People urged to attend tonight's Town Meeting

Campaigner and local resident Martin Crumpton has sent this message to llanblogger urging people to attend tonight's annual Town Meeting:

On Thursday, 27^th March, the Llangollen Annual Town Meeting takes place between 7pm and 9pm in the Town Hall, and I strongly recommend everyone to come along to what will be a very lively affair.

Mayor Lube has followed former-mayor Jon Haddy in devoting most of the meeting to questions and answers from residents, unlike the previous and highly contentious practice of filling most of the time with guest speakers.

Make no mistake, these meetings aren’t sleepy, quiet affairs for half-a-dozen residents raising concerns over trees and dog mess anymore – they’ve been standing-room only in recent years.

There’s much to be questioned in a year that’s seen the closure of the Cottage Hospital, HSBC, the disappointment of the Christmas lighting, jobs at Dobson & Crowther, the cost of reinstating the chain bridge, the development of Cilmedw, the ongoing cost of the CCTV, the purchase of the garden opposite the Royal Hotel, the state and cost of the Town Hall, the new Health Centre and integrating its parking space, and the Town Council’s view on Plas Madoc and other campaigns.

You may not know, but Llangollen is in a very exclusive club of UK towns accredited by Cittaslow, the organisation that began as the slow food movement in Europe.

It acknowledges that Llangollen is among the best for business and community. With this accreditation, doors are open to funding, and we can all give ourselves a pat on the back for this recognition that Llangollen is a great town, and great place to live and work.

Immediately following the Annual Town Meeting, the Cittaslow team will be holding its inaugural public meeting to elect a committee. How any funding obtained is spent is crucial, and ideas are needed to help draw people into buying local. 

Llan event aims to boost businesses

Promoting Denbighshire as a great place to do business and giving local companies the chance to shine, grow and flourish in this economic climate is the aim of an event being hosted in the county next week.

The Open for Business event, being hosted by Denbighshire County Council at Llangollen Pavilion on Thursday, April 3 between 5pm and 8.30pm, will allow representatives of local businesses to make vital contacts from a wide range of council services, other external organisations and the business community.

The event will also offer businesses some food for thought on how they can develop their businesses and maximise the opportunities available to them.

Keynote speaker for the event will be Richard Staniszewski, a North Wales-based entrepreneur, public speaker and business mentor who has a wealth of experience from wide ranging career both in the UK and America.

During the event, the Council will launch a brand new video promoting the county as a great place to do business.  People attending will also be able to record their own short promotional pitches for their own marketing purposes.

The evening will also include the launch of the county’s Economic and Community Ambition Strategy, ‘Developing Opportunities, Creating Confidence’.

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, who is also the Lead Member for Economic Development, said: “We want Denbighshire businesses to have a clearer understanding of how the council will support business growth and development, as well as learning more about the range of services they can access from the Council.

“We also want businesses in the county to be more confident about their future prospects and to work with the Council to develop the local economy, as well as encouraging local people to think local, do business local.

“This is a great way of showing that Denbighshire is open for business.”

To register, please contact Kirsty Hutton Davies on 01824 706701 or e-mail: kirsty.huttondavies@denbighshire.gv.uk

The event has been sponsored by BT’s Superfast Programme.

Health board appoints new chief executive

Professor Trevor Purt has become the new chief executive of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. 

 

He is currently chief executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board, a post he has held since 2009. 

 

He has over 11 years experience as an NHS chief executive, with earlier equivalent experience within the private sector. 

 

The details of when Prof Purt will take up his new post are being worked through. In the interim Geoff Lang will continue as acting chief executive.

 

Prof Purt's appointment follows an extensive recruitment and selection exercise, which attracted candidates from across the globe. 

 

The BCUHB says work will now progress on the appointment of a new director of finance, for which interviews are planned in early May.

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru North Wales AM, said of Prod Purt's appointment: “I’m pleased a decision has been made and I hope Mr Purt brings some stability to the top of Betsi Cadwaladr.

"I look forward to forming a good working relationship with him over the coming months. I look forward to meeting with him as soon as possible and I will continue to speak up for constituents’ concerns about the Welsh health service and how we can improve it.”

 

AM completes Sport Relief challenge

* Ken Skates AM receives his participant's medal from the Mayor of Wrexham, Cllr David Bithell.

ASSEMBLY Member Ken Skates was among the first across the finishing line after tackling a six-mile run in aid of Sport Relief.

Mr Skates, the Labour AM for Clwyd South, completed the challenge at Ty Mawr Country Park in Cefn Mawr on Sunday in just under 42 minutes.

He said: “It was a fantastic occasion. People were in great spirits and I was delighted to be a part of it, especially as the event was in my own constituency, and there was a really good turn-out.

“The run was tough, but thousands of pounds were raised and I’m proud that I was able to play a very small part in the most successful Sport Relief campaign ever.”

The biennial charity event, run in association with the BBC, brings together the worlds of sport and entertainment to raise money for people in need in the UK and the world's poorest countries. Friday night’s live TV broadcast generated more than £51m.

Mr Skates added: “I’d like to thank everyone who sponsored me – your money really will a make a difference to people’s lives.”

Anyone who still wants to donate can sponsor Mr Skates by visiting his Sport Relief page – my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/kenskates.

Soldier's family allowed to seek new inquest into her death

The father of a soldier who died at Deepcut barracks 18 years ago hopes the decision to allow him to seek a new inquest will bring "closure", according to a BBC report.

The attorney general is allowing the family of Pte Cheryl James, who grew up in Llangollen, to ask the High Court for a new inquest.

Pte James, 18, was found dead at the barracks in Surrey in 1995 and an inquest recorded an open verdict.

For the full story see:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-26720962

Dinas Bran's Shannon wins Battle of the Bands

* Emily Bolwell, Catrin Jones, Sherrie Paterson, Shannon Robertson, Catrin Lawson,

Brannon Liston-Smith, Sarah Baines, Cari Miles, Martha Peters.

A GIRL from Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen took first place in a talent competition staged in Ruthin, winning herself a recording session.

Theatre John Ambrose played host to the county's first Battle of the Bands 2014 competition last week as nine bands and acts took to the stage for the chance to win a half day session in a recording studio.

The audience was treated to a mix of performances from solo singers, duets, bands and orchestral groups with all participants ranging from 12 to 18 years of age (school year 7-13) from a number of Denbighshire secondary schools including Dinas Bran, Ysgol Glan Clwyd, Blessed Edward Jones CHS and St Brigid’s.

Pupils from Ysgol Brynhyfryd volunteered to help out for the evening to ensure everything ran smoothly.

The event was organised by Sherrie Paterson, Denbighshire's 14-19 Network Development Officer, with the aim of raising funds for the School Council Forum and charity.

Shannon Robertson from Ysgol Dinas Bran took first place gaining a half day recording session on behalf of TAPE Community Music and Film, Colwyn Bay.

River, a duet from St Brigid’s, took second place and Di-Enw, a band from Ysgol Glan Clwyd was third.

Sherrie said: "The event was really well attended and £386 was raised towards Barnardo's and the School Council Forum, which helps young people make valuable decisions and to share best practice in order to improve their schools for future generations."

Two taxis prohibited after roadside checks

Roadside checks have been carried out on cars and taxis in south Denbighshire, in the interest of road safety.

The detailed roadworthiness safety checks were carried out by officers from Denbighshire County Council's Licensing and Community Safety section,  North Wales Police and Driver Vehicle Standards Agency.

A total of six taxis were examined during the course of the operation and subjected to stringent inspections in pursuance of road safety.  The checks resulted in two taxis being immediately prohibited and suspended by DVSA officers and Council Licensing/ Community Safety Enforcement Officers for two defective tyres and lighting defects.  Councillor David Smith, Denbighshire Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: "These operations must send a clear message that the Police, DVSA and Denbighshire County Council are jointly committed to a course of action that will seek out any vehicles that are not fit for purpose.

"This activity is also designed to gain the confidence of both public public who use taxis/ private hire vehicles and all those persons who use the roads of Denbighshire.

"In order to further public safety, North Wales Police, DVSA and Denbighshire County Council Licensing/Community Safety Enforcement Officers will continue to work in partnership in carrying out taxi, private hire vehicle roadworthiness checks and other motor vehicle checks and take appropriate action where necessary."

“Local officers took part in the day,” said Sergeant Beth Jones who is based in Ruthin.

“Members of the public can be reassured that we will continue with this work to ensure the safety of all who use the road and that of any passengers that are carried in such vehicles.”