02/07/2009 by admin.

A new Wales-specific 'top-up', designed help tackle child poverty, has been welcomed by Wrexham's Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths.

The AM was commenting on the announcement that from September, thousands of families in Wales will be able to claim the new Welsh top-up to the Child Trust Fund.

The new Child Trust Fund Cymru will mean eligible children will be entitled to a voucher worth £50 to be paid into their Child Trust Fund account.

Children from families on low incomes will be eligible for a further £50. This will mean that more than 32,000 children in Wales will be eligible to claim the new top-up.

The top-up initiative is designed to help address the consequences of child poverty in Wales by encouraging saving, improve financial literacy and tackling financial exclusion.  

Child Trust Fund accounts enable families to start saving for their childrens’ future by providing £250 at birth and again at age seven with additional payments for children from low income households. The Child Trust Fund Cymru will be in addition to this.

Commenting on the news, Lesley Griffiths AM said:

"Child Trust Fund Cymru will be an important new 'tool' in tackling child poverty and financial exclusion in communities across the country. The Welsh Government is

committed to helping children from families on low incomes and this extra boost now will provide much needed help for those children, when they reach adulthood.

"The Government have been keen to develop the ability of Welsh credit unions to offer Child Trust Fund accounts. The good news locally is that Wrexham Credit Union is one such outlet where the account is now more easily available."

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24/06/2009 by admin.

A £32,500 funding bonanza for community projects in Wrexham constituency has been welcomed by Wrexham's Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths.

The AM was commenting following the announcement that nine local communities are set to receive Tidy Town grants from the Welsh Government.

Those schemes that will share in the investment in Wrexham are:

• Caia: £6,000 for a landscaping scheme at Montgomery Road.
• Gresford: £4,000 to tidy up and enhance land and grass verges adjoining the highways and around the local schools and community centre at Chester Road shops.
• Holt: £3,000 for a river bank picnic area environmental improvement.
• Isycoed: £2,000 for improvement works to the roadside frontage of St Paul's Church
• Llay: £5,000 to plant bulbs in grass verges at all entrances into Llay and to create a picnic area and refurbishment of central gardens.
• Offa: £4,000 to clean-up the Ruthin Road area hit by anti-social behaviour and to make it suitable for members of the public.
• Rhosddu: £2,000 for general improvements of Watt's Dyke village green.
• Rossett: £2,000 to plant the existing planters and the purchase of additional planters in various locations.
• Gwersyllt: £3,500 for Gwersyllt in Bloom and an environmental action day at Hazel Avenue and Wheatsheaf Lane. 

Tidy Towns is a two part initiative between Keep Wales Tidy and Welsh Local Authorities, funded by the Welsh Government.

Keep Wales Tidy are delivering the community engagement element of the Initiative. It is a strategic project, which aims to work across Wales in all 22 Local Authorities.

The project seeks to work strategically by empowering the people of Wales to take responsibility for their local environment. This will be delivered by establishing and developing community groups throughout Wales who will work towards meeting the needs of their local community by adopting areas of their local environment and undertaking practical improvement projects.

Commenting on the news, Lesley Griffiths AM said:

"I believe the Tidy Towns initiative is an excellent idea, as it can help make real improvements to the quality of the local enviroment by making communities cleaner, greener and safer places to live.

"This funding can make an impact by helping people feel better about their own community and breathing new life into our towns and villages in the process.

"I have previously visited Keep Wales Tidy initiatives locally and I now look forward to seeing these latest schemes in Wrexham, come to fruition."

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22/06/2009 by admin.

Wrexham's Assembly Member, Lesley, has attended a special Welsh Assembly reception to launch the Why 17? campaign in Wales, which asks the question, "Why do 17 babies die every single day in the UK?"

The AM attended the reception at the Senedd on 17th June, organised by the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, Sands, to raise awareness of the 17 babies who are stillborn or die shortly after birth every day in the UK. 
 
The figures for Wales are no less shocking; every other day a baby is stillborn in Wales and a further 2 babies die shortly after birth every week, this is nearly 300 babies dying every year in Wales. 
 
At the event, Lesley Griffiths was presented with Sands’ report, Saving Babies’ Lives Report 2009 which, backed up by new research, highlights several problem areas that are contributing to this level of baby loss, the long-lasting impact of these deaths, and recommends changes that could save babies’ lives.
 
A new Sands petition was also shared with Assembly Members. Signed by over 700 people from across Wales showing their support for the Why17? campaign, the petition calls on the Welsh Assembly to take action to reduce the numbers of babies dying every year in Wales, and will be considered by the Assembly Petitions Committee on 7th July.
 
In pledging her support for the campaign, Lesley Griffiths AM said:
 
"I was shocked to discover that there are almost 300 stillbirths and neonatal deaths every year in Wales alone, and that many families in my local constituency will have experienced the tragic loss of a baby in this way.
 
"Sands Saving Babies’ Lives Report, 2009 clearly outlines the key issues, problem areas and recommendations for change, and I am fully committed to supporting Sands in their call for action now to make a difference so more lives can be saved in the future."
 
The facts on stillbirths are:

• 177 babies are stillborn every year in Wales
• 115 babies die shortly after birth every year in Wales
• ten times more babies are stillborn than die of cot death every year in Wales
• the stillbirth rate in Wales has not changed in the last 12 years
• 17 babies die every day in the UK (10 are stillbirths, 7 are neonatal deaths) totalling almost 6,500 baby deaths a year - the equivalent of 16 jumbo jets crashing every year with no survivors

The reception was the culmination of a 7 day marathon journey across Wales through Wrexham, Glan Clwyd and Powys. Hundreds of Mums and Dads, their families and friends travelled across Wales using anything that moved, except their own cars, raising awareness of Sands Why17? campaign and raising funds to go towards research that could significantly reduce the numbers of babies dying.
 
Shirley Gittoes, Sands Welsh Network Convenor said:
 
"The devastation my family and I felt when our daughter Heulwen was stillborn was indescribable. No parent whose baby has died wants any other parent to suffer in this way, which is why I am supporting Sands Why17? campaign in Wales.
 
"I want to raise awareness of the 300 babies dying every year in Wales and I’m urging Welsh politicians to sit up, and take note of all the hundreds of Welsh parents devastated by their babies’ deaths. We need a co-ordinated, national strategy to tackle stillbirths and neonatal deaths and we need it now."
 
To find out more about Sands Why17? campaign and the Saving Babies’ Lives Report 2009 please go to www.uk-sands.org.

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21/06/2009 by admin.

Wrexham Town trails starts its summer season today- special offer for Fathers day - 2 tickets for £8 ( save £4) Wrexham heritage trail- a gentle walk around Wrexham Town and hear the facinating stories of Wrexham past. starts 12 noon from Queens square.Wrexham town trails every Tuesday and Sunday at 12 noon from Queens Square by the Tourist office. Visit www.wrexhamtowntrails.co.uk for more information.

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21/06/2009 by admin.

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20/06/2009 by admin.

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20/06/2009 by admin.

This is the Federation of Small Businesses response to Lord Carter’s Digital Britain report:

John Wright, National Chairman Federation of Small Businesses, said:

“The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) welcomes the Government’s commitment to ensure universal access to fast broadband, but warns the expected 2mbps by 2012 lacks ambition and shows the UK is in a time-warp.

“Research by the FSB shows that a third of small businesses already have 2mbps broadband speed, yet struggle to do core, day-to-day business activities. More than half of small businesses rely on the internet for up to 50 per cent of their annual turnover, yet simple tasks such as emailing, marketing, buying and selling, are time-consuming because their broadband speeds are letting them down.

“The online world is crucial to small business development, especially for firms in rural Britain where businesses have been waiting for years for promised Government action to deal with the ‘notspots’ - where there is no broadband access.

“By 2012, £1 in every £5 will come from online commerce, but if small businesses are to compete, the Government must take bolder action.  Around 60 per cent of small businesses want a minimum broadband speed of 8mbps. But with Japan leading the way, making high speed broadband of 90mbps available to everyone, the FSBurges the Government to do more.

“Small businesses are ready to play their part. Now the Government needs to step up and take the country into a future when UK businesses are internationally competitive.”

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19/06/2009 by admin.

The annual Service in Remembrance will this year be held on Sunday 5th July at Wrexham Crematorium (Pentrebychan). The service will be held in the presence of Wrexham's Mayor, Cllr Arwel Gwynn Jones.

The Reverend Canon David Griffiths will conduct the simple service which gives those who have lost a loved one, friend or relative, the opportunity to join others in a united act of remembrance.

The crematorium buildings will be open to the public from 12 noon and staff will be available to answer enquiries about cremation matters. Further details are available on 01978 840068 or via email crematorium@wrexham.gov.uk.

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19/06/2009 by admin.

Support for Wrexham’s entry to Wales in Bloom is rapidly building across the community council ward of Esclusham. A number of events and community projects are planned to ensure that this year’s entry will be a truly joint effort. By bringing different groups & organisations together it is hoped long term benefits for the community as a whole can be achieved.

In addition to planting schemes in the Memorial Gardens and at certain points on Wrexham Road, Wrexham Council have provided the community with large planters. These are to be used to give colourful flower displays along the judging route. Located at specific points, each is to be prepared by members of the Esclusham Youth Club with help provided by National Trust Staff at Erddig. Commenting on the support provided by the National trust, John Droog of the community council says “Involving the younger members of Rhostyllen and surrounding areas is a key part of Wrexham’s entry to Wales in Bloom. Without the help of the National Trust it would have been very difficult for us to produce and look after the planters, let alone move them into position.

Environmental action days are to be used to litter pick and dispose of any unwanted rubbish across the area. Organised by the Neighbourhood policing team and local residents the idea is to clean the road verges and streets through Pentre Bychan, Legacy, Aberoer & Rhostyllen. July 3rd & 4th will focus on Rhostyllen and July 11th for Pentre Bychan, Aberoer & Legacy. Again the aim is to get as many young people involved as possible. PCSO Ben Madeley has secured grant funding of £500 towards a barbeque or day trip for all young people taking part in either of the two events.

June 3rd sees Rhostyllen School become the venue for a cheese & wine evening. As well as an opportunity for people to support the school, demonstrations on making hanging baskets will be provided by Andrea Evans of Marvellous Gardens. Following the event hanging baskets will be available for purchase.

As part of the judging process, the route through Esclusham will include a brief visit to Bramley House gardens, Legacy. Created over a 10 year period, the gardens will also be open to the public on August 2nd under the National Gardens Scheme with all proceeds going to Macmillan Nurses & Hope House Hospice.

Residents of Llywneinion have entered the neighbourhood category of Wales in Bloom. A committee made of local people aims to use the entry to further help the growing community spirit. Support in the form of a £250 grant from Esclusham Community Council is to be used to purchase plants. In addition CJ Timber of Ruthin have donated a hand carved sign welcoming visitors to Llywneinion, a wooden bench and a range of planters made from recycled timber. It is hoped that through the Wales in Bloom entry, further community events will follow later in the year, both getting to know your neighbour & fund raisers.

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17/06/2009 by admin.

The aerospace industry in North East Wales, has been described as "a cornerstone" of the wide Welsh economy, according to Wrexham's Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths.

The AM made her remarks in a Question to Welsh First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, in the National Assembly, in which she spoke of the importance of the industry sector - not just to the wider Welsh economy - but in particular to towns such as Wrexham in North East Wales in terms of employment and prosperity.

In her question to the First Minister, Lesley Griffiths AM said: 

"As you know, the aerospace industry is a cornerstone of the Welsh economy, and its importance to towns such as Wrexham, my constituency, cannot be exaggerated. Yesterday saw the start of the week-long Paris air show, at which the best of the Welsh aerospace industry will be on display for the world to see.

"The industry comprises over 180 companies in Wales, with over 20,000 workers, and that is not to mention its myriad collaborative links with our colleges, universities and techniums.

"Will the Government pledge to ensure that the voice of the Welsh aerospace industry continues to be heard loud and clear in Government in Cardiff and London over the coming months to ensure that it maintains its important place within our economic fabric?"

In his reply, Rhodri Morgan said: 

"Yes, indeed, not only because of the Paris air show, where we can highlight the best of the Welsh aerospace industry, but also because, despite the ravages of the recession—it is a cyclical industry, and there is a downturn in orders at the moment—the level of technology and the incredibly high standard of skills available in the aerospace industry is something of which we can all be proud.

"I recall going around the aerospace plants in your constituency, including the famous rhyming duo of Cytec and Tritech, in order to see just how valuable they were, not only to the ultimate customers such as Airbus, next door in Flintshire, but also to its great rival Boeing."

Commenting after her Question, Lesley Griffiths said:

"In Wrexham, there are nearly 1000 jobs dependent on the aerospace industry. It is a hugely important part of our economy and prosperity in this part of Wales.

"The global importance of the skills we possess locally, cannot be underestimated. That is why I believe it is important to 'bang the drum' for local companies who are dependent on supplying larger companies, such as Airbus, with the goods and materials they need for their continuing worldwide success."

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