The North Wales Economic Ambition Board, which is made up of representatives from all six North Wales Councils, welcomes the Recommendation by Sir David Higgins in his Rebalancing Britain Report that the HS2 line should be extended to Crewe by 2027 - six years earlier than originally proposed.
Earlier this year, Sir David outlined the role that HS2 has in unlocking the potential of regional economies outside London and how a hub at Crewe would open up HS2 connection to other locations in the north including North Wales.
The North Wales Economic Ambition Board aims to establish North Wales as a confident and outward looking region with a diverse and high value economy, and believes that to take full advantage of the economic opportunities envisaged by Sir David, electrification the route onwards from Crewe to Holyhead will be needed at the same time. That would enable faster travel to the HS2 Hub at Crewe with onward high speed connections to London, Manchester, Manchester International Airport and Birmingham.
Member of the Economic Ambition Board and Leader of Denbighshire County Council, Councillor Hugh Evans, OBE said: "The North Wales Economic Ambition Board is working to improve inward investment and accelerate economic growth in North Wales.
"We have identified the current transport infrastructure as a barrier for growth and I am delighted that Sir David has recommended the North West hub at Crewe and the extension to it six years earlier than originally planned. His Report also sets out the importance of improving the connectivity between East and West across the north of England. That makes makes electrification in North Wales even more important so as to link seamlessly into the economies of North West of England and beyond."
"Travel times to and from those business centres would be significantly reduced making connectivity between businesses faster and easier. That will generate a higher level of economic activity not just for businesses in North Wales but for businesses in other parts of the UK as well."
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
MPs should be banned from second jobs says Jones
MPs should be banned from having second jobs, according to Clwyd South Labour MP Susan Elan Jones.
Speaking in the House of Commons Chamber in yesterday's debate (Monday) on the recall of MPs, she said:"One of the big issues with trust in politicians concerns money....we really should look at Members’ second jobs, which has a lot to do with the erosion of trust."
She added: "Only last weekend a survey showed that 20 MPs declare over £100,000 from second jobs. That is not the norm and a large number of us do not take on any paid jobs.
"However, I think the practice is wrong in principle and it should be banned full stop. A few MPs looked and sounded very unhappy when I said this in Parliament, but I think it needs to be said and I believe the issue needs to be sorted if we are to restore trust in politics."
Speaking in the House of Commons Chamber in yesterday's debate (Monday) on the recall of MPs, she said:"One of the big issues with trust in politicians concerns money....we really should look at Members’ second jobs, which has a lot to do with the erosion of trust."
She added: "Only last weekend a survey showed that 20 MPs declare over £100,000 from second jobs. That is not the norm and a large number of us do not take on any paid jobs.
"However, I think the practice is wrong in principle and it should be banned full stop. A few MPs looked and sounded very unhappy when I said this in Parliament, but I think it needs to be said and I believe the issue needs to be sorted if we are to restore trust in politics."
AM praises team who fought to re-open Corwen line
* Ken Skates AM on his visit to Llangollen Railway yesterday.
Clwyd South AM Ken Skates hailed the ‘decades of hard work and dedication’ by volunteers to restore of an historic rail line linking two towns.
Labour Assembly Member Mr Skates took a
trip on the recently-reopened Llangollen-Corwen line on Monday (October 27),
six months after rolling up his sleeves to help lay sections of track.
Mr Skates said: “It’s fantastic to see
this Welsh Government-supported project going full steam ahead after decades of
incredible hard work and dedication by an amazing team of volunteers.
“While this restoration project has
been a genuine labour of love for those involved, the unbelievable amount of
blood, sweat and tears that’s gone into this fantastic achievement cannot be
overestimated.
“They have turned mission impossible
into a reality and created something we can all be exceptionally proud of.”
Enthusiasts had fought for years to
reinstate the Llangollen-Corwen, via Carrog, after its closure by British
Railways in 1965.
Older People's "Czar" will be at Llan meeting
Sarah Rochira, the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales,
will be special guest at an open meeting being organised by Age Connects (North
Wales Central) at The Hand Hotel in Llangollen on Friday, November 14.
The meeting, which runs from 10am-1pm, will also be
addressed by Clwyd South Labour AM Ken Skates.
Questions are invited from people over 50 on issues affecting older people and should be submitted to Age Connects before the meeting.
 |
| * Sarah Rochira |
Questions are invited from people over 50 on issues affecting older people and should be submitted to Age Connects before the meeting.
This is a bookable event as places are limited.
* To book a seat or submit a question, call Age Connects on 01745 816947.
* To book a seat or submit a question, call Age Connects on 01745 816947.
Llan RBL officials attend Rhyl Poppy Appeal launch
* The Lord Lieutenant and civic leaders at the Poppy Appeal launch in Rhyl.
Officials of the Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion recently attended the official launch of the annual Poppy Appeal in Rhyl.
Hosted
by the legion’s Rhyl branch, a highlight of the event was the release of 100
red balloons in the town’s High Street to mark the centenary of the RBL.
With
the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd, Henry Fetherstonhaugh, performing
the official launch assisted by the chair of Denbighshire County Council, Cllr
Brian Blakeley, the event also featured displays by the Army’s Royal Electrical
and Mechanical Engineers and Royal Logistical Corps along with the police and
ambulance service.
Children
from local schools were amongst the large crowd who turned out to watch the
event.
Music was provided by the Beulah Brass whose bugler sounded the Last Post and Reveille.
Music was provided by the Beulah Brass whose bugler sounded the Last Post and Reveille.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Have your say on budget cuts
Denbighshire County Council is considering a range of cuts, as part of its efforts to cut £17 million from its budget over the next two years.
Now the Council is launching a debate called 'Cutting Our Cloth' , asking residents for views on how the impact of the cuts can be lessened on local communities.
One set of proposals totalling £4.6 million has already been agreed by Full Council. The current round of proposals worth £5.4 million are being considered, with councillors expected to discuss them formally in December and February.
Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of the Council, said: “The Council has worked really hard over recent years to protect jobs and vital public services wherever possible.
“We have managed to save £20 million by concentrating on inefficiencies, bureaucracy and management, but the time has now come for us to make cuts.
“These cuts are unavoidable. They are the ‘least-worst’ options that the Council has to consider as it sets its budget for the next financial year”.
Dr Mohammed Mehmet, Chief Executive of Denbighshire, said: “The budget situation in Denbighshire is certainly not unique and we are facing our biggest challenges since devolution.
“Before final decisions are made on these proposals, the Council wishes to fully understand their impact on the public, on staff and on the wider community.
“While the scale of cuts facing local government in Wales will change the structure and purpose and councils will inevitably do ‘less with less’, they will still continue to provide vital services to residents and good quality, safe care to their vulnerable adults and children.
“And we are making a commitment in Denbighshire to continue providing the best possible services, despite the big challenges we face.”
A summary of proposals can be found on the website, www.denbighshire.gov.uk, together with a short online form for you to complete.
You can submit your response online. Alternatively, you can e-mail: public.relations@denbighshire.gov.uk or write to: Cutting Our Cloth, Communications Department, Denbighshire County Council, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 1YN or you can leave your comments at any council reception area.
If you wish your comment to be considered by the Council at its December meeting, it should arrive with the Council no later than November 27.
Now the Council is launching a debate called 'Cutting Our Cloth' , asking residents for views on how the impact of the cuts can be lessened on local communities.
One set of proposals totalling £4.6 million has already been agreed by Full Council. The current round of proposals worth £5.4 million are being considered, with councillors expected to discuss them formally in December and February.
Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of the Council, said: “The Council has worked really hard over recent years to protect jobs and vital public services wherever possible.
“We have managed to save £20 million by concentrating on inefficiencies, bureaucracy and management, but the time has now come for us to make cuts.
“These cuts are unavoidable. They are the ‘least-worst’ options that the Council has to consider as it sets its budget for the next financial year”.
Dr Mohammed Mehmet, Chief Executive of Denbighshire, said: “The budget situation in Denbighshire is certainly not unique and we are facing our biggest challenges since devolution.
“Before final decisions are made on these proposals, the Council wishes to fully understand their impact on the public, on staff and on the wider community.
“While the scale of cuts facing local government in Wales will change the structure and purpose and councils will inevitably do ‘less with less’, they will still continue to provide vital services to residents and good quality, safe care to their vulnerable adults and children.
“And we are making a commitment in Denbighshire to continue providing the best possible services, despite the big challenges we face.”
A summary of proposals can be found on the website, www.denbighshire.gov.uk, together with a short online form for you to complete.
You can submit your response online. Alternatively, you can e-mail: public.relations@denbighshire.gov.uk or write to: Cutting Our Cloth, Communications Department, Denbighshire County Council, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 1YN or you can leave your comments at any council reception area.
If you wish your comment to be considered by the Council at its December meeting, it should arrive with the Council no later than November 27.
Ladies' self-defence class planned
A ladies’ self-defence class is to be
staged in Llangollen next month.
Being organised by Paul Keates, of
specialist training company RSS Ltd, it will take place on Saturday, November
15, from 12.30-3.30pm, in St Collen’s Church Hall.
Paul said: “I ran a course at the beginning
of the month for the ladies from Metafit Llangollen who really enjoyed it and
have asked me to run a second so the rest of the ladies can come, as I have the
large hall this time I thought I would also open it up to the ladies of
Llangollen.
“The course is an in depth one outlining the legal aspects of self-defence along with tried and tested techniques that have all been risk assessed and specifically designed for this course.”
The cost is £15 per person and more details are available at http://www.rssltd-training.com/#!Landing%20Page%201/c12br
“The course is an in depth one outlining the legal aspects of self-defence along with tried and tested techniques that have all been risk assessed and specifically designed for this course.”
The cost is £15 per person and more details are available at http://www.rssltd-training.com/#!Landing%20Page%201/c12br
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