news.wrexham.gov.uk

Author: Emma

  • Do you have a child in reception?

    Do you have a child in reception?

    Did you know that all reception class pupils in Wrexham primary schools are able to have a free school meal each day?

    Called ‘Universal Free School Meals’, this scheme was rolled out to all reception-aged learners in Wales in September and will be available to all primary school children over the next 12-18 months.

    Help with the cost of living – claim what’s yours, reduce your bills, look after your health.

    If your child is in reception this school year and you would like them to have their free meal in school, all you need to do is use the Parent Pay website to book your child’s meal (letting your child’s school know if they want a meal means they can reduce the amount of wasted food). You can find out more about registering with Parent Pay in this article: Child starting school? You’ll need a Parent Pay account

    Has your situation changed?

    If your financial situation has changed this year, there may be extra financial help in addition to the free school meal.

    This could be help with school uniform and equipment costs through the Pupil Development Grant (PDG), music lessons, school trips and financial help through the school holidays (until the end of March 2023).

    We urge you to complete the Free School Meals form on our website in case you are able to access further help for your child.

    When it comes to the cost of living, making sure you claim all the help and support you’re entitled to could make a huge difference.

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://www.wrexham.gov.uk/services/help-cost-living”] CLAIM WHAT’S YOURS [/button]

  • Don’t get scammed when applying for the Winter Fuel Payment

    Don’t get scammed when applying for the Winter Fuel Payment

    If you are eligible for the Welsh Government’s £200 payment towards winter fuel bills, you’re able to apply now – but keep reading to find out the only official ways to get your application in!

    Unfortunately, we have heard reports across Wales of people being tricked into handing over their bank details, believing they were applying for the winter fuel payment, only to find out it was a scam.

    There are only two official ways to apply for the Winter Fuel Payment:

    1. Apply online via the council’s Winter Fuel Payment page
    2. If you are unable to apply online, call us and request a call back. We will then complete the form for you while you are on the phone

    Help with the cost of living – claim what’s yours, reduce your bills, look after your health.

    If you receive a text message, email, or phone call that you haven’t requested, do not give your personal information as these are not legitimate ways to apply. You can report these to OfComm by forwarding the text, or texting the details, to 7726.

    Do you have a family member, neighbour or friend who isn’t online? Please make sure they know these two official ways to apply so they can stay safe too.

    Wondering if you are able to claim this one-off payment? Find out more in our article Check if you are eligible to claim £200 towards your energy bill.

    When it comes to the cost of living, making sure you claim all the help and support you’re entitled to could make a huge difference.

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://www.wrexham.gov.uk/services/help-cost-living”] CLAIM WHAT’S YOURS [/button]

  • Channel 4’s Lego Master comes to Wrexham

    Channel 4’s Lego Master comes to Wrexham

    Does your child like building with Lego?

    Why not get them to practice with a Lego master!

    Steve Guinness, winner of Channel 4’s Lego Masters, will be visiting Wrexham and Rhos Libraries this half term and posing creative build challenges. He’ll also give your child a mini kit to take home with them so they can build a book and pencil made out of Lego.

    Received a letter/form about the electoral register? Just follow the instructions so we know you’re registered and ready to vote.

    These sessions will the free and are part of Wrexham Library’s 50th anniversary celebrations and are available at the following times:

    Wednesday, November 2
    Rhos Library
    Age 4+
    10.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm
    Booking is essential – call 01978 840328

    Thursday, November 3
    Wrexham Library
    Age 4+
    10.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm
    Booking is essential – call 01978 292090

    Sessions are free as they are fully funded by NE Wales ACL.

    You can find out more about Steve Guinness on his website, The Brick Consultant – LEGO Commissions, Workshops and Training

    More information about the library’s 50th anniversary is available in this blog article: 6 facts you didn’t know about the Wrexham Library building

    Received a letter/form about the electoral register?

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.householdresponse.com/wrexham”]BE READY TO VOTE[/button]

  • Have you had an A3 form from us? Please respond!

    Have you had an A3 form from us? Please respond!

    Back in August, A3 forms were sent out, checking that we have the correct details for all those aged 14 and over, living in your house. Did you get one?

    If you did, have you responded? This is part of the ‘annual canvass’, when Wrexham Council makes sure that the electoral register is up to date.

    Received a letter/form about the electoral register? Just follow the instructions so we know you’re registered and ready to vote.

    By making sure all of the details are correct, when there is an election, everyone who has the right to vote is able to do so.

    Please respond by following the instructions so we know you’re registered and ready to vote.

    By responding to the form, you will also help us save money by cutting down on the cost of people coming to check your details in person. Over the next few months, canvassers will be visiting properties that have not responded to make sure the details we hold are correct.

    Received a letter/form about the electoral register?

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.householdresponse.com/wrexham”]BE READY TO VOTE[/button]

  • Broadband boost for Wrexham thanks to full-fibre network investment

    Broadband boost for Wrexham thanks to full-fibre network investment

    This week saw new company Freedom Fibre begin work on a major investment programme designed to turbo-charge Wrexham’s full fibre broadband network.

    Much of the county borough’s broadband is still reliant on copper phoneline-based technology, but full-fibre means that residents and business are able to get internet speeds of up to 1,000mb/s.

    Freedom Fibre hopes its first customers will be able to connect to the network from this winter.

    Take part in our climate change survey

    Speaking alongside Cllr David A Bithell, Deputy Leader of Wrexham Council, and Cllr Nigel Williams, Lead Member for Economy and Regneration, Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, said: “This represents a fantastic investment in Wrexham’s digital infrastructure and is very much welcomed by Wrexham Council. Creating a network that future-proofs Wrexham city centre and the whole county borough as well as giving residents a choice of full-fibre providers, which is very important.”

    Marie Danby, customer operations director at Freedom Fibre, says: “This mutli-million-pound investment in Wrexham’s digital infrastructure will not only future-proof the county ahead of the switch-off of the copper network, but will make Wrexham one of the best-connected places in Great Britain.”

    Take part in our climate change survey

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://www.yourvoicewrexham.com/survey/1663″] Take part in our survey
    [/button]

  • Check if you’re eligible to claim £200 towards your energy bill

    Check if you’re eligible to claim £200 towards your energy bill

    Applications for £200 towards energy bills this winter are open on the Wrexham Council website.

    Earlier this year, Welsh Government announced that in addition to the Winter Fuel Payment that is normally paid to pensioners, eligible households will also be able to claim this one-off payment of £200 to help pay energy bills this winter. This is regardless of how you pay your bill, for example, on a pre-payment meter, direct debit or quarterly, and whether you are using on- or off-grid fuel.

    Renew your green bin for 2022/23 now – collections begin from September!

    If you are on the Council Tax reduction scheme, we will be writing to you to invite you to apply for the payment and the online application process will open on September 26.

    The closing date from applications will be February 28 and payment should be made to eligible applicants by March 31.

    To be eligible for the one-per-household payment you must have received one of the qualifying benefits between September 1, 2022 and January 31, 2023, be responsible for paying the fuel bill in your house, and apply before February 28, 2023. You can find more information about eligibility on the Welsh Government’s Wales winter fuel support scheme 2022 to 2023 page.

    Pay for your green bin to be emptied 2022/23.

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://wrexham.gov.uk/gardenwaste “] PAY NOW [/button]

  • Has your financial situation changed?

    Has your financial situation changed?

    Do you have a child or children in school? Has your financial situation changed?

    If your answer to both of these questions is ‘yes’ then read on to find out how you could access more financial help for your family.

    If you have a child in primary or secondary school and you’re on a low income, make sure you complete the free school meals form on our website. This application is not just for school meals. If your application is successful you may also be able to access help towards the costs of school uniform and equipment (Pupil Development Grant), reduced rate or free music lessons, discounted school trips and other out-of-school activities, and help towards meals during the school holidays (until the end of March 2023).

    Renew your green bin for 2022/23 now – collections begin from September!

    Cllr Phil Wynn, Lead Member for Education, said: “If you feel you may be eligible for Free School Meals, I urge you to visit our website and apply. If your application is successful, there may be additional financial help available, which is an important step in stopping money getting in the way of children’s education. We urge anyone who feels they are eligible to get in touch with us to support parents and learners through the school year.”

    If you have any questions about financial help available for your child while they are at school you can contact us at freeschoolmeals@wrexham.gov.uk.

    Pay for your green bin to be emptied 2022/23.

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://wrexham.gov.uk/gardenwaste “] PAY NOW [/button]

  • Did you get your registration card?

    Did you get your registration card?

    Have you had your voter registration form in the post?

    Wrexham Council is contacting all households in the County Borough to make sure that the electoral register is up to date.

    This is done every year to make sure that when there is an election (planned or otherwise!), everyone who has the right to vote is able to do so.

    When you receive your form, just follow the instructions so we know you’re registered and ready to vote.

    Pay for your green bin to be emptied 2022/23.

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://wrexham.gov.uk/gardenwaste “] PAY NOW [/button]

  • More time to join the conversation – you have until October 4

    More time to join the conversation – you have until October 4

    We have been asking you over the last few weeks to let us know how involved you feel in the decisions we take as your council and how your services are designed.

    We would really like to give as many people as possible the chance to let us know, so we are giving you a little more time to tell us your thoughts.

    Wrexham Council’s Involvement Strategy is online now so please let us know what you think of it.

    You now have until October 4, so click here to let us know what you think!

    If are unable to complete the consultation online, paper copies are available in Welsh and English, and in other formats or languages on request.

    You can email us at telluswhatyouthink@wrexham.gov.uk.

    Pay for your green bin to be emptied 2022/23.

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://wrexham.gov.uk/gardenwaste “] PAY NOW [/button]

  • Child starting school? You’ll need a Parent Pay account

    Child starting school? You’ll need a Parent Pay account

    If your child will be receiving a free school meal this year – whether it is a universal free school meal or one you have applied for – you will need an account on the Parent Pay website – www.parentpay.com.

    Here’s how you get one:

    1. Email schoolmeals@wrexham.gov.uk with your child’s full name, date of birth and name of their school, and ask for a Parent Pay activation code.
    2. You will receive an activation code to get your account up and running.

    If you have any questions about financial help available for your child while they are at school you can contact us at freeschoolmeals@wrexham.gov.uk.