Skates calls for swimming pools to get help with power bills

* The pool at Plas Madoc.

An MS has renewed his calls for increased support for swimming pools. 

Ken Skates wants pools like Plas Madoc to be designated by the UK Government as ‘energy-intensive’ enterprises – meaning they would get more help to subsidise their electricity bills. 

He first raised the issue in October and has now written to the UK Government after the plight of pools was discussed in the Senedd this week. 

Mr Skates, MS for Clwyd South, said: “Swim Wales recently warned that nearly a third of the 500 public swimming pools in Wales could close because of the ever-increasing costs they’re facing. Not only are their energy bills spiralling, but they also face the twin challenges of the rising cost of essential chemicals – and the delays in their delivery – as a consequence of Brexit. 

“Many swimming pools in Wales are owned and maintained by local councils, who have received a very good settlement from the Welsh Government for the next financial year. But some, like Plas Madoc in my constituency, don’t get council funding and have to make ends meet in other ways. 

“Being classified as energy-intensive would give these vital community facilities a real shot in the arm. I have written to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Grant Shapps, to make this case and I know the Welsh Government continues to press him on this as well.” 

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething previously said the Welsh Government would work with the UK Government – which is responsible for regulating the energy industry – to find a resolution. 

This week in the Senedd, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport Dawn Bowden said: “Local authorities have had the best financial settlement in a long time, much higher than they had anticipated, and how they utilise that budget is a matter for them. I hope that the decisions that they come to, following their deliberations and their consultations, will be that they take things like leisure centres and realise that they are part of the wider well-being agenda for their population. 

“But one of the things that I remain concerned about is the UK Government's relief scheme that has still excluded swimming pools from their proposals, and we do continue to press the UK Government to utilise their powers to support swimming pools.”

MP impressed by visit to Tyn Dwr Hall

* Simon Baynes MP with Tracey Owen at Tyn Dwr Hall.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes visited Tyn Dwr Hall in Llangollen to learn more about the business and its contribution to the local economy.

He met with general manager Tracey Owen to learn more about the venue, which hosts weddings, conferences and team events and has on-site accommodation for 66 people. 

Tracey Owen’s family bought Tyn Dwr Hall in 2016 and since then have renovated the house and seven acres of gardens and grounds building a successful weddings business which recently had two open days.

Mr Baynes leerned that with 80% of its clients from England, Tyn Dwr Hall is making a major contribution to the local economy in Clwyd South, helping local businesses and employing a significant number of people locally, particularly young people. 

He was also told that after a difficult two years due to the Covid pandemic, its wedding business bounced back strongly last year and is looking very favourable for 2023.

Mr Baynes said: “It was a pleasure to visit Tyn Dwr Hall and meet with Tracey Owen to find out about this beautiful venue near Llangollen. 

"I was impressed to hear that the venue can offer not only weddings but also conferences and team events and how it is playing a key role in contributing to the local economy and helping local businesses and people in the area. 

"I was particularly impressed to learn about the training they provide for their staff, particularly young staff members. 

“I would like to thank Tracey and the team at Tyn Dwr Hall for a fantastic visit and would like to wish them all the very best for 2023.”

Denbighshire approves 3.8% council tax rise

Denbighshire County Council has approved the draft budget for the 2023/24 financial year.

At a Full Council meeting on January 31, the draft budget which includes raising Council Tax by 3.8%, was put forward for recommendation from members. Full Council approved the final report.

As part of the budget process the Council’s draft settlement announced by Welsh Government indicates Denbighshire’s funding from Welsh Government will increase by 8.2% for the 2032/24 financial year, compared to the Welsh average of 7.9%.

The draft settlement includes a slightly increased indicative average settlement increases of 3.0% for 2024/25. 

The Final Settlement is expected in early March but Welsh Government have indicated that there should be very few changes. 

The funding comes with a number of responsibilities the Council are required to fund, including pay increases and ensuring the Real Living Wage for social care workers. 

Although the funding announcement is welcome the Council is having to fund £25.116m of pressures including the impact of price and energy inflation and cost pressures in key areas such as social care. 

The Council therefore still had a funding gap of £10.885m to fill for the coming financial year.

Proposals to fill this gap include savings in the Capital Financing Budget amounting to £1.067m and an increase in Council Tax of 3.8%. 

The proposed Council Tax increase level is at the lower end of indicative increases across Wales. It is also lower than the average of 4.35% over the last four years.

Councillor Gwyneth Ellis, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “The Council has come to the end of the budget process for the 2023/24 financial year.

“It comes after a difficult year dealing with the cost of living impact and energy price rises, which has put an additional strain on resources. 

“We have taken a balanced approach to this year’s budget which aimed to recognise and remedy service pressures in order to build resilience, to make sure services were challenged to deliver efficient services and to minimise the impact of proposals on services users while keeping the proposed Council Tax increases as low as practicable. 

“The Council in this current climate is extremely committed to supporting our residents by protecting the services they value and expect as much as possible. 

“We have worked hard to be efficient and effective as possible, reducing our budgets and making savings by adapting better ways of working.”

Skates highlights Newbridge Road issue in Senedd

* Ken Skates (centre) with campaigners Frank Hemmings (left) and Derek Wright at the Newbridge site last April.

Transport issues in the area have been highlighted again in the Senedd by local MS Ken Skates.  

The Member of the Senedd for Clwyd South raised the urgent need for improvements to the A483 in November, calling for an update on the Welsh Government’s review of the key local route and saying work to make Junction 1 at Ruabon safer was vital. 

 

Mr Skates, the former Transport Minister, followed up on the ‘crucial’ local issues by writing to Minister Lee Waters, who is now in charge of transport matters in Wales. 

 

He also pointed out the increased traffic on local roads because of A483 congestion and delays to repairing the B5605 at Newbridge, which Wrexham Council is still to announce a start date for almost 10 months after the Welsh Government announced funding had been awarded.

 

The Minister has now responded saying: “I am sorry to hear about the continuing problems your constituents are experiencing at Ruabon. As advised in the Siambr, we believe the closure of Newbridge Road (B5605) is contributing to the increased traffic volumes in this area as motorists look to take alternative routes.  

 

“We awarded funding of £2.805m to Wrexham County Borough Council from the Resilient Roads Fund for the remedial works at Newbridge Road. The council will be best placed to advise on when works will be completed, which should alleviate congestion in and around junction 1 of the A483. 

 

“My officials contacted GoSafe on the back of your concerns regarding the B5907 near St Mary’s Church in Wales School and they have confirmed that they will undertake enforcement.” 

 

In 2018, while Economy and Transport Minister, Mr Skates announced funding for work to improve junctions 3 to 6 on the A483. The Welsh Government, however, later paused all new road projects and said they would be reviewed. 

In his letter to Mr Skates last week, Lee Waters said: “The final report of the independent Roads Review Panel has now been received. On November 30, I published a written statement setting out that our decision-making has been extended by the impact of the UK Government budget situation and we will publish a way forward shortly. 

 

“With respect to Junctions 3 to 6 on the A483, officials have progressed procurement of technical advisors so that the next stage of developing proposals can proceed at pace if a decision is made to continue to support this work.” 

 

This week, Mr Skates said: “These are crucial local issues for our area and they need urgent attention. I’m grateful for the Minister’s commitment to helping resolve them. 

 

“I now eagerly await an announcement from the Welsh Government that the long-awaited improvements to the A483 will go ahead. In the meantime, we urgently need positive news from Wrexham Council about Newbridge and when the work to reopen the road will get under way.” 

Latest Pengwern Community Hub what’s on guide

Pengwern Community Hub What’s On Guide for February 2023 is:

Details of tomorrow's school strikes from county council

Two of Llangollen's three schools will stay open during tomorrow (Wednesday's) strike by an education union, according to a list produced by Denbighshire County Council. 

Both Ysgol Y Gwernant and Ysgol Dinas Bran will remain open while Ysgol Bryn Collen is shut for the day due to the action.

In a statement on the way strike action will impact on the county's schools the council says: "We have been notified of national strike action by members of the National Education Union (NEU)  on Wednesday 1^st February and 14^th February 2023 which may impact on the operation of schools within the County. Additional days are also planned on the 15^th and 16^th March 2023.

"This is anticipated to result in a significant reduction in staffing levels within schools and will affect all areas of Wales.

"All schools have assessed whether they can remain open or partially open on these days and if not whether the sites will need to be closed to learners on these days.

"Schools will communicate directly with parents and carers regarding individual decisions and information.

"In addition, the National Association of Headteachers have notified Denbighshire that their members will commence action short of strike action as of the 1^st February 2023. 

"We appreciate that this industrial action has the potential to cause significant disruption to the learning of children and young people, and that alternative arrangements may need to be in place during these days should schools close/partial close.

"You will have received individual notifications as each school decides on the impact of this action however a full list is attached below that summarises the information.

"Schools will need to risk assess each day of industrial action separately and decide if a closure or partial closure is required.  We will keep you informed prior to the other proposed days of action."

MS urges people to have a say on Four Great Highways scheme

* Lower Dee Mill Park (above) and the ramp up to the Wharf (below) are included in the Four Great Highways project, currently out to public consultation.

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is urging people to have their say on plans to promote Llangollen.

He said: “I think it is an excellent idea to let people who live, work and visit the town to have their say on its future plans. 

“I am delighted to see the project, in the Clwyd South constituency, coming to fruition thanks to funding from Round 1 of the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund and a joint application for money from Denbighshire County Council and Wrexham County Borough Council.

 

“It is great to see investment in this popular tourist destination which can only enhance and improve the area for local people and visitors alike. It is also good to see how the Levelling Up Fund is delivering for people in North Wales.”

Llangollen's residents, businesses and visitors are being invited to share their views on a project aimed at promoting and enhancing the four great ‘highways’ of Llangollen: the Llangollen Canal and World Heritage Site, the former Ruabon to Barmouth railway line, the River Dee and Thomas Telford’s historic route, the A5 Holyhead Road.

The aim is to improve the visitor experience and increase the amount of time people choose to spend in the area. Proposed works include providing landscape and engineering improvement works to enhance accessibility and biodiversity, as well as making it easier for visitors to understand what is available in the area and how to find it.

The four key areas which have been identified are: Wharf; Access points to the Wharf, Railway and Lower Dee Mill Park; Lower Dee Mill Park and Signage & Wayfinding (including visitor information in car parks)

The Levelling Up Fund is intended to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK. The fund supports town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets.

The Levelling Up funding allocated to Denbighshire in Round 1 amounts to £3.8m and will benefit the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas.

* To take part in this consultation, please get in touch with us in one of the following ways: Email: fourgreathighways@denbighshire.gov.uk, Online: Complete the online feedback form on Denbighshire's County Conversation: https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/709

Complete a paper questionnaire: Llangollen Library, Castle Street, Llangollen, LL20 8NU or write to: Corporate Programme Office, Business Improvement & Modernisation, PO Box 62, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 9AZ. Responses must be received by Sunday February 12 2023.