The Police Community Support Van will be in Cil-y-cwm village every fortnight starting from 19.3.08 between 9am and 10 am. There will be an opportunity to discuss with the officers present, any issue that concerns you from crime prevention, speeding or even fire prevention concerns. Croeso cynnes ichi i ddod i siarad gyda’r swyddogion.
In Attendance
Angharad Davies, Head of Public Affairs and Policy in Wales
Adam Johnstone, Senior Operations Manager of Openreach,
Rhodri Glyn Thomas, AM/AC, Manon Williams, Community Officer / Swyddog Cymunedol,
Teresa Metcalf, Resident,
Dafydd Tomos, Resident,
Roger Hemmings, Resident
At the meeting we were informed by Angharad Davies that the demand for broadband has grown incredibly over the past few years.
In 2006-07, Openreach invested 54 million to upgrade the network. We were also made aware of the Regional Innovative Project Support (RIBS) that’s been set up by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG). The project aims to resolve the technical and geographical difficulties that prevent people from receiving broadband service.
In 2003, following an open procurement process the RIBS project awarded a contract to BT to broadband enable those telephone exchanges in Wales which the telecommunications industry deemed economically unviable to invest in. This part of the project has been completed and the 35 final unviable telephone exchanges in Wales were upgraded to deliver broadband, allowing almost 7,500 households and businesses between June 2006 and July 2007 access to broadband services.
The second part of the RIBS project is to seek solutions to provide broadband to areas across Wales such as Cilycwm, which despite all telephone exchanges offering broadband still cannot obtain affordable broadband through a variety of physical and technological reasons. These types of areas are known as not spots.
In terms of future, the WAG announced before Christmas that they plan to hold an information day in early 2008 where open discussion and consultation will take place with the telecommunications industry about ways in which to supply broadband to identified not-spots across Wales. They plan to set up contracts with companies who are able to enable areas that cannot access broadband.
Adam Johnstone mentioned a project that has recently been set up by BT, which is called Dacs Recovery Plan. Dacs were used years ago as a capacity solution, unfortunately Dacs were used to join lines together, but these days lines that have Dacs on them are unable to access broadband. In an attempt to resolve this problem, BT has come up with a plan to remove the Dacs.
This started about 6 months ago and BT has so far recovered 30,000 Dacs unit. The programme continues and the long- term aim is to eventually remove all Dacs.
At the meeting residents were informed by BT that a number of tests and possible solutions for Cilycwm have been investigated by them. A plan is in place by BT but there are huge obstacles to overcome. Once a solution is found, BT needs to investigate whether the solution is both technically and financially viable. If it is not a normal solution, they will need to approach OFCOM for agreement. Angharad Davies did assure us that plans are being put in place that are commercially confidential at the moment. In time, BT will approach the WAG for financial assistance, but at present they are unable to give the residents a timescale.
Residents did raise an important issue that no information was ever shared by the public.
In response to this, Rhodri Glyn Thomas stated that his office will keep the residents informed of any news or developments and BT agreed that if any substantial difficulties were to arise, BT will be open and honest and will inform Manon Williams so that she is able to pass information forward to the residents.
In terms of way forward, the message from BT to the residents of Cilycwm is that there is no timescale in solving this issue at present but they are taking it seriously. They are currently exploring a solution and Openreach are undertaking the work. Adam Johnstone added that he would also be as open and honest as he can to the residents. He cannot promise that everything will be sorted in the next 6 months as each different property could have separate reasons why they can’t receive broadband. These days, people have different Communication Providers (CP) that could be affecting their ability.
Rhodri Glyn Thomas assured the residents that he will also be proactive and will undertake to contact Angharad’s office to see if there are any further developments in order to keep the residents informed until a technical solution is found for the village of Cilycwm.
For those that participate on Facebook, search and join the Cilycwm Appreciation Society.
Hwyl a pob lwc!
16.12.07 - Nine Lessons and Carols.
23.12.07 - 11.15 morning service.
25.12.07 - 6am. Plygain (traditional Welsh service).
Broadband and learning Welsh. If any individual from the area wishes to contact the Association regarding these subjects please ring Roger (01550721758) or Jenn (01550720365).
Link to view Kate’s paintings
www.katebriscoe.co.uk
The Cilycwm Community Association is planning to update the website.
If you are interested in helping or have new ideas contact fay@cilycwm.com or any member of the committee.
Sara Fox has written a history of Cilycwm School with excerpts from the school log book from the early 1900’s and with memories from ex pupils and staff as well as present day ones.
All proceeds from the sale of the book go to the Cilycwm School.
Cost £10 per copy.
To purchase a copy email Sara at sarafox3@hotmail.co.uk
Also on sale in the bookshop and post office in Llandovery.
Sioe Cil-y-cwm Show will take place on Erryd Fields on the 27th of August (Bank Holiday Monday) by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Brian Jones. There are various classes for horses, dogs and chickens, plus a wide selection of classes to enter in the Marquee. These vary from garden produce, craft competitions to a literature section. Further details are available from Meinir Evans, Cwmfran, Cil-y-cwm (01550 720444).
The Autumn session of craft classes will begin on Saturday, the 1st of September in Cil-y-cwm School between 1 pm and 4 pm. It is hoped to hold these on the first Saturday of each month. Further details are available by contacting either Stephanie Jones (01558650649) or Ann Williams (01558650566).
