Labour says more people struggle to pay their rent

Labour politicians have hit out over a rise in the number of people asking for financial support as they struggle to pay their rent because of what the call ‘crippling’ UK Government cuts.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates says figures he has obtained show an increase in the number of individuals and families asking local councils for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) to make ends meet.

DHPs are given at each local council’s discretion to those who qualify for housing benefit but are having trouble paying their rent or finding enough money to pay for the start-up costs of a tenancy.

The data obtained by Mr Skates under the Freedom of Information Act reveals that last year Denbighshire paid out £223,896 to residents, an increase of almost 600% from four years ago (£37,505).

Mr Skates said: “These numbers are a stark reiteration of the fact that the savage cuts made by the Tory-led UK Government through its crippling austerity programme are really hurting people here in Clwyd South and across Wales.

“The coalition’s ideologically driven and spiteful welfare reform agenda has created the cost-of-living crisis they continue to deny and left Welsh people hundreds of pounds worse off a year through benefit caps and their abhorrent bedroom tax.

“While Cameron and Osborne continue to churn out statistics which claim the economy is recovering, the majority of us know different. Life isn’t lived on graphs and pie charts, and next year’s General Election will be the first since records began where living standards are lower than the previous one.

“The Tories’ benefit changes have not made any kind of positive impact or made the system fairer in any way, and they are doing nothing to tackle the problems that they have inflicted on so many hard-working people and families.”

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones said: “These figures are very concerning and show the huge demands on local councils, like Wrexham, who are doing their best to help local people in the face of David Cameron's Government’s policies.

“I am a strong supporter of serious and proper welfare reform in this country that doesn't flinch from being tough in tackling abuse, but is also supportive of people in genuine need.  I am very glad that a future Labour Government is committed to repealing the bedroom tax – something that will make a big difference for many families from our area.”

Attract more foreign visitors to Wales, says AM

A leading Liberal Democrat says more needs to be done to attract foreign tourists to Wales.

Speaking following today’s publication of tourism statistics which show that fewer than 1% of tourists visiting Wales come from outside the UK, Eluned Parrott AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Economy Minister, said: “Wales is not attracting enough tourists from overseas.

 

"With Cardiff only two hours away from London by train, and Pembrokeshire and the Brecon Beacons not much further, there’s a clear ability for us to sell ourselves as an accessible and attractive destination for foreign tourists.

 

“Millions of tourists from abroad head to London every year. Many just stay there, a few head to places like Bath, Oxford and Scotland, but we need to encourage them to visit Wales too.

 

“Events such as the Ryder Cup and this week’s NATO Summit are putting Wales on the map. Now we need to ensure those who’ve seen Wales on TV or read about us in the newspapers come and see what we can offer for themselves.

 

“The Scottish Government spends £47million per year selling Scotland to the world, the Welsh equivalent spends just £7million. It’s clear that the Welsh Labour Government needs to up its game in promoting Wales to the world.

 

“Wales has wonderful natural and manmade attractions which we should be proud of, and we should be encouraging all we can to bring the world to see them.”

Old Lock-up opens to public again

 

* An early drawing of the Old Lock-up.

 

The Old Lock-up and Old Town Hall, Victoria Square, Llangollen, held an open day on July 27, and it was a great success with nearly 100 visitors in a matter of hours.

 

They enjoyed a look at the plans the Armoury Conservation Trust - now a registered charity - has for the renovation and future community use of the Old Town Hall on the upper floor.

Visitors were also able to view new interpretive material in the Old Lock-up on the ground floor, which has been nearly fully restored and presents a unique and authentic view of how the Llangollen's first gaol and police station were used and would have appeared in the mid-1800s, complete with policeman's hat, handcuffs and a very heavy truncheon.

Previous visitors to the Lock-up who wished to catch up with its prisoner found that he has apparently been deemed a flight risk, as he now sports a weighty ball-and-chain.

The Old Lock-up will again take part in Denbighshire's Open Doors heritage weekend, 13 and 14 September, from 12-4pm, and anyone willing to volunteer to help for even a portion of those hours will be most welcome. The Lock-up is also seeking longer-term interest in the form of a Friends of the Old Lock-up, who will receive training in how to guide visitors and interpret this fine heritage asset for them.

 

In both cases, please contact Sue Hargreaves and Rachel Morris at armouryconservationtrust@gmail.com.

Woman hurt in weekend cycling race

The BBC is reporting this evening how a woman was injured while taking part in a cycling race near Llangollen yesterday (Sunday) afternoon.

For the full story see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-29018316

Sun shines without paws on dog show

SCORES of proud owners brought along their animals to a pet dog show staged at Llangollen Cricket Club in Tower Road on a sunny Sunday afternoon yesterday.

Organised in conjuction with Angel Watch Rescue and Rehome, the event featured a number of classes including Best Rescue, Best Condition, Waggiest Tail, Best Trick and Best Biscuit Catcher.

There were also a number of stalls and sideshows and the event was held in aid of the cricket club.   

* Judging goes ahead in one of the classes.

* A golden Labrador is walked around the parade ring.   

* A pat dog makes an appearance at the show.

County residents urged to support Tour of Britain

Denbighshire residents are urged to support the Tour of Britain as it races through the county for the second year running.

The race, taking place on Monday, 8 September, enters Denbighshire on the A541 at the county boundary with Flintshire and will go through Trefnant towards Henllan before turning right to join the Lower Denbigh Road near the location known locally as the 'S' bends.

The race will then travel to the junction on the outskirts of St Asph before turning right onto Glascoed Road, through the St Asaph Business Park and then head towards the county boundary with Conwy county.

The race is expected to arrive in Denbighshire shortly after 1pm and is expected to have left the county by 2pm. These timings are approximates and people wanting to support the race are being asked to allow plenty of time to arrive at their location.

There will be rolling road closures which mean that roads will be closed  a short time before the first cyclists are due. Roads will be open as soon as the main group of cyclists have passed through.

Councillor Huw Jones, Cabinet Lead Member with responsibility for major events and leisure, said: "We a\re delighted that the race is coming back to North Wales and to Denbighshire. The support last year was tremendous and we hope to emulate that kind of support this year and give the cyclists a warm welcome.

"Cycling events are becoming ever more popular and Denbighshire has demonstrated that it is a great location for large events of this nature.  The support of crowds is extremely important so I would ask you to get out on the route and get involved in the excitement and buzz of this great event."

* For further information about the race, please visit: www.tourofbritain.co.uk

Valley Girls WI next meets on September 2

Valley Girls WI has its first meeting back after the summer holidays next week.

It will be held in the Hand Hotel, Llangollen, on Tuesday, September 2, starting at 8pm and the subject of the meeting will be cocktail mixing.  It's free for WI members visitors and newcomers £4.

The branch also now has its own dedicated website at www.valleygirlswi.co.uk and a community Facebook page - search under Valley Girls WI.

Spokeswoman Gail Ellson said: "Both of these sites have details about our events."

* Members of Valley Girls WI on a recent evening walk.