Latest news with #ChrisDolphin
Business News Wales
3 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Key Funding Sees Flintshire Organisations and Communities 'Flourish'
A multi-million-pound UK Government-funded programme has significantly benefitted Flintshire residents, with communities upskilled, local facilities enhanced, and business productivity increased, the local authority says. Having received more than £12.4 million from the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), Flintshire County Council has supported 26 projects to improve employment opportunities, foster business growth, and upgrade key amenities. The financial aid was delivered between 2022-2025 and encompassed three core themes: communities and place, people and skills, and supporting local business alongside 'Multiply', which was designed to increase adult numeracy skills. Thanks to the investment, data revealed that close to 15,000 people have a more positive perception of their local facilities, such as social clubs and community hubs, with 6,073 more residents using the amenities than before. For example, town centres across Flintshire benefitted from the county council's Town Centre Investment Programme with 13 commercial properties redeveloped, 48 events and activities financially supported, and more than 50 businesses receiving bespoke advice, as well as numerous sites undergoing environmental enhancements. In addition, projects such as Flintshire County Council's Strength in Numbers and LEAP (Learn, Explore, Achieve, Perform), as well as WeMindTheGap's Minding the Gaps of Young People project, have improved the confidence and skills of youngsters and adults across the county Results showcase that through such schemes, 1,709 people have successfully gained a qualification, with a further 2,693 people in education or training to boost their employment prospects. Some 1,383 Flintshire firms also received support, with 429 businesses adopting new innovative technologies and/or processes, and 203 decarbonisation plans developed in alignment with Wales' net zero by 2050 target. One such enterprise was design consultancy Dylunio Solutions, which received a smart workbench to streamline the design and development of a military canine respiratory system thanks to the UKSPF-funded AMRC Cymru Accelerating Decarbonisation and Productivity Technology and Skills (ADAPTS) scheme. Alongside business support, strengthening adults' numeracy skills was a key focus for the county which delivered its Multiply programme; a project that saw 1,513 people participate in maths qualifications and courses. Councillor Chris Dolphin, Flintshire County Council cabinet member for economy, environment, and climate, said: 'From the increased usage of community facilities to the adoption of green technologies, the positive effects of the UKSPF are evident across Flintshire. 'Thanks to the financial support from the UK Government, the county is well placed to go from strength to strength over the coming years and I hope we see the benefit to the Flintshire economy and an overall greater sense of pride within residents towards their local area.'
BBC News
23-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Flintshire Coast Park barriers removed after concerns raised
Barriers designed to prevent motorcyclists from accessing Flintshire Coast Park have been removed as part of a new five-year management campaigners had said the A-frame barriers at the banks of the River Dee, originally installed to deter anti-social behaviour and protect the environment, had also restricted access for disabled council is now urging members of the public to report any incidents of nuisance motorcyclists amid concerns the removal could lead to an increase in dangerous changes come after multiple groups called for the park to fall in line with disability access legislation. The council has now removed all A-frame barriers in Connah's Quay and the Deeside area and will work in consultation with other landowners along the coast park and North Wales Police to remove more during 2025 and the removal of the barriers, Sealand councillor Christine Jones called on police to crack down on vandalism at the park – and for visitors to be their eyes and ears."We welcome the removal of the A-frame barriers to improve access but please beware it is being abused by motorcyclists going along the cycle paths," she said."It is a dangerous practice if someone is walking the dog, cycling or jogging and a motorcycle comes up behind you."She added: "It can be extremely frightening." Popular with walkers, cyclists and bird-watchers, the park stretches for 25 miles along the shore of the Dee Estuary, from the Welsh and English border to the Irish park's new management plan sets out target areas for improvement and outlines how the park will provide residents and visitors with an improved includes a phased approach to raising the profile of the area, enhancing tourism and helping communities and businesses to work sustainably and creatively to improve environmental, economic and social plans detail a site-specific proposal for eight "hubs" along the path with Flint Foreshore to become the central hub and focal point for visitors to explore the park with a proposed new heritage are also aims to improve protections for natterjack toad populations in Talacre. Councillor Chris Dolphin, cabinet member for economy, environment and climate, said: "Our ambition is a Flintshire Coast Park for the benefit of all, celebrating the rich natural habitat of the Dee Estuary and Flintshire coastline."The rich Dee Estuary landscape is precious with sensitive habitats, home to a wealth of species. It is important that the natural environment is celebrated, enhanced and protected for future generations."
Leader Live
23-04-2025
- Leader Live
Calls for stronger policing to stop Flintshire Coast Park motorbikes
As part of the new five-year management plan, the authority has removed controversial A-frame barriers that stopped motorcyclists gaining access to the banks of the River Dee. The barriers were designed to stop anti-social nuisance riders damaging the natural environment and causing a danger to park users. But the barriers also prevented disabled visitors from accessing the area. After a campaign by social injustice charity Together Creating Communities campaigned with Cycling UK, The FDF Centre for Independent Living, Disabled Ramblers UK, Wheels for Wellbeing, Transport for All, North Wales Crusaders Wheelchair Rugby League and Disability Sports Club and Chester Wheelers, Flintshire County Council agreed to make changes to open up access in line with disability access legislation. The council has now removed all A-frame barriers in Connah's Quay and Deeside area and will work in consultation with other landowners along the coast park and North Wales Police to remove more throughout 2025/26. As Flintshire's cabinet confirmed the park's five-year management plan, Sealand Cllr Christine Jones called on police to crack down harder on vandalism at the park - and for visitors to be their eyes and ears. "We welcome the removal of the A-frame barriers to improve access but please beware it is being abused by motorcyclists going along the cycle paths," she said. "If anybody sees it please notify North Wales Police so they can be stopped. It is a dangerous practise if someone is walking the dog, cycling or jogging and a motorcycle comes up behind you. It can be extremely frightening and dangerous." Councillor Chris Dolphin, Cabinet member for Economy, Environment and Climate, agreed that the removal of the barriers meant more policing was required. "The police need to not only be involved but taking action if there is abuse of our coast park," he said. "We all need to look after our natural areas and if we look after it, it will be a great place for us all to visit. "We need the police to act and act strongly if there is abuse of our coast park and our coast path." Popular with walkers, cyclists and bird-watchers, Flintshire Coast Park (FCP) stretches for 25 miles along the shore of the Dee Estuary – from the Welsh/English border to the Irish Sea. The new management sets out target areas for improvement and outlines how the park will provide residents and visitors with an improved sense of place and arrival. It also details a phased approach to raising the profile of the foreshore, enhancing tourism and enabling communities and businesses to work sustainably and innovatively to help deliver environmental, economic and social prosperity, as well as site specific proposals for eight 'hubs' along the path. The hubs start in Saltney on the English/Welsh border followed by the Northern Gateway and Garden City, Connah's Quay and Shotton, Flint Foreshore, Bagillt Foreshore, Greenfield and Llanerch-y-Môr and Mostyn. The final hub is where river meets sea at the wide sandy beach of Talacre and Gronant, whose towering lighthouse is recognised as the symbol of the park. The aspiration is that Flint Foreshore will become the central hub - the focal point for visitors to explore the park with a proposed new heritage building for the area. There are also plans to improve protections for natterjack toad populations in Talacre. Cllr Dolphin said: 'Our ambition is a Flintshire Coast Park for the benefit of all, celebrating the rich natural habitat of the Dee Estuary and Flintshire Coastline. 'The rich Dee Estuary landscape is precious with sensitive habitats, home to a wealth of species. It is important that the natural environment is celebrated, enhanced and protected for future generations. 'Our first 5-year management plan offers a fantastic wealth of possibilities to utilise our skills to bring our ambition to fruition.'
