NPT CBC - Is this administration going backwards?
Here we attempt to sum up several letters sent to us - all in the same vein.
The last recorded population figure of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council is 134,471 - that is according to Wikipedia. The figures refer to a period when we had the Neath General Hospital, Aberavon Hospital, Cimla Hospital and Gros-wen Hospital.
Now we have the Baglan Moors hospital replacing all those. But even that is going to be reduced - the A&E is closing on 2nd September.
Also we have no maternity unit - that's in Bridgend.
Let's look at the bigger picture:
No newspaper (except for a Swansea one) Neath Guardian finished in 2009.
No local radio radio station. The XS youth station finished in 2011.
No bus service to certain areas.
No entertainment centre for leisure groups. Empire being demolished 2012.
Go Compare
Before anything is said, we must compare NPT CBC with other areas - and also the rate of council tax, which is said to be lower elsewhere, except for one authority.
The other man's grass is always greener - in this case it seems true.
Clarification
At first sight this report could appear to be misleading because NPT CBC is NOT directly responsible for the NHS within its bounderies. The idea is to illustrate how we compare with other administrations. Maybe it is up to the NPT CBC to fight for the best possible services in the area they control? This is open to discussion. However, we are pleased to say that a NPT councillor has explained in detail the situation and the thoughts behind the changes. See our Readers Letters page.
Please also see the following website:
http://www.youtellus.org/
Aneurin Bevan
A reader (on our letters page) looks at the days of Aneurin Bevan, the man who spearheaded the NHS, and says he must be turning over in his grave because of what is happening today and sees what the Labour Party has become. We again ask questions: Are we going backwards? Or are we going in the right direction controlled by well paid managers remote from the point of need?
