Industrial Strike
15.07.2008
In view of the national industrial strike action planned for Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th July, Neath Port Talbot Council has been working with the trade unions to ensure that vital services for vulnerable people are still available and that plans are in place to ensure any emergencies that arise are managed effectively.
However, many schools, leisure facilities and refuse/recycling collections will unfortunately be disrupted and all council offices will be closed to members of the public and staff.
Andrew Thomas - Head of Support Services and Commissioning Development, said,
"I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the residents of Neath Port Talbot for any disruption to services that they may encounter during this strike action. We would ask the public for their patience during this time. Normal services will be resumed from Friday 18th July.
I can assure residents that all the necessary arrangements will be in place and that following discussions with the unions, sufficient staff will be on standby to respond in emergency situations.
I urge residents where possible to check our website http://www.npt.gov.uk/strike , where details of closures and other information can be found."
Refuse, recycling and pre-booked bulky waste collections will not be collected on Wednesday 16th or Thursday 17th. Areas that will be affected by this include the Dulais and Neath Valley, Briton Ferry, Neath, Bryncoch & Cimla. Residents are requested to either take their refuse/recycling to one of the refuse/recycling centres prior to or after the strike days, or retain it until their normal day the following week where it will be collected. During this time residents are requested not to leave their refuse/recycling on the street.
Many schools will be affected. The majority of primary schools will close and some secondary schools will also be affected. (Please see list) Although teachers are not involved in this industrial action, it is expected that a number of key support staff will be supporting the strike.
Most older and disabled people receiving home care or personal care services will receive a normal service throughout the strike. There will be a minimal disruption to care provided by the Council's residential care service, but day services will be closed.
The Princess Royal Theatre is closed, as is The Pontardawe Arts Centre. The Hayseed Dixie event scheduled to take place in the Arts Centre on Wednesday 16th July, has been re-scheduled for Monday 14th July at 7.30pm.
Leisure facilities that have planned to close for the duration of the strike include the Afan Lido, Neath Leisure Centre, Cymmer Swimming Pool, Hengwrt Sports Hall, Pontardawe Leisure Centre, Pontardawe Swimming Pool & Blaengwynfi Social Centre.
Note to Editors
List of schools confirmed to close to pupils and the general public.
Primary Schools
Abergwynfi Infants, Abergwynfi Juniors, Alderman Davies, Alltwen, Baglan, Blaenbaglan, Blaendulais, Blaengwrach, Blaenhonddan, Bryn, Bryncoch, Catwg, Central Infants, Central Junior, Cilffriw, Clun, Coedffranc, Creunant, Croeserw, Crymlyn, Crynallt Infants, Crynallt Junior, Cwmavon Infants, Cwmavon Juniors, Cwmnedd, Cymer Afan, Dyffryn Afan, Eastern, Glan-y-Mor, Glyncorrwg, Gnoll, Godergraig, Groes, Maesmarchog, Maes-y-Coed, Melyn Infants, Melyn Junior, Morfa Glas, Mynachlog Nedd, Neath Abbey, Pontrhydyfen, Rhos, Rhydyfro, Sandfields Primary, St Joseph Infants (Port Talbot),
St Joseph Junior (Port Talbot), St Josephs Neath, Tairgwaith, Tirmorfa, Tonmawr, Tonnau, Traethmelyn, Ty Afan Primary Unit, Tywyn, Waunceirch, Ynysfach, Ynysmaerdy.
Welsh Schools
Blaendulais, Castell Nedd, Cwmnedd, Pontardawe, Rhos Afan, Tyler Ynn, Glyn, Cwmgors, Cwmllynfell, GCG, Rhiwfawr, Trebanws, Y Wern.
Secondary Schools
Sandfields Comprehensive, Glanafan Comprehensive, Dwr y Felin, Cwrt Sart, Comprehensive, Cwmtawe Comprehensive ( Year 10 pupils only), Cymer Afan Comprehensive, Ty Afan Secondary, Velindre Special.