Denbighshire declares war on fuel poverty

Denbighshire and partner organisations have pledged to tackle the growing issue of fuel poverty in the county.

Across Wales, fuel poverty affects around 26% of households who spend more than 10% of their income on fuel. It is estimated this affects around 10,600 in Denbighshire.
   

The council says that, with partners in Denbighshire Advice Network, it will be working together to do as much as is possible to reduce, halt or soften the impact of fuel poverty.

 

Denbighshire's fuel poverty action plan will deliver 18 actions involving a range or organisations and schemes such as the North Wales Energy Advice Centre, the Financial Inclusion Together Project, the Energy Saving Trust and NEST (the Welsh Government's Fuel Poverty Scheme).

 

Work will now begin on identifying areas where homes are likely to benefit from ECO energy efficiency measures, delivering energy advice, exploring the possibility of renewable heat incentives and subsidies from utility companies, working with Cadwyn Clwyd to address rural fuel poverty and consideration of establishing bulk purchasing projects for groups for all types of fuel.

 

Other actions will maximising people's income, resolve personal debts and securing the best fuel prices.

   

This fuel poverty action plan will link in to Denbighshire's Big Plan's outcomes to reduce poverty among disadvantaged families, young and older people, promote healthy lifestyles, create a sustainable economy and recognising the needs of rural communities.

   

Denbighshire's Cabinet Lead Member for Customers and Communities, Councillor Hugh Irving, said: "The success of this action plan will depend on all of our organisations working together effectively and innovatively at a time when resources and funding are becoming increasingly scarce.

"We will be evaluating our work and, most importantly, what difference it is making to the quality of life for our residents and will be reporting back to the Denbighshire Advice Network on a six monthly basis."

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.