Latest news with #PrestatynCarnival
Rhyl Journal
21-07-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Four primary schools set to be amalgamated into two
At a meeting of the council's education and skills overview and scrutiny committee this week, members voted 15-0 in favour of amalgamating both Ysgol y Foryd with Ysgol Maes Owen in Towyn and Kinmel Bay, and Ysgol Glan Gele with Ysgol Sant Elfod in Abergele. Both proposals followed public consultations, during which residents were invited to submit objections. Just two objections were received in the Towyn and Kinmel Bay proposal, and ten in the Abergele consultation. Under the plans, all four school sites would remain but each pair managed under one structure. Job losses In response to the Ysgol Glan Gele and Ysgol Sant Elfod amalgamation, some consultees raised fears about job losses. The council responded: 'The governing body will draft a new staffing structure, and any changes will be consulted on with staff and unions. 'It is anticipated that current staff from both schools will be slotted into relevant and appropriate positions within the new structure. However, leadership roles could be restructured, and the headteacher position will be advertised once a decision to amalgamate is made.' MORE NEWS: Casualty taken to hospital via air ambulance after crash in Kinmel Bay Prestatyn Carnival enjoys successful return to town for 2025 Queen's Market hits full occupancy as £12m Rhyl development welcomes new vendors If approved by cabinet next month, each pair of schools will be merged under a single leadership and governance structure, with one budget for each newly formed school. The changes are expected to make more efficient use of resources, with both new schools operating on slightly reduced budgets compared to the current arrangements. The projected budget for the amalgamated Glan Gele and Sant Elfod school is £2.2m. Report The report stated: 'Long term the amalgamation will result in more efficient and effective use of resources with the school funding calculations changing from two to one school budget. 'If the schools were to be merged to become a single school, the formula would calculate a single budget of £2,199,934, which is smaller than the budget of operating as two separate schools by £22,636.' Cllr Paul Luckock explained Sant Elfod had a significant loan from the council and asked what might happen with that if the merger went ahead. Cllr Luckock then said: 'I'd like the cabinet to at least consider the writing off of that loan because if it's not written off, it puts the new school in a more problematic position.' He added: 'Both schools' budgets are very tight going forward.' Conwy's head of finance Ms Amanda Hughes responded: 'If cabinet wish to consider it, I'm sure they can; however, I will be advising that will (would) be setting a precedent, and therefore, in that context, it would need very careful consideration.' The committee later heard the Ysgol Y Foryd and Ysgol Maes Owen merger would receive a single budget of £1.77m — around 3% less than the current combined funding – a saving of £57,179. The matter will be debated at next month's cabinet meeting. Both mergers would be supported by transitional funding over three years and a 12-month period of staff consultation.
Rhyl Journal
18-07-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
‘Most haunted pub in Prestatyn' re-opens doors with new name
The White Lady Beer House, on Sandy Lane, is the new name for what was formerly The Royal Victoria. Dubbed 'the most haunted pub in Prestatyn', it has been taken on by Ali Akbar, and had its 'soft opening' last Friday (July 11). Ali, 50, and originally from Bradford, said he decided to name the pub after the 'White Lady of Prestatyn', the subject of a famous ghost story in the town – who Ali said he met last week. Ali Akbar (Image: Submitted) He said: 'The White Lady of Prestatyn is the most famous ghost in Prestatyn. I saw her one last night last week, saw decided to name pub after her. 'I am a ghost merchant of Prestatyn now – I'm not as doolally as people think, believe me! 'At night, we have ghosts in the pub windows. I'm hopeful that she's going to come back - the feedback we've had so far has been amazing. 'This place has had a chequered past; it's been closed and gone through many landlords, but have no fear – 'Doolally Ali' is here!' Outside The White Lady Beer House (Image: Submitted) The pub's beer garden has been refurbished, while Ali stocked, licenced and staff the pub in less than three days. It is now open seven days a week from 12pm, with last orders at 2am, and serves a range of real ales and lagers. Food, including curries and jacket potatoes, started being served yesterday (July 17), and a barbecue unit will be set up for Saturday, when the pub will also open early for Prestatyn Carnival. Ali, who has been running pubs for nearly 30 years, said: 'I want it to be a very, very lively community pub. 'As far as I'm concerned, Prestatyn needs it.'
