Skates warns of 'terrible consequences' at hands of UK Government

Member of the Senedd Ken Skates (pictured) has expressed his fears for the ‘terrible consequences in store for us all’ at the hands of a UK Government he branded the most right-wing in modern history.

During Trefnydd Lesley Griffiths’ Business Statement in the Senedd on Tuesday (September 27), Mr Skates said: “I’d be very grateful for a statement regarding the economy. It’s pretty clear now that the UK Government, and the Chancellor in particular, has lost control of the UK's economy, with terrible consequences in store for us all. 

“Could we have a statement, please, from the Economy Minister, specifically concerning businesses and the likely consequences for Welsh businesses of a plummeting pound, soaring interest rates and also rocketing inflation?” 

On Friday, Mr Gething had tweeted: “The Tory policy to deal with the cost of living crisis: handouts for the wealthy, hardship for working people. They've failed to grow the economy, and now after 12 years the mask has fully slipped - this is an economic package that would make Thatcher wince.” 

Ms Griffiths told Clwyd South MS Mr Skates: “I absolutely agree with you. I think to give the rich tax cuts is not policy that most people would think was very sensible, and clearly there are many concerns you can see right across the markets, and the international markets too just really have lost confidence and trust in the UK Government. 

“I will certainly ask the Minster to bring forward a statement at the appropriate time, but I think it's really important we give the Minster time to have those discussions with the UK Government.” 

After proceedings, Mr Skates added: “It’s becoming clearer and clearer each day that this is the most right-wing UK Government in modern history. The latest incarnation isn’t even bothering to try and hide its true colours. As usual, the rich will get richer while the majority of British people suffer.”

Leader carries tribute to 'incredible' Llangollen man

* William Jones pictured in the Leader tribute.

The Leader has carried a tribute to an "incredible" Llangollen man who lost his brave battle with cancer. 

The story says that, for a year, William Jones fought stage four Cholangiocarcinoma - a rare cancer affecting the bile ducts.

Sadly, on September 16, the 60-year-old former naval officer and firefighter died.

* For the full story, see: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/22680459.llangollen-tribute-former-naval-officer-firefighter/

Council prepares to administer winter fuel payments

Denbighshire County Council will be administering the Welsh Government’s winter fuel payments scheme to assist households financially with their increasing energy costs. 

The Government has made £90 million available to support households across Wales and eligibility for the scheme has been extended to allow more households to qualify for the £200 payments. 

The following benefits will qualify customers for the Winter Fuel Scheme: 

• Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS)
• Income Support
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Working Tax Credits
• Child Tax Credits
• Pension Credit
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Attendance Allowance
• Carers Allowance^[1]
• Contributory Based/New Style Jobseekers Allowance
• Contributory Based/New Style Employment and Support Allowance
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Constant Attendance Allowance
• War Pension Mobility Supplement 

If a householder (or their partner) who is liable for the fuel costs does not receive any of the qualifying benefits, the householder should be determined/considered as eligible for a payment if they have a qualifying person living with them. 

A person meets the definition of a qualifying person if they: 

• Occupy the householder’s home as their primary residence; and
• Are a dependent child or another adult living with the householder (or their partner); and,
• They receive one of the following benefits between 1 September 2022 and 31 January 2023: 

• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Constant Attendance Allowance
• War Pension Mobility Supplement 

Customers can claim whether they pay for their fuel on a pre-payment meter, by direct debit, or whether they have on or off-grid fuel. 

This scheme is in addition to Welsh Government’s fuel voucher scheme, the Cost of Living £150 payment and the unpaid carers payment. 

The scheme will be open for applications on the 26 September 2022, with payments expected to be made in October 2022.

Councillor Gwyneth Ellis, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “We are pleased to be working with Welsh Government to roll-out the payment programme in Denbighshire. 

Where a resident has previously been awarded a Cost of Living payment there is no need to complete an application form as we will be issuing an automatic payment, with circa 5,400 payments being issued this week.

“Our aim is for the process to work as smoothly as possible and we would ask residents who may wish to apply to get their applications submitted,” said a council spokesperson. 

* Information on the winter fuel payments, as well as the application form can be found at: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/costofliving

Urgent message from Town Clerk

Message from the Town Clerk 

Due to unforeseen circumstances the Chamber cannot be used for this evening’s Ordinary meeting of the Town Council. At 6.00 pm.

The meeting will take place via Microsoft Teams remote conferencing software using the following link:
https://msteams.link/45I8

Llangollen Food Festival to come to heart of town

 

Cheers: Pip Gale is hosting a mini beer festival at Gales Wine Bar on the day. 

Llangollen Food Festival will be serving up a host of tasty treats from the heart of the town next month.

The popular annual event regularly attracts thousands of hungry visitors from across the UK looking to sample both new and traditional experiences in food and drink.

Up to now it has been based at the town’s International Pavilion but this year the festival will be coming from a variety of venues in the centre of Llangollen when it is held on Saturday, October 15.

An array of around 40 stand-holders will be waiting to show off their mouth-watering products, ranging from the best in home-grown Welsh artisan delicacies to Bolivian street food, at the Town Hall, in the main entrance to Llangollen Steam Railway and also at Gales Wine Bar.

As has become traditional with one of Wales’s premier food festivals there will also be some exciting hands-on attractions on offer, including local experts giving the kids – and adults too – the chance to test their skills at making cupcakes or creating a clay masterpiece on a real potter’s wheel.

And throughout the day there will be live music from bands and choirs playing out from the town square.  

One of the event’s key organisers Pip Gale, of Gales Wine Bar, said: “When Covid scuppered our plans to return to our usual base at the Eisteddfod Pavilion last year, we put our heads together and decided to hold a ‘bite-sized’ festival in the heart of Llangollen.

“Over two days, hundreds of people popped into Gales’ Wine Garden to browse stalls from local food producers and artists and then enjoyed a drink in the autumn sun. We loved how our festival brought people together with local businesses in a time that was tough for everyone.

“People enjoyed it so much we have decided to do much the same this year and so we’ll be back in the centre of Llangollen again for 2022, with more venues and even more to enjoy at an action packed one-day festival.

“Like previous festivals, we will have our usual mix of interesting exhibitors but we’ll also introduce some new producers, speakers and demonstrations - and there will be plenty of live music for people to enjoy.”

On October 15, the festival will be open to the public from 10am until 5pm at its various locations, each of which will each feature a wide spectrum of food and drink stands.

Gales Wine Bar will also be playing host to a mini beer festival within its new Garden area.

Throughout the day there will cooking be demonstrations from top local chefs.

The pot-throwing and cupcake-making experiences will be offered at the Town Hall.

After the main daytime event, people are invited back to the Town Hall from 6pm to challenge their senses with a special one-off tasting event from the experts of Wales’ own Penderyn Whiskey for which there will be a charge of £15 a head.     

Throughout the day there will be a selection of live outdoor entertainment in Llangollen’s centrepiece Centenary Square, including selections from Corwen ladies’ choir and local bands.

* For more details about Llangollen Food Festival, check out:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/llangollenfoodfest

Website:  www.llangollenfoodfestival.co.uk

Instagram page: @LlangollenFoodFestival

Latest list of local roadworks

Latest local roadworks notified by Denbighshire County Council are: 

Jct A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD SUN BANK 03/10/2022 07/10/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN'S (SCOTT POWELL) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

OPPOSITE 3 HILL STREET HILL STREET 21/10/2022 21/10/2023 Gwaith ar Dwll Archwilio/ Man Hole Works MJ QUINN (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Nr 4 VICARAGE ROAD until 28/09/2022 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Outside THE HAND HOTEL CHURCH STREET 28/09/2022 30/09/2022 Gwaith Paentio / Painting Works QUANTUM TM (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

OS SERVICE RESERVOIR PUMP HOUSE FRON BACHE 10/10/2022 12/10/2022 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works AVOVE UTILITIES LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

O/S THE HAND HOTEL CHAPEL STREET 28/09/2022 30/09/2022 Gwaith Paentio / Painting Works QUANTUM TM (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Atal Parcio / Parking Suspension

Growing local food event to be held on Wednesday

Community agriculture group Grow Llangollen has organised a special event for this Wednesday (September 28). 

The group was set with the aim of increasing the quantity and affordability of cultivated crops that are grown in and around Llangollen, and to increase the amount of local produce sold in the area.

It has secured funding from the UK Community Renewal Fund for a feasibility study which aims to research these issues and to work out what might be possible.  

The group is now working with members of ADAS Horticulture who have been appointed to produce the study, which we plan to use to apply for funding to implement the recommendations.  

Together, they are planning to run two public events to discuss the opportunities and barriers, as well as carrying out questionnaires and interviews. 

The first event is this Wednesday (October 28) at St Collen's Community Centre, between 2pm and 7pm. 

Grow Llangollen's Stephanie Mitchell said: "There will be a series of talks, discussions, and chances to talk to the experts from ADAS Horticulture, so if you’re interested in getting involved in food growing at any scale, from windowsill to farm, please come along. 

"You’re welcome to stay all day, or drop in when you can.  Local food refreshments will be provided through the day.

"The second event is a learning journey to Mostyn Kitchen Garden on Friday October 7. If you’re interested in joining us, please message us on Facebook.

"The more people that join in, the more useful the study will be in building a better project and attracting funding, so please come and get involved, or complete one of the questionnaires which will be found on our Facebook page, along with the programme for the Growing Local Food Forum."

She added: "There are very few fruits or vegetables grown commercially in the Llangollen area, and although some people grow at home or on allotments there is potential for far more to be produced.

"Growing more food locally has many benefits, including supporting the local economy and reducing food miles, increasing people’s skills and the possibility of additional income, and reconnecting people with food growing. 

"However, we know that there is a long waiting list for allotments in Llangollen, and that there are many other reasons why people might struggle to grow, and our aim is find out what the problems are and to try to find solutions to them."