Denbighshire consults on flood risk strategy

Under the Flood and Water Management Act, Denbighshire County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority has developed a strategy to show how it will provide a coordinated, resourced and comprehensive approach to managing flood risk in the future.

Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, Councillor David Smith, said: "Unfortunately, we in Denbighshire have experienced unprecedented weather events that have led to significant flooding in communities across the County in the last 18 months.

"I have seen first hand the devastation this has caused to many households and that is why it is important that we take advantage of the opportunity to assess where flooding is possible and have a strategy in place to manage those risks as much as possible so I would urge people to get involved and have their say."

The draft strategy and supporting documents can be found on www.denbighshire.gov.uk/consultations and hard copies of the Strategy are available at libraries in Rhyl, Rhuddlan, Prestatyn, St Asaph, Corwen and Llangollen. Copies can also be viewed at the Council's offices at Caledfryn in Denbigh and County Hall in Ruthin.

The consultation runs until 4th April.

Council proceedings going live online

Denbighshire County Council is going all technological to encourage people to get involved in local democracy – by streaming a number of its full council and planning committee meetings live on the web.

The former Minister for Communications and Local Government wrote to all authorities indicating that the Welsh Government was making £1.2 million available by way of grants to  to assist them in, amongst other things, implementing the webcasting of council meetings with the aim of strengthening and modernising local democratic arrangements. 

The webcasting of meetings involves the live streaming of sound and images of proceedings.

The webcast can also be made available on the council’s website as archived material. This means that members of the public who are not able to attend meetings may either view them live online or at a later time or date via the online archive.
The council intends to webcast approximately 60 hours a year of meetings held in the council chamber in County Hall using fixed camera and delegate technology.

Councillor Barbara Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Modernisation, said: “We are delighted to offer this new service, as webcasting will enable the public to view the meetings without leaving their homes, via mobile and social media.

“It’s a great way of engaging the public in local democracy and in the work of the council. Councillors have already received a demonstration on how webcasting works and they have supported the proposal.  We are now encouraging the public to get interactive and watch our council meetings at their convenience."

A date for the first webcast meeting is yet to be chosen but could be as early as next month.

Bank's safes are taken away

It was definitely the end for the HSBC Bank in Bridge Street when a large lorry parked up outside by this afternoon to take away the two huge safes which must have been sitting inside every since the branch opened.

The safes were lifted on to the back of the flatbed wagon with the aid of a crane.

Workmen could also be seen inside the building apparently stripping away other fittings.

Youth centre project shortlisted for top award

Denbighshire Youth Service are celebrating after being shortlisted for four major honours at this year's Welsh Government Excellence Awards.

Llangollen Youth Centre Education Project has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Contribution to Supporting Young People into Education, Employment and Training category.

Abigail Davies from Ruthin Youth Club has been shortlisted for Outstanding Volunteer

Nick Hargraves has been nominated in the Your Choice Category for his work with Ruthin Youth Club's Duke of Edinburgh programme. Nominated and voted for by young people.

Abigail Zurowski has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Part Time Youth Worker Award.

The awards will take place in Cardiff on February 20.

Jamie Groves, Denbighshire's Head of Communication, Marketing and Leisure, said: "This is a tremendous achievement. To be shortlisted for national honours in youth work is a testament to all the hard work going on in our Youth Service to provide the best possible provision across the county.

"We have developed a service that provides sector leading practice and I am proud of the whole team for their commitment, enthusiasm and dedication.

"This is not the first time for Denbighshire Youth Service to be recognised at the Awards. We have won national awards from the Welsh Government for the past three years and this is the fourth time for Denbighshire to be shortlisted in categories. We are proud of the fact that we have gained a national reputation for excellence".

Roger Ellerton, Lead Officer: Libraries, Arts and Young people, said: "The competition for these awards is really tough and shows the tremendous of good work going on across Wales to develop services for our young people.  

"In Denbighshire, we aim to be innovative and creative in our approach to working with young people and have a motivated team of talented individuals working tirelessly to improve the offer.  

"Our youth workers are great ambassadors for the Council and for youth work generally and I wish them every success at the awards".

Councillors urged to "do the right thing" over Plas Madoc

Council leaders meeting on Tuesday to decide the fate of Plas Madoc Leisure Centre have been urged to "do the right thing" by campaigners.

 

In an open letter to Wrexham Council's executive board, the Save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre campaign said: "The level of opposition to this plan to close Plas Madoc within two months is unprecedented. Thousands have signed petitions, registered their objections and joined our mass protests. In a few short weeks, despite attempts by the council to rush this decision through, we have mobilised a mass movement to oppose this plan.

 

 "The council's executive board meets on Tuesday (11th Feb) and has a simple choice. Officers and consultants are recommending that councillors ignore the views of the people and close Plas Madoc to save £96,000 a year - a drop in the ocean for an organisation with a £200m+ budget.

 

 "We urge the 10 councillors to do the right thing and side with the people's opinion to save a well-used leisure centre for future generations.

 

 "We know there are some councillors who are willing to challenge the consultants' recommendation to close. We are delighted that they have stood with us and hope that others will come over to our side and show some courage.

 

 "We will be monitoring the vote closely at the executive board on Tuesday and hope that everyone in the borough is aware of how their representatives are voting on Plas Madoc. This is an issue that has united the people of Wrexham like no other recently - we will not allow councillors to ignore the people's voice on this.

 

“All we are asking for is a bit of chwarae teg – fair play for the communities surrounding Plas Madoc.”

 

The campaign is organising another lively protest at 1pm on Tuesday outside the Guildhall before the meeting of the Executive Board. Everyone is welcome to attend with banners, whistles, placards and pots and pans to make a noise.

First snow of winter falls on town

Llangollen is waking up to see the first significant snow to fall on the town this winter.

The white stuff is being forecast at higher and even lower levels in north east Wales today, although the rain and wind is due to return later I the week.

Railway snappers visit Llan

 

 

A dedicated group of members from the East Midlands Railway Photographic Society were in town on Saturday night for a charter shoot at Llangollen Railway.

One of them, Tez Pickthall, has kindly given permission for llanblogger to use a couple of his pictures.

He says: “Here’s a selection of my shots from a very wet charter last night, including a couple to show the awe-inspiring power of the Dee - dwarfing engine D5310 in the corner of the shot showing the bridge.

“The charter raised £500 to be shared between the Railway and Diesel Group, so we saw good attendance despite the terrible weather, with most participants travelling from the East Midlands to attend - there are some dedicated enthusiasts out there!”