Council chief says 'no decision has been taken' on public toilet issue

* Paul Jackson, Head of Highways & Environmental Services.

A senior county council officer has stressed that no decision on whether Denbighshire should off-load the running of all its public toilets has been taken.

And in an email to Clwyd South Senedd Member Ken Skates, Paul Jackson, Head of Highways & Environmental Services, also takes a swipe at the "ill-informed, and factually incorrect" way the issue has been presented so far on social media and the local press.

Denbighshire is proposing to rid itself of all the county’s 20 public conveniences in a bid to ease its under-pressure budget to the tune of around £200,000 a year.

Pointing out that it doesn’t have a legal duty to provide toilets, it has suggested that they could be taken over by town and community councils. It is also aiming to promote a scheme under which businesses are paid a small sum each year to allow the public to use their toilets.

Over the weekend the proposal’s affect on the public loos in Market Street sparked a barrage of angry criticism on social media and the beginnings of campaigns to save them.

Mr Skates wrote to council chief executive Graham Boase to request the authority takes another look at the proposal.

And he has given llanblogger sight of the reply he received from Mr Jackson who says: "I’m writing in response to your query to Graham about the closure of the Llangollen public conveniences.  There’s been quite a bit of information posted on social media and in the local press and a lot of it is sadly, ill-informed, and factually incorrect.

"The truth of the matter is that Denbighshire Council are working hard to deal with a significant budget deficit for the forthcoming year.  As part of this a whole raft of measures are being considered and undertaken to make ends meet. This includes considering ceasing the operation of the Public Conveniences (PCs) within the County. 

"It is important to stress that no decision on this matter has been taken and our officers are working through the options based on cost, need, footfall for the area the PCs are located and the revenue they generate.  We’ve contacted City, Town and Community Councils to discuss with them the options and where possible are proactively seeking alternative arrangements to keep the PCs operating but at zero cost to the Council. 

"Again, no decision has been made and we will absolutely ensure that we engage fully and openly with local members and Community Councils to maintain transparency of communications and ensure local residents get the whole truth, not just partial information via social media posts." 

Fightback begins against loss of town's public toilets

* The public toilets under threat in Market Street.

The area’s Senedd Member has intervened, the mayor has been asked to host a public meeting and residents and businesses have been urged to lobby council chiefs about a controversial suggestion that Llangollen should lose is sole public toilet.

Llanblogger revealed recently that Denbighshire is proposing to rid itself of all the county’s 20 public conveniences in a bid to ease its under-pressure budget to the tune of around £200,000 a year.

Pointing out that it doesn’t have a legal duty to provide toilets, it has suggested that they could be taken over by town and community councils. It is also aiming to promote a scheme under which businesses are paid a small sum each year to allow the public to use their toilets.

Over the weekend the proposal’s affect on the public loos in Market Street has sparked a barrage of angry criticism on social media and the beginnings of campaigns to save them.

Most notable move is a request from Clwyd South MS Ken Skates to county leaders to take another look at the plan, which is currently going through the scrutiny process but has yet to be considered by the cabinet.

Mr Skates, who only last week returned to the Welsh Government as secretary for transport and North Wales, told llanblogger that he had decided to become involved after being requesting to do so by a number of his constituents.

Yesterday (Sunday) a resident sent an email – copied to llanblogger – to town mayor Paul Keddie, who is also one of the area’s county councillors and a town councillor, asking if he would organise and chair a public meeting at which the proposal could be fully examined.

In his email Rod Holt said: “I am contacting you after seeing and hearing the residents of Llangollen concerns during the last week on Social Media and home-made signs that are visible on Market Street.

“The proposed closure of these Toilets/Facilities will have a huge impact on our Town.

“I AM NOW ASKING FOR A PUBLIC MEETING, THAT AS NOT ONLY MAYOR BUT COUNTY COUNCILLOR, I WOULD HOPE YOU WOULD CHAIR.

“I would also hope after the outcry from residents and businesses in the last few days you would support this campaign and use your powers to get DCC officials to also attend and field questions etc from attendees.”

Also over the weekend, another resident urged people opposed to the proposal to write letters of protest to senior council leaders.

On social media Alex Hammond sent out the message: “Want to save Llangollen’s toilets and the jobs of those who maintain them?

“Don’t delay! Llangollen needs you to personally tell Denbighshire County Council how you feel about this.”

He goes on to give the email addresses of two senior figures at the council identified as most responsible for the proposal. He also emailed the officials himself asking for more financial detail behind it.

* Some of the comment on social media: 

* “I know this will not go down well nut when you go abroad you pay a tourism tax and this goes to the local councils. Perhaps will pay to keep the toilets open. Just a thought."

* Once people start to use doorways they will soon, reopen them! by far the worst decision by any council in such a massive tourist area shame on you!!!!” 

“Who makes these ridiculous decisions to close them in the first place?"

* "These toilets serve a great need to our visitors and to see them closed down like some of the other empty buildings just makes our town look unkempt.

"All the effort going into getting the Eisteddfod up and running with popular bands and people make their stupid decisions annoys and baffles me.”

Dog owners reminded to be responsible during Easter holidays

Denbighshire County Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB are reminding dog owners to act responsibly as more people prepare to visit the area’s countryside hotspots during the Easter holidays.

Both bodies are urging people to follow important advice to keep pets on leads whilst walking through the countryside following reported incidents last year at land around Moel Famau.

Livestock worrying, where dogs disturb and chase sheep, is illegal. Any dogs caught worrying livestock can be destroyed and the owners can be prosecuted.

Visitors should make themselves aware of what restrictions and guidelines are in place at the area they visit and to keep themselves and others safe. People should also check ahead to see if countryside facilities are open and also park responsibly in designated areas.

Councillor Win Mullen James, Denbighshire Cabinet Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “We do know that many dog owners visiting our countryside areas are respectful and take care to keep their pets on a lead and I would like to thank them for making this effort.

“However, there is a minority who do not follow the rules and we are urging them to remember that they are ultimately responsible for their dog while walking through the countryside.

“Dog owners who ignore the rules and let their pets worry livestock in the area can be prosecuted and their dog legally shot if caught in the act. This is extremely distressing to all and an outcome we want to work to prevent.

“If you are bringing your dog, please always plan ahead if visiting our countryside, know the land you are going to walk through, respect the countryside code and always keep your dog on a lead.”

For more information, visit https://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/ and follow the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB on Facebook and X.

Latest local roadworks alerts

Latest local roadworks alerts from one.network are:

Butlers Hill, Llangollen, Denbighshire 25 March - 12 April   Delays likely - Road closure   Name: Butlers Hill, Llangollen   Location: Butlers Hill   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned       Regent Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 25 March - 12 April   Delays likely - Diversion route   Name: Diversion   Location: Regent Street   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned

 

 

Greenfield, Llangollen, Denbighshire 25 March - 27 March   Roadworks, Delays unlikely   Traffic management: Some carriageway incursion   Description: WORKS TO RECTIFY DEFECTIVE REINSTATEMENT IN THE CARRIAGEWAY   Works location: OUTSIDE 6   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 Scottish Power Renewable Energy.   Responsibility for works: Scottish Power Renewable Energy   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: GY004461824R

Historic pub receives £452,700 government boost to secure its future

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has welcomed news that the UK government is to provide £452,700 in funding to help Owain Glyndwr Community Hotel Ltd to purchase and refurbish the famous Corwen landmark. 

The Grade II listed building can trace its origins back to the 14^th century. It served as the site of the first public Eisteddfod in Wales in 1789 and is one of only eight surviving coaching inns along the historic London to Holyhead A5 route. 

The current owner of the hotel has been looking to sell in recent years, and there has been a notable local campaign headed by Corwen Town Councillor Dr David Counsell to purchase and refurbish the site for the benefit of the local community.

 

The £452,700 in funding will come from the UK government’s Community Ownership Fund which opened in 2021 to support community groups to take ownership of assets which are at risk of being lost to the community. 

In addition to the funds from the UK government, the Owain Glyndwr Community Hotel Ltd have also independently raised over £164,000 through share sales. 

 

Across the UK, the Department for Levelling Up has announced £33.5m today to save more than 80 projects in our communities. Of these, six vital community spaces in Wales have been saved from closure thanks to £3.1m from the Department for Levelling Up’s Community Ownership Fund.

* Simon Baynes MP and Cllr Dr David Counsell outside the Owain Glyndwr Hotel in Corwen in 2022.

 

This funding for the Owain Glyndwr Hotel comes on top of the £13.3 million Clwyd South Levelling Up Fund, secured by Simon Baynes MP from the UK government in 2021, which contains a substantial package of investment in Corwen Station, the town centre and the surrounding area.

 

Mr Baynes said: “I am delighted by the news that the UK government has approved the Owain Glyndwr Community Hotel Limited’s Community Ownership Fund application. 

"The £452,700 awarded will cover top up funding for the purchase, revenue funding to cover any trading shortfalls in the first 12 months and will kick start the refurbishment programme.

 

"I was very proud to back this campaign and I have been enormously impressed by everyone involved, including Cllr Dr David Counsell and County Councillor Alan Hughes, all of whom should take great pride in their work helping to save this historic landmark for future generations.

 

"Since I was elected as the MP for Clwyd South in December 2019, I have been particularly keen to support the beautiful town and community of Corwen, which has suffered from a lack of investment. I am very pleased to have helped bring significant Levelling Up Fund investment to the town from the UK government so that Corwen can realise its great potential and prosper in the years to come.”

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 ***