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 

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.

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:

oaktree@denbighshire.gov.uk

c/o Oaktree Centre, Fforydd Las, Rhyl, Denbighshire, LL18 2DY.

Telephone: 01745 360129.

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

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).

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.

Unemployment in Wales rises 10,000 to 8.4%

Unemployment in Wales has risen by 10,000, taking the total to 122,000, new figures show. The jobless rate is now 8.4%, which means Wales continues to have the highest percentage of the four UK nations, say Labour Market Statistics. The figures coincided with the closure of Newport department store TJ Hughes with the loss of 50 jobs.

Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said the figures demonstrated an urgent need for growth. The rise is 0.7% between April and June, although the total is 5,000 lower than in the same period last year.

Claimant count has risen by 2,100 in the past month and now stands at 77,000. Across the UK, unemployment rose by 38,000 in the three months to June to 2.49m. The UK jobless rate is now 7.9%, in England it is 7.9%, Scotland 7.7% and Northern Ireland 7.3%.

 

Mrs Gillan said: "Today's statistics are disappointing for Wales. We are not complacent about the task ahead and have been dealing with an extremely choppy economic climate."

 

Meanwhile, a South Wales valleys-based insurance broker has announced the closure of seven of its branches, with the loss of 10 jobs. Motaquote will close offices in Cwmbran, Mountain Ash, Aberdare, Ebbw Vale, Neath, Treorchy and Risca due to a "loss in footfall". Five workers opted for voluntary redundancy and 30 were given new roles at the firm's head office in Williamstown, Rhondda Cynon Taf.

But five head office roles were lost in the restructuring of the company, which was set up in 1991 and is part of nationwide group Cullum Capital Ventures. Managing director Nigel Lombard said: "Unfortunately, due to the economic downturn it was no longer commercially viable to keep these branches open."

Employment Minister Chris Grayling said the figures across the UK were disappointing. Mr Grayling said: "Clearly this has been a difficult few months with a range of one-off factors and a slowdown in the world economy having an impact on the UK. This is why is we are focused on taking steps to increase growth, support the economy and encourage businesses to invest and create jobs."

Gold Standard for Rhyl City Strategy

Rhyl City Strategy has achieved the first Gold Small Workplace Health Award in Wales, for its work to maintain and improve the health and well-being of its staff.

 

The Small Workplace Health Award is funded and accredited by the Welsh Government, as part of its Healthy Working Wales programme to support improvements in the health of the working age population.

As the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Jewell, explains:

"The Welsh Government launched the Small Workplace Health Award in 2009 to specifically engage businesses and organisations with less than 50 employees in our healthy workplaces initiatives. We are delighted to see the first employer progress to the prestigious Gold award and congratulate Rhyl City Strategy on their achievement."

Alongside developing health-promoting policies for staff, Rhyl City Strategy organised ‘lunch and learn’ sessions on healthy eating and alcohol awareness, a session on techniques for managing pressure and stress and a team-building adventure event in Betws-y-Coed. Staff members have each developed a set of personal health and well-being goals.

On achieving the Gold award, Jo Howes, Operational Manager for Rhyl City Strategy said:

"We are delighted with our success in achieving the Gold Small Workplace Health Award. The team have truly embraced the ethos around a healthy workplace and all of the benefits this has on our working lives. We are all very proud of the accomplishment and aim to keep the healthy workplace flag flying for all those small enterprises throughout Wales. The whole experience, from achieving the Bronze and Silver awards and now the Gold award, has made the team stronger and more determined to not only practice what we have learnt within the workplace, but also in our own personal lives at home and with our families. Rhyl City Strategy would like to thank all those who have supported us with this vision."

Rhyl City Strategy has been supported with its health and well-being work by Paula Jenkins, Workplace Health Advisor of Public Health Wales. As Paula highlights:

"Safeguarding and improving the physical and mental health and well-being of employees at Rhyl City Strategy is of utmost importance to the business. The positive culture within this organisation shines through as it is clear that staff have increased morale as they feel valued and motivated."

The independent assessor, Ava Fine, said:

"This is a well-deserved award. Rhyl City Strategy is an exemplar employer where the health and well-being of staff is firmly embedded in the organisation’s culture. It is proof that such an enlightened approach helps boost the morale of employees and produces a happy workplace. We commend their example to other SMEs across Wales."

Benefits boost for Denbighshire residents

Latest figures show how advisers in Denbighshire’s Welfare Rights Advice Partnership have helped 2756 local people gain an extra £8.6m million in social security benefits and tax credits during the 12 months to April 2011. This brings the running total to £88.5 million over the past 15 years since the start of Denbighshire County Council.

Rick Abbas, Denbighshire’s Welfare Rights Manager, said: “These results reflect the dedicated work of advisers in Denbighshire’s Welfare Rights Advice Partnership: independent and quality marked services which include Denbighshire’s Citizens Advice Bureau, Rhyl Benefits Advice Shop and the Council’s Welfare Rights Team.

“This extra money is really good news for local people, the Council and the local economy when we are all living with the effects of the recession. Securing this extra income helps people to into work, manage on low wages, prevents and reduces poverty and helps with essential outgoings like Council Tax, rent and mortgage payments.

“More claims for benefits like Pension Guarantee Credit and Disability Benefits leads to a larger grant to the Council from the Welsh Government. These extra millions spent locally on goods and services will have stimulated demand and created many jobs.”

“Questionnaires returned from people who used the service showed how it improved their independence, health and reduced their need to see a doctor. This partnership is the first in the UK to track the number of children and adults it has lifted above Government poverty lines: 1057 in 12 months. Other Councils and advice partnerships across the UK are now following our lead.”

Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Inland Revenue figures show that an estimated £22m in benefit and tax credits are unclaimed or underpaid each year in Denbighshire alone. Help to claim this extra income will mitigate the effect of the UK Government’s Welfare Reforms which will result in and estimated loss of £57.5m in Denbighshire over 4 years.

Denbighshire residents who want independent advice or help with benefit and tax credit claims, disputes and appeals can contact the Council’s Welfare Rights Helpline on Freephone 0800 1696625 on weekdays between 10am and 4pm.

All calls are free and confidential. More information on Council funded advice can be found under Welfare Rights on the A to Z of the Denbighshire’s website: http://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/

Building strong, responsible communities is a priority – First Minister

The First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, has said that building strong and responsible communities has been and continues to be a priority for the Welsh Government.

He re-iterated the commitment following the Prime Minister’s announcement that he is ordering a review of every UK government policy following last week's riots in England, to make sure they are bold enough to tackle a 'moral collapse'.

The First Minister also called on the UK Government to re-think proposals to cut spending on police, and to reconsider plans to cut public sector jobs in Wales.

Mr Jones said the Welsh Government’s approach to tackling some of the most serious underlying issues facing Wales and its people illustrates the powers of devolution in taking action to improve public services and outcomes for children, families and communities in Wales.

The First Minister highlighted the Welsh Government’s innovative and unique programmes to support families, such as the Integrated Families Support Service, Families First and Flying Start programmes, which empower families to make the necessary lifestyle and other changes. Through these programme key professionals and agencies will intervene earlier and work intensely with families to effect positive change.  

First Minister Carwyn Jones said:

“While Wales is not immune to the social and economic problems faced by communities elsewhere in the UK, the Government I lead is already taking decisive action to tackle the underlying problems that many of Wales’s most disadvantaged and deprived communities suffer. These issues have always been at the top of our agenda.

“We are determined to doing all that we can to rebuild and regenerate Wales’s communities. Our Communities First programme has been instrumental in improving our communities for the better.

“Our newly-established Integrated Family Support Service is providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable families with drug and alcohol abuse issues to ensure families prioritise the welfare of their children and are supported to do so. IFSS should stabilise home life and help children and parents stay together where this is in the child’s best interests."

The First Minister added:

“What hurts Welsh families the most is the scourge of unemployment. As a government, we are determined to do all that we can to get people into work, and trying to keep people in their jobs. However, the UK Government’s decision to cut public sector jobs in Wales severely undermines our efforts.

"In stark contrast to the UK Government which has ended their Future Jobs Fund, we are committed to improving the opportunities for young people who are not in education, employment or training in Wales. In April 2012, the Welsh Government will introduce a Welsh jobs fund. It will create 4,000 jobs for unemployed young people aged 16-24 across Wales for a 6 month period. We are also creating more apprenticeship opportunities for young people in Wales. We have announced new arrangements to take forward our Apprenticeships and Traineeships programmes, which will focus more closely on our priorities to provide more opportunities for young people and deliver the skilled employees our economy needs.

“Cuts to police numbers will hurt our communities. A report published this morning by Cardiff University shows that UK Government grant funding for local policing will fall by £1.36 billion, or 14%, over the next four years – meaning 16,000 frontline posts could be lost. What the people of Wales want to see is more, not fewer police out on the street keeping our communities safe.

“While policing is not devolved, we are determined to do what we can to make our communities safer. That’s why we’re committed to introducing 500 additional police community support officers over the next five years. But they will not be there to replace frontline police officers - they’ll be there to support them.

“The UK Government needs to be bold, and accept that they now need to re-think their decision to cut the policing budget.”

Rhyl's Fit For Work Service helps 153 back to work!

A pilot project to help people in deprived areas back to work after sickness claims to have helped around half who joined to keep their job.

The Fit For Work Service was launched in Rhyl, Denbighshire, in May 2010, and has helped 153 people back to work with 125 (82%) remaining in those jobs. It is the only such project in Wales, although 10 others were also launched in England and Scotland. The north Wales scheme has now expanded and had funding extended for two years.

The project sees people assessed and offered treatments or physiotherapy, as well as advice.

It was initially a year-long pilot, and manager Bridgette Handley said more than 500 people had been referred to the service by GPs and local employers, all seeking help to return to work while in the early stages of sickness absence.

It aims to get them back to work as soon as possible and keep them in work, "so reducing the risk of job loss and the need to claim benefits". She added: "Of the 500-plus referrals, we have registered 318 on to the service.

Psychological counselling

"Some referrals have been ineligible, either due to the nature of their illness being more chronic/long term or the individual being unemployed."

Of the 318 people registered, 153 have completed the course and 125 have remained in work.

Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, (DWP), the pilot was originally intended to help people living or working in Rhyl, Abergele and Colwyn Bay, and it has now extended to Prestatyn, St Asaph and Kinmel Bay.

The service works by appointing a case manager to assess clients, and, if appropriate, the client can be referred for treatments including physiotherapy and psychological counselling.

The service can also help provide information on issues such as debt, housing, drug, alcohol or relationship advice.

Ms Handley said: "Ours has been a very successful pilot, and DWP has extended our funding by a further two years. We were one of only seven of the original 11 pilots that have received further funding from DWP."

The UK minister for welfare reform, Lord Freud, said too many people, through no fault of their own, have fallen out of work due to sickness absence.

"The Fit for Work Service has played a vital role in helping people stay in work or return more quickly than they otherwise would have done." He said as well as benefiting workers, employers and the taxpayer, it helped reduce pressure on GPs and other health services.

Rhyl exhibition ‘helps us to be healthier’

An exhibition will open next week showing different approaches to looking at health and wellbeing through the arts.

Many of the artists have enjoyed arts workshops over the last few months. Their exhibits will appear alongside work by professional ceramics, textiles and mixed media work artists.

The show has been set up with the aid of a grant from the Arts Council of Wales. Denbighshire Arts Service had worked with South West Rhyl Communities First, Count Me In and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to run the recent workshops. The main aim was to improve participants’ wellbeing.

The exhibition has three parts. One is called Held with a selection of work from a touring exhibition created by Start at Manchester Mental Health & Social Care Trust. Another is by Alison Mercer Textiles with results from local workshops. A third section is by Sue King Ceramics, alongside results from recent workshops.

A spokesman said: “The exhibition is about how we manage the tensions of living and draw on our inner strength to fulfil our hopes and dreams. The ‘Held’ section is an exhibition about keeping a balance in life, about managing stress and building fulfilment.”

The Arts In Health and Wellbeing exhibition runs at Rhyl Library Arts Centre, Church Street, Rhyl from August 20 until October 8.

Ladder of Life Information Days

Ladder of Life is an individual coaching and Personal Development Programme available to develop and maintain your confidence and self-esteem. We will be holding FREE accredited courses, short courses and fun activities in the following areas:

• Arts and Crafts
• Sports Development
• Sewing
• Catering
• Digital Photography
• Woodwork
• Office Administration

Find out more information by dropping in to one of the information days:

• St. Mary’s Church, Wellington Road. Thursday 18th August, 11:00am—2:30 pm

• Rhyl Library. Monday 22nd August, 10:30am—3:00 pm

• South West Rhyl Communities First. Thursday 25th August, 11:30am—3:00pm

• Botanical Gardens. Friday 9th September, 10:30am —3:00pm

Free food, free advice and free raffle at each of the information days.

Need information? Want advice? Wish you had support? Contact Meic

Meic is a new helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. From finding out what's going on in your local area to help dealing with a tricky situation, Meic will listen when no-one else will. They will give you quality information, useful advice and the support you need to make a change.

Contact them in Welsh or English – it’s up to you! They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can contact them by phone, email, SMS text and instant messaging. Meic is confidential, anonymous, free, and just for you.

Phone: 080880 23456

Text: 84001

Online: http://www.meiccymru.org/

SWRCF Lunch Clubs

This month South West Rhyl Communities First are holding Lunch Clubs for people in the local community. They will take place at John Davies Community Facility, 82 Marsh Road, Rhyl (opposite Good news Mission) from 12pm until 2pm.

Dates of future lunches: 11th August & 25th August.

Admission: £3.00 per adult, to include 1 main meal, a cup of tea/coffee, a raffle ticket and a small food hamper (hampers are on a 1st come 1st served basis).

Kids eat free – up to 2 children under 14, with a paying adult. £1 for extra children.

Menu

Adult menu: Sandwich & salad, OR choice of hot meal (varies each week), OR cheese & bacon toastie with salad. With a choice of tea or coffee.

Kids smiley meal for children under 14: meal consists of sandwich, drink, crisps OR yogurt OR a piece of fruit.

For more information please call 01745 332528.

Communities First Trust Fund

Just to remind you that there are only 16 weeks left for eligible groups to submit an application to the Communities First Trust Fund.

To date we’ve received over 470 applications which is a great uptake – but to date 234 + of these have been returned to groups for information that is missing/ End of Project Report not completed for previous grants etc.

However, because they have been returned early in the process it means that these groups do have time to resubmit their application within ample time before the deadline.

Therefore I would urge to you encourage as many groups as possible to do the same and submit an applications as soon as possible so that funding allocated to your ward / area is spent and not returned to Welsh Government at the end of the year. The later you leave it the less chance we have of sorting any problems!

Can you also make sure that the groups read and understand the CFTF guidelines themselves when submitting an application  - We’ve had some incidents recently where groups are blaming Co-ordinators for mistakes they are making when not spending / accounting for the grant award properly. They have stated that they were not made aware of any guidelines when they were told to fill in applications.

Finally – if you want a member of the CFTF to visit your area / assist with groups submitting an application, please do not hesitate to contact us – 0800 587 8898.