AM challenges First Minister over affordable housing

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has questioned the new First Minister over what action he is taking to address the shortage of new homes in both the social and private sector.

With reports showing that Wales needs at least 12,000 new homes each year, including 5,000 annually in the social sector, and the Welsh Government’s target being only 20,000 ‘affordable’ homes over the full five year Assembly Term, inflated by adding new intermediate rent and low cost home ownership properties to new homes in the social rented sector, Mr Isherwood (pictured) challenged Mark Drakeford  over the shortage in the Assembly Chamber.    

He said: “The average number of new homes delivered by Housing Associations annually in England has risen by a third since 2010, compared to 25 per cent in Wales.

"The average number of new homes delivered by Local Authorities in England is up nearly sevenfold (since 2010) compared to a two-thirds fall, up to 2017-18, in Wales. You referred to removing the borrowing cap (by the UK Government) – and exit from the Housing Revenue Account system (enabled by the UK Government) does enable local authorities to retain income from tenants and invest that in new council housing.

"How will you ensure that that is invested, where practicable, in new housing for social rent, either delivered directly by Councils themselves or where they can get best value for the resource available in partnership with Housing Associations, including the 11 where Local Authorities have already transferred stock to them?”

The First Minister agreed that partnerships between local authorities and housing associations are going to be key to accelerating the availability of housing built for rent in all parts of Wales and stated that “the challenge is everywhere in the United Kingdom”.

He added: “The Member will have seen the report from Shelter today calling for major additional investment in housing for public rent in England. I welcome that report. If it were to be adopted it would lead to a significant Barnett consequential for us here in Wales, which we would be able to put to work.

"As it is, our 20,000 affordable homes target for this Assembly term is amongst the single largest capital investment that we will make as a Government. With the efforts that we are making with the new possibilities that Local Authorities have, we are determined to do everything we can to make sure that we have a building programme that better meets the needs we know are there for decent, affordable housing in all parts of Wales.”  

Mr Isherwood responded: “My figures for England contrasted with those during the previous 13 years of Labour UK Government. However, Labour-led Welsh Government has been responsible for housing in Wales since 1999 and Wales was already lagging behind England when Labour left UK Government in 2010.

"The new First Minister trumpets his Government’s target to deliver 20,000 affordable homes over this 5-year Assembly Term, but successive independent reports showing that Wales needs at least 12,000 new homes each year, including at least 5,000 in the social sector, make a mockery of this."

County council explains how it is spending £135 million

* County Cllr Hugh Evans, leader of the council, appears in an explanatory video about the Corporate Plan 2017-22.

A five-year plan to improve the lives of Denbighshire residents is already having an impact, says the county council.

The authority's Corporate Plan will see £135 million of investment in key areas aimed at benefiting the county.

Projects include building new council houses, investing in transport and digital infrastructure, protecting and enhancing the environment and supporting young people to achieve their potential.

The council says that so far more than 3,000 pupils have benefited from new school buildings, while thousands of trees have been planted as part of a plan to create green-havens in the county’s towns.

Cllr Julian Thompson-Hill, lead member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “Our plan is to deliver changes in our communities that will put foundations in place for them to thrive and prosper in the long term.

“The plan focuses on five key areas, the environment, young people, housing as well as resilient and connected communities.

“We’ve already started building new council homes – all of which will be energy efficient - and we’re committed to working with communities and providers to improve our digital infrastructure.

“So far things are developing at a good pace and to a good standard, and we’re embracing the challenging goals that have been set for us by our residents. This first 18 months of the plan have laid a strong foundation for the ongoing work of the Corporate Plan.

“We’ll also be working closely with our residents to make it easier for them to deal with challenges in their lives, both by improving support and by listening more closely to our communities and helping them achieve their goals.”

As part of the Corporate Plan, which will run until 2022, other projects underway include flood defence work in Rhyl and extra support for those looking to find work or progress their careers.

Earlier this year the Public Accountability Measures 2017-18 published by Data Cymru, on behalf of the Welsh Local Government Association, showed Denbighshire ranks sixth out of the 22 councils in Wales.

* A video explains the work the council is undertaking as part of its Corporate Plan.

Railway's appeal aims to bridge the Gap

* Railway volunteers line up to illustrate the width of the Gap, which is about 22 yards and of varying depth.  

Llangollen Railway Trust’s Corwen Central Railway Development project is running an appeal to fund the reinstatement of the Gap in the railway embankment outside Corwen.

With work nearing conclusion of the island platform and loop line build, the focus turns to the infamous Gap in the embankment, long seen as the big obstruction on the track bed.

Originally bulldozed through to provide alternative access to the sewage farm, the gap was further eroded in 2013 by contractors for the Corwen Flood Relief Scheme and has since provided the essential access for the road delivery of materials for the project.

Recently it offered the only route for the water tank and signal box cabin to be brought in for installation on site.

Early this year the project team will be looking for a contractor to deliver and compact the spoil to reinstate the embankment for the connection of the two railheads and the laying of a parallel extended siding.

With a length of 150 yards, the cubic capacity of the gap will require some 9,000 tonnes of spoil to be brought in at an estimated cost of £10,000.

Help with financing this final challenge in completing the Corwen terminus is again sought from supporters following the success of the appeal which has financed the platform infill.

A Llangollen Railway spokesperson said: "The difference in time is shorter and the reward for supporters will be the sight of the train arriving at the new station across the final frontier, something we are all waiting for.

"With help from all sources, we will bridge the Gap and donations to support this appeal will be welcomed by the treasurer for the Corwen Central Railway Development project: Mr Paul Bailey, ‘Dolwen’, Bryn Eglwys, Corwen LL21 9LY.

An appeal leaflet will be published on the Llangollen Railway’s website Corwen News pages this month.

Victory for Llan man's cancer treatment battle

A campaign started by Llangollen man Stuart Davies (pictured) to have equal cancer treatment across all of Wales' health boards has achieved a major victory.

* For the full story in the Leader, go to: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/17340443.major-step-towards-equal-cancer-treatment-across-north-wales-after-llangollen-man-paid-900-for-scan/

Advice on tap about frozen pipes this winter

* North Wales AM Llyr Gruffydd is backing the Wrap Up campaign.

Plaid Cymru AM Llyr Gruffydd is supporting a campaign reminding customers to protect their pipes from the effects of freezing temperatures.

He has lent his support to Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water’s ‘Wrap Up’ campaign which reminds customers to make sure water pipes in their homes and businesses are protected to avoid the disruption and expense frozen pipes can cause.

Severe cold weather, as we saw in the area back in March, can cause water pipes to freeze and burst – leaving homes and businesses with no water, low pressure or even flooding.

Frozen water expands and can crack even the strongest pipe. You may notice this immediately, and only know you have a problem when the cracked pipe thaws and water starts leaking from it. Urgent and expensive repairs are then needed to fix the problem.

Customers can protect their pipes with inexpensive insulation or lagging kits, which are available from local homeware or DIY stores.

Businesses, schools and buildings like community centres or chapels are particularly vulnerable to burst pipes during the winter. This is because they are often empty for days, meaning a burst pipe – inside or outside the building – can go unnoticed and cause huge volumes of water to leak and flood.

When a problem occurs on pipes in homes it is the responsibility of the homeowner or landlord – therefore it’s worth taking time to check they are well insulated.  

Llyr Gruffydd said: “Frozen pipes which burst can cause unnecessary inconvenience and expense – which is distressing at this time of year – however this can be easily avoided by taking a few moments to check and protect the pipes.

“I’m pleased join Welsh Water in reminding people living in this area to take note of the advice of the campaign and make sure they don’t get caught out by pipes freezing in their homes or businesses this winter.”

Ian Christie, Welsh Water’s Managing Director of Water Services said: “Over the winter, our team will be working 24/7 to keep things flowing, but we also need a little help from our customers, by making sure their homes and businesses are ready for winter. 

“So, please take a minute to insulate any outdoor pipes or taps or taps in a cold place like a loft or garage, fix any dripping taps, make sure you know where your stop tap is, and keep the number of a qualified plumber handy in case the worst happens. We’ve got lots of more advice and how-to videos on dwrcymru.com/coldweather."

Wind turbine deliveries will affect A5 traffic

Some traffic disruption on the A5 is expected for the next seven months as the delivery of 27 turbines to a wind farm near Ruthin begins today (Monday).

* For a full report in the Denbighshire Free Press, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/17339598.clocaenog-forest-disruptions-on-a5-expected-as-wind-turbine-deliveries-begin/?

The first of the loads heads along Regent Street today.

New vicar blesses his home in ancient ceremony

* Father Lee Taylor splashes the front window of the vicarage with holy water.

Parishioners and friends watched Llangollen’s new vicar perform an ancient religious ceremony in which he blessed his own home yesterday (Saturday) evening.

Just before Christmas Father Lee Taylor was installed by the Bishop of St Asaph as vicar of St Collen’s and also the Church in Wales parishes of Llantysilio and Trevor.   

Father Taylor says he is keen to revive ancient and often forgotten church rituals, and the first of these he chose was a home-blessing service at his new vicarage in Abbey Road which he had invited around 50 church members and friends to watch and take part in.

He said: “It's long been a tradition during the Epiphany season to bless the home.

“Chalk is blessed for this purpose. Special prayers of blessing are said and a holy formula is chalked over the entryway. In the case of the vicarage this was 20 + C + M + B + 19.

“The C, M, and B are chalked in between the numbers of the current year.

“The three letters have two significations, the invocation ‘Christus Mansionem Benedicat’ - Christ bless this house - as well as the first initial of the names of the three Magi, Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, who visited the newly-born baby Jesus on what became known as the Epiphany.”

He added: “I blessed the outside of the vicarage using holy water, incense and the chalk.

“If anyone else in the parishes I serve would like their home blessed during the Epiphany season they are welcome to contact me by email at: frleetaylor@hotmail.co.uk, or by phone on 01978 592092.”

Father Taylor comes to Llangollen from Croydon Minster where he had been serving as Associate Vicar.

One of his novel ventures there was a beer blessing ceremony at a local pub, The Dog & Bull, which made national headlines.

Soon after arriving in Llangollen he said: “I think we can look forward to lots of quirky things, ideas and initiatives, so watch this space.”

* Father Taylor uses an incense burner in the vicarage doorway as parishioners watch.

... and blesses the house with incense. 

* The formula is chalked on the front wall. 

* The writing is on the wall for the vicarage.

Are you prepared for a spell in custody?

* Independent custody visitor Neil Richmond at St Asaph custody suite.

Members of the public who are prepared for a stretch in police cells are being sought – but not as prisoners.

More volunteer independent custody visitors are needed to check on the welfare of detainees to ensure they are being treated correctly and in line with regulations.  

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones has launched a recruitment drive to find more volunteers for the custody suite in St Asaph which serves force’s central area which includes Denbighshire and Conwy.

According to Mr Jones, a former police inspector, it’s an important public service role and volunteer independent custody visitors are another set of eyes and ears ensuring the police get it right when dealing with people under arrest.  

He said: “Custody visitors have access to custody suite cells and are able to talk to detainees providing the detainee is willing to talk to them and is happy to do so.

“The role of the custody visitor is quite simple, they are there to provide public reassurance that detainees are treated fairly. They need to check on the welfare of the detainee, that they have received and understood their rights whilst in custody and on the facilities in the custody suite.

“We need to ensure North Wales Police is absolutely above reproach when it comes to dealing with arrested persons whether that person is male or female, a young person or an adult.

“There are, quite rightly very strict regulations that govern how the police deal with arrested persons and we must ensure independent volunteers can access detainees at any time to check on their welfare.”

Neil Richmond, a classic car parts supplier, from Rhyl, has been an independent custody visitor for the past three years and says it’s a rewarding role and one he thoroughly enjoys.   

He said: “We currently have 21 independent custody visitors right across the force area but that really isn’t enough.

“Typically, I will make a visit to St Asaph once every six weeks and then a follow up visit around a week later especially if I have raised an issue on behalf of a detainee.

“We are looking to see if a detainee is being treated fairly and in line with regulations. Do they have sufficient bedding, clothing and access to food and drink for example.  We also need to ensure they have been given access to any medication they may be in need of on a daily basis.

“Operating in pairs, we approach a custody area unannounced and we have to be given immediate access.

"Accompanied by a sergeant or a civilian detention officer, we speak to detainees and check the condition of the cells to make sure they are clean and that everything is in working order.

“When vulnerable people are held in custody, we have to ensure that their needs are met as well as those of other detainees.

“We are not allowed to know the names of people in detention or what they are in for which allows us to retain our objectivity.

“Normally, we will spend around 10 minutes with each detainee and discuss any welfare issues they may have. Of course they don’t have to agree to see us and sometimes, those that do see us, make unreasonable demands that are not realistic.

“But any issues of merit they do raise with us we will raise on their behalf with the custody sergeant and ask that action is taken. However, it’s important detainees know and understand that we are independent and not connected to the police as such.

“We produce a written report at the end of each visit which is signed by the custody sergeant and anything we believe needs rectifying is put right straightaway or can be raised at the quarterly meetings which are held between visitors, the Police and Crime Commissioner and senior police officers.

Neil, who moved to North Wales from his native Birmingham 19 years ago, also worked as a custody officer with G4S at Prestatyn Magistrates Court for six years.

He said: “That gave me an insight into the criminal justice system and how detained persons should be treated. That role certainly gave me an insight.

“It’s not our role to catch the police out, after all if no one made mistakes there wouldn’t be rubbers on the end of pencils would there? Our role is simply to ensure fairness and that arrested persons are treated in the right way.

“I’d encourage anyone who thinks it’s a role they could do to get in touch. You need to be outgoing and willing to talk to people of all social levels.

“We can all make a difference and if it helps ensure the police deal with people correctly and within regulations and current guidelines then that has to be a good thing.

“It’s certainly a role I really enjoy and I something I intend to continue doing for the foreseeable future.”

Executive Officer Meinir Jones, who has responsibility for overseeing the visiting scheme within the PCC’s office, said: “This is one of the Commissioner’s statutory duties and we are looking to recruit people over the age of 18 who either live or work in the North Wales Police area.

“They should also be independent of the criminal justice in that they do not work for the police or the probation service and do not serve as magistrates.

“The overall objective is to ensure that people held in custody are detained safely and properly and that their rights and welfare are being attended to.

“Visitors are free to arrange their own visiting times which can be anytime from early in the morning to late at night, any day of the week.”

Magistrates and serving or former police officers and special constables are not allowed to become custody visitors. To avoid possible conflict of interest, others may be excluded if they have direct involvement in the criminal justice system, such as solicitors or probation officers. 

* Eligible individuals who are interested in applying to become a Custody Visitor in North Wales should contact Meinir Jones at the Commissioner’s office, either by ringing 01492 805486 or via email at: opcc@nthwales.pnn.police.uk

Is the Kia Sportage a might too flashy?

* The Kia Sportage is a global success story.

Kia Sportage road test by Steve Rogers

HEADLIGHTS are brighter than ever but are they getting too strong?

The latest LED bulbs have tremendous power but if you are on the receiving end some car headlights are overpowering.

The headlights on the Kia Sportage might fall into this category because I was flashed by a few cars who, presumably, thought I had not dipped.

Sportage was always on dipped beam when necessary because my top of the range GT Line S has auto dipping headlights which opened up another headlights debate.

I am a huge fan of automatic dipping but it can cause problems on rural roads with lots of bends and short straights. The majority of drivers dip as soon as they pick up the headlight beam before the oncoming car comes into view, but auto dipping reacts when lights meet and that can be uncomfortable for the approaching driver so I elected to revert to manual dipping until back on the more open A roads.

What of Sportage? It has been around for 25 years but the big story started in 2010 with the new style crossover model. Since then it has enjoyed phenomenal global success with one sold every 69 seconds. It has been Kia's best seller in the UK for ages racking up 36,000 this year and is expected to hold top spot through 2019.

Now Kia has added a new dimension with a 48 volt mild hybrid mated to a 182bhp 2-litre turbo diesel. An electric motor powered by a lithium ion battery adds a little more horse power to give an extra nudge during acceleration as well as reducing exhaust emissions. What is noticeable is the extra torque, 400Nm against 320Nm for the 136bhp 1.6 diesel making this quite a swift motor.

The hybrid also gets a new eight speed automatic which is exceptionally smooth as is the hybrid boost, so smooth I couldn't even detect it. In fact the only clue to its existence is the battery box behind the back seat which obviously eats into boot space, but it's a relatively small bite.

The GT Line models are here to cover all bases because some rivals like Seat Ateca give a sportier drive. The firmer suspension of my all wheel drive GT Line S was obvious before selecting sport mode and it does the job well, plenty of grip and good feel from the steering, yet there is still a pleasing level of comfort.

Unlike the high tech Peugeot 3008, Sportage takes the middle ground with an 8in touch screen covering a number of functions but all the heating controls are clearly strung across the centre console making selections fuss free from finger sized switches. I particularly liked the one key stroke which brings the heating settings to the big screen.

The quality of the trim and fittings suggest Kia is upping its game with Sportage and nothing much has been left off the spec list for the S model which picks up panoramic sunroof, powered front seats and tailgate, heated front and outer rear seats, ventilated front seats to keep bodies cool in the summer sun, heated steering wheel, 8in touchscreen (7in for lower models), navigation, a 360-degree camera with brilliant definition along with a full suite of safety aids including adaptive cruise control, forward collision avoidance which can pick out pedestrians and blind spot collision warning.

As you would expect this level of kit does not come cheap so how does £34k grab you? It is a lot of money but you get a lot of car, backed up by Kia's famous seven year warranty. Whether the extra horse power is worth an extra £3,500 compared to the new 1.6 litre diesel with nearly 10mpg more is debatable but history shows buyers want top spec cars so it is down to how much people want to spend.

I topped 800 miles in a week averaging 39-41mpg which is nothing special although I did top 50mpg on a 40 mile dual carriageway trip so economy is there with careful driving.

Fast facts
Sportage GT-Line S AWD
£34,545
0-60mph 9.2secs; 125mph
48.7mpg combined
152g/km. 1st year tax £830
Insurance group 25

Few days break for llanblogger

llanblogger is taking a few days break and will be back by the end of the week.  

Police boss wants to know your views

* North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones.

A police boss is urging people in North Wales to take part in a survey to gauge how much voters are prepared to pay for policing the region.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones has launched the online poll against a backdrop of £31 million in cuts imposed on North Wales Police by the Home Office since 2011.

According to Mr Jones, the force is having to cope with a rising tide of new and emerging crimes.

Around half the money for the budget comes from the UK Government and the rest comes from Council Tax, with the amount depending on the precept levied by Police and Crime Commissioners.

In consultation with the North Wales Police and Crime Panel, Mr Jones will make the proposal to set the level of the precept at a meeting on Monday, January 21.

Last year there was 3.79 per cent increase in the police precept which was among the lowest in Wales.

The Home Office recently announced a two per cent increase in the money allocated to North Wales Police but it is still a “real terms cut”.

Mr Jones said: “Last time round with public backing we were able to recruit seventeen extra police officers and an additional six staff.

“This was due to increasing the investment in community policing which worked out for people as less than the cost of a loaf of bread - 76p a month.”

The commissioner is also looking at adapting his Police and Crime Plan to reflect the changing demands on the police.

It’s currently focused on tackling domestic abuse, sexual abuse including child sexual exploitation, organised crime, modern slavery, and delivering safer neighbourhoods.

He wants to take on emerging threats such as criminal exploitation of vulnerable children and adults.

Mr Jones said: “The criminal exploitation of the vulnerable has emerged in recent years with evil organised crime groups targeting children, people with mental ill health and those suffering from addiction.

“The exploitation of the vulnerable is used in organised crime models, child sexual exploitation and modern slavery.

“Criminal exploitation is a significant factor in each of my policing priorities which is why I want to consult the public about making tackling it an overarching priority.”   

“I want the people of North Wales to share their views on police priorities with me so I can then put those views into action to keep our communities safe.

“The cost pressures means the police will have to change the way they work and we need t relook at our priorities and how they can be delivered.

“The Police and Crime Plan sets the strategic direction for North Wales Police, Community Safety Partnerships and other organisations dedicated to reducing crime and safeguarding our communities.

“As police and crime commissioner for North Wales, I have duty to consult local people on policing priorities.

“This survey is a way of finding out what the people of North Wales think.

"Listening to local people is one of the most important parts of my role and it is vital that people have a true voice in policing.”

“I will be using the feedback to inform my discussions with the Chief Constable in agreeing the precept with the Police and Crime Panel.”

* The survey can be completed in Welsh by clicking the following link https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4709548/Ymgynghoriad-Praesept-Gogledd-Cymru-2019-20

The survey can be completed in English by clicking the following link https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4650641/North-Wales-Precept-Survey-2019-20

Arrests made following spate of local burglaries

North Wales Police are appealing for witnesses following a spate of house burglaries in the Llangollen, Froncysyllte and Corwen areas during the weekend December 29 and 30.

CID officers are investigating five separate incidents where property was stolen.

Detective Chief Inspector Tim Evans said: "Due to the exceptional work of our local officers and staff, suspects were quickly identified and on Sunday afternoon, four persons were arrested in the Llangollen area and are due to be interviewed by detectives in connection with those offences. 

"Unfortunately, two North Wales Police employees were assaulted during those arrests. Thankfully, neither have sustained serious injury. 

"I would like to thank those members of the public who came to our assistance and would ask that any witnesses to the incident contact North Wales Police on 101 (quoting event W185151).

"Burglary of anyone’s home is understandably intrusive and, that items of property are stolen just after Christmas can be particularly upsetting.

"Due to the outstanding work of our staff, items of property have been recovered which we hope to reunite with owners in due course."
 

Local author aims to give his new novel a kickstart

Local author David Ebsworth is taking pre-orders for his new book, an historical novel about the "wicked" wife of Elihu Yale, through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.


The book comes highly recommended and if anyone wants to pre-order a copy it will help him to get the book launched successfully.

It starts in 1721 when an elderly Catherine Yale discovers that her second husband Elihu has left her nothing in his will except the slur of naming her a “wicked wife.”

Her private journals are filled with intimacies: her inner thoughts about life in Old Madras, where the East India Company’s intrigues are as complex as any in the Mughal Emperor’s court; about the conflicts she must endure as a mother now to the additional children she conceives with Elihu; about her role as a spy for the political factions determined to prevent a Catholic succession to the English crown; and about the realisation that she is now wed to a husband she is quickly coming to despise.

Yet these past 50 years, since the early days of her short and tragic first marriage to darling Joseph, the diaries have been kept safe and secret. Or have they? Perhaps it’s time to read them afresh, to go back before the days when Elihu first betrayed her, before she was betrayed also by the East India Company women who should have stood at her side – before she wreaked her own special revenge on them all. 

David says of his book: "It was a chance meeting. Our local Wrexham MP Ian Lucas asking me if I’d ever thought of writing a story about our local historical celebrity, Elihu Yale.

"Yale has a very fine and famous tomb in the grounds of St Giles Parish Church and is taught to Wrexham schoolkids as the philanthropist who bequeathed some of his wealth, and his name, to help found one of the world’s most famous universities, in New Haven, Connecticut.

"But I knew enough else about Yale to understand that, while he may have been the original nabob, he also made much of his wealth through the Indian slave trade – and thus he didn’t interest me much as a protagonist for a novel. But life’s never that simple and, out of respect for Ian’s own interest, I decided to dig a bit deeper.

"I then stumbled on a copy of Elihu Yale’s will, sent to me from the National Archives. And a remarkable document it turned out to be. This entry, a single line: To My Wicked Wife… And then? Nothing. No bequest. Not even her name. Simply a large blank space.
So who was she? And why so wicked?

"A lot of the story is pure fiction but all Catherine’s family background is authentic."

The novel, David's seventh, is due for publication on April 8 but it’s available to pre-order now through a Kickstarter crowd funding campaign, the link to which is:
The Doubtful Diaries of Wicked Mistress Yale on Kickstarter

The second novel in the trilogy, Wicked Mistress Yale, The Glorious Return is due for publication in late-autumn 2019, and picks up Catherine’s story with her return to a London turned upside down in 1689, while the third part, Wicked Mistress Yale, The Parting Glass, is scheduled for release in mid-2020.

County sends out reminder on waste collections

Denbighshire County Council is reminding residents of changes to the waste and recycling collections over the Christmas and New Year period.

Collections normally scheduled to take place on Thursday and Friday of this week are being collected a day later than the normal day. 

A special collection will take place on Saturday to catch up.

Bins and recycling will collected as normal on Monday, December 31 - there will be no change.  

There will be no collections on New Year’s Day.

In the first week of January, if you normally have your collections on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, they will  be collected a day later.

All collections will return to normal on Monday, January 7.

Fund launched to combat child exploitation

* Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales Arfon Jones and Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Neill Anderson.

A £60,000 fund boosted by money confiscated from criminals has been launched to help tackle the growing menace of youngsters being groomed and exploited by vicious drugs gangs.

According to North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones, the ill-gotten gains of villains will be recycled for the benefit of the community in a series of crime-fighting initiatives across the region.

The Your Community, Your Choice Awards are again putting up the Community Fund for local groups and Mr Jones is urging local groups to bid for the cash.

It’s being organised jointly by Mr Jones, North Wales Police and the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT).

The money for the awards comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act with the rest from the Police Commissioner’s Fund.

Each of the region’s six counties will have up to £2,500 apiece for two groups with £5,000 each for two organisations that operate in three or more counties.

In addition this year, thanks to additional funding from the police and crime commissioner and North Wales Police, there will be two new grants of £10,000.

The larger grants are designed to fund projects addressing issues related to the emerging threat of County Lines, where young people are being coerced and threatened with violence to take part in illegal activity across the region.

The deadline for applications is January 18 and the successful groups will be chosen by public vote.

Entry forms are available on the North Wales Police website with a link to it on the Police Commissioner’s website.

A shortlist of applicants will be chosen by a special panel and voting opens on February 4 and runs until March 1 with that vote deciding the winners.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector, said: “I decided to give more money this year because of the growing threat of the County Lines phenomenon which involves the criminal exploitation of children and young people.

“These drugs supply networks are often run by criminals from out of the area via a mobile phone line who use associates or even coerce vulnerable people to act as local dealers to deal drugs for them.

“Violence and intimidation is a common theme in these abhorrent networks which have become known County Lines.

“There is a great deal that third sector organisations and community organisations can do, especially in terms of raising awareness amongst the potential victims themselves.

“It is vitally important that warn youngsters of the very real dangers of being ensnared by these vicious gangs.

“County lines is a growing scourge, not just here but also across the UK, it getting to grips with it is a major priority in my Police and Crime Plan.”

His message was backed by Assistant Chief Constable Neill Anderson who said: “The Your Community Your Choice fund hits at the very heart of what we’re trying to achieve.

“There are so many worthy community groups out there, and this initiative is about the police and the community working together to actually make things safer for the public of North Wales, with the added benefit of course is that some of the monies comes from criminals.

“All of this chimes  perfectly with the commissioner’s Police and rime plan and the force’s objectives.

“Whilst there is lots of enforcement activity on going with County Lines, and we’ve been very successful in that regard, this is about prevention.

“There are groups out there that I think could help young people to stay on the right path and not get pulled into any of these County Lines drugs supply networks.

“Once they’re sucked in, they’re exploited and their lives are made hell. The impact on them is just terrible and there are links here to modern day slavery.”

PACT project manager Dave Evans said: “Every applicant must look at the commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan and consider how their proposal can support one or more of the five priorities that are contained in the introduction within that plan.

“They also need to talk to their local Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team through their PCSO or directly through their local inspector who will need to endorse and support their application before it comes to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s panel.

“This is a win-win for society because it’s bad money being turned into good. This is now the sixth year that we’ve been running this fund and every year the quality of applications is getting better and better and the impact that money is having in the communities is absolutely fantastic. We’ve seen first-hand the benefits that the communities are seeing from this money both on a community basis and in an individual basis.

“The people of North Wales have a say in all of this. They are the ones who decide who is going to be successful in each category. The more votes that you can secure through your network of supporters as an applicant the better. It’s all down to the applicants to make sure that they encourage their supporters to vote for their particular project.”   

* Completed applications must be returned by e-mail to yourcommunityyourchoice@nthwales.pnn.police.uk by 5pm on the closing date of January 18. For more information go to www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk or www.north-wales.police.uk

llanblogger says Merry Christmas to all its readers

County playgrounds could get more disabled friendly

* County Councillor Mabon ap Gwynfor at Llandrillo playground.

Playgrounds in Denbighshire could become more accessible for disabled children thanks to a drive to increase accessibility in the county.

County Councillor Mabon ap Gwynfor called for playgrounds to become more accessible earlier this year, and the authority agreed to take steps at last week’s Chairs and Vice Chairs Committee by making an audit of the current situation. 

Cllr ap Gwynfor, said: “There are children in our communities who are being excluded from an opportunity to play with their friends because many of our playgrounds have no suitable equipment. I have children in my ward who have mobility issues and can’t join with their friends in the playgrounds. This is true across the county. 

“The council has a programme of updating some of its playing parks at the moment, and we were asking that they consider the needs of disabled children.

"The authority carries out regular health and safety audits and have therefore agreed to carry out accessibility audits as well. This is excellent news.

"This information will allow playing ground planners to consider the needs of children with disabilities when they upgrade tour playgrounds, so that no child in the future will miss out on playing with their friends."

A statement from Disability Wales says: “In 2010 local authorities in Wales were given a duty to ensure children and young people in their areas had access to secure and sufficient play areas. Eight years on, the provision for inclusive play areas that disabled children can use remains poor.

"It is disappointing that despite the legislation disabled children are missing out on their right to play.

"It is great to hear of the campaign in Denbighshire to increase access to playgrounds for disabled children.

"Disability Wales welcomes the steps taken by Cllr Mabon ap Gwynfor to raise awareness of poor playground provision for disabled children in the county. Disabled children have the right to play in the same playgrounds as their non-disabled siblings and friends. 

"We hope that the playground refurbishment programme by Denbighshire Council will result in more inclusive playgrounds for disabled children.”