Health board's chief executive suspended

The BBC is reporting today that the chief executive of a Besti Cadwaladr University Health Board, which was yesterday placed into special measures by the Welsh Government, has been suspended with immediate effect.

 

Betsi Cadwaladr chairman Peter Higson said the suspension of Prof Trevor Purt was a "neutral act" while arrangements for special measures were sorted out.

For the full story see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-33061869

Meanwhile, Llangollen campaigner Martin Crumpton, who opposed the health board's decision to close the town's Cottage Hospital, said in a statement: "Suspending the Chief Executive Officer, Trevor Purt, was inevitable and a necessarily step in allowing special measures to be taken, and far-reaching as it goes well-beyond Glan Clwyd, Bangor and Wrexham Maelor.

"It will clearly hearten campaigners at Withybush who were also made promises to reopen their own doctor-led maternity services.

 

"Professor Higson was in an invidious position, caught between his obligation to so-called collective responsibility and his own judgement of what is right, just and in the best interests of the hundreds of thousands to whose care he’d been entrusted.

 

"The very least I can do is reaffirm support from myself and other campaigners I work closely with for his programme of desperately-needed reforms."

 

Plas Newyd's summer programme details

* Plas Newydd where a programme events is planned for summer.

 

Plas Newydd has given details of its programme of events over the next month or so:

Sun 14th to Fri 19th June - Waterloo Week:   

Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, come and visit Plas Newydd as visited by one of the house’s regular visitors – The Duke of Wellington.

Sunday 21st June - Mid-Summers Eve Concert:

Celebrate  the magic and wonder of Mid-Summer’s Eve in the beautiful grounds of Plas Newydd with entertainment from the renowned and popular  Porthmyn choir  (Tickets £5) 6 – 8.30pm

Wednesday 24th June - Painting Day:
  
Talk and tour of the house first then an opportunity to sketch and paint the picturesque gardens and amazing Jacobean carvings within the house. (Normal admission prices apply).

Sunday 28th June – Llangollen Silver Band 4.30pm onwards:

Bring a rug and picnic, games for the kids, whilst being entertained to popular classics by the Llangollen Silver Band (Tickets £5).

Friday July 31st –   The Muskateers:

It’s one for all and all for one as popular theatre group Off the Ground return to the grounds of Plas Newydd for another evening spectacular with The Muskateers.

Health board goes into special measures

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which covers Llangollen, is being placed in special measures, the Welsh Government has announced.

And Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies has called on Health Minister Mark Drakeford and Wales’s First Minister Carwyn Jones to consider their positions.

Following concerns about the leadership, governance and progress in the Health Board, Mr Drakeford asked the Chief Executive of NHS Wales, Dr Andrew Goodall, to bring forward a meeting between the Welsh Government, the Wales Audit Office and Health Inspectorate Wales - as part of the NHS Wales escalation framework - to review and consider the health board’s current status.

Since the introduction of the framework in March 2014, the Health Board has already been raised to Targeted Intervention, the highest of any of the NHS organisations in Wales.

The tripartite meeting, held earlier today (Monday), concluded that the Health Board should be placed in special measures, the highest level of escalation under the framework.

The Minister has accepted their advice. The Chair of the Health Board has been informed of the Minister’s decision.

Mark Drakeford said: “As a result of the meeting that took place earlier today between the Welsh Government and regulators, I can confirm that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is being placed in special measures.

“This significant decision is made in line with the escalation framework. It reflects serious and outstanding concerns about the leadership, governance and progress in the Health Board over some time. A thorough and balanced assessment has taken place on areas of concern that will form the basis of actions to be taken as a result of special measures.

“Whilst the special measures apply to the Health Board, I want to reassure patients and communities served by the Health Board and staff working for it that day-to-day services and activities will continue as normal.” 

Llangollen councillor Stuart Davies said: “The Health Minister has failed to get a grip of these issues and should consider his position.

“Presiding over all of this unholy mess – don’t forget that two health authorities in South Wales are badly overspent - is the First Minister, Carwyn Jones. He should be considering his position, too.

“Next year is Welsh Assembly election time and the NHS in Wales is in meltdown.”

Referring to his recent appearance as a questioner of BBC’s Question Time when it came to Wrexham a few months ago, Cllr Davies added: “I was right when asked the question by David Dimbleby,  is the NHS better in England than Wales? The answer was correct. Yes.”

Further actions and interventions as part of the special measures will now be considered by the Welsh Government, with advice and support from regulators.

The Health Minister is due to make an oral statement to the Assembly tomorrow (Tuesday 9th June 2015).

A spokesman for Denbighshire County Council said: "We have become increasingly concerned about recent developments at the Health Board on behalf of our residents. We want to reassure the public that following the latest developments,  the Council, as a responsible local authority, will work constructively with the Minister for Health and Social Services to play our part in supporting the turn around and improvement of health services in North Wales. We await the Minister's next statement this week when we will find out the finer details of the steps the Welsh Government will be taking."

MP raises questions over bank closures

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has put down questions in Parliament calling on Business Secretary Sajid Javid to meet with senior management of Nat West following the bank's shock announcement last week that it intends to close branches in Llangollen, Corwen and nine other areas of North Wales. 

 

Ms Jones (pictured) has also asked the Government to issue a statement on how it plans to support high street banking in communities in the region.

 

The exact wording of Susan Elan Jones MP's written parliamentary question is:

"Further to plans announced this week by Nat West Bank that they will close branches in Llangollen, Corwen and 9 other communities in North Wales, will the Secretary of State (a) meet with senior management at the Bank to urge them to re-consider their decision and (b) issue a statement on how his Department proposes to support high street banks in communities in North Wales."   

Speaking after issuing her question, Ms MP said: "High street banking is at crisis point across North Wales.

 

"It is a disgrace that Nat West want to close the last branch bank in the growing town of Corwen and that they are also planning to turn their backs on businesses and individuals in the international tourist town of Llangollen.

 

"If David Cameron really wants to lead a One Nation government, then Cabinet Ministers must remember that rural communities are part of our nation too and they need to accordingly by putting pressure on the big banks and actively supporting high street banking in North Wales." 

Strengthened links between council and business

Efforts to strengthen links between Denbighshire County Council and businesses accessing its planning and public protection functions is being piloted in the county – the first project of its kind in Wales.

The Council has a regulatory function to protect the health and well-being of the public through food hygiene, health and safety, Trading Standards, licensing, planning and building control activities.

As part of its Economic and Community Ambition Programme, the Council is now working with the Government’s Better Regulation Delivery Office, with the intention of making sure that businesses receive a co-ordinated response from the Council on regulatory matters through one contact, rather than having to deal with numerous departments.

This initiative is being supported by the Federation of Small Business and the West Cheshire and North Wales Chambers of Commerce.

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Public Protection, said: "We want to improve services to our business customers and we’ve already spoken to a number of them about their perceptions. Whilst they understand the need for the various services, there is a clear need for a more seamless service, for closer joint working and for providing assistance and support through advice and guidance.

"We also want to put more emphasis on working with businesses from day one to get things right from a regulation perspective and avoid enforcement action later.

Derek Payet, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills | Better Regulation Delivery Office, said: "The Government’s priority is business growth and it’s great to see local businesses and Denbighshire County Council’s regulatory services working in partnership to achieve this.  It’s good to have an open approach to improvements that will meet the needs of businesses in the area and I’m pleased to be supporting the project through the Better Business for All programme."

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: "Improving links with businesses and making the Council more accessible forms part of our Economic and Community Ambition Strategy. The success of the local economy is of utmost importance and we must play our part in assisting businesses to comply with the law and contribute to their future success.

"We look forward to working closely with businesses over the coming months to make this ambition become a reality."

Federation of Small Businesses North Wales Chair Gwyn Evans said: "Every business faces some form of regulation, but if that regulation is done in a clear and proportionate way it makes life easier both for businesses and regulators themselves.

"The FSB has called for more to be done across Wales to improve the quality of regulation and last year we published a major report – Better Regulation for Wales – on this issue.

Colin Brew, Executive Director of West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce said: "West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce are pleased to be supporting this positive initiative and would encourage businesses of all sizes to engage and participate and have their voices heard."

Weather stays fine for Plas Newydd Garden Fete

* Plas Newydd field was full of fun activities during the Garden Fete.

Scores of people came flocking to the annual Garden Fete held at Plas Newydd yesterday (Saturday).

The event was organised by members of Llangollen Rotary Club, Inner Wheel Club and the newly-formed Dee Valley Rotary Club.

Llangollen Silver Band played selections, while youngsters were entertained by Punch and Judy, face painting  and a treasure hunt.              

People also had the chance to try their skills at various games and competitions.

There were numerous stalls, including home-made cakes and a plant stall.

A tea tent provided a range of refreshments.

Announcements were made by town crier Chem Cheminais.

Public urged to have a say on doctors' building

* The current health centre on Regent Street.

 

Llangollen people are being urged to tell the Welsh Government how they believe the town’s current health centre could be saved as a community asset.

The building in Regent Street will be left empty when the GPs practice moves to fresh headquarters in the new £5 million primary care resource centre now nearing completion in Mill Street.

A number of people have voiced their concern that the Regent Street building should continue to be used for the benefit of the community.

But Mike Edwards, a board member of Llangollen Cittaslow group, recently discovered by making Freedom of Information request to its owners, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, that after being offered for possible redevelopment as affordable housing – with no takers – the building is to be put up for sale on the open market.

Mr Edwards has since discovered that the Welsh Government is currently running a consultation exercise called Protecting Community Assets in which it is seeking people’s views on how this should be done.

He said: "As a Cittaslow board member, I'd urge people to complete the online survey to provide the Welsh Government with the community's view on these proposals which already apply in England."

 

The consultation exercise began last month and is due to end on September 11 this year.

* Comments can be submitted online at: http://gov.wales/consultations/people-and-communities/protecting-community-assets-consultation/?status=open&lang=en 
or by post to: Protecting Community Assets Consultation, Welsh Government, Communities Division, Rhydycar, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ.

The government says that it intends to publish a summary of the responses.