County seeks feedback to identify homeless risks

Denbighshire County Council is seeking the views of residents, schools/colleges and other key organisations as it looks to develop a new project to help people identify whether they are at risk of homelessness at a much earlier point.

Homelessness means not having a safe place to live. 

This can include living in unsuitable accommodation, ‘sofa-surfing’ (staying in someone's home unofficially) and sleeping rough (sleeping outside).

If the council and other organisations can work with at-risk individuals earlier, there is a better chance people will be able to receive the help they need before there is a genuine risk of homelessness.

The council says it would like to know what people think this project could or should look like.

To have your say and get involved, visit the following web page and follow the link to complete the online consultation survey https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/595

Paper copies of the survey will also be available in Denbighshire Libraries/One Stop shops, as well as the following locations in Rhyl: Tŷ Golau, The Women’s Centre, and St Mary’s Church.

The deadline for responding to the consultation is June 13, 2021, and it is possible to take part without leaving your contact details if preferred.

Eisteddfod responds to decorated bridge reaction

 

* An artist's impression of how a decorated bridge is intended to look.

Llanblogger’s recent story on Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s plan to launch this year’s festival by transforming the ancient town bridge into a giant work of art has split local opinion.

The eisteddfod has commissioned internationally renowned artist Luke Jerram to wrap the 60 metre-long bridge in a giant patchwork reflecting the crafts and cultures of Wales alongside the festival’s participating nations. 

While the festival will mainly be held online this year, organisers hope the eye-catching Festival Bridge will also attract people to visit the town this summer.

Since the story appeared on the blog last Friday, to be shared on social media, over 100 people have commented via Facebook.

While some described it as “a great idea” and said “wow, can’t wait,” others were more critical and said things such as “waste of money” and “ridiculous, awful and expensive”.

Others questioned how appropriate the decoration would be on Grade 1 Listed structure.

Former deputy town mayor, Issy Richards, questioned whether bodies such as Debighshire County Council, which is responsible for the bridge, or ancient monuments body CADW had been consulted about the scheme.

Llanblogger sought the reaction of the eisteddfod, which replied: “We are very much looking forward to working with people from the local community of Llangollen on the bridge artwork for this year’s Eisteddfod. 

“The artist, Luke, is hoping people will send in fabric contributions for the giant patchwork art installation, which is intended to celebrate the town of Llangollen as the home of the Eisteddfod, and the traditional crafts and cultures of Wales. 

“With this year’s event being held mainly online due to the pandemic, we are hoping the artwork will help keep the spirit of the Eisteddfod alive in Llangollen. 

“We’re actively working with local organisations including Denbighshire County Council and CADW, who have been very supportive of the plans. 

“The beauty of the town, and the support of the people who live there, is such an important part of the event’s unique appeal and success.”  

The bridge artwork aims to connect and extend the Eisteddfod’s creativity out from the field where it is normally held each year into the town, transforming and animating Llangollen for the whole world to see.

The festival says it is offering anyone, from local residents in the area and fans of the Eisteddfod to the friends and families of people participating, the chance to get involved.

They are asking for 1m x 1m fabric squares which will be stitched together into a giant patchwork and hung over the bridge. Ideally the patches should be bold in design, so the image stands out when seen from a distance.

People are asked to submit their patchwork by 30 June 2021 and to visit https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/[KL1] for details, information and terms and conditions.

Denbighshire County Council has been asked for a comment.

Care recruitment sessions to be held

Denbighshire County Council is holding two online care recruitment sessions.

The council is looking to recruit new staff into a number of care positions, with positions including community based health and social care support workers, day care assistant, night care assistant, and domestic assistant.

The majority of these roles will be based in the south of the county and you will be working in the community, supporting people in their own homes, so for these roles the ability to drive is most often essential.

There are also vacancies in our residential care home, Cysgod Y Gaer, Corwen, for both contracted and supply hours.

The virtual recruitment events will be held over Microsoft Teams on June 4 and June 10.

As part of these events there will be some group activities to take part in.

Each session will run for one hour, starting at 10am, followed by a 20 minute interview in the afternoon.

For more information contact 01824 706200 or HRDirect@denbighshire.gov.uk

Essential work planned for A483 through Wrexham

 

Essential work is to take place on the A483 in Wrexham between junctions 5 and 7 to increase the length of two central reserve crossovers together with drainage and barrier upgrades.

The works will begin on June 1 and are programmed to take six weeks. These crossover improvements are vital to ensure contra-flow arrangements are in place to facilitate future carriageway resurfacing work.  The existing surfacing in this location requires replacing later this year.  This work has to be carried out to maintain the condition of the road and to protect the safety of the travelling public.  In order to carry out the resurfacing work later this year as quickly and as safely as possible, traffic will be placed into a contraflow arrangement using the crossovers in the central reserve. These crossovers have been assessed and identified as needing to be upgraded to ensure they are safe for use when required. The majority of the current works will be carried out under continuous lane two closures in both directions. Additionally, there will be full nighttime closures for four consecutive nights at the start of the project to install a temporary protective barrier system and at its completion to remove the barrier. The first set of overnight closures will take place between Mold Road Interchange (J5) – Gresford Interchange (J6) in both directions from June 1st-3rd - the diversion route will be via the A541/A5152. The second overnight closure will be between Gresford Interchange (J6) to Rossett Interchange (J7) from June 3rd to 5th – the diversion route will be via B5102 and B5445. The final overnight closures will be between July 7th-11th and will affect traffic between J5 and J7 on different nights. To minimise disruption one lane is available during the daytime to allow traffic to pass in both directions and the most disruptive works have been scheduled overnight.  The planning for this work has been agreed with Wrexham, Cheshire West & Chester Councils and Highways England.  Deputy Minister for Climate Change with responsibility for transport Lee Waters said: “Investing in and maintaining our infrastructure in North Wales is vitally important.  The work is essential to maintain this section of the A483 which is a crucial part of the infrastructure around Wrexham, as well as being a crucial link with South Wales and England. The safety of the travelling public is our priority, and this work will allow the later more substantial work to take place with less potential disruption.” Road users can find out the latest traffic information and project updates on the Traffic Wales website or Twitter channels: Traffic Wales North & Mid.

'Talking' scheme for unpaid carers launched

Unpaid carers in Denbighshire are being asked to take part in a new talking scheme.

Push to Talk is a Denbighshire County Council project to help address feelings of isolation and loneliness among unpaid carers.

They will receive information and equipment that they can use to call other unpaid carers to have a chat at an agreed time.

Cllr Bobby Feeley, Denbighshire’s Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, said: “This new project helps give people in a similar situation a human connection allowing them to interact with other unpaid carers from the comfort of their own home.

“Small connections every day are proven to help mental well-being and self-esteem and this project also provides a supportive community.”

As part of its Corporate Plan, the Council has committed to supporting unpaid carers by improving the services that exist and ensuring young, young adult, parent and adult carers are aware of the support available to them.

* For further information contact Candcteam@denbighshire.gov.uk

Campaigner's update on Plas Madoc tip issue

* Plas Madoc household waste recycling centre.

A local tip campaigner has asked Llangollen’s two county councillors if they will confirm their “unequivocal support” for an arrangement to provide access to Plas Madoc household recycling centre for residents of the Dee Valley.

This comes after Phil Jones failed to secure any details of negotiations between Denbighshire and Wrexham, which runs Plas Madoc, to allow this to happen.

A few months ago Mr Jones organised a 900-signature petition calling for an agreement between the two councils which would mean Dee Valley people no longer having to drive over to Ruthin use the to tip there.

In his last update on the situation he said he believed the matter was due to be discussed at a meeting of a Denbighshire County Council local members and asked to be given details of the outcome.

But he now says: “I have been told by Denbighshire CC that the meetings of Dee Valley Member Area Group ‘are internal, non-decision making groups and MAG meetings, agendas and minutes are not open to the public.’

“Although these groups do not make executive decisions they presumably discuss matters of local importance and relay their views to the County Council's decision-makers.

“As there is no transparency to the workings of the MAG, but its role and the views expressed by the Group could be critical in the way the Council responds to our campaign for an adequate recycling service provision, I thought it was now very important to establish how our elected County Councillors view our campaign. So, I have written to them to ask a simple question. 

“This is what I said: ‘It has been well over a year since the closure of all recycling sites as a result of Covid 19 and the end to any informal access to the Plas Madoc recycling site.

“’Our campaign to establish a formal access agreement for residents of the Dee Valley has now secured over 900 signatures. I have a simple request - can you please confirm your unequivocal support for a service provision to provide access to Plas Madoc for residents of the Dee Valley?’” 

Further consultation on county's walking and cycling routes

The second phase of an active travel consultation has been launched in Denbighshire.

The county council is working with Sustrans Cymru as part of the Welsh Government’s Active Travel Network Map consultation on improvements to walking and cycling routes in the county.

A total of 375 people responded to the first phase making 456 comments and this feedback has helped inform draft plans for Llangollen, Rhyl, Prestatyn, Meliden, Dyserth, Rhuddlan, Bodelwyddan, St Asaph, Denbigh, Ruthin and Corwen.

The project focuses on the 11 towns in Denbighshire selected by Welsh Government as the designated localities in the county.

The draft plans show existing routes that already meet active travel standards, routes which require upgrading to meet the standards and new routes we would like to see built over the next 15 years.

The county is now asking if the proposed walking and cycling routes will help people get around their local area more as a pedestrian and a cyclist, and if not what other improvements are needed.

* For information on how to provide feedback go to https://denbighshire2.commonplace.is/