Commissioner's plan to help older people have a voice

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales has issued new guidance to local authorities across Wales which sets out the action they should be taking to ensure older people have an opportunity to make their voices heard and influence the decisions affecting their lives.

The guidance is designed to support local authorities in their planning and delivery of engagement and consultation activities and help ensure they are meeting their statutory duties.

The Commissioner developed the guidance in response to concerns raised by older people that they often find it difficult to make their voices heard and influence decisions affecting their lives or communities, which can leave them feeling powerless and that their voices don’t matter.

The guidance reflects what older people have told the Commissioner about the ways they feel these activities could be improved, as well as drawing on wider principles that enable inclusive, person-centred approaches to engagement and consultation.

The Commissioner has issued the guidance using her legal powers, which means local authorities must have regard for it when discharging their functions.

The Commissioner, Rhian Bowen-Davies, said: “Since I took up post at the end of last year, older people have frequently raised concerns with me about being unable to make their voices heard when decisions are being made that affect their lives and communities, particularly in terms of changes to public services.

“These kinds of changes can create significant concerns for everyone affected, but older people may have particular concerns due to the impact of other barriers they can face – such as a lack of transport or digital exclusion. 

“So it’s hugely important that listening and responding effectively to older people’s voices is a key part of engagement, consultation and decision-making.

“That’s why I have issued this Guidance to local authorities using my legal powers, to support improvements in these crucial activities, as well as to help ensure greater consistency across Wales.

“Through my Guidance, I want to help ensure that people of all ages in all of their diversity have opportunities and are enabled to make their voices heard in a meaningful way, an ambition I know is shared by our public services across Wales.”

Community partnership looking for volunteers

South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP), which covers Llangollen, is looking for volunteers who would like to be part of the organisation.

A spokesperson said: "We are looking for people to help in our groups, where you would help us set up and to mix and mingle with members of the community, whilst you would also be able to enjoy in the activities. 

"We also are looking for Passenger Assistants who would accompany members of the community on our social trips out, helping them on and off the bus, and providing any general assistance, all the while you can enjoy a day trip. No experience is needed.  

"If you’re looking at volunteering we’d love to have a chat with you. Feel free to phone us on 01490 226004."

* SDCP is now offering a community afternoon tea at Canolfan Ni in London Road, Corwen once a month.

Booking is essential and it costs £5.50/person, payable on the day. Call 01490 266004 to book your place.

Friends of the Eisteddfod coffee morning on April 1

 

Firefighters deal with fire in the Carrog area

Friday morning update from North Wales Fire & Rescue: Our crews are currently dealing with a forest in Ngarrog, Corwen by leading to significant fog - residents are advised to close windows as a precaution. Thank you for your cooperation.

North Wales Fire & Rescue say they are currently dealing with a fire near Corwen.

In  post on their Facebook page this evening they say: "Our officers are in attendance at a fire in the Carrog area near #Corwen and will be monitoring the fire overnight. Thanks for your calls - we are aware of the incident."

A number of people have reported on social media that they seen the fire and have added pictures of it in the distance to their posts.  

MP teams up with Larry Lamb to back Great Daffodil Appeal

* Actor Larry Lamb with Becky Gittins MP and a Marie Curie representative.

Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins teamed up with actor Larry Lamb at an event in Westminster to celebrate and Marie Curie's annual Great Daffodil Appeal.

Every five minutes, someone dies without the support they need. By donating and wearing a daffodil this March, people can change that and help Marie Curie Nurses bring expert end of life care when there’s no cure, whatever the illness.

Money raised also funds the charity’s free support line and webchat which is available to anyone with an illness they’re likely to die from and those close to them, offering practical and emotional support on any aspect of dying, death and bereavement.

 

Becky Gittins said: “I’m proud to be supporting Marie Curie and their mission to ensure that everyone at end of life can get the care and support they need, when and where they need it most.

 

“I’m urging people across Clwyd East to show their support for the Great Daffodil Appeal in any way they can.”

 

Larry Lamb, who has been a huge supporter of Marie Curie since his brother received care from the charity before he died, said: “As a long-time supporter of Marie Curie, I have witnessed first-hand the amazing work they do to support people and their loved ones at the end of life.

 

“Marie Curie cared for my brother, and I’ll always be grateful for the care and support they gave him.

 

“The work Marie Curie does is so crucial, providing care that protects someone’s dignity and makes sure they’re not alone or in avoidable pain. The Great Daffodil Appeal only happens once a year and can help Marie Curie bring expert end of life care to so many – whatever the illness. That’s why I’m urging everyone to show their support.”

 

* For information and to donate, please visit: Mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil

Mazda goes large with its big new petrol engine

Mazda3 upgrade by Steve Rogers

How is this for thinking outside the box? When rivals are going small one car company goes big, dropping a 2.5 litre petrol engine into a family hatchback.

The trend is small turbocharged hybrid engines, but Mazda does what Mazda does and takes a different route. We should not be surprised the Japanese company has been defying convention for decades. It championed the rotary engine, built a two seater roadster when no one else had the nerve, and more recently surprised everyone with a new diesel engine when oil burners are going out of fashion.

So what’s behind all this? We need to go back to 2019 and the launch of the current Mazda3 and a new 2-litre SkyActive-G petrol engine. This was a pretty big leap almost matching the economy and low emissions of a diesel but it was underpowered offering too little when overtaking.

The upshot is that this bigger engine has given it the edge providing a lot more punch in the mid range yet still lighting up the economy stats. I tipped 47mpg puddling around and on a motorway jaunt cruised into the high fifties.

Apart from a new engine, a little more refinement, updates to the navigation system and Alexa voice assist nothing much else has changed; it did not need to. The fourth generation model was bang on the money from the off, its timeless, elegant flowing lines making it the best looking family hatch bar none.

Handling is on point as well, it is what you get from Mazda. Yes the suspension could be a little more forgiving over poorer surfaces but I wanted quick response steering and a drama free ride through twists and tight turns and that is what I got. And don’t shy away from a manual, the six speed box is slick and precise and makes gear changing a real pleasure.

Okay, so we have established that Maz3 is good to drive with a decent engine but what really matters is whether it is up to the task of carting around a family? As far as space goes it is just on par if a little tight in the back where foot room is hampered by a chunky transmission tunnel.

Passengers in the back complained it was too dark, hardly surprising given the shallow windows but that is a penalty of the sharp styling and I wouldn’t want them to change that. Drivers will find rear vision poor for the same reason but with a camera and parking sensors there will be no concerns when reversing.

Boot space is bettered by some rivals but is perfectly adequate although this is another car that would benefit from a two level floor to avoid the drop when loading shopping bags or other smaller items.

An area where there will be no complaint is the quality of materials. Mazda has been knocking on the door of premium brand status for a while and has reached it with its newest models. This car started the drive with an upgrade across the board so expect plenty of soft touch surfaces.

The layout is more or less unchanged although the driver’s binnacle is now mainly digital backed up by an excellent head up display with additional features, while the infotainment screen increased to 10.25 inches.

The touch screen can only be used while stationary which is unusual but adds a level of safety because the driver’s eyes are not focussed on dabbing the screen. Instead all the functions are selected via a rotary controller and quick keys positioned behind the gear lever. I’ve been praising this system for years and believe it could be the perfect template for every car maker. It is the most intuitive set up I have come across and an absolute doddle to master. Heating controls are separate physical switches and most of us prefer that.

Without getting too sentimental I always look upon the Mazda3 as akin to meeting up with an old friend. It is now an ageing beauty and like many hatchbacks pushed to the side by the endless stream of SUVs, but this hatch still has plenty to offer and you don’t even need to go above the entry Exclusive model to get just about all the luxuries and safety equipment you need.

Fast Facts

Mazda3 Exclusive-Line

£26,810

2.5 litre e-Skyactiv G; 138bhp

0-62mph 9.5secs; 128mph

47.9mpg combined

135g/km. First tax £325

Insurance group 19

Boot: 330-1022 litres

Flying Start children's services expand into Llangollen

The Flying Start scheme is now expanding into more postcodes within Denbighshire. 

The expanded areas will include postcodes in Llangollen and Corwen. 

This expansion means that families with children aged 2-3 years old in the new areas will be eligible for up to 12 ½ hours of funded childcare per week during term time.

 

Denbighshire Flying Start is a Welsh Government funded programme. The aim of it is to help children to have the best possible start in life for their future growth and development.

 

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said: “The latest expansion of this scheme means that more families in Llangollen and Corwen can now get 12 ½ hours of funded childcare per week during term time, meaning access to vital services which will help with their childcare needs.

 

"Residents in the newly expanded areas can check if their postcode is eligible through the postcode checker.”

 

* To find the eligible postcodes please use the postcode checker at: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/flying-start.