Category: Council Services

  • Reminder – back to school guidance is still very important

    Reminder – back to school guidance is still very important

    All pupils should now be back in school full time and following the guidelines to keep them safe.

    This is good news for young people and their families who can return to a more normal routine following the sometimes frightening early days of Covid-19 when transmission rates and deaths were a lot higher than they are now.

    But this can also give us a sense that Covid-19 is going away and will soon be gone, and for this reason, now is a good time to remind everyone that the guidance we issued a few weeks ago is still crucial to ensuring the September term is a safe and positive experience for everyone and that the numbers affected by Covid-19 in Wrexham remain low.

    No matter how mild your symptoms are, you should get a test for Coronavirus

    We can all play a part

    Things parents and carers can do to help…

    • Follow any advice issued by your school.
    • Be patient – we’ve never been in a situation like this before, and your school might need to adapt a little as we go along.
    • Remind your child to cover their mouth when they sneeze – wherever they are. Catch it, bin it, kill it.
    • Remind your child to clean their hands regularly – including before and after they use school or public transport, and wherever they’re asked to by school staff.
    • If you drop off and collect your children, please don’t congregate at the school gates. Keep at least two metres away from other parents (outside your extended household), follow instructions from your school, and don’t hang around longer than needed.
    • Don’t send your child to school if they – or anyone in their extended household – has symptoms.
    • Don’t send your child to school if they – or anyone in their extended household – has been advised to take a Covid-19 test (for example, by contact tracers).
    • Please ensure your child has a face covering for use in communal areas when in school.
    • Check out school transport arrangements here
    • Check out the latest update on school meals here

    Why are we seeing cases of Covid-19 in our schools?

    As some of the strict restrictions of lockdown are lifted, it’s natural that we’ve felt safer from this virus, and some people have stopped taking all the precautions necessary to keep our communities safe.

    Social distancing for example seems to have been forgotten about by some, and not everyone is paying close attention to hand hygiene. Some people might be giving lifts to anyone…to work, the shops, school or college. But sticking to the rules – including social distancing, cleaning our hands and avoiding car-sharing – is key to preventing the spread of Covid-19.

    We shouldn’t be surprised if we see some positive tests in our communities, but these can be really reduced if we follow the correct guidelines.

    It’s essential we all do this in order to keep ourselves, our families, our friends and our communities safe.

    Cllr Phil Wynn, Lead Member for Education, says: “Schools have worked really hard to welcome back all their pupils and now is the time for parents, pupils and staff to stick to the guidance in order to ensure minimum disruption to school routines and to prevent children having to socially isolate or – even worse – spreading the virus to vulnerable members of families, friends and the wider community.”

    Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Community Safety and Public Protection, says: “Now is a very critical time for us all. Covid-19 is still in our communities and remains a huge threat to the new freedoms we have recently been given. The lockdown in Caerphilly should serve as a reminder to us that keeping those freedoms is down to all of us and if we all follow the guidelines we can play our part in keeping our communities safe.”

    How to get a test

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-test”] APPLY NOW [/button]

  • Queensway meadow has had a haircut using traditional art of scything

    Queensway meadow has had a haircut using traditional art of scything

    The Queensway wildflower meadow was treated to some traditional management practices last week when a 2 day training event to introduce volunteers to the art of scything took place.

    Organised by North Wales Wildlife Trust, a key partner in the Wrexham Green Infrastructure Project volunteers from the Incredible Edible Wrexham network were given demonstrations on the techniques, tool management and the importance of keeping these skills alive.

    No matter how mild your symptoms are, you should get a test for Coronavirus

    Scything has been around for hundreds of years and is actually still one of the most efficient tools for cutting grass. The benefits of scything are quite long; not only is it wonderfully quiet and eco friendly; it only uses human power; making it great exercise too!

    Cutting the wildflowers at this time of year helps maintain a diverse mix of flowers and grasses and helps ensure they return next year. Wildflower meadows require annual maintenance to allow the more desirable species to flourish and reduce the vigour of more dominant species so cutting now will help that.

    Jacinta Challinor, the green infrastructure project officer says ‘This wonderful display has been well received by the community with local residents telling me how they have seen children playing inside and people taking photographs. One resident talked about how much they love waking up and seeing these flowers every day from their window. It is so heart-warming to hear such positive feedback.’

    Iwan Edwards, project officer with the North Wales Wildlife Trust added, “The tradition of managing meadows with the scythe goes back to a time when farms and communities helped and supported each other with manual work in the fields. The scythe remains the most effective tool for cutting hay manually and we would welcome others to get involved to help manage these beautiful new meadows in Caia Park, improve their health and wellbeing and be a part of a brilliant project.

    Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for the Environment, said: “This is another excellent example of the Green Infrastructure project and North Wales Wildlife Trust improving the environment for residents and visitors to Wrexham. The meadows have been really well received since they were planted earlier in the year and we hope to see many more in the future.”

    The Green Infrastructure Project is now asking for responses for work planned for this autumn and winter so please get in touch and let us know your thoughts on the nominations received. To view the nominations follow this link.

    https://news.wrexham.gov.uk/green-infrastructure-improvements-planned/

    How to get a test

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-test”] APPLY NOW [/button]

  • Traders encouraged to enter the Best Dressed Window or Market Stall Competition

    Traders encouraged to enter the Best Dressed Window or Market Stall Competition

    We’re hoping to bring a touch of autumnal cheer across all sectors in the town centre by encouraging businesses to enter our Best Dressed Window Competition.

    Usually centred around the retail sector, the Town Centre Team is hoping that all businesses join in and make an extra special effort by dressing their windows too.

    No matter how mild your symptoms are, you should get a test for Coronavirus

    The theme for the windows is, quite simply… Autumn

    The competition offers a bit of fun and opens on Thursday 1st October and will run until Saturday 31st October, During this time, members of the public will be asked to vote for a first, second and third place.

    Members of the public will be able to pick up voting forms from each of the businesses taking part.

    The winners will be presented with an engraved trophy which hopefully will be displayed in their winning windows! The winners will be announced on Friday 6th November, with the prizes being presented by The Mayor of Wrexham.

    If you would like to enter please contact 01978 292538 or email events@wrexham.gov.uk

    How to get a test

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-test”] APPLY NOW [/button]

  • Wrexham bus station re-opens and update on public school transport

    Wrexham bus station re-opens and update on public school transport

    There’s good news for bus users in Wrexham as the bus station has re-opened to the public with additional social distancing signage and hand sanitation points in place to ensure that passengers can be reassured of travelling in safety.

    Since lockdown passengers could only access the outside areas of the station which meant they had nowhere to sit.

    No matter how mild your symptoms are, you should get a test for Coronavirus

    The reopening of the station coincides with the introduction of additional journeys and increased frequencies of local bus routes. This has been made possible by Welsh Government who has made available an additional £10 million of funding to enhance scheduled bus service levels throughout Wales.

    Local bus services are still being operated at reduced capacity in order to comply with social distancing requirements, but with more people returning to work, or making journeys for leisure or shopping, demand on public transport continues to increase.

    With the expectation of an increase in children using the local bus network to access some schools, Arriva has introduced a number of additional journeys to coincide with the school day times, exclusively for use by scholars, and not being available for the general public to travel on.

    These are:

    Service 1S Wrexham Bus Station to Darland School, departing the bus station at 0747, 0802, 0810, 0813 and departing Darland School at 1510, 1512, 1514, 1516

    Service 3S Wrexham Bus Station to Penycae (for Ysgol Grango) departing the bus station at 0745, and the departing Penycae (towards Wrexham) at 1544

    Service 5CS Wrexham Bus Station to Llangollen (via Plas Madoc & Cefn Mawr) departing the bus station at 0702, 07320, and departing Llangollen at 1525, 1535 & 1610

    Service 8S Wrexham Bus Station to Caia Parc (via Hightown for Ysgol Morgan Llwyd) departing the bus station at 0806 and service 7S from Ysgol Morgan Llwyd at 1547

    Service 27S Wrexham Bus Station to Mold (for Alun School, Mold) departing the bus station at 0755, and departing Mold at 1543

    Service 33S Wrexham Bus Station to Llay (for Ysgol Bryn Alyn) departing the bus station at 1535

    A reminder that on all local bus services, and on Wrexham Council provided home to school transport routes face coverings are required to be worn.

    Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “This is really welcome news and a sign that we are continuing to see a gradual, but safe, return to normal. Please remember, the virus is still in our communities and we all need to take extra care about hygiene and social distancing when using public or home to school transport. We don’t want to see restrictions brought back due to an increase in positive cases in Wrexham. We all need to play our part to continue to keep Wrexham safe.”

    Cllr Phil Wynn, Lead Member for Education, said: “Some of our pupils regularly use public transport in order to get to school and the additional services for schools will help make sure this continues to be the case. Face coverings are required on all commercial services and home to school transport for anyone over the age of 11 and parents are asked to provide their child with a suitable covering.”

    How to get a test

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-test”] APPLY NOW [/button]

  • Businesses reminded that live music is not allowed under current restrictions

    Businesses reminded that live music is not allowed under current restrictions

    Businesses in Wrexham are reminded that they should not be allowing live performances, including drama, comedy and music, to take place at their premises.

    No matter how mild your symptoms are, you should get a test for Coronavirus

    TV broadcasts and recorded music should be kept at background level and dancing should not be allowed. Activities such as quizzes should also be kept at background level.

    The restriction is very important to avoid the risk of any droplet or aerosol transmission from performers or those having to raise their voice in order to be heard or singing loudly.

    Covid-19 is still in our communities and we all need to play our part to keep Wrexham safe.

    How to get a test

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-test”] APPLY NOW [/button]

  • If you want to vote in next year’s election don’t forget to register

    If you want to vote in next year’s election don’t forget to register

    We’re currently updating the electoral register and encouraging everyone to check their details are correct and up to date if they want to vote in next year’s elections. Please do this as soon as possible to avoid being sent a reminder.

    There’s now even more people eligible to vote as 16, 17 year olds and qualified foreign citizens aged 16 or over can vote in the Senedd elections.

    No matter how mild your symptoms are, you should get a test for Coronavirus

    Please make sure you add anyone over 14 in your household to make sure they don’t miss out on their opportunity to vote.

    You will need to respond if you have moved house since you last registered – something people often forget.

    Please don’t miss out on having your say by registering to vote. If you’re not on the electoral register you won’t be able to.

    What do I need to do?

    • If all those eligible to vote are already registered at your address you don’t need to do anything.
    • If any information is wrong or there’s people eligible to vote that aren’t included then you will need to respond. Please visit www.householdresponse.com/wrexham and make the necessary changes.
    • Once this is done new people should register individually on www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

    How to get a test

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-test”] APPLY NOW [/button]

  • Street Entertainers set to bring smiles to visitors to the town centre

    Street Entertainers set to bring smiles to visitors to the town centre

    From Saturday visitors to town will be entertained by a host of different street entertainers who will no doubt bring smiles to young and old as they take to the streets.

    Visitors will be treated to stilt walkers, jugglers, a magician and a fire jester every Saturday until the end of the month.

    No matter how mild your symptoms are, you should get a test for Coronavirus

    There’s a full schedule below of whose about and when.

    And don’t forget, parking remains free in all town centre council car parks until the end of September.

    This slideshow requires JavaScript.

    Saturday September 5

    • Stilt Walkers 10.00 – 10.45
    • Juggling Mark 10.45 – 11.30
    • Stilt Walkers 11.30 – 12.15
    • Juggling Mark 12.15 – 13.30
    • Stilt Walkers 13.30 – 14.15
    • Juggling Mark 14.15 – 15.00

    Saturday 12th September

    • Stilt Walkers – 10.00 – 10.45
    • The Fire Jester Show 11.00– 11.30
    • Stilt Walkers 11.30 – 12.15
    • The Fire Jester Show 12.30 – 13.00
    • Stilt Walkers 13.00 – 13.45
    • The Fire Jester Show 14.00 – 14.30

    Saturday 19th September

    • Stilt Walkers 10.00 – 10.45
    • Juggling Mark 10.45 – 11.30
    • Stilt Walkers11.30 – 12.15
    • Juggling Mark 12.15 – 13.30
    • Stilt Walkers 13.30 – 14.15
    • Juggling Mark 14.15 – 15.00

    Saturday 26th September

    • Stilt Walkers 10.00 – 10.45
    • Ozmoses Street Magician 11.00 – 11.30
    • Stilt Walkers 11.30 – 12.15
    • Ozmoses Street Magician 12.30– 13.00
    • Stilt Walkers 13.00 – 13.45
    • Ozmoses Street Magician 14.00– 14.30

    How to get a test

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-test”] APPLY NOW [/button]

  • We’re flying the flag for the Merchant Navy today

    We’re flying the flag for the Merchant Navy today

    Once again we’ll be supporting the Merchant Navy on 3 September by flying the Red Ensign to honour the brave men and women who have served in the Merchant Navy during the two world wars, and who continue to serve, to ensure we have supplies to keep our island nation afloat.

    The Merchant Navy suffered the very first casualty of the second world war when the S.S. Athenia, a merchant vessel that was torpedoed with the loss of 128 passengers and crew just hours after hostilities were declared.  Since then the 3 September has been acknowledged as Merchant Navy Day.

    No matter how mild your symptoms are, you should get a test for Coronavirus

    Sadly, the losses from the sinking of the Athenia would not be the first and hundreds of ships and thousands of seafarerers would meet the same fate in the years to come.

    As an “island nation” the UK relies on merchant Navy seafarers for 95% of our imports, including half the food we eat.  The UK has the largest ports industry in Europe.  75% of our exports (by volume) are shipped from UK ports, some of which are supporting the campaign by encouraging visiting ships to sound their horns at 10 am on 3 September.

    Cllr David Griffiths, Armed Forces Champion, said:

    “Many of you have been or still are serving with the Merchant navy. Your loyal service is a tribute to the service and the incredible contribution you make to the national economy. On this day every year we pay our respects to them and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has or is currently serving with the Merchant Navy.”

    How to get a test

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-test”] APPLY NOW [/button]

  • Parking and Waiting Restriction proposals across Wrexham

    Parking and Waiting Restriction proposals across Wrexham

    We’re proposing to introduce a number of parking and waiting restrictions on various road, throughout the County Borough, in order to ensure the safe movement of both pedestrians and vehicles on the public highway.

    No matter how mild your symptoms are, you should get a test for Coronavirus

    You can take a look at the proposals here https://www.wrexham.gov.uk/service/environment-and-public-protection/traffic-regulation-order-proposals and send any comments you have by 18th September 2020 via email to traffic@wrexham.gov.uk

  • Ever thought about fostering?

    Ever thought about fostering?

    Ever thought about fostering? Why not pop along to one of our virtual open events:

    Find out more about fostering, what the process is and speak to some of our foster carers.

    The open events will be on:

    Thursday, September 3 at 10am

    Thursday, September 10 5pm

    Saturday, September 19 12:30pm

    For more information and access details please email fostering@wrexham.gov.uk or call 01978 295316

    How to get a test

    [button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-test”] APPLY NOW [/button]