Welsh Government report reviews past year

The second Annual Report from the Welsh Government which has just been published allows the public to scrutinise how the Welsh Government is delivering on the commitments made in the Programme for Government.

It sets out 340 indicators of performance and updating on 547 actions and says that in the last year the Welsh Government has:

• Created 4,000 job opportunities to help young unemployed people into work through the Jobs Growth Wales programme and supported 1,500 young people into apprenticeships through the Pathways to Apprenticeship programme.
• Boosted investment in infrastructure by some £900million through the Welsh Infrastructure Investment Plan, supporting innovative initiatives in transport, education and housing.
• Invested £400million to deliver high-speed broadband across the country with support from the European Regional Development Fund.
• Supported our poorest communities by setting aside £22million to ensure those eligible will still receive full council tax support, providing nearly 2,500 extra affordable homes and re-launching the Communities First programme to focus on health, learning and prosperity.
• Improved school attendance rates and continued to support teachers to provide the best learning environment.
• Provided easier access to health services, with nine out of ten GP surgeries offering early evening appointments at least two nights a week.
• Recruited an additional 400 Police Community Support Officers, helping people to feel safer in their communities.
• Led the way in the UK on recycling, with 48.5 per cent recycling rates in 2011 which continues to increase, with people now recycling more than they are sending to landfill.

First Minister, Carwyn Jones said: “Our annual report shows real progress made in delivering on our promises on the issues that really matter to the people of Wales. It gives an honest account of how Wales is responding to the twin challenges of the global economy and the austerity and welfare policies of the UK Government.

“We are focused on the economy, attracting businesses to Wales, improving infrastructure, up-skilling the workforce and creating job opportunities, but we haven’t let our attention in other areas slip.

“We continue to make progress in health and education and have redoubled our efforts to do all we can to help the poorest and most vulnerable people in Wales in the face of UK Government reforms.

“However, we cannot ignore the fact that our budget continues to be squeezed and we have some tough choices to make. We cannot continue to finance all the projects which have received funding in the past. We will need to prioritise to ensure the future of those public services we all rely on – health, education and job creation.

"We remain committed to making this country a more resilient and competitive place. We will continue to stand up for and deliver for the people of Wales.”

County's local plan approved by councillors

Denbighshire councillors have voted in favour of adopting the draft Local Development Plan (LDP) by 21 votes to 18 after a lengthy debate at Full Council on Tuesday.

The Local Development Plan allocates land to meet the needs of the County for uses such as housing, including affordable housing, employment, retail and leisure as well as providing protection for our high quality environment and landscape.

The plan makes provision for 7,500 new homes over the 15 year period 2006 – 2021.

The Council successfully argued that this was the appropriate level of growth for the County in the face of pressure from Welsh Government and the building industry that the figure should be significantly higher.

Of the 7,500 new homes over 1,400 have already been built and a further 1,750 have planning permission. The Inspector identified through the Examination that additional sites should be put forward to ensure the remaining housing supply could be met.

The Council put forward 21 additional sites which the Inspector has included in the final Plan along with another 4 sites not put forward by the Council. All sites included in the final LDP have been submitted by landowners during the preparation process and consulted upon.

The Key Strategic Site at Bodelwyddan forms an important part of the LDP strategy and will provide 1,715 new homes, 26 hectares of employment land as well as a new primary school, community facilities and open space. There are also significant development sites located in Rhyl, Meliden, Rhuddlan, St Asaph, Denbigh, Ruthin and Corwen.

Smaller development sites to meet local needs have also been allocated across the County.

A new settlement tier for hamlets has been introduced which will allow limited affordable housing development in very rural areas for people with a local connection to the area.

Affordable housing provision will be required on all sites of 3 or more homes starting at 10% and rising progressively to 30% as house prices rise in the future.

All permissions for conversions of rural buildings, infill developments and exceptions sites outside of development boundaries will only be permitted as affordable homes to meet local needs.  T

The re-use of brown field land is promoted through the Plan, along with the regeneration of Rhyl. A zone protecting and promoting tourism uses has been allocated along the coast and appropriate, sustainable tourism initiatives are encouraged throughout the County.  I

In order to protect and enhance the landscape, the redevelopment of caravan parks to reduce density and improve landscaping is encouraged. The development of new static caravan sites will however not be permitted.

The St Asaph business park will continue to provide high quality employment land to boost the local economy along with policies to encourage appropriate employment development in the County’s towns and more rural areas.  R

Retail development will be concentrated in town centres to assist in regeneration and ensure they remain vibrant and able to meet the needs of the people of Denbighshire now and in the future.

Open spaces are protected; including land on the Park View Estate in Rhyl that has been a key ambition of the local population for many years; and policies are included to ensure that new developments include open space.

Areas of high landscape value are protected from inappropriate development including the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, the Area of Outstanding Beauty around Cynwyd and Llandrillo and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site.

The LDP will now be monitored on an annual basis to ensure that the policies are delivering the desired outcomes, and meeting the agreed targets.

Copies of the full LDP will now be made available at all council libraries, One Stop Shops and Bodelwyddan Community Centre.

Register for e-billing and win an Ipad

Denbighshire residents are being urged to switch to electronic council tax billing – with an Ipad2 up for grabs for one lucky customer.

Those that have already registered for e-billing or those who register  before 31 July will be entered into the draw for the Ipad, kindly donated by Capita Plc.      
The council says there are many benefits to receiving bills electronically:

·        It’s faster – you can see your bill as soon as it is available.
·        It’s simple and convenient.
·        It saves paper, so it’s better for the environment.
·        It helps reduce printing and postage costs.
·        You have the option to download and print the bill if needed.
·        Each person named on the bill can receive their own copy.
·        You can view your bill outside normal opening hours, 7 days a week.
·        You will always know where your bill is.
·        It uses a secure email system.
·        It’s free of charge.

You must be an account holder if you would like to take up this option. All you need to do is send an email to: revenues@denbighshire.gov.uk with your full name, address and council tax reference number. Once your request is processed, all future or amended bills will be issued to your email address.  (Terms & conditions apply.  They can be found at:  www.denbighshire.gov.uk)

Politicians comment on River Lodge report

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates  has welcomed a report by the Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee on the Welsh Government’s management of the former River Lodge Hotel in Llangollen (see earlier blog).

 

He said: “I welcome the Public Accounts Committee’s report into the former River Lodge Hotel in Llangollen. The detailed report and recommendations emanating from it make for sober reading and fully justify the concerns raised by the former AM Karen Sinclair as far back as 2007.

 

“On becoming an AM in 2011 I too investigated this matter thoroughly and voiced my own similar concerns that the Powys Fadog plans did not represent good value for money.

 

“From the original purchase of the land to the subsequent plan to turn the site into a Shaolin Martial Arts Centre and spiritual retreat, the story is one of poor judgement and inadequate management. 

 

“Perhaps the worst mistake was in allowing a serious conflict of interest to exist for so long.  The civil servant who recommended the hotel for purchase was also a volunteer director of the organisation which also wanted to lease it.  This was a fundamental error which contributed to the poor decisions that were made.

 

“A lot of public money has been wasted on this project and I hope the Welsh Government learn the important lessons contained in both this report and the earlier investigation undertaken by the Wales Audit Office.

 

“The wider point is that in Denbighshire as elsewhere, we need to take a much more robust and critical look at the way in which we manage projects in our communities which involve significant amounts of taxpayers money.  At all times we need to ensure value for money and accountability for local people and make sure any concerns raised are investigated and acted upon sooner.”

 

In the same press release from Mr Skates, former Clwyd South Assembly Member KAREN SINCLAIR said: “Nothing could persuade me that this was anything but a clear conflict of interest.  I am saddened that it has taken since 2007 to get to this point.

 

“Looking forward to the future it’s clear we do need to put this site to good use and make sure something constructive comes out of this episode for the people of Llangollen.  It has been my own view for some time that this site could now be converted into a new GP Surgery and health centre for the town, a facility the area has needed for some time.  I have made this very clear both to the Welsh Government and to the local health board.” 

Welsh Government criticised over River Lodge saga

* The derelict River Lodge.

The Welsh Government has been criticised for wasting £1.6m of public money on a failed scheme to turn a derelict Llangollen hotel into a community centre.

The full story appears today on the BBC Wales news website, see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-22760984

Plans for new health centre to be unveiled

* An artist's impression of the new health centre.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board says it will be presenting the plans for the proposed new Llangollen Health Centre on Tuesday, June 11 in the first floor hall of Llangollen Town Hall between 3pm and 6.30pm. 

 

The board says the new centre will be constructed on the former River Lodge site on the A539 to Trevor and will be shared between the Llangollen GP practice, the board itself, Denbighshire County Council social care and voluntary sector services. 

 

A board spokesperson said: "A wide range of services will be provided from the centre such as GP services, community nursing and midwifery services, outpatient clinics, therapies, mental health care services and social care.

 

"Members of the public are warmly invited to view the plans and make comments on them.  Health Board and Llangollen GP practice representatives will be on hand with the architects to respond to questions about the plans. 

 

"There is a lift to the first floor hall in the Town Hall."


Welcoming the plan, Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates said: “I warmly welcome the plans being put together by the local health board for a new health centre in Llangollen.  The town has desperately needed a new primary care facility for some time and the initial outline of the new centre looks very good indeed.

 

“Importantly the new centre will house a wide range of facilities, from a new GP surgery to improved mental health support and midwifery services.  This is exactly what the town needs and I’m in full support of what the health board are trying to achieve.

 

“In addition, these plans will also hopefully draw a line under the sorry saga of the River Lodge site and ensure something good comes out of this mess. 

 

“Local people have rightly been angered by the amount of money that has been wasted on the proposed Kung Fu Centre up this point.  This new Health Centre is a much better use of public money and I’m looking forward to having it up and running in the near future.”

 

Police ask for help to find missing man

Police are calling on the help of the public to trace a 53-year-old man who is missing.

 

Graham Austin of Shifnal in Shropshire (pictured below) was last seen at around 4.30am on Sunday morning, June 2, when he left a caravan in which he was staying in in the Corwen area.

 

His car was later found at Llyn Brenig, Alwen, near Cerrigydrudion.

 

The 53-year-old, who was on holiday in the area, is described as white, around 5ft 8’ tall of stocky build. He has short cropped hair which is greying and a full beard.   

 

He is believed to be wearing either jeans or black coloured pyjama bottoms, a pyjama top which has a loony Tunes motif on it and a green coloured Berghaus water proof jacket or fleece. 

 

Mr Austin is also believed to be wearing green coloured shoes which have a brown stripe down the side.

 

The 53-year-old has not gone missing before and concern is increasing for his safety and whereabouts.

 

“The Llyn Brenig area is very popular with walkers, cyclists and people who fish, and it is therefore very possible that someone may have seen Graham in the vicinity since the early hours of Sunday morning,” said Sergeant Grahame Brown.

 

“Concern is naturally mounting for the 53-year-old who has now been missing over 24 hours. I’d urge anyone who has seen Graham or a man matching his description in the area to please contact us immediately on 101.”

 

Searches have been undertaken in the area involving police, police helicopter, the Search and Rescue Dogs Association (SARDA) and North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR).

 

Anyone who has seen Graham or may know of his whereabouts is urged to contact North Wales Police immediately on 101 quoting reference number P085831.