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Education

Campaign calls for clarity on asbestos in all schools

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A CAMPAIGN group is calling on the Welsh Government to accept responsibility for asblogo_welsh_assemblyestos in schools after a petition on the subject was discussed by the National Assembly for Wales Petitions Committee this week.

During the Petitions Committee meeting it was agreed that asbestos in schools was a matter of significance and worthy of further scrutiny, but the Welsh Government has not yet accepted responsibility for developing policy on the topic.

The Right to Know: Asbestos in Schools Wales campaign is led by Cenric Clement-Evans, a senior solicitor at NewLaw who specialises in diseases caused by exposure to asbestos. The campaign welcomes the call for further scrutiny but urges the Welsh Government to stop dragging its heels over this vital issue.

Mr Clement-Evans explained: “What the petition brought to light was that no-one accepts overall responsibility for asbestos policy in Wales. The UK Government states the responsibility is that of Welsh Government, whereas the Welsh Government states that it lies with the HSE. The HSE has made clear that it exists to advise and regulate but does not hold responsibility, and this matter of responsibility has still not been cleared up.”

The petition, which is now closed, asked the Welsh Government to put measures in place to ensure that parents and guardians of children across Wales can easily access information about the presence and management of asbestos in all school buildings.

Mr Clement-Evans continues: “All we are asking is that the Minister for Education and Skills accepts responsibility and makes the appropriate information accessible to parents and guardians. Asbestos is a hidden killer. Surely the people of Wales have a right to know about its presence in schools across our nation.”

Rex Phillips, NASUWT National Official for Wales, said: “The NASUWT welcomes the decisions taken by the Petitions Committee to write to the Education Minister in England to establish when the review of the policy on asbestos in schools in England is to be published, and to either set up an evidence session to identify the extent of the problem in schools in Wales or to call for the matter to be discussed at a plenary session.

“On the latter decision, the NASUWT suggests that the most appropriate way forward for the protection of pupils and the school workforce in Wales would be to do both.”

David Evans, Wales Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: “I’m pleased that the Petitions Committee agreed that this topic is worthy of further scrutiny, but it’s long overdue. This is a matter that has the potential to affect the health and wellbeing of pupils and teachers all across Wales and therefore it’s vital that a solution is found.”

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Education

NEU Cymru teacher members vote to accept pay offer

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73% of NEU teacher members in Wales who responded to the union’s consultation have voted to ACCEPT the pay offer put forward by the Welsh Government, and end the dispute.

The offer put forward by Minister for Education and Welsh Language Jeremy Miles will see an additional payment to teachers of 3% for this academic year (2022/23), made up of 1.5% consolidated award and a further 1.5% unconsolidated lump-sum. The offer also included an increased pay rise of 5% paid from September 2023. The Minister has also confirmed that it will all be fully funded by the Welsh Government.

Speaking about the members’ decision, NEU Joint General Secretary Kevin Courtney said: “The members in Wales have made a clear decision to accept the pay offer, put forward by the Minister in a letter dated 9 March.

“We would like to thank the Welsh Government for the constructive way in which they have conducted negotiations with the union, and we look forward to a productive working relationship to ensure that the rest of the deal, focused on workload, continues to make good progress.

“Whilst this doesn’t meet our ambitions for pay restitution every part of this offer is due to our members’ efforts – and we will continue campaigning for the Governments in Cardiff and Westminster to invest properly in this generation of children and the staff who work with them.”

David Evans, Wales Secretary for the National Education Union Cymru, said: “It is clear that a large majority of our teacher members here in Wales want to accept the deal from the Minister. They were provided with full information about the offer and have given us a definitive steer.

“This has been a difficult time for everyone in education. Our members do not take decisions to go on strike lightly, but they had to make a stand given the continuing impact of austerity, cost of living and spiralling inflation. We would like to thank all the parents who supported teachers and support staff in the action taken.

“We remain disappointed that the Minister made no offer to teaching assistants, but we know that we have raised the profile of the critical issues which affect everyone in education. Our National Executive will be considering next steps in our support staff pay campaign.”

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Education

Commissioner joins students on tour of Dyfed-Powys Police custody suite construction site

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POLICE and Crime Commissioner joins construction students on tour of Dyfed-Powys Police Custody Suite Construction Site

As part of a national open doors to construction sites campaign, this week there is an opportunity for the public in Carmarthenshire to go on site with construction company Willmott Dixon, to see construction work going ahead on the new Dyfed-Powys Police Custody suite in Dafen, Llanelli Carmarthenshire as it nears completion.

Today, 14 March 2023, Police and Crime Commissioner was invited to attend one of the site tours with a group of construction students from nearby Coleg Sir Gar.

As part of the open doors event, members of the public are shown around a construction of approximately 4000m2 over two storeys, that includes 18 new cell custody suites, interview rooms, cells, charge desk, open plan office space and associated meeting rooms and a significant area for mechanical and electrical plant. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “This is a major investment for us which will see an ambitious, modern, sustainable fit for purpose policing hub and custody suite that will meet the needs and expectations of modern policing.

“I am grateful for Willmott Dixon, for including the construction site on the menu of construction sites for the national Open Doors campaign this week.  I’ve worked extremely hard with partners over recent years to ensure that we get to this position, and it was great to be able to walk around the building today with a group of students from Coleg Sir Gar as it nears completion.”

The new Carmarthenshire Custody Suite, based in Dafen Llanelli, will offer a more sustainable environment, while also help protect natural resources.  Amongst some of the sustainable credentials of the new building will be a photovoltaic solar power installation to minimise the carbon footprint of the building; a rainwater harvesting facility for toilets and non-potable water, and electric car charging facilities.

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Education

A unique learning experience for students from Pembrokeshire College

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LAST week staff and students from Pembrokeshire College were delighted to be able to officially open their teaching space at Folly Farm.

Designed for Level 3 Animal Management learners, this unique teaching facility exemplifies what can be achieved by educators and employers working in partnership.

Jointly funded by Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire College, the facility opened for learners just prior to lockdown back in February 2020. Overlooking the rhino enclosure, learners are exposed to a wide variety of opportunities including shadowing zookeepers and working with exotic species – opportunities made possible due to their location at the centre of a working zoo.

During the opening Chris Ebsworth, Folly Farm Managing Director, highlighted the excellent opportunities that are available to learners; not only in working directly with animals, but also in the wider field of conservation. Meanwhile, learner Georgia Pike gave her perspective on what the centre brings to learners. Being based at Folly Farm provides a truly unique learning experience, something that just wouldn’t be possible on the main College campus.

MP Simon Hart rounded off by cutting the ribbon and officially opening the centre. The opening was also attended by representatives from Pembrokeshire County Council, Coleg Sir Gar, CITB and The John Burns Foundation (Burns in the Community).

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