Welcome to the Deeside.com ‘Local Democracy Reporter’ section
The Local Democracy Reporting Service is a BBC project which has seen around 150 new journalism jobs created in a bid to ‘help fill a gap in the reporting of local democracy issues across the UK.’
The journalists are funded by the BBC but employed by regional news organisations.
The local contract, one of 59 across the UK, was awarded to Trinity Mirror (now ‘Reach PLC) who publish the Daily Post but is being run via Newsquest, the UK subsidiary of US media giant Gannett, the new owners of NWN / The Leader.
Deeside.com applied and was granted access to a ‘newsbank’ and the output of reporters across a couple of neighbouring local authorities as well as Flintshire.
Local Democracy Reporters should be covering top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.

Flintshire Council consultation over review which could see loss of free education travel for over 16s in Flintshire

Plans submitted to turn terraced house in Connah’s Quay into ‘house in multiple occupation’

More than £34 million set to be injected into Flintshire’s social housing

Ratepayers facing likely 8.5% council tax hike as lobbying visit to Cardiff by Flintshire Councillors fails to deliver more money

Flintshire Council could lose £130,000 a year under proposed new taxi laws

Reassurance provided over plans for extra care facility in Buckley

Opposition chiefs voice frustration over length of time taken to investigate conduct of Flintshire council leader

Calls for CCTV and tracking devices to be put in Flintshire taxis to protect public

Questions over why controversial plans for 66 homes in Drury pulled from council agenda

Around 80 new homes set to be built in Oakenholt following approval

Flint garage redevelopment given the go ahead

Affordable apartment plans in Connah’s Quay approved despite being compared to a mausoleum

Plans for new art gallery in Hawarden to assist ‘frustrated’ artists

Cheshire West councillors say a ‘no deal’ scenario would throw the authority’s preparation up in the air

Housing plans for fire hit Shotton social club site would be ‘no good’ for community

Owner of historic Buckley music venue objects to extra care facility plans

Plans to convert a former Deeside Poundworld into gym have been given the nod

Lack of government funds for teacher pay rises could place standards of education in Flintshire in jeopardy

Concerns raised over availability of mental health services in Flintshire

Plans for around 80 new homes in Oakenholt look set to get the go-ahead

Large new petrol station in Oakenholt backed for approval

Plans for 30 apartments on site of arson-hit Connah’s Quay social club to go back on table

Petition with 2,000 signatures handed to council following incident which left Saltney’s Alfie Watts seriously injured

Plans submitted to turn former Jehovah’s Witness meeting hall in Connah’s Quay into bedsits

Plans have been submitted to knock down the United Reformed Church in Northop

Flintshire Council Tax hike of nearly 9% parked until bus load of councillors have been to Cardiff to lobby Government

Plans submitted to convert former Flint discount store into gym

Tighter restrictions on the use of A-boards in Chester set to remain in place

Flintshire schools face ‘significant’ challenges despite proposed budget increase

Why a Berkshire council is searching for Welsh speakers to keep an eye on elderly & vulnerable adults in Flintshire

Detailed proposals submitted for 80 new homes in Gwernaffield

Formal proposals put forward for Penyffordd Co-op store

Run-down hotel in Mold could be demolished to make way for apartments

Condition of Flintshire’s deteriorating roads flagged as ‘major risk’

Chester to get new 1,269-home estate close to the Flintshire border

Flintshire council to take leading role in increasing electric car charging points in county

Plans to demolish a 400-year-old Ewloe pub to make way for apartments have been passed

Plans for more than 50 new homes as part of Oakenholt housing development

Plans for new park and ride to ease congestion on Deeside Industrial Park

New affordable housing scheme in Deeside could help to tackle homelessness

New electricity generation facility in Hawarden would ‘help to prevent blackouts’

Stalled plans for almost 60 new homes near Mold backed for approval

Second damning report for Buckley care home

Consultants being brought in to help transform historic Bailey Hill in Mold

Holywell chapel could be converted into two apartments

Flintshire playgroup removed from monitoring by inspection body

Protecting most vulnerable is key priority for Flintshire council in the new year

Flintshire council will need to find an additional £380,000 to help fund North Wales Fire Service

Plans for 23 new homes in Drury approved on appeal

Flintshire council leader ‘disappointed’ at final settlement announcement

Renewed plans for 32 new homes in Penyffordd

Plans to convert former Queensferry Poundworld store into gym submitted

Opposition to plans for 80 new homes in Flintshire village

Countess bosses raise concerns about Welsh NHS as number of ‘bed blocking’ patients from over the border rises 26%

Empty spaces above shops should be used to tackle homelessness in Flintshire

Consultation launched over plans for 160 new houses in Flintshire village

Plans to increase Flintshire council’s litter enforcement team approved

Free travel could be removed for post-16 students as consultation is approved

More than 160 children have applications rejected for Flintshire’s oversubscribed schools

Claims Flintshire County Council lent over £57m to ‘prop up’ other authorities

Plans to extend Babell caravan park & add log cabins would ‘boost economy’

Around 15 new jobs to be created as Connah’s Quay garage redevelopment gets green light

Fake story about plans to build a ‘super-mosque’ in Prestatyn have been slammed

Concerns over planning enforcement lead to new policy for Flintshire Council

Action plan to be launched to tackle growing issue of homelessness in Flintshire

Parents in Flintshire may have to fork out £150 for concessionary school bus passes next year

Calls for more ‘Keep Dogs on Leads’ signs on Moel Famau after 6 pregnant sheep killed in attack

Flintshire Councillors set to choose whether to increase number of litter enforcement officers

Charges could be introduced for further education students who receive free travel

Flintshire Council prepares to renew lobbying for fairer funding to avoid 9% council tax increase

Plans for four new homes in Connah’s Quay

Global engineering firm looks set to move onto Hawarden Business Park

North East Wales Metro delivering ‘exciting’ changes for Flintshire

Flintshire Council facing £240,000 parking income shortfall after introduction of controversial changes

Plans for 30 apartments on site of arson-hit Connah’s Quay social club put on hold

Proposal to transform part of a Flintshire farm into a glamping site submitted to planners

Plans for 55 caravans on land to rear of historic Flintshire pub back on the table

Plans for 30 apartments at arson-hit Connah’s Quay social club look set to get the go ahead

Disabled access gates suggested as solution to issues on Wales Coastal Path in Flintshire

Anger as controversial Bagillt housing development goes ahead on appeal

Flintshire businesses encouraged to help increase number of public toilets

Volunteer litter police could help tackle littering and dog fouling a Flintshire Councillor has suggested

Plans to charge an extra £150 for spare seats on school buses in Flintshire slammed as ‘wrong’

Flintshire Council looks set to continue with webcasting of meetings

More needs to be done to improve number of public toilets in Flintshire

Extra government funding welcomed by Flintshire council leader but more is still needed

Parents in Flintshire could be forced to pay £150 extra per year for concessionary school travel

Flintshire Council set to expand ‘in-house’ litter enforcement team

Row breaks out after council told it should cut number of cabinet positions to save money

Removal of free transport for non-entitled pupils to save £400,000 approved by Flintshire councillors

Complying with new data protection rules has presented an uphill struggle for Flintshire Council

Flintshire Councillors set to discuss pay rise proposals

Flintshire Council clarifies position on free transport for faith and Welsh language schools

Flintshire Council could pay thousands to sexual abuse victims from care homes out of the area

UPDATED: Flintshire Council clarifies position on free transport for faith and Welsh language schools

Flintshire could face a council tax hike of up to 15%

Flintshire Council’s consultant spending slashed by more than half

Domestic violence and substance misuse blamed for increase in number of children at risk in Flintshire.

Eight new homes planned on former Sandycroft pub site