Category: Featured

As part of the Armistice Day commemorations on Friday, November 11, we will be sounding the air raid siren at 11am.

The siren is located at Wrexham County Borough Museum and can be sometimes heard within a 2.5 mile radius of the town centre.

A two-minute silence will be held on Queens Square on Friday, November 11 at 11am.

At 10.59am a bugler will sound the Last Post.

Members of the public are invited to attend.

Further details of the arrangements for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day are available here.

Research by National Trading Standards (NTS) raises worrying concerns about the impact scams could have as we enter the winter months.

They state that 13 million nationally would be pushed into crisis by losing just £100 – that could happen right here in Wrexham to many of us so please stay alert.

They’re also predicting that more people are now vulnerable to an incoming “tidal wave” of scams where criminals target victims on the doorstep, by phone, post or online – all classic ways used to scam people.

Help with the cost of living – claim what’s yours, reduce your bills, look after your health.

As the need to cut household spending increases, our buying behaviour is changing. Many people say they are looking for bargains more than ever before and that will see many tempted by counterfeit products which could be dangerous and of very poor quality.

There’s also a rise in complaints about “green home” improvement scams alongside a rise in doorstep crime.

Roger Mapleson, Trading Standards and Licensing Lead, said, “There’s no doubt that people today are struggling to cope with household bills due to rises in energy prices, interest rates and food costs. As a result, and as we approach Christmas, lots will be tempted by offers that seem too good to be true.

“Our advice is always – if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Please be extra careful in the coming months and question anything that could be a scam. Trust relatives and friends rather than online ads or leaflets through your letter box.”

Signs to look out for to avoid scams

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated but you can learn to recognise the signs to avoid becoming a victim.

The following examples are common signs that someone may be trying to scam you:

• Don’t be put on the spot when making any decision about money. Take a moment to stop and think before you give out any information. This simple action could save you hundreds – or even thousands – of pounds. Remember, a genuine organisation will never pressure you into an immediate decision.
• Don’t click on any link sent to you out of the blue, even if it looks legitimate. Go to the official website for the information, or for the correct contact details to get in touch yourself.
• Don’t be tempted by fake goods. They could be dangerous, they’re likely to be very poor quality – meaning you’ll have to replace them quickly anyway – and you will be putting money straight into the hands of criminal gangs. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
• Never agree to work by anyone who knocks on your door uninvited, rings you out the blue or contacts you online.

If you discover or suspect a scam warn your friends and family. If you have been the victim of a scam please call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on  0808 223 1133

When it comes to the cost of living, making sure you claim all the help and support you’re entitled to could make a huge difference.

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The Housing Options and Allocations Team are moving to Lambpit Street and the move will  be complete by December 2022.

During this period if you wish to apply for accommodation or require emergency housing assistance the teams can still be contacted by either phone or email.

Housing Options Team Phone: 01978 292947 | email: housingoptionsteam@wrexham.gov.uk

Allocations Team Phone: 01978 292068, email: allocationsteam@wrexham.gov.uk

On Tuesday Executive Board will be asked to agree funding of £22,000 to Wrexham Foodbank.

Cllr David A Bithell, Deputy Leader of the Council and Chair of the Cost of Living Group, said, “The group recently had a presentation from Wrexham Foodbank which was very interesting and showed just how much support they are giving to people in Wrexham who are struggling with the cost of living.

“They do so much more than providing food supplies to people in need and this funding will help them expand their provision.

“I’d like to offer my thanks to all the staff and volunteers at the Foodbank who are making a huge difference to people’s lives.”

Wrexham Foodbank manager Sally Ellinson said “We are extremely grateful to Wrexham council for the offer of £22,000 which will enable us to continue to provide emergency food parcels and support to ease the impact of the ‘Cost of Living Crisis’ on Wrexham residents and communities.

“Our vision is for a Wrexham where everyone has enough money to afford the essentials in life and where Wrexham Foodbank is no longer needed, but until that day comes we are committed to working alongside our partner organisations and providing food and other essentials items to local people in need.”

Help with the cost of living – claim what’s yours, reduce your bills, look after your health.

How the Foodbank works

Care professionals such as health visitors, probation officers, social workers and advice centres identify people in crisis and issue them with a food bank voucher code. This means they can receive a food bank parcel of three days’ nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food. They work with around 180 referral agencies in Wrexham.

Clients who attend the foodbank, or receive a home delivery if they have trouble accessing one, also receive help and advice about a range of support services that they may be able to access to help further.

More than Food

Volunteers at the Foodbank can fill out forms and make direct referrals to such things as:

• Fuel Bank Foundation vouchers – for use on pre-payment gas/electric metres.
• Baby Basics – providing a Moses basket full of clothes/blankets/items for a new baby.
• Baby Bank – providing larger items such as pushchairs, cots and stair gates.
• Communities for Work – providing help with basic skills, CV writing, job applications, computer skills, interview technique, motivation and confidence.
• The Salvation Army Identity Programme – giving support to those struggling with addiction (four sessions).
• Healthy Start Vouchers

The funding is part of a £166,000 fund identified to be used to provide help, support and guidance to residents.

The Cost of Living Group is mindful of the pressing need for action and therefore proposes a number of immediate interventions. Recommendations from the Cross Party Member/Officer Working Group to Executive Board are:

• £22,000 – Wrexham Foodbank – to support expansion of provision
• £44,000 – Warm Places initiative. The Council to establish a grant scheme for local organisations to bid for funding to deliver their ‘Warm Places’ offer, this may include provision of meals.  Applications will be assessed and agreed or rejected by an WCBC Officer Group and reported to the Cross Party Member Officer Cost of living Crisis Working Group.
• £60,000 – Citizens Advice Bureau to extend services specifically to provide additional advice/support associated with the cost of living crisis. This would be subject to a 3 year Service Level Agreement at £20k per annum, to be reviewed annually.
• £5,000 – To deliver a number of community based ‘Cost of Living Information and Advice Multi-Agency Events’; and provision of printed materials and information
• £10,000 – To be administered by housing to explore potential initiatives to enable people to have access to local community resources to aid their health and well-being with a focus on the most vulnerable

The remaining £25,000 will be to respond to any further priorities and opportunities as they emerge.

When it comes to the cost of living, making sure you claim all the help and support you’re entitled to could make a huge difference.

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Bonfire Night is just around the corner and whilst we hope you all have a good time enjoying organised events we ask you to consider animals on this particularly noisy night.

Pet and domestic animals can become extremely stressed when they hear fireworks but there are things you can do to avoid this happening.

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We’re also supporting the RSPCA’s Bang out of Order campaign calling for tighter restrictions on fireworks. In 2019 our full Council voted on a motion about fireworks and agreed:

• to require all public firework displays held on Council land and/or which are subject to the consent of the Local Authority to be advertised three weeks in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people;
• to actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks;
• to write to the Welsh Government urging them to utilise any levers at their disposal to mitigate any negative impacts on animals and vulnerable people of the hosting of fireworks displays;
• to encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display; and
• to write to National Government asking for tighter controls on the use of fireworks.

What can I do?

If you’re a pet owner

Make sure your pets are in before the fireworks begin and provide them with somewhere to hide or something to amuse them. If you are particularly concerned then speak to your vet beforehand for advice.

The RSPCA has some excellent advice for keeping animals safe and you can read more here.

If you’re setting off fireworks

Not all pets or farm animals can be taken indoors during bonfire night and animals such as horses can become horribly stressed and even bolt often leading to harming themselves. If you intend to set off fireworks in an area you know there’s livestock please consider using low noise fireworks, they’re very good and are less of a threat to animals.

Also make sure you let the surrounding neighbourhood know so they can take the necessary precautions.

Cllr Terry Evans, Lead Member for Planning and Public Protection, said, “It can be very distressing for animals and their owners when they become alarmed by the noise of fireworks. Please be considerate of pet and livestock owners and let them know if you intend to set of fireworks.”

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