Tributes to Welsh Language Commissioner from Clwyd South politicians

* Welsh Language Commissioner Aled Roberts.

Clwyd South politicians, past and present, have paid tribute to the Welsh Language Commissioner Aled Roberts who has died at the age of 59.

The former Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, from Rhosllannerchrugog, passed away yesterday following an illness.

In his role as Commissioner he fought for the rights of Welsh speakers and to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language.

He graduated with a law degree at the University of Aberystwyth in 1983, and he later went on to practice as a solicitor.

His career in politics began when he was first elected to Wrexham County Borough Council in 1991 for the Rhos and Ponciau Ward. In 2003 he became Mayor of Wrexham and the following year was voted in as Leader of the council.

In the 2011 election for the then National Assembly for Wales, he was elected as a Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, going on to become the party’s spokesperson for Children and Young People and for the Welsh language. In the 2016 Assembly election his North Wales regional seat was captured by UKIP.

In April 2019 he was appointed by the Welsh Government to the role of Welsh Language Commissioner, succeeding Meri Huws in the post.

He was also very active within his local community, and has been a member of the Stiwt Arts Community Centre committee since it was established in the 1980s.

Tributes have been comping in throughout the day including those from Clwyd South Senedd Member Ken Skates and former MP for Clwyd South, Susan Elan Jones.

Ken Skates described his former colleague in the Senedd as a ‘true champion for the people and places of our region and nation.’

He said: "Aled was a gentleman, a brilliant and professional public servant, a true champion for the people of this area and Wales.

"He was always good company to have and was utterly dependable. He believed passionately in his home community of Rhos and the wider area of Wrexham County Borough, serving our communities with understanding and full commitment.

"We’ve lost a rare type of politician in Aled – someone who was always polite, compassionate and empathetic at all times. He will be missed by so many people, across the political divide."

Former MP for Clwyd South, Susan Elan Jones, also grew up in Rhosllannerchrugog and said the community would be united in sadness. 

She added: "He was an exemplary public servant, who served his home community and the people of Wales with great dedication.

"He was also a brilliant Welsh Language Commissioner. We will remember in our thoughts Llinos and the rest of Aled’s family, his friends at the Stiwt, and his many friends across a large number of organisations that he was involved in."

Police warn over car catalytic convertor thefts

North Wales Police is urging drivers to remain alert to the risk of catalytic converter thefts.

The devices are commonly fitted to vehicle exhausts to reduce the amount of dangerous gases emitted.

They are often targeted by thieves as they contain valuable metals and can be removed in less than a minute.

Detective Chief Insp Alun Oldfield said: "As a Force, we are still seeing too many reported thefts of catalytic converters.

"Precious metals such as rhodium, platinum and palladium are used in catalytic converters.

"The price of these metals has risen sharply in recent years and has led to an increase in the theft of catalytic converters by organised crime networks.

“January has already seen a surge in the price of Rhodium, which is likely to fuel certain organised crime networks to commit more offences.

“Hybrid cars are often commonly targeted by thieves, as their catalytic converters can contain more precious metals.

“Although some vehicle models are more likely to be targeted by thieves, we would emphasise that all vehicles equipped with these devices are at risk.”

This useful guide explains the signs of a catalytic converter theft, the actions you should take if you witness a theft, and how you can protect your own vehicle from thieves.

Spotting the signs

Thieves slide under the vehicle, often using a car jack, and use cutting tools to remove the catalytic converter.

What to do if you witness a catalytic converter theft

If the crime is in progress, call 999. People are often unsure if what they are witnessing is a catalytic converter theft, but police would rather hear about it and decide if a theft is occurring.

Do not approach suspects but, if it is safe to do so, take note of them or the number plate of their car.

If the crime has already happened then you can report it to us online or at your local police station

How can I protect my vehicle from this type of theft?

Drivers can forensically mark their catalytic converters and register their converter to make it harder for thieves to dispose of the devices.

Registering on the national database helps police identify whether recovered catalytic converters are stolen, thereby increasing the risk of detection to thieves.

Ask your car dealership for advice on locks or guards that are approved by the vehicle manufacturer and tested to Sold Secure Gold standards.

Try to ensure your vehicle is parked in a garage overnight or, if you have a commercial vehicle, park it in a secure compound.

Alternatively, park your car in a way that makes it difficult for thieves to access the undercarriage.

We advise parking close to a wall or fence and somewhere well-lit and overlooked, amongst as many cars as possible.

Vehicles that sit high above the road are particularly vulnerable.

Llangollen's zumba ladies celebrate City of Culture bid

Energetic members of the weekly zumba classes run by Julie Kirk Thomas at Llangollen Town Hall were special guests at the Ty Pawb centre in Wrexham on Saturday afternoon.

Led by Julie, they performed a demonstration routine as part of a special programme of entertainment celebrating Wrexham's bid to become UK City of Culture 2025 and were warmly received by the audience who gathered in the food court. 

Welsh Government to consult on tourism tax

The Welsh Government has confirmed a consultation on proposals for a local visitor levy will launch this autumn.

Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government, said a levy would enable destinations in Wales to be enjoyed for generations to come.

Tourism provides a substantial economic contribution to Wales with tourism-related expenditure reaching more than £5bn annually in 2019. 

The government believes that a tourism tax would raise revenue for local authorities enabling them to manage services and infrastructure which makes tourism a success.

The Welsh Government’s Programme for Government, and the Cooperation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, both contain commitments to introduce levies.

Formal consultation on draft legislative proposals for a visitor levy will launch in the autumn, providing a platform for a range of views to be considered.

Rebecca Evans said: "Visitor levies are a common feature in tourist destinations internationally. They are an opportunity for visitors to make an investment in local infrastructure and services, which in turn make tourism a success. 

"Without such a levy, local communities face an undue burden to fund local services and provisions on which tourists rely. From keeping the beaches and pavements clean, through to maintaining local parks, toilets and footpaths – the critical infrastructure that supports tourism should be supported by all those that rely on it.

"The introduction and subsequent use of such a levy would enable destinations in Wales to be enjoyed for generations to come and encourage a more sustainable approach to tourism.

"The levy would be proportionate by design, and powers to raise the levy would be discretionary for local authorities. This would enable decisions to be taken locally, according to the needs of our communities. 

"The levy will apply to those paying to stay overnight within a local authority area. Opportunities for wider contributions on the cost impact of other types of visitor activities on local infrastructure will be offered as part of the consultation on the levy."

Designated Member Cefin Campbell MS said: "Giving local people the power to introduce a tourism levy will make a difference to communities across the country, many of which attract a significant number of tourists. It will give local people and their representatives more power and resources to invest and deliver in their areas.

"Councils will be able to ask tourists to contribute in a small way to the areas they are visiting and the local services they use.

"This measure will help support a sustainable rather than an extractive tourism sector, which will help bring the greatest benefit to communities and the local economy.

"Such levies – often known as tourism taxes – are commonplace in countries across Europe and beyond. This is about mutual respect between our communities and the visitors they welcome. It is a new policy which is the fruit of a Welsh co-operative spirit."

Work planned for next week on 2020 project

Work planned for week starting Monday, February 14 on the Llangollen 2020 project is:

*Pave Castle Street east

* Sunday to Thursday: night works from Parade Street heading north to Dee Lane (affected properties have received letters with more information).

Trains return to Llangollen Railway in time for half term

It's now just a week before trains return to Llangollen Railway in time for the half term holiday starting on Saturday, February 19.

A two-train heritage diesel railcar service will be in operation on the weekends of 19th & 20th and 26th & 27th of February when Timetable B is to operate with trains leaving Llangollen for Carrog at 1030am, 1200 noon, 1.00pm, 2.30pm and 3.15pm.

A one-train railcar service will run on Wednesday 23rd to Friday 25th February. Timetable A operates with departures at 11am, 12,50 pm and 3.10pm.

Units expected to be in use are the Class 108/104 hybrid set and the unique Class 109 Wickham set, the latter following a major engine repair. All date from the late 1950s and show how trains used to be in British Railways days when operated on branch lines. 

Riding the railcar offers the best views of the Dee Valley in the late winter season when the results of wintertime maintenance work might be seen to advantage. 

The trains also offer the opportunity to enjoy recreational visits to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with many short walks, or longer from the stations at Berwyn, Glyndyfrdwy and Carrog. 

According to Llangollen Railway Unofficial Facebook page, the platform at Deeside is being demolished.

The facility, which dates from 1990, has become unstable and following the removal of the points which formed the loop, the platform is no longer required. 

Re-sleepering of six panels of track west of Deeside has also taken place during early February as shown on LR Facebook page.

One noticeable change for the start of the new season is that passing of trains must now take place at Glyndyfrdwy.

Wales to gradually relax Covid rules, says Drakeford

Wales will gradually begin to relax some of its remaining coronavirus protections as cases continue to fall, First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) announced today.

From 18 February the legal requirement to show a COVID Pass to enter certain venues and events will be lifted and from 28 February face coverings will no longer need to be worn in all indoor public places.

The changes will be confirmed today, following the first three-week review of Wales’ alert level zero measures.

The latest results from the ONS Coronavirus Infection Survey suggest levels of infection have recently fallen, but community transmission rates remain relatively high in all parts of Wales.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "With increasing numbers of people vaccinated and boosted and thanks to the hard work and efforts of everyone across Wales, we are confident that coronavirus rates are falling and we can look forward to brighter times ahead.

"We can start to gradually and carefully remove some of the remaining protections we have in place at alert level zero. But we are not removing all the measures at once because the pandemic is not over yet.

"To keep Wales safe we need to remain cautious and do everything we can to reassure those who feel most at risk. We will keep some important protections in place, including face coverings in health and social care settings, on public transport and in all shops. We will also keep self-isolation rules in place.

"Next month, we will publish a plan setting out how we will move beyond alert level zero and the emergency footing on which we have been operating for nearly two years. This will help us all to make some plans for the future.

"From Friday 18 February, the domestic COVID Pass will no longer be required for entry into indoor or outdoor events and venues, including nightclubs, cinemas, theatres and concert halls. But events and venues will be able to continue to use it if they choose to.

"The international COVID Pass will continue to be integral to arrangements for safer international travel. Travellers will need to check the relevant countries’ rules for entry, including any different requirements for children.

"From Monday 28 February, the requirement to wear face coverings will be removed from most indoor public places, apart from in retail, public transport and health and care settings.

"If the public health conditions continue to improve, the legal requirement to wear face coverings in all remaining settings could be lifted by the end of March.

"Schools will return to using their local decision framework from 28 February and from 11 February the guidance will be updated to make it clear adults can remove their face coverings when they are interacting with babies and small children at baby and toddler groups.

"The next three-weekly review of the coronavirus regulations will be carried out by 3 March, when the remaining measures at alert level zero will be reviewed."