Residents encouraged to contact Citizens Advice Denbighshire

Denbighshire residents are being encouraged to contact a charity if they are struggling financially during the coronavirus pandemic.

Citizens Advice Denbighshire provides free, confidential and impartial advice and campaigns on big issues affecting people's lives.

During 2020 Citizens Advice Denbighshire secured more than £10.95m of benefit and tax credit gain for residents, raised 276 people out of fuel poverty and dealt with more than 8,400 enquiries.

Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “As we know covid-19 has bought many challenges to individuals within our communities as well as to public service organisations who support residents on a regular basis.

“There has been a tremendous effort made by charities, third sector organisations and volunteers across Denbighshire during the past year, and I would like to thank everyone who has played a role in helping our communities during this time.

“Citizens Advice Denbighshire provides a key role in supporting our residents and this has been particularly important in the last 12 months. 

“The Council is delighted to work in partnership with Citizens Advice Denbighshire on a wide range of projects including the School Uniform Recycle scheme, the Eat Well, Cook Slow project which has helped provide 160 families with slow cookers, while our Homelessness Prevention Team also works closely with them.

“I would encourage all those in the county who are in need of the support from Citizens Advice Denbighshire to contact them.”

Lesley Powell, Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Advice Denbighshire, said: "We have worked closely with the Council and our network of partner agencies to ensure the maximum amount of support is accessible and available for the citizens of Denbighshire.  Working together enables us to provide an holistic service which leads to the best outcome for individuals.

“Our staff and volunteers have pulled together during this pandemic to provide a completely remote service which gives our full support to everyone, in addition to our normal advice service we have answered more than 1,500 Covid-19 related enquiries. We're here for everyone, our help is only a phone call or a click away."

* You can contact Citizens Advice Denbighshire on 0300 3302 124 or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/denbighshire/

Government cash helps railway travel through lockdown

llanblogger exclusive

Llangollen Railway has received a sizeable cash grant from the Welsh Government to help it keep ticking over during lockdown. 

Like many other local businesses the heritage attraction had to close its doors to paying customers at the start of the latest national lockdown.

This meant the cancellation of many of its key money-spinning events such as the Santa Special trains while its overheads still have to be covered.

 

But now its public limited company chair Pete Edwards says: “Llangollen Railway has been successful in securing a £147,000 grant from the Welsh Government Cultural Fund. 

“The purpose of the grant is to support ongoing running costs, including staff wages, between December 2020 and April 2021.” 

He added: “Despite being closed to visitors we cannot shut down completely, and there are still significant monthly costs we have to meet. 

“Essential maintenance and planning work need to continue during lockdown, and this assistance allows our volunteers to keep these key activities running while we look forward to welcoming passengers later in 2021." 

The area’s Senedd Member Ken Skates said: “It’s very pleasing to see another vital community organisation in Clwyd South being awarded vital Welsh Government funding. 

“Many businesses in Llangollen have been given grants to help them through what has been an incredibly difficult period for them, and with the vaccine roll-out increasing every day local businesses can now begin to be cautiously optimistic about 2021.  

“Obviously we do not know what the next crucial couple of months will hold, but the Welsh Government has provided the most comprehensive support package for businesses in the UK - with £1.67bn reaching our businesses since April - and we will continue to do everything within our power to help them through this crisis.”  

Coronavirus update from the Welsh Government

Latest coronavirus update from the Welsh Government (dated yesterday) is:

• The Welsh Government announced an additional £40m for universities to support students facing financial hardship, helping the students most affected by the pandemic with expenses such as accommodation costs.
• Universities will be asked to prioritise funding towards the most vulnerable students, as well as strengthening advice and support services for students.
• With most students currently being asked to study at home, the funding will also be used to address ‘digital poverty’ among students, to enable better access to online learning, and costs incurred due to the need to self-isolate. 
• The funding is in addition to over £40 million the Welsh Government has already provided to help universities this financial year, which has included £10m towards student hardship, mental health support and student unions.
• https://gov.wales/40-million-extra-support-students-facing-financial-hardship
• Watch Education Minister Kirsty Williams’ press conference: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1351141108169003015 

• Deputy Minister for Health and Social Care Julie Morgan has published a written statement about the continued operation of childcare and play provision in Wales: https://gov.wales/written-statement-continued-operation-childcare-and-play-provision-wales
• Technical Advisory Group report: SARS-CoV-2 infection risks at indoor exercise facilities https://gov.wales/technical-advisory-group-sars-cov-2-infection-risks-indoor-exercise-facilities
• Coronavirus vaccination centres (information correct as of January 15) https://gov.wales/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-centres
• Coronavirus vaccination centres map: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-centres-map
• Updated: Financial support to help pay your rent, mortgage or bills if you are currently working, self-employed, ill and cannot work, been made redundant or on furlough https://gov.wales/get-financial-help-pay-your-bills-during-coronavirus-pandemic

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 1,332 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 181,493 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.
• Very sadly, there were 20 deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 4,294.
• These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

• The number of people who have received a Covid vaccine in Wales is being published every weekday by Public Health Wales.
• The latest figures show 151,737 people have received their first dose
• And 201 people have receive two doses of the vaccine
• https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

 

What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus

• The symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change in smell or taste.
• If you have symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you must self-isolate at home for 10 days from when your symptoms started.
• Guidance about self-isolating: https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus
• Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
• You should arrange to have a test to see if you have coronavirus once you are self-isolating. You can book a test at https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test
• You should continue to isolate while waiting for a test result.
• Got a question about what to do if you’ve got coronavirus? Visit https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus
   

Where to find the latest information

• Information about the new national measures in place in Wales is available at: https://gov.wales/alert-level-4

• Public Health Wales provides a daily update about the number of cases of coronavirus in Wales. It is available at: https://covid19-phwstatement.nhs.wales/
• Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws
• Questions about Covid-19 vaccines? Visit: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/
• Information about support for businesses is available at the Business Wales website https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/
• The Welsh Government holds a regular media briefing about coronavirus. These are on-the-record, on-camera and supported by a BSL interpreter. These are held at 12.15pm and live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel.

o   Education Minister Kirsty Williams held today’s Welsh Government briefing. You can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1351141108169003015

County says it will repair any urgent safety defects in Castle Street roadway

* The roadworks on the bridge are thought to be unconnected with the potholes in Castle Street.

The county council says it will repair any "urgent" safety defects found in the roadway of Castle Street.

The promise comes after llanlogger highlighted the crop of potholes which have appeared in Llangollen's main street.

Last week llanblogger described how the holes - at least one of which on the bridge is very deep - have become worse as the winter has progressed.

We sent pictures of a collection of the holes to Denbighshire County Council asking when they are likely to be dealt with.

A council spokesperson replied that an officer would be sent out to look at the road to see if any safety defects required immediate action.

Today, a county council spokesperson said: “An inspection of Castle Street has taken place, and any necessary work to repair any urgent safety defects will be undertaken by the council.”

When asked by llanblogger last week when general remedial work on the potholes was likely to be undertaken, the county said in a statement: "Regarding a longer-term solution we have set aside money in our capital budget for resurfacing works on Castle Street.

“However, we have been holding off from delivering this work because as a council we are currently developing proposals for Castle Street as part of the Llangollen 2020 project, which we are working on in conjunction with Llangollen Town Council and the local county councillors. 

"Should this scheme get the necessary approvals, it would enable us to deliver a much wider improvement scheme in that area which will incorporate the resurfacing work. If those approvals are not forthcoming, we will proceed with the resurfacing work alone.”

* Meanwhile, last Friday morning contractors for what is believed to be the water company Hafren Dyfrdwy began an excavation on the bridge thought to be unrelated to the pothole problem.

llanblogger has tried to confirm with Hafren Dyfrdwy whether these are their works and, if so, what is being done but has so far been unable to obtain any answer from its press office.  

Latest coronavirus update from Welsh Government

Latest coronavirus updates from the Welsh Government (dated yesterday) are:

·       North Wales GP Dr Helen Alefounder has been sharing her experiences of rolling out the Covid vaccination programme in Wales on a special call with the Duke of Cambridge and other healthcare professionals from across the UK.

o   Watch the call: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1350795399662022656

·         The First Minister has confirmed travel corridors will be suspended in Wales to help prevent new mutated strains of coronavirus entering the UK.

o   Travel corridors will be suspended from Monday until at least 15 February – and possibly longer – as all four nations of the UK act together.

o   The changes, which come into effect across the UK from 4am on Monday 18 January, will mean most people travelling abroad will need to complete a pre-departure test and quarantine for 10 days on their return home to Wales.

o   https://gov.wales/travel-corridors-be-suspended-new-virus-strains-emerge

o   https://gov.wales/travellers-exempt-self-isolation-coronavirus-covid-19

·         More than 35,000 laptops and tablets will be provided to learners over the next few weeks bringing the total provided by the Welsh Government since the start of the coronavirus pandemic to more than 133,000.

o   At the very beginning of the pandemic education Minister Kirsty Williams made a pledge that ‘no child or family would be left behind during this crisis’ and that ‘all children will have the opportunity to continue learning’.

o   https://gov.wales/50-online-learning-logins-second-and-other-ways-show-how-wales-leading-way-digital-services-support

 

·         Updated – Alert level four lockdown: frequently asked questions https://gov.wales/alert-level-4-frequently-asked-questions

 

Coronavirus in numbers

·         The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 1,172 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 180,161 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.

o   Very sadly, there were 48 deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 4,274.

o   These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

·         The number of people who have received a Covid vaccine in Wales is being published every weekday by Public Health Wales.

o   The next update to the figures will be on Monday 18 January

 

What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus

·         The symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change in smell or taste.

·         If you have symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you must self-isolate at home for 10 days from when your symptoms started.

·         Guidance about self-isolating: https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus

o   Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

o   You should arrange to have a test to see if you have coronavirus once you are self-isolating. You can book a test at https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test

o   You should continue to isolate while waiting for a test result.

·         Got a question about what to do if you’ve got coronavirus? Visit https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus
 

Where to find the latest information

·         Information about the new national measures in place in Wales is available at: https://gov.wales/alert-level-4

·         Public Health Wales provides a daily update about the number of cases of coronavirus in Wales. It is available at: https://covid19-phwstatement.nhs.wales/

·         Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws

·         Questions about Covid-19 vaccines? Visit: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/

·         Information about support for businesses is available at the Business Wales website https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/

·         The Welsh Government holds a regular media briefing about coronavirus. These are on-the-record, on-camera and supported by a BSL interpreter. These are held at 12.15pm and live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel.

Cancer Research UK Christmas quiz winners announced

The organiser has given details of the winners of the latest Cancer Research Christmas quiz.

Judy Smith says: "Very many thanks to everyone who supported Cancer Research UK through the 2020 Christmas Quiz.  

"We are delighted to say that, despite all the difficulties of lockdown, the sum raised was £475.05."

The results were as follows:

= 1^st     Keith and Pat Campbell, Northampton (49 points)

            The Hindle family, Newport, S Wales (49 points)

Rob Shaw, Irby, Wirral (49 points)

            Linda Sutton, Upton, Wirral (49 points) 

Very close behind came Keith Stacey of Newport, Nenia Bletsou and Chris Shaw from Bedford, Jane Schaefer (Ewloe), Amber Arnold (Windermere), Adrian and Catherine Farrel (Llangollen), Gaynor Answer (Milton Keynes), and Jane Hurle (Llangollen).  

Judy added: "Our heartiest congratulations to all those, and to everyone who took part.  Please get in touch with me (smithdinbren@gmail.com) if you would like a copy of the answers

"We hope you enjoyed the quiz and that you will make sure to get a copy of the 2021 edition, which should, as ever, be published on 1^st December."

Businesses must do Covid risk assessment, says government

* First Minister Mark Drakeford.

Businesses in Wales will have to carry out a specific coronavirus risk assessment under new Welsh Government legislation.

These risk assessments will be the starting point for implementing the reasonable measures that are required to be taken to minimise exposure to the coronavirus on premises open to the public and in workplaces.

This involves considering issues such as:

• whether ventilation is adequate
• hygiene
• ensuring physical distancing is taking place
• use of PPE and face coverings.

It will also include considering how employers maximise the number of people who can work from home.

The highly contagious new strain of the virus means we have had to look again at the rules regulating workplaces and premises that remain open to the public.

During his latest weekly press conference the First Minister thanked businesses for all their efforts to ensure their premises are safe places to work and visit.

He said: "Risk assessments must be reviewed and updated regularly, whenever circumstances change and I want to make clear in law this includes whenever the coronavirus Alert levels change in Wales.

"Recording the risk assessment will only be required by those who employ 5 or more people. We are working closely with employers, trade unions, local authorities and the Health and Safety Executive to consider the detail on how to keep work settings safe.

"Ministers have also met this week with key retailers to discuss their vital role during the pandemic. They set out the actions they are taking from providing sanitisers for hands and trolleys on entry; limiting the numbers in store at any one time; and making regular announcements reminding people to keep their distance from others.

"We will strengthen regulations to ensure retailers take these steps so that their premises are as safe as possible for shoppers and their employees alike. Many are already operating high standards and we need to raise the bar for those who could and should improve.

"However we all have a personal responsibility to help make shops as safe as possible. We all need to shop alone if we can, observe the 2m rule, practise good hand hygiene and wear a face covering unless exempt. Any abuse directed at store employees who remind people of their responsibilities will not be tolerated."