Plans for biomass plant in Chirk get the go-ahead

Plans for a biomass energy-producing plant at Kronospan's chipboard factory in Chirk have been given the go ahead by Wrexham councillors.

For the full story see the BBC website at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-26014409

Last ditch call to save Plas Madoc leisure centre

Campaigners fighting plans to close Plas Madoc Leisure Centre have issued a last-ditch challenge to councillors, urging them to be "bravehearts not faint hearts".

Rachel Lewis, for the Save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre campaign, said: "Councillors will meet today (Tuesday, Feb 4th) to discuss the future of our leisure services. They know that more than 2200 people have responded to the consultation - an unprecedented figure in such a short period of time. They will also be aware of the mass protests and the thousands of people who have signed petitions calling for the centre to be saved.

"Our challenge to councillors is simple - question the basis for the officers' proposal to close Plas Madoc and Waterworld and replace it with one new smaller centre in Wrexham. Question the consultants about the accuracy of their report and whether the repair and maintenance costs are overstated. Question the council leaders about why their maintenance department has been carrying out a survey of Plas Madoc leisure centre in the past week. Question what plans the council has got for the sites at Waterworld and Plas Madoc - if there is a masterplan, why aren't people being told? Or will we end up with more derelict sites such as the Groves school and Grosvenor Road?

"We have challenged the consultants' report for its accuracy on user levels, maintenance costs and services such as disabled lifts. It seems the council is belatedly waking up to the fact that its consultants might not have got it right, despite receiving £51,000 for the job.

"Councillors will be making decisions in the coming week that will impact on this area for a generation. This is a time for bravehearts not faint hearts. We want councillors to speak out for their communities and to represent the people, not toe the party line. We will be outside to remind all our representatives that they have a responsibility towards us and our children. It will be the next generation that has to do without a leisure centre within a convenient distance."

Health board to drain hospital car park "lake"

* The flooded hospital car park.

Residents living close to the car park of the former Llangollen Community Hospital in Abbey Road have spoken of their concern that it is constantly flooded.

But Betsi Cadwaladr  University Health Board, which still owns the land, has said it is making arrangements to unblock a drain to solve the problem.

Neighbours say that for the past few years the car park has taken on the appearance of a small lake due to a number of blocked drainage grids.

This flooding took place long before the hospital was closed last year and has continued since, they claim.

A number of people living in the sheltered housing block adjacent to the car park say they would like to park on it, especially as it is now no longer needed for the hospital. However, they are unable to do this as it would mean them wading through inches-deep water to access their vehicles.

The neighbours also point out that having a large area of dirty, stagnant water so close to their homes is unsightly and unacceptable.

A Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board spokesperson said: “We are aware of the current flooding on the site and are making arrangements to unblock a drain in the centre of the car park to hopefully alleviate the problem.

“Following the closure of the Hospital the Health Board is in the process of agreeing terms of the sale of the land which is surplus to our use.

“In the meantime, whilst we understand that nearby residents may see the land as useful for parking we have to point out that anyone parking there is doing so at their own risk.”

Skates "hopeful" after Plas Madoc meeting

CLWYD South Assembly Member says he is hopeful over the future of Plas Madoc Leisure Centre after what he described as a ‘very constructive’ meeting with Wrexham council bosses.

Mr Skates, the Labour AM for Clwyd South, met lead member for leisure Cllr David Griffiths and council officers on Friday morning (January 31) to discuss options for keeping the centre – which has been earmarked for closure – open to the public.

He said: “Many of my constituents have made their feelings known about the council’s proposals for Plas Madoc. I am a regular user of the centre and I know many people in Clwyd South and further afield would be sad to see it close.

“Councils don’t take this type of major decision lightly, and authorities across Wales are being put under severe pressure because of the UK Government’s austerity measures. However, we had a very constructive meeting and I am happy to have been able to provide the council with a number of issues to investigate.

“I was very pleased by the commitment of Cllr Griffiths and the officers to hold an open dialogue with me on such an important matter, and I remain hopeful we can find an alternative and keep the facility open.”

County not part of Wales funding windfall

Eleven local councils across Wales have picked up their share of a £100 million funding package to finance regeneration projects – and Denbighshire is not amongst them.

Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Carl Sargeant, has just announced the cash windfall through the Welsh Government’s regeneration grant, Vibrant and Viable Places.

The total funding has been extended to £100 million over three years and so each of the 11 local authorities invited to submit detailed bids will receive funding of up to £15 million.

Successful local authorities are Bridgend, Conwy, Flintshire, Isle of Anglesey, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen and Wrexham.

The funding will be used for various regeneration projects - helping to create jobs, tackle poverty, increase housing supply and improve community facilities.

According to the BBC, Wrexham will pick up £10.6 million while Flintshire will get £6 million and Conwy £12 million.

The Minister said: “Despite the cuts imposed on us by the UK Government, this substantial funding is further evidence of how the Welsh Government is committed to supporting the people of Wales.

“These worthy projects will make a real difference to their communities and I’m delighted with the quality of the bids received.

“Many of the successful bids focus on the regeneration of town centres, which is about a lot more than filling empty shops. It is about creating a diverse and vibrant town centre with other services such as leisure, health and education at its heart and making the town centre an attractive place to live.

“Increasing housing supply is my number one priority and these successful bids will build on and complement the excellent regeneration work in evidence across Wales through our Houses into Homes and Social Housing Grant schemes.”

Local Friends of the Earth announce 2014 programme

Llangollen Friends of the Earth has announced its new projects for 2014.

These include:

Skills sessions at the community garden



This year the garden will focus on running skills workshops.

Workshops may include; green woodworking, permaculture, herb growing and uses, and maybe even eco-building techniques.

Energy project



The group will look again at energy generation in Llangollen and the Dee Valley.

They will consider a variety of technologies, sites and company structures. Have an interest, any advice or experience in this area? Please come along!

Fracking campaigning



Group members will work with other groups in the area to campaign against Fracking.

* For further information about the group, contact Warren on 07525 016503.

AM challenges Barclays over future of branches

Plans by Barclays Bank to reduce the number of branches have been challenged by Plaid Cymru Assembly member Llyr Gruffydd.

 

The North Wales AM said it was vital that communities across the North were made aware of Barclays’ intentions to avoid the painful mistakes of other bank closures.

 

Mr Gruffydd said: “I have challenged Barclays bosses to come clean about their plans for our local branches. Their Welsh manager has refused to rule out closing branches, despite us seeking assurances.

 

“Many communities in the area have lost shops and other banks. In some cases we’ve seen bank customers shifted to from one closing branch to another, only for that one also to close. There has been a gradual centralisation of services away from our small towns to larger towns and the least customers and staff deserve from Barclays is transparency about their plans.

 

“We are told that customers can choose online banking, which ignores the poor broadband service in many parts of Wales and the fact that many people like to bank with people they know and trust. That personal touch is in danger of being lost by this centralising agenda.

 

“As thing stand, the bank is refusing to offer a timetable or specify which branches could close. But, of the 30 local branches listed,  I would fully expect a quarter to face the axe.”

 

Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s Clwyd South spokesperson, said: “Barclays have tried to row back from the original story which suggested that they were looking to close a quarter of their branches. However their clarification leaves an axe hanging above each of our branches, as they admit that there will be reductions. Llangollen and the Dee Valley has seen a number of services closed or downgraded over the last few years and our businesses can’t afford to lose vital banking services.

 

“Claiming that more people do on-line banking doesn’t wash here, because broadband provision is so poor. Also many people, especially the elderly, don’t have access to on-line banking services or don’t trust them. Customers tend to be loyal to their banks, so it would be nice to see that loyalty reciprocated.”

 

Barclays has a branch in Llangollen.