Covid grant scheme extended for Denbighshire businesses

A grant scheme available to businesses impacted by coronavirus restrictions has been extended.

Following the First Minister’s announcement on January 29, extensions are available to the Restrictions Business Rates Grant and Restrictions Discretionary Grant schemes to support businesses during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

There are two grant schemes available in the county, which are being administered by Denbighshire County Council, which have specific guidance and qualification criteria, with businesses only able to apply for one of the grants.

The Restrictions Business Rates Grant is open to businesses whose property has been in the rating list on or before September 1, 2020 and the business was in occupation and trading on November 30, 2020. 

Those who have previously been paid through this scheme will have their accounts credited, by either £3000 or £5000 depending on the size of the business, by no later than Friday, February 19.

The scheme is also open to businesses who have not previously applied, but they will need to submit an application and payment for new applications can’t be guaranteed by February 19.

The Restrictions Discretionary Grant of £2,000 is applicable to business that do not have a business rates liability, who have been forced to close or will be materially affected by the restrictions, with more than 40 per cent reduction in turnover. 

There will not be any automatic payments for the discretionary grant and there are several qualification criteria to be met, as set out by Welsh Government.

Businesses can only apply once for the grant, which is intended to support them through February and March. 

* You can apply for these grants, and find information about other financial schemes, at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/coronavirus/emergency-support-for-businesses.aspx

 

Drakeford praises "phenomenal effort" of vaccination programme

First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) today praised the thousands of NHS staff and volunteers vaccinating people for their "phenomenal effort" as the first milestone in Wales’ vaccination programme was reached.

As the final appointments are arranged for the weekend, Wales will achieve the milestone of offering everyone in the first four priority groups vaccination, he said.

Arrangements were in place to make sure no one is left behind – if someone missed an appointment because they were ill or maybe they changed their mind about having the vaccine, a new appointment would be made for them.

Mark Drakeford said: "Vaccination is the number one priority for the Welsh Government and for the NHS in Wales.

"To have achieved this first milestone and offered vaccination to everyone in the first four priority groups – those who are most vulnerable to coronavirus – is a truly phenomenal effort. I want to thank everyone who has been working around the clock to reach this point.

"Of course, the hard work has only just begun – there are many, many more people to vaccinate yet and a lot of second doses still to give.

"The NHS has confirmed everyone in the first four priority groups has been contacted to be offered a vaccination appointment.

"If health boards have been unable to contact someone on the list, or if an appointment has been missed, systems are in place to go back and check and re-arrange a new appointment for anyone who wants to be vaccinated."

The latest available figures show 684,097 people have received their first dose of the vaccine.

Health Minister Vaughan Gething added: "Every vaccine given to someone in Wales is a small victory against the virus and we are already looking ahead to meeting our next milestone.

"The first milestone in our Vaccination Strategy set out that everyone in first four priority groups will have been offered their first dose appointment by mid-February.

"Not everyone in these groups will have attended their appointment yet, some will not have responded and some will have chosen not to have the vaccine.

"We would ask individuals to keep their appointments as allocated where possible.

"If people cannot attend their appointment for a genuine reason we ask them to let the health board know via the contact details provided in their invitation. The appointment can then be rearranged for a more convenient time or location.

"Once you have been vaccinated, you should continue to follow the guidance of staying at home, staying two metres apart, washing your hands and wearing a face covering to protect those around you."

The Wales vaccination programme in numbers:

• 13,988 care home residents have been reported to have had their first dose of the vaccine, as well as 33,832 care home staff
• 160,106 over-80s have been reported to have had their first dose
• 117,181 healthcare workers have been reported to have had their first dose
• 248,827 aged 70-79 have been reported to have had their first dose

Stuart Davies on why he is campaigning against social distancing measures

Former mayor Stuart Davies, who is standing for the vacancy on the town council next month, has issued a statement about why he is campaigning to have the temporary Covid-19 safety measures removed from Castle Street.

This follows a statement yesterday from Llangollen's two county councillors on llanblogger outlining why they think the measures should stay in place.

Stuart Davies says: "Many local people have expressed concerns from the outset about some aspects of the Traffic Restriction Order (TRO) that was introduced in Llangollen and the councillors' responses to them.

Since the introduction of the barriers, whilst they have been established for COVID measures, we have seen instances of public safety being out at risk by them with people falling over them and in one instance a member of the public breaking an arm.

The traffic lane created is so narrow that when two wide vehicles meet, we have witnessed vehicles mounting the pavement and vehicles' structure overhanging the pavement on the west side of Castle Street so endangering pedestrians on that side of the road.

The measures provide no additional queuing or social distancing for the west side of Castle Street, Oak Street, Bridge Street or Market Streets where shoppers and tourists will also congregate.

The barriers have transformed the “Jewel in the Crown” of Denbighshire into a barren and ugly streetscape and moved the hazards from one pavement across the road to the other.

The business interests and concerns of Castle Street shopkeepers have been largely ignored; 28 business representing 80% of Castle Street wrote to DCC registering their objections to this scheme. Some have shared the online petition via their social media feeds whilst 4 now have copies of the petition available for people to sign in their shops.

My decision to champion this and start a petition is in response to those democratic concerns being raised by members of the public, a fact highlighted by the response to the petition; 300 online signatures plus additional paper signatures have been gathered within 3 days and numbers are continuing to rise.

Denbigh and Ruthin, towns which both attract visitors, will not have these measures in place by the time a tourist season starts. Denbigh chose not to have them from the outset and Ruthin chose to remove them last week.

The councillors as elected representatives of the people of Llangollen appear to be unwilling to take note of the messages they are receiving from the public and there is a lot of disquiet being voiced by a sizeable sector of our residents.

The lack of ability to meet and discuss or consult has resulted in a lot of discussion on social media across all sectors of Llangollen’s population. Sharing information obtained by Freedom of Information requests and allowing the public to see how the process worked in Llangollen and who was involved is part of living in a free and democratic society. People need to be responsible and accountable for their actions and decisions to the public they serve. We should applaud and embrace that.

Shining a light on the way the Traffic Restriction Order (TRO) was put in place has shown that they were agreed without informing or consulting with the Town Council and that the Town Clerk wrote to DCC CEO to register concern that an unconstituted group had chosen to consult with Head Teachers and an ‘environmental lobby group’ but not advise the Town Council of the ideas they had put in front of Denbighshire County Council before advising the Town Council.

I have put myself forward for election to the Llangollen Town Council on a mandate that includes a thorough review of the 2020 Groups proposals. As the 2020 Group consulted with DCC and agreed the proposals going in before telling the Town Council I consider they are linked to this scheme.

Should another member of Llangollen’s community eligible to stand for election want to defend the bollards and oppose my position then I would suggest they stand in opposition and let the people of Llangollen decide what they want and the message they wish the winner to convey to the other Town and County Councillors."

Information on schools reopening in Denbighshire

Face to face learning will resume for foundation phase pupils in Denbighshire from Wednesday, February 24th at the earliest.

This follows the recent announcement by the Welsh Government that pupils aged between aged 3 and 7 will return to face to face learning.

The Council is reassuring parents and carers that school re-openings will be subject to all necessary safety measures being in place, supported by Welsh Government and in line with their operational guidance.

Schools in the county closed on 16th December and have remained open for online learning as well as face to face learning for the children of critical workers and vulnerable learners. 

This provision continues for all who are eligible.

Free school meals and school transport will be available for all eligible pupils from February 24, as soon as schools reopen. 

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the Council’s Lead Member for Education, Children's Services and Public Engagement, said: “The Welsh Government has announced that due to lower community transmission rates of COVID-19, that schools can re-open to foundation phase pupils.

“Following this announcement we have spoken with all primary schools and agreed face to face education will resume across the county for eligible pupils.

“This has been a difficult period for pupils, parents and staff and we want to reassure parents and carers that schools will continue to implement rigorous hygiene measures as well as ensure all regulations and guidance on pupils’ safety is followed.

“I would again like to thank pupils, parents and staff for their support during what has been a hugely challenging time and the communities they support and work in.”

Denbighshire will work closely with Public Health Wales and NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect to review case levels prior to schools reopening.

Parents and carers are being reminded to adhere to social distancing measures when dropping off or collecting your child from school.

For more information please contact your child’s school.

 

Bill ensures safe Senedd elections during pandemic

An emergency bill to ensure the next Senedd election can happen safely, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, has been approved by Members of the Senedd.

The Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill introduces a range of measures to make it easier for those affected by the pandemic to vote.

It will also significantly address the risk of there being an extended period where the Senedd cannot meet that would arise if the Senedd dissolved as normal, on 7 April, and the election could not proceed on 6 May because of the pandemic.

The Welsh Government is clear that the election should go ahead on 6^th May 2021 as intended. Everybody should prepare on that basis.

But the Bill makes it possible to delay polling day should the pandemic present such a serious threat to public health and the conduct of the election, that it is not safe to hold the election at that time.

The Bill will become law following Royal Assent by Her Majesty the Queen, which is anticipated in the coming weeks.

Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James said: “I’m pleased Members of the Senedd have given their approval for the Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill to become law.

“Given the unpredictable nature of the virus, there is significant uncertainty about what the public health situation will be like in May. That’s why we’ve acted now to respond to the potential risks to the election arising from the pandemic.

“The Bill Members of the Senedd have approved today, by a large majority, will help ensure people can exercise their democratic right to vote in the election, but to do so in a safe and secure way.

“The Welsh Government appreciates the huge efforts being made by the staff who run our elections to ensure it can be held safely on Thursday 6^th May.”

County councillors' statement on town's Covid-19 safety measures

* County councillors Melvyn Mile, left, and Graham Timms on Castle Street.

Llangollen's two county councillors, Melvyn Mile and Graham Timms, have made a joint statement about the Covid-19 safety measures put in place in the town centre late last year and which this week have sparked a petition by former mayor Stuart Davies calling for the removal of the bollards on Castle Street.

They say: "When the current lockdown is relaxed we can expect a record number of visitors coming to Llangollen. 

"The pandemic will not be over, but the extra freedom means that visitors will come in their thousands and the town will become busy and crowded once again. It will therefore be more important than ever to have extra space on Castle Street, and to ensure that the other Covid -19 changes stay in place until after the summer. 

"We are both fully behind the Llangollen Covid-19 scheme. Its introduction was to enable people to stay safe when they visit the town, providing space for social distancing and safe queueing outside shops. 

"The barriers on Castle Street are not pretty, but these lane protectors are the safest way to achieve this in the short term.  The decision to support the scheme was not taken lightly. We explored every possibility, and suggested changes based on comments received from residents and businesses alike. 

"The petition organised by Stuart Davies as part of his election campaign to join Llangollen Town Council is ill-timed and irresponsible.  

"This is the first World Pandemic of our time, and vitally important decisions made to protect residents and visitors to our town should not be dealt with like this. 

"As elected representatives we cannot ignore our responsibility for public safety based on online petitions or unpleasant and personal attacks on social media. That is why we stand firmly behind Denbighshire's Covid-19 changes. They are essential to protect everyone and in a major tourist town like Llangollen it would be a dereliction of our duty of care to call for the barriers to come down. 

"In these crucial few weeks and months we must all try to stay calm and patient with each other. Let's support each other as we have done over the last year, and come through on the other side together as a much stronger and united community. 

"Graham and Mel Can be contacted at graham.timms@denbighshire.gov.uk and melvyn.mile@denbighshire.gov.uk"

Coronavirus update from the Welsh Government

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

• Freelancers working in Wales’ creative sectors will receive a further round of support worth £8.9m, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism Lord Elis-Thomas announced today.
• The new round of support funding from the Cultural Recovery Fund will mean each of the freelancers already supported will receive an additional £2,500 to support them through this extended period of reduced activity. 
• https://gov.wales/further-89-million-support-creative-sector-freelancers
• Health Minister Vaugh Gething has updated the Senedd about Wales’ vaccination programme: https://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/11178#A64456
• What to do if you are 70 or over and have not been contacted about your COVID-19 vaccination: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-vaccinations-those-aged-70-or-over
• Latest testing data for Wales: https://gov.wales/testing-data-coronavirus-covid-19 

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 323 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 197,344 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.
• Very sadly, there were 21 deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 5,032.
• 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 655,419 people have received their first dose
• And 3,687 people have received 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

• 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/ and https://gov.wales/vaccine-coronavirus
• Want to join Wales’ vaccination team? https://gov.wales/join-covid-19-vaccination-team
• 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, broadcast on BBC One Wales and live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel.

o   Dr Andrew Goodall, chief executive of NHS Wales, held today’s press briefing. You can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1359475994755665921