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AboutPontypoolCommunity Council
Pontypool Community has been in existence since 1985. It is one of the largest Community/Town Councils in Wales with a population exceeding 47,000 and a budget in excess of £700,000 per annum.
The role of a Councillor is a responsible one. Pontypool Community Council have twenty one Council Members in Pontypool who were elected or co-opted in 2022/2023. Each one of them has an active interest in the Pontypool community and they are dedicated to improving the quality of life and the local environment.
The following chapters are a snapshot of the actions and achievements of your Community Council in 202324.
CHAPTER ONE FOREWORDS & INTRODUCTIONS
Chair'sForeword
Pontypool Community Council is a vital part of local government delivering services at grass roots level and interacting with people who live and work here The Council was created in 1985 and the 21 members are elected every 4-5 years, the last election having taken place in 2022 with the next election due 2027
The Well-being Future Generations Act 2015 is about improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales The Act places a duty on certain community and town councils to take all reasonable steps towards meeting the local objectives included in the local well-being plan that has effect in their areas This report will show the progress that the Council has made towards meeting the well-being objectives over the last year, through various events, financial contributions, partnership working We hope that you will enjoy reading it
Finally, I would like to thank the Clerk and all the staff for all the support shown to me as Chair over the last year Without their dedication and commitment the Council would not have achieved as much as it has to date
TheChair’schosencharity oftheyearwasTidyButt, whichoffersasupportive placeforpeopletoshare theirstrugglewithmental healthbyofferingwellness talks,mentalhealth supportandcommunity events Intotal£149was raisedduring2023-24for TidyButt
CllrMatthewFord,Chairof Council2023–2024
Leader'sIntroduction
It is an honour and a privilege to be Leader of Pontypool Community Council We have come through a challenging year at Pontypool Community Council, trying our best to support local organisations / community groups who are facing a particularly difficult time during the current financial crisis and the impact this is having on our town
The cost of living crisis is a huge worry and future years will be challenging for many in our community, with the rapidly increasing cost of energy and food prices being of particular concern Therefore it has been important to ensure that the Council’s priorities at the most local level of democracy are at the heart of any decision making, for example financially contributing to food banks, supporting environmental grants and putting on various free family events.
Our community groups are the life and soul of what Pontypool is about and my view is that the Council should be there to support and encourage these groups through partnership working so that Pontypool can be better for everyone
I’mmassivelyproudof PontypoolCommunityCouncil’s achievementsoverthelastyear andwouldliketosincerely thankallourstaffand membersfortheirhardwork andcommitmentincontinuing todevelopandpromote PontypoolCommunityCouncil.
CllrGaynorJames,Leader
MessageFromTheClerk
Staff and Councillors look forward to serving Pontypool Community Council through the Council’s vision statement:
“To proactively engage with local residents to identify their priorities and aspirations, ensuring the work of the Council and its partners make a positive difference, empowering our community”
As Clerk I am accountable to the Council for the effective management of all its resources ensuring the Community Council provides quality and wellmaintained services and events for the community. I am also the Responsible Finance Officer and accountable for all financial records and proper administration of its finances.
Throughout this report you will see how those plans and projects have borne fruition with the hard work of staff, members and outside bodies and representatives
ThisisPontypoolCommunity Council’sfifthAnnualReport Witheachreportwewanttolet youknowwhoweare,whatwe do,howwedoitandour achievementsthroughoutthe year,youwillfindthis documentedthroughoutthis report
CHAPTER TWO WELL-BEING GOALS
The well-being goals will be displayed on each page that they apply.
To promote the town and local businesses.
To work in partnership with other agencies and participate in Borough and regional meetings, as well as the Pontypool Regeneration Partnership
To support a thriving local economy in Pontypool and award local voluntary funding grants to organisations/societies throughout the Pontypool area, as well as provide core funding grants.
Maintain and enhance the natural environment of Pontypool, through its partnership working with Friends of Pontypool Park and Fishponds Park, Panteg, Torfaen’s Ecologist and others.
To create healthy functioning ecosystems by awarding environmental grants to schools in the Pontypool area and encouraging them to explore options for environmental projects
To provide doggy/litter bins etc.
03. AHealthierPontypool
Provide access to essential and useful phone numbers. Explore health projects or initiatives that Pontypool Community Council could support.
Provide health information and raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing via Twitter, Facebook, other social media and at the office
Promote indoor and outdoor activities and pursuits including access to better outside spaces, which lead to better health and wellbeing
Increase engagement with all parts of the community through networking at grants presentation evenings and other events and speakers at Council meetings
Give people equal opportunities to participate in decision making to enable equal outcomes, Equal Opportunities Policy.
Ensure training is provided for all staff on the importance of equal opportunities, all staff have completed diversity training
Provide Induction and Equalities training for Councillors through One Voice Wales and a staff training programme to be prepared annually
Promote equality through our youth provision by actively engaging with LGBTQ+, young carers, young people living independently at an early age and young care leavers
Give young people a voice through the Youth Council. Support organisations which work with children and young people with additional learning needs.
05. APontypoolofCohesiveCommunities
Create the conditions where people and communities can do the things that matter to them through partnership working with Gwent Police, Public Health Wales, Save a Life Cymru and others
Provide the Council Chamber as a meeting space for outside organisations/partnership working Promote inter-generational work through the Youth Council.
06. APontypoolofVibrantandThriving WelshLanguage
Support the Welsh language through Pontypool Community Council’s Inter-Schools Eisteddfod
Value culture, creativity and diversity as core dimensions of well-being
Provide documents in the Welsh language where appropriate
07. AGloballyResponsiblePontypool
Pontypool Community Council Inter-Schools Eisteddfod
Twinning Links with other cities and towns
Commitment to reducing global warming through the provision of the Council’s litter hub, doggy/litter bins, Forest Schools, recycling schemes etc.
CHAPTER THREE COMMUNITY COUNCILS, WHO
WE ARE & WHAT WE DO
WhatareCommunityCouncils?
There are 735 Town and Community Councils in Wales; this number has remained relatively stable since the 1980s, after the Local Government Act 1972 transformed the structures of local government in Wales.
Community and Town Councils are the bedrock of local government: they are the local authorities which are closest to local communities, they are corporate bodies and they cover most rural and urban areas throughout Wales.
In the Torfaen County Borough Council area there are five Community Councils: Pontypool, Cwmbran, Henllys, Ponthir, Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon, and one Town Council (Blaenavon)
The other tier of local government in Wales are the Unitary Authorities (for example, for Pontypool, Torfaen County Borough Council is the Unitary Authority) which have a legal duty to deliver services over a wider geographical area, such as education, town and country planning, environmental health and social services.
There are many legal powers which the Community Council uses to improve well-being, in particular (but not only):
FUNCTION
Bio-Diversity
POWERS&DUTIES
Dutytoseektomaintainand enhancebiodiversityinthe properexerciseofthe Council'sfunctions
LEGISLATION
Environment(Wales) Act2016
Entertainmentandthe Arts
Provisionofentertainment andsupportofthearts
LocalGovernmentAct 1972,s145
Recreation/Community Buildings/Sports Organisations
Tourism
PowerofWell-being: Wales
Powertoprovideand contributetoawiderangeof recreationalfacilitiesinor outsidethecouncil’sarea includingprovidingand equippingbuildingsforuseof clubshavingathletic,social oreducationalobjectives
Powertoencouragetourism tothecouncil’sareaor contributetoorganisations encouragingtourism
Powertodoanythingto promotetheeconomic,social andenvironmentalwellbeingofthecouncil’sareaor anyoneinthearea,subjectto anystatutoryprohibitions, restrictionsandlimitationson councilpowers
LocalGovernment (Miscellaneous Provisions)Act1976, s19
LocalGovernmentAct 1972,s144
LocalGovernmentAct 2000ss 1–5&s137b
LocalGovernmentAct 1972
By complying with the qualification criteria set out in the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021, in January 2024 the Council obtained General Power of Competence. This means the Council will be able to deliver even more in future to improve the health and well-being of current and future generations of people in and around Pontypool and thus achieve a healthier Wales
AboutPontypoolCommunity Council
As part of the modernisation of the Council we have had a brand new logo designed which is used on all internal and external documents and media
The Council is made up of 21 elected members that represent the community on a ward basis. These members make decisions on a range of services and activities which support the local community and liaise with Torfaen County Borough Council when other issues of concern or interest arise
The wards the elected members cover are as follows: Abersychan and Cwmavon, Brynwern, Cwmynyscoy, Garndiffaith & Varteg, Griffithstown East and West, New Inn Lower, New Inn Upper, Pontnewynydd, Pontypool, Sebastopol East and West, Snatchwood, St. Cadocs & Penygarn, Wainfelin and Trevethin. Each Councillor and the ward that they represent is shown on the next page
CouncilMeetingStructure
The overall responsibility for each committee is as follows:
Finance, Governance and Policy
Financial matters including preparation of budget, monitoring of all income and expenditure, internal controls, audit, grants, policies.
Planning & Environment
All planning and development matters including planning applications, plenary powers and planning determinations
Events
All events of the Council – Eisteddfod, Christmas Cavalcade, Party in the Park, Environmental Quiz, and many more – more on these throughout the report.
Establishment
All personnel and staffing matters
Full Council
Overall decision powers for the Council and recommendations from committees
SPEAKERS AT COUNCIL MEETINGS
Speakers who have attended our Council/Committee meetings in the last year:
Communications Officer - One Voice Wales
Torfaen Play Service
Tidy Butt - mental health charity
Torfaen’s Chief Officer - Communities, Customer Service & Digital
Torfaen’s Head of Public Services Support Unit
Torfaen’s Head of Communities & Renewal - (introducing
Community Capacity Builders and Community Resilience Support Officer, resulting in the Council setting a Community Capacity Working Group)
Torfaen’s Senior Landscape Officer
Menter Iaith BGTM
CHAPTER FOUR THE PRECEPT (FINANCES)
One of the key statutory tasks a Council undertakes, irrespective of its size, is to prepare an annual budget.
Pontypool Community Council holds a priorities day each year in September where councillors decide what the Council should spend in the forthcoming year on local services, events and activities, taking into account the amount of income the Council expects to receive.
Once the Council approves the budget, it is used as an active tool to manage the Council’s finances. Every month, the Clerk presents all relevant financial information and budget monitoring reports to the Finance, Governance and Policy Committee, to show spending and income to date, against budgeted amounts.
LOCAL VOLUNTARY FUNDING
Each ward is allocated £2,500 for social and community groups to apply for funding with specific projects.
COMMUNITY SPEND
Well-beingProjects
ContributiontoPlayService
RunningCostsGrants
GroundsMaintenance
JuniorSponsorshipGrant
GrantAidforCommunityHalls/Facilities
Grants-Misc
FoodBanks
EnvironmentalAwards/Projects
CommunityNoticeBoards
ForestSchool
BiodiversityProjects
£3,000
£35,000
£26,500
£12,500
£5,000
£9,300
£7,750
£6,000
£9,000
£4,500
£2,300
£1,800
CHAPTER FIVE
EVENTS & PROJECTS
Pontypool Community Council is proud to support the wellbeing of our community through hosting a fun and diverse annual programme of events and projects, categorised under the following themes:
Community Competitions
Community Events
Education Events
Community Competitions
Garden Competition
This year ’ s competition ran from April to July and we had 13 entries in total
The judging took place the week beginning 31st July and the judges were Annette Williams who works at Greenmeadow Community Farm (who is also a landscape gardener) and Donna Goode who works at The Secret Garden (Garden Centre).
Categories included
Best Overall Garden Judges Choice Award
Best Container
Best Wildlife Friendly Garden
Best Veg and Junior Category
Photo Competition
Partnering with Torfaen Museum this year Pontypool Community Council ran the photo competition with the theme “Generations” throughout the months of January, February and March.
15 entries were received. The competition was judged by Julie Morgan AWPF, who stated that all entries were of high quality. The top 3 entries are displayed in Torfaen Museum.
1st Prize went to Jeffrey Rowles
Poet Of Pontypool 2023
The Community Council held their annual Poet of Pontypool competition over the summer of 2023, the theme was Pontypool Park
Adult Winning Poet
Pontypool Park
In spring she wears a verdant gown
Graced with diamond dew,
Upon her head a blossom crown
‘Neath skies of gleaming blue. Her emerald studded fingers reach
Towards the passing clouds
A gentle breeze stirs copper beech
And daffodils in crowds
She triumphs over summer heat
Beneath a leafy veil, While townsfolk gather at her feet
To follow Myfanwy’s trail
At her head lies Folly Tower
Beacon of local pride,
Where she gazes hour upon hour
At patchwork countryside
Autumn tints her tresses gold
Sweet chestnuts burst the shell
Although her heart is touched by cold
Warm tales are hers to tell, Of rugby matches played and won, Of sulphurous, smoky sky, Of friends who get the hard work done
To keep a sparkle in her eye.
As winter clothes her all in white She reveals her boundless glory, And even while she’s hidden from sight
She writes a springtime story
By Susan King
Junior Winning Poet
An Inspiration
Nestled within the Italian Gardens, she waits majestically like the August sun, We meet to remember her love of Pontypool, setting off full of inspiration and intrigue, Walking swiftly up the steep tree lined hill we reach the summit
I return to resight her words, as we feel her presence, her dreams become my reality,
Onwards we move, dry and wet, sun and rain, inspired to finish this long Welsh trail
Walking in her footsteps, I think nothing of this 8-mile hike
A’top the rugged slope the wind blows, light piercing the narrow window panes, Colours of elegance to the eye. The Grotto, “oh what a beauty”.
On to the tower that stood the test of time, revealing unforgettable views fields with a thousand shades of green
We stand at the height with great ambition and many dreams
Along the liquid miles we creep, gently to see the nature before our eyes, Peeping through the trees the folly in the distance marks how far we have trekked As we approach the iconic Pontypool gates, green old and weary, we stop to appreciate our achievement
But we must complete one last step, the Pontypool Museum, it comes to an end but it’s only the beginning of the Myfanwy journey
By Lucie Blake (aged 12)
Community Events
Party in the Park 2023
Party in the Park is our day of summer fun (July) where we take over the beautiful Pontypool Park with stage shows and performances, stalls, games and tasty food
We’re proud to be able to provide this annual event for our community with the majority of activities and entertainment being either free or subsidised for all the family.
The Welsh weather was not on our side but we still managed to hear some amazing music, visit the many stalls arranged by Torfaen & Gwent Small Business Markets, and not forgetting a ride on the main attraction, a Euro Fighter Typhoon simulator before we made the sad decision to close the event early.
Annual Calvacade Christmas 2023
The Christmas spirit was in the air on Saturday 25th November as the people of Pontypool welcomed in the festive season with a day of free family entertainment and the official switch on of the Christmas Lights.
Pontypool Indoor Market was taken over by Santa’s grotto and everyone ’ s favourite magician, Magnificent Johno, wowed audiences amongst the stalls. Mad Mel and the fantastic Elf Trio rocked the stage, and the Louby Lou gang were spotted making mischief through the streets.
This year also marked the addition of Pontypool’s first ever Land Train, offering free rides around the town The event culminated in a parade of all the entertainers as Matt Ford, Chair of Pontypool Community Council, hit the ON switch for this year ’ s light display, illuminating the night sky.
Bath Christmas Markets
A new addition to 2023 was a Community Bus trip to Bath Christmas Markets, which was subsidised by the Council The trip enabled 50 members of the community to visit the iconic city Following the wonderful feedback from those who attended, a Summer Seaside Trip and Christmas Market Trip are in the pipeline for 2024
Education Events
Eisteddfod
In March 2024 we celebrated our Annual Schools’ Eisteddfod, which marked our 25th year anniversary.
The Eisteddfod took place over two days at Pontypool Active Living Centre where pupils competed in Welsh recitals and singing categories plus Welsh Folk Country Dance and Instrumental categories
The following Pontypool schools participated: Garnteg, Griffithstown, Penygarn, George Street, Ysgol Bryn Onnen, New Inn, Cwmffrwdoer, Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw and Padre Pio
Foundation Stage Winner was Ysgol Bryn Onnen
Key Stage 2 Winner was George Street
Environmental Quiz
Year 6 pupils from each of the primary schools competed in a fun and educational quiz with questions and activities all themed around the environment.
Forest Schools
Pontypool primary schools took part in our annual forest schools session This year we worked in collaboration with the Canal & River Trust, pupils took part in three main activities:
Green woodworking by cutting and preparing their sticks to toast marshmallows around a campfire.
A Nature Art session taking part in a print or collage art activity which encourages a focus on the natural environment and their relationship with the canal.
A nature walk with litter picking and a sensory scavenger hunt looking for items with different sensory properties
CHAPTER SIX ACHIEVEMENTS THROUGHOUT 2023-24
New Website
In December 2023, we launched our new website. With a fresh new design and a focus on accessibility and the end user, it was a culmination of over 6 months meticulous work and creativity from all Council staff and the team at Webjects
The website is fully accessible through the integrated UserWay Accessibility widget and aligns with our Environmental goals, with the hosting of the site coming from 100% renewable energy
Myfanwy Haycock Poetry Trail
In July 2023, in collaboration with broadcaster Jenni Crane, Pontypool Community Council launched the brand new Myfanwy Haycock Poetry Trail – a series of walking routes starting from Pontypool Park, accompanied by an interactive walking app that is free to download
As part of the project, artist Chris Wood was commissioned to create a sculpture of the poet, Myfanwy Haycock. This piece of artwork stands proudly in the Italian Gardens within Pontypool Park and marks the starting point for all three walking trails.
Since the launch, the project has generated many Myfanwythemed projects and opportunities, from Poem of the Month recitals to Arts and Craft days
We ran school competitions to find young peoples voices to read poetry on the app
Information boards and marker posts were installed within Pontypool Park and along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal with a logo and QR code at points of specific interest on the walk The QR codes link to the Walking Trail App that recites poetry through the app at points of interest as the user enjoys walks around Pontypool Park and the Canal The Walking app guides the users on three walking trails of various lengths.
We launched the MYFANWY HAYCOCK POETRY TRAIL and APP on 22nd July 2023 - At Creative were chosen to be the App designers for our project
This fantastic project, including the 6ft statue, the Phone App and all its wellbeing benefits is available to all, walkers, poetry enthusiast and the people of Pontypool and wider communities for years to come
Noticeboards
Following on from the previous year, the Community Council have continued to freshen up the Community Noticeboards as well as installing new boards to ensure we reach the wider areas of the district Using the new website, community members can now use the handy google maps links to find the nearest noticeboard and nearest waste bin to their house and if something is missing in their area it can be requested
Three new noticeboards were erected this year: Griffithstown East, Pantygasseg and New Inn Lower.
Scan the code below to use the google map links:
Benches
Pontypool Community Council have many benches located throughout Pontypool. This was a post on social media of one of them.
We hope to roll this map service out for the Community Council’s benches in the coming year.
Community Celebration Evening
Our community is full of fantastic organisations and individuals, and we want to shout about them! Building on our previous Grants Presentation Evening format, we organised a presentation evening to celebrate the amazing organisations that have been awarded grants during the financial year, the inspirational individuals that go above and beyond to support our community, and the announcement of our Poetry Competition winners
Hanging Baskets
We have funded hanging basket displays located throughout the town centre
Tidy Butt Mic Morris 2023
Pontypool Community Council were pleased to work in partnership with Blaenavon Town Council to fund a series of well-being workshops in St Albans RC and Abersychan High Schools. We also fully funded a workshop at West Mon High School. In total we worked with over 600 of our young people. This was one of the social media posts about this campaign.
Mic Morris was a police officer and brilliant British international middle-distance runner from Pontypool who died aged just 24 years during a training run in 1983 A trust fund was set up between Gwent Police and Torfaen Borough Council to raise money for Torfaen’s talented young sports people. Pontypool Community Council have been honoured to support this year ’ s medals as shown in this social media post
CHAPTER SEVEN BIODIVERSITY
The Community Council has created a Biodiversity Sub Group with the aim to embed sustainability and support for biodiversity into the Council’s working practices. This is inclusive of but not limited to: procurement, reducing office energy use, phasing out the use of single use plastic, reducing water and paper use, encouraging recycling
Our Biodiversity Action Plan enables our sub-committee to plan and budget for many mini-projects and project updates are provided to the sub-committee on a bi-monthly basis
Marketing Biodiversity
An environment and biodiversity page has been added to our website in order to share details of projects and events.
The Sweet Chestnut Tree Project Treecare Consulting have been commissioned to maintain the trees over this and the next financial year as per the Treecare plan, including the ongoing maintenance of our beautiful tree of the year
Big Green Week
We gave away 300 packets of seeds at the Market Garden Launch We also funded two Family Forest Fun Sessions by In Our Nature and Draenog Countryside.
Real
Christmas Trees Project
This ongoing project is to plant real trees around Pontypool instead of supplying cut trees every year. We have plotted the location for each tree and are now working through actually purchasing and planting the trees. Great to see these next year!
CHAPTER EIGHT OFFICERS
StaffingStructure
At Pontypool Community Council we ensure that the health and safety of our employees and visitors is managed with the utmost care and attention. Staff at the Council regularly receive comprehensive training including Health & Safety and Fire Safety to ensure Pontypool Community Council are adhering to Health & Safety regulations that we remain compliant
CHAPTER NINE USE OF COUNCIL CHAMBER & WINDOW DISPLAYS
WINDOW DISPLAYS
There are two large windows for display purposes at Pontypool Community Council offices. Pontypool Museum is one of our regular exhibitors, using the window to promote forthcoming events and exhibitions which they organise. This year they are promoting the Myfanwy Haycock Poetry Trail exhibition They also design seasonal and themed displays which include items from their vast collection. At Christmas they w how the festive season used to be It also encourages members of the gen
In 2023-24 the window was decorated by the comrades to commemorate Armed Forces day in June and the British Legion’s Remembrance Sunday in November. Every year they have also designed displays for various anniversaries They bring original items from the first and second World Wars to show the hardships that the soldiers had to endure to the wider community
COUNCIL CHAMBER
Just one of our many visitors to our chamber - on Thursday 1st February 2024 Pontypool Community Council’s chamber was taken over by the budding changemakers of Cwmffrwdoer Primary School. Year 6 pupils, along with their teacher, Mr Edwards, visited the Council chamber to learn more about the workings of the Community Council and its history, and then hosted three lively debates on topics they’ve been working on in school.
Leader of Pontypool Community Council, Councillor Gaynor James, introduced the pupils to the chamber and the day-to-day role of a Councillor before taking questions They discussed three topics they’d been investigating in school, before coming back to hold their final debates.
Each debate was chaired by a member of the Cwmffrwdoer staff and guest Chair, Rob Lewis, Outreach & Education Officer from Amgueddfa Torfaen Museum There were some heated topics on the agenda that morning, but the key messages were clear for these young debaters: listen and respect the speakers, be open to changing your view and leave your personal opinions at the door, focus on the facts
We were blown away by the knowledge, passion and professionalism of the pupils –there’s no doubt we’ll be seeing some of these faces representing the wards of Pontypool and District in the future! A huge thank you to Cwmffrwdoer School, Councillor Gaynor James and Amgueddfa Torfaen Museum for joining us
Would you like to host your school debate or meeting in our professional Chamber?
CHAPTER TEN
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Youth Council
Pontypool Youth Council is made up of passionate individuals aged 14+ who advocate for young people’s rights.
The Youth Council meets on scheduled Monday afternoons, at the Pontypool Community Council office. Youth councillors take the views of their peers from consultations at youth clubs, schools and online, and make positive changes to benefit young people’s lives within Pontypool
The Eden Springs Project
Our Youth Council were successful in making a recommendation to Full Council for the purchase and installation of a water fountain to be installed in Pontypool Market for staff and members of the public to fill up their water bottles This was approved and is in full use.
We have exciting news for this coming year!
Youth Activities
In 2023-24 Pontypool Community Council’s Youth Project offered various provisions and opportunities for young people within the Pontypool area. The Youth Provision supports young people’s social and emotional development through informal education within youth clubs, targeted sessions, Youth Council meetings, trips, events and residentials
Our Youth Project enjoyed trips out during the summer of 2023
TWINNING
The Town Twinning movement began after the Second World War with the passionate support of mayors and citizens who vowed that Europe should never be torn apart by war again
In the mid-twentieth century, ‘twinning’ became popular with cities across the world, fostering international relationships, facilitating information sharing and mutual support.
Pontypool Community Council has official twinning partnerships with three European towns
Taking it in turns, the twinned towns hold a yearly Youth Festival enabling young people from each town to meet together to enjoy a week of cultural, sporting, educational and social activities Pontypool also welcomes visits from these twinned towns throughout the year as separate excursions, introducing visitors to the history and culture of Pontypool and the surrounding area.
Below is a timeline showing the original signing of Twinning Charters:
March 1994
Pontypool twinned with Longjumeau –Signed March 1994 in Longjumeau
October 1994
Pontypool twinned with Bretten –Signed October 1994 in Pontypool
February 1999
Pontypool twinned with Condeixa –
Signed February 1999 in Pontypool
Twinning Bretten Visit to Pontypool 2023
July and September
We welcomed our twin town Bretten on two occasions in 2023, July and September, where we arranged visits to the Big Pit, Torfaen Museum and the Myfanwy Haycock Poetry Trail.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
USEFUL INFORMATION
Pontypool Community Council deliver a range of services, projects and events to meet local needs and improve the life of our local residents
It may be that we at the Community Council can’t help directly, but we can happily signpost you in the right direction
Here we ’ ve put together a number of handy websites and organisations, if you click on the icon it should take you direct to the relevant website:
Torfaen County Borough Council is the local authority that provides services such as education, environmental health, social services etc. including your rubbish bin and recycling collections. Here you’ll also find more information about Torfaen Play Service, who provide community play opportunities for children and young people aged 5-15 years across the county. You can also reach them on 01495 762200, 08:30 to 17:00 – Monday to Friday
All children and young people’s activities provided by Torfaen Family Information Service can be found here https://torfaenfis org uk/ Tel/Ffon: 0800 0196330
Connect Torfaen is a new digital platform that connects people, groups and organisations in Torfaen to their community. If you ’ re looking for a voluntary opportunity, or just looking for events in your area, the Connect Torfaen site has a handy map to find out what’s in your area.
Call: 01495 365610
Aneurin Bevan Health Board is the health board for this area, covering Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen and South Powys Call: 01633 493100
Torfaen Voluntary Alliance support community-based organisations, groups and volunteer development in Torfaen and surrounding areas, through promoting volunteering, wellbeing, providing community advice and supporting people and organisations to connect and work better together
Call: 01495 742420
One Voice Wales is the principal organisation for community and town councils in Wales, providing a strong voice representing the councils’ interests and a range of high quality services to support their work Head here to find relevant articles and information on current issues affecting councils and local activities across Wales Call: 01269 595400
Age Cymru is the national charity for older people in Wales Their specialist advice service provides confidential, impartial and expert information and advice to older people, their families, friends, carers and professionals throughout Wales
Call: 0300 303 44 98
Thank you for reading this report, our next one will be published in July 2025
If you would like to speak to us regarding this document, or any other matter, you can contact the Council via the following methods:
Address: 35a Commercial Street, Pontypool, NP4 6JQ
T: 01495 365951 | E: pontypool@pontypoolcc gov uk - Mon - Fri only
Emergency contact - Clerk: 01495 365952 or 01495 365954
To view this report online
