County foster carers now get all-day parking permits

To assist foster carers with attending vital appointments and meetings Foster Wales Denbighshire carers are now issued with parking permits for all long-stay car parks within the county.

The permits are  available once they are accepted through the Foster Wales scheme.

This initiative is part of the council’s transformation programme which has the ambition to increase the number of Foster Wales Denbighshire carers, allowing children to be cared for closer to their communities and achieve better outcomes.

Rhiain Morrlle, Head of Children’s Services, said: “I am pleased to see that has been implemented. This is just one of the assistive policies that we will be rolling out for those who decide to foster through the local authority, with more to be announced within the coming months.

"I feel that this policy emphasises our commitment to those who make the rewarding decision to foster within Denbighshire.

"I would also like to note my thanks to colleagues in Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services for their support in implementing this scheme, and to demonstrating their support to Denbighshire’s foster carers as part of our One Council ethos.” 

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said: “Denbighshire County Council’s fostering team help make a real difference to the lives of children and young people within the county.

"The friendly staff help guide new foster carers through each step of the process and are always on hand to provide expert knowledge.

"We hope that by issuing these permits, we can help our foster carers to attend the vital appointments and meetings that can come with fostering and make their lives a little easier.”

Farmers highlight concerns about new National Park

Farmers have highlighted “numerous concerns” about the proposed National Park in northeast Wales, which would include Llangollen. The park, the fourth in Wales, is due to be designated in 2026.

* For the full story in North Wales Live, see: Nine 'concerns' about new North Wales national park flagged by the people who will help manage it | North Wales Live

Digital parking payments creating 'nightmare' for older people

* Older People’s Commissioner Rhian Bowen-Davies.

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, has warned that many older people across Wales will find it difficult to get out and about into their communities during the Christmas period due to concerns about being unable to pay for car parking and the risk of fines.

Older people often share concerns with the Commissioner about feeling frustrated and excluded by the increased use of digital and app-based payment systems for parking, an issue explored in the Commissioner’s latest report – Space for Everyone? Older people’s perspectives on access to car parking in Wales.¹

The report is based on experiences shared by older people, as well as data provided to the Commissioner by all local authorities, which provides a snapshot of the payment options and systems available in the car parks they run.

The report reveals that while most local authority car parks in Wales still offer a range of payment options, including cash in many cases, the perception amongst many older people that this is no longer the case is impacting on their independence, well-being and ability to take part in community life.

In addition, the potential impact on older people of removing cash payment options does not seem to have been fully recognised, with limited opportunities for older people to make their voices heard and influence decision-making processes.

The report also highlights additional barriers that many older people now face when trying to park the car, such as the complexity of navigating multiple apps, which are often not designed with older users in mind; concerns about scams and data privacy;  and unreliable mobile signal when trying to make payments online or by phone, a particular issue in rural or poorly connected areas.

These barriers have meant that some individuals been forced to rely on others for support, while others have simply ‘given up’ and no longer feel confident doing something that was previously a straightforward everyday activity.

Based on her findings, the Commissioner has identified a number of practical actions for local authorities to respond to the issues highlighted within her report. These include maintaining a range of payment options, improving communication to provide reassurance that non-digital payment options remain available, and ensuring that meaningful engagement and consultation is undertaken with older people if changes to services are being considered, in line with the Guidance issued by the Commissioner earlier this year.²

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, said: “As we rush around in the build up to Christmas – attending festive get-togethers or doing some last-minute shopping – many of us will not think twice about using an app or other digital systems to pay to park the car.

“But for many older people, particularly those without a smartphone or people with limited digital skills, the increased use of and promotion of these kinds systems is creating feelings of frustration and exclusion.

“That’s why I’m calling on local authorities to take a range of practical action to respond to the issues identified, including maintaining a range of payment options, and improving communication to promote the availability of non-digital payment options."

Details of Christmas at Llangollen's churches

Churches Together in Llangollen (Cytun) welcome everyone to any of their services and activities over the Christmas season.

Details of events at individual churches can be found on their websites, which are at:

* St Collen's (Anglican) www.stcollenschurch.org.uk

* St Tysilio's Church - see website for St Collen's Church

* St John's Church - see website for St Collen's Church 

* Llangollen Methodist Church www.llangollenmethodist.org.uk

* Church of the Holy Cross (Roman Catholic) www.rcdwxm.org.uk/llangollen

* City Church, Brook Street www.citychurchllangollen.org.uk

* Glanrafon Evangelical Church www.llangollenevangelicalchurch.com/

* Seion Chapel (Welsh language) Welsh medium chapel

A Cytun spokesperson said: "We wish you all a joyful Christmastime." 

MS welcomes £719,000 lottery boost to transform St Collen's

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, has welcomed a huge cash boost to transform St Collen’s in Llangollen. 

The church will receive £719,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to be transformed into a warm, flexible and welcoming space for the whole community, while protecting its unique medieval heritage.

 

He said:  “I am delighted that over £700,000 is being awarded for this ambitious project which will create a real hub for the community.

* St Collen's Church.

 

“It is particularly good to see that the plans are being driven by local people who are all working together to transform the church.

 

“These days more than ever, it is vital our local churches are supported and the work which will be undertaken will mean it can be used by local organisations and for other events.

 

“It is also great that National Lottery Funding continues to help projects in North Wales.”

 

St Collen’s Church, which dates from the seventh century, received a higher figure than originally applied for in recognition of unexpected challenges uncovered during the bid development phase and to demonstrate the confidence that the Heritage Fund has in the project.

The project manager for the reordering of the church, Sue Evans, said they had uncovered some unexpected challenges during the development but was thrilled their submission has been successful.

 

She said: “This exceptional outcome not only propels us towards meeting our match-funding target but also demonstrates the confidence that the Heritage Fund has in our vision, our planning, and the lasting impact of the project.

 

“The next step is to await the outcome of our Faculty (planning) application, which will allow us to move forward with delivery.”

 

A planning team, made up of members of the church congregation and people drawn from across the community, meet regularly to advise on the plans and take decisions. As well as transforming the church, plans are in place to repair the medieval hammer-and-beam ceiling, thought to date from the 15th century.

 

Sue added: “Cadw has agreed that we can submit a funding application for 50% of the costs of the repair! This is huge news as it will help with the amazing fundraising efforts the community has been undertaking.

 

“A huge thanks go to our fundraisers; St Collen’s Players, lots of private donations and bequests from individuals and families and our beautiful Evening of Song, supported by the Penley Madras Community Choir, which raised funds and awareness in equal measure.”

 

St Collen’s Church and its medieval ceiling is considered a masterpiece, and urgent conservation work is necessary to protect its unique carvings, repair extensive damage, and ensure it remains part of the life of St Collen’s and the town for centuries.

 

The church is part of the Valle Crucis Mission Area, a group of churches along the Dee and Ceiriog Valley’s stretching to Bala and Cerrigydrudion. Valle Crucis Mission Area is one of the 20 Mission Areas in the Diocese of St Asaph, one of the six dioceses in the Church in Wales.

Temporary one-way system on Market Street for water works

The county council is reporting that a temporary one-way system has been installed on Market Street, Llangollen, and George Street has been closed, to facilitate urgent works to restore water quality by Hafren Dyfrdwy.

Christmas Festival raffle results announced

Results of the Christmas Festival raffle, which were drawn at the Bridge End Hotel this Tuesday, are below.

The the raffle committee will be contacting the winners over the next few days to arrange handover of their prizes.