The North Wales Regional Leadership Board has welcomed the announcement of Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling to consider building a prison in North Wales.
The board represents the leaders from the six North Wales councils, the Police and Crime Commissioner, North Wales Police, North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Councillor Hugh Evans, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “The board has been lobbying for a prison in North Wales for over five years. It is great news that we are on the shortlist of regions to be considered for a new prison."
Representatives of the board met the Prisons Minister with the Wales Office in October last year and presented a case for locating a prison in North Wales.
Cllr Evans added: "I believe our efforts have put us in contention for a substantial investment in our region that could create over a thousand jobs and provide a major £50m per annum boost to the whole economy of North Wales.”
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
County issues two doorstep caller warnings
Denbighshire County Council’s Trading Standards Section has this morning (Wednesday) issued two warnings to about cold callers.
The first says: "We are warning residents to be on their guard as more reports of doorstep sellers have been reported..
"The authority has received information about attempted sales of mattresses out of the backs of vans by traders cold calling at consumers' homes and whilst walking down the street.
"In all cases the consumer must be on their guard, we do not know at this time where these mattresses are manufactured, whether they bear the correct safety labelling or if they are genuine branded product..
"The sellers are claiming that the mattresses are on sale due to wrong order at a local hotel or that they were the wrong sizes and they cant take them back to the factory.
"We understand that the mattresses have been described as Memory Foam, Luxury etc but we understand that they are carefully wrapped so you have no idea what exactly you are buying, until the salesman is long gone, by then its to late and you could be out of pocket..
"The sellers do not provide any paperwork or invoices and we are aware that they are using false business names and addresses. More importantly the seller is not complying with the Cancellation Regulations, that entitles the consumer when entering into a contract in their home, to have a seven-day cooling off period where they can change their mind and cancel the contract at no charge.
"We are urging the public not to deal with these sellers, you really do not know who you are buying from and if things go wrong, we will have no way of identifying the seller or rectifying the matter. If an offer seems to good to be true, in most cases it is.
“Talk to family, friends or neighbours if you are unsure or worried, or contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Customer Service on 08454 04 05 06 or for the Welsh Language Service 08454 04 05 05. Alternatively contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
"If you feel intimidated or threatened by any doorstep seller you should shut the door and call the police emergency number 999."
* Denbighshire Trading standards are also warning residents to be aware of companies cold calling and inviting them to complete a questionnaire which may result in winning a hotel accommodation voucher.
The warning message says: "Members of the public are warned to be aware of these selling practices which may involve the sale of water and air purifiers. The trader will typically cold call and invite the consumer to answer some health related questions. Prize winners will be notified by phone which may result in a sales presentation in their home for water and air purifiers.
"Consumers who agree to buy a water purifier in this way legally have a seven day cooling off period during which they can change their mind and cancel the contract. To do this they must contact the company in writing to cancel.
"These companies target particular areas so we would urge residents across the county to be on their guard”.
“We are not aware of any issues with the drinking water in Denbighshire. Consumers should never feel pressured to sign up to anything and if they feel there may be a problem with the drinking water they should contact their water supplier.
"Salesmen trying to sell you something on your doorstep or over the phone could be anyone and you should not give out any personal information.
“Talk to family, friends or neighbours if you are unsure or worried, or contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Customer Service on 08454 04 05 06 or for the Welsh Language Service 08454 04 05 05. Alternatively contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
"If you feel intimidated or threatened by any doorstep seller you should shut the door and call the police emergency number 999."
The first says: "We are warning residents to be on their guard as more reports of doorstep sellers have been reported..
"The authority has received information about attempted sales of mattresses out of the backs of vans by traders cold calling at consumers' homes and whilst walking down the street.
"In all cases the consumer must be on their guard, we do not know at this time where these mattresses are manufactured, whether they bear the correct safety labelling or if they are genuine branded product..
"The sellers are claiming that the mattresses are on sale due to wrong order at a local hotel or that they were the wrong sizes and they cant take them back to the factory.
"We understand that the mattresses have been described as Memory Foam, Luxury etc but we understand that they are carefully wrapped so you have no idea what exactly you are buying, until the salesman is long gone, by then its to late and you could be out of pocket..
"The sellers do not provide any paperwork or invoices and we are aware that they are using false business names and addresses. More importantly the seller is not complying with the Cancellation Regulations, that entitles the consumer when entering into a contract in their home, to have a seven-day cooling off period where they can change their mind and cancel the contract at no charge.
"We are urging the public not to deal with these sellers, you really do not know who you are buying from and if things go wrong, we will have no way of identifying the seller or rectifying the matter. If an offer seems to good to be true, in most cases it is.
“Talk to family, friends or neighbours if you are unsure or worried, or contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Customer Service on 08454 04 05 06 or for the Welsh Language Service 08454 04 05 05. Alternatively contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
"If you feel intimidated or threatened by any doorstep seller you should shut the door and call the police emergency number 999."
* Denbighshire Trading standards are also warning residents to be aware of companies cold calling and inviting them to complete a questionnaire which may result in winning a hotel accommodation voucher.
The warning message says: "Members of the public are warned to be aware of these selling practices which may involve the sale of water and air purifiers. The trader will typically cold call and invite the consumer to answer some health related questions. Prize winners will be notified by phone which may result in a sales presentation in their home for water and air purifiers.
"Consumers who agree to buy a water purifier in this way legally have a seven day cooling off period during which they can change their mind and cancel the contract. To do this they must contact the company in writing to cancel.
"These companies target particular areas so we would urge residents across the county to be on their guard”.
“We are not aware of any issues with the drinking water in Denbighshire. Consumers should never feel pressured to sign up to anything and if they feel there may be a problem with the drinking water they should contact their water supplier.
"Salesmen trying to sell you something on your doorstep or over the phone could be anyone and you should not give out any personal information.
“Talk to family, friends or neighbours if you are unsure or worried, or contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Customer Service on 08454 04 05 06 or for the Welsh Language Service 08454 04 05 05. Alternatively contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
"If you feel intimidated or threatened by any doorstep seller you should shut the door and call the police emergency number 999."
Volunteers sought for aqueduct information point
* Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
Volunteers are being sought to help man a visitor information point at the mighty Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
Open between Easter and late autumn, it provides information on things to see and do along the World Heritage Site and the rest of Wrexham County Borough and North Wales.
It also gives people the chance to look at tools that were used to build canal barges and maintain the aqueduct in days gone by, watch film footage and offers youngsters the chance to build a model aqueduct from wooden blocks, complete a quiz and try their hand at other activities.
Over 20,000 people used the information point between April and October last year, and the council is keen to ramp up community involvement when it re-opens for the new tourism season towards the end of March.
Councillor Neil Rogers, leader of Wrexham Council, said: “Local people and community groups are already involved in many different aspects of the World Heritage Site. They’re very proud of the site and are helping Wrexham share this amazing asset with the world. So we’d love to get local people involved in manning the information point too.
“Volunteers need to be 18 years or older, and can do as many or as few hours as they like. This is a great chance to learn new skills, gain experience and have fun helping tourists get the most out of their visit to the area.”
The facility was opened last year by Wrexham Council in partnership with the Canal and River Trust, and withfunding from Wrexham Council and from the Tourism Investment Support Scheme on behalf of Visit Wales, under the authority of the Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science.
For more information, contact Amanda Evans,World Heritage Site Community Development Officer,Wrexham Council, on 01978 814925 oramanda.evans@wrexham.gov.uk
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Reports of discoloured water in Llan investigated
The supply company says it is investigating reports of discoloured water from some users in Llangollen today (Tuesday).
A statement on the Dee Valley Water website says: "Please note that if you live in the Llangollen area you may be experiencing problems of discolouration to your water supply.
"Our Network Inspectors are currently investigating this issue to try and resolve this matter as soon as possible.
"If your water supply is discoloured we would please ask that you refrain from using the supply for any water appliances until the supply has cleared and it may help if you run the kitchen cold water tap to try and clear the supply.
"Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused as a result of this disruption and be assured that we are doing everything possible to restore the supply to normal.
"We will keep our website updated with the latest information."
The website to check is: http://www.deevalleywater.co.uk/news.php?id=80
A statement on the Dee Valley Water website says: "Please note that if you live in the Llangollen area you may be experiencing problems of discolouration to your water supply.
"Our Network Inspectors are currently investigating this issue to try and resolve this matter as soon as possible.
"If your water supply is discoloured we would please ask that you refrain from using the supply for any water appliances until the supply has cleared and it may help if you run the kitchen cold water tap to try and clear the supply.
"Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused as a result of this disruption and be assured that we are doing everything possible to restore the supply to normal.
"We will keep our website updated with the latest information."
The website to check is: http://www.deevalleywater.co.uk/news.php?id=80
Snow alert issued for Wednesday
The BBC News website is reporting this afternoon that a warning for snow on Wednesday morning has been issued for north Wales, including Denbighshire and Wrexham.
See the full story at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21428886
See the full story at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21428886
Health Minister urged to take swift action over hospital
The chair of a
community group has demanded an early response from Health Minister Lesley
Griffiths to plans for the closure of Llangollen Cottage Hospital.
Mike Edwards, who
heads Keep Llangollen Special (KLS), recently wrote to Ms Griffiths urging her
to call in proposals by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) to
axe the 137-year-old hospital as part of a general health shake-up in the region.
But he was angry to
receive an email from an official informing it could take up to 17 working days
for the Minister to reply.
 |
| * Lesley Griffiths AM. |
Earlier today
(Tuesday) he fired off a furious reply to Cardiff, in which he says: “Seventeen
working days is totally unacceptable mainly because I've been to Llangollen
Hospital this morning and was told by staff that the hospital will be closed by
the end of this month ie. 16 days time.
“This matter
therefore needs the Minister's urgent attention because BCUHB have and are
implementing their proposals and little or no information is being provided to patients
as to when the changes take place - I wonder why?
“The Health Board are running circles around and
disrespecting the Minister and of course the patients.”
In his original letter to Ms Griffiths, Mr Edwards
said: “I would appeal to you
to intervene in the decision taken by BCUHB to close Llangollen Hospital which
has served the community well and to which residents have contributed to
funding over many years.
“The Board's decision which has ignored residents’ objections who are dismayed that the community hospital should be closed without adequate replacement of services in place. This concern is exasperated, by them finding out that a Notice has been posted at Chirk Hospital withdrawing " Minor Injuries Treatment" from the 18th February, 2013. This will mean residents being forced to travel to and back to Wrexham Maelor Hospital a distance of some 14 miles. How do patients who have no personal transport cope reaching this destination?
“These changes breach your Government's policies on sustainability in that they increase vehicle journeys and force people to travel a distance such as this with a consequent sever detrimental effect on the environment in an Area of Outstanding National Beauty.
“Please investigate the Hospital Board's decision and "call the proposals in."
“The Board's decision which has ignored residents’ objections who are dismayed that the community hospital should be closed without adequate replacement of services in place. This concern is exasperated, by them finding out that a Notice has been posted at Chirk Hospital withdrawing " Minor Injuries Treatment" from the 18th February, 2013. This will mean residents being forced to travel to and back to Wrexham Maelor Hospital a distance of some 14 miles. How do patients who have no personal transport cope reaching this destination?
“These changes breach your Government's policies on sustainability in that they increase vehicle journeys and force people to travel a distance such as this with a consequent sever detrimental effect on the environment in an Area of Outstanding National Beauty.
“Please investigate the Hospital Board's decision and "call the proposals in."
KLS drops plan for legal challenge over supermarket
A campaign group has given up on
its plan to seek a judicial review of the way planning permission was given to a
new Sainsbury’s supermarket in Llangollen.
Instead, Keep Llangollen Special (KLS)
says it will now be concentrating on helping to promote independent businesses
in the town.
For the past few months, the group
has been looking into the possibility of having a High Court judge take a look
at the circumstances behind the removal of a ban on a café being included in
the 20,000 square foot store, which is earmarked for the site of the Dobson
& Crowther printworks.
But KLS says it has now concluded
that although it could well have a strong case, it will not go ahead with any legal
challenge.
The decision comes after last week’s
meeting of Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism (LCT&T) when members said
that although they backed the idea in principle, they could not support it
financially.
In a statement issued yesterday
(Monday), KLS chair Mike Edwards (pictured left) says: “We had a committee meeting on Friday
night to discuss the letter received from LCT&T confirming their
decision taken a week ago.
“Following a lengthy discussion we decided that despite having advice that Denbighshire CC's decision was fatally flawed legally on a number of counts, unfortunately without the full support of the independent businesses directly affected by this decision we were not prepared nor able to proceed with this legal action.
“We are very disappointed that having opposed the planning application since it was submitted last year the businesses are now not able to back our efforts to stop this development which threatens their livelihoods and the vitality and vibrancy of Llangollen town centre. There would be considerable work required to pursue a judicial review which the members of KLS are not prepared to commit to without the full backing of those affected.
“Following a lengthy discussion we decided that despite having advice that Denbighshire CC's decision was fatally flawed legally on a number of counts, unfortunately without the full support of the independent businesses directly affected by this decision we were not prepared nor able to proceed with this legal action.
“We are very disappointed that having opposed the planning application since it was submitted last year the businesses are now not able to back our efforts to stop this development which threatens their livelihoods and the vitality and vibrancy of Llangollen town centre. There would be considerable work required to pursue a judicial review which the members of KLS are not prepared to commit to without the full backing of those affected.
“Recently our AM, Ken Skates gave
his ‘moral support’ to this action, but regrettably the support which Mr.
Skates, Councillor Stuart Davies and John Palmer, chair of LCT&T, gave to
the application originally encouraged DCC to disregard Planning Policy Wales
and grant the application.
“We have decided therefore to concentrate our constructive efforts going forward to promote the identity, image and brand of Llangollen by continuing with our monthly Buy Local Days and are also investigating a Llangollen savers’ discount card and businesssupport hub to assist local businesses and suppliers who have not embraced or do not have the resources to use the Internet and social media marketing to grow their businesses.
“We have decided therefore to concentrate our constructive efforts going forward to promote the identity, image and brand of Llangollen by continuing with our monthly Buy Local Days and are also investigating a Llangollen savers’ discount card and businesssupport hub to assist local businesses and suppliers who have not embraced or do not have the resources to use the Internet and social media marketing to grow their businesses.
“We would hope that we can count
on the support of the Town Council, local politicians, businesses and
organisations in Llangollen and district to further these constructive
initiatives.”
The statement adds: “It appears to
us that there are numerous fragmented interests which need to be pulled
together and coordinated to promote all the unique and special qualities that
our town benefits from some of which may be lost.
“Independent businesses are
continuing to face unequal competition from corporate business who extract
money from our the local economy e.g. Sainsbury's predict, if they have their
figures right, to export £18.4 million per annum out of Llangollen to their
corporate HQ.
“What impact will that have on independent businesses if they are not assisted
to compete on a level playing field with these corporate interests?”
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