news.wrexham.gov.uk

Category: Featured

Featured posts

  • Get set to be all charged Up

    Get set to be all charged Up

    A network of electric vehicle charging points across the county borough could soon be up and running if the proposals are approved by Executive Board.

    The proposals are for chargers to be installed in car parks at Waterworld, Tŷ Pawb, Tŷ Mawr Country Park, Alyn Waters Country Park and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. The installations will underline’s the council’s commitment to reduce carbon and promote energy efficiency. the site locations have been chosen carefully to encourage visitors to the town centre and support tourism in the area.

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    Research shows that by the end of 2017 more than 47,000 plug in cars had been registered over the course of the year, which is a new British Record. This means the infrastructure to support this demand and encourage further people to use electric cars needs to be supported and sustainable.

    They’ll be funded out of the carbon budget which is made up of income from our green initiatives including our Solar Farm in Legacy. Further funding will be requested from the Welsh Government to fund a second phase of installations in other key areas of Wrexham including the Industrial Estate.

    Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for the Environment and Transport, said: “We have an excellent track record in carbon reduction including owning two electric powered vehicles, installing solar panels in our council properties and opening Wales’ first solar farm in Legacy. The Welsh Government is also looking for a carbon neutral public sector by 2030 and the UK expects to stop the sale of diesel and petrol cars by 2040 and this initiative will go a long way to supporting both of these goals.”

    The next Executive Board is on 13 March at 10.00 am at the Guildhall. You are invited to attend or you can view the meeting live and online here

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  • Football Focus for Executive Board

    Football Focus for Executive Board

    Football across the county borough is set for a massive boost if plans are given the go ahead at the next Executive Board on 13 March.

    Members will be asked to support the development of a partnership project led by the Football Association of Wales (Trust) to develop a series of new operating models for the management and future development of football in the County Borough. This will include future arrangements for the council’s own football pitches and pavilions.

    If approved the benefits to football in Wrexham would be seen in better football outcomes, stronger, more successful clubs, better facilities in schools,and more participation from young people including more women and girls taking part.

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    Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “I am very pleased to be presenting this report to members at this time. I would like to thank the Football Association Wales (Trust) for taking the time to look at football provision across the county borough and compile this report for Executive Board’s consideration.”

    The Council currently manage and care for 28 bookable football pitches and 13 football pavilions. The quality of the pitches is average to poor, a result of reduced levels of maintenance, poor draingage/construction and lack of capital investment over a number of years. Pavilions are in a similar condition with many deteoriating and in a poor state of repair. Without the necessary investment they will inevitably face closure.

    The report identifies that the FAW (Trust) found a relatively strong base of local football clubs, many are facing a financial struggle and this is often made worse them having to move to find a suitable home pitch for matches. Most have ambitions but lack a resilient, sustainable strategy to meet their ambitions. Whilst the council does offer a discounted season ticket for booking pitches, this has only partiially helped with the difficulty local clubs face.

    If approved, partners, including The Council, Football Association of Wales, Football Association of Wales (Trust), North East Wales Football Association and the leagues/clubs. Other interested parties that could contribute to the project include Wrexham Football Club, Freedom Leisure, Glyndwr University, Coleg Cambria and school governing bodies.

    Executive Board will meet at 10.00 at the Guildhall and members of the public are welcome to attend. The meeting will also be webcast and you can the details here:

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  • Sports Awards show Wrexham’s shining sporting stars

    Sports Awards show Wrexham’s shining sporting stars

    The shining stars of Wrexham’s sporting community had their chance to shine at an awards ceremony, marking out those who’ve worked tirelessly to boost community sports in Wrexham.

    The annual Wrexham County Borough Council Sports Awards 2018, supported by Active Wrexham, took place in a ceremony at the Brymbo Sports and Social Complex.

    With more than 100 nominations, members of the independent panel were hard pressed to determine the best of the best in each category, singling out the very best of Wrexham’s community sporting stars.

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    Successful winners

    The winners in each category were:

    • Lowri Davies – Sports Personality of the Year (Sponsored by Freedom Leisure)
    • Rhosnesni Netball – Organisation of the Year (Sponsored by Wrexham Tennis Centre)
    • Gary Price – NERS Award in Health (Sponsored by the National Exercise Referral Scheme)
    • Stephen Parker – Coach of the Year (Sponsored by Charisma Trophies)
    • Elliot Odunaiya – Junior Sports Personality of the Year (Sponsored by Cllr I. David Bithell MBE)
    • Mark Andrew Jones – Volunteer of the Year (Sponsored by AVOW)
    • Megan Weetman – Disability Sports Personality of the Year (Sponsored by Arriva Trains Wales)
    • Phil Jones – Services to Sport (Presented by the Arnold Griffiths Award)

    Cllr Andrew Atkinson, incoming Lead Member for Youth Services and Anti-Poverty, with responsibility for leisure, said: “I was very pleased to have attended the Sports Awards. The opportunity to meet the winners and nominees was a pleasure, and whether they won or not, they all deserve our gratitude for the hard work they’ve put in to the sporting scene in Wrexham.

    “All those involved tend to be volunteers, who are putting in the work they do out of passion and dedication alone, and it’s thanks to them that Wrexham has a strong network of clubs, teams and community sporting associations.”

    Cllr Atkinson added: “I’d like to congratulate the Active Wrexham team on a superb and incredibly well run event. Everything went flawlessly, the team were so professional – it was just brilliant.”

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  • Consultation soon to start on Local Development Plan

    Consultation soon to start on Local Development Plan

    Public consultation will soon start on plans for development around the Wrexham county borough.

    Senior members of Wrexham Council are set to discuss the Deposit Local Development Plan (LDP), which would outline development in the area until 2028.

    The LDP sets out the sort of development which would be permitted across the county borough, on a geographical basis.
    Some areas, for example, would be earmarked for the development of housing, while others would be set aside for commercial use.

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    The Deposit LDP sets out provision for more than 8,000 new homes, plans for the delivery of more than 4,000 new jobs in the Wrexham area through delivering land for employment, and details the future management of potential growth.

    The Deposit LDP will be discussed by members of Wrexham Council’s Executive Board on Tuesday, February 13.

    Following discussion at Executive Board, the Deposit LDP will go before the full Council and then be put out to public consultation, meaning you’d have the chance to voice your views on the outlined plan and see for yourself the sort of developments which would take place across the county borough.

    “Consultation – make your views known”

    Cllr David Kelly, Lead Member for Planning and Corporate Services, said: “We know the Deposit LDP will be of great interest, particularly at the local level where residents will want to see and comment on the proposed use of neighbouring land and possible development.

    “The discussion at Executive Board will start the process towards consultation, and we expect that consultation to be widespread and receive a large amount of responses.

    “Members of the public will be made aware of the start date of the consultation and those methods by which they might contribute.

    “I wish to stress that no decisions have been made yet – the Deposit LDP will be subject to consultation before its submission to the Welsh Government.

    “I’d like to thank all officers who have worked on the Deposit LDP for their incredibly hard work, along with members of the Planning Policy Panel.”

    The webcast for the Executive Board debate will be available here https://wrexham.public-i.tv/core/portal/home

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  • Let’s Talk About SEXual Health

    Let’s Talk About SEXual Health

    Did you know that the INFO Shop on Lambpit Street offers a free sexual health service?  ‘Contact’ is a confidential sexual health service based at the INFO shop for young people up to the age of 25. They offer advice and guidance around sexual health and relationships and nurses can prescribe different contraception including the morning after pill, pregnancy tests and condoms.

    Have confidence that it’s confidential

    • They won’t talk to anyone else outside the project about your enquiry
    • In some cases, they may need to talk to another agency if you need specialist advice. They will always ask you first
    • Sometimes they may need to involve others if they believe you or someone else is at serious risk of harm. This could be about sexual or physical abuse or if someone is feeling suicidal

    Cllr Andrew Atkinson Executive Board Member said, “This is a valuable service for young people. It is a safe, confidential environment where people can access information and contraception if needed. The service is run by professionals who care about the safety and wellbeing of young people in Wrexham.”

    Stay safe and know the risks…

    Sexual health and learning how to look after yourself is important. Anyone who has sex can be at risk of catching a sexually transmitted Infection (STI) or an unwanted pregnancy. Some people don’t show any symptoms and there are serious consequences if the infections are left untreated. It is important to use condoms so you don’t catch an infection.

    Part of the service at the INFO shop is to offer a sexual health service where young people can get free condoms and other forms of contraception.

    For more information about the services on offer at the INFO shop visit the Young Wrexham website 

    Opening Times ‘contact’

    • Monday 3pm till 5.30pm
    • Tuesday 11.30 till 4.30pm
    • Wednesday 3pm till 5.30pm
    • Thursday 11.30 till 4.30pm
    • Friday 3pm till 5.30pm

    Condoms and pregnancy tests are available during the opening times of the INFO Shop

     

  • Latest updates: bin collections, school closures and gritting

    Latest updates: bin collections, school closures and gritting

    With snow and cold weather predicted for today, here is where you can find all of the latest information about the things that matter to you:

    Bin Collections

    We’re pleased to say that we’ll try and pick up missed bin collection in Glyn Ceiriog and Llanarmon on Thursday 8 March. Please have everything out by 7.30

    Remember, you can sign up to get your bin collection email notifications. You will also receive information about changes to your collections through this service.

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    School Closures

    Schools may close due to bad weather. They may view the area as dangerous for children or it may be that they can’t get enough staff to operate safely.

    All school closures will be posted on the Wrexham Council website

    It may be worth checking your schools website as well as their social media accounts for any further information.

     

    Gritting

    View our gritting routes

    Follow #wxmgrit on social media for up to date gritting information

     

    Find out how you can be prepared for severe weather

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  • Got a question about Council Tax?

    Got a question about Council Tax?

    It’s that time of year again, your 2018/2019 council tax Demand will be with you soon, so we’ve put together some answers to your most asked questions about council tax.

    Why is my Demand showing a balance brought forward from previous years?

    Did you know that the council issue over 60,000 annual Demand notices notices in March alone? They have to be produced early so that we can get them to you on time. This year your Demand notice was printed on 25th February 2018 so any payments made after this date won’t be displayed.

    I pay my council tax by direct debit.  Do I need to do anything?

    If you pay your council tax by direct debit you don’t need to do a thing.  Once your direct debit is set up, we won’t cancel it unless you or your bank tells us to do so.  If you’ve forgotten how you pay your bill you can find your payment method on the bottom left hand side of your Demand notice.

    Why does my demand include Empty Premium 50%?

    So that we don’t see properties empty for a long time we’ve introduced an additional 50% premium which means if a property has been empty (according to council tax records) for over 12 months you will be charged this premium on your council tax.

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    I’m moving house do I need to let you know?

    Yes.  You need to tell us of any changes in circumstances that affect the amount of council tax you have to pay.  This includes changes of address, but also any information that may affect a discount or exemption you are currently receiving.  The relevant contact details are shown on the back of your council tax Demand notice.

    I am the only adult living in the property, am I entitled to a discount?

    Yes, if you are the only adult living in your property you are entitled to a 25% single person discount.  If your council tax Demand does not include the discount you can contact the Council Tax Section using the contact details on the back of your Demand notice.

    My Demand notice shows a zero balance as I am receiving an exemption because my property is unoccupied & unfurnished or under repair.  Will the balance remain the same for the whole year?

    Not necessarily.  Unoccupied & unfurnished exemptions are only awarded for a maximum of 6 months, and under repair exemptions for 12 months so once the maximum exemption period has expired, you will be issued with an Demand notice.

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  • Trevor to take on Tour de France leg in charity fundraiser

    Trevor to take on Tour de France leg in charity fundraiser

    A senior council official will mark the end of his career by tackling the first part of an internationally renowned cycle route.

    Trevor Coxon, retiring Head of Corporate and Customer Services at Wrexham Council, will cycle more than 120 miles along the French coast to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

    This won’t be the first time Trevor has taken on the famed Grand Depart –  or first stage – of the Tour de France, having cycled the same stage between Mont St Michael in Brittany and Utah Beach in Normandy in 2016; a journey of 117 miles.

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    But this time, he will cycle 124 miles in a day in the Vendee Region of Western France on June 23.

    “I am one of the lucky ones”

    Trevor said: “I was successfully treated for prostate cancer four years ago, and am one of the lucky ones.

    “But recent press coverage has revealed that one in eight men in the UK will contract prostate cancer at some point during their lifetime – and in some ethnic groups, this can jump to as high as one in four. It’s now the third highest disease killer of men in the UK.”

    “I’ve been raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK since my successful treatment, and they are dedicated to raising awareness, and campaigning for research into new drugs and treatment to fight this pernicious disease.”

    Trevor is a keen cyclist, and regularly trains with his cycle club, Marford & Gresford Velo Club, – as well as attending regular spin-cycle classes at the Waterworld Leisure and Activity Centre, run by Freedom Leisure.

    On Sunday, March 11, he will be riding the famous Cape Argus cycle sportive, starting from Cape Town, South Africa as part of his preparation for the Tour de France in June.  This is one of the world’s most popular cycle sportives, often attracting more than 30,000 entrants.

    Trevor added: “While going round South Africa, I’ll be wearing my M&GVC cycling club kit in Cape Town to help publicise cycling here in Wales.  The route around the Cape of Good Hope goes past a place called Llandudno Bay – obviously North Wales has already had an impact on South Africa in the past!”

    Trevor’s Marford and Gresford Velo Club Kit

    “Donations welcome”

    Trevor added: “Having done the Grand Depart in 2016, I do have some idea of what to expect when cycling this length of route, but even then, so much is dependent on conditions and how I’m feeling on the day.

    “I was able to beat the route last time round in six-and-a-half hours so I’m hoping I can top my record this time round!

    “I’ve already received some very generous donations from my friends and colleagues at Wrexham Council, but any further donations towards this very worthy cause will certainly be welcome.”

    Anyone keen to donate to Trevor’s trek may do so via his JustGiving page, at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Trevor-Coxon3

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  • Cold weather – Information and advice for our council tenants

    Cold weather – Information and advice for our council tenants

    As well as stopping us from being able to get around, cold weather can also potentially cause all sorts of problems in our homes. Here’s some guidance for our council tenants which might be useful for dealing with some of the most common problems:

    • We have been receiving a high number of calls from our tenants regarding frozen/blocked water supplies. Unfortunately there is very little which can be done to help this until the pipes begin to thaw naturally. See further down this article for some advice which might help in the meantime.
    • Please can tenants ensure they only call our Repairs Service number in the case of emergencies such as water bursts. This will help ensure we can give priority to the most serious incidents.
    • You can report non-serious incidents using our online form.
    • Check up on elderly neighbours and relatives when possible. Your visit could be a huge help to them.

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    Dealing with frozen water pipes

    • Turn the Heat Up in the Property – You can attempt to thaw the frozen pipe by increasing the temperature in the property. Turning the thermostat up may be all that is needed to allow the ice blockage to melt.
    • Hot Towels – Another way to thaw a frozen pipe is to wrap towels that have been dipped in hot water around the pipe. This can help to slowly thaw the blockage.
    • Keep all interior doors open – Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
    • Add extra insulation – to exposed pipes such as pipes under sinks, in basements or along the exterior of the house.
    • If a frozen water pipe does burst, the first thing you should do is shut off the main water line into your property.
    • Outside toilets will sometimes have a separate stop. It may be a good idea to turn these off until the weather warms to avoid pipes bursting.

    Things to avoid!

    • Never attempt to thaw a pipe using an open flame! This can not only damage the pipe, it can also start a fire in your property.

    Are you insured?

    Please be aware that the council will not be liable for damage caused by frozen pipes. To be covered, you will need to have your home contents insured. Find out more about this on our website.

    Lead Member for Housing, Cllr David Griffiths, said: “Our Repairs Service are working flat out to assist tenants with emergencies and offer the best advice for dealing with issues caused by the severe weather. Unfortunately, there is little which can be done about frozen pipes whilst the temperatures remain below zero. I would urge tenants to look at the advice in this article and ensure they are prepared, should the worst happen.

    “I would also emphasise the importance of having home contents insurance. The council does not automatically insure tenants against damage such as burst pipes. I would strongly urge tenants to ensure they are covered to avoid incurring the potentially huge costs that can result from this sort of damage.”

    Find out how you can be prepared for severe weather

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  • WATCH: Highlights from St David’s Day in Wrexham

    WATCH: Highlights from St David’s Day in Wrexham

    Diolch! A massive thank you to everyone who braved the weather to join us for the St David’s Day celebrations in Wrexham today.

    It was cold. It was inspiring. And it was emotional 🙂

    Take a look at these highlights. Watch our video below…