Police boss pledges to put more bobbies on the beat

 

A police boss has pledged to put more bobbies on the beat in North Wales.

The region’s newly-elected police and crime commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin (pictured), says he will increase the number of officers and staff during his three-year term of office.

He also promised to improve the technology at their disposal so police officers could spend more time out and about in communities across North Wales, rather than having to return to their police stations to complete form filling or search for information.

Mr Dunbobbin gave the assurance in his first Police and Crime Plan which sets out the overall strategy for policing North Wales that Chief Constable Carl Foulkes will have to implement.

The plan will be presented to a meeting of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel next Monday (September 20).

The  priorities contained in the commissioner’s new blueprint include:

1. Delivering safer neighbourhoods
2. Supporting victims and communities
3. Fair and effective criminal justice system

In drawing up the plan, the commissioner says he has consulted widely and listened to what the public want.

According to Mr Dunbobbin, one frequent complaint made to him during his election campaign was that residents didn’t see any police officers in their communities any more.

He said: “I will work hard to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of police officers and staff.

“The number one priority for communities is to improve visible policing - providing reassurance, gathering intelligence and disrupting criminal activity. 

“Local Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) provide the visibility and reassurance but are also widely regarded as being an invaluable source of intelligence to tackle the most serious and organised criminality. 

“The work of our Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) and the Wales Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit (WECTU) relies heavily on the local intelligence NPTs provide.  Neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of this Plan.

“In order to tackle issues ranging from drug dealing in our towns to rural crime on our farms, it’s imperative that all our North Wales communities have positive relationships and experiences with their local police, helping break down existing barriers and empowering residents to have their say on where we as a service should be focusing our efforts.

“In addition to increasing the number of officers in our communities, I am also committed to working with the Chief Constable in improving the digital support available to our current officers and staff thereby increasing the amount of time they spend in the community.”

Improving road safety was a key area for Mr Dunbobbin who wants to reduce the number of people killed or being seriously injured.

He says there will be a tough approach towards dangerous or careless driving which would not be tolerated.

Tackling and preventing domestic abuse and sexual violence was also a major priority and Mr Dunbobbin pledged to make North Wales a “hostile environment” for perpetrators.

At the same time, far too many women were being sent to prison with devastating consequences for their families, particularly their children, so Mr Dunbobbin will be spearheading the development of a new female offender strategy.

Among the innovations Mr Dunbobbin wants to introduce is a victims’ panel so that people who have suffered crimes against them can be heard and given the support they need.

Reducing reoffending meant there would be fewer victims so Mr Dunbobbin is keen on addressing the root cause of offending and strengthening rehabilitation measures.

With that in mind, he will continue to fund the pioneering Checkpoint Cymru programme to divert low-level offenders away from committing crimes as well as supporting other innovative crime prevention and rehabilitation project in North Wales.

Coming from a background in the technology sector, the commissioner was acutely aware that scams and online attacks now account for almost half of all offences.

As well masterminding the fight against cybercrime in North Wales, Mr Dunbobbin will be playing a leading UK role after the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners elected him as their deputy lead for police technology and digital and deputy lead for economic and cybercrime, including fraud.

He said: “It is vital that the police services’ approach to cybercrime is well co-ordinated and effective in providing a quality service for the people of North Wales.

“Cybercrime offences are still hugely under-reported nationally and we will work to build the confidence of people and businesses within North Wales to report these crimes.” 

Call for meeting over "perfect storm" of roadworks

* A sign warning of the A5 roadworks ahead. 

A town councillor has called for a high-level meeting of the main agencies involved to address what he has branded the "perfect storm of roadworks" facing Llangollen.

On Friday llanblogger reported how Stuart Davies was asking national roads bosses to "get their act together" to manage major traffic congestion in the town.

Earlier that day roadworks on the A5 just out of town, which are being carried out to strengthen the retaining wall and are due to last for 33 weeks, caused gridlock along Regent Street as heavy Friday afternoon traffic queued in both directions to negotiate the temporary lights just after the Birch Hill junction.

It is believed the jams were the result of a temporary fault with the lights.

At one stage around 3.30pm vehicles lining up in Castle Street to turn left onto the A5 missed numerous changes of the lights as they were unable to move freely out into the flow on the trunk road.

In a fresh statement sent to county and town council officials, along with the area's MP and MS and copied to llanblogger, Cllr Davies says: "It's coming to pass, the perfect storm of gridlock in Llangollen and area. 

"I wrote to you all a few weeks ago predicting this would happen and now it is. 

"The North and Mid-Wales Traffic Agent (NMWTRA) works on the A5 leading to tailbacks with police having to get involved to attempt to solve it, the gridlock on the A5 impacting on Castle Street with up to eight traffic light cycles to allow traffic on to the A5. 

"Now we get a statutory order, a TTO (Temporary Traffic Order) basically banning parking throughout Llangollen town centre for six months to allow the 2020 works, this stopping residents from parking outside their houses. 

"Also a TTO has surfaced from NMWTRA about traffic light replacement on the junction with Castle Street. Then the night closure of the A483 plus minor works on the A539 plus the closure of the minor Bont Road near Froncysyllte plus the landslip at Newbridge.

"Then we have the issue of the inset near the town hall with officers charging ahead without any feedback to the concerned public."

He added: "No statutory consultation regarding the TRO to allow the 2020 works to go ahead has been seen either.

"What on earth is going on? 

"I am calling on Denbighshire County Council (DCC) to repeat their consultation exercise to ensure the statutory TRO consultation is a meaningful one and to ensure the public fully understands and agrees the actions you are taking.

"Plus I am calling for all stake-holders to get a high level meeting with DCC, Wrexham County Borough Council, the Welsh Government and North Wales Police to make sure that they are all aware of the consequences and impact of their isolated planning.

"At the moment there is no joined up thinking with each agency doing their own thing and residents of Llangollen and the surrounding area being impacted."

Roadworks alert for Berwyn Street

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

Berwyn Street 20 September — 31 March   Delays likely - Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Works description: To upgrade the existing traffic signals at A5 Castle Street Junction including re-location of the Eastern Traffic Head. Works have been co-ordinated with Denbighshire County Council Castle - Street Environmental Scheme (Llangollen 2020)   Works location: A5 Junction of Berwyn Street with A539 Castle Street, Llangollen   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Welsh Government.   Responsibility for works: Welsh Government   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: PD505211069250489

Councillor calls for action as town faces traffic gridlock

 * Traffic queuing in both directions along Regent Street around 3.30pm today.

A town councillor is calling on national roads bosses to "get their act together" to manage major traffic congestion in Llangollen.

Earlier today the roadworks on the A5 just out of town, which are due to last 33 weeks, caused gridlock along Regent Street as heavy Friday afternoon traffic queued in both directions to negotiate the temporary lights set up just after the Birch Hill junction.

At one stage around 3.30pm vehicles lining up in Castle Street to turn left onto the A5 missed two or three changes of the lights as they were unable to move freely out into the flow on the trunk road.

Later a police officer was seen speaking to a person connected with the roadworks.

Town councillor Stuart Davies said in a statement to llanblogger: "The perfect storm is happening here and now, something I warned about weeks ago. 

"Llangollen is being gridlocked as the work on the eastern end of the A5 is carried out.

"Police were spotted actually having to do some traffic control, something not usually seen today."

He added: "Things were at a a standstill today in Llangollen as the works traffic management failed to cope with the density of traffic as the UK public tasted a little bit of post-lockdown freedom.

"The North and Mid Wales Traffic Agency (NMWTRA), who will have commissioned the works, are responsible.

"More thought should have been given to the volume of traffic using the A5 after the Covid lockdown. 

"Better ways of managing the traffic flow or timing should have and should be considered.

"When the Denbighshire County Council (DCC) works in Castle Street start, as I have said before, with the A5 works, overnight A483 closures and single lane working in Castle Street the perfect storm is going to get worse.

"I am calling on NMWTRA officers to get their act together and work with DCC and North Wales Police to solve this problem.

"I am also calling on our elected representatives at county level to do bring pressure to bear to address this situation."

NHS Covid pass needed for nightclubs and large events in Wales

People will have to show a NHS Covid Pass to enter nightclubs and attend events in Wales from next months, the First Minister has announced today.

The measure is being introduced to help control the spread of coronavirus – cases are currently very high in Wales but the alert level will remain at zero for the next three weeks.

Announcing the outcome of the latest three-week review of the coronavirus regulations, Mark Drakeford (pictured) encouraged everyone to work from home whenever possible and to make sure they are fully vaccinated.

Awareness and enforcement of other key coronavirus protection measures, including face coverings in indoor public places and on public transport, will be increased.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "Across Wales, coronavirus cases have risen to very high levels over the summer as more people have been gathering and meeting. Tragically, more people are dying from this terrible virus.

"The very strong advice we have from our scientific advisers is to take early action to prevent infections increasing further.

"The last thing we want is further lockdowns and for businesses to have to close their doors once again. That’s why we must take small but meaningful action now to control the spread of the virus and reduce the need for tougher measures later."

The requirement to show an NHS COVID Pass will come into force from October 11. It will mean all over-18s will need to have a NHS COVID Pass to enter:

• Nightclubs
• Indoor, non-seated events for more than 500 people, such as concerts or conventions
• Outdoor non-seated events for more than 4,000 people
• Any setting or event with more than 10,000 people in attendance

People who are fully vaccinated in Wales can already download the NHS COVID Pass to securely show and share their vaccine status. It also allows people to show they have had a negative lateral flow test result within the last 48 hours.

First Minister Mark Drakeford added: "My message to you today is a simple but serious one – the pandemic is not over and we all need to take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

"We have high levels of the virus in our communities and while our fantastic vaccination programme has helped stop thousands more people from becoming seriously ill or dying, the pressure on the NHS is increasing.

"We hope introducing the requirement to show a COVID Pass will help keep venues and events – many of which have only recently started trading again – open.

"Showing a COVID Pass is already part of our collective effort to keep businesses open with some major events, such as the successful Green Man Festival, using it. We will continue to work closely with all businesses affected to ensure a smooth introduction and operation of this system.

"We want to do everything we can to Keep Wales Safe as we head into the autumn."

Ysgol Dinas Bran goes green to reduce carbon emissions

* The solar panels in place as part of the greening project.

Ysgol Dinas Bran is playing an important role in the drive to reduce carbon emissions impacting on climate change.

The school has a green energy project taking place on site which will help reduce its carbon footprint.

The Greening Ysgol Dinas Bran project is part of Denbighshire County Council’s Climate and Ecological Change Programme. 

Denbighshire declared a Climate Change and Ecological Emergency in July 2019 and has since committed to becoming a Net Carbon Zero and Ecologically Positive Council by 2030.

This includes reducing the council’s emissions from its buildings alongside fleet, waste generated in operations, business travel, staff commuting and street lighting.

The green project at Ysgol Dinas Bran and Llangollen Leisure Centre has seen a 150Kw array of solar panels installed on the school roof which will generate electricity for the school onsite using the suns energy.

Other elements of the work include heating control upgrades and LED lighting. The whole project is expected to reduce the schools carbon emissions by 73 tonnes per year.

The new solar panels went live in August and heating control and LED lighting will all be complete by Christmas.

Cllr Brian Jones the council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “We are continuing to work on ensuring the council is reducing its carbon footprint and increasing biodiversity in the county.

“This project is a big benefit for reducing carbon and cost whilst at the same time improving the learning environment at the school.”

“We thank the school for working with the council on this important project."

COVID-19 booster vaccine roll out begins in North Wales

Frontline NHS staff working in North Wales have become the first people in Wales to receive their COVID-19 booster vaccines, as the programme started in Wales today.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board began to offer its staff the booster vaccine just days after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) issued its final advice about the autumn booster programme.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan confirmed Wales has accepted the JCVI’s advice to offer all over 50s, frontline health and social care workers and people with underlying health conditions – people in priority groups one to nine – a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.  

Booster vaccination for other adults will be considered by the JCVI at a later date.

Letters inviting 12 to 15-year-olds to have a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine will begin to be issued next week and the first vaccines are expected to be administered from 4 October.

All vaccines will be delivered either in care homes, in mass vaccination centres, hospitals or GP surgeries. People will be advised where their vaccination will take place when invited. 

Eluned Morgan said: “Wales’ vaccination programme has been world leading and we have been working with the NHS to deliver the autumn booster safely and efficiently. 

“I would urge all those who are eligible for a booster take up the offer when they are called for an appointment, as there is the possibility of reduced immunity from their earlier doses of the vaccine as time passes.

“If you haven’t had the first dose of the vaccine yet, it’s not too late. I encourage anyone who has not yet taken up their offer to do so.”

 

Dr Gill Richardson, deputy chief medical officer for vaccines, said: “Today, the first doses of the booster vaccine have been provided to frontline healthcare staff who look after some of our most vulnerable people as we continue to protect individuals from the virus, serious illness and the risk of hospitalisation.

“We have already seen the benefits that come from having as many people as possible vaccinated and have been preparing for this throughout the summer.  Vaccines remain our strongest defence from the virus and to maintain the levels of immunity that people have achieved.”

 

People across Wales are being urged to wait until they are invited to have their booster and not to contact NHS or health services to request a Covid-19 booster vaccine.

Changes to contact tracing and self-isolation in schools

Denbighshire County Council is informing pupils, parents and staff about new arrangements around positive Covid-19 tests in schools.

From this September if a child tests positive, a smaller group of pupils will be identified as close contacts and those under 18 or fully vaccinated are no longer required to self-isolate, unless they showing symptoms.

Close contacts will be alerted that they’ve been in contact with someone who has tested positive and will be offered two PCR tests and provided with information and advice on how to minimise the risk of onward spread.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the Council’s Lead Member for Education, Children's Services and Public Engagement, said: “We do expect that there will be cases of Covid-19 over the coming weeks, but this does not mean Covid-19 is spreading within our schools.

“Changes to the number of pupils being identified as close contacts will reduce the number of pupils needing to self-isolate in our schools.

“We are still asking parents to be vigilant for any symptoms and to ensure for Secondary aged pupils, those not experiencing Covid-19 symptoms are taking regular Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests.

“Anyone with symptoms - a new continuous cough, fever or high temperature or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste - should book a PCR test and remain in self-isolation until the test result is known.

“We recognise how difficult the past 18 months have been and the sacrifices that all families have had to make. We would like to thank parents and staff for everything they have done to support learners and our schools.”

Free Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests are available to collect from the county’s libraries as well as pharmacies.

* You can find the latest information on self-isolation arrangements at www.gov.wales/self isolation

Town centre planters to be removed from next Wednesday

 

* The planters along Castle Street.

Workmen are to start removing the social distancing planters from Llangollen town centre starting next Wednesday, says Denbighshire County Council.

In a statement issued this morning (Wednesday) a spokesperson for the council said: “We have booked a contractor in from September 22 to remove the temporary scheme from Castle Street and Abbey Road in order to facilitate the Llangollen 2020 scheme. 

"The work is expected to take a maximum of five days.”

The planters replaced bollards originally put in place by the county council last November.

The temporary measures were part of Local Sustainable Transport scheme to ensure adequate pedestrian space for Covid-19 social distancing.

However, the measures proved unpopular with some local residents and traders and a petition calling for their removal, started by Stuart Davies who has since become a town councillor, gathered hundreds of signatures.

Ruthin rejected similar measures following resistance from the local Member Area Group and similar plans for Denbigh were shelved after public opposition to the idea.

The Llangollen Advocate Facebook group, which has campaigned vigorously against the measures, published details of a series of tripping accidents to pedestrians blamed on the original bollards.

However, the presence of the measures were always strongly defended by the area's two county councillors, Graham Timms and Melvyn Mile, who said last November: "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."  

 

Roadworks alert for Horseshoe Pass View

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

Horseshoe Pass View

17 September — 21 September

 

Delays unlikely - Traffic control (give & take)

 

Works description: Boundary box Install 25mm Job in Footway (6mm Bitmac (Tarmac) )...

 

Works location: 11 HORSESHOE PASS VIEW...

 

Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Hafren Dyfrdwy.

 

Responsibility for works: Hafren Dyfrdwy

 

Current status: Advanced planning

 

Works reference: ZU0028102/000060409011

 

Search is launched for heroes of tourism industry

* Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism.

A search has been launched to find the heroes of the tourism and hospitality industry in North Wales after the “absolute nightmare” of the past 18 months.

Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism, hopes the glittering Oscars-style awards ceremony will herald a reboot for the sector that’s been battered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nominations are now being sought for 15 categories at the Go North Wales Awards that will be held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Thursday, November 25. The closing date for nominations is Sunday, October 10.

The event will be hosted by the acclaimed BBC News television journalist, Sian Lloyd, who hails originally from Wrexham.

The private sector body which has around 2,000 members was due to celebrate its 30^th anniversary at last year’s cancelled awards.

But just like the Olympics and the Euros the event is going ahead a year late and guests will be wearing 1990s garb to mark the occasion.

Until the pandemic struck, the tourism industry in North Wales was breaking all kinds of records.

In 2019 the overall income generated  increased to an all-time high of £3.6 billion and the number of visitors rocketed to nearly 37 million. 

It was responsible for one in every seven jobs in the region, employing 42,000 people.

Then the industry collapsed like a house of cards when the first lockdown was imposed in March last year.

But the staycation boom this summer has shown that North Wales is still a hugely popular destination for holidaymakers.

Jim Jones said: “The last 18 months have been an absolute nightmare.  It’s probably been the most stressful and most challenging time everybody, not just for the tourism industry. 

“Of all the economic sectors in the North Wales economy, tourism and hospitality have borne the brunt of the pandemic and the restrictions and everything was against us.

He added: “One reason why we were really keen to put on these awards is to celebrate our 30^th anniversary. 

“The original plan was to have a big celebration last year but we’re going to follow in the footsteps of the Olympics and the Euros and do it a year later than we had originally planned.

“The awards will be about recognising the heroes of the tourism and hospitality industry and the incredible resilience they have shown and are continuing to show during the most challenging time that our sector has ever faced.

“We’re not out of the woods yet because it’s going to take a good few years before we ever get anywhere close to full recovery as we were back in 2019.

“Just surviving this incredibly difficult time has been a massive achievement for a lot of people in the industry but there is now a real opportunity to start the process of recovery. 

“We have 15 different categories with some designed to stand out in order to recognise some of the sacrifice and the innovation that have come out of the pandemic as well.

“A case in point is where the awards will be held. Venue Cymru was transformed into a temporary hospital and became a vaccination centre right on the frontline in the battle against Covid.

“In essence we want to champion all that is best in the regional tourism and hospitality sector and the achievements of our fantastic members over the past three decades.

“Even during the pandemic there have been some new and exciting developments including the release of new whiskies by the Aber Falls distillery, the new Penderyn whisky distillery and visitor centre in Llandudno and the new Hilton hotel at Adventure Parc Snowdonia.

“What we also want to flag up and celebrate is the huge contribution tourism makes to the regional economy and how it can play a central role in leading North Wales to economic recovery.

“In the long term we have a lot to be optimistic about and the awarding of World Heritage Status to the Slate Landscape of North West Wales has provided a brilliant boost at just the right time.”

North Wales Tourism will also be using the occasion to raise money for their nominated charity, St David’s Hospice in Llandudno.

To make a nomination go to: https://gonorthwalestourismawards.website/submit-application/

The categories up for grabs are:

1. Go Attraction of the Year
2. Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award
3. Go Tourism & Hospitality Hero
4. Go Responsible and Sustainable Green Award
5. Go Hotel of the Year
6. Go 30 years of the Tourism Industry
7. Go Best B&B/Inn
8. Go Holiday Park of the Year Award
9. Go Pet Friendly Award
10. Go Self Catering of the year
11. Go Activity of the Year
12. Go Caravan, Camping or Glamping
13. Go Taste of North Wales Award
14. Go Resilience and Innovation Award

Go Business Events and Incentive Travel Award

Police carrying out speed checks on main roads in town

Police are currently carrying out speed checks on roads in Llangollen.

The warning comes in a message from PCSO Geraint Jones on the North Wales force's community alert website.

He says: "Due to a number of complaints in relation to speeding in Llangollen, local PCSOs have been monitoring the Abbey Road and Berwyn Street areas.

"The Neighbourhood Policy Team will continue to monitor these locations on a regular basis."

1950s coach has £5k facelift by railway volunteers

* The new coach is seen on arrival at Carrog on Friday.

Carriage restoration enthusiasts are celebrating the completion of their project to return a 1950s compartment coach to working condition at the Llangollen Railway.

The coach, once used on commuter trains in and out of London Kings Cross, is described as a Brake Second Suburban unit. 

It has taken three years of volunteer effort to restore it at the railway’s Carriage & Wagon Works. 

The coach features six separate compartments for passengers with a guard’s compartment. 

It will join an existing rake of four previously-restored suburban coaches. Together they will offer a unique train operating formation on Llangollen Railway.

Coach No.E43359 was taken for a trial run with the 11am departure from Llangollen hauled by the Class 26 diesel locomotive No.5310, recreating a scene from the late 1950s when such trains ran on the Eastern Region lines in north London.

During the restoration the opportunity was taken to provide additional capacity for the less able passengers to travel.

The luggage space within the guard’s compartment was partitioned off and fitted with seats and space to accommodate wheel chair users and their carers. An added feature is the installation of two windows in the end wall which offer an observation coach view of the line when at the rear of the train.

* Project team members Peter Jump and Paul Bailey with LRT deputy chair Phil Coles sample the new compartment for mobility impaired passengers

Project leader Peter Jump said: “When the coach was acquired in dilapidated condition from another railway its restoration was considered a major job.

“So it proved to be and three years later the Llangollen Railway Suburban Group members are more than pleased with the outcome of their endeavours.

"It shows what dedicated volunteers can achieve working one-day-week in the open air with a minimum of facilities. 

"This style of coach has 18 doors, half of which had to be replaced and the rest repaired. The bench seating in each compartment has been reupholstered with a Scot Rail machete material and each compartment has four framed reproduction prints of British Railways countrywide scenes, each sponsored by supporters. 

"The project has cost about £5,000, plus innumerable volunteer hours of work.”

Llangollen Railway Trust deputy chairman Phil Coles acknowledged the successful completion of the project by the group of volunteers.

He said: “On behalf of the Trust, I congratulate them for their dedication to see the work completed, especially during the period of the pandemic.

“The Suburban coaches will provide the regular set for weekend trains during the autumn period running through to Halloween. Either a steam or diesel locomotive will haul the train and offer an example of what it was like to travel into the City of London in pre-electrification days.”

To be formed as a five-coach rake, the Suburban set offers a modern-day seating capacity of around 300. 

This is rather less than the number of commuters British Railways wanted to cram in 60 years ago when travellers were a lot thinner and a compartment was expected to take 12 adults in cosy comfort.

Today the availability of all the compartments makes the coaches ideal for maintaining social distancing, as well as offering an unusual rail experience at Llangollen Railway.

* The Class 26 diesel and train at Carrog.

Have your say on council services in Denbighshire

Residents are being invited to have their say on Council services and their local area.

Denbighshire County Council is launching an online survey to find out how well the Council is performing and we want to know what you think.

The results will be used to help improve services that are important to you, as well as monitor the progress of our current Corporate Plan.

If you are a Denbighshire resident and take part in the survey, you are in with the chance to win a month’s Denbighshire Leisure membership.

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 services that Denbighshire County Council provides, and how you feel about your local area. Whether you live, work or own a businesses in Denbighshire, you can take part in the survey.

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

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

The online survey is running between September 13 and October 24.

* To take part and have your say, please visit https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/612 and paper copies are available in all Denbighshire libraries.

Wider choice of test providers for those returning from abroad

 

A wider choice of test providers will be available for people returning to Wales from overseas to book PCR tests from 21 September, Health Minister Eluned Morgan confirmed today.

The change comes as new standards and spot checks are being introduced, which will help to address long-standing concerns and issues about the market for PCR tests for all travellers returning to the UK. The Competitions and Market Authority (CMA) has also made a series of recommendations to the UK Government to further improve the travel testing market. All travellers returning to the UK from overseas must take PCR tests on their return home to help identify any new cases of coronavirus and prevent its onward spread. Until now, these must be NHS tests for Welsh residents – people living in other parts of the UK have had a wider choice of test provider. But concerns have been raised about issues with some of the private test providers, including inaccurate and misleading advertised prices, slow delivery and processing of tests and results not flowing into Welsh systems. New legislative standards for private test providers will come into force from 21 September. They will include ensuring that test results and genomic sequencing – which is used to identify any new variants – are processed and reported quickly and within a comparable time period to NHS tests.  Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “Given the new regulations and the impact on standards for private tests, we will make changes to the rules to enable people travelling to Wales to book tests with private sector providers, if they wish. NHS tests will also continue to be available to book. “These changes will come into effect from 21 September to coincide with the new standards coming into force in England. “I welcome the progress that has been made in addressing the significant concerns we have raised with UK Government, especially with the introduction of new regulatory standards on 21 September. I also expect further improvements following the publication of the CMA report and acceptance of the recommendations to further improve outcomes. “It’s important to remember that coronavirus is still with us, and our advice continues to be that people should avoid all non-essential international travel.” If you do need to travel overseas, you can check the current guidance on the requirements for arriving in Wales here. The current list of eligible private test providers can be found on the gov.uk website.

Tip campaigner takes matters to a higher level

* The household waste site at Plas Madoc. 

A local tip campaigner says he is taking things to a higher level after the county council rejected his argument in favour of providing access to Wrexham's Plas Madoc household recycling centre for residents of the Dee Valley.

Earlier this year Phil Jones organised a 900-signature petition calling for an agreement between Denbighshire and Wrexham councils which would mean local people would no longer have to drive over to Ruthin use the to tip there. 

In his latest update on the campaign he says: 

"Have you ever marked your own homework? Well Denbighshire County Council has and it gave itself an A*. 

"You may recall that the new Chief Executive, Mr Graham Boase, decided that my letter to him, asking him to take a fresh look at the whole issue of recycling in the Dee Valley, should be processed as a ‘complaint’. 

"I was then informed that the person appointed to deal with my complaint would be Mr Tony Ward, head of service for waste. 

"I asked for a different head of service to be appointed to review the case because Mr Ward is the ‘responsible officer’ for the service which is the subject of the complaint.

"How could Mr Ward be relied on to review the facts objectively, you may wonder. Well, my request was rejected without any attempt to justify or explain why it was appropriate for a head of service to be judge and jury in the review of a complaint made against his own service. 

"You will not be surprised to hear that Mr Ward tells me 'the decision not to pursue the option of paying WCBC to enable residents from the Dee Valley to access the Plas Madoc recycling centre was a properly made decision'.

He also tells me: 'You are correct that this (the pop-up service at the Pavilion) is not the same level of service as you would have if you lived closer to one of our HWRC sites, but it generally seems to be well received by residents in the Dee Valley'. 

"‘Well received’ by whom you might ask? 

"Mr Ward makes no mention of the 900+ people who signed the petition, who are very dissatisfied with the service.

"The outcome is very clear. DCC will not listen to the express wishes of its rate-payers and will continue to spin the facts to claim it is a paragon of recycling. 

"Our only recourse now is to complain to the Local Government Ombudsman. It seems the fight is not yet over, and if you feel angry about this get your friends and neighbours to sign the petition if they have not already done so. 

"When elections come around its worth remembering that of the town and county councillors who are currently elected to represent the rate-payers of Llangollen, only two, Cllr John Palmer and Cllr Stuart Davies, have spoken in support of our campaign. Cllr Mile confirmed publicly that he has ‘never supported’ the campaign, why you might ask? Is anybody listening to YOUR views?"

Kamiq is a plain Jane but with tardis-like space

Skoda Kamiq drive by Steve Rogers

Remember the Yeti, Skoda's ground breaking family SUV with the Tonka toy looks?

This is its replacement, the Kamiq, and instead of chunky toy think Dr Who's tardis.

Kamiq is the smallest in Skoda's trio of SUVs coming under Karoq and the big seven seat Kodiaq, and shares much of what you will find in a Seat Arona and Volkswagen T-Cross which are all part of the VW family.

It might be classed as small but is anything but once inside hence the tardis reference. This is a spacious package all round with a healthy amount of legroom for back seat passengers. Plenty of space for adult legs here and it has not been achieved by slicing into boot capacity, which is a handy 400 litres and not far off best in the class.

It is family practical too with a wide opening tailgate and a few hooks and tethering points to stop things rolling around. The double sided boot mat is really useful but is a 75 quid extra. Come on Skoda that should be buckshee.

Skoda always tries to throw in some 'simply clever' touches so here are four things to make you smile: a mini sized umbrella slotted into the driver's door frame, just like a Rolls Royce; an ice scraper tucked into the fuel filler cap; a seat belt slot to stop them disappearing when the split back seats are lifted back into place; and a funnel on the windscreen washer bottle. Now isn't that thoughtful but I put on my glum face at the sight of a hand brake rather than an electronic parking brake. That is so 20th century, just like an ignition key. Thankfully this Kamiq has a starter button.

Does Kamiq catch the eye of onlookers? Hardly, it is a plain Jane up against Renault Captur, Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008 or Ford Puma and it is the same inside, not much character and lots of black although there should be no complaints with trim and build quality, and isn't space the key here anyway.

What I do like about the dashboard is the simplicity whether it is the driver's binnacle where you can toggle between the various menus, or the centre console which retains physical switches for heating and that is a bonus these days.

The standard central touchscreen is eight inches but you can spec up to the 9.2in version that includes navigation and voice control. It will set you back £930 and is tempting because it is a super clear, fast reacting system and so easy to use.

I was in it all the time switching off lane assist which is annoying on anything other than motorways. Trouble is the default setting is 'on' when the engine is fired up, so it is tap this, tap that, five annoying times to turn it off. Why can't we have a simple switch?

On the petrol engine front the choice is three-cylinder one litre with 94 or 114bhp and a 148bhp 1.5 four cylinder. I was glad to have the 114bhp version because it is a cracking engine with lively pick up and fuss free cruising thanks to the six speed gearbox. The lower output makes do with a five speed.

The delivery driver set the economy bar high with 51mpg for his 160 mile mainly motorway journey, too high for me as I ended the week on 45.2 some way off Skoda's 52.3mpg average, but I could live with that as Kamiq is a no nonsense fun car to drive on any road and is pretty comfortable into the bargain.

Kamiq's spec sheet is reasonable from the start but the next along the line SE is the favoured model and has just about all that is needed including wireless smartlink, two USB-C ports, one touch front and rear electric windows, LED headlights, a range of safety features and rear parking sensors. No reversing camera on SE is a disappointment and the low slung front passenger seat needs a height adjuster.

A fair question is why bother with a traditional family hatchback when you can pay less for a small SUV with just as much space? Kamiq is good value with only the Dacia Duster beating it on price.

Kamiq will never enjoy the cult following of the Yeti but when wading through the long list of small SUVs it has to be a contender.

Fast facts

Kamiq SE 6sp manual

£20,985 (starts £19,095)

1-litre TSI 108bhp

0-62mph 10.2secs; 120mph

52.3mpg combined

124g/km. 1st VED £175

Insurance group 13

Boot 400-1395 litres

 

Tidy Town Team remakes part of Centenary Square

Members of Llangollen Tidy Town Team, pictured, have undertaken a remake of the corner garden area of Centenary Square. 

The area had deteriorated with people walking over the plants, dogs being allowed to foul the area, the growth of persistent weeds and cigarette ends being dropped.

On behalf of Llangollen Town Council and with the expert guidance of Chris Morris, some plants were repositioned, the area dug out, levelled, lined and filled with some 2.5 tonnes of local slate by members of the team who are all volunteers.