Category: Council Services

From tomorrow (Wednesday, April 8), the collection point for grab-and-go packed lunches in Chirk will be at Chirk Library, instead of Ysgol Y Waen.

During week-days, we’re continuing to provide free school meals over the Easter holidays (including the bank holidays) across the county borough.

If your children aren’t in school and they’re entitled to free school meals, you can collect their packed lunches from one of the following sites.

• Caia Park Estates office
• Plas Madoc Estates office
• Broughton Estates office
• Gwersyllt Estates office
• Rhos Estates office (Stiwt)
• The Memorial Hall Wrexham
• Plas Pentwyn Coedpoeth
• Llay Resource Centre
• Overton Library (Cocoa Rooms)
• Chirk Library
• Brymbo Resource Centre

You can go to the nearest site. Packed lunches must be collected between 11.30am and 1pm by a parent or carer.

You’ll need to give staff the name of your child / children and the school they attend, and you’ll only be able to collect a packed lunch for your own child / children.

Please continue to follow social distancing measures…maintaining your distance from other people.

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 6.4.20

We’re supporting our colleagues in North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and asking you to avoid having bonfires and BBQ’s to protect your and your neighbour’s health during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

As we all know, smoke from bonfires can affect our breathing and this can be worse for those with respiratory conditions. As Covid-19 is known to affect peoples breathing, having to inhale smoke whilst suffering with this may lead to further, potentially serious, complications.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

We’ve previously released a statement that the charge for green bin collections has been postponed during the pandemic and the green bins will continue to be collected:

https://news.wrexham.gov.uk/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-public-briefing-note-27-3-20/

We are asking you to make use of your green bin for your garden waste rather than burning it. It is no longer possible to take green waste to the Council’s waste recycling centres as these have been closed for the duration due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Avoid having bonfires

The North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is also calling on households to avoid having bonfires so as to reduce demand on their services at this time.

They were recently called to a bonfire which spread to four nearby vehicles:

https://www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk/news/2020/03/appeal-to-reduce-demand-following-fire-in-the-open-in-cwm-y-glo/

As well as the health implications, smoke from regular bonfires may also be a statutory nuisance which can result in the service of an abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Failing to comply with an abatement notice can lead to an unlimited fine on prosecution.

You can report smoke nuisance on the Council’s website https://beta.wrexham.gov.uk/service/contact/report-it – if you are able to provide video or photographic evidence that would be useful. Please email them to contact-us@wrexham.gov.uk

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

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”https://icc.gig.cymru/pynciau/gwybodaeth-ddiweddaraf-am-coronavirus-newydd-covid-19/”] Y WYBODAETH DDIWEDDARAF AM COVID-19 [/button]

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog on Friday (3.4.20).

Key messages for today

• Welsh Government is launching a childcare assistance scheme to help critical workers during the coronavirus emergency.
• We’ll continue to empty your bins and collect your recycling as normal over the Easter period.
• We’re working with police to clamp down on pubs and individuals taking part in ‘lock-down lock-ins.’ Wrexham Council will not tolerate this behaviour and businesses and individuals will face serious consequences if found guilty.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

A thought for our children

Just like the rest of us, children are having to sacrifice a lot right now.

Normally, they’d be enjoying the Easter holidays…doing things with family and friends, visiting the park, kicking a football about and so on.

But this year, the need to stay at home and save lives has changed all that.

So it’s worth taking a moment to recognise the sacrifices our children are making, and how grown-up they’re having to be as they help the country fight Covid-19.

Children are playing their part just like the rest of us and we should all thank them…and make a fuss of them whenever we can.

Social distancing

With the nice weather at the moment, it’s also worth reiterating the Government’s instructions.

Please stay at least two metres away from anyone you don’t live with, and only leave the house to:

• Shop for basic necessities like food.
• Exercise once a day.
• Attend to any medical need or care for/ help a vulnerable person.
• Travel to and from work where it’s absolutely necessary.

Please continue to keep your distance from one another. By staying apart, we’re saving lives and helping to keep Wrexham as safe as it can be.

Critical workers to get free childcare

Welsh Government is launching a childcare assistance scheme to help critical workers during the coronavirus emergency.

Under the plans, councils will be able to use funding from Welsh Government’s Childcare Offer to pay for registered childcare providers to look after pre-school-aged children of critical workers.

Children considered vulnerable will also be included in the scheme.

The changes will cover the next three months. More details will be published shortly.

No change to bin collections over Easter

As in previous years, we’ll continue to empty your bins and collect your recycling as normal over the Easter period.

So if your ‘bin day’ is usually Friday or Monday, we’ll still empty your bin as usual on Good Friday or Easter Monday…the bank holidays won’t affect anything.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

Going to the pub for a ‘lock-down lock-in’? Don’t do it

Our Public Protection service has been really impressed with the positive response of the vast majority of the licensed trade to the recent closure of pubs and restaurants.

These businesses are doing the right thing, despite the damage these closures are undoubtedly doing to their trade.

The emergency laws behind these closures have been imposed because of the unprecedented threat from Covid-19. They are absolutely crucial in helping to slow the spread of the virus.

However, Public Protection and North Wales Police have been dealing with a steady stream of complaints about a small minority of premises having so-called ‘lock-down lock-ins’, and have warned that action will be taken against anyone breaking the law.

Any licensed premises open for business are liable to enforcement action – including prosecution – and risk losing their license to sell alcohol.

If you’re going to the pub, or thinking of going, think twice. You too will be breaking the law and could face a fixed penalty or even prosecution.

Police and Public Protection are patrolling and actively following up on information they receive.

Stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives.

Reminder – could these grants help your business?

We’ve already paid out £6 million to local businesses.

If you pay business rates, Wrexham Council can provide grants of £10,000 to firms that receive Small Business Rates Relief.

The funding was recently made available by Welsh Government, and the grants are aimed at businesses based in premises with a rateable value of up to £12,000.

There’s also a £25,000 grant available for businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector, based in premises with a rateable value between £12,001 and £51,000.

Both grants are only available to firms on the business rates register as of March 20, 2020.

To apply, read the guidance on our website and – if you think your business is eligible – complete the online form.

If you need more information, or want to know about other support packages, contact our Business and Investment team on 01978 667300 or business@wrexham.gov.uk

Reminder – can you help as a volunteer?

You can register as a potential volunteer to help staff delivering front-line services and to support community befriending.

AVOW (Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham) is encouraging people to sign-up.

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 the Prime Minister).
• Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.

This is a rapidly changing situation, so we will issue further information as and when appropriate.

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 3.4.20

We know that emptying your bins and recycling containers is probably the largest and the most visible service we provide to all our residents.

Our crews visit every street and home in Wrexham county borough every week and maintaining general waste removal is one of our critical services and we will maintain this with as little disruption as possible over the coming weeks.

In order to keep everyone safe during the Coronavirus, COVID-19 situation please maintain strict hygiene precautions. They’re essential if we are to keep you and our crews safe over the coming weeks.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

We ask that you:

• Check our website or news blog and follow our social media Twitter: @wrexhamcbc Facebook: Wrexham Council
• Please clean your hands and disinfect your bag/bin/box/caddy handles before and after you touch them.
• Do not put tissues in your recycling as they can’t be recycled
• If you are self-isolating and feeling unwell please double-bag your personal waste such as tissues and put aside for 72 hours before putting out for collection
• Collection staff are key workers, please keep them safe to continue with their work

We would also like to thank you for all for the kind words and messages that have been left for our crews. Please continue to offer your support to them. It’s important and keeps morale up during these difficult times.

And remember – bins and recycling will be emptied as normal on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Excess waste

We have now closed our household recycling centres.

While the sites remain closed, we’re asking you to:

• Minimise the waste you create – please don’t have any ‘clear outs’ at home, or do anything else that creates extra rubbish (e.g. certain DIY projects etc). We know it’s not easy, but please try to keep your waste to a minimum.
• Put any gardening waste in your green bin as normal (we’ll keep emptying green bins for as long as we can), and store any extra gardening waste – that you can’t fit in your bin – in your garden for now. For example, if you’ve been pruning bushes, you might have to put the cuttings in a pile for now.
• Keep any other items you would normally take to the tip (old furniture, timber, electrical goods etc) at home for now – unless they’re suitable for placing in your black bin.

Please don’t be tempted to fly-tip…please don’t leave waste at the gate or on the side of the road, or anywhere else where it shouldn’t be left.

This is an incredibly challenging time for everyone in the UK, and our daily lives are being affected in all kinds of ways.

But please don’t think we don’t care about how this is affecting you. We do, and we’re working as hard as we can to keep critical services going in Wrexham.

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]

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog on Wednesday (1.4.20).

Key messages for today

• We want to thank all council employees and members of the public for their determination, patience and kindness over the past few weeks.
• We’ll continue to provide grab-and-go packed lunches to children entitled to free school meals over the Easter school holidays, as well as to children still attending school.
• All of our household recycling centres will be closed by the end of today. Kerbside waste collection from outside your home is continuing as normal.
• We’re continuing to pay out grants to businesses that pay business rates.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

Thank you to council employees and members of the public

Many of us are tired. Many of us are anxious, confused and frustrated. But we’re all getting on with it.

Whatever we need to do to get through this emergency, we’re doing it.

Whatever disruption and difficulties we have to face, we’re facing them together as families, friends, neighbours and communities.

So today, we’d like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to both council employees and members of the public.

We know that council staff are working incredibly hard to keep our critical services going, and that local residents are showing tremendous understanding and patience, as they’re asked to make huge changes to their daily lives.

It’s been said many times in the past few weeks, but we’re facing an unprecedented challenge in the UK.

But the determination, patience and kindness of both council employees and local people will help us get through this in Wrexham.

We are so grateful for your support.

We need to keep going, and there’s no doubt we will.

Thank you.

Schools

Update on free school meals over the Easter holidays

During week-days, we’ll continue to provide free school meals over the Easter holidays (including bank holidays) for children who aren’t in school…as well as meals for all children who are still in school.

All meals will be ‘grab and go’ packed lunches.

If your children aren’t in school and they’re entitled to free school meals, you can collect their packed lunches from one of the following sites (which includes a new pick-up point in Brymbo).

• Caia Park Estates office
• Plas Madoc Estates office
• Broughton Estates office
• Gwersyllt Estates office
• Rhos Estates office (Stiwt)
• Memo Hall Wrexham
• Plas Pentwyn Coedpoeth
• Llay Resource Centre
• Overton Library (Cocoa Rooms)
• Ysgol Y Waen Chirk
• Brymbo Resource Centre

You can go to the nearest site.

Packed lunches must be collected between 11.30am and 1pm by a parent or carer.

You’ll need to give staff the name of your child / children and the school they attend, and you’ll only be able to collect a packed lunch for your own child / children.

Please continue to follow social distancing measures…maintaining your distance from other people.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

Cemeteries

Our cemeteries are still open, but anyone visiting must follow social distancing rules.

Keep at least two metres away from anyone you don’t live with.

Welsh Government letter to social housing tenants

A letter has been issued for all social housing tenants from the Minister for Housing and Local Government.

You can find the letter on our website.

Reminder – we’re closing our household recycling centres

Earlier this week, we announced we were closing all three of our household waste recycling centres.

The Plas Madoc site closed on Tuesday, and Bryn Lane and Brymbo will close by 4pm today (April 3).

You can read more about the reasons we’re closing the sites in the blog article we posted yesterday.

Kerbside waste collection (emptying your black bins, recycling containers, green bins etc) is continuing as normal for the time being.

However, we’re having to review the services we deliver on a daily basis, as we try to balance the needs of residents with UK Government guidelines, and the health and safety of our communities and staff.

Reminder – grants for your business?

Do you pay business rates? Wrexham Council can provide grants of £10,000 to firms that receive Small Business Rates Relief.

The funding was recently made available by Welsh Government, and the grants are aimed at businesses based in premises with a rateable value of up to £12,000.

There’s also a £25,000 grant available for businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector, based in premises with a rateable value between £12,001 and £51,000.

Both grants are only available to firms on the business rates register as of March 20, 2020.

To apply, read the guidance on our website and – if you think your business is eligible – complete the online form.

If you need more information, or want to know about other support packages, contact our Business and Investment team on 01978 667300 or business@wrexham.gov.uk

Can you help as a volunteer?

You can register as a potential volunteer to help staff delivering front-line services and to support community befriending.

AVOW (Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham) is encouraging people to sign-up.

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 the Prime Minister).
• Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.

This is a rapidly changing situation, so we will issue further information as and when appropriate.

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]

New chief officer to lead social services

…

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) – public briefing note 1.4.20

We’d like to announce the appointment of a new chief officer to lead our social care teams, who are playing such a crucial part during the Covid-19 emergency.

The post has been vacant since early March, and we’re pleased to announce that Alwyn Jones will be taking up the role on July 1…although he’ll start spending time with us after Easter.

After starting his career in the health service, Alwyn has worked in social care for the past 15 years.

His grounding in social care started here in Wrexham, where he managed Older People’s and Disability Services, before going on to work in Flintshire, and more recently in Anglesey as Director of Services.

Alwyn says: “I’m looking forward to returning to Wrexham in this role, and supporting both children’s and adults’ services.

“I’m committed to progressing our improvement journey and ensuring we support children, families and adults so they can be independent and safe.”

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) – public briefing note 3.4.20

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

Earlier this week, we announced that we’re closing all three of our household waste recycling centres.

The Plas Madoc site closed on Tuesday, and Bryn Lane and Brymbo will close by 4pm this Friday (April 3).

We’ve been getting lots of queries about why we’re closing the sites, and what you should do with any waste you’d normally take there.

Why we’re closing the sites

In light of the current Government guidelines on essential travel for the public, we have no choice but to close them.

While these guidelines do enable residents to travel to supermarkets to shop for food, they don’t include enabling residents to travel to recycling sites.

We’ve kept our recycling centres open longer than any other council in North Wales. But in the current situation, if we kept the sites open, we would be encouraging residents to break the Government guidelines on essential travel.

This is why we’re closing the sites.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

We do understand people’s frustration, and we’re continuing to provide a full kerbside collection service at the moment.

However, we’re dealing with a situation that nobody has experienced before, and will have to continue to review the services we provide on a daily basis – trying to balance the needs of residents with UK Government guidelines, and the health and safety of our communities and staff.

What you should do while the sites are closed

While the sites remain closed, we’re asking you to:

• Try to minimise the waste you create – please don’t have any ‘clear outs’ at home, or do anything else that creates extra rubbish (e.g. certain DIY projects etc). We know it’s not easy, but please try to keep your waste to a minimum.
• Put any gardening waste in your green bin as normal (we’ll keep emptying green bins for as long as we can), and store any extra gardening waste – that you can’t fit in your bin – in your garden for now. For example, if you’ve been pruning bushes, you might have to put the cuttings in a pile for now.
• Keep any other items you would normally take to the tip (old furniture, timber, electrical goods etc) at home for now – unless they’re suitable for placing in your black bin.

Please don’t be tempted to fly-tip…please don’t leave waste at the gate or on the side of the road, or anywhere else where it shouldn’t be left.

This is an incredibly challenging time for everyone in the UK, and our daily lives are being affected in all kinds of ways.

But please don’t think we don’t care about how this is affecting you. We do, and we’re working as hard as we can to keep critical services going in Wrexham.

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 1.4.20