• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Junk Mail
• White envelopes
• Catalogues
• Brochures
• Phone directories
• Yellow Pages
• Greetings cards without glitter
• Store directories
• Office paper
• Shredded paper only if you can't compost it at home, put in carrier bags so as to prevent windblown litter
• Other paper that when torn reveals white or grey fibres.

• Unbleached brown card, both flat card and corrugated card
• Brown paper bags
• Waterproof or papers coated in plastic or metallic film
• Food contaminated or wet paper
• Burnt materials
• Paper older than 6 months (except phone books that are alright)
• Anything other than paper.

Johnstown Infant School has been involved in a number of road safety initiatives that have seen the school benefit from £35,000 of funding secured under the Safe Routes to Schools awarded by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Works to improve road safety included new access at the school gate in Melyd Avenue, a 20 mph zone in Maes Isaf, traffic calming measures, new pedestrian crossing access, new signage and "gateway effect road markings have been incorporated into the scheme.

Kerbcraft training has also been carried out by Wrexham Council's Road Safety Team and this will continue in subsequent years. The Road Safety Team have also launched a new kerbcraft dvd, featuring children from Johnstown Infants, which aims to promote the pedestrian safety for 5 - 7 year olds. Schools across the county borough will be invited to take part in the initiative.

School Children Name a locomotive

Children from Froncysyllte County Primary School attended a special ceremony with Wrexham and Shropshire Railway Company to celebrate winning the name a locomotive schools competition.

Dyfrbont Pontcysyllte ( Pontcysyllte Aqueduct) was chosen from a number of entries. Managing Director Andy Hamilton said, that Dyfrbont Pontcysyllte built by the world renowned civil engineer Thomas Telford was a fitting tribute especially as there is a very good chance the aqueduct will gain World Heritage Status next year. The locomotive, named 'Dyfrbont Pontcysyllte' will been seen travelling between Wrexham and London on one of the 5 daily services.

£600,000 Investment in New Sewage System

I am pleased that residents will see improvements to solve the long standing problem of flooding in Bangor Road, Linley Avenue, Worsley Avenue and Heol Orsaf. Dwr Cymru Welsh Water is investing nearly £600,000 into a scheme that will alleviate the risk of flooding to homes in Johnstown. I have been working with Welsh Water for over 2 years following many complaints from residents and hopefully these measures will address residents concerns.

The main sewer on Bangor Road has grown inadequate as Johnstown has developed, putting a strain on the system so that people living in Bangor Road, Heol Orsaf, Linley and Worsley Avenues end up with sewage in their gardens and driveways after a lot of rain.

Work will also be carried out to upsize a section of sewer pipelines and associated manholes along Bangor Road and Heol Orsaf to deliver considerable benefits to those local residents who have experienced occasional flooding during extreme weather conditions. Bangor Road will be closed for the duration of the scheme and there will also be road closures in place on Heol Orsaf in the later stage of the project.

Major Changes to Wrexham's Bin Collection Days

Major changes to Wrexham's bin collection service start next month on 4th August.

Members of the Executive Board have agreed the changes that will mean up to 60% of households will have their bin collection day changed. The decision follows a review of the efficiency and capacity of the current service.

In the coming weeks you will receive calendars and bin stickers stipulating their new collection day. The changes will be communicated through local media and within the communities.

To ensure a smooth changeover all households are asked to put out their general waste, (black or blue bin) along with their recycling boxes and bags during the week of August 4th by 7.30am. The following week will be as shown on the calendar.

The review has been necessary to improve efficiency and meet the demands of new housing developments. Existing rounds are operating at maximum capacity with little room for expansion.

By maximising the efficiency of the rounds the Council can reduce the overall mileage covered each day, saving 1,000 miles per fortnight and reducing the authority's the carbon footprint.

Dog Fouling

In order to remind people of the ongoing enforcement action Wrexham Council will be publishing monthly enforcement figures for dog fouling offences witnessed in the Borough.

Dog owning residents are being reminded of the need to be a responsible pet owner and always use a bag to remove their pets waste. Enforcement Officers regularly issue fixed penalty notices of £75 to those who fail to remove their dogs waste. The bags should be tied securely and placed in any available litter bin. Supplies of bags for the purpose are now
in stock and can be purchased at Crown Buildings in Wrexham, Alyn Waters and Nant Mill Country Parks and most local Estate offices.

For the months of April and May, 32 dog fouling penalties were issued by Enforcement Officers throughout the Borough. The areas of Gwersyllt, Cefn and Caia Park each recorded four fixed penalty notices. Three notices were issued in both the Llay and Rhos areas with other action recorded in Acton, Broughton, Esclusham, Gresford, Offa, Penycae,
Johnstown, Ruabon and Chirk.

5 Facts about going Digital

Switchover happens in Wales in 2009/10.

different areas are switching at different times to find out when your transmitter area switches, visit our post code checker at digital.co.uk or call 08456 50 50 50.

You don't have to buy a new TV

Almost all sets can be converted with a digital box, however, if you do want to buy a new TV, look for the digital logo which means that it is designed to work through the switchover.

It does not have to be expensive

Prices will vary depending on which service you choose, there are two ways of going digital, a one off payment with services such as freeview or freesat from Sky, or a monthly subscription with services such as Sky TV or Virgin media.

Digital TV Gives you more channels and services

You will receive a greater selection of TV channels such as BBC3, itv2 and more. In addition you will receive radio stations, interactive features, subtitling and audio description.

Digital UK is here to help

Independent advise is offered to guide you through the switchover, there is also a help scheme for those who most need the assistance. You will be eligible if you are 75 or over, or entitled to certain disability allowances.

Free Concessionary Travel on the Wrexham - Bidston Rail Service

From Sunday 18th May 2008 rail journeys between Wrexham railway stations and Shotton Station on the Wrexham Bidston Line will be free to Wrexham & Flintshire concessionary travel pass holders. The concession is valid on all services on the line except the first train into Wrexham which arrives at 8.34 a.m. The announcement which allows bus passholders to make free rail journeys between Welsh stations on the line. This pilot, for an initial one year period with Wrexham County Borough Council's support, compliments the free bus travel concession.

More information can be found at:-

http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/travel/bus/concessionary_travel.htm

http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/olderpeople/news/freerailtravel/?lang=en

Customer Information Screens for Rail Passengers

New customer information screens have been installed at both Ruabon and Chirk Railway Stations. The screens on both platforms show live train running information and supplement the current public address system, giving valuable information to passengers on arrivals and departures. The project was funded by TAITH by utilisation of Transport Grant from the Welsh Assembly Government, through Wrexham County Borough Council.

The Customer Information Screens show scheduled and real time information on the next three or four services in the direction of travel, scrolling to display the stations which the next service will call at as well as its destination and the train operator. As from June 2nd 2008, Wrexham to Llangollen bus services will call at Ruabon Station.

Johnstown's Welsh Dresser on Display at Wrexham Museum

Following the launch of the Welsh Dresser Project on the 10th November 2007 in St Fagan's National History Museum in Cardiff, Johnstown's Community Dresser Project is now being displayed in Wrexham's Museum.

Objects which were chosen include a Johnstown 2000 key ring, a miner's helmet, a commemorative tile, a present from South Africa and a fencing foil by Caroline Benson who has represented Wales in the Commonwealth games and more recently came second in the U20 British Championships. Caroline's aims to represent Great Britain in an Olympic Games.

The collection also includes one of Mark Hughes' Welsh shirts, on loan by kind permission from Wrexham County Borough Museum. Mark Hughes opened a Community Centre in Johnstown in July 2007 and used to play for a Johnstown junior team.

The project by Johnstown Youth Management Committee heritage group - is a modern-day
response to the traditional Welsh dresser on what it means to be Welsh and to live in Wales today. Owain Rhys Curator of Contemporary Life said, 'Working with Johnstown community was fantastic and we're pleased their efforts will be on view for others to appreciate.'

The Johnstown community dresser collection is now on display at Wrexham museum in
the main gallery and the collection will stay on show until January 24th 2009.

To view the website click on the following link: http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/rhagor/dresser2/

Parking Regulations

On 1 March 2008 a major change will be introduced to the way in which the County Borough's parking regulations are enforced.

What will happen on 1 March?
On that date Wrexham County Borough Council will take over responsibility from North Wales Police for managing parking enforcement throughout the County Borough. From then on parking attendants employed by the Council will be on patrol on the streets and Council car parks.

Why the Change?
The new parking enforcement arrangement is not about raising revenue.
There are a number of reasons all of which will benefit people living in, working in and visiting the County Borough.

• Encouraging safe and sensible parking.
• Improving safety for pedestrians and drivers.
• Improving the general flow of traffic and journey times through the County Borough.
• Preventing emergency and public service vehicles from finding their routes blocked.
  Improving the general environment.
• Freeing the police to concentrate their resources on issues felt by the public to be more directly their responsibility.
• Over 220 local authorities around the country are already managing parking enforcement in their areas and have seen the benefits; many other local authorities will take on this responsibility in the future.

The official name for these changes is 'decriminalised parking enforcement' and means that parking enforcement by the Council stops being a criminal offence and becomes a civil contravention.

If you want more information about the new enforcement scheme then contact the parking services department:

By Post
Parking Services
Transportation and Asset Management
Crown Buildings
Wrexham
LL13 8BG

By Phone
01978 292042

By Email
parking@wrexham.gov.uk

"Owain Glyndwyr" Worsley Avenue - Johnstown

I am pleased that following a report to the council's executive board on 18th December 2007, Worsley Avenue in Johnstown has met the criteria under the "Owain Glyndwr Scheme" Fields in Trust initiative. Its introduction is intended to commemorate the 600th Anniversary of the Welsh Statesman to protect land for recreational use in perpetuity for the benefit of local communities. This now involves the council entering into a deed of dedication or transferring the freehold in order to protect the land for recreational use in perpetuity. I am particularly pleased that following the protection of Heol Kenyon last year Worsley Avenue has now met the criteria following my nomination.

Wrexham Council Launch Pride In Your Streets

There is now one phone number for residents to ring and report environmental concerns that may range from incidences of Graffiti to dog fouling and street lighting. A full list of all the services covered is available on Wrexham Council's website at www.wrexham.gov.uk.

The initiative will be accompanied by a high profile publicity campaign and the 01978 298989 number will appear on all council vehicles connected with Pride in Your Streets, to make sure as many as residents as possible get the message quickly and efficiently.

Pride in Your Streets brings together over 200 staff from several different departments within the Council who will work together to ensure that we all live in areas that we can be proud of.

I am constanly being told that having streets and communities which are clean, green, safe and well cared for is of paramount importance to residents, we all want to live in places we can be proud of. However, the public's enjoyment of our areas and the appearance of many streets is often spoilt by nuisances such as litter, fly posting, fly tipping, graffiti, dog fouling, overgrown hedges and refuse that's left out inappropriately.

Please use the telephone number on 01978 298989.

Services include Abandoned cars and cars for sale on the roadside, Amenity Areas, Cleanliness of Car Parks, Cleanliness of Street Signs, Dead Animals, Dog Fouling, Enforcement, Flooding, Fly Posting, Fly Tipping, Graffiti Removal, Grass Cutting, Gulley Emptying, Hand Bills, Landscaping/flower beds/trees, Leaf Clearance, Litter, On/Off street parking, Reactive Highway Works including Winter Maintenance, Recycling Bases, School Sites and others, Sharp Objects/Needles, Street Cleansing, Street Furniture/Fences/Railings, Street Lighting, Street Name Signs, Street Trading, Toilet Cleaning and Waste Collection.

Wrexham Wins Fields in Trust Cymru Award

Wrexham County Borough Council is the 2006 winner of the annual 'FIT Cymru Playing Field Protection Award' which is sponsored by the Royal Mail and was accepted by Wrexham Council at the the award from Arfon Haines Davies in a special ceremony at the FIT Cymru stand on the Royal Welsh Agricultural Showground recently.

The award is in recognition for the local authority or community group that has established the most amount of protected recreational land in the previous year in partnership with FIT Cymru. Wrexham County Borough Council won the award for establishing three Owain Glyndwr Fields at Marchwiel, Johnstown and Rhostyllen.

The Welsh arm of Fields in Trust, which is the new name of the National Playing Fields Association, was established in order to widen FIT's work throughout Wales. As well as campaigning and lobbying to protect playing, recreation and open fields, FIT also offers technical advice to field managers. It encourages play, recreation and leisure in schools
and the community.

Additional Bin for Large Families of 6 or more

I have recently supported a review of household refuge collection at the council's Executive Board where I supported a reduction from 8 people to 6 people eligible to apply for an additional wheelie bin in one household. In the first instance you should contact Wrexham Council who will arrange for a visit by the recycling officers to ensure that households continue to recycle. The Chief Environment Officer has delegated powers to decide on individual applications and a charge of £10 is applied if the application is granted. For further information or to arrange a visit by the council's recycling officers please contact Wrexham Council on 01978 292040.

What is Victim Support ?

I recently attended a presentation on Victim Support at Wrexham South Police Safety Group I attend. Victim support is a branch of the National Independent Charity dedicated to helping victims of crime. It is a group of local volunteers who are specially trained to support victims in the Wrexham and Flintshire area. The service is:

Free
Confidential
Independent

Available to all victims of crime without exception

What can Victim Support do to Help? Victim support can offer a range of services that includes

Emotional support
Practical advice
Help with criminal injuries compensation claims
Information about attending court as a witness
Accompanying people to the police or court Liaison with other organisations on behalf of victims

If you would like to speak to someone in confidence please call 01352 751538 or leave a message if the office is unattended.

Deputy Chief Constable Clive Wolfendale Visit to Johnstown (13th June 2007)

This is what the Deputy Chief Constable Clive Wolfendale said on his visit to Johnstown. A few days ago I made a visit to the south Wrexham area of the force, focusing on two very different areas: Johnstown and Froncysyllte. A walk round the former was an unexpectedly pleasant experience. I have rarely seen publicly maintained grassland so carefully tended. The trick is to co-ordinate grass cutting and litter collection.

Anyone who's ever accidentally strimmed a single paper tissue will know what a mess can be made; and yet all across north Wales you can find public lawns and verges where the shredded litter tattily mingles with the grass cuttings - simply because the maintenance services aren't joined up. They've got it right in Johnstown and, as a result, the whole area looks a treat

Stiwt Theatre Rhos

I have been asked by the Stiwt Theatre for feedback on the services they provide to Johnstown residents. The theatre serves the whole of North East Wales, particularly Wrexham residents. The Stiwt are always interested in receiving feedback on the events and programmes offered and invite you to tell them if they are providing what you would like to see and hear. Contact 01978, 844053 or fax 01978 846191 or email, theatr@stiwt.co.uk with your comments.

Local Company Supports School Safety

A local delivery parcel service in Wrexham, McDonald Transport Services based in Whitegate Industrial Estate has donated 100 yellow High Visibility vests to Johnstown Infant School to help raise the profile of Road Safety. Many thanks to McDonald Transport for this kind donation. www.localdeliveryonline.com.

Warm Wales Scheme

Warm Wales is still available to residents and insulation is free to householders who are receiving qualifying benefit (housing benefit, income support, DLA, attendance allowance, pension credit etc) Local authority tenants or residents spending more than 10% of their income on fuel. All householders in the County Borough can also take up the offer of cavity wall insulation for £149 per household or loft insulation for £149 irrespective of house type i.e. semi detached or detached. For further information or to see if you qualify please contact 0845 026 1135.

Mobile Phones and Driving Don't Mix

Points on your Licence

It is illegal to use a hand held mobile phone when driving and the penalties are going up. From 27th February 2007 you will receive a £60 fine and three penalty points on your licence. If you get six points in the first two years after passing your test, you will lose your licence under the new drivers act. You can also be prosecuted for using a hands-free mobile phone if you are not in proper control of your vehicle. The penalties will be the same as for using a hand held phone. And the penalties for driving carelessly or dangerously when using any phone can include disqualification, a large fine and up to two years imprisonment.

Are there exceptions?

Yes- a driver may call 999 or 112 in response to a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop to make the call. The best advice is to switch off your mobile phone before you drive off.

Key facts on the smoking ban in WALES

The new law banning smoking in enclosed public places in Wales is due to come into force on 2nd April 2007. The aim of the smoking law is to protect workers and the general public from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

The law creates three specific offences:

* Failing to display no-smoking signs in premises covered by the law
* Smoking in a smoke-free place
* Failing to prevent smoking in a smoke-free place.

Similar legislation has already taken effect in Scotland and is proposed to come into force in England and Northern Ireland in 2007.

Very few exemptions are proposed to the smoking ban. The new law will affect most public premises, including restaurants, pubs, bars, shops, cinemas, shopping centres, leisure centres, other enclosed workplaces and public transport. For further information contact Wrexham County Borough Council on 01978 292040 or email smokefree@wrexham.gov.uk or visit www.smokingbanwales.co.uk .