County welcomes new council homes funding

Denbighshire County Council has welcomed a funding announcement from the Welsh Government which encourages the building of council homes.

The Welsh Government wants local authorities to build more council homes using modern methods of construction (MMC) that will allow for the building of better quality homes, faster than traditional methods allow, in order to meet the growing need for affordable housing.

Ministers are making a £45million investment in the modular housing industry in Wales, to ensure it can deliver the next generation of social housing with £20 million for MMC businesses and £25 million for round four of the Welsh Government’s Innovative Housing Programme, focusing on innovative housing delivered through MMC.

As part of its Corporate Plan, Denbighshire County Council has committed to build 170 new council homes by 2022.

Planning permission has been granted for 22 new energy efficient council homes to be built in Denbigh on land above Tan y Sgubor, funded through the Innovative Housing Programme.

The frames and walls for the new houses will be made off site in North Wales by Creating Enterprise, a subsidiary of Cartrefi Conwy, utilising MMC methods.

Cllr Tony Thomas, Denbighshire’s Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “We welcome the Welsh Government’s continued investment in council housing which supports us to deliver our challenging Corporate Plan target.

“We have already secured planning permission for homes in Denbigh and Prestatyn with further plans to be submitted for Rhyl later in the year.

“The Council recognised a need to ensure housing is available to meet the needs of Denbighshire residents. We made housing a priority in our Corporate Plan and we are delivering on our promise to provide a wide range of accommodation available to suit different needs and council homes are an important part of this.

“We are also looking further into the future and considering how we can bring our existing housing stock up to higher energy efficiency standards in response to the climate emergency and look forward to ongoing dialogue with the Welsh Government to help us achieve this for the benefit of our residents.”

The Council has pledged to support the development of 1000 new homes in Denbighshire by 2022, with 260 of those designated as affordable."

County launches schools cooking competition

Young people aged seven to 14 years have the chance to shine in the kitchen with the MasterChef-style competition, Come & Cook.

The annual Denbighshire schools cooking competition aims to encourage young cooks to discover their local food and to develop the next generation's cooking skills.

The young chefs will create a menu using as many locally produced ingredients as possible and the competition will challenge pupils to learn about where their food comes from and explore the key issues of seasonality and sustainability.

The first round will take place in the county’s schools with a closing date of Friday, 12 June and then school winners will be invited to cook dishes for a VIP panel at a live MasterChef-style final, hosted by Denbigh High School, at the end of June.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Denbighshire County Council’s lead member for Education, Children's Services and Public Engagement, said:  “The Council is supporting this competition because it’s such an amazing way for young people to demonstrate their skills and their passion about cooking by using ingredients that are local and healthy.

“This helps pupils learn about a healthy balanced diet which has a positive impact, not only on physical health, but also on mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as school performance.

“We are encouraging schools and young people to start thinking about and road-testing the recipes immediately.”

Over the past four years the annual competition has attracted and nurtured young talent and in line with the Eatwell Guide, to promote healthy eating, Denbighshire Education and Children’s Services has rebranding the competition under the title of Come & Cook.

Fresh fish sales warning by county

Consumers across Denbighshire are being warned to beware of fish salesmen trying to persuade householders to buy fresh fish.

Both Denbighshire Trading Standards and North Wales Police have received reports in the last week of traders selling door to door in the Dee Valley area, asking residents if they would like to buy fish.

Councillor Mark Young, Cabinet Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “We have concerns regarding the matter, especially as to whether the fish sellers are registered as a food business operator which is a legal requirement for all food businesses, and indeed if they are adhering to all food safety and hygiene regulations which applies to such businesses, including the display of the relevant food hygiene rating for the business.

“As with any doorstep caller we would urge people not to be tempted to buy and ask them to leave. If you feel that you are being pressured into buying the fish or the trader won’t leave when asked, then contact the Police immediately.

“We would advise that you only buy fish from a reputable fishmonger at an established shop or stall or even with a trader with a regular pre-arranged round.”

Anyone wanting advice on doorstep trading, or to report an incident, can contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 2231133 (08082231144 for Welsh language) which gives free, independent and impartial advice on all consumer issues, or the police on 101.

Date chosen for 2021 Llangollen Round Challenge

* Competitors on a previous Llangollen Round
Challenge.

Organisers say they are delighted to announce that the 4th Llangollen Round Challenge will take place on June 5 and 6 in 2121.

A spokesperson said: "Hopefully, it will be bigger and better than ever - and even surpass that £66,000 raised for Cancer Research UK last time.

"Walking 35 miles over the hills in either one or two days is a true challenge - but it's not beyond you.  

"See details on our Facebook page and get training now."

New book launch this Saturday

Former chamber chair speaks out on BID

David Davies, former chair of Llangollen Chamber of Trade, has sent in the following statement about the Llangollen Business Improvement District (BID) voting for which is currently underway.

"BID facts

As past Chair, I am disappointed to see the Chamber of Trade press release of 24th February contained incorrect information. 

The impression given is that the full levy income of £440,000 will be spent on actual projects.  However out of this income, admin /operating expenses of £150,000 will be spent leaving the balance of £290,000 for actual project spending.  

The admin / operating costs expenditure of £150,000  (as shown on page 16 of the vote yes brochure) expressed as a percentage of the levy income of £440,000  is 34% - as stated on the Vote No fact sheet, not 11% as quoted by the Chamber.

Having fully evaluated the proposal, all eligible businesses are strongly encouraged to exercise their vote.

VOTE NOW – don’t miss the deadline."

Councillors' statement on Llangollen BID

Local county councillors Graham Timms and Mel Miles (pictured) have put out the following statement on the Llangollen Business Improvement District, voting for which is currently underway.

Llangollen is at a really exciting  point  in its history. Some major projects that have been planned over the last two years are now almost ready to go. We are fully engaged in obtaining funding streams from Denbighshire, Welsh Government, Visit Wales and the National Lottery to name but a few. If these projects go ahead, our town will see huge improvements to revitalise the area for residents, visitors and businesses.

The proposed Llangollen Business Improvement District (BID) is a great opportunity for business ratepayers in the middle of the town to join together to make even more good things happen; those things that will make a real difference to the prosperity and confidence of the town. Since the money raised cannot be spent on things that the county council already do, businesses will decide on the projects that matter to them the most.

A vote to accept the BID will show that businesses have confidence in the future of Llangollen and that together we want to achieve much more.

As councillors we continually raise the profile of the town in the county and across the region. We have spoken in favour of DCC voting for the BID and Denbighshire agreed to cast its votes ‘in favour’. It has 11 votes for its eligible sites within the area and will mean it will have to contribute over £6000 per year into the pot. 

Our potential funders are watching the Llangollen BID process. We believe that if the Llangollen BID is successful it will give a clear sign to these funders that a confident business community believes in a great future for the town.

Please get in touch if you would like to talk with us. graham.timms@denbighshire.gov.uk and melvyn.mile@denbighshire.gov.uk