Council services in Blaenau Gwent are running as near to normal as is possible given the heavy snow and the winter freeze.
Their highway gritting lorries continue to salt key highways. We are sending out special teams to help in emergency situations – for example, where people need to get to hospital for appointments.
Home Care and Meals on Wheels
The Home Carers and Meals on Wheels staff are doing a tremendous job in getting round to their service users.
Recycling and Refuse
The recycling and refuse teams are also working hard to make their usual daily collections. Understandably, they cannot always get through because of the bad weather. We have put on additional crews to follow up on missed collections.
Schools
Schools in Blaenau Gwent use the BBC Wales Online website daily to notify parents and staff if they are closed. The website is updated minute by minute with the latest information every morning from 5.30am onwards.
School closure information is also broadcast on BBC Radio Wales morning bulletins – and on other radio stations including BRfm – the local community radio station.
Emergencies out of hours
If anyone has special needs – or is concerned about specific problems in their community – they can get in touch with them through their Connect 2 Blaenau Gwent contact centre on 01495 311556.
They are running an additional out-of-hours emergency service for callers every day from Wednesday, 6 January 2010 to Sunday, 10 January 2010. This service is also on 01495 311556.
For the emergency out of office hours service for Council Housing Repairs and Environmental Health – including Noise Nuisance – call 0845 056 8035.
Social Services
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm: phone 01495 315700.
For emergency Social Service calls out of these hours call the Emergency Duty Team on 0800 328 4432
