Business events planned for county

Businesses in Denbighshire are urged to get signed up for a series of workshops, aimed at encouraging businesses to grow and flourish.

 

The March for Business workshops have been arranged by Denbighshire County Council’s Economic and Business Development team, in direct response to feedback received from businesses in 2015.

 

Over 400 businesses took part in a survey and identified  their future support needs.

 

The events are:

 

Employment and HR – Business Breakfast – Wednesday, 2^nd of March at Oriel House, St Asaph. 8am -10am. A networking breakfast for businesses with speakers focussing on assistance with recruitment and staffing.

 

A Taste for Local (local producers) – Networking – Wednesday, 9^th March at Llangollen Pavilion -   10.30am-1.30pm.  An event to promote and highlight the wide range of Denbighshire food and drink producers and potential buyers such as hoteliers, B & Bs, retailers, restaurants & cafes.  One of the guest speakers will be farmer and TV personality Gareth Wyn Jones.

 

Open for Business –  Friday, 11^th March at Nova, Prestatyn. 9am-5pm. A full day of keynote business speakers; an opportunity to meet business facing Council services and a range of other support providers. Free and practical 1-2-1 business information.

 

Finance and Funding – Business Lunch – Monday, 14^th March – Brookhouse Mill, Denbigh. 12pm-2pm. A networking lunch for businesses with speakers focusing on current financing options.

 

Social Media for Beginners –   Tuesday, 22^nd March - Rhyl College, Cefndy Road, Rhyl – 4.30pm-7.30pm. A three-hour workshop on how to use social media as a marketing tool in the world of business. Ideal for businesses that are new to social media or those who are looking to fill a few knowledge gaps.

 

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire and Cabinet Lead Member for the Economy, said: “We are delighted to be hosting these events as a direct result of the feedback we receive d from the business survey.

 

“We have a key role to play in assisting businesses to grow and flourish and are pleased to offer these opportunities to receive and share specialist advice and information and identify ways the businesses can enhance their business potential."

 

* To book a place, contact the Economic and Business Development team, on 01824 706896 or e-mail:econ.dev@denbighshire.gov.uk

 

Walking festival on track for 2016

* The area around Llangollen is a walker's paradise.

This year’s Llangollen Walking Festival will be held from April 30-May 1 and 2.

Organisers say the event gives the chance to walk with professional guides who will share their knowledge of historical sites, rivers, canal and folk tales within the Clwydian Range and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Walkers can choose from a number of routes of eight, 12 or 16 miles. One of the walks includes a heritage steam train ride.

There are short walks around the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage site with a Blue Badge Guide.

There is also a photography walk and talk and two Nordic walking sessions – one for beginners and one advanced.

On certain walks there is free beer, mineral water, energy bars and “dragon poo” cake.

Charges vary and places are limited.

* Book online at: www.LlangollenWALKINGfestival.co.uk Contact the organisers, TREKsmart walking guides at: hello@treksmart.net  and @WalktheMOUNTAIN #LlanWALKfest Tel: 01978 721306

Covering of snow on the hills

Llan residents found a covering of snow on the surrounding hills this morning.

While rain showers were forecast, temperatures were expected to pick up as the day progressed.

Operatic seeks sponsorship for next show

Llangollen Operatic Society is seeking sponsorship for its forthcoming production of the smash hit Mel Brook’s musical The Producers, which will be staged in Llangollen Town Hall from April 12-16.  

 

Producer, Tracey Rawlinson, explained: “As a registered charity, fundraising efforts and the support of our sponsors is invaluable in enabling our junior and senior sections to continue producing high quality productions for the enjoyment of the local community.  

 

“We have been very fortunate to secure sponsorship from a number of local businesses and individuals in previous years and we’ve always received wonderful feedback from them as to their experience. Following the overwhelming success of Sister Act in 2015, we are hoping to attract a similar level of support again this year."

   

For £125.00, sponsors are offered four reserved balcony seats with a prime view of the stage, four drinks of their choice from the bar, four complimentary programmes and the opportunity to display marketing material in the Town Hall on the evening of their sponsorship.

 

They will also have the services of a dedicated sponsor host, who will welcome them on arrival and be on hand to ensure their experience is enjoyable. 

 

Tracey added: “We believe this package represents excellent value and in return for our sponsors’ generosity, we will guarantee an unforgettable evening of entertainment and hospitality."

  

* If you would like to support the production or would like to have more information, contact Tracey Rawlinson on 07875 639533/e-mail traceyrawlinson@btinternet.com 

 

Tickets for The Producers are now available online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety 

Residents welcome speeding crackdown

Residents in a Dee Valley village blighted by speeding have welcomed a crackdown on irresponsible drivers.

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates contacted Wrexham Council and North Wales Police last summer and urged them to do anything they could to improve road safety outside Pontfadog school and throughout the wider community, including Dolywern.

Chief Constable Mark Polin promised action would be taken, and safety vans were immediately deployed in the area. They have since been seen regularly and were spotted again near the school last week.

Labour AM Mr Skates was initially contacted by constituent Gayle Watkin regarding speeding and dangerous driving on the B4500.

Mrs Watkin, who has coordinated the local campaign to improve road safety, said: “Speed vans have been deployed a lot more often and personally I think there has been a slight reduction in the amount of vehicles tearing through the village, but there's still work to do.”

Dolywern resident Jools Payne said: “It's really good to see that Ken is using his powers of persuasion and influence to help protect the community.

“Positive action like getting speed cameras regularly monitoring motorists in the valley will, I hope, deter the numpties who think they can flout the law and drive like idiots through our villages. Well done Ken – good job.”

Mr Skates said: “Mrs Watkin asked for my support as residents have had concerns over road safety for years without anything really being done. I’d like to thank North Wales Police to their swift response and commitment to cracking down on this problem.

“However, the area cannot be policed all the time. Drivers need to take responsibility for their actions. How would they feel if it was their community motorists were screeching through and their children’s school people were speeding past?”

Mr Skates said he has written to Wrexham Council again to pursue permanent traffic-calming measures after previously requesting a reduced speed limit through Pontfadog, flashing signs, speed bumps and a barrier outside the school.

He added: “The authority was recently given a huge reprieve worth millions of pounds from the Welsh Labour Government, and it would be great to see some of that money invested in making our communities and roads safer.”

MP calls for official probe into bank closures

After the news that HSBC intends to close Ruabon and Chirk branches, Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has called on a parliamentary select committee to review how small and medium-sized businesses are affected by the closure of local banks.

 

* Susan Elan Jones MP. 

She said: "I've already met with Iain Wright MP, Chair of the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee, and he seemed very keen on my idea that there should be a full inquiry into bank closures and access to finance for small and medium-sized companies.

 

"Select Committees in Parliament are cross-party and one of the things that is so important about them is that the  Government has to respond to all inquiries and reviews in full.

 

"It's time that Parliament looked seriously into what happens when bank branches close - as they have done in hundreds of towns and villages across the UK." 

 

She added: "But it's not words that I want - it's action at the highest level. There are plenty of countries in the western world that would never put up with the sort of shabby behaviour we are now getting from our so-called national banks.

 

"The USA, for example, has a comprehensive network of town and state banks. These are part of the regular fabric of American small town life - and vital for US businesses and individuals.

 

"We urgently need to be looking at similar models of banking in this country too."

 

In her letter to Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee Chair Iain Wright MP, Susan Elan Jones MP wrote: "Having access to a bank or to financial services is vital. For a small business or local charitable group, it is the difference between failing or succeeding and it is so important that the government does all it can to support businesses in an already difficult climate. The heavy mechanisation of banking services has already meant that those running  business do not have the support that they may have had in the past; with every local banking facility that closes, that support diminishes further."

Demolition work proceeds at Cottage Hospital

* Pictures by llanblogger reader Mike Edwards.

Demolition work on the old Cottage Hospital is now well under way.

It was last March that county councillors voted in favour of bulldozing the 138-year-old building and the use of the site for new homes.

A housing association is to build six social housing units plus associated access and parking provision.

 

Also involved in the scheme is the development of an ancillary car park opposite the hospital and the erection of a further six social housing units with associated access and parking provision.

News that the local health board was closing the hospital, to replace it with a new health centre a little further along the road, caused a storm of protest from local campaigners led by the late Martin Crumpton.

But their battle to save it was eventually unsuccessful.

The hospital had been the birthplace of many people during its years of community service, amongst them Commodore Ronald Warwick, former captain of world-famous liner the QEII, who paid a sentimental return trip to the closed-down building early in 2013.

* Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies says he has been involved in trying to save some of the "beautiful" sandstone that parts of the hospital were built from.

He explained: "Originally we were hoping to save some and store it at the Wenffrwyd old civic amenity site but officers advised that planning and NRW would have to be involved and also there were issues as to who would `own' the material.

"I went to the site and there was just a pile of rubble with the sandstone mixed in it.

"I called our AONB countryside officer and he came straight down and arranged to pick up some and store it ready for when we do sensitive restoration in the town." 

Eisteddfod's first choir is back for encore

* The Colne Valley Male Voice Choir.

The first ever choir to sing at the world-famous Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod is to make a symbolic return to celebrate the festival’s 70^th year.

The Colne Valley Male Voice Choir, based in Huddersfield, has scooped six titles at the historic festival over the years as well as five second places and two third prizes – but back in 1947 they missed out.

The 70-strong choir, which was founded in Slaithwaite in 1922, was the first to take to the Eisteddfod stage in 1947 and it was up against choirs from Hungary, the eventual winners, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Holland as well as Wales and England.

Now, seven decades later, representatives from the choir have been invited as special guests to the Choir of the World finals at the 70^th staging of the iconic festival.

It will mark a symbolic return for the choir which has enjoyed a long relationship with the festival where the great tenor Luciano Pavarotti made his first international bow as part of the Chorus Rossini from Modena in 1955.

 

The Choir of the World competition is now for the Pavarotti Trophy and although Colne Valley missed out on a prize in that first year, they went on to claim a hat-trick of wins in the 1960s and have become one of the UK’s most successful male voice choirs with a host of titles at home and abroad.

* The programme for the
first Eisteddfod in 1947. 

They have sung without music shets since Thom Meredith became the Musical Director as a 23-year-old in 1989 so they have performed more than 300 different songs from memory in 26 years – a feat unlikely to have been replicated elsewhere.

Eisteddfod Musical Director Eilir Owen Griffiths said: “We’d be delighted to see the Colne Valley Choir here at the Eisteddfod again.

“They are part of the history of the event and there will always be a welcome in Llangollen for the choir which started the great tradition of the Choir of the World competition.”

Returning to Llangollen will bring back happy memories for David Hirst, the second longest-serving member of the choir who joined aged 22 in November 1960 – just a few months after the first Llangollen success.

“Obviously, we have a special association with the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and it would be quite an honour to return”, he said.

“As well as being the first male choir to sing at the Festival, there was a hat-trick of wins in 1960, 1961, 1962 and altogether there have been six wins, five seconds and two third prizes in the 23 visits by the Choir since 1947. Quite an achievement when you were up against 19 or 20 choirs.

“Meeting the other choirs and making friends is an important part of it all. We have had exchange concert visits with Welsh and other choirs through competing and it is a great way get to know people. There’s lots of camaraderie among choir singers.

“We hold the competition very dear and we’re still very proud of the fact that we were the first male choir to sing there.”

The Choir, which rehearses in Slaithwaite Conservative Club on Monday evenings, has only ever had five conductors during its 93 years of existence. The longest-serving was George Stead who led the Choir for 44 years and wrote the very popular Psalm 126 which is regularly performed by male voice choirs across the country.

Every year the choir holds an annual Christmas Festival concert at Huddersfield Town Hall attended by more than 1,000 people.

* Oldest voice, Frank Littlewood, now 86. 

“We are very much both a competition and a concert choir. We believe that by entering competitions, it is a sure and proven way to maintain and indeed, improve on the already high standards of the Choir,” said David.

“At the moment there are 72 full members and normally at weekly rehearsals and in concert we average around 60 singers. There’s a great camaraderie within the Choir and it is great seeing your friends every week.”

The Choir’s official accompanist is Keith Swallow, a celebrated solo pianist in his own right, who has been in the role since 1957. The longest-serving member is the Rev John Radcliffe, who joined the same year and is also the Choir Chaplain. The youngest singer is Tom Law, 24, while Frank Littlewood is the oldest at 86.

They have toured France, Germany, Ireland, Czechoslovakia and the USA, some of them exchange visits with choirs arising through relationships built at Llangollen.

In California in 1984 they experienced an earthquake which measured 6.2 on the Richter scale. The headline of the local newspaper’s review of the previous evening’s concert performance read ‘English Choir moved the Earth’.

“The Choir has performed with leading singers from opera and the Concert stage and has also sung in front of the Queen as part of massed choir at Leeds Town Hall. Many of the Choir’s present concerts have top brass bands as guest artistes” said David.

In recent years the Choir has competed and performed at the biennial Cornwall International Male Vocal Choral Festival where it has won the large choir class twice and in May they were also awarded trophies as the Festival’s Best Large Choir and the Overall Best UK Choir.

The Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod has been held every summer since 1947 and is recognised as one of the world’s most inspirational music festivals.

Next year’s event, the 70^th to be held, will feature star names Bryn Terfel, Katherine Jenkins and Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra who will bring the curtain down on the festival on Sunday, July 10.

* For more information go to http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/

Emma plans charity trek to Llangollen

By kind permission of Nantwich News

* Emma Husband and her dog Timo.

A woman suffering from a rare thyroid disease is to trek from Nantwich to Llangollen with her rescue dog in aid of charity.

Emma Husband and border terrier cross Timo will be completing the 60-mile trek in May along the canal.

She wants to raise funds for the Dogs Trust after seeing the work the charity did when she took in Timo two years ago.

Emma, 40, has suffered from Graves Disease for nine years, which means she has an overactive thyroid gland.

And the regular radioiodine treatment she receives at Christie in Manchester leaves her very tired and results in some memory loss.

But she is determined to overcome this to complete the walk.

Emma, from Stockport, said: “This is quite a big challenge for me and my dog as I have a thyroid disease, so get tired quickly.

“And my dog was abused before my husband Neil and I rescued him and he was quite broken when we got him, just over 2 years ago, so sometimes can struggle being social.

“We always had dogs in my family when I was young and I always wanted a dog of my own but my situation never allowed for it.

“Neil then started to work from home and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to adopt a dog.

“I am very into my animal welfare, so there was no way I would ever buy a dog or a cat, there are so many unwanted pets in rescue centres and dogs homes that need loving warm homes.

“Adopting a rescue dog can have its challenges, as Timo did.

“When we adopted Timo he had just turned one-year-old, he didn’t trust us at all, particularly men, he would run into the corner of the room and shake if he saw a brush.

“He wasn’t house trained at all.

“We have now had Timo for just over two years and lots of people comment on how much of a different dog he is.

“With TLC and boundaries, he has come on leaps and bounds with his confidence growing every day, he can show people how lovely he is now.”

* You can support Emma’s 60-mile trek by visiting her just giving page, https://www.justgiving.com/Emma-Husband3 or text Timo65 £5 to 70070

Young 'Uns winging in for honking good show

 

* Back row,  from left: Little ducklings played by Kate Reardon, Connie Richardson, Maisie Ansloos and Charlie Priestley. Front row: Ugly (Shea Ferron), Drake their dad (Jac Edwards) and  Ida, their  mum (Amy Jones).  

 

 

FORTY youngsters from Llangollen and surrounding areas are to show off their theatrical talents in a modern re-working of the story of the Ugly Duckling.

 

Honk! is an award-winning British musical comedy, which will be performed by Llangollen Young Uns from February 4-6 at the Town Hall.

 

The show’s producer, Pamela Williams from Chirk, said: “We are delighted to have such a talented and committed group of youngsters to bring you an exciting and moving show.

 

“The story of the Ugly Duckling is well known but this musical version gives a modern, hilarious and deeply touching interpretation to the fairy tale.  

 

"The script is witty and the music is wonderful and we think it will appeal to an audience of all ages.” 

The Young 'Uns are Llangollen Operatic Society's junior section and welcome youngsters from aged six to 18 years. 

 

Members are drawn, not only from Llangollen but  also areas including Corwen, Glyn Ceiriog, Wrexham and Chirk. 

 

This is the 26^th production from Young Uns with previous shows including Half a Sixpence, Annie and Beauty and the Beast.   

 

Amongst the cast is rising star  Cassius Hackforth from Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen. 

He joined Young Uns four years ago and has regularly played leading roles. In Honk! he’s the comic character, Bullfrog. 

Cassius is about to perform with a professional company in Rhyl  and is looking to gain future accreditation in performing arts and musical theatre through the National Youth Music Theatre scheme.

Playing the part of Ugly the duckling is Shea Ferron, from St Joseph's Catholic and Anglican High School, who was an outstanding shop-boy in the Young Uns' past production of Half a Sixpence.

Amy Jones, from Ysgol Dinas Bran, takes on the role of Ida, the mother of Ugly and the other ducklings.

She has been with Young 'Uns for four years and played a variety of roles. She is studying drama at A level and hopes to become a writer, editor or stage director. 

Jac Edwards, another Ysgol Dinas Bran student, takes the part of Drake, father of the ducklings and often unreliable husband of Ida. 

Honk! is on at Llangollen Town Hall from February 4-6, including a Saturday matinee. 

* Tickets are available from Llangollen Tourist Information Centre, Jades Hair and Beauty, Gwyn Davies Butchers and Stella Bond on 01978 860441 or online at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/105287

County backs council tax reduction scheme

Councillors in Denbighshire have agreed to implement the All Wales Council Tax Reduction Scheme for the 2016/17.

 

The council tax benefit system changed in March 2013, when responsibility for providing support for the tax and the funding associated with it was passed to the Welsh Government.

 

As a result, the Welsh Government, in partnership with councils across Wales, introduced the council tax reduction scheme.

There will continue to be one scheme across Wales for 2016/17, with the aim of providing a consistent level of support to claimants.

 

The maximum level of support is 100% and councils can use their discretion when dealing with applications locally.

 

Denbighshire councillors have agreed to continue with the reduction scheme for the next financial year. 

 

They also agreed some discretionary elements for Denbighshire, including: 

 

* Increasing the extended payment period of four weeks to people after they return to work, if they have been receiving benefits for 26 weeks or more.

 

* Discretion to disregard war disablement or war widows pensions when calculating income as part of the application process.

 

* The ability to backdate for up to six months any application of council tax support awards for working age customers more than the standard period of three months prior to the claim.

 

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance, said: “The scheme has been set up to help those that need support in paying council tax and the council has a pot of funding in place to provide financial support on a case by case basis. 

 

“People can submit an online claim form available from the council’s website or through our One Stop Shops.

 

“Some applications may be submitted through landlords or organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau and benefits advice agencies." 

Have your say on health and social care

* Talking Points will be held at Llangollen Health Centre.

Denbighshire Council’s Community Led Conversations project has launched a new series of Talking Points for 2016.

The first one in Llangollen is today (Thursday).

A Talking Point is an opportunity for county residents to meet with health and social care staff from all partner organisations and talk face to face about the well-being outcomes they want for themselves or for others.

 

The Talking Points provide a pathway between adult social care services offered over the telephone and the more formal social care assessments that happen in a person’s own home.

 

Residents are encouraged to come along and explain what they feel is missing in their local community that could make a difference to t heir health and well-being and they can also get involved and share their knowledge, skills and experiences to improve the well-being of others in their community.

 

Talking Points sessions are now available all over Denbighshire, where residents can drop in and speak to people from a range of local services who will be on hand to offer advice and information.

 

Talking Points planned for Llangollen in January and February are:

 

* 28/01 Llangollen Health Centre 10am – 1.30pm

 

* 04/02 Llangollen Health Centre, 10am – 1.30pm

 

* 18/02 Llangollen Health Centre 10am – 1.30pm

 

* 23/02 Llangollen Health Centre 10am – 1.30pm

County agrees 1.5% council tax rise

Councillors in Denbighshire have approved an increase of 1.5% in council tax for the 2016/17 financial year – one of the lowest increases in the whole of Wales.

They agreed the level of tax as part of a discussion on the budget. 

It has already identified £5. 2 million savings for the 2016/17 financial year and no further cuts are required at this stage.

 

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance and Assets, said: “The Cabinet had recommended the 1.5% increase to Full Council and this has been ratified by councillors.

 

“The council is delighted to have kept the increase in council tax to this level.   The financial settlement announced by the Welsh Government in December 2015 was much better than expected and this has meant that we were in a position to keep the increase as low as we possibly could. 

 

“Residents in Denbighshire have also told us they want to see this happen and we are pleased to be in a position to respond positively to this.

 

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire, said: “Now that we have agreed on the council tax increase, the next step is to formally approve the council tax levels for the coming year.

 

"The proposed budget takes into account an increase in funding to schools to meet the national level of protection and to set aside £480,000 to mitigate the risks to the delivery of this budget.

 

“The council has worked hard over recent years to be more efficient and effective in the way that it works, whilst identifying cuts that have the lowest possible effect on frontline services provided to the public."

 

The discussion to formalise council tax levels for 2016/17 will take place at the full council meeting being held at County Hall on Tuesday, February 26, at 10am.  

Ysgol Bryn Collen delighted with Estyn report

 

* Delighted pupils from Ysgol Bryn Collen, Llangollen

give the thumbs up to their successful Estyn report.

 

Staff, governors and pupils have been commenting on Ysgol Bryn Collen's latest report from Estyn Inspectors in which the school wins high praise.

 

Some key highlights from the inspection, carried out in November 2015, shows that pupils respond eagerly in lessons, have imaginative learning experiences and have a well-developed understanding of how to make progress. The school’s leadership team has been praised for their commitment to raising standards and improving pupils’ learning opportunities for the future.

 

The school’s prospects for the future are said to be good and with the continued rigorous process of self-evaluation by the headteacher and senior leaders, and Estyn Inspectors believe this will lead to measurable improvements.

 

Chair of Governors, Dr Janet Knight said: “The Estyn Inspection team has clearly been impressed with the hard work and commitment that has brought us on this stage of our journey so far. 

 

"We are absolutely thrilled that everyone from the teaching and support staff, pupils and parents has contributed to this wonderful achievement. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their commitment and dedication.

 

“We will now be building on these improvements based on the inspector’s recommendations. The governors will be working closely with the headteacher and his team to continue to improve."

 

Headteacher David Coffey said: “We are extremely pleased with the conclusions of the Estyn Inspectors which reflects the dedication of our entire school community.

 

“Here at Ysgol Bryn Collen we put our pupils’ learning at the core of everything we do. We continue to make every effort to ensure that every child is supported to meet their potential whatever their individual needs, so that they can enjoy everything that our positive and happy school environment has to offer.”

 

Mr Coffey said he would now be going through the report in detail and take on board the recommendations of the inspectors, including putting plans in place to focus on those currently in receipt of free school meals, improve the accuracy and presentation of pupils’ writing at Key Stage 2, develop opportunities for foundation phase pupils and lead all teachers to provide high level of challenge for pupils of all abilities.

 

Members of the student council, Alfie and Georgina, said:  "We are proud of what the inspectors have said about our school. Our school is full of enthusiastic pupils who enjoy working hard and by working together we can make our school even better."

Cost of policing rises by 9p a week

The cost of policing North Wales is going up by just 9p a week for the average householder.
 

The two per cent increase asked for by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick (pictured) was agreed earlier this week by the North Wales Police and Crime Panel.

 

It amounts to a rise of £4.68 a year a Band D property which will now pay £240.12 for annual policing.

 

It comes despite over £24 million in cuts to the North Wales Police budget over the past five years and with the prospect of £7.3 million in cuts to come over the next four years.
 

The meeting also heard that planned cutbacks to the number of Police Community Support Officers had been put on hold.
 

According to Cllr Philip Evans JP, a member of Conwy County Borough Council, what the commissioner had achieved in the face of cutbacks was "miraculous".
 

He said: "Winston deserves full marks. The increase is commendable considering the circumstances."
 

Mr Roddick welcomed the spending review by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osbourne, which ruled out further cuts to the policing budget this year but he added that North Wales Police still faced a very challenging financial climate.
 

He said: “I believe that our budget once again balances financial prudence and enabling North Wales Police to keep North Wales a safe place to live, work and visit.
 

“It means that working in effective partnership has become even more important and has a high priority in my revised police and crime plan on which the precept is based.
 

“That is not only to assist North Wales Police and its partners in overcoming our financial challenges but also in delivering my other three priorities, preventing crime and anti-social behaviour, delivering an effective response and reducing harm and the risk of harm.
 

“Working in partnership enables responses to be more effective and lasting in their benefit to the community than they otherwise would be. It also reduces demand and increases the capacity of frontline staff.
 

“We must meet the challenges of the growing demands on policing which now include child sexual exploitation and cyber crime while the most recent terrorist attacks in Paris and elsewhere mean that a region with a major port also has heightened anti-terrorism responsibilities.
 

"It is also vital that we respond appropriately and factor in future cutbacks amounting to over £7 million over the next four years.
 

“When taking into account the £24m of savings already made, a further minimum saving of £7m represents a very significant challenge and one which will lead to changes in the way policing is carried out in North Wales.
 

“We have made the decision not to draw upon our reserves because of the need to safeguard future policing by investing in much-needed new police stations at Wrexham and Llandudno and by continued recruiting to maintain front line numbers which would otherwise be reduced by retirements.
 

"As a result I am satisfied we will be able to police North Wales effectively although it will be a greater challenge.
 

"In future we will need to achieve even greater value for money and there is more work to be done in terms of collaborating more with other forces to ensure we make the best use of the resources at our disposal.
 

“The latest cuts do not include a reduction in Police Community Service Officers as was originally anticipated and this increase of two per cent does give North Wales Police the balance between protecting the service and affordability.
 

“I have held discussions with the Chief Constable who has confirmed that the increase provides a budget to enable the operational delivery of the policing service in 2016/17.”

 

 

Forum to discuss county's tourism priorities

The priorities for Denbighshire as a tourist destination will be high on the agenda of the county’s  next Tourism Forum meeting, taking place in early March.

 

The Denbighshire Tourism Forum meeting at the Oriel House Hotel, St Asaph on Thursday, March 3 will allow tourism businesses to agree the priorities for Denbighshire’s Destination Management Action Plan in 2016-17.

 

The forum’s guest speaker will be Melanie Sensicle, Programme Delivery Director, Northern Tourism Growth Fund, VisitEngland.

 

There will also be an opportunity to update delegates on tourism-related activity since the previous Forum held in October.

 

* To book a place at the Fourm, please e-mail: tourism@denbighshire.gov.uk or telephone 01824 706223 by February 11^th, together with details of any dietary or access requirements.

 

Registration for the event will take place from 10.30am ~ Forum starts at 11am ~ Lunch and networking at 1.30pm.