County appoints new social services boss

Denbighshire County Council has appointed Nicola Stubbins as its new Director of Social Services.
   
Nicola is currently Head of Service - Adult Safeguarding and Well-being for Blackpool Council and has experience in both adult and children's services.

She will replace Sally Ellis who is retiring from her role as Corporate Director and Statutory Director for Social Services.
   
Councillor Bobby Feeley, Cabinet Lead Member for Health and Well-being and who is also the Older Person's Champion, said: "We are delighted that an officer of Nicola's calibre will be joining us here in Denbighshire. She has a wealth of experience in the social services field and is well placed to continue the tremendous work carried out by Sally and the team over the years.
   
"We would like to formally welcome Nicola to Denbighshire and to thank Sally for her clear commitment, dedication and leadership in our efforts to protect vulnerable people in the county."
   
Nicola said: "I am truly and honestly thrilled to be joining Denbighshire County Council. The post of Director of Social Services is a great responsibility but this is also an exciting opportunity to be part of a successful team".

Lessons must be learned from health board's failings, says AMs report

Health authorities across Wales must learn lessons from failings at the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, assembly members have warned.

Some senior managers at the board, the biggest in Wales, have already stepped down after an earlier  critical report.

In its latest report, which has just been published, the powerful assembly's public accounts committee says the new leadership now faces a "huge task".

* The Party of Wales AM Llyr Gruffydd, who represents North Wales, said: “This damning report highlights serious concerns over the breakdown of the relationship between the Health Board, its staff and the Welsh Government. In particular, there was a failure to properly hold Health Board leaders to account.

 

“The committee concluded that, had the Welsh Government properly monitored the Health Board, then problems could have been identified earlier. The laissez faire attitude of the Welsh Government towards our health service is unacceptable, and this report demonstrates that patients have suffered as a result.”

* See the full story on the BBC North East Wales website at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-25305585

Tragedy in Fron

The BBC's North East Wales news website is reporting this evening (Thursday) that a three-year-old boy has died in hospital after he was found in a garden pond in Froncysllte.

See the full story at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-24865177

Operatic presents its Christmas show

Llangollen Operatic Society will present its big festive show at the Town Hall tomorrow (Tuesday) evening.

A Christmas Cracker is a selection of seasonal songs and short sketches.

It starts at 7.30pm and tickets at £6 are available from Gwynn 's Butchers and the Tourist Information Centre in Castle Street and also on the door on the night.

Trains services in Wales "lagging behind" says report

Train services in Wales are lagging behind those elsewhere in the UK, according to a report highlighted today on the BBC's North East Wales news website.

See the full story at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-25297609

Closure of Plas Madoc leisure centre proposed

* Plas Madoc leisure centre ... proposed for closure.

The closure of Plas Madoc leisure centre, which is used by many people from Llangollen, is proposed in a report by consultants due to go before a Wrexham Council scrutiny committee on Wednesday.

To see the full report go to:

http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/MinutesData/HomesEnvCom/Reports/haed5913s.pdf

RAF flies in to help tidy Plas Newydd grounds

 

 

* RAF volunteers at work in the stream.

 

* Part of the RAF team zeros in on a little burning.

The Royal Air Force flew in to help give the grounds of Plas Newydd a winter makeover at the weekend.

Around a dozen volunteers sortied out from RAF Shawbury on Saturday and Sunday to attack a variety of tasks including tidying up the stream and burning excess foliage.

Heritage team leader for Denbighshire County Council, Kevin Pennington, said: "'We are really grateful for their help, it is a busy time of year for our gardener, keeping our site well maintained and attractive for visitors and the people of Llangollen to enjoy.
   "The impact of this extra help will be really beneficial in looking after our beautiful site.".