Welsh national military museum being considered

The Welsh Minister for Culture and Sport has agreed to consider the establishment of a Welsh National Military Museum following calls from Clwyd West AM Darren Millar.

Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Millar said a Welsh National Military Museum would be a fitting tribute to commemorate the rich Welsh heritage in the armed forces and to mark the centenary of the First World War.

Mr Millar, who is chair of the Cross Party Group on the Armed Forces, said: “I very much welcome the fact that the Minister has indicated that he is prepared to consider the establishment of a National Military Museum.

“The UK Government has already established a programme of commemorative events to mark the centenary of the start of  the 1914 -18 World War, which resulted in the deaths of 40,000 forces personnel from Wales and it would be great if Ministers in Cardiff Bay could follow this lead.

“There are already a series of smaller military collections across Wales, including in Brecon, Caernarfon, Carmarthen and in Cardiff Castle, but there is no provision for a National Military Museum.

"It is impossible to overstate the massive contribution that our armed forces make to keeping our nation safe, often at great personal risk, and their professionalism and courage sets an example to young people across Wales. It is only right that we should show our appreciation and admiration in every way possible and establishing a National Military Museum  would do just that.”

Women's festival to hand over cash raised to charities

 

 * Dani Chamberlain as Agnetha and Jo Potts as Anni-Frid in the Abba tribute at the festival.

 

Organisers of the Women's Festival of Music & Arts staged in Llangollen on May 10-12 are to hand over the money raised during the highly successful event to various charities at a presentation later this month.

 

The festival's Facebook Page says: 

 

"We are pleased to announce that the Women's Festival of Music & Arts 2013 in Llangollen Town Hall, raised enough money to be able to present £1000 to this year's designated charities, MIND & AVOW, local mental health services, to be shared equally as £500 each. Thanks to everyone who took part, and the audiences who came. The formal presentation will take place at The Ty'n Y Wern Hotel, Llangollen, at 4pm on Sunday, June 16th. Absolutely everybody is welcome. We've booked the Hotel from 3pm until 6pm, bar and snacks are available. Let's make it a great afternoon."

Women's Festival Of Music & Arts Llangollen May 10th, 11th & 12th - 2013

 

Help for small music venues

The Manchester Evening News carries a story which might be of interest to small music venues in Llangollen.

It can be viewed at:

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/innovation/web-ticket-manager-creates-virtual-4050377

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.”