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Blaenau Gwent

Well-being Assessment

2017

SUMMARY

CONSULTATION DRAFT

This document supports the main consultation draft document produced under the

requirements of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The main

consultation document provides further details on the assessment of local well-being

for the Blaenau Gwent area.

Mae’r ddogfen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg

This document is available in Welsh

Section 1: A welcome

Welcome to Blaenau Gwent Public Services Board Summary of the draft

Well-being Assessment 2016.

The purpose of this document is to summarise the assessment of well-being

which will help the newly formed Public Services Board for the area to set

objectives for an exciting new plan for the local area.

The draft assessment has been developed collaboratively with a wide of

range of partner organisations contributing evidence. It also benefits from

significant input from local people, following the first phase of our really

successful engagement programme, “The Blaenau Gwent We Want”.

If you are interested in further details please consider the main consultation

draft, which is available via:

http://www.blaenaugwentpsb.org.uk/

If you want to stay involved, I would urge you, or the organisation you

represent, to join one of our engagement panels.

Councillor Steven Thomas

Chair of Blaenau Gwent Public Services Board Leader of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

http://www.blaenaugwentpsb.org.uk/

1

Section 2: Context

The National Assembly for Wales passed a new law for Wales called the

Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The legislation is about

improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of

Wales, and creating a Wales that we all want to live in, now and in the future.

The ground-breaking piece of legislation places sustainable development at

its core and places a duty on our public service sector (covered by the Act) to:

think about the long-term; work better with people and communities and each

other; look to prevent problems; and take a more joined-up approach. This is

known as the five ways of working.

To make sure we are all working towards the same vision, the Act puts in

place seven well-being goals for everyone to aspire towards.

The Act also requires public body partners to work together through a new

partnership board called a Public Services Board to prepare an assessment

of well-being in its area by April 2017.

2

Section 3: Approaching our assessment in

Blaenau Gwent

The assessment of well-being for the Blaenau Gwent area presents a

summary analysis. It includes:

An introductory chapter focuses on providing an overview of the area,

the main communities and the people that live within them.

An economic well-being chapter, which summarises information on the

local economy such as employment, business, income, education and

skills.

A social well-being chapter, which summarises information on a variety

of social issues such as health, care, lifestyle, childhood development,

ageing well, community safety, housing and transport.

A cultural well-being chapter, which summarises information on issues

such as Welsh language, cultural identity, cohesion, sports and

recreation, arts and culture, tourism and technology; and

An environmental well-being chapter, which summarises information on

issues such as landscapes, nature, water, environmental footprints,

renewable energy and waste and recycling.

This summary version of the assessment follows the same format.

3

Blaenau Gwent

People and Places

Summary

4

Section 4: Blaenau Gwent

Overview of the area

Blaenau Gwent became a county borough council in 1996 following local

government reorganisation, changing from a district of Gwent County Council.

The area as a whole has a rich heritage which is reflected in our monuments,

buildings, landscapes and people.

In the last 30 years the area has faced many challenges, with the closure of

all the coal mines in the late 1980s and the Ebbw Vale Steelworks in 2002

leading to many job losses.

We cannot underestimate the effect of this, however the area has seen

significant structural and environment improvement, following major levels of

capital investment and the greening of our valleys as nature recovers from

the long-term scaring caused from our historical industries.

In 2015, the population of Blaenau Gwent was 69,544. This makes the area

one of the smallest local authority areas in Wales. The population of the area

is falling, however the rate of decline is more stable than at any point since

1921 (when the population was over 125,000). The population is expected to

continue to fall with a 1.2% decrease in the next 10 years.

The population density in Blaenau Gwent was 638 people per square

kilometre, compared with 149 per square kilometre for Wales. Analysis

shows that many parts of area have density levels similar to city areas.

Blaenau Gwent, like the majority of places in the UK, has an overall

population which is ageing. Generally, this is because less people are being

born and those people that are alive are living longer.

28% of all people who live within Blaenau Gwent stated they had a limiting

long-term health problem or illnesses, where day-to-day activities were

limited. This was higher than Wales overall (23%) and was the 2nd highest

level in Wales (behind Neath Port Talbot with 28%).

5

The Blaenau Gwent’s Black and Ethnic Minority population in 2011 was just

under 1,900. However, the number had increased from 1,300 in 2001. The

area has one of the lowest levels of people from black and minority ethnic

groups in Wales.

Just over 41% of the Blaenau Gwent population stated they have no religion,

which is above the Welsh average of 37%. This is a notable increase

compared to 2001, with respective levels of 25% and 19%.

Blaenau Gwent is the area in Wales with the highest percentage of small

areas in the most deprived 10% (23.4%).

Neighbourhood Areas in Blaenau Gwent

The assessment is focused around four neighbourhood areas which align to

our valleys, towns and neighbourhoods. The map below summarises the four

areas, with Sirhowy coloured red, Ebbw Fawr coloured blue, Upper Ebbw

Fach coloured orange and Lower Ebbw Fach coloured green.

South Tredegar Pop: 8,122

Central Ebbw Vale Pop: 7,850

South Ebbw Vale Pop: 8,541

South Abertillery Pop: 7,273

Nantyglo & Blaina Pop: 9,228

North Ebbw Vale Pop: 6,976

North Abertillery Pop: 8,927

North Tredegar Pop: 7,034

Brynmawr Pop: 5,593

6

Sirhowy Valley

The Sirhowy Valley neighbourhood area contains the

main town of Tredegar, and its neighbourhoods such

as Waundeg, Golwg y Mynydd, Sirhowy, Dukestown,

and Scwrfa in the north, and Ashvale, Cefn Golau,

Georgetown, and Peacehaven in the south. The area

also includes the surrounding villages and settlements

of Trefil, Tafarnaubach and Princetown in the north,

and Troedrhiwgair, Bedwellty Pits, and Pochin in the

south. The area is home to 15,156 people, which is

22% of the population of the Blaenau Gwent area.

Feedback from ‘The Blaenau Gwent We Want’

engagement programme showed:

Special things in Sirhowy area

Bryn Bach Park

Bedwellty House and Park

Tredegar Town Clock

St James Woodland

Sirhowy Woodland

Kids R Us

Things to make Sirhowy area a better place

Improving roads and transport infrastructure

Making the area safer

Better shopping opportunities in the town

Access to employment opportunities

Clean environment

Making recycling easier

More community involvement and social participation

Play facilities and sensory gardens

If you are interested in finding out more about the area please go to chapter 3

of the main well-being assessment document.

7

Ebbw Fawr Valley

The neighbourhood area contains the main town of

Ebbw Vale, and the neighbourhoods of Rassau,

Garnlydan, Beaufort, Glyncoed, Glanyrafon,

Newchurch, Willowtown, Pontygof, Newtown,

Hilltop, and Briery Hill. The area also includes

surrounding villages and settlements such as

Tyllwyn, Waunlwyd, Victoria, and Cwm. The Ebbw

Fawr area is home to 23,367 people, which is 34%

of the overall population of the Blaenau Gwent area.



Special things in Ebbw Fawr area

Ebbw Valley Train Line

The Works Site

Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone

Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan

Beaufort Woodland

The general environment

Things to make Ebbw Fawr area a better place

Clean environment

Access to local employment opportunities

More accessible towns for people with disabilities

Better services and amenities located in the town

Better services for people with mental health difficulties e.g. autism

Improvements in health services & smoke free zones

Attractions of inward investment for Circuit of Wales & Enterprise Zone

Improving education attainment

Better quality and more choice of homes

More community involvement and social participation



8

Upper Ebbw Fach Valley

The neighbourhood area contains the main

town of Brynmawr, the settlements of

Nantyglo and Blaina and their outlining

neighbourhoods. The overall population of

Upper Ebbw Fach area is 14,821, which is

21% of the overall population of the

Blaenau Gwent area.

Feedback from ‘The Blaenau Gwent We

Want’ engagement programme showed:

Special things in Upper Ebbw Fach area

Bert Denning Centre

Market Hall Cinema

Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan

Brynmawr Foundation School

Natural landscapes

Things to make Upper Ebbw Fach area a better place

Tackling anti-social behaviour and substance misuse

Better transport, e.g. being a better, more reliable bus service

Preserving the landscape for people and animals

Better health services for older people

Supporting the town high street

More support for small businesses

Fairer deal for the area

Tackling obesity

Cleaning our streets



9

Lower Ebbw Fach Valley

The Lower Ebbw Fach neighbourhood area

includes Abertillery and the neighbourhoods of

Bourneville, Rosheyworth, Blaenau Gwent, Pen y

Bont, Rhiw Park, and Cwmtillery. The area also

includes Six Bells, and villages and settlements of

Aberbeeg, St Illtyd, Brynithel, Llanhilleth, and

Swyfrydd. The overall population of the Lower

Ebbw Fach area is 16,200, which is 23% of the

overall population of the Blaenau Gwent area.



Special things in Lower Ebbw Fach area

Local landscapes

Cwmtillery Lakes

Local festivals

Guardian, Six Bells

Six Bells Nature Reserve

GP Surgeries

Things to make Lower Ebbw Fach area a better place

More for children and young people to do

Encourage people to be responsible for health and welfare

More community safety presence and enforcement

Fairer care services for people with physical and mental disabilities

More effective waste and recycling

Better shop opportunities

Improve public transport opportunities and infrastructure

More effective use of grants and fairer deal for Abertillery

Remembering people in the community without access to cars and

internet


10


11

Economic

Well-being

12

Section 5: Economic Well-being

Below is a summary of the key facts relating economic well-being from the

draft assessment for the Blaenau Gwent area.

Economic Activity

32,000 people are economically active but this is low in general terms.

29,200 or 65.4% are employed, the lowest rate in Wales.

Almost 77% of 25-34 year olds are employed, however less than 32% of

16 to 19, and 50 and over are employed.

People in area are generally employed in less affluent occupations.

2,200 or 7% are unemployed, the highest rate in Wales.

12,300 are economically inactive but this is high in general terms

Every four out of ten people who are economically inactive are long term

sick, which equates to almost 5,000 people.

The area has below average levels of economically inactive students

(2,000 people) and has above average levels of economically inactive

people looking after the family (over 3,000 people).

Working Households

In 2015, three-quarters of households in Blaenau Gwent (76%) have at

least some of the residents in employment. This is an improving trend

as in 2011 only 68% of household had at least some of the residents in

employment.

This means the number of workless households is decreasing. In 2015,

just under one-quarter of households in Blaenau Gwent (24%) are

workless households where none of the residents are in employment.

This is above the Wales average (18%).

The area does witness comparably high levels of dependent children

living in workless households (22%), which is above the Welsh average

(14%).

13

Income

In 2016, the average gross full time weekly pay of residents of Blaenau

Gwent is the lowest in the Gwent region and notably less than in Wales

in general.

If the current trend in average weekly earnings for people continues, by

2020 people in Blaenau Gwent will on average earn £100 less than the

overall Wales level.

The Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation shows Blaenau Gwent has

significant pockets of income deprivation across the whole area.

The area has comparably high levels of people claiming working age

benefit.

Job Seekers Allowance claimants aged 17 to 24, is significantly above

the levels noted for Wales overall.

Blaenau Gwent has high levels of people claiming incapacity benefit or

severe disablement benefit (12.0%) when compared to Wales overall

(8.4%).

14

Business

Blaenau Gwent Rates has 294 active businesses per 10,000 working

age population which is low when comparing to neighbouring areas and

Wales overall (481 per 10,000 working age population).

There has been an increase in the rate of business start-ups within

Blaenau Gwent, from 6.6% of total business stock in 2010 to 13.1% in

2013.

Manufacturing remains a key employment sector within the area,

however, a high proportion of jobs are low skilled and relatively low paid.

Over three-quarters of businesses in Blaenau Gwent employ between 0

and 9 employees.

Only 3.6% of businesses employ between 50 and 249 people and less

than 1% of businesses employ more than 250 people.

The area has a high level of public sector employment.

Education and Skills for Work

In 2015, one out of every five working age people in Blaenau Gwent

has no qualifications (19.6%). This is significantly above all

neighbouring local authority areas and the overall level for Wales

(9.6%).

41.1% of working age people in Blaenau Gwent are qualified to NQF

level 3 or above, which is considerably below the Wales average of

57.5%.

Blaenau Gwent has seen a significant reduction in the number of Year

11 school leavers becoming NEET between 2010 (8.7%) and 2015

(2.4%). The level is now below the Wales average (2.8%).

15

What we know from engagement

Feedback from ‘The Blaenau Gwent We Want’ engagement programme

showed the following key issues relating to economic well-being:

Blaenau Gwent schools were the 4th highest identified asset when

people were asked about what was special about the area. This was

most likely to be identified by children and young people.

The availability of employment and income was the 3rd most referenced

topic when people were asked what is important to live well and enjoy

life.

Employment and Income was the 3rd most things people felt would

make the area a better place.

A summary of ‘The Blaenau Gwent We

Want’ public engagement programme held

in 2016 to support the production of the

draft well-being assessment is available by

following the link:

http://www.blaenaugwentpsb.org.uk/well-

being-assessment/blaenau-gwent-we-

want.aspx

http://www.blaenaugwentpsb.org.uk/well-being-assessment/blaenau-gwent-we-want.aspxhttp://www.blaenaugwentpsb.org.uk/well-being-assessment/blaenau-gwent-we-want.aspxhttp://www.blaenaugwentpsb.org.uk/well-being-assessment/blaenau-gwent-we-want.aspx

16

Social

Well-being

17

Section 6: Social Well-being

Below is a summary of the key facts relating to social well-being from the draft

assessment for the Blaenau Gwent area.

Life Expectancy, General Health and Mortality

Average male life expectancy, for babies born today, in Blaenau Gwent

was 76 years (2010-14) less than the Wales average of 78 years. Life

Expectancy for Females is about four years more than males at 82

years which is similar to the Welsh average.

Blaenau Gwent males born today can expect 60 healthy years of life

and females 59 years. For both males and females, Blaenau Gwent has

significantly lower healthy life expectancy than Wales as a whole

(males, 65.3 years; females, 66.7 years).

About 60% of the adults in Blaenau Gwent describe themselves to be in

good, very good or excellent health, a slightly lower rate than in other

areas of Wales.

In Blaenau Gwent, fewer than 70% of working age adults reported that

they are free from limiting long term illness compared to just over three

quarters (75.4%) for Wales as a whole.

Whilst gradually improving over time, in 2012-14, Blaenau Gwent still

had the highest all-cause mortality rate for persons aged under 75 and

all ages in Wales.

Deaths from cardiovascular disease are high in the borough compared

to the majority of Gwent and Wales.

The highest cancer mortality rate by local authority in Wales is in

Blaenau Gwent. The rate here is 12% higher than the Wales rate,

whereas the local authority with the lowest cancer mortality rate is 16%

lower than the Wales rate.

18

Healthy Lifestyles

In Blaenau Gwent 26% of adults smoked in 2014-15. This is higher than

in other areas of Gwent (21% in 2014-15) and Wales (20% in 2014-15).

Even so, the rate has reduced from above 30% over the past decade.

The number of people reporting they drink above the national guidance

and those reporting binge drinking at least one day in the previous week

was 39% and 25% respectively in Blaenau Gwent, both in line with the

Welsh rate overall.

Almost two-thirds of adults (62%) in Blaenau Gwent reported being

overweight or obese (2014-15). This is slightly higher than the Wales

figure of 59%. Over one-quarter (29%) of adults in Blaenau Gwent

reported being obese. This is an increasing trend, up by 6% in the past

decade. This is higher than Wales overall (22%).

The percentage of adults in Blaenau Gwent who reported eating five a

day (WHS, 2014-15) is 26%, which is lower than the average for Wales

(32%).

Less than a third (29%) of Blaenau Gwent residents report meeting the

physical activity guidelines (WHS 2014/15) for exercise for health, which

is similar for Wales (30.6%).

In Blaenau Gwent more people (40%) report taking physical activity on

no days in the previous week than taking the enough activity to benefit

their health.

19

Baby and Children Health & Development

The percentage of low birth weight live births in Blaenau Gwent was

7.5%, slightly above that for Wales overall. This equated to 58 live

births in Blaenau Gwent with low birth weight in 2014.

At 26 per 1,000, the rate for Blaenau Gwent is in line with the Wales rate

(25). All local authority areas in the region have seen a significant fall

since 2010, mirroring the fall across Wales.

In Blaenau Gwent, the proportion of babies exclusively breastfed at 10

days following birth is about 16% which is significantly lower than the

Welsh average.

In Blaenau Gwent, immunisation coverage for all vaccines due by age

one year are above 95% affording good community level protection.

However by age four years when children enter school it is considerably

lower, at just 83%.

In Blaenau Gwent, average number of decayed, missing or filled teeth

in children aged 5 years was 2.3 which is higher than for the Wales

overall (1.3). This is the second highest local area in Wales.

Latest data from the Child Measurement Programme shows even at a

young age (4 and 5 years), over a quarter of children in Blaenau Gwent

are overweight or obese (29%) and 12% are obese.

Ageing Well

The rate of emergency admissions for hip fractures in people aged 65+

years in 2013 for Blaenau Gwent was 753 per 100,000 population,

higher than witnessed in Wales (636) and neighbouring local authority

areas.

The number of people with dementia in Blaenau Gwent is estimated to

be 869 but is predicted to increase to 1,110 by 2021.

Employment rates for people aged 50 and over in Blaenau Gwent are

low.

In Blaenau Gwent four out of every 10 volunteers are aged 50 and over.

20

Emotional Health and Well-being

By 2020, it is estimated that almost 800 children aged between 5 and 15

will have mental health problems in Blaenau Gwent.

Blaenau Gwent have slightly worse mental health in Adults (Mental

Health Summary Score, 47) than for Wales as a whole 49.4.

17% of adults in Blaenau Gwent report being treated for a mental

illness, with higher proportions of anxiety and depression (Wales, 13%).

Community Safety

Numbers of crime and anti-social behaviour incidents in Blaenau Gwent

are decreasing. However, the rate of crimes per resident is still above

neighbouring local authority areas.

Rates of fires per 10,000 population is significantly higher in Blaenau

Gwent than in neighbouring local authority areas.

In Blaenau Gwent, only half of people (51.5%) agree that it is safe for

children to play outside in the local area.

Homes and Housing

In Blaenau Gwent approximately 5% of dwellings are vacant, which is

slightly above the Welsh average of 4%. This has decreased since

2001, where it stood at 6%.

The area has a large percentage of terraced dwellings (52%), though

there is considerable variation within the area.

In September 2016, the average house price in Blaenau Gwent was

£76,377, with the area being one of the most affordable areas for

housing in Wales.

Blaenau Gwent ranks second in Wales for households that have central

heating.

Blaenau Gwent has above the Wales average rate for the number of

homeless people decided to be eligible and in priority (4.77 compared to

3.89).

21

Local Transport Links and Interconnectivity

Dependency on cars is increasing with two thirds of private journeys by

car in South East Wales. This has increased from a half of journeys in

1990.

In 2011, almost one-third (29%) of people in Blaenau Gwent did not

have access to a car or van.

Key transport infrastructure in the area includes, Ebbw Vale Valley Rail

Line, Heads of the Valleys A465 Dualling, and Walking and Cycling

trails.

Care and Support

The Blaenau Gwent area has high levels of ‘children in need’ with 480

children per 10,000 population; this is above the Welsh average.

13% of Looked After Children in the Blaenau Gwent area have had 3 or

more placements.

In terms of adult care, Blaenau Gwent has relatively low number of

delayed transfers of care.

Note: A Population Needs Assessment for the Gwent region is currently being

carried out for people who use care and support services, a statutory

requirement of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.

22



showed the following key issues relating to social well-being:

The availability of social activities was the 3rd most referenced topic

when people were asked what is important to live well and enjoy life.

The transport infrastructure was the 4th most referenced topic mentioned

when people were asked what is important to live well and enjoy life.

Availability of social activities was the 2nd most important thing

referenced by people when asked what they felt would make the area a

better place.

Police presence was 4th most important thing referenced by people

when asked what they felt would make the area a better place.





following the link:



want.aspx


23

Cultural

Well-being

24

Section 7: Cultural Well-being

Below is a summary of the key facts relating to cultural well-being from the

draft assessment for the Blaenau Gwent area.

Welsh Language, Cultural Identity & Cohesion

Blaenau Gwent has the lowest percentage of its population (3 years

and over) who can speak Welsh at 7.8% across the Gwent region,

which is significantly below the Wales average (19%).

There are higher levels of Welsh language ability in those aged 0-15

(31%), compared those aged 16 to 64 years (5%) and those aged 65

and over (1%).

As well as having low levels of Welsh speakers, those people that

speak Welsh in Blaenau Gwent still do not use the language on a

regular basis (2% speak Welsh daily compared to 10% across Wales).

In Blaenau Gwent hate crime offences are 7 per 10,000 people which is

in-line with the Wales average. However, there has been an increase

in offences reported following the EU referendum in June 2016.

Sports, Recreation, Arts, Culture and Tourism

29% of adults participate in regular exercise and physical activity, with

local information showing an improved usage of local sport facilities.

Local information shows increasing attendance at cultural venues.

Blaenau Gwent received 675,530 tourist visitors in 2015, generating

£43.2m into the local economy, and supported the full-time equivalent

of 582 jobs. This is an increase of 7% in tourism numbers.

Technology

Just under three-quarters of households (71%) in Blaenau Gwent have

internet access, which is slightly below the Welsh average (78%).

25



showed the following key issues relating to cultural well-being:

Communities within Blaenau Gwent were the 2nd highest identified asset

when people were asked about what was special about the area.

The heritage of the area was the 3rd highest identified theme asset when

people were asked about what was special about the area.

Family and friends was the 1st most referenced topic when people were

asked what is important to live well and enjoy life.

In terms of what individuals could do to help make the area a better

place, public responsibility, community spirit, community cohesion and

public engagement were all in the top 5 topics.





following the link:



want.aspx


26

Environmental

Well-being

27

Section 8: Environmental Well-being

Below is a summary of the key facts relating cultural well-being from the draft

assessment for the Blaenau Gwent area.

Landscape

Blaenau Gwent has a distinctive landscape with attractive landscapes,

cultural heritage, natural beauty and tranquil settings offering

opportunities for recreation, tourism and nature.

The valleys offer a variety of natural opportunities including include

accessible cycleway and parks, such as The Garden Festival Park,

woodland and nature reserves.

Blaenau Gwent is one of the most wooded areas in Wales, accounting

for 22.5% of land use. This includes small areas of broadleaf woodland

and upland conifer woodlands which are both close to communities.

Agriculture also significantly shapes the landscape of Blaenau Gwent.

There are approximately 300 farming businesses within the area, of

which hill farming is the predominant type.

Two-thirds (65%) of the population in Blaenau Gwent live within 400m

of their nearest accessible green space.

Anti-social behaviour is of concern to our natural landscapes,

particularly issues such as litter, fly tipping, and abandoned vehicles.

28

Nature

There is a wide range of habitats in Blaenau Gwent. The more

significant habitats include four Sites of Special Scientific Interest

(SSSI), seven Local Nature Reserves, 137 Sites of Importance for

Nature Conservation (SINC), one Special Area of Conservation and two

historic landscapes.

The southernmost slopes of Mynydd Llangyndr and Mynydd Llangatwg

SSSIs extend into the north of Blaenau Gwent and are within the

Brecon Beacons National Park. The area is a mixture of upland

habitats including wet heath, bog and limestone and geological features

including caves.

Cwm Merddog Woodlands SSSI (known locally as Silent Valley) is a

beech forest at the north-western limit of its European range and at a

relatively high altitude.

Connectivity is important for ecosystems. A range of habitats in

Blaenau Gwent rely on connectivity along the valley sides and rivers.

The area is also important for upland wetland and heathland habitats

connectivity.

In Blaenau Gwent, some ecosystems have problems that contribute to

resilience, e.g. connectivity and adaption to climate change.

29

Air, Water and Soils

The air quality in Blaenau Gwent is measured as good.

The quality of the water of the rivers in Blaenau Gwent has improved.

The River Sirhowy is currently classified as good quality, and the Rivers

Ebbw Fawr and Ebbw Fach as moderate quality. No major

watercourses are classed as bad.

Blaenau Gwent’s water supply is primarily from the three small

reservoirs - Shon Sheffery and Upper & Lower Carno. Transfers from

the rivers Wye and Usk are in place when the local storage declines

during dry weather.

The communities in Blaenau Gwent most at risk from flooding are

Llanhilleth, Abertillery and Cwm. Victoria, Waun Lwyd, Dukestown and

Aberbeeg are also at risk.

Peat in the area is in good condition and supports clean, well-

functioning river systems underpinning good environmental quality.

Blaenau Gwent has a long history of heavy industry and as a

consequence throughout the area there is likely to be contaminated

land.

Carbon & Ecological Footprint

Blaenau Gwent’s carbon footprint is 10.64 tonnes per person, which is

below the Wales average of 11.11 tonnes per person.

Blaenau Gwent’s ecological footprint is 3.10 global hectares per person,

which is the lowest footprint of neighbouring areas and below the Wales

average of 3.3 global hectares per person.

30

Renewable Energy

Production of renewable energy in 2015 in Blaenau Gwent was 19.1

megawatts, which is a significant increase from 2014 when it was 3.9

megawatts.

The increase in production of renewable energy is as a result of a major

solar farm project (which contributes 70% of all production in Blaenau

Gwent).

Other sources of renewable energy include biomass boilers, wind

turbines and Building Integrated Technologies (e.g. solar panels,

ground source heat pumps).

An assessment has found that there is potential in the area to meet the

target of 38% of our total electrical energy need from renewable

sources.

Waste and Recycling

Less than half of the municipal waste collected in Blaenau Gwent

(48.7%) is sent for reuse, recycling or composting, which is significantly

below all neighbouring areas and the Wales average (60.2%).

The amount of municipal waste collected in Blaenau Gwent which is

sent for reuse, recycling or composting is also bucking the national

increasing trend, with rates in Blaenau Gwent decreasing from a peak

of 54.8% in 2013/14.

31



showed the following key issues relating to environmental well-being:

The landscape in Blaenau Gwent was identified as the top asset when

people were asked about what was special about the area.

Parks in the area were the 2nd highest identified asset when people

were asked about what was special about the area.

Clean and tidy streets was the most referenced topic when people were

asked what people felt would make the area a better place.

In terms of what individuals could do to help make the area a better

place helping tidy and clean the streets, was the 4th most referenced

topic.




draft well-being assessment is available

by following the link:



want.aspx


32

Taking Part

33

Section 9: Taking Part in the Formal Consultation of the

Draft Well-being Assessment

This document is a summary document of the draft well-being assessment for

Blaenau Gwent. It has been produced to provide a broad overview of the

content of the overall draft assessment.

Formal consultation on the draft Well-being Assessment is taking place in

February 2017. To find out more information on how you can take part and

view the full assessment you can be found by following the link below:

http://www.blaenaugwentpsb.org.uk/well-being-assessment/blaenau-gwent-

we-want.aspx

Alternatively, you can contact the Policy, Partnerships and Engagement Team

at Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council for further information on 01495

355092.
http://www.blaenaugwentpsb.org.uk/well-being-assessment/blaenau-gwent-we-want.aspxhttp://www.blaenaugwentpsb.org.uk/well-being-assessment/blaenau-gwent-we-want.aspx

blaenau gwent€¦ · 5 the blaenau gwent’s black and ethnic minority population in 2011 was just...

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