Invite goes out to help draw up plan for Pengwern Vale

 

People are being invited to have their say on drawing up a plan for the long and short term future of Llangollen’s Pengwern Vale.

Last March Natural Resources Wales [NRW] and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty [AONB] organised a meeting with the community of the vale to discuss opportunities around working in partnership to make a positive contribution to its special landscape character.

They arranged a virtual event to listen to what people said about living, working and visiting the vale, the challenges they face and working together in response to the climate and environment emergency.

Over 30 external participants came to a virtual evening meeting including residents, town and county councillors, a headteacher, school governor, local businesses and representatives of Friends of Pengwern Vale, Friends of the Earth, Woodland Trust, the local health centre, Llangollen 2020 (sports clubs) and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water.

A follow-up online meeting will now be held on Tuesday, June 29, between 7 and 9pm, to develop a Plan for the Vale.

Richard Dearing, who has been co-ordinating the project for Natural Resources Wales, said: “At the March online meeting once people realised there was no pre-determined plan, the discussion became positive and free flowing.

“Lots of existing and possible initiatives were raised along with the ambition that the group could start to prepare a Plan for the Vale setting out a vision and ambition for at least the next generation. This could be seen almost as an Area Statement in miniature [see link].

“Some of the possibilities raised ranged from promoting the local engagement with the environment seen during lockdown, to management of recreation, green infrastructure, sustainable land management, and even as far as promoting engagement in wider environmental issues for the next generation.”

He added: “The meeting on June 29 is about supporting the community to develop a short, medium and generational plan for the vale that will be instrumental in delivering the communities vision with the support of a range of stakeholders and partners.

“Unfortunately, the meeting will have to be held online again but we really look forward to meeting face to face as soon as we can.

“We are asking those that would like to log on to e-mail me at richard.dearing@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk to be sent a link to the meeting next week.”

Latest Citizens Advice column

Here is the latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice: 

Q: I’ve been living in my privately rented flat for years. I generally have a good relationship with my landlord but I just can’t get them to carry out various repairs that have built up. How can I get them to act - and what exactly do they have to do?

A: This must be a very frustrating situation. Landlords in Wales must be registered with Rent Smart Wales and abide by its code of practice. This includes making sure their properties are safe to live in. Citizens Advice Cymru can help with more advice on this.

You don’t say exactly what repairs are needed. If you have problems such as electrical wiring that you think might be faulty, or there’s damp, or an infestation by pests, the landlord has a legal obligation to put things right. 

Landlords are also responsible for the maintenance of the general structure, and fittings such as boilers and radiators; basins, baths and toilets; and the drains. 

The first step is to contact your landlord again, in writing. Include photographs of the problems. Keep a record of all communications and evidence relating to the disrepair. 

If that doesn’t prompt any action, the housing advisers at Citizens Advice Cymru can help with next steps. These could include contacting your local council (who will have dedicated officers for dealing with disrepair in private rented properties) or asking for a visit by the environmental health team.

Tenants can take their landlords to court to force them to carry out repairs. However, it’s worth getting some advice and thinking carefully before embarking on this route.

Industry leader slams Airbnb for backing Wales touring tax

 

* Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism.

A tourism leader in North Wales has slammed Airbnb for its “cynical support” for a Welsh Government plan to tax the industry.

Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism, described the plan to impose the controversial Tourism Tax as a “flawed idea”.

Airbnb have said they back the idea and that they want to work with the Welsh Government  in a bid to tackle  so-called “over tourism”.

But Mr Jones was not impressed saying that any additional levy would be counterproductive and deter visitors from coming to North Wales and play to the “anti-visitor mantra”.

With Covid restrictions being eased, the last thing that was needed was a tax that would encourage “staycationers” to go to other parts of the UK instead.

Mr Jones said: “North Wales is increasingly recognised as a world class visitor destination with international and UK wide appeal, we have the opportunity to significantly grow the value of tourism to the local economy and region as a whole.

“Instead of the Welsh Government prioritising the recovery and optimistically talking growth, such as a 1% increase in tourism spend which would add an extra £20m to the economy, we find ourselves back to 2017 when the then Finance Minister Mark Drakeford was trying to push through four new taxes, one being tourism tax.

 “We told him then as we tell him now, this is not welcomed by the majority of the industry.

“It is counterproductive and will damage our economic performance, brand and prospects. It will also increase social exclusion, undermine policies to create a healthier and more active Wales, limit opportunities for economic growth in Welsh-speaking heartlands and disproportionately impact those least able to afford to take a holiday.

“It is extremely insensitive that the Welsh Government are talking about this and could not have come at a worse time for our industry, raising the subject knowing full well it will play into the anti-visitor mantra.

 “Welsh tourism and hospitality businesses pay business rates to Welsh Government, revenue ALL generated through visitor spend and so already a tax on tourism spend.  

“In my view the whole tourism tax model is flawed in Wales as local authorities already get an enhanced grant towards increased visitor numbers.

“Are the Local Authorities prepared to relinquish a grant from Welsh Government to undertake a massive logistic challenge of extracting taxes from business, a number of our businesses who have already said they will not collect any form of tourism tax. 

“Most local authorities are sitting on huge financial reserves following the pandemic, this should also be challenged of what any additional revenue will be used for, when they can’t spend the money they already have.

“I’m also very disappointed that Airbnb have come out to support a tourism tax, I believe this is a cynical move by Airbnb who now charge hosts 15% commission.

“They are not on a level playing field with our serviced accommodation sector, there is a statutory misalignment - whereby many Airbnb hosts can have no business insurance nor public liability insurance, have no responsibility to test electronic equipment and can freely dispose of waste through their local authority as if domestic tenants.

“Of course, once they have the same statutory obligations as us, then they can contribute to the discussion, but as it stands, they are unequal partners in this industry and their opinion in my view is redundant. 

“A majority of Airbnb owners are not registered for business rates and are unregulated, so how on earth would they propose to ensure compliance?

“The Welsh Government should be undertaking an urgent reform, on a system that is currently unfair, as they tax and punish success in hospitality businesses, because it’s being based on turnover, much of which is unprofitable.”  

Non-urgent medical advice service for Wales launched

* The NHS 111 website.

From today (Tuesday) people in North Wales will be able to dial 111 to get non-urgent medical advice and access to their out of hours service. 

111 is a free treatment and advice service, managed by a team of professionals, who will quickly help users get the right treatment at the right time and in the right place. 

The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Advice is also available online at www.111.wales.nhs.uk

The service has now been rolled out to all health board areas of Wales, except Cardiff and Vale, which is expected to come online later this financial year.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “The 111 service will support people to receive the most appropriate services for their needs, and reduce the pressure on our 999 service. 

"When the NHS is experiencing high demand the service is particularly useful in ensuring people are directed to the most appropriate services. 

“Supported by the 111 website, this easy to remember free phone service will make it easier for anyone to access the support they need.”

MP looks in on town's newly-opened bike workshop

* From left: Beth Ward, Robin Hughes, Simon Baynes MP and Steve Davies at Drosi Bikes in Llangollen.

Welsh Conservative Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes, made a socially-distanced visit to Drosi Bikes in Llangollen.

They have recently started trading following the lifting of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Mr Baynes heard more about the founders Beth Ward and Robin Hughes are proudly turning old, unwanted bikes into unique, functional and fun machines as well as electric-powered ones. 

Their aim is to reduce waste and help everyone have a positive impact on the world and its environment. They also provide a bike servicing and repairs service.

Drosi Bikes initially opened on May 17 this year. 

They hope their social enterprise business venture will encourage new riders to get fitter and their name is a play on the Welsh word trosi, meaning ‘to convert.’ 

All the bikes that they refurbish are donated and they have started to hire out bikes to local residents in exchange for a donation in order to encourage active travel. 

They also carry out e-bike conversions at a more affordable price – all customers have to do is supply the bike. 

An e-bike conversion from Drosi typically costs around £860 – considerably less than the market rate of a new e-bike.

Simon Baynes also met volunteer Steve Davies who, as a qualified cycle mechanic, helps with the bike recycling programme. 

Drosi also works with volunteers who are looking to learn more about fixing bikes, which emphasises how the company is giving people new and skilled job opportunities in the local community.

Beth Ward said: “Our sole purpose as a social enterprise is to improve the diversity in the cycling community and to offer people of all backgrounds an accessible and affordable solution to climate change. 

"We've been overwhelmed by the support we've received so far and we hope that the Community Bike Workshop in Llangollen will be a place that inspires more people to choose to cycle and not drive."

Simon Baynes said: “The team at Drosi Bikes are passionate and dedicated, and it was a pleasure to meet them in Llangollen. 

"Their business idea is fantastic – converting old unwanted bikes into a range of new bicycles and it certainly has caught on given the steady increase in business that they are experiencing. 

"Their shop is right in the centre of Llangollen next to the museum and is a great addition to the town which already has a very strong tradition of outdoor activities and care for the environment. I am sure they will go from strength to strength.”

Restoration of local industrial heritage underway

* The GVT wall which will be renovated this month. 

During June the Our Picturesque Landscape project of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will be continuing work to restore an important piece of community heritage along the canal towpath in Chirk.

The Glyn Valley Tramway (GVT) was a narrow gauge railway that operated between 1888 and 1935 down the Ceiriog Valley to interchanges with the Great Western Railway and the Shropshire Union Canal at Chirk. 

Crushed stone and stone setts produced by the Ceiriog Granite Company were loaded into boats at the Glyn Valley Tramway wharf.

The wall is the last remaining feature of this wharf and is currently in poor condition. 

Work will consist of specialised cleaning to reveal the colourful pattern in the brickwork and replacement of the lime mortar that holds the bricks together.

This work is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales, delivered through the Our Picturesque Landscape partnership scheme.

Face-to-face consultation on 2020 plan gets underway

* Yesterday was the first day of the exhibition outside the Town Hall 

where people are being briefed on the 2020 plan.

Face-to-face public consultation on the £1.7 million plan to streamline Llangollen's traffic and parking system got underway yesterday (Monday).

And the area's MP, Simon Baynes, has urged local people to "have your voices heard" on the 2020 scheme.

The proposals are intended to improve the public realm along Castle Street by replacing the existing kerbs and footway paving with high-quality materials.

It will also see the removal of on-street parking from Castle Street and from the Abbey Road/Castle Street junction to enable the adjacent pavements to be widened and reduce parking-related congestion on Castle Street. 

Other proposals include introducing a number of pedestrian dropped kerbs along Castle Street and to reduce traffic speeds by raising the road surface at some side road junctions as well as providing two loading bays for businesses on Castle Street, together with two disabled parking spaces near to Castle Street. 

It is also proposed to make Market Street one-way in a westerly direction between Castle Street and East Street and introduce a loading bay on the south side of Market Street where the temporary loading bay is currently located. 

The Castle Street improvement is part of a phased-approach to improve parking and to improve walking and cycling routes in the town. 

Members of the public can have their say on the plans online and at a public exhibition which is being held on Castle Street near to the Town Hall between now and Friday.

The exhibition is open between 10am and 4pm daily, except for Wednesday, June 23 when it will be open from 10am until 7pm. 

At the end of the first day of the exhibition yesterday, Llangollen county councillor Melvyn Mile, who is a member of the 2020 group, said there had been a steady flow of people coming to see it and added that there had been "some good feedback" on the plans on display.

The three-week consultation exercise will close on July 6. 

The county council says it will visit Castle Street businesses during week commencing June 21 to give them the opportunity to discuss the proposals with officers. 

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes is encouraging Llangollen residents to have their say on the proposals.

He said: “We all want to see our communities thrive, especially as residents and businesses in Llangollen have struggled with restrictions over the last year. 

"But we need to make sure we get these proposals right, and that residents and business owners are happy with them. 

"This is the chance to have your voice heard and to feed back to Denbighshire Council and have your say.”