Work planned for week starting November 29 on the town's 2020 project is:
The Denbighshire Free Press is reporting that motorists are facing a lengthy diversion through Llangollen as part of the A483 is closed later today due to Storm Arwen.
* For the full story, see: A483 closure to cause lengthy diversion through Llangollen | Denbighshire Free Press
A scaled-down version of the town’s annual Christmas Festival, taking account of ongoing pandemic safety measures, was due to be staged on Saturday afternoon featuring a programme of entertainment in Centenary Square.
But town mayor Councillor Austin Cheminais, who also chairs the Christmas Festival Committee, said this morning: "In view of the really bad weather forecast we have very reluctantly decided to cancel the event.
"I've been checking with a number of weather forecasts and they all predict very high winds. In fact, the Met Office is forecasting gusts up to 54mph and the gazebo in which the entertainment programme was to be staged just couldn't have coped with that.
"There was also a major question mark over whether the firework display which was to round off the afternoon could have gone ahead in these conditions."
He added: "We're really sorry to cancel but we've done it just to keep everybody safe.
"We will perhaps organise a post-Christmas event but of course we will let everyone know about that."
Latest information from the festival committee is that the Christmas lights will be turned on around 5pm tomorrow but without the usual ceremony.
* Once again this year the festival committee is hosting its popular Christmas Scarecrow Trail.
Throughout December they are encouraging people to come up with some creative and colourful entries.
It was held last year and even during the pandemic it managed to attract over 50 inventive entries from all parts of the town.
Cllr Cheminais said: "I knew of 40 locations on the list and there were a lot more out there that I didn't know about.
"I’m hoping to get even more this year as I know how incredibly creative Llangollen people are.
"Santa and his elves will judge the competition in the week leading up to Christmas, and there are two main prizes of £25 plus five runners-up prizes of £10.
"People can help choose the winner by sending a picture of their favourite to: santa@btinternet.com."
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.
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.”
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
