Big mountain bike event comes to Llan

British Cycling's National Downhill Mountain Bike Series Round Six, presented by Shimano, will be staged in Llangollen this Saturday and Sunday.

Riders contending for the series overall are measured on their best five results, with seeding counting for up to 50 points and race runs up to 200 points for the win.

The newly revised Squirrel Track will be used with a new re-vamped start straight with several new BMX track style jumps into two new berms.

The course itself is steep and technical as it winds itself down the famous Llangollen hillside with a spectator route cut top to bottom meaning nobody has to cross the course.

Saturday is practice all day from 09:30 to 18:00 with live timing in place for all riders.

Sunday is practice in the morning followed be seeding runs and then one race run, again with live timing throughout.

On Sunday between the intervals for seeding and race runs the Strider Downhill Race is packed with 40 stars of the future who will tackle a course that starts next to the famous Llangollen step downs.

They will then fire into the long finish arena and across the finish line and into the hot seat. The Strider riders will be in age categories and complete downhill timed runs.

Planning application submitted for "ghost" supermarket

* The Berwyn Street supermarket for which a planning application has now been submitted.

A planning application has been lodged with Denbighshire County Council which could possibly see Llangollen’s “ghost” supermarket split between two tenants – discount retailers Aldi and Home Bargains.

The 34,000 sq ft unit off Berwyn Street has stood empty since May 2015 when Sainsbury’s for whom it was built made the shock announcement that they would not be moving in due to a scaling back of their stores.

The application, made in the name of Sainsbury’s who still own the building, seeks permission for the subdivision of the existing retail unit and alterations to allow it to trade as two retail units with associated internal and external physical alterations to the building, service yard, customer entrance and forecourt areas.

The move, which comes after more than a year of speculation about the eventual tenant, has been welcomed by Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies who said: “Mention of Aldi and Home Bargains being the two prospective tenants of the supermarket is made in the covering letter of the planning application and also in a background document.

“I am happy that an application has finally been made for this empty building and to see that there are prospective tenants in mind.”

The Sainsbury’s pull-out, which they blamed on “adverse trading conditions” at the time, dashed hopes for 130 promised jobs.

Sainsburys announced they wouldn’t themselves be running the store directly and revealed they were looking for potential tenants.

Interest by Aldi and the discount group Home Bargains has often been speculated upon but never confirmed by either company.

A spokesman for Aldi told llanblogger a few months ago:  “Aldi, the award-winning discount food retailer, is keen to develop a new food store in Llangollen.

“There is a clear need for greater shopping choice in the area and Aldi is looking at a variety of sites that fit both suitability and convenience for local shoppers.”

And a spokesman for Home Bargains said at the time: “Unfortunately, it’s a no comment from us, as we work to a strict planner of confirmed stores.”

* The application, reference number 03/2016/0887, can be inspected in full via the planning search section of the Denbighshire County Council website at: http://planning.denbighshire.gov.uk

Council slammed over station parking

* Ken Skates AM with Cllr Dana Davies at Ruabon Station.

Wrexham Council has made ‘an utter mess’ of parking charges at Ruabon Station, according to opposition politicians.

Along with many residents and station users, Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates and Ruabon councillor Dana Davies have previously criticised the authority over the introduction of a pay-and-display system at the popular station.

Now they say constant issues with the ticket machine are exacerbating problems – and have called on the council to address the situation.

Mr Skates and Cllr Davies last April suggested the council should reinvest money from the new parking charges – up to £400 a year per person – into improving the station’s facilities, such as better disabled access. But their plea fell on deaf ears at the Guildhall.

Cllr Davies, leader of the opposition Labour group said: “At least if the money had gone towards station improvements, commuters and users could’ve seen where it was going. This is purely a revenue stream, while at the same time the council is wasting hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money trying to demolish The Groves.

“Since the charges came in, people are parking anywhere but at the train station, including at the cemetery and in residential areas.

“These issues were raised at the time the decision was made, but our concerns were ignored. They are still discussed on a regular basis at Ruabon Community Council, and I’m getting a lot of complaints from residents.

“The ticket machine is also faulty on a regular basis and people often have problems paying for long-term stays. I was assured this would be looked at, but I’m still waiting.”

Cllr Davies added: “Wrexham Council leaders continue to make an utter mess of this.”

Mr Skates added: “I use this station and know how frustrating the parking payment system is. I also know how badly the charges have impacted on neighbouring householders, who are finding people parking all over the place. I have taken this up with the chief executive once again and hope to get a response in the very near future.”

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “I am flabbergasted at Labour’s hypocrisy, given the decision of the executive board on January 13, 2015, to introduce a Pay and Display service at Ruabon Railway Station - it is my recollection that this was a unanimous decision which included the two Labour members of the executive board at that time.

“It seems to me they have short-term memory loss, and I would suggest to Ken Skates AM that he needs to have more dialogue with his Labour members on Wrexham Council.”

Cllr Bithell added: “In respect of the issues raised, this was part of the revenue budget savings for 2015/16, where the Council had to make £11.6 million of savings. The department is also currently working with the local member on some localised issues around the use of Pay and Display at the car park.”

Llan could be part of proposed new constituency

* The proposed new constituency of South Clwyd and

North Montgomeryshire, with Llangollen

included in area four on the map.

Latest proposals from the Boundary Commission for Wales for changes to the country’s electoral map show that Llangollen could form part of a suggested new constituency called De Clwyd a Gogledd Sir Faldwyn (South Clwyd and North Montgomeryshire). 

The proposals, published prior to 12 weeks of public consultation, suggest the new seat being created from parts of the existing Clwyd South including the County of Denbighshire electoral wards of Corwen (1,826), Llandrillo (930) and Llangollen (3,319); and. the County Borough of Wrexham electoral wards of Cefn (3,709); Dyffryn Ceiriog/Ceiriog Valley (1,670), Chirk North (1,811), Chirk South (1,549), Johnstown (2,415), Llangollen Rural (1,578), Pant (1,534), Penycae (1,479), Penycae and Ruabon South (1,898), Plas Madoc (1,198), Ruabon (2,071) and Ponciau (without the Aberoer and Pentrebychan wards of the Community of Esclusham) (2,831).

Also included in the new constituency would be parts of the existing Clwyd West and Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Montgomeryshire and Vale of Clwyd seats.

The proposed constituency would have 71,097 electors which is 4.9% below the UKEQ of 74,769 electors per constituency. 

The Boundary Commission says: “The remaining electoral wards from the existing constituencies of Clwyd South, Clwyd West and the Vale of Clwyd were considered appropriate to combine in a constituency as they share similar rural, economic and social characteristics. 

“However, there is an insufficient electorate in these areas to form a constituency.  There is therefore a need to extend the proposal south encompassing the northern wards of the existing Montgomeryshire constituency.

“Wards from the existing Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency have also been included to enable sufficient road access to all parts of the proposed constituency. 

“The Commission acknowledges that this is the most disruptive change to the existing arrangements of all the newly proposed constituencies. 

“The proposed constituency is geographically large at 2,704 km2, reflecting the sparse population and rural nature of the area.”   

The Commission adds: “The Commission proposes placing the Ponciau North, Ponciau South and Rhos wards of the Community of Rhosllanerchrugog into the proposed ‘De Clwyd a Gogledd Sir Faldwyn’ constituency with the remaining wards of the Community of Esclusham forming part of the proposed Wrexham Maelor constituency.  

“The Commission has decided on the name to reflect the areas within the proposed constituency. 

“Having regard to the linguistic characteristics of the larger part of the area involved, the Commission has decided to give the proposal a Welsh language official name and an English language alternative name.” 

* Full details can be found at http://bcomm-wales.gov.uk/2018-review/maps_and_supporting_information?lang=en

* Representations about the review should be addressed, within 12 weeks, to the Boundary Commission for Wales, Hastings House, Fitzalan Court, Cardiff, CF24 0BL, faxed to 02920 464820, or e-mailed to bcomm.wales@wales.gsi.gov.uk. 

79 people in court for littering offences

Denbighshire County Council’s campaign for cleaner, tidy streets is continuing with a total of 79 people being taken to court for littering offences.

The hearing at Llandudno Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday) heard cases of smoking related litter, food and drink containers being wilfully dropped in public.

The total amount of fines issued by the court was £3,250 with a total of £3,260 in costs.

Councillor David Smith, Denbighshire’s Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: “The majority of residents and visitors to Denbighshire act responsibly and dispose of litter lawfully in bins provided or they take their litter home. We thank them for their efforts to keep our streets in Denbighshire clean and tidy.

“However, there is a minority who think it’s appropriate to drop litter. It’s a blight on the landscape, it affects people’s quality of life and it’s one of the most common concerns raised by residents.  

"In recent times, the council has been running an awareness campaign, encouraging people to keep their communities litter-free and educating the public about the health dangers of issues such as dog fouling.  

“This matter is being taken seriously by the council and the enforcement activity against all kinds of environmental crimes continues."

 

County launches energy efficiency scheme

Denbighshire County Council is launching its biggest energy efficiency initiative to date, with over 5,000 homes in the county identified as needing improved insulation.

Hundreds of homes across the county have already received insulation improvements as part of a previous scheme, with the council attracting over £5 million to improve the energy performance of houses.

Now  the county council has worked with partners A&M Energy Solutions, Citizens Advice Denbighshire and the North Wales Energy Advice Centre to develop Denbighshire Cosy Homes, to fund the installation of loft and cavity wall insulation for all suitable homes.

Councillor David Smith, Denbighshire’s Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership to promote this scheme and encourage more properties to have better insulation.

“People could get loft and cavity wall insulation installed in their  homes for free, even if the rent the property. Insulating the house will make the house warmer in winter, cooler in summer and reduce fuel bills and carbon dioxide emissions.

"The improvements could save up to £500 per year off your fuel bills.

“All houses will be contacted directly by post to inform them of their suitability and surveyors from A&M will visit the area and contact the households directly to organise for the survey.

A Freephone advice service is being offered by North Wales Energy Advice Centre: 0800 954 0658. If you wish to contact A&M prior to the initiative contact them directly on 0800 318 867 (select Penley Branch) or 01948 83 0824.

Citizens Advice Denbighshire will be offering energy, debt and benefit advice. They can be contacted directly on 01745 814336 (Denbigh), 01745 334 568 (Rhyl), 01824 703483.

Ambulance service hailed for good practice

TWO Welsh Ambulance Service initiatives that help patients in need of mental health care and end of life care have been recognised as examples of good practice.

The Trust’s Mental Health Pathway and End of Life Care Project have both been listed on the Social Care Institute of Excellence’s website.

It comes after submissions were invited to highlight work that has raised awareness and improved implementation of the Mental Capacity Act.

Clinical Support Officer Edward O’Brian, said: “It’s fantastic for the Trust to be recognised nationally and for these initiatives to be published on the Social Care Institute of Excellence’s website.

“A simple pathway has been designed by the Trust to improve the quality and clinical appropriateness of care provided to mental health patients that access the ambulance service.

“The primary aim of the pathway is to better assist those who need an urgent mental health assessment.

“A further aim is to prevent those whose care needs are of a less urgent nature being left waiting for hours in Emergency Departments and then subsequently being discharged.

“When a paramedic is on scene with a patient they can ring the Mental Health Crisis Team and a joint decision is then made as to the best course of action for that patient which would lead to one of three possible outcomes.

“The first would be to leave them at home with signposting to relevant services and the second would be to convey them to the Emergency Department if an underlying medical condition is suspected.

“The third would be a situation in which the patient is deemed to be in need of urgent mental health support. In this case they would be taken directly to a mental health facility.”

The End of Life Care Project aims to prevent unnecessary and unwanted hospital admissions for patients receiving end of life care that access the ambulance service.

Edward, who is also the Trust’s End of Life Care Lead, said that 999 is often accessed for end of life care patients who are suffering from an increase in their symptoms.

He said: “Prior to the Trust making these changes ambulance clinicians have often had to convey these patients to hospital in order to manage their symptoms when they would much rather be at home with their families.

“The Trust has introduced mandatory training in recognition and management of specific symptoms that are often seen in end of life care.

“Clinicians can now provide further treatment by using additional medications within patients’ own homes, thus preventing unnecessary hospital admissions.

“By controlling these symptoms at home patients can then remain at home which is often their preferred place of care.”