Council says schools won't open for additional week

Denbighshire County Council has announced that the schools will close for the summer term on Friday, July 17^th and will not be opening for the additional week recently announced by Welsh Government.

Education Minister Kirsty Williams MS, Minister for Education recently announced that schools would re-open on the 29^th June and that the term would be extended for an extra week,  to allow all children to attend for a minimum of three sessions for a ‘check in and catch up’ with their teachers.

Following lengthy discussions with teaching unions, the Minister has asked local authorities and schools  to make a decision on extension of the term.  

After what it says was careful consideration, the council has decided it would be "problematic" for schools and therefore they will not open for the additional week. 

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement, said: “All schools in Denbighshire had developed plans for the additional week to the end of terms, as originally stated by the Education Minister. These plans would ensure that pupils have the best experience possible on their return to school in a safe and supported environment. 

“However, whilst all schools and the local authority were totally supportive of the announcement to extend the school term, unfortunately it has become clear that a national agreement between the Welsh Government and the trade unions has not been reached on the fourth week proposals. This means that the local authority is unable to follow due process in order to make the required change to the term dates within the timeframe.  It also means that Headteachers and Governing Bodies would be unable to guarantee that every school would be staffed sufficiently on a voluntary basis.

“Therefore, as we cannot guarantee that every school would be staffed sufficiently, and being mindful of our statutory responsibilities both as an employer and for the safeguarding of children and young people, Denbighshire schools will close for the summer holidays on Friday 17^th July 2020.

“We will provide information regarding emergency childcare as it becomes available, but the Welsh Government has made it clear that schools are not expected to make this on-going provision.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank you again for your patience and understanding during these very challenging times."

Llangollen gradually comes back to life as Covid-19 lockdown eases

* Castle Street is gradually coming back to life as lockdown eases.

Signs that Llangollen is slowly emerging from the coronavirus lockdown came this morning with the re-opening of non-essential shops in the town centre.

The Welsh Government ruled last week that retailers are able to resume trading if they can take all reasonable measures to comply with physical distancing rules to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and protect their staff and shoppers.

The five mile 'stay local' advice remains in place for the moment.

At the next review on July 9, the Welsh Government is due to consider a range of specific options for opening personal care services, such as hairdressing and beauty, by appointment.

Hairdressers asked to use next three weeks to prepare to open.

Open for business this morning in Castle Street were the Ragamuffin boutique, Pro-Adventure outdoor store, Occasions, Lily Rose Interiors, estate agents Bowen Son and Watson, Solitaire jewellers and Ladbrokes betting office.

In nearby Oak Street the Shop Around the Corner and Mystic Dragon were ready for their first customers in months.

In the alley by the side of Solitaire, Hands Across Time was open and just across the other side of Castle Street in Dee Lane Harley’s Vintage Boutique was getting ready to start trading again.

Pubs and restaurants remain closed, although a number are doing takeaway-only business, including Riverbanc which was open this morning in Bridge Street.  

UPDATE ...

* Lake the Osteopath says it will be back to clinic in the Verve from 6th July. 

It says: "The new Covid19 protocols require the case history to be taken in advance (video/telephone), so that risks of contracting the virus are reduced. Only the treatment will be face-to-face. Why not book your initial appointment for next week, ready for treatment the week after? See www.taraslake.uk or telephone Lake on 07787 118119 to book or for more info."

* If any re-opening Llangollen-based businesses would like to be mentioned, free of charge, in llanblogger, let us know at: llanblogger@gmail.com

* Occasions.

* Ladbrokes betting shop.

* Solitaire jewellers.

* Lily Rose Interiors, left, and Bowen Son & Watson estate agents.

* Mystic Dragon in Oak Street.

* Shop Around the Corner in Oak Street.

* Hands Across Time in the courtyard off Castle Street.

* Harley's Vintage Boutique in Dee Lane.

Hospice plans limited opening to accept donations

* Nightingales Priory Street entrance in Wrexham.

Nightingale House Hospice is getting ready to receive donated quality items for its retail stores, starting this week.

Its new Donation Station is opening up for three days only with a designated drive-up and drop-off point at Priory Street, Wrexham. This is at the rear of its flagship Nightingales store on Regent Street.

The retail team have been busy putting social distancing procedures in place to ensure you can drop off your unwanted items in a safe and organised way.

The Donation Station will be open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 25, 26 and 27, from 10am - 2.30pm.

Measures have been put in place to minimise the handling of stock. All donated items should be placed in boxes and bags.

The hospice says it is important to remember that this is for donations during these dates and times only and its retail shops are not yet open. 

Donors are asked not to leave any items outside the Regent Street shop as the hospice says this causes a lot of mess and costs much-needed funds to have them removed.

This will be the first time the hospice’s retail arm has accepted unwanted items since the lockdown began when all its shops closed their doors, cutting off a vital income stream for the hospice.

Nightingales Retail is asking its supporters if they would only bring us items  they would purchase themselves and to sort carefully through anything they wish to donate. It costs the hospice money to have unsaleable items taken away.

Katie Roberts, Head of Retail at Nightingale House said:“Our supporters are asking us when we will re-open our shops, as many of them have taken the opportunity to declutter their homes during the past few months. 

"They are telling us that they have been saving their items to be donated to the hospice shops which is great news for us.We hope to announce plans to gradually re-open our shops in the next couple of weeks to tie in with government guidelines.”

* For a list of items the hospice is unable to accept, go to: www.nightingalehouse.co.uk/shops/

June's Citizens Advice column

Latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice is:

Q: I work in retail and my company says it's starting to look at how we might reopen later in the summer. This is making me so anxious, even though I don't have any special health issues. I'm going to wear a mask, but not all the customers may do so. I used to take the bus to work, I don't have a car and I think it's too far to cycle. And I'm not even sure if my kids will be back at school by then! The thought of returning to work is keeping me awake at night. Do I have to go back to work?

A: It’s understandable you’re feeling anxious. However, the short answer to your question is yes, you do need to comply with any reasonable management request to return to work.

The key here is “reasonable.” The government has published specific guidance for different businesses on the steps they can take to minimise coronavirus transmission. If you don’t think they’re complying, or are putting your health at risk, you should talk to them about this.

Similarly, they should listen to your concerns about using public transport. You could, for instance, ask to travel at a quieter time of day.

And the government has said that if you’re unable to work because of childcare issues your employer can continue to furlough you.

We would suggest approaching this as a problem that you and your boss can solve together. But if you do get a bad reaction, you could report your employer to the Health and Safety Executive. You should also get advice about your legal rights in this situation.

First Minister’s business announcement a “step in the right direction” says county chief

The Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE has issued a statement in response to the announcement by First Minister Mark Drakeford MS that non-essential retail businesses can re-open from Monday, hailing the announcement as a “step in the right direction”.

This comes as the Council sets up a Task Group to look at ways of assisting town centres to continue operating during these times.

Councillor Evans said: “This is welcome news, not only for the businesses concerned, but also for the local economy.

“The lockdown has had a significant impact on businesses locally and in every other region of the country and many had called on Welsh Government to relax the regulations, to allow the non-essential retail businesses to re-open and start that journey of recovery.

“This is only the beginning for businesses and we would urge them to implement social distancing and hygiene measures, protect the well-being of their customers and play their part in reducing the spread of coronavirus in our communities.

“Today’s announcement is very much a step in the right direction and the Council will work together with businesses and communities to make this work and assist our towns and villages.

“The Council’s Task Group has been set up specifically to assist town centres as they respond to the easing of the lockdown restrictions.  Staff will be working in the main towns to provide help and advice to residents and businesses; they will identify where posters and signage are needed and will look at what support is needed for businesses to comply with the current social distancing and hygiene regulations”.

Councillor Mark Young, Cabinet Lead Member for  Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “We fully recognise that businesses in our town centres have suffered during the covid-19 outbreak and the Council wants to support businesses in any way it can, to help them get back on their feet during these very difficult times.  We will be talking and listening to businesses and residents and see what kind of help is needed in terms of advice and support, as well as more practical measures such as posters and signage. 

“We look forward to getting the staff out into these communities and start a real dialogue with people, so that we can assist town centres to settle into the new ways of working and assisting the efforts to protect our communities”.

The Welsh Government has produced guidance and templates for businesses:

https://gov.wales/workplace-guidance-employers-and-employees-covid19

Drakeford: Five-mile rule set to be lifted on July 6, says story

FIRST Minister Mark Drakeford has this morning confirmed that the "stay local" five-mile rule is set to be lifted on July 6, according to the Denbighshire Free Press.

* For the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/18528122.wales-lockdown-update-five-mile-rule-lifted-july-6/?fbclid=IwAR0XoT4A1ok-PYgKlYfvN3VsmTTBpnriIcKcPYZ3rFdvan-VCKYTV-wW2E4

County boss sends open letter to parents and guardians

Denbighshire County Council has issued an open letter to parents and guardians about the re-opening of schools later this month.

This follows the Welsh Government’s announcement that schools will re-open on June 29 following the Covid-19 lockdown

The letter, from Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement (pictrured), says: 

"First of all, I’d like to thank parents and guardians across the county for their continued support during these unprecedented times.  Over the last twelve weeks, many parents/ guardians have been supporting schools to ensure that children and young people can continue learning at home – a great example of partnership working. We also recognise that many parents/ guardians will have changed working patterns to accommodate children and young people being at home. This has been a tough time for all and we are extremely grateful for the on-going support.

"I am immensely proud of our teaching and support staff across the county who have worked tirelessly to put a programme of activities and lessons in place during lockdown and also the staff have worked in hub schools to provide childcare for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers.  The last three months have been challenging, but our teams have shown great commitment and professionalism to get their work done in very difficult circumstances.

"I would also like to recognise the efforts of our children and young people in their efforts to learn at home.   This has been a challenging and unsettling time for them, uncertainty about examinations, working away from their friends and needing to work to a brand new routine.   As a parent, I fully empathise with our children and young people, but their resilience and ability to adapt has been superb.

"The announcement that schools will re-open on June 29^th has inevitably generated plenty of questions and some concern.   

"I wish to reassure you that the Council and schools had already started work on planning for the re-opening of schools. However, the guidelines issued by Welsh Government have given us a framework to follow and we must ensure our plans are fit for purpose.   This is a major challenge, practically and logistically.  I cannot emphasise enough the size of the challenges we face. It means more than just re-arranging classrooms -  there are many issues to consider, such as catering, buildings, curriculum, transport, free school meals, re-writing policies – to name but a few.

"Most of all, I wish to reassure you that the safety of our children, young people and our staff is paramount and their health and safety and mental health and well-being is at the forefront of our minds and everything that we do.

"Each school will decide its own arrangements for how they will re-open, but they have the full support of the local authority.   We have been told that the school capacity will be a third of pupils at any one time and we’ll adhere to that. We also recognise that some children may not return until September, if that is the wish of the parents/ guardians. We fully respect that this is a tough call for many parents and guardians and we respect their decision, either way.

"The period from June 29^th until the end of the school term will allow opportunity to slowly re-introduce pupils back into the classroom and to really test our arrangements.   Schools will not return to normal, there will be new arrangements and new ways of doing things, but together we will make it work. 

"Meanwhile, we need to inform you that there will be a change in arrangements for the childcare provision in our hub schools.  As of Monday, 22^nd of June, parents and guardians will be asked to send their child(ren) to their normal school for childcare provision, rather than the hubs.  This will allow the schools used as hubs to prepare to welcome back their children when all schools re-open. Those currently registered need not re-apply, the information will be passed to your child’s school. Parents are asked to contact their child(ren)’s normal school to make these arrangements directly in future.

"We recognise many of you will have questions and over the coming days and weeks and in time, we hope you will have answers to these.   Colleagues in education are working closely with Welsh Government and with other councils across North Wales to comply with the national guidance and to offer reassurance that everything is being done to minimise any risk of covid-19, to manage social distancing and to protect everyone’s health and safety.

"Schools will be contacting parents /guardians directly to talk about the local arrangements and how they affect their child(ren). School’s will make decisions regarding their re-opening arrangement, based on a wide range of factors e.g. staffing levels, this is therefore likely to vary from school to school.  Schools are unable to offer nursery ‘check-in and catch –up’ but will be able to continue to provide key worker and vulnerable learner childcare if the child is registered at the school. Your on-going support is very much appreciated as we overcome any hurdles over the coming few weeks and months.  Key to all of this is getting your child(ren) back into education and to make sure they have the best start in life."