Denbighshire to consider 2.95% council tax rise

Denbighshire County Council’s Cabinet is set to discuss the draft budget for the 2022/23 financial year.

At a meeting on January 18, members will consider a plan to raise Council Tax by 2.95% ahead of the proposals being put to full council for final approval at a meeting on January 25.

As part of the budget process the council has received the draft budget settlement announced by Welsh Government which suggests Denbighshire’s budget will increase by 9.2% for the 2022/23 financial year, with increases of 3.3% and 2.2% the following two years.

The increase in funding comes with a number of new responsibilities the council will be required to fund, including pay increases, ensuring the Real Living Wage for social care workers and mitigation for the end of the Covid Hardship Fund.

The council therefore has a funding gap of £2.623million to fill for the coming financial year. Proposals to fill this gap include operational efficiencies amounting to £634,000 and an increase in Council Tax of 2.95%.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, said: “This budget comes after a second difficult year dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, which has put an additional strain on resources for example, continued pressure on social services, schools, children’s services and waste services.

“We have previously made a firm commitment to Denbighshire residents to try and protect services that the public value and expect as much as possible.

“The council has a strong track record of doing this and we have tried to lead by example by being as efficient and effective as possible, reducing our budgets and making savings through better ways of working.

“Councillors will continue to scrutinise the budget over the coming weeks before it is put to Full Council for discussion and final approval on January 25.”

Welsh Government to help people in arrears pay their rent

Minister for Climate Change Julie James is urging anyone who has fallen behind in paying rent because of the pandemic to contact their local authority to find out if they can receive financial help to avoid eviction. 

The call is in a bid to keep people in their homes and close to their social networks to avoid the devastating impact that homelessness can wreak on physical, mental and social wellbeing. 

First announced in July last year, new changes to the £10m Tenancy Hardship Grant just announced  mean that anyone facing arrears due to covid-related reasons from the start of the pandemic in March 2020 right up until December 2021, can apply. 

This means that tenants in rent arrears because they lost their jobs following the removal of the Furlough scheme in September, or who suffered a significant decrease in income when the Universal Credit uplift was removed by UK Government, may now be eligible under the new criteria. 

Other examples of rent arrears as a direct result of the pandemic include a loss of income due to lockdowns or because of becoming ill with Covid-19. 

Also now able to apply are tenants in social housing who are not in receipt of housing-related benefits. Tenants in private rented accommodation are still encouraged to apply. 

Julie James said: “I am urging anyone who is facing eviction or who has fallen behind on their rent because of the pandemic to contact their local authority today to find out what help is available to them.

“Our £10m Tenancy Hardship Grant will help prevent eviction and support tenants to remain in their homes. The impact of being made homeless on people and families is huge – including support networks being lost, children having to move school, and families’ mental health and well-being suffering. We want to do all we can to help avoid that situation. 

“The grant should provide significant cost savings to each local authority in preventing homelessness and supporting people to remain in their homes and maintain their tenancies.” 

Ruth Power, CEO of Shelter Cymru said: “We welcome the changes to the Tenancy Hardship Grant announced today. Widening the eligibility criteria will mean more people, who are struggling during the pandemic to pay their rent, are able to access support to keep their homes. Our advisors are working with people across Wales whose incomes have been seriously affected by the pandemic and who are really worried about the future. Getting money quickly to people in need will prevent families becoming homeless.”

* Applications are now open, with the final date for rent support being December 31st 2021.

Concerned parent criticises 'critically dangerous' roadworks

* A picture of the roadworks provided by the concerned parent.

A worried parent claims health and safety standards of the 2020 project roadworks in Llangollen town centre are "non-existent" making them "critically dangerous".  

The parent, who wishes not to be named but has a child attending a local school, said: "Healthy and safety standards none existent. 

"Schoolchildren, parents with prams, elderly, and the general public have to walk on busy main road to get past the pavement works. 

"There are trip hazards (feet of traffic cones and barricade feet) on the road. A accident waiting to happen.

"Last year three people where injured as they tripped into the busy road due to inadequate pedestrian road safety barricades. 

"How long will it be until our schoolchildren is hit by traffic due to the site staff and Denbighshire county council allowing this to stay unsafe and critically dangerous?

"The workforce is safe from harm as they are barricaded in and have hi-vis."

The parent added: "I have contacted the Denbighshire county council three times since Monday morning. They said they would contact the manager of the project to make it safe. Nothing has been done. 

"There was a pedestrian walkway before the Christmas break but nothing has be put in place since work resumed on the 4th January."

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “We will be installing today at the Church Street/ Castle Street area improved signage to inform the public about the closed footpath and to direct them to an alternative pedestrian route.

“Temporary tar ramps are to be installed at the suggested crossing points to cross the road to avoid the closed footpath.

“The walkway in place before Christmas is no longer possible to maintain due to the removal of the Traffic Management resulting in not enough room in the carriageway to safely route pedestrians.

“The alternative to this small pedestrian diversion would have been to install an additional set of traffic lights which would have caused additional delay for traffic”.

“Our site management team will continue to work closely with the contractor to monitor the temporary traffic management arrangements.”

Campaigners hopeful of further funding to repair landslip damage

* Ken Skates, centre, at the site with Cllr Frank Hemmings (left) and Cllr Derek Wright (right). 

Member of the Senedd Ken Skates says he hopes work to repair a collapsed road between Cefn Mawr and Chirk will get under way soon as Wrexham Council prepares a bid for further financial support. 

The Welsh Government has already awarded Wrexham Council £175,000 for ‘ground investigation and detailed design of remedial works’ for the B5605 at Newbridge, which suffered a landslip following severe storms last year.

The council is awaiting a final report, due in early February, and will then put together a business case for more major funding from the Welsh Government.

Mr Skates, the MS for Clwyd South, said he hopes to see ‘spades in the ground’ as soon as possible. 

“Before Christmas I raised the issue of the closed road at Newbridge once again with the Welsh Government after the announcement of a £175,000 grant to help Wrexham Council carry out the initial work required,” he said. 

“These investigations will shape the application the council will submit to the Welsh Government for further funding. I hope it’s successful and that we can see spades in the ground as soon as possible.” 

Mr Skates said he had been in contact with Wrexham Council’s lead member for the environment, David Bithell, a number of times on the issue. 

He added: “Sadly, there has been misinformation circulating about this issue over recent months and an element of mischief-making. However, I would like to thank Cllr Bithell for the way he has gone about trying to resolve this issue and sought to work with other elected members for the benefit of the communities we represent. 

“I spoke to him on this issue again this week and we are both hopeful things will progress quickly once the council submits its funding bid.” 

Mr Skates wrote to the Welsh Government last month after being contacted by local councillors Frank Hemmings (Chirk) and Derek Wright (Cefn). 

Cllr Wright said: “We’ve been continually bending Ken’s ear about this as local people are frustrated and they want to see action. Although this is a B-road, it is a vital link between our communities and some people have been without a bus service for nearly a year. It’s the council’s responsibility to carry out the repairs, but obviously for something on this scale they need help. 

“All Ken can do is try to make sure the Welsh Government knows exactly how important this is for the people of our area. We have done all we can to get things moving on this.” 

Cllr Hemmings said he had been in contact with both Welsh Water and BT, who have subsequently redirected sewers and fibre cables. 

Cllr Hemmings added: “Funding for major projects like this isn’t just signed off – there is a process that has to be followed. I know people in Chirk are fed up of waiting for the work to be carried out, but the grant from the Welsh Government has really got the ball rolling. 

“That has paid for the surveys to be carried out, and significant progress couldn’t have been made until that is done. It is important to know the cause of the landslip and how it should be repaired. 

“Hopefully, the council will be able to get this application in soon and it will tick all the boxes, and then it will just be a matter of time before work get under way to reopen the road.” 

Mr Skates added: “I think we are all frustrated that progress on this hasn’t been quicker, but all public bodies need to go through the same process when public money is being spent – it isn't given out for projects of this magnitude without due diligence being carried out. 

“I look forward to Wrexham Council submitting a successful funding application as soon as possible, and I hope work can then get under way as a matter of urgency.” 

A written response to Mr Skates from Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, said: “The Welsh Government has awarded funding of £175,000 for 2021-22 from the Resilient Roads Fund to Wrexham County Borough Council (WCBC) for ground investigation and detailed design of remedial works for the B5605 at Newbridge. These works will inform any future application by WCBC for funding for the construction of the remedial works.” 

Updates on Covid-19 from Welsh Government

Latest Covid-19 updates from the Welsh Government, dated yesterday) are: 

• Help us to help you this winter urges Health Minister Eluned Morgan as more funding to relieve pressures and help the NHS and social care this winter is announced: https://gov.wales/help-us-help-you-winter-minister-health-and-social-services-eluned-morgan
• Watch the Health Minister’s press briefing: https://mobile.twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1480871914037919745
• Written Statement: COVID-19 Vaccination – Progress against Strategy: https://gov.wales/written-statement-covid-19-vaccination-progress-against-strategy-4
• Vaccination programme weekly update: https://gov.wales/covid-19-vaccination-programme-weekly-update-11-january-2022
• The Chief Statistician Stephanie Howarth has published a blog article about understanding Covid-19 infection rates in Wales following changes to testing policing in Wales – most people who have a positive lateral flow test no longer need to take a follow-up PCR test to confirm the result: https://digitalanddata.blog.gov.wales/2022/01/11/chief-statisticians-update-understanding-covid-19-infection-rates-in-wales/
• School performance reporting updates: Covid-19 update: https://gov.wales/school-performance-reporting-arrangements-covid-19-update
• Technical Advisory Cell summary of latest advice: https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2022-01/technical-advisory-cell-summary-of-advice-7-january-2022.pdf
• Travelling to Wales – testing and isolation: https://gov.wales/travel-wales-covid-19-testing-and-isolation

 

• The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today published statistics on provisional weekly deaths, including deaths involving Covid-19, for the week ending 31 December 2021. These figures will have been affected by the Christmas bank holidays.
• The total number of deaths involving Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic was 9,222.
• Of these, 24 deaths involving Covid-19 were registered in the latest week. This was 4% of all deaths, and 25 fewer than the previous week.
• The numbers reported by ONS are different from those from Public Health Wales because of different reporting methods and timing. The ONS figures are higher because they include some extra cases.
• https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsregisteredweeklyinenglandandwalesprovisional/latest

 

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales show there were 2,176 newly-reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 729,662 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.
• Important note: On January 6, testing policy changed in Wales – people who test positive on a lateral flow test no longer have to take a follow-up PCR test to confirm the result. This is likely to reduce the overall number of reported cases by about 10%, based on analyses linking lateral flow tests to PCR positive episodes. See also: https://digitalanddata.blog.gov.wales/2022/01/11/chief-statisticians-update-understanding-covid-19-infection-rates-in-wales/

• There were four deaths reported by Public Health Wales. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 6,654.
• These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection/viz/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary   

• The number of people who have received a Covid vaccine in Wales is published every weekday by Public Health Wales.
• The latest figures show 2,497,658 people have received their first dose.

• 2,328,295 people have had two doses of the vaccine.
• To date, 1,740,099 people have had their booster dose of the vaccine.
• https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection/viz/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary
• For more information about getting your Covid-19 vaccine: https://gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination
• Can you support the vaccination programme? More information for NHS staff and volunteers at: https://heiw.nhs.wales/jobs/nhs-wales-covid-19-vaccination-team-returning-healthcare-professionals/

What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus

• The symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change in smell or taste.
• If you have symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you must self-isolate at home for up to 10 days from when your symptoms started.
• Guidance about self-isolating: https://gov.wales/self-isolation
• You can book a test at https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test
• You should continue to isolate while waiting for a test result.
   

Where to find the latest information

• Wales is at alert level two. More information is available at: https://gov.wales/alert-level-2
• Alert level two: frequently asked questions: https://gov.wales/alert-level-2-frequently-asked-questions
• Our latest Coronavirus Control Plan, setting out the longer-term plan for Wales is at: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-control-plan-autumn-and-winter-2021-update  
• Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws
• For more information about getting your Covid-19 vaccine: https://gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination
• Can you support the vaccination programme? More information for NHS staff and volunteers at: https://heiw.nhs.wales/jobs/nhs-wales-covid-19-vaccination-team-returning-healthcare-professionals/

 

 

This week's planned work on town's 2020 project

This week's scheduled work on the Llangollen 2020 project is:

1. Digging out for the new kerbline on Castle St east heading south from Oak St
2. Laying the kerbs on Castle St east heading south
3. Paving on the junction from Castle St into Bridge St north
4. Paving on Market St north opposite the carpark
5. Starting the footpath excavation on Castle St east heading south from Oak St

Tidy Town Team leader slams county council 'neglect' of Llangollen

* Now with county council response at foot of story.

* Members of the Tidy Town Team at work on Centenary Square last September. 

The leader of a busy Llangollen voluntary group has strongly criticised Denbighshire County Council (DCC) for its “neglect” of the town.

The Tidy Town Team has completed thousands of hours of unpaid community work on jobs ranging from litter picking to marshalling traffic for the international musical eisteddfod since it was set up in 2006.

Last year alone its members notched up over 500 hours' work and collected 53 bags of litter from the area

But in the team’s 2021 annual report its founder and co-ordinator David Davies attacks the county council on a number of counts, including 'withdrawing' its annual funding. 

He writes:  “Working within Covid-19 regulations the team has continued to meet at least once a month throughout the year. 

“With litter easier to see, our litter picking activities are concentrated in the winter months. Areas covered this year included the canal and riverside from Horseshoe Falls to Wharf, Dinas Bran Castle Hill and roadside approaches to the town.  

“Regretfully this year we have been in receipt of written objections from Street Scene Supervision at DCC to some of litter picking activities.  

“In retaliation, after years of supporting us, they refused to pay our annual insurance costs of approximately £100 this year and have withdrawn the final funding we receive from DCC.” 

Later in the report Mr Davies says: “Unfortunately it is increasingly easy to see DCC’s neglect of the town and that much maintenance is needed. 

“We have, to name a few, inoperative playground equipment, derelict mini golf area, broken riverside seating, damaged and broken footpath railings and a footbridge closed awaiting repair for nearly three years. 

“Efforts by the team and others who care have been met with excuses for non-action by DCC of Covid restrictions, or no money, or shortage of staff.  

“The town and Llangollen council taxpayers are entitled to and expect far better service from DCC.” 

In the report Mr Davies gives a general picture of what the team has achieved over the past 12 months. 

He says: “We have continued to support the Llangollen Health Centre with traffic management on vaccinations days, roadside hedge cutting by the surgery and have given all the outside furniture at the centre a refreshing treatment of wood preservative. 

“Our contract continues with the Town Council to maintain tidy the town’s Centenary Square.  

“As a special project this year we replaced the grassed covered area at the corner of the square that was being abused by humans and dogs. With professional guidance we dug out and prepared the base area and in-filled with local slate chips from Berwyn Quarry. 

“Some members of the team, in partnership with Ysgol Dinas Bran, have enhanced part of the footpath by the school up to the castle with new hurdle fencing, whilst other members have undertaken repairing some stiles along our public footpaths on the edge of town.” 

He adds: “In Cemetery Woods, an area between Llangollen railway station and the river, in partnership with the church, we have continued tree and shrub clearance and erected a temporary post and rail fence to protect the growing young yew hedge planted along the cliff edge. We have now started to identify a circular pathway around the area and planted five young Welsh oak trees. 

“A big thank you to all our supporters and to the team members for collecting this year another 53 sacks of litter and yet again contributing over 500 hours of work effort to benefit the town.”

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “The Council is committed to maintaining and improving the town and surrounding area for the benefit of the community and visitors to Llangollen.

“We have worked closely with the Llangollen 2020 group and listened to residents and businesses to introduce improvements in the town centre area.

“Work on the Llangollen 2020 Project has been underway since October 2021, following extensive consultation and engagement around the town.

“When completed the project will provide more space for pedestrians through the construction of wider footways using natural stone paving materials; and improved pedestrian crossing facilities making it easier for pedestrians to walk around the town centre, while upgraded traffic signals will improve the flow of vehicles.

“We have engaged also with Llangollen Town Council in relation to the draft Llangollen People’s Plan, and the Council has responded that we are happy to work with the Shape My Town group, Llangollen Town Council and other partners to support the delivery of projects wherever possible.

“The Council is committed to continuing its regular maintenance in the town and surrounding area to maintain areas, and no reduction in service has been implemented in Llangollen.”

SM calls on people to vote for favourite kebab house

Senedd Member for North Wales Sam Rowlands is calling on his constituents to nominate their favourite kebab house.  

Voting is now open for the 10^th Annual British Kebab House Awards and Mr Rowlands, who says he has been known to enjoy the occasional kebab, wants to see a kebab house in North Wales take the top spot in Wales.  

He said: “I am a big fan of kebabs and I am now encouraging my constituents to vote for their favourite so we can find out which house is the best for kebabs in North Wales.  

“The kebab trade is estimated at being worth a staggering £2.8 billion to the British economy with over 20,000 kebab houses all over the UK selling more than 1.5 million of them every day. 

“I want to back North Wales' best Kebab House to take home the Best Kebab House in Wales Award so please vote for your favourite by January 19 by going to - https://www.samrowlands.org.uk/north-wales-best-kebab-house-ty-cebabs-gorau-gogledd-cymru.” 

The UK’s first kebab shop, Istanbul Restaurant in Soho, opened during the Second World War and pictures of it feature in the Imperial War Museum. 

However, it was not until 1966 that the famous doner kebab – cooked on a vertical spit – first appeared with the opening of the Hodja Nasreddin Kebab House by Çetin Bukey and Konjay Hüseyn in North London’s Newington Green.   

There are now over 20,000 kebab outlets in the UK selling around 2,500 tonnes of lamb and chicken doner a week. There are also around 200 doner kebab manufacturers in the UK, with a turnover in excess of £750m.  

* To submit your own entries for the national competition and nominate a kebab house for any of the other categories go to  http://voting.britishkebabawards.com/. 

Kerry fights back from poverty to win national business award

* Award-winning Kerry Mackay at work on her Scrubbies products.

A young woman who rescued herself from poverty to start a successful business has been named as one of the UK’s most inspirational and dynamic female entrepreneurs.

Kerry Mackay from Glyn Ceiriog recalls that three years ago she had to use the food bank in Llangollen.

In 2019 she came up with the idea of starting ScrubbiesUK which manufactures a home-compostable alternative to the plastic sponge.

Over the past year she has won three awards for her initiative and in her latest accolade has been chosen as one of the top 100 business people in the UK by the f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100’ campaign. 

The campaign aims to celebrate the multi-achievements of women running businesses in the UK today. Now in its fifth year, it attracted a record number of applications during 2021. 

Scrubbies are washable, durable, reusable and affordable which reflects the sustainable heart of the business and the focus on putting people and the planet before profit. 

* Kerry's highly successful Scrubbies in their range of designs.

In November 2018, Kerry had to use the food bank for the first time in her life, and, as a working single mother, this was a devastating low point for her.

She designed Scrubbies in the following days and it is now sold to wholesale and retail partners with more than over 60,000 made so far.

Kerry won three other national business awards in 2021 including Product of The Year at the National Environmental Awards and using Scrubbies as a means to highlight both environmental and social issues having started her eco business whilst in food-bank poverty. 

On being featured in the #ialso100 lineup, Kerry Mackay said: “It's an incredible honour to be recognised alongside such inspiring female entrepreneurs. Hard work and sheer determination really do pay off, even if your only dream is to escape poverty.” 

Both f:Entrepreneur and Small Business Britain were founded by Michelle Ovens CBE, who is also the director of Small Business Saturday UK. 

“Congratulations to Kerry Mackay at ScrubbiesUK, and all of the brilliant female entrepreneurs featured in this year’s #ialso100,” she said.

“It is so vital that we recognize and celebrate the phenomenal contribution that women running businesses are making across the UK, and the far-reaching, positive impact they are having, not just on the economy, but on wider communities too. 

“The last few years have been hugely challenging for small businesses, yet despite this female entrepreneurship continues to grow and flourish in the UK, and is very much at the heart of the UK’s recovery.” 

* To see the full line-up of the 100 women featured in this year’s f:entrepreneur #ialso100 campaign  visit https://f-entrepreneur.com/ialso-100-2022/

Mazda breaks into premium sector with new CX-30

Mazda CX-30 drive by Steve Rogers

Here’s a car that has lived up to expectations. When Mazda’s compact SUV was launched two years ago it was predicted to become the company’s best seller, and it has, toppling CX-5 and the Mazda3 hatchback.

Hardly a risky forecast as the great British public had made it quite clear they prefer high riding cars that drive like a hatchback of old, yet it still had to win the showroom battle.

And that is where Mazda’s desire to be different paid dividends because CX-30s sleek styling is a crowd puller and nothing like its rivals. In fact the CX-30 is more pumped up hatchback than a boxy SUV.

Not only is the styling out of sync with the rest of the pack, so is the engine. Mazda has turned its nose up at the trend for a smaller turbo charged petrol in favour of a normally aspirated 2-litre but with a kick of its own.

The engine has compression controlled spark ignition that brings in the power sooner than a conventional petrol but not quite as instant as a turbo. To close the gap a mild hybrid electric motor has added 5bhp and 16Nm or torque while updating the hybrid software has also lowered emissions and increased economy.

It is a completely different feel to a turbo engine, not quite as responsive at low revs with more gear changes needed to feel the benefit, but charging through the super slick six speed gearbox up to the rev limit without so much as a squeal for submission is terrific fun.

My wife has been looking over my shoulder and asking why I am rabbiting on about technical mumbo jumbo when people want to know if CX-30 is a good family car. Fair point.

Because of its curvaceous styling the Mazda is not as roomy as some rivals but is not far off when it comes to cabin space and more than adequate for most families. Rear legroom is okay although the high waistline and smaller glass area makes it a bit gloomy in the back. Boot space is a little down and there are no levers in the side walls to drop the back seats but you do get a powered tailgate higher up the range.

Mazda has been busting a gut to break into the premium sector and I think it has made it with the CX-30. It has aced it with classy design, high end materials and build quality. The driving position is perfect with a clear instrument binnacle although additional driver information is thin on the ground compared to rivals in the VW-Audi group. It does have a brilliant head up display – why doesn’t every car have this important feature?

I have always praised the simplicity of Mazda’s infotainment centre which has been refined with a larger 8.8in central screen and new graphics, and it is sticking with the rotary controller between the front seats which is safer and easier to use than a touchscreen.

There is a choice of five trim levels and two power outputs, 120bhp or 183bhp tested here. Unfortunately the 120bhp e-SkyActiv G engine does not have the compression controlled ignition and lacks punch but if performance is not on the must have list then take a look at the SE-L Lux at £25,245 with reversing camera and heated seats part of a generous package along with much lower group 13 insurance.

My GT Sport Tech is a beauty with leather heated front seats, heated steering wheel, 360 degree surround camera and a 12 speaker Bose sound system fronting a very long spec list not to mention a comprehensive safety pack but you will need to go the other side of 30 grand for the pleasure.

I would stick with the more powerful e-SkyActiv X engine which is more economical than the 120 G version and mate it with the superb manual gearbox, but money can be saved by going down the model range without taking too much pain on spec.

Fast facts

CX-30 GT Sport Tech

£31,305 (range starts £23,745)

2-litre e-SkyActiv X 183bhp

0-62mph 8.3secs; 127mph

49.6mpg combined (49.8mpg tested)

128g/km. 1^st VED £175

Insurance group 21

Boot: 422-1398 litres

Testing reminder as face-to-face learning restarts tomorrow

As schools in Denbighshire return to face-to-face learning from tomorrow (Monday) pupils and staff are being reminded to take regular lateral flow tests to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

With the spread of the Omicron variant, all school staff and secondary pupils are asked to follow Welsh Government guidance and take lateral flow tests on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays prior to attending school if they aren’t displaying symptoms.

Those who are displaying symptoms should not go to school and arrange for a PCR test.

Denbighshire County Council says it has been working closely with schools in the run up to face-to-face learning resuming.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the council’s Lead Member for Education, Children's Services and Public Engagement, said: “With the Omicron variant and the rising case numbers across the UK we are continuing to work closely with schools to do everything we can to protect pupils and school staff.

“It is important pupils and all school staff take regular lateral flow tests when they do not have symptoms to help stop the spread of the virus. Anyone displaying Covid-19 symptoms is asked to take a PCR test and stay home until they get a negative result or they complete the self-isolation period.

“However, the case rates nationwide are likely to impact on staffing levels and the ability for our schools to maintain face to face provision over the coming weeks.

“This means decisions may need to be made to close classes or year groups due to the numbers of teachers in isolation.

“I would like to once again thank all of our school staff for their continued dedication and hard work and parents and pupils for their support for helping control the virus.

“Despite the difficulties in continuing education during the pandemic, everyone involved has given their all to ensure our children get the very best education possible.”

School staff are asked to wear a face covering in all indoor areas where physical distancing cannot be maintained with secondary learners also asked to wear face coverings in classrooms, with staff and pupils encouraged to practice good hygiene, which includes regular handwashing and sanitising.

Parents and carers are also asked to be aware that due to the high number of Covid-19 cases there may be some disruption, possibly at short notice, to school transport.

Alternative arrangements will be put in place where possible and those affected informed, however parents and carers are asked to discuss options and contingencies with their child or children should school buses or taxis not arrive and we thank parents and carers for their understanding at this time.

'Fight your corner over lost benefit cash', says Skates

People facing benefit cuts are being urged to "fight their corner" by a Member of the Senedd who says hundreds of claimants in his constituency have had theirs reinstated on appeal. 

In 2020, Ken Skates helped a disabled Cefn Mawr woman who had her Personal Independence Payment (PIP) slashed by more than £80 a week win her appeal to the UK Government’s Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). 

Now the Clwyd South MS is repeating his calls for people to ‘fight back’ after learning that at least 440 claimants in his area have won their own appeals in recent years. 

He said: “Although benefits are not devolved to Wales and are the responsibility of the UK Government, I have seen an increasing number coming to me for help in recent years after having their PIP or other claims cut by the DWP. 

“Many people have been successful in appealing and having them reinstated, but I’m concerned that many feel there is no point or don’t know where to turn. Charities like Scope have also spoken out about this, and it’s important that people know they can fight back.” 

Mr Skates previously raised the issue in May 2020 when he helped cancer survivor Karen Richards take on the DWP and win. She also received back-dated payments after the UK Government admitted they should never have taken away her mobility support payments. 

PIP is the main disability benefit and is designed to support people with the extra living costs associated with their long-term condition. 

Mr Skates says that as reported by the Liverpool Echo in November, Scope analysed UK Government data between July 2019 and June 2021 and found there had been 12,579 successful appeals for PIP claims each month – equating to a wrong benefit decision being made every minute of the working day. In December, the newspaper also revealed that the DWP had 67% of its PIP decisions reversed.

The MS, who was also an outspoken critic of the UK Government’s cut to Universal Credit, said: “These payments are a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable people in our society, and the fact that so many are being overturned shows the number of incorrect, unfair decisions being made every single day.

“The numbers also highlight why people should fight their corner. If they don’t know how to, there is help available, and Scope has some really useful information on its website. There are also other organisations like Citizens Advice which can help free of charge.” 

Mr Skates says that if you want to challenge a benefit decision, you have one calendar month from the date on your decision letter to ask the DWP to ask for a ‘mandatory reconsideration’. 

Figures released by the DWP show that, in Clwyd South, there were 100 successful appeals against PIP reductions in the 2016-2017 financial year, 90 each in 2017-18 and 2018-19 and another 80 in 2019-20. Last year 40 of Mr Skates’ constituents managed to get their reductions reinstated.