Author Topic: North Wales News  (Read 56943 times)

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Offline SteveH

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North Wales News
« on: September 14, 2016, 06:05:50 pm »
Saying all the right things, as long as it is pushed forward, good for North Wales

Growth plan to create 120,000 extra jobs in North Wales.

A growth plan that highlights how the region can create an extra 120,000 jobs has been unveiled.
The North Wales Economic Ambition Board has put forward its vision for the region’s economy.

The document - A Growth Vision for the Economy of North Wales - urges the UK and Welsh Government to back their ambition for investment and greater powers in the region.
They say the return will be an increased size in the region’s economy from £12.5bn to £20bn by 2035

“We have a good track record in attracting investment but recognise that more needs to be done if job creation and income levels are to match UK levels.

“The plan focuses on strategic infrastructure investments that link business to key markets and communities, developing and skilling the workforce to take advantage of opportunities and working with partners cross-border to grow key sectors and support projects with the potential to transform our economy.

“We recognise that the plan is ambitious, but we have identified a number of projects that could support jobs and prosperity.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/growth-plan-create-120000-extra-11884007


Offline SteveH

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Re: North Wales News
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2016, 03:39:09 pm »
'Tax cut' or 'spin doctoring'...rates relief pledge for North Wales businesses turns into row.

The Welsh Government says it has delivered a tax cut for thousands of small firms in Wales but this claim has been attacked as "spin-doctoring" by a business group.
Local Government Secretary Mark Drakeford has confirmed that the £98m Small Business Rates Relief scheme will be extended for 2017-18, with it becoming permanent after then.

FSB Development Manager Mike Learmond said: “Whilst we welcome the announcement that Small Business Rates Relief in Wales is to be put on the same permanent basis as in England, to describe such a move as a tax cut for small businesses is blatantly misleading and the worst form of spin-doctoring.
"Putting the current relief scheme on a permanent footing merely maintains the status quo and does not mean that small businesses in communities across Wales will pay any less in business rates than they did previously.

“In its manifesto Welsh Labour pledged to 'offer a tax cut for all small businesses' - today’s announcement in no way meets that pledge, and we would urge the Finance Minister to look at how the Welsh Government can keep the promise that it made to the small business community and the wider electorate.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/tax-cut-north-wales-businesses-11891307


Offline SteveH

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Re: North Wales News
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2016, 03:48:50 pm »
I think this article shows how lucky Llandudno is, and will be in the future, certainly from a shopping point of view.


More than one in five shops lie empty in some town centres in North Wales - sparking a “ghost town” warning.
Shocking figures from the Local Data Company(LDC) show the region has some of the worst performing towns in the UK when it comes to empty premises.

Bangor had a shop vacancy rate of 21.8% in the first half of 2016.
This figure was one of the worst in the UK for towns of that size, although the vacancy rate was down from 22.4% in 2015
In Rhyl , 21.6% of shops were empty, up from 17.5% in 2015 as the seaside resort has struggled to cope after losing major chains like Marks & Spencer and Next in recent years.

“There are so many empty units and a lot of those filled are charity shops, we need to do something to get retailers back on the high street.

“If something does not happen soon Rhyl town centre will be a ghost town.
“We are looking at setting up a Business Improvement District which is a start and we need action on rates from the next re-valuation.
Bangor has already seen the creation of a Business Improvement District to help support the city centre.

More and comments below article....
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/ghost-town-warning-one-five-11910657


Offline SteveH

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Re: North Wales News
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2016, 01:45:12 pm »
Is your North Wales business a tourism champion?
Tourism firms and small businesses are being urged to get their entries into the Daily Post Business Awards 2016.
The awards aim to find the area’s most innovative companies and talented people.
Prizes will be awarded to the firms and business people who have excelled over the last 12 months and are helping drive the economy forward.
There are 10 categories for businesses to enter with a showcase awards ceremony in November at Bangor University, who are the headline sponsor of the awards and also support the Business Person of the Year category.

Has your organisation helped promote the growth and expansion of the local tourist industry? Can you demonstrate how you are attracting more visitors to North and mid Wales for days out and longer holidays, business trips, conferences, exhibitions or other events?

Entries will be judged on business achievement and growing financial performance, with the business possibly also demonstrating strong future growth potential.
The 10 awards are open to ANY type of business based within North Wales.
It’s free to enter and there are number of ways to enter your business.

For an entry form and information visit www.dailypostbusinessawards.co.uk , call: 01492 574 472 or email events@dailypost.co.uk.

“The aim of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board (NWEAB) is for a single, joined-up vision for economic and employment growth for North Wales.
“Currently with the public and private sector working together within the NWEAB, a “Team North Wales” approach can be delivered through collaboration and partnership working.
“Our ambition is to support the further development of a confident, cohesive region with economic growth, capitalising on the success of high value economic sectors.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/your-north-wales-business-tourism-11905541

Offline SteveH

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Re: North Wales News
« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2016, 11:44:38 am »
Thousands of firms in North Wales are set to find out how much they are set to pay in business rates today - but huge demand has seen the Government's on-line checker crash.

The Valuation Office Agency published the new "rateable values" of their properties at around 9.30am this morning.
It was set to show the changes in the amount firms will pay in business rates from next April.

North Wales is expected to benefit as the last review took place in 2008 prior to the economic crash.
But the system has experienced serious technical difficulties this morning due to the sheer level of demand.

Some figures have been available but many searches have come back unsuccessful.
The Government department is working to resolve the issues.

One Llanfairfechan firm said it had been able to log-on and had discovered the rates they were due to pay on a new unit could soar.

All UK firms pay a tax on the shops, offices, warehouses and factories that they use.
Rates are the third biggest outgoing for many small businesses after rent and staff costs.   ref DP

Offline SteveH

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Re: North Wales News ........business rates slashed
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2016, 07:26:58 pm »
High street retailers across North Wales could see their business rates slashed after the UK-wide review by the Valuation Office Agency(VOA).

The final business rate level is calculated by multiplying the rateable value with a ‘multiplier’ (the number of pence per pound of rateable value) set by the government.
Colliers found that some stores on Mostyn Street in Llandudno could see rateable values almost halved, with an average reduction of around 20%.

Colwyn Bay firms on Station Road could benefit from 20% cuts while those in the Bay View Centre were projected to see falls of 43%.

Edward Hiller, managing director of Llandudno landowner Mostyn Estates, said: "For the past six years, retailers in Llandudno have in the main suffered excessive rates bills.
"For those that have survived the combined impacts of the past recession, and internet competition, it is encouraging to see their costs can now approach some sense of normality.
"The headline numbers suggest a modest average fall in rateable values within Llandudno.
"However, we have noticed there are some significant differentials.

"There are some very obvious areas we will be discussing with the Valuation Office.
"As a case in point, I fail to see why Vaughan Street has improved over that time. It is just about to lose the Post Office, which could be a significant blow to footfall.

MORE  http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/could-shops-your-north-wales-11963260


Offline SteveH

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Re: North Wales News..........Dog owners
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2016, 10:30:56 am »
Dog owners in North Wales are being warned about the potentially fatal parasite lungworm after an increase in reported cases.
Lungworm is a parasite that lives in slugs, snails and frogs which can cause weight loss, difficulty breathing, a chronic cough, trouble exercising, and can even be fatal.

Chris Cater, who has been in practice as a small animal vet in the Llandudno area for 34 years, said he had noticed an increase in lungworm cases throughout the country over the last few years.
Mr Cater, clinical director at Cater Veterinary Practice in Llandudno, told the Daily Post: “The trouble is that slugs and snails are involved because they swallow the larva of the lungworm so they’re part of the cycle.
“Dogs will eat slugs and snails and will get the infection from that.
“Dogs can also accidentally digest slugs and snails from their water bowls and toys, so it’s important to make sure that they’re left outside clean in the garden."

“The lungworm is a problem in North Wales as there are a lot of slugs and snails and it’s very rural with wet weather.
“The lungworm comes from Southern Europe and it has sped throughout the country in the last few years.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/warning-north-wales-dog-owners-11974827

Offline SteveH

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Re: North Wales News
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2016, 04:49:40 pm »
Interesting article re. Lonely Planet travel guide puts North Wales #4 best place to visit.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/north-wales-global-top-ten-12070597

Offline SteveH

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Re: North Wales News
« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2016, 12:22:49 pm »
Bank of Wales to launch next year...and it will be based in the North.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/bank-wales-launch-next-yearand-12312176

Offline SteveH

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Re: North Wales News
« Reply #9 on: December 16, 2016, 03:48:50 pm »
I found this article interesting, and looked into it a bit more, links below.......

800m Deeside waste incinerator construction to start next month.
Wheelabrator Parc Adfer will be a combined heat and power enabled facility which will generate 18.8 MW (gross) / 16.6 MW (net) of sustainable electricity to meet the needs of over 30,000 UK homes and businesses.

In 2014, Wheelabrator was selected as preferred bidder to build and operate the facility over the next 25 years as a public-private partnership, with support from the Welsh Government to serve the five local authorities that make up the North Wales Residual Waste Treatment Project - Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd and the Anglesey councils.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/800m-deeside-waste-incinerator-construction-12331482

Seems a very impressive system ...well worth watching......
Video    http://www.wtienergy.com

Offline SteveH

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Re: North Wales News
« Reply #10 on: December 23, 2016, 02:09:55 pm »
This seems a bit heavy, considering its tax payers money paying the fine........

Gwynedd Council hit with £73,000 fine for waste 'negligence'.
Tywyn county councillor Mike Stevens criticised NRW for taking the case to court and using a “big stick” to beat the council with.
He said: “This fine isn’t going to benefit the taxpayers of Tywyn and the people of Gwynedd.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/gwynedd-council-hit-73000-fine-12363828

Comment.......
Steamnut
So, if the Council makes a mistake then, indirectly, we pay the fine. If we make a mistake then we also pay. If my business makes a mistake then I pay not my customers. to make things a bit fairer why not fine, or sack the employees involved? Oh, sorry, I forgot, Council employees assume that have a job

Offline SteveH

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Re: North Wales News
« Reply #11 on: January 12, 2017, 04:30:59 pm »
Cleaners could earn £45 an hour in North Wales...but...............

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/cleaners-could-earn-45-hour-12443909

Offline TheMedz

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Re: North Wales News
« Reply #12 on: January 16, 2017, 01:19:30 am »
Not sure if this has been mentioned before but just in case it hasn't.

Interesting NHS waiting times app.

Hopefully you will never need to use it but just in case, this app might make the decision to go left or right along the A55 to A&E a more informed one.

 It was written for the Midlands hospitals but can be used for North Wales.


http://www.waittimes.uhnm.nhs.uk/

Offline SteveH

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Re: North Wales News
« Reply #13 on: February 21, 2017, 12:06:21 pm »
Did you spot Apache helicopters over North Wales?

No you weren't mistaken, they were Apache helicopters on exercise around our region.
Squadron Dave Williams from RAF Valley said locals should keep their eyes peeled over the next few days as there will be some good images to be had as they roam the region.
He said: “They’re here on detachment for around a week around the local area.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/you-spot-apache-helicopters-over-12632032

Some comments.....
there's me thinking north wales police have got some new toys

Heard it was Trump looking at all the protesters against him!

Offline born2run

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Re: North Wales News
« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2017, 12:08:48 pm »
I've seen these lots of times over the years from my office. They often fly over Conwy mountain as they did yesterday about 4pm