Category: Council Services

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.

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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

Our Executive Board resumed it’s meetings this week and this morning (09.06.20), they met via Zoom.

As you would expect for the first meeting since the pandemic was declared there’s full reports on the Council’s response to Covid-19 which saw only critical services delivered and how it plans to recover from the effects – which will mean very different ways of working as we work to unlock services in line with Government guidelines.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

There was also an item about the Test, Trace and Protect project that’s operating across Wales which aims to lead Wales out of the pandemic through enhanced health surveillance in the community, to undertake effective and extensive contact tracing, and support people to self-isolate where required to do so.

You can take a look at the agenda here.

https://moderngov.wrexham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=129&MId=4622

Local media were invited to view the meeting online.

The first meeting wasn’t webcast but we recorded the proceedings with a view to publishing online later.

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

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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

Last week many of our residents living in the communities surrounding the Hafod Quarry Landfill site were rightly concerned about a large fire that broke out on the site which took several days to put out.

During that time they were asked to adhere to the advice issued by Public Health Wales to stay indoors with their windows closed until it was safe to open them and go out into their gardens once again.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

Now the fire is out and the authorities have left the scene we thought it would be helpful to let you all know what happens next regarding the site.

NRW will now, alongside the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, undertake an investigation into the cause of the fire and to find out if any of the site regulations were broken in any way and will report back once the investigation is complete.

Many of you will be aware that the Council has no interests in the site either financial or commercial, nor do we use it for any of our household waste. The site is privately owned and is regulated by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

We do however always have a duty towards all of our residents to protect their health and well-being when an incident such as this happens.

Seek assurances about the safety of the Hafod Quarry Landfill site

Bearing in mind this duty and the concerns of the affected residents the Lead Member for Environment and Transport, Cllr David A Bithell, has written to the Welsh Government Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, to seek assurances about the safety of the Hafod Quarry Landfill site and what actions or investigations Welsh Government will be undertaking before it is re-opened for future use.

He said: “Many residents in the surrounding communities have raised significant concerns about the future safety of the site and are concerned for the well-being of their families and loved ones with the threat of further fire outbreaks at the Hafod site.

“For a number of years Wrexham has successfully introduced waste processing measures that result in only a tiny fraction of our waste (asbestos products in the main) being sent to landfill, and this at a specialist processing facility. Wrexham CBC landfilled 339.29 tonnes last year which was 0.4% of our total overall waste collected of 88,527 tonnes with no waste disposed at Hafod landfill.

“Like many authorities across Wales we are managing waste processing largely without the need for landfill treatments, yet we have a local landfill only metres away from some of our densely populated urban communities. Can I ask for some details of the waste arisings deposited in Hafod over the last 3 month period and also their source.

“ I am sure the Minister will share with me the concerns about the future viability of the site and I look forward to Welsh Government investigations and conclusions prior to the site being permitted to accept further waste for treatment without understanding and implementing appropriate mitigations.”

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

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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…

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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

Staff at Wrexham Council who regularly have contact with Looked After Children are now able to use a new app – “Mind Of My Own” – to help them find out quickly and easily how children and young people are feeling.

The Mind Of My Own app is easy and fun for children to use and will come into use in Wrexham on this month.

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There are two features – the One app and Express. The One app helps young people express their views in a way that suits them. They can create their own account on the One app, which can be used on any device. Express is an accessible app for younger children and those with additional needs and will be used by staff to help young people express their views.

How does Mind Of My Own work?

Once a young person has used either the One or Express app to share their views, wishes and feelings, Mind Of My Own creates a clear statement of their views that can be attached to case records, saving staff valuable time. A young person can sign up to the One app on their own and staff will be encouraging them to use it.

What do young people say about Mind Of My Own?

Young people who have already used it have given it the thumbs up:

“I find speaking in this way much easier it’s revolutionary.” – Cara, 16, child in need.

“It got me thinking for myself. Very good app and very easy to use.” – Becky, 15, in care.

Staff are receiving training on how to use the Mind Of My Own apps, so they feel confident introducing it to children and young people.

Cllr Andrew Atkinson, Lead Member for Children’s Services, said: “It’s important that children and young people have the care and support they need and we can only do this by listening and understanding how they are feeling. By using the app they will  be able to clearly show how they are feeling allowing staff to respond quickly and appropriately. I hope both staff and those in their care find the app useful and a great help to everyone involved.”

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

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