Betty Lowe's funeral date is given

* Betty Lowe pictured on her 90th birthday.

The funeral of well-known Llangollen resident Betty Lowe, who died recently just days short of her 97th birthday, will take place at Llantisilio Church at 12.30pm on Friday, December 3.

Betty Veronica Lowe was born in Acrefair on November 17, 1924, daughter of William and Gwendolen Lowe.

Her Llangollen roots go back a long way. Her great grandfather, Edward Roberts, landlord of the Grapes, was one of the early mill owners of Llangollen who established Upper Dee Mill.

One grandfather, Evan Evans, designed the King’s bridge at Berwyn. 

On leaving school she attended a Housekeepers Course at the FL Calder College of Domestic Science, Myrtle Street, Liverpool. But she was also a gold medallist of the London Academy of Music and Drama During the war, she was heavily involved with caring for her mother at their home, Holmwood, at Berwyn.

As well as looking after her mother, she taught drama at Llantysilio for Miss Grace Lloyd Williams and also taught drama and elocution at several schools, including Howells, Denbigh, during the 1970s.

As well as being a founder member of the Llangollen Twenty Club, she was involved with Llantysilio WI, a member of the Eisteddfod floral committee for many years, Hanes, and was made Life President of Llangollen Civic Society, having been chair some time.

Betty passed away just as the dramatic society she helped to pioneer celebrated its 75th anniversary with a smash-hit production of French-themed TV comedy 'Allo 'Allo.

Her funeral comes a day after that of another well-known Llangollen resident, Wyn "Paraffin" Hughes, which is at St Collen's at 12 noon on Thursday, December 2.

November's Citizens Advice column

Latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice is:

Q: It feels like everything is getting more and more expensive and with Christmas coming up, I'm really worried about how I'll manage. My partner and I would love to treat our kids but we’re keen to avoid huge debts. Do you have any advice? 

Christmas can be costly for many of us and we know lots of people are struggling already this year. There can be a lot of pressure to spend more than you can afford, so here are a few key things to remember as we head into 2022. 

A: Be realistic and budget accordinglyWork out how much you can afford to spend – and stick to it. There’s nothing wrong with managing expectations, and suggesting things such as spending limits, secret Santas or maybe even that you don’t need to swap gifts. 

Don’t forget the everyday bills

Remember that the rent or mortgage, utility bills, food bills and other existing debts still have to be paid – the consequences can be severe if they’re not. Even though it’s Christmas, it’s not worth starting the New Year being behind on your bills. 

Tempted by Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)? While it can be tempting to split payments, make sure you have a plan for how to pay the money back - particularly if your circumstances or income were to change. If you're using BNPL repeatedly or using multiple BNPL options, make sure you know how much you owe in total. Make sure you understand what you’re signing up for, how you’ll make the repayments and what will happen if you can’t pay on time. 

Buy safe to be safe

Whatever the deal, whatever the temptation, don’t buy from unauthorised traders and don’t borrow from unauthorised lenders. These could put you at risk of unscrupulous collection methods  – including threats and harm, unsafe products and unexpectedly high interest rates. You may also not be protected by Financial Conduct Authority rules. 

Shop around

Try as many different places as possible to find the best price. Buy what you want and not what other people say you need. Be wary of extended warranties; the cost of a repair could be less than the cost of the warranty. 

Get help if you’re struggling

If you’re worried about paying the bills, get free, independent advice as soon as possible. There’s lots of information on the Citizens Advice website and you can call Citizens Advice Denbighshire on 0808 278 7933  where an adviser will be able to help you understand your options and come up with a plan.

Town's Christmas Festival is today

* The festival programme.

A scaled-down version of the town’s annual Christmas festival taking account of ongoing pandemic safety measures will be staged this afternoon (Saturday).

Organisers say their aim is to help get people into the festive spirit while avoiding large crowds gathering.

Instead of the usual parade to kick off the event, this year’s more modest Celebration of Christmas will centre on a programme of top-class entertainment in Centenary Square.

The highlight of the afternoon’s activities, which start at 2pm, will come at 5pm with the ceremonial switching on of the Christmas lights along Castle Street by Sion Corn - the Welsh Father Christmas - and end with a bang as proceedings are rounded off in traditional style with a spectacular firework display launched from the hillside overlooking the town.

Taking the stage in a Christmas gazebo on the square during the afternoon will be talented performers from the Young ‘Uns, the junior section of Llangollen Operatic Society, who will give a taste of their smash-hit musical Little Shop of Horrors which is due to open at the Town Hall next February.

Also helping to provide a true seasonal feel with a rousing selection of Christmas music will be Llangollen Silver Band.

Llangollen’s own Wandering Minstrel, Chris Burton, will belt out a string of popular sing-along hits throughout the afternoon and there will be solo spots from Leonie Kirby and the Melodics Choral Group plus Karl Joseph.

At 3pm Sion Corn, in his traditional green and white robes, will make an appearance in Centenary Square.  

Town Mayor, Cllr Austin Cheminais, who chairs the Christmas Festival Committee, explained that despite its less ambitious scale, the event was still intended to help get people in festive mood.

He said: “Last year, given the pandemic, we had no alternative but to cancel the festival entirely and with Covid-19 still very much in the background, we reluctantly decided to limit the size of this year’s event.

“But we’re still absolutely determined to have a great time and give a hearty Llangollen welcome to Christmas by celebrating the season in style.

“We have some fantastic performers lined up for our concert on the square. I’ll be switching on the amazing Christmas lights and, as usual, the team which puts on the firework display will be pulling out all the stops to end the day with a colourful flourish.”

Once again this year the festival committee is hosting its popular Christmas Scarecrow Trail.

Throughout December they are encouraging people to come up with some creative and colourful entries.  

It was held last year and even during the pandemic it managed to attract over 50 inventive entries from all parts of the town.

Cllr Cheminais said: "I knew of 40 locations on the list and there were a lot more out there that I didn't know about.

"I’m hoping to get even more this year as I know how incredibly creative Llangollen people are.

"Santa and his elves will judge the competition in the week leading up to Christmas, and there are two main prizes of £25 plus five runners-up prizes of £10.

"People can help choose the winner by sending a picture of their favourite to: santa@btinternet.com."

Julie goes on breakfast TV to defend repeats of Benny Hill Show

* Julie Kirk Thomas on Good Morning Britain.

An actress and dancer from Llangollen has appeared on national TV to describe how she feels about repeats of the famous Benny Hill Show in which she starred being scheduled for a return to the small screen after an absence of over 30 years.

Despite being one of Britain’s most popular programmes the show was pulled by TV bosses in 1989 when they became worried about Hill’s slapstick character chasing scantily-clad young women from the group named Hill’s Angels through various risque routines.

But now a series of re-runs forms part of the festive schedule on Freeview channel That's TV Gold, renamed That's TV Christmas for the season.

* Julie (above) debates the return of the show with Debbie Arnold interposed with a scene from the show.

* Benny Hill's show was pulled by TV bosses in 1989 after years of success.

Julie Kirk Thomas, who runs a series of popular dance classes in Llangollen, appeared as one of the Angels in a number of the original episodes and went on ITV’s Good Morning Britain this morning to give her reaction to the show’s comeback.

The interview, conducted by presenters Adil Ray and Suzanne Reid, became a good-natured debate about the relevance of the show to today’s audiences between Julie and Debbie Arnold, a contemporary performer who refused an offer to appear in the Benny Hill Show back in the day.

She said: “I turned it down because I thought it was terrible. The show was just awful and so sexist.

“I know that the girls loved doing it but it was so, so dated. It was written by men for men and not for women.”

But Julie put up a stout defence of the programme, saying: “The targets of Benny’s humour were often the men in the show.

“It should be seen again because it was known all over the world. He didn’t swear and never used bad language.

“Charlie Chaplin had a shelf full of Benny Hill films in his office. Benny was one of the greats and should be shown again.   

“People  in care homes and with dementia love to see old things because it brings back memories for them.

“I agree that we’ve moved on – but what have we moved on to?”

After her TV days Julie went on to appear in a number of hit films.

Apart from running her dance classes at Llangollen Town Hall, in recent years she has performed with Llangollen Operatic Society and other stage groups such as the Collen Players.

Bulb energy firm going into administration

The BBC is reporting this afternoon that the energy firm Bulb is to go into administration.

* For the full story, see:

Energy firm Bulb set to go into administration - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-59373198

Burnt out car left at Llangollen Golf Club

The Shropshire Star has reported that the charred wreck of a car was left next to the first tee at the Vale of Llangollen Golf Club last Friday.

The story says that one fire engine from the Llangollen station was scrambled to the blaze at 3.04am.

A spokesman for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said that the fire is thought to have been started deliberately.

The car was said to have suffered 100 percent fire damage and remained overturned and next to the first tee with police tape around it several hours later.

“One crew from Llangollen attended and used one hose-reel jet to extinguish the fire,” the fire service spokesman said.

Police warning over free lottery frauds

North Wales police has issued a warning about free lottery frauds.

A message on the force's Neighbourhood Alerts system says: "Action Fraud have reported a dramatic increase in Advance Fee Lottery Frauds over recent months. 

"Over £925,000 has been lost by victims over the last six months. 

"Victims have reported losing an average of just over £1,500 with 70% of victims aged 50 or over."

Lottery fraud occurs when criminals use fake messages and calls to convince a person that they have won a lottery or a prize draw. 

The victim is then informed that they will need to pay an advance “fee” in order to receive the winnings.

Police advice is:

STOP: Unsolicited offers of large sums of money in return for a small upfront payment should always raise a red flag. Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? After all, you can’t win a prize in a competition you didn’t enter. Remember, it’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you. 

PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.

Online event planned for budding business starters

Aspiring Denbighshire micro entrepreneurs are being encouraged to drop in at a free online event this month.

It's aimed at anyone interested in using their skills to set up and work for themselves, helping and support older or disabled people.

Social Enterprise Community Catalysts in partnership with Denbighshire County Council are holding online sessions on November 25 to discuss the free support they provide to help entrepreneurs breathe life into their ideas for helping older or disabled people do what they enjoy, and giving them what they need.

The Community Catalysts programme is now up and running across Denbighshire which means you can get free professional advice to help you work for yourself offering care and support.

A number of people from a range of backgrounds are already in the process of setting up. They are offering various services, from DIY to gardening, companionship to help with washing and dressing.

Fabrizio Donati, who is leading the project for Community Catalysts, said: “Lots of people in Denbighshire need some extra help to live the way they want to, perhaps because they are older, disabled or have a long-term health condition. We can help you set up as self-employed offering care and support. You don’t need to have a professional background in care or know how to run a business – you just need to know what good care looks like.”

“Our online event will explain the free mentoring programme, and how you can put in motion your ideas for supporting older or disabled people. We are looking forward to you all joining us.”

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, said: “We are really pleased to be working with Community Catalysts to help provide more support to the older and disabled population. This is a great programme which can really help entrepreneurs develop their own ideas to bring needed support to people and I look forward to seeing these come to life through this partnership.”

* To find out more about the process of setting up and to ask any questions, come along to a free online event on Thursday 25 November at 12pm or 18:30pm.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/offer-help-at-home-in-denbighshire-tickets-204485751387 You can also contact Fabrizio Donati, Denbighshire Community Catalyst on Fabrizio.donati@communitycatalysts.co.uk

Work planned for next week on 2020 project

Work planned for week starting Monday, November 22 on the 2020 project in the town centre is:

• Continue with the paving down Castle Street west
• Complete the paving on Bridge Street north
• Prepare the footpath for paving on Market Street north
• Digging for the new tree on Castle Street west

Emergency services team up to protect the vulnerable

The Welsh Ambulance Service has partnered with fire and rescue services to launch a new initiative to better protect vulnerable people at risk of an accident in their home.

The new system allows ambulance crews to e-refer at-risk patients to their fire and rescue service counterparts in North, Mid and West and South Wales for a Safe and Well check.

Fire crews can then visit the property to mitigate any risks.

Nikki Harvey, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Head of Safeguarding, said: “Ambulance crews go to a patient’s property to deliver medical interventions, but often while they’re there, they’ll spot things in the home which raise a red flag.

“It could be that there isn’t a smoke alarm, that electrical sockets are overloaded or that there’s a build-up of fat on cooking appliances, all of which present a fire hazard.

“It could be that the patient has cigarette burns on their clothes or furniture, or that the patient’s hoarding has blocked an escape route.

“The new referral form – which our crews complete on an iPad – streamlines the process completely and makes it easier than ever before to enlist the support of fire service colleagues and safeguard that patient.

“Anything that we can do collectively to improve patient safety, mitigate the risk of accidents and prevent harm could reduce 999 calls in the future.”

Tim Owen, Community Safety Manager at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, on behalf of the three Welsh fire and rescue services, said: “The Welsh Ambulance Service and the regional fire services in Wales work together operationally every day.

“This agreement will enable us to extend this work, identifying those most at risk and vulnerable in our communities to make them safer.

“The sharing of information will enable us to develop the principles of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, targeting our services to those in most need of support.

“It will also provide a template for promoting future joint working.”

If you are aware of a vulnerable person in your community who would benefit from a Safe and Well check, please contact your local fire and rescue service.

Book of condolence for legend Wyn now open at tourist information centre

* Dennis Williams and Barbara Matthews with the condolence book at the Tourist Information Centre.

llanblogger in association with Llangollen's town clerk has arranged for a book of condolence to be opened for him in the Tourist Information Centre.

Wyn – affectionately known as Wyn Paraffin – recently passed away in Chirk  where he had been re-couperating from a stroke.

As soon as news of his passing became known there was a flood of moving tributes from a host of people who knew and admired him.

There was a suggestion from the manager of Llangollen FC, Damien Tobin,  that such comments could be added to an official book of remembrance to be held in a central venue.

So llanblogger contacted the Tourist Information Office in Castle where the team immediately said they would be honoured to host the book in memory of Wyn.

And the book in which people can write their tributes is to be provided courtesy of town clerk Gareth Thomas.     

It is available for written contributions from Mondays-Wednesdays 9.30am-5pm - not on Thursdays when the centre is closed - and on Fridays and Saturdays from 9.30am-5pm.

llanblogger's Phil Robinson said: "I am extremely grateful to the Tourist Information Centre and the town clerk for their help in making this gesture possible.

"Judging by the number of warm tributes received following Wyn's death many, many people would wish to sign the book of condolence.

"He was most certainly one of the town's best-loved figures and, as was said plenty of times in the social media tributes to him, a true legend of Llangollen."   

A separate book of condolence for Wyn has also been placed in St Collen's Church by Father Lee Taylor.  

At their monthly meeting earlier this week members of the town council agreed to dedicate one of the wooden benches along the back wall of Centenary Square to Wyn's memory. 

His funeral is due to take place at St Collen's next Thursday, December 2 at 12noon and then at Wrexham Crematorium at 1.30pm.

Crimebusters urged to apply for haul of cash

* PCC Andy Dunbobbin with Superintendent Helen Corcoran and PACT North Wales chair Ashley Rogers. 

Local crime busters in North Wales are being urged to bid for a share of a £60,000 pot of money seized from crooks.

According to North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin, the Your Community Your Choice fund will be used to recycle the ill-gotten gains of criminals for the benefit of communities across the region.

The initiative is a partnership between Mr Dunbobbin, the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT) and North Wales Police.

Half the money is being contributed by the commissioner with the rest coming cash confiscated from criminals via the Proceeds of Crime Act.

As a result, three community groups in each county in North Wales will receive up to £2,500 each whilst there will be three £5,000 grants available for organisations working across three or more counties.

After opening on November 15, the window for groups to submit applications runs until December 10, with the winners being chosen by a public poll.

A shortlist of applicants will be chosen by a special panel and voting opens on January 10  and runs until February 4.

All bids need to support the commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan in which delivering safer neighbourhoods and supporting communities are key priorities.

Mr Dunbobbin said: “This is social justice in action because the Your Community Your Choice scheme is about turning bad money into good money to support our communities from the Flintshire Bridge to Menai Bridge and right across the rest of the region.

“The successful projects will be ones that support the strategic priorities in my Police and Crime Plan

“I want to flip that on its head so that we have a series of community-led initiatives, providing positive outcomes for the people living in those areas.

“As well as having applications from our larger towns, I would like to encourage groups from rural areas coming forward because I am proud to represent all the communities in North Wales and be as inclusive as possible.”

PACT chair Ashley Rogers said: “What I particularly like is the democratic nature of the Your Community Your Choice scheme.

“It’s about community groups applying for grants and then it’s the communities themselves who decide who gets the funding. That’s magical.

“One thing that all applicants will need to do is to discuss their proposal with their local neighbourhood policing team and to be endorsed by their district inspector before submitting their application.

“There’s a certain Robin Hood element to it that I think people love and has made it such a successful scheme, underlined by the fact that it attracted more than 30,000 votes last year.

“I’m very proud that PACT is able to deliver this on behalf of the PCC and North Wales Police and I’d encourage voluntary groups and charities to submit their applications.”

Superintendent Helen Corcoran added: “The Your Community Your Choice fund hits at the very heart of what we’re trying to achieve.

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

“We want to support communities so they are able to take responsibility for their own areas.

“Community groups can do a great deal to make their local areas safer, reduce crime and reduce re-offending, It also sends a good message to the communities because it shows we are listening to them.”

* Completed applications must be returned by e-mail to yourcommunityyourchoice@nthwales.pnn.police.uk by 5pm on the closing date of December 10. For more information go to the commissioner’s website www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk  or the PACT website www.pactnorthwales.co.uk

Suzuki on song with this catchy little number

Suzuki Ignis drive by Steve Rogers

It's funky, it's fun, and it won't break the bank.

Sounds like something worth having and you get it all with the Suzuki Ignis, it even comes with four wheel drive.

Suzuki describe it as a compact crossover which means it is a small city car with SUV looks because of its raised ride height and surprisingly roomy cabin. If first appeared in our showrooms in 2017 making a big impact with eye catching styling and clever packaging for a car only 3.7 metres.

It was shortlisted for global car of the year which says a lot for its potential and it hasn't done too badly for the Japanese company known more for its motorbikes and power boat engines.

Ignis has just had a bit of a facelift with a striking grille design, bumpers and a new dual injection hybrid engine. Has it lived up to its expectations, let's find out?

I liked the look of Ignis from day one, it was a breath of fresh air in a host of city car rivals that lacked character and nearly all looked the same. The big selling point was, and still is, its roomy cabin, easily capable of carrying four adults with ample leg and headroom so an important box ticked.

The tall SUV styling helps boost boot space, not that you get much in a city car, but 267 litres is not to be sniffed at although be aware that drops to 204 litres with the Allgrip model.

There is a cheery look to the cabin with delicately coloured inlay options to break up the black trim which is low rent hard plastic all round. That is not unusual in cars of this class and when considering costs this is the obvious place to do it but if not bothering with a rear cabin light was part of the plan it is a bad idea.

A seven inch touchscreen sits proud in the centre of the dash and controls radio, Bluetooth and navigation (standard only on top SZ5) and ties in with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto or Mirrorlink. Some rivals have systems that are easier to fathom but it does the job and thankfully has nothing to do with the heating controls which are physical buttons.

Economy is all important at this end of the market and while not a class leader Ignis, with its new engine, fairs well and matched the 51mpg average for the Allgrip. Stick with two wheel drive and you could be edging towards 60mpg.

Performance is hardly sparkling but pick up at low revs is so Ignis can pull away when rivals might need to drop a gear. It is a tad noisy once the revs mount and might benefit from extra sound proofing but it all adds to the cost.

Kit level is good across the three model range which starts at £14k and bursting with goodies at top SZ5 grade. A good bet is the middle ground manual SZ-T at £15,499, an automatic CVT gearbox puts another £1000 on the price tag.

If Ignis was a song we would call it a 'catchy little number'. Its strength is its appeal across the age range. The shape is still fresh and groovy enough to attract young drivers while the increased ride height suits older folk who need a car that's easy to get in and out.

Fast facts

Ignis SZ5 Allgrip 5sp manual

£17499

1.2 litre; 83bhp

0-62 12.8secs; 103mph

51.9mpg combined

123g/km. 1st VED £175

Boot: 204litres

Insurance group 21

ARRIVA bus strike action suspended

The Leader is reporting this evening that ARRIVA bus driver strike action has been suspended, Unite The Union has confirmed.

The story says: "The union is suspending its Industrial action at Arriva Cymru with immediate effect.

Regional Officer, Jo Goodchild said: “Unite is suspending its industrial action at Arriva following an improved pay offer from the employer.

"We will now be balloting our members on the new offer”.

Free after three for Christmas car parking in county

* Market Street in one of the car parks is included in the free after three initiative. 

The festive ‘Free After Three’ parking scheme is returning to Council-run car parks

Between November 21 and December 31, Council-run town centre car parks will be free to use every day from 3pm.

Denbighshire County Council has brought back this festive initiative to encourage more people to use their local high street for shopping in the run up to Christmas and New Year.

The Free After Three initiative will be available in the following car parks:

• Llangollen - Market Street, East Street, Hall Street and Mill Street.

• Corwen - Green Lane

• Denbigh - Barkers Well Lane, Factory Ward, Crown Lane, Post Office Lane and Vale Street.

• Prestatyn - Lower High Street, Kings Avenue and Railway Station.

• Rhuddlan - Parliament Street

• Rhyl - Central, Morley Road, West Kinmel Street, Library (disabled bays only), Town Hall, Sky Tower and Railway Station.

• Ruthin - Market Street, Park Road, Crispin Yard, Troed Y Rhiw, Rhos Street and St Peters Square

• St Asaph - Bowling Green

Morfa Hall private car park, Rhyl, is not included in the initiativem

Cllr Brian Jones, Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment said: “We are very pleased to be able to offer the ‘Free After Three’ parking initiative for another year.

“Communities need our support this year more than ever, so we hope that people and businesses take full advantage of the benefits of this scheme by using the county’s town centre car parks free of charge.

“The free after three scheme supports the Council’s on-going #LoveLiveLocal campaign which highlights the importance of shopping local.

“We hope that this scheme encourages more people visit our town centres and see what they have to offer. Denbighshire businesses offer a wide variety of products and services which appeal to all. Together lets #LoveLiveLocal and support our communities."

 

Welsh NHS dental services to get £3m injection

Dental services in Wales will receive an extra £3m of new funding this year to support the recovery from the pandemic and improve access.

Next year NHS dentistry will be supported by recurrent funding of £2m, which will be targeted at general and community dental services.

It is hoped this funding, which is being made available to health boards, will help address local issues and improve access.

It comes after dental services have faced severe disruption during the pandemic, as a result of necessary public health measures to protect staff and patients - including infection control requirements, physical distancing, and enhanced PPE – which have meant fewer people can be ‘seen’ in a clinical session.

Dentistry has been severely impacted by the pandemic because most procedures are aerosol generating and dentistry professionals need to be in close proximity to the patient when providing care and treatment.

Progress has been made to restore services and priority is being given to people with the greatest clinical need - people who need urgent care and those who experienced problems during lockdown are being seen first.

Even with stricter measures in place to protect patients and staff, some 30,000 people are being seen in-person every week across Wales and a further 2,500 people are receiving advice and consultation or follow-up from their dental practices virtually.

However, there have been delays to access to routine appointments due to the enhanced safety measures needed.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: "There have been some long-standing issues with access to dentistry, due to some dental practices experiencing difficulties with recruitment and retention of dentists, and this impacting on the provision of NHS dental services.

"We expect this funding to support health boards to tackle these issues and ensure the service is more resilient in years to come.

"Dentists have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and we are proud that services have continued for those who need treatment the most. Investing in emergency and urgent care will support these efforts and boost recovery of the services."

Warren Tolley, deputy Chief Dental Officer for Wales, said: "Dentistry has faced a number of challenges in recent months as we have adapted to living with the pandemic, but ensuring we have the infrastructure and support to maintain services will boost our recovery efforts and help us return to pre-pandemic levels of activity quicker.

"This funding will support us not just in the short term but also in the long term as we aim to reform services and improve access to dental care."

Senedd Member questions Minister over Newbridge landslide road

* Landslide damage on the B5605 between Newbridge and Cefn Mawr.  

North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has questioned the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales over funding to repair and reopen the B5605 between Newbridge and Cefn Mawr, which has been closed since January due to a landslide. 

Speaking in yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Mr Isherwood, who has been liaising with residents affected by the road closure and Wrexham County Council, emphasised the need to carry out the repairs as soon as possible and questioned the Minister, Lesley Griffiths MS, over funding to do this. 

He said: “Earlier this year, I visited the site of the landslide between Newbridge and Cefn Mawr caused by Storm Christoph, with the B5605 there closed. 

“When I wrote to the Welsh Government about this damage to key infrastructure, the Deputy Minister for Climate Change’s response in July stated that Wrexham Council’s funding application to the Welsh Government  ‘was unsuccessful because repair works would not reduce the risk of flooding to properties and would only benefit the highway’. 

“Wrexham Council’s Environment and Transport lead then wrote ‘we anticipate repair costs of circa £1 million and are concerned that without some support the Council will be unable to fund these storm related damages’. 

“As an affected constituent wrote this month ‘many in these villages do not have cars … needing transport which involves walking miles to the nearest bus stops, or having to hire costly taxis’. 

“Earlier this month, the council confirmed that they had secured Welsh Government funding for advice from Geo-technical consultants and will be submitting a business case for Welsh Government funding.

“How do you respond to their statement that ‘the biggest obstacle will be securing funding this financial year to enable us to plan and carry out the works as soon as possible’?” 

In her response the Minister said: “My understanding, when I last had a discussion around this issue with the deputy leader of Wrexham County Borough Council was that they believed the ball was firmly in their court, and they were processing their application, so I don't recognise that.” 

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Isherwood said: “This was a very strange response, given that it was Wrexham Council’s Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Environment & Transport who stated in an e-mail sent to myself and others earlier this month that ‘As soon as we are ready we will be submitting a business case for funding for the road to be rebuilt, I am sorry that this has taken so long but we should by the end of this year be in a position to bid for funding. The biggest obstacle will be securing funding this financial year to enable us to plan and carry our the works as soon as possible’.”

Get yourself on the Christmas Scarecrow Trail

 

MP explains why he voted against the pensions "triple lock'

Clwyd South Welsh Conservative MP Simon Baynes (pictured) has explained why he recently voted with the majority of his party in the House of Commons to scrap the state pension "triple lock".

The triple lock guarantees that state pensions grow annually in line with whichever is highest out of:

• * The average wage increase
• * Inflation (measured by the Consumer Prices Index)
• * 2.5 per cent
• It was introduced by the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government in 2010 and has remained intact until now.
• The Tories promised it would not be scrapped for the duration of this Parliament.
• The Government won the vote over the amendment to the Social Security (Up-Rating of Benefits) Bill by 300 votes to 229.
• Mr Baynes said: "I voted to move to a Double Lock for one year only. This means the state pension will rise next year by the higher of inflation or 2.5 per cent, now confirmed as a 3.1 per cent increase. 
• "This year, as millions of people have left furlough and the labour market has changed significantly, reported average wage growth is due to be over 8 per cent. It would not be right to increase pensions by this figure – it is not what the triple lock was ever intended to deal with, would cost £4-5 billion, and would have to be funded by increasing taxes on working people. 
• "This approach will ensure pensioners’ spending power is preserved and that they are protected from higher costs of living. It will also ensure that as we are having to make difficult decisions elsewhere across public spending – including freezing public sector pay – pensioners are not unfairly benefitting from a statistical anomaly. 
• "Colleagues at the Department for Work and Pensions have assured me that this measure is temporary for one year, and the Triple Lock will apply as usual from next year for the remainder of this Parliament, in line with the manifesto commitment. 
• "The triple lock guarantee was put in place in 2011, which has led to the state pension increasing by an average of 3 per cent annually since. In total, the basic state pension has increased by 35 per cent or £2,050 since 2011. It is now worth £137.60 per week – relative to earnings, the highest it has been in 34 years. The full rate of the new state pension is £179.60 per week, up from £155.65 when it was introduced in 2016. 
• "These measures have meant there are 200,000 fewer pensioners in absolute poverty, compared to a decade ago.  On top of this, pensioners continue receive other support – free TV licences, free bus passes, winter fuel payments, and tax-free pension contributions worth over £50 billion."

Roadworks alert for Castle Street

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

Castle Street, Denbighshire 19 November - 23 November   Delays unlikely - Some carriageway incursion   Works description: MJ QUINN ARE TO RENEW DAMAGE FRAME AND COVER IN FOOTWAY....   Works location: OS,41,CASTLE STREET, LLANGOLLEN LL2, 0 8RU...   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 BT.   Responsibility for works: BT   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: BC006MQONSAWN0AMWCMWGC2D