Industry boss accuses county of "insult" to its care staff

 

* Mario Kreft, chair of Care Forum Wales.

A council has been accused of adding “insult to injury” by paying its own staff up to £2,200 more a year than they are willing to shell out for carers doing the exactly the same job in privately-run care homes.

Care Forum Wales (CFW), which represents nearly 500 independent providers, criticised Denbighshire County Council after they announced  “derisory” fee levels announced by Denbighshire County Council for the coming year.

To make matters worse the council had suggested that they had worked with Care Forum Wales to agree the new rates.

According to Mario Kreft MBE, the chair of Care Forum Wales, nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, he said, Denbighshire County Council were being “totally disingenuous” because they had ignored their requests to pay staff at least the real living wage.

The new rates announced by Denbighshire were a kick in the teeth to the army of courageous care workers who had put their own lives on the line to protect vulnerable residents during the pandemic.

In Wales, pay rates for carers are effectively determined by local councils who set the level of fees care homes and domiciliary care companies receive.

Denbighshire, along with many other authorities and health boards, use a formula which calculates how much they want to allocate towards all care home costs, including what staff are paid.

As a result, say Care Forum Wales, wage levels have been unfairly suppressed by the local authorities who have managed the budgets for 25 years.

In contrast carers working in council-owned homes in Denbighshire are paid considerably more.

The formula means that private care homes have been only allocated enough money to pay half their staff £8.72 an hour, going up to £8.91 next year, while the other half are on a slightly higher rate of £10.21.

In a recent job advert, Denbighshire were offering £9.62 an hour for a Day Care Assistant at the Cysgod y Gaer Home in Corwen and £10.01 an hour for  Care and Support Assistant at the Llys Awelon Home in Ruthin,  Gorwel Newydd in Rhyl and Nant y Môr in Prestatyn, without any experience being needed.

That means that the council’s care staff receive between £1,476 and £2,288 a year more than their counterparts in the private sector for a 40-hour week.

Last year Denbighshire County Council was named and shamed as one of the “meanest”  local authorities in Wales when it comes to paying care home fees.

An investigation by Care Forum Wales revealed they were in the bottom 10 of the “league table of shame”.

It prompted the organisation to launch a campaign to ensure qualified staff who work in care homes and domiciliary care in Wales are paid a minimum of £20,000 a year.

According to Care Forum Wales, the valiant response of care workers in saving lives during the coronavirus pandemic had highlighted their true value and it was high time it was recognised by the authorities who commissioned publicly-funded social care.

It was, said Mr Kreft, a “national disgrace” that the 2020 Fair Pay campaign was necessary and it was “bitterly disappointing” that Denbighshire County Council had chosen to ignore it.

The evidence on fees had also highlighted a clear North-South divide.

Mr Kreft said: “Five of the bottom 10 payers in Wales are North Wales councils whilst the highest rates are to be found in South East Wales.

“To illustrate the point care homes in somewhere like Dinas Powys receive £7,392 a year per resident than a home in Denbigh – for a home with 40 residents that’s a massive £295,000 a year. Why are residents in Llandaff worth more than people in Llangollen? It’s just not fair.

“Whilst we accept that local government is under pressure, the sector would be in dire trouble without the Welsh Government’s hardship fund.

“The new rates in Denbighshire do not recognise the extra costs piled on the social care sector as a result of the pandemic.

“To add insult to injury they’re saying they’ve worked with providers and Care Forum Wales in developing the fees.

“Nothing could be further from the truth. We were asked for our views, but they have taken no notice whatsoever of the fact that the workforce is under pressure.

“We totally reject the suggestion that there has been some kind of agreement on the fees.

“What we’re calling for is that they adjust their formula so that staff in the private sector can be paid at the same rate as the council’s own staff.

“Unfortunately, they totally ignored our requests to pay staff at least the real living wage.

“Denbighshire should follow the example of neighbouring Powys County Council which has responded in a positive way after it was highlighted last year that they were the worst paying council in Wales.

“In Powys, the council’s Cabinet has agreed that the fees paid to independent residential homes should increase by £110 to £120 per person a week, depending on the type of care residents receive.
“As Powys has shown, this is about political priorities. They are political decisions not budgetary ones.

“This is an unforgiveable insult to all the heroic people who have been on the front line throughout the coronavirus. It’s nothing less than shocking.

“At the same time, care providers are facing a double whammy of soaring costs and falling income. Everything has gone up in price with 50 per cent increases in insurance not uncommon, for less protection and no cover for Covid-related claims.

“Instead of clapping for carers Denbighshire County Council are slapping them in the face  condemning them to live on low wages which is an absolute scandal.

“They should be treated as national treasures for showing tremendous courage as well as skill and dedication in the face of this frightening  disease during a global pandemic.

“And then to add insult to injury they pay their own employees working in care homes at a much higher rate. They deserve so much more.

“We cannot just stand by and accept that a local authority with a budget of hundreds of millions of pounds and a statutory responsibility for social care can apply dual standards – for those who work for the council and those who don’t.

“When we published our Cheapskate Awards last year, Denbighshire were very unhappy but I make no apology for bringing this important issue, this injustice, to the attention of the public when others would seek to hide it.

“Quite frankly the public need to know and councils need to stop blaming providers for poor terms and conditions when they themselves set the financial rules. It’s sheer, unashamed hypocrisy.”

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “The issue of pay and conditions for staff working in the social care sector is a national one and work is ongoing in Wales through the Social Care Forum, with input from Denbighshire County Council’s Statutory Director of Social Services, to explore how this can be addressed in an affordable and effective way.

"Denbighshire County Council appreciates the work of independent sector care home providers and their staff and this has been heightened by their work undertaken throughout the pandemic. 

"The Council takes a number of factors into account in determining what it pays providers, including the need to keep other essential services operating effectively, while taking account of the financial settlement from Welsh Government and the level of Council Tax.

"Every year a Regional Fees Group, which includes a representative from Care Forum Wales, reviews the fee setting methodology, taking account of inflation and other increases in costs. 

"It is then up to each individual Local Authority, as well as the Local Health Board, to consider the results in setting their fees.

"Denbighshire provided an above-inflation fee increase for 2021/22 that ranges from 3.52% to 3.75% depending on the type of care home.  This is in line with Local Authorities across North Wales, although actual fees vary according to demand and complexity of need. 

"In relation to the comparison between private sector and local authority staff, increases to the National Living Wage have been greater than pay increases for local authority staff over recent times, including this coming financial year. In April, the National Living Wage rises by 2.2% for over 25 year olds, compared to no uplift for local authority employees bringing the pay gap closer. 

"Denbighshire is committed to exploring how to implement the Real Living Wage for all of its employees and has agreed to match 2019’s figure of a minimum of £9.30 per hour this year. However, there is currently no provision in the budget to take this further in the current climate.”

Mazda's MX30 is a car full of suprises

Mazda MX 30 launch report by Steve Rogers

It would be easy to write off Mazda's new electric car before hitting the starter button.

Why? Because Mazda has pegged the range for MX-30 to just 124 miles. Deliberately.

That sounds nonsensical, even suicidal, when rivals are busting a gut to extend the range of electric cars yet Mazda has a plan and two good reasons for the decision.

The carbon footprint of an electric car is not as low as we might imagine when disposal of the battery packs comes into play - the bigger the battery pack the more harm to the environment - so Mazda has gone for a smaller 35.5kWh pack, hence the reduced range, but fewer nasties floating around when the time comes to get rid of them.

Secondly a lighter battery pack doesn't take so much away from the car's handling and that is important to sporty minded Mazda which has bestowed the MX badge to its family crossover. This is no MX-5 but by EV standards MX-30 is super to drive, agile, nimble and genuine fun.

So a car full of surprises, but here is the biggest. Remember the rear-hinged door on the 2003 RX-8 sports coupe? That same pillarless design has been incorporated into MX-30 and helps give the car such a clean profile. Vauxhall did it with the Meriva and there is the Rolls-Royce Phantom although that has a centre pillar.

It is novel and worked well on the RX-8 because the back seats were rarely used but that won't be the case here. Getting in is a bit tight unless the front seat is tilted forward although once in there is enough leg and wiggle room although a bit claustrophobic because of the small amount of glass.

There is a vegan feel to the cabin with recycled materials. You will spot a lot of cork lining the centre console and around the door handles, a nod to Mazda's beginnings in 1920 as a cork manufacturer, while some of the door trim is made from the fibres of plastic bottles. Even the leather is fake.

Yet there is a distinctly premium feel to the cabin considering this is one of the cheaper electric cars starting at £25,545 after taking off the £3k government grant. The dashboard is devoid of switches with everything channelled through a top mounted screen operated from a rotary controller behind the gearstick and is easy to use.

A 7 inch touchscreen at the base of the centre console takes care of the permanently displayed heating and ventilation controls. That works well too.

The driver's display is a mix of traditional and modern with three large dials, the central speedometer computer generated and calibrated to just 100mph (top speed is 87mph) with the speed limit clearly shown in red, and there's a head up display option all helping to keep you on the right side of the law.

With 271Nm of torque coming on the moment pedal hits the metal the MX-30 is a tearaway off the line, that's the beauty of an electric car, you can even spin the front wheels for an adrenalin rush!

But EV driving is all about getting the maximum range and that is where regenerative braking helps by putting miles back into the battery on the move. Mazda uses steering wheel mounted paddles for the four levels of engine braking and with practice the brake pedal is only needed to come to a dead stop. It makes you a more considerate and careful driver, is excellent for slowing at junctions, and prolongs the life of the brake discs and pads.

There is a three model line up, well equipped from the starting SE-L Lux with the range topping Sport Tech (£29,845) fully loaded with Bose 12 speaker sound system, 360 degree camera view, heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats among the highlights.

The 350 run 1st Edition model at £27,495 might be worth a punt with its generous spec and if you order any of the models by the end of March you get a free home charging wall box which I think is essential.

Mazda accepts some people will turn their noses up at MX-30s low mileage range but in reality will only hinder those making longer journeys, it certainly makes sense as a second car.

With a caravan on the drive an electric car is a no-no for me but if I had to buy one tomorrow the MX-30 would be top of the list. I loved it.

Fast facts

MX-30 GT Sport Tech

£29,845

Electric motor 143bhp

0-62mph 9.7secs; 87mph

Battery: 35.5kWh

Range 124 miles

Battery warranty 8 years

Emissions/ road tax: Zero

Insurance group 19

Boot: 341 litres

 

Politicians check out feasibility of hydro-power projects on the Dee

* Simon Baynes MP by the River Dee in Llangollen. 

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes is backing calls from a Llangollen town councillor to examine the possibility of setting up local hydroelectric projects to generate energy from the River Dee in Llangollen.

Following the recent decision of Llangollen Town Council to declare a climate emergency, Town Councillor Stuart Davies says he is keen to investigate the feasibility of local electricity generation schemes harnessing the power of the River Dee at Mile End Mill and other possible locations. 

To this end he has held preliminary meetings with Simon Baynes MP and other interested parties in Llangollen. 

Cllr Davies will now bring forward ideas for consideration by the Town Council in order that further investigations into such studies can be carried out in the community.

He said: “Given that Llangollen has a history as a mill town going back to the 13th century, it would be very exciting if the Town Council and national politicians could work together to bring some Green Dee Power back to Llangollen. And I’m very pleased that our MP Simon Baynes is backing me in looking into the feasibility of these projects.”

Mr Baynes said: “Recently, I have met with Cllr Stuart Davies and others in Llangollen to look at practical ways to harness the hydro power of the River Dee in the town.

“The environment was one of my top three priorities when elected as the MP for Clwyd South. 

"Since then, I have spoken in Parliament in support of local hydroelectric projects, such as the Corwen community hydro scheme, and also about the cross-party Local Electricity Bill. 

"The possibility of generating hydroelectric power once more on the River Dee is very exciting and I’m sure will attract a great deal of support in the community in Llangollen.”

Magazine article highlights plight of Llangollen Railway

* The article in the latest edition of The Railway Magazine.

The dire financial plight of Llangollen Railway features in a short article in the latest edition of The Railway Magazine.

As the public limited company which ran it plunges into liquidation, the piece tells how the assets of the world-famous heritage line have gone up for sale to the highest bidder.

As one railway insider puts it: "The results of 40 years of endeavours to build up a railway are in the shopping basket."

The magazine article says: "Following the shocking March 1 statement from Llangollen Railway PLC regarding the heritage railway’s recent insolvency, the directors have had to take the “reluctant step” of inviting the bank to appoint a receiver/administrator.

"The company’s losses were said to stem from the contract engineering side of the business, where problems predated lockdown, and had seen owners remove their locomotives from the Llangollen workshops, including the Scottish Railway Preservation Society’s LNER D49 4-4-0 No. 246 Morayshire.

"The Llangollen Railway Trust immediately launched a dedicated fund – initial target £50,000 – to buy the PLC’s rolling stock from the administrator/receiver in due course, to prevent coaches being moved elsewhere and services being unable to resume.

"The proposed administrators of Llangollen Railway PLC are currently offering a unique and rare opportunity to purchase the operating and engineering assets, together with the business potential of this prestigious heritage railway.

"Interested parties should make contact without delay to confirm their expression of interest. Final and/or indicative offers will be required by 5.00 pm on Monday 22nd March 2021. Further information will be provided on receipt of a signed NDA.

"Visit www.lsh.co.uk/assetadvisory/private-treaty/llangollen-railway-plc—pt

"Donations are also welcome online at llangollenrailway.enthuse.com. Just visit the site and click the Donate button. For taxpayers, the railway can apply for 25% Gift Aid.

"You can also make a transfer to Llangollen Railway Charitable Trust: sort code: 53.81.03 account number: 23423455. Alternatively, supporters are invited to send cheques payable to Llangollen Railway Trust Ltd to The Station, Abbey Road, Llangollen LL20 8SN."

Work begins to restore fire-damaged Llantysilio Mountain

* The fire-damaged Llantysilio Mountain.

Natural Resources Wales has begun work to restore the fire-damaged Llantysilio Mountain.

Around 400 bags of heather have been cut ready to be airlifted later in March by helicopter to some of the worst fire damaged areas of the mountain on Moel y Gamelin and Moel y Faen. 

* The heather bags will be lifted into place by helicopter. 

Just over one hectare of heather cuttings will be spread as a mulch, stabilising the soil and creating conditions for moorland plants like heather and bilberry to recolonise. 

A further 68ha of the mountain will also be sown with an upland grass seed mix to create a nursery crop for moorland plants to recolonise.

This year’s restoration work will only cover half of the worst damaged area of the mountain and further work is planned in the future.

This approach has been successful on fire damaged moorlands in other areas and it is hoped that over time the vegetation will re-establish to benefit wildlife, farming and local communities alike.

For health and safety reasons, members of the public are requested not to venture out on to the Llantysilio mountain when the helicopter is airlifting the bags of heather.

New art project showcases Dee Valley

* The scenery of the Dee Valley.

North East Wales' beautiful and historic landscape is the subject of a new art project aimed at connecting the local community with its rich natural heritage.

The Our Picturesque Landscape project is a partnership scheme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund that centres on the Dee Valley, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the Canal World Heritage Site. 

The picturesque beauty of the Dee Valley has been a source of inspiration to artists, poets and writers for centuries.  

To continue with this tradition, the Our Picturesque Landscape project is hosting four literary themed Artist Residencies in 2021. These are:

Hywel Griffiths is a poet and geographer in the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University. 

He has won the chair and crown competitions in the National Eisteddfod and his most recent collection - LlifCochAwst - won the Wales Book of the Year Poetry category. His academic interests include the relationships between people and landscape, flooding and river processes and art-science collaborations. 

Jessica and Philip Hatcher-Moore are a husband and wife team based in the Dee Valley. Jessica is an award-winning journalist, author and travel writer who worked for the Guardian in East Africa for five years before making a home in North Wales. 

Her storytelling is characterised by unheard voices and improbable things. Jessica's first book, After Birth, about postnatal recovery, will be published by Profile in May 2021.  

Philip is a photographer living on a hillside in North Wales. His work, which has been recognised by several international awards and exhibitions, explores society's relationship with the landscape and environment, and spans more than a decade of reportage from across the globe.

James Hudson is a visual artist working on semi-fictional projects that combine original photography, text and collage. His projects are usually commissions or residencies for cultural organisations and brands.

Sian Northey is a poet, author, translator and workshop leader. She writes for children and adults. 

Her latest volume is Circles (Y Bwthyn Press, 2020), a collection of short stories with pictures by photographer Iestyn Hughes.

The residencies will explore the connections between people and place, past and present. 

Throughout the year the artists will be spending time in the landscapes of the Dee Valley and meeting the people that live and work within it. 

Their work - including poetry, writing, spoken word and visual art - will be created in response to these experiences and shared with local residents and visitors to the area through exhibition, performance, in print and digitally. 

Updates on the residencies will be posted throughout the year, so follow the #OurPicturesqueLandscape project on social media (@Clwyd_Dee_AONB) to keep up to date with any events and activities that are happening.

Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales, said: “The Dee Valley – with its stunning scenery, rich industrial architecture and history, is not only an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a World Heritage Site, it is also a national treasure.

“For the last two years, we have supported the Our Picturesque Landscape project to connect people with this inspiring landscape and improve access to it. This latest stage of the project which has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players, is continuing this important work."

Welsh NHS and care workers to get cash bonus

The Welsh Government will fund a bonus payment for NHS and social care staff to recognise their "extraordinary" contribution during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Health Minister has announced today. 

The one-off payment is equivalent to £735 per person, to cover the basic rate of tax and national insurance contributions incurred. After deductions most people will receive £500.

It is estimated the payment will benefit 221,945 people in Wales including 103,600 social care staff, 90,000 NHS Wales staff, 2,345 deployed students and 26,000 primary care staff (including pharmacy, GP, dental and optometry staff).

Minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething said: "Over the last year, Wales’ NHS staff and social care staff have shown a remarkable amount of commitment and courage from the initial outbreak of the pandemic right through to the current second wave.

"They will have suffered the impacts of the pandemic on their physical and mental health wellbeing in both their personal and professional lives.

"This payment expresses our gratitude to our NHS and social care workforce for their extraordinary contribution in keeping Wales safe."

The Welsh Government is working with local authorities and with trade unions to finalise details of the scheme.

The bonus is further to the £500 special payment for care home and domiciliary care workers announced in May 2020 to recognise their work through the first wave of the pandemic. 

This bonus will be made to a wider group of social care workers including local authority social services staff.