Plaid Cymru selects general election candidate

* Plaid Cymru candidate Chris Allen with party leader Leanne Wood.

Plaid Cymru have selected an engineer from Trevor to be their candidate for Clwyd South in the general election on June 8.

Father of two Chris Allen was born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, and works at Mail Solutions in Llangollen.

His wife, Rachel, is a teacher at Ysgol Dinas Bran, and her family live in Chirk.

Mr Allen said: “This election is an opportunity for the people of this area to say that it’s about time that their voice was heard. Wales has been ignored for far too long.

“My focus as your MP would be to ensure that Wales, and this part of Wales especially, is not ignored and gets the best possible deal out of the UK’s Brexit discussions with the EU.”

Mr Allen said that the fact that he was born in England and not Welsh speaking showed that Plaid Cymru was a party for everyone: “Some people tell me that they like Plaid Cymru but because they don’t speak Welsh they feel that they can’t support the party.

"I find that amusing because I’m from England and I’m not a Welsh speaker. But Wales is my home and I want the best for my community. The only party that puts the interests of our communities here first is Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales. Plaid Cymru is for everyone who lives in Wales and I’m a perfect example of that.

“I came to live here 20 years ago and have worked for both Wrexham Council and run my own business. I can see how Wales is being ignored by the Government in London. We desperately need a strong voice to put the interests of Wales and its people first, not just tow the party line that’s only interested in London and the south-east of England.”

Plaid leader Leanne Wood welcomed Chris Allen’s candidacy.

She said: “Chris is an engaging and warm person, who is committed to standing up for his community and Wales. We both know that Plaid Cymru is the only party that will fight for Wales and speak up for the Welsh national interest, for jobs and the economy. We desperately need an alternative to challenge the Tories, who would devastate our communities. I wish Chris all the best in the elections on June 8.”

Trading standards warns over scam emails

Trading Standards officers in Denbighshire are warning residents and businesses to be on their guard against scam emails requesting payment of an invoice.

The warning comes after reports of businesses receiving a link to an invoice from emails that may appear genuine but do not come from a genuine Denbighshire County Council email address. 

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire’s Public Protection Manager, said: “This appears to be a national scam or at least a variation on similar events reported nationally. 

"Our advice is to ignore the email and do not click on any links in any emails you do not know the origin of or are not expecting.   

“All invoices are generated and issued by post through our preferred supplier.  Any copy invoices requested are sent as pdf attachments, are clearly visible in the email and do not appear as links.”

* Anyone who thinks they have been scammed, or knows someone who has fallen victim to a scam, can contact Trading Standards on 03454 04 05 06, for the Welsh language or 03454 04 05 05, or report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or www.actionfraud.police.uk

Tories select Baynes to fight Clwyd South

Simon Baynes has been chosen as the Welsh Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Clwyd South, which includes Llangollen

The selection was held on Wednesday night at the Brymbo Conservative Club.

Afterwards, he said: “It is a great honour to be selected as the Welsh Conservative candidate for Clwyd South.

"I have been involved in campaigning on local issues in the constituency for some time, having stood as the Welsh Conservative Assembly Candidate for Clwyd South last year. I am looking forward to delivering on the issues that matter to the residents of the area.”

A keen musician, Mr Baynes (pictured) founded and runs the charity Concertina – Music for the Elderly, which helps provide music and other entertainment for the elderly in care homes and day centres.

Having grown up in the hotel industry, he says he is particularly interested in tourism and the hospitality industry and sees both as essential to the economy of Clwyd South.

He wants to see the creation of more sustainable jobs and better mobile phone signal in the area.

He has also campaigned against the closure of local banks.

Mr Baynes added: “This election is vital and we need it now to secure the strong and stable leadership the UK needs under Theresa May to see us through Brexit and beyond.”

MP raises questions over Welsh farmers

Susan Elan Jones MP has accused Conservatives of not listening to the voices of Welsh farmers and rural communities.

The Clwyd South Labour MP (pictured) was questioning Tory Secretary of State Alun Cairns MP yesterday (Wed 26th) at Welsh Questions in the House of Commons Chamber.

She said: "There is so much uncertainty about life post Brexit in our rural communities - and the UK government really is not listening to the very legitimate concerns that our farmers have.

"Farmers and others in rural communities have to plan and they need very definite commitments about being able to access the European Single Market."

Ms Jones also repeated a call for all powers relating to agriculture to be devolved to the Welsh Government after Brexit.

Good news for county businesses

Businesses will find it easier to bid for public sector contracts thanks to changes to a website.

Denbighshire County Council has revamped the procurement section of its website to make it easier for firms based in Denbighshire to apply for contracts as part of the £100 million it spends to deliver public services each year.

Businesses can now register online to be made aware when a contract is available and the council is also making the process more transparent by publishing a comprehensive list of all the contracts the authority currently has in place.

The website also features guidance to help businesses based in the county gain a better understanding of the procurement process and make it easier for them to be considered for contracts.

Improving the procurement process is part of the Council’s work on developing the economy to help businesses thrive.

* Visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/business/selling-to-the-council/selling-to-the-council.aspx

Ambulance chiefs apologise over response delay

According to a story on the BBC Wales website, ambulance bosses have apologised after a man who severed part of his finger in Denbighshire had to wait over an hour for a taxi to get him to hospital.

For the full story, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-39692194

AM raises North Wales rail issues

Rail issues facing North Wales were raised by Mark Isherwood AM during the latest session of an inquiry into the Welsh Government’s plans for the next Wales and Borders Rail Franchise.

Mr Isherwood (pictured), who has long been calling for improvements to services for the region, championed North Wales Rail Issues when questioning Network Rail, UK Department for Transport, Engineering Sector Panel and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure in the Welsh Government during the latest session of the Assembly Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee inquiry into the plans.

Mr Isherwood spoke of “a number of witnesses here and in Shrewsbury reinforcing the need for rail investment in north Wales” and referred to the North Wales & Mersey Dee Rail Task Force’s ‘Growth Track 360’ proposals with both Governments.

Questioning them over the North Wales and Merseyside connectivity - the Halton curve, he said: “We know that the Liverpool City Region have made the decision to invest up to the border, but there’s not yet been a parallel decision this side of the border. What might the potential implications of that be, or do you have any thoughts about how that might go forward?

“Similarly, with Wrexham-Saltney, or particularly Rossett, and the notorious missing two miles, what will the implication of that be if those two miles aren’t filled, and the capacity issues that will result? We understand there might be capacity for one extra train per two hours, but I don’t know if you’re able to indicate anything about that.”

Mr Isherwood also spoke of concern over the connectivity to Crewe, particularly with electrification, and where the absence of a hub connection at Crewe might impact on the proposals for North Wales, and connectivity to Manchester and Manchester and Liverpool airports.  

He said: “My understanding is that the north-east Wales border has the highest cross-border motor crossing anywhere in the UK daily, and rail usage is amongst the lowest in terms of travel to work cross-border, or travel to shopping, or whatever it may be, because of the limitations. What greater capacity could be provided if that two miles had been dualled?

“Given, obviously, that Growth Track 360 is about two sides of the border, it’s about the travelling area and the commercial area of the region, what about connectivity into Manchester? Because obviously, at the moment, you effectively miss the city and have to come back in again. And obviously ensuring the sustainability of connectivity with the two main airports.”