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Saturday, May 6, 2017

Veterans and families to get extra support

Veterans and their families across North Wales are set to benefit from additional support from local authorities following the award of over £230,000 by the Ministry of Defence.

The award will fund the employment of two Armed Forces Liaison Officers (AFLO) dedicated to strengthening the delivery of the Armed Forces Community Covenant across the region by ensuring the fair and respectful treatment of serving personnel, veterans and their families.

The officers’ remit will include reviewing existing policies and procedures in areas including human resources, social care, education and housing.

Officers will also ensure the needs of the armed forces community are considered in new strategic plans and service changes linked to, for example, the Well-being of Future Generations Act, and the Social Services and Well-being Act.

The officers will seek to establish the size and complement of the region’s armed forces community, and to establish clear lines of communication so that information can flow to and from community members more effectively.

There will be a focus on training for front line staff, allowing them to better understand and support the needs of the armed forces community.

Dr Mohammed Mehmet, Denbighshire County Council’s Chief Executive, said: “This is excellent news and I pass on my thanks to the officers responsible for securing this award.

"Armed forces personnel, veterans and their families can be assured that in North Wales we are committed to ensuring they will not be disadvantaged by the service they have given to their country."

The award will be administered by Wrexham Council on behalf of the six local authorities in North Wales.

Friday, May 5, 2017

County and town council election results

Llangollen - results
Election CandidatePartyVotes%
Graham TimmsLabour65929%Elected
Thomas Melvyn MileIndependent65829%Elected
Stuart Arthur DaviesIndependent65729%Not elected
Robert SpaldingThe Green Party26312%Not elected


County council overall


Party nameSeats won% of votes
Conservative1634%
Labour1326%
Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales910%
Independent825%
Liberal Democrats14%
The Green Party0< 1%
Socialist Labour Party0< 1%
Turnout:
35%

Town Council results


Election CandidatePartyVotes%
Jean Robb McKean BurrellIndependent68313%Elected
Robert LubeLabour63612%Elected
Thomas Melvyn MileIndependent62612%Elected
George HughesIndependent55210%Elected
Isobel Anne RichardsIndependent4639%Elected
Austin Francisco CheminaisIndependent4058%Elected
Robyn Claire LovelockIndependent3967%Elected
Jonathan Peter HaddyIndependent3637%Elected
Karen Anne EdwardsIndependent3537%Elected
Anthony William BakerIndependent3276%Elected
Andrew William BeechIndependent2855%Elected
Martina RobertsIndependent2565%Not elected




Police boss vows to bring more sex offenders to justice


* Unveiling the plan: From left, PCC Arfon Jones, Deputy PCC Ann Griffith and Chief Constable Mark Polin.

A police boss has vowed to bring more sex offenders to justice.

The pledge from North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones is contained in his new blueprint for policing the region.

Tackling sex abuse in its various forms is one of five priorities in the Police and Crime Plan published by the commissioner.

Other key areas include domestic violence, modern slavery and human trafficking, organised crime and delivering safer neighbourhoods.

According to Mr Jones, he consulted widely and listened to the Chief Constable Mark Polin in drawing up the new Police and Crime plan, which sets the direction of policing in North Wales for the next five years.

He said: "My vision for policing North Wales is based on reducing threat, risk and harm by identifying the most vulnerable people in society and ensuring they are the priority for the Police and Crime Plan. 

"Three of the five priorities are based around vulnerability and I am delivering on the promises I made in my manifesto before I was elected.

"The plan also reflects the changing face of policing with the emerging and often hidden crimes like modern slavery and human trafficking and child sexual exploitation, with the threat posed by online paedophiles.

"The number of rape and other serious sexual assaults reported to the police are high.

“However, they remain under reported and more needs to be done to encourage victims to come forward, regardless of when the crime was committed. Non recent crimes will be treated with the same professionalism and respect as current offences.

"In relation to child sexual exploitation, a multi-agency regional plan was developed some time ago.

"The Onyx team established by North Wales Police to tackle these abhorrent offences will continue to further develop their work.

"I will work with our partners to ensure all that can be done to safeguard these children is given the priority it deserves.

"Making the reporting of sexual abuse as straightforward as possible is a priority and an experienced Independent Sexual Violence Advisor will be offered as a supporter and advocate to each high risk survivor.

"In addition we will increase the number of programmes for perpetrators to reduce repeat offending and repeat victimisation.

"Another priority is the continued development of the Paedophile and Online Investigation Team (POLIT) in identifying perpetrators of child sexual exploitation, including those accessing indecent images of children through the internet and effective multi-agency working to protect children identified as being at risk.

"I’m pleased that we’re investing so many resources in tackling online sexual exploitation because the care of children is the most important thing we do.

"Paedophiles are becoming increasingly sophisticated so it is vitally important that we respond accordingly with a team of our own experts catching those committing these types of crime and bringing them to justice.

"This problem isn’t going to go away and we need to concentrate on raising awareness, education and reducing harm and I think there is some excellent work being done to reach this priority.

"I’m very happy to support the force in providing as much resources as needed to ensure that children, wherever they may be in the world, are safe.

"The aim is to secure an increase in reporting of sexual and domestic abuse by giving victims the confidence to come forward.

"We will provide an overall better service for victims affected by domestic
and sexual abuse and I want more perpetrators brought to justice so they can answer for their appalling crimes."

Chief Constable Mark Polin said: "This is going to be an effective strategy for policing North Wales and we are already geared up to delivering the objectives. The plan is fit for purpose, the priorities are right and we are already responding to them.

"The emerging crimes like child sexual exploitation and modern slavery affect the police service across England and Wales, and we are concerned to identify the new risks and threats to our communities. We are responding to them appropriately and robustly in conjunction with our partners.

"It's also important to recognise that North Wales is one of the safest places to live and work and that public confidence and satisfaction in what we do has been increasing for some time.

"As well as focusing on the emerging crimes, we will continue to do what the public want us to do in the traditional sense, by responding to the calls that they make to us and responding to the threats that they face in their communities across North Wales."

* To read the North Wales Police and Crime Plan in full go to: www.nwpcc.cymru.

Thursday, May 4, 2017

FoE aims to bag a share of bag charge fund

Friends of the Earth Llangollen is bidding to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.

Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to local community projects.

FoE Llangollen is one of three groups in the local Tesco region shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant. Voting is open in stores throughout May and June. Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.

Llangollen FoE says it is aiming to make the area an officially pollinator friendly town.
It says in its bid summary: “We will improve our community for pollinating insects and people. We will create wildflower areas, install bee homes, raise awareness, hold a themed community fun day and work with schools.


“Bee friendly is a national accreditation scheme for pollinators which we want to achieve in Llangollen. There are four elements food, five star accommodation, freedom from pesticides and fun.

“Pollinators have declined hugely over the last 30 years and if we don't act now this will continue.

“In Wales since 2013 we have had an action plan for pollinators. Action is needed locally across the country to improve our environment for our vital pollinating insects.


“The benefits of supporting our pollinators are numerous, they are an essential part of healthy functioning ecosystems providing food and a diverse and attractive environment and supporting health and well-being, tourism, rural economies and urban green space. Pollinators are a fundamental element of our biodiversity.

“The project will work with the local community, Denbighshire County Council, the local Town Council, and other charities and conservation groups. We will be working with a local community led project Pengwern Wild Places which will enhance the amenity grass areas for residents and pollinators. We will run volunteer sessions to create wildflower areas.

“The project will also include habitat improvements within the schools and pollinator education workshops and resources. We want to raise awareness about pollinators and build on work we have already started with schools.”
Group member Warren Davies said: “This is a fantastic project that the whole Dee Valley can enjoy. We will be extremely grateful for any support Tesco customers can give us.”

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Police issue Land Rover Defender security warning

Police are advising owners of Land Rover Defenders to keep them secure after attempts were made to steal two during the past week.

The first attempt was made at an address in Towyn on Wednesday April 26. Another was taken from the Glascoed area, near St Asaph, later the same day.

Four people were arrested as a result of these two incidents. They have all been released pending further enquiries.

David Williams, Designing Out Crime Officer for North Wales Police, said: “We are advising owners of these vehicles to be extra vigilant after several Land Rover Defenders have been stolen during the past year.

“We would urge people to fit an alarm with an immobiliser but also to use a mechanical device of some sort in a bid to dissuade any offender from even trying to hot-wire the ignition.”

He added: “These vehicles are very sought after, due to the fact that this popular model is no longer made. Unfortunately, as the demand for spare parts is only going to increase, owners of Land Rover Defenders should take all possible steps to prevent them being stolen.”

* Anyone who may have information relating to the thefts of the Land Rover Defenders is asked to call North Wales Police on 101.

Police warning after suspect skimming device found



Wrexham.com is reporting how police have warned people to be on their guard after a suspected skimming device was found on an ATM in Gresford.

For the full story, see: http://www.wrexham.com/news/warning-issued-after-suspect-skimming-device-found-on-atm-130717.html

Candidates line up for county and town elections

Tomorrow (Thursday) will see elections take place for the local seats on Denbighshire County Council and also for Llangollen Town Council.

Polling takes place between 7am and 10pm.

There are four candidates standing for the two Llangollen seats in the county elections. They are:  

DAVIES Stuart Arthur
Tyn-Y-Ffridd, Fron Bache, Llangollen, LL20 7BP
Independent
 
MILE Melvyn
30 Bishops Walk, Llangollen, LL20 8RZ
Independent 
 
SPALDING Robert
Llety, Llandrillo, Corwen, LL21 0TD
The Green Party/Plaid Werdd

TIMMS Graham
Lyndonhurst, Abbey Road, Llangollen, LL20 8SS
Welsh Labour/Llafur Cymru

Below are copies of the election leaflets for three of the candidates. Despite a request to The Green Party's regional HQ for information about its candidate, no reply was received.