Welsh Government plan to improve voter participation

The Welsh Government has set out proposals to improve voter participation, including trials for automatic registration in Senedd and local government elections.

The Counsel General, Mick Antoniw, said the proposals are designed to remove barriers to voting.

It comes as a consultation opens on new legislation to modernise electoral administration and wider electoral reform.

Currently people must register in order to vote, but under the new proposals anyone who is eligible would be added to the electoral register automatically by their local authority. This will make voting simpler, especially for young people and for those who have moved to Wales from another country.

The Welsh Government is proposing to work with a number of local authorities to run a series of pilots focusing on how best to collect data and use existing data to support automatic registration, and will be inviting local authorities to take part in pilot projects.

Views are also being sought on how best to improve student and young people’s registration rates, who have a proportionately lower rate of registration and participation.

Other areas being considered are the accessibility of information on parties and candidates, the equipment available to help disabled people vote, and the digitization of elections in Wales.

Steve highlights his three of the best new cars

* No. 1 - MG4 EV. 

* No. 2 - Lexus NX450H+ F Sport Takumi.

* No. 3 - Genesis GV60 EV.

Steve Rogers samples three 'brilliant' new cars

It is rare for me to award top honours to a car company two years running but it has happened.

This was the annual event run by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders when motoring journos get the chance to compare like for like from a variety of car companies. Last year my drive of the day went to the MG HS plug-in hybrid and the Chinese-owned company has done it again, with a car that is even better.

The MG4 EV is a brilliant budget busting electric car, and with a cost of living crisis and fuel prices through the roof it could not have picked a better time to arrive.

Check this out. A family hatchback the size of a Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf with eye popping styling for a fiver under £26,000. An electric VW ID3 or Kia Niro EV will set you back an extra 10 grand. The trim quality right through the MG does not measure up to its well known rivals but it is plenty good enough and there were no creaks or rattles on the car I drove.

The entry SE goes with a 51kWh battery that is good for 218 miles, move up to 64kWh SE Long Range and it stretches to 281 miles. At £28,495 this is still bargain of the century territory. A fast charge from a public 150kW post will top the car up to 80 per cent power in 35 minutes.

Performance is on a par with the rest of the leccy pack with sixty coming up in brisk 7.5 seconds and although my drive was brief there were no complaints on the handling, comfort and steering front.

Equipment level from entry level is more than adequate with climate control, all round electric windows, automatic LED headlights, rear parking sensors, DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections.

Even the all singing and dancing top of the range Trophy at £31,495 is a steal and will provide such luxuries as wireless mobile charging, 360 degree parking camera and powered seats.

I cannot think of any other electric car that comes close to the MG4 for value for money with few sacrifices and should be a shoe in for European Car of the Year.

Second slot goes to the new Lexus NX450H+ F Sport Takumi plug in hybrid, a hugely sophisticated car drawing on the decades of experience of parent company Toyota. What they don’t know about hybrid power is not worth knowing.

Power comes from a 305bhp 2.5 litre petrol with 43 miles of electric driving available and emissions between 20-26g/km.

It has a beautifully crafted cabin, is brilliant to drive but you will need to find £62,450.

Completing my top three is the Genesis GV60 EV. Launching a luxury brand in Europe, even if it does have the might of Hyundai footing the bill, is a huge challenge but the fledgling company is building a strong range.

Two things grabbed my attention: Phenomenal acceleration - FOUR seconds to reach 62mph,  50-75mph 2.5secs, from two electric motors with a total output of 480bhp, and a range of 289 miles.

Wow factor interior styling backed up by high quality materials and trim which it should be with the Fun model costing £71,445 (more than two MG4s). 

Have your say on new two-counties well-being plan

The Conwy and Denbighshire Public Services Board (PSB) have produced a draft Well-being Plan for the region and want to hear people’s views on the chosen objective and the approach to be taken.

The PSB is a collaboration between public and voluntary sector organisations who are working together to improve economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being in the region. 

Every five years, following an assessment of local well-being in its area, the PSB has to agree objectives for the benefit of its communities, and the steps it proposes to take to meet them.

The draft outlines the content of the PSB’s future Well-being Plan for 2023 to 2028, where the Board will focus on making Conwy and Denbighshire a more equal place with less deprivation.

This document provides only the outline of our plan, and it is through this consultation that we are seeking you views on the direction we are taking and the steps that we propose to take, which will then better inform a final version that we will approve in the Spring, 2023.

To share your views on the draft Well-being Plan, please visit the link: https://conwyanddenbighshirelsb.org.uk/draft-local-well-being-plan-2023-2028/ .

To request a paper copy, please get in touch through the contact us page.  Alternatively, you can also send any comments or suggestions on the Well-being Plan to countyconversation@conwy.gov.uk, or phone 01492 574059.

* For more information on the Conwy and Denbighshire Public Services Board (PSB), please visit https://www.conwyanddenbighshirepsb.org.uk/about-us/

Local opportunity to take part in seed gathering season

Green-fingered enthusiasts are being given the opportunity to grow their knowledge of seeds in Llangollen later this month.

Denbighshire County Council’s biodiversity team is opening up their annual seed gathering work to those interested in making a difference for their own local environment.

Currently it is the Seed Gathering Season campaign, organised by the Tree Council to inspire people with the right permission to gather seeds, fruits and nuts and grow the trees of the future.

The council has arranged a number of seed collecting days which will see seeds gathered and grown at the St Asaph based Tree Nursery as part of the continuing work to improve local biodiversity in Denbighshire.

Once grown the trees will be planted at Denbighshire woodland sites to maintain and improve species richness across the county.

The seed collecting days are set to take place at various woodland and estates across the county which will enable collection from veteran and ancient trees and some uncommon species not regularly found.

On some of the sites the team will also be joined by local countryside rangers who will be able to help people learn more about the area and the past environmental history.

The seed gathering days include:

1. Weds 5th            Oct       Coed Collfryn
2. Weds 11th         Oct        Loggerheads
3. Weds 19th         Oct        Chirk
4. Weds 26th         Oct        Dinas Bran
5. Weds 2nd           Nov       Coed Collfryn
6. Weds 9th            Nov      Big Wood (Mold)
7. Weds 16th         Nov       Erddig
8. Weds 24rd         Nov       Coed Pwllgwyn
9. Weds 30th         Nov       Loggerheads

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “ We have had some fantastic volunteers helping us so far with our biodiversity work and I would really encourage anyone with an interest in growing trees or wanting to learn more to take up this opportunity.”

* Anyone interested can email biodiversity@denbighshire.gov.uk  for more information and to secure a place.

Stunning new film highlights case for change at St Collen's

* A drone camera aerial shot of St Collen's place at the heart of the town featured in the film.   

Stunning aerial shots of St Collen's Church and the surrounding town of Llangollen feature in a new film just premiered on Youtube.

It was commissioned by the team leading the scheme to adapt the historic place of worship to meet the needs of the 21^st century and who invite people to get involved.

The Genesis Project had a professional film-maker create the short video in which priest-in-charge Father Lee Taylor warns how St Collen's - dating back to the 7^th century - could share the same fate as places of worship across Britain which have been forced to close, unless it makes a number of changes to create a more “flexible and inclusive” building for community use.

* Father Lee Taylor outlines the case for changes to the church. 

The project team is currently putting together an application for a substantial amount of Heritage Lottery cash to pay for the adaptions.

To a background of ecclesiastical music and interspersed with shots of the church plus stunning aerial sequences filmed with a drone camera, Father Lee stands in front of the altar and says: “The church dates back to the seventh century when Collen came here and parts of it are at least 13^th century.

“It has got some amazing architectural features such as the medieval hammerbeam roof and the legendary Ladies of Llangollen’s tomb in the churchyard.

* The magnificent medieval hammerbeam roof.

“But we have to move forward in order to meet the social and spiritual needs of the 21^st century and to do that we need to make some very big changes.

“Over the decades the Church generally has seen a downward trajectory in attendances and this has meant that a number of churches in Wales and in England have had to close.

“We don’t want that to happen here at St Collen’s, so what we propose to do is make a few alterations to the fabric of the building, taking away pews to make a space for a stage platform which will enable us to host more plays, concerts and school nativities and bring in more sections of the community.

“There is also a desperate need for toilet facilities and better heating and lighting to generally allow the building to have more flexibility and inclusivity, allowing people to feel part of this building when they visit.”

* An aerial shot of the tomb of the Ladies of Llangollen in the churchyard.

He adds: “The church has always been the focal point of the community and is always here to serve the needs of the community.

“We very much want our community in Llangollen to get involved with the Genesis Project. We’d love to hear from you – tell us what you think about it, whether you’d like to get involved.

“We very much want to see all organisations and groups coming into this building - which is your building – and using and using it to its full potential capacity.”

* Anyone wanting to find out more about the project or to become involved with it is asked to email the project team at: genesisteam1300@gmail.com

* The film can be viewed on Youtube at: https://youtu.be/7HFpmclaElI

 

MS wants to see police officers 'fully focus' on their job

North Wales MS Sam Rowlands wants to see police officers being able to fully focus on their jobs.

Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Rowlands, Welsh Conservative and Shadow Minister for Local Government, asked what efforts had been made to allow police officers to focus on reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. 

He said: “One of the best ways of reducing crime and anti-social behaviour is ensuring that our hard-working police officers and PCSOs are able to fully focus their time and efforts on their very clear areas of responsibility. 

“Back in July, I raised the issue that police forces are facing across Wales at the moment, often being distracted from their clear priorities and focus. Police officers to have to deal with work that usually sits in other public service areas, such as in health or in social services. 

“Minister, you stated that many of these issues are being raised through the policing partnership board whilst working with policing colleagues. 

“In light of this, I was wondering whether you have an update on what efforts are being made to reduce police time having to focus on non-policing issues to enable them and allow them to focus on reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.” 

Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt agreed that PCSOs play a crucial role in promoting community safety and tackling anti-social behaviour and acting as ears and eyes on the ground for police forces. 

However, she added it was also about local relationships and so many of those are with local authorities, with social services, housing, youth workers, et cetera, as well as with health colleagues. It is very inter-related in terms of tackling crime. 

Mr Rowlands responded: “While I appreciate that the police do have to work closely with other organisations I still feel there is not enough being done to take away those pressures. 

“This increase has seen police officers dealing with defibrillators, tied up in A&E for hours on end, at times, waiting for those they may have arrested to be seen, along with assisting with mental health issues. 

“I am concerned about our police forces being taken away from their traditional work of solving crime and dealing with anti-social behaviour.”   

Council's reminder over free school meals for reception classes

Reception pupils in Denbighshire schools have started to receive universal free school meals since the start of the new term and parents/guardians currently not taking advantage of the scheme are urged to consider doing so. 

Following receipt of £859,000 from Welsh Government to support the roll out of Universal Primary free school meals across Denbighshire, works have taken place to increase the capacity of the authority’s Primary school kitchens. Work commenced before the start of the Summer holidays at 13 sites across the county. 

In December 2021 Welsh Government (WG) announced plans to offer free meals to all Primary school pupils. WG later announced a phased delivery approach to be implemented from 1st September 2022 to September 2024 and reception aged pupils have now started to receive the meals in Denbighshire schools. 

Councillor Gill German, Lead member for Education Children and Families said, “Delivery of Universal Free School Meals to all Primary pupils is a top priority for the Authority. This project has been a significant challenge with tight timescales, and I am delighted to see excellent cross service working by council teams and outstanding support from local suppliers, contractors and Welsh Government to introduce the programme. 

“There are parents and guardians out there that are not taking advantage of the Universal Primary Free School Meals offer and I would encourage everyone to consider whether they would like their child in reception year to receive the offer. There is no application process – it is simply the case of your child letting their class teacher know."

The council says the next phase of the works will focus on ensuring that all Primary schools are able to deliver to Year 1 and 2 by Easter 2023.