Government moves to tackle second homes problem

In the Senedd later today, Minister for Climate Change Julie James will set out a three-pronged approach to address the impact of second homes ownership on Wales' communities.

The new plan aims to ensure that everyone in Wales can have access to good quality, affordable housing.

The three-pronged approach will focus on:

• Support - addressing affordability and availability of housing,
• Regulatory framework and system - covering planning law and the introduction of a statutory registration scheme for holiday accommodation; and
• A fairer contribution - using national and local taxation systems to ensure second home owners make a fair and effective contribution to the communities in which they buy.

There will also be a pilot area in Wales, to be decided over the summer, where these new measures will be trialled and evaluated before being considered for wider rollout.

Other supporting actions, including the work on a registration scheme for all holiday accommodation and a consultation on changes to local taxes to manage the impact of second homes and self-catered accommodation, will also begin over the summer.

A Welsh Language Community Housing Plan, to protect the particular interests of Welsh language communities, will be published for consultation in the autumn.

Last year, Wales became the only country in the UK to give local authorities the power to charge 100% council tax increase on second homes.

Visiting a housing development in picture-postcard St Davids, West Wales, the Minister met with members of the local community, Pembrokeshire Council and the Community Land Trust to hear how they have been working together to use money raised from the council tax levy to build 18 new affordable homes for local people. 

Speaking from St David’s, Minister for Climate Change, who is responsible for housing, Julie James said: "Meeting with Rachel, Josh from the Community Land Trust, Pembrokeshire Council, and the developers ateb today, has demonstrated how community action and good government policy can work together to bring fairness back into our housing market.

"The continuing rise of house prices mean people, especially younger generations, can no longer afford to live in the communities they have grown up in. A high concentration of second homes or holiday lets can have a very detrimental impact on small communities, and in some areas could compromise the Welsh language being spoken at a community level.

"We have already taken strides on some of these issues - last year we became the only nation in the UK to give local authorities the power to introduce a 100% council tax levy on second homes. But the urgency and gravity of this situation calls for further intervention, which means real and ambitious actions are delivered at pace, to inject fairness back into the housing system.

"Taking recommendations from Dr Brooks’ report, our new three-pronged approach will kick-start a summer of action which will determine how we tackle this issue now and into the future. I am calling on all political parties across the Senedd to get involved in this, as we look to empower our communities to exercise their right to live in good quality homes, wherever they are in Wales."

Over the summer the Welsh Government says it will:

• Work with stakeholders to agree the basis and location or locations for an evaluated pilot;
• Develop a coherent and effective support package to trial within the pilot;
• Frame a statutory registration scheme for all tourist accommodation and continue to engage with stakeholders on the shape of the model we will implement, including both the registration and inspection arrangements;
• Consult on possible changes to local taxes to support local authorities manage the impact of second homes and self-catered accommodation; and
• Establish a draft Welsh Language Communities Housing Plan for consultation in the autumn.

Woman injured in Saturday night crash has died

North Wales Police Wrexham Rural has just issued an update on its Facebook page which says: "The woman who was injured following a road traffic collision in Berwyn, Llangollen on Saturday night has sadly died.

The 19-year-old, who was a passenger in a black coloured Renault Clio, was taken to hospital in Stoke, however sadly, she died of her injuries last night (Monday, July 5th).

"Officers are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the one vehicle collision and are keen on speaking to anybody who may have been travelling in or around the Llangollen area shortly before midnight on Saturday, July 3rd and who may have dash cam footage to get in touch."

Sergeant Meurig Jones said: “Our heartfelt sympathies remain with the woman’s family at this incredibly difficult time.

“The investigation is well underway and I continue to urge anybody who may have information that could help us piece together what happened, to contact us immediately.

“I’m also continuing to appeal to anybody who may have been at the Bridge Inn in Llangollen late evening on Saturday, July 3rd, and who may be able to provide information in relation to the investigation, to come forward.”

The statement adds: "The 27-year-old driver of the Renault Clio, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving shortly after the incident, and was later released under investigation.

"Anybody with information is asked to contact officers at the North Wales Police Roads Policing Unit via the website or by calling 101, quoting reference number 21000465060."

Preparations go ahead for railway's re-opening on Friday

 

Volunteers have been busy preparing for the re-opening of Llangollen Railway later this week.

The heritage attraction has been closed for eight months as a result of the pandemic and its own financial crisis.

But, as revealed by llanblogger last Saturday, it is due to open its doors to paying visitors once again on Friday.

And Peter Dickinson of the Llangollen Railway Trust (LRT) has sent these pictures showing how the booking hall has been spruced up by volunteers ahead of the big day.  

The trust says it aims to resume train services subject to inspection and approval of maintenance work carried out on the River Dee Bridge. 

Initially, it will be a Llangollen to Berwyn shuttle service which will run using the diesel railcars operating Fridays to Sundays.

This Friday the railway will run two evening trains to coincide with the illumination of the Castle Street bridge over the river Dee.

All services will be using diesel multiple units (DMUs) provided by Llangollen Railcars. 

LRT chairman Pete Edwards said: "Llangollen Railway are delighted to be able to return to operation with a limited service to Berwyn on Friday 9th.

"This is the result of a massive effort by volunteers at the railway and is also indicative of the significant support we've had from agencies and elected representatives. 

"There is much more to do before we are running along the full length of the line but we hope this marks the beginning of a new chapter in the story of our railway and its place in the Dee Valley."

Artwork patches are hung over the side of town bridge

* The artwork patches hang over the side of the bridge.

A team of workmen have this afternoon been hanging a series of large colourful patchworks from Llangollen Bridge.

It's part of a special project called Bridges, Not Walls to mark the start of Eisteddfod week.

International artist Luke Jerram has been working to transform the Grade 1 listed bridge into a giant artwork celebrating peace as part of this year's festival.

This has meant wrapping the ancient stone structure in a giant patchwork of fabrics, said to reflect the crafts and cultures of Wales alongside the festival’s participating nations.

The footpath on one side of the bridge was closed as the hanging of the patches went ahead.

* The pavement is closed as the patches are hung over the bridge.

Due to the pandemic this year’s Eisteddfod will be largely held online, with the main programme being presented over the weekend of the July 9-11.

Bridges, Not Walls will remain in place on Llangollen Bridge until August 5.

With major event funding from Welsh Government, this year’s online Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will celebrate the broadest possible range of musical genres from classical, opera and choral, to jazz, soul and rock, to connect with existing and new audiences in preparation for its physical return in 2022.

* For more information, visit https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/

Police appeal for witnesses after woman hurt in collision

A woman is in a critical condition following a road traffic collision in Llangollen.

Shortly after midnight on Sunday, July 4th North Wales Police received a report of a one vehicle collision in Berwyn, not far from the Chain Bridge Hotel, which involved a black coloured Renault Clio.

The 19-year-old female passenger was taken to the Wrexham Maelor Hospital but has since been transferred to Stoke with life threatening injuries.

The 27-year-old driver of the Clio was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and he has since been released under investigation whilst enquiries are ongoing.

He was also taken to the Wrexham Maelor Hospital but was later discharged with minor injuries.

Sergeant Meurig Jones of the Roads Policing Unit is appealing for witnesses.

He said: “We are appealing to anybody who may have seen the male and female at the Bridge Inn in Llangollen late evening on Saturday, July 3rd, to come forward.

“Anybody who may have information that could assist with the ongoing investigation, or anybody who may have been in or around the Llangollen area on Saturday night and who has dash cam footage is asked to contact us urgently.”

Anybody with information is asked to contact officers at the North Wales Police Roads Policing Unit via the website or by calling 101, quoting reference number 21000465060.

Denbighshire raises price of school meal by 20p

Denbighshire is increasing the cost of a school meal by 20p.

The county council says its catering service has faced an average price increase of 8% across all its food suppliers and as a result was raising the cost of a school meal by 20p from September 1. 

I points out that this is the first rise we have introduced in three years.

The council says: "The increase will also help us deliver contributions to savings agreed for the set council budget for this financial year. 

"Even after this increase, prices will still be relatively low compared to other local authority areas, and the service is confident that it is providing value for money in terms of the quality of food given to pupils across our schools."

It adds: "The School Catering Service has also just been recognised as one of the top six best performing services in the UK for 2019/2020.

"This recognition, from The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE), is based upon comparisons with other school meals services from across the UK.

"It takes into account things such as food purchasing initiatives, school meal uptake, management costs, staff training/absence levels, communication to customers and more."

Examples of the meals provided to pupils by the service can be found here https://denbighshireschoolmeals.co.uk/primary-menus/

  

MP encourages people to join green-fingered scheme

* Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes.

Welsh Conservative MP for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes, is encouraging communities in Denbighshire to get involved in a scheme aimed at creating, restoring and enhancing green spaces. 

The Local Places for Nature project was a huge success last year with 500 green spaces across the country transformed, and community groups and organisations of all shapes and sizes getting involved,  from disability charities and youth groups to social enterprises and care groups. 

Now, in 2021 hundreds more packages are available to give out to deserving communities who are keen to reverse nature’s decline, work towards a more sustainable environment and provide an important boost to the well-being of local communities across Wales, and Mr Baynes is urging communities in his constituency of Clwyd South to get involved. 

He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to boost community wellbeing and brighten up our area at the same time. So, I really hope that local groups and organisations will get involved. 

"We have some amazing gardeners and horticulturalists in Clwyd South, and I know that with their green-fingered talent, we can transform our green spaces and bring a bit more nature back into our lives.” 

The Local Places for Nature package includes native plants, tools and other materials. 

* Further information about the project can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website: https://www.keepwalestidy.cymru/.