Around 600 businesses are set to benefit from a £170,000 rate relief package following a decision by Carmarthenshire County Council’s executive board.

The council will be supporting a Welsh Government non-domestic rates relief scheme which could see eligible businesses save up to £750 a year.

Welsh Government recently confirmed that its High Street Rate Relief scheme will be extended to 2018/19, albeit with reduced overall funding and therefore lower levels of relief for individual ratepayers.

The scheme is aimed specifically at high street retailers, such as shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes that have seen their rates increase as a result of the 2017 revaluation undertaken by the Valuation Office Agency.

Local authorities, like Carmarthenshire County Council, collect business rates on behalf of the Welsh Government.

The recommendation put to executive board by Cllr David Jenkins, executive board member for resources, was unanimously supported.

He said: “Those who qualify for the rate relief will be contacted over the coming weeks with new bills issued.”

• Watch the executive board discussion and read the report at www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales

The prestigious Tenant 2 Tenant awards are returning this year.

The awards are all about shining a light on the many unsung heroes who make estate and neighbourhoods great places to live.

The 2018 awards will be another chance to say a big thank you to people who go the extra mile for the benefit of their neighbours, friends and community, and those that make an extra effort to keep their homes and gardens looking their best.

There are 12 categories up for grabs, ranging from Community project / event of the year, to volunteer of the year; Family project to Good neighbour. There’s also best kept garden, and best room makeover, as well as Housing Legend award and Lifetime Achievement Award.

An awards ceremony will be held in November, but before then, tenants have until June 28 to nominate worthy winners in each award category.

A judging panel, led by Cllr Linda Evans, executive board member for housing, will choose from the nominations submitted.

“These awards are a great way to celebrate tenants and community projects,” said Cllr Evans.

“Nominations have been flooding in for this year’s awards and I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the awards evening in November. It really is a fantastic opportunity to say thank you to the tenants and the efforts they make to go the extra mile to make other people’s lives better.”

Do you know someone who deserves a T2T award? Check out all the categories and find out how to enter below:

•Community Project/event of the year:
Recognising a group of volunteers who have gone the extra mile to bring some community spirit back to your area

•Best older person’s initiative or event award:
Celebrating a project that has involved sheltered scheme tenants working together to benefit others

•Family Project of the year:
Shining a spotlight on a project that has brightened the lives of your children and families.

•Volunteer of the year:
Celebrating the fantastic efforts a fellow tenant has made to bring joy and wellbeing to the lives of people living in your community

•Time Credits Champion:
Recognising the exceptional efforts of someone who has gone above and beyond to promote, earn or spend Time Credits

•Good Neighbour of the year:
Everyone needs good neighbours, and this award is a big Thank You to one special neighbour who goes the extra mile to help you in times of need

•Lifetime achievement award:
Celebrating the achievements of a tenet who has dedicated considerable time to make a difference in their community

•Housing Legend award:
Embracing a household legend who currently, or who has previously lived, in a council home.

•True Grit award:
Recognising an individual tenant who has overcome personal battles to make a difference to their own lives, or many lives.

•Green Fingers award:
A chance to shine a light on the talents of a keen gardener who has made their garden bloom

•Grand Designs award for best room makeover:
Recognising the creativity of an individual tenant who has transformed a room in their home

•Tenants’ Choice Award:
An opportunity for you to reward someone who gives their time to help improve your life – someone who has put a smile on your face, helped you into training or employment, helped at a community group etc. This award could be won by anyone who is not a Carmarthenshire County Council tenant

TO NOMINATE:

Simply tell us, in no more than 100 words, why the person you are nominating deserves the award.
The closing date for nominations is Thursday, June 28, 2018.
You can enter the same person/project in as many categories as you like, but please note that you cannot nominate yourself or your own project.

For further information, email MLTucker@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01554 899288.

Enter online here

Send your written entries to: Tenant2Tenant Awards 20168 c/o Carmarthenshire County Council Housing Services, 3 Spilman Street. Carmarthen. SA31 1LE.

Earn Time Credits for helping make the Tenant 2 Tenant Awards 2018 happen!

We are looking for volunteers to help us promote the awards, make arrangements for the awards evening, and even help out on the night. Earn one Time Credit for every one hour volunteered.

Can you help? Contact us at MLTucker@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01554 899288

The most likely source of the fly infestation in southern parts of Llanelli has been found.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s environmental health officers, working with independent pest experts, believe they have traced the issue to a recycling plant in the vicinity of the residential area affected.

As a precaution, the area is being spray-treated under the supervision of environmental health officers and advice is being given to the company.

It may take a few days for the treatment to take effect.

It is one of a number of potential sources that officers have investigated in the past week following complaints from residents.

The council has put additional resources in place to help resolve the issue, including extra staff and external pest control experts, which identified them as a common house fly.

Officers have been visiting homes and businesses premises across the area to gather information and offer advice and support.

Support will continue to be made available to vulnerable people, in particular older people and people with disabilities and medical conditions, should they require it.

Cllr Philip Hughes, executive board member for public protection, said: “We are confident, following extensive enquiries, that we have now located the source of the problem.

“We are working with our experts to treat the area with immediate effect and hope that this will resolve the problem for residents.

“We will of course work with the company to ensure that there is no repeat of this situation which has been unpleasant and upsetting for many people.”
He added: “I am grateful to residents for helping us with our enquiries, and our staff who have worked tirelessly to deal with this issue.”

Whilst treatment is underway, residents are being reminded of basic hygiene advice, which is to keep food in containers and in the refrigerator, to clean work surfaces, keep windows closed when possible and to treat areas with household pesticides.

Anyone who needs advice or support should call 01267 234567.

Aberystwyth University has been awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) published this week.

The University achieved the TEF’s top rating for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students, of the highest quality found in the UK.

In its statement of findings, the TEF Panel commented that students from all backgrounds achieve “consistently outstanding outcomes” and cited Aberystwyth’s “strategic and innovative approach to ensure outstanding student engagement with learning”.

The report goes on to note that student satisfaction with assessment and feedback, and rates for continuation and progression to highly skilled employment or further study, are all above the University’s benchmark.

The TEF Panel assessed the University’s undergraduate teaching against ten criteria covering teaching quality, learning environment and student outcomes. It also considered written evidence submitted by the institution.

The Panel said its decision to award Gold to Aberystwyth reflected, in particular, evidence of:

• course design and assessment practices that provide scope for outstanding levels of stretch, ensuring all students are significantly challenged to achieve their full potential, and acquire knowledge, skills and understanding that are most highly valued by employers
• a strategic and innovative approach to ensure outstanding student engagement with learning
• an extensive and embedded commitment to developing and rewarding excellent teaching
• substantial investment in e-learning to promote outstanding opportunities for learning
• a wide-ranging commitment to embedding employability into the curriculum and co-curriculum
• a comprehensive and integrated approach to Welsh language teaching.

Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Vice-Chancellor at Aberystwyth University, said: “Our mission at Aberystwyth is to provide an outstanding 21^stcentury education and all-round student experience. We achieve results by combining our strengths as a historic research-led institution with the latest thinking in innovative teaching, research and first-class facilities.

“We want to equip our students with the knowledge, understanding and transferable skills that will enable them to thrive in their chosen discipline and their future careers. The commitment of our staff to the highest standards possible is reflected not only in today’s TEF Gold award but also our excellent NSS student satisfaction scores and our accolade as University of the Year for Teaching Quality 2018 in the Good University Guide.”

Professor John Grattan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Student Experience at Aberystwyth University, said: “Students at Aberystwyth learn and live in an exceptional environment, where staff go the extra mile to provide teaching which educates, inspires and challenges our learners to achieve their full potential. It is by working together that we achieve such high standards across our provision in English and in Welsh, and our heartfelt thanks today go to the staff and students whose dedication and hard work have made this Gold award possible.”

Bruce Wight, Development Officer at Aberystwyth Students’ Union, said: “As an Aberystwyth graduate and an elected Students’ Union officer, I know how hard this University works to ensure the best possible education and experience for students. There is close cooperation between staff, student academic representatives and union officers, which reflects the emphasis here on student engagement with learning and listening to the student voice. Detailed attention is paid to feedback and other key data, which means there is continuous improvement and innovation on the teaching front. This Gold award is well deserved and shows the value of an Aberystwyth education.”

The TEF was set up by the Westminster Government to recognise excellent teaching in UK higher education providers by rating them as Gold, Silver or Bronze.

The results are designed to help prospective students choose where to study by providing information about the quality of undergraduate teaching in higher education institutions.

The ratings are judged by an independent panel of students, academics and other experts.

Further information about the TEF is available on the Office for Students’ website:  www.officeforstudents.org.uk.

Links:
Office for Students: www.officeforstudents.org.uk

The first copy of a new book for adults learning Welsh has been presented to Aberystwyth University’s Vice-Chancellor.

Wynne Evans – O Gaerfyrddin i Go Compare was presented to Professor Elizabeth Treasure during her weekly Welsh lesson by CAA Cymru, Aberystwyth University’s educational publisher.

Copies were also presented to Stephen Forster, the University’s Finance Director, and Susan Chambers, Director of Human Resources, who are also learning Welsh.

The book, by author Elin Meek, is aimed at adults who are learning Welsh at the Mynediad (Entry) level and tells the story of the tenor who became famous for his role in the Go Compare television advertisements.

The book is part of the Amdaniseries, which has been developed specifically for adults learning Welsh, and have been graded at four levels – Entry, Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced.

Funded by the Welsh Books Council, the Amdani series will be published jointly by four leading publishers, with the support of the National Centre for Learning Welsh. CAA Cymru will publish five of twenty books in the series.

At the launch of Wynne Evans – o Gaerfyrddin i Go Compare, Delyth Ifan, CAA Cymru Director said: “We’re delighted to present these new books for adults learning Welsh. As well as being suitable for learners, these books are suitable for people who may be fluent Welsh speakers but lack confidence in reading the language. I would also encourage anyone wanting to reacquaint themselves with the language to read them.”

Phyl Brake, the University’s Learn Welsh Coordinator said: “This booklet is an honest, entertaining and compelling account of the singer from south Wales. It is authored by someone who has many years experience in teaching Welsh as a tutor, examiner and as a course writer herself. The vocabulary and language patterns used are relevant and structured, and a short list of new vocabulary can be found at the bottom of each page. Wynne Evans’ story is sufficiently gripping to sustain the reader’s interest throughout, while, at the same time, constant repetition ensures that learners at all levels, familiarise themselves subconsciously with relevant vocabulary and basic language patterns.”

Efa Gruffudd Jones, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh added: “This new series of books will support current Welsh courses and will be an essential resource for Welsh learners in classes. We’re delighted they are being offered on graded levels – this will certainly help increase confidence amongst learners. We hope that this project will attract learners to reading Welsh books in general.”

This is the third volume CAA Cymru has published in this series. Y Llythyrand Cofio Angharad, adaptations of popular English books, are also available and books by Zoe Pettinger and Jon Gower will be published in the upcoming months.

The books were launched at the Urdd National Eisteddfod last week, and various events will be held at the Royal Welsh, Tafwyl and the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff.

Photo: Aberystwyth University Vice-Chancellor Professor Elizabeth Tresure (right) receives a copy ofWynne Evans –o Gaerfyrddin i Go Comparefrom Delyth Ifan, Director of CAA Cymru (Centre). Also pictured (left to right) are Stephen Forster, Director of Finance, Susan Chambers, Director of Human Resources and Welsh Learning Tutor Rob Dery.

Links:

CAA Cymru
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/caa/

Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. Website – www.philevans.co.uk

………………………….

I’ve had enough.

In these ‘PC‘ times, it seems some individuals are so intolerant, so lacking in humour, that hearing a joke or remark they don’t like, instead of ignoring it, they feel ‘victimised’ and must make a fuss about it.

Recently in San Francisco, Richard Ned Lebow, a 75-year old Professor at Kings College London, attended the A.G.M. of The International Studies Association – The I.S.A.

While Richard was standing at the back of a crowded lift, a man at the front, next to the buttons, called out “What floors do you people want?”

The Professor, jokily replied, “Ladies lingerie!”

He knew it was pretty lame, but several people chuckled and he gave it no more thought.

Four hours later, a woman he didn’t know, a Professor of Women’s And Gender Studies, lodged a formal complaint with the I.S.A., stating that she’d been in the lift and “as a survivor of sexual harassment in the academy I’m quite shaken by this incident”.

She claimed she’dasked what floors people wanted and that Professor Lebow’s reply of “Women’sLingerie” had been aimed directly at her.

Professor Lebow said he’d definitely hearda man’s voice and had replied, “LadiesLingerie”.

As his view was obscured by people standing in front of him, he couldn’t possibly have ‘aimed’ the joke at her.

Nevertheless, he sent her a polite e-mail explaining he hadn’t intended to make her feel uncomfortable – but the lady complained about that, too!

The I.S.A. declared his joke was ’offensive and inappropriate’, his e-mail ‘was an even more serious violation’ and he should make an ‘unequivocal apology’.

Unsurprisingly he’s refused to, stating that “If we allow people to dictate what we can or can’t say and to intimidate us with cries of ‘sexist’ and ‘misogynist’ we will lose our cherished freedom of speech”.

Next time I’m in a lift, my lips will be like the doors – closed!

——————

Fake News:

We hear a lot these days about ‘Fake News’.

I’ll hold my hands up here – which isn’t easy when you’re typing a newspaper article – and admit that I’m not really sure what ‘Fake News’ is.

I often wonder if the complaints about ‘Fake News’ are themselves fake and just a clever distraction to take the public’s eye off therealstory that might shine a spotlight on the misconduct of whoever’s complaining about ‘Fake News’.

It’s a possibility . . .

While I’m unsure what ‘Fake News’ is, I know that ‘Incorrect News’ is down to inadequate research, as illustrated by the recent story featured on social media stating that Ed Sheeran was spotted in a well know Swansea Uplands pub on the Friday evening prior to his performance at the Big Weekend music festival.

Wrong!

It appears that this was a well-orchestrated stunt and, in all fairness, the desired effect was achieved.

It turns out he was actually doing his shopping in Aldi, Llansamlet.

It fooled me as well as thousands of other people.

I don’t know what to believe anymore.

Well, now is probably the time to reveal that Phil Evans is actually a completely made up name, there is no such person and my name is actually Barbara, 73 from Llanelli.

Or is it?

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You can follow Phil Evans on Twitter @philevanswales and www.philevans.co.uk