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Over the last two winters Wales has experienced severe winter weather with the combination of extremely low temperatures and widespread snowfall causing disruption to services across the country. Given the relative unpredictability of the winter weather, planning in Wales has been based on a reasonable worst case scenario to ensure that our public services are prepared for the possibility of the kind of severe weather we have experienced during recent years.  Building on work undertaken and experience gained over the last few years, the Welsh Government and public and private sector organisations have been preparing to minimise any future disruption from such severe weather conditions.


Considerable attention has been given over the last two winters on the stocks of salt maintained by the Welsh Government and local authorities to treat the roads. I can confirm that Wales will start this winter season with higher level of salt stocks than ever before. Working with the Welsh Local Government Association, we have collated the level of salt used by each local authority in Wales over the last 6 winters. The target figure for salt stock at the start of the season for each local authority has been set at 1½ times their average salt usage over that period. To ensure that salt stocks are accessible across Wales, reserve stocks will be developed and situated in north, mid and south Wales, together with additional stocks being held in the M4 barns. A new ‘All Wales Salt Procurement Framework Contract’, which is available to local authorities and Welsh Government, has been let in 2011\. Supplies can now be sourced from two UK salt producers and one importer. In addition, Welsh Government has also made contact with a number of suppliers which in case of urgent need could supply imported salt.


The existing Traffic Wales website has been re\-designed and includes improved links to local authority websites for local information, improved links to weather information providers, ongoing development of a specific information area for freight hauliers and a page giving guidance on winter driving. The new website is scheduled to be launched this week.  Consideration is also being given to how increased information on road condition from monitoring stations can be made available to the public. This includes investigating other means of communication such as “twitter”, applications for “smart\-phones” and an automatic messaging service during periods of high demand. Additional CCTV cameras specifically associated with winter service are also being considered.


The Welsh Government has held quarterly seasonal planning meetings with the NHS in regard to potential pressures on emergency care and has sought assurances from the NHS on their ability to deliver services to the public over the difficult winter period. An Action Plan has been developed by the NHS which aims to ensure that essential health care needs are met effectively when services become overloaded, restricted or non\-operational.  A number of campaigns are in place to help alleviate pressures on health services.


A national Choose Well campaign was re\-launched on 19 October, which will help patients choose the best place to go for treatment when they are ill. The Campaign’s objective is to educate the public about the range of healthcare services available and direct patients to the most appropriate healthcare setting for their needs when they become ill or injured.


The Keep Well This Winter (KWTW) campaign provides information and support to people aged 60 and over to enable them to keep well in the winter months.  It is organised around three main themes of Keep Well, Keep Warm and Keep Safe. KWTW is co\-ordinated by Age Cymru on behalf of the Welsh Government.  Local activity is supported through the production of resources and the allocation of small grants. 


Last year saw a particularly bad flu season. In response, the Welsh Government has launched an influenza immunisation campaign this year aimed at reducing illness and NHS pressures. The target for flu vaccine uptake rate this year has been increased from 70% to 75% for older people and at\-risk groups. The target for vaccinating health and social care workers who have direct patient contact is 50%. General Practitioners have been encouraged to order sufficient vaccine to achieve the uptake targets and the Welsh Government has purchased a reserve stock of flu vaccine. The Minister for Health and Social Services will be holding regular meetings with officials during the flu season and will also be meeting with heads of relevant professional bodies to ensure that the vaccination campaign proceeds as effectively as possible.


School closures during severe weather have a broad impact on both the public and private sectors as parents are drawn away from their place of work in order to provide child care. The decision to close a school lies with the head teacher and local authority. Last autumn/winter the Welsh Government issued guidance which gave advice to schools on whether to remain open or close in extremely bad weather. It was a joint publication with the Welsh Local Government Association. It includes a general risk assessment, which can be adopted to suit every school's circumstances and provides examples of the issues that schools may face, with suggestions on how to tackle them. The advice remains current and can be accessed online through the Welsh Government's website.


In addition to this, new absence recording codes were introduced in September 2010\. Head teachers are now able to record pupils as 'not required to attend' in a small number of specific situations including severe winter weather. This means that should a school be forced to close half way through the day their attendance statistics would no longer be affected. Previously, head teachers may have felt compelled to pre\-emptively shut their schools as such absences were recorded as 'authorised' and affected their attendance statistics.


Winter Fuel Payments are a reserved matter.  We are very aware that the UK Government has reduced the value of winter fuel payments this year, where payments will range from £100\-£300 depending on the age and number of qualifying residents at the address. They have maintained the lower value Cold Weather Payments which provide qualifying households with £25 towards the extra cost of heating their home when the local temperature is recorded or forecast to be zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days. In Wales, the Welsh Government is funding ‘Nest’, its new fuel poverty scheme, which will help keep people warm this winter and reduce their fuel bills by providing advice on reducing energy use, benefit entitlement, money management, fuel tariffs and referral for free or subsidised home energy improvements. British Gas, which manages the ‘Nest’ scheme, is preparing to provide temporary heaters to householders who are awaiting heating installations with no alternative means of heating their home.  In addition, British Gas is operating a fast track service for householders they identify as being particularly vulnerable; they will aim to complete the heating installation within 5 working days from identification of vulnerability.


The availability of domestic fuel oil, particularly in rural areas, was an issue for concern last winter. This year, the UK Department for Energy and Climate Change has been working closely with industry and consumer bodies, including Citizens Advice, Consumer Focus Wales and other consumer bodies in England and Scotland in a national campaign to encourage consumers to buy heating oil early to ensure they are well prepared for winter.


The water companies operating in Wales – Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Dee Valley Water and Severn Trent Water – have reviewed and updated their plans and guidance following the severe winter weather last year which includes having a sufficient amount of salt and chemicals for treating drinking water in preparation for the winter period.


Despite the best efforts of those involved in winter service, during adverse weather travelling conditions in some areas can still be difficult, ice free roads cannot be guaranteed and care needs to be taken.   The winter pages were launched on the Welsh Government website on 24th October providing information on weather forecasts, transport, school closures, local services and health. These will be updated as necessary throughout the winter.







Translation:


 
Mae Cymru wedi profi tywydd garw iawn dros y ddau aeaf diwethaf, gyda chyfuniad o dymereddau isel iawn ac eira trwm yn amharu ar wasanaethau ledled y wlad. Am fod tywydd y gaeaf yn gymharol anrhagweladwy, mae cynlluniau Cymru wedi’u seilio ar y sefyllfa waethaf bosibl i sicrhau bod ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn barod am y posibilrwydd o dywydd garw eleni eto. Gan adeiladu ar waith blaenorol a phrofiadau’r blynyddoedd diwethaf, mae Llywodraeth Cymru a chyrff y sector cyhoeddus a’r sector preifat wedi bod yn paratoi i sicrhau bod unrhyw dywydd garw yn amharu cyn lleied â phosibl ar wasanaethau. 

 Dros y ddau aeaf diwethaf, mae’r stociau halen a gedwir gan Lywodraeth Cymru a’r awdurdodau lleol i drin y ffyrdd wedi cael cryn sylw. Gallaf gadarnhau y bydd gan Gymru o ddechrau’r gaeaf hwn fwy o halen nag erioed o’r blaen. Gan gydweithio â Chymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru, rydym wedi casglu data i gael gwybod faint o halen a ddefnyddiwyd gan bob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru dros y 6 gaeaf diwethaf. Ar ddechrau’r tymor hwn, rydym wedi penderfynu y dylai pob awdurdod lleol gael un waith a hanner yr halen a ddefnyddiwyd ganddo ar gyfartaledd dros y cyfnod hwnnw. I sicrhau bod y stociau halen o fewn cyrraedd ledled Cymru, bydd stociau wrth gefn yn cael eu datblygu a’u lleoli yn y Gogledd, y Canolbarth a’r De, a bydd stociau ychwanegol yn cael eu cadw yn ysguboriau’r M4\. Cafodd Contract Fframwaith Cymru Gyfan newydd ei ddyfarnu yn 2011 ar gyfer Caffael Halen, ac mae ar gael i awdurdodau lleol a Llywodraeth Cymru. Bellach gellir cael cyflenwadau gan ddau gwmni sy’n cynhyrchu halen yn y DU a chan un sy’n ei fewnforio. At hynny, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cysylltu â nifer o gyflenwyr a allai gyflenwi halen wedi’i fewnforio os byddai angen dwys. 

 Mae gwefan Traffig Cymru wedi’i hailddylunio. Mae bellach yn cynnwys dolenni gwell at wefannau awdurdodau lleol i gael gwybodaeth leol. Mae hefyd yn cynnwys dolenni gwell at ddarparwyr gwybodaeth am y tywydd, a thudalen yn rhoi arweiniad ar yrru yn y gaeaf. Mae lle arbennig yn cael ei ddatblygu ar y wefan i gludwyr nwyddau gael gwybodaeth. Bwriedir lansio’r wefan newydd yr wythnos hon. Mae ystyriaeth yn cael ei rhoi hefyd i ffyrdd o sicrhau bod y cyhoedd yn cael mwy o wybodaeth am gyflwr y ffyrdd gan orsafoedd monitro. Mae hyn yn cynnwys ymchwilio i ffyrdd eraill o gyfathrebu megis “twitter”, cymwysiadau ar gyfer “ffonau smart” a gwasanaeth negesu awtomatig mewn cyfnodau o alw uchel. Posibilrwydd arall yw cael camerâu teledu cylch cyfyng ychwanegol yn arbennig ar gyfer y gaeaf. 

 Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cynnal cyfarfodydd cynllunio tymhorol gyda’r GIG bob chwarter i drafod y pwysau posibl ar ofal brys, ac mae wedi gofyn i’r GIG am sicrwydd y bydd yn gallu darparu gwasanaethau ar gyfer y cyhoedd dros gyfnod anodd y gaeaf. Mae’r GIG wedi datblygu Cynllun Gweithredu sy’n ceisio sicrhau bod anghenion gofal iechyd hanfodol yn cael eu diwallu’n effeithiol pan fydd gwasanaethau’n cael eu llethu neu eu cyfyngu, neu pan fydd gwasanaethau’n peidio â gweithredu. Mae nifer o ymgyrchoedd wedi’u sefydlu i helpu i leihau’r pwysau ar wasanaethau iechyd. 

 Ail\-lansiwyd yr ymgyrch genedlaethol Dewis Doeth ar 19 Hydref, i helpu cleifion i ddewis y lle gorau i gael triniaeth pan fyddant yn sâl. Amcan yr Ymgyrch yw addysgu’r cyhoedd am yr ystod o wasanaethau gofal iechyd sydd ar gael a chyfeirio cleifion at y lleoliad gofal iechyd mwyaf priodol i’w hanghenion pan fyddant yn sâl neu’n anafus. 

 Mae’r ymgyrch Gofal Piau Hi y Gaeaf Hwn yn rhoi gwybodaeth a chymorth i bobl 60 oed a throsodd i’w galluogi i gadw’n iach dros fisoedd y gaeaf. Tair prif thema’r ymgyrch yw Cadw’n Iach, Cadw’n Gynnes a Chadw’n Ddiogel. Cydgysylltir yr ymgyrch gan Age Cymru ar ran Llywodraeth Cymru. Cefnogir gweithgareddau lleol drwy gynhyrchu adnoddau a thrwy ddyrannu grantiau bach.  

 Cafwyd tymor ffliw arbennig o wael y llynedd. Oherwydd hynny, mae Llywodraeth Cymru eleni wedi lansio ymgyrch imiwneiddio yn erbyn y ffliw i geisio lleihau salwch a’r pwysau ar y GIG. Eleni mae’r targed ar gyfer nifer y bobl hŷn a’r bobl o grwpiau mewn perygl sy’n cael brechlyn ffliw wedi codi o 70% i 75%. 50% yw’r targed ar gyfer brechu gweithwyr iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol sy’n dod i gysylltiad uniongyrchol â chleifion. Mae meddygon teulu wedi cael anogaeth i archebu digon o frechlyn i gyflawni’r targedau hyn ac mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi prynu cyflenwad wrth gefn o’r brechlyn ffliw. Bydd y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol yn cynnal cyfarfodydd rheolaidd â swyddogion yn ystod y tymor ffliw a bydd hefyd yn cyfarfod â phenaethiaid cyrff proffesiynol perthnasol i sicrhau bod yr ymgyrch frechu mor effeithiol â phosibl.  

 Bydd cau ysgolion mewn tywydd garw yn effeithio’n fawr ar y sector cyhoeddus a’r sector preifat am fod rhieni’n gorfod gadael eu gweithleoedd i ofalu am eu plant. Y pennaeth a’r awdurdod lleol fydd yn penderfynu a ddylid cau ysgol. Y llynedd, yn ystod yr hydref/gaeaf, cyhoeddodd Llywodraeth Cymru arweiniad yn rhoi cyngor i ysgolion ynglŷn ag aros ar agor neu gau mewn tywydd gwael eithafol. Fe’i cyhoeddwyd ar y cyd â Chymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru. Mae’n cynnwys asesiad risg cyffredinol, y gellir ei addasu ar gyfer amgylchiadau pob ysgol, ac mae’n rhoi enghreifftiau o’r problemau a allai wynebu ysgolion, ac awgrymiadau ynglŷn â’u datrys. Mae’r cyngor yn dal yn gyfredol a gellir cael gafael arno ar\-lein drwy wefan Llywodraeth Cymru. 

 At hynny, cyflwynwyd codau newydd ar gyfer cofnodi absenoldebau ym Medi 2010\. Bellach gall penaethiaid gofnodi 'dim rhaid bod yn bresennol' yn erbyn enwau disgyblion mewn nifer fach o sefyllfaoedd penodol gan gynnwys tywydd garw yn y gaeaf. Felly, os bydd yn rhaid i ysgol gau hanner ffordd drwy’r dydd, ni fydd hynny’n effeithio ar ei hystadegau presenoldeb. Mae’n bosibl bod penaethiaid yn y gorffennol wedi teimlo rheidrwydd i gau eu hysgolion cyn dechrau’r diwrnod ysgol, am fod absenoldebau o’r fath ar y pryd yn cael eu cofnodi fel rhai 'awdurdodedig' ac yn effeithio ar eu hystadegau presenoldeb.

 Mae Taliadau Tanwydd Gaeaf yn fater a gadwyd yn ôl. Rydym yn ymwybodol iawn fod Llywodraeth y DU wedi lleihau gwerth y taliadau tanwydd gaeaf eleni, a byddant yn amrywio o £100 i £300 yn dibynnu ar oedran a nifer y preswylwyr cymwys yn y cyfeiriad. Maent wedi cadw’r Taliadau Tywydd Oer is eu gwerth sy’n rhoi £25 i gartrefi cymwys tuag at y gost ychwanegol o wresogi’r cartref pan gofnodir neu rhagwelir tymheredd lleol o 0 gradd Celsius neu is am saith diwrnod yn olynol. Yng Nghymru, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ariannu cynllun tlodi tanwydd newydd o’r enw ‘Nyth’. Diben y cynllun yw helpu pobl i gadw’n gynnes y gaeaf hwn, ac i leihau eu biliau tanwydd. Mae’n rhoi cyngor ar dariffau tanwydd ac ar ddefnyddio llai o ynni. Mae hefyd yn rhoi cyngor ar reoli arian ac ar y budd\-daliadau y gellir eu hawlio. Gall y cynllun gyfeirio pobl hefyd i gael gwelliannau ynni cartref am ddim neu gyda chymhorthdal. Mae Nwy Prydain, sy’n rheoli ‘Nyth’, yn paratoi i ddarparu gwresogyddion dros dro ar gyfer deiliaid tai sy’n aros am osodiadau gwresogi ac nad oes ganddynt ffyrdd eraill o wresogi eu cartref. At hynny, mae Nwy Prydain yn darparu gwasanaeth llwybr carlam ar gyfer deiliaid tai y nodwyd eu bod yn agored iawn i niwed; byddant yn ceisio cwblhau’r gosodiad gwresogi o fewn 5 diwrnod gwaith i nodi agoredrwydd i niwed.

 Roedd cael gafael ar olew tanwydd domestig, yn enwedig mewn ardaloedd gwledig, yn bryder y gaeaf diwethaf. Eleni, mae Adran Ynni a Newid Hinsawdd y DU wedi bod yn cydweithio’n agos â’r diwydiant ac â chyrff defnyddwyr, gan gynnwys Cyngor ar Bopeth, Llais Defnyddwyr Cymru a chyrff defnyddwyr eraill yn Lloegr a’r Alban, mewn ymgyrch genedlaethol i annog defnyddwyr i brynu olew gwresogi yn gynnar i sicrhau eu bod yn barod am y gaeaf. 

 Mae’r cwmnïau dŵr sy’n gweithredu yng Nghymru – Dŵr Cymru, Dŵr Dyffryn Dyfrdwy a Severn Trent Water – wedi adolygu a diweddaru eu cynlluniau a’u canllawiau yn dilyn tywydd garw’r gaeaf diwethaf. Mae hyn yn cynnwys cael digon o halen a chemegau i drin dŵr yfed ar gyfer y gaeaf. 

 Er gwaethaf ymdrechion gorau’r rhai sy’n ymwneud â gwasanaethau’r gaeaf, bydd yr amodau teithio mewn tywydd garw yn dal yn anodd mewn ambell ardal. Ni ellir addo ffyrdd heb iâ a bydd angen cymryd gofal. Lansiwyd tudalennau’r gaeaf ar wefan Llywodraeth Cymru ar 24 Hydref i roi gwybodaeth am ragolygon y tywydd, trafnidiaeth, cau ysgolion, gwasanaethau lleol ac iechyd. Byddant yn cael eu diweddaru yn ôl yr angen drwy gydol y gaeaf.