Have your say on county's ambitions for next five years

Residents are being invited to have their say on Denbighshire County Council’s focus for the next five years.

Housing, the climate and environment, the economy, young people, connected communities, addressing deprivation and continuing to provide a well-run, high performing Council are all themes to be included in the Council’s Corporate Plan 2022-2027.

The Corporate Plan sets the focus for the Council’s ambitions for the next five years including the vital core services it provides for residents such as education and social care.

The Council is launching an online survey to find out what members of the public think.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, the Council’s Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “This is a chance to tell us what you think about our direction for the next five years.

“Asking the views of our residents helps inform our decision making and allows you to tell us what our focus should be.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to take this chance to help improve services and your local area.”

Between May and July last year, the Council ran an engagement exercise called Continuing the County Conversation where we asked people to tell us what they thought about our planned work programme for 2022-2027.

From this initial engagement activity, we have created the draft themes for our new corporate plan.

The online survey is running between January 28 and March 11.

* To take part and have your say, please visit https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/662.

If you cannot complete the survey electronically, paper copies of the survey are available on request in all Denbighshire libraries and can be returned to libraries or posted to Strategic Planning and Performance Team, Denbighshire County Council, PO Box 62, Ruthin, LL15 9AZ.

First Citizens Advice column of the year

Here is the first monthly column of the year from Denbighshire Citizens Advice:

Q: I keep seeing on the news that my bills could be going up soon. It’s making me really worried, especially as I spent more on Christmas than I should have done. How can I get my spending habits back on track in 2022? 

A: A lot of people will be asking themselves this question right now. The good news is there are lots of things you can do to be more in control of your money and better prepared for the future. 

Firstly, find out exactly what money you have coming in and going out each month. Be realistic about what you need for essentials like food and travel. Then you can set yourself a budget that you can stick to - take a look at the budgeting tool on the Citizens Advice website to help you do this. 

If any of your bills do go up in the coming year, you can go back to our budgeting tool anytime to create a new plan and stay in control. Our website tips on how to reduce your regular living costs may be helpful if you find you have more money going out than coming in at any point.

You should also make sure you’re getting all the income you’re entitled to. Use the income checker on the Citizens Advice website to see if you could be getting more support, such as benefits or government grants. You can also use this to make sure you’re being paid the right wage.

If you’ve been using credit cards, your overdraft or store cards for your spending, it’s understandable if these debts are causing you worry. It’s important to prioritise paying your rent or mortgage, plus energy bills and Council Tax first though. Not paying these has the most serious consequences. On the Citizens Advice website, we have advice about which bills you need to prioritise and the support available for paying these and other bills.

Once you have planned how to pay your priority bills, the budgeting tool can help you plan how to repay credit cards, overdraft charges and store cards.

Everyone’s circumstances are different, particularly when it comes to managing personal finances. If you need more specific support or don’t feel able to manage your situation alone, call our debt helpline: 0800 240 4420. You’re not on your own.

This week's planned work on 2020 project

Work planned for this coming week on the town's 2020 project is:

• Install kerb on Castle Street west
• Continue paving on Market Street south

MP visits new Castle Street barbers shop

* Simon Baynes MP in Top Cut Barbers with owner Khalid Khidir.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes visited the new Top Cut Barbers on Castle Street in Llangollen.

The shop, which opened in December, is owned by Khalid Khidir, who has previously worked in barbers in Shrewsbury and Oswestry, and has experience of being a barber for more than seven years.

During the visit, Mr Khidir told Mr Baynes more about his experience of opening the first business of his own.

Mr Baynes said: “It was a pleasure to visit Khalid and to welcome a new business to Llangollen. 

"During the Welsh Government’s Covid lockdowns, we all missed being able to go to a barber or hairdresser so a visit now that restrictions have been relaxed means a great deal more to us. 

"I wish Top Cut Barbers all the very best in developing their business and every success in the future.”

 

Applications for winter fuel payments still open

Applications for a winter fuel support scheme for Denbighshire residents are still open.

Denbighshire County Council is administering the Welsh Government Winter Fuel Support Scheme which offers eligible households to claim a one-off £100 payment to provide support towards paying winter fuel bills.

Since it opened on December 13 over 4,000 people have applied to the scheme and over 2,000 payments have already been processed.

The payment is available to qualified households who already receive support from at least one of the below schemes listed below, regardless of how bills are paid; provided you are responsible for the payment of the fuel bill or pre-payment meter;

1. One member is in receipt of Income Support
2. Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
3. Income Based Employment and Support Allowance
4. Universal Credit
5. Working Tax Credits at any time between 1 December 2021 and 31 January 2022

Cllr Julian Thompson-Hill, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “Since the scheme was rolled out, the council have been working in conjunction with Welsh Government officers to ensure that all qualifying residents in Denbighshire receive payments as quickly as possible.”

“Although a large number of qualifying residents have already received their payment, we are still reaching out to ensure that eligible residents who haven’t yet processed their application, do this before it is too late.”

All applications must be received by February 18, 2022.

* For more information or to apply for the scheme visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/benefits

Former Llangollen churchwoman to become assistant bishop

* Archdeacon Mary Stallard.

A churchwoman well known to the people of Llangollen will be consecrated as a bishop next month.

Mary Stallard, who was one of the first women to become a priest in the Church in Wales, lived in the area for a number years while her husband, the Rev Andrew Sully, was vicar.  

Ms Stallard, who has served as Archdeacon of Bangor for the past four years, has been nominated as Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Bangor. 

She will share the leadership of the diocese while the Bishop of Bangor, Andrew John, serves as Archbishop of Wales and will be consecrated as a bishop at Bangor Cathedral on February 26. 

Originally from Birmingham, Archdeacon Mary grew up in a vicarage. Her father was a vicar and her mother a scientist which meant she was raised in a home where asking questions about life and faith was encouraged.

She read Theology at Selwyn College, Cambridge and studied to be a teacher in London before training for ministry at Queen’s College, Birmingham and Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary in India. 

She served her curacy in Newport, before moving to the Diocese of St Davids as deacon-in-charge and vicar of Ysbyty Cynfyn, Eglwys Newydd and Llantrisant. 

In 2003, she was appointed Canon Residentiary at St Asaph Cathedral and Bishop’s Chaplain, serving also as Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Chair of the Diocesan Board of Ministry, and as Provincial Selection Secretary.

From 2011 to 2018 she served as Anglican Chaplain at St Joseph’s Catholic & Anglican High School, as well as being an Associate Priest in the Wrexham Mission Area. She was also co-director of the St Giles’ Centre for Religious Education & Faith Development in Wrexham.

She was appointed Archdeacon of Bangor and associate priest of Llandudno in 2018.

Archdeacon Mary’s substantial broadcasting ministry has seen her appear on BBC Radio Cymru as a leader of Yr Oedfa and contributor to Bwrw Golwg, on BBC Radio Wales’s All Things Considered, Celebration, Wednesday Word and Weekend Word, and on Radio 4 as a leader of The Daily Service and Sunday Worship and as the author and presenter of Prayer for the Day.

She and her husband Andrew, who is Ministry Area Leader of Llandudno, have two grown-up daughters. Her hobbies include cooking, reading and running.

Archbishop Andrew paid tribute to Mary’s pastoral heart and strategic vision. 

He said: “I am delighted that Mary has agreed to take on operational responsibility for much of the life of our Diocese to assist me while I take on the role of Archbishop of Wales. 

"Mary has a heart for ministry and leads with pastoral sensitivity, empathy and wisdom. She has a wealth of experience, having served in four of the Church’s six dioceses, and across a range of specialisms. Her professional approach and strategic vision is well known and her appointment is a positive step for the diocese of Bangor.”

Archdeacon Mary said: “The call to be a Christian and to serve in ordained ministry as a deacon and a priest is one I’ve always found both exciting and a bit daunting. 

"This new opportunity to explore and offer gifts for leadership as assistant bishop with the great team in Bangor feels like a big investment of trust. 

"I will do my best to respond to this new call and to honour that trust, seeking to build on the work already begun to worship God, grow the church and love the world.”

MP raises Newbridge Road repairs with Prime Minister

* Simon Baynes MP at Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has raised the issue of the Welsh Labour Government’s funding of the Newbridge Road repairs in Parliament.

And he asked Boris Johnson during yesterday's Prime Minister's questions to comment on how the next phase of Levelling Up Funding will bring hope and prosperity to communities in Clwyd South and elsewhere in the UK.

Mr Baynes said: “In Clwyd South the Welsh Government has been dragging its feet on funding urgent repairs to the Newbridge Road while, in contrast, the Prime Minister and his government have delivered record Levelling Up Fund investment of £13.3m along the Dee Valley from the Trevor Basin to Llangollen and Chirk and on to Corwen.”

At Newbridge Road vital infrastructure was damaged in February 2021 due to flooding on the B5605 between Newbridge and Cefn as a result of a landslide. 

This severed the link between the two communities and the wider settlement areas of Chirk, Plas Madoc and Ruabon. 

The Welsh Government has recently confirmed funding of £175,000 to make technical studies with regard to repairing the extensive damage caused.

The successful Clwyd South Levelling Up bid was sponsored by Mr Baynes and is a cross-county project, developed by Wrexham County Borough Council and Denbighshire County Council. 

It consists of three projects - firstly, the implementation of the Trevor Basin Technical Masterplan which will ensure the World Heritage Site realises its full potential on a national and international level to attract visitors and catalyse economic growth in neighbouring communities. 

The second project is mainly focused in Denbighshire and supports cross-border visitor connectivity in the Dee Valley at the Horseshoe Falls, The Four Great Highways and Plas Newydd in Llangollen; Wenffrwd to Llangollen Active Travel Corridor including the old Railway Line and Chirk.

The third project will focus on the Corwen area, creating a new and improved Western Gateway to the Dee Valley and World Heritage Site. This project will improve visitor connectivity and infrastructure, Corwen town centre assets and the area between the railway station and car park, including a new platform canopy. It will also enhance the visitor experience with onward linkage to Llangollen and Cynwyd, effectively creating a new, improved and complementary visitor entry point to the World Heritage Site.

In response to Mr Baynes’ question, the Prime Minister said: “I thank my hon. Friend very much and what pleasure it gives me to address the Member for Clwyd South, where I tried unsuccessfully so many years ago. And I’m delighted that a Conservative Government is now investing so massively in Levelling Up in Clwyd South and across the whole of Wales.”

Speaking later, Simon Baynes MP said: “I was very pleased to highlight the issue of the urgently needed Newbridge Road repairs and the Levelling Up Fund investment of £13.3m in Clwyd South. 

"I recently visited the landslip on the Newbridge Road where I saw first-hand the damage that has been caused on the road and where I used the opportunity to call on the Welsh Government to urgently conduct essential repairs. It is astonishing that the Welsh Government has taken so long - almost a year - to react and there can be no further delays on their part in making sure these repairs are done as fast as possible.

“I was also very glad to highlight in PMQs the investment by the UK Conservative Government in Clwyd South via the Levelling Up Fund which will not only provide jobs and a much needed economic boost to Clwyd South but also improve the well-being of our residents by widening access to recreation, outdoor and other amenity activities. They will also celebrate the amazing history, language and culture of our part of Wales and bring them to a wider audience.”

Asked by Sam Rowlands, North Wales Conservative SM, about Mr Baynes' question on Newbridge in the Senedd yesterday Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Climate Change in the Welsh Government, said: "Yes. I noticed it was raised both in First Minister's questions and in Prime Minister's questions by Simon Baynes - erroneously, because he's blaming the Welsh Government for something that is the responsibility of the local authority. 

"I understand the temptation to play politics on this, but he ought to do his homework a little better before casting aspersions. 

"We are in discussions with the local authority. We want to help them to solve this problem, but it's for them to put in the right application, to the right fund, in the right way. I think it's unfortunate that Sam Rowlands joins the bandwagon of placing blame at our door when it doesn't properly belong here. 

"That said, we recognise the problem this is causing to the local community and we want to be part of finding a solution. The leadership for this belongs properly - as a former council leader, he will recognise—with the local government, and we hope to work along with them to try and find the solution as quickly as possible." 

Latest ...

* On Thursday afternoon Mr Rowlands, Shadow Minister for Local Government, said he was appalled at the comment and accused the Welsh Government of shirking their responsibility.

Speaking in the Welsh Parliament Mr Rowlands, said: “The closure of this road for more than a year now has had a huge impact on local people, who now have to take longer journeys. This is a significant issue for them, adding 15 miles and up to 30 minutes to their journey, while of course also adding to their carbon footprint. 

“I did write to the Minister on 23 November regarding the damage to the B5605 between Cefn Mawr and Newbridge, caused by storm Christoph. I wrote again last week but I've yet to receive a response to any letter. The repair works to the road are expected to cost around £1 million, and 12 months after the storm, the only progress that appears to be made is that Welsh Government approved money to carry out a preliminary assessment.” 

South Wales based, Labour Welsh Government Minister Lee Waters labelled questions about the closure as “playing politics” and said it was the responsibility of the local authorities.

Mr Rowlands added: “I am quite frankly amazed that the Welsh Government is still not taking this issue seriously and expecting Wrexham council to foot the bill for something on this scale. My colleague in Westminster, Simon Baynes, MP for Clwyd South has also raised this matter in Parliament.

“Last week Cefn Mawr’s Labour councillor said they would need help to repair the damage to the road and said they had done all they could to get things moving.

“People living in this area and affected by this road closure deserve better. We all know that Labour’s Cardiff-based Welsh Government ignore North Wales, but you know it’s bad when they can’t even agree with their local councillors.” 

500 expected in this year's Llangollen Round Challenge

Around 500 people from across the UK are expected to take part in the 4th Llangollen Round Challenge in aid of Cancer Research UK.

The sponsored 35-mile hike will be held over two days on May 28 and 29 and organisers describe the route is a real challenge.

A spokesperson said: "We'll promise you magnificent scenery along the way and support in completing the course.

"The route will be waymarked and marshalled, with five checkpoints carrying water and light refreshments. Back at base there will be more food, certificates and medals for everyone.

"In line with last year we expect around 500 entrants."  

* For more information about how to take part in the challenge, call Judy on 07905 330788, or visit the Llangollen Round Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/llangollenround2022

Plaid MS invites support for Wrexham's culture city bid

A North Wales Senedd Member is inviting his fellow parliamentarians to back Wrexham's bid for UK City of Culture 2025.

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru's North Wales MS (pictured), has tabled a Statement of Opinion in the Senedd to back the only Welsh bid left on the longlist of eight.

He said: "Wrexham is the only Welsh bid left in the race so I'm hoping that my Senedd colleagues will join me in backing their case. 

"Previous hosts of the four-yearly prize, such as Hull, have seen investment of £200 million and the creation of 800 jobs due to the year of culture. It would be the first time for a Welsh town or city to win the title.

"This year the bid is open to towns, counties and cities for the first time and I'm very hopeful that Wrexham's bid is strong enough to get to the shortlist next month and then, who knows, anything can happen. 

"We need the backing of everyone in the community to make this happen.

"That's why I'm inviting Members of the Senedd of all parties to support Wrexham's culture bid and use the hashtag #Wrecsam2025# to write to your MS to back the only Welsh bid on the longlist of eight."

Denbighshire approves 2.95% increase in Council Tax

Denbighshire County Council has approved its budget for the 2022/23 financial year.

At a meeting yesterday the financial package, which includes raising Council Tax by 2.95%, was agreed.

As part of the budget process the council’s draft settlement announced by Welsh Government suggests Denbighshire’s budget will rise by 9.2% for the 2022/23 financial year, with increases of 3.3% and 2.2% the following two years.

The increase in funding comes with a number of new responsibilities the council will be required to fund, including pay rises, ensuring the Real Living Wage for social care workers and mitigation for the end of the Covid Hardship Fund.

The council therefore has a funding gap of £2.623million to fill for the coming financial year.

Proposals to fill this gap include operational efficiencies amounting to £634,000 and an increase in Council Tax of 2.95%.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, said: “We have now completed the budget process for the 2022/23 financial year.

“It comes after a second difficult year dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, which has put an additional strain on resources.

“We took a balanced approach to this year’s budget which aimed to recognise and remedy service pressures in order to build resilience, to ensure services were challenged to deliver efficient services, to minimise the impact of proposals on services users while keeping Council Tax increases as low as practicable.

“We have previously made a firm commitment to Denbighshire residents to try and protect services that the public value and expect as much as possible.

“The council has a strong track record of doing this and we have tried to lead by example by being as efficient and effective as possible, reducing our budgets and making savings through better ways of working.”

Covid-19 update from the Welsh Government

Latest Covid-19 update from the Welsh Government, dated yesterday, is:

• Technical Advisory Group – modelling update: https://gov.wales/technical-advisory-group-policy-modelling-update-11-january-2022
• Technical Advisory Group report: An Analysis of Covid-19 Hospital Admissions: https://gov.wales/technical-advisory-group-covid-19-hospital-admissions  
• Technical Advisory Group – Latest advice to support three-week review: https://gov.wales/advice-technical-advisory-cell-and-chief-scientific-advisor-health-21-day-review-13-january-2022
• Information about the Covid-19 booster: https://gov.wales/covid-19-vaccination-booster
• Self-isolation support scheme: https://gov.wales/self-isolation-support-scheme
• Covid Pass – help getting your pass: https://gov.wales/nhs-covid-pass-help-getting-your-pass
• Testing for health and social care staff: https://gov.wales/health-and-social-care-testing-flow-charts-covid-19 

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales show there were 4,327 newly-reported cases of coronavirus in the last 48 hours, bringing the total to 761,054 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.
• Important note: On January 6, testing policy changed in Wales – people who test positive on a lateral flow test no longer have to take a follow-up PCR test to confirm the result. This is likely to reduce the overall number of reported cases by about 10%, based on analyses linking lateral flow tests to PCR positive episodes. See also: https://digitalanddata.blog.gov.wales/2022/01/11/chief-statisticians-update-understanding-covid-19-infection-rates-in-wales/

• There were 11 deaths reported by Public Health Wales, in the last 48 hours. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 6,782.
• These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection/viz/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary   

• The number of people who have received a Covid vaccine in Wales is published every weekday by Public Health Wales.
• The latest figures show 2,506,016 people have received their first dose.

• 2,358,151 people have had two doses of the vaccine.
• To date, 1,813,581 people have had their booster dose of the vaccine.
• https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection/viz/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary
• For more information about getting your Covid-19 vaccine: https://gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination
• Can you support the vaccination programme? More information for NHS staff and volunteers at: https://heiw.nhs.wales/jobs/nhs-wales-covid-19-vaccination-team-returning-healthcare-professionals/

What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus

• The symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change in smell or taste.
• If you have symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you must self-isolate at home for up to 10 days from when your symptoms started.
• Guidance about self-isolating: https://gov.wales/self-isolation
• You can book a test at https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test
• You should continue to isolate while waiting for a test result. 

Where to find the latest information

• Wales is at alert level zero for outdoor activities/events and alert level two for indoor activities/events. More information is available at: https://gov.wales/alert-level-2-frequently-asked-questions
• Our latest Coronavirus Control Plan, setting out the longer-term plan for Wales is at: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-control-plan-autumn-and-winter-2021-update  
• Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws
• For more information about getting your Covid-19 vaccine: https://gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination
• Can you support the vaccination programme? More information for NHS staff and volunteers at: https://heiw.nhs.wales/jobs/nhs-wales-covid-19-vaccination-team-returning-healthcare-professionals/ 

Your chance to become a North Wales tourism ambassador

* Paul Hughes is one of those who have a tourism ambassador.

A scheme providing people with training and knowledge about tourism in North Wales is proving popular.

With over 2,000 people signed up, there are over 1,350 who have become Ambassadors for at least one of the regions in Wales - including Denbighshire Tourism Ambassadors - and this continues to grow.

The Denbighshire scheme offers 12 online training modules on a variety of themes including walking, cycling, towns, history, arts, coast, Welsh language and food tourism. 

There are three levels of awards – bronze, silver and gold, depending on the number of modules completed.

Leader of Denbighshire County Council, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: “We know continuous learning can have a positive impact on people’s lives. Whether you are looking to learn more about the area, improve job prospects or meet new people, becoming a Denbighshire Ambassador is a great way to start the year. 

"The scheme aims to deepen people's knowledge and understanding of the area as well as giving them the opportunity to attend events and visit some of our key sites across the county.”

Denbighshire was the first to launch an online scheme of its kind in Wales. 

It’s totally free and open to everyone. Residents, volunteers and local community groups are particularly encouraged to become Ambassadors to learn more about the special qualities of Denbighshire. 

Resident Wendy Davies said: “After booking 2 weeks off annual leave I discovered I had to self-isolate for 7 of them. Bored with watching the television, I couldn’t concentrate on books and being as I couldn’t leave my house for my usual hobbies of walking, gym, cycling, I decided to do the online modules. I loved it. 

"The videos and information is mind blowing, so much knowledge and information has been put into it. It really opened my eyes to looking at Denbighshire in a different light. Looking forward to moving onto gold level.”

Paul Hughes, walking group leader for the Vale of Clwyd Mind, commented: “I chose to become a Denbighshire Tourism Ambassador because it gives you more information, it’s always handy to have more knowledge when you’re leading people on walks and taking people around the different areas. The course is free as well which always helps. And you can do it at home over a couple of evenings a week, so it’s brilliant. You can’t have enough knowledge as they say, it’s always nice to learn something new.”

Richard Hughes, from Bracdy Holidays in Llandyrnog and Gold Tourism Ambassador, said: “Many of our visitors to Bracdy Campsite have never stayed in the area before. They are amazed by the beauty of The Clwydian Range behind the site and the stunning views across the Vale of Clwyd. 

"We’re here to answer questions about Denbighshire and so to improve our local knowledge we’ve become Ambassadors. We love our visitors to ask questions and we like to have the answers and with 2000 years of historic events to talk about, the wide open spaces and the bustling market towns there’s always plenty going on.”

Snowdonia National Park and Conwy County Borough Council have since launched similar schemes and Gwynedd, Flintshire, Anglesey and Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site are busy preparing to launch their schemes during 2022. Ambassadors are actively encouraged to sign up for all courses to extend their learning about North Wales and be part of a wider community.

* For more information on the scheme and to sign-up please visit www.ambassador.wales

Work on the 2020 project for the week ahead

Work planned on the Llangollen 2020 project for the coming week is:

• Complete the paving on Castle Street east
• Finish the excavation on Market Street south
• Pave Market Street south

Electric SUV with famous name that ticks all the boxes

MG5 EV LR drive by Steve Rogers

There were raised eyebrows and a few gasps at the price of the Volkswagen ID.3 electric car reviewed last week but like it not this is generally the going rate.

Electric cars are expensive because production is still small compared to petrol and diesel models.

Cast the net wider and there are cheaper electric cars, VW has a £30,000 ID.3 but it loses spec and range as does the lightweight Mazda MX-30 (£28,490 ) with a modest 124 mile range but the best electric car I have driven.

So where can we find something less salty with a reasonable range, plenty of kit and big enough for a family? Lift the curtain on the MG5 EV estate, a car with a famous British name that ticks all those boxes.

MG died decades ago but has been resurrected by the state owned Chinese company SAIC which is gradually building a range of keenly priced cars that are built abroad but assembled in Britain. The brand reminds me of Kia 20 odd years ago which started small and then burst into our lives with good looking cars and a ground breaking seven year warranty. MG offers that same warranty.

The company is still feeling its way but has already built two electric models. MG5 is the largest, a family estate around the size of a Ford Focus, VW Golf or Vauxhall Astra, with an electric range of 250 miles and a starting price of £27,945 making it one of the cheapest electric cars on the market.

It is certainly the best equipped for the money with the entry Excite toting all round electric windows, reversing camera, navigation, auto dipping headlights, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, adaptive cruise control and emergency braking.

It hardly seems worth paying an extra £2,500 for the top Exclusive model that adds keyless entry, leather style trim, heated front seats, rain sensing wipers and a couple of USB ports in the back.

But how does it fair on the electric front? Compared to the ID.3 the range is similar, the battery output a little higher at 61.1kWh, the power and torque lower, and it is slightly less frugal although the two cars were identical in our hands at 3.6m/kW, and the MG matches the VW in off the line acceleration.

The MG5 reached 228 miles from my wall charger, short of its maximum which is not uncommon with the majority of electric cars, and only lost 11 miles with the heating running a lot better than the ID.3 which dropped 24 miles.

Getting the car up to temperature takes a while so we were thankful for the Exclusive’s heated front seats which looked as if they had only one setting but are thermostatically controlled. Clever.

Staying with the front seats they are set too high. The powered driver’s seat doesn’t go low enough while the passenger seat has no height adjustment even on the Exclusive, a corner that should not have been cut.

But if low price suggests low quality think again. There is hard plastic atop the dashboard and door cappings but it doesn’t look cheap and there are plenty of soft touch coverings and smart trim finishes to compensate. The MG cabin quality is a lot better than expected.

Dashboard layout is a bit dated. Most new cars have switched to iPad style central screens but the MG’s 7in screen is flush within the centre console and suffers badly from glare. It is not that quick switching between applications either.

MG5 is a family estate and drives accordingly – keeping the family comfortable. It is a true five seater with a reasonably sized boot although an unfortunate ramp is created when the back seats are dropped and needs to be addressed.

These are just rough edges and can be pushed aside when considering the price and impressive spec list.

Let’s give the last word to the wife.

‘If the MG5 and ID.3 were the same price then the Volkswagen with its modern cabin and slick technology wins hands down. But the VW is silly money and by comparison the MG is more affordable for an electric car.

I wasn’t a fan of the layout, some fonts in the driver’s display are too small and the central screen hard to read when adjusting the heating even when the sun isn’t shining. But, and it is a big but, these niggles pale into insignificance compared to the MG’s value for money’.

She has spoken...sounds like MG5 is a hit then.

Fast facts

MG5 EV LR Exclusive

£30,445

Electric motor 153bhp

Battery output 61.1kWh

Range 250 miles

3.6 miles/kWh

Zero emissions

0-62mph 7.3secs; 115mph

100kW rapid charge 40mins to 80 per cent

7.2kW wall charger 9h 30m

Boot: 576-1456 litres

Insurance groups 27-32

Call for more funding to help Covid-hit businesses

* Sam Rowlands MS, far left, on a recent visit to Llangollen Railway. 

Sam Rowlands, Welsh Conservative Senedd Member for North Wales, is calling for more funding to help the struggling hospitality industry in the region. 

Speaking in virtual plenary the Shadow Minister for Local Government said he wanted to see more done to help this sector.

He said he welcomed the announcement of further financial support from the Economic Resilience Fund following more restrictions put in place over Christmas and the New Year but didn’t feel that this went far enough.

“However, because of the level and lengths of these most recent restrictions, for many it is simply not enough," he said.

“For example, the Night-time Industries Association, have estimated that, on average, their members have lost around £45,000 over the festive period and into the New Year.”

Mr Rowlands asked the Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, whether businesses were lying when they said that support that they are likely to receive from the Welsh Government was not enough to cover their losses.

The Minister said the Welsh Government was doing everything it could within the resources available to support businesses.

Mr Rowlands said in response: “Hospitality all over Wales suffered when Wales moved to Alert Level 2 with Covid-19 restrictions and my region, of North Wales,  was particularly hard hit. 

“We had the strictest regulations in the UK  which was a clear overreaction to the situation. Many businesses in this sector are still struggling and I want to see more support for them from the Welsh Government.”