Agenda Item

Minutes

Action

1.

Welcome: The chair extended a warm welcome to all present.

2.

Apologies: as above.

3. & 4.

Minutes of last meeting and matters arising:

Ref the proposed waste disposal (MBT-Mechanical & Biological Treatment) plant in New Inn; the chair is still waiting for the minutes from the extraordinary council planning meeting.

Cllr M Pead explained that TCBC has not yet decided on their future waste disposal policy and if they choose not to go with MBT in this area then it would not be commercially viable for Shanks to build the proposed plant.

Some members noticed that 'clearance type' work is being carried out at the site now.

EW informed us that the No. 4 bus is being taken off the Henllys route. This will cause problems for people who do not have cars in this area.

Some members were surprised and dissatisfied that their bus pass can only be used in Wales and not, for example if they are away on holiday in England. All agreed that Walter Harris should write to Ruth Marks (Commissioner for Older People in Wales) and send a copy to Derek Corfield, asking for an explanation about this matter.

Elizabeth Walker had read that National Express and railways were allowing older persons to travel free between Apr and Sept. It has not been widely publicised and you have to ask for this specifically.

Ref membership cards Marshall & Hicks will get back to Angie Baker.

Ref advertising the Forums; Asda, Sainsbury and the Congress Theatre require a formal request on headed notepaper with a logo on it.

Regarding the Post Office trying to stop people withdrawing their money and expecting banks to be used instead; this is ongoing.

WH to write

AB to chase

AB to supply

5.

The minutes were accepted as read and agreed by all; proposed by WH and seconded by EW.

6.

Treasurer's report:  as at 19 August 2008

  £

Previous balance 1,412.63

Income 9.00

 _______

 Total 1,421.63

7.

Report from delegates:

Walter Harris had attended a Mental Health Focus Group, this has been set up to see what needs to be done to improve mental health. He felt that it was important to raise mental awareness.

Richard Guppy had attended a meeting arranged by TVA . The last point was about getting people back to work. He felt that several groups are carrying out very similar work, which seems rather unnecessary.

8.

Speaker: Mr Tony Lewis

He is from the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and is speaking about Home Safety.

Mr Lewis concentrated on prevention of fires. Some points to be remembered are:-

  Turn off gas/electric and move pans off hob if you are called away to answer the door or phone.

   Do not plug more than one 13A (amp) item into a bank of sockets in an extension lead.   The total must not add up to more than 13amps either. A rough guide is – if anything gets hot it is probably 13A, for example, a microwave or kettle. Extensions with switches are encouraged.

   Before you go to bed pull out all plugs that are not in use and turn off fires. Put all used matches and cigarettes outside the house also close all doors.

The Fire Service (two firemen) will go to your home and give a free fire safety check. They will also give you free smoke alarms and will fit them.

Mr Lewis gave out leaflets and booklets about fire prevention.

The chair thanked Mr Lewis for a very good and thought-provoking talk

9.

AOB:

M Sturdy and Cllr M Pead apologise in advance for not being able to attend the AGM.

Maureen Guppy brought up the fact that if a patient pays for expensive treatment privately then all future treatment, hospital care, medicine etc will also have to be paid for privately.   Maybe a Welsh Lottery could be set up for this type of case. We shall discuss further next meeting.

PLEASE NOTE THERE IS A TRIP TO BLAENAVON BIG PIT ON 16^TH SEPTEMBER 2008 AT 1.30PM. WOULD ANYONE INTERESTED PLEASE CONTACT RICHARD OR MAUREEN GUPPY. WE NEED NUMBERS TO SEE IF WE WILL REQUIRE A BUS OR WHETHER PEOPLE WILL TAKE THEIR CARS AND GIVE LIFTS.

AB to put on agenda

10.

Date of next meeting: 23 Sept 2008 Meeting closed at 4.15p.m.

Please note this will be the AGM

We need names to be put forward for 4 officers for the Forum and also delegates for NSPC, OPAG and BEGOP.