Minister said he would like to see shops re-open on June 22

According to the BBC, Wales' Economy Minister Ken Skates (pictured) said today he would "absolutely" like to see non-essential shops reopen the week of 22 June if coronavirus statistics continue to fall.

* For the full story, see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-52994758

Be considerate to neighbours during lockdown, says council

Denbighshire County Council is asking residents to be considerate to their neighbours during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.

The council’s Public Protection team has seen an increase in complaints relating to noise nuisance from loud music, televisions and gaming, DIY, dogs barking and other noise.

According to the council, noise nuisance can affect people’s mental health by causing sleep disturbance or being unable to relax in the garden or with windows open while the weather is nice.

Cllr Mark Young, the Council’s Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “We understand this is a difficult time for our residents which is why we are asking people to be considerate.

“Due to the lockdown many of us are making use of our time to catch up on jobs in the garden or around the house. If you are playing music while enjoying your garden, please don’t leave the speakers in your property on a high volume, try and use a portable device and play the music at a lower volume beside you or use headphones.

“Please also keep an eye on your dogs if you have let them out in the garden, with more people than usual around they may be unnecessarily barking at the unusual noises.

“We would also ask residents to hold onto waste rather than disposing of it by having a bonfire and book an appointment at one of our recycling centres which have now re-opened.”

Chester Zoo to re-open next Monday, says newspaper story

Chester Zoo will re-open on Monday following a massive public campaign, according to a story late last night in the Denbighshire Free Press online.

The campaign has been supported by many people in Lllangollen.

* For the full story, see: 
https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/18506814.chester-zoo-reopen-next-monday-following-dramatic-government-u-turn/?fbclid=IwAR3rrIPCcfsPKCHwZFtaqLph8beUsR7e03N9nOeuT-3EMH7q4rEOywRTwIo

Businesses can check if they are eligible for cash support

Businesses can now find out if they are eligible to apply for financial support from the next phase of the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund (ERF).

The online eligibility checker has reopened and businesses will be able to make applications for support from this phase of the fund by the end of the month.

The ERF is designed to support businesses, social enterprises and charities, which are not eligible for other Welsh Government and UK Government support schemes.

The next phase of the fund will enable businesses to access a further £100m of financial support. 

It is being targeted at microbusinesses, small to medium enterprises and large businesses of critical economic importance, which have yet to receive financial assistance from the ERF.

Economy, Transport and North Wales Minister Ken Skates said: “Our package of support for Welsh business has been absolutely vital in supporting thousands of firms through these exceptionally difficult times.

“Close to £200m has now been provided to businesses from the Economic Resilience Fund with all applications being processed.

“We are reopening our eligibility checker for the next phase of funding. This will allow companies time to prepare their applications, ahead of the fund reopening for applications at the end of the month.

“The measures we have taken are in addition to the support available from the UK Government, making our package the most comprehensive and generous in the UK.

“This next phase will reach businesses, which have yet to receive funding, but we know it won’t reach all those in need. We are proactively working on further options, but it is clear we need the UK Government to step up and provide the longer-term and additional funding needed to see Welsh business through this pandemic.”

This latest phase will operate in broadly the same way as the first phase but with an update to the eligibility of the micro scheme. This will enable limited companies which are not VAT registered to access the fund, subject to other criteria being met.

Large businesses, which have suffered more than a 60% reduction of turnover since 1 March 2020 may also qualify for funding if they meet other conditions. A further £10m has been available from the ERF to support larger firms.

To date, almost £200m of ERF funding has been distributed to companies across Wales, supporting a wide variety of businesses to deal with the impact of coronavirus.

This includes the Development Bank of Wales’ loan scheme element of the fund which has seen more than £90m offered or invested in 1,300-plus firms.

Work is continuing to develop further options to support those businesses, which have not yet been able to access help, such as start-up firms not eligible for the UK Government’s Self Employment Income Support Scheme.

* The eligibility checker for the next phase of the ERF is available at: https://fundchecker.businesswales.gov.wales

Council calls for Information about return to school

* Ysgol Dinas Bran.

Denbighshire County Council is working with governing bodies and headteachers to plan the re-opening of schools from June 29.

And it is now asking for information from parents and guardians on whether they are intending to send their child or children back to school.

Last week, the Education Minister, Kirsty Williams MS  published details of the next phase for schools in Wales. 

She confirmed that schools will plan to start the next phase on June 29, with the summer term extended by a week to end on July 24.

The autumn half-term break will be extended to two weeks.

Further guidance is expected from Welsh Government this week and the council says it has already begun its initial planning and considerations, prioritising the well-being of learners, staff and families supporting schools and governing bodies.

Now the council is sending out a questionnaire to parents/guardians of Reception Year onwards asking whether they intend to send their child(ren) to school from that date and to explain about transport.  

This questionnaire is being circulated through schools and aims to give a clear idea to headteachers of the numbers of pupils expected and how the school can plan and communicate effectively with parents and guardians about details for the re-opening.

The deadline for responses to the survey is tomorrow, Wednesday, June 10. To access the questionnaire, please follow the link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NR7WYXM 

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement, said: “The safety of our children and young people is a priority and we are waiting for the detailed guidance that will help us to plan and prepare for this next phase.

“The guidance from Welsh Government is expected to include information about managing facilities and logistical arrangements, including buildings, resources, cleaning, school meals and transport. 

“We would be extremely grateful if parents/ guardians could complete the survey and inform us whether they intend at this stage to send their child(ren) into school.  This information will allow us to plan effectively and make sure that arrangements and plans are put in place to welcome children back to school."

Stay apart to keep us all safe, pleads Cat

* Cat Meade, with her young son Connor, has pleaded with people to observe social distancing.

The woman who has spearheaded Llangollen's fightback against coronavirus has made a heartfelt plea for people to observe social distancing.

Immediately the Covid-19 crisis began back in March Cat Meade, whose day job is at Wingett's estate agents in Castle Street, launched the Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group.

Since then she and a team of dedicated volunteers have devoted many unpaid hours to ensuring people isolated in their homes have been supplied with everything from food to daily newspapers.

To finance the organisation and support hard-hit local businesses she has started a series of highly popular daily raffles offering a host of valuable prizes.

There have also be regular updates about the group's work on Facebook.

However, Cat has just taken to social media to put out an urgent plea to local people who she says are not following the Welsh Government's social distancing rules.

Late yesterday she posted: "Social distancing is in place for a reason!

"The amount of kids I have seen out with their mates today is shocking - very close, playing footie, riding bikes, walking side by side.

And she added: "Please do not think they are invincible to this and also could be carriers.

"I know the kids are missing their friends and its hard, but it will much much harder to have your child take this awful virus.

"The R rate has already stopped schools opening over the border in Cheshire.

"Please be responsible and keep your kids and the rest of us in Llan safe."

County thanks people for staying away from beauty spots

* Horseshoe Falls remains closed.

Denbighshire County Council has thanked residents for their "continued patience" during the closure of the county’s country parks.

Beauty spots in Denbighshire, including Horseshoe Fall in Llangollen, Loggerheads Country Park and Moel Famau Country Park remain closed under Welsh Government guidance.

The council monitored the position over the weekend, supported by North Wales Police and Natural Resources Wales, and says very few visitors were reported at these locations.

Cllr Tony Thomas, the council’s Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “Again over the weekend very few visitors were reported around our beauty spots and I would like to thank residents for their continued patience.

“We fully understand these areas are important to many people, but in Wales travel is still restricted to journeys generally within five miles from your home and we know a large proportion of our visitors travel significantly more than that.

“Therefore it is crucial these sites remain closed at this time in order to protect our communities from the spread of the virus.

“In the meantime, we are working with our partners to make sure when the time is right we can welcome everyone back to the parks in a way that ensures the safety of our visitors, staff and local communities.”