news.wrexham.gov.uk

Category: Featured

Featured posts

A reminder about using our household recycling centres
Many households in Wrexham regularly use our Household Recycling Centres and find them reliable and efficient but there’s been a few occasions recently when some people have been turned away.
This usually happens because they don’t fit the criteria such as living in Wrexham or they’re removing someone else’s waste for profit – a “man in a van”.
Work in social care and be the lifeline your community needs.
We thought it useful to remind everyone of the criteria for using the sites:
- Only bring household waste. Don’t bring commercial or business waste.
- Bring proof that you live in the county borough (e.g. a utility bill with your address on it). The sites are for Wrexham residents only.
- Be patient if you have to queue.
- Trailers are allowed at all our sites
Remember if you pay someone to remove your waste please check they have a valid Waste Carriers Licence – you can check if they’re registered here.
Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said, “Our HRCs are well used and appreciated by the vast majority of residents. Unfortunately, some take advantage and regularly take other people’s rubbish, for a fee, and once this is recognised by those on site they will be prevented from accessing the site.
“Please always check that if you’re paying someone to remove your rubbish that they’re registered otherwise it could be fly-tipped and you could receive a hefty fine if it’s traced back to you.”
You can read more about that here:
Don’t get scammed by a Fly Tipper
If you’re looking for a new career and want to help people in your community, a job in social care could be the right move.
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January 28, 2022
Welcome to your vote!
This week is ‘Welcome to your vote’ week, giving 14-16 year olds the chance to learn more about how democracy works.
This year, on May 5, anyone aged 16 and over is able to vote in the local elections and for many young people it will be the first time they are able to vote, and ‘Welcome to your vote’ week is a chance to get all the information you need about what how you can vote and what you are voting for.
The Electoral Commission webpage for young people has loads of information showing young people that politics and democracy impacts everything around them. From how long they stay in education to the rules of renting, from 5G availability to how often bins are collected.
Right now, more people can vote in Wales than ever before. 16 and 17 year olds will be able to vote in this year’s local elections. It doesn’t matter where they were born or what their nationality is, as long as they are a resident of Wales.
If you’ll be 16 by May 5 2022, or have a child who will, take a look at the Electoral Commission site.
If you’re looking for a new career and want to help people in your community, a job in social care could be the right move.
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January 26, 2022
Don’t miss out on up to £2,000 towards childcare costs
Guest Article – HMRC
Thousands of working families in Wales could be missing out on an opportunity to get up to £2,000 a year to help with the cost of childcare, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding parents, ahead of February half term.
Tax-Free Childcare – the 20% childcare top-up – provides eligible working families with up to £500 every three months (or £1,000 if their child is disabled) towards the cost of holiday clubs, before and after-school clubs, childminders and nurseries, and other accredited childcare schemes.
Work in social care and be the lifeline your community needs.
More than 11,035 working families used the scheme in September 2021, in Wales. Overall, HMRC paid out more than £35 million in top-up payments, which was shared between nearly 316,000 families across the UK – an increase of about 90,000 families compared to September 2020.
Tax-Free Childcare is available for children aged up to 11, or 17 if the child has a disability. For every £8 deposited into an account, families will receive an additional £2 in government top-up.
Parents and carers can check their eligibility and register for Tax-Free Childcare via GOV.UK.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:
“The 20% government top-up offers working families help to pay for childcare, whether it’s nursery bills, after school clubs or holiday clubs. Search ‘Tax-Free Childcare’ on GOV.UK to find out more.”
By depositing money into their accounts, families can benefit from the 20% top-up and use the money to pay for childcare costs when they need it. Accounts can be opened at any time of the year and can be used straight away.
For example, if parents and carers have school-aged children and use holiday clubs during school holidays, they could deposit money into their accounts throughout the year. This means they could spread the cost of childcare while also benefitting from the 20% government top-up.
Tax-Free Childcare is also available for pre-school aged children attending nurseries, childminders, or other childcare providers. Families with younger children will often have higher childcare costs than families with older children, so the tax-free savings can really make a difference.
Childcare providers can also sign up for a childcare provider account via GOV.UK to receive payments from parents and carers via the scheme.
If you’re looking for a new career and want to help people in your community, a job in social care could be the right move.
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January 26, 2022
Have your say on our proposed cycling and walking routes
We need your help as we shape plans to improve towns and villages in Wrexham and make them better places to live, work and visit.
Last year we asked for everyone’s comments on barriers to active travel and asked for suggestions how they could be improved.
We received hundreds of comments from across the county borough and we’ve used these comments to help put our proposals together.
Work in social care and be the lifeline your community needs.
We’re now consulting on our proposals to upgrade and create new walking and cycling routes to make active travel the normal way to get around for local journeys. This will cut down on unnecessary traffic and help families get about safely, improve air quality and increase the attractiveness of places to live and work.
About the proposals
They focus on 13 areas of Wrexham that have been chosen because they are where facilities are that people travel short distances to regularly – schools, leisure centres, employment sites, local shopping districts and bus or rail services.
Active Travel routes are not routes that purely for leisure purposes.
The areas are:
- Bradley
- Chirk
- Coedpoeth
- Gresford
- Llay
- Rhosllanerchrugog
- Rhostyllen
- Rossett
- Ruabon
- Sydallt
- Tan-y-fron
- Trevor
- Wrexham
How do I take part?
You can take part here which will take you to our Active Travel Network Maps for Wrexham.
We’d like your views on the proposals to make sure we’ve identified the correct routes and whether you think they’ll encourage more people to use their cars less and either walk or cycle to where they want to go.
Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said, “Improving Active Travel routes in Wrexham is important for many reasons such as improving people’s well-being and reducing our carbon emissions.
“It’s also important we get it right in order to support what people want to see improved so please take part in the consultation.”
The consultation is open until 23 March 2022.
If you’re looking for a new career and want to help people in your community, a job in social care could be the right move.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://myaccount.wrexham.gov.uk/en/service/Care_Jobs_in_Wrexham”]FIND LOCAL CARE JOBS[/button]
January 26, 2022
Apply now for a nursery place for your child
Applications are now open to apply for a September 2022 nursery school place for your child.
You can apply online by using the Online Admissions Service on your computer, tablet or mobile. You’ll need an email address to sign up for an account – if you haven’t done so already.
If you’d prefer a paper application form, this is available from Contact Wrexham, 16 Lord Street, Wrexham, LL11 1LG or you can download it here.
The nursery places are open to children who’ll have reached the age of three by August 31, 2022. Just so you know, you might be asked to provide official documentation showing your child’s date of birth.
You can state preferences for certain schools on your application. We’d recommend you select multiple schools in order of preference, just in case one or more of the requests aren’t successful.
The closing date for applications is February 18, 2022 so please apply as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline!
If you’re looking for a new career and want to help people in your community, a job in social care could be the right move.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://myaccount.wrexham.gov.uk/en/service/Care_Jobs_in_Wrexham”]FIND LOCAL CARE JOBS[/button]
January 25, 2022
Beware – Calls from Openreach are scams – hang up and report
We’ve been made aware that residents in the area are being contacted by scammers alleging to be from Openreach and stating that they’ve had a report that your router is showing some problems.
Before you do anything else stop and think – “is this a scam?”
It is!
STAY SAFE – GET THE LATEST ALERTS ON SCAMS, PRODUCT RECALLS AND OTHER PUBLIC PROTECTION ISSUES
Openreach state clearly on their website they will never ask you for personal information like bank details – either in person, over the phone or by email. https://www.openreach.com/search-results?_charset_=UTF-8&q=scam
They’ll also never ask to remotely access your computer, phone or tablet.
So if someone gets in touch saying they’re from Openreach and asks for any personal information, don’t give it to them – hang up and report it to Action Fraud.
Roger Mapleson, Trading Standards and Licensing Lead, said “Whilst many people are continuing to work from home scammers are busy trying to steal their hard earned money or personal information.
“Please always be alert to such calls, texts or messages and advise others of the risks. They could be saying they are from any organisation, either connected to your internet provider, your bank, HMRC or similar large and trusted organisation.
“Always be alert to any caller that’s unexpected and hang up or forward any suspicious scam emails to Action Fraud then delete them.”
If you’re looking for a new career and want to help people in your community, a job in social care could be the right move.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://myaccount.wrexham.gov.uk/en/service/Care_Jobs_in_Wrexham”]FIND LOCAL CARE JOBS[/button]
January 25, 2022
Drivers Warned about Roadside litter
Cameras are to be used at a busy junction to catch those throwing litter out of cars and lorries.
They will appear on the A483 slip road Johnstown turn off in the near future and drivers who are found responsible for littering will be fined and could face prosecution.
The A483 is a high speed road and road closures are required to collect litter safely.
Work in social care and be the lifeline your community needs.
Cllr David A Bithell Lead Member Environment and Transport, said, “Reducing road side litter is part of a national campaign that we’re supporting to prevent people blighting verges.
“Litter is being thrown out of vehicles onto the verges of the junction. We are discussing with the trunk road agency litter along the A483 which is unacceptable and collecting it comes at a cost to local tax payers.”
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If you’re looking for a new career and want to help people in your community, a job in social care could be the right move.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://myaccount.wrexham.gov.uk/en/service/Care_Jobs_in_Wrexham”]FIND LOCAL CARE JOBS[/button]
January 25, 2022
‘One Day’ – Light the Darkness with us
Thursday, January 27 is Holocaust Memorial Day. On this day we are asked to pause to pay tribute to those persecuted and killed during the Holocaust and other genocides throughout the world.
Each year Holocaust Memorial Day in the UK centres on a theme, this year it’s ‘One Day’.
At 8pm, get ready to Light the Darkness with us. Households across the UK will be lighting candles and safely putting them in their windows to remember those who were murdered for who they were and stand against prejudice and hatred today. We will also be lighting up the Guildhall to mark the event.
Work in social care and be the lifeline your community needs.
There will be the UK ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 streamed online from 7-8pm (you can register to watch the ceremony online) and the Wales commemoration will be available from 11am on Thursday, January 27 by visiting Cardiff Council’s YouTube channel.
AVOW will also be hosting a number of online, visual art and creative writing workshops that will give you time to pause and think, while also being creative.
Mark Pritchard, leader of the Council, said: “It’s so important that we never forget the horrors of the Holocaust, in which six million people were killed.
“On Holocaust Memorial Day we can show our remembrance of these tragedies from home. People will be lighting candles and displaying in their windows all across the UK at 8pm on January 27 and we encourage Wrexham residents to join in.
“We are proud to be a very diverse town, and we will always stand up to inequality and inhumanity in all its forms.”
Hugh Jones, lead member for people – communities, partnerships, public protection and community safety, said: “This year’s ‘One Day’ theme gives us chance to consider the Holocaust in a number of thought provoking ways. We can think of one day in the future when there may be no genocide, or maybe considering victims of genocide and their families for whom one day changed everything, or even how those endure suffering survive by taking one day at a time.
“I would encourage you to take part in Lighting the Darkness this year; it is by reminding ourselves of events of the past that we can work towards ensuring history doesn’t repeat itself.”
#HolocaustMemorialDay #LightTheDarkness
If you’re looking for a new career and want to help people in your community, a job in social care could be the right move.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://myaccount.wrexham.gov.uk/en/service/Care_Jobs_in_Wrexham”]FIND LOCAL CARE JOBS[/button]
January 24, 2022
Former Hippodrome site acquired
We have acquired a town centre plot of land located on the South side of Henblas Street that has remained vacant since 1998. The acquisition and future development of this site is part of the approach signalled in the Town Centre Recovery Plan approved in July 2020 and forms part of the Council’s wider Place Making Strategy to ensure the regeneration and revitalisation of a key area within the town centre.
There will be a phased development of this site , Initially we will look to tidy the former Hippodrome Cinema site as it is currently overgrown with a variety of mixed bushes, trees and weeds. The tidy-up will involve scraping back and clearing the land of all growth-we will then maintain the site until further development. The site will also be secured to ensure the hoarding is robust and left in a safe state.
Leader of Wrexham County Borough Council, Mark Pritchard said: “Having taken ownership of this site, we are now in control of its future. “We aim to make sure that the spot is put to best use, and benefits town centre trade. “This is the first of many purchases within the town where we will be looking at acquiring redundant properties that have been sitting empty for too long. “I’m really pleased with the purchase of this plot of land, although it had taken longer than we would have liked.”
Lead Member for Economic Development and Regeneration Cllr Terry Evans said: “we have taken the positive steps of acquiring the former Hippodrome Cinema site. “This is a long term empty site which has remained vacant since 1998. The acquisition and future development of the site is part of the approach signalled in the Town Centre Recovery Plan approved in July 2020 and forms part of the Council’s wider Place Making Strategy to ensure the regeneration and revitalisation of a key area within the town centre.
January 24, 2022
Wrexham school set for multi-million pound refurb
A local school is gearing up for a multi-million pound transformation that will bring the very best learning facilities to Johnstown.
The £4.5 million extension and refurbishment of Ysgol yr Hafod will also pave the way for both infants and juniors to be taught on the same site at Bangor Road.
Preparations are being made to ensure pupils continue their learning uninterrupted while construction takes place, and at the end of February (after the half-term break) junior pupils will temporarily move from Bangor Road to the infants’ site in Melyd Avenue.
Mobile classrooms are being installed ready to accommodate the extra numbers, and parents and residents are being kept informed.
The work is being funded by the Welsh Government 21st Century Schools programme.
Exciting times
Councillor David A Bithell, Chair of School Governors, says plans are progressing well:
“The next stage is to move all pupils to the Foundation Phase site on Melyd Avenue from March 1, and we’re communicating with parents and local residents about the plans.
“These are exciting times and we’re looking forward to having a new school and improving the facilities for children and staff – although we do recognise that some of the parking issues will be challenging during the interim period.
“We’re working really hard to address local concerns and the school and myself will keep parents and residents updated as work progresses.”
Headteacher Mrs Alison Heale says:
“The young people of Johnstown deserve the very best facilities, and when the work at Bangor Road is complete, we’ll have an inspiring and modern learning environment that will benefit all of our children.
“Although the interim period will bring its challenges, we’re well-prepared and ready to rise to those challenges. This is a hugely exciting time for pupils, staff and parents.”
Councillor Phil Wynn, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Education, says:
“Bringing all the children together on one modern site – with the best classrooms and facilities – will be an exciting step forward for Ysgol yr Hafod.
“It’s a wonderful school with dedicated staff and governors, and I’m delighted we can undertake this work using funding from the 21st Century Schools programme.”
Timeline and advice for parents
The following dates provide a useful timeline for parents and local residents (although dates may be subject to change, depending on how work progresses).
January 10-31
Preparation work for mobile classrooms at Melyd Avenue (drainage, foundations etc).
Week starting January 31
Delivery of mobile classrooms.
- If you live on roads directly affected by the route of the mobiles and crane, you should receive a letter with a map of the route.
February 7-18
Mobile classrooms made ready for juniors.
February 18
Bangor Road site closed to pupils to allow furniture to be packed and moved. Melyd Avenue site open as normal.
February 21-25
Half term week – school closed.
- Removal teams will finish moving furniture from the juniors’ site at Bangor Road to the infants’ site at Melyd Avenue.
February 28
Staff training day – school is closed to pupils.
- Staff will be unpacking and setting up the classrooms ready for pupils to return.
March 1
School reopens.
- All pupils (both infants and juniors) will return to the site at Melyd Avenue, allowing construction work to begin at Bangor Road.
- The school crossing patrol will move from Bangor Road to the infants’ site while construction work takes place.
January 24, 2022