news.wrexham.gov.uk

Category: Council Services

  • Smiles all around as Education Minister opens two new educational facilities

    Smiles all around as Education Minister opens two new educational facilities

    Two new educational facilities have been officially opened in Wrexham today by Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, AM.

    Firstly, a new £3.2m extension at Gwersyllt CP which sees the infant and junior buildings on one site was opened. This was quickly followed by the opening of a brand new £1.7m sixth form block at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd.

    The works were funded by the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools fund which was match-funded by Wrexham Council.

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    Cllr Phil Wynn, Lead Member for Education at Wrexham Council, said: “It was a privilege to be at these two fantastic facilities today and to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to Wrexham. We are committed to improving our schools across the county borough and provide our young people with a modern educational environment in order to deliver the 21st century curriculum. I would like to thank everyone involved for all their hard work and to the Welsh Government for their funding which has allowed these two projects to be completed.”

    Education Minister Kirsty Williams said: I was delighted to open these two new facilities in Wrexham today which show how innovative learning spaces and school reorganisation can support pupils and delivery of the new curriculum.

    “We have provided significant funding for schools in Wrexham through our 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme which has seen us invest £1.4b across Wales over the last five years.

    “I am pleased to say that a second wave of investment began last April which will see a further £2.3b invested across Wales to improve our school and college buildings.”

    Ysgol Morgan Llwyd’s headteacher, Catrin Pritchard, said: ”

    It was a pleasure to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to our new 6th form building today.  The investment from Welsh Government and Wrexham Local Authority not only signifies an investment in our new facility but also in the future of Welsh medium post-16 provision at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd.

    “It was also a privilege to welcome back a number of past Headteachers to the event.  Our Sixth Form students have settled in well and have stated that they are privileged to be able to learn in such a safe, enjoyable and modern environment that allows them to work hard and achieve the grades that they need.”

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    Gwersyllt CP’s headteacher, Joel Moore, said: “It’s been another great day for the school in what feels like a year full of great days. It has been wonderful to welcome the Education Minister to the refurbishment and extension of the school alongside those that played a huge part in the process, those that play a huge part in the school currently and pupils, both past and present. We are very proud of our new school and very excited about the future for Gwersyllt CP. A big thank you to all that made it happen.”

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    The work – carried out by contractors Read Construction – began late in 2018, and we had the chance to take a look at some of the landmarks along the way – including the signing of a steel beam used in the new structure,

    https://news.wrexham.gov.uk/signing-ceremony-marks-construction-at-primary-school/

    the burying of a time capsule recording school history

    https://news.wrexham.gov.uk/school-buries-time-capsule-during-construction-work/

    and the works ongoing at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd

    https://news.wrexham.gov.uk/video-take-a-look-at-the-new-1-7m-facilities-at-ysgol-morgan-llwyd/

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  • Civic Honour for staff working on behalf of armed forces personnel

    Civic Honour for staff working on behalf of armed forces personnel

    In April 2013 we, along with the armed forces and our partner organisations, signed the Armed Forces Covenant. That was the beginning of a journey that we are still on to ensure that members of the armed forces who return to civilian life in Wrexham are not disadvantaged because of their service to their country.

    This work undertaken since 2013 has seen us take a look at our policies in our service areas such as housing to check former service personnel aren’t losing out by them. We’ve also successfully applied for funding to further our work and we’ve even seen housing projects undertaken for those servicemen needing extra help due to health matters brought on as a result of their service.

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    More recently we’ve taken a look at our own recruitment and employment policies to ensure they support the armed forces community in line with the Armed Forces Covenant and as a result of this work we have been awarded a silver award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. The award highlights that we are a forces friendly employer and proactively support the local armed forces community through our recruitment processes.

    The award was formally recognised by the Mayor, Cllr Rob Walsh who invited staff to meet with him before this evening’s Council to formally recognise their achievement with a Civic Honour.

    The Mayor said: “I am very pleased that we have been awarded the silver award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. We have demonstrated that we are pro-actively supporting the local armed forces community through our recruitment process. We are very proud of this award and what it means to Wrexham, having such a proud military history. A big thank you goes to our staff, past and present, who have been instrumental instrumental in reaching this standard.

    A Civic Pride Award is awarded by the Mayor to anyone in the county borough who has made a significant and meaningful contribution to the community and has brought civic pride to Wrexham. They will have been recognised nationally by means of an award, trophy or certificate which will then be formally celebrated at Full Council.

    In order to achieve the Silver Defence Employer Recognition organisations should have achieved the following:

    • Organisations must have signed the AFC.

    • The employer must have already stated their intent to be supportive by using the ERS website to register at the Bronze Level.

    • The employer must proactively demonstrate that Service personnel/Armed Forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged as part of their recruiting and selection processes.

    • Employers must employ at least one individual from an AFC category (Reservist, Veteran, Military spouse/partner, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer (CFAV)).

    • The employer must actively ensure that their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards Defence People issues (eg. an internally publicised and positive HR policy on Reserves, or, in the case where no HR policy exists, support should be demonstrated by specific references in job descriptions or on the organisation’s website).

    • Within the context of Reserves the employer must have demonstrated support to mobilisations or have a framework in place.

    • The employer must demonstrate support to training by providing at least 5 days’ additional leave.

    • The employer must not have been the subject of any negative PR or media activity that could cause embarrassment to Defence.

    Read more about the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

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  • St David’s Day Parade! Be part of the 2020 Parade in the town centre

    St David’s Day Parade! Be part of the 2020 Parade in the town centre

    Once again we’ll be celebrating St David’s Day with fun and entertainment followed by a parade through the town centre 🙂

    The fun starts in Tŷ Pawb at 11am on Sunday, March 1.

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    The parade will then assemble outside Tŷ Pawb from 12.45pm, before starting at 1pm sharp. It will be led by the Cambria Band and the parade will make its way along town centre streets before finishing back at Tŷ Pawb, where the celebrations will continue with live entertainment.

    The event which has been organised in association with Menter Iaith Fflint a Wrecsam is free and is suitable for the whole family.

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  • Roadworks from Monday on Llan-y-Pwll Link Road

    Roadworks from Monday on Llan-y-Pwll Link Road

    In order to carry out maintenance on the A5156/A534 Llan-y-Pwll Link Road there road will be some lane and road closures from Monday, March 2.

    The works will be staggered between roundabout junctions along the road starting on the link between JCB and Gourton Hall roundabout and then along to the final leg between Borras Head and Gresford roundabouts.

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    The day time works will see lane closures until Friday, March 13 which will be followed by night time closures between Borras Head roundabout and Gresford rounabout for 4 nights.

    A diversion will be maintained during the works.

    We apologise for inevitable delays and disruption and we ask that you bear with whilst this essential work takes place and allow extra time for your journey.

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  • FREE parent drop-in

    FREE parent drop-in

    Do you have children in primary school and would you like to meet other parents and chat about their play?

    If so, join the playworkers for a brew in this new, informal, fun drop-in. If you have children below school age, feel free to bring them along too. We will be playing so come in your playing out clothes and be prepared for all weathers (we do have inside space if it gets too bad).

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    We aim to explore the value of play by looking at our own play experiences and that of our children.

    Fun sessions aimed at encouraging parents and carers to be a bit more playful themselves!

    Drop-in sessions running for 6 weeks.

    12.30pm – 2.30pm

    Every Thursday from February, 27 – April, 2.

    Ruabon Youth Club.

    For more information: 01978 298361

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  • Back To School! – New exhibition at Wrexham County Borough Museum & Archives

    Back To School! – New exhibition at Wrexham County Borough Museum & Archives

    Wrexham Museum’s latest exhibition, Back To School, chronicles how school locally has changed over the past two centuries through memories, mementos, archives and old photographs.

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    It’s a celebration of one of those life stages we all pass through – the best days of our lives, the prison from which we longed to escape, the start of lifelong friendships and the source of fond memories and funny stories – with larger than life teachers who inspired our imagination or drove us to prove them wrong.

    The exhibition includes:

    • Historic artefacts and archival material connected to local schools from the past two hundred years, both from the museum collection and loans from members of the community
    •  A series of oral history recordings about life as a teacher and as a pupil at St David’s, Cartrefle, Grove Park Boys, Grove Park Girls, the board schools and the first Welsh medium schools.
    • A presentation made up of the many school photographs brought in during the museum’s photo appeal sessions in Wrexham, Chirk, Ruabon, Brynteg and Overton.
    • Dressing Up area
    • Children’s activity trail including a Do-it-Yourself Board School ‘Drill’ exercise. Beat the flab! Suitable for adults too.

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    Over the next few months, visitors to the exhibition will be able to enjoy the many school memories that are being gathered and recorded by the volunteers at Calon FM’s oral history project, School Days: Stories from the Schoolyard. The recordings will form the basis of six programmes on Wrexham’s school history. Staff at the museum are still recruiting volunteers to help this project.

    The exhibition opened on February 17th and runs until June 20th 2020.

    For more information, call 01978 297 460 or follow the museum on Facebook

    https://www.facebook.com/WrexhamMuseums/

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  • Amazing Achievement as 1,000 trees planted at Alyn Waters

    Amazing Achievement as 1,000 trees planted at Alyn Waters

    There has been “treemendous” support from volunteers at Alyn Waters Country Park who have just finished planting trees along the entrance to Alyn Waters Country Park. 🙂

    That makes 1,000 trees planted in the Park in the past few weeks.

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    The trees have been planted as part of a new, innovative project – The Wrexham Green Infrastructure Project which aims to improve local green spaces throughout Wrexham. The project actively encourages the local community to take an active role in caring for our environment.

    “Amazing achievement for Alyn Waters”

    Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “This is an amazing achievement for Alyn Waters and I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work. It fits in perfectly with our recently declared climate emergency and will help reduce our carbon emissions in addition to improving even further the outstanding scenery in our country parks for future generations.”

    Jacinta Challinor, Green Infrastructure Officer said, ‘This event is part of a wider project to enhance biodiversity throughout Wrexham and reduce noise and air pollution affecting the local area.’

    Volunteers from the local community, local schools and the Friends of Alyn Waters all worked with  our tree officer and Rangers to plant the trees. We are grateful to the funding received from the Welsh Assembly Government and The Woodlands Trust which has allowed us to create this vital habitat link for local wildlife in years to come.

    Alyn Waters

    If you would like to find out more about the Wrexham green infrastructure project and how you can become involved please contact the project officer at jacinta.challinor@wrexham.gov.uk

    Read about how Gwenfro school pupils also took part in the Green Infrastructure Project:

    Gwenfro pupils plant an orchard!

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  • Confetti – Let’s keep it natural for the nuptials

    Confetti – Let’s keep it natural for the nuptials

    With 300,000 weddings in the UK every year there’s a huge market for confetti – and if it’s made from plastic or foil that’s a huge headache for the environment if it isn’t eco-friendly. It could also be a potential danger to wildlife and watercourses.

    At the Guildhall here in Wrexham we marry about 120 couples every year and it really brightens up our day to hear the music from the ceremonies and catch occasional glimpses of the bride and groom.

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    Everyone loves confetti, and why not? It is part of the celebrations. But as we become more aware of our environment we’re asking everyone involved with a wedding this year – either as a guest or organising one – to think natural and buy natural confetti or ask your guests only to use natural products.

    If you’re providing confetti for your guests or taking your own please check out where it’s come from and what it’s made from.

    “Think of the environment when buying or providing confetti”

    We recommend you use natural confetti made from flowers or herbs but if you don’t want to use this please don’t opt for plastic or foil.

    There’s lots of ideas online for alternatives and we recommend you check them out.

    Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for the Environment and Transport, said: “Weddings are very happy occasions and should be celebrated by everyone involved. However, in today’s modern world it’s clear that plastic and foil confetti is becoming popular and we’d like to ask that you think of the environment when buying or providing confetti. It’s a small consideration in the planning of a wedding but can go a long way to reducing our non compostable waste.

    “We have recently declared a climate emergency and we know that lots of residents in Wrexham support this so please – think natural.”

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  • Are you a private Landlord providing accommodation in Wrexham?

    Are you a private Landlord providing accommodation in Wrexham?

    Are you a private Landlord providing accommodation in the Wrexham Borough?

    We would like to invite you to our upcoming Landlords Forum where you can get valuable advice and support on a range of topics.

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    We have speakers giving advice and guidance on:

    • Changes to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for the private rental sector.
    • Grants and funding available to improve the energy efficiency of your rental property.
    • North Wales Fire and Rescue Service on changes to Fire detection standards in rental properties.
    • Department of Work and Pensions on Universal Credit.
    • Warm Wales on how they work with Landlords and Tenants to provide access to grants and funding in addition to signposting to support for those with physical and mental health related requirements.Interested ?

    Then join us at the Catrin Finch Centre, Glyndwr University, Mold Road, Wrexham. LL11 2AW on Wednesday, February 26.

    The event is free to attend and will run from 17:30 to 19:30, refreshments are provided.

    Please email healthandhousing@wrexham.gov.uk to register your attendance

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  • Do you vape? If so read on

    Do you vape? If so read on

    Did you know there’s been some rare incidents of E-cigarettes or “vapes” exploding and seriously injuring people?

    It’s thought that battery-related issues may lead to vape explosions.

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    The safety tips below may help you avoid a vape battery explosion or fire so please take a minute to read them:

    • Only use the charger that was supplied with the vape for charging. Don’t charge your vape overnight and regularly check your device when it is charging. Unplug your vape when it is fully charged.
    • Charge your vape on a clean, flat surface and away from anything that can easily catch fire. Ensure you can clearly see your vape when it is charging.
    • Ensure that you read and follow the safety instructions, markings or warnings on or supplied with the vape. Contact the manufacturer if you have any further questions or if your vape wasn’t supplied with instructions.
    • Consider using vape devices with safety features and don’t remove or disable safety features.
    • Only use genuine and recommended batteries for your vaping device. Don’t let your battery encounter metal items. Store removable and spare batteries in a plastic case to prevent accidental contact. Keep batteries out of the reach of children.
    • Regularly inspect your vape batteries and replace your battery immediately if it is damaged, leaking or not functioning properly. Dispose of batteries at recycle or disposal points.
    • Protect your vape from extreme temperatures by not leaving it in direct sunlight or in your car on a freezing cold night.

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