Councillor Huw Jones – a tribute

Tributes have been paid to Councillor Huw Jones of Corwen (pictured) who died over the weekend after a long illness.

Huw had been a county councillor since 2008 and was a former Chair of Resources Scrutiny Committee.

He held two Cabinet positions during 2012-2017, one as Lead Member for Leisure, Youth, Tourism and Rural Development;  the other as Lead Member for Community Development

He was appointed Chair of Performance Scrutiny in 2017.

Huw was also a member of the Clwyd Pension Fund, Director of Cadwyn Clwyd and member of the AONB Partnership.  He was a former Board Member of Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych.

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “Huw, or Huw Chick as he was affectionately known was a loyal and trusted councillor and was great at representing the views of the people of Corwen and promoting his town in meetings.

“He had a wide variety of interests, which led to him being given Cabinet portfolios which included leisure, youth, tourism, rural development the Welsh Language and community development. On top of these duties, he continued to serve his residents to the best of his ability and was known by some as Mr Corwen.  I think that sums up Huw’s contribution to Corwen perfectly.

He always carried out his duties professionally, diligently and with integrity.  He was seen as a trusted and loyal friend and colleague by fellow councillors, but also had the respect of staff and teams across the county.

“Denbighshire has lost a true gentleman but we will always remember Huw with warmth and affection."

New police team will crack down on crime gangs

* The new Intercept Team with PCC Arfon Jones outside police headquarters in Colwyn Bay.

A new high tech policing unit has been set up to clamp down on organised crime and drug gangs in North Wales.

The 16-strong Intercept Team will be using Automatic Number Plate Technology (ANPR)  to identify the vehicles of gang members and make the region a hostile environment for crime groups to operate in.

It comes as County Lines gang activity continues to make headlines, which police have labelled as an "on-going threat" and Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones says is one of the biggest problems facing North Wales.

The team consists of two sergeants and 14 constables and has been established with extra funding set aside by the commissioner.

It will focus on individuals and locations, including Organised Crime Groups) and County Lines targets that are causing significant crime-related problems for local communities.

Assistant Chief Constable Sacha Hatchett said: “The team’s aim is to disrupt criminals and protect communities across North Wales’ road network using a variety of techniques.

“We are listening to concerns and intelligence and acting upon them in an effort to make North Wales the safest place in UK.

“Our commitment in keeping our communities safe remains a priority and I’m sure the team’s introduction will reassure many in our communities.

“County Lines has a significant impact on towns across the country and involves the criminal exploitation of young people and vulnerable adults. We want to get the message across that we will be relentless in our pursuit of serious organised crime and will continue to disrupt those involved and safeguard those who are affected.”

ACC Hatchett added: “The Intercept Team will bolster our current capability to disrupt criminal activity even further and demonstrate our commitment to maintaining a pre-emptive approach to policing to prevent criminals causing misery across North Wales.”

“The team will be working closely with their Roads Policing, Firearms Alliance Team and Local Policing colleagues with proactive operational tactics and responses to major investigations.

“They will also support and develop new intel by identifying links across Organised Crime Groups and respond to specific tasking requests from Senior Investigating Officers.”

Commissioner Arfon Jones, a former police inspector, said: “Serious and organised criminals use the road network extensively in order to facilitate their criminal activities.

“The team will allow us to intercept offenders to disrupt such activity, seize their assets and then convict them to protect our local communities.

"The use of ANPR and the other technologies gives us the opportunity to respond more swiftly and increases the likelihood of criminals being arrested. This approach demonstrates that we are doing all we can to ensure communities are kept free from crime.

“Importantly, it also sends a clear message that North Wales is not a 'soft touch' when it comes to serious and organised criminality - we are determined to identify and bring such offenders to justice.

“We intend to make North Wales a particularly uncomfortable place for organised crime and I look forward to the new Intercept team play it's part in dismantling and disrupting organised criminal group with the intention of making North Wales the safest place in the UK to live in, work in or to visit.”

Latest advice column

Q: I’m from Austria and I know I need to apply for Settled Status as the UK leaves the European Union. But I’m really confused about what documents I need in order to apply for me and my children. We’ve lived in England for six years and I’m worried that if we don’t apply before the end of the month, we might have to leave.

A: You don’t need to apply by the end of the month - your rights won’t change until 31 December 2020. However, you should apply as soon as you can in case of any delays. After the transition period ends on 31 December you might be asked to prove your right to do things like get a job or use a service like the NHS. Having your status sorted will make this more straightforward.

To get settled status, you need evidence that you’ve lived in the UK for 6 months out of every 12 months for 5 years in a row. As you say you and your children have lived in the UK for six years, you should be eligible for this.

In order to apply, you’ll need to have a few things. These include a passport or national ID card, a digital photo, your National Insurance number or proof of how long you've lived in the UK, a mobile number and an email address.

If you’ve been working, you can find your National Insurance number on your pay slip. If not you can contact HM Revenue and Customs National Insurance Helpline on 0300 200 3500 to help find it.

It may be easier to make your children’s application after you’ve made your own. This way you’ll be able to ‘link’ your child’s application to yours, using the application number you got when you applied for yourself.

You can do this at any time after you’ve applied - you do not need to wait for a decision. And if your own application is successful, your child will get the same status as you.

In order to apply on behalf of your children, you will need to have proof of your relationship - for example a birth certificate.

If you need any extra help with your application, your local Citizens Advice is on hand to help. You can find their details by going to citizensadvice.org.uk and typing in your postcode.

Stormy weather fails to halt return of trains

* The first train of the season at Carrog awaiting return to Llangollen after a stop-over for refreshments in the station café.

Despite the River Dee running high and fast after the weekend's heavy rain, Llangollen Railway train services resumed for half-term week today (Monday).

The heritage Class 104 diesel railcar provided the service down the line to Carrog offering some dramatic views of the River Dee in full flood. 

And the results of this winter's lineside vegetation clearance west of Deeside Halt provided improved views of the landscape across to Llantysilio Mountain in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The diesel train is running Monday to Friday with a steam service at the weekend, and to encourage families to get out and about, a special fare offer for half-term allows first child free with a fare paying adult and second half price.

Old time music hall show this Friday

There are still tickets left for the variety show and supper this Friday. 

It will be great night of music and comedy. 

Great raffle prizes! Further details below:

Police appeal over missing man

North Wales Police seek the help of the public in relation to a missing man aged 62 years last believed to be in the vicinity of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

The gentleman is described at 5ft7, white male, of slim build with short brown hair. He may have been wearing orange running shoes, black jogging bottoms and a grey waterproof jacket.

His Black VW Golf TDI was located at the car park at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and may have been parked at the location between 0700hrs and 0745hrs on Saturday 15th February 2020.

North Wales Police have conducted extensive searches of the local area assisted by North East Wales Search and Rescue Team (NEWSAR) but seek new information to assist us in locating this man at the earliest opportunity.

Anyone with information please call 101 and quote reference Y022326 or go to the North Wales Police Web Chat service via the North Wales Police website.

River Dee reaches even higher levels after storms

Update.

North Wales Police tweeted an hour ago that A5 at Corwen is closed in both directions due to flooding.


The latest bout of stormy weather has swollen the River Dee through Llangollen even more than last week.

This morning it has become a raging torrent, with the water reaching half-way up the arches on the famous bridge.

The pathway in Riverside Park has been left underwater after the river gushed over the wall there also leaving the steps submerged.