Councillor Michelle Symonds - Independent for Bedlinog and Trelewis

19/06/2026

🔥 Welsh Government Off Grid Support Scheme

Do you heat your home using heating oil or LPG?

If you receive Council Tax Reduction, you could be eligible for a £200 payment through the Welsh Government’s Off Grid Support Scheme.

🏡 Designed to help households that are not connected to the mains gas network with the cost of heating.

📌 Visit the Council website for full details and information on how to apply ⬇️
https://www.merthyr.gov.uk/resident/benefits-and-grants/off-grid-heating-fuel-support-scheme-2026/?lang=en-GB

11/06/2026

🚓 PACT UPDATE – TRELEWIS & BEDLINOG

Thank you to everyone who attended tonight’s PACT meeting.
This evening were we’re joined by PC Scott Quirk and our local PCSO’s Ashleigh, Limarah and Nick.

South Wales Police provided an update covering the period from 11th May to 11th June.
During this time there were 40 reports that included:
▪️ 4 reports of anti-social behaviour (two involving e-scooters)
▪️ 1 theft
▪️ 1 parking-related incident

Residents raised a number of concerns, including:
🚗 Parking issues with particular reference to Gelligaer Road and High Street, Trelewis.
🚸 Additional road safety concerns were raised regarding Gelligaer Road, particularly around vehicle speed and visibility for children crossing.
🚐 Issues with vehicles causing pavement obstruction and reducing visibility.
🛴 Sur’ons and escooters
PC Scott Quirk gave a comprehensive update on this issue and although a directive policy is in place, please still report.

All the above matters have been noted and will be followed up with the relevant departments and agencies. I will also be requesting further advice and support from the appropriate traffic and highways teams regarding concerns raised.

Thank you to South Wales Police for attending and to all residents who took the time to come along and share their concerns.
PACT meetings are an important opportunity for local priorities to be identified and addressed and your continued involvement is greatly appreciated.

Please continue to report incidents of anti-social behaviour, e-scooters/bikes, dangerous driving and parking concerns, as reporting helps build the evidence needed for action to be taken.

How to Contact the Police
You can get in touch in several ways:
📞 101
⌨️ Online form: https://www.south-wales.police.uk/ (monitored and risk assessed 24/7)
☎️ 999 in an emergency

Reporting ASB
Alongside contacting the police, MTCBC also have an online ASB reporting form. I would encourage residents to submit reports to both:
🔗 https://www.merthyr.gov.uk/resident/crime-safety-and-emergencies/anti-social-behaviour-and-nuisance/

Stay Connected with Local Policing
South Wales Police offer South Wales Listens, a platform that keeps you updated on engagement events, local crime information and prevention advice:
🔗 https://www.southwaleslistens.co.uk

The next PACT meeting will take place on Thursday 9th July 6pm in Bedlinog.
As always, if you are unable to attend a meeting but have an issue you would like raised, please feel free to contact me directly.

Your local police force - online. Report a crime, contact us and other services, plus crime prevention advice, crime news, appeals and statistics.

10/06/2026

Reminder: tomorrow (Thursday) 6pm PACT meeting, followed by 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗼 with your NHW - Trelewis & Bedlinog District team

Everyone is welcome and light refreshments are being served ☕️ 🍰

10/06/2026

🌟 Great to see our community continuing to grow! 🌟

I’m really pleased to see even more opportunities becoming available at Trelewis Community Centre, with two new groups launching this July.

🎨 Clay & Crafts Hub – starting 2nd July
🐞 Lady Birds Women’s Group – starting 8th July

Community centres thrive when they are used and it’s wonderful to see local people stepping forward to create spaces where residents can relax, learn new skills, make friends and support one another.

As your local County Councillor, I am always pleased to see new ideas and activities taking shape in our community. Whether you’re looking for a creative outlet, some companionship, or simply a chance to get out and meet others, I hope you’ll consider coming along and supporting these fantastic new groups.

A huge welcome to everyone involved and thank you for investing your time and energy into making an even stronger and more connected community 🫶

08/06/2026

📢 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 – 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬

The Independent Group is deeply concerned by the announcement that funding for Community Focused Schools has ended and that the entire team is now subject to redundancy consultation.

This service has supported some of the most vulnerable children, young people and families across our county borough, helping improve attendance, tackle the effects of poverty, strengthen links between schools and communities and engage families who often struggle to access support.

What makes this particularly concerning is that the work undertaken by Community Focused Schools directly reflects many of the priorities set out by the current administration itself – leading on learning, increasing attendance, supporting vulnerable residents, focusing on looked-after children and working collaboratively with partners.

The administration’s own Corporate Plan states that decisions should be made openly and that engagement and consultation should be enhanced. We therefore believe residents deserve answers about how this decision was reached, what alternatives were considered and, most importantly, how support for children and families will be maintained going forward.

We recognise that staff are currently in consultation and wish to place on record our thanks to the dedicated Community Focused Schools team. Their commitment and professionalism have made a real difference to countless families across Merthyr Tydfil.

The independent group will be seeking assurances that children and families remain at the heart of decision-making and that the ambitions set out in the Corporate Plan are matched by actions, not just words.

Merthyr’s children and communities deserve nothing less.

08/06/2026

Reminder: Thursday 6pm PACT meeting, followed by 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗼 with your NHW - Trelewis & Bedlinog District team

Everyone is welcome and light refreshments are being served ☕️ 🍰

04/06/2026

Our next PACT meeting is Thursday 11th June 6pm at Trelewis Community Centre
Following the meeting everyone is welcome to stay for refreshments and bingo with our NHW - Trelewis & Bedlinog District

04/06/2026

Please be aware ⬇️

01/06/2026