This September’s Tour of Britain is coming back to North Wales, and Conwy County Borough will once again be part of the UK’s biggest professional cycle race. Stage Two on Monday 8 September begins in Knowsley and will head through Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire before making its way to Conwy where it will head for the Great Orme before finishing on Llandudno’s Promenade. The Council’s Communications and Marketing Team will be working closely with the event organisers to plan the best viewing points along the route for spectators to enjoy the race. The 2014 Tour of Britain will start in Liverpool on Sunday 7 September, finishing eight days later in central London on Sunday 14 September. For full details of the route, please visit www.thetour.co.uk is coming back to Conwy… Back for a third summer, Access All Eirias is shaping up to be the best yet with Sir Tom Jones and chart topper Jessie J set to headline over the weekend of 25-26 July. In the past two years the weekend-long festival has seen the likes of Olly Murs, Pixie Lott, Little Mix, Connor Maynard, Cover Drive, The Vamps and more grace the stage and the event has earned itself a reputation of booking acts on their way up. And this year is no exception with pop rock band Lawson and feisty four piece girl band Neon Jungle booked to share the stage with Jessie J! Summer 2014 News of Conwy County Borough Council Access All Eirias Boasts its best line up yet For more information including new act announcements and tickets visit www.accessalleirias.com or call Venue Cymru’s Box Office on (01492) 872000.
Transcript
This September’s Tour of Britain is coming back to North Wales, and Conwy County Borough will once again be part of the UK’s biggest professional cycle race.
Stage Two on Monday 8 September begins in Knowsley and will head through Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire before making its way to Conwy where it will head for the Great Orme before finishing on Llandudno’s Promenade.
The Council’s Communications and Marketing Team will be working closely with the event organisers to plan the best viewing points along the route for spectators to enjoy the race.
The 2014 Tour of Britain will start in Liverpool on Sunday 7 September, finishing eight days later in central London on Sunday 14 September. For full details of the route, please visit www.thetour.co.uk
is coming back to Conwy…
Back for a third summer, Access All Eirias is shaping up to be the best yet with Sir Tom Jones and chart topper Jessie J set to headline over the weekend of 25-26 July.
In the past two years the weekend-long festival has seen the likes of Olly Murs, Pixie Lott, Little Mix, Connor Maynard, Cover Drive, The Vamps and more grace the stage and the event has earned itself a reputation of booking acts on their way up.
And this year is no exception with pop rock band Lawson and feisty four piece girl band Neon Jungle booked to share the stage with Jessie J!
Summer 2014 News of Conwy County Borough Council
Access All Eirias
Boasts its best line up yet
For more information including new act announcements and tickets visit
www.accessalleirias.com or call Venue Cymru’s Box Office on
(01492) 872000.
The number of breeding ringed plovers has declined steeply in recent years. In part, this may be because they often choose busy beaches on which to lay their eggs. If the adult bird is distracted, even momentarily, the eggs or chicks can be taken by a passing gull or other predator.
In recent years, Conwy’s Countryside Service has been roping-off an area of Pensarn Beach from April through to July to help minimise disturbance to a pair of plovers that had started to nest. As a result the plovers successfully reared young in both 2012 and 2013.
So once again this year, the Countryside Wardens are hoping that the plovers will return to nest and will be roping off an area until July.
If you have any questions about the plovers or the management of Pensarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest, please get in touch with the Countryside Warden on (01492) 575542 or the Biodiversity Officer on (01492) 575123 or email [email protected]
Pensarn’s ringed plovers
News of Conwy County Borough Council
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www.conwy.gov.uk
to the Summer edition of Bulletin.If you or someone you know would prefer to receive thispublication on CD, in large print or electronically pleasetelephone (01492) 576007.
Welcome...in this issue
Produced and Published by Conwy County Borough Council.Designed by John Gaulton, NWN Media Design, 2014
When you’ve finished readingthe Bulletin please recycle it.
Colwyn Bay to host Glamorgan clash with Surrey Glamorgan will return to Colwyn Bay in July for their annual pilgrimage north to play 19-times County Championship champions Surrey at the Rhos-on-sea ground.
Surrey are well supported and bring with them a wealth of talent amongst their ranks including former South Africa captain Graeme Smith, Kevin Pietersen, as well as current England players Chris Tremlett and Jade Dernbach.
The LV= County Championship match between Glamorgan and Surrey will begin on Sunday 6 July at 11am through to Wednesday 9 July.
Surrey dropped down from Division One last year, but with the wealth of talent on show they will provide a stern test for Wales’ one and only professional cricket team.
The ground at Colwyn Bay has been the scene of many scintillating days of cricket in recent years with one of the most memorable coming in 2011 when
the then Glamorgan captain and current South African test star, Alviro Petersen, broke all records as he smashed 10 sixes to record 144 off just 89 balls, almost single handedly, defeating Lancashire in the process.
Although Lancashire returned last year to get revenge, Glamorgan have been victorious in the last couple of seasons against Yorkshire and Durham.
Page 1l Access All Eiriasl Tour of Britain
Page 2l Glamorgan return to Colwyn Bayl Team around the family
Page 3l Brand new Ysgol y Gogarthl Single Person discounts
Page 4l Conwy Walking Weekl Webcasting
Page 5l Llandudno Railway Station
Improvementsl Conwy Telecare Service
Page 6l Rural recyclingl Princes of Gwynedd
Page 7l Prom Xtral Cold Calling Controlled Zone
Page 8l Changes to Electoral registrationl Abergele Place Plan
Page 9l Local Development Planl Theatr Colwyn
Page 10l Conwy Cardl Primary School Modernisation
Page 11l Car Seat Safetyl YJS and libraries
Page 12l Decision makingl Llyn Crafnant Trail
Tree ThinningTree thinning has taken place at several woodland Nature Reserves throughout Conwy over the winter. This work has been jointly funded by Natural Resources Wales through the Better Woods for Wales grant scheme and Conwy County Borough Council.
As Spring rolls on, the ground flora and young trees will flourish now that light can reach the ground in areas of previously dense shade.
Rotting wood is important for wildlife, so all wood from felled trees will be retained in habitat piles within the reserves.
To keep up to date with what’s planned and for more information visit: www.glamorgancricket.com
Team Around the Family celebrates first anniversary Team Around the Family has been up and running for a year. In that time the Team has received over 350 referrals from various agencies, professionals and the families and young people of Conwy.
In general, the families are looking for input and support to get the help they need and to make informed decisions, rather than needing formal intervention from Social Services.
Team Around the Family and the Family Information Service has supported families with a variety of different needs including Welfare Rights, bereavement, educational needs and disabilities. Team Around the Family works in partnership with Family Information Service, to provide information, advice and support to families and young people in Conwy. Referring is still easy, call us on (01492) 577788 or email [email protected]
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www.conwy.gov.uk News of Conwy County Borough Council
Keep it Clean - No Messing
A recent survey of residents and visitors in Conwy identified that dog fouling and littering is still of great concern. Keep it Clean - No Messing is a new campaign which calls on local communities to get involved and provide as much information as possible to identify those responsible.
Each incident of dog fouling or littering is not only anti-social behaviour, it’s a crime. It blights other people’s enjoyment of their neighbourhood and public places. It can be very difficult to catch people who have allowed their dogs to foul and not picked up, so we are seeking support from residents to play their part in preventing persistent fouling from affecting our communities with the message - DON’T STAND FOR IT.
To raise awareness, Council vehicles will display a dedicated Freephone number and email address with which members of the public can contact the Council in confidence to report people who offend. The campaign will also reinforce efforts to tackle dog fouling in specific ‘hotspot’ areas, where signs will go up and letters will be delivered asking residents to call giving a description of the person responsible, the dog and, where appropriate, details of a vehicle used by an offender along with the location and dates and times of the offence. All information received will be used to target patrols more effectively so those responsible for these crimes can be caught.
Anyone who is caught allowing their dog to foul in a public place and failing to clean it up will face a £75 Fixed Penalty Notice. Failure to pay the Notice will result in prosecution with a maximum fine of £1000. This is the same for those who commit the offence of littering.
Residents are encouraged to report offenders FREE on 08000 934 364
You can also report an incident online at www.conwy.gov.uk/cleanconwyor by email: [email protected]
Further information in relation to dogs, fouling and Dog Control Orders can be found at www.conwy.gov.uk/dogs
The brand new Ysgol Y Gogarth in Llandudno opened its doors to pupils in January.
The new school boasts specialist teaching areas to help pupils access the curriculum through immersive technology, digital technology and multimedia and curricular zones, which have been specially developed to meet pupils’ needs.
There is a health facility on site for pupils, including physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and specialist paediatric clinics.
Complementing these facilities are the hydrotherapy pool, sensory gardens, and sports and recreation facilities. Residential
facilities have also been built to enable pupils to develop independent life and social skills.
The next phase of the project includes a vocational hub with a horticulture area, support accommodation for the Social Services Learning Disabilities Team and Educational professionals. The artificial turf sports pitch, informal areas, and traffic management system including parking are scheduled to be completed by September 2014.
The overall cost of the Ysgol Y Gogarth project is £18m,which has been funded by Welsh Government (70%) and Conwy County Borough Council (30%).
Ysgol Y Gogarth
Council Tax - checks on single person discountsCouncil Tax payers in Conwy who receive a 25 per cent reduction on their bill as single occupancy residents will soon be checked to make sure that the reductions are correct.
The checks form part of the Council’s measures to prevent and detect fraud and protect the public purse.
The review, involving around 19,000 taxpayers, follows a similar project carried out by Conwy County Borough Council in 2011/12, which identified around £60,000 worth of incorrect discounts being claimed.
Capita Local Government Services has now been appointed to carry out a comprehensive review. They will work with Equifax, the credit reference agency using up-to-the-minute, data-matching technology to identify where people are claiming discounts that they are not entitled to.
Single person discount is an entitlement that the Council is keen to ensure is claimed by taxpayers who are genuinely entitled, especially in these trying economic times. However, taxpayers who claim the discount improperly place an unnecessary burden
on other residents. Any taxpayers currently receiving
a discount that they feel may not be correct are urged to contact Conwy County Borough Council on (01492) 576607.
For more information regarding this review visit www.conwy.gov.uk/counciltax
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Junior Road Safety Officers have been busy working on in-car safety projectsThe Junior Road Safety Officers, who are all pupils at Ysgol Nant y Coed, Ysgol Pen Y Bryn and Ysgol Cystennin, measured schoolmates aged from 4 years up to 9 years to see if they were using the right in-car safety seats.
With the help of the Council’s Road Safety Unit, the pupils discussed the importance of wearing a seat belt and proper car seats in line with the law.
The Junior Road Safety Officers also spoke to their classmates about the importance of keeping safe in and around cars, and they helped the Council’s Road Safety Team talk to parents about the dangers of parking on zig-zags and yellow lines outside schools
If you’re on the school run, remember to park safely and legally - you can help keep children safe.
Are your boots made for walking? Are you itching to get out and discover the wonderful countryside Conwy has to offer?
We have eight days of walks and activities; from mountain top adventures to enjoying your first guided walk there should be something for everyone.
There’s a Hiraethog focus this year to promote the walking projects that have been completed in the area. We will have our second Hiraethog Challenge, which follows a slightly different route this year, taking you to different villages each day.
We’ve arranged a night walk, and bushcraft and foraging events where all the family can join in. Or you might enjoy an early morning walk followed by breakfast at a local pub.
Throughout the county borough we will have
historical walks, wildflower walks, bus walks and navigation walks - so come and along and join us.
The programme will be available at the start of June. To request a programme please call Environment, Road and Facilities (ERF) on 01492 575337 or visit www.conwy.gov.uk/walkingweek
Other guided walks in Conwy County Cerdded Conwy Walks are a group of volunteer walk leaders, many of whom lead walks during Conwy Walking Week. Cerdded Conwy Walks organise walks throughout the year across the county borough.
If you are interested in joining the walks led by Cerdded Conwy Walks, or in becoming a walk leader, please get in touch with Jen Towill, Cerdded Conwy Walks secretary on (01492) 575543 / [email protected]
Conwy Walking Week2 - 9 July 2014
Webcasting Council MeetingsConwy County Borough Council is the first local authority in North Wales to introduce the use of webcasting at some meetings, using grant funding from the Welsh Government.
An initial test was carried out at the Council meeting on 25 March 2014 and this has been published on the Council’s website, together with other successful webcasts since that time.
All Council and Cabinet meetings, together with other meetings that will be discussing items of particular public interest, will be webcast.
Details of future broadcasts will appear online at www.conwy.public-i.tv
We hope that residents find this a convenient way to engage with the Council’s decision making process and that it will encourage more people to get involved.
Keep off the tracksThe Great Orme Tramway has reopened for the 2014 season and will run 7 days a week until 2 November.
Over 40 trams a day travel up the Great Orme, so with public safety of the highest priority the Tramway Manager is reminding motorists to take note of the access restrictions along Old Road.
He said, “Drivers should take extra care and adhere to the Highway Code when negotiating the crossing at Black Gate Junction on the lower section, and at Church Road on the upper section.”
Past experience has shown that some motorists disregard the Highway Code, which can lead to vehicles coming into conflict with the tram; it also sets a bad example to drivers unfamiliar with the area.
Thank you for your cooperation, drive carefully and stay safe.
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www.conwy.gov.uk News of Conwy County Borough Council
Ideas, People and Places
The Bay Life+ Regeneration Programme has successfully gained phase one Ideas, People and Places funding from the Arts Council of Wales.
This funding will pay for the research, community engagement and feasibility work to enable the town produce a full phase two application for an Arts in Regeneration project called Imagine Colwyn Bay.
The application for phase two funding will be submitted in July 2014.
Imagine Colwyn Bay aims to develop a programme of arts-based events, exhibitions, activities and workshops related to the regeneration of Colwyn Bay; with partners from Bay Life+, Communities First, TAPE, Townscape Heritage Initiative and Mostyn Gallery.
For more information about how to get involved in this first phase of work contact Sian Young, Arts Development Officer, [email protected] (01492) 575572.
Keeping Conwy’s Nature Reserves rubbish freeSchool children from Ysgol Maes Owen have helped Keep Wales Tidy and Conwy’s countryside wardens collect litter from Kinmel Dunes Local Nature Reserve several times already this year and it’s only the start.
Look out for clean up sessions advertised on message boards at your Local Nature Reserves at Kinmel Dunes, Pensarn Beach, Bodlondeb Woods in Conwy and Pwllycrochan Woods in Colwyn Bay.
Llandudno Railway Station has had a £5.2m makeover, thanks to funding from Welsh Government’s National Station Improvement Programme, through the European Regional Development Fund.
The work on the station has been long-awaited by the people of Llandudno, and the project is the result of collaboration
between Network Rail, Arriva, Conwy County Borough Council, the Regional Transport Board (TAITH) and the Railway Heritage Trust. Conwy’s European Officers have supported the project from preparing the application for funding, through to the project’s successful completion.
The improvements to the station include new glazing on the concourse area, new ticket windows, upgraded
toilets for passengers, a new retail space, refurbished platform areas, new lighting, additional seating, an upgraded customer information system and a new car park. Improved links to other transport are provided with a car and taxi drop-off point, a bus lay-by with two bus stops at the front of the station, additional bicycle storage facilities and an improved walking route to the station car park.
Wherever possible, the original features of the station have been retained or reused, and a heritage colour scheme of maroon and cream has been used to emphasise Llandudno’s Victorian legacy.
A high specification Changing Places toilet is a new facility at the station. Changing Places facilities are different to standard disabled toilets, offering extra features and space in the changing area for a disabled person and up to two carers. Accessed using a radar key, the room is equipped with a toilet, a hoist and a full sized bench with a shower. This is the only facility of its kind in this area; the nearest similar facility is in Wrexham.
Llandudno Railway Station Improvements Complete
Support to help you stay independent Telecare offers a service tailored to individual needs, helping to manage risks in the home and reducing accidents. It’s an ideal solution for older or vulnerable people, those with disabilities, cognitive difficulties, sensory impairments or anyone living in fear.
The Telecare base unit is linked to your telephone line, along with a range of sensors selected according to your needs. Help can be summoned automatically by one of the sensors alerting the base unit or by simply pressing a button. Additional functions can be programmed into the base unit such as personalised reminder messages for medication or memory prompts.
To receive the service you just need a working telephone line and an electric power socket within reach of the
telephone socket. You can sign-up for the basic package
yourself, which includes the Telecare base unit and pendant radio trigger.
Additional sensors can be linked to the base unit following an assessment by Health or Social Care, these include:• Fall Detector• Property Exit sensor• Bed or chair sensors• Epilepsy Sensors• GPS locators
There is a standard one-off installation charge of £35 and a weekly hire and monitoring charge of £3.50* per week (*correct as at April 2014).Service Users are responsible for the cost of any calls and electricity to run the system
To find out more contact:Conwy Telecare Service on (01492) 577585 / 577586Email: [email protected]
Or visit: www.conwy.gov.uk/telecare
If you need a formal assessment of needs please contact:Conwy County Borough Council Customer Care Team on (01492) 576333.
News of Conwy County Borough Council
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Rural households in Conwy recycled an impressive 473 tonnes of waste in the first three months after weekly recycling collections were launched in rural areas in November 2013. Had this all gone into the refuse bin, it would have cost the authority £52,000 to bury this waste at the landfill site in Llanddulas.
Jon Eastwood, Waste Manager said: “The new rural recycling service has been a huge success and I’d like to thank everyone who has made it work - from residents who put out their recycling, to the crews who pick it up each week. It is fantastic that no matter where you live in Conwy, you can now recycle food waste, plastic, cans, glass, cardboard, batteries and drink cartons every week.”
Did you know?In 2013, we recycled 56% of waste in Conwy which was fantastic. Like all Welsh local authorities, Conwy needs to meet statutory recycling targets set by the Welsh Government.
The next recycling target to hit is 58% by 2015/16, so there is still a way to go. If we don’t meet it, we could face heavy penalty fines which would impact on local services.
Landfill costs the earth! Your Council spends £12,000 every collection day on sending waste to landfill. Please help us to help you by recycling more and sending less waste to landfill, which has high environmental and financial costs.
Thank you and keep it coming!
Three Cheers For Rural Recyclers
Conwy Museums updateConwy’s Museums have launched their jam-packed summer of events and exhibitions across Conwy. From Ice Age Art to life in the Bronze Age, to the medieval Princes of Gwynedd, there is something for everyone.
To download information about events and activities this summer visit www.conwy.gov.uk and visit ‘What’s on at the Museums?’
Find us on Facebook and like our pages for Llandudno Museum, Sir Henry Jones Museum and Penmaenmawr Museum!
Calling all VolunteersConwy’s independent museums need volunteers…could you be one of them?
Interested in local history? Want to pick up some new skills and meet some new people? Why not get involved with one of the local museums in your area? Learn something new, have some fun, and give something back to your community at the same time. Conwy’s Museums rely on the work of dedicated volunteers; we need your help!
Interested? Contact the Museum Development Officer Helen Bradley on [email protected] or call (01492) 575535.
Have you ever wondered what life was like in North Wales 13,000 years ago? A new temporary exhibition at Llandudno Museum explores this mysterious chapter of Llandudno’s early history.
Ice Age Llandudno tells the story of a unique and internationally significant collection of objects found in Kendrick’s Cave on the Great Orme. Amongst these is a decorated horse jaw that represents the oldest known work of art from Wales. This object is on loan from the British Museum, and joins other items on loan from National Museums Wales for the exhibition, which will be on show until the 30th September.
Don’t miss your chance to see these wonderful objects in Llandudno.
The Ice Age Arrives in Llandudno
For information on opening hours and directions visit www.llandudnomuseum.co.uk or call Helen Bradley on (01492) 575535.
How many years did prince Llywelyn the Great rule over Gwynedd? Which member of the English royal family did he marry? Which prince of Gwynedd was imprisoned in Dolbadarn Castle for 22 years? Find all this out and much more in a series of exciting new exhibitions across Conwy and Gwynedd. • The Princes of Gwynedd project
tells the story of this fascinating period of Welsh history, and offers visitor information, itineraries and guides, audio tours and much more to encourage visitors to get out and explore more than thirty sites associated with Wales’ most powerful Medieval dynasty.
• You can visit exhibitions at the Snowdonia National Park Visitor Centre in Betws y Coed; at Conwy Tourist information Centre; Craflwyn visitor centre in Beddgelert; at
Canolfan Hebog (Beddgelert) and at Oriel Pendeitsh, Caernarfon.
• Directions and visitor information is available at www.snowdoniaheritage.info/princes
Sir Henry Jones Museum, Llangernyw, is hosting a special temporary exhibition about the Princes of Gwynedd until 19th June.
The Princes of Gwynedd is a partnership project led by Conwy County Borough Council with Gwynedd Council, the National Trust and Snowdonia National Park. It is part of Cadw’s Heritage Tourism Project which is part-funded through European convergence funding.
The Princes of Gwynedd
For more information contact Helen Bradley on [email protected] or call 01492 575535.
In December 2013 alone, you helped us to recycle:• 286 tonnes of food waste (the
equivalent of 358,000 loaves of bread)
• 12.6 tonnes of plastic (the equivalent of 252,000 2L pop bottles)
• 236.3 tonnes of glass (the equivalent of 473,000 empty wine bottles)
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www.conwy.gov.uk News of Conwy County Borough Council
Say NO to cold calling
A consultation took place earlier this year to establish whether a Cold Calling Controlled Zone should be introduced throughout Abergele.
Over sixty local residents took part in the consultation event and shared their views with local Police Community Support Officers, volunteers from Neighbourhood Watch, the Divisional Crime Reduction Officer and Conwy Council’s Trading Standards Officers.
Support for introducing the town wide Cold Calling Controlled Zone was strong, and feedback was positive to prevent bogus callers preying on vulnerable residents.
Cold calling packs, which include information leaflets on how to avoid becoming a victim of doorstep crime, are now being delivered to every property in Abergele.
Signs are being erected on lamp posts, telling people they are entering an area where residents do not buy goods and services from uninvited sales people.
Once all the cold calling packs has been delivered, the town will be a complete Cold Calling Controlled Zone and any trader found to be calling at a property without providing prior notice of their intention to call, will be committing a criminal offence.
If you have not received a Cold Calling pack please contact Conwy Trading Standards on 01492 575220 or email [email protected]
On 1 December 2015, Wales will be the first UK country to introduce a soft opt-out system for organ and tissue donation.
The new law will make it easier for people to make a clear decision on whether or not they want to be organ donors.
Under the new system, if you have not registered a decision to opt-out of organ donation, it will be the same as choosing to be a donor. This is called deemed consent.
So, from 1 December 2015, the choices will be:
If you know you want to be a donor then you can:• Choose to do nothing and have your
consent deemed or • Register a decision to be a donor
(opt in)
If you know you do not want to be a donor, then you can:
• Register a decision not to be a donor (opt out) closer to the time
Like the current system, you will be able to register a decision to donate all organs and tissues or to select specific organs or tissues.
It’s time to think about organ donation
“In Wales, over 250 lives are ‘on a clock’ waiting for an organ donor”
Summer fun at Prom Xtra
On line bookings for Ffit Conwy Members
Ffit Conwy members are now able to make and amend bookings easily and quickly online for some classes and facilities at:
Abergele Leisure Centre, Colwyn Leisure Centre, Dyffryn Conwy Leisure Centre, John Bright Leisure Centre, Llandudno Swimming Centre, Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre, Llanrwst Swimming Pool and Ysgol Aberconwy Sports Centre.
All you need to do is register your email at one of these leisure centres and you’ll then get details of how to set up your account.
Ffit Conwy membership offers access to 5 fitness suites, 4 swimming pools and over 100 aerobic classes, at 10 leisure centres from just £29.90 per month!
Not a Ffit Conwy member? For information about great value membership for Conwy County Borough’s leisure facilities visit www.conwy.gov.uk/ffitconwy or ask leisure centre staff.
Prom Xtra moved last year to take advantage of the newly built Porth Eirias watersports centre and stretch of golden sandy beach. The event was a massive success with over 80,000 visitors over the weekend.
This year, due to more coastal improvements works taking place on the promenade between Porth Eirias and the Pier during May, Prom Xtra is moving to August for one year only over the weekend of 23-24 August 2014.
X Factor runner up Jahmene Douglas has been signed to headline Saturday’s Prom Live stage and Kingsland Road, also X Factor finalists, will take to the stage on Sunday.
Jahmene came second in 2012 to winner James Arthur and since then has had a number 1 album, performed in the USA with Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson and was also nominated for the Best Newcomer Award at the MOBOs.
Jahmene’s voice is described as soulful and spine tingling and if you would like to come along and see him, keep a look out on the website for timings to be announced.
Kingsland Road made their mark on X Factor 2013 when they wowed the judges and made it all the way to the final. Judge Gary Barlow described them as ‘a ready made boy band’, praise indeed.
Matt, Connor, Josh, Thompson and Jay have been busy boys since the show performing to sell out crowds up and down the country.
Organisers are also looking for some local talent to support Jahmene and Kingsland Road on stage over the weekend. Performers from North Wales can apply by submitting details and a track via attachment or link to [email protected].
Music aside, Prom Xtra is shaping up very nicely, with all kinds of new activities for all the family to get involved over the weekend.
To get involved with the event contact: [email protected] (01492) 575943, or to find out
more about events in Conwy County visit: www.visitconwy.gov.ukor follow @eventsconwy on Twitter.
Photo: TSI
Photo: TSI
To find out more visit www.organdonationwales.org
News of Conwy County Borough Council
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Green Links is a £170k joint tourism project between Conwy County Borough Council and Denbighshire County Council, funded by RWE Innogy UK and partners, through Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm.
Green Links aims to promote walking, cycling and nature reserve facilities on the coastal strip between Llandudno and Prestatyn. The project started in November last year and is now well underway with a number of key products soon to be ready for public use. These include an audio trail offering an insight into the environmental, historical and recreational aspects of the Marine Drive on the Great Orme. The trail is to be launched in May 2014 available from www.visitconwy.org.uk
A bespoke Green Links website will provide interactive travel and nature reserve information for anyone living in or visiting the Green Links area. www.greenlinks.org.uk is due to be launched in June 2014 and will form part of the new Destination Conwy suite of websites.
Green Links is also creating a number of touch screen information points at the Rest and Be Thankful Cafe Great Orme, Porth Eirias Colwyn Bay, Public Square Rhyl and Scala Cinema Prestatyn. These will provide on the day information about local walks, bike rides and amenities.
Green Links will also be carrying out small scale infrastructure works to improve the facilities available to walkers and cyclists in the area. For more information on the project please contact Daniel Romberg, Green Links Project Officer on (01492) 575670 or email [email protected]
Green Links Update
Changes to the Electoral RegistrationThe UK government will soon be introducing a new system for registering to vote called Individual Electoral Registration (IER). At present, one person in every household is responsible for registering everyone else that lives at that address. From the 10 June 2014, each person will need to register individually, rather than by household. Under IER, each individual will need to provide identifying information such as date of birth and national insurance number when applying to register and the application will need to be verified before the person is added to the electoral register.
What will happen if I am already registered?To make the transition simple, electoral registration officers will match their existing electoral register against the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) database. Everyone that matches will be transferred to the electoral register and then they are registered to vote in future elections. A confirmation letter will be
sent to all those that match informing that they do not need to do anything else. Anyone that can’t be matched will receive a letter inviting them to apply, but will remain on the register during the transition.
Why are changes being made to the current electoral registration process?The UK government is changing the process to provide a more convenient, secure and modern way of registering. IER will improve the accuracy and completeness of the electoral register and the security of the voting system. The electorate will have more control over registration and be able to take ownership of the process. IER will bring electoral registration into the 21st century with the introduction of online registration for everyone that is eligible.
Where can I find more information?More information on Individual Electoral Registration can be found at www.electoralcommission.org.uk
The easiest way to pay your bills is by Direct Debit. This is the method of payment used by over 75% of Council Tax payers and it’s also available to Business Rates and Sundry Invoice customers.
To arrange payment by Direct Debit visit www.conwy.gov.uk/directdebit
Alternatively, you can set up a Direct Debit in just a few minutes over the telephone by contacting the numbers on the right:
COUNCIL TAX - (01492) 576607
BUSINESS RATES (NATIONAL NON-DOMESTIC RATES)(01492) 576609
SUNDRY INVOICES (Bills for services received e.g. homecare, trade waste etc) (01492) 576610
Paying by Direct Debit
Abergele Place Plan (APP)
The future development and progress of Abergele must focus on creating conditions that benefit and enhance the local community and environment. To achieve this, a Place Plan will be developed for the town.
The Abergele Place Plan (APP) will be a community led plan. Its preparation and delivery will be based on what the community of Abergele want to see improved, promoted and enhanced. It
will complement development opportunities and deliver key local projects by setting out a holistic strategy.
We already have some information on what the community of Abergele want to see, from improved planting, to an enhanced library,
introduction of youth activities and an improved Pentre Mawr Park. However, we need to know more about what projects the community want to see – no matter how big or small. It is essential that we are realistic in what we want to achieve in Abergele and we have a clear implementation plan for delivering the projects. A Project Team has been set up involving key representatives from the local community, internal and external Council Officers, local Councillors and local interested groups.
Next Steps: We are currently in the process of agreeing the approach through the Council’s democratic processes.
An Abergele Place Plan Launch Document is being produced and will be published for consultation in the summer.
This will include interactive mapping, to enable the community to view the projects we are already aware of and also to submit projects and ideas.
An exhibition will be held in Abergele to give everyone the opportunity to see and discuss current ideas and submit thoughts on where improvements could be made or where protection is required.
A dedicated webpage will shortly be up and running displaying all the relevant material for you to put forward your ideas and make comments.
This is your Plan, please get involved www.conwy.gov.uk/abergeleplaceplan
THE CHRISTIANS In concert June 6 | 7.30pm | £20
ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (15) Starring Tom Hiddleston & Tilda Swinton A Rialto Film Night Screening June 9 | 7.30pm | £5 (£4 with a discount voucher) includes a free tea/coffee
NT LIVE: A SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS By Alan AyckbournLive screening June 12 | 7pm | £14 / £13 con / £12 F-P Encore screening June 14 | 2pm & 7pm | £12 / £11 con / £10 F-P (Friends and Premiere Card)
BACK TO BROADWAY June 21 | 7.30pm | £15.50 / £14.50 con / £13.50 F-P
HENRY IV PART II (12a)By William ShakespeareLive from the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-Upon-Avon June 18 | 6.45pm | £12 / £11 con / £10 F-P
GHOSTS Starring Olivier Award-Winner Lesley Manville Adapted and directed by Richard Eyre from the Ibsen play June 26 | 7pm | £13 | con £12 | F-P £11
THE SIMON AND GARFUNKEL STORY - 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR July 4 | 7.30pm | £12.50 / £11.50 / £10.50 F-P
CALVARY (15) July 15 | 7.30pmStarring Brendan Gleeson Directed by John Michael McDonaghA Rialto Film Night Screening £5 | £4 with a discount voucher
WE ARE THE BEST! / VI AR BAST! (15) Sept 1 | 7.30pm A Rialto Film Night Screening In Swedish with subtitles Directed by Tomas Moodysson £5 | £4 with discount voucher
THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (12A) By William Shakespeare Live from the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-Upon-Avon Sept 3 | 7pm | £12 / £11 con / £10 F-P
NT LIVE: MEDEA (12A) Starring Helen McCrory (Peaky Blinders, Last of the Hausmanns) A live broadcast Sept 4 | 7pm | £14 | £13 | £12 F-P
PAUL SINHA (STAND-UP COMEDIAN)Sept 19 | 7.30pn |£13 / £11
THE HOUGHTON WEAVERS October 18 | 7.30pm£13 / £12 con / £11 F-P
MACBETH Presented by Traffic of the Stage Starring Judi Bowker (Clash of the Titans/The Adventures of Black Beauty) Oct 21 | 7.30pm | £14 | £13 con | £12 F-P
SWAN LAKE Presented by the Vienna Festival Ballet Dec 10 | 7.30pm | £19 | £18 con | £16.50 students | £13 child
SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS Presented by Magic Light Productions in association with Theatr Colwyn and Conwy County Borough Council Dec 20 - Jan 3 | £11 / £10 con / £9 child discount available for block bookings.
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www.conwy.gov.uk News of Conwy County Borough Council
Receive Your Bill ElectronicallyThe Council aims to continuously improve service delivery and reduce costs, such as reducing the amount we spend on postage and printing.
With this in mind, we can now give you the option of receiving your bill electronically:
COUNCIL TAXTo arrange for your Council Tax bill to be sent to you by e-mail or viewed on-line, visit web: www.conwy.gov.uk/counciltaxe-mail: [email protected]: (01492) 576607
BUSINESS RATES (NATIONAL NON-DOMESTIC RATES)To arrange for your Business Rates bill to be sent to you by e-mail, visit web: www.conwy.gov.uk/nndre-mail: [email protected]: (01492) 576609
SUNDRY INVOICES (Bills for services received e.g. homecare, trade waste etc) To arrange for your Sundry Invoice to be sent to you by e-mail, visit web: www.conwy.gov.uk/sundryincomee-mail: [email protected]: (01492) 576610
Please note: You will need your unique reference / invoice number to sign-up for e-billing - it is printed on the bill you have received from us.
For information on ways to pay your bill or invoice visit www.conwy.gov.uk/payment
www.theatrcolwyn.co.uk 01492 577888 / 872000
Conwy Local Development Plan (LDP)The Conwy Local Development Plan (LDP) is a statutory County Borough-wide document that sets out the Council’s strategic proposals and policies for the future development and use of land up to 2022.
The LDP is a statutory document, which all planning applications will be assessed against. Therefore, the LDP provides a measure of certainty about what kind of development is likely to be permitted during the period of the plan.
Following the adoption of the Conwy Local Development Plan in October 2013, the Council’s Strategic Planning Policy Service has been working on a number of complementary documents, including Supplementary Planning Guidance, Development Briefs and an Abergele Place Plan.
Supplementary Planning Guidance documents provide detailed information on certain policies and proposals contained within the LDP and include further details on Welsh Language and Culture, Affordable Housing, Windfarms, Planning Obligations, Rural Conversions and Conservation Areas to name but a few.
A full list of SPG documents to be produced and their likely adoption dates can be found at www.conwy.gov.uk/ldp/spg
The Council has already adopted the following SPGs: Householder Design
Guide; Parking Standards; Shop Front Security and Design Guide; and Buildings and Structures of Local Importance.
Development Briefs will be prepared for all new major housing sites (50 dwellings and above) and employment sites (5 hectares and above). The purpose of a development brief is to inform developers and other interested parties of the constraints and opportunities presented by a site and the type of development expected or encouraged by local planning policies within the LDP.
WebsiteThe Strategic Planning Policy Service has re-designed its web pages following adoption of the LDP to make navigation and locating current documents easier and quicker. There are now links from the Conwy home page to the most popular pages and also to an Interactive Map that shows all the allocations and designations within the LDP.
Interactive MapOur Interactive Map has been designed to enable anyone to see what allocations and designations there are within their local area. The map shows not only the housing and employment allocations, but also locations of Local Nature Reserves, Special Areas of Conservation, World Heritage Sites and the Coastal Footpath.
Simply type in your postcode to zoom to your location. A double click of the
mouse will bring up a results box that shows all the designations within a radius of up to 5km.The Interactive Map can be found on the Conwy website at www.conwy.gov.uk/spps
Community Infrastructure LevyThe Community Infrastructure Levy is a new charge, introduced under the Planning Act 2008 which came into force on 6th April 2010. Conwy’s Cabinet has agreed the timetable for preparing the Community Infrastructure Levy for Conwy. Workshops have been organised with stakeholders, and an assessment of potential infrastructure projects that could be funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy is being prepared. Updates on progress will be posted online.
What’s On this summer
News of Conwy County Borough Council
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The Conwy Card was sent out with the recent Council Tax reminders and for those households opting for e-billing, emailed instructions were sent on how to collect a card.
The aim of the Conwy Card is to encourage Conwy residents to visit local sites and attractions by offering discounts and special offers, and thereby increase off-peak business and keep money circulating in the local economy.
The card entitles each household to a discounted offer at participating tourist and outdoor activity attractions
within Conwy County Borough. To see which attractions are offering the discount
please see the list of participating attractions below and be sure to check their terms and conditions.
Tree Tops Adventure20% off admission and ZipWorld.Betws-y-Coed, LL24 0HAT: 01690 710914www.ttadventure.co.uk
All Wales Boat Show£5.00 off admission, under 14s are free.Conwy Quays Marina, Conwy, LL32 8EPT: 01492 593000 / 0844 561 1816www.allwalesboatshow.com
Conwy Castle20% off admission with photo ID and proof of address.Conwy Castle, LL32 8AY T: 01492 592358www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
Plas Mawr20% off admission with photo ID and proof of address.High Street, Conwy, LL32 8DE T: 01492 580167www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
Glan Y Gors Karting20% discount when you book two Junior Arrive & Drive Karting Sessions with a Balaclava. Free Balaclava when you book two Senior Arrive & Drive Sessions.Organiser Karts for free when you book a Corporate Event with more than 16 drivers.Glan Y Gors Park, Cerrigydrudion,LL21 0RUT: 01490 420770www.gygkarting.com
Conwy Card has launched
If you have not received your Conwy Card with the Council Tax reminder or would like more information on the scheme then please visit www.conwy.gov.uk/conwycard or call the Tourist Information Centres on (01492) 575968.
Each of the four areas in Band A of the Primary School Modernisation Programme are progressing.
In Llandudno Junction, Colwyn Bay and Penmaenrhos areas, temporary Governing Bodies are currently being set up to assist with preparations for the new school structures. Whereas arrangements for a temporary Governing Body for the Caerhun and Trefriw area will begin in Summer 2015.
Llandudno Junction Area - Ysgol Maelgwn & Ysgol Nant y Coed• Following Conwy’s Cabinet decision for a new build
Area School on the Esgyryn site, an outline business case has been submitted to the Welsh Government
• The existing schools have been involved in the design and development of the new Area School
• The Planning Application has been submitted• Tender for the work underway through the North
Wales Procurement Framework• Post Tender return a Full Business Case will be
submitted to Welsh Government • Subject to approval Construction expected to start
July/August 2014• Anticipate completion August 2015
Colwyn Bay Area 1 - Ysgol Babanod Glan y Mor & Ysgol Iau Pendorlan• In September 2011, Ysgol Glan Y Mor and Ysgol
Pendorlan School Governors appointed a new Strategic Headteacher
• In October 2013, Conwy’s Cabinet agreed to progress with plans to formally amalgamate both schools
• The schools should be amalgamated by September 2015, with the two schools closing and re-opening as a new All-Through School.
• The Headteacher is involved in the design development with the ethos of combining both schools
• Building work to commence during 2015/16
Penmaenrhos Area - Ysgol Babanod Penmaenrhos & Ysgol Iau Tan y Marian• In October 2013, Conwy’s Cabinet agreed to
amalgamate the existing infant school and junior school to create a new Primary School on the Ysgol Tan Y Marian site
• This will mean formal closure of the two schools to reopen one Area School
• Both schools are involved in the design and development of the new amalgamated school
• The new school scheduled to open September 2015
Caerhun & Trefriw Area - Ysgol Dolgarrog, Ysgol Tal y Bont & Ysgol Trefriw• In November 2013, Conwy’s Cabinet agreed to
develop a new Area School on the Ysgol Dolgarrog site
• This will mean the formal closure of Ysgol Trefriw, Ysgol Tal Y Bont and Ysgol Dolgarrog and the opening of a new Area School on the current Ysgol Dolgarrog Site
• Design development will begin in Summer 2015• The new Area School scheduled to open in
September 2017.
Primary SchoolModernisation
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www.conwy.gov.uk News of Conwy County Borough Council
YJS are Blooming Marvellous!Wildlife can enjoy a new rich habitat thanks to Conwy and Denbighshire Youth and Justice Service (YJS).
The ‘Libraries and Planting for Pollinators’ Project, created by the North Wales Libraries Partnership, has moved forward in leaps and bounds thanks to Conwy and Denbighshire YJS who have worked hard to improve and develop the grounds at Penrhyn Bay and Penmaenmawr libraries .
Conwy and Denbighshire YJS have created a much needed habitat capable of supporting all sorts of wildlife. Plants have been chosen to provide sources of nectar, food and shelter for pollinators, caterpillars and other insects throughout the year, and the climbing plants provide food for birds. YJS have been careful to leave the ant hills, trees and ivy, which are vital to wildlife during the winter months when nectar is scarce. The vegetable patch and bug hotel also provide food and shelter.
Claudia Howard is the Support Officer and Project Manager for the North Wales Libraries Partnership (NWLP). She said, “The Libraries and Planting for Pollinators Project was an unusual idea, but it has helped these libraries build new relationships with local schools, community groups and the YJS; as well as fulfilling sustainability and environmental objectives.”
Dave Brown, Conwy and Denbighshire Youth and Justice Service, said: “It’s great for the community to see that the young people are out there putting something back into their area, and projects like these give them the opportunity to help build better relations between young people and the community.”
“The young people have been working really hard and it is nice for themselves to look back and see that something positive has been achieved by their work.
“They have also completed Open College Network (OCN’S) qualifications in Health & Safety, Manual handling and recycling and gained DofE bronze awards while being involved on the project.
“These projects are a great example of young people from the surrounding area becoming involved in a positive exercise that can benefit the wider community.”
Steffan Richards, Conwy’s Community Library Development Officer said “We’re pleased Penrhyn Bay and Penmaenmawr libraries could be part of this project, and we’re really looking forward to the summer months when we’ll be able to better appreciate how biodiversity has improved in these areas.”
The Libraries and Planting for Pollinators Project was funded by Countryside Council for Wales (now Natural
Resources Wales), Welsh Government, North Wales Libraries Partnership, Snowdonia National Park Authority and Friends of the Earth, with contributions from Huws Gray and Ferndale Home and Garden Centre.
The project transformed the grounds of eight libraries into pollinator friendly zones in Conwy, Gwynedd and Wrexham.
Car Seat Safety
• Check your child’s car seats on every trip
• Make sure the belt is clicked into the buckle on every trip
• Make sure the straps are properly adjusted on every trip
• Make sure you and your passengers wear a seat belt on every trip
Road Safety Officer, Julie Birchall said “More accidents occur on short journeys than you realise. Every year, we find a large number of baby car seats are not fitted correctly, which is a worry. Just for peace of mind, I’d urge everyone to get their baby car seats checked and make sure older children are sitting on the appropriate car seats for their height and weight.”
Conwy’s Road Safety Team will be out and about again this summer offering child car seat checks and giving out road safety information and advice.
Come and see us from 8.30am - 4.00pm at:• 22nd and 23rd July - Asda,
Llandudno Junction• 29th and 30th July - Tesco,
Llandudno Junction• 5th and 6th August - Asda,
Llandudno• 12th August - Cineworld, Llandudno
Junction
Road safety work will continue at a pace in Conwy this year thanks to a successful bid for Welsh Government funding. The team have been awarded:
• £25k for Kerbcraft (pedestrian training for 5-7 year olds)
• £25k for Bikeability Cycle Training • £15k for Young Drivers / Pass
Plus• £5k for Older Drivers Scheme • £5k for Bikesafe Scheme
Road SafetyFunding
For information and advice to help you stay safe on the roads visit www.conwy.gov.uk/roadsafety
26th July 2014 Visual Arts DayTim Pugh, Ryan Hall, Wendy Couling & Paul Sampson
31st July 2014 Variety DayCitrus Arts & Magic Lights
9th August 2014 Drama DayRhian Cadwaladr (SBARC!)
16th August 2014 Music DayLee Reynolds (KANTANTI)
23rd August 2014 Dance DayRachel Freeman, Lovely Bugs
23rd August 2014 Storytelling DayFiona Collins, Bethan Mescarenhas and Bronwen Hughes, Helen East and Rick Wilson
News of Conwy County Borough Council
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Get Involved in Conwy’s Decision Making ProcessThe Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees have an important role to play in the decision making process; whilst they cannot make decisions, their role involves:• Holding the Cabinet to account;• Developing and reviewing Council policies; • Undertaking reviews both internally and externally to improve
services; • Scrutinising the services of external agencies that affect the
people of Conwy County Borough.
Lots of issues are considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committees before they are recommended to Cabinet.
How to get involved?Public Speaking - Members of the public are now able to speak at meetings of Overview and Scrutiny Committees on topics listed in the Forward Work Programme. To do this, you must register to speak by completing the application form, which must be received at least 24 hours before the meeting. The number of public contributors is limited to two and you are allowed three minutes each to speak either for or against the matter being discussed.
Other ways in which the people of Conwy County Borough can get involved in the Council’s Scrutiny process are:
• Attend meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees
- these meetings are open to the public apart from when confidential or exempt information is being discussed.
• Make comments on a committee report - If you have a particular interest in a topic being discussed you can write to or e-mail the Scrutiny Support Officer who will make sure your views are passed on to the committee Chairman.
• Suggest topics for Scrutiny to consider as part of the work programme -This can be done by writing to the Council’s Scrutiny Support Officer or by completing the Overview and Scrutiny suggestion form on the Council’s website.
• Become a Witness - One of the main ways in which the Overview and Scrutiny Committees (and any Task and Finish Groups that they set up) can gather the evidence they need to inform their deliberations is through inviting individuals with a particular knowledge of the topic to attend their meetings. This enables the Councillors to make better informed recommendations but it also gives individuals and organisations from outside the Council a way of having their voice heard.
Alternatively you can contact your local County Borough Councillor to suggest a suitable topic for consideration.
Further information on the four Overview and Scrutiny Committees and information on how to get involved can be found on the website at www.conwy.gov.uk/scrutiny or by sending your comments to the Scrutiny Support Officer at Bodlondeb, Conwy, LL32 8DU or email [email protected]
This 2½ mile (4km) circular trail runs around Llyn Crafnant, sitting in the Snowdonia National Park above the village of Trefriw in the Conwy Valley.
Whilst a walk around the lake was previously possible, there were some difficult sections, and requests had been received by Conwy County Borough Council about making a trail that was more accessible, particularly to those with buggies and pushchairs.
Using a Rights of Way Improvement Grant from Welsh Government and funding from Natural Resources Wales, the Council worked with Natural Resources Wales, Snowdonia National Park Authority and landowners to design improvements to the trail.
The result is an easy-to-use, beautiful and scenic route in the foothills of Snowdonia. The trail starts from the Natural Resources Wales’ car park, where there are also new toilets, near the north end of the lake. The return section joins a little-used minor road, and a café (summer opening) provides an opportunity for refreshments.
Llyn Crafnant family-friendly trail
TAKE PART SUMMER 2014
Details of the trail can be downloaded www.conwy.gov.uk/llyncrafnanttrail or phone (01492) 575290 for more information.
