news.wrexham.gov.uk

Category: Council Services

  • Our Commitment to those leaving care

    Our Commitment to those leaving care

    This week marks National Care Leavers Week, a week which is dedicated to highlighting the needs of those leaving care and the theme this year is future aspirations.

    In honour of National Care Leavers Week Wrexham Council is renewing its commitment to do all it can to support looked after children leaving care as they turn 18 and become independent by developing a local pledge for care leavers.

    IF WE GET A BAD SETTLEMENT, WE’LL HAVE TO LOOK AT FURTHER CUTS. HAVE YOUR SAY…

    Cllr David A Bithell, Deputy Leader, said “We want the very best for our young people in care and our care leavers. We know that the move from being a looked after child to a care leaver is a uniquely critical time in a young person’s life and as a council it is our responsibility to make sure that they have the support available to them that so many of us may take for granted.

    “As a corporate parent, we have the same aspirations for our care leavers as we would our own children. We are here to listen, advise and support our young people so they can go on to achieve the very best in life for themselves.”

    If we get a bad settlement, we’ll have to look at further cuts.Have your say.

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  • Our ‘outstanding’ YJS team helps young people stay out of trouble

    Our ‘outstanding’ YJS team helps young people stay out of trouble

    When people think about their council, they often think about bins and recycling, schools, social care and other high profile services.

    But there are loads of things councils do that largely go unnoticed…really important stuff that helps individuals and communities.

    Take our Youth Justice Service (YJS), which works to reduce the risk of young people offending…or re-offending.

    In other words, it helps young people avoid taking the wrong path and getting into trouble…making mistakes that could affect (or even ruin) their lives…while helping communities remain safe and pleasant places to live.

    ‘Outstanding’

    The people who work in YJS do an amazing job. And that’s official.

    An inspection published earlier this year rated the service as ‘outstanding’ in several areas.

    The report said: “Staff are committed and enthusiastic. They know their young people well, and are creative in responding to their needs.”

    Wrexham Council News

    How YJS made a difference to a neighbourhood in Gwersyllt

    Earlier this year one of our local communities was experiencing high levels of anti-social behaviour, with Gwersyllt Resource Centre being targeted.

    Local people were concerned and the demand on police officers and PCSOs was high.

    Some young people were banned from the youth club at the community centre, and some families were even at risk of losing their tenancy on their council home.

    What did YJS do?

    YJS arranged meetings with everyone involved, including the police, local people and councillors, nearby schools, parents and the young people themselves.

    They gathered information and got everyone talking to each other…and came up with a plan to fix the problem.

    What difference did it make?

    Confidence was restored in the community…people could see that something was being done.

    By stepping in early, YJS helped find a solution and made sure both the children and community got the right support.

    One of the young people said afterwards: “I understand more about how my behaviour affects other people.”

    And a member of staff from the local housing estate office said they saw youngsters in a “different light now.”

    Read more about what happened in our previous blog article.

    Worried about your child?

    If you’re worried about your child – about the choices they’re making or what they’re getting up to – talk to someone who you trust at their school, or contact YJS.

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”https://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/education/main.cfm”] CONTACT YOUR SCHOOL [/button]

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  • Some more handy recycling tips

    Some more handy recycling tips

    Seeing as both our plastic recycling and food waste recycling handy tips proved to be very popular, we thought now would be a good time to give you some more handy tips so you can continue to do your bit for Wrexham.

    Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said, “We’re continuing to give recycling tips to try and make things clearer for people around which items can be recycled in Wrexham. We’re hoping people will take them on board and use the information to make informed choices about the materials they buy, reusing as much as they can, and staying away from non-recyclables as much as possible.”

    So with that in mind, here’s some useful tips to help you out 🙂

    IF WE GET A BAD SETTLEMENT, WE’LL HAVE TO LOOK AT FURTHER CUTS. HAVE YOUR SAY…

    Handy tips

    • Don’t grab as you go. Yep, grabbing items on the go is a pretty big problem as it often involves non-recyclable materials and single-use plastics. Takeaways and ‘meal deals’ usually come with plastic films and polystyrene packaging that we can’t recycle. Buying bottles of water while you’re out is only adding to the plastic problem too. Planning ahead and taking a packed lunch is much better and let’s be honest, cheaper. Getting a reusable water bottle and filling it up with tap water before you go out is also a big improvement.

    • Metal lids in tins when you recycle them. Something you can do to help us out is putting metal tin lids back inside the tin when you recycle them. This helps us as when the metal gets crushed together at the recycling centre, the lids that haven’t been put inside the tins often slip out of the bale due to their size.

    • Home composting. We’re sure you’ve heard about the green bin charges that are coming in next year. Due to cuts, we’ve had to introduce this charge, which we’ve tried to keep as small as possible at £25 per green bin; one of the lowest in England and Wales. We hope you’ll continue to get your green bin collected by us, but if you’re thinking about not having your green bin collected, something you might want to look into is home composting. Have a look at this home composting guide and see what you think.

    • Glass is important. Perhaps glass isn’t talked about as much as some of the other recyclable materials but it’s important too. Recycling glass is 33% more energy efficient than creating glass using new materials, and like aluminium, glass can be recycled over-and-over again.

    • Clean foil is recyclable. Did you know that clean foil can be recycled in your green box/middle wheelie box with your tins and plastics? It needs to be clean foil though or otherwise it will contaminate your other clean recyclables.

    • See if it can be recycled at the recycling centre. If it can’t be recycled in your recycling boxes/bags, perhaps it can be recycled at our three recycling centres in Wrexham. You can recycle many, many different materials here, including used cooking oil! Take a look at this blog which runs through the materials that can be recycled at our recycling centres.

    So, did you find any of these tips useful? Stay tuned as we’re looking to bring you some more in the near future.

    And as always, thanks for recycling 🙂

    If we get a bad settlement, we’ll have to look at further cuts.Have your say.

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  • WATCH: Supporting our carers in Wrexham

    WATCH: Supporting our carers in Wrexham

    Carers do a vital job, and we do what we can to help support them.

    This time last year we started a new carers’ information, advice, support and respite service provided by NEWCIS (North East Wales Carers Information Service).

    We have had a chat with a couple of Wrexham’s many carers about how they has been supported by NEWCIS.

    If you are a carer in Wrexham and would like information, help or support, contact NEWCIS: 01978 423114 or Wrexham’s Adult Social Care Department: 01978 292066.

    If we get a bad settlement, we’ll have to look at further cuts.Have your say.

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  • Let’s get out and play this half term

    Let’s get out and play this half term

    Our Play Team has lots of Playwork projects lined up for young people to keep them occupied during the half term break.

    They’re all free to attend and there’s no need to book in advance.

    They last 2 or 3 hours and are aimed mainly at children aged 5 to 15, however under 5’s can attend with an appropriate parent or carer.

    Play is important for children. It helps their development both physically and emotionally, it keeps them fit, they learn problem solving skills and explore how things work. They develop social skills, learn to share and come to terms with different experiences, but most importantly it’s what children tell us they enjoy.

    IF WE GET A BAD SETTLEMENT, WE’LL HAVE TO LOOK AT FURTHER CUTS. HAVE YOUR SAY…

    “Enjoy just playing and having fun”

    Cllr Andrew Atkinson, Lead Member for Youth Services and Anti-Poverty, said: “We really want children to get out doors this half term and enjoy just playing and having fun. There are several organised playwork sessions but we also have lots of green spaces where children can just kick a ball, collect conkers, play tag or just generally have fun with their friends. Getting outside is also a lot healthier than staying on the couch with devices so let’s encourage our young people to get out and have fun this half term.

    “Where are they taking place?”

    Abenbury 11am to 1 pm Tuesday and Thursday at Pentre Maelor (play area).

    Borras 11am to 1pm Thursday 31st October, On the green between Huntsman’s Corner and Lake View.

    Cefn and Acrefair 11am to 1pm Monday and Wednesday at Plas Kynaston Park (next to the library) and Friday on the Acrefair School field.

    Coedpoeth 2pm to 4pm Tuesday and Thursday at The Adwy Field.

    Gwersyllt 2pm – 4pm Monday and Tuesday at Pending Park, Wednesday and Thursday at Bradley Fields. Friday at New Road, Summerhill.

    Offa 2pm – 4pm Tuesday at Luke O’Connor House, Wednesday at Bryncabanau Playground, Thursday and Friday at Bellevue Park.

    Rhos and Johnstown 2pm to 4pm Monday and Tuesday at Morton Circle, Wednesday at Bryn y Brain, Thursday and Friday in Ponciau Park.

    Brymbo 11am to1pm Monday and Tuesday at Cheshire View, Wednesday at Miller Road, Thursday and Friday at Cae Merfyn, Tanyfron.

    Rhosddu 11am to 1pm Monday at Garden Road, outside the Salvation Army, Tuesday at Ashfield Park, behind the Tennis Centre, Wednesday at the Village Green, Garden Village, in front of Wat’s Dyke School, Thursday and Friday at Prices Lane Skate Park.

    The projects do not offer formal childcare and children may come and go as they choose. Playworkers also don’t have a responsibility to keep children on site and it is left up to parents/carers and their children to agree the arrangements between themselves.

    “What if the weather’s bad?”

    The projects aim to take advantage of all weather and make sure that there’s different opportunities to play regardless of the weather. But as it could get messy please make sure your child is in comfortable clothes that they’re allowed to get dirty.

    “How do I register my child?”

    It’s easy to register your child. Just fill in a registration form on your child’s first visit and give it to the playworker. You will be asked for information about your child such as emergency contact numbers.

    If we get a bad settlement, we’ll have to look at further cuts.Have your say.

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  • Applying to stay in the UK after Brexit? There’s help and advice available…

    Applying to stay in the UK after Brexit? There’s help and advice available…

    If you’re applying to stay in the UK after Brexit – but struggling with the application process – there’s lots of help available.

    Even though there’s still uncertainty about when and how Britain will leave the European Union, EU citizens from overseas still need to apply for ‘settled status’ so they can continue to live and work here.

    You can apply via the UK Government website HERE

    Or call the government helpline on 0300 123 7379.

    IF WE GET A BAD SETTLEMENT, WE’LL HAVE TO LOOK AT FURTHER CUTS. HAVE YOUR SAY…

    But if you need more support with your application, there are plenty of options…

    EU Citizens’ Rights Service

    The EU Citizens Rights Service provides free, impartial and confidential advice on settled status.

    It also offers in-depth, specialist help on social welfare and employment issues – so if you have problems with work, welfare benefits or debt, and you’re worried about how they might affect your application, it might be worth getting in touch.

    Call 0300 3309 059 to book an appointment.

    MIND North East Wales

    If you’re elderly, have mental health issues or been the victim of domestic abuse, you can get help with your application from mental health charity MIND (LINK http://www.newmind.org.uk).

    For more information call 01352 974430.

    Immigration Advice Service

    Take a look at the Immigration Advice Service website – launched by Welsh Government to help EU citizens prepare for Brexit.

    It contains lots of links to organisations that provide specialist help with settled status applications, including:

    • TGP Cymru – support for European Roma citizens.
    • Royal Association for Deaf People – support for deaf EEA and Swiss citizens and their families.
    • Rights of Women – legal advice for women who are vulnerable due to violence against women and girls.

    If we get a bad settlement, we’ll have to look at further cuts.Have your say.

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  • Are you registered to vote?

    Are you registered to vote?

    If an election was called tomorrow are you registered to vote?

    You should have received your annual canvass household enquiry form by now and if you haven’t already checked it please do so now. We don’t know when the next election will take place but we’d like to see as many eligible residents as possible registered to vote.

    IF WE GET A BAD SETTLEMENT, WE’LL HAVE TO LOOK AT FURTHER CUTS. HAVE YOUR SAY…

    Your details should already be on the form and if all the details remain the same visit www.householdresponse.com/wrexham, call 0800 197 9871 or text NOCHANGE followed by both parts of your security code to 80212 – standard charges will apply.

    If the details need to be updated or if someone needs to be added or removed you should visit www.householdresponse.com/wrexham and make the necessary changes. Once this is done you should register new people on www/gov.uk/register-to-vote. You will need to have your National Insurance Number available. If you are unable to register online you will be sent an Invitation to Register form which you should complete. Once this is done you will be registered to vote.

    Research by the independent Electoral Commission showed that home movers are far less likely to be registered than those that have lived at the same address for a long time. 94% of people who have been at their property for more than sixteen years will be registered compared to 30% of people who have lived in an address for less than one year.

    Private renters are also far less likely to be registered than those who own their property outright with 95% of home owners in Wales on the electoral register compared to 51% of private renters.

    It’s also a legal requirement to give the information asked for in the Annual Canvass – even if you have no changes to make. There is the possibility that you could be fined up to £1,000 for not doing anything so please take action to make sure you don’t lose your opportunity to vote.

    If we get a bad settlement, we’ll have to look at further cuts. Have your say.

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  • 3G pitch on the way for Clywedog

    3G pitch on the way for Clywedog

    You might remember our good news last month on the new floodlights installed on the sports pitch at Ysgol Clywedog, on Ruthin Road.

    Well, we’ve got some even more good news.

    Work will soon start on installing a new 3G pitch at the dual-use school leisure site – meaning any clubs keen to use the pitch will now get even more benefits from it.

    IF WE GET A BAD SETTLEMENT, WE’LL HAVE TO LOOK AT FURTHER CUTS. HAVE YOUR SAY…

    Work to the new pitch

    Work to install the new 3G pitch will start at the end of the month, and should be complete early in December.

    We’ve already contacted clubs and other users to let them know that the improvements are due, and they’ll be able to take advantage of the new facilities in the winter.

    And thanks to the new floodlights, playing during the winter will be a lot more fun!

    “Fantastic to see even more improvements”

    Cllr Andrew Atkinson, Lead Member for Youth Services and Anti-Poverty, with responsibility for Leisure, said: “It’s fantastic to see that even more improvements are on the way for the all-weather pitch at Ysgol Clywedog – especially given that we only recently installed new floodlights.

    “I’d like to thank Freedom Leisure and Wrexham Council staff for their work in securing these improvements to the pitch, and am very pleased to see that local clubs will have a wide choice of improved facilities to play and train at across the county borough.”

    Cllr Phil Wynn, Chair of the Governors at Ysgol Clywedog, said: “We’re very pleased with the announcement regarding the new 3G pitch, as it comes alongside a number of other improvements to the school – including redeveloped education and IT suites, along with a new and improved entrance area.

    “As with the recent line of improvements to leisure facilities, the timing of this couldn’t be better.”

    If you are interested in making a booking, please contact Clywedog Leisure and Activity Centre on 01978 262787 or e-mail clywedogLC@freedom-leisure.co.uk; or go to Freedom Leisure’s website.

    If we get a bad settlement, we’ll have to look at further cuts. Have your say.

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  • Christmas in Wrexham town centre

    Christmas in Wrexham town centre

    As the Christmas season approaches we’re pleased to let you have the dates for the Christmas events in the town centre.

    The season kicks off with the annual Christmas lights switch on, organised by the Rotary Club in liaison with our Events Team, on Thursday, November 14. The tree arrives earlier in the week and organisers are expecting it to be just as impressive as last year’s.

    IF WE GET A BAD SETTLEMENT, WE’LL HAVE TO LOOK AT FURTHER CUTS. HAVE YOUR SAY…

    There’ll be a massive stage, live music, a large fairground, lots of festive stalls and entertainment, a red button switching on of the fantastic lights and a spectacular fireworks finale. Just the event to get you into the festive mood. 🙂

    And of course Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the big man himself – Santa!

    He’ll be in his grotto in Tŷ Pawb from Saturday, November 30 until he begins his world wide run to deliver presents to boys and girls across the world on December 24.

    The grotto will be open Monday – Friday 2pm – 6pm and on Saturdays and Sundays and Christmas Eve opening times are 11am – 4pm.

    No booking required and tickets available from Tŷ Pawb reception. It’s just £5 per child.

    Next on our Christmas Calendar comes our Christmas Markets. This year we’ll be holding two – and both have been very popular in the past with almost 33,000 paying a visit to the Victorian Market, held in St Giles Church and surrounding area. And over 27,000 visited the Christmas Market on Llwyn Isaf.

    The Victorian Market takes place on Thursday, December 5 from 12 noon to 8pm. There’ll be stalls in the grounds of St Giles Church and in the church itself, Hope Street, High Street and Church Street.

    The 3 day Christmas Village on Llwyn Isaf will open its doors at 10am on Friday, December 13 and will be in Wrexham until Sunday, December 15. On Friday and Saturday the stalls will be open until 8pm with entertainment in the teepee until 10pm. the village will close at 4pm. on Sunday, December 15.

    There’s also free parking in most town centre car parks during the Christmas period – find out the details here.

    All our town centre events are well attended and organisers are gearing up for another bumper turnout. 🙂

    If we get a bad settlement, we’ll have to look at further cuts.Have your say.

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  • Free parking to add to Wrexham’s Christmas attractions

    Free parking to add to Wrexham’s Christmas attractions

    We’re very pleased to announce that we are able to offer free parking in town centre council owned car parks, except Tŷ Pawb, for certain key days that will allow traders to take advantage of the expected increase in visitor numbers to the town centre. This follows the success of free parking that was offered earlier in the year for the Play Day and the Food Festival.

    IF WE GET A BAD SETTLEMENT, WE’LL HAVE TO LOOK AT FURTHER CUTS. HAVE YOUR SAY…

    Tŷ Pawb will also offer free after 3pm parking every Friday until Christmas to support its Film Night events.

    Our Christmas festivities commence with the Christmas Light Switch on, this is arranged for 14 November and free parking after 3pm will begin on this date and continue until 7 December when parking will become free after 10 am. It is important we encourage the maximum amount of footfall into the town centre during the busy Christmas period.

    The following car parks are included in the promotion:

    • Waterworld
    • Library
    • St George’s Crescent
    • Crescent Road
    • St Giles

    This will ensure all the Christmas events will be supported by free parking.

    “The Key Christmas events are”

    • Lights switch on, Thursday, November 14
    • Victorian Market, Thursday, December 5
    • Late night shopping Thursday, December 12 and 19
    • Christmas Village, Friday, December 13 to Sunday, December 15,

    Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, said: “We’re very pleased to be making this offer, particularly as we are currently experiencing financially challenging times.

    “We also have some excellent events lined up for the Christmas period and we are all keen to ensure that visitors have a great experience and that traders are able to capitalise on the added footfall that events such as these bring.

    “Parking charges are always high on the agenda and although we cannot offer free car parking 24/7, we have taken a look at the situation to see what we can do right now to benefit traders and ensure we have the income to continue to maintain our car parks at their current standards. The majority are of our car parks are covered by CCTV, and all of our are car parks reasonably priced. Dependent on the success of the Christmas Promotional event programme, specifically the ‘free after 3pm’ initiative. Dependent on the success of the Christmas Promotional event programme, specifically the ‘free after 3pm’ initiative. I intend to bring a report to a future meeting of the Executive Board to consider a longer term roll-out of this initiative.”

    “We all read about the problems encountered with local and private car parks in the town centre, and it’s reassuring that the same issues are not encountered in council run car parks.”

    All other highway restrictions and waiting times will apply in the town centre and motorists are advised that they will be ticketed if they are not correctly parked.

    Free parking will also be given for Remembrance Sunday on November 10.

    If we get a bad settlement, we’ll have to look at further cuts.Have your say.

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