Minister will have final say on health shake-up

* Elin Jones AM.  

Campaigners battling to preserve local health services in Llangollen have welcomed an exchange between Plaid Cymru and Health Minister Lesley Griffiths in the Welsh Assembly.

Plaid’s health spokesperson Elin Jones said to Ms Griffiths:  “Minister, it is important to have a national medical perspective to help plan hospital service configuration  “However, the independence, transparency and integrity of the national clinical forum are important. “It needs to be independent of the Government and the interests of individual health boards.  “Despite events surrounding the possibility of rewriting specific documents, do you agree that there is now a clear divergence emerging between the medical opinion of the national clinical forum, which wants to reduce the number of large general hospitals, and the medical opinion at a local health board level, especially in Hywel Dda Local Health Board and Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board, which want to keep a lot of what they already have, much to the pleasant surprise of some of us? “Given this divergence of medical opinion, locally and nationally, do you now accept that, ultimately, decisions on hospital configuration will have to be taken by you?”

Ms Griffiths (pictured right) replied: “When we started out on this process, I always knew that a part of it would end up on my desk. That is obvious. “I also knew that there would be a divergence in opinion. “I also know that there are many vested interests as we go through this process.  I will come in right at the end, when we have those definitive reports.” A spokesman for the local health service campaigners described the Senedd exchange as “good news”.

 

Tough action demanded over tree disease

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates has called for the Welsh and UK Governments to work together to manage the spread of Ash Die Back in North Wales.

Chlara Fraxinea – otherwise known as Ash die back - is an imported fungal disease and experts suggest it has the potential to be as dangerous as Dutch Elm Disease which wiped out 25m trees in the 1970s and 80s.

100,000 Ash Trees in England have been destroyed by the disease with Wales' first case being confirmed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in Carmarthenshire.

The AM said its spread to North Wales was ‘almost inevitable’ and called for ‘clear and co-ordinated’ guidance to help those with infected trees on their land.

Mr Skates said: “Unfortunately the spread of this disease to North Wales is almost inevitable. What we need now is strong leadership from the Welsh and UK Governments and clear guidance being given to landowners who discover this disease on their land in North Wales.

“Infected trees need to be reported quickly and we need clarity as to whether they should then be cut down or left in situ. We need to be guided by expert scientific opinion on this matter, my only concern is to make sure that this happens quickly.

“We also need have clear guidance on how to handle leaf litter, because of the danger of diseased spores being moved to other sites. From this point onwards it may well be a case of moving resources to manage the outbreak as best we can when it finally comes.

“I raised this issue in the Senedd at the start of October, calling for a ban on imports of nursery stock. Sadly we have gone way past that and it now threatens the very survival of some of the most beautiful and historic Ash Trees in North Wales.

“Landowners and members of the public need to be better informed and I will be pressing the Minister for clear guidance from the Welsh and UK Governments.”

Ash dieback was first recorded in Eastern Europe in 1992 and spread over two decades to infect most of the continent.

The first confirmed case in the UK was recorded at a nursery in Buckinghamshire back in March.

Extra housing land earmarked in Llan

Llangollen is one of the areas where it is being suggested extra houses are built to meet future housing requirements in Denbighshire.  

Across the county more than 8,000 new homes could be built as part of the Local Development Plan (LDP) currently under consideration by the Welsh Government.

Proposed sites include greenfield locations in villages  and extra plots have been added to the county’s draft LDP after the Welsh Government said Denbighshire’s initial proposals were insufficient.

Mike Edwards, chair of the Keep Llangollen Special group, points out that among the sites suggested is a 0.26-hectare piece of land at Wern Road in the town which would provide space for eight dwellings.  

Mr Edwards said: “This this is small scale development, but it does impinge on the greenbelt area on the lane which leads up to Castell Dinas Bran and appears to be outside the existing settlement boundary.

“On a general point there is limited scope fortunately for new development within Llangollen due to the topography.”

A recent public meeting was held in Denbigh to oppose the extra homes plan.

Opponents claim tdditional houses across the county would place an “intolerable” burden on the county’s services and infrastructure.

Amongst the additional sites are plans for 172 houses on land at HM Stanley Hospital in St Asaph, 84 on land adjacent to Ysgol Heulfre, Denbigh, 59 on land at two sites in Ruthin and 15 on land at Cynwyd.

Other sites are at Bodfari, Cyffylliog, Dyserth, Llanarmon yn Iâl, Llanbedr DC, Llanfair DC, Llangollen, Llanrhaeadr, Prestatyn, Rhuallt and Rhuddlan.

A hearing on the LDP is due to take place in late January.

New police commissioner speaks out

North Wales' new Police and Crime Commissioner says he will be accountable for "every penny and every decision made".  

 

In a statement on his website, Winston Roddick, (pictured below) who was elected to the new post on Thursday, says: "It is a great honour for me to have been elected as the first Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales.

"The people of North Wales who voted yesterday have shown that they want an independent commissioner.

 

"We now need to ensure that this new role works effectively for the communities of North Wales.

 

"Turnout was low for these elections across the UK, but the voters have made a choice.

 

"What is important now is that we work together to ensure the best possible police service for North Wales.

 

"As your Police Commissioner I will act independently of any outside interference and I will not let politics get in the way of delivering the best possible police service.

 

"During my campaign, I promised to increase the visible presence of the police, to ensure security at home and safety on our streets, to work with the Chief Constable and officers to ensure the best police service.

 

"I promised to reach out and build partnerships inside and outside the criminal justice system and be accountable to you for every penny spent and every decision made.

 

"These are now my top priorities.

 

"During the coming weeks I will set out how the office of Police and Crime Commissioner will work and how we will reach out and to communities across North Wales.

 

"I will meet the Chief Constable at the earliest opportunity and start working with him and his officers.

 

"I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those who supported my campaign and who voted for me."

Llan residents offered special Christmas deal

In a special Christmas deal Llangollen-based Whitewater Active is offering local residents 20% off a range of outdoor activities.

Until December 24, they can make the saving on white water rafting (Llangollen only), kayaking, climbing/abseiling and gorge walking vouchers.

A company spokesperson said: “At the centre in Llangollen we offer rafting and kayaking on the River Dee, climbing / abseiling at Trevor rocks and gorge walking at Bwlchgwyn.

“We do offer other activities at various locations but it will be the four activities mentioned that we would like to promote to the residents of Llangollen at a reduced rate.

“Rafting takes place on the River Dee here in Llangollen and is a two-hour activity. We provide wetsuits and all safety equipment but the customer is required to bring a pair of trainers that they don’t mind getting wet, swimwear and a towel.

“Kayaking also takes place on the River Dee in Llangollen and again is a two-hour activity. As with the rafting we provide wetsuits and all safety equipment but the customer is required to bring a pair of trainers that they don’t mind getting wet, swimwear and a towel.

“Climbing/abseiling takes place at Trevor Rocks, customers are required to meet at the centre first to collect their safety equipment then they are required to drive to the rock face in their own vehicles. This activity lasts for three hours.

“Gorge walking also lasts for three hours but that does include the travel time to Bwlchgwyn, and again customers are required to meet at the centre first and then drive to the gorge site in their own vehicles.

“Full details of all the activities can be found on our website www.whitewateractive.co.uk.

“You can now purchase a voucher for any of the activities mentioned above for only £44 per person when this is usually £55 per person.”

Conditions are:

·         Vouchers are valid from 25.12.2012

·         Vouchers expire 30.06.2013

·         Bookings required via phone on 01978 860763 quoting reference KLS20

·         Not open to trade customers

·         Minimum number of people required for activities to take place

Roddick wins North Wales PCC election

* Winner - Winston Roddick. 

Independent candidate Winston Roddick has been elected as North Wales' first Police and Crime Commissioner.

Low turn-outs have been recorded in yesterday's elections across the UK.

In Denbighshire turnout is said to have been a meagre 16.7%.

Mr Roddick scored victory over four other candidates in North Wales - another independent, one Labour, one Tory and a UKIP representative.

He is a barrister and former senior legal adviser to the assembly.

PCCs, as they will be known, will be responsible for setting priorities for their police force, overseeing its budget and hiring the chief constable.

Mr Roddick beat Labour's Tal Michael in the second round of counting.

He began his career as a police constable in Liverpool before becoming a barrister and has been a crown court recorder.

The count went to the second round, with the second preference votes from other candidates going forward.

Those candidates eliminated after the first round were Irish-born Colm McCabe, the Conservative candidate, a former chief officer for the special constabulary in North Wales; Richard Hibbs, a Llanduno-based businessman, an independent, and Warwick Nicholson, a retired police officer, was Ukip's only candidate in Wales.

Louisa speaks direct from India

* Louisa, left, celebrates the end of her marathon ride with a well-earned glass of champagne. 

We have now received the final e-mail from Llangollen Operatic’s Louisa Jones describing how she felt after completing her gruelling 260-mile charity bike ride through India.

Louisa, 33, has been taking part in the Action for Charity’s Women V Cancer Cycle Challenge to raise cash for three women’s cancer charities.

Along the way Louisa and her fellow cyclists had to contend with pothole-strewn roads and soaring temperatures sometimes over 30 degrees.

In her last message she says: “Well, today at approximately 12:00 Indian standard time, we arrived at our final destination amid much whooping and jubilation.

“I woke up at 6am feeling refreshed and re-energised and the final 40km through hilly terrain just flew by as if it was the first day. It was a great feeling to know we were on the home stretch.

“2km before the finish line, we all stopped, tied balloons to our bikes and helmets, then cycled the final stretch together.

“It was an amazing experience as we celebrated with champagne and group photos and a lot of people were very emotional. Indeed, I still can't quite believe that we have cycled 350km (260 miles) in four and a half days, sometimes in blistering heat, on a diet of curry twice a day (oh for a plate of baked beans!)

“I am even more amazed by the women themselves; I am amongst the youngest of the group. The oldest lady is 65 and the average age is around 42. Many have had or are still recovering from cancer or getting over other personal challenges. Everyone has a story but no one has wallowed in it and the support and camerarderie shown has been humbling; it has been about completing the challenge as a team and not as individuals.

“We are now on the coach to Jaipur where we are looking forward to a proper shower and bed. Tonight we will celebrate our achievement with a party, then tomorrow we have time in the city before heading back to Dehli in the early hours of Sunday for our flight home.”

In earlier messages this week, Louisa told how at one stage along the road she had been catapulted over the handlebars of her bike after being cut up by a jeep.

She also revealed how, later in the trip, she and many of her fellow cyclists had been suffering from the dreaded “Delhi belly”.  

Louisa flew out to the sub-continent on Friday of last week and after a short period of acclimatisation began her marathon ride which took her and around 90 other intrepid women cyclists from across the UK from the city of Agra – home of the iconic Taj Mahal - through the rural state of Rajasthan in north-west India to the capital, Jaipur.

To maintain their tight schedule the group, ranging in age from their twenties to sixties, had to average around 40 miles a day.

The route followed was far removed from the usual tourist trails and took riders both on and off road.

In advance of her trip to the sub-continent Louisa raised the cash necessary to guarantee her a place on the ride.

Thanks to strong support from family, friends and work colleagues she managed to burst through the £2,800 qualifying barrier some months ago and pledges are still coming in.

She also made  a personal contribution of £500 towards her fundraising total, which will be distributed between Breast Cancer Care, Jo’ Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action.

+ To make a contribution towards Louisa’s challenge go to http://www.justgiving.com/louisa-jones2012/eurl.axd/5805f2ef88f5e749aa33e11e94dbaeb7