County to consult public over care proposals

Denbighshire’s Cabinet has agreed to consult the public on proposals for the Council’s in-house care services.

In March 2014, the Council’s Performance Scrutiny Committee agreed that a Task and Finish Group be set up to examine options for delivering high quality social care services in the county.

Discussions have already taken place with individuals and their families, resulting in the options considered.

At its meeting at County Hall, Ruthin today (Tuesday), the Cabinet agreed to consult the wider public on the following preferred options, but to also include the option for the public to put forward suggestions of their own.

A council statement says:

"Awelon, Ruthin: The Council wishes to emphasise that no resident in Awelon currently will need to move, the reason being that the assessment for the majority of residents states clearly they are too frail and elderly to be moved.

"At a future agreed date, we would stop new admissions and work with the individuals and their families at their own pace to explore, wherever appropriate, suitable alternatives as appropriate and enter into a partnership with the owner of Llys Awelon to develop additional Extra Care apartments on the site. The aspiration is for the site to have 50 extra care flats and a new community facility for wider use but it may take several years.

"Cysgod y Gaer, Corwen: To enter into a partnership with relevant stakeholders (including Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the third sector) to develop the site into a ‘support hub’, offering both residential and extra care type facilities, as well as an outreach domiciliary care and support service to the tenants of local Sheltered Housing Schemes and the wider population of Edeyrnion and the surrounding area.

"This would ensure that the individuals living in Cysgod y Gaer currently can continue doing so through retaining beds at the location, but also develops services that support independence and improved outcomes for others in the local area.

"Extra Care Schemes: The suggestion for all three schemes is to tender for a social care provider for each of them and enter into formal consultation with the staff involved regarding transfer of employment. This does not require a formal public consultation as it involves only a change in provider, not the service."

Cabinet also  agreed two additional recommendations:

• that any future provision must recognise the importance of delivering care services through the medium of Welsh for those older people who require it and maintain the capability to do so.
• that the Council engages with Welsh Government Ministers, officials and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in order to urge greater collaboration and partnership working between the Council and BCUHB in the provision of services relating to the care of older people.

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Cabinet Lead Member for Social Care, said: “People’s expectations about how they want to live their lives as they get older is changing.  People rightly want (and demand) control over their own lives and the freedom to choose how to live it. 

"Most people tell us that they do not want to live in a residential care home or go to a day care centre when they get older.  They say that they would prefer to live in their own home and be supported to be as independent as possible for as long as possible.

“That is why we have carried out a review of our in-house care provision, in response to the changing needs of the public.

“We also recognise the need to consult widely on the proposals and Cabinet’s decision gives us the green light to do so”.

Over the coming weeks, the Council says it will inform residents of how they can contribute to the consultation. Detailed will be posted on the Council’s website and social media sites, as well as through the media. The consultation is expected to begin in September.

Bikefest bosses reassure residents

A member of the team running this weekend’s big biking event in the town has written to residents reassuring them steps are being taken to minimise any disruption caused by the event.

LlanBikeFest 15 will be staged at the pavilion this Saturday and Sunday and is expected to attract bikers from all parts of the UK to see the range of attractions it is offering.

 

In his letter, John Hutchinson of the BikeFest team says: “As you may know, several motorcycle shows have been hosted by the site in recent years, but this a new event, organised by a group of enthusiasts, headed by Llangollen businessman Harry Edwards and supported by the Llangollen and District Motorcycle Club.

“We want to make this an annual, family-friendly festival which will be enjoyed by local people as much as the motorcycling fraternity, and bring real benefits to the Llangollen community.

“We are very much aware of our responsibility to minimise any disruption to local residents and businesses, so noise on site will be strictly controlled and we will be actively urging motorcycling visitors to ride respectfully and responsibly, especially along Abbey Road and through the town.”

Details of attractions and activities at the festival can be found at www.llanbikefest.co.uk and on Facebook, but here’s a summary of what’s happening on site:

Date	Time	Activity
Friday, July 31st	10.30am >	Some activity on site as exhibitors, clubs and traders arrive to set up.
Saturday, August 1st	9.00am – 6.00pm	First day of show. 11.00am official opening by Mayor of Llangollen and celebrity guests. Trials riding and stunt displays throughout the day. Some live music inside the Pavilion. Commentaries over PA system.
Saturday, August 1st	7.30pm – 12.00	Main showground closed. Live music inside the Pavilion only.
Sunday, August 2nd	9.00am – 5.00pm	Second day of show, including trials riding and stunt displays throughout the day. 11.00am – 2.00pm: Pre-65 trials bikes visit and leave site. Some live music inside the Pavilion. Commentaries over PA system.
Sunday, August 2nd	5.00pm – 10.30pm	Exhibitors, clubs and traders leave site.

Organisers say all vehicles will use the main entrance and the town end entrance will be pedestrian only.

AM wants young people to apply for bus scheme

Ken Skates AM is encouraging young people in his constituency to register for a new Welsh Government scheme which will give them a third off bus travel from September.

The Welsh Young Persons Discounted Travel (WYPDT) programme will help people aged 16-18 cut the cost of accessing education, training and work, as well as all other journeys.

Bus users are being encouraged to register for the scheme via gov.wales/mytravelpass (English) or llyw.cymru/fyngherdynteithio (Welsh), which will enable them to receive discounted fares on all local services and TrawsCymru journeys throughout Wales.

Mr Skates, the Welsh Labour AM for Clwyd South, said: “This is great news for -16 to 18-year-olds and shows the importance the Welsh Government places on helping young people to access opportunities such as training and employment.

 

“Travel costs can be a real barrier for young people and sometimes stop them getting a job or gaining the skills they need to find work. This scheme will help change that by making it cheaper and easier for them to get about.

 

“I would encourage all eligible teenagers in Clwyd South to register.”

Mr Skates added: “This is yet another Welsh Labour policy aimed at helping young people. We’re helping them find work through Jobs Growth Wales and we’re helping them study through the continuation of the Independent Living Fund – which the Tories have axed in England – and capping tuition fees, and now we’re helping them save money on travel.”

Search is on for young heroes

A top children's TV producer is spearheading a search for young heroes.

 

Nia Ceidiog is fronting the campaign launched by the Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham to find Summer Stars who deserve a big pat on the back.

 

The winners will be honoured with their names being inscribed at a Hollywood-style Walk of Fame at the shopping centre.

 

BAFTA winner Nia, who was brought up in Coedpoeth and went to Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, wrote the original Fireman Sam stories in English and Welsh and has a long list of credits including the popular series, Something Special, for CBeebies.

 

Nia was delighted to back the Summer Stars initiative that's being organised to coincided with the children's activities at Eagles Meadow over the summer holidays.

 

The activities will include visits by popular television characters like Paddington on August 4, Shaun the Sheep on August 11, Spongebob Squarepants on August 18 and The Gruffalo on August 25.

 

The winning  Summer Hero will receive a £25 voucher from The Entertainer toy shop, a family tickets for Tenpin and the Odeon and a voucher for a family meal at Frankie and Benny's worth £50 and a voucher worth up to £30 from Nando's. Meanwhile, the runner up will receive family tickets for the Odeon and Tenpin along with a voucher for a family meal at Frankie and Benny's worth £50.

 

Nia explained they qualities the judges would be looking for.

 

She said: "Maybe they look out for an elderly neighbour or play an important role in their local church, community centre or youth club. Or maybe they are a rising sports star.

"Whatever their shining example to their peer group is, we want to hear about it."

 

Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths is also backing the idea.

 

She said: “I think the search for Summer Stars is a great idea and could help give some local youngsters the boost they need.

 

"There's bags of talent among the youngsters of Wrexham and I feel sure there will be some very worthy nominees.

 

"I would urge everyone to have a good think about the young people in their communities who deserve a pat on the back either for the work they do, the troubles they have overcome or for simply being a good example to their peers and get nominating now."

 

Eagles Meadow manager Kevin Critchley said: “It may be that the young person you know raises money for charity on a regular basis or volunteers to help people in their neighbourhood.

 

“Perhaps they play an active part in their local church or youth centre. Or maybe they are a rising sports star who is dedicated beyond their years to their training.

 

“Perhaps they have battled illness with bravery and good humour. Whatever their shining example to their peer group is, we want to hear about it.”

 

* To enter a young person you know, aged 11 and under, please email a short description of the nominee along with your contact details, including a daytime telephone number, to ceidiog@ceidiog.com Entries should be received by Friday, July 31.

Weather forces Fringe finale into Town Hall

Due to the grim weather forecast the Fringe Finale with Claudia Aurora this evening (Sunday) will now take place in Llangollen Town Hall.

A Fringe spokesperson said: "The persistent rain will make it impossible to set up the event  - and miserable to watch it - at the Valle Crucis Abbey.

"Apologies for any inconvenience caused."

Pavilion hosts toy and train sale

Llangollen Pavilion is to host the next  annual Toy & Train Sale on Saturday August 15, between 10.30am and 3pm.

According to organiser Chris Dyer, this is the only event of this type at the venue  in 2015, although he says arrangements are well in hand  for another similar show next year.

Mr Dyer said: "The Pavilion at Llangollen has always proved a big hit with the public in recent years and the unique atmosphere helps to create a special day alongside all of the many attractions on offer at this fine inland resort.


* Llangollen Pavilion.

"The venue boasts an excellent in-house cafe and the nearby Llangollen Railway station is within easy walking distance along Abbey Road and  will  be operating a good service throughout the day.

"A trip on this line should not be missed under any circumstance and therRailway has recently been extended to Corwen. 

"There is ample free parking at the venue and access is level and easy whilst a footpath links the Toyfair with the station and the town."

He added: "Llangollen  attracts a great range of traders from  all over Wales and England and a wonderful array of stock is always available  from all the big names such as Dinky, Corgi, Matchbox, EFE, Tri-ang, Hornby, Lima, Wrenn, Bachmann etc.

"In the current economic climate, prices have never been keener and it is an ideal time to build up collections at budget prices. Traders are also very keen to buy and to exchange so do raid your attics and  bring along any of your surplus items."

A sister event,  the Oswestry Toy & Train Sale, will be taking place at the Show-ground, Oswestry,  on Saturday October 17. 

* For more information, call 01643702757 or 07966 694579, or go to the website www.chrisdyerfairs.co.uk 

Yetis to gather in Llan

* Yeti cycles have a cult following.

Riders from the UK are expected to attend a gathering for owners of Yeti cycles to be held in Llangollen on August 8 and 9.

The race-bred brand has a cult like following and the yearly 'tribe' gathering continues to attract Yeti fans from a wide area who travel to take part in the meet each year.

The 2015 gathering is set to take place on the trails around both Llangollen and Llandegla, with two days of riding available on both natural and trail centre tracks.

Based at the Abbey Farm caravan site, Saturday will see riders have the option of participating in either one or two guided rides taking place throughout the day.

Both rides will head out around the natural trails of Llangollen taking in some of the best local singletrack on offer in the area.

After the ride tribe members will gather at the campsite's main bar area where a selection of Yeti retro bikes will be on display as well as the chance to discuss the day's riding.

Sunday sees the tribe meeting located up the road at One Planet Adventure, Llandegla where riders will have the chance to sample the network of way-marked trails available at their own pace as well as visit the onsite shop and café.

On display will also be a selection of new and retro Yeti bikes as well as Yeti Cycles UK staff.

* For further information, see: Facebook.com/yeticyclesuk