Indoor testing unit in Plas Madoc from Monday (January 17) – providing PCR tests
Available to all local residents who have symptoms
An indoor testing unit will be deployed to Plas Madoc Leisure Centre to make it easier for people living in the area to get a Covid-19 test.
The easy-access testing facility will offer pre-booked PCR tests from January 17 to January 30, and will be based in the sports hall between 9:30am and 4:30pm.
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When you arrive, use the entrance directly into the sports hall (please don’t use the main entrance / reception area).
Remember…if you test positive and self-isolate, you’ll help stop the virus from spreading.
The work at the testing unit is being co-ordinated by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Wrexham Council, UK Health Security Agency and Splash Community Trust.
Please support your school by following current guidance from Welsh Government.
If your child is in secondary school, encourage them to use lateral flow tests three times a week, follow school rules on face coverings and wash or sanitise hands regularly.
And if you or your child are eligible for vaccination and haven’t taken up the offer yet, please get fully jabbed as soon as possible.
Testing and isolation
You’re probably aware of recent changes to testing and isolation arrangements in Wales, but here’s a quick reminder.
If you don’t have symptoms…
If you have a positive lateral flow test but don’t have symptoms, you’ll no longer be advised to have a follow-up PCR test (unless you’re in a clinically vulnerable group).
You’ll be asked to self-isolate for seven days. On day six, you should take a lateral flow test and another test 24 hours later. If both are negative, you’re probably no longer infectious.
If you’re identified as a contact of someone who’s tested positive, you should take a lateral flow test every day for seven days (known as ‘daily contact testing’).
Indoor testing unit in Plas Madoc from Monday (January 17) – providing PCR tests
Available to all local residents who have symptoms.
An indoor testing unit will be deployed to Plas Madoc Leisure Centre to make it easier for people living in the area to get a Covid-19 test.
The easy-access testing facility will offer pre-booked PCR tests from January 17 to January 30, and will be based in the sports hall between 9:30am and 4:30pm.
When you arrive, use the entrance directly into the sports hall (please don’t use the main entrance / reception area).
Remember…if you test positive and self-isolate, you’ll help stop the virus from spreading.
The work at the testing unit is being co-ordinated by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Wrexham Council, UK Health Security Agency and Splash Community Trust.
Wrexham Council has welcomed news that a local primary school has been removed from monitoring.
In 2019, Ysgol Sant Dunawd in Bangor-on-Dee was placed under review by the education inspectorate Estyn, after some areas were found to be “adequate and in need of improvement.”
However, the school has now been removed from monitoring after making progress.
Councillor Phil Wynn, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Education, says:
“Ysgol Sant Dunawd provides a wonderful learning environment for its children, and I’m extremely proud of the positive feedback from Estyn which reflects the tireless commitment and hard work of staff, governors, pupils and parents.
“Like every other educational establishment, the school will have faced a lot of additional challenges over the past two years due to the Covid pandemic, so it’s particularly impressive that they’ve been able to make such positive progress in difficult times.
“I’d like to thank the head teacher Sara Tate and everyone at the school for their tremendous work.”
As we head into the depths of mid-winter, there’s a greater chance we’ll be hit with severe weather at some point – including storms.
So how does Wrexham Council prepare for – and respond to – severe weather events and other emergencies?
Our ‘emergency response protocol’ explains what we do, and how you can help by reporting issues using the correct phone numbers and providing clear information.
We’ll publicise these phone numbers in the event of an emergency, but if you’d like to know more and make a note of them now, read on…
Wrexham Council – emergency response protocol
What is an emergency?
An emergency is an event or situation which threatens serious damage to human welfare or the environment, or serious damage to the security of the UK – such as war or terrorism (Civil Contingency Act 2004).
The council is not an emergency service, but is defined as a ‘category one responder’ under the Act, and works with other responders to manage the situation.
Who can declare an emergency?
In most situations, the emergency services (e.g. the police) will declare an emergency.
But the council – through its Emergency Management Response Team (EMRT) – can also do this if needed.
To report an issue related to the declared emergency, please call:
Office hours (8.30am-5pm) 01978 298989
Out of hours 01978 292055
Housing repairs for council tenants (24hrs) 01978 298993
Please don’t call individual officers.
If there’s an immediate threat to life, always call 999.
Who will answer your call?
During office hours, calls will be answered by our contact centre.
After 5pm and at weekends, calls will be answered by Delta (our out-of-hours call-handling provider) or our contact centre, which can be stood-up to provide extra cover.
The info you provide will be relayed to frontline teams to help them respond.
Please don’t call individual officers
Please don’t call individual officers to report issues.
Using the correct numbers provided will help free-up supervisors so they can concentrate on co-ordinating efforts on the ground – deploying our workforce, machinery and contractors where they’re needed.
Bad weather forecasts
While a bad weather forecast might not be declared an emergency, Wrexham Council will still respond. How will we manage this?
Forecast received. Internal emergency management team meets to ensure resources are in place for response and recovery.
Internal response team ‘stood up.’ Dedicated telephone handlers keep supervisors informed and log issues. On-call supervisor freed-up to manage deployment of our workforce and resources.
Regular info and communications shared on priority work areas, as well as updated and real-time weather-warnings.
How to report power cuts
Any issues with power-outages should be reported by calling 105.
Powercut 105 is a free service that will put you through to your local network operator for help and support.
New measures will be introduced from 6am on Boxing Day (December 26) to help keep Wales safe.
A general requirement of 2m social distancing in all premises open to the public and workplaces, where reasonable.
The rule of 6 will apply to gatherings in regulated premises, such as hospitality, cinemas and theatres.
All licensed premises will need to take additional measures to protect customers and staff, including table service and collecting contact details.
Face coverings will be required in hospitality settings at all times apart from when seated.
Large events will not be allowed indoors or outdoors. The maximum number of people who can gather at an indoor event will be 30 and 50 outdoors.
There will be an exception for team sports, up to 50 spectators will be able to gather, in addition to those taking part. There is also an exception for events involving children.
Last week new measures were announced for workplaces and retail – these will now come into force on Boxing Day.
Nightclubs will also close on Boxing Day.
The measures are a revised version of alert level 2 to respond to the new Omicron variant, and are designed to help keep businesses open and trading and protect customers and staff.
A survey is underway to help assess future needs of gypsies and travellers living in Wrexham or visiting the county borough.
Like every other housing authority in Wales, Wrexham Council has a legal obligation to carry out the assessment every five years.
The aim is to work out the number of caravan pitches and accommodation likely to be needed.
The assessment was originally due to take place last year, but was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The work won’t look at the location of any extra pitches needed – any potential sites would be explored as part of the Local Development Plan (LDP), which is a separate process.
Legal and moral duty
The council will be out and about talking with local gypsy and traveller communities in the coming weeks and months to help understand their likely travel patterns and living arrangements over the next few years.
Once completed, the findings will be submitted to Welsh Government for approval. The council will then have a legal duty to meet the needs identified.
Councillor David Griffiths, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Housing, says: “We have a legal duty to assess traveller accommodation needs every five years, and we also have a moral duty as a compassionate local council and housing provider.
“It’s important to understand that this exercise is about numbers and raw data only – it’s about how many pitches and how much accommodation we might need. It’s not about where those pitches might be located.
“In the interests of transparency, it’s important to let people now that we’re undertaking this work, and to make sure people understand why.”
If you know any travellers or gypsies who would like to be interviewed as part of the consultation, call 07474 267095 or 01792 535300, or email michael.bayliss@ors.org.uk
Schools across Wrexham will switch to remote learning from next Monday (December 20) to help keep everyone safe in the run-up to Christmas.
The decision has been taken following an increase in Covid cases in the county borough and across much of the UK, with many children and young people having to isolate.
There’s also the possibility that keeping schools open next week will mean more people catching the virus and having to isolate over Christmas – which would have a huge effect on many families and local communities.
As a result, the decision has been taken to switch to remote online learning from Monday for the last few days of term.
Schools will provide on-site learning for vulnerable learners and the children of critical workers where needed, but parents are being asked to only opt for this if they have no other childcare available.
Difficult times
Councillor Phil Wynn, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Education, says:
“Both the council and schools are concerned about the rise in Covid cases, and the potential impact this could have on people over Christmas – so it seems sensible to switch to remote learning for the last few days of term.
“We recognise how worrying the situation is, and want to reassure parents that the council and schools are absolutely committed to offering the best learning provision they can under these difficult circumstances.
“We hope everyone will understand why we’ve made this decision and I’d like to thank parents and carers for their continued support.
“I’d also like to thank school staff who’ve worked so hard to provide safe, quality learning experiences this term – they’ve done an incredible job, and it’s important we all support our schools as much as possible.”
Schools have been contacting parents and carers direct to let them know about the switch to remote learning, and will keep parents updated ahead of the new term in January.
People are being urged to pop into Wrexham town centre this month and make the most of festive events, shopping and low-cost or free parking.
There’s a wide range of events and activities taking place during the run-up to Christmas, including Santa’s Grotto at Eagles Meadow and a packed itinerary at Ty Pawb.
The annual Victorian Market also makes a welcome return on Thursday, December 9 after two years’ absence due to the Covid pandemic.
The event – which stretches from Queens Square to St Giles Church – will open at 12 noon, with over 100 stalls selling gifts, treats and freshly prepared food, alongside Victorian street entertainers and traditional rides.
Shops and restaurants will also be hoping for a busy time during December, and motorists can continue to take advantage of free parking after 11am in council carparks.
Support our town and stay safe
Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, says:
“To help support town centre businesses, we’ve offered free parking after 11am in council-managed car parks for many months now.
“We’re continuing with this throughout the run-up to Christmas and into next year, as it’s important we keep supporting the local economy as the UK continues to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.
“So please take advantage of the parking offer, shop in Wrexham and support local businesses this Christmas.
“It’s also important to remember to wear face-coverings in shops, and it’s a good idea to wear them in any busy or crowded spaces – both indoors and outdoors. Let’s support our town and keep as safe as possible over the festive season.”
Councillor Terry Evans, Lead Member for Economy, says:
“It’s wonderful to see the Victorian Market return this year, and I hope people will come into town and soak-up the festive atmosphere – it’s a fantastic event.
“We also have lots of other activities taking place during the run-up to Christmas, and local shops and businesses will also be looking to welcome in customers and help with all those gifts and shopping needs.
“The town has so much to offer, and I would urge everyone to support the town centre and our local economy as much as possible.”
Much of Europe is feeling the effects of high Covid numbers at the moment – with countries like Germany, Austria and the Netherlands introducing new restrictions.
With the emergence and potential for rapid spread of the new ‘Omicron’ variant, no one can be sure that the UK will not feel the full brunt of a ‘fourth wave’ of infection.
This underlines the increased importance of vaccination. So if you’re offered a jab – whether it’s a first dose, second, or booster – please take it.
Omicron variant
Over the past week, the newly identified Omicron strain has provided another twist in the tale of this dreadful pandemic.
It’s thought to be more infectious than previous variants and we won’t know for several weeks if it’s as bad as, or even worse than, the Delta variant, which has been bad enough.
It again underlines the importance of getting jabbed, wearing a mask in the right places and being cautious.
Wear a mask
Remember…unless you’re exempt, you still need to wear a mask in most indoor spaces in Wales – including shops and on public transport.
Masks in secondary schools
As a precautionary step (while we wait to learn more about Omicron) Welsh Government has said that face coverings should be worn by secondary school pupils in all indoor areas where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Face coverings also continue to be recommended on school transport.
Drop-in clinics for 12-15 year olds
An up-to-date list of drop-in clinics for 12-15 year olds to receive a first dose is available on the Betsi Cadwaladr website.
Remember that even if you’ve had Covid-19, it’s still recommended that you come forward for your first dose.
Those under 18 who’ve recently had the virus should ideally wait 12 weeks until they get their vaccination, unless they’re in a group that’s at greater risk of serious illness.
We want young people to make an informed decision about vaccination, based on up to date information available from trusted sources.
If you’re over the age of 11, you’re now encouraged to take them twice a week (every three or four days) if you don’t have Covid-19 symptoms.
You’re also encouraged to take a test:
If you’re going to be in higher risk situations, including spending time in crowded or enclosed spaces.
Before you visit people who are at a higher risk of severe illness from Covid.
If you’re travelling to other areas of Wales or the UK.
Reminder – how to get your Covid pass
If you’re over 18, you must show the NHS Covid Pass to enter theatres, cinemas and concert halls – in addition to nightclubs and similar venues.
You can get your pass from the NHS UK website (you can’t use the NHS app to get the pass if you live in Wales). The NHS Covid Pass can be downloaded and printed.
You must be:
Aged 16 or over.
Registered with a GP in Wales.
You will need to upload a photo of one of the following:
Passport
Full UK driving licence
Full European driving licence
(If you don’t have photographic ID or a relevant smart device, you’ll need to request a paper NHS Covid certificate.
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