County outlines measures to do business with local firms

Denbighshire County Council says it is working to make local trades people and suppliers aware of the opportunities to provide goods and services to the authority.

Following a discussion on the issue at the recent full council meeting, Llangollen councillor Stuart Davies asked a senior officer to outline exactly what the council was doing to highlight the opportunities to businesses in the county.

In a reply to Cllr Davies, Stuart Andrews, the council’s acting strategic procurement manager sent him the following reply:  

1. We are working very closely with Business Wales to promote opportunities via their Business advisors, and have recently had a very well attended "Meet the Buyer" workshop here in Ruthin attended by approximately 25 local construction companies.
2. Business Wales hold regular "How to Tender" workshops around the County to help small businesses in becoming more efficient in the tender processes. The CPS attend these to provide additional practical guidance.
3. We are in the process of upgrading the Procurement page on Denbighshire's website to have a page there which identifies current contracts along with the expiry dates so that local businesses are more aware of when opportunities are likely to be forthcoming.
4. We actively promote to all local businesses that want to do business with us the following websites where we advertise opportunities. Sell2wales.co.uk and https://www.proactisplaza.com/?cid=DCC. Both of these sites are free of charge for any business to register on. When businesses are registered the system will send notification by email of opportunities that are available to bid for to all registered companies.
5. We are currently re-structuring our tendering documentation in the e-Sourcing solution for smaller value opportunities to make the requirement for the submission of policies, insurances etc less bureaucratic by only asking businesses if they have the relevant documentation. We will then only ask the winning bidder to provide it on the award of any contract.
6. Where we ask questions in the e-Sourcing solution all answers provided by suppliers are stored securely in their own library for future use. This will allow suppliers to re-use the stored information rather than having to complete a new quotation or tender every time they receive a request.

Cllr Davies said: “I would like the council to be more pro-active in this important area and I will pass on all relevant information I receive to local businesses.”

Trains run through winter wonderland

* The scene from the train on the approach to Glyndyfrdwy

and the view across the valley as a layer of snow carpets the higher ground.

Llangollen Railway is reporting wintery scenes in the Dee Valley.

After a busy Boxing Day with holidaymakers taking the Mince Pie Special trains through to Corwen, the day ended with the evening snowfall making things a bit tricky for those homeward bound.

However, on Saturday the landscape in the Dee Valley west of Berwyn retained a thin layer of snow on the high ground during a day of mixed weather for travellers.

George Jones for Llangollen Railway said: "If the snowfall is retained on the high ground for the rest of the festive season travellers by steam train will enjoy the sights of a winter wonderland on the journey through the Dee Valley."




 

* The Mince Pie Special train at Corwen east station with the Black Five No.45337.

 

 

Snow warning issued by Met Office

 

Stop press ... stop press ....

3.45pm ... Just started snowing in the centre of Llangollen

 

* The latest weather map showing those areas

which could be affected by snow today.

This area could be one of those in Wales affected by snow today (Boxing Day), according to the Met Office.

Its latest statement says: “An area of rain, sleet and snow is expected to spread eastwards across the area during Boxing Day before clearing during the evening and overnight.

“Some uncertainty surrounds how much snow will occur, but several centimetres of snow is likely even at low levels, especially in a swathe through Wales and the Midlands, where there is the potential for an amber warning. As precipitation clears, roads could turn very icy.

“The public should be aware of the potential for disruption from snow. Please watch for updates to this warning, especially if travelling.”

Merry Christmas to all our readers ...

... from llanblogger

Santa’s Christmas quiz supports air ambulance

Santa was in Town on Tuesday evening to help with a special Christmas quiz at the Ponsonby Arms.

 

The evening was a great success and raised £204.11 for the Wales Air Ambulance.

 

Santa said: "I'd like to thank everybody who took part and Paul and Lisa at the Ponsonby for providing some excellent food."

 

 

 

* Santa lines up with the Ponsonby quiz winners.

 

 

Police issue drink drive reminder

With Christmas just a day away North Wales Police are reminding people of the on-going Anti-Drink and Drug Driving Campaign.

Since December 1^st the force has carried out 10,835 breath tests across the region with 45 of those being positive, equating to 0.4%. Four have also been arrested for drug-driving.

Chief Inspector Darren Wareing from the Force Roads Policing Unit, said: “We announced at the start of the Christmas Anti-Drink and Drug Driving Campaign that we would be out and about targeting drink drivers/riders.

“Many people do not realise they can still be over the limit the morning after a drinking session. We would urge people to think twice before getting behind the wheel the morning after and consider making alternative arrangements to get to work.

“Despite the warning that we would be out and about 45 motorists have been arrested in North Wales following a roadside breath test. If convicted, each could face disqualification from driving for at least 12 months, face a heavy fine and many could lose their jobs. Drink drivers are a danger to themselves, their passengers and other road users. The campaign will continue, please heed the warning.”

Led by Dyfed-Powys Police, the All Wales Campaign will run until January 1.

The highest reading recorded in the North Wales area so far is 152mg. The legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Chief Inspector Wareing added: “There is an easy way to make sure that the holiday period is a safe and happy one for all concerned; enjoy yourself, celebrate, enjoy the company of family and friends, but if you drink – do not drive. It’s not worth the risk.

“Officers are on heightened alert all year round but especially at this time of year – they will spot you, they will catch you and you will face the consequences. Drivers need to be aware that regardless of the time of day they are caught, whether they are going to work or taking children to school, they will face the same penalties as someone who has chosen to drink heavily in a pub and driven at night.”

* If you suspect someone is driving while unfit to do so, please report it immediately to North Wales Police via 101 (or 999 if they are posing imminent danger) or phone it through anonymously to Crimestopers on 0800 555 111.

Railway's Santa Specials steam to success

... now it's all aboard for the Mince Pie Specials

* Volunteer train crew members Charlie Brook and

Matt Davies try the Mince Pie Special headboard

for size on engine No.3802 at Llangollen.

 

With its Santa Special trains due to finish tomorrow (Wednesday), Llangollen Railway reports an excellent pre-Christmas season.

It has enjoyed full loadings on the Santa trains which have transported scores of families to visit "Lapland" at Carrog. 

Of the 36 Santa Specials which have operated since December 6, many were fully booked weeks ago.

Family groups have come to Llangollen to see Santa on the steam train from within the railway’s 50-mile catchment area, drawing people in from a wide area of England as well as North Wales.

The railway says it is now looking forward to offering visitors further festive activities from Boxing Day through to New Year's Day. 

 

For those who missed out on a trip to meet Santa, the popular series of Mince Pie Special trains starts on Boxing Day, with three steam trains a day operating from Llangollen through to the new station at Dwyrain Corwen East on the recently extended line beyond Carrog.

Steam trains depart Llangollen at 1050, 1300 and 1510, and take visitors into what can be a winter wonderland on the journey through to Corwen when mince pies and mulled wine are served to passengers as festive cheer.

George Jones, for Llangollen Railway, said: “A ride on the train followed by a brisk walk in the country from one of the railway’s stations is an ideal way to work off any excess eating or maybe blow away the post Christmas blues.

 

"There are several short walks from all stations along the line which provide easy opportunities to get out and enjoy the area of outstanding natural beauty which is the Dee Valley.

 

“Once again Llangollen Railway will be providing the only steam-hauled standard gauge train service in North Wales, and beyond, on December 26 when the National Network remains closed. 

 

"It is thanks to all our volunteers that these trains run and we can provide festive entertainment for those who wish to sample a ride on a preserved railway beginning from within the World Heritage site at Llangollen.”

* Meanwhile, Llangollen Railway is looking to recruit Locomotive Fitters in 2015.

They say that, ideally, applicants should be ‘time served’ fitters with experience of (or an interest in) locomotive repair/restoration.

Hours of work will normally be 08.00 – 16.30 Monday – Friday (40 hours week) and applicants need to be flexible as some weekend work may be required to meet the needs of the business.

If you think you fit the bill, send your CV’s to:

Mrs Gail Griffiths
Engineering Administrator
Llangollen Railway Plc
The Station
Abbey Road
Llangollen
LL20 8SN

Or, alternatively, email: engineering@llangollen-railway.co.uk