Councillors in Denbighshire have approved the latest package of cuts totalling £5.4 million, as part of its overall plans to save £17 million over two years.
At a meeting in County Hall, Ruthin today (Tuesday, December 9) the council agreed the Phase 2 cuts, bringing the total amount of savings made to date to £10 million - this leaves a further £7 million to find over the next two financial years.
As part of the budget process, the council invited residents to get involved in a debate called Cutting our Cloth, to look at how the Council could lessen the impact of cuts on local communities.
Over 822 survey responses were received on a wide range of proposals, as well as petitions received as part of organised campaigns. A summary of the feedback received was discussed by the Council as part of the decision making process.
Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: "We are grateful to Denbighshire residents for getting involved in the debate and for sharing their thoughts and ideas on how we can lessen the impact of cuts. The feedback has been reported to the various services for consideration and was also considered today as part of the budget debate.
"This level of cuts is unprecedented in Denbighshire and we are having to make difficult decisions on proposals which have generated some significant debate in our communities.
"I can reassure residents that the budget setting has been one of the most detailed and most intense processes ever undertaken in Denbighshire. Councillors have received presentations in numerous workshops over a number of months and these have given us the opportunity to scrutinise every proposal in detail before they came to Full Council for a final decision."
Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance and Assets, said: "We have done as much as we can through careful financial planning, through trimming services and protecting vital services to the public.
"The time has now come for us to start implementing some of the most difficult decisions we have ever needed to make as a council.
"Unfortunately we need to find a further £7 million and we are currently looking at what options are available to us to meet this difficult challenge."
Commenting, Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies said: "I am disappointed to see the Labour Group in DCC failing to support any of the proposed cuts that we were being forced to implement by the Welsh Government in our Budget meeting today
"I am as a member of a responsible authority prepared to be pragmatic. We have to make a balanced budget, it is the law, members refusing to engage is a cop out. Just saying no doesn't hack it. It leaves the responsible members to make the horrible decisions."
He added: "They are following the lead of Chris Ruane MP and Ann Jones AM. They don't want to implement the Welsh Government cuts but can't come up with solutions on how to deal with them.
"I have heard Labour Party members discussing selling council farms to fund the Welfare Benefits Unit, not understanding that that is a capital receipt, a one-off and anyway can't be used to fund on-going revenue costs!
"They put forward a motion today that we should continue to fund the Welfare Benefits unit without coming up with a viable way to fund this non-statutory cost. They completely failed to understand that we have been through a long and arduous process in which they have attended meetings and yet sit on their hands when it comes to the crunch."
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Police target illegal off-roaders
Police in the Dee Valley are warning illegal off-roaders who damage fragile and protected moorland that they risk being prosecuted and having their vehicles seized.
The warning follows an operation on Sunday, December 7, which was mounted in response to public concerns that some riders and drivers are riding or driving illegally on highly protected land.
Local officers joined forces with their partners from Natural Resources Wales and staff from Denbighshire County Council and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to conduct this day of action.
“The operation focused on the Moel Fferna, Ceiriog Forest, Cynwyd Forest and the Llantysilio Mountain areas which have been identified as areas that are being used illegally by some who have been off-roading on footpaths and the moors,” said local District Inspector for the Conwy and Denbigh Rural area Gareth Jones.
“Both Moel Fferna and Llantysilio Mountain are classed as Special Areas of Conservation and are protected under European law.
"For a number of years now we, along with our partners, have been warning against illegal off-roading. Yesterday’s action is part of our on-going work to stop the illegal activity which is having a detrimental impact on the area’s flora and habitats – much of which is highly protected.”
A total of 16 people were stopped as part of the operation. Seven were disrupted prior to committing offences and left the area, five were issued Section 59 notices and reported for various offences, another was reported for a related offence whilst three others were given appropriate words of advice for minor matters.
Insp Jones added: “This area forms part of a Protected Landscape, of which there are only five in Wales. We will be continuing with our work and advising all off-roaders that when they go out on their bikes or in their 4x4 to ensure they stay on designated legal routes. The reality is that riders who break the law are likely to be prosecuted and risk having their vehicles seized.”
The warning follows an operation on Sunday, December 7, which was mounted in response to public concerns that some riders and drivers are riding or driving illegally on highly protected land.
Local officers joined forces with their partners from Natural Resources Wales and staff from Denbighshire County Council and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to conduct this day of action.
“The operation focused on the Moel Fferna, Ceiriog Forest, Cynwyd Forest and the Llantysilio Mountain areas which have been identified as areas that are being used illegally by some who have been off-roading on footpaths and the moors,” said local District Inspector for the Conwy and Denbigh Rural area Gareth Jones.
“Both Moel Fferna and Llantysilio Mountain are classed as Special Areas of Conservation and are protected under European law.
"For a number of years now we, along with our partners, have been warning against illegal off-roading. Yesterday’s action is part of our on-going work to stop the illegal activity which is having a detrimental impact on the area’s flora and habitats – much of which is highly protected.”
A total of 16 people were stopped as part of the operation. Seven were disrupted prior to committing offences and left the area, five were issued Section 59 notices and reported for various offences, another was reported for a related offence whilst three others were given appropriate words of advice for minor matters.
Insp Jones added: “This area forms part of a Protected Landscape, of which there are only five in Wales. We will be continuing with our work and advising all off-roaders that when they go out on their bikes or in their 4x4 to ensure they stay on designated legal routes. The reality is that riders who break the law are likely to be prosecuted and risk having their vehicles seized.”
County's school meals service amongst best in UK
Denbighshire County Council's school meals has once again been independently judged to be among the top six best performing in the UK.
It took the accolade in the face of stiff competition from larger councils from the North West of England and other areas around the UK.
The service was judged on school meal uptake, productivity, training, communication to customers and procurement and this is the fifth year in a row that the service has been short-listed - the service won the award last year.
A council spokesperson said: "Denbighshire is rightly proud of it's school meals team which consistently perform well when compared against other councils school meals services."
It took the accolade in the face of stiff competition from larger councils from the North West of England and other areas around the UK.
The service was judged on school meal uptake, productivity, training, communication to customers and procurement and this is the fifth year in a row that the service has been short-listed - the service won the award last year.
A council spokesperson said: "Denbighshire is rightly proud of it's school meals team which consistently perform well when compared against other councils school meals services."
Warning to businesses over debt recovery scams
Trading Standards officers in Denbighshire are warning businesses to be on their guard against suspect debt recovery calls.
The warning comes after reports were received that businesses are being telephoned by people claiming to be from a debt collection agency chasing an outstanding debt. The threat of further legal action is used to extort money from the business.
Emlyn Jones, Public Protection Manager said: “We have been advised that there have been a number of reports nationally involving this scam. Callers sometimes use names of legitimate agencies to seem more credible, and in this case they are telling businesses they have an outstanding debt for advertising space in a Business Directory.
He added, “Whilst some small businesses may indeed use business directories for advertising we are urging them to be on their guard. Never give personal or financial details to anyone and anybody cold calling asking for money should be ignored without first making further checks.”
Anyone approached or affected by these callers can contact Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.
The warning comes after reports were received that businesses are being telephoned by people claiming to be from a debt collection agency chasing an outstanding debt. The threat of further legal action is used to extort money from the business.
Emlyn Jones, Public Protection Manager said: “We have been advised that there have been a number of reports nationally involving this scam. Callers sometimes use names of legitimate agencies to seem more credible, and in this case they are telling businesses they have an outstanding debt for advertising space in a Business Directory.
He added, “Whilst some small businesses may indeed use business directories for advertising we are urging them to be on their guard. Never give personal or financial details to anyone and anybody cold calling asking for money should be ignored without first making further checks.”
Anyone approached or affected by these callers can contact Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Weather closes Old Horseshoe Pass
The BBC website is reporting this afternoon (Monday) that ice and snow have closed the Old Horseshoe Pass near Llangollen.
For the full story, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-30376283
For the full story, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-30376283
Railway steams in help Chain Bridge facelift project
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* The train at Berwyn station during the loading of the dismantled parts.
When the contractor for the current restoration project asked for help in transporting dismantled parts of the historic Chain Bridge away for refurbishment, Llangollen Railway steamed in the help.
They provided a short goods train at Berwyn to move the parts for SHEMEC Ltd of Llangollen and also came up with an appropriate piece of motive power to haul the precious load - their Large Prairie Tank 5199 which came straight out of the repair shop.
The freight train comprised a Toad brake van and two ton Tube wagon which were propelled up Berwyn Bank to meet the contractor's team who had assembled parts of the links and vertical tie rods, all of which had been man-handled up the steep path from the riverside.
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* Station master Ben Jackson congratulates Harry Edwards
of Shemec on completing the arduous job of bringing
all the ironwork up from the riverside for loading point.
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The freight train comprised a Toad brake van and two ton Tube wagon which were propelled up Berwyn Bank to meet the contractor's team who had assembled parts of the links and vertical tie rods, all of which had been man-handled up the steep path from the riverside.
The historic links between railway and bridge date back to the construction of the Chain Bridge in 1817 and later to the dawn of the steam transport age, nearly 50 years prior to the railway arriving at Berwyn.
With the assorted items loaded and strapped down it was arranged for the train to make a run-past through the station for the benefit of the television cameraman from ITV/Wales who covered the story.
Later the Tube wagon was shunted into the reception road in Llangollen yard where the load was transferred to the contractor's trailer for onward delivery and restoration.
George Jones for the railway said: "It was a prestigious occasion for the railway to help out with a restoration project which, when completed in spring 2015, will bring improved access to the Dee Valley and benefit to patrons at Berwyn station."
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* The cargo of vintage ironwork destined for renovation and conservation before reassembly.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Llan fivesome cycle 50 miles to help Ebola victims
* Before their ride, from left, are Andrew Riley, George Aylward,
Warren Davies, Andrew Sully and Gwyn Lloyd.
Five intrepid cyclists from the area got on their bikes to raise over £450 for Ebola victims recently.
Five intrepid cyclists from the area got on their bikes to raise over £450 for Ebola victims recently.
Warren Davies, Andrew Riley,
George Aylward, Gwyn Lloyd and St Collen’s vicar Andrew Sully made a 50-mile
round trip from Llangollen to Bala and back.
Warren Davies said: "The weather
was actually excellent for November, which really helped as our legs started to
feel weary on the way back.
“Ebola is a devastating disease
for families in West Africa. However, the solutions to stopping it spreading
are incredibly simple. The money raised here will be spent on basic medical
equipment, things like gloves and disinfectant.”
He added: “If there is sufficient
interest in the future, there are plans to turn this November ride into an annual
fundraiser.
“We are just shy of our £500
target and any further donations to this very worthy cause are most welcome at www.justgiving.com/bala-and-back.”
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* The riders reach their destination near Lake Bala. |
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