Some users to miss out on energy price cuts says Plaid

Many of Conwy and Denbighshire's residents will not be eligible for the largest energy price cuts recently announced by the government, according to Plaid Cymru.

The Westminster government has brokered a deal with the "big six" energy companies to save as much as £50 per household on energy bills.

The move aimed to reduce the burden on those who struggle to pay for gas and electricity during the winter months.

However Plaid Cymru says almost a quarter of householders in North Wales will miss out on the full discount because the most substantial cuts only apply to dual fuel customers, where mains gas is supplied.

Thousands of people in Conwy and Denbighshire rely on "off-grid" sources such as oil and bottled gas.

Plaid Cymru’s Ruthin-based shadow energy spokesperson Llyr Gruffydd AM has written to the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change highlighting the issue and asking how the government proposes to ensure that people who receive "off-mains" energy supplies do not lose out.

Mr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru AM for North Wales, said: "It's clear that the Con-Dem government at Westminster has not thought of areas such as Denbighshire and Conwy when arriving at its policies on energy. Rural areas in particular are far more likely to be off-grid and also have households in fuel poverty.

"It was with great fanfare that they hailed the agreements with the 'big-6' energy companies as a good deal for consumers, but it's far from clear how people who aren't on the gas main will get the full benefit.

"In large parts of Wales, people face a choice between getting all their energy from electricity or using oil, bottled gas or other off-grid fuels.

"This means that people aren't eligible for the cheapest tariff.

"Under these 'dual-fuel' deals, people who are near a gas main can get a discount on their energy bills. It's often these prices which are quoted by Government Ministers in their calculations.

"Plaid Cymru welcomes measures to reduce consumer energy bills, although the real reason for rising prices isn't green taxes but energy company profiteering that needs to be tackled. The average profit that energy firms make from each household has tripled in just three years—from £30 in 2011 up to £53 per household last year and up to a huge £105 this year.

"That is why the Party of Wales has proposed a publicly-owned energy company, Energy Wales, with a not-for-profit model."

AMs defend schools over banding drop

The Denbighshire Free Press is reporting today (Thursday) that Assembly Members for the area have defended high schools including Ysgol Dinas Bran over the drop in their latest banding by the Welsh Government.

See the full story at:  

http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/129318/ams-defend-schools-banding-slump.aspx

Timely Christmas advice from the police

As Christmas approaches North Wales Police and their partners are again seeking to raise awareness around issues of sexual consent.

 

Detective Inspector Kelly Isaacs of the Amethyst team explained: “We want people in North Wales to enjoy the festive season, and remember Christmas for all the right reasons.”

 

“The message is clear; having sexual contact if a person says no or is incapable of consenting through drink or drugs, is a serious criminal offence.”

 

Inspector Isaacs urged those attending parties and functions over the Christmas period to enjoy themselves, but to keep themselves and their friends safe from all types of crime.

 

“Alcohol and drugs can make you feel more confident; they can distort your perceptions and judgement and make you more vulnerable.”

 

Here are some simple precautions on how to stay safe:

• Always leave your drink with someone you trust, don't share drinks and never accept a drink from someone that you don't know or have just met.
• Don't get so drunk that you don't know what you're doing
• Plan how you're going to get home. Don't walk home alone or go back with someone you have just met - stay with friends or use a taxi
• Would you go alone into a stranger’s house at 11am in the morning? No? So why do it at 2am drunk? Arrange to meet new acquaintances when sober
• Always make sure that someone knows where you are and when you're expected back

 

North Wales Police, in partnership with other agencies continue to invest heavily to reduce and prevent sexual crimes and take a positive approach to prosecuting offenders.

 

Insp Isaacs added: “We are focused on preventing sexual crime, and we need to understand the problem by encouraging anyone who has suffered an assault to disclose what has happened to us so we can offer them support and investigate crimes of this nature."

 

Rape and Sexual offences are always the fault of the perpetrator; victims will receive the full support of Amethyst partners.

 

If you or anyone needs help with these issues the police can be contacted on 101 or in case of an emergency 999. The Amethyst self-referral system (which does not involve police contact) can be accessed via 0808 156 3658.

Think of elderly as Christmas approaches says county

Denbighshire Social Services is encouraging communities to consider the needs of people who are vulnerable this winter.

As the weather gets colder and days are getting shorter, vulnerable people may suffer from poor health and may need some help in their everyday activities. 

Families, friends and neighbours are encouraged to support older people and others who are vulnerable with every day tasks, such as shopping. A friendly call or an occasional visit to see that everything is well is also important. 

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Cabinet Lead Member for Health and Well-being, who is also the Older People's Champion, said: “Healthy eating can improve the quality of life over the winter months and can help protect against illness. Keeping warm is also extremely important and at least one room at home should be properly heated and people should also wear enough clothes to maintain body heat.

“Of course, it’s important to keep an eye on the vulnerable all year round and a friendly call or an occasional visit to see that everything is well can make a world of difference to the health and well-being of individuals."

If you are concerned about the well-being of an older person or someone who is vulnerable due to ill health or disability, you should contact Social Services on 01824 712900.

HSBC will not leave behind ATM when branch closes

* The HSBC branch in Bridge Street earmarked for closure next February.

An HSBC bank boss has ruled out leaving behind a cashpoint when the branch closes as planned early next year.

The revelation came following a recent meeting to discuss the controversial closure between Assembly Members Mark Isherwood and Ken Skates and Andrew Tamplin, regional service manager, South West and Wales region, for retail banking and wealth management.

In an email sent to the two AMs after the meeting and copied to llanblogger by Mr Isherwood, Mr Tamplin says: “During our meeting we discussed the Cash Machine in Llangollen.

“We have looked at usage, and the current availability of ATMs within Llangollen, and as discussed on the day,  there are many fee-free cash machines in the town and as such we will not be leaving an ATM when the branch closes next February.

“Thank you for your time when we met, and I hope the above information is useful.

“As discussed on the day, if you have any specific customer issues, please let me know and we will do our utmost to help and resolve.”

Soon after the closure decision was announced by the bank, a group of local residents, led by members of the town’s Chamber of Trade and Tourism, held a demonstration outside the branch in Bridge Street, asking for HSBC bosses to reconsider the move.

Martin Crumpton, chair of local group Keep Llangollen Special, said: "The programme of closures by HSBC and others since 2009 is being interpreted as their response to the report by Sir John Vickers into banking reform following the wrld’s biggest crash since the depression of the Thirties.

"In short, ring-fencing has forced them to choose between the dull, staid world of retail banking and the lucrative world of casino banking, where the banks themselves determine the house odds.

"Those at the top are so addicted to it they’d rather sell-off the ball and chain of branch banking, and when you consider that branches are the prime source of new accounts, the conclusion is inevitable.

"Keep Llangollen Special is talking with a new, community-minded alternative that enshrines face-to-face banking with profits ploughed into the community, and we’ll need the backing of the business sector. We’ll have more news in the new year." * An online petition has been started urging the protection of banking services in vulnerable communities. It can be seen and signed at: https://www.assemblywales.org/epetition-list-of-signatories.htm?pet_id=947

 

Llan bid for CCTV upgrade cash needs your vote

Money seized from criminals might help to upgrade Llangollen’s ageing CCTV system.

Cash from the POCA (Proceeds of Crime) scheme and funds from the Police and Crime Commissioner are being made available for local communities across North Wales to use on projects which will help cut crime and reduce anti-social behaviour.

 

Each local authority area has been allocated £7,000 and selected projects will go forward to a final public vote, with each winning project receiving a maximum of £3,500.

 

Llangollen Town Council and Llantysilio Community Safety has just heard that its bid for £3,000 towards facelifting the CCTV system is one of five accepted for Denbighshire which will now be voted on by the public.

The Llangollen CCTV system, which is operated by the Town Council, was first commissioned in 2006, and at that time Llangollen was one of the first towns to utilise broadband technology for CCTV systems.

The system plays a significant role in reducing crime and disorder, increasing the community safety and public reassurance as well as assisting the police in investigating crime.

According to the bid submission, the project will enable the Town Council to replace the defective cameras and complete the upgrade of the system.

The submission says: “CCTV has served, first and foremost, as a deterrent to crime. The evidence collated has featured in a number of high-profile cases, proving invaluable in the fight against crime.

“The introduction of CCTV in the town has been an effective tool in addressing the fear of crime and plays a key role in helping to attract new businesses to the area, in particular those boosting the night-time economy.”

·        To vote for the Llangollen/Llanstysilio scheme go to the website below:

English language:

http://www.north-wales.police.uk/contact/your_community_voting.aspx?lang=en-gb

Welsh language:

http://www.north-wales.police.uk/contact/your_community_voting.aspx?lang=cy-gb

 

 

 

Applications invited for shop front improvement scheme

Traders are being invited to apply for a grant to improve their shop frontage in town centres across Denbighshire to help bring an extra 'feelgood' factor on to the street.

The scheme applies to the whole shop frontage up to and including the pavement area and surrounds and can include signage - bilingual signage is encouraged.

The scheme, which is being run by Denbighshire in conjunction with the relevant town councils, offers up to 50% of the eligible costs up to a maximum of £1,000.

The funding is limited and so schemes for key premises which will have the most impact on the street scene will be prioritised.

Denbighshire's Lead Member for Economic Development, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: "This is an excellent scheme which will go a long way in helping businesses present their premises in the best light possible. Both the street scene will be improved and businesses will benefit from increased footfall - everyone will benefit."

For more information on the terms and conditions of the scheme, please phone your town clerk - contact details can be found at  www.denbighshire.gov.uk/business.