North Wales is continuing to have a higher employment rate, lower unemployment rate and lower economic inactivity than Wales as a whole, according to the latest Regional Economic and Labour Market profile.
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| The recently published profile, which provides a regional picture compiling published figures up to September 2019, shows the employment rate in North Wales at 75.9 per cent, higher than the rates for both Wales as a whole and the UK. Up to the year ending September 2019 the unemployment rate in North Wales was lower than Wales and the UK as a whole. The economic inactivity rate also fell in the region to 21 per cent, the lowest figure among the three regions of Wales.
Welcoming the figures Economy and North Wales Minister Ken Skates, who is Assembly Member for Clwyd South, said: “Unemployment across the whole of Wales is at a historic low and it’s good to see the North Wales region performing well once again in the Regional Economic profile.
“The region is in a strong position as we face the future with a number of exciting developments achieved or planned. Last year we saw the opening of AMRC Cymru in Broughton which will be operated by the University of Sheffield’s renowned Advanced Manufacturing and Research Centre (AMRC). It is estimated that this could increase GVA to the Welsh economy by as much as £4bn over the next 20 years.
“We are investing in the region’s infrastructure with, for example, work progressing well on the £135m Caernarfon and Bontnewydd bypass in Gwynedd – one of the largest Welsh Government infrastructure projects in the region. I also recently announced a £20m investment to progress the North Wales Metro, and we are continuing with our plans for a third Menai crossing.
“Our aim is to continue to stand up for North Wales and build on the region’s success ensuring prosperity is shared across all our communities.”
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Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Report gives economic snapshot of region
Monday, February 10, 2020
Snow falls on the Horseshoe Pass and in town
"Please only travel over the pass if essential we’ve had heavy snow fall over the last hour. The cafe will be closing 1pm today."
Snow is also now falling in Llangollen town at around 12.30pm.
* St Collen's Church under snow this afternoon.
* Looking across the rooftops at the wintry scene.
Special LGBT to be held service at St Collen's
St Collen’s Church in Llangollen is hosting a
special service to celebrate LGBT History Month on Saturday February 22.
Starting at 4pm, it will be a service of sacred and secular music, readings and poems led by
celebrities, according to the vicar Father Lee Taylor.
Special guest will be Ian Shaw, award-winning Welsh
jazz singer, presenter and actor.
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Section of B5400 closed due to weather
North Wales Police have just put out the following message on their Facebook page ...
B5400 Pontfadog Llangollen between Glyn Traian school and Llwyn y Gelli wood is closed due to flooding and damage caused by the water. It will be closed until at least 8am. Please avoid the area and find alternative route. Thank you
B5400 Pontfadog Llangollen between Glyn Traian school and Llwyn y Gelli wood is closed due to flooding and damage caused by the water. It will be closed until at least 8am. Please avoid the area and find alternative route. Thank you
Storm Ciara leaves raging River Dee
Storm Ciara now seems to have moved on leaving in its turbulent wake a raging River Dee, pictured here by llanbogger on Sunday afternoon.
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* Gwalia Ceramics in Oak Street suffers from storm damage. |
North Wales Police commended for progress
The report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services revealed the inspectors also gave the force a ‘good’ overall grading across a range of areas, including planning and the ethical way officers and staff behave.
In addition, the report highlighted that the force had kept up its high standards in relation to preventing crime and tackling anti-social behaviour, investigating crime, tackling serious and organised crime; meeting current demands and using resources.
The inspection found that the force has a good overall understanding of the nature and scale of vulnerability and that officers and staff are good at protecting vulnerable people.
They singled out North Wales Police for praise for its use of domestic violence protection notices (DVPNs) to prevent domestic abuse, with the highest amount issued per head of population in 2018/19 out of all 43 forces in England and Wales.
DVPNs are usually applied in the immediate aftermath of violence, to give the victim a vital window of safety and space, to engage with police and support services to obtain advice.
Deputy Chief Constable Richard Debicki said: “North Wales Police has a strong work ethic to protect vulnerable people; clear leadership direction is being provided from the senior officers and everything we do as a force has the aim of making North Wales the safest place in the UK.
“Since the findings of the inspection were presented to the force, a significant amount of further work has been undertaken in those areas identified for improvement."
The Firearms Alliance between North Wales Police and Cheshire Constabulary was identified as an effective joint working arrangement to provide armed policing with assured deployments, training and command of armed operations in both forces.
North Wales Police’s new approach to budgeting was recognised as enabling the force to better meet demand and the priorities set for policing.
Meanwhile, the restructuring of operational policing departments has increased the number of investigators within the force and has improved the visibility and response rates of front line policing.
Mr Debicki added: “North Wales Police is committed to treating all of the communities that it serves with fairness and respect and is working hard to become more representative of those communities.
“The well-being of officers and staff is a priority and the force was found to handle workforce concerns well, with the inspectors identifying useful areas for improvement.
“As a force we have worked hard to improve the way in which we engage with local people and I am pleased that the inspectorate has recognised the good work that is being undertaken.
“The findings also accord with the latest public confidence surveys which are telling us that local people believe that our service is improving and confidence in North Wales Police remains high - 86% of people feel safe from crime and disorder, and 92% think we treat people with respect. ”
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones said: “Tackling domestic abuse and supporting vulnerable people are major priorities in my Police and Crime Plan which sets the blueprint for the way in which the region is policed.
"Domestic violence is a hideous crime and a scourge on society and I am glad to see that the use of domestic violence protection notices in North Wales is making a real difference in terms of protecting victims.
"The fact that seven victims of domestic violence are killed every month in England and Wales makes it an obvious priority.
"There’s an emotional cost, there’s a cost to society and there’s a financial cost and I think it’s a responsibility to us all to prioritise things of this nature.
"I would certainly encourage victims to come forward, either by reporting the matter directly to the police or by getting in touch with a partner agency."
Her Majesty’s Inspector Wendy Williams said: “I commend North Wales Police for the progress it has made over the past year. This provides a strong foundation for continuing improvement in the year ahead.”
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Outdoor centre starts school holiday children's club
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* Canoeing is one of the activities at the children's club. |
Bryntysilio Outdoor Education Centre
is opening up its doors in school holidays for a new Children’s Holiday Club.
The club will provide activity days for children seven years and up.
Activities
will include canoeing, climbing, bush craft, raft building, scrambling,
orienteering, team challenges, games and arts and crafts.
These activities will
either take place within the 10-acre grounds of Bryntysilio, which are great to
explore, or nearby at local landmarks such as the Llangollen Canal or the Panorama.
Lead tutor Paul Williams will be running the club along side
other tutors who all have great experience working with children to get them
outside enjoying and learning about the countryside, being active, making new
friends, learning new skills and making memories.
Bryntysilio Outdoor Education Centre has been providing
adventure learning in the outdoors since 1969 and opens its doors to schoolchildren for residential visits from all over the UK.
Bryntysilio house stands in its own grounds overlooking the River Dee. The centre’s formal garden is listed by CADW and
overlooks the Horseshoe Falls along with the rest of the grounds forming part
of the World Heritage site in the Dee Valley.
* The club will be held during school holidays, apart from those at Christmas, from 9am-4pm. Cost is £35 per child and booking is essential. Call 01978 860454, or email: info@bryntysilio.co.uk
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