news.wrexham.gov.uk

Author: Sara Arkle

  • Parents! Need free ways to entertain your kids?

    Parents! Need free ways to entertain your kids?

    Are you stuck for something to do with your babies/ toddlers during term time, or maybe you’d like your child to spend less time in front of a screen after school? Your local library has loads of activities on offer to entertain children of all ages. And they’re free!

    From craft sessions to lego club, here’s how you and your child can get involved with your local library.

    Babies and toddlers

    Story and Rhyme Times

    What? Parents, carers and under-fives can come along for stories, songs and rhymes.

    When & Where?

    • Chirk library every Friday for 0-5 year olds 3.30-4.00
    • Ruabon library every Tuesday for 0-3 year olds 2.00 – 2.45
    • Wrexham library every Tuesday 0-5 year olds 2.00-2.30

    Bilingual Stori a Chân sessions

    What? Suitable for children aged 0-5, for new Welsh speakers, non-Welsh speaking parents and fluent speakers.

    When & Where?

    • Wrexham library every Wednesday morning, 10.00-10.30
    • Rhos library once a month on Wednesdays 2.00-3.00

    Chatterbox Language and Play

    What? Language and Play Chatterbox are free sessions for parents and children 0-3 years old to have fun, share stories, chat, play and sing songs.

    When & Where?

    • Brynteg library every Friday during term time, 1.00-2.15
    • Gwersyllt library every Wednesday during term time, 10.00-11.15
    • Cefn Mawr library every Thursday during term time, 1.00-2.15

    Don’t forget that if you’re a playgroup, nursery, parent and toddler group or childminder you can borrow a collection of books to use with children in your care. Please contact your local library.  Details can be found on our web pages.

    HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE FUTURE OF HOUSING IN WREXHAM.

    School aged children

    Book buddies

    What? If you are between 5-11 years you can take part in the junior reading group, book buddies, where you’ll discuss the latest book, do puzzles, crosswords and colouring in.

    When & Where?

    • Llay library on every Friday 3.30 – 4.30

    Lego Club

    What? This weekly after school Lego club is for children aged 4+ who love to build and create things out of Lego.

    When & Where?

    • Cefn Mawr library, every Thursday 3.30-4.30

    Glue N’ Stick Friday

    What? Craft session for under 8’s

    When & Where?

    • Chirk library, last Friday of the Month, 4.00 – 4.30
    • Wrexham library, every four weeks from the 28th April, 10.00-11.30

    Kids club

    What? Crafts, colouring and puzzles for 3 – 8 year olds. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

    When & Where?

    • Coedpoeth library on the 1st Tuesday of the month, term time only. 3.30 – 4.15

    4 o’clock Club

    What? Stories, craft, puzzles, games and Lego activities for 5-10 year olds. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

    When & Where?

    • Ruabon library Fortnightly on a Friday 4.00-5.00

    And whilst you’re enjoying some peace and quiet, why not take a look at our collection of parenting books.

    Tell us how we should meet the housing challenges of the next five years.

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.yourvoicewrexham.net/KMS/elab.aspx?noip=1&CampaignId=612&SessionId=7W3XW8KTF6″]I WANT MY SAY ON HOUSING[/button]

  • 5 ways to stay in the know

    5 ways to stay in the know

    Here at Wrexham County Borough Council, we try to keep up with the latest online trends to make it easier for you to keep in touch with us.

    Here are a few ways that you can keep up-to-date with council news online.

    1. The Wrexham Council News blog

    You found it! For all the latest news from the council, look no further than here, our news blog. It’s bursting full of all of our latest stories, from information about your council tax to finding fun things to do over school holidays. Since its launch in July last year it’s had well over 200,000 page views, so make sure you keep coming back to read more.

    2. Twitter

    Follow our 280 character posts packed with useful up-to-the-minute information from essential news, latest jobs and interesting stories from around the county.

    NEVER MISS A BIN COLLECTION – SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY EMAIL REMINDERS NOW.

    3. Facebook

    Have you liked us on Facebook yet? Join the 8,000+ people who already get all the latest council news while they’re scrolling through their feeds.

    4. Snapchat

    The latest addition to our social media family, Snapchat – the social media app that serves up quick images and videos of what’s going on in and around Wrexham. If you like, your content visual this is the channel for you.

    5. MyUpdates

    Get the information you need delivered straight to your inbox. Maybe you’d like reminders about your bin delivery or severe weather updates? Sign up to our updates service for the latest, most up-to-date information.

    Never miss a bin collection – sign up for weekly email reminders now.

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/env_services/recycling_waste/calendar.htm”]GET BIN REMINDERS[/button]

  • Are you a born leader in ICT?

    Are you a born leader in ICT?

    Please note this job is no longer open to applications.

    At Wrexham Council we’re looking for an experienced Infrastructure Team Leader to join the multi-skilled ICT team.

    What we can do for you

    Take the opportunity to become part of a multidisciplinary team who will reshape our service for employees and customers over the next few years.

    Grow your career and foster new skills in an environment which is large enough to offer career growth and small enough to develop individual skills.

    I CAN’T WAIT TO APPLY – TAKE ME TO THE APPLICATION FORM

    What you can do for us

    Can you demonstrate knowledge and experience of working in a fast-moving ICT environment?

    Alongside the ICT Lead, you will determine how infrastructure will be designed and delivered and will manage the resources and staff of the ICT Infrastructure team in line with the Council’s evolving transformation priorities and ICT Strategies, including cloud migration.

    Our team supports a wide range of technologies, and experience of Firewall management, Microsoft Server, Cisco WAN, LAN & Wireless technologies would be beneficial to this role, as would a knowledge of VMWare and other security solutions.

    We need you!

    If you are you a born leader with expertise in ICT, we need you.

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/vacancies_en/vacancy.cfm?v_id=B38FFAF4-F73B-8813-AB9420BE21DD6105″]YES! I WANT TO APPLY[/button]
    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”https://news.wrexham.gov.uk”]NO, I’LL IGNORE THIS EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY[/button]

  • Got a question about Council Tax?

    Got a question about Council Tax?

    It’s that time of year again, your 2018/2019 council tax Demand will be with you soon, so we’ve put together some answers to your most asked questions about council tax.

    Why is my Demand showing a balance brought forward from previous years?

    Did you know that the council issue over 60,000 annual Demand notices notices in March alone? They have to be produced early so that we can get them to you on time. This year your Demand notice was printed on 25th February 2018 so any payments made after this date won’t be displayed.

    I pay my council tax by direct debit.  Do I need to do anything?

    If you pay your council tax by direct debit you don’t need to do a thing.  Once your direct debit is set up, we won’t cancel it unless you or your bank tells us to do so.  If you’ve forgotten how you pay your bill you can find your payment method on the bottom left hand side of your Demand notice.

    Why does my demand include Empty Premium 50%?

    So that we don’t see properties empty for a long time we’ve introduced an additional 50% premium which means if a property has been empty (according to council tax records) for over 12 months you will be charged this premium on your council tax.

    NEVER MISS A BIN COLLECTION – SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY EMAIL REMINDERS NOW.

    I’m moving house do I need to let you know?

    Yes.  You need to tell us of any changes in circumstances that affect the amount of council tax you have to pay.  This includes changes of address, but also any information that may affect a discount or exemption you are currently receiving.  The relevant contact details are shown on the back of your council tax Demand notice.

    I am the only adult living in the property, am I entitled to a discount?

    Yes, if you are the only adult living in your property you are entitled to a 25% single person discount.  If your council tax Demand does not include the discount you can contact the Council Tax Section using the contact details on the back of your Demand notice.

    My Demand notice shows a zero balance as I am receiving an exemption because my property is unoccupied & unfurnished or under repair.  Will the balance remain the same for the whole year?

    Not necessarily.  Unoccupied & unfurnished exemptions are only awarded for a maximum of 6 months, and under repair exemptions for 12 months so once the maximum exemption period has expired, you will be issued with an Demand notice.

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://www.wrexham.gov.uk/assets/pdfs/financial/counciltax_ddmandate.pdf”] PAY MY COUNCIL TAX BY DIRECT DEBIT[/button]

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined”https://www.civicaepay.co.uk/WREXHAMESTORE/ESTORE/default/catalog/index?fundCode=25″] PAY MY COUNCIL TAX ONLINE[/button]

  • Make a real difference to a child’s life

    Make a real difference to a child’s life

    Working in Children’s Social Care can be very rewarding with many big benefits.

    A social worker can make a real difference to individuals and their families, helping them through the most difficult of times and, by ensuring that they are safeguarded from harm, changing their lives.

    The voice of the child is at the heart of all we do

    At Wrexham County Borough Council, we are proud to have a team where the voice of the child is at the heart of all we do and are leading the way in Wales in the development of integrated services for children and young people and their families.

    I’D LIKE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE – TAKE ME TO THE APPLICATION FORM

    Take the opportunity to be part of this excellent team. We are currently looking for Independent Safeguarding and Reviewing Officers to co-ordinate an effective inter-agency response to children in need of protection and those who are Looked After.

    We need you

    Do you have excellent communication skills, proven experience of working as part of a team and of working with children, as well as a thorough understanding of social work processes and professional codes of practice? Then we need you.

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/council/social_services/social_work_careers.htm”]YES, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE[/button]
    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”https://news.wrexham.gov.uk”]NO, I’LL IGNORE THIS EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY[/button]

  • A career in ICT – Meet our ICT Technical Services Manager

    A career in ICT – Meet our ICT Technical Services Manager

    When you think of a career in Information Communication Technology working in Silicon Valley or London’s Silicon Roundabout might be the dream. But, did you know that your successful ICT career could be waiting closer to home?

    Photo of Germaine Hughes

    We asked Germaine Hughes, the ICT Technical Services Manager at WCBC, to give us an insight into how she finds working in the ICT department and how rewarding it can be.

    What do you enjoy most about working in ICT?
    I enjoy working in ICT, particularly in such a large enterprise environment, because I am constantly learning new things and there is such a breadth of technology to learn and expand your knowledge in.

    As we are a small team we have the ability to work across disciplines without being pigeon holed into a specific technology area.

    Also, the ICT Department is a key enabler for the reshaping work taking place in the Authority. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing the technical work we deliver improving and making our frontline services more efficient in providing for the people of Wrexham.

    What advice would you give to anyone looking to get into ICT?
    There are lots of different roles within ICT requiring different skillsets.  You don’t necessarily need to come into ICT with all of these skills already if you have an enquiring mind and are keen to learn.

    I’D LOVE TO WORK WITH GERMAINE, TAKE ME TO AN APPLICATION FORM.

    What is your favourite thing about working for Wrexham Council?
    I enjoy working in such a diverse organisation with customer service at the heart of it.

    On a personal level, I like the flexible working hours at WCBC coupled with being fortunate enough to be in a role which allows me to work in an agile way and work from home sometimes.

    As a working mother this affords me the ability to save on traveling time and be able to finish early and attend some of the events such as parents evening and the school Christmas play which I wouldn’t ordinarily be able to do in a 9-5 role giving me work / life balance.

    What do you enjoy most about living in the North Wales area?
    I live in Hawarden, Flintshire, about 10 miles from Wrexham, so an easy commute. I like the fact that we get the best of both worlds – we have cities such as Manchester and Liverpool on our doorstep alongside the mountains of Snowdonia, and the North Wales coastline.

    Please note this job is no longer open to applications.

    Sounds good? We are currently looking for an experienced technical analyst to join the ICT team at Wrexham County Borough Council. Do you fit the bill?

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/vacancies_en/vacancy.cfm?v_id=FF461279-E821-4F5E-89CCF43D0BAA3887″] YES! I WANT TO APPLY![/button]
    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://news.wrexham.gov.uk/”] NO, I WON’T TAKE YOU UP ON THIS EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY[/button]

  • 5 reasons you should work for Wrexham Council

    5 reasons you should work for Wrexham Council

    Local government doesn’t have the most glamorous reputation as a workplace, but looks can be deceiving and working for Wrexham County Borough Council can offer more benefits than you may think.

    1. Cut your commute

    Sick of sitting in rush hour traffic? Exhausted your podcast library? Working locally means you don’t have to waste valuable time traveling to and from work.

    Work closer to home and you can leave for work later, be home in time to put the children to bed, or get back in your pyjamas quicker. You could even pop to the dentist in your lunch hour!

    1. More than just a salary

    Local government offers a good pension and leave packages and WCBC is no different in offering competitive salaries alongside a local government pension scheme.

    You could also benefit from discounted leisure membership, the cycle to work scheme and discounts at various organisations.
    Snapchat

    1. Say goodbye to 9 to 5

    At Wrexham Council you can work flexible working hours, so say goodbye to 9 to 5 and hello to enjoying that perfect work/life balance.

    1. Grow your career and foster new skills

    Wrexham Council take continuous training and development very seriously. The Council is large enough to offer career growth and small enough to develop individual skills.

    All employees are supported in developing their skills, which can include pursuing qualifications and further training.

    1. Make a difference

    Work in a role where you can make a real difference improving your home turf. Working as a public servant means that you are contributing directly to the betterment of your local community.

    It can mean that you feel more connected with your surroundings and invest your working hours in to making some tangible changes.

    Sounds good? We are currently looking for an experienced technical analyst to join the ICT team at Wrexham County Borough Council. Do you fit the bill?

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/vacancies_en/vacancy.cfm?v_id=FF461279-E821-4F5E-89CCF43D0BAA3887″] YES! I WANT TO APPLY![/button]
    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://news.wrexham.gov.uk/”] NO, I DON’T WANT TO TAKE UP THIS EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY[/button]

  • Our ICT department needs you!

    Our ICT department needs you!

    Please note this job is no longer open to applications.

    Tired of short term contracts? Outgrown your current role?

    At Wrexham County Borough Council we are looking for an experienced technical analyst to join the multi-skilled ICT infrastructure team.

    What we can do for you

    Take the opportunity to become part of a multidisciplinary team who will reshape our service for employees and customers over the next few years.

    Grow your career and foster new skills in an environment which is large enough to offer career growth and small enough to develop individual skills.

    I CAN’T WAIT TO APPLY, TAKE ME TO THE APPLICATION FORM.

    What you can do for us

    Can you demonstrate knowledge and experience of working in a fast-moving ICT environment?

    You will provide, support and maintain various products and services which collectively form a reliable and cost effective computer service in support of the authority’s business requirements.

    Whilst a wide range of technologies are supported by the team, experience of Cisco WAN, LAN & Wireless technologies would be beneficial, as would a knowledge of Firewall, UTM & other security solutions.

    We need you

    If you can deliver quality support services and have high level creativity and innovation when resolving technical problems or developing solutions, we need you.

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/vacancies_en/vacancy.cfm?v_id=FF461279-E821-4F5E-89CCF43D0BAA3887″] TAKE ME TO THE APPLICATION FORM[/button]

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://news.wrexham.gov.uk/”] NO, I’LL IGNORE THIS EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY[/button]