks all ready to go.”

On a day that seen a big push to promote Newport’s features, assets and potential, the council clearly see no reason to dwell on the ‘Centre for Cities’ think tank report published earlier this week that see the outlook as ‘tough’ for this year’s Ryder Cup City.

WELSH INDIE FILM IS A CUT ABOVE

Despite being seen in just a handful of cinemas in a limited release in South Wales the low-budget movie 'A Bit of Tom Jones?' is set for a premier in London.

Filmed in South Wales for just £100,000, the edgy comedy follows the main character, who attempts to sell the severed body parts of legendary Welsh singer Tom Jones.


The likes of Eve Myles of Torchwood fame and Margaret John, most recently proving a hit playing Doris in Gavin and Stacey join forces to produce a film that has outsold some blockbusters over the Christmas period at some cinemas in Wales.


After its runaway success here it's set to get its red-carpet UK premiere in London on Monday, January 25.


Robert Wagstaff caught up with the cast and some film goers at the screening of the welsh premier last year. Check out his video piece below.

COUNCIL HITS BACK OVER 'UNHELPFUL' REPORT

Newport Council's Deputy leader Ed Townsend has hit back at a report which described Newport as a city with a 'tough outlook' coming out of the recession.

The Lib Dem councillor says he was not a fan of the 'league table' format of the report and suggested that the challenges facing Newport are the same as those faced by Cities across the UK.

"It's a thorough piece of work and I respect the work they've done, but Newport is a city is a city that has already attracted a number of private and public sectors jobs to the area"

Independent think tank 'Centre for Cities' highlighted a number of issues affecting the city's ability to recover from the economic downturn. It mentioned the number of people with qualifications, the percentage of new businesses in the area, along with public and private sector employment levels as areas which need to be addressed.

It placed Newport towards the bottom of a list of 64 British cities as part of a report into relative wealth, citing the likes of Cardiff and Edinburgh as examples of cities that were better placed to recover well after the recession.

Councillor Townsend says placing Newport near the bottom of the list isn't necessarily helpful and that groundwork for taking advantage of any upturn in the economy is already under way in our city:

"What you have is a city that's absolutely ready to take off - look around you, you have a city centre site for redevelopment, a new railway station, a new road system, an ideal position between Bristol and Cardiff, we've got the right communications - as soon as there are people ready to invest, Newport will be a very attractive proposition."

When questioned about the education levels of the area he conceded that Newport has a larger challenge than most due to it's past reliance on manufacturing.

The report stated that the loss of private sector jobs over recent months was a big issue with one in six of the population having no formal qualifications. They described Newport as having a 'weak business base'. The deputy leader said

"All cities need to make sure that they have the right skills, Newport can draw on a workforce from the entire region. That's not to say we cannot improve - we really do have to improve the skill base to give the people of Newport the skills they need to get decent jobs and we will work hard on that. It's not a problem unique to Newport problem - it's a UK wide problem."

Dermot Finch, chief executive of the Centre for Cities was quoted as saying that the UK faces an 'uneven recovery', and that party leaders needed to 'wake up to the reality that some cities will still feel in the middle of a recession until well after the election'.

He added that the next government needs to address the fact that some cities are better placed to take advantage of an economic downturn than others, calling on them to help with 'improving schools and public transport so they can attract new business and jobs'.

It also said Newport also had a low rate of business start ups - they increased by 28.8 per cent in 2008 grading it the 61st out of 64 cities polled. Cardiff saw an increase in 34.6 per cent and Swansea had 31.6 per cent more.

The report named Brighton, Milton Keynes, Reading, Cambridge and Edinburgh as having the right ingredients to succeed after the recession has passed - strong private sectors and high levels of entrepreneurship with high levels of education in their workforces.

Newport was listed with Stoke, Burnley, Barnsley and Doncaster as five cities facing a 'tough outlook'.

Ed Townsend feels that other cities face the same kind of challenges however:

"I wasn't very keen on the league table format. If you look inside the criteria they used in the report you'll find the need in every single case to 'up-skill' the workforce. That's something that is a challenge whether you're Cardiff the capital of Wales, Basingstoke or the so called richer places like Oxford and other market towns around the country."

"The challenge for them is the same - ours is on a larger scale coming out of a large manufacturing base we need to change the emphasis and we are doing, but the challenge is there for every city."

To hear the deputy leader's response in full click here


Paul Heaney

SNOW EXCUSE NOT TO GO TO SCHOOL

Over the past week or so Newport's schools have been forced to close thanks to some of the most severe snow for decades. 


One Newport headteacher says he'll be glad to get back to normal but has also pointed out that despite his school reopening, up to one in two parents have not sent their pupils back to school.


With the weather came frustration from some parents about the length of time the schools shut for, and for the criteria used to call lessons off for the day. Some parents faced taking annual leave or even loosing wages for taking days off due to lack of childcare.


Jon Wilson, Head of Duffryn High school, says the decision to close a school because of snow or ice is never made lightly, and pointed out it took a massive effort to open his school doors again on Wednesday.

"I'll be very glad to get back to normal because this week has been far more testing than a normal working day. Opening the school is always our aim, but only when it's safe to do so."

Some parents have voiced concerns regarding the decisions taken by headteachers to close schools, especially when other services nearby seemed to be open during the bad weather.


Despite doing everything possible to open Mr Wilson says that a school is not the same as an office, with hundreds of pupils having to move around the site on the hour, every hour. He added that despite the school's efforts to re-open as soon as possible, with the help of council workers to clear the area, attendance levels yesterday were just above 50%. That's despite the school texting all parents to advise them that the school was open.

"It's very interesting when you look at the media - we opened for all pupils on Tuesday and the attendance was only 75%, again yesterday despite texting all parents to advise them that the school was open, attendance was only 50%" said the headteacher.

Mr Wilson says whilst he understands the frustrations of parents, he's confident that everything has been done to keep closures to a minimum.


For the full interview with Mr Wilson click here

SNOW UPDATE FOR COUNCIL SERVICES

(as at 10.05am)


Flying Start and Sure Start creches
All Sure Start creches are cancelled today and all Flying Start playgroups are cancelled except those located on school grounds (Alway, Milton, Monnow and Fairoak).

Social services
Ladyhill centre is closed.


Refuse collections
Refuse services will continue today with normal collections supplemented by a catch up of yesterday’s missed collections. However, due to difficult working conditions primarily in the hillier areas, catch-up collections are likely to continue into Friday. The public are therefore being requested to leave their refuse out for collection.

Grounds staff have been redeployed to aid snow clearance at key location e.g. schools, residential homes and footpaths.


Roads and pavements
Front line services e.g. gritting and snow clearance have and are will continue to operate at 100%. All primary routes are clear and some resources are now being applied to the clearance access routes into secondary schools (for exams) and side roads and footpaths which should yield improvements over the next few days.


Sport and Leisure
All operations as normal with following exceptions: athletic track will not be available at NISV tonight (Athletics club informed); Multi Use Games Areas and ATP not available today.


The car park at Underwood Centre is being cleared and is expected to be open as normal late afternoon/evening. However, check here for a further update if the situation changes.

Council meetings update
Malpas Neighbourhood Committee, due to take place on Thursday 14 January at 6.30pm in Malpas Church in Wales School has been cancelled.

SCHOOLS UPDATE THURSDAY 14TH JANUARY

We have received reports from the following schools.

Closed today

Crindau Primary
Glasllwch Primary
Maes Ebbw
Maesglas Primary
Marshfield Primary
Mount Pleasant Primary
Pentrepoeth Primary
St Patrick’s RC Primary

Open today

St Andrew's Infants at 9:30 am
St Andrew's Juniors
Alway Primary
Bassaleg
Brynglas LSPC
Clytha Primary
Cylch Meithrin Casnewydd, Baneswell
Caerleon Comprehensive will open to years 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13
Caerleon Lodge Infants
Don Close Nursery
Duffryn High
Duffryn Infants
Duffryn Junior
Fairoak Nursery
Forest Children’s Centre
Gaer Infants
Gaer Juniors
Hartridge High
Helyg Centre
Kimberley Nursery
Lliswerry High fully open from 9.30am
High Cross Primary open between 9.30am and 3pm
Lliswerry Primary
Maindee Primary
Malpas Church Infants
Malpas Church Juniors
Millbrook Primary from 9.30am
Newport High (Bettws Lane)
Pillgwenlly Primary will open at 10am
Queens Hill Education Centre
St Joseph’sRC High will be open to years 10, 11, 12 and 13 only
St Joseph’s RC Primary
St Julians open to years 10,11, 12 and 13 only and the special unit
St Julians Primary
St Mary’s RC Primary
St Michael’s Primary will be open at 10am
St Woolos Primary

All other schools are fully open

SCHOOLS UPDATE WEDNESDAY 13TH JANUARY

updated 8am

Newport Council are advising that ALL Newport SECONDARY schools WILL BE OPEN to students due to take external examinations.

Students who are sitting external exams should make every effort to make their own way to school even if there is a general notification that the school is closed.

Schools confirmed OPEN

St Woolos Primary

Schools confirmed CLOSED

Alway Primary

Bassaleg School (OPEN FOR EXAMS ONLY)

Brynglas LSPC

Caerleon Comprehensive (OPEN FOR EXAMS ONLY)

Caerleon Endowed Infants

Caerleon Lodge Hill Infants

Clytha Primary

Crindau Primary

Don Close Nursery

Duffry High (OPEN FOR EXAMS ONLY)

Duffryn Infants

Duffryn Junior

Eveswell Primary

Fairoak Nursery

Forest Children’s Centre

Gaer Infants

Gaer Junior

Glan Usk Primary

Glan Usk Nursery

Glasllwch Primary

Hartridge High (OPEN FOR EXAMS ONLY)

Helyg Centre PRU

High Cross Primary

Kimberley Nursery

Llanmartin Primary

Lliswerry High (OPEN FOR EXAMS ONLY)

Malpas Court Primary

Maes Ebbw

Maesglas Primary

Maindee Primary

Malpas Church in Wales Infants

Malpas Church in Wales Junior

Malpas Park Primary

Milton Infants

Milton Junior

Newport High (OPEN FOR EXAMS ONLY)

Pentrepoeth Primary

Pillgwenlly Primary

Queen's Hill Pupil Referral Unit

Ringland Primary

Rogerstone Primary

Somerton Primary

St Andrew’s Junior

St. David's Primary

St. Gabriel's RC Primary

St. Josephs RC High (OPEN FOR EXAMS ONLY)

St. Joseph's RC Primary

St Julian’s Primary

St. Julian's School (OPEN FOR EXAMS ONLY)

St. Mary's RC Primary

St. Michael's RC Primary

St. Patrick's RC Primary

Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd

Ygol Gymraeg Ifor Hael

HOME HEAT HOTLINE FOR THE VUNERABLE

As we get into a second snow session of the cold snap, Newport and the rest of Wales will be engulfed in ice and snow for the next couple of days. And staying warm in this intense cold will only continue to pierce a hole in the wallets of the the elderly, the disabled, those living with a long term health condition or a family on a low income.

However, help comes in the form of the Home Heat Hotline at 0800 33 66 99.

The helpline can provide:

• Access to reduced tariffs - often called 'social tariffs' - which typically provide a 20% saving
  
  
• Grants for free home insulation – with no means testing for those over 70
  
  
• Flexible payment options for customers in fuel debt.
  
  
• Access to the Priority Service Register – which includes a free annual gas appliance safety check and passwords for official gas and electricity-related callers, and

People can call themselves or ring on behalf of a friend, relative or someone they care for.

Call 0800 33 66 99 or visit www.homeheathelpline.org.uk.

APPEAL OVER MISSING NEWPORT MAN

Gwent Police are again appealing for information to locate a missing person.

Timothy Weekes was last seen at his home at 8.10am on Friday.

He is described as white, around 6'1, of a stocky build, with short receding light brown hair.

He is clean shaven, with blue eyes and speaks with a Newport accent.

Mr Weekes was last seen wearing a dark blue tracksuit with white trainers.

He has a star tattoo on his upper right arm.

Anyone with information should contact Gwent Police on 101.

SCHOOLS UPDATE TUESDAY 12 JANUARY

All schools in Newport are expected to be fully open on Tuesday 12 January apart from Bassaleg School which will only be open for years 10, 11, 12 and 13.

It is expected that Bassaleg School will be fully open to all pupils on Wednesday 13 January.

MISSING GIRLS FOUND

Two Newport girls reported missing last week have now been found.  


Nicholas, 17, and 14-year-old Tyler Williams, went missing from their homes in the Rogerstone area on January 3.

LATEST SCHOOLS INFORMATION

Newport Council have announced that all Newport SECONDARY schools will be open to students due to take external examinations on Monday, January 11.


Students who are sitting external exams should make every effort to make their own way to school on Monday even if there is a general notification that the school is closed.


Please note our specific information relating to schools remaining open for external examinations.
Schools confirmed CLOSED on Monday 11 January

* Please note: If a school is not listed here, you should assume that it is open to pupils. However, some schools are operating on a limited basis – please see further down the page.


Duffryn High (ONLY OPEN FOR EXTERNAL EXAMS)

Hartridge High (ONLY OPEN FOR EXTERNAL EXAMS)

Langstone Primary

Maes Ebbw

Maesglas Primary

Millbrook Primary

Monnow Primary

St Joseph's RC High (ONLY OPEN FOR EXTERNAL EXAMS)

Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd
Schools confirmed OPEN on Monday 11 January

* Please note: If a school has not confirmed it is closed, you should assume that it is open to pupils. However, some schools are operating on a limited basis as detailed below.


Alway Primary – fully open

Bassaleg – partial opening (OPEN FOR EXTERNAL EXAMS AND ALL PUPILS IN YEARS 10, 11, 12 & 13)

Brynglas Primary – fully open

Brynglas LSPC – fully open

Caerleon Comprehensive – partial opening (OPEN FOR EXTERNAL EXAMS, ALL YEAR 11 PUPILS AND ALL YEAR 13 PUPILS)

Caerleon Lodge Infants – fully open

Caerleon Lodge Hill Juniors – fully open

Cylch Meithrin Baneswell – fully open

Eveswell Primary – fully open

Helyg Centre PRU – fully open

Fairoak Nursery – fully open

Lliswerry High (PUPILS TAKING EXAMS SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE NORMAL TIME. FOR ALL OTHER PUPILS, SCHOOL WILL BEGIN AT 9.30AM)

Lliswerry Primary – fully open

Maindee Primary – fully open

Newport High School – fully open

Pentrepoeth Primary – fully open but no access to cars

Pillgwenlly Primary – fully open

St Andrew’s Infants – fully open from 9.30am

St Joseph's RC Primary – fully open

St Julians Primary – fully open

St Julian’s School – open to Year 10,11,12 and 13 pupils but those in Year 7,8 and 9 should not attend due to flood

St Mary's RC Primary – fully open

St Patrick's RC Primary (OPEN AT 9.30AM)

St Woolos Primary – fully open

SCHOOL OPENINGS / CLOSURES

Newport Council have confirmed school openings and closure for tomorrow as per below.
Schools confirmed OPEN on Monday 11 January


Brynglas LSPC


Helyg Centre PRU


Fairoak Nursery


Lliswerry High School (PUPILS TAKING EXAMS SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE NORMAL TIME. FOR ALL OTHER PUPILS, SCHOOL WILL BEGIN AT 9.30AM)


St Joseph's RC Primary


St Mary's RC Primary


St Woolos Primary
Schools confirmed CLOSED on Monday 11 January


Duffryn High School (ONLY OPEN FOR EXTERNAL EXAMS)


Maes Ebbw


Maesglas Primary


Monnow Primary School


St Joseph's RC High School (ONLY OPEN FOR EXTERNAL EXAMS)


Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd

APPEAL OVER MISSING NEWPORT TEENAGERS

Gwent Police is appealing for information to locate two teenage girls who have gone missing from their home in the Rogerstone area of Newport. The two girls, who are friends, haven't been seen since 5.15pm on 3rd January 2010. 


17 year old, Talia Nicholas (left in the picture) is described as white, with straight shoulder length dark brown hair, of a slim build, and is approximately 5'4" tall. When she was last seen she was wearing a purple t-shirt, dark blue jeans, boots and could be wearing either a black or white coat. 14 year old Tyler Williams (right in the picture) is described as white, with straight shoulder length blonde hair, of a slim build and is approximately 5'5" tall. When she was last seen she was wearing a white t-shirt, light blue jeans, possibly wearing a grey cardigan and black boots. 


They both have contacts in the Newport area and are known to frequent the city centre area - anyone with information regarding their whereabouts is asked to call Gwent Police on 101.



There was a possible sighting of the two girls in Bristol at about 5.30pm yesterday, Thursday 7th January, getting off a bus in the Doncaster Road area, by Southmead Hospital. 


The two girls, who are friends, haven't been seen since 5.15pm on 3rd January 2010.


Picture courtesy of www.thisisnotgwent.co.uk

WELSH WATER WARNS FOR FROZEN WEATHER

With the cold weather predicted to continue, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water is urging the public to keep away from frozen reservoirs and advises on ways to tackle frozen pipes.

Venturing onto ice covering the water in reservoirs is highly dangerous and could prove fatal.

Welsh Water’s operations director Peter Perry said, “We want the public to enjoy recreation opportunities on land surrounding our reservoirs at all times of the year, but we must also remind people of the serious danger of stepping onto frozen surfaces. The ice may look tempting, but you could easily fall through into the freezing water below.

“Not only is the very low water temperature extremely dangerous to anyone who falls in due to hypothermia, it also makes rescue very difficult. Most of our reservoirs are in remote locations, and summoning help would be difficult. They are also very deep, with depths of up to 80 metres. There may be no mobile ‘phone signal, preventing others from calling for assistance, and even if they could the emergency services would have to travel significant distances. So our message to people: is don’t risk your life on reservoir ice.”

Welsh Water is also issuing advice to householders to help avoid the inconvenience and expense that a frost damaged pipe.

Mr Perry said, “Due to the severe weather conditions we are experiencing a high level of calls from customers with frozen service pipes – the pipe carrying water to the first incoming tap in the property. Unfortunately there is nothing Welsh Water can do about this but if you are experiencing problems you can try thawing the pipe using a hot water bottle or hairdryer but making sure you only apply the heat in short bursts. Never use a naked flame near the pipes.

Other advice from Welsh Water includes:

• Not pouring hot water on to external stop taps, and not operating external stop tap as this could be dangerous (they are usually situated next to highways).
  
  
• Locating your internal stop tap (usually under the sink, downstairs toilet, under stairs etc). You will need to contact your local plumber if you are unable to locate your stop tap.
• Try pouring warm water on your bib tap (garden tap) to try and thaw it this way.

Mr Perry added “People can prevent frozen pipes by checking that all pipe work, cisterns and tanks in unheated areas are well insulated and that there is no gap in the insulation at bends, tees and valves.”

“During lengthy periods of frost, outside pipe work and any exposed plumbing should be isolated and drained down, with draining taps left open, until the weather improves.”

Customers wishing to obtain an information leaflet with further details on how to avoid frozen water pipes should see the ‘Don’t crack up, wrap up’ factsheet at www.dwrcymru.com. Or ring the freephone publications hotline on 0800 0520138 to obtain a copy.

SCHOOL UPDATES FOR JANUARY 8TH

(updated at 4.35pm, 7th January)

The following schools have given notification of their intentions for tomorrow

Marshfield Primary will be open from 9.30am-3pm

The following schools will be closed:

Duffryn High

Lliswerry High

St Joseph’s RC High

St Julian’s (secondary)

WEATHER AFFECTS COUNCIL SPORTS PITCHES

In light of the current weather conditions and the projected continuation of the low air temperatures, it has been decided that all pitches will be deemed unfit to play for the forthcoming weekend (January 9 and 10).

ADVERSE WEATHER UPDATE

The most up to date weather forecasts indicate that the weather conditions for tomorrow are likely to remain poor with severe ice predicted across Newport.
The following council services are anticipated to be operating on Thursday January 7th.

Finance

Service cover is anticipated for all Services within Finance including front of office Housing Benefit and Council Tax provision. The 50 High Street Cash Office was closed at lunchtime yesterday (6th January) and this cannot be ruled out for today at this stage.

Children’s Social Services

Service Continuity in place for Duty and Assessment Services to children at risk and in care.
Support for Foster Carers is in place.
Residential Homes provision will continue.
Overall service restricted (i.e. not normal service) but all emergency and urgent situations covered.

Public Protection & Environmental Services

Cemeteries are open and ongoing provision is anticipated.
Refuse continued is operational and there could be collections on Saturday.

Cleansing worked and will continue to do so although with disruption. Grounds staff have been redeployed to aid snow clearance at key locations e.g. residential home and footpaths.


Civic Amenity site has been closed for public access today but this will be reviewed on a daily basis to ensure the health and safety of visitors and staff.
Trading standards and environmental health services operating.



Engineering & Construction


Front line services e.g. gritting and snow clearance have and will continue to operate at 100 per cent.
Road Salting - main roads are cleared and workers are trying to get into side roads using shoverls where necessary. Footpaths are also being worked on where possible. Two lorry loads of salt were delivered overnight and we currently have sufficient supplies to last through the weekend



Education

To assist parents and pupils, all head teachers have been asked to make early decisions. The only schools open as of 9.00am are:

Caerleon Lodge Hill Infants

Fairoak Nursery



IS&C
Emergency calls received after this time will be directed to the Emergency Control Centre.



Law & Standards
The Civic centre is open during office hours but evening mettings have been cancelled.
Registrars open as normal.
Crematorium open as normal.
Other services operating with reduced cover.



Adult Social Services
All key critical services being maintained.
Due to the continuing inclement weather Social Services Day Centres will be closed to the public on Thursday and Friday of this week.
Ladyhill centre is closed but is in contact with users to ensure appropriate support is maintained.
Meals on Wheels – continued service delivery supported as necessary by 4x4 vehicles.



Continuing Learning & Leisure
All primary facilities have been opened e.g. NISV and Newport Centre but have been subject to ongoing health and safety reviews which have resulted in some early closures.
Leisure centres, including the new Active Living Centre were open this morning but assessments will be made during the day for the safety of users and staff