County's Cabinet approves care home fees increase

Denbighshire County Council’s Cabinet have approved the recommendation of an increase of 8.8% for care home fees for 2024/25.

Councillor Elen Heaton, Lead Member for Health and Social Care, who presented the recommendation said: “I’m pleased that Cabinet has unanimously agreed to approve the proposed 8.8% increase in our residential and nursing home care fees. 

"Considering that this is significantly more than the 3.8% increase we’ve received in our settlement, this decision reflects that, even in the face of significant financial challenge, Cabinet is prioritising the provision of care in our community. 

"We currently spend around £13 million on approximately 364 placements in 82 homes. Now that Cabinet has approved the increase, our expenditure is set to increase by over £1 million. 

"This increase strives to strike the delicate balance between navigating challenging financial constraints and ensuring that we are maintaining a sustainable future for the care sector in Denbighshire.”

New Welsh Government role for local MS Ken Skates

* Ken Skates MS.

Clwyd South Senedd Member Ken Skates has returned to government in the ministerial line-up announced yesterday by Wales's new First Minister Vaughan Gething. 

He becomes Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport.

Wrexham-born Mr Skates Ken, who has his constituency office in Llangollen, was appointed to the Welsh Government as Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology in 2011. He was then appointed Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism in 2014 and promoted to Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure in May 2016. 

In announcing his new top team Mr Gething said: “I’m incredibly proud to bring together a government drawn from all parts of Wales to serve the whole of our nation, with progressive politics at its heart. In particular, I am pleased to appoint a Minister for Mental Health and Early Years to ensure we deliver in the first 1,000 days of the life of every child. 

“This Ministerial team will answer the call of the generation in waiting, to create a stronger, fairer, greener Wales. We will take action to strengthen our economy by providing opportunities for everyone and being steadfast in our commitment to a just transition to net zero. Our goal to deliver green prosperity is reflected by the creation of a new Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language. 

“I believe in a Wales that recognises that we can celebrate our differences and take pride in all those things that draw us together and make us who we are. While there will be many challenges ahead, there are even greater opportunities. I am ambitious about the work this team will do to make Wales an even better place." 

Your chance to nominate special volunteers for an award

                       

Denbighshire Council for Voluntary Service (DVSC) is invited nominations to its Volunteer Awards 2024.

 

Conditions for the awards, which are being held as part of Volunteers Week, are that the nominee must do their volunteering within Denbighshire.

Organisers say the aim is to say thank you to a special volunteer.

 

People can only make one nomination and individuals cannot nominate themselves.

 

The rules also state that the nominee - whether an individual or a group - must not be contacted or made aware that they are being nominated for an award.

Categories are Dedicated service, Newcomer, Team Leader, Fubdraising, Environmental Conservation, Community Support and Young Volunteer

Closing date for nominations is Friday May 3.

 

The awards will be presented at DVSC’s base in the Naylor Leyland Centre, Ruthin on Friday June 7. 

Nominate Here : bit.ly/DVSCVolunteerAwards2024Form Once completed - please return to office@dvsc.co.uk ***

 

 

 

 

Skates welcomes new baby loss certificates scheme

A North Wales Member of the Senedd has welcomed the Welsh Government’s intention to make baby loss certificates available to bereaved parents. 

Last month the UK Government launched a voluntary scheme in England to allow parents whose baby died before 24 weeks of pregnancy to apply for a free certificate to provide recognition of their loss. 

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates raised the issue with Health Minister Eluned Morgan after being contacted by constituents who wanted the option made available in Wales, and said he was pleased to be told the wheels are already in motion. 

He said: “I welcome the Health Minister’s confirmation that her officials are working closely with their UK Government counterparts to extend the certification process across Wales later this year. 

“Baby loss at any stage of pregnancy is always going to be incredibly sad for those involved and I think something recognising their child’s life can provide much-needed comfort to parents in Wales.” 

In her response to Mr Skates, the Minister said: “Thank you for your email of February 26 on behalf of your constituents regarding the introduction of baby loss certificates in Wales. 

“Baby loss at any stage of pregnancy is distressing and I recognise the impact it can have on the entire family. The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring every family is appropriately and compassionately supported and understands the importance for parents to have their pregnancy loss formally recognised. 

“On February 22, the UK Government launched a voluntary scheme to allow parents whose baby died before 24 weeks of pregnancy to apply for a free certificate to provide recognition of their loss. This is currently available to any parent who has experienced a loss before 24 weeks in England since September 2018. The UK Government plans to extend the eligibility criteria when it is able to do so.

“Officials are working closely with UK Government counterparts to extend the certification process across Wales later this year.” 

Currently, all families who experience pregnancy loss at maternity units in Wales are supported by bereavement midwives, and in conjunction with the charity Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death) are offered memory boxes which include a commemorative birth certificate. 

The Welsh Government is also collaborating with parent organisations including Sands and other experts to implement the National Bereavement Care Pathways across Wales specifically for miscarriage, stillbirth and baby loss.

University of Third Age welcomes people from Llangollen

Lots of hard graft, determination and tenacity went into the re-opening of the railway track between Llangollen and Corwen.

That was the message from Peter Neve of the Llangollen Railway Trust when he spoke to Berwyn and District University of the Third Age (U3A), telling them how teams of volunteer railway enthusiasts turned the route from an overgrown, neglected path into a very popular tourist attraction. 

However, the work isn’t finished, and the railway is still looking for volunteers to keep the trains running.

* Berwyn and District University of the Third Age (U3A) has open meetings with a speaker at Canolfan Ni in Corwen every third Monday, and everyone is invited

February’s meeting heard from Iwan Meirion of the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team who told members about his work in the mountains.

As a volunteer, Iwan is often called out to help people who have either hurt themselves, or have ventured out hopelessly unprepared and need help.

He gave details of some of the rescues he had been involved in and the training he has to do to make sure, he, his team, and their patients are kept safe.

Eisteddfod launches its daytime pavilion programme

* Competitors perform at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in 2023.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has today launched its daytime pavilion programme for this year’s core festival. 

Tickets are now available to see over 3,000 participants from choirs, dance groups, ensembles and soloists from 34 countries including Australia, Burundi, Canada, China, Japan, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe. 

They will all head to North East Wales for the Core Eisteddfod Week, which runs from Tuesday 2 to Sunday 7 July. 

This year’s competitions include the Pendine International Voice of the Future, and Choir of the World, when the world’s best choirs will compete for the Pavarotti Trophy. 

The festival, which has existed since 1947 to promote peace and reconciliation through music and dance, has a track record of promoting excellence in the arts. In 2024, its coveted competitions in the Llangollen Pavilion have attracted more countries and competitors than for many years.  

Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Dave Danford said: “This is the most exciting daytime line-up we’ve had in our Pavilion for many years. We can’t wait to welcome the World to Wales yet again in July. 

"We will also be bringing the finals of some of our daytime competitions into our evening concerts this year, such as the Voice of Musical Theatre on Thursday evening. This means winners will be sharing the stage with the likes of folk superstars Calan, Royal Harpist Alis Huws, Britain's Got Talent Semi-Finalists Johns’ Boys Male Chorus, and West End stars Kerry Ellis and John Owen-Jones. 

"The fact that 34 nations will be represented means that Llangollen will be the cultural capital of the world this summer."

With international artists such Bryan Adams, Simple Minds, Paloma Faith and Nile Rodgers & Chic set to appear before and after the Core Eisteddfod Week, organisers are keen to point out that they remain true to their ethos of promoting peace through musical excellence. 

Tickets for the Daytime in the Pavilion can be bought from www.llangollen.net. There will also be outside stage performances, and a whole host of activities planned for what organisers say will be the biggest Llangollen Eisteddfod for a generation. 

Chair of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Professor Chris Adams, said: “We are delighted to announce our exciting Daytime in the Llangollen Pavilion competitions and more events for this year’s festival.  Everything will be built around musical excellence and we still have some amazing announcements.

"This year, we’ve partnered with Cuffe and Taylor to bring some of the world’s biggest artists to Llangollen, but are staying true to the ethos of our founders, and that’s why this summer, as well as welcoming people like Tom Jones, Gregory Porter and Katherine Jenkins to Llangollen, we will be seeing more countries, more competitors and more diverse culture at the Llangollen Eisteddfod than for a generation.” 

* Daytime in the Pavilion tickets – CLICK HERE

Individual day links:

* To book tickets for Wednesday July 3^rd - CLICK HERE

* To book tickets for Thursday July 4^th - CLICK HERE

* To book tickets for Friday July 5^th - CLICK HERE

* To book tickets for Saturday July 6^th - CLICK HERE

Getting rid of public toilets 'not a done deal' council chief tells llanblogger

* The public conveniences in Market Street.

Denbighshire County Council ridding itself of all its public conveniences to save around £200,000 a year is not a “done deal” says its Cabinet chief.

Councllor Barry Mellor, Lead Cabinet Member, gave the assurance to llanblogger after its editor and founder, Phil Robinson, wrote earlier this week to all nine members of the cabinet expressing his hope that they would see the strength of arguments being forward against the controversial money-saving gesture.  

Officers’ say the council needs to make savings as it faces an “unprecedented” financial challenge and the proposal is part of a corporate process to pinpoint cuts in the 2024/25 budget.

The provision of public conveniences (PCs) is a non-statutory duty. Many local authorities ceased providing this service many years ago.

Denbighshire currently has 20 toilet sites across the county, including Llangollen, none of which break even financially, it says. 

The council aims to transfer as many of them as possible to other groups or organisations, such as city, town and community councils, so that they continue to operate but at no cost to DCC. 

At the recent meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee the proposal was strongly opposed by Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards who branded it as an “illogical act of self-harm”.

* Lead Cabinet member Cllr Barry Mellor.

The committee called for further information from officers on its impact before it again considers the move in May.  

llanblogger sent its email to every member of the cabinet who will have the final say on the proposal.

In the email Phil Robinson said: “During a journalistic career spanning 55 years I have never before felt it necessary to contact local councillors directly about any issue. But I am writing to you personally as a member of the authority’s Cabinet because I feel so strongly about the current proposal under which Denbighshire County Council will divest itself of all its public conveniences to save approximately £200,000 a year.

“I have covered this issue comprehensively on llanblogger over the past few weeks and, each time, it has prompted many comments from my readers, all of which have been strongly critical of the move.     

“I am therefore contacting you in the hope that you will see the strength in the arguments put forward against the proposal and bear them in mind when making a final decision on it in the near future.

“While the financial justification for this move in helping to ease pressure on the authority’s budget is clear enough I wonder if you, as Cabinet members, have given full consideration to its social cost.

“The feedback I have received from my readers demonstrates deep concerns about the human and economic impact the proposal is bound to have upon the town.

“Public toilets, such as the one Llangollen and the rest of the county stand to lose, are an absolute necessity if you are unfortunate enough to suffer from either bladder or bowel problems, or you are simply getting on in years and no longer fully in control of your body’s natural processes.

“I note that in the officers’ report on this issue there was a degree of mitigation for the proposal with the suggestion that further uptake of the Community Toilet Grant scheme might be possible. However, I also note from the comments of our local county councillor and Communities Scrutiny Committee member Karen Edwards in a story on this issue which I published last week that, so far, there has only been one business in the country which has availed itself of this scheme. Perhaps you would agree that this doesn’t bode well for how it would fare locally.

“My story also contained evidence from Councillor Edwards that Llangollen Town Council does not have the resources or financial ability to take over the running of the local public conveniences.

“Apart from the human problems this proposal would create if implemented, there is also the inescapable fact that the Llangollen economy replies very heavily on tourism. Throughout the year and especially in the summer months the public conveniences in Market Street are very heavily used. A casual observer will note that the first stop made by many tourist coach passengers when they arrive in the town – and the last as they leave - is to use these toilets.

“Each July the town also attracts many thousands of extra people – many from abroad - who attend  the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and rely specifically on the Market Street public conveniences when they attend the numerous events held off the field, such as those in Centenary Square or in St Collen’s Church, neither of which have public toilets. It is a similar situation of reliance when major events at the Llangollen Railway bring – thankfully – crowds of people flocking to the town.  

“If Llangollen no longer has public conveniences word will quickly spread around the tourism trade that the town is not a good place to stop off and neighbouring towns not in a public toilet-free Denbighshire will instead benefit from these valuable tourist pounds with the result that businesses in this area will be badly hit.

“It has been suggested on social media that getting rid of our county’s toilets is already a “done deal” but I certainly trust that this is not the case. I know that Councillor Karen Edwards’s suggestion at the last Communities Scrutiny Committee meeting that officers produce a further report on this proposal was accepted and I trust the facts as presented to members are taken fully into account.

“Therefore, I fervently hope that when it comes before Cabinet you will think very seriously of the many implications for the community of Llangollen – and other areas in the county – if this proposal is approved and implemented.

“As Councillor Edwards so succinctly put it in her speech at the committee meeting, this can be seen as an illogical act of self-harm to the county.” 

In his response on behalf of all the cabinet members, which came within hours, Cllr Mellor said: “The value and importance of public conveniences is not in question, but it is an unfortunate fact that the council does not have the financial resources to continue providing non-statutory services in the way it has provided them in the past.  That is the reality of the situation we face. 

“No decisions have been made about this (therefore certainly not a “done deal”), and another report will be taken to our Communities Scrutiny Committee before any decision is sought from Cabinet.  

“Our aim is to do what we can to transfer as many PC facilities as possible, and we also do plan to promote the Community Toilet Scheme.  We cannot pre-empt the conclusions of those discussions, because they haven’t happened yet.  We plan to request a discussion with Town Councils in the near future, so I’d rather not speculate about the outcome of those discussions at this stage.  However, I would like to assure you that myself and Cabinet will consider the potential implications for our communities very carefully before any decision is made.”