Latest Citizens Advice column

Q: My first council tax bill of the year has come through and I know I’m not going to be able to afford it with so many other important bills to pay, let alone food. What should I do?

A: Council tax arrears is a “priority debt”, which means you need to address it before paying off other non-priority loans like credit cards.

Once you’ve missed a council tax payment, you’re in “arrears” and so owe money to your council. You should receive a letter from your council - it’s important not to ignore this as after 14 days your council can take you to court and request you pay your entire year’s bill at once.

It’s important you speak to the council straight away if you don’t think you can pay. Ask to speak to someone in the council tax office and tell them about your situation.

You’ll probably be asked to commit to paying a regular amount each month. If you're not sure how much you can afford, use the Citizen Advice budgeting tool or talk to one of our specialist advisers.

If you're on a low income, you might be able to get a reduction on your council tax bill. You might also be able to qualify for your council’s Hardship Scheme. You can read more about getting help with your council tax on the Citizens Advice website.

If you fail to pay your council tax arrears you’ll have to pay court costs and possibly bailiff fees as well as your debt, which can add hundreds of pounds to your bill.

If you’re struggling with multiple debts you can contact your local Citizens Advice. You can find their contact details on the Citizens Advice website. 

Increase in sexual blackmail cases highlighted

* Sioned Jacobsen, operations manager at the North Wales Victim Help Centre.

A centre that helps victims of crime has reported a worrying increase in the number of cases of sexual blackmail involving teenagers.

Sioned Jacobsen, operations manager at the North Wales Victim Help Centre, says youngsters are being targeted by online extortionists.

She revealed her concerns to North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones who funds the centre.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector, heard demand for the centre’s services has increased every year since it was established in 2015 and last year they made contact with 34,500 victims of all sorts of crimes.

Most people are referred to them by the police and other agencies but victims are also encouraged to call the centre themselves if they need expert support and guidance

The one-stop-shop for victims covers the whole of North Wales and is based at divisional police HQ in St Asaph.

Each victim receives a response specifically tailored to their situation and the centre employs specialists in modern day slavery, mental health and hate crime.

Ms Jacobsen said: “We have seen an increase in sexual blackmail recently where people will be sharing explicit images online and then the perpetrators will then ask for a fee otherwise they’ll share those images.

“We’ve seen quite a lot of these cases come through, especially young people, aged 14, 15, 16.

“Some of the cases are quite horrible. It’s about the blackmailers taking advantage of vulnerable young people.

“The young people concerned are sharing nude images of themselves without thinking of the possible consequences.

“For example, if it’s a teenage girl she may be sharing pictures of herself without a top on and be under the impression she’s sending them to a boy of her own age.

“Then they found out they have been tricked by a blackmailer who demands money,   maybe £500 or a £1000,  or otherwise they threaten to share the pictures on social media.

“It is traumatic for the victims who are left feeling totally devastated.

“I think the increase in the number of cases coming through is just down to young people being on social media which is massive these days.

“It’s the world we live in but unfortunately, I think young people aren’t aware of the dangers.

One thing I learned recently was any picture you put online and on any social media, no matter how private your accounts are, will be public if you put a hashtag after it.

“That’s an important message to get out. It’s scary and young people aren’t aware of that so they don’t know the consequences. 

“It’s vitally important to get message out there that young people need to be very careful.

“The schools need to be raising awareness of the dangers of social media and what the implications could be of sharing images with people.

“With Snapchat for example once you’ve sent it people say it’s gone after 10 seconds but it hasn’t because people can screenshot it and it can be there forever then. It’s just frightening.”

Commissioner Jones said: “Keeping young people safe is a key priority of my Police and Crime Plan.

“The Victim Help Centre is providing an absolutely vital service, giving much needed support to those who have unfortunately been on the receiving end of a whole range of crimes.

“Sexual blackmail is utterly despicable and it is hugely important we get the message out about the dangers of the online world so that young people can use social media safely and responsibly.

"It is important that we educate youngsters about the perils of this dangerous practice and that we provide and their concerned parents with support to deal with the situation.

"Technological advances have brought great benefits to society but at the same time they have increased risk and the scope for wrongdoing, so we must be vigilant."

Facelifted Co-op store has its official opening

* The children of Cylch Meithrin Llangollen line up with staff 

at the re-opening of the facelifted Co-op store.

The Co-op in Regent Street, Llangollen had its official opening this morning (Thursday) after undergoing a major facelift.

It has taken contractors six weeks to complete the refurbishment during which most of the shopfloor has been renewed with fresh shelving and tills.

There is also a new Costa coffee machine and a row of self-assisted tills have been installed.

The opening was performed by the children of Cylch Meithrin Llangollen, which is one of the local causes supported by the store.

Representatives of the other causes, Llangollen Panto and Clwb Y Berwyn, were also invited.

Local suppliers were on hand with samples including Henllan bread, Llaeth y llan yoghurts and Edwards of Conwy sausages.

County council elects new chair

* Councillor Meirick Lloyd Davies (left) and Councillor Alan James.

Councillor Meirick Lloyd Davies, who represents the Trefnant ward, has been elected as chairman of Denbighshire County Council for the next 12 months.

His chosen charities for the year will be breast cancer and prostate cancer causes.

Councillor Davies  is replacing Councillor Peter Scott of St Asaph, whose 12-month term in office has come to an end.  

During a ceremony at County Hall in Ruthin, Councillor Scott presented a cheque for £14,500 to St Kentigern’s Hospice,  his chosen charities for the year.

Meanwhile, the new vice chair for the council for the next 12 months will be Councillor Alan James of Rhyl.

MP slams cuts to police budgets

During Wales Office Questions in the House of Commons yesterday Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones (pictured) slammed UK Government funding cuts to the police.

She cited a report from the National Audit Office that showed central government funding to the police had been cut by 30% since 2010-11.

She also quoted from a report of the cross-party Home Affairs Select Committee which described the current police funding structure as being 'not fit for purpose'.

Speaking afterwards, Ms Jones said: "I'm very angry at how the UK Tory Government has cut funding to police budgets.

“I know first-hand from helping local people who've been affected by crime that there is no such thing as a victim-less crime. Crime affects individuals and it affects our local communities too. 

"It's wrong that changes to the police funding system in recent years have meant less is coming from the centre. As a consequence richer parts of the country are not paying their fair share. 

"I know how hard our local police work but they deserve a better and fairer funding system. It's vital that we support victims of crime and invest properly in police funding."

Police motorcyclist involved in collision

Denbighshire Free is reporting this afternoon that a police motorcycle has been involved in a crash which has caused a road block near Corwen on Wednesday.

The A5 has been closed in both directions at the exit from Corwen towards Llangollen following the crash involving the North Wales Police motorcycle and a car.

* For the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/17641585.a5-closed-near-corwen-following-crash/

Work steams ahead for the railway at Corwen

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Whilst the spotlight has been on infilling the Gap near Corwen, work by Llangollen Railway volunteers elsewhere on site has centred around the subway access to the platform.

The subway entrance now features brick pillars and coping stones, as recovered from the former Bridge 31, and, above, work is underway to install the traditional fencing, as recovered from the Great Western station at Burnham in Buckinghamshire and renovated by the Llangollen team on site.

Planned now are the installation within the stairway of a chairlift for use by the mobility impaired, a necessary feature for any opening of the station.