Survey launched on Gypsy and Traveller needs in county

A survey has been launched as part of work to produce an up to date needs assessment for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in Denbighshire.

Denbighshire County Council is assessing current accommodation need for Gypsies, Traveller and Travelling Show people and this does not include looking for locations for sites.

The process will include talking to Gypsy and Traveller families, key stakeholders and representative groups and will run until October 7.

It will include a review of local data, including the number of unauthorised encampments that have taken place in the county and a consultation with families from the Gypsy and Travelling community living in Denbighshire. 

Elected members and city, town and community councils will also be asked to promote the survey to eligible residents as well as feed in local knowledge around travelling patterns. 

The council has a legal duty to undertake a new Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) every five years as a requirement of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 and it is also a requirement for the replacement Local Development Plan the Council is currently working on.

A Task and Finish group set up to support the process had a work brief and a communications plan endorsed by the council’s Scrutiny Committee on July 26.

Cllr Mark Young, the council’s Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “We have now launched the consultation and will be looking to gain as much feedback from Gypsy and Traveller families as we can to help inform this process. 

“We are encouraging Gypsy and Traveller families to take part in this consultation process. The Council has a legal duty to undertake this Assessment and it is important we do it properly.

“This process is to gain a better understanding of any accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers who live in the area as well as those Gypsy and Traveller families who stay on unauthorised encampments.

“The GTAA will assess any accommodation need only and this work does not include looking for locations for sites. There will be no further work on looking for sites until we understand any potential need.”

Opinion Research Services will be undertaking the assessment on behalf of the Council and it will be carried out in conjunction with Conwy County Borough Council who are conducting a similar assessment in Conwy.

* If you are a Gypsy, Traveller or Travelling Show person living in Denbighshire then contact Michael Bayliss at Opinion Research Services on 07471 267095 or email michael.bayliss@ors.org.uk

Nature for Health sessions planned this week

A number of Nature for Health sessions are to be held locally this week. 

Details are:

Call for businesses to promote vaccines amongst staff

Businesses in Denbighshire are being asked to encourage staff to get vaccinated to reduce the risk of Covid-19.

Denbighshire County Council is supporting the Welsh Government’s campaign urging employers to encourage staff to be vaccinated.

As part of the campaign businesses are encouraged to be as flexible as possible when it is time for staff to have a vaccine as well as urging employees to be cautious about misinformation and to use trusted sources if they are searching for information or answers to questions about the vaccine.

Cllr Mark Young, the Council’s Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “Vaccination has helped weaken the link between coronavirus infections and serious illness and hospital admissions, but more people could fall seriously ill if rates of vaccination do not increase further as the delta variant continues to spread.

“Vaccines are helping the easing of restrictions and allowing society to open up again and it is important businesses protect themselves and their staff by encouraging uptake of the vaccine.”

Residents are also being reminded to work with Test Trace Protect (TTP) teams when contacted to help stop coronavirus spreading further.

Cllr Young added: “We are asking people to work with our TTP team when asked to do so, and this includes to isolate when required.

“The Council has been working with regional partners to share the message that restrictions are different in Wales to England and we are reminding people that wearing masks is still a requirements in Wales.

“We are still seeing a high number of Covid-19 cases here in North Wales so it is important everyone plays their part in acting responsibly to help keep communities safe.”

Book a PCR test at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test if you have Covid-19 symptoms or order a lateral flow test at www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests for regular tests when not showing symptoms.

You can book a test by telephone on 119 between 7am and 11pm (calls are free).

It is also quick and easy to book a first or second dose vaccination appointment at a convenient date, time and location using Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s online booking service https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination-information/covid-19-vaccination-online-booking

Natural Resources Wales gives update on Pengwern Vale project

 

Richard Dearing of Natural Resources Wales gives an update on the Pengwern Vale scheme in Llangollen, which is one of its five key projects in north east Wales. “In March 2021 Natural Resources Wales [NRW] and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty [AONB] organised a meeting with the community of Pengwern Vale to discuss opportunities around working in partnership to make a positive contribution to the special landscape character of Pengwern Vale. “The quiet valley to the south east of Llangollen is the old bed of the River Dee and lies within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB. “Within the Vale is a housing estate, two primary schools, farms and some small businesses. It has steep valley sides with woodland some of which is Welsh Government Woodland Estate managed by NRW. “We facilitated a virtual event with the purpose to ‘listen’. By listening we started to understand what’s important to the people who live, work and visit Pengwern Vale, the challenges they face, and how we can all work better to make a positive contribution in responding to the climate and environment emergency. “Over thirty external participants came to a virtual evening meeting including residents, Town & County Councillors, a headteacher, school governor, local businesses and representatives of Friends of Pengwern Vale, Friends of the Earth, Woodland Trust, local health centre, Llangollen 2020 (sports clubs) and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water. “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. “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. “This new way of working [in line with the Area Statement process] is organic.  It will take time to build trust and nurture relationships so local stakeholders have the confidence to commit and drive actions that will deliver positive community transformation. “However, there is a clear desire and enthusiasm to do something different.  The next step is for NRW and the AONB to support the community in developing 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. “If you would like to support this project, or would like to learn more please contact richard.dearing@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk”

 

MP calls in at The Wild Pheasant

* From left, Nick Rowlands (Area Manager for the Everbright Hotels Group), Becky Shields (Hotel Manager) and Simon Baynes MP outside The Wild Pheasant.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes made a socially distanced visit to The Wild Pheasant & Spa Hotel in Llangollen. 

The hotel drew praise recently for offering a 15% discount to all NHS workers in gratitude for their efforts during the pandemic. 

During the visit, Mr Baynes met with Becky Shields (Hotel Manager), Nick Rowlands (Area Manager for the owners, Everbright Hotels Group) and other members of staff to discuss the re-opening of the hospitality sector following the Welsh Government lockdown earlier in the year, and the support provided through furlough and other job support schemes by the UK Government. 

Mr Baynes said: “I was really glad to have the opportunity visit and meet the team at The Wild Pheasant Hotel to hear about how they offer visitors to Llangollen a unique experience. 

"It was especially heartening to hear about how they use local suppliers wherever possible, including milk from Edwards Dairies Chirk, meat from Abbey Farm, Llangollen, and from Pen-y-Lan Pork, near Wrexham. 

“It was also good to hear from the hotel manager Becky Shields that they will be taking part in the UK Government’s Kickstart scheme to train up local young people in the hospitality sector and about their plans for expansion. 

"Their kind offer of reduced rates for NHS staff is a fitting tribute to those who worked so hard to keep us safe during the pandemic.”

Drakeford removes final set of Covid restrictions from tomorrow

First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) is urging everyone to continue to help prevent the spread of coronavirus as he confirms that Wales will move to the new alert level zero tomorrow (Saturday).  

At alert level zero:

• There will be no legal limits on the number of people who can meet, including in private homes, public places or at events.
• Businesses which were required to be closed will be able to re-open. This includes nightclubs.
• Premises which are open to the public and workplaces will have more flexibility about which reasonable measures they take to minimise the risk of coronavirus. But these should be tailored to their risk assessment and their specific circumstances.
• Face coverings will not be a legal requirement in hospitality settings where food and drink is served, but will continue to be required in most indoor public places.

At alert level zero, all restrictions on meeting with others will be removed and all businesses will be able to open. But some important protections will continue to be in place to give everyone the confidence to enjoy the summer ahead.

These include:

• Everyone must continue to isolate for 10 days if they have Covid-19 symptoms or if they have a positive test result.
• Face coverings will continue to be required in most indoor public places in Wales, including on public transport, in shops and in healthcare settings. There will be exemptions for people who cannot wear them, as there are currently.
• All those responsible for premises open to the public and workplaces must carry out a Covid risk assessment and continue to take reasonable measures to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus.   

Mark Drakeford said: "Moving to alert level zero is another significant step forward for us all. For the first time since the pandemic started, all businesses will be able to open and all legal limits on meeting people in indoor private spaces will be removed.

"Alert level zero does not mean the end of restrictions and a free-for-all. But it does mean we can all enjoy more freedoms with the confidence there are still important protections in place to make sure our public health is being safeguarded while we are out and about. 

"Unfortunately, the pandemic is not over yet and we all need to work together to do everything we can to keep this virus under control – at alert level zero, everything we do will have an impact on this virus.

"Even if you have been fully vaccinated, meeting outside is safer than inside; let fresh air into indoor spaces, get tested even for mild symptoms, and self-isolate when you are required to do so.

"Continue to keep our distance when we are out and work from home whenever we can. Wear a face mask, especially in crowded places, on public transport, in shops and in health and social care settings.

“Taking responsibility and working together means we can all do the things we’ve missed the most. We’ve all got a reason to keep Wales safe."

Also as of tomorrow adults who are fully vaccinated and children and young people under 18, will no longer need to isolate if they are identified as close contacts of someone who has coronavirus.

Councillor's one way idea used in bid to beat diversion congestion

A one way traffic system through Llangollen suggested by a local county councillor was used late last night in a bid to counter the effect of “chaotic” congestion in the town caused by roadworks on the A483 dual carriageway. 

After two nights of diversions through Llangollen sparked by the overnight closures for general repairs and environmental works on the A483 – from 7pm until 6am -  Cllr Melvyn Mile had contacted the North and Mid Wales Traffic Agency to complain that something must be done to avoid the traffic jams this created. 

He suggested a one-way system should be put in place. 

An official of the agency, who had accompanied him last night to observe the situation in Llangollen, put his idea into operation and later reported to him that it had eased the situation. 

In an email to the agency and Denbighshire County Council, sent at just before 10pm last night, Cllr Mile said: “We need to find a different way of dealing with the closure of the A483 and it being diverted through Llangollen until the B5605 [through Newbridge] is fully functional. Whenever that will be, not soon, that’s for sure! 

“Despite the best efforts of Lisa Bilton from the North and Mid Wales Traffic Agency and a DCC operative it’s another evening of absolute chaos on Castle Street, Mill Street and Regent Street. 

“Here’s my solution: Set up traffic lights beyond the Ponsonby on the A539, where the road is wide enough to cater for very large vehicles passing each other. Plus traffic lights on the A5, set back from the junction with Castle Street. 

“Then operate a one way system up or down Castle Street, 5 minutes duration per session or whatever is decided. 

“This should also be operated when Castle Street has been widened after Llangollen 2020. The street is full!”  

At around 10.30pm, Lisa Bilton of the traffic agency emailed back to Cllr Mile to say: “After you left me on Castle Street tonight, we started the one way system you suggested. At 10pm traffic was flowing well in both directions.”  

Cllr Mike responded: “Great news, thanks very much. I hope that this can be put in place by the powers that be as the default method.”

Comment on the story from Llangollen town councillor Stuart Davies ...

"I think it’s a valid concern that the statements from Cllr Mile indicate that currently and in the future he is confirming that Castle Street is too narrow to take sustained volumes of large traffic. 

"Concerns expressed during the  public consultation, that the future carriageway width is too narrow, have been recognised but not acted upon by DCC."