Rhiannon Hughes has promised to deliver improvements

During the last week, two reports criticised standards in the county's education service.

Rhiannon Hughes said she would not be stepping down as leader of the council because her administration has uncovered the problems.

She said she had given "personal assurances" to the Welsh Assembly Government to deliver the improvements.

A highly-critical report by education watchdog Estyn had found failures at the council to address poor performance.

It came days after a consultants' report criticised standards in schools.

Estyn's 35-page report said children's educational performance was below average at the ages of seven, 11 and at 16 when they take their GCSEs.

MAIN FINDINGS Education services overall in Denbighshire have "shortcomings in important areas" The political leadership for education is "ineffective" No effective planning for improving education The school improvement strategy does not focus on the key priorities and actions needed to raise standards The council's attendance strategy has yet to have a positive impact on overall attendance levels Source: Estyn

In 2006, Denbighshire also came 19th of the 22 authorities in Wales for the percentage of students gaining two AS/A levels.

Speaking on BBC Wales' Politics Show on Sunday, Cllr Hughes said work was already underway to address the issues.

"I have told the head teachers and governors that I will be leading this process at a strategic level working with the new member for education, councillor Sue Roberts," she said.

Cllr Dewi Owen has vacated his post as lead member for lifelong learning after the Estyn report was published.

Cllr Hughes said the council would be "developing an action plan in response to the report" at the beginning of November.

Top of list

She added it was a "complex" picture and said they would be "setting up structures and improving relationships with schools" and parents.

"I can give them a 100% guarantee - that's why we've done this work to get us to this stage.

"Education is top of our list," Cllr Hughes added.

Education Minister Jane Hutt has said the shortcomings were "unacceptable".

Denbighshire Council said it had already begun to address some of the issues and had begun to invest £470,000 a year from 2006-07 on to improve attainment at Key Stage level 3.

It also said it had improved partnership working with the social services and tackled leadership problems at schools with the worst under attainment.

The council says it will work more closely with schools

The report, commissioned by the council, said wholesale changes were needed to raise standards.

It says there is evidence of significant underachievement among children, particularly at GCSE level.

In response, Denbighshire council said improving standards in schools will be its main focus.

Education consultants Cambridge Education were asked to carry out the research after it was agreed to look again at recommendations contained in a 2005 report.

They found an urgent need to give the highest priority to raising standards.

Findings included:

• Boys' performance was well below that of girls

• Attendance was unsatisfactory

• Too many young people were leaving schools in the county without qualifications.

The problem of falling pupil numbers, common throughout Wales, was also addressed.

We will be working more closely with schools at all levels and our communities to deliver the best possible education for our children and young people Council leader Rhiannon Hughes

The report says that the future of 18 schools in the county should be reviewed because they have 25% surplus places or more.

However, it also lists a number of ways in which these schools could be given a future by encouraging them to work together.

Denbighshire should also support small primary schools which provide good education and have strong links with the community, according to the report.

'Different rationale'

It stresses small schools need to demonstrate value for money and be prepared to find ways to become more efficient by sharing resources.

It also suggests clustering, federating and working towards the formation of area schools in some parts of the county.

"For small village schools then, there has to be another model - a different rationale for being there to justify their high cost; it is not just about the quality of schooling.

"New rural schools of a more optimal size increase opportunities for children and improve outcomes and are suggested as a way forward.

"This may be preferable to simply closing schools and allowing pupils to transfer elsewhere," the report says.

Council leader Rhiannon Hughes who is now taking responsibility for developing Denbighshire's vision for education by early next year said that closing schools would be the "very last option".

She said closures would only follow where there was a "new school or a positive way forward".

"We are aware that improving standards in schools is the single most important issue facing the education service and this report reaffirms that.

"The analysis of the most recent performance of Denbighshire's pupils based on examinations and assessments demonstrate an urgent need to give the highest priority to raising standards," she said.

"Transforming teaching and learning is central to bringing about improvement and we will be working more closely with schools at all levels and our communities to deliver the best possible education for our children and young people."

Mr Opik has become a gossip column regular

He told a meeting at the Lib Dem annual conference in Brighton that the public "would rather see failed dreamers than people with no dream at all".

But skills spokesman Sarah Teather said personality-based politics could have a "corrosive effect on democracy".

It could be used as an excuse to allow sexism to "run amok", she added.

Mr Opik has frequently made the headlines for his relationship with Cheeky Girls singer Gabriela Irimina and his interests, including harmonica-playing, aviation and warnings on the dangers of asteroids.

'Forgiving'

He told the meeting: "We under-estimate the importance of the individual in politics."

Mr Opik, the Lib Dem industry spokesman, also said individual MPs needed more freedom from party whips so they could vote according to their consciences on some issues.

He added: "We need to be a little bit more forgiving when sincerely held beliefs are not also held by the political party."

Voters, he argued, liked to see "characters" in politics, saying: "We have to decide it's OK for us to have characters, because the public like characters."

Ms Teather agreed that MPs' distinctive personalities could be a means of attracting interest in politics, adding: "But it can have a corrosive effect on democracy."

She said toleration of maverick characters' opinions could sexism and other forms of prejudice "to run amok without challenge".

The Lib Dems say immigration is an opportunity, not a threat

Home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said it was "absurd" to suggest the 500,000 people in Britain illegally could all be deported - at £11,000 a head.

Instead after 10 years they should get the right to earn citizenship, he said.

The Tories said the Lib Dems were "living in a fantasy world" while Labour said it would be "a strong pull for waves of illegal immigration".

The government says it does not know how many illegal immigrants are in the UK. However, pressure group Migration Watch puts the figure at between 515,000 and 870,000.

'Fantasy politics'

Mr Clegg said it was "fantasy politics" to discuss mass deportation of the "underclass" of people who do not pay tax, lack employment rights and access to healthcare and banking - when the government does not know where most of them are.

Rather than spend billions trying to deport them all, it would be better to have a new border police force and focus enforcement efforts on people traffickers and criminals, he said.

I do not think our party should ever be cowed into silence by fear of controversy Nick Clegg At a glance: Day Two Delegate views: immigration

And people who have settled in the UK with their families should be given a chance to become citizens.

Under the Lib Dem plan they would have to pass language tests, demonstrate a long-term commitment to the UK and have no criminal record.

There would also be a charge - possibly of several thousand pounds - or a requirement do community service.

Illegal immigrants would be given an "earned route" to citizenship, beginning with a two-year work permit.

'Twilight world'

Party president Simon Hughes said it would end "the perpetual twilight world for those who have been here for so long".

A Lib Dem source denied the plan would lead to an increase in illegal immigration - but admitted it would not go down well with anti-migration campaigners.

Mr Clegg said while the Tories and Labour were locked in a "nasty" bidding war over who could be the toughest on immigration, the Lib Dems should stand up for "freedom, tolerance and diversity".

These proposals will encourage people to break the law and enter the UK illegally Damian Green Shadow immigration minister

"I do not think our party should ever be cowed into silence by fear of controversy," he said.

But for the Tories, shadow immigration minister, Damian Green said it was the Liberal Democrats who were living in a "fantasy world".

"These proposals will encourage people to break the law and enter the UK illegally.

He added: "This will send out a message that Britain's borders are well and truly open to everyone in the world."

ID cards

And for the government, immigration minister Liam Byrne said the introduction of compulsory ID cards would make things tougher for illegal immigrants.

He added: "I believe those here illegally should go home - not go to the front of the queue for jobs and benefits.

"That's why we're now deporting someone every eight minutes and doubling our frontline enforcement resources."

Mr Clegg says more should be spent on a new border police force

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants congratulated Mr Clegg for promoting "a reasonable debate on an issue which is all too often the subject of emotive sound bites".

But chief executive Habib Rahman said the 10-year threshold was too high and recommended a seven-year minimum instead.

"This would logically build on the seven-year policy which already exists for migrants who can demonstrate family relationships, including to children, in the UK," he said.

Andrew Green from pressure group Migrationwatch said: "I am glad that the Liberal Democrats have backed off claims that an amnesty would save the Treasury money.

"In fact, our calculations show that it would cost £1 billion in the first year and up to £5 billion a year in later years. There is no case for this, especially as anyone granted an amnesty would soon be replaced by others."

The Lib Dems also wants work permits for non-EU nationals to be made more expensive for employers, so the money can be spent on training up British workers for other jobs.

On the second full day of their annual conference, the Lib Dems backed proposals to cut the basic income tax rate by 4p, scrap council tax and increase green taxes - including a £10 charge on short haul flights and £2,000 road tax for gas-guzzling vehicles.

Mr Clegg will argue for tougher border controls

Under the plan - to be debated at the party's conference - people who have been in the UK for 10 years will be given the right to earn citizenship.

They would have to pass language tests, demonstrate a long-term commitment to the UK and have no criminal record.

Mr Clegg also wants a new border security force to prevent people entering the country illegally.

The government has said it does not know how many illegal immigrants are in the UK.

Pressure group Migration Watch puts the figure at between 515,000 and 870,000.

But ministers have repeatedly rejected calls for an amnesty, arguing it would send out the wrong signal and act as magnet for migrants from poorer countries.

Controversy

Mr Clegg is expected to argue that the massive increase in global migration has created a new "underclass" of illegal workers without employment rights or access to public services.

But rather than spending billions of pounds on trying to deport all of them, he will argue the government should spend the money on strengthening border controls and tackling people trafficking.

And people who have settled in the UK with their families should be given a chance to become citizens.

A Lib Dem source denied the plan would lead to an increase in illegal immigration - but admitted it would not go down well with anti-migration campaigners.

"There are some people who are going to be upset with us about it, but we are never going to avoid controversy."

Under Mr Clegg's plan illegal immigrants will be given an "earned route" to citizenship, beginning with a two-year work permit.

'Hammering'

The Lib Dems are also expected to back proposals to cut the basic income tax rate by 4p, on the third day of their annual conference in Brighton.

The plan would see an increase in green taxes - including a £10 charge on short haul flights and £2,000 road tax for gas-guzzling vehicles.

Treasury spokesman Vince Cable also wants to target the rich by ending taper relief on capital gains tax and introducing a local income tax.

But he appeared to distance himself from comments by party leader Sir Menzies Campbell, who when asked if the Lib Dem proposals mean the top 10% of earning would get a "hammering," replied "yes".

"I wouldn't use that language," Mr Cable told BBC2's Today at Conference, "we want a fairer tax system but I certainly don't want to hammer them."

It comes amid another welter of negative headlines for Sir Menzies, with some newspapers claiming he made a gaffe during a question and answer session on Monday.

During a conversation with comedian Sandi Toksvig about performance-related nerves, he joked that he must be a "failure" as she was not nervous talking to him.

Some Lib Dems have doubts over Sir Menzies' position

He told BBC One's The Andrew Marr show his tax policies would help 90% of the population and the gap between rich and poor had become "too great".

The comments come after senior Lib Dem Lord Rodgers said some party members were "disappointed" with their leader.

But ahead of the Lib Dem annual conference in Brighton on Sunday, Sir Menzies said he will stay on as boss.

"I've made it perfectly clear... that I will lead the party into the next general election and into the next parliament," he said.

We are going for these people who have done the best of all out of the last 10 years Sir Menzies Campbell

He added that he was ready to fight an election, challenging Prime Minister Gordon Brown to "bring it on".

Of Labour's time in power, Sir Menzies said: "The people at the top have done very well. In fact, they've done too well.

"The division between rich and poor has become too great and it's time for it to be redressed."

Sir Menzies said his party's policy of replacing council tax with a local income tax would only leave those households earning more that £70,000 a year paying more.

'No mandate'

He criticised Gordon Brown's decision to abolish the lowest, 10p in the pound, rate of income tax in his last Budget as chancellor earlier this year.

This would leave households earning £18,500 a year, which did not receive tax credits, worse off, he added.

He said: "We are going for these people who have done the best of all out of the last 10 years."

Sir Menzies reiterated his party's policy to reduce the basic rate of income tax by 4p in the pound, saying this could be funded by increases in environmental taxes and changes to capital gains tax and tax relief on investments and pensions.

Vote on EU, say Lib Dems

He also said a Lib Dem government would offer a referendum on whether the UK stays in the European Union, rather than the vote demanded by Tories and trade unions on whether the country signs up to the EU treaty.

Sir Menzies has been Lib Dem leader since early 2006.

Earlier, Lord Rodgers told the BBC: "I think he's a very able man and an intelligent man and he's very good on foreign affairs, and I always want to listen to him and I respect what he's going to say.

"But he's had a very difficult task and some people are disappointed.

"There is a feeling that there's a lack of energy and an absence of direction, so I very much hope the conference will be different and change the mood really."

But Sir Menzies said the Lib Dems under him had "maintained a distinctive position in British politics". He added: "The great divisions are no longer between left and right but between liberal and authoritarian." The Lib Dem conference runs until Thursday.

Sir Menzies Campbell said the Lib Dems had 'radical' climate plans

Leader Sir Menzies Campbell, arriving at the Brighton venue in a bio-fuel powered car, said his was the only party with "radical" climate policies.

He said international, national and personal action was needed.

The conference, starting on Sunday, will also cover Britain's membership of the EU.

The objective is to make Britain carbon neutral by 2050 Sir Menzies Campbell Liberal Democrat leader

Sir Menzies said: "We are the only party with radical and detailed policies to deal with climate change.

"The objective is to make Britain carbon neutral by 2050.

"That is an objective we simply cannot afford to fail to achieve."

He dodged questions from journalists about his leadership, with his aides saying he would deal with internal party issues "head on".

Liberal Democrat president Simon Hughes said the party was "united" despite low poll ratings and doubts over Sir Menzies' position.

"The Tories have had difficulties recently, we've had no difficulty," he said.

Since Gordon Brown took over as prime minister in June there has been much speculation that he will call an election as early as May next year.

Sir Menzies refused to back calls for an EU treaty referendum

Party leader Sir Menzies Campbell earlier this week refused to back calls for a referendum on the EU treaty.

But he said the public deserved an "honest debate" on Europe - and "that means a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU".

His call comes as the Lib Dems head for their annual conference, which gets under way on Sunday.

Sir Menzies told BBC News 24: "I want to argue the case for Europe. I am a pro-European.

"That case has gone by default too often in the past 10 years of this Labour government".

Let's have an honest debate on the European Union followed by a real choice for the British people Sir Menzies Campbell

He said he wanted an "out and out debate" to flush out Eurosceptics on the Conservative benches who had "taken comfort" in that party's call for a vote on the EU treaty.

But shadow foreign secretary William Hague, for the Conservatives, said Sir Menzies was trying to cover up divisions on Europe in his own party.

"This proposal is a clear sign of desperation from Ming Campbell, whose party is so split on this issue.

"The Lib Dems promised a referendum on the EU Constitution.

"They should concentrate on making sure that this promise is kept, instead of producing ill-thought out distractions on the eve of a difficult party conference."

'Real choice'

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has repeatedly ruled out a referendum on the EU treaty, despite calls from the Conservatives, trade unionists and a growing number of his own MPs.

Mr Brown argues a referendum is not needed as the treaty is very different to the failed EU constitution, on which a referendum had been promised in Labour's 2005 manifesto.

Sir Menzies said he agrees with the prime minister - but as an ardent pro-European he is "not prepared to allow [Conservative leader] David Cameron to lead the Europhobes and their allies in sections of the media, to distort the debate on Europe without challenge".

The Lib Dem leader, who was expected to face calls to back a treaty vote from some of his own MPs at his party's conference, said voters should be given a "real choice".

"If there is to be a referendum it shouldn't be restricted to a comparatively minor treaty. It must be a decision about the EU as a whole.

"Let's have an honest debate on the European Union followed by a real choice for the British people. That means a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU.

"We would ask the British people the big question - whether to remain in the European Union or not.

"I will lead the Liberal Democrats at the forefront of that debate.

"We will make the overwhelming case for Europe and trust the people to make the right choice."

Political union

In 1975, Voters backed the UK's continued membership of the European Economic Community (EEC), as it was then called, by a large majority, in the country's first nationwide referendum.

Since then, what was originally an economic agreement has been transformed into a political union through a series of treaties.

Critics, including the UK Independence Party (UKIP), have long argued that the public should be given another say over Britain's continued membership.

But Sir Menzies' intervention is the first time one of the main pro-European parties in Britain has added its voice to such calls.

UKIP welcomes move

UKIP leader Nigel Farage welcomed Sir Menzies' call for an "honest debate" on British membership of the EU.

"I have believed for some time that the only referendum that Gordon Brown will ever consider would be one with the new Constitutional Treaty as continued part of our EU membership.

"Brown believes that this is the only referendum on the EU that he can win.

"The parliamentary arithmetic means that if the Lib Dems support such a move it would give the British people their first chance in over 30 years to determine their own futures.

"I would be interested to hear which side in such a referendum Mr Cameron would support."

The new disease outbreak is thought to have occurred in pigs

Rural Affairs minister said the ban started at 1430 BST on Wednesday and farmers would need a licence to move susceptible animals.

A 10km (6.2 mile) control zone has been set up in Surrey and a pre-emptive slaughter has been ordered.

News of the new case broke as animal markets were held across Wales.

National Farmers Union (NFU) Cymru president Dai Davies said the confirmation of the case was a "hammer blow" to the industry and it had left livestock farmers "stunned".

But he said that the imposition of movement restrictions was "absolutely imperative to ensure the disease is stopped in its tracks".

Mr Davies said the outbreak could not have come at a worse time for farmers, with thousands of stock moving from upland to lowland farm areas in the next few weeks.

It's a complete mystery, it's hard to believe and it's hard to believe it's not connected in some way with the previous outbreak. Glyn Davies, Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales

"We must get movement restrictions narrowed down to the area known to be at real risk as quickly as it's safe to do so," he added.

The news broke as animal markets were held in Carmarthen, Newport and in north Wales.

Farmers at Carmarthen Mart managed to meet a 1600 BST deadline to remove their livestock from the premises otherwise they would have been stranded there.

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales, Ms Jones said individual licences could be issued for farmers at market to move animals either back to the origin farm or to where the animals have been sold.

She admitted that the timing now was "probably worse" than in August because of the sheep sales that were due to be held in Wales over the next few weeks.

"(They) will not be able to happen as we speak today, but we will be, as last time, discussing this at a Wales level with Defra and with Scotland as to how we can resume business as normal," she said.

But she said her priority was to keep the disease out of Wales and this was why she had introduced the ban.

She said: "I have spoken with representatives of the farming industry today and I know that this is a priority we share."

It is a busy period for livestock markets

Ms Jones is remaining in Cardiff to attend Cobra meetings rather than travelling to the Plaid Cymru conference in Llandudno, where she was due to give a key-note speech.

The previous restrictions imposed on livestock movement in the UK followed the August foot-and-mouth disease outbreak were lifted on Saturday.

Glyn Davies, the former assembly member and president of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales said it was a "real body blow" for the farming industry.

"The whole of rural Britain will be holding its breath.

"It's a complete mystery, it's hard to believe and it's hard to believe it's not connected in some way with the previous outbreak."

Earlier, the Welsh Sheepdog Society announced that it had cancelled its open day - to have been held at a farm in Maenclochog, near Narberth, Pembrokeshire, on Thursday - as a precaution.

Sheep farmer Edwin Harris, from the Brecon Beacons, said he was "devastated" and "worried about the future."

"We've just come out of a six week incubation period. it's a crucial time for trade - lots of livestock sales, of ewes and lambs, it's going to have a devastating effect on the industry."

Mike German has led his party in the assembly since 1999

The party's Welsh executive, meeting in Powys, decided any challenger to incumbent Mike German must declare their candidacy from 14 October.

If there is a contest among the party's six AMs, the results will be declared by the end of November.

Party rules state that a leadership contest must be held within 12 months of an assembly election.

Senior party figures met in Llandrindod Wells to set a timetable. BBC Wales understands that the executive intend to deal with any election as a "routine and neutral matter".

I think I've got as much to offer as anybody Eleanor Burnham AM

The opening of nominations on 14 October coincides with the end of the party conference.

Mr German, who has led the party in Cardiff Bay since the assembly was founded in 1999, has been criticised for its election performance last May. Six Lib Dem AMs were elected for the third time in a row, leaving the party in fourth place.

He has also come under fire for the way in which coalition negotiations with other parties in Cardiff Bay were handled. Many had expected Lib Dems to resume their 2000-03 coalition with Labour, but instead Labour formed an assembly government with Plaid Cymru.

'New direction'

Montgomery AM Mick Bates has added his voice to those calling for a "new direction" for the party.

Mr Bates said it was time for the party to start talking early enough for the 2011 assembly election, but council elections in 2008 were equally important.

LIB DEM ELECTION TIMETABLE Anyone who wants to stand must declare from 14 October Nominations will be open for two or three weeks Result will be declared by the end of November

"Next year's local elections will therefore be a crucial test and if the party is to have a new leader, it will take time to bed in so as to make a change," said Mr Bates.

North Wales AM Eleanor Burnham said the fact that the Lib Dems failed to win more seats showed the party had failed to "communicate effectively".

Asked about her own leadership interests, she said: "I think I've got as much to offer as anybody.

"I'm a Welsh-speaking north Wales Liberal Democrat and as such I think we have a lot of work to do to assure the north Wales membership that we are doing what we can.

"I think there is still a certain gulf or perceived divide: the transport issue is only one that I keep harping on about.

"If I had been first minister when the assembly was first set up that would have been one of my first priorities: to join, physically as well as psychologically, north and south Wales."