SERVICES

Services provided by us and external partners

The town council’s functions include: Giving views on planning applications; Undertaking projects and schemes that benefit local residents; Working in partnership with other statutory and voluntary bodies, businesses and individuals to ensure and improve standards of services and facilities

Alerting relevant authorities to any problems or work that needs to be carried out
Ensuring a fair share of investment in the town by local and regional authorities
Encouraging and promoting the economic and commercial vitality of the town centre and a clean and safe environment throughout the town

Responsibilities

The town council has responsibility for providing:

Christmas lights

Christmas carol service

Floral displays

Funding and delivery of local events such as World Heritage Day

Match funding of the Blaenavon Townscape Heritage Project

Annual community organisation grants

Mayor’s Civic Service

Annual Civic Awards

Individual donations to local groups

Comments on all planning applications and change of use applications in Blaenavon as a statutory consultee of Torfaen County Borough Council Planning Authority and the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority

Highways

The town council isn’t responsible for roads, transport, access or parking services in the town, but we work to ensure the bodies who are provide a good quality, affordable service and consider the needs and expectations of residents and businesses.

This includes road and pavement repairs, traffic flow, winter gritting and local considerations for scheduling of major roadworks.

The Town Clerk and councillors regularly engage with highways and traffic management officers at Torfaen County Borough Council, who also give updates when required at town council meetings.

Public footpaths and rights of way

There are many public rights of way within the town and surrounding countryside such as at Garn Lakes and the Keepers Pond area.

The town council isn’t directly responsible for public footpaths but regularly consults with and promotes the views of the community to Torfaen County Borough Council, Brecon Beacons National Park, Countryside Wales/Natural Resources Wales? and Blaenavon World Heritage Environmental Group in relation to these areas of natural beauty.

Economy and development

The town council is keen to encourage and promote the social, economic, environmental and commercial vitality of the town.

Although our funds are limited, we work in partnership with other agencies and organisations to provide opportunities. For example, we’re a key partner in the Blaenavon Townscape Heritage Project, working with Torfaen County Borough Council and Cadw in securing National Lottery funding to protect and enhance the town’s infrastructure and economic sustainability.

Community policing and safety

Blaenavon Town Council works closely with Gwent Police and Torfaen County Borough Council on matters relating to community safety. We regularly engage with the Neighbourhood Policing Team and officers from Torfaen Council’s community safety department. The town council’s offices are often used for meetings with the police, partner organisations and residents to discuss matters of concern and solutions to local issues.

Planning and environment

Although Torfaen County Borough Council is the local planning authority and makes the final decision, the town council is a statutory consultee for any planning applications both within the town boundary and the wider area.

Because Blaenavon is in the Brecon Beacons National Park, the park authority also regularly consults us on planning matters.

Members of the public interested in a planning application can view it on the Torfaen planning application website. They can also attend a meeting to find out how the town council considered the application or enquire directly at the council offices.

Services we don't provide

Torfaen County Borough Council is responsible for:

• business support
• car parks
• education.
• environmental services, litter and refuse and recycling, including dog fouling
• health and social care
• highways issues
• library services
• lighting
• planning
• on-street parking
• signage

The County Borough Council also owns the Workmen’s Hall – although it’s managed by a, not for profit social enterprise - and the World Heritage Centre.

The town council rent offices from the County Borough Council

The Diocese of Monmouth is responsible for the delivery of church services in the town, together with other local churches and chapels. All major denominations are represented within the town and also provide services.

The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority is responsible for development control and strategic planning in terms of both business and housing development in Blaenavon.

Gwent Police and the Police & Crime Commissioner are responsible for addressing crime and community safety in Blaenavon.