Police boss aims to honour crime-fighting heroes

* North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones.

A POLICE boss is asking for the public’s help to honour unsung crime-fighting heroes of the community.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones has just launched his Community Awards to recognise people and groups who help police to keep their neighbourhood a peaceful and safe place to live and work and who help in rehabilitating offenders.

And he is inviting members of the public to send him their own nominations for the main accolade on offer, the coveted People’s Award.

The aim of this award is to highlight and honour an individual or community group who have made a strong contribution towards community safety and crime prevention.

It is the only one of the awards which is nominated directly by members of the public using an online form. The closing date for nominations is Monday, April 24.

The other categories are Community Champion, Victims' Champion, Rehabilitation Award, Equality and Diversity Award, Young People's Award, Outstanding Achievement Award, Welsh Language Champion, Drug Intervention and Anti-Slavery Champion.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector, said: "To mark the completion of my first year in office I have decided to host a community awards ceremony to celebrate and publicise some of the amazing work carried out within the communities of North Wales.

"I am proud to have served the people of North Wales as a police officer, a county councillor and now as police and crime commissioner.

"I have experienced at first hand the work and effort some members of the community put into helping the police and making North Wales a better, safer place to be.

"The People's Award will go to an individual or group who have made an impact in helping to keep people safe and/or to reduce crime. 

“This contribution may impact the whole area, a local town, neighbourhood or even street, but it will have made a difference to the people living and working there.

“It could be someone who is working to bring communities together to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, or is working with people to deter and reduce offending.

“While I will select most of the award recipients myself in consultation with my office, the People’s Award is special in that it is the only one which will be nominated directly by the public.

“I am therefore asking for the assistance of the people of North Wales to help me select a suitable candidate for this particular award.

“If you know someone in your community who has gone that extra mile to prevent or reduce crime, protect and support members of the community or generally helped to make North Wales a safer place to live and work, please nominate them for the People’s Award. 

The winners of the People’s Award and the other PCC Community Awards will receive their honours in front of police and civic leaders at a presentation at the Kinmel Manor Hotel in Abergele on the evening of Thursday, May 18. 

* To nominate your choice for the People’s Award, go the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s website at www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk to complete and return the online form.  Alternatively you can download the form, complete it and return it to The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Glan-y-Don, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8AW, or by email to opcc@nthwales.pnn.police.uk  by the closing date Monday, April 24.

Government announces £14m business support scheme

The Welsh Government has announced two new property development funds launched with £14 million of EU funds to support business growth and job creation in the North, West Wales and the South Wales Valleys.

The £7 million Property for Business Development Grant Fund (PBDG) and the £7m Property Infrastructure Fund (PIF) are each expected to attract £13 million of private sector investment and geared to stimulate the market to meet the needs of businesses.

Both funds are for new build and refurbishments/extensions/adaptions with the Property Infrastructure Fund aimed specifically at advance build developments and the Property for Business Development Grant Fund targeted at supporting businesses with bespoke expansion projects.

The successful projects, selected in conjunction with the regional stakeholders across Wales, will be those that achieve best value for money and create the greatest economic impact. The primary focus will be on projects in Enterprise Zones, Local Growth Zones and City Regions.

Stage 1 Applications, providing brief information on the project requiring support, will need to be submitted by the 30 April 2017 in order to be considered for a provisional allocation of funding.

* For more information and an application form for businesses interested in the Property for Business Development Grant or developers interested in the Property Infrastructure Fund to support advance build development should email gde.pdg@wales.gsi.gov.uk.

Llangollen 10k race details revealed

* The route of the race will follow the canal.

Details have been revealed of the Llangollen 10K race which is due to be held on Sunday May 14.

The race starts from Tower Fields at 9.30am and follows an undulating route along the canal.

Runners must be aged 15-plus and the race will be chip timed.

Entry fee for adults is from £12 and includes a bespoke finisher medal and water bottle. There is a feeding station along the route.

The prize presentation will be at the registration tent at 11.30am.

Parking will be available at Tower Fields.

* For more information, go to: http://www.walkjogrun.net/routes/current_route.cfm?rid=DAA70244-9DF3-F44C-1FE49779038427EC&success=1

Year of Legends campaign goes on show

* The view from Castell Dinas Bran in Llangollen.

A host of legendary promotions showcasing the North East Wales region have been released as part of Visit Wales’ Year of Legends campaign. 

Denbighshire, Wrexham and Flintshire have joined forces to produce films, journeys and a digital brochure to inspire new visitors to experience the region.

Funded by Visit Wales’ Regional Tourism Engagement Fund, the promotions explore castles, landscape, arts and culture and the food and drink offer as well as telling the stories behind our most legendary figures including Owain Glyndwr and Thomas Telford.

Ian Lebbon, Chair of Denbighshire Destination Partnership, said: “The promotions celebrate our past, present and future like never before with attractions, events and activities at a range of legendary locations.

"With North Wales being named as one of the top ten places to visit in the entire world this year by Lonely Planet, we are keen to showcase the beauty of North East Wales to both residents and visitors.

“Thank you to everyone who contributed to the making of the films and brochure, we hope it will inspire visitors to experience all our hidden gems.”

Included in the new materials are 12 legendary journeys across North East Wales, everything from town centre strolls to long distance trails.

All have spectacular settings and a story attached. Locations include Wales’ Coastal Path, Pontycysyllte Aqueduct, St Winefride’s Well, Coed Llandegla Forest, Castell Dinas Bran, Moel Arthur, Jubilee Tower, Offa’s Dyke Path and many more.

Tourism plays a vital part in the region’s economy, with a total economic impact in 2015 of £808m and over 11 million visits made.

* To view the films, brochure and legendary journeys please visit www.northeastwales.wales

Campaign urges owners to keep their dogs on a lead

A campaign urging dog owners to keep their pets on leads in the Denbighshire countryside has been launched, ahead of the Easter holidays.

The Take the Lead campaign, being managed by Denbighshire Countryside Services and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is in support of a regional initiative by North Wales Police to help reduce incidents of sheep worrying.

The Police’s Rural Crime Unit has already launched Operation Flock to reduce the number of incidents across the region and aims to educate and raise awareness of the issue and encourage dog owners to think and act responsibly when they visit the countryside.

It is illegal to allow dogs to worry sheep when they are off the lead. The consequences could include a fine and potentially a destruction order if the matter is taken before the courts.

The campaign will include new signage being installed,  posters/ flyers distributed and a video created, with the simple message for dog owners to keep their dogs on leads in open countryside.

Social media will also be used to send out messages to residents and visitors to the region.

David Shiel, Countryside Officer with the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, said: “We see over 300,000 visitors coming to Moel Famau alone in a year, with many people also exploring the scenic countryside in other parts of our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“We want people to enjoy their visits to the countryside, it is very much open to everyone.  However, we are concerned about dogs being let off their leads, especially on Moel Famau but also on other countryside public footpaths across the county.

“We are concerned that dogs being allowed to roam free could increase the risk of injury to sheep, in particular around the lambing season.

“The AONB is proud of its countryside and wants everyone to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, whilst respecting the fact that they will be crossing land used for grazing purposes.

“It’s all about reminding people of their responsibility to follow the Countryside Code and to keep their dogs under control at all times."

Denbighshire Countryside Service, working in partnership with the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Committee will work with North Wales Police over the coming months to raise awareness of this issue.

Residents have their say on county priorities

A total of 177 Denbighshire residents have signed up to work with the county council and be part of a new citizens panel having their voices heard on some key topical issues.

In late 2016 the council asked for views on its draft aspirations through the County Conversation debate.

The council also took the opportunity to ask people whether they would like to get involved in the citizens panel.

1,526 responses were received as part of the debate through online surveys, face to face discussions and over the phone.  Those aspirations were then ranked in order of importance to residents:

•        Denbighshire is a place where younger people will want to live and work and they have the skills to do so

•        Communities are connected and have access to goods and services locally, online or through good transport links

•        There is an attractive and protected environment that supports communities’ wellbeing and economic prosperity.

•        People can live independent and fulfilled lives in strong, caring, safe and resilient communities

•        The Council and communities work together to overcome challenges; devising and delivering joint solutions

•        There are events that bring people together, creating active communities and helping business to prosper

These draft priorities will be discussed by the council after the elections. 

The next round of the County Conversation campaign will see a series of drop-in sessions in June to help shape these draft priorities further.  Details will be publicised nearer the time.

Dr Mohammed Mehmet, Denbighshire’s Chief Executive, said: “We were delighted with the participation in our County Conversation around the draft aspirations and the range of feedback we received. Involving Denbighshire residents at an early stage was crucial, to make sure we were on the right lines in terms of what’s important to ensure healthy, safe and vibrant communities. There was clearly a lot of support for our draft priorities.

“We will be providing all of this information to the new Council and a final decision on the priorities will be made later this year. We have also made a firm commitment to keeping our residents informed on progress with our priorities.

“Many respondents from different parts of the county  also said they wanted to be involved in our Citizen’s Panel. This is a great opportunity to work with us and help shape the future direction of the council. 

“They will also play an important role as a sounding board, providing a snapshot of public opinion on some of our most important issues. The Citizens Panel is expected to meet for the first time later this year."

Services charity receives £500 boost from Llangollen

Llangollen Town Mayor, Cllr Mike Adams, left, handed over a cheque for £500 to Squadron Leader Gordon Massey, Clwyd chairman of Armed Forces charity SSAFA, at the Town Hall.

The money came from the town's annual Festival of Remembrance last year via the Mayor's Charity Fund.