2018

 

I’ve had a busy year as a Cllr and there has been a lot going on in Prestatyn and the surrounding area.

 

In Feb this year Royal Mail, despite huge protests from Cllrs, our MP and residents, closed the Ffrith Post Office.

 

The Ffrith Caravan site, supported by me but no other ward Cllrs, gained planning permission to develop it’s touring caravan site. I did attend the public meeting but didn’t take part, I’ve never been a fan of political posturing especially as the issue concerned was more complex than suggested. The Ffrith tenants have recently won a ‘business of the year’ award and DCC countryside services have improved signage and footpaths around the site to help local residents access the public rights of way that people were concerned about. So, the site is still undergoing improvement but is becoming an asset to the area once more. 

 

The Old Police Station site development is well underway. I had arranged several meetings with residents and developers to look at issues associated with the site. Despite numerous, justified, objections DCC passed the plans unchanged. Residents are now living alongside a development, I am still involved in tackling issues associated with the works. 

 

I submitted a motion to DCC ( along with Cllr Geraint Lloyd Williams from Denbigh and Cllr Graham Timms of Llangollen) that we don’t re-new our contract with Kingdom security. My motion was voted against by the majority of Cllrs. After some continued debate Kingdom decided not to seek a new contract. DCC are now looking at new ways of addressing environmental enforcement. 

 

I asked DCC to conduct a complete survey of the highways system in Prestatyn and Meliden. This time all other Prestatyn Cllrs agreed with me and DCC conducted that survey toward the end of the year. The results have been delayed, I have asked DCC to advise why. 

 

I attended a public meeting about the Mindale Farm development in Meliden, which is ongoing, and have made objections to it. Mostly relating to the potential flooding that could cause in my ward. 

 

In June a complaint was made to the public services ombudsman that I, and Cllr Manon ap Gwynfor, was inciting terrorism by making a joke on Facebook! Not a particularly good way to expect the ombudsman to use his resources. It was swiftly dismissed in case you’re wondering.  

 

I asked DCC to do more seafront litter collections during bank holidays, which they did thanks mainly to the excellent street scene team we have in Prestatyn. 

 

I spoke out against a lack of response to seagull problems along our coast, largely with no effective result. 

 

Bodnant school was demolished, I arranged, with DCC who were very helpful, for retired residents to visit the building before it went. 

 

I proposed DCC introduce late afternoon meetings, across the county not just in Ruthin,  to enable working Cllrs and members of the public to take part in more meetings. Most Cllrs, (Cllr Geraint Lloyd Williams from Denbigh and Cllr Graham Timms of Llangollen again the exceptions) and every other Cllr in Prestatyn voted against that. 

 

Prestatyn had a number of illegal encampments by members of the travelling community. I wouldn’t say I was responsible for a swift resolution but I was in contact with DCC and NW Police repeatedly to ensure this was addressed without delay. 

 

My neighbours and I objected strenuously to a massive development at the rear of The Dell. Despite that DCC passed the plans with no questions asked, or objections raised, by Prestatyn Cllrs ( I’m not on the planning Commitee). 

 

Lidl opened this year, I think we are still waiting to see what the impact of that will be on highways. I am quite concerned.

 

The town council chambers are moving as DCC are selling the building to Wetherspoons who plan to turn it into a hotel. Potentially good news for the town centre. 

 

I’ve ‘persuaded’ DCC to put two bus shelters on the North end of Glan y Gors to protect residents in that area from the weather. 

 

I’ve also:

Supported many individuals, most related to housing or planning.

I’ve taken part in voluntary litter picks, some arranged by my wife, some done by other groups.

I’ve done a very small amount of volunteering for the local Foodbank and am currently raising money for them instead of Christmas cards, my wife did her own collection prior to Christmas. Our efforts are minimal in comparison to the huge amount done by the Foodbank. Over 120 parcels were given to local families just prior to Christmas, a sad reflection of the times we are living in. 

I did some planting on the Morfa’s just prior to Christmas with DCC countryside services and Prestatyn Artisans, 

I’d like to do more of that but am usually too busy. Whilst there, one of the DCC countryside wardens discovered a homeless man living on the Morfa’s, he seemed well but I signposted services for him in case he needed them. I don’t know if he accessed them. We don’t often have people sleeping rough in Prestatyn as there are no support services for them, but we do occasionally. Over Christmas a homeless man died whilst sleeping outside, not a Prestatyn issue as such but something that is still shocking and a shameful indictment of current governmental policy. 

I continue to be a governor at Ysgol y Llys and help out at all their fundraising events. Sadly the efforts of the PTA, (led by Nikki not me, who puts in a massive amount of work for the good of all our children) are increasingly needed as schools budgets get tighter each year. 

 

I also invited Mark Drakeford, the new first minister for Wales to Prestatyn, where he gave an excellent talk on Paul Robeson to residents. 

 

For 2019! 

 

I have also formed a community fundraising group with local parents and support from the Pop In centre to raise money for play equipment for children with disabilities in Prestatyn. More on that in 2019 but it’s looking good so far. I have had discussion with DCC and equipment providers, who have been very supportive. 

 

I’m having a discussion with the FAW about improving football, pitch provision in Prestatyn. Early days yet but I’ve made a connection to build on. 

 

2019 is set to be challenging to say the least, Brexit is above my level of political influence but I attended a Welsh Gov presentation on the likely impact on Denbighshire (not very well attended incidentally but there were several Prestatyn Cllrs at that). There were no positives, I am extremely concerned, Wales and Denbighshire will be hit harder than most of the UK. DCC are looking at significant cuts already over the next few years, we’ve been protected from Westminster austerity to a certain  degree by Welsh Gov. The Welsh Gov budget comes from Westminster and it has been reduced every year so we are soon to feel the full impact of Tory austerity in Wales. Dramatic Council tax rises are likely to be the start, cuts to frontline services may well follow on from that. 

 

There are probably umpteen other things I’ve been involved with but those are the main points.