High tech revolution to keep bobbies on the beat

* Police Crime commissioner North Wales Arfon Jones (Right) with superintendent Paul Jones of North Wales Police.                                          

A police boss has revealed a high tech revolution will help to keep bobbies out on the beat.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones has described the project to equip every frontline police officer with a sophisticated mobile communications app that cuts form-filling and even checks fingerprints as a “game-changer”.

The app will be loaded on mobile phones and laptops as part of the four-year digital communications strategy which also aims to keep communities across the region and their local policing teams in close contact.

It will mean that officers will be able to spend more time out on the streets catching crooks and helping the public and cut lengthy bureaucracy back at the police station.

The project is one of the last flagship programmes of Commissioner Jones, who has announced will be standing down at the next election which is due to be held on May 6.

His final precept-setting proposal for a 29p weekly increase, a 5.5 per cent rise costing Band D Council Taxpayers just £14.94 extra a year, has just been approved unanimously by the North Wales Police and Crime Panel.

Superintendent Paul Jones is said: “The development of this frontline app for mobile phones and laptops will revolutionise the way we work.

“It will bring North Wales Police to the forefront of the Forces in the UK when it comes to digital frontline capability.

“We aim to have an all-encompassing app that enables us to do everything we need to do out there - it will even check someone’s fingerprints.

“It will be very user-friendly and as easy to operate as any commercial app– one function on it will search all the different computer systems that we need to access simultaneously, including the Police National Computer. It will all be quicker, more intuitive and more accurate.

“If an officer can do all their paperwork at the scene electronically, without duplication and without having to go back to the station, it’s a big saving of time which can then be spent on the front line.

“At the same time if the control room contacts an officer, a lot of  the information needed will already be on the mobile phone or laptop, even including satnav directions. This means that the officer won’t have to waste time taking notes, speaking to control or conducting lengthy computer searches.

“It is a significant investment but the time we will save and can reinvest in the community makes it money well spent.

“We have worked with app providers to ensure we will have the same connectivity as other forces who have similar apps.

“We have also worked with our officers to prioritise their needs and we hope to have the system finalised for rollout towards the end of the year.

“We do need to undertake a competitive tendering process, conduct functionality tests and make a final assessment, but the plan is to have the app rolled out as soon as we can.

“We want everyone on the frontline whose job will be made more efficient, more accurate and more effective, to have this.

“That includes Community Support Officers and Crime Scene Investigators for example, in addition to response officers and detectives.

Mr Jones, a former Police Inspector himself, said: “As someone who knows what it’s like to be on the frontline of policing, I welcome this and the part played in its introduction by the Chief Constable, Carl Foulkes, who is the National Police Lead on innovation and technology.

“It’s really exciting to be making this announcement because it’s something we’re really proud of and it something that our frontline officers really want and will find of huge benefit to them. It’s going to be a gamechanger.

“This is part of the connected officer’s project which is about giving our officers more time out on the streets by equipping them with devices like laptops, notebooks and mobile phones that can do everything they would once have had to go back to the station to do.

“Instead, they can now do this while they’re out, in the street or even in the local café which means more time with the public.

“It’s a much more efficient use of their time and means they only have to do things once rather than two or three times.”

The project is one of a series of measures set out in the Commissioner’s policing plan.

It’s being launched against a backdrop of £2.9 million of savings identified by Force despite the £33 million a year cuts inflicted on North Wales Police as a result of Conservative austerity cuts since 2010.

The Force’s digital communications project also aims to keep communities and their local policing teams in closer contact and Superintendent Helen Corcoran said: “It will enable members of the local community to get online to reach their local policing teams with any concerns they have.

“At the same time, we can warn the public of specific local threats and keep them up to date with what we are doing, where and when.”

North Wales Police will also be bolstered by 62 new officers with 20 of joining a new task force to spearhead a crime prevention drive helping and another ten bolstering the fight against Serious and Organised Crime in the region.

* For more information on the work of the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner go to https://www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk/en/home.aspx

Llangollen man's concerns over hospital's Covid safety

* Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

A Llangollen man says he and his wife were “appalled” at the lack of social distancing apparent in the accident and emergency department at Wrexham Maelor Hospital when they took their young grandson there following an accident recently. 

Their concern follows a story carried by local media last week which said that, after a remote quality check last November, inspectors from the Healtcare Inspectorate Wales found a lack of safety measures to stop people catching Covid in the A&E waiting room.

 

The Llangollen resident, who wishes not to be identified, said: “My grandson had a minor accident when he pulled a chest of drawers over on himself.

 

“My daughter and wife took him to A&E at Wrexham which involved over a four-hour wait before he was seen by a doctor.

 

“My wife was appalled at the situation there because there were very few social distancing measures in place or organisation of patients visiting and policing those measures in view of the seriousness of the pandemic.

 

“I therefore wrote to Vaughan Gethin, the Health Minister, to alert him to this dangerous situation which existed in Wrexham, and eventually received a total whitewash email from some minion at the Welsh Government.

 

“Imagine my disgust therefore at reading the article about the situation at the Maelor on Wrexham.com because clearly these issues were being investigated by an inspector presumably appointed by the Welsh Government.”

 

He added: “The serious footnote to this is that about a week or so after his visit to A&E my grandson developed a nasty viral infection which proved not to be Covid, as far as tests showed, but required investigation by our GP and referral to the paediatric department at Wrexham and treatment with antibiotics.

 

“We are convinced that my grandson contracted this infection at Wrexham A&E due to their total lack of infection control and serious imposition of social distancing measures at the department.

 

“One thing I would like to stress is the brilliant care we received from our GPs at the Health Centre.

 

“Our doctor went above and beyond by ringing my daughter several times during the day to check on my grandson and eventually seeing him a 9.15 in the evening. Then the following day his colleague referred him to the paediatric department to resolve the issue.” 

Maureen Wain, Hospital Director at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, said: “We have addressed concerns around social distancing in the department by investing heavily in social distancing measures, screening each patient on arrival by checking their temperature and checking for potential COVID-19 symptoms, and increasing cubicle capacity within the treatment and trolley space areas.

“A number of schemes have also been put in place to improve patient flow in the department. These include streaming suitable patients from triage directly through to our Fracture Clinic for review by the Orthopaedic Team, which provides more timely care. 

“We were also successful in obtaining Welsh Government funding for an Urgent Primary Care Centre in our Outpatient Department. This targets on the day urgent primary care presentations and reduces unnecessary attendances into the Emergency Department. 

“We will continue to work hard to address areas highlighted in the report where further improvements could be made.”

Young 'Uns to livestream musical memories show

* Members of the Young 'Uns in a recent performance of Wizard of Oz.

An all-star cast from the junior section of Llangollen Operatic Society are taking a musical trip down memory lane on Saturday evening of next week. 

Prevented from performing in front of a live audience because of the Covid-19 lockdown, a talented team from the Young ‘Uns are going online to livestream a show packed with highlights of their productions going back over the past decade. 

Favourite numbers will come from Annie, The Vackies, Beauty and the Beast, Oliver!, Half a Sixpence, Honk, Bugsy Malone, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Grease and Wizard of Oz. 

The show which will go live from 7.15pm next Saturday, February 20 on the Young ‘Uns own Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Llangollen-Operatic-Young-Uns-428765077289488 

Taking part will be Shea Ferron, Celyn Orton-Jones, Aled Morris, Katie Clark, Kamil Grzelak, Ethan Le-Cheminant, Ethan Roberts, Grace Roberts, Heledd Edwards plus Cassius Hackforth who is joining for one show. 

According to Shea Ferron, who has played a key role in putting the show together, there is also a possibility of an appearance by Young ‘Uns past members Louise Cielecki and Nathan Lloyd.  

Shea said: “For obvious reasons this year our cast cannot perform a show at the town hall, but a few of our members have teamed up together to create a virtual performance for you all. 

“We will be taken down memory lane with the past 10 years of shows looking at our favourite memories of them and hearing some memorable songs performed by our cast. 

“The livestream starts at 7.15pm with the show beginning at 7.30pm and we look forward to seeing you all there.” 

Father Lee tells Mail how hard pandemic has hit weddings

* Father Lee Taylor conducts a pre-pandemic wedding at St Collen's.

The thoughts of Llangollen’s vicar on the damage being caused to the £14 billion UK wedding industry by the Covid pandemic has been aired in a national newspaper’s website

The Mail online spoke to a group of wedding specialists affected by the lockdown including a hair and make-up artist, a florist, a photographer, a caterer and a cake maker.

Father Lee Taylor, who looks after St Collen’s and three other local churches, gave the priest’s perspective.

While venues are normally fully booked year-round with couples from all over the UK, he said the pandemic has left pews empty, with no help from the Government to cover the £8,000 a year the church makes from both weddings and collection plates.  

He told Mail Online: “Needless to say, it’s been pretty stressful for me recently. There should have been 21 weddings here last year and around the same number planned for this year.

“Most of these couples are now considering postponing their wedding until 2022 because they want a big wedding with all their friends and family in attendance.   

“The cancellation of weddings has not only impacted couples, their families and friends. It has also affected our local congregation to. Many of us are feeling dispirited and a sense of loss. Our local congregations look forward enormously to weddings because they like to feel part of all the preparations and the ceremony. 

“They enjoy connecting with the couple and hearing thier story of how they met and why they think a church wedding is important. It also brings back memories for them too as they think back to their own wedding day.”

Father Lee added: “The cancellation and postponement of weddings has also affected our church financially. The churches income - to pay for bills, maintenance, repairs and mission work etc - relies on the collection plate and the fees we receive from weddings.

“This is our only source of income. Contrary to what many believe, we do not receive financially assistance from the government.  

“There are a few weddings still going ahead this year but on a small scale. I have to follow strict guidelines and am having to consider altering certain components of the marriage service as well as work out a COVID-choreography: how the bride, groom, best man, father-of-the-bride, myself and witnesses will move around during the ceremony. 

“The father-of-the-bride and the best man are unlikely to be from the same household and so this is one example of how it fundamentally alters the format of the marriage ceremony.

“Looking more positively, Zoom has been a great facility. I’ve offered pre-nuptial blessings to couples over Zoom on what would have been their wedding day. Families from all over UK and, more recently, Australia, have joined in on virtual ceremonies.”  

* To see the full story, go to: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9249309/Wedding-industry-reeling-without-post-Covid-roadmap.html?ito=native_share_article-masthead 

* Father Lee has his next Mission Halls to Music Halls online singalong this Sunday at 6pm. Go to: https://www.facebook.com/LlanGroupChurches/

Covid grant scheme extended for Denbighshire businesses

A grant scheme available to businesses impacted by coronavirus restrictions has been extended.

Following the First Minister’s announcement on January 29, extensions are available to the Restrictions Business Rates Grant and Restrictions Discretionary Grant schemes to support businesses during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

There are two grant schemes available in the county, which are being administered by Denbighshire County Council, which have specific guidance and qualification criteria, with businesses only able to apply for one of the grants.

The Restrictions Business Rates Grant is open to businesses whose property has been in the rating list on or before September 1, 2020 and the business was in occupation and trading on November 30, 2020. 

Those who have previously been paid through this scheme will have their accounts credited, by either £3000 or £5000 depending on the size of the business, by no later than Friday, February 19.

The scheme is also open to businesses who have not previously applied, but they will need to submit an application and payment for new applications can’t be guaranteed by February 19.

The Restrictions Discretionary Grant of £2,000 is applicable to business that do not have a business rates liability, who have been forced to close or will be materially affected by the restrictions, with more than 40 per cent reduction in turnover. 

There will not be any automatic payments for the discretionary grant and there are several qualification criteria to be met, as set out by Welsh Government.

Businesses can only apply once for the grant, which is intended to support them through February and March. 

* You can apply for these grants, and find information about other financial schemes, at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/coronavirus/emergency-support-for-businesses.aspx

 

Drakeford praises "phenomenal effort" of vaccination programme

First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) today praised the thousands of NHS staff and volunteers vaccinating people for their "phenomenal effort" as the first milestone in Wales’ vaccination programme was reached.

As the final appointments are arranged for the weekend, Wales will achieve the milestone of offering everyone in the first four priority groups vaccination, he said.

Arrangements were in place to make sure no one is left behind – if someone missed an appointment because they were ill or maybe they changed their mind about having the vaccine, a new appointment would be made for them.

Mark Drakeford said: "Vaccination is the number one priority for the Welsh Government and for the NHS in Wales.

"To have achieved this first milestone and offered vaccination to everyone in the first four priority groups – those who are most vulnerable to coronavirus – is a truly phenomenal effort. I want to thank everyone who has been working around the clock to reach this point.

"Of course, the hard work has only just begun – there are many, many more people to vaccinate yet and a lot of second doses still to give.

"The NHS has confirmed everyone in the first four priority groups has been contacted to be offered a vaccination appointment.

"If health boards have been unable to contact someone on the list, or if an appointment has been missed, systems are in place to go back and check and re-arrange a new appointment for anyone who wants to be vaccinated."

The latest available figures show 684,097 people have received their first dose of the vaccine.

Health Minister Vaughan Gething added: "Every vaccine given to someone in Wales is a small victory against the virus and we are already looking ahead to meeting our next milestone.

"The first milestone in our Vaccination Strategy set out that everyone in first four priority groups will have been offered their first dose appointment by mid-February.

"Not everyone in these groups will have attended their appointment yet, some will not have responded and some will have chosen not to have the vaccine.

"We would ask individuals to keep their appointments as allocated where possible.

"If people cannot attend their appointment for a genuine reason we ask them to let the health board know via the contact details provided in their invitation. The appointment can then be rearranged for a more convenient time or location.

"Once you have been vaccinated, you should continue to follow the guidance of staying at home, staying two metres apart, washing your hands and wearing a face covering to protect those around you."

The Wales vaccination programme in numbers:

• 13,988 care home residents have been reported to have had their first dose of the vaccine, as well as 33,832 care home staff
• 160,106 over-80s have been reported to have had their first dose
• 117,181 healthcare workers have been reported to have had their first dose
• 248,827 aged 70-79 have been reported to have had their first dose

Stuart Davies on why he is campaigning against social distancing measures

Former mayor Stuart Davies, who is standing for the vacancy on the town council next month, has issued a statement about why he is campaigning to have the temporary Covid-19 safety measures removed from Castle Street.

This follows a statement yesterday from Llangollen's two county councillors on llanblogger outlining why they think the measures should stay in place.

Stuart Davies says: "Many local people have expressed concerns from the outset about some aspects of the Traffic Restriction Order (TRO) that was introduced in Llangollen and the councillors' responses to them.

Since the introduction of the barriers, whilst they have been established for COVID measures, we have seen instances of public safety being out at risk by them with people falling over them and in one instance a member of the public breaking an arm.

The traffic lane created is so narrow that when two wide vehicles meet, we have witnessed vehicles mounting the pavement and vehicles' structure overhanging the pavement on the west side of Castle Street so endangering pedestrians on that side of the road.

The measures provide no additional queuing or social distancing for the west side of Castle Street, Oak Street, Bridge Street or Market Streets where shoppers and tourists will also congregate.

The barriers have transformed the “Jewel in the Crown” of Denbighshire into a barren and ugly streetscape and moved the hazards from one pavement across the road to the other.

The business interests and concerns of Castle Street shopkeepers have been largely ignored; 28 business representing 80% of Castle Street wrote to DCC registering their objections to this scheme. Some have shared the online petition via their social media feeds whilst 4 now have copies of the petition available for people to sign in their shops.

My decision to champion this and start a petition is in response to those democratic concerns being raised by members of the public, a fact highlighted by the response to the petition; 300 online signatures plus additional paper signatures have been gathered within 3 days and numbers are continuing to rise.

Denbigh and Ruthin, towns which both attract visitors, will not have these measures in place by the time a tourist season starts. Denbigh chose not to have them from the outset and Ruthin chose to remove them last week.

The councillors as elected representatives of the people of Llangollen appear to be unwilling to take note of the messages they are receiving from the public and there is a lot of disquiet being voiced by a sizeable sector of our residents.

The lack of ability to meet and discuss or consult has resulted in a lot of discussion on social media across all sectors of Llangollen’s population. Sharing information obtained by Freedom of Information requests and allowing the public to see how the process worked in Llangollen and who was involved is part of living in a free and democratic society. People need to be responsible and accountable for their actions and decisions to the public they serve. We should applaud and embrace that.

Shining a light on the way the Traffic Restriction Order (TRO) was put in place has shown that they were agreed without informing or consulting with the Town Council and that the Town Clerk wrote to DCC CEO to register concern that an unconstituted group had chosen to consult with Head Teachers and an ‘environmental lobby group’ but not advise the Town Council of the ideas they had put in front of Denbighshire County Council before advising the Town Council.

I have put myself forward for election to the Llangollen Town Council on a mandate that includes a thorough review of the 2020 Groups proposals. As the 2020 Group consulted with DCC and agreed the proposals going in before telling the Town Council I consider they are linked to this scheme.

Should another member of Llangollen’s community eligible to stand for election want to defend the bollards and oppose my position then I would suggest they stand in opposition and let the people of Llangollen decide what they want and the message they wish the winner to convey to the other Town and County Councillors."

Information on schools reopening in Denbighshire

Face to face learning will resume for foundation phase pupils in Denbighshire from Wednesday, February 24th at the earliest.

This follows the recent announcement by the Welsh Government that pupils aged between aged 3 and 7 will return to face to face learning.

The Council is reassuring parents and carers that school re-openings will be subject to all necessary safety measures being in place, supported by Welsh Government and in line with their operational guidance.

Schools in the county closed on 16th December and have remained open for online learning as well as face to face learning for the children of critical workers and vulnerable learners. 

This provision continues for all who are eligible.

Free school meals and school transport will be available for all eligible pupils from February 24, as soon as schools reopen. 

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the Council’s Lead Member for Education, Children's Services and Public Engagement, said: “The Welsh Government has announced that due to lower community transmission rates of COVID-19, that schools can re-open to foundation phase pupils.

“Following this announcement we have spoken with all primary schools and agreed face to face education will resume across the county for eligible pupils.

“This has been a difficult period for pupils, parents and staff and we want to reassure parents and carers that schools will continue to implement rigorous hygiene measures as well as ensure all regulations and guidance on pupils’ safety is followed.

“I would again like to thank pupils, parents and staff for their support during what has been a hugely challenging time and the communities they support and work in.”

Denbighshire will work closely with Public Health Wales and NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect to review case levels prior to schools reopening.

Parents and carers are being reminded to adhere to social distancing measures when dropping off or collecting your child from school.

For more information please contact your child’s school.

 

Bill ensures safe Senedd elections during pandemic

An emergency bill to ensure the next Senedd election can happen safely, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, has been approved by Members of the Senedd.

The Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill introduces a range of measures to make it easier for those affected by the pandemic to vote.

It will also significantly address the risk of there being an extended period where the Senedd cannot meet that would arise if the Senedd dissolved as normal, on 7 April, and the election could not proceed on 6 May because of the pandemic.

The Welsh Government is clear that the election should go ahead on 6^th May 2021 as intended. Everybody should prepare on that basis.

But the Bill makes it possible to delay polling day should the pandemic present such a serious threat to public health and the conduct of the election, that it is not safe to hold the election at that time.

The Bill will become law following Royal Assent by Her Majesty the Queen, which is anticipated in the coming weeks.

Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James said: “I’m pleased Members of the Senedd have given their approval for the Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill to become law.

“Given the unpredictable nature of the virus, there is significant uncertainty about what the public health situation will be like in May. That’s why we’ve acted now to respond to the potential risks to the election arising from the pandemic.

“The Bill Members of the Senedd have approved today, by a large majority, will help ensure people can exercise their democratic right to vote in the election, but to do so in a safe and secure way.

“The Welsh Government appreciates the huge efforts being made by the staff who run our elections to ensure it can be held safely on Thursday 6^th May.”

County councillors' statement on town's Covid-19 safety measures

* County councillors Melvyn Mile, left, and Graham Timms on Castle Street.

Llangollen's two county councillors, Melvyn Mile and Graham Timms, have made a joint statement about the Covid-19 safety measures put in place in the town centre late last year and which this week have sparked a petition by former mayor Stuart Davies calling for the removal of the bollards on Castle Street.

They say: "When the current lockdown is relaxed we can expect a record number of visitors coming to Llangollen. 

"The pandemic will not be over, but the extra freedom means that visitors will come in their thousands and the town will become busy and crowded once again. It will therefore be more important than ever to have extra space on Castle Street, and to ensure that the other Covid -19 changes stay in place until after the summer. 

"We are both fully behind the Llangollen Covid-19 scheme. Its introduction was to enable people to stay safe when they visit the town, providing space for social distancing and safe queueing outside shops. 

"The barriers on Castle Street are not pretty, but these lane protectors are the safest way to achieve this in the short term.  The decision to support the scheme was not taken lightly. We explored every possibility, and suggested changes based on comments received from residents and businesses alike. 

"The petition organised by Stuart Davies as part of his election campaign to join Llangollen Town Council is ill-timed and irresponsible.  

"This is the first World Pandemic of our time, and vitally important decisions made to protect residents and visitors to our town should not be dealt with like this. 

"As elected representatives we cannot ignore our responsibility for public safety based on online petitions or unpleasant and personal attacks on social media. That is why we stand firmly behind Denbighshire's Covid-19 changes. They are essential to protect everyone and in a major tourist town like Llangollen it would be a dereliction of our duty of care to call for the barriers to come down. 

"In these crucial few weeks and months we must all try to stay calm and patient with each other. Let's support each other as we have done over the last year, and come through on the other side together as a much stronger and united community. 

"Graham and Mel Can be contacted at graham.timms@denbighshire.gov.uk and melvyn.mile@denbighshire.gov.uk"

Coronavirus update from the Welsh Government

Latest coronavirus update from the Welsh Government (dated yesterday) is:

• Freelancers working in Wales’ creative sectors will receive a further round of support worth £8.9m, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism Lord Elis-Thomas announced today.
• The new round of support funding from the Cultural Recovery Fund will mean each of the freelancers already supported will receive an additional £2,500 to support them through this extended period of reduced activity. 
• https://gov.wales/further-89-million-support-creative-sector-freelancers
• Health Minister Vaugh Gething has updated the Senedd about Wales’ vaccination programme: https://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/11178#A64456
• What to do if you are 70 or over and have not been contacted about your COVID-19 vaccination: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-vaccinations-those-aged-70-or-over
• Latest testing data for Wales: https://gov.wales/testing-data-coronavirus-covid-19 

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 323 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 197,344 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.
• Very sadly, there were 21 deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 5,032.
• These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

• The number of people who have received a Covid vaccine in Wales is being published every weekday by Public Health Wales.
• The latest figures show 655,419 people have received their first dose
• And 3,687 people have received two doses of the vaccine
• https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary 

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 10 days from when your symptoms started.
• Guidance about self-isolating: https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus
• Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
• You should arrange to have a test to see if you have coronavirus once you are self-isolating. 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.
• Got a question about what to do if you’ve got coronavirus? Visit https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus 

Where to find the latest information

• Information about the new national measures in place in Wales is available at: https://gov.wales/alert-level-4

• Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws
• Questions about Covid-19 vaccines? Visit: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/ and https://gov.wales/vaccine-coronavirus
• Want to join Wales’ vaccination team? https://gov.wales/join-covid-19-vaccination-team
• Information about support for businesses is available at the Business Wales website https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/
• The Welsh Government holds a regular media briefing about coronavirus. These are on-the-record, on-camera and supported by a BSL interpreter. These are held at 12.15pm, broadcast on BBC One Wales and live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel.

o   Dr Andrew Goodall, chief executive of NHS Wales, held today’s press briefing. You can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1359475994755665921

Tributes paid to ex-Wrexham and Wales goalkeeper Dai Davies

* Dai Davies being put through his paces during a 

physio session at Nightingale House last year.

According to a story which has just appeared on North Wales Live, tributes have been flooding in for ex- Wrexham and Wales international goalkeeper, Dai Davies, who has died.

Mr Davies, who ran a natural healing centre in Llangollen, had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer earlier last year and had been spending time at the Nightingale House Hospice, in Wrexham.

* For the full story, see: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tributes-flood-welsh-goalkeeping-legend-19807921?fbclid=IwAR1wTCxUmp3qfZkkJHq-FNIVuoUWJnwcgnJqY1DX4LxNAw_eDszO9DJruZA

SM challenges First Minister over vaccination standby lists

North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has challenged the First Minister over vaccination standby lists following reports of people not in the national priority groups being offered the jab in North Wales.

Speaking during yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Mr Isherwood provided numerous examples of people not in the national priority groups being offered the vaccine ahead of frontline police officers, teachers and other workers at risk of coming into contact with people infected with Covid, and asked the First Minister why this is happening.

He said: “Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board stated last Thursday  that no vaccines will go to waste as 'we are using a standby list created in accordance with the national priority groups’. 

"However, many Flintshire residents have contacted me stating otherwise.

“One said ‘A neighbour had a knock on the door from a new resident, who said everyday there are spare vaccinations as many people were not turning up, and if she was interested in a jab her contact at Deeside Vaccination centre would call her later in the day’.

“Another said ‘I have been made aware of a person, employed on IT duties, aged 26 with no underlying health conditions vaccinated at short notice, this is the third situation where I have heard of somebody that is outside of the roll out criteria being vaccinated on short notice’.

“Another said ‘there are people who are not frontline NHS staff/over 80 etc receiving appointments to have the vaccine - none had underlying health conditions’."

He added: "What, therefore is going on when surely any standby list should prioritise people like frontline police officers and teachers?”

In his response, the First Minister described Mr Isherwood’s comments as “a collection of random and unattributed anecdotes that really don't amount to a single piece of serious commentary” and said that “the health service across Wales, and in Betsi Cadwaladr too, is working as hard as it possibly can to deliver vaccination in line with the JCVI advice.”

He added: “Of course health boards have reserve lists, so that when people are unable, for all sorts of reasons, to take up an appointment at short notice, there are other people who can be called upon, so that vaccine does not go to waste. What could possibly be objectionable in that?”

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Isherwood added: “I have been inundated with e-mails just like these, but was only allowed enough time to quote a few examples. 

"Of course we praise everyone involved in delivering the Vaccination Programme, but that doesn’t exempt this First Minister from scrutiny and his insulting dismissal of my constituents concerns is deeply regrettable.

“If the Welsh Government was following  JCVI advice, then the circumstances I described could not be happening. If they are, why won’t they admit it and instead prioritise on standby lists those whose employment means that they run the risk of coming into contact with people infected with COVID, when vaccines would otherwise go to waste?”

Council thanks Denbighshire residents for exercising from home

Residents in Denbighshire are being thanked for following exercise from home guidance.

Welsh Government regulations state you must exercise locally unless there is a reason, such as a health condition or mobility issue, that would require driving to the nearest convenient location.

In Denbighshire the car parks at Moel Famau and Loggerheads country parks remain closed.

Cllr Tony Thomas, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “I would like to thank our residents who have been following Welsh Government regulations and exercising locally, this is having a real impact on the spread of coronavirus.

“The car parks at Moel Famau and Loggerheads remain closed and we continue to ask people to stay at home. We are working in partnership with North Wales Police and they will continue to patrol the areas.

“I’d also like to remind people that driving to see snow or to sledge is not a reasonable excuse to drive into the area and anyone who does so will be breaking Welsh Government regulations.

“Exercise is vitally important for residents’ well-being during the current lockdown. We know it has been difficult and when it is safe to do so we will be ensuing our country parks re-open for the public to enjoy, but in the meantime please make sure your exercise starts and finishes from home.”

* You can read Welsh Government guidance here https://gov.wales/leaving-your-home-and-seeing-other-people-alert-level-4