Author: Chris

Update 9.6.20

• From tomorrow (10.6.20), we’ll be lifting the temporary trailer ban at our Brymbo recycling centre.

Wrexham’s household waste recycling centres will reopen this Friday, May 15.

The sites were closed in early April as part of the council’s response to Covid-19, and in line with government guidelines on essential travel.

Last Friday, Welsh Government confirmed plans to extend the lockdown for a further three weeks…but with small amendments, which include letting people travel to recycling sites when they reopen.

We’ve been carefully assessing the new guidance and will be reopening our three sites this Friday, May 15.

• Bryn Lane – open 12noon-8pm this Friday, and then 8am-8pm daily.
• Plas Madoc – open 12noon-8pm this Friday, and then 9am-8pm daily.
• Brymbo – open 12noon-8pm this Friday, and then 9am-8pm daily.

We’re aware Welsh Government will publish further guidance on household recycling centres later this week. We welcome this and will build it into how we open up and operate our centres.

Follow these 10 rules to help keep everyone safe

We’ll be implementing strict conditions to ensure the safety of both staff and the public.

Please follow these 10 rules:

1. 1. Don’t go to the sites if you or anyone in your household has symptoms of Covid-19, or is ‘shielding’ because of an underlying health condition.
   2. Only bring household waste. Don’t bring commercial or business waste.
   3. Please bring proof that you live in the county borough (e.g. a utility bill with your address on it). The sites are for Wrexham residents only. If you don’t have proof, you won’t be allowed to tip your rubbish. Please call 01978 801463 to book an appointment if you want to use the Brymbo site.
   4. Be patient if you have to queue. A maximum of five vehicles will be allowed on site at any one time.
   5. Make sure only one person steps outside your vehicle to unload it, and that they stick to social distancing. Note that children should stay in the car at all times, and no pets are permitted on site.
   6. Don’t bring items that are too big or heavy to handle yourself. Our site attendants won’t be able to help you unload your car or dispose of your waste.
   7. Sort your waste before you arrive (so you’re quicker).
   8. Be polite. Aggressive behaviour towards staff won’t be tolerated. Site attendants will be equipped with body cameras, and any instances will be reported to the police.
   9. Don’t touch your face on-site, and bring your own sanitiser if you can (clean your hands with sanitiser before you drive away).
   10. The re-use shop at Bryn Lane remains closed for now, so keep your stuff for the reuse shop at home.

We’ll take enforcement action against anyone who breaks the rules or fly-tips, so please follow these instructions…and help keep everyone as safe as possible.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

Only visit if you have to

Remember…Welsh Government is still encouraging us to stay at home as much as we can, so don’t visit our recycling sites unless you really need to.

Where possible, use our kerbside collection services to get rid of your rubbish and recycling (make sure you put it in the right bin or container, and read our recent article on how to help us collect it safely).

Or – if you can manage it – wait until we’re in safer times before visiting our recycling sites.

You’ve been brilliant

In a joint statement, Councillor David A Bithell, Deputy Leader of Wrexham Council and Lead Member for Environment and Transport, and Darren Williams, Chief Officer for Environment and Technical, said:

“We’re pleased Welsh Government has relaxed the regulations, allowing us to reopen our sites at Bryn Lane, Plas Madoc and the Lodge at Brymbo.

“We know that coronavirus has brought huge disruption to daily life, and we’d like to thank everyone for their co-operation while the sites were closed.

“The vast majority of people have been brilliant, and have kept their excess waste at home for the time-being, and that’s really helped us.

“Now the sites are reopening, we’d like to ask for your continued co-operation in using them responsibly.

“We’re working closely with our contractor FCC Environment to make sure everything is managed carefully. So please adhere to the strict conditions…they’re there to keep you safe.

“Thank you.”

Please stick to social distancing (or we’ll have to close the sites again)

Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, added:

“Social distancing is crucial, and we’ll be conducting visits throughout the weekend to ensure the rules are being obeyed.

“If there any problems relating to safety, or we find users are breaking critical social distancing rules, the sites will be closed immediately.

“We all need to look out for each other and help keep each other safe…and that’s why it’s so important that people stick to social distancing, and observe the two-metre rule at all times when they visit our sites.

“I’d like to thank everyone in advance for their co-operation…it really is appreciated, and will help ensure we can operate the recycling centres safely and effectively.”

One final thing…

There’s been a lot of ‘man with a van’ services offering to get rid of waste for people at the moment.

Some of these operators are not legitimate, and will take your rubbish and just fly-tip it anywhere…making money out of you in the process.

Be careful. You could still be held responsible if they fly-tip your waste.

If you’re paying someone to take your rubbish, always make sure they’re legit and have the right licences (e.g. a waste carrier’s licence).

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]

Brymbo Household Waste Recycling Centre to re-open with booking system

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog on Thursday (7.5.20).

Key messages for today

• The message in Wales hasn’t changed – stay at home, save lives, protect the NHS.
• Although you can now go out to exercise more than once a day, you should still only exercise locally. Please don’t drive to our parks.
• Along with other councils in Wales, we’re carefully assessing new government guidance on reopening household waste recycling centres and libraries.
• If you park your car on the street, please make sure our bin wagons can get past.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

The advice remains clear in Wales – stay at home

For the moment, the message in Wales hasn’t changed – stay at home, save lives, protect the NHS.

On Friday, Welsh Government announced the ‘stay at home’ message would remain in force in Wales for at least another three weeks.

The UK Government shared a slightly different message yesterday – ‘stay alert’ – with people allowed to drive to other places to go for a walk, for example. But this will only apply in England.

So please…continue to stick to social distancing, only make essential journeys for food etc, and exercise locally.

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 jump in a car and drive to one of our parks. It’s still not ok to do that.

Stay at home. Save lives.

Bins and recycling

Household waste recycling centres

On Friday, Welsh Government announced that councils can begin planning to re-open household waste recycling sites.

We’re carefully assessing the new guidance and – along with other councils in Wales – will be looking at how to manage staffing levels and health and safety compliance, before confirming when and how our sites in Wrexham will reopen.

We’ll update you as soon as we know more.

Please park carefully

No-one wants to be the cause of their entire street not having their bins emptied, so please…if you park your car on the road, make sure there’s enough room for our bin wagons to get past.

Read the article we posted recently.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

Libraries

Welsh Government also announced on Friday that councils can start to consider whether to reopen libraries.

Again, we’re looking carefully at the new guidelines, before deciding how to move forward in Wrexham.

We’ll keep you updated.

Construction work on council properties

You might see contractors carrying out construction work on some of our council buildings over the next few weeks – including schools.

The Government has indicated that construction work can take place if sensible precautions are taken.

We’ll be asking our contractors to follow stringent health and safety procedures while working on our properties.

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 UK Government (including by Government ministers) at around 5pm.
• Daily TV 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 7.5.20

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog on Monday (4.5.20).

Key messages for today

• On Sunday, the Government is expected to outline some potential easing of restrictions. However, it’s really important we don’t jump ahead, and we all continue to stick to the current rules until any changes are confirmed. We’ll keep you updated via these regular briefings.
• There’ll be no change to bin collections this bank holiday Friday. We’ll empty your bins and collect your recycling as normal.
• Charities based in premises with a rateable value of less than £12,000 are now eligible for business grants.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

We’ll meet again…but not this weekend

On Sunday, the Government is expected to outline how the UK will eventually emerge from lockdown, and the potential easing of some restrictions.

Lockdown has had a huge effect on our lives, so it’s natural that we’re all keen to hear what the Prime Minister will say.

However, as we head into the bank holiday weekend, it’s important to remember that nothing has changed yet, and the message remains clear…

Stay at home, save lives, protect the NHS.

Stick to social distancing, only make essential journeys for food etc, and exercise locally. Please don’t be tempted to jump in a car and drive to one of our parks.

And if you’re celebrating VE Day tomorrow, please do it at home.

Covid-19 means we can’t mark this important event in the way we’d hoped, but the nation has rallied together…coming up with lots of brilliant ways to commemorate VE Day in safety.

You can read more about these in the blog article we posted yesterday.

We all know that the journey out of lockdown will be a long, step-by-step process, and that nobody can flick a switch and put the world ‘back to normal.’

So it’s important we don’t jump ahead, and that we all continue to stick to the current rules until any easing of restrictions is confirmed.

Enjoy the bank holiday weekend, stay safe, and let’s see what the Government says on Sunday.

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 tomorrow (Friday, May 8).

So if your ‘bin day’ is usually Friday, 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 earlier this week…and help us collect your recycling safely.

Charities can now apply for business grants

Some good news for charities in Wrexham…

Welsh Government has now confirmed that charitable organisations based in premises with a rateable value of less than £12,000 are now eligible for the £10,000 grant available to businesses.

Charities who were previously refused the grant because they weren’t receiving Small Business Relief can now apply.

To submit a claim, visit our website.

We’ve already paid out more than £20 million to 1,667 businesses in Wrexham.

If you’ve already applied, and want an update on your claim, please email businessrates@wrexham.gov.uk

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 UK Government (including by Government ministers) at around 5pm.
• Daily TV 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 4.5.20

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog on Friday (1.5.20).

Key messages for today

• We’ve received around 2,600 registrations for the new free school meals scheme. If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time.
• There’ll be no changes to bin collections this coming bank holiday Friday.
• From this week, we’ll be phoning people on the ‘shielded’ list to make sure they’re ok.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

Free school meals – over 2,600 registrations for new scheme

Today, we’ve introduced a new direct payment system for free school meals.

The new set-up sees money paid directly into the bank accounts of parents or carers, which they can then use to buy their children food.

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been encouraging people to register for the scheme.

We’ve had an excellent response so far, with over 2,600 registrations – which is about the same as the number of free school meals we’d normally provide each day.

So we think a large number of families who are eligible are taking up the offer…which is good news for children across the county borough.

How it works

Parents receive a payment at the start of each month that equates to £19.50 per week for each eligible child in their family – which means we’re paying £78 up front to make life as easy as possible for them.

We’re also paying the money irrespective of holidays – so we’re providing money to cover bank holidays, school half terms and so on.

Around 1,100 payments have already been paid into people’s bank accounts. A further 900 will be paid on Thursday, May 7 and further payments made before May 12.

So if you’ve registered and you haven’t received the money yet, you should see it within the next few days.

You can still register

If your children normally receive free school meals and you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time. Just fill-in the form on our website.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”https://myaccount.wrexham.gov.uk/en/service/Free_School_Meals_____Direct_Payment_Application”]REGISTER NOW
[/button]

If we have any queries, we’ll get back to you within 10 days.

Otherwise, the money should be in your bank account within 10 days of us receiving your application.

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 this coming bank holiday (Friday, May 8).

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

If you get a phone-call from us…

From this week, we’ll be phoning people on the ‘shielded’ list to try and check they’re ok.

These are people who’ve received a letter from the Government encouraging them to self-isolate because they have an underlying health condition.

So if you’re on the list and you receive a phone call from the council, don’t be alarmed…we just want to check you’re ok.

Reminder – are you eligible for business support?

We’ve already paid out more than £20 million to 1,667 businesses in Wrexham as part of the business rates relief support announced by Welsh Government.

Although claims are still being received each day, anyone who hasn’t applied yet is encouraged to check if their business is eligible and – if so – submit an online application.

If you do apply, please check the details you provide very carefully – especially bank account numbers and sort codes – as incorrect details can lead to delays in payment.

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).
• 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 1.5.20

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog on Tuesday (28.4.20).

Key messages for today

• Next week the Government is expected to outline how the UK will eventually emerge from lockdown, providing a feel for how things might change in the future…and what this might mean for council services.
• We’re asking households across Wrexham to think about their neighbours – particularly anyone elderly or living alone. If you’re concerned about them, try to check they’re ok.
• Earlier this week, we lit up some of our council buildings to say thank you to everyone working on the frontline, and to all our communities during the Covid-19 emergency.
• We’ll be introducing a new direct payment system for free school meals on Monday (May 4). If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

How will we ‘unlock lockdown’?

Lockdown has had a huge effect on all our lives.

Naturally, people are thinking about when it might ease, and how things might change over the coming weeks and months.

We’ve also seen questions about when some council facilities and services might re-open or start up again.

For the moment, the message is clear – stay at home, save lives, protect the NHS.

However, next week the Government is expected to outline how the UK will eventually emerge from lockdown, and how decisions will be taken on lifting restrictions.

This will give us a better feel for how things might change in the future…and what this might mean for council services.

Like every other council, we’re already thinking about how we’re going to start making various services available again when the time is right.

But it’s important we don’t jump ahead.

By continuing to stick to social distancing guidelines and following the Government’s instructions, we’re all helping to keep each other safe…and playing our part in bringing the nation through this pandemic.

Stay safe.

Are your neighbours ok?

One of the positive things to come out of the Covid-19 emergency is the way people are looking out for each other.

However, there are some people who don’t have relatives or friends nearby, and don’t have anyone obvious to check they’re ok.

So we’re asking households across Wrexham to think about their neighbours – particularly anyone elderly or living alone.

Think about whether you’ve seen or heard them lately, and – if you’re concerned – try to check on them.

Give them a knock, or pop a note through the letterbox…but make sure you stick to social distancing rules and keep at least two metres away.

If you can’t get a response and you become really worried, get in touch with us on 01978 292000 or contact-us@wrexham.gov.uk and we’ll try and make contact with the person you’re concerned about.

Thank you

Earlier this week, we lit up some of our council buildings to say thank you to everyone working on the frontline, and to all our communities during the Covid-19 emergency.

Thank you from Wrexham Council to everyone working on the frontline, and to all our communities during the Covid-19 emergency. You are amazing. #Wrexham #ThankYouKeyWorkers

(Our buildings were lit up last night to allow us to take these pictures. #StayatHomeSaveLives ) pic.twitter.com/cku7eZuRYB

— Wrexham Council (@wrexhamcbc) April 30, 2020

Messages saying ‘Thank you NHS’ – along with a heart-shaped rainbow flag – have also been painted onto the surfaces of Watery Road and Croesnewydd Road, close to the Maelor Hospital.

And a message saying ‘Thank you’ – aimed at every key worker on the frontline – has been painted on the surface of Mold Road, which is one of the key roads in and out of the town centre.

Roads painted with ‘thank you’ messages to key workers 👉 https://t.co/6oIZPfHdT3 #Wrexham #ThankYouKeyWorkers pic.twitter.com/Su39hyvvc4

— Wrexham Council (@wrexhamcbc) April 29, 2020

People have been finding all kinds of ways to pay tribute to frontline workers during the past few weeks.

And although saying ‘thank you’ seems like a small thing, it’s something we can do to let these people know how much we appreciate them.

Reminder – please don’t drive to our parks

As we approach the weekend, please remember not to drive to our parks.

There’s no way anyone should be doing that, because the Government has made it clear that we should all ‘stay local’ when we exercise.

But if you’re lucky enough to live near one of our parks (close enough to walk), there are some really important guidelines you need to follow.

Read the article we posted recently.

Stay safe this weekend.

Reminder – free school meals direct payment scheme

Do your children receive free school meals?

We’ll be introducing a new system on Monday (May 4) as part of our ongoing response to Covid-19.

The system will see money paid directly into your bank account, which you can then use to buy your children food.

You’ll receive a monthly payment at the start of each month that equates to £19.50 per week for each eligible child in your family.

We’ve been asking people to register by today so they don’t miss out, and we’ve had an excellent response.

However, if you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time.

Please register by Friday, May 8.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”https://myaccount.wrexham.gov.uk/en/service/Free_School_Meals_____Direct_Payment_Application”]REGISTER NOW[/button]

After today, you’ll no longer be able to pick up ‘grab-and-go’ packed lunches from our distribution points across the county borough.

The grab-and-go system was only introduced as an interim measure to allow time for a new system to be developed.

So please…make sure you register for direct payments if you haven’t already.

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).
• 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 28.4.20

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog on Friday (24.4.20).

Key messages for today

• We’d like to express a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to everyone working on the frontline during this emergency.
• New guidelines mean you can now visit the remembrance garden at Pentrebychan to pay respects to a loved one.
• If your children receive free school meals and you haven’t registered yet, please register for our new direct payments scheme by Friday, May 1.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

Thank you to front-line workers

People have been finding all kinds of ways to say ‘thank you’ to frontline workers during the past few weeks.

From fund-raising, to chalking ‘thank you’ messages on the pavements outside their homes.

There’s the weekly ‘clap’ for carers, which can be heard across neighbourhoods all over Wrexham every Thursday, and the heartfelt messages of support on social media.

We do it, because we know there are people in all kinds of roles that are going the extra mile – day-in, day-out – to help keep us safe, and provide us with the things we need.

NHS and care workers, supermarket workers, police and fire service officers, ambulance crews and many other people in critical roles.

There’s also our own refuse teams, who’ve been touched by the ‘thank you’ signs that many residents have placed on their bins and front gates, our school staff, social workers and lots of other council employees who are on the frontline and doing an amazing job.

The courage, resilience and incredible kindness we’ve seen from people working in these roles has made us feel humble, thankful…and maybe even slightly helpless, as we realise what a huge contribution they’re making to our world right now, and what a massive difference they’re making to our lives.

Maybe the best we can all do at the moment – maybe the only thing we can do – is to keep saying ‘thank you.’ Again and again.

So on behalf of Wrexham Council – and Wrexham as a whole – thank you to everyone working on the frontline.

You are amazing.

One minute silence

There will be a minute’s silence at 11am today to remember key workers who’ve lost their lives to Covid-19.

Please take part if you can.

Crematorium – garden of remembrance reopens

New guidelines issued by Welsh Government have allowed us to relax restrictions at our crematorium.

People can now visit the remembrance garden at Pentrebychan, which was previously closed.

Changes in legislation now allow for people to visit burial grounds or gardens of remembrance to pay respects to a loved one.

We know that many people have found the closure difficult in recent weeks, and will welcome this news.

Our gates will be open at the normal times.

Our cemeteries at Wrexham and Pandy continue to remain open.

Please adhere to social distancing when you visit the crematorium or cemeteries.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

Free school meals

Reminder – have you registered for our new direct payment scheme?

Do your children receive free school meals?

We’ll be introducing a new system on Monday, May 4 as part of our ongoing response to Covid-19.

The system will see money paid directly into your bank account, which you can then use to buy your children food.

This will make things easier for parents, and reduce the need to travel to collection points to pick up the ‘grab-and-go’ packed lunches we’re currently providing.

We don’t want anyone to miss out, so if you haven’t already applied, please make sure you register via the council’s website by Friday, May 1 (you’ll need to provide your bank details).

You’ll receive a monthly payment that equates to £19.50 per week for each eligible child in your family.

Note that if your children are still attending school (because you’re a critical worker or they’re vulnerable), you’ll need to use the money to pay for their school meals, or to buy food so you can send them in with a packed lunch.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”https://myaccount.wrexham.gov.uk/en/service/Free_School_Meals_____Direct_Payment_Application “]REGISTER NOW [/button]

You can still collect grab-and-go packed lunches from our distribution centres until Friday, May 1.

But from Monday, May 4 you’ll need to have registered for the new direct payments system so you don’t miss out.

If you have any queries, email us at freeschoolmeals@wrexham.gov.uk

Reminder – bin wagons

No-one wants to be the cause of their entire street not having their bins emptied, so please…if you park your car on the road, make sure there’s enough room for our bin wagons to get past.

Read the article we posted recently.

Reminder – are you eligible for business support?

We’ve already paid out more than £17.5 million to 1,473 businesses in Wrexham as part of the business rates relief support announced by Welsh Government.

Although claims are still being received each day, anyone who hasn’t applied yet is encouraged to check if their business is eligible and – if so – submit an online application.

If you do apply, please check the details you provide very carefully – especially bank account numbers and sort codes – as incorrect details can lead to delays in payment.

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).
• 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 24.4.20