MP calls for re-think on Universal Credit operation

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has called on the Government to “put common sense above ideology” and re-think how the Universal Credit system is operated.

Universal Credit merges six benefits  - income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, housing benefit, child tax credit, working tax credit - into one.

The system’s original purpose was to making the benefits simpler - with one single payment being directly into claimants' bank accounts.

However, a newly-published report by the National Audit Office says the £1.9bn Universal Credit system may end up costing more to administer than the benefits system it is replacing.

The report also states that Ministers can never know if it puts the promised 200,000 extra people in work or saves £2.1bn in fraud and error; and notes that 20% of claimants, predominantly the most needy, do not get paid on time.

Ms Jones, who has previously led a debate in Parliament on Personal Independence Payments, said: “There’s no doubt that as it stands Universal Credit is an expensive system that causes difficulties for some of the most vulnerable people in our country.

"My particular concern relates to how housing benefit is no longer paid directly to landlords. This puts many vulnerable people in a stressful situation where they could potentially lose their home. It also causes problems for some landlords. I don’t object to simplifying the process but I have real concerns about how Universal Credit is operating at present."

Emma Revie, chief executive of food bank charity The Trussell Trust, called for more support to be put in place for "groups of people most likely to need a food bank, and debt advice to be offered to everyone moving on to the new system". 

Performance celebrates Eisteddfod's Inclusion Project

* The group from St Christopher's in Wrexham.

* and from Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn in Denbighshire.

Llangollen Eisteddfod is celebrating ten years of its Inclusion Project with the commission of a new performance piece, SEND A Message.

The fully inclusive project, which promotes harmony and accessibility for all within the performing arts, marks its milestone year with a performance piece written by poet Aled Lewis Evans and composer Owain Llwyd.

Performed by children from St Christopher’s School in Wrexham as well as Ysgol Tir Morfa in Rhyl, Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn in Denbighshire, individuals from Derwen College in Oswestry and the Theatretrain Regional Choir in Mold, SEND A Message promotes the idea of spreading love and peace via music, song and dance and showcases a range of diverse talent from across Wales.

Each group represents an assorted mix of members of the local community who would not usually have the opportunity to perform at international events such as the Llangollen Eisteddfod. 

With many participants actively overcoming different challenges and managing a range of physical disabilities, special educational needs and mental health issues in order take part in the Inclusion Project; members of the group represent a gamut of local society.

Music Director of the International Eisteddfod, Vicky Yannoula, said: “As an organisation renowned for welcoming a multitude of global visitors, year-on-year, the Inclusion Project is something which is close to everyone’s heart here at the Llangollen Eisteddfod.

“We’re committed to giving everyone equal opportunities to perform and with the continued support and funding of the ScottishPower Foundation, we’re able to continue the fantastic work of the Inclusion Project which in turn, enables people from all walks of life to perform on the Royal International Pavilion stage.

“Every year, we’re incredibly lucky to work with passionate, talented and dedicated people, which is why we’re celebrating ten incredible years of this project!”

Ann McKechin, Trustee and Executive Officer of the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is a truly inclusive event which, through its Send a Message project, gives a group of people with diverse abilities the opportunity to perform a specially commissioned piece together and learn from each other.  

"The ScottishPower Foundation is committed to funding projects like this that support the arts, reduce inequalities of opportunity and inspire people to fulfil their potential."

Speaking of Derwen College’s involvement in the Inclusion Project, Maryanne Evans, said: “This is such an exciting opportunity for the students at Derwen College. Being able to be a part of such an amazing festival is a real privilege!”

Steve Davies from Theatretrain Regional Choir, said: “Each of the pupils has thrived on being part of the development of the piece for the Inclusion Project and are looking forward to their first appearance at the Llangollen Eisteddfod.”

The performance has been choreographed by Angharad Harrop, with Leslie Churchill Ward as Artistic Coordinator.

* For further information about the Llangollen Eisteddfod and the Inclusion Project, visit www.llangollen.net

MP calls for more government help for charities

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has called on the UK Government to do more to engage charities and social enterprises with the North Wales Growth Deal.

Questioning Wales Office Ministers in Parliament on Wednesday, she asked: "North Wales has a thriving voluntary sector and some excellent social enterprises. What engagement are Ministers in the Wales Office having with them?"

Speaking afterwards, Ms Jones (pictured) said: "I welcome the fact that Minister Stuart Andrew MP said he's spoken to the main council leader in charge of this area of engagement. However, this can't just be about the odd conversation.

"We need a serious and strategic plan for growth, engagement and development. Our North Wales charities and social enterprises need to be involved at every point in the process. And as North Wales has so many small towns and villages, we need to recognise that it is natural territory for the setting up of more local, community enterprises. 

"The Welsh Labour Government has made a massive commitment to enterprise by setting up a Development Bank and situating it in Wrexham. We need the UK Government to be providing more support too."

Her questioning of Ministers came a day after she chaired a meeting in Parliament of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Charities and Volunteering in which the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, the Charity Tax Group, community development organisation Locality, the Institute of Fundraising, Big Society Capital and the Charity Finance Group put forward their ideas of how this year's Budget can help charities and social enterprises. 

The group, which is co-chaired by Susan Elan Jones, will be present a formal submission to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in advance of this year's Budget.

Towering achievement at Corwen railway site

The latest stage in the Corwen Central Railway Development Project has seen a major item of railway infrastructure installed at the station site in the form of a traditional style of parachute water tank, as used in the steam era. 

Brought round by road from the premises of Barnett Engineering Ltd in Rhosllanerchrugog, the tower was installed on June 12.

The cylindrical water tank (pictured) sits on top of a column and is designed to hold 2,000 gallons of water for rapid delivery to replenish the tanks of a steam locomotive.

Standing seven metres high, the completed facility weighs in at five tonnes. It incorporates a modern gate value delivery system and will draw water from a borehole sited next to the railway at Corwen.

The structure has been built to modern standards using fabrication and welding methods to meet current regulatory requirements, yet retains the appearance of an item of heritage equipment. 

A Llangollen Railway spokesman said: “This latest addition to the railway facilities is now a major feature on the Corwen site and a further statement of our intent to complete the terminus station.

"During a slick two-hour operation, the complete assembly of water tank and its supporting column was off-loaded, pulled erect and lifted on to the base of a previously prepared foundation plinth.

"With the access stairs and swivel water delivery arm attached, this new item of infrastructure stands at the eastern end of platform 2 and will service locomotives standing on either of the loop lines. A trial filling of water must await the construction of a sump and drain away, once the borehole water supply is connected.

“Installation of this new item of heritage railway equipment has only been possible through the generous donations from members and supporters who have raised £17,000 in funding as a major contribution to the project to provide a water supply for locomotives at the new terminus.

"Work to complete the station and its facilities continues with the next stage concentrating on building the platform 1 wall during the summer. An opening of the Corwen station in 2019 remains dependent on the acquisition of resources in terms of materials, manpower and finance and continued support is necessary if we are to achieve that aim.”

Speaking for Barnett Engineering Ltd, Managing Director Steve Barnett said: “When we were asked to construct this steam-age item of equipment we thought it a little unusual, but the job was accepted as a challenge. However, it proved well within our capacity to design and manufacture and we are pleased to see the completed job delivered to Corwen where it will be installed at the new station site.”

Trees now in place at Centenary Square

The Town Council's Facebook page says that all the trees are now on site at Centenary Square.

It adds: "Once the lighting ducts are in place the process of laying the Tobermore paving can start in earnest."

Community cinema unveils new programme

* New Dot volunteers Jen Rush, Jen Llangollen and Samuel J Nicholls.

New Dot Cinema volunteers were giving out popcorn and programmes at the Llangollen Summer Fete over the weekend.

The weather was near-perfect at the event which is held annually in the grounds of Plas Newydd.

New Dot's new season covers July - December 2018 and features six specially selected titles from British and international cinema.

* New Dot's latest programme.

"To celebrate our new programme, we're giving away two free tickets to any film this year," explained chair of New Dot, Jen Rush.

"To be in with a chance of winning, people just need to sign up to our mailing list which is on our website and Facebook page. The draw will be held on 18th June."

The first film on offer is a 'powerful and haunting' documentary by Chinese conceptual artist, Ai Weiwei, called Human Flow.

It focuses on the world's 65 million displaced people and is showing in Llangollen Town Hall
on Friday 13th July.

The rest of the season's titles are Lady Bird, Mountain, A Fantastic Woman, Edie and a soon-to-be-revealed Christmas classic which will be shown as a matinee for the first time, as well as
an evening screening.

New Dot nights tend to be on the second Friday of the month, apart from October and November which are on the third Friday due to other events at the Town Hall.

Tickets will be available at a discount if booked online. They are also sold at the Llangollen Oggie Shop (formerly Baileys Fine Foods) and on the door.

County puts out cold caller alert

There has been a significant increase in calls to Denbighshire County Council regarding people knocking on doors offering free replacement boilers, heating systems or loft insulation.

Denbighshire County Council says it is not working in association with any organisation to knock on doors offering free boilers.

"These organisations are not working on behalf of the council, we do not condone or associate with any organisations that are cold calling," said a spokesperson.

The spokesperson added: "It is possible that you may be able to receive funding towards heating system improvement and/or insulation as Denbighshire County Council have published our Local Authority Flexible Eligibility statement of intent.

"If you have a house that is F or G rated on the Energy Performance Certificate or is E rated and you meet one of the additional criteria then you may be eligible for funding if the house is privately owned or rented (not social).

"The official route is to call North Wales Energy Advice Centre: 0800 954 0658."

Councillor Tony Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Housing, Regulation and the Environment,  said: “The council does not condone cold calling but we do have a policy in place that can assist residents to access ECO funding that can improve the energy efficiency of their house. They can do so by calling North Wales Energy Advice Centre”.

"Anyone concerned about anybody in the neighbourhood knocking on the door offering to carry out home maintenance work, should make a note of vehicle make, model, colour and registration number and any descriptions of the individuals, and contact either the police on 101 or Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Customer Service on 08454 04 05 06 or for the Welsh Language Service 08454 04 05 05."

Anyone feeling threatened or intimidated by any doorstep seller you should shut the door and call the police emergency number 999.