Latest news with #ConwyCountyBoroughCouncil
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Families angry over £7k a year cross-border care funding gap
Relatives spoke out after learning Denbighshire County Council pays £7,000 a year less per person towards providing care in a care home than their counterparts a short hop across the water in Conwy. One elderly couple caught up in the postcode lottery of funding are Leslie and Megan Smallwood. Leslie, 90, a retired quantity surveyor, and Megan, 86, a former maths teacher, live at The Old Deanery Care Home in St Asaph. They moved there in February last year from their family home at Caerwys in Flintshire, with that property now up for sale. Their daughter Yvonne Harding, a community nurse who lives in Heswall on the Wirral, said: 'Having this difference in fees from one council to another is fundamentally unfair. MORE NEWS: 'It seems to me Conwy are valuing the care sector, and I applaud that. 'We can't fault the home in its care, but it's about meeting the true cost of that care.' Rosemary Holland's brother Andrew Truelove, 61, is a resident at St David's Residential Home in Rhyl. Her father John Truelove had been a resident at the home until his death in September last year. Rosemary, who lives in Conwy, used to work in the care sector and said she has huge concerns about the financial challenges the industry was facing. She urged Denbighshire County Council to at least match the fees paid by Conwy County Borough Council. She said that would ensure all care home residents received an equal level of care – and would stop staff leaving homes in Denbighshire for better pay at care homes across the river in Conwy. Rosemary said: 'I just feel that Denbighshire needs to sort themselves out and pay the extra. 'They need to, because what Denbighshire is doing is affecting the residents. 'I have real concerns about the way social services in Denbighshire is working with residents, because it feels like they are not working for the residents, they are working to try to keep costs down.' The span of the Grade II listed Foryd Bridge can mean a huge difference in funding for care homes on opposite banks of the mouth of the River Clwyd. Care Forum Wales also hit out describing the funding gap as a 'shameful disparity is grossly unjust because it discriminates against older vulnerable people.' Thea Brain, North Wales Policy Advisor for CFW, said: 'This is about the entitlement of the individual. Why is someone who lives in Conwy worth more than someone who lives in Denbighshire? 'When you press this issue with the people at Denbighshire County Council they give very vague answers pointing to the differences in settlement for each local authority but that doesn't account for these huge differences in the figures. 'When you look into this you are left with the unacceptable conclusion that this is just a matter of political priority.' CFW Chair Mario Kreft said: 'It's astonishing that a Labour-controlled council like Denbighshire is ignoring Welsh Labour Government advice and is promoting such inequality in Wales. 'Those making these decisions should consider positions.' Denbighshire County Council funds about 382 placements across 85 care homes. The total projected cost for older people's residential and nursing care during 2025/26 is £15.2 million. A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: "In setting its 2025/2026 care fees, Denbighshire County Council consulted with care providers across the county and took into consideration the main concerns raised, which were the increase in Real Living Wage and the impact of the changes to National Insurance. Each Local Authority has a different funding settlement and therefore has to strike a very delicate balance of navigating challenging financial constraints and ensuring that we are maintaining a sustainable future for the care sector in Denbighshire. "Denbighshire currently funds approximately 382 placements across 85 care homes. The total projected cost for older people's residential and nursing care during 2025/26 is £15.2 million. "With social care making up nearly a third of the average Council Tax bill in Denbighshire, it is vital that we take a fair and sustainable approach to funding care within Denbighshire."
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Conwy Council hands over historic building to new owners
Conwy County Borough Council handed over the keys on May 30 after nearly three decades. This completes the council's programme to reduce the number of its office buildings from 18 to just one, and bring all its office services and democratic functions under one roof. Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, Council Leader, said: 'It gives me great pleasure to hand over the keys to this beautiful building. We've been able to make the decision to move to one office knowing that there is a sustainable and exciting future for the Bodlondeb building - providing economic development opportunities for the town of Conwy and wider area. 'I wish Quidos Investments Limited and Ideas Forum every success.' Quidos Investments Limited have signed a 250-year lease on the historic building. Bodlondeb in under new ownership (Image: Suzanne Kendrick / Newsquest) Nick Pritchard, Director of Quidos Investments Limited and Ideas Forums, said: 'I can't say I'm not nervous taking on such a huge and magnificent building, but as the next custodian of such great heritage, I will do everything in my power to maintain its magnificence and make it a vibrant and exciting workplace. 'Bodlondeb in the future will bring many employment opportunities to the Conwy economy and I look forward to meeting and speaking to local budding entrepreneurs who look to take up space in the building - we could just find our next Welsh 'Alun' Sugar.' Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, Co-founder, Ideas Forums, said: 'Along with fellow directors Fran James and Nick Pritchard, I'm proud to be taking on this challenge to boost entrepreneurship in the region of my birth. Through this initiative, we'll be providing office and co-working spaces, offering free desk space for young entrepreneurs, and delivering the support and funding access that new start-ups need to succeed. 'This is more than just a new business centre, it's a significant investment in the future of North Wales, designed to retain local talent, spark innovation, and build a more sustainable and dynamic regional economy.' Anyone wanting to discuss potential ideas or interested in making Bodlondeb their business home, can click here. Bodlondeb Hall, described as "one of the most beautiful buildings in Wales", was the house seat of the Wood family, built by industrialist and Mayor of Conwy Albert Wood in 1877. It came into municipal ownership in 1937, its family rooms becoming the offices first of all of Conway Borough Council [Conwy was formerly known as Conway] and later, in 1974, of Aberconwy Borough Council. Conwy County Borough Council have been based in the building since its inception in 1996. The Pioneer was given a tour of the characteristical building earlier in May. The council's asset manager Bleddyn Evans, who has been Project Manager for reducing the council's office portfolio and has been overseeing the sale of Bodlondeb (method of disposal, choosing preferred bidder, instructing solicitors) and the re-modelling of Coed Pella [so staff and functions from Bodlondeb can relocate there], said: "With the post pandemic world and technology, we are a lot more agile and don't need as much floor space. "Like all organisations, we have funding challenges and are looking at way where we can be more efficient; reducing our building footprint also supports reducing our carbon emissions."
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Garden centre and cafe with a difference opens in North Wales seaside town
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A garden centre and cafe with a difference has opened this month. Bryn Euryn Nurseries and Café was officially opened in Rhos-on-Sea. It is a purpose built garden centre, shop and café on Dinerth Road that is open to the public and provides employment mentoring to people with disabilities wanting to get into paid employment. The redevelopment was funded by Conwy County Borough Council with Bodelwyddan-based Wynne Construction as contractor. Additional funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has supported staff and café contract costs. Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, Council Leader, said: 'I was delighted to officially open Bryn Euryn Nurseries and Café. I'm proud that this investment by Conwy County Borough Council, with additional funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, will enable the team here to focus on supporting people with learning disabilities to learn the skills they need to move on to paid employment.' Cllr Penny Andow, Conwy's Cabinet Member for Integrated Adult and Community Services, said: 'This development is part of our long term vision for Conwy Social Services, helping us deliver our services in a high quality, bespoke environment. "We're proud to be leading positive change for people with disabilities wanting to begin their careers, whilst making sure our customers have the best quality experience. 'The staff and service users are excited to be working at this wonderful new site, and we hope it will become a hub for the local community - offering an open and bright space where people can meet, shop, eat and relax.' Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
North Wales Live
21-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Garden centre and cafe with a difference opens in North Wales seaside town
A garden centre and cafe with a difference has opened this month. Bryn Euryn Nurseries and Café was officially opened in Rhos-on-Sea. It is a purpose built garden centre, shop and café on Dinerth Road that is open to the public and provides employment mentoring to people with disabilities wanting to get into paid employment. The redevelopment was funded by Conwy County Borough Council with Bodelwyddan-based Wynne Construction as contractor. Additional funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has supported staff and café contract costs. Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, Council Leader, said: 'I was delighted to officially open Bryn Euryn Nurseries and Café. I'm proud that this investment by Conwy County Borough Council, with additional funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, will enable the team here to focus on supporting people with learning disabilities to learn the skills they need to move on to paid employment.' Cllr Penny Andow, Conwy's Cabinet Member for Integrated Adult and Community Services, said: 'This development is part of our long term vision for Conwy Social Services, helping us deliver our services in a high quality, bespoke environment. "We're proud to be leading positive change for people with disabilities wanting to begin their careers, whilst making sure our customers have the best quality experience. 'The staff and service users are excited to be working at this wonderful new site, and we hope it will become a hub for the local community - offering an open and bright space where people can meet, shop, eat and relax.'
Business News Wales
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Council Retains Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Status
Conwy County Borough Council has retained its Gold Level Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme acknowledges employers who have provided exceptional support to the Armed Forces community and defence by going above and beyond their Armed Forces Covenant pledges. Through a three tier approach of bronze, silver and gold awards, the scheme recognises the different levels of commitment provided by employers. The achievement was marked at an event at Venue Cymru. Conwy County Borough Council first achieved Gold Level status in 2019, with a requirement for it to be revalidated every five years. Cllr Liz Roberts is Conwy's Armed Forces Champion, leading on issues affecting the Armed Forces community within the Council. She said: 'I'm delighted we've retained the Gold Level Award, this accomplishment highlights our collective efforts in creating an environment that supports and sustains armed forces personnel, veterans and their families and Cadet personnel. 'This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting the armed forces community by advocating on their behalf, and implementing positive human resources policies that prioritise their integration into the workforce. 'We will, as a council and our partners, continue to ensure that those who have served our country receive the support and opportunities they deserve.'
