Ken Skates' summer surgery dates

An Assembly Member has announced a round of summer surgeries to offer help and support to constituents.

Ken Skates holds monthly drop-in advice sessions with Susan Elan Jones MP – which will continue – and has now organised an extra three over the summer months.

The Clwyd South AM (pictured) said: “Surgeries are vital part of my diary and provide a valuable opportunity to sit down face-to-face with constituents and discuss all manner of things and to offer support and advice. I want to make sure my constituents have plenty of opportunity to come and talk to me over the summer.”

Mr Skates added: “My normal surgeries with Susan will continue, these are additional.”

Mr Skates’ summer surgeries will be by appointment – by calling 01978 869058, emailing ken.skates@assembly.wales or via his Facebook page – and will be held in Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, Llangollen and Penley.

Mr Skates said: “My regular surgeries with Susan are drop-in, but by making these additional surgeries by appointment it means that anything which is within Susan’s remit and not mine, non-devolved issues such as crime and social security, can be referred to her office and looked into. 

“It also gives me the opportunity to do any initial research or work in advance which might help when I sit down with the constituent.”

The surgeries will take place at:

* Plas Madoc Leisure Centre on Friday, June 8

* Mr Skates’ office at The Malthouse, Llangollen, on Friday, July 6

* The Rainbow Centre, Penley, on Saturday, August 4

Sun shines on churches in the park

Llangollen churches held their annual joint Pentecostal service around the bandstand in Riverside Park this morning (Sunday).

Led by the Rev Phil Poole from the Methodist Church, it included contributions from a number of the other local churches.

Musical accompaniment was provided by Llangollen Silver Band.

Eisteddfod seeks peace award nominations

* Eisteddfod president Terry Waite with international competitors. 

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, is encouraging all community members to submit details of local individuals or organisations responsible for the furtherance of peace, for the chance to gain international recognition.

This year, the Rotary International will award both an international recognition prize, which will be sponsored by Typhoo Tea, and a national tier reward supported by Westminster Stone.

This will be the third year that the International Eisteddfod will be working with Rotary International to host the prestigious award.

Rotary International is one of the largest humanitarian organisations in the world and the partnership with the Eisteddfod is ideal, as the Peace Award is a logical extension to the aims and objectives of this unique event, which was established to promote peace and harmony between nations.

Shortlisted entrants will be invited to the picturesque town of Llangollen, North Wales, where the 2018 winner will receive international acknowledgment on Thursday 5^th July, following an evening of international celebration for which the Llangollen Eisteddfod is renowned.

Last year’s judges were completely blown away by the inspirational initiatives presented by the 2017 nominees, deciding to reward not one but two organisations with the Rotary Prize in a joint celebration of peace during the International Eisteddfod’s 70^th Anniversary Opening Concert.  

British Ironworks was acknowledged for its Save a Life, Surrender Your Knife weapons amnesty project, which culminated in the creation of the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression – an Angel sculpture crafted from surrendered weapons from 43 police constabularies across the country. Also recognised at the presentation was Médecins Sans Frontières, for its policy of témoignage – speaking out to alleviate suffering and protect human life.

Chairing this year’s adjudicating panel is Richard Hazlehurst of Bradford Peace Centre, who was recognised as a peace honoree at the United Nations in 2017.

As peace initiatives take many different forms, the judging panel will consider the public benefit of the project, the profile and longevity of the organisation or individual and the impact of their work.

To enter or nominate for the Rotary International Peace Prize, please send an email to Molly Youd at myoud@talktalk.net, enclosing details of your nomination and any links to websites or any information which may support the application. Nominations must be received by the 31st May.

Past District Governor for Rotary International, Molly Youd, said: “Building on the resounding success of the last two year’s celebrations, we’re excited to once again recognise the individuals and organisations that work so tirelessly to promote peace and understanding here in the UK and worldwide.

“The initial idea of creating the Rotary International Peace Prize was born at the Llangollen Eisteddfod four years ago, when performers from Ukraine and Russia, two countries that were waging war against one another at the time, united during a spectacular dance performance in a moment of peace.

“With the festival’s message of global friendship now more relevant than ever, it’s with great joy that we’re able to bring together peace advocates during a celebration of international music and dance, for the chance to win this prestigious and significant prize.”

Former Host Area Coordinator for the Rotary Peace Centre at the University of Bradford, Richard Hazlehurst, said:  “Following the high calibre of valuable work presented to us during the 2017 award, the panel fully expect this year’s judging process to be made even more difficult.  

“The Rotary Foundation motto is, simply, doing good in the world and the judges for this remarkable award by Rotary District 1180 are looking for people who are doing just that – good in the world. We will welcome nominations from or about individuals and organisations who have changed the course of history for the better, through their peaceful practices and awareness, making our world a better place to live in today.” 

* For more information about the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and the Rotary International Peace Award, visit www.Llangollen.net

Art exhibition at Plas Newydd

Government slammed over school uniforms

The Welsh Government has been criticised by Denbighshire County Council for scrapping their School Uniform Grant and for not giving any details of any future funding they might provide to assist with uniforms.

Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales - put forward a motion calling for urgent clarification from the Welsh Government regarding their cutting of the school uniform grant.

The total value of the grant was £16,380 to Denbighshire last year and it assisted 156 learners in the county.

The school uniform grant was provided to learners from the poorest backgrounds as they moved from year 6 in primary school to year 7 in secondary school.

Plaid Cymru Councillor, Huw Jones, who represents Corwen, proposed the motion on behalf of the party.

Cllr. Jones said: “Last year 156 pupils received the School Uniform Grant in Denbighshire, and on average 166 pupils have received the grant each year since 2009/10. These families are already struggling in a very difficult financial climate.

"Only last month we saw figures showing how more and more people are having to go to foodbanks. Parents are having to do double jobs in order to make ends meet, and children are suffering anxieties and distress because of their families financial difficulties, which in turn impacts on their education and life chances.

“This grant was essential to many families here in Denbighshire, and I’m disgusted that the Welsh Government have taken it away. They’ve since given some vague promises that they’ll do something else, but parents will be starting to plan for their children going to secondary school in July.

"They need assurances now, not some woolly words from Cardiff Bay. This is why we’re calling for an urgent clarification and a clear timetable of what and when this new funding will be put in place.” 

The motion, which expressed dissatisfaction with the Welsh Government and insisted on clarification regarding the School Uniform Grants passed unanimously.

County elects new chair and vice chair

* Councillor Peter Scott and Councillor Meirick Lloyd Davies.

Denbighshire County Council has elected a new chair and vice chair for the coming year.

Councillor Peter Scott (St Asaph West)  will be the chair, with St Kentigern Hospice being his chosen charity.

Councillor Meirick Lloyd Davies (Trefnant) will be the vice chair.

Meanwhile, outgoing chair, Councillor Pete Prendergast presented cheques to his chosen charities for the past year at a ceremony at County Hall, Ruthin.

He raised £61,500 during a year long programme of activities and fundraisers. The money will be shared between RNLI Rhyl and St Kentigern.

* Laura from St Kentigern Hospice accepting a cheque. 

County considers free sanitary products for schools

Denbighshire County Council has voted to consider providing free sanitary products to every young woman and girl in schools across the county, following a motion put forward by the Plaid Cymru group.

This called for free sanitary products to every young woman and girl in Denbighshire schools to be provided in a way that respects their dignity and independence.

Rhondda Cynon Taf have already agreed to such a move following a campaign by young Plaid Cymru councillor Elyn Stephens.

Plaid Cymru said that a recent End Child Poverty report noted that, after housing costs, 27% of children in Denbighshire lived in poverty and over 3,000 girls and young women attended High Schools in the county.

Cllr Glenn Swingler, Upper Denbigh and Henllan, who proposed the Period Poverty motion, said many young women and girls were put in a position of having to choose between sanitary products and food which was wrong and not their fault.

He added: "It’s not right that young women are having to make do with unhygienic homemade sanitary products simply because they or their family can't afford them from a shop, and the discomfort and embarrassment that entails.

"This in turn impacts on their education, and I have no doubt that it leads in some cases to some young women failing to attend school because of their discomfort. It’s wrong that in twenty first century Wales young women should live in period poverty. We believe that Denbighshire County Council should ensure that every young girl has access to free sanitary products in our schools in a way which respects their dignity." 

Councillors expressed a clear support to the principal of the motion, including the education portfolio holder, Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts.

However, the final decision rests with the council’s cabinet. The council therefore agreed that officers should bring detailed figures to the cabinet within four months in order for them  to make a final decision.