Investment in Schools, 3G Pitches, and Local Roads Named as Noticeable Improvements by Torfaen Council Leader

INVESTMENT in schools including 3G pitches, revamping play parks and local roads have been named as noticeable improvements by a council leader. 
Anthony Hunt was challenged on the spot to name “three visible improvements every resident would recognise”. 
The Labour leader of Torfaen Borough Council said he would “rise to the challenge” at his authority’s July meeting and said: “One improvement is in school facilities including 3G pitches which we’ve invested heavily in.  
“A second is play area improvements which we can do more on and lastly investment going into our roads. It will take time to have an impact but we will have improvement going forward.” 
The Panteg councillor was responding to Reform UK councillor David Thomas who questioned the council’s spending priorities and asked Cllr Hunt if he believed those reflected the wishes of borough residents. 
Cllr Hunt was then put on the spot after he’d answered Cllr Thomas’ written question and confronted with the demand. 
The Llantarnam councillor said in response to Cllr Hunt: “Do you genuinely believe Torfaen is improving and if you do can you identify three visible improvements every resident would recognise rather than another list of reasons why nothing is your fault?” 
In reply to the original question, which had been published in advance, Cllr Hunt had said he “disagreed with the premise” which described “overgrown public spaces, roads and pavements in poor condition, growing concerns about anti-social behaviour, and schools facing increasing pressures”. 
Cllr Thomas also claimed “Labour hides behind ‘biodiversity’ instead of admitting maintenance has been reduced” when residents complain about “neglected green spaces”. 
The council leader said financial pressures were “an unfortunate reality” for councils across the UK while they also faced rising demand such as for social care. Torfaen has made savings working with Blaenau Gwent, prioritised addressing health inequalities through the Marmot approach and is changing how it works to support community groups and investing in frontline services. 
“No council in Wales has been more prepared to take control of our own destiny with our federation model with Blaenau Gwent, our adoption of the Marmot principles and continuing our communities approach in The Deal. It is evidence of us grabbing the bull by the horns instead of just moping about a lack of resources,” said Cllr Hunt. 
He also defended the council’s biodiversity strategy that has reduced grass cutting in some public spaces which he said has reported a 92 per cent increase in plants and wild flowers and an increase in pollinators. 
At the same meeting it was also confirmed the council will put an extra £500,000 into patching potholes this year and £235,000 for play park improvements.  ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​