Council apologises for postal voting information error

Denbighshire County Council is apologising to postal voters in the county for an error in an information sheet recently issued with postal ballot papers. 

The information sheet referred to the wrong ballot papers. In addition, the information sheet informed voters that they can vote for one candidate only which is clearly incorrect for multi-member wards and for Town and Community Council elections. 

The postal vote packs contain the correct ballot papers for each voter. There is no error on the ballot papers- they are printed correctly and contain appropriate instructions to voters on the number of votes that they may cast. 

The Council has posted the correct information sheet on its website and has contacted 6,900 postal voters and a further 285 people through text messaging, advising them of the error on the information sheet. Importantly, the Council is also sending a letter in the post to all those who have received a postal vote to correct the information initially received. All candidates standing for election are also being sent a letter. 

Graham Boase, Denbighshire’s Chief Executive and Returning Officer said: “We sincerely apologise to all the candidates in the forthcoming elections and all those members of the public who requested a postal vote for this error.  

“Whilst it is clear on each of the ballot papers how many votes can made per ballot sheet, the information sheet accompanying the ballot paper provides incorrect information, which may understandably have led to some confusion. 

“Immediately following the error coming to light we took every mitigating action we possibly could.  We sought advice from the Electoral Commission and the Association of Electoral Administrators and we sent an e-mail and text message to every postal voter that had provided us those details.  Information also appeared on the Council’s website and through its social media channels to provide similar information and advice. Importantly we are also sending a letter through the post to everyone who requested a postal vote advising them of the error. 

“Since the error came to light I have carefully considered our response and believe that, given the ballot papers contain the correct instructions to voters, the package of mitigation measures is appropriate in all the circumstances. 

The Elections Unit reiterates that postal voters should follow the instructions on the ballot papers and ensure that their postal votes are returned to the Elections Unit before 10pm on Thursday, 5^th May 2022. 

* Further information is available from the Council’s website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/elections.  If any postal voter believes that they have already returned their postal pack and have followed the incorrect information, they may, if they wish, ask for a replacement pack by contacting the Election Unit on 01824 706000 (Monday to Friday between the hours of 8.30am and 5pm) or by e-mail at the following address elections@denbighshire.gov.uk

 

Llangollen college learners earn awards

* Emma Roberts and Caitlin Mann with their awards.

Coleg Cambria Llysfasi learners Emma Roberts and Caitlin Mann, both from Llangollen, were among the finalists at this year’s Lantra Cymru Awards.

Emma, 22, received the College Lifelong Learner of the Year Award.

Nineteen year-old Caitlin was Highly Commended in the College Young Learner of the Year category.

Both former pupils of Ysgol Dinas Bran, they were delighted to be part of the event – held at The Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells – and thanked Level 3 Animal Management tutor Alex Morgan for nominating them.

Emma, who plans to study Agriculture with Animal Science at university from September, has her heart set on becoming a teacher.

She said: “My mum and grandmother both grew up on dairy farms but I was unsure what career I wanted to do until spending some time on a farm doing work experience.

“I loved it and from that point knew I wanted to work in agriculture, particularly education.

“I look forward to seeing what the future brings and was really happy and surprised to win this award, it’s given me a huge confidence boost as I come to the end of my time at Cambria, which has been fantastic.”

Caitlin, who works at Llangollen Wharf and on a dairy farm, will return to Llysfasi next year to begin a Level 3 course in Agriculture.

She added: “I’ve never been nominated for an award before so that was lovely, and it was a great night.

“It has been a challenging time as over the last two years a lot of lessons were held online and we weren’t working, but luckily things are getting back to normal now and the college have been very supportive.

“I’m looking forward to coming back next year and beginning a new qualification, with my long-term aim to work in the dairy sector. The guidance and help I’ve had from the college is a big reason I’ve decided to return, and the fantastic lecturers we have here.”

Alex paid tribute to Emma and Caitlin for their diligence and dedication, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Both learners were nominated for the same principal reasons, they are very hard-working, dedicated and show a genuine interest in the industry,” she said.

“It’s been a very difficult couple of years, so it was a great privilege to have had an opportunity to nominate them and celebrate their fantastic achievements. Congratulations again to you both, your success is so well deserved.”

Lesley Griffiths MS, Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd, added: “Each one of this year’s very worthy Lantra Cymru Awards winners and runners-up is, through their commitment to lifelong learning, making a valuable contribution to the modernisation and professionalism of the agriculture industry in Wales. 

“Your collective efforts are helping our industry safeguard the future of family farms and rural communities for future generations. I want to congratulate all this year’s nominees and in particular, our very worthy winners.

“I wish you all well as you make your mark on agriculture in Wales and beyond – the future of our industry is in very safe hands.”

* For more on the Lantra Cymru Awards, visit www.lantra.co.uk

Roadworks alert for Willow Street

 

The latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

Willow Street, Llangollen 27 April - 29 April   Delays likely - Road closure   Description: Surface course road treatment...   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Denbighshire County Council.   Responsibility for works: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: QR007S000000000557

Police warn about Llan catalytic convertor thefts

Police have warned Llangollen residents about the theft of catalytic convertors from their vehicles. 

Using the Neighbourhood Alert network, PCSO Karl Joseph of Conwy & Denbigh Rural says: "Please be aware of reports of catalytic converter thefts from the Llangollen area in the last couple of weeks. 

"The latest being within the last three days. Cars that are being targeted are mostly Japanese models.

"Could I ask that if anyone is seen to be acting suspiciously around vehicles to contact police on either 101 or 999 if a theft is occurring there and then.  

"Could I also ask that you use caution and keep yourself safe if you or anyone approaches someone attempting to steal a catalytic converter from a vehicle. Don't put yourself at risk. 

"If anyone would like a Smart Water Pen Kit to mark their catalytic converters, then please contact me at Llangollen Police Station and I will look at getting one to you."

Special events day marks Ladies' crafting

Plas Newydd has a new site-specific exhibition launching next Saturday, April 30 inspired by the crafting intimacies of the Ladies of Llangollen. 

The day will include a symposium at The Hand Hotel, a visit to St Collen’s Church where Eleanor Butler, Sarah Ponsonby and Mary Carryl are buried and a private view of the exhibition with drinks reception at Plas Newydd Historic House and Gardens. 

The exhibition, entitled Beloved: Crafting Intimacies with the Ladies of Llangollen, has been created by Manchester-based artist Sarah-Joy Ford after a period of artist residency at Plas Newydd. 

She says the embroidered intervention is inspired by the deep and lifelong intimate relationship between the Ladies and the extraordinary home that they created together, as well as Sarah Ponsonby’s own creative practices undertaken in the home.

The day will include a symposium hosted by Queer Research Network Manchester with three speakers at The Hand Hotel, a visit to St Collen’s Church and a private view of the exhibition with drinks reception at Plas Newydd.

Sarah-Joy Ford said: "Queer Research Network Manchester is an inter-disciplinary research network that aims to bring together researchers working with queer themes across the Manchester universities. We host regular discussion and reading groups for PhD students and organise bi-monthly events and speakers.

"This project is funded by the North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership through their Researcher-Led Knowledge Exchange scheme, with support from the Arts and Humanities Research Council."

Timetable of Events

Date: Saturday, April 30:

Beloved Symposium: Talks from Professor Alison Oram, Dr Freya Growley and & Sarah-Joy Ford Time: 2-4pm.

Location: The Hand Hotel, Bridge Street, Llangollen LL20 8PL.

Guided Visit to the grave of Eleanor Butler, Sarah Ponsonby and Mary Caryl: Time: 4pm - 5pm.

Location: St Collen’s Church, 8 Church St, Llangollen LL20 8HU.

Exhibition Private View and Drinks Reception

Time: 6.30pm - 10pmLocation: Plas Newydd Historic House and Gardens, Hill St, Llangollen LL20 8AW.

* You can find the full details on the Eventbrite page here https://beloved-plas-newydd.eventbrite.co.uk

Elections watchdog advises county over postal votes mistake

Polling watchdog the Electoral Commission is advising Denbighshire County Council on how to deal with a situation which has developed after it sent out the wrong advice to postal voters, llanblogger has discovered.

As we reported yesterday, the council told voters in a message last Friday that they would only be able to vote for one candidate in the county and community/town council elections on May 5.

However, in a number of wards of Denbighshire - including Llangollen - there is more than one seat to fill.

On Saturday evening the council put up a message on its website apologising for "any confusion" and stressing that in all cases the instructions on the individual ballot papers was correct and would indicate clearly how many votes may be marked. 

It also pointed people towards the council website to get more advice.

This is: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/your-council/voting-and-elections/county-council-elections-local-elections.aspx  or from the Elections Unit on 01824 706000 (Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm), e:mail:  elections@denbighshire.gov.uk

Yesterday afternoon llanblogger asked the Electoral Commission to confirm whether it was involved with the matter.

And a spokesperson said: "We are aware of the issue relating to an incorrect information sheet included within postal voting packs.

"It is important to note that the instruction on the ballot papers themselves is accurate.

"We are in contact with the local authority to provide advice, and understand that they are taking steps to correct this error and issuing new information to affected voters.”

Denbighshire County Council has been asked to comment.

It is understood that a number of county candidates have expressed concern about the situation and how it could affect the result of the election.

In Llangollen there are two county council seats in contention with six candidates standing for them.

The candidates are:

* Butters Dawn Welsh, Conservative Party 

* Davies Stuart Arthur, Independent  

* Edwards Karen Anne, Independent 

* Jarvis Roger Welsh. Conservative Party 

* Keddie Paul, Independent 

* Marshall Sarah, Wales Green Party 

There will be no election on May 5 for Llangollen Town Council as only six candidates were announced for the 11 vacant seats. The remaining five seats will therefore have to be filled by co-option.

County council admits error in information about postal voting

Denbighshire County Council has apologised for any confusion caused by an error in information it has sent out about postal voting for the forthcoming elections.

It is understood that this information was received by local voters on Friday ahead of the elections on May 5.

But on its website early yesterday (Saturday) evening it posted: "We recently sent out all the relevant information to all those residents in Denbighshire who requested a postal vote in the forthcoming local government elections.

"Unfortunately, the information sheet in the pack contained an error, as it incorrectly stated that voters could vote for no more than one candidate. 

"However, in some county wards and for town and community elections voters may be eligible to vote for more than one candidate.

"In all cases the instructions on the individual ballot papers are correct and indicate clearly how many votes may be marked.

"If you are voting by post, please follow the instructions on the ballot paper.

"Further information is available here: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/your-council/voting-and-elections/county-council-elections-local-elections.aspx  or from the Elections Unit on 01824 706000 (Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm), e:mail:  elections@denbighshire.gov.uk

"We are sorry for any confusion the error on the information sheet may have caused."

In Llangollen there are two county council seats in contention with six candidates standing for them.

The candidates are:

* Butters Dawn Welsh, Conservative Party 

* Davies Stuart Arthur, Independent  

* Edwards Karen Anne, Independent 

* Jarvis Roger Welsh. Conservative Party 

* Keddie Paul, Independent 

* Marshall Sarah, Wales Green Party 

There will be no election on May 5 for Llangollen Town Council as only six candidates were announced for the 11 vacant seats. The remaining five seats will therefore have to be filled by co-option.