Bedroom tax will be "devastating", says Sargeant

 

Wales' new Housing Minister Carl Sargeant (pictured above) says the cut in housing benefit for tenants with spare bedrooms will have a "devastating impact" on many poorer households across Wales and that public services face a testing time as they struggle to cope with the fallout.

 

The so called ‘bedroom tax’, imposed by the UK Government from 1 April, means that tenants of council or housing association accommodation who are on housing benefit will be assessed for the number of bedrooms they actually need and those ruled to have too much space will receive a reduced payment.

Carl Sargeant said: “Research shows that around 40,000 households in Wales will lose an average of £11 per week from this change and, sadly, it is many of the most vulnerable people in society who will be affected.

 

“The Welsh Government is committed to doing all it can to ensure that the change does the least possible damage to our communities. However, we are under no illusion.

 

“We know that people will suffer hardship and this will put even more pressure on public services that are already straining to cope due to the current financial climate.

 

“We have allocated funding for 2013/14 to ensure that people on low income continue to receive council tax benefit.

 

"We are also providing £750,000 for the coming financial year to help on issues such as advice, landlord liaison and face to face contact with tenants having problems meeting their housing costs.

 

“We were also able to allocate some additional funding towards the end of the financial year to a number of projects focused on preventing homelessness, including extra resources for the homelessness prevention funds of all local authorities.    

 

“Also, several local authorities have joined together to undertake projects that reduce the rate of tenancy failure and put in place solutions that tenants say they prefer.    

 

“The Welsh Government is hugely concerned that many already hard pressed households are facing hardship and so is looking to find ways of supporting tenants and organisations to mitigate the effects of this highly damaging policy."

Cut price car parking in Ruthin extended

Residents and visitors to Ruthin will continue to benefit from reduced car parking charges for another year.  

A pilot initiative, due to end this Sunday, has been so successful over the last 12 months that Member Area Groups have agreed to extend this until March 31, 2014.

Last year, every Member Area Group was given a one-off fund of £50,000  to invest on projects that will benefit the local community.  

Councillors who are members of the Ruthin Member Area Group decided to use a part of their allocation to subsidise parking in Ruthin town centre.  

Due to the success of this initiative attracting more users to the town and it not costing as much as originally thought, the group have decided to extend this.

Following discussions with Denbighshire County Council, the fees will continue to be:

Dog Lane, Cae Ddol, Park Road, Troed y Rhiw, and Rhos St.

Retain 10p for half an hour as figures show this is popular

50p for up to 4 hours

£3.50 for all day

Market Street  Retain 10p / half an hour  as figures show this is popular 

50p for up to 4 hours  (No return) 
 
£3.50 for all day

St Peters Square  Retain 30p for three quarters of an hour
 
£1 for 3 hours (no return)

The group said: "We feel it's vitally important to continue the lower parking tariffs to attract more residents and visitors to use the town centre for their shopping.  Ruthin has a wealth of small shops that provide quality products and we must make every effort in this climate to support local businesses and be far more competitive in the market.

"Local businesses have continued to lobby for cheaper car parking charges and we feel we must do our bit to help regenerate the town. By extending these pilot charges for the next year, we hope that businesses will feel the benefit."

llanblogger says: How about an initiative like this is Llangollen?

Beef up health watchdogs, says Isherwood

NORTH Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called on new Health Minister, Mark Drakeford, to ensure that the role of Community Health Councils is strengthened.

 

Speaking in an Assembly debate on the Role of Community Health Councils, Mr Isherwood noted that the Minister’s statement pledging to see through the controversial reorganisation of health services and hospitals across Wales had removed any pretence that the responsibility lies with Health Boards rather than Welsh Government policy, and urged the Minister to address the fact that the patient’s voice has been compromised by the Welsh Government.   

 

He said: “This reorganisation has attracted huge opposition, and the patient’s voice should be heard, yet this Welsh Government follows the pattern set by its predecessors in proposing changes that could be used to further Community Health Council compliance with Welsh Government policy.

 

“Community Health Councils had been protecting patients’ rights in the NHS for over 28 years when the UK Labour Government abolished the Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales, and all English Community Health Councils, on 1 December 2003. To its credit, the Welsh Government kept them in Wales. However, to its discredit, it has sought to tame and control them ever since.

 

“Speaking here in April 2010, I stated that the Welsh Government had compromised the patient’s voice through a micromanaged reorganisation of Community Health Councils. The then Minister for Health’s dismissal of concerns raised by Community Health Councils left them feeling ‘frustrated, disappointed and downright angry’. At the time, Community Health Councils in North Wales advised that the Minister’s changes would seriously inhibit the ability of Community Health Councils to represent patients and scrutinise local NHS services.

 

“To add insult to injury, the last Welsh Government, under this First Minister, scrapped the Independent Review forming the second stage of the complaints procedure, which ensured that complaints made by patients and relatives could be scrutinised properly.”

 

He added: “Presumably, failure to achieve Community Health Council compliance has led to the Welsh Government proposals now that could be used to bring them further into line. We seek assurances, but we also seek concrete measures to ensure that that cannot be the case.”

Special event could boost Cittaslow project

A special open-air event could be staged in the town centre this May to raise awareness of Llangollen’s bid for Cittaslow status.

This was one of the ideas discussed at the latest meeting of the working group spearheading the bid to gain the accreditation, which could bring major benefits to the area.

Cittaslow grew out of the ‘Slow Food’ movement in Italy to encourage people to use local businesses and delight in local produce.

Now it is a worldwide organisation and is a demonstration that a community is serious about sustainability – economic, social and environmental.

Last year (2012) the town council decided that Cittaslow embodied many of the things that the council was trying to achieve with its Town Plan and decided to set up the working group to aim to become a Cittaslow town.

The group, which meets monthly at the Town Hall, consists of four councillors and representatives from a wide range of community associations. including llanblogger.

At the latest meeting, on March 26, respresentatives of the various disciplines involved in the bid gave a summary of progress made over the past month.

One suggestion which drew unanimous support from members was for a special Cittaslow awareness day to be held, possibly on the Royal Gardens, on a date yet to be arranged in May.

This would feature a display of what Cittaslow and the Slow Food movement is all about and it is envisaged that other local groups, such as Friends of the Earth and the local gardening club will also be represented.

It was also suggested that Llangollen Silver Band could be invited to play and that a face-painter should be on hand to entertain youngsters.

Town clerk Gareth Thomas agreed to do some initial work on the idea, reporting back to the group next month.

Other ways of publicising the Cittaslow bid and its benefits were discussed, including using the noticeboard at the front of the Town Hall in Castle Street for displays and posters being placed in shop windows.

The possibility of involving the UCLAN centre – formerly the Youth Hostel – in Llangollen in the bid initiative was also suggested.

For anyone wishing to get in touch, the working group now has its own dedicated email address, which is slowfoodllangollen@gmail.com     

To find out more about Cittaslow in the UK and worldwide please see www.cittaslow.org.uk

Llan motorist highlights snow danger in Trevor

Council should act says professional driver

 

* Many of the pavements through Trevor are still blocked by snow.

 

A professional driver has highlighted what he claims are the dangerous road conditions left on the main through Trevor in the aftermath of last weekend’s heavy snowfall.

The man, who does not wish to be named, says he was heading home through the village on Saturday night when he almost hit a family forced to walk along the carriageway because the pavements on both sides were still blocked by snow

He said: “It was a father pushing a pram with other children walking alongside him near the Aussie Rooster pub.

“They were wearing dark clothing so I only spotted them at the very last minute and managed to steer around them.

“It was so lucky I didn’t hit them.

“It wasn’t their fault they were having to walk in the road. The pavements on either side were still completely blocked by deep snow so they had to make their way down the carriageway.”

The driver added: “The council in Denbighshire has done a great job clearing the roads and pavements in and around Llangollen but Trevor is the responsibility of Wrexham Council which obviously doesn’t consider making the pavements safe for pedestrians a priority.

“This is a very dangerous situation and Wrexham should do something about it before someone is hurt.” 

Noah follows in Pavarotti's footsteps

* Noah Stewart is to appear at the eisteddfod in July.

The first black musician to top the British classical music charts is following in the footsteps of one of his all-time heroes.

Top tenor Noah Stewart will be performing at the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod where opera superstar Luciano Pavarotti launched himself on the world stage.

Noah, who was born to a single mum in Harlem, New York, arrived  on British shores a little over two years ago after been signed up to play the role of Lt B F Pinkerton in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly for Northern Opera.

Noah was fascinated to learn of Pavarotti’s love affair with the international festival of music and dance in the picturesque town of Llangollen.

When the chance came emulate the famous Italian tenor, he was determined to seize the opportunity with both hands.

He said: “I learnt that Pavarotti actually competed at Llangollen. My career has followed a similar path in many ways as, like Pavarotti, I too entered and won, a singing competition, although I was only 12.

“But it was how I started in music. It gave me the first clue that I might have a career doing what I love most, singing. There have been tough and difficult times getting to where I am today but in truth I suppose I haven’t done too badly for a black kid from Harlem.”

Noah is devoted to his single mother, Patricia, who fought hard to put food on the table and raise him and his sister, Belinda, the right way.

He said: “New York is the greatest city in the world as far as I am concerned and Harlem is such a special neighbourhood. I know Harlem has a reputation, undeserved, but there all the same, as being a tough desperately poor place where black people lived.

“But what people don’t realise is that Harlem has changed so much. In fact there are now more white people than blacks living in Harlem. It’s actually become quite a fashionable area in which to settle.

“But going back a few years Harlem was the centre of a kind of renaissance with many influential black musicians, writers and artists arriving from across America and Europe.”

Noah is fiercely protective of Harlem and its residents and says, growing up the area was, if anything, simply overflowing with love.

He said: “Don’t believe the hype that the district was nothing more than a crime-ridden ghetto. That just isn’t true; sure there are rough areas but you get rough areas anywhere.

“We never had a great deal of money but mum used to say being poor had nothing to do with how much money you did or didn’t have because you could be rich in love and knowledge.”

Noah was drawn to classical music as a child despite the fact that, being from New Orleans, his mum often played jazz, gospel and creole around the Stewart home.

He said: “I just found classical music different, it had a sort of richness to it and I always wanted to hear more. Sure, I played basketball, soccer and all the other stuff but mum didn’t want me out hanging around the streets at night so I listened to music instead.

“I really believe young people can lead better lives if they are exposed to the arts whether its poetry, literature, music, painting or some other form.

 “The first time I actually listened to an opera, that was it, I was hooked. I just wanted to sing like that. Of course it was far more fashionable to aspire to be a pop singer but I knew that wasn’t for me. Others were better at that sort of music than me.

“I wanted to sing in Latin, Italian, French and German and I wanted to work on my voice, to set it free. In a way opera is like some sports such as archery or tennis, it’s about perfection and about being precise and accurate.

“Of course there were not many opera singers from Harlem and in a strange way that drew me to the art form, despite people telling me if I wanted to become rich then opera wasn’t the way forward. And they were right about that!

“But opera meant I could use the full range of my voice allowing me to explore and use its full colour. After I won the singing competition I enrolled in LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts and I used to watch recordings every day before classes started.

"During that time I sang back-up vocals for various pop acts such as Hootie and the Blowfish and Mariah Carey, all good experience."

Winning a scholarship to the Big Apple’s prestigious Juilliard School of Music was the next piece in Noah’s operatic jigsaw.

After graduating he took a year or so out taking odd jobs and even working as a receptionist at Carnegie Hall before winning a place on the Adler Programme at San Francisco Opera.

It was in California that he got his big break, singing the role of Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth to rave reviews despite taking to the stage with just 15 minutes’ notice.

Since then Noah admits life has been something of a whirlwind as he’s travelled the world starring in operas and performing to ever growing audiences.

And, last year, his début album, Noah, topped the British Classical Music Charts.

He said: “My biggest fan is my own mum. She retired not so long ago after 44 years working at the food store check-out. She gave up so much to help me along the musical path I’m on.

“I owe my career to her and everyone who has helped and inspired me, such as Luciano Pavarotti. And when I appear at Llangollen International Music Eistedffod I’ll be following in his footsteps and that really excites me.”  

Noah will be performing in concert on Wednesday, July 10, with former Royal harpist Claire Jones and percussionist Evelyn Glennie.

Among the other stars t the International Eisteddfod this year, are Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, English soprano Claire Rutter, Kiwi bass Jonathan Lemalu and the choir Only Men Aloud who shot to fame on the hit TV show, Last Choir Standing.

To book tickets and for more details on this year’s event go to the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/llangollen

 

Trains steam through the snow at Llan Railway

 

Volunteers' massive effort to clear the line

 

 

 

* The loco takes on water at Llangollen (above) and on arrival at Carrog (below).

 

A herculean effort by volunteers over the past few days has enabled trains to start running again on the Llangollen Railway.

Railway spokesman George Jones said: "All the hard work to clear snow from stations and junctions, as well as some 24 fallen trees, paid dividends on Friday when steam train services to Carrog resumed.

 

"The GWR Pannier tank No.6430 provided the two-hourly service and took passengers into a winter wonderland down the Dee Valley, the snowfield at Llantysilio being especially noteworthy for its almost alpine-like scenery.

 

"Train services continue over the weekend with an hourly service, although modified from the published timetable to be alternatively provided by one steam train and one diesel railcar.

 

"It is to be hoped that although a thaw has set in, the snow will remain in most places to provide the wintery scenes which people enjoyed on Friday."