Author: Chris

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog last week (26.6.20).

Key messages for today

• What does today’s update from PHW mean for Wrexham? We can all continue to feel safe and confident if we keep following official guidance.
• Pubs in England reopen this weekend, but remember that the five-mile rule still applies in Wales…and that pubs this side of the border remain closed for the moment.

What does today’s PHW statement mean for Wrexham?

Today’s update from Public Health Wales (PHW) contains three important messages…

• The team managing the outbreak associated with Rowan Foods has recorded a small increase of six cases since Wednesday (bringing the total to 289 cases).
• There continues to be no evidence the outbreak is factory-based, and the results are what PHW would expect when focused testing takes place.
• We all still have a role to play in preventing the fight against the virus by sticking to guidelines – including social distancing, washing hands regularly, and avoiding car-sharing with people outside our own household.

So what does this mean for Wrexham?

“Safe and confident”

It means we can all continue to feel safe and confident if we keep following official guidance.

Councillor Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, says:

“Whether it’s shopping in the town centre, sending your children back to school or visiting our parks and open spaces…as long as we all stick to the rules and follow government advice, we can all feel safe.

“The situation associated with the factory is being carefully managed by the multi-agency team led by PHW, and only six new cases have been recorded since Wednesday.

“The huge amount of knowledge and expertise available is ensuring a measured and scientific approach, and that should provide people in Wrexham with a lot of reassurance.

“However, PHW rightly reminds us that we all still have a role to play in the fight against coronavirus. It’s not over yet.

“But if we all keep working together by sticking to the rules, we can continue to feel safe and confident in our county borough.”

HOW TO GET A TEST IF YOU’VE GOT CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS

Reopening of pubs in England – please remember the five-mile rule

Pubs in England reopen this weekend, but remember…the rules in Wales are different.

Although the five-mile rule is expected to change soon, it remains in force this weekend. So if you live in Wales, you shouldn’t travel more than five miles for non-essential purposes (which includes heading over the border to go to the pub).

Pubs in Wales remain closed for the moment.

Henblas Street toilets reopen

Earlier this week, we reopened the toilets in Henblas Street to support the return of non-essential shopping in Wrexham town centre

Find out more…

Click and collect at Wrexham Library

We’re also piloting a new click and collect service at Wrexham Library…to help you get your hands on your favourite books.

Find out more…

Tŷ Pawb’s market and food hall reopen

Tŷ Pawb’s market court and food hall are now open from 10am until 4pm, Monday to Saturday, with selected food court traders offering take-away until 6pm.

Find out more…

Treat cemeteries

Treat cemeteries with respect. Thanks 🙏 #wrexham pic.twitter.com/VkFrrqV8ht

— Wrexham Council (@wrexhamcbc) July 3, 2020

Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19

Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:

• Welsh Government
• Public Health Wales

How to get a test if you’ve got Coronavirus Symptoms…

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-test”]APPLY NOW[/button]

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) – public briefing note 26.6.20

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog last week (19.6.20).

Key messages for today

• We’re unlocking services and facilities slowly – inline with Welsh Government guidance and scientific evidence on Covid-19.
• We’re working closely with lead agency, Public Health Wales, on responding to the situation at Rowan Foods.
• Schools across the county borough will be reopening on Monday.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

Unlocking services, reopening schools and keeping you safe

As restrictions ease, councils across the UK are starting to ‘unlock’ local services and facilities.

Here in Wrexham, we’ve reopened our town centre for non-essential shopping this week, and our schools will reopen this Monday.

We’re doing this slowly and in-line with Welsh Government guidance and scientific evidence on Covid-19.

This is because the threat of Covid-19 hasn’t gone away, and the safety of our communities is our highest priority.

People’s health comes first. Always.

Rowan Foods

You’ll have read about the situation connected with Rowan Foods on Wrexham Industrial Estate.

We’re working very closely with lead agency, Public Health Wales, and an update issued earlier today confirmed that 166 cases have now been identified in the workforce at the factory.

This doesn’t mean the infection is increasing…increased testing will inevitably lead to more cases being identified. But it does remind us that Covid-19 is still here.

Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, says: “Testing of the workforce associated with an outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Wrexham area is continuing.

“We are in the process of combining information to identify the full scope of the ongoing testing process and total number of positive cases.

“To date a total of 166 cases have been identified, an increase of 69 cases reported in the past 24-hours.

“The identification of additional cases does not mean that the infection is increasing. However, it also reminds us that COVID-19 has not gone away and remains in the community.”

You can read the full update from PHW on its website.

HOW TO GET A TEST IF YOU’VE GOT CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS

Schools reopen on Monday

If you’re a parent or carer, you’ll know that schools across the county borough will be reopening on Monday.

Your school will have been in touch with you to confirm when your child will be able to attend.

The aim is to give pupils a chance to “check in, catch up and prepare for September.”

If there’s any circumstances that affect a particular school reopening, parents will be contacted by the individual school.

The health of our communities comes first…always

We all still have a huge part to play in the fight against coronavirus.

It’s up to every one of us to keep following the rules – keep sticking to social distancing, washing our hands, doing the right thing to help keep ourselves and others safe.

And as council, we want you to be confident that we will keep unlocking services and facilities slowly and carefully…in line with the latest guidance from Welsh Government and scientific evidence.

The health of our communities comes first.

Please stay safe.

If you have a persistent cough, high temperature or loss of taste or smell, you may have coronavirus. Stay home. Book a test. Coronavirus symptoms? You must stay home and request a test as soon as possible. —Get a test. Stop the spread. Keep Wales safe. https://t.co/pxaiTqwyhw pic.twitter.com/lmHaklFlGL

— Wrexham Council (@wrexhamcbc) June 24, 2020

Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19

Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:

• Welsh Government
• Public Health Wales

How to get a test if you’ve got Coronavirus Symptoms…

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-test”]APPLY NOW[/button]

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) – public briefing note 19.6.20

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog last week (12.6.20).

Key messages for today

• Schools in Wrexham will reopen on Monday, June 29 for three weeks – not four weeks, as originally planned.
• If you receive a call from a contact tracer in Wrexham, and you’re worried it might not be genuine, you can check by hanging up and calling us on 01978 292000.
• We’re putting in place measures for the cautious re-opening of non-essential town centre shops.
• We’ve helped 1,945 businesses and sole traders in the county borough by providing £23m in business grants since lockdown began. If you haven’t done it yet, make sure you apply by June 30.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

Schools will now reopen for three weeks…not four

Earlier this month, Welsh Government announced that schools will reopen for four weeks on Monday, June 29.

However, national discussions have been taking place about whether schools should be open for the fourth and final week (the week starting July 20), or whether they should close at the end of the third week, when the original summer holidays were due to start.

It’s our understanding that Welsh Government and trade unions are struggling to reach agreement, and the Government has stated in the media that “schools and councils will have the final say.”

We can’t leave this until the last minute

This puts schools and the council in a very tough position.

There’s no contractual obligation for staff to work the extra week – putting the onus on individual head teachers and staff, which is unfair.

It could also lead to inconsistency and confusion, with some schools able to open for the fourth week, and some not.

We know that many parents will be feeling anxious and uncertain about sending their children back to school, and need to know exactly what’s happening so they can make arrangements and feel confident.

So this isn’t something that can be left until the last minute, and it’s only fair – to staff, parents and pupils – that we make a decision for the whole of Wrexham now.

Not tomorrow, or next week, but today.

As a result, we can confirm that schools across the county borough will not open for the fourth and final week, and will close for the summer holidays on Friday, July 17.

So to be clear…

Schools will reopen on Monday, June 29 for three weeks – not four weeks, as originally planned.

Your school might need to contact you again

We know this is really hard for everyone. It’ll mean more work for schools in planning for three weeks instead of four, and it could mean your school needs to contact you about reducing the number of days your child can attend.

Schools will continue to work extremely hard over the next few days to make any required amendments to the arrangements, and it would be appreciated if parents don’t contact schools this time…as schools will be contacting parents / carers if there are to be any changes.

We want to make it clear that this is in no way the fault of our schools. It’s a national issue, and a decision we haven’t taken lightly.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. We’re still living in such strange times and facing challenges every day as a result of Covid-19.

Your support means so much to your school, and to the council.

How can you tell if a call from a contact tracer is genuine? Follow this advice…

By now, you’ve hopefully heard about ‘contact tracing’…and how it’s being used to help combat Covid-19 in Wales.

It involves tracing people who’ve come into contact with an infected person, and advising them on what to do (e.g. get tested, self-isolate).

So if you’ve had a test, or been in contact with someone whose been confirmed as having Covid-19, you might get a call.

Here’s some really important advice…

• If you’re contacted as part of the Test, Trace, Protect programme, you’ll never be asked to give any financial information, bank details or passwords. Testing is free.
• If you receive a call from a contact tracer in Wrexham, and you’re worried it might not be genuine, you can check by hanging up and calling us on 01978 292000.

Read the blog article we posted earlier today for more info…

“How can I tell if a call from a contact tracer is genuine?” Follow this advice…

Shopping in Wrexham town centre

Welsh Government today confirmed that non-essential shops can reopen in Wales from Monday (June 22).

We know how important this is. These last few months have been incredibly difficult for so many businesses, and we need people to support our town and ‘shop local’…while staying safe.

So we’ll be putting in place various measures, including:

• Signage reminding shoppers to stick to Welsh Government guidelines – e.g. social distancing signs on lampposts, and floor markings.
• One-way pedestrian systems in areas too narrow to allow two-metre distancing (such as Bank Street).
• Social distancing wardens to provide reassurance, and politely remind people to stick to the guidelines.
• Click and collect parking on High Street.

We’ll also be looking at re-opening public toilets in adherence with guidelines. We hope this will happen very soon.

These are just some of the measures we’ll be introducing, and our town centre management team will be working with any businesses that need advice.

In Wales, guidelines are still in force that state no-one should travel over five miles for non-essential purposes.

So we’re not expecting extremely high numbers of shoppers in the first few weeks, and this will hopefully give traders time to adjust to their new, safe way of trading.

It’s worth remembering that town centre car parking in council-owned car parks remains free until the end of September.

So please support local shops wherever you can…but follow Welsh Government’s guidelines at all times, and help keep yourself and others safe.

We’re gradually restarting work on some of our housing

We’ll be gradually resuming outside planned works and improvements to some of our council housing stock from Monday. This will be phased and will increase over the coming weeks.

We won’t be doing any indoor work just yet – only outside works like re roofing works, external works to gardens and external wall insulation. We will also be starting to work on some of the empty void properties.

It’s important we get this work underway so we can make these homes available again – helping to make sure Wrexham has enough good quality housing for local people.

Keeping site-workers and surrounding communities safe is our priority, and work will be undertaken in line with contractors’ and risk assessments that have been prepared for our staff.

Could this money help your business? Apply by June 30

We’ve helped 1,945 businesses and sole traders in the county borough by providing £23m in business grants since lockdown began.

This includes small charities and community sports clubs following recently revised eligibility rules.

However, Welsh Government recently announced that the grants scheme will close for applications on June 30.

So this is a call for any businesses out there who haven’t already received a business loan or funding from the Economic Resilience Fund, to go to our website to check if they’re eligible and – if they are – make a claim.

You’ll find all the relevant information on our site, including revised criteria for small charities and community amateur sports clubs.

We’re particularly asking owners of shops, offices, hairdressing salons, garages and petrol stations, and non-council community centres or buildings to consider claiming.

Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19

Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:

• Daily statements by Welsh Government at around 12.30pm.
• Daily TV statements by the Government (including by Government ministers) at around 5pm.
• Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) – public briefing note 12.6.20

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog last week (5.6.20).

Key messages for today

• The Test, Trace and Protect programme continues to be rolled out across Wales. Follow Welsh Government’s advice, and help keep yourself and others safe.
• We know that many parents will be feeling uncertain about the arrangements for when schools reopen on June 29, and we want to assure you that the safety of children and staff is our priority.
• Free parking in council car parks has been extended until the end of September.
• Earlier this week, we lifted the temporary trailer ban at our household waste recycling centre at Brymbo.
• We’ve helped 1,945 businesses and sole traders in the county borough by providing £23m in business grants since lockdown began. If you haven’t done it yet, make sure you apply by June 30.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

Test, Trace and Protect…it’s important we all do our bit

As you probably know, Welsh Government has been rolling out the Test, Trace and Protect programme since June 1.

The aim is to lead Wales out of the pandemic through enhanced health monitoring in the community.

This includes testing and ‘contact tracing’ – which involves tracing people who’ve come into contact with someone with an infectious disease, and advising them on what to do (e.g. get tested, self-isolate).

So if you’ve been in contact with someone whose been confirmed as having Covid-19, you might receive a call from a ‘contact tracer.’

The programme is hugely important for Wales, and it’s important we all co-operate and do our bit.

Follow Welsh Government’s advice…and help protect yourself, and others.

Protect yourself against fraud

It’s also worth being on your guard against potential fraud – from people pretending to be contact tracers. Again, follow Welsh Government’s advice…

More info about schools reopening on June 29

Last week, Kirsty Williams – Welsh Government’s Minister for Education – announced that schools will reopen for four weeks on Monday, June 29.

We know that many parents will be feeling uncertain about the arrangements. That’s completely understandable, and we want to assure you that the safety of children and staff is our priority.

Not all pupils will attend every day, and no more than up to a third will be in school at any one time.

Class sizes will be smaller and schools will endeavour to apply social distancing.

The aim is to give pupils a chance to “check in, catch up and prepare for summer and September.”

So your children won’t be following their usual timetables or curriculum – it’s all about supporting their wellbeing and preparing them for the autumn term.

“Do I have to send my children back?”

The Minister says she expects pupils to attend, in line with whatever arrangements each school puts in place between June 29 and July 24.

However, she’s also made it clear that if parents decide not to send their children, there won’t be any penalties.

When you’re contacted by your school, you’ll be asked to confirm if your child will be attending on their allocated days. It’s really important you respond, as this will help the school with its planning.

If your child qualifies for free school transport, you’ll also be asked about this – to help us work out what’s possible with transport contractors.

Planning for June 29 is a huge task, and we’re sure you appreciate there’s a lot to consider.

But please be assured that the safety of your children is our priority, and we’ll be writing to parents again when we have further guidance from Welsh Government.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

Free parking extended

Free parking in council car parks has been extended until the end of September.

We stopped charging people when the coronavirus emergency first kicked-in – to support key workers and people making essential journeys to buy food and pick up medicine.

Earlier this week, councillors who sit on our Executive Board agreed to extend the arrangement until the end of September.

By doing this, we hope to support any businesses in the town centre that are able to open in the coming weeks and months, as we recognise this has been a tremendously difficult period for many shops and their employees.

Trailer ban lifted at Brymbo recycling site

Earlier this week, we lifted the temporary trailer ban at our household waste recycling centre at Brymbo.

The new booking system is working well, so we’re able to start accepting trailers again.

To book a slot at the Brymbo site, call 01978 801463. You don’t need to book a slot at the Bryn Lane and Plas Madoc sites.

Thank you for following the rules at our recycling centres, and helping to keep everyone safe.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Could this money help your business? Apply by June 30

We’ve helped 1,945 businesses and sole traders in the county borough by providing £23m in business grants since lockdown began.

This includes small charities and community sports clubs following recently revised eligibility rules.

However, Welsh Government recently announced that the grants scheme will close for applications on June 30.

So this is a call for any businesses out there who haven’t already received a business loan or funding from the Economic Resilience Fund, to go to our website to check if they’re eligible and – if they are – make a claim.

You’ll find all the relevant information on our site, including revised criteria for small charities and community amateur sports clubs.

We’re particularly asking owners of shops, offices, hairdressing salons, garages and petrol stations, and non-council community centres or buildings to consider claiming.

Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19

Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:

• Daily statements by Welsh Government at around 12.30pm.
• Daily TV statements by the Government (including by Government ministers) at around 5pm.
• Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.

Read the most up-to-date information about Covid-19.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/”]LATEST INFO ON COVID-19[/button]

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) – public briefing note 5.6.20

This note provides an update on the Covid-19 information posted on this blog last week (29.5.20).

Key messages for today

• Please stick with us as we try to gradually restart some of our services, in line with changes to lockdown over the coming months. We really appreciate your patience and support.
• North Wales Police has tweeted some useful advice to help protect you against ‘track and trace’ fraud.
• Schools will reopen on June 29. Please don’t worry…your school has already started to plan which days your children will be able to attend, and will let you know in plenty of time.
• The suspension on wedding and civil partnership ceremonies is being extended until July 31.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

Things will be different…

As we all adjust to the ‘new normal’ – and some lockdown measures begin to ease – you might wonder when various council services will be available again.

As you know, we’ve been able to reopen our recycling centres with social distancing measures in place.

We’ve started to hold some of our council meetings using Zoom. And our schools will reopen on June 29, with appropriate safety measures in place.

So we’re making some small, measured steps towards recovery.

But we’re having to do things differently, and it’s really important we don’t get carried away and start-up services without careful planning.

We’re still very much in a public health emergency, and we have to balance the risks to staff and residents with everyone’s desire to get services going again.

It’s going to be a long time before the UK fully emerges from this crisis. So even as we try and get more council services back to normal, it will be a ‘new normal.’

For example, social distancing means we won’t be able to have the same number of people in our buildings.

Things will be different for you, as customers and members of the public, and they’ll be different for us…as staff and councillors.

People in Wrexham have been incredibly patient and supportive over the past couple of months, as we’ve had to suspend services or change the way we deliver them.

So please stick with us as we try to gradually restart services, in line with any changes to lockdown over the coming months.

We really appreciate your patience and support.

Thank you.

Protect yourself against track and trace fraud

As you probably know, Welsh Government has been rolling out the Test, Trace and Protect programme since June 1.

The aim is to lead Wales out of the pandemic through enhanced health monitoring in the community, including ‘contact tracing’ – a tried and tested method of controlling the spread of infectious diseases.

It involves tracing people who’ve come into contact with someone with an infectious disease, and advising them on what to do (e.g. get tested, self-isolate).

So if you’ve been in contact with someone whose been confirmed as having Covid-19, you might receive a call from a contact tracer.

The programme is hugely important for Wales, and it’s important we all co-operate and do our bit.

However, it’s worth being on your guard against potential fraud. This tweet from North Wales Police offers some sensible advice…

The Test and Trace service is vitally important, but gives criminals an opportunity to pretend to be contact tracers to gain access to your personal information

Protect yourself by making sure the person on the end of the phone is who they say they arehttps://t.co/tY7Rs01Yjo pic.twitter.com/ly3JA2FIHo

— North Wales Police #StayHomeSaveLives (@NWPolice) June 3, 2020

Schools reopening on June 29

Earlier this week, Kirsty Williams – Welsh Government’s Minister for Education – announced that schools will reopen on Monday, June 29.

They’ll remain open until Friday, July 24.

The aim is to give pupils a chance to “check in, catch up and prepare for summer and September.”

The Minister made it clear that not all pupils will attend every day, and no more than up to a third will be in school at any one time.

Your school will be in touch

Next week, Welsh Government will provide guidance to help ensure the return is as smooth and safe as possible, and risk assessments are also being carried out in schools across the county borough.

However, there’s a chance that not all schools will be able to offer the same level of provision – due to factors like building capacity and staffing – and the priority will be to ensure pupils and staff are as safe as possible.

Your school has already started to plan which days your children will be able to attend, and will let you know in plenty of time ahead of June 29.

So please don’t worry…there’s no need to contact your school at this point.

You’ll also be provided with information about school transport and school dinner arrangements as soon as possible.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

Weddings and civil partnerships suspended until July 31

On March 24, Wrexham Registration Service suspended marriage, civil partnership and other discretionary ceremonies (renewal of vows, baby naming etc) at licenced venues until further notice.

This suspension was initially until June 30. However, as social distancing continues to be very much part of our lives, we’ve decided to extend this until July 31.

If you’re affected by this, please contact ceremonies@wrexham.gov.uk – providing your name, date, venue of marriage and contact number – and we’ll get in touch.

Other registration services

Unfortunately, we’re still unable to provide appointments for births, notices of marriage or citizenship ceremonies. We’ll let you know when appointments can begin through our social media channels.

However, parents can still make a claim for Child Benefit or Universal Credit prior to registering their child’s birth.

Could this money help your business? Apply by June 30

We’ve helped 1,914 businesses and sole traders in the county borough by providing £22.77m in business grants since lockdown began.

This includes small charities and community sports clubs following recently revised eligibility rules.

However, Welsh Government recently announced that the grants scheme will close for applications on June 30.

So this is a call for any businesses out there who haven’t already received a business loan or funding from the Economic Resilience Fund, to go to our website to check if they’re eligible and – if they are – make a claim.

You’ll find all the relevant information on our site, including revised criteria for small charities and community amateur sports clubs.

We’re particularly asking owners of shops, offices, hairdressing salons, garages and petrol stations, and non-council community centres or buildings to consider claiming.

Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19

Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:

• Daily TV statements by the Government (including by Government ministers) at around 5pm.
• Daily statements by Welsh Government at around 12.30pm.
• Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.

Read the most up-to-date information about Covid-19.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/”] LATEST INFO ON COVID-19 [/button]

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) – public briefing note 29.5.20

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog last week (22.5.20).

Key messages for today

• From Monday (June 1), people in Wales from two different households in the same local area will be able to meet outdoors.
• Next week is Volunteers’ Week. It’s a chance to say thank you to volunteers in Wrexham and across the UK.
• If you have extra cardboard to recycle, it must be in a container that our bin crews can empty straight into the correct vehicle compartment…without having to touch the cardboard itself.
• A big thank you to everyone for sticking to the rules at our recycling centres.
• If you’re registered for business rates and were trading up until lockdown kicked-in, you might be missing out on a grant of up to £25,000. We’ve already paid 22m to over 1,800 businesses. Make sure you apply by June 30.
• If you, or someone you know, is at risk of domestic abuse during the coronavirus emergency, the Live Fear Free helpline is available 24-7. Call 0808 80 10 800.
• We’ve issued free school meal direct payments for over 3,300 children since the scheme started on May 4. Payment to cover the next four weeks should be in people’s bank accounts on June 1.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

By the time you read this…

By the time you read this, you’ll probably know about the changes to lockdown from next week.

Earlier today, Welsh Government announced that from Monday (June 1), people from two different households in the same local area will be able to meet outdoors.

You must continue to maintain social distancing and strict hand hygiene.

You’ll also have to stay local – which as a general rule, means not travelling more than five miles from home.

Having to stay away from friends and family has been really tough, and we’ll all welcome this slight easing of restrictions.

But it’s important we don’t get carried away, and that we keep following the rules to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Stay local to help keep Wrexham – and the rest of Wales – safe.

Thank you to volunteers everywhere

Next week is Volunteers’ Week. It’s a chance to say thank you to the millions of volunteers across the UK.

Here in Wrexham, volunteers play a crucial role…helping community projects and charities, and supporting local services like the council, health and emergency services.

They make a difference to lives all over the county borough, and are always ready to step up and help when new situations arise.

This has never been more evident than during the current emergency.

Volunteers co-ordinated by the Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham (AVOW) have helped deliver food, pick up prescriptions and do all kinds of other work to help the most vulnerable.

So let’s say thank you to volunteers all over the county borough, and use next week to think about what they do for us.

There are lots of heroes in our midst at the moment. Volunteers are definitely among them.

To contact AVOW, email VB@avow.org or call 01978 312556.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

Why we can’t collect loose cardboard

When it comes to collecting your waste and recycling, our priority is to keep you and our refuse crews safe.

We have very strict hygiene precautions in place, but we need your help with some of these.

For example, our operatives can’t touch any of your recyclables…so they can’t pick up loose cardboard.

If you have extra cardboard to recycle, it must be in a container that our crews can empty straight into the correct vehicle compartment.

Read this article for more information.

Thanks for sticking to the rules at our recycling centres

As you probably know, our household waste recycling centres at Bryn Lane, Plas Madoc and Brymbo reopened earlier this month.

We just want to say a big thank you to everyone for sticking to the rules, and helping to keep everyone safe.

Only visit our sites if you really need to, and remember to book in advance if you want to visit the Brymbo site (call 01978 801463).

Here’s a quick reminder about the rules…

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Could this money help your business? Apply by June 30

We’ve helped over 1,800 businesses and sole traders in the county borough by providing £22m in business grants since lockdown began.

This includes small charities and community sports clubs following recently revised eligibility rules.

However, Welsh Government recently announced that the grants scheme will close for applications on June 30.

So this is a call for any businesses out there who haven’t already received a business loan or funding from the Economic Resilience Fund, to go to our website to check if they’re eligible and – if they are – make a claim.

You’ll find all the relevant information on our site, including revised criteria for small charities and community amateur sports clubs.

We’re particularly asking owners of shops, offices, hairdressing salons, garages and petrol stations, and non-council community centres or buildings to consider claiming.

Lockdown lunches in the Ceiriog Valley

Communities all over the county borough have been coming together during the current emergency.

For example, volunteers in the Ceiriog Valley have rallied round to prepare, cook and deliver 100 roast-beef dinners to people who are self isolating.

Read the article we posted earlier this week.

#LiveFearFree

If you, or someone you know, is at risk of domestic abuse or sexual violence during the coronavirus emergency, help and support is available.

The Live Fear Free helpline is available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, and is free to use. Just call 0808 80 10 800.

Read the article we posted earlier this week for more information.

Free school meal direct payments

We’ve issued direct payments for over 3,300 children since the scheme started on May 4.

Those eligible will be receiving a further payment to their nominated bank accounts on June 1, to cover the next four weeks.

If your child attends a school in Wrexham, is entitled to free school meals and you haven’t applied for direct payments yet, please take a look at the information on our website.

Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19

Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:

• Daily TV statements by the Government (including by Government ministers) at around 5pm.
• Daily statements by Welsh Government at around 12.30pm.
• Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.

Read the most up-to-date information about Covid-19.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/”] LATEST INFO ON COVID-19 [/button]

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) – public briefing note 22.5.20

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog last week (15.5.20).

Key messages for today

• As we head into another bank holiday weekend, please remember that the ‘stay at home’ message still applies in Wales.
• We’ll empty your bins and collect your recycling as normal on bank holiday Monday (May 25).
• If you’re registered for business rates and were trading up until lockdown kicked-in, you might be missing out on a grant of up to £25,000.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

Don’t give-in now, and don’t risk a fine…stay at home

As we head into another bank holiday weekend, remember that the ‘stay at home’ message still applies in Wales.

And although you can now leave home to exercise more than once a day, you should continue to exercise in your local area, and only make essential journeys.

People have shown amazing resolve here in Wrexham, but we need to keep going. So please… don’t jump in a car and drive to one of our parks this weekend.

Don’t drive to our recycling centres unless you really need to.

Stay local.

North Wales Police is asking everyone to keep doing the right thing, and offers some valuable advice in this video posted on Facebook…

Increased fines for breaking lockdown

As well as letting yourself and others down, there are very real financial consequences if you break the rules.

Welsh Government has confirmed that – from today – the maximum penalties for breaching lockdown will rise.

Instead of imposing £60 fines for first offences, rising to £120 for second and subsequent offences, fines will now double with every offence – rising from £60 to £120 to £1,920 for the sixth offence.

Stick to the rules. Stay safe. Don’t risk a fine.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

No change to bin collections this bank holiday

We’ll empty your bins and collect your recycling as normal on Monday (May 25).

So if your ‘bin day’ is usually Monday, please put your bins and recycling out like you normally do…the bank holiday won’t affect anything.

Please take a look at the article we posted recently…and help us collect your recycling safely.

Household Waste Recycling Centre at Brymbo

We reopened our three household waste recycling centres on May 15, and – due to traffic issues – introduced a booking system at the Brymbo site earlier this week.

If you want to book an appointment at the Brymbo site, please call 01978 801463 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

You don’t need to book an appointment to use the sites at Bryn Lane or Plas Madoc. However, please only visit our recycling centres if you really need to, and stick to the site rules.

Have you applied for a business support grant?

We’ve now paid out more than £21 million to 1,806 businesses in Wrexham as part of the business rates relief support provided by Welsh Government.

If you’re registered for business rates and were trading up until lockdown kicked-in, then you might be missing out on a grant of up to £25,000.

Maybe you have a shop, an office, hairdressing salon, garage or petrol station? You might even run a non-council owned community centre or building?

Whatever kind of enterprise you run, if you haven’t applied yet, please visit our website to check if you’re eligible and make a claim.

Overton scarecrows brighten up our day

Some amazing scarecrows have been popping up in the village of Overton – like this refuse worker emptying someone’s bin 🙂

A lovely gesture and some much-needed fun during these tough times.

Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19

Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:

• Daily TV statements by the Government (including by Government ministers) at around 5pm.
• Daily statements by Welsh Government at around 12.30pm.
• Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.

Read the most up-to-date information about Covid-19.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/”]LATEST INFO ON COVID-19[/button]

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) – public briefing note 15.5.20

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog on Monday (11.5.20).

Key messages for today

• Our household waste recycling centres reopened earlier today (Friday, May 15). Only visit them if you really need to, and stick to the rules.
• Please don’t drive to our parks this weekend. Welsh Government has made it clear that in Wales, people should continue to exercise locally.
• We’ll be trialling the use of ‘Zoom’ to run committee meetings.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

Before you visit our recycling centres…

Our household waste recycling centres reopened earlier today (Friday, May 15).

The sites were closed in early April as part of the council’s response to Covid-19, but following some small changes to lockdown in Wales, we’ve been able to reopen them.

Coronavirus has brought huge disruption to daily life, and lots of people will be pleased to see them open again.

However, if you’re itching to load-up the car and get down there, please stop for a moment and consider this…

1. Even though the sites have reopened, you should only visit them if you really need to.
2. If you do visit, you must follow the 10 strict rules we’ve implemented.

In fact, we’ve had to close our Brymbo site early today due to demand and traffic queues.

Due to traffic, we’ve closed Brymbo waste recycling centre earlier than planned. The site will remain closed until we’ve reviewed things next week. Bryn Lane and Plas Madoc sites remain open, but please only visit if it’s absolutely essential.

— Wrexham Council (@wrexhamcbc) May 15, 2020

So please continue to follow the lockdown rules in Wales, only visit the recycling centres if you really need to, and follow the rules when you’re there.

Remember…it’s all about saving lives, and protecting the NHS.

Stay at home this weekend

There are slight differences between lockdown rules in Wales and England at the moment.

And as we head into the weekend, it’s important that nobody gets confused.

Here in Wales, the ‘stay at home’ message is still in place.

And although you can now leave home to exercise more than once a day, Welsh Government has made it clear that people should continue to exercise in their local area.

So please don’t be tempted to drive to one of our parks to walk the dog or go for a run etc. It’s still not ok to do that.

Stay local.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

Council meetings

Like most councils, we’ve been looking at ways to start holding committee meetings again.

Meetings were cancelled in late March as part of our response to Covid-19, and in line with councils across the UK.

One of the biggest challenges is social distancing, as meetings tend to take place ‘in person’ – with councillors, council staff and other people gathering in one room.

But guidance issued last month has allowed councils to look at ways to hold key meetings again.

As a result, we’re going to use the enterprise version of ‘Zoom’ – a popular conferencing app – to hold three ‘virtual’ meetings:

• Audit Committee – May 28
• Executive Board – June 9
• Planning Committee – June 22

As far as practicalities and the technology allows, we’ll be aiming to run these meetings in the normal way – including how the meetings are chaired, questions taken and so on.

We won’t live-stream to begin with, but to aid transparency, we’ll invite local media to observe online.

We’ll then post a public recording online as soon as we can afterwards.

This is going to be a massive learning curve for us, and these initial meetings will help us find our feet…so we’re eventually able to live-stream the proceedings.

Like all councils, we’re having to quickly get to grips with new technology and new ways of doing things.

But we think this approach will give us a way to allow key debates and decisions to take place, while keeping everyone safe.

Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19

Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:

• Daily TV statements by the Government (including by Government ministers) at around 5pm.
• Daily statements by Welsh Government at around 12.30pm.
• Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.

Read the most up-to-date information about Covid-19.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/”] LATEST INFO ON COVID-19 [/button]

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) – public briefing note 11.5.20