news.wrexham.gov.uk

Category: Council Services

Button batteries potential death risk to children
Guest article from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute
Button batteries “can kill a child” if accidentally swallowed, says the Office for Product Safety and Standards. Guidance issued by the Office follows a report published by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) on Thursday after the death of a three-year-old girl last year when she swallowed a 23mm button battery.
TAKE PART IN THE COUNCIL PLAN CONSULTATION 20-22
The HSIB report found that although there are strict product safety regulations on children’s toys, there are no equivalent regulations to secure battery compartments on household items. The Office, in consultation with the HSIB, has developed a targeted safety strategy, including the fast-tracking of a new standard for this area, which will look at Product casing, packaging and safe retail practices.
The Office urges parents to take extreme caution with children using any electronic devices containing button batteries, and seek immediate medical attention if a child accidently swallows one.
The simple steps to help protect children from the risks posed by button batteries are:
- Store spare batteries securely and out of children’s reach. Don’t leave them loose in drawers or on surfaces
- Be careful when opening multi-packs of button batteries in case they fall on the floor
- Know which toys and gadgets use button batteries. This includes everyday items such as: robot bug or fish toys, fidget spinners with LED lights, slim remote controls, car key fobs, calculators, scales, gaming headsets, watches, hearing aids, nightlights and novelty items like singing Santa models
- Check your home for things powered by button batteries. If the battery compartment isn’t secured by a screw, move the item out of reach of small children. If it’s faulty, get it fixed or get rid of it safely. You can also report faulty toys to trading standards via the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Helpline
- Teach older children why button batteries are dangerous and why they shouldn’t give them to young children
- Get rid of dead button batteries immediately. Children often find discarded button batteries lying around or under sofa cushions. ‘Dead’ button batteries can still have enough power to badly hurt a small child. When you remove one, store it securely and recycle it properly.
Though it’s not always possible to tell if a child has swallowed a button battery, there are warning signs to look out for.
These include:
-Coughing
-Gagging
-Drooling
-Vomiting
If you suspect a child could have swallowed a battery take them straight to A&E.
Do not give them anything to eat or drink, and do not try to make them sick, as this could make the chemical reaction even worse.
Chief Executive of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, Leon Livermore, said: “The guidance released today by the Office is vital for anyone who looks after young children. At an impressionable age where everything is ‘taste-tested’, we need to be sure children are safe from life-treating dangers. I strongly urge everyone to share this guidance far and wide to prevent more deaths.”
NB This video is available in English only
For more advice on managing the risks on button batteries, visit:
www.capt.org.uk/button-batteries
www.buttonbatterysafety.com
www.rospa.com/button-batteries/
To take part in the Council Plan consultation, just click here
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.yourvoicewrexham.net/project/417″]I WANT MY SAY![/button]
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” link=”https://news.wrexham.gov.uk”] NO…I DON’T WANT A SAY [/button]
July 11, 2019
Reducing our reliance on Fossil Fuels
We were recently asked a public question at our Executive Board and we thought we’d share the question and answer with our reader to keep you up to date with what we are doing.
“Question:”
“When will Wrexham Council divest from fossil fuel by, and what has been done so far, specifically relating to this question?”
TAKE PART IN THE COUNCIL PLAN CONSULTATION 20-22
“Answer”
Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport responded:
“Reply to Public Question to be asked at Executive Board in July Carbon reduction and the drive to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, has long been a central focus for Wrexham Council. Over the past 10 years, through our procurement of energy, we are also proud to announce that 100% of the our electricity supply, is derived from renewable sources, thereby ensuring all the electricity used in our buildings and street lighting is green electricity. This is in turn divesting from the traditional use of fossil fuels.
During the previous 10 years the Council has driven a range of energy saving projects and have embraced new and innovative renewable technologies to reduce the authorities reliance on fossil fuels.
What have we done?
– Installation of 2,675 solar panels on council houses.
– Designed, installed and maintain, Wales first Council owned 2.64 MW solar farm.
– Solar PV on 2 council offices and 17 schools.
– Large scale Biomass boiler installation within one of our large office sites
– Internal lighting upgrades in over 30 schools and offices.
– Electric vehicle charging points in 5 public car parks and workplace charging in two office car parks including adding 5 electric “pool” vehicles into the Council’s fleet
– Council continued to embrace digital technology
– Council have set up a project group to reduce single use plastic across all buildings and schools
In recent years through the advancement of LED technologies the Council has invested in replacement lighting units across the County Borough. This programme of works is continuing and will see over the next two years, the conversion the Councils remaining street lighting 11,000 units in total.
We are aware of the Welsh Government’s recently declared Climate Emergency in Wales which has highlighted ambitious plans to be carbon neutral by 2030. Looking to the future, I am pleased to confirm that following a decision at our June Council meeting, we recently approved the development of a Decarbonisation Action Plan, within 12 months which documents our work and actions and the supports the Welsh
Govenments Commitment on Climate change.”
To take part in the Council Plan consultation, just click here
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.yourvoicewrexham.net/project/417″]I WANT MY SAY![/button]
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” link=”https://news.wrexham.gov.uk”] NO…I DON’T WANT A SAY [/button]
July 11, 2019
Popular grant funding opening up to support more local people
Are you an organisation working with vulnerable adults, an existing community group, or simply someone with a good idea? Well, did you know that you could be eligible for a Community Inclusion Grant?
The Community Inclusion Grant was created in 2012 to improve the lives of older people living in Wrexham. And due to the success of this grant, the eligibitlity criteria has now been changed to allow the grant to be used to support adults with a physical, sensory or learning disability as well as individuals with mental health issues and carers.
TAKE PART IN THE COUNCIL PLAN CONSULTATION 20-22
Supporting older and vulnerable adults
The grant supports the achievement of positive outcomes for adults and enables people to remain in their own homes for longer. Funding, in the range of £200 – £2,500, is available to support the establishment and/or the sustainability of community-based activities that reduce social isolation and loneliness (with a focus on rural areas), by supporting people to retain or regain social connections and enable people to participate in their local community.
Re-connecting isolated and lonely individuals not only has a positive impact on the lives of older and vulnerable adults in terms of their health and emotional well-being, but it also supports the community by gaining access to their economic and social capital.
It’s helped over 100 groups
The grant aims to support both community-based activities and lunch clubs. To date it has helped over 100 groups spread across the county borough, including exercise groups, bird watching, art classes, photography groups and many, many more.
Contact us
Application forms can be requested by email or by telephone; contact details below.
Contact the Commissioning Team, Wrexham Council on 01978 292066 for an informal chat or for more information.
Application forms and guidance notes are also available by e-mail to: commissioning@wrexham.gov.uk
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.yourvoicewrexham.net/project/417″]I WANT MY SAY![/button]
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” link=”https://news.wrexham.gov.uk”] NO…I DON’T WANT A SAY [/button]
July 11, 2019
Community rail partnership stays on track for future improvements
The Chester Shrewsbury Rail Partnership is one of the oldest community rail partnerships in the UK, and it aims to make sure the stations along the Chester – Wrexham – Shrewsbury line are well-used, with the added bonus of looking out for community benefits.
The Partnership was established in the 1990s and employs a Community Rail Officer to deliver its business and activity plan. The Partnership is also a member of the Association of Community Rail Partnership (ACoRP).
TAKE PART IN THE COUNCIL PLAN CONSULTATION 20-22
Members of the Partnership include:
- Wrexham County Borough Council (Host authority)
- Cheshire West & Chester Council
- Shropshire Council
- Transport for Wales Rail Services
- Severn Dee Travel
- Network Rail
- British Transport Police
- Shrewsbury Chester Rail Users Association
- Cambrian Heritage Railway
At its recent AGM held at Oswestry Station, Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Transport and Environment at Wrexham Council, was elected Chair of the Partnership, and Jackie Allen – Board Director of Severn Dee Travel – was elected Vice Chair.
Transport for Wales (TfW) Rail Services – the operator for the rail franchise for Wales – were also welcomed to the Partnership during the AGM.
Cllr Bithell welcomed TfW to the Partnership, saying: “The Partnership now enters a new phase and we are encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment of TfW Rail services to Community Rail.
“Our business plan for the next few years will ensure our stations are gateways to the area and we will be working with various partners to deliver these.”
Following the AGM, members recently took a trip to Gobowen Station to see first-hand the work that is being carried out there by the Oswestry Station Building Trust, Severn Dee Travel and the Rail Partnership
Buildings at the station were bought by the Trust two years ago, as part of a Community Right to Bid initiative, with the aim of keeping them as a community asset.
Members saw the work carried out on the empty unit on Platform 2 at Gobowen, including the installation of a new air-source heating system. Roger Date – from the Trust – explained the next phase of the restoration would concentrate on the re-rendering of the building, and that Trust is also looking at potential sources of funding.
Mr Date also gave details of the proposal to run a Community Rail service from Gobowen Station through to the Orthopaedic Hospital, which would assist visitors to the hospital.
The booking office at Gobowen is run by the not-for-profit company Severn Dee Travel, and representatives showed Partnership members plans for the refurbishment of the waiting room and cafe, financed through a series of grants including a successful grant application to the Transport for Wales Rail Services Challenge Fund.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.yourvoicewrexham.net/project/417″]I WANT MY SAY![/button]
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” link=”https://news.wrexham.gov.uk”] NO…I DON’T WANT A SAY [/button]
July 10, 2019
Sponsorship opportunity for PLAY-WORK exhibition at Tŷ Pawb
Tŷ Pawb is bringing an adventure playground into its gallery for its next exhibition, PLAY-WORK.
PLAY-WORK will centre on the relationship between adults and children, and on celebratory documentation of radical playwork since the 1970s at Wrexham’s world-renowned adventure playgrounds.
The core of the exhibition will be a playscape, designed and built in a collaborative process between the artists, Ludicology, Tŷ Pawb staff, our Play & Youth Support Team and Wrexham’s adventure playgrounds. Within the playscape will be a new commission by Morag Colquhoun, who has created textiles specifically for interactive ‘loose parts’.
TAKE PART IN THE COUNCIL PLAN CONSULTATION 20-22
Functional push-cart artworks designed by Gareth Griffith also feature. The carts have fabricated by children and staff from Wrexham playwork projects.
Additionally, The Voice of Children, a film by Turner Prize-winning collective Assemble, will be exhibited in the gallery.
Visitors are encouraged to play and interact with the exhibition, where Playworkers will be on hand to supervise.
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said: “We can all relate to the need to play. The wonderful work that takes place in Wrexham to provide our children with play provision brings immense pride to the region.”
Businesses are now being invited to register an interest in sponsoring the exhibition to help facilitate engagement sessions within the exhibition itself and a conference towards the end of the exhibition.
The successful company or companies will have their logo/s included on promotional materials including gallery wall texts and printed handouts. The company/ companies will be acknowledged on all social media posts regarding the exhibition, including once sponsorship has been confirmed a specific press release announcing the sponsorship. VIP invitations to the exhibition opening and conference, with representatives included in any press photos will also form part of the sponsorship package.
If you want to register your interest in the sponsorship package or find out more, please contact 01978 292140 or email jo.marsh@wrexham.gov.uk by Friday, July 19.
To take part in the Council Plan consultation, just click here
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.yourvoicewrexham.net/project/417″]I WANT MY SAY![/button][button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” link=”https://news.wrexham.gov.uk”] NO…I DON’T WANT A SAY [/button]
July 10, 2019
Get ready for the Space Chase
Are you ready to travel across the galaxy on a special reading mission?
This year you will get to meet the Rockets, a super cool family who live on a satellite station in space and love spending time in the local library on the moon!
But there is a problem…can you help?
TAKE PART IN THE COUNCIL PLAN CONSULTATION 20-22
Books have started to disappear from the Moon Library and soon there won’t be any left. There is a mysterious ship on the radar, maybe the cheeky aliens are behind it!
Get ready to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge and help the Rockets on their important mission to save these books!
How to join in…
To get started you will need your special mission folder, which you can pick up at your local library from July 13.
To save the books and complete your mission you will need to read six books (or more!) over the holiday and visit your library three times after you sign up – twice to pick up your stickers and then, finally, your medal!
You can read any sort of book, fact or fiction, you can listen to audio books too.
So, grab your space suit and take a giant leap into the library this summer!
The fun is also online!
Visit the Summer Reading Challenge website to keep track of the books you read, write book reviews and enter competitions.
Now in its 20^th year, the Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to read for pleasure in the long summer holidays to avoid the summer reading dip.
We know that children who read books often at age 10, and more than once a week at age 16, gain higher results in maths, vocabulary and spelling tests at age 16 than those who read less regularly.
So don’t wait for the summer, download your eBooks and eAudiobooks now. Visit www.wrexham.gov.uk/online to access you online library.
To take part in the Council Plan consultation, just click here
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.yourvoicewrexham.net/project/417″]I WANT MY SAY![/button]
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” link=”https://news.wrexham.gov.uk”] NO…I DON’T WANT A SAY [/button]
July 10, 2019
Nobody’s perfect…take our fun recycling quiz
It’s true – nobody’s perfect…and as much as we can strive to be recycling superheroes, there’s most likely a few little tweaks we can make to do even better for Wrexham.
Because let’s be honest, where recycling’s concerned, there’s lots to know and remember, so it’s only to be expected if you get tripped up sometimes.
Therefore, we decided to put together a short quiz that highlights some of the most common and easy to make recycling mistakes…take the quiz and see how you get on 🙂
[interact id=”5d121880553fe300148a86ed” type=”quiz”]
So how did you get on? Were you already 5/5 or did you learn something new? The most important thing is that you had a go and you’re looking to learn more 🙂
Stay tuned to our news blog and Facebook and Twitter pages as we’ll be looking to bring you even more recycling tips and information in the coming weeks.
WANT TO GET MORE TIPS AND INFO? SIGN-UP FOR OUR RECYCLING EMAILS…
And in case you missed any of these, here’s some other useful recycling blogs…
Food waste recycling – some handy tips
Do you recycle food waste? In Wrexham, with weekly collections, free caddies and free caddy liners, it’s definitely easier than ever to recycle your leftovers. Read more here…
“Which plastics can I recycle in Wrexham?”
There are many, many different types of plastic, so it’s only to be expected if you find yourself sometimes wondering, “which plastics can I recycle?” Read more here…
The batteries in my remote have run out…what do I do next?
The first thing you’ll probably do is to replace them with new ones, but then what do you do with your old ones? Read more here…
Want to get more tips and info? Sign-up for our recycling emails…
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKWCBC/subscriber/new?topic_id=UKWCBC_29″] SIGN UP [/button]
July 9, 2019
Have your say on the future of town centre markets
If you visit Wrexham town centre, you’ll know that we have a number of markets.
At the moment we are taking a look at the Butchers’ Market, the General Market and the weekly Monday market and we want to know if they’re meeting the needs of visitors. Market stalls in Tŷ Pawb are not included in this review.
For example –
Are they what you expect from a market?
Do they sell what you want?
Are they accessible enough for your needs?
To find out, we’re carrying out a consultation on the markets to make sure they can meet public demand as town centres change and evolve and you get what you want from them.
The information you give will help towards the future development and management of these three markets.
The questions are very easy to answer, and there’s also an opportunity to give further suggestions about how they could be better.
It takes about five minutes and if you visit the town centre we’d really appreciate you taking the time to let us know your views.
You can take part here.
July 9, 2019
Build, explore, get muddy 🙂 Free play sessions for kids this summer
Children love to play. They need to play. So why not get your kids involved in a school holiday play project?
They might get muddy. They might even get a graze or two. But they will love it 🙂
We’ve teamed-up with local community councils to run projects in Cefn and Acrefair, Coedpoeth, Abenbury, Gwersyllt, Offa, Rhos and Johnstown, Rhostyllen, Brymbo and Rhosddu.
Sessions are usually held two or three times a week. They’re free, and they give children the chance to get out and play in their local community.
We want kids to play!
Wrexham Council has pledged to support play opportunities for children.
Councillor Andrew Atkinson has lead responsibility for youth services. He says: “Play should be a huge part of every child’s life. It’s right at the heart of how they experience and enjoy the world, and it helps them develop valuable skills.
“These school holiday projects are part of our Play Pledge to support play in Wrexham, and I’d encourage parents and children to go along and take a look.
“The sessions strike a really good balance between supervision and freedom, and seeing the kids enjoy themselves is absolutely brilliant.”
TAKE PART IN THE COUNCIL PLAN CONSULTATION 20-22.
Tyres, crates and cardboard…
The projects don’t offer tightly-organised activities – the aim is to provide youngsters with the time, space and permission to play the way they choose.
Jay Davies, play development worker, explains: “Our playworkers run the sessions. They create a fun environment and provide lots of different resources like wood, tyres, crates, rope, paint and cardboard, as well as tools…so they can build and make things.
“The playworkers help keep the children safe, but they don’t tell the youngsters what to do. They let them explore their own ideas, and test their own limits and abilities.”
Come and see…
Parents are welcome to come and chat to our playworkers and see what’s going on.
And registering your child is easy. Just fill-in a form the first time you visit.
However, these sessions don’t provide formal childcare, and playworkers do not have a responsibility to keep your child on site…they can come and go as they choose.
So it’s a good idea to agree any rules or arrangements with your kids and playworkers beforehand.
Summer sessions kick off the week beginning Monday, July 22 and will run until the end of the school hols in early September.
Take a peep at the details below…
Cefn Mawr and Acrefair
11am-1pm
- Mondays and Wednesdays at Plas Kynaston Park (next to the library)
- Fridays on Acrefair school field
Coedpoeth
2-4pm
- Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Adwy Field
Abenbury
11am-1pm
- Tuesdays and Thursdays at Pentre Maelor (at the play area)
Gwersyllt
2-4pm
- Mondays and Tuesdays at Pendine Park
- Wednesdays and Thursdays at Bradley Fields
- Fridays at New Road, Summerhill
Offa
2-4pm
- Tuesdays at Luke O Connor House
- Wednesdays at Bryncabanau playground
- Thursdays and Fridays at Bellevue Park
Rhos and Johnstown
2-4pm
- Mondays and Tuesdays at Morton Circle (Johnstown)
- Wednesdays at Bryn y Brain
- Thursdays and Fridays at Ponciau Park
Rhostyllen
10am-1pm
- Mondays to Fridays on the fields behind the Parish Hall
Brymbo
11am-1pm
- Mondays and Tuesdays at Cheshire View
- Wednesdays at Miller Road (Brymbo)
- Thursdays and Fridays at Cae Merfyn, Tanyfron
Rhosddu
11am-1pm
- Mondays at Garden Road (outside the Salvation Army premises)
- Tuesdays at Ashfield Park (behind the tennis centre)
- Wednesdays at the Village Green, Garden Village (in front of Wat’s Dyke School)
- Thursdays and Fridays at Prices Lane skate park
To take part in the Council Plan consultation, just click here.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.yourvoicewrexham.net/project/417″]I WANT MY SAY![/button] [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” link=”https://news.wrexham.gov.uk”] NO…I DON’T WANT A SAY [/button]
July 5, 2019
Tenant Member Partnership – We Need You!
Tenant Member & Partnership – We Need You!
Are you passionate about living in Wrexham? Do you have ideas and suggestions? Are you confident and approachable? Well we need you!
TAKE PART IN THE COUNCIL PLAN CONSULTATION 20-22
We are looking for tenants to become tenant representatives and get involved in our Tenant and Member Partnership, to have your say and represent your area of Wrexham.
Tenant representatives represent the views of tenants in their area and also the interests of tenants as a whole. Tenant representatives are volunteers and the role involves scrutinising, informing, and influencing policy and day to day business decisions, sharing best practice and connecting and consulting with other tenants. Tenant representatives are an important link between Wrexham Council and our tenants.
You don’t require any formal training to be a tenant representative, however, support and training will be provided to help you to understand how the housing department works and is funded. Transportation can also be provided for those who don’t drive.
What is the Tenant and Member Partnership?
As your landlord, it is important that you are able to monitor and review our performance, our future plans and the general way we deliver our service. One of the ways we do this is through the Tenant and Member Partnership.
The Partnership is made up of ten elected tenants and ten elected members. Every two months, they meet at our Ruthin Road Housing offices to discuss our performance as well as other issues which affect our tenants.
Council Officers and Managers attend the meetings, along with a number of local Councillors. We also invite people from other sections of the council and external organisations to come and speak to the Partnership too on matters which affect tenants.
The agenda for each meeting is decided by tenants, members and officers. It’s a chance to ask questions of Housing Officers, discuss our performance and suggest ideas which might help us improve our service in the future.
Elections to the Partnership will be held in October. If you would like to be considered for this important and exciting role or would like more information, please contact us at getinvolvedinhousing@wrexham.gov.uk or call us on 01978 298993. The closing date for applications is Friday 2nd August 2019. Good luck!
To take part in the Council Plan consultation, just click here
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.yourvoicewrexham.net/project/417″]I WANT MY SAY![/button]
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” link=”https://news.wrexham.gov.uk”] NO…I DON’T WANT A SAY [/button]
July 5, 2019