THE newly appointed chairman for Corwen Town Council is looking to making headway with a ‘firm and ambitious’ four-year plan.

Cllr Huw Jones, previously councillor for Corwen Lower and Upper, has taken on the role following an uncertain 12 months for the council in which it received a bad audit for financial control.

However, according to Cllr Jones, following a report from internal auditors that deemed the council ‘adequate and effective’, the council is now “on an excellent footing to move forward."

Cllr Jones said: “It has been a very hard and trying twelve months for the Corwen Town Council but hopefully, now with measures in place we can at last move forward with confidence.

“We have firm and ambitious plans for the next four years through which we will work towards improving the Town. The Council intends to lead the way, and help other groups and associations, to have a well-defined cohesive town plan in place.

“I believe we can make Corwen a more vibrant area to work, shop and live.”

Cllr Jones’ new appointment takes place alongside a new clerk, Cllr Philomena Hearn, while there are still three councillor vacancies to fill due to the resignations of two councillors.

Cllr Jones said: “I assure you that the council is committed to make Corwen a better town, and that even through a turbulent period we have set plans in place to ensure this.”

“Over the past 12 months, Corwen has received £2 million in grants to improve the town and provide new services, from the new Improved Health Centre, Corwen Hydro Scheme, SDCP (Canolfan Ni), Corwen Museum and the new Railway Station.

“We are also planning a scheme to help new businesses adapt to the new ways of shopping trends and to help them cope with the loss of the banks in town, which is not unique to Corwen.

Cllr Jones continued: “What the council is firmly for, I believe, is to work more closely in developing a new town plan, to get all groups pulling together and finally move forward.

“We are looking for ways to increase the means whereby we can be more inclusive and responsive to everyone’s aspirations.

“I am optimistic about the future of Corwen, and I believe that through teamwork, with us all working together, we will achieve these goals.

“It is an honour for me to be the chair of this council for the next 12 months, now it is down to the hard work.”