Get your council tax bills by e-mail

Residents in Denbighshire can now receive their council tax bills via e-mail.

Denbighshire County Council has been looking at ways of finding more efficient and effective ways of distributing council tax bills, whilst looking at reducing costs, and has now arranged for any resident wishing to receive their bills via e-mail to do so in future.

Residents wanting to take up this offer should e-mail their name, address and council tax reference number to: revenues@denbighshire.gov.uk

On receipt of this request, all future bills would be sent via their email address until advised otherwise.

For further information, telephone: (01824) 706443, 706456, 706468, 706315, 706338, 706428

Crime falls by over 6% in North Wales

North Wales Police has confirmed that overall crime in the region has fallen by more than 6%.

Since April 2012 internally collated performance figures show that overall crime has gone down by 6.3% with steady reductions across a range of offences.

Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard said: “There was some concern earlier in the summer that deployments of staff to the Olympic Games in London would damage our capability to reduce crime during this busy period. In reality that has not proved to have been a problem.

“One area of continuing concern is the level of violence and we are very focused in our action to reduce such behaviour. We are the sixth lowest area for knife crime as a proportion of serious crime in England and Wales and robbery is similarly low, but overall violence is a concern.”

The falling figures reflect the progress the Force making by working in partnership with organisations such as local councils to tackle some of the issues facing our communities.

This summer officers worked with Denbighshire County Council and Conwy County Council’s Licensing Departments to enforce the Licensing Act legislation. Regular test purchasing exercises have been carried out to reduce under age drinking in the area.

As a result two public houses in Rhyl and Rhos-on-Sea were served a notice to shut for 48 hours after selling alcohol to people under-age on two separate occasions within three months.

A force-wide vehicle crime initiative, which has seen thefts from motor vehicles fall by 6.5% so far this year, involves sending the registered keeper of vehicles, seen to have valuables on display, a letter and crime prevention advice.

Patrolling officers and colleagues from partner organisations identify vulnerable vehicles that have valuable items on display.

Under the slogan, “Leave it on show, expect it to go,” the campaign is aimed at reducing the number of thefts from vehicles.

Car parks which have been the subject of crime have been visited by Crime Reduction Officers and car park managers spoken to and crime advisory notices displayed.

Meanwhile action days have been held following consultation with residents and housing associations to reduce anti-social behaviour.

North Wales Police has also made progress with the way it deals with low level dissatisfaction expressed by members of the public. These types of complaint, whatever their route into the force; letter, e-mail, telephone or personal visit, are now dealt with centrally and immediately allocated to a local supervisor for resolution.

The figures show the number of non-domestic burglaries is down by 13.1% while domestic burglaries are down by 7.9%. Criminal damage and arson figures are down by 10.1% and robberies are down by 4.5%.

Assistant Chief Constable Pritchard, welcomed the reductions, but said there was always more to do.

He said; “We have been working with partners on joint schemes to help deal with local problems such as anti-social behaviour and theft from vehicles. This approach is now showing positive results.

“These latest performance figures show we are making steady progress in our drive to keep North Wales a safe place to live and work.

“It is good to see that crimes such as burglary are down, but we would urge people to continue to take simple security measures to keep their homes, business premises and vehicles safe.”

Still time to comment on council's future blueprint

Denbighshire County Council is developing a new Corporate Plan for 2012-17.

This plan will define our priorities and the outcomes we aim to deliver for our communities. 

During the past year, the council has undertaken a considerable amount of consultation and engagement with residents, its staff, and elected members.

This helped to identify priorities for the new Corporate Plan. 

The council's engagement work has included the following:

· A Residents’ Survey: 2,256 households responded to a survey which included questions about the biggest issues facing our communities.

· A Public Survey: 1,228 people responded to a survey on the council's website and in its leisure centres, libraries, One-Stop-Shops and council reception areas.

· Workshops with young people: run with the Denbighshire Youth Council and Student Councils in high schools.

Draft priorities have been developed to reflect the public's views, and the council would now like to know what you think before it finalises and publishes its new Corporate Plan.

The council's proposed priorities:

1. Developing the local economy and communities

2. Improving school buildings and standards for all

3. Improving roads
4. Protecting vulnerable people and ensuring they are able to live as independently as possible

5. Providing a clean environment

6. Ensuring access to good quality housing

7. Modernising the council to deliver efficiencies and improve services for its customers.

Consultation is open until Tuesday 11th September.

Further information is also available online at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/corporateplan.

The final draft of our Corporate Plan will be presented to councillors on Tuesday 9th October for agreement.

If you’d like to comment on the priorities we have suggested for our Corporate Plan 2012-2017, you can send an e-mail to corporate.improvement@denbighshire.gov.uk, telephone 01824 706161, or write to Corporate Improvement Team, Denbighshire County Council, County Hall, Ruthin, LL15 1PH.

Railway stages steam spectacular

llanblogger picture special

 

 

Llangollen Railway staged a steam spectacular over two days last weekend. 

A fabulous five of its resident steam engines delighted visitors as they ran through 

the sunlit Dee Valley on Saturday and Sunday. 

 

Railway spokesman George Jones said: “Whilst many rail fans at the gala may have wished for a visiting steam engine to add variety to the line-up, the expense of hiring in a special guest loco, and the cost of transporting it for a short stay, exceeded the budget for this occasion.

“In any event, right now there is something of a famine in operational steam locomotives available for hire on the UK heritage railways as many engines are undergoing heavy overhauls or waiting for finance to allow restoration to be completed.

“In putting on a steam gala with five of its own locally based engines, of some variety, Llangollen Railway offered a major event - something which few other preserved lines in Britain can achieve at this time.

“Aside from the rail fans’ expectations, for the ordinary visitor the frequent steam-powered train service operating out of Llangollen with an assortment of engines was a sight to behold and the subject of much favourable comment.”

 

 

The demonstration Queen Mary brake van No. S45302 freight train awaiting departure in Llangollen station. Larger than usual version of the type, it has been a single-handed restoration challenge by LR member Bob Gordon who acquired the burnt-out remains for rebuilding. It is known as a Queen Mary on account of its large size - unusually it is mounted on two four-wheel bogies. Its restoration to working condition is another notable achievement at Llangollen railway and adds an impressive freight vehicle to the fleet of historic items.

 

 

The single coach Auto train hauled by Pannier tank 6430 about to depart Llangollen for an extended run onto the line extension towards Plas Bonwm farm - the current end of the new track. This proved popular with visitors keen to see progress with the Corwen extension.

 

 

The British Railways Standard tank 80072 returned from its spell on North Yorkshire Moors Railway and was back in action. Here, the engine is ready to depart Llangollen at 3pm wearing the well-remembered 'Cambrian Radio Cruise' headboard - a tourist train which once made a daily trip around North Wales via connecting lines and provided an on-board "radio" commentary about the route. This was very advanced for its day, and only possible before Dr Beeching axed many of the connecting lines when Corwen was a centre point of the system.

 

 

 The Black 5 44806 awaits departure at Llangollen with The Mancunian train head board.

The Pannier Tank 6430 and single auto coach waits to pass the inbound train at Llangollen Goods Junction.

 

 

Foxcote Manor No.7822 runs into Berwyn a station. Trains passed at a near 10-minuite interval during much of the gala which saw an intensive half-hourly timetable of departures from Llangollen.

County council is highest performing in Wales

Denbighshire County Council is the highest performing council in Wales, according to the latest figures from the Welsh Government.

Each year, the Welsh Government measures the performance of each council in Wales using a series of Performance Indicators covering a wide range of service areas.

For 2011-12, the figures show that Denbighshire performed in the top quarter of authorities in Wales for two-thirds of these Performance Indicators, more than any other council in Wales.   

Some highlights include:

· Best in Wales for preventing homelessness.

· Best in Wales for reducing carbon dioxide emissions in our public buildings.

· 2^ndbest in Wales for recycling rates.

· 3^rdbest in Wales for delivering adaptations via Disabled Facilities Grants.

· 3^rdbest in Wales for helping to bring empty homes back into use.

· 4^thbest for average point score for pupils aged 15 or 16.

The position of Denbighshire as the highest performance in Wales is even more impressive given a report published today by the Local Government Data Unit which shows a general improvement in the performance of councils in Wales last year.

Denbighshire’s Leader, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: "The generally improving picture in Denbighshire is the result of the hard work of Members and officers in providing value for money services for the people of Denbighshire.

“We recognise however, there is room for improvement in some aspects of our work, and we will continue to be vigilant to ensure we see improvements in these areas as well.”

Councillor Barbara Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Modernising and Performance, added: “This is excellent news for Denbighshire and I am proud to see the authority continuing its upward trend, which is testament to the work of officers and members in bringing the authority forward.”

Health changes are "for the worst" says Llan Protest

I fully support  Mike Edwards, Chair of Keep Llangollen Special, in saying we need Ken Skates to ensure our Cottage Hospital remains open, at least until a new facility is opened (llanblogger September 4).

I fully support  the notion that the Cottage Hospital should be kept open for beds and minor injuries, and that the proposed facility at the River Lodge be shared with the Powys Fadog community hub, which is complementary to the proposed Social Services, and that Oakleigh be refurbished for mental healthcare.

And that the Regent Street Health Centre be retained for consultations, because its location is perfect, and its other functions be shared out between the Cottage Hospital and the proposed new Health Centre.

This “Healthcare in North Wales is changing” is a change for the worse, there can’t be any doubt about that.

Once again, I call upon Ken Skates to nail his colours to the mast and support the community in the manner I’ve described here.

As Labour in Westminster is so fond of claiming that “Plan A isn’t working”, Welsh Labour’s Plan A for the NHS is a complete dud. Scrap it.

Martin Crumpton

Llangollen Protest

Families go batty at Plas Newydd

* A bat in flight.

Searching for furry hunters of the night

AROUND 40 people went batty in a famous Llangollen beauty spot on Friday evening.

But there was no need to call out the emergency services for they had gathered in the picturesque grounds of the Plas Newydd stately home to track the progress of some of its most fascinating nocturnal inhabitants – bats.

The quest to find the small furry flying mammals was arranged as part of a rolling programme of nature expeditions by the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) team in conjunction with Denbighshire County Council.

The people who turned up for the after-dark safari were mainly family groups, including lots of adventure-hungry kids.

And they weren’t disappointed because after spending about an hour in the estate’s Y Caban exhibition suite making their own paper and wood bats and colouring in pictures of the mysterious wee beasties under the direction of AONB team members Rhun Jones and Ros Stockdale – Denbighshire’s very own batman and batwoman – it was out into the grounds to seek out these enigmatic and much-maligned creatures.

Although their reputation might have suffered from their cinematic associations with vampires and other nasties of the night, bats are actually warm-blooded, family-conscious little animals –the only mammals that can fly – which spend their lives minding their own business looking for the food they love, which is insects rather than the blood of innocent human victims.

But if you’re an insect, particularly something like a midge, watch out because one hungry pipistrelle bat – one of the most common species in the UK - can eat up to 3,000 of you in a single night.

The image of bats as big as birds flapping in menacingly to syphon off your blood is also so much hokum as they are really quite tiny.

In fact, according to Rhun Jones, an old saying is that you can fit about 100 of them into a pint glass and that one is small enough to squeeze through a keyhole.

What makes them look menacingly big is their large wings.

Seeing them swoop down on their insect prey can also make people feel uneasy.

But they are not – repeat not –aiming for you!

Before the bat-hunters went out into the grounds of Plas Newydd as dusk descended – the creatures’ favourite hunting time – Rhun checked out likely areas to spot them.

Favourite location, he reckoned, was the gable end of the café where he had observed a large concentration of bat droppings near the light fitting above the emergency exit.

So that’s where the group went first, equipped with torches and bat detectors – sensitive hand-held instruments about the size of an old-fashioned mobile phone that can pick up and amplify the sounds bats make as they home in on their prey.

And here’s another fascinating fact about bats – they use their own form of radar to seek out the insects they feed on.

It’s called echolocation and means that as they fly they make shouting sounds.

The returning echoes from these shouts provide them with information about anything that is ahead of them, including the size and shape of an insect and which way it is flying.

These shouts – subtly different with each species of bat – are much too high-pitched to be heard by the human ear but they can be picked up by a bat detector set to the correct electronic frequency - in the case of the common pipistrelle between 40 and 55 kilohertz.

Our bat-hunters spent quite some time pointing their detectors at the gable end of the café but picked up only about a handful of recognition signals – represented by a rapid clickety-click sound from the device.

So Rhun suggested it might be more profitable to go down into the woodland area known as the Dell behind the main house.

He was right, because in seconds of the group arriving under a canopy of tall trees in the middle of the wooded area the detectors were going crazy, with the presence of bat after bat being recorded.

The children in the group were delighted and there were squeals of joy at each clickety-click which screamed from their detectors.

Result!

It had been a great and productive night, both for the bats who had had their fill of insects and for the bat-hunters who had so clerarly heard them doing it.

Only the midges had lost out and not a single drop of human blood had been drunk.

 

* Tell-tale bat droppings around the light

outside the café area at Plas Newydd.

* One of the highly sensitive bat detectors

is held up for inspection by Ruhn Jones.

.

 

* Intrepid bat hunters wait for signs

of the tiny flying beats outside the café.

 

 

* Night-time observers watch frenetic

bat activity in the treetops above the Dell.