Improvements to public computer facilities in Denbighshire libraries

A programme of upgrading and improving the public access technology facilities in all libraries in Denbighshire has started.

The work began on November 20, and is anticipated to take 6-8 weeks to complete.

The project will see new public access computers installed, a new PC management system, self-service printing, an online booking system and printing via Wi-Fi.

Each week one or two libraries will be upgraded and during that week, customers will not be able to access computers or printing at that particular library.

Customers will be informed by staff and notices at each library and via social media, and advised to consider visiting another library to use the computers there.

Cllr Tony Thomas, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “This upgrade will really benefit our library customers and provide a better service for those who use our public access technology facilities.

“Our libraries provide a wide range of services for our residents including free access to books, free downloadable books and newspapers, free computer internet and Wi-Fi access, and a shared space for community activity.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused to customers during these improvements and thank them for their patience during this time.”

The programme started at Rhyl Library and will roll out across the county in the coming weeks.

Customers are advised to check with their local library before making a special journey to use the library computers or printing.

The free public Wi-Fi will remain available during this time.

£7m government support pledged for unpaid carers

Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan has outlined how £7m Welsh Government funding will support unpaid carers in recognition of the vital support they provide to the people they care for.

The support package will allocate £5.5 million to local authorities to provide targeted support to unpaid carers; £1.25m for the Carers Support Fund - last year, this fund successfully helped almost 6500 unpaid carers to cope with the financial impact of Covid 19; £20,000 to fund online mental wellbeing support sessions; and £230,000 for the Family Fund to support over 600 further low-income families with seriously ill or disabled children.

Welsh Government previously committed £3 million in 2021-22 to allow more carers to take a break from their caring role, bringing the total additional funding support for unpaid carers this year to £10 million.

The Deputy Minister for Social Services said: “The physical and emotional impact of caring can be overwhelming. We share concerns that many are at breaking point due to the additional pressures put upon them from the pandemic. Thousands of unpaid carers have been supported since the start of the pandemic but it its vital we continue to help unpaid carers cope with the emotional and financial impact of COVID-19.

“The funding announced today shows how much we appreciate the army of unpaid carers in Wales who have gone above and beyond to care for family or friends and our commitment to support carers to have a life beyond their caring role.

“Unpaid carers play a vital role in our society, helping reduce pressures on the health service by ensuring people can return from and stay out of hospital. Their extraordinary work and contribution to social care is part of a £42m package to support the NHS winter plan.”

Change in alert levels for Denbighshire secondary schools

* Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen.

Following a recent decrease in Covid-19 cases in Secondary schools across Denbighshire it has been agreed to revert back to the Low level of interventions status. 

An increase in cases at the start of the school year saw Secondary schools change their status which enabled schools to implement additional measures to help control the spread of the virus. 

Recent weeks have seen a reduction in case numbers for secondary age pupils and based on this, the overall alert level for Secondary schools has been changed to Low.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Education, Children's Services and Public Engagement, said: “It is pleasing to see the work of school staff and parents has helped to reduce Covid case rates in Secondary schools and that we can make this decision now. 

“In making this decision it’s important we all remain aware that Covid remains in our communities and we remember the importance of seeking tests when symptoms develop and following advice from TTP regarding self-isolation.

“I would like to reassure parents and carers, learners and staff at our schools that we will continue to monitor the situation and take action to help keep schools safe when required should the situation change and I would like to thank all pupils, parents and staff for their support during this difficult time.”

All those contacted by Test, Trace, Protect (TTP) are asked to work with the teams and to follow the guidance given.

* PCR tests can be ordered at https://gov.wales/get-tested-coronavirus-covid-19 or by calling 119

New Dot's next screening is Home Alone

New Dot Cinema's next screening will feature the 1990s feel-good film Home Alone. 

Kevin's classic solo Christmas adventure will be show on the big screen in Llangollen Town Hall on Friday December 10, from 6.30-9.30pm with last entry at 7pm.

Home Alone is a 1990 American comedy film directed by Chris Columbus and written by John Hughes.

It is the first film in the Home Alone franchise and stars Macauley Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard and Catherine O'Hara. 

Culkin plays Kevin McCallister, a boy who defends his Chicago home from burglars after his family accidentally leaves him behind on their vacation to Paris.

* Tickets are available online now at: https://www.skiddle.com/.../Home-Alone---New.../35953137/

Pilot scheme to tackle second homes impact on communities

 

Climate Change Minister Julie James has just revealed details of a pilot scheme to tackle the impact second home ownership is having on some Welsh communities.

Speaking in the Senedd, the Minister confirmed the pilot will bring together a range of actions to address the impacts large numbers of second homes and short-term holiday lets can have. The Minister told MSs that Dwyfor had been chosen for a pilot which will launch in January with support from Gwynedd Council. The first phase of the pilot will build on the practical support Welsh Government is already providing to address affordability and availability of housing and will be tailored to suit the needs of people in the area. More details will be confirmed following the Budget, with the Minister keen to look at shared equity schemes, rental solutions and what we do with empty homes. Two dedicated posts will support delivery of the pilot in the areas to link the interventions, engage with communities and maximise the impact. The Minister also launched a consultation on proposed planning changes. This will seek views on the use of ‘class order’ in planning which would allow local planning authorities to require planning applications for additional second homes and short-term holiday lets in areas where they are causing significant difficulties for communities. The consultation will shape the second phase of the pilot which could involve making changes to planning, taxation and tourism systems.  Speaking in the Senedd, Minister for Climate Change, Julie James said: “We want young people to have a realistic prospect of buying or renting affordable homes in the places they have grown up so they can live and work in their local communities. “High numbers of second and holiday homes in one area can threaten the Welsh language in its heartlands and affect the sustainability of some rural areas. “We are a welcoming nation and tourism is a major part in our economy bringing jobs and income to many parts of Wales. But we don’t want ghost villages in seasonal holiday spots – places where no one’s at home in the winter months. “These are complex issues and there are no quick fixes. What may be right for one community may not work for another. We will need to bring forward a range of actions, there is no one silver bullet here!” In addition, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles announced the launch of a consultation on additional measures tailored specifically for those communities in which the Welsh language is widely spoken. This will form the basis of the Welsh Government’s Welsh Language Communities Housing Plan, and will play an important part in maintaining Welsh-speaking communities as places that facilitate the use of the language.  Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles said: “We want our Welsh-language communities to continue to be economically viable places for local people, especially young people, to live and work and where the Welsh language and culture can thrive. “While there are no easy answers, I am confident the interventions proposed today will go a long way to addressing our objective of ensuring that people in Welsh-speaking communities can afford to live in the communities in which they grew up.”

Drakeford says how extra PCSOs will be used

* From left, PCC Andy Dunbobbin, First Minister Mark Drakeford and Inspector Luke Hughes.

First Minister Mark Drakeford joined police officers on the beat in Wrexham today (Wednesday) to listen to their experiences and also to see how the Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) funded by the Welsh Government can help keep communities safe.

The First Minister had been invited to join officers on the beat by Wrexham Police Station.

Earlier this year the Welsh Government announced an extra £3.7m to fund an additional 100 PCSOs across Wales to tackle crime and support communities. 

The additional 100 PCSOs brings the total funded by the Welsh Government to 600, with 121 in North Wales. 

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “I want to thank the officers I’ve met today in Wrexham for sharing their experiences with me, and for the important and valued work they do every single day to keep us all safe.  In particular I want to thank them and all their colleagues for their work during the pandemic, and I pay tribute to their dedication.

“Policing is an important part of our communities, and having officers on the ground who are part of those communities and know them well is vital. 

“This is why the Welsh Government is investing in funding PCSOs.  They provide a vital link between our neighbourhoods and police services and play an important role in keeping our communities safe.”

Police Community Support Officers work with police officers and share some, but not all of their powers. They provide an important link between their communities and the police service to ensure people have the support they need

Some of the things PCSOs support frontline policing with are stopping speeding outside our schools, reporting vandalism or reducing anti-social behaviour.

Inspector Luke Hughes of Wrexham Police station said: “I am grateful to the First Minister for attending Wrexham today and joining PS Evans on patrol in our town centre.

“Wrexham is certainly now starting to leave behind the reputation that it obtained a number of years ago. It is no longer as the media described it, which even then was unfair and distracted from what our historic and proud town had to offer.

“Recently, and with the support of the PCC's office we have secured a great deal of funding which will be reinvested locally. My aim is to increase the visible police presence in the centre of the town and with the addition of five new PCSO to the local neighbourhood team we will certainly be able to do that. Their presence will contribute to the growing sense of security in the town by day and at night.

“I would urge the local community to be proud of what has been achieved locally; international interest and investment in our football club being just a few things. Don’t contribute or listen to the negative comments I see on social media. Come and visit the town over the festive period and realise that we still have a great town centre, one to be proud of and one that will continue to go from strength to strength. If you believe in Wrexham, then it will once again become the town you want it to be."

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “Strengthening neighbourhood policing was a key priority in my manifesto when I was elected in May this year and forms the bedrock of my Police and Crime Plan which sets the blueprint for policing North Wales.

“Police Community Support Officers have an important role in ensuring that our communities benefit from visible policing, providing reassurance for the public and gathering intelligence on the ground to tackle serious and organised criminality.

“I am grateful to the Welsh Government in general and the First Minister in particular for playing their part by funding an extra 100 PCSOs across Wales.“I am delighted that North Wales is getting 20 additional PCSOs, keeping people and our communities safe, responding to key concerns that people have expressed. It’s massively important to people’s wellbeing."

Can Jazzy cross-over hit the bigtime again

Honda Jazz Crosstar drive by Steve Rogers

As a supermini the Jazz made its mark as a super practical, super versatile small hatchback.

Practical because it beat everyone on space, versatile because of its clever back seats which flip up, just like in the flicks, leaving enough room to walk through or carry something awkward. Strange that no one  has copied that brilliantly simple idea.

But we wanted more, envious of the new breed of high riding, roomy SUVs taking over from the family hatchback and the car companies duly obliged. Well the majority did, but not Honda ... until now.

Better late to the party than not turning up at all so bring on the Jazz Crosstar. Can it cut a dash like it did two decades ago? Time to find out.

The curious thing about Jazz is that was never a conventional baby hatch in the same vein as Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa, in fact the tall boxy body made it more of a trailblazer back in 2001 when the name crossover didn't even exist.

So the Crosstar's only significant difference over Jazz is a 30mm increase in ride height, roof rails and off road style body armour, not that Crosstar is designed to go off the straight and narrow.

Nevertheless it still has a cabin the size of a tardis with bags of room for four tall adults and a substantial boot although it holds six litres less than the 'smaller' Jazz. How weird is that?

That said the black plastic facings around the wheel arches, black side sills, roof rails and black roof add a bit of pizzazz to a shape that is not everyone's cup of tea. The slight downside is that those extra bits push up emissions and put a small dent in fuel efficiency not that that's anything to worry about as you will find out later on.

The first thing to notice with the new shape is the large glass area around the front of the car. Vision from behind the wheel is as good as it gets thanks to a huge windscreen and wafer thin front pillars which house what we used to call a quarter light but this is obviously now fixed glass. Between that and the raised driving position provides for a panoramic view that has no equal.

The modern dashboard looks good with a nine inch touchscreen housing all manner information and superbly clear heating controls with chunky tactile buttons. There is an upmarket feel to the soft touch trim and I particularly like the fabric facings on the dash and doors. And check out the 8-speaker stereo, you could be in a concert hall with this sound.

I have been waiting for Honda to get to grips with the Jazz's suspension and although it has improved down the years there is still work to do to match the best of its rivals. Even though the longer suspension travel makes for a slightly softer ride on Crosstar you still feel a severe thud hitting potholes and the like.

No complaints about performance thanks to the one and only 1.5 litre self charging hybrid engine. It is a new powertrain with two electric motors and is both quick off the mark and a smooth cruiser through the automatic CVT gearbox. There is not an awful lot of electric only driving but the system is clever enough to pick the right times which is generally in low speed urban conditions.

Which brings us to economy. This is a real strong point and while Crosstar is around 4mpg down on Jazz (blame the extra body bits) we easily beat the official figure of 58.9 hovering in the low sixties most of the week.

Jazz has always been an expensive car partly down to generous equipment right across the range along with an enviable safety package that now includes lane assist, automatic emergency braking, blind spot and cross traffic alert.

Crosstar pushes the price up even more but it is packed with goodies like heated seats and steering wheel, navigation, Apple Carplay and Mirrorlink connections, keyless entry and waterproof fabric seats. They could come in useful I suppose.

Whether it is worth the extra for Crosstar's body bling and increased ride height is down to personal choice but you are not gaining a great deal over the standard Jazz.

It's a pleasant car to drive, not as much fun as a Ford Puma or as comfortable as a Citroen C3 Aircross but the majority probably wouldn't notice, or even care.

Fast Facts

Jazz Crosstar EX eCVT

£23,385

1.5 litre petrol hybrid; 108bhp

0-62mph 9.9secs; 107mph

58.9mpg combined

110g/km. Road tax £145

Boot: 298-1199 litres

Insurance group 19