Fresh police appeal for missing Acrefair man

North Wales Police are continuing in their efforts to trace David Clwyd Davies who has not been seen since the April 8.

 

It was initially believed that Mr Davies (pictured below) had not been seen since April 7.

However, investigations show that he was seen in the Cefn area of Wrexham County between 1 and 2pm on Monday April 8.

Since then there have been several unconfirmed reports that Mr Davies has been sighted outside North Wales namely in the North West of England.

 

Detective Inspector Arwyn Jones who is leading the enquiry said, “It is seven weeks on Sunday May 26 since Mr Davies was last seen and our investigation into his disappearance remains a priority.  We would again ask members of the public who may hold any information that may assist the enquiry to come forward, particularly anybody who knows Clwyd, and who may have any information about his life or movements, past or present.    

 

Anybody with any information should contact North Wales Police on 101 or alternatively Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.Pictured below) had not been seen since April 7. However, investigations show that he was seen in the Cefn area of Wrexham County between 1 and 2pm on Monday April 8.

Since then there have been several unconfirmed reports that Mr Davies has been sighted outside North Wales namely in the North West of England.

 

Detective Inspector Arwyn Jones who is leading the enquiry said, “It is seven weeks on Sunday May 26 since Mr Davies was last seen and our investigation into his disappearance remains a priority.  We would again ask members of the public who may hold any information that may assist the enquiry to come forward, particularly anybody who knows Clwyd, and who may have any information about his life or movements, past or present.    

 

Anybody with any information should contact North Wales Police on 101 or alternatively Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Warning follows bike theft

Neighbourhood Watch has put out the following message to people in Llangollen:

"Please be aware that thieves are operating in your area.  On Thursday 23rd May 2013 at approximately 15.00hrs an unknown male was sighted at Dinas Bran School stealing a mountain bike.

"The mountain bike is described as a lime green “Identity” mountain bike with, front suspension and disc brakes.

"The male is described as approximately 18 to 25 years of age, white appearance, medium to stocky build with stubble.  He was wearing a grey hoody and dark jogging bottom with white trainers.

"If you see a person or a bike matching the above description call North Wales Police on 101 quoting reference P079807."

AM raises government's "failure to respond" over health changes

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood is concerned that the Welsh Government has failed to respond to  Betsi Cadwaladr Community Health Council’s urgent concerns regarding proposed changes to health services in North Wales.

Mr Isherwood raised the matter in this week’s Business Statement, emphasising that the health council submitted its response to the proposals in March, but are still awaiting a reply. 

  

Speaking in the Chamber, Mr Isherwood said: “Could we have a response to last week’s statement by the Betsi Cadwaladr Community Health Council that it still awaits a detailed response from the new Minister for Health and Social Services, following its objections to some of the health board’s plans for local services?

 

“Members of the community health council’s executive committee were disappointed to learn that, although they had submitted a formal response to the previous Minister for health—yourself, Minister—at the beginning of March, it had yet to receive a full response addressing some urgent concerns that they had about the effect of changes to services in north Wales.”

 

The Minister for Local Government and Government Business Lesley Griffiths told Mr Isherwood: “You will be aware that all health boards are going through service reconfiguration plans at present. I am sure that the Minister is looking at the plans holistically for all of Wales.” 

First Minister's statement on Woolwich attack

Wales' First Minister Carwyn Jones (pictured left) has made this statement on yesterday's attack in Woolwich in which a young soldier from Greater Manchester was killed:

“The horrific events in Woolwich yesterday will be condemned by communities across Wales. 

"I have today spoken to Brigadier Napier, the Army Commander for Wales, to express solidarity with the Armed Services and to send our deepest condolences to the family of the serviceman killed yesterday.

"As Chair of the Faith Communities Forum, I am proud that Wales is a multi-cultural society that enjoys the experiences and vibrancy that this brings to our country.

“Now is not the time to point fingers and play into the hands of these isolated attackers, but is a time to build on the strong unity of our communities and defy the very nature of these barbaric attacks.” 

June 1 is date for Llangollen Fete at Plas Newydd

* The grounds of Plas Newydd is the venue for Llangollen Fete on Saturday, June 1.

Llangollen  Fete, jointly organised by the Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs, takes place on Saturday, June 1, opening at 2pm.

Attractions include the beautiful grounds of the venue, Plas Newydd; Punch and Judy and music shows; toy, book, bathroom and bric-a-brac sales stalls; home-made refreshments and a cake and produce stall; Llangollen Town Band; make a scarecrow competition; decorated bikes and fancy dress competition for children; a bottle stall and a grand raffle with quality prizes, sideshows and local organisation stalls plus Chem, Llangollen's own town crier.

New town mayor installed - one councillor stepping down

Llangollen has a new mayor in the shape of Cllr Bob Lube.

The official transfer of the office from Cllr Jon Haddy took place at the annual meeting of the Town Council on Tuesday night.

Cllr Lube (pictured below left) told Cllr Haddy as he stepped down: “Thank you for the sterling work you have done during your term of office and I hope I can continue at the same level.”

Cllr Haddy was then presented with the traditional previous mayor’s medal before taking his place on the benches.

Cllr Mike Adams was unanimously voted in as deputy mayor.

Cllr Phil Thane becomes chair of the planning committee for the municipal year ahead and Cllr Adams will chair the general purposes committee.

Later, during the normal monthly council meeting, Cllr Tim Palmer (pictured below right) who was elected last year, announced that he is standing down from the council and that this meeting would be his last.

He told members that he and his family were moving to the United States where he would be taking up a new job.

Town clerk Gareth Thomas said the vacant position on the council would now be advertised.

Cllr Palmer said: “I would like to thank everyone for their patience, counsel and good humour during my time on the council. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself.”

The mayor told him: “On behalf of the council I would like to thank you for 12 months of service and wish you all the best for the future.”  

More focus needed on supporting older people, says Skates

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates met with the Older People’s Commissioner Sarah Rochira on Wednesday to discuss the future of services for older people living in his constituency.

 

The AM said plans needed to put in place now to support the regions ageing population to avoid putting intolerable strain on council budgets in future years. 

 

He said more focus needed to be put on supporting older people to live independently in their own homes to prevent situations escalating into crisis.

 

He welcomed the proposed Older People’s Commissioning Strategy in Wrexham which outlines plans for older people’s services in Wrexham over the next five years.

 

Mr Skates said: “Our local population is getting older and in future years there is inevitably going to be an even bigger demand for care and support services to help older people live their lives in a dignified and enjoyable way.

 

“One only need look at Wrexham Council’s own figures to see the growing requests for care services.  Of the 475 care packages currently being delivered for a period of 12 months or more by the Council, 54% have seen an increase in the number of hours delivered.

 

“At the same time we are moving into a period of much tighter financial resources and even tighter council budgets.  If we are to avoid our care system collapsing in future years it is vital we use the funding we do have set aside for older peoples services to care for our older people in a much more efficient and streamlined way.

 

“I met with the Older People’s Commissioner to discuss some of the issues facing older people in areas like Wrexham so we can ensure the structure of services works for the big challenges ahead.

 

“I welcome Wrexham Council’s proposed new Older People’s Commissioning Strategy which will shape care for older people over the next five years.  It recognises we need to support more of our older people in their own homes rather than letting them get into a crisis situation where they need more expensive and more traumatic interventions, such as a move into a care home or local hospital, at a later stage.

 

“Wrexham currently enables 81% of the older people it supports to continue living independently within their own homes, so this is a good basis from which to start from.

 

“We need to see services such as domiciliary care delivered in a more personal way as well as an even greater focus on reablement to enable people who use care services to remain independent within their own homes for as long as possible.

 

“There are big challenges ahead for our ageing population, but ones we can address if we plan effectively.”

 

Ken Skates is part of the National Assembly’s Health and Social Care Committee scrutinising the Social Services and Wellbeing Bill currently making its way through the Assemb