AM lashes out over votes for prisoners

North Wales Assembly Member and Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government, Mark Isherwood AM, has condemned Labour and Plaid Cymru for supporting proposals for legislation to give Welsh prisoners the right to vote.

Speaking in a debate on the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee report Voting Rights for Prisoners, Mr Isherwood (pictured) referred to the fact that only 9% of people in Wales said that all prisoners should be allowed to vote in a 2017 YouGov survey.

He said “The fact that Labour and Plaid Cymru are supporting this further evidences the growing gap between the expressed will of the people of Wales and their elected so-called representatives.

“Rights go with responsibilities, and not voting is just one of the facts of life arising from being in prison, reflecting a decision by the community that the person concerned is not suitable to participate in the decision-making process of a community.

“Some 17% of prisoners are already eligible to vote -  prisoners in the community on temporary licence can now vote, and both un-convicted prisoners being held on remand and civil prisoners jailed for offences such as contempt of court also already have the right to vote, although very few do.

“The UK Government has also said that it should be made more clear to people given prison sentences that they will not have the right to vote while in prison."

He added: “It is concerning that some Committee members believed in the principle of votes for all prisoners.

“Despite this, the Committee report only recommended that the Welsh Government and National Assembly legislate to give Welsh prisoners serving custodial sentences of less than four years the right to vote in devolved elections.

“For the reasons already outlined, Mohammad Asghar AM and I could not agree with this recommendation.

“Responding to this report, the Welsh Government stated that it “will work to introduce legislation in this Assembly to enable prisoners from Wales serving a custodial sentence of less than four years to vote in devolved local government elections”.

“Responding on behalf of the Assembly Commission, the Llywydd stated that it “does not consider that amendments should be introduced to the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill to address this issue”.

“In a letter to the Committee Chair last week, the Welsh Government added that it is committed to the principle of prisoner voting in all local elections and that it will seek an appropriate legislative vehicle at the earliest opportunity, to enable prisoners from Wales to vote in Assembly elections on the same terms as will apply for local government elections.

“To be clear, according to the Law Pages, giving the vote to prisoners serving a custodial sentence of less than 4 years will include those convicted of: Having a blade or sharp point in a public place; Racially aggravated common assault; Racially aggravated criminal damage; Procurement of a woman by threats; Attempted incest by a man with a girl over 13; Abduction of an unmarried girl; Causing prostitution of women ;Soliciting by men; Ill-treatment of patients; Assault with intent to resist arrest, and procuring others to commit homosexual acts.

“It is this that Labour and Plaid Cymru are supporting, further evidencing the growing gap between the expressed will of the people of Wales and their elected so-called representatives here."

Welsh Society starts it new season

Llangollen and District Welsh Society says a warm welcome awaits all those who wish to join in its 2019-20 programme of concerts and interesting talks at Seion in Castle Street.

The new season will begin tomorrow, Friday, September 27 at 7pm, in the company of Ieuan Ap Sion, a past Blue Ribbon winner at the National Eisteddfod, who will be entertaining the audience by singing a mixture of folk and easy listening Welsh songs.

The society says it would be great to welcome new members who wish to practice conversational Welsh while enjoying a variety of talks and concerts.

* More information is available at the Tourist Centre in Castle Street, Llangollen.

Ian takes steps - 281,327 - to beat prostate cancer

* Ian Parry steps out along the canal to help beat prostate cancer.

A Llangollen man has gone out of his way to help beat prostate cancer ... by over 120 miles.

Ian Parry, who is secretary of Llangollen Prostate Cancer Support Group, decided to take up his personal walking marathon to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

Each year, 11,000 men die from this form of cancer and therefore the charity felt that taking 11,000 steps - by walking, running, jogging or even dancing - every day during the month of September would be an appropriate fundraising challenge, with each step being in memory of a life lost this year. 

The money raised across the country will go towards research that will help spot prostate cancer sooner with more accurate tests, faster treatments with fewer side effects and emotional and practical support for everyone affected.

Ian began the challenge on the first of September by walking from his home in Llan to Trevor Basin along the canal and registering his 11,000 steps. 

His steps are recorded from an app on his phone. On average 11,000 steps are equivalent to approximately five miles and Ian says he is aware that this sort of distance is not really significant and can easily be achieved by younger and even fit older men. 

He has been recording his daily steps mainly along the canal from the Horseshoe Falls to Trevor Basin, from there towards Chirk and from Chirk to Lion Quays. A couple of days were spent in Chester walking around the city walls and riverside.

After completing three weeks of the challenge Ian has accumulated 281,327 steps against the target of 231,000 and approximately 121 miles and so is well on his way to achieve his total of 330,000 steps.

His fundraising through Just Giving and donations made direct to Prostate Cancer UK has reached £500 but he is hoping to get considerably more. 

* If you would like to support Ian in this challenge by making a donation and helping Prostate Cancer in its research you can do so by visiting the Just Giving website at:  https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Ian-Parry9

Flu jabs at Llan health centre on Saturday

Llangollen Health Centre has sent the following message to llanblogger about flu jabs ...

LLANGOLLEN HEALTH CENTRE

WALK-IN FLU CLINIC FOR

ALL PATIENTS AGED 65 AND OVER

SATURDAY 28^TH SEPTEMBER 2019

9.00AM – 3.00PM

No appointment necessary

For patients aged 65 and over only

Details of further flu clinics will be announced in due course – please check our website after 2^nd October

www.llangollenhealth.com

Llan county councillor slams cut in free swimming

* County Cllr Graham Timms.

A cut in free swimming at leisure centres across Denbighshire has been branded "cheap politics" by a Llangollen county councillor who is now demanding a reversal of the move.

The council has blamed a cut in Welsh Government funding for a decision yesterday (Tuesday) by its cabinet to make reductions in the free swimming programme.

But this has prompted an angry response from County Cllr Graham Timms, Labour member for Llangollen.

He said: "Welsh councils were given £3m grant for free swimming provision for children and over 60s. A report produced last year showed that the actual cost of all the free sessions was only half what the Sports Council had paid out. Source:  http://sport.wales/media/1975893/180704_free_swimming_report_final_eng_clean.docx 

"The report estimates that the actual cost of providing the free swimming is only £1.5million, but this has not been mentioned by the Denbighshire Cabinet. They simply pointed out that because a grant had been reduced by 25% they were going to reduce the number of free swimming sessions. 

"The health and wellbeing of residents is supposed to be one of Denbighshire's proprieties. It seems odd that such a cut in a vital provision is being made without a proper information being considered by the council. 

"It is cheap politics and does not report the full facts, which shows that the grant funding is double the actual cost of the provision across Wales. Denbighshire Leisure needs to assure us that the take-up in the county is double the national average before it can start looking at such a damaging cut. 

"It is cheap politics to reduce a vital benefit for Denbighshire when we should be encouraging more people to get active. If Denbighshire genuinely has twice as many free swimmers as the Welsh National average then this should be celebrated and the extra £20k is well worth it. I am calling on DCC to halt this reduction and let's have a grown-up debate rather than cheap politicking. 

"Incidentally, the Cabinet yesterday approved how they were going to spend an extra £1.388 million on vital school maintenance. This was extra money from Welsh Government but no press release has been issued about this good news story even though it is nearly 700 times as much money as the free swimming grant reduction."

The press release issued yesterday by the county council on the free swimming issue says:

"Denbighshire County Council has made changes to its free swimming programme following a reduction in funding from the Welsh Government.

"Since 2003, Denbighshire Leisure has received annual funding from Welsh Government to provide free swimming sessions for children and customers aged over 60. 

"Overtime there have been reductions in the amount of funding made available, but a combination of strong performance and sound financial management, has allowed us to consistently provide more than the minimum level of activity required by Welsh Government. 

"Welsh Government recently announced that from October 2019 they will be launching a revised Free Swimming Initiative, which will include a new set of national objectives, but will also mean a 25 per cent reduction in the level of funding received by Denbighshire Leisure for the current financial year, and a 50 per cent reduction from April 2020.

"Cllr Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, said: “We are very disappointed in this reduction and the effect it will have on our programme.  We have expressed our dissatisfaction in the strongest terms to Welsh Government and have done our best to negotiate a more favourable outcome, but to no avail. 

“The revised initiative will be launched on October 1 and regrettably, we will therefore have no option but to reduce the amount of free swimming activity offered from our leisure centres. 

“We have reviewed our free swimming programme and made every effort to ensure any funding to be received will continue to provide the maximum activity possible.  Our revised programme for the remainder of the year will be delivered slightly differently by each centre.  Free sessions will be clearly marked on centre timetables and staff will be happy to answer any questions customers may have.

“Over recent years, Denbighshire Leisure has been one of the few local authorities to invest heavily in its swimming provision and we have carried out a number of refurbishments on our pools and changing areas across the county. We see swimming as an integral part of the corporate wellbeing agenda of Denbighshire County Council, contributing to the health and fitness of our residents.  We will continue to offer existing benefits, such as free swimming in public sessions for all children who enrol in our swimming lesson programme.

“Once again, we can only reinforce how disappointed we are at this reduction in funding and the effect it has had on our programme.  We apologise for the short notice given for these changes; we have only just received confirmation of the funding, which has given us a very short window to inform our customers of the changes. However, please be assured Denbighshire Leisure will do its best to continue to invest in its facilities and deliver an excellent service to customers.”

Free Swimming for Under 16’s

1 Free Family Swim Session at each pool during the weekend. Children are free with a paying adult or free if swimming alone over the age of 8.

2 free public swim sessions at each pool during the summer holidays. 

Free Swimming for Over 60’s

Each Centre will run one free Aqua Aerobics session each week. All other Aqua Aerobic sessions will be charged at the current rate of £4.80 per session for peak classes or £3.00 for off peak classes.

Each pool will also offer 5 hours of free swimming each week. Other designated sessions will be available at a reduced charge of £2.50 per session. Please see the timetable at your local centre for details.  Please remember for those who swim regularly with us we offer a monthly swim pass for £23 per month by Direct Debit or £29 per month if paid by cash."

Applications open for eisteddfod competitions

* John's Boys Male Chorus celebrate winning Choir of the World last year.

Applications to take part in the 2020 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod are now being invited.

Over 4,000 dance, choral and instrumental artistes from around the world perform and compete annually at the world-famous festival. 

Prestigious awards in 2020 include the renowned Choir of the World and Dance Champions of the World with a number of new award categories being launched this time around. 

Group competitions and non-competitive applications opened last Saturday and those interested have until Friday November 29 to apply.

Musical director Dr Edward-Rhys Harry said: “The International Eisteddfod is a truly unique experience, offering the most diverse and stunning collection of cultural performances. 

"Our new competition categories are exciting new additions which will showcase amazing new talent from around the world. This is the first time the festival will be inviting show choirs, contemporary dance and musical composition entries, enabling us to support and champion the evolution of the arts.”

Musical Composition will offer two opportunities to compose new works for youth, mixed, female/male choirs, or for a piano quintet. 

Each winner will receive a cash prize and will be invited to debut their work at the eisteddfod. Applications are open until Wednesday April 1.

Solo applications will open on Friday December and also include a new Solo Contemporary Dance competition. For more information on all competitions, or to apply online go to: www.eisteddfodcompetitions.co.uk/

Latest Citizen's Advice column

My gas and electricity deal has come to an end and the energy company has offered me a new contract. However, they’re insisting I get a smart meter fitted. I’ve heard these don’t really work and I can’t see the benefit. Am I better off looking for a different supplier, or will the new company also force me to have a smart meter? 

It’s always worth shopping around. Citizens Advice has a tool on its website which can help. Our energy star rating looks at how well suppliers perform on a range of measures, including customer service, rather than just price.

As regards the smart meter, you certainly don’t have to accept one. A supplier can’t tell you that you must have one installed. However, it might mean you’re not eligible for all the deals on offer. In future the cheaper tariffs offered by suppliers might only be available to customers with smart meters.

If you do decide to go ahead, your supplier should explain the process beforehand, show you how it works and give you a number to call if anything goes wrong.

There are benefits to smart meters, they send daily meter readings to your supplier, meaning they can bill you accurately for the energy you’ve used. They won’t automatically save you money, but you can use the digital ‘in-home’ display to keep track of how much energy you’re using and then try to reduce it.

The Citizens Advice consumer helpline (03454 04 05 06) can give advice on smart meter issues.