Wednesday 28 September 2011

Thinking of becoming a councillor?

Have you ever thought about representing your community by becoming a member of Denbighshire County Council?

The Council is launching an information campaign to encourage people to consider becoming councillors when the county’s residents go to the polls on May 3, 2012.

There are 47 councillors on Denbighshire County Council. Councillors make sure the council delivers good services; decide on things that the council should be working on; help people in their area and get involved with their local communities.

Other key responsibilities include discussing and agreeing major policies to determine how services are run; agreeing how much will be spend by the Council each year; agreeing how much you pay in council tax and listening to the views of other councillors.

An easy guide on becoming a councillor is available on the council’s website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/elections
You can also receive a copy by phoning 01824 706222 or by e-mail: public.relations@denbighshire.gov.uk

The campaign will also promote the need for residents to ensure their names appear on the electoral register, to allow them their right to vote.

In January 2012  the Council will be hosting roadshows across the county where you have the chance to come and speak with representatives of the council about what is involved in becoming a councillor.


You can always log on to Facebook and type in 'Elections Denbighshire 2012' in the search engine or sign up to 'Denbighshire County Council' on Twitter for the latest feed of information and election news.

Ambitious Programme for Government announced by First Minister

Increasing apprenticeship opportunities for young people, ensuring universal access to next generation broadband and introducing 50+ health checks were among the priorities announced by the Welsh Government today (Tues 27th Sept).

In an address to Assembly Members in the Senedd, First Minister Carwyn Jones set out his Programme for Government for the current Assembly term. It outlines Welsh Ministers’ priorities and comes ahead of the Welsh Government’s Draft Budget, which is published next week.
The Programme includes actions Ministers will be taking, how progress will be measured and what outcomes we want to see for the people of Wales. It is a programme for all of Wales and sets out which organisations will be involved in delivering the programme with the Welsh Government.

The Programme for Government will be updated annually and a progress report published every year. Key commitments include:
  • Establish a Welsh jobs fund.
  • Increase access to GP services.
  • Funding 500 new community support officers.
  • Increasing frontline spending in schools.
  • Doubling the number of children benefitting from the ‘Flying Start’ programme.
  • Introducing a statutory Literacy and Numeracy Framework, supported by national reading and maths tests.
  • Moves to release more public land for affordable housing.
  • An anti-poverty action plan by next year that will bring together all the devolved policy levers.
  • Increase the number of organ donors in Wales.
  • Create new marine conservation zones.
  • Press for an independent review for S4C.
  • Publish a five-year Welsh Language Strategy.
The First Minister said: “Our Programme for Government is an ambitious agenda for Wales. It translates the manifesto on which we were elected into action - and my government is determined to deliver it in full.

“Our focus is on benefiting people – on working together to create a fairer and more prosperous country – and a society in which everyone has the opportunity to contribute.

“Our decisions are not only about creating a ‘better today’, but look forward to ensure a ‘better tomorrow’ – delivering improvements for the lives of our children, and for the lives of our children’s children.

“We will create more apprenticeships for young people to offer them a better start to their working lives; we’ll establish new health checks for the over 50s and focus on a healthier society; and we’ll strengthen communities through Wales, funding 500 more Police Community Support Officers.

“These improvements will be firmly grounded in our uniquely Welsh approach to fairness and sustainability - a commitment that goes beyond the narrow concept of ‘greenness’, and delivers our vision for the economic and environmental wellbeing of our communities.

“Once a year we’ll be reporting back on progress so people can see what we’ve delivered, and how these changes have improved their lives. We need the energy and commitment of the whole country - the public sector, the third sector and our business community.  If we pull together we’ll go further and get there faster.

“This is what devolution is about - working together to create the future we want for Wales, a future that’s prosperous and a future that’s healthy.”

For more information please call the Welsh Government press office on 029 2082 1823
The full Programme of Government can be found at:
http://wales.gov.uk/programmeforgovernment
 

Thursday 22 September 2011

An opportunity for young people to have their say

Rhyl City Strategy is looking to have input from young people about employment, training and skills issues affecting them.

They are looking for young people aged 16 - 25yrs old and particularly those from West and South West Rhyl, but not exclusively those areas.  As we want participation to be meaningful we are looking to the young people to help shape their involvement, so an initial space for a meeting has been booked for 4.15pm - 5.30pm on Wednesday 12th October at the Apollo Cinema in their new bar area overlooking the sea.

If you know any young people who would be interested please could you let me know or just encourage them to attend.  If transport is required Gerry Frobisher and Suzanne Bradley are able to assist with this and can arrange pick up points.  Should this be required, please can you contact them directly.

Gerry@dvsc.co.uk or suzanne@dvsc.co.uk

It would be great to see young people able to make the difference.

Thursday 15 September 2011

Internet safety Training

Denbighshire County Council are holding a training session on Internet Safety for Children, it is aimed at anyone working with children and families including childminders and childcare staff.
 
The training day will cover the following issues:
  • How young people use the internet, how they communicate and what are the dangers. Sharing concerns. Overview of the work of CEOP's.
  • File sharing, social networking, cyber bullying, risks and dangers.
  • Overview of legislation that covers this arena.
  • Online "pay to view sites".
  • Female offenders.
  • Emerging Technologies.
There will be opportunity to ask questions and developing understanding of the technologies currently being used.

Date: 29th September 2011.

Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm.

Venue: Oaktree Centre, Fforydd Las, Rhyl, LL18 2DY.

Closing date: 23rd September 2011.
(Maximum of 25 candidates).

Please send names of those who wish to attend to:

c/o Oaktree Centre, Fforydd Las, Rhyl, Denbighshire, LL18 2DY.
Telephone: 01745 360129.

Wednesday 14 September 2011

DVSC September Newsletter

Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council have released their September Newsletter, containing plenty of volunteering opportunities.

To view the full newsletter please click here.

Ladder of Life - Free Training Session

Ladder of Life are holding free training taster session available to anyone over 16 living in Denbighshire who is economically inactive (unfortunately we are unable to cater for people claiming JSA or ESA).

The free administration session will take place on Wednesday 21st September 10am - 12pm.

Venue - John Davies Community Facility, 82 Marsh Road, Rhyl.

There will be a presentation on -
  • Qualities of an administrator
  • Working conditions
  • Skills needed
  • Minute taking
  • Communication
  • Diary systems
  • Plan and manage your workload
Ideal for those who would like to pursue admin as a career, residents associations, school leavers etc.
To reserve your place please contact Helen Kemp on 01745 332528 or  helen.lolproject@fsmail.net.

Ladder of Life - Free Taster Session

Ladder of Life are holding free training taster sessions, available to anyone over 16 living in Denbighshire who is economically inactive (unfortunately we are unable to cater for people claiming JSA or ESA).

Venue -  John Davies Facility, Marsh Road, Rhyl.

There will be an 'Introduction to Computers' session is on 21st September at 1:30pm – 4:30pm.


The course will include:
  • Basic introduction to computers.
  • Using the mouse and keyboard.
  • Opening and closing files.
  • Saving information to the computer.
  • How to access and use the BBC ‘first click’ materials.
For more details please contact Helen Kemp on 01745 332528 or helen.lolproject@fsmail.net

Tuesday 13 September 2011

Communities First Information Services - Information Bulletin 33 - September 2011

Communities First Information Services have released an Information Bulletin for Septemeber, it shows what work Communities First have been doing throughout Wales.

To view the full Communities First Information Bulletin please click here.

Community Network Event - 22nd September 2011

South West Rhyl Communities First are holding a Community Network Event on 22nd September at John Davies Community Facility (82 Marsh Road, opposite Good News Mission) in Rhyl.

There will be a presentation on Ladder of Life Project Taster Sessions, such as; Childcare, Woodwork, Sewing, Digital Photography and many more. So come along and see if you are eligible to apply.

The Communities First Step Up Bus will also be on site, offering information, advice and support on any issues or concerns you may have. The bus has a confidential area for people who wish to use the service.

A buffet lunch will be available from 12pm (first come, first served).

You will also get a FREE watch, mouse mat or beauty product (limited availability).

Thursday 8 September 2011

Council Tax help for pensioners

Denbighshire County Council has been successful in securing £145,482 as part of the Welsh Government’s grant for helping pensioners with council tax.

People will qualify for a part of this grant if they are in receipt of a state pension, are liable to pay council tax in Denbighshire and their address they are claiming for is their main home.

Anyone wishing to apply should write to the:

Pensioner Grant Scheme, Revenues Department,
Denbighshire County Council,
Russell House,
Churton Road,
Rhyl, Denbighshire, LL18 3DP.

The closing date for applications is 1st December 2011 when the Council Tax department will arrange to credit the council tax accounts of all applicants - this credit will be based on the number of applicants.