MP visits Llan river restoration project

* Simon Baynes MP, left, with Joel Rees-Jones at the newly-restored stone access ramp in Llangollen. 

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes recently visited Llangollen to see the latest developments at the LIFE Dee River Restoration Project. 

Mr Baynes met with Joel Rees-Jones, the Project Manager from Natural Resources Wales, and visited the Llangollen site to learn more about the developments taking place as part of the Natural Resources Wales’ project. 

As part of the LIFE Dee Project, restoration work is taking place on the two weirs in Llangollen with the aim of improving conditions for threatened species such as Atlantic Salmon, Sea Lamprey and River Lamprey, by minimising the impact of physical barriers in the river and help these species build sustainable populations. 

The development has also provided an opportunity to help improve safety for paddle sports, as well as improving the stone ramp used for access to the River Dee near the downstream weir. 

The LIFE Dee River Project have also been working on similar projects across the catchment.  

The project also focuses on in-river restoration work, such as work recently completed on Brynkinalt Estate. 

Iain Hill-Trevor of Brynkinalt said: “The contractor has done an amazing job, the results are great, and the boost for the habitat of the river is really exciting.” 

Joel Rees-Jones, Project Manager of the LIFE Dee Project at Natural Resources Wales said: “The LIFE project is providing us with a great opportunity to work with partners across the Dee catchment to improve the conditions within the river for the species and habitats found there. We look forwards to seeing and sharing the positive results from the interventions carried out.”  

Mr Baynes said: “My recent visit to the LIFE Dee River Project was a wonderful insight into how the restoration work is going to benefit the local area and it was great to hear from Joel about the exciting developments taking place. 

"This is a positive step forward in ensuring conditions are improved for threatened species and will also improve safety for users of the river.”

The project is supported by the European Union LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity Programme, Environment Agency, Snowdonia National Park Authority and Dwr Cymru. 

Local appointments available to give blood

Local appointments are available to give blood.

* Follow the link for further details: https://wbs.wales/LlangollenTC

Fe allech chi achub 3 bywyd mewn un awr

Rhowch waed os gwelwch yn dda

https://wbs.wales/LlangollenTC

County council urges people to take care during Storm Eunice

Denbighshire County Council is asking people to remain vigilant over the coming few days as Storm Eunice is expected to bring significantly strong winds to the county. 

The Met Office has issued an Amber warning from 5am on Friday February 18 through to 9pm on the same day. 

The extremely strong winds could cause extensive disruption, including flying debris, fallen branches and uprooted trees, damage to buildings and homes, power lines coming down, effects on roads, bridges and railway lines, as well as delays to public transport. 

The council’s teams have been carrying out gully checks across the county and external tree cutting teams are on stand-by to deal with any emerging issues. 

Discussions are taking place with the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency to put in place traffic management plans in the event Storm Eunice necessitates the closure of the A483 and A5  viaducts to the south of Wrexham.   

Traffic will be diverted via Llangollen should the viaducts be closed. In anticipation of this, traffic management contractors will manually operate traffic lights on Castle Street, Llangollen during the day on Friday, February 18. 

All schools in Denbighshire have been asked to move to remote learning on Friday, February 18 due to the amber warning for Storm Eunice and the significant strong winds predicted. 

This decision follows internal, regional and national discussions and has not been taken lightly. The decision has been taken to ensure the safety of all pupils, staff, parents and visitors to school sites. 

Councillor Brian Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Highways, Waste and the Environment, said: “We are working closely with partner agencies to do all we can to minimise the impact of Storm Eunice on services across the county. This storm has the potential to cause damage and we want to do all we can to keep people safe.

“We ask people to follow any advice issued by the Council, Natural Resources Wales or the emergency services and also ask people to keep an eye on the weather forecasts, the media and social media for the latest advice and information."

Residents are also advised to keep a record of the 105 Scottish Power number to report any power failures during the storm. 

The council will be updating its website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk, as well as Facebook and Twitter accounts with any council related information.

Number of extra homes created in Llangollen since 2017

* An example of the affordable homes built in the last five years. 

More than 1,000 additional homes have been created or brought back into use in the past five years in Denbighshire - with 23 of these in Llangollen.

Denbighshire County Council has helped deliver 394 affordable homes, worked in partnership to develop two extra care facilities providing more than 100 homes, delivered 34 additional council homes while 695 empty homes in the private sector have been brought back into use.

Additional properties have been provided in communities right across Denbighshire - including Llangollen, Rhyl, Prestatyn, Dyserth, Rhuddlan, Cefn Meiriadog, Trefnant, Meliden, Denbigh, Ruthin, Gellifor, Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, Corwen and Llandrillo – including the first brand new council homes to be designed and built for the Denbighshire area in 30 years.

Below is a breakdown of the homes created in Llangollen since 2017:

Year	Units	Tenure	Provider
2017-18	1	Intermediate Rental	Grŵp Cynefin
	12	Social Rent (RSL)	Grŵp Cynefin
	1	Council Buy Back	DCC
2018-19	Nil
2019- 20	5	Intermediate Rental	North Wales Housing
2020 – 21	2	Supported Accommodation	DCC/Wales & West
2021- 22	2	Intermediate Rental	North Wales Housing
Total	23

 

The council’s work was carried out under the Housing priority as part of its Corporate Plan 2017-2022, which set the direction and ambitions for the authority for the past five years.

Cllr Tony Thomas, Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “The council has carried out a wide range of work on improving and creating housing for the needs of our residents.

“We set ourselves ambitious targets under our housing priority and we have exceeded many of these, helping to ensure there are more homes across the county for our residents.

“As a council we recognise the need to ensure housing is available to meet the needs of Denbighshire residents, and affordable housing is an essential part of this, so we can retain and attract young people to live in the area.

“The affordable housing created is a mix of social housing, intermediate rental, and home ownership through shared equity, rent to own options and private developments.”

Two extra care facilities have been developed in partnership with Grwp Cynefin at Awel y Dyffryn, Denbigh, opening in February this year, and Llys Awelon, Ruthin, due to open next year.

These developments will see 70 extra self-contained homes in Denbigh and 35 in Ruthin which give residents a balance between living at home and having on-site, dedicated care available if needed.

A total of 34 additional council homes have been delivered since 2017 and this includes new builds, conversions and the purchase of properties.

Further developments of new energy-efficient council homes are underway in Denbigh, Dyserth and Prestatyn with 45 new properties due to be completed this year, with work starting on a further 59 new council homes during 2022.

The council has made a number of improvements to the homes of council tenants which includes installing 1,100 new heating systems, 465 new roofs, 325 new windows, 125 air source heat pumps, 775 kitchens and bathrooms while 2,550 properties have also been externally painted. 

Nearly £2million has been invested on neighbourhood improvements for council tenants, including 17 new play areas.

Other work as part of the housing priority included the successful resettlement of 20 Syrian families under the UK Resettlement Scheme.

The council has contacted owners of empty homes and helped encourage renovation or matched them with developers, with a view to bringing them back into use on the housing market.

A total of 695 empty homes have been brought back into use to date, exceeding the council’s target of 500 between 2017 and 2022.

The council has launched its Housing & Homelessness Strategy to co-ordinate its work to ensure everyone is supported with pride to live in homes that meet their needs and to end homelessness in Denbighshire.

The aims of the strategy include providing more housing, ensuring housing is of good quality, supporting people with their housing issues, addressing homelessness and supporting communities. 

This includes developing our approach to homelessness by providing even more of our own emergency and temporary accommodation with onsite support and renewing the focus on early intervention to prevent homelessness, with a model of rapid rehousing at its heart.

Cllr Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “Supporting the creation of so many new homes has taken a considerable amount of work to achieve and has involved sound financial planning. 

"We have taken advantage of a wide range of funding grants and affordable homes have been built by private developers and in partnership with Welsh Government and registered social landlords, with the Council managing the Social Housing Grant programme, which has enabled the building of the majority of affordable homes in the county.

“We will be continuing to build on this success and provide more affordable homes in our communities which is part of our ongoing work to retain more young people in Denbighshire as well as ensuring there is adequate housing for the needs of all our residents.”

* You can find out more about the Corporate Plan 2017-2022 here www.denbighshire.gov.uk/corporate-plan-ambition-achievements

Council answers complaints about overnight noise from 2020 work

* Work on the 2020 project in Castle Street yesterday.

Denbighshire County Council has responded to complaints about noise caused to nearby residents by overnight working on the Llangollen 2020 project.

A post on social media yesterday (Monday) asked: "Anyone know why the workers doing the footpaths (were) still working at 12, waking up my little girl driving machinery in and out of market street?"

This point was later taken up by campaigning page Llangollen Advocate which posted: "Things that go bump in the night …. Yes it’s the 2020 works running on past midnight last night keeping people awake in the town it seems.

"Can Cllr Brian Jones advise when residents were going to be told that works would continue past midnight?

"For how long and on what sections will works take place overnight?"

Cllr Jones is the council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, which is overseeing the 2020 project.

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “Due to the current phase of work, the contractor needs to operate a second traffic management system in order to progress with works and provide a safe working area for the workforce.

"Operating it after 6pm reduces the impact on vehicle flow through the town, minimizing the risks of delays at peak traffic times.

“Any excessively noisy work will be carried out early in the evening as to not cause further noise disruption to residents. The last night of working will be Friday 18^th February.

“The council would like to thank members of the public and businesses for their continued patience during the ongoing work.”

Local MP Simon Baynes wins government promotion

* Simon Baynes MP in the House of Commons Chamber.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has been appointed as a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Ministerial team at the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

A (PPS) is selected from backbench MPs to act as an assistant to a minister or team of ministers in the House of Commons. 

The unpaid role is seen as the first rung on the ministerial ladder. 

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) helps to protect and promote the UK’s cultural and artistic heritage and help businesses and communities to grow by investing in innovation and highlighting Britain as a fantastic place to visit, as well as giving the UK an advantage on the global stage, striving for economic success.

Mr Baynes said: “I am very honoured and delighted to have been appointed as a Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Ministerial team at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. 

"The work of the Department covers many areas of UK Government policy which are extremely important for Clwyd South. 

"And I am looking forward to delivering on the Government’s commitments and continuing to work hard for the people of Clwyd South as their local Member of Parliament.” 

All care workers should get £1,000 bonus, says boss

A social care leader is calling for an assurance that everybody working in the sector will receive a £1,000 bonus payment – even staff like cooks, care support workers and cleaners.

Mario Kreft MBE, the chair of Care Forum Wales (pictured), said the extra cash for front line social care workers announced by the Welsh Government was welcome in the midst of a dire staff shortage.

But he’s concerned that some ancillary staff might miss out.

Mr Kreft says that would be totally unfair when they too have played a vital role in keeping vulnerable people safe during the pandemic.

According to Deputy Health Minister Julie Morgan MS, the initiative is costing £96 million and the bonus will be aimed at some 53,000 people working in the sector.

It comes on top of the £43.2 million announced last December that’s designed to ensure social care workers receive the Real Living Wage from April onwards.

Care Forum Wales are concerned that all of this money might not reach the frontline because it is being channelled via local authorities and health boards.

Last year Mr Kreft was criticised by the Welsh Local Government Association for suggesting that asking councils to distribute social care funding to care homes and domiciliary care companies was like “putting a fox in charge of the henhouse”.

Some authorities were better than others in getting the cash to front line but in far too many cases, he said, care homes were still waiting for any extra money to reach them. 

Mr Kreft said: “We certainly welcome the £1,000 as a first step recruiting and retaining social care workers at a time when we are facing the worst staffing crisis anybody in the sector can remember.

“There is a much bigger issue about how we value social care worker and how we commission social care to ensure that our wonderful workforce receive the rewards that they deserve.

“We have been having weekly meetings with the Deputy Minister and we are grateful to her for her inclusive approach in involving Care Forum Wales in her deliberations.

“In relation to the £1,000, there is a question mark about those people who have slogged their guts out during the Covid nightmare, through all of the challenges, who may not be eligible.

“I am thinking of people who may have been dealing with infection control, catering and cleaning staff because they have all played an absolutely key role in keeping people safe.

“We really need to have clarity that these people are not going to be overlooked because there has been an astonishing commitment by the social care sector and social care workers in different settings come in all shapes and sizes.

“I hope there’s going to discretion in that guidance for employers to be able to ensure those  who have kept people safe and gone above and beyond during the pandemic are rewarded for those efforts.

“The key thing is that nobody gets overlooked because in Wales social care staff have made an astonishing contribution to the safety of vulnerable people.

“We need to make sure that social care family  benefits but I think that’s possible because I think the government understands the sector has made.

“The issue is quite different in terms of the £43 million that’s been set aside to pay people Real Living Wage from April.

“The delivery mechanism for that needs to be very carefully developed in partnership with the sector so that the guidance is such that local authorities and health boards will ensure it gets through to the front line so that our staff can actually receive the Real Living Wage.

“Care Forum Wales was very clear in 2020 when we launched our campaign for social care workers to receive an annual salary of at least £20,000.

“Every political party in Wales bought into that campaign and what now need to ensure is that we have the right mechanism so that local authorities have no wriggle room.

“We don’t want to see a repeat of the shambles last autumn when £41 million in recovery funding was given to local authorities because we Know that has been less than consistently allocated to the sector, as we warned would be the case at the time.

“Last October we felt the guidance was not strong enough or clear enough and we were criticised by the Welsh Local Government Association for daring to suggest that would be the case.

“In the event our concerns were proved to be wholly accurate. Surprise, surprise – many months later in February we see there are those local authorities, as we predicted, that there were some local authorities who did the right thing while others sat on the hands.

“We still have some local authorities in Wales that have not ensured that desperately needed money has got to the frontline as the Welsh Government intended.

“Some providers have still got the begging bowl out at a time when care homes are closing because of financial difficulties.

“Among the places we have lost is a greatly valued care home in Mold and that is a stark reminder we have to have a sustainable service and that people with complex needs can be cared for in their own community and they don’t have to remain in hospital so the NHS can concentrate on what it’s best at.

“That is why we have to ensure the new guidance for the Real Living Wage is worked on and co-produced in partnership with all parties so we have an effective  mechanism for distributing funding in the right way.

“This is surely the beginning of a more consistent national approach instead of the postcode lottery of having 22 local authorities and seven health boards doing things differently.

“Last October I said that allocating the funding via local government was tantamount to putting a fox in charge of the henhouse and sadly what I feared has now come to pass. It hasn’t been consistently applied and there are cases where the money has not got to the front line.

“It’s therefore vital that we learn the lessons and we approach this issue in partnership so that we do not repeat the same mistakes.

“We need to see social care workers as a value not a cost to our society and our country.”