Councillors Hugh Evans and Rhiannon Hughes - Thank you

I am sure you are wondering why I am thanking two Denbighshire County Councillors namely the Leader of the Council (Hugh Evans) and Rhiannon Hughes who is a Cabinet member and has third sector in her portfolio.
Well the answer is quite simple and one that many voluntary organisations in Denbighshire will equally be aware of and that is following my meeting with both Councillors, as part of a regular get together, they responded within a matter of days to the concerns I expressed at the delay in the County Council issuing formal funding letters to a number of groups across Denbighshire. That delay had caused the voluntary organisations unnecessary anguish and concern in not knowing whether the funding would come through . It is only when you have written document stating the funding is in place can you be assured despite the many verbal assurances that staff at county hall were giving. This anxiety had been ongoing since we first raised the concern at the February meeting of the Voluntary Sector Liaison group i.e. a full three months before the Leader stepped in and resolved the matter within days.
The Leader and Councillor Rhiannon Hughes told me directly me that if I come across any issues that I am unable to resolve they in the final analysis want to know.
You will recall I mentioned this and other items in my blog dated 23/5/10 and so now the grants issue is resolved we can now move swiftly on to the other items I raised which I list below:


1. Scrutiny committees - I understand there will be an announcement on this later this month?


2. Voluntary Code of funding practice for Third Sector - I am expecting a response from the County very soon. In fact at the next Voluntary Sector Liaison group meeting scheduled for 5th July.


3. Grants to voluntary organisations - resolved by Leader and Councillor Rhiannon Hughes.



4. North Wales Procurement Partnership - this now looks like a watching brief as no major problems , that I am aware of , are happening.



5. Rural Development Board/Partnership - interestingly there are now developments on this at a regional level (All Wales) and today I have been asked if I would attend a WAG / WLGA and WCVA meeting.



6.Regeneration Board - watch this space



7. Collaborative commissioning - I am expecting a response very soon.



8.Rhyl PACT - watch this space



9. Rhyl Shopmobility - I am now preparing a file on this issue which will be subject to discussion with the Authorities.



10. Community Transport - some really positive steps now being taken by Denbighshire County Council in collaboration with Community Transport Association and ourselves (DVSC)