Latest Citizens Advice column

Here is the latest advice column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice.

Q: I’ve worked at the same company for many years but I’ve been told I’m being made redundant. What redundancy pay am I entitled to? 

A: If you’re being made redundant, there are two types of redundancy pay you could get. ‘Statutory’ redundancy pay is the minimum that the law says you’re entitled to, or ‘contractual’ redundancy pay, which is extra money your contract says you can get on top of the statutory amount.

You’re usually only entitled to statutory redundancy pay if you’ve been an employee for at least two years. It’s worth asking your employer or checking your contract to see if you’re entitled to more than the statutory redundancy rules allow.

Statutory redundancy pay is based on age, weekly pay and number of years in the job, up to a max of £538 a week. The Citizens Advice and Gov.uk websites have calculators to help work out how much you’ll get. For example if you’re aged 41 and over, you’ll get 1.5 week’s statutory redundancy pay for each full year you’ve worked, up to a maximum of 20 years’ service.

If your employer offers a suitable alternative job, but you refuse to take it without good reasons, they can refuse to pay your redundancy.

You won’t get statutory redundancy pay if you’ve been employed for less than two years, are self-employed or are in certain jobs like the armed forces or police (though you may be entitled to contractual pay).

If you’ve been furloughed, the law now says that your redundancy pay should be worked out using your usual wages, even if you were paid 80% while you were furloughed. However, statutory redundancy pay still limits a weeks’ pay to £538.  

If your employer has told you that your redundancy pay will be based on your furlough rate of pay, you could explain to the employer that isn’t what the Gov.uk website says about redundancy pay, or contact your nearest Citizens Advice.

Plas Newydd needs your help with restoration project

* Restoration work is to be carried out in the Dell 

to the bog garden and ram pump building.

The home of the Ladies of Llangollen is inviting people to help with research into an exciting restoration project it is undertaking in the coming months.

Plas Newydd, which can trace its roots back to the 18th century, is continuing to enhance its visitor experience. 

The scheme will include carrying out a programme of restoration work in the Dell to reinstate the bog garden and ram pump building.

Site manager Paul Evans explained how Plas Newydd is working with the Our Picturesque Landscape team who have been funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver on a five-year restoration and interpretation project across the Dee valley. 

And he says the involvement of the public can play a key part in the success of an important part of the project.

“So many people in Llangollen, and further afield, have stories to tell about our beautiful house and its grounds from different periods in history. We would love to hear from them,” said Paul.

“It would be wonderful to know what details are out there in the community about Plas. The contribution provided by the public could make a major input to the research needed for the project.”

Plas Newydd is a popular destination for tourists from across Britain and attracts visitors from all across the world.

But Paul stressed the house and its grounds also take great pride in providing an oasis of calm and beauty for residents in Llangollen who have enjoyed its tranquil setting for generations.

 “Unfortunately due to Covid-19 we haven’t been able to open up the house to the public this year,” said Paul.

 “But even throughout lockdown our gardens remained available for visitors and in July we re-opened our tea rooms utilising our courtyard and outdoor space. We have had many comments from people over the last few months saying how much they enjoy coming here to exercise or meet friends, and how much Plas means to them.”

* If anyone has information about Plas Newydd’s history and specifically the ram building that they would like to share with the museum, they can get in contact by telephoning 01978 862834 or email plasnewydd@denbighshire.gov.uk 

Llangollen Town Council back to full strength

* New councillor Peter Carol.

* New councillor John Palmer.

With the co-option of Peter Carol at the last night’s meeting and John Palmer at the meeting in August, all casual vacancies on the Town Council have now been filled.

Cllr Palmer replaces the seat vacated by former Cllr Beech and Cllr Carol that of former Deputy Mayor, Cllr Richards.

Commenting on the appointments Town Clerk Gareth Thomas said: "The process of co-option is governed and controlled by a number of regulations and the pandemic did not change the requirements for clerks to follow  defined procedures. 

"The initial notices of vacancy were displayed for a period of 14 days in which time 10 constituents could have requested a by-election.

"With both applications the necessary requisite numbers were not met and therefore the appointments were made by co-option, a process again governed by a further set of regulations.”

He added: "Following advice from the county council's Returning Officer there were concerns that any appointments to a contest seat, which was the case with the resignation of Cllr Richards, should not be made until the Town Council could meet face to face again without restrictions. 

"However, more recent guidance allowed the Town Council to proceed with the second appointment this month.

"This recent advice also means that the annual meeting of the Town Council, which is normally held in May, will now take place in November and at that meeting councillors will consider the appointment of the Town Mayor and Deputy Town Mayor."

130-plus affordable homes built across county in the past year

More than 130 new affordable homes have been created in Denbighshire during the last year.

A total of 139 affordable homes were created between April 2019 and March 2020 and included 104 new builds as well as an additional 28 leased homes for people affected by homelessness and supported units for tenants affected with learning difficulties.

Affordable housing is provided for local people to meet the needs of those who cannot afford open market housing to buy or rent

The homes have been built by private developers and registered social landlords (RSLs) including Cartrefi Conwy, Grŵp Cynefin, Clwyd Alyn and Wales & West and are spread across the county with properties in Rhyl, Llanbedr DC, Denbigh, Rhuddlan, Prestatyn, Cynwyd, Henllan, Corwen, Prestatyn, Dyserth and Ruthin.

The Council works with RSLs and private developers to ensure sites chosen will meet the open market and affordable housing needs of residents as well as managing the Social Housing Grant provided by Welsh Government to enable affordable house building by RSLs.

Councillor Tony Thomas, the council’s Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “Ensuring there is enough housing to meet the needs of Denbighshire residents is a priority for the Council.

“The council set a target of ensuring 260 affordable homes were built in the county between 2017 and 2022 and so far 210 have been created.

“The council is pleased to be working in partnership with private developers and RSLs to ensure the number of affordable properties in the county is increasing.”

* Information on affordable housing options and availability can be found on the Tai Teg website www.taiteg.org.uk or contact 03456 015 605.

County council's new website goes live

* The county council's new look website.

Denbighshire County Council has completely revamped its website to make it more accessible to the public – and it’s now gone live.

Each public service organisation needs to ensure that its website meets the requirements of the Equalities Act and have accessible websites by September 2020.   

Making a website accessible means that it can be used by people with impaired vision, motor difficulties, learning disabilities, deafness or impaired hearing.

Councillor Richard Mainon, Cabinet Lead Member for Corporate Services and Strategic Direction, said: “We hope people like out new look website and find the new look site a lot easier to navigate and find the information they need.

“We are always looking at ways of improving our online services and this latest change in law has given us a great opportunity to revamp our website, making sure it fully complies with accessibility guidelines.

“We have been testing the site with the Disability Access Centre and have passed their accessibility tests. We have also introduced some minor changes in response to feedback from the public and we would like to thank people for taking the time to get in touch.

“It has a very different look and feel from the existing website.  It has a clear and simple design; it should be easier to read in terms of font, colours and contrast and the language should be easy to understand.  It has also been designed so that it can be used on as many digital devices as possible.

“Our website is one of the key platforms for the council to provide advice and information to the public and is available twenty four hours a day, 365 days a year. 

“The council is focussing on providing more services online and allowing customers to access a wide range of information about council services, as well as registering requests, making payments and getting involved in consultations.  

* The new-look website is available by visiting: www.denbighshire.gov.uk. 

Tourism Ambassador scheme proves popular in Denbighshire

A scheme providing people with training and knowledge about tourism in Denbighshire is proving popular with 200 signing up since its launch last year.

The Denbighshire Tourism Ambassador Scheme offers a variety of online training modules on a variety of themes in order to improve the overall visitor experience. It’s totally free and open to everyone. This is the first online scheme of its kind in Wales. 

Module themes include - Denbighshire towns & city, walking, cycling, history, arts, coast, Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB, welsh language & culture, food tourism and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site.

There are 3 levels of awards – bronze, silver and gold, depending on the amount of modules completed. Each person receives a certificate, pin badge and window stickers on completion of the awards.

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: “We know that continuous learning can have a positive impact on people’s lives. Whether people are looking to brush up on their skills, to try something new, to seek information or to improve their job prospects; Adult Learners’ Week is a great time to start. The Denbighshire Tourism Ambassador Scheme offers the flexibility and convenience for you to gain new knowledge and become part of a shared interest community.”

The online scheme launched in 2019 and continues to grow with a range of Ambassadors including local people, accommodation and attraction providers, shops, pubs, students, library staff, tour guides and volunteers.

Jenny Whitham, who runs Faraway Follies boutique guest lodges in Llandegla said: “Becoming a Tourism Ambassador is a great way of getting to know more information about the area that I could impart to my guests. The online modules are well-paced, a nice mix of video and words, they’re easy to follow and the quizzes at the end are fairly simple. Adding that extra little bit of service for guests is invaluable. If the locals are friendly and knowledgeable then people will be encouraged to visit and return to the area.”

Paul Hughes. walking group leader for the Vale of Clwyd Mind commented: “I chose to become a Denbighshire Tourism Ambassador because it gives you more information, it’s always handy to have more knowledge when you’re leading people on walks and taking people around the different areas. The course is free as well which always helps. And you can do it at home over a couple of evenings a week, so it’s brilliant. You can’t have enough knowledge as they say, it’s always nice to learn something new.”

The scheme is now being recognised across North Wales and other local authorities and National Parks are looking at running a similar online scheme. The long-term aim is to establish North Wales Ambassadors to ensure tourism messages are consistent to maximise the visitor experience and encourage sustainable tourism.

The project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

* For more information on the scheme and to complete the modules please visit – www.denbighshireambassador.wales

County businesses receive £33m in government covid support

Businesses in Denbighshire have already received emergency coronavirus support totalling more than £33m from the Welsh Labour Government.

The most up-to-date information shows 2,761 businesses of all sizes across the county have been awarded crucial support since the pandemic struck – with more grants being awarded every day.

Clwyd South Member of the Senedd Ken Skates said: “I am proud that the Welsh Government has been able to help so many local businesses, from small and medium-sized enterprises to key local employers and hotels and pubs. The Welsh Government’s support package for businesses is the most generous anywhere in the UK and more money reaching small businesses every day.”

Welsh Government data shows 2,274 Denbighshire businesses already in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief got grants of £10,000 and another 297 in the tourism and hospitality industry were awarded £25,000 each. In addition, more than 2,500 start-up grants of £2,500 are currently being processed.

The Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund (ERF), which was designed to fill the gaps left by the UK Government’s support schemes, has so far awarded £3.17m to another 190 Denbighshire companies. Among the recipients was Llangollen Railway, which received a £70,000 grant.

Peter Carroll, managing director of ProAdventure in Llangollen said: "The help has made it possible for the directors to carry on with mail order all through lockdown, and given us the certainty that we can keep stock levels up to cope with increased mail order volumes and bring staff back from furlough earlier than might have been possible without support."

South Denbighshire Community Partnership, based in Corwen, has also received Welsh Government support throughout the crisis to help it meet the growing demand associated with the Covid-19 outbreak, enabling the not-for-profit group to help hundreds of vulnerable local people.

Neatcrown, which employs up to 70 people at its Corwen factory during busy periods, received £77,500 through the ERF. 

Managing Director Colin Roberts said: “The money from the Welsh Government allowed us to safeguard jobs at the site during a period of real uncertainty. Our orders had been decimated and we had workers shielding. It really was a lifeline at that point. 

“We are a close-knit company and we’re part of the community. We have multiple generations of the same family working here and have some members of staff who have worked here for more than 30 years. It would have been a huge blow to Corwen if we’d had to close. We wanted to keep going and the support from the Welsh Government helped us do that.”

Mr Skates added: “Around 11% of all awards through the Economic Resilience Fund have been to businesses in North East Wales, and almost £28m has been awarded in total across North Wales. Sadly, it is impossible to help every single business, but the vast majority of applications have been successful, and I’m pleased there are many which we have helped stay afloat.

“I’m proud to be part of a Welsh Labour Government which is standing up for our region.”

In addition to the support for local businesses, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod – which had to cancel this year’s event – received a Welsh Government grant of £338,000 to help with business continuity through 2020, including planning and preparation for 2021.

Chairman Rhys Davies said: “We are very grateful for the support of Welsh Government so that we can continue to promote Welsh culture on the international stage and spread the peace message around the world. There are going to be challenges for all festivals, so collaboration is the key.”