Government pledges £72m to support learners

Education Minister Kirsty Williams (pictured) has announced a further £72 million to support learners as part of the response towards recovery and progression since the pandemic.

The funding will include the continuation of the Recruit, Recover and Raise Standards programme into the next academic year, extra learning resources and support for foundation phase learners in schools and childcare settings that provide early education.

Support will also be targeted at learners in years 11, 12 and 13, to provide additional help with their transition into the next stage.

Since last July, the equivalent of 1,800 extra full-time school staff have been recruited in schools across Wales to provide extra support during the pandemic, double the original target of 900.

Funding will also be used to support 1,400 trainee teachers currently in Initial Teacher Education, enabling them to complete their practical experience in the autumn, complete their qualifications and move into full-time teaching.

In a comparison of UK nations in February, the Education Policy Institute (EPI) found that Wales’ “catch up programmes are far better targeted at their most disadvantaged pupils”. The announcement today is expected to increase the spend-per-pupil equivalent to £239 – the highest in the UK.

Kirsty Williams, the Education Minister, said: “We all know it’s been a difficult period for learners and staff. Schools and colleges have done terrific work in ensuring learning has continued, while putting preparations in place so the return of learners is as smooth as possible.

“I know that extra help is needed, especially for learners at key stages in their academic careers and in their lives. As learners continue to go back to face-to-face learning, we are providing this additional funding to ensure support is in place when our young people return to the classroom.”

In a big week for education reform in Wales, the Minister also looked ahead to Tuesday’s final Senedd stage of the Curriculum and Assessment Bill and the introduction of the first ever ‘made in Wales’ national curriculum:

“It is a significant milestone in our national mission as the Curriculum and Assessment Bill reaches its final stage before being passed into law.

“I call it a ‘national mission’ as it has involved everyone working together – teachers, parents, academics, businesses, national organisations, and my department of course - to raise standards, tackle the attainment gap and have an education system that is a source of pride to us all.

“Diolch yn fawr to everyone who has played their part in this historic journey for education in Wales.”

Unpaid carers should register to get their Covid-19 jab

Unpaid carers who may not be registered as such with their GP are being asked to come forward by completing a new online self-referral form so they can receive their Civid-19 vaccine as part of priority group six.  

Minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething, has published guidance to outline who is eligible for a vaccine as part of priority group 6. Within the guidance eligible unpaid carers are those who are the sole or primary carer of someone who is at increased risk were they to catch coronavirus.

Those clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 include children with severe neuro-disabilities, those who are designated clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV), adults who have underlying health conditions and those who need care because of advanced age.

Each local health board will be making the online form available on their websites in the coming days, starting on Monday 8th March. Further details can be found here https://gov.wales/get-covid-19-vaccine-unpaid-carer

People should complete an online form with the health board in which they live or the health board area in which their GP is based.

Once the form is submitted, the health board will arrange for the information to be uploaded to the Welsh Immunisation System (WIS) and a vaccine appointment will be issued.

Everyone within groups 5-9 will be invited for a vaccination by mid-April. Those already registered as an unpaid carer with their GP should receive an invite in the next couple of weeks and do not need to complete the online form.

Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, Julie Morgan, said: "The pandemic has added more challenges to unpaid carers across the country and I want to thank them for everything they are doing. 

"The guidance issued should give more clarity to those who are in priority group six and I would urge anyone who is eligible and not already registered with their GP to complete the online form. When you are invited for a vaccination I would urge you to accept in order to protect yourself and those you care for.

"I want to thank the national care organisations who have assisted us with our guidance and the referral form and helped us to get the process right for our invaluable unpaid carers."

Claire Morgan, Director of Carers Wales, said: "Having put their lives on hold caring for vulnerable people, we know that many unpaid carers will feel relieved to be called for their vaccination. Carers Wales has worked with the Welsh Government on the self-identification process and urges eligible unpaid carers to complete the new online self-referral form as soon as they are able."

Welsh Conservatives select police commissioner candidate

* Pat Astbury.

Pat Astbury, the current chair of North Wales Police and Crime Panel, has been selected as the Welsh Conservative candidate in the upcoming Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

Pat Astbury, who was born and raised in North Wales, is also the panel member champion for Modern Day Slavery and Child Exploitation. 

She said: “I have a first-hand understanding of the diverse areas and needs that are prevalent across the region – from the industrial areas of North East Wales to rural Gwynedd. 

"If elected, I would make sure the public has the chance to raise their concerns through well publicised meetings and surgeries. I will listen to what people have to say and take action.”

Rural crime, county lines drug gangs, modern slavery and child sexual exploitation are areas of concern for Ms Astbury, who is a Welsh speaker.

She said: “County lines is a particular problem along the A55 – with huge implications for education (excluded pupils), social services, health, the police – not to mention damage to families and the community.

"There would be no laissez-faire attitude to issues such as drugs."

Although there has been an increase in numbers deployed to the rural crime team in North Wales, Ms Astbury says she believes it is important that PCSOs are regularly seen in these areas.

She said: “I would continue to press for more visible policing whilst fully understanding the need for the less visible – for example, there is a need for an increase in staff who can combat fraud and other online criminality.

“Nothing gives more reassurance than the sight of a uniformed member of the police.”

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes said: “I’m delighted that Pat Astbury has been selected as our Police and Commissioner candidate. 

"I’m certain that she will be a great advocate for residents and our hardworking police officers in North Wales. And that she will look to capitalise on the extra 20,000 officers being recruited by the UK Government across England and Wales. 

"Pat will be totally focused on the job in hand and strongly committed to tackling the impact of drugs on young people and communities in North Wales.”

Latest local roadworks alert

 

Latest roadworks alert from one-network includes:

Willow Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 09 March — 11 March   Delays likely - Road closure   Works location: OUTSIDE THE WILLOW   Works description: Inspection with TMA Notice (Dummy) Replace Hydrant on Hall Street Job in Carriageway (10mm Bitmac (...   Responsibility for works: Hafren Dyfrdwy   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: ZU0028102/000012609854A   Hall Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 09 March — 11 March   Delays possible - Traffic control (two-way signals)   Works location: OUTSIDE WILLOW HOUSE   Works description: Hydrant Renew Job in Carriageway (10mm Bitmac (Tarmac) )...   Responsibility for works: Hafren Dyfrdwy   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: ZU0028102/000012423477B

County consults on new measures to control dog fouling

* Bag it and take it home: that's the message from Cllr Mark Young.

Denbighshire County Council is consulting on a draft Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to make people properly control their dogs in public areas in the county.

A PSPO allows the council to take action against pet owners who allow a dog to foul in an area of public land without cleaning it up and those letting a dog off a lead anywhere this is not allowed.

In 2017 the council introduced a Control of Dogs PSPO to help to tackle these issues and when producing a new PSPO, we have a legal duty to ensure members of the public, as well as partner organisations such as North Wales Police and Natural Resources Wales, have an opportunity to give feedback.

Cllr Mark Young, the council’s Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “The vast majority of dog owners are respectful of others and clean up after their pets. 

"However, we receive a number of complaints about anti-social behaviour from dog owners who don’t control their dogs properly in public places. This PSPO will allow us to take action against those who behave irresponsibly with their pets.  

“I would encourage as many people as possible to have their say on the draft PSPO before the deadline on April 18 and take part in the consultation process.”

* You can read the draft PSPO document, view maps of the proposed restricted areas, and provide feedback at https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/573 or in writing to PO Box 62, Ruthin, LL15 1AZ.

Citroen e-C4 helps you warm to electric cars

Citroen C4 launch report by Steve Rogers

Taking the jump to electric is too big a step at the moment but I am warming to it after driving the new Citroen e-C4.

But there are plenty ready to take the plunge if orders for the new family hatchback are anything to go by.

Even before the car has gone on sale 50 per cent of orders are for the zero emissions, zero tax electric model and even when the hiatus is over Citroen expect sales to level off at a surprisingly high 30 per cent.

And just to emphasise the changing of the motoring guard diesel sales are expected to be almost non-existent but there will be a couple of options which will suit high mileage drivers.

So what do we make of this new Citroen, and more to the point is it a conventional hatchback or SUV?

It is certainly marketed as a hatchback but standard 18 inch wheels raise the ride height and with the sloping coupe roofline could pass for an SUV so Citroen has an eye on pleasing both camps.

Where this C4 defies conventional wisdom is its ride. Rivals like Ford Focus, VW Golf, Mazda3, Seat Leon are definitely sporty but Citroen has gone the way of comfort which is hardly surprising given its heritage. It broke the mould with pneumatic suspension decades ago, models like the CX gliding along our roads, and making my young sons car sick after a few miles!

But the current system is far more sophisticated with progressive hydraulic cushions on each wheel adapting to the surface. Does it work? Too right it does, apart from silly money luxury motors with air suspension, this is far and away the most comfortable car I have driven doing a brilliant job cushioning against the vagaries of our road surfaces. Combine that with front seats to rival your favourite arm chair and you have a mainstream car providing exceptional levels of comfort.

You do lose some of the driving sharpness of the aforementioned rivals but this is only noticeable when pushing hard through twists and turns, and how often does that happen with the family on board?

As you would expect the cabin is bang up to date with digital driver's binnacle and head up display which is a brilliant driver aid, along with a centre mounted 10in touchscreen for navigation, radio, phone connections etc. 

A useful new feature is a pull out drawer in the dashboard for a tablet. Trim quality has been upgraded over the previous model with some areas taking on a distinctly premium feel suggesting Citroen is hoping to tempt customers from the more expensive German brands.

And it would seem the company has bowed to pressure reinstating physical switches for the heating system rather than having to do everything through the touch screen. Hallelujah for that!

Cabin space is up to par with decent rear legroom even for taller souls although the sloping roof does impinge on headroom. Another slight issue is rear vision which isn't great so it would be well to spec a model with a reversing camera.

For a family the C4 is practical with a full width opening tailgate and twin level boot floor. Space is on par rather than exceptional beaten by some rivals including its Peugeot 308 sister but there is a bonus for the e-C4 where no boot space has been lost to storing the battery pack.

Petrol is going to be the dominant force with a choice of 100, 130 and 155bhp outputs, all extremely capable economic engines with low emissions, the upper level variants coming with an eight speed automatic gearbox. The diesel 110 and 130bhp engines are refined, punchy and can top 60mpg but unless you are doing huge miles go for the 100 or 130bhp petrol which are good for 50 plus to the gallon and a good deal cheaper.

There are four trim levels Sense, Sense Plus, Shine and Shine Plus and spec level is good from the start but I think most buyers will go straight to Sense Plus as the starting point. Petrol and diesel models range from £21,005 to £28,255 which are more than competitive.

Apart from some exterior light blue trim inserts the electric version is identical, Citroen adding a model to the C4 range rather creating a specific shape like Volkswagen's ID.3.

Like most electric cars it is very quick off the mark and the only noticeable difference over its ICE brethren, other than running silent, is slightly firmer suspension to cope with the extra weight of the battery pack. The range is 217 miles from a 50kW battery and best charged from a wall box. A Podpoint box worth £500 is fitted free with the car.

If your main requirement in a new car is comfort then you have to try the C4 because this is where it shines over its rivals. It also looks good and is competitively priced but falls short on boot space against the best of the opposition.

Fast facts

e-C4 Shine Plus

£32,545 (starts £30,395)

Electric motor 136bhp

0-62mph 9.7secs; 93mph

Range 217 miles

Charge time 5-7 hours

Road tax: Zero

Emissions: Zero

Care chief's warning on Covid: We're not out of the woods yet

* Mario Kreft, chair of Care Forum Wales.

A social care leader has warned the public in Wales not to become complacent and to "remain vigilant” as the number of Covid deaths in care homes continue fall.

Mario Kreft MBE, chair of Care Forum Wales, said new, more contagious and potentially more dangerous mutant strains of the virus could still throw a spanner in the works.

It was vitally important, he stressed, that people adhered to sensible safeguards like social distancing, wearing masks and sanitising properly.

The importance of doing the right thing was underlined by the catastrophic death toll in care homes since the onset of the pandemic.

The latest figures show that a total of 8.043 adult care home residents had died since March 1 last year – that was 43 per cent higher than the same period two years ago.

The rollout of the vaccine had led to a significant decrease in the number of Covid deaths in care homes .

According to Care Inspectorate Wales, there had been a 16.5 per cent decrease – down from 238 to 173  - in the number of cases involving residents and staff in the previous 20 days.

Following a peak of 20 care homes deaths  per day on January 21, there were now around three deaths per day, which was similar to the number observed at the beginning of November.

Mr Kreft said: “It is excellent news that the number of deaths in care homes is now decreasing and it is a clear indication that the vaccine rollout is having a major impact in helping to protect residents and staff from this deadly disease but we are not out of the woods yet, far from it.

“However, emerging mutant strains of Covid are a real cause for concern because they are more contagious and it’s feared the new variant from Brazil may be more resistant to the vaccine, posing a real risk to elderly, frail and vulnerable people.

“It is vitally important that we do not become complacent. We must remain hugely vigilant and I would appeal to people to adhere to all the sensible safeguards like social distancing, wearing masks and sanitising properly.

“Our first and most important priority is ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff so we need to adopt a cautious approach to care home visiting.

“Thanks to the availability of the vaccines, there is now light at the end of this very dark tunnel. This is hopefully the beginning of the end of this nightmare and it would be a tragedy if we blew it when we are so close to the finish line.

“Another level of protection would be provided if care homes in Wales were allowed to refuse to hire staff who have not had a Covid jab unless they have a legitimate medical reason because it only takes one person to bring one of the new strains of the virus into vulnerable people.”

“The statistics are also a stark illustration of the scale of the Covid catastrophe and the tragic toll the pandemic has taken on residents, despite the heroic efforts of front line staff, managers and care home owners. The number of deaths in care homes since March 1 last year is 43 per cent higher than the same period two years ago.

“While the success of the vaccine rollout is a real positive, we must never forget those we have lost and we must honour their memory by doing everything in our power to protect the vulnerable people  for whom we have pledged to provide care.”