County council warns of 'serious budget challenges'

Denbighshire County Council is warning that challenging times lie ahead as it faces a series of continuing budget pressures due to rising costs and demand for services.

It is estimated that delivering day to day services – including social services, waste collection and schools, will cost an extra £26m due to price increases, inflation, and pressure on demand.

Despite an expected increase in funding of £5.6m (3%) by Welsh Government, this still leaves a funding gap of £20.4m. Like Local Authorities across Wales, the 

* County Hall in Ruthin.

Council must find additional money through savings and efficiencies, charges for services, increases in Council Tax or by reducing or cutting services. 

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said: “Like all Councils across Wales and England we face the most challenging of times. Over a decade of constant austerity cuts from UK Government has taken its toll on local authorities and as a result we have to make very difficult decisions.

“We have already been looking at every Council function to identify budget savings. We have asked staff internally to propose ideas; we are considering what we can do differently, what we can reduce and what we can stop. On the basis of these considerations, we are working to come up with a list of potential savings across everything we do. The current financial position is incredibly challenging and as a result, the need for significant budget savings is unprecedented.”

Councillor Gwyneth Ellis, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets said: “The main priority for Cabinet at this point is ensure the Council can balance the books. Denbighshire wants to avoid arriving at a situation where external Commissioners are sent in by government to reduce spend with little or no reference to the elected Members or the local communities. This is the reality of what could happen should we fail to balance the books.

“That is why we must start making difficult decisions now. We need to be able to agree to implement significant savings over the next few months to enable us to set a balanced budget for 2024/25.  We also know there are likely to be similar challenges facing us for 2025/26.”

The proposals which will be put forward will all go through the appropriate process with some decisions made by Cabinet while others will be taken via delegated decision either by the Lead Member or Head of Service.  All decisions which have a significant impact on our communities will be subject to a public consultation.

Roadworks alerts for this week

Local roadworks alerts from one.network are:

Fron Bache, Llangollen, Denbighshire 11 October - 13 October   Delays likely - Road closure   Name: Fron Bache, Llangollen   Location: Fron Bache   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned       Vicarage Road, Llangollen, Denbighshire 11 October - 13 October   Delays likely - Diversion route   Name: Diversion   Location: Vicarage Road   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned

Market Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 11 October - 13 October   Roadworks, Delays unlikely   Traffic management: Some carriageway incursion   Description: INSTALL NEW MTR AND BBOX DIG IS A METER BY A METER SQUARE   Works location: ROAD OPENING & DIG TAKING PLACE ON FOOTWAY OUTSIDE PUBLIC CONVENIENCES & PREMISES   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 Hafren Dyfrdwy.   Responsibility for works: Hafren Dyfrdwy   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: ZU0070000/0000800797909

Judy to tackle Great South run at 78 in memory of friend Sandra

* Judy Smith, right, with her friend Sandra Woodhall at a Llangollen Round Challenge event.

At the age of 78, Llangollen's Judy Smith is to take part in this Sunday's Great South Run in memory of her friend and fellow fundraiser.

In aid of Cancer Research UK, Judy Smith had originally planned to compete in last month's Great North Run as a fitting tribute to her late friend Sandra Woodhall with whom she founded and organised the famous Llangollen Round Challenge which has raised many thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK since it began in 2012. 

But a broken wrist put paid to Judy's plan and instead she began training for the less demanding southern event of "only" ten miles rather than 13. 

Judy said: "Unfortunately, I managed to break my wrist falling over at the Erddig Parkrun a few months ago and had it in plaster, so the Great North Run would not have been a good idea. I therefore switched my entry to the Great South Run in Portsmouth.

"Sandra herself raised more than half a million pounds for CRUK in her lifetime and of course, was passionate about the Llangollen Round Challenge that has proved so successful.  

"I wanted this run to be a last fundraising event in her name, and both I and Cancer Research UK will be grateful for any sponsorship you can offer.

"You can donate using the following link: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/judys-giving-page-109  or email me on smithdinbren@gmail.com to discuss other means of donation."

Three local TV stars stage hit Town Hall fundraiser

 

* Chris Sims and Shea Ferron join forces on Light Up by Snow Patrol.

* Singing policeman Karl Joseph.

* Chris Sims tells all about The Piano.

 * Shea Ferron with one of his big West End musicals numbers.

Three-plus-three plus 100 equals one thousand. Or at least they do when talented Llangollen people sprinkle some stardust on the equation.

The magical arithmetic here means that last night at the Town Hall three local TV heroes spent three marvellous hours giving their services free to entertain a sell-out audience of over 100 to raise a marvellous £1,000 or more to ensure this year’s Llangollen Christmas Festival is another big hit and in turn raises thousands for local charitable causes.

Shea Ferron, who made it to the finals of ITV's Britain's Got Talent as part of the Johns' Boys choir appeared along with well-known local musician Chris Sims, who was featured in Channel 4's The Piano, and "singing policeman" Karl Joseph who hit national prominence on ITV's Star Struck.

The sum of success for got even better for the Llangollen Superstars concert when Orb Sound and Lighting and a host of volunteers, headed by Christmas Festival chair Chem Cheminais. manning the hall threw in their efforts free of charge.

Chris Sims provided the melodic prelude to the proceedings with a sing-along version of Monkees’ hit Daydream Believer, following up with Beatles biggie Lady Madonna.

He showcased his keyboard versatility even further with favourites from the likes of Duke Ellington, Bill Joel – pounding out for the first time ever in public his Piano Man – and also threw in some of his own compositions a couple of which really deserve to become hits in their own right.

Chris rounded things off in fine style by encouraging the audience to jump to their feet and dance along with Status Quo’s Rockin’ All Over the World – a version of which he had played on The Piano.

In the gaps between his numbers he gave us some fascinating behind-the-scenes tales of his couple of days in front of the TV cameras.

There were similar inside stories from PCSO Karl Joseph when he took his turn on the Town Hall beat, opening with a foot-tapping Let Me Entertain You from Robbie Williams and continuing with Coming the Air Tonight from Phil Collins.

Switching styles he steered us out West with his take on country number Wagon Wheel before paying homage to his favourite band Queen’s Crazy Little Thing Called Love.

By this time he had ‘em dancing in the rather limited aisles, ramming home Footloose, I’m a Believer from the Monkees, Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol and a big soulful Angels by Robbie Williams.

Hotfoot from another gig out on the coast, Shea Ferron bounded on stage to deliver a powerful Tougher than the Rest by Springsteen then It’s Hard to Speak My Heart from the musical Parade.

He stuck with the West End theme with a well-acted-out You’ll Be Back from Hamilton, a moving Bring Him Home from Les Mis – the same one for you which he had memorably joined Alfie Boe on stage at this year’s Eisteddfod – and a soaring Defying Gravity from Wicked.

Shea gave us his own personal memories of singing to telly glory with his choir before demonstrating how easily he can move around the songbook with Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel and the thumping Show Me the Way to Amarillo by Tony Christie.

To wind up he was joined on stage by Chris Sims to finale with Light Up by Snow Patrol.

All this added up to a stonking evening of home-grown entertainment the like of which we should see more.      

Interest in Manics and Suede at Pavilion "goes through the roof"

Yesterday's announcement of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod's dual headlining of the Manic Street Preachers and Suede went viral across the world, say festival bosses.  

And, you read it here first on Llanblogger.  

Trustees have reported that website traffic "went through the roof".

The festival says it will announce another "sensational" headline act on Wednesday morning as they work towards their aim of ensuring it not just survives but thrives. 

On BBC Radio Wales yesterday (Friday) Nicky Wire from the Manic Street Preachers, who appeared at the Llangollen Eisteddfod in 2017, was teaching Brett Anderson about the meaning of the word Eisteddfod with Eleri Sion.  

They also appeared on Good Morning Britain on ITV and the story of the new partnership and the promise of bringing more international headliners to Llangollen was shared thousands of times across social media.   

Communication's professional David Hennigan, one of the new Board Trustees, spoke of his delight and promised much more to come.  

He said: "Yesterday's announcement surpassed our expectations, not just in terms of positive media but in people signing up for pre-sales.  

"We are blown away by the positive reaction we have received from across the UK but importantly for us - residents across Llangollen and Denbighshire.  

"Our next big announcement is on Wednesday when we will announce a gig by a worldwide sensation. 

"Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is literally reaching for the stars in order to promote how wonderful our town is.   

"Our peace festival has been a mainstay of Llangollen since 1947 and now we are confident that it will continue to promote the tenets of peace, and internationalism for another generation.  

"Our core offering will remain the same - with our competitions, our international guests, our peace parade, our traditional Eisteddfod concerts and more but in bringing in Cuffe and Taylor, we are ensuring that the Llangollen Eisteddfod doesn't just survive but thrives."

Former Barclays bank goes on the market

The former Barclays Bank in Castle Street is on the market with offers over £125,000.

A post on the property website Prime Location gives a full description of the imposing building next to Centenary Square which closed in July.

A agent's description says: "The property comprise a three storey building of brick construction under a pitched slate roof. Internally the building provides a former banking hall, leading back to office, safe, kitchen and w/c facilities. 

"There is further storage in the basement. The upper floors are residential flats and have been sold off on long leases.

"The property has been measured in accordance with the RICS Code of Measuring Practice as follows. 

"Tenure: Freehold, the first  and second floor flats have been sold off on 125 year long leases at a Peppercorn rent."

At the time its closure as a bank was announced Barclays said in a statement: “Our customers’ behaviour has changed significantly in recent years, with the majority now choosing online banking. 

“This is reflected at Llangollen branch, and as we adapt, we are finding new ways to support our customers by maintaining our community presence with options for customers who still require in-person support.

“In Llangollen we plan to open a Barclays Local – a pop-up cashless banking site where customers can meet a colleague face-to-face for banking support, as they would in a branch and without the need to travel. We are currently working with the local community to identify a suitable location and will announce details once confirmed.”

Later in its response, the company says: “We will be proactively engaging with local businesses and the wider community to discuss the alternative ways customers will be able to undertake their banking locally.

“We will be offering virtual ‘tea and teach’ sessions for customers wishing to explore digital banking and other alternatives to branch based banking.”

* For more information about this property, go to: https://bacommercial.com/property/9-castle-street-llangollen-denbighshire/or call BA Commercial on 01244 725457 

Electrifying North Wales line will be “once-in-a-generation boost”

 

* Rail campaigners: Ashley Rogers (right) with Adam Williams, Sean Taylor and Jim Jones. Picture Mandy Jones. 

Business leaders have hailed news that the North Wales main line is to be electrified as a “once-in-a-generation boost” for the region. 

According to the North Wales Business Council, the electrified line would help provide faster, cleaner and more frequent train services. 

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester. 

During his speech it was confirmed that the HS2 leg between Birmingham and Manchester was going to be scrapped after the costs spiralled and that the £36 billion saved from cancelling that section, would now all be used on other projects across UK. The move received an angry reception from local political and business leaders in Manchester.   

One of these alternative projects listed in the Prime Ministers’ speech was the electrification of the North Wales Mainline, which is believed to cost in the region of £1bn. 

Clare Budden, Chair of the North Wales Business Council, said: “The axing of the HS2 leg to Manchester is not good news for such a pivotal piece of UK transport investment.

“However, we have been calling for many years for the full electrification of the North Wales Mainline and to finally have commitment for this is a real positive and making the best out of a bad situation.

“This is a much-needed, once-in-a-generation investment in our railway infrastructure, supporting Net Zero and hopefully improved services for businesses,  residents and visitors alike. 

“This is a big deal but we need certainty it will be delivered in full and by when.” 

Ashley Rogers, CEO of the Business Council said: “We welcome the news of this investment as an existing major ask for our region.

“With the exception of funding for the Wrexham to Bidston line, we presume that a lot of the already identified investment priorities in rail we have been campaigning for like improving line speeds and improving Chester station, would happen as part of this full electrification project.” 

“We do have to be cautious however, as the devil is in the detail. It would be good to have confirmation of when funding will start to flow and in which years will we see spades in the ground.

“Essential development funding for example is needed immediately to move the project forward. Our connectivity into Manchester and Liverpool is also vital, so those areas also need support for funding for Northern Powerhouse Rail.” 

The news was also welcomed by Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism.

He said: “Transport connectivity is incredibly important in terms of tourism and the flow of visitors in and out of North Wales, especially this link between London and Holyhead.

“News about electrification of the North Wales line is long overdue because this is a vitally important strategic route and tourism is central to the economic recovery here in North Wales. 

“Let’s not lose the focus on today though. In recent years, there has been a serious decline in the quality of the train service linking North Wales and London and at one point the number of direct trains was slashed to just three a day. 

“While things have improved, it’s still a poor imitation of the service we had before the pandemic.”