Voting at Elections

Voters in Wales need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.

This applies to:

• UK parliamentary elections, including general elections, by-elections and recall petitions
• Police and Crime Commissioner elections

Voters in Wales will not need to show photo ID to vote at a polling station at Senedd elections or local council elections.

Accepted forms of photo ID

You can use any of the following accepted forms of photo ID when voting at a polling station.

International travel

• Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country (including an Irish Passport Card) 

Driving and Parking

• Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
• A Blue Badge

Local travel

• Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
• Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
• Oyster 60+ Card funded by the funded by the UK Government
• Freedom Pass
• Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for the purpose of concessionary travel (including a 60+, disabled or under 22s bus pass)
• 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

• Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)

Other government issued documents

• Biometric immigration document
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
• National identity card issued by an EEA state
• Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
• Voter Authority Certificate
• Anonymous Elector's Document

You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy.

If you don't have an accepted form of photo ID

You can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate; https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

You need to register to vote before applying for a Voter Authority Certificate. 

Postal Vote and Proxy Changes

You can now apply online to vote by post and for some types of proxy vote. These changes apply to UK Parliament elections, including by-elections and recall petitions, and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

You will be asked to provide your National Insurance number when applying, to prove your identity.

There are limits to how many people a voter can act as a proxy for. This means you can only act as a proxy for two people living in the UK. If you act as a proxy for people living overseas, you can act as proxy for up to four people but only two of these can be based in the UK.

The changes do not apply to Senedd and local council elections in Wales. For these elections you will still need to complete a paper application form.

If you are handing in your postal vote pack then you will be required to complete an additional form, otherwise your vote will be rejected.

For more information visit electoralcommission.org/waystovote or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

Council and Rhyl Golf Club set to collaborate on new Club House

The Council and Rhyl Golf Club have been working collaboratively to ensure that the Central Prestatyn Coastal Defence Scheme will be delivered on time, with the finish date still on course for the end of next year.

The Scheme has had a significant impact on the Golf Club and the Golf Course, and the Council have been working with the Golf Club to ensure that this impact is minimised as much as possible, ensuring that the Club can continue operating after the completion of the project.

As a direct result of the Flood Defence Scheme, the Club needs a new Club House, the cost of which will be covered by the original agreed budget for the Scheme. This is possible because sufficient contingency was included in the project budget to cover costs associated with the Club House. The initial plan was to refurbish the existing Club House, but that was deemed impractical following more detailed inspections of the building.

85% of the funding for the Coastal Defence Scheme has come from Welsh Government, with 15% match funding coming from the Council.

The Council will continue to work together with the Golf Club and its partners to ensure that the Coastal Defence scheme is delivered to the planned deadline and within budget and to ensure that local communities are not adversely affected. This flood scheme will protect over 2,000 properties from potential floods and coastal erosion for the next 100 years.

The Council has maintained a good working relationship with Rhyl Golf Club throughout the construction period and appreciates that the work has had significant impact on the club and its operating capacity. We would like to thank the Club for their co-operation during this period.

We now look forward to working with them to complete this project as soon as possible, so that properties are protected from coastal flooding and normal operations can resume at the Club.

Dave Miller, Finance Director at Rhyl Golf Club said:

“This new Clubhouse will be a brilliant asset, with a number of benefits to the community in the area. It will be a community hub, with capabilities for functions, as well as an updated home for the golfers of Rhyl.

We thank the Council for their co-operation, and we look forward to welcoming our golfers back to play through this new Spring Season.”

Rhyl set to receive funding to support future projects

The new recycling service

The new Trolibocs containers continue to be delivered throughout the county and you can check forthcoming deliveries on the recycling pages on the website. Remember - the new service does not start until Monday, 3 June.

We appreciate your patience as we roll out the new service to 45,000 households throughout the county. Please note that a comprehensive information pack about the new service is in the top box of the Trolibocs and there is extensive information on the frequently asked questions page of the website.  Your collection day may change, and you will be able to check this information on our website from Wednesday, 15 May.

 All you need to know about the new service is available on the recycling and waste changes page of the website. This includes information about what’s changing, guides and information, an introduction to the new Trolibocs and much more.

Key facts about the new service: recycling (paper, glass, cardboard, plastic, metals and tins) to be collected every week food waste to be collected every week recycling capacity increasing from 240 litres every fortnight to 290 litres every week (more than double the current capacity) free collection of small electrical items and household batteries every week absorbent hygiene materials to be collected every week (subscription service) garden waste to be collected every two weeks (chargeable service) free textiles collection every four weeks non-recyclable waste to be collected every four weeks in larger 240 litre bin

At the moment, Denbighshire has to pay for recycling to be sorted and this cost is increasing. As some of the current mixed recycling is contaminated, it leads to fines. In addition, approximately 33% of what is currently put in black bins could be recycled.  With residents sorting their own recycling it will mean less contamination, and therefore fewer fines. In addition, recycling will increase and be better quality so the council can choose where materials are sold.

Even with more collections and workers, the service will be cheaper than the existing model and more importantly, it’s better for the environment.

Key dates:

23 February – 17 May                  Delivery of Trolibocs containers throughout the county

Wednesday 16 May                     Information about collection dates available on the website

Monday 3 June                             New service begins

Thank you - your recycling is making a BIG difference in Denbighshire.

Celebrating World Book Day

World Book Day was celebrated in our Libraries on  7 March with school visits, stories and fun rhymetime sessions by the BookStart team.

WorldBook Day is a worldwide celebration of books and reading.

Families can choose from the wide selection available on our shelves and also download free through the Borrowbox app. This year hundreds of free book vouchers were given to the Denbighshire children in our Libraries as well as a number of free books. 

LGBTQ+ History Month

In February Rhyl Library hosted a special event to celebrate LGBT+ History Month.

There were displays and stalls from local organisations, for example, North East Wales Archives talked about the LGBT+ Timeline for North Wales and Working Denbighshire promoted their services to help people get into employment and training. Other organisations included the Gay Outdoors Club, British Transport Police, Making Sense and the Unique Transgender Network.

Jenny-Anne Bishop OBE gave an informative talk about the history of gender services in Wales and there was an entertaining performance about the Ladies of Llangollen through the eyes of their faithful friend and housekeeper, Mary Caryll.

Throughout the month libraries promoted the range of LGBTQ+ fiction available both in our libraries and through Borrowbox

Denbighshire Bookstart Music Sessions

Bookstart hosted lively, musical sessions at their meetings in Ruthin, Rhyl and Prestatyn Libraries with musical accompaniment to their usual rhymetimes. The music was provided by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias with Charlotte and Angharad playing the harp, saxophone and flugelhorn The children and babies were captivated by the sound of the instruments, and the families enjoyed the interactive, fun sessions.

Thanks to the Active Communities Team, Denbighshire Leisure for funding through the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund to host and organize these creative activities.

Digital Confidence Denbighshire

Denbighshire Libraries in partnership with Cwmpas are hosting several Digital Confidence Sessions at their Libraries. This project, which is funded through the Shared Prosperity Fund, is actively increasing levels of digital inclusion in Denbighshire. The aim is to break down barriers hindering residents from engaging in employment and education by offering them a suite of direct digital inclusion interventions.

This initiative is benefiting individuals in Denbighshire who find themselves digitally excluded due to factors such as:

• Skills and Basic Digital Literacy
• Financial Constraints: Addressing poverty-related challenges, including the inability to afford access to technology, hindering online interactions with services like banking and energy suppliers.
• Geographic Limitations: Tackling issues arising from limited or no 4G or broadband connectivity.
• Healthcare Access
• Social Isolation and Loneliness

We offer a range of drop-in sessions, workshops, and essential skills courses. Recent delivery has included sessions on online safety, shopping safely online, history and reminiscence, job-seeking, online health and wellbeing resources, basic tablet and computer familiarisation and social media awareness.

Together, let’s build a digitally inclusive Denbighshire.

Popular digital session at Denbigh Library

Young people urged to claim their savings

Many young adults in Denbighshire could have an average of £2,000 waiting for them in their unclaimed Child Trust Fund account.

Child Trust Funds are long-term, tax-free savings accounts which were set up for every child born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, with the government contributing an initial deposit of at least £250. Funds can be withdrawn once the account matures when the child turns 18.

According to government data, nearly a million young people in the UK have yet to claim their Child Trust Funds. More than 800,000 accounts belong to people from low-income backgrounds - prompting concern that those who need the money the most are not accessing it.

Every 16-year-old is sent information about finding their Child Trust Fund from HMRC with their National Insurance letter. Anyone unsure about their situation should check with their bank or building society. Alternatively, young adults and parents can also search on www.gov.uk/child-trust-funds to find out where their Child Trust Fund account is held.

There are currently 5.3 million open Child Trust Fund accounts. Young people aged 16 or over can take control of their own Child Trust Fund, although the funds can only be withdrawn once they turn 18. Families can continue to pay up to £9,000 a year tax-free into a Child Trust Fund until the account matures. The money stays in the account until the child withdraws or reinvests it into another account.

If a parent or guardian was not able to set up an account for their child, the government opened a savings account on the child’s behalf. The Child Trust Fund scheme closed in January 2011 and was replaced with Junior Individual Savings Accounts (ISA).

For more information on cost of living support in Denbighshire, please visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/costofliving or contact Citizens Advice Denbighshire www.cadenbighshire.co.uk

Save extra pounds by claiming Marriage Allowance

Couples who are married or in civil partnerships in Denbighshire could be due a financial boost by sharing unused tax allowances.

Almost 70,000 couples applied in March 2023, and with the option to backdate their claim for the previous 4 tax years, eligible couples could receive a lump-sum payment worth more than £1,000, in addition to reducing their tax bill by up to £252.  

To benefit from the tax relief, one partner must have income less than the Personal Allowance of £12,570, and the higher earning partner’s income must be between £12,571 and £50,270. Couples must have been born on or after 6 April 1935.

Residents in Denbighshire can find out in 30 seconds if they are eligible by using the online Marriage Allowance Calculator.

Sharon Evans, Registration Service Team Manager/Superintendent Registrar at Denbighshire County Council commented: “A great deal of wedding and civil partnership ceremonies take place here in Denbighshire every year.

"Many couples will be unaware of this tax incentive, and I would urge anyone who meets the criteria to use the calculator and apply online particularly during this current financial climate.”

The easiest way to claim Marriage Allowance is online via https://www.gov.uk/marriage-allowance

For more information on cost of living support in Denbighshire, please visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/costofliving or contact Citizens Advice Denbighshire www.cadenbighshire.co.uk

Save money on your energy bills

Do you find yourself in debt and uncertain about how to manage this? Reach out to Citizens Advice Denbighshire for advice on how to handle these situations. You can contact them using the e-mail or numbers below or alternatively visit their website >> https://www.cadenbighshire.co.uk/

Working Denbighshire highlight wellbeing workshops to combat stress

BAROD April Timetable

Free basic computer workshops

Working Denbighshire have teamed up with Cwmpas to offer FREE basic computer workshops for Denbighshire residents!

The next workshop will be on 17 April (10am - 12pm) at Llangollen Library. You don't need to register to attend - just turn up.

By the end of one session you will be able to:

     ✅  Create an email address

     ✅  Fill out online forms

     ✅  Use free online CV building tools

     ✅  Search for jobs using apps and social media

     ✅  Identify job scams online

Further dates are available, listed below.

Working Denbighshire offering fully funded training courses

Working Denbighshire is offering residents living in Denbighshire the chance to retrain and gain further qualifications, allowing more people to secure a new job or progress in their current one.

If you want to work in hospitality or currently are this training is for you!

This free one-day Food safety and hygiene course is available to Denbighshire residents.

📅 April 15th

📍Rhyl Youth Centre

🕘9.30am and 4.30pm.

Sign up today to get your level 2 food safety and hygiene qualification

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hylendid-bwyd-a-diogelwch-arlwyo-lefel-2level-2-food-safety-and-hygiene-tickets-866589090297

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We are hosting a free Barista course for people living in Denbighshire! ☕

📅 April 17 – 18th

📍Rhyl Youth Centre

🕘9.30am and 4.30pm.

For more information or to book on the course please visit

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hyfforddiant-barista-barista-training-tickets-866545931207

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We are hosting a free one-day first aid course for people living in Denbighshire!

📅 April 22nd

📍Rhyl Youth Centre

🕘9.30am and 4.30pm.

Sign up now and learn to save lives!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cymorth-cyntaf-brys-yn-y-gweithle-emergency-first-aid-at-work-tickets-866570705307

Consultation starts to drive forward Denbighshire climate change work

Denbighshire Social Worker to retire after brilliant 40-year career

Popular sightseeing bus service returns to the Dee Valley

The popular Dee Valley Picturesque bus service will be running again this year, providing access to some of the key destinations in this beautiful and historic landscape. 

The Dee Valley Picturesque Bus service is a circular route which links Llangollen and the surrounding villages to popular local attractions including Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Wenffrwd Nature Reserve, Horseshoe Falls, Valle Crucis Abbey, Plas Newydd Historic House and the Horseshoe Pass. 

The hop on/hop off service will enable passengers to visit these key locations without the need of a car, making it easier for those without their own vehicle to access these places and helping to reduce congestion at some of the busiest sites in the Dee Valley. The all day 1Bws ticket provides great value for those wanting to take a sightseeing tour of the area, and this year the service will also offer tap on/tap off payments for shorter single trips, making it the ideal option for discovering some the area’s linear walks.

The service has been made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales, and delivered in partnership by Denbighshire County Council and the Our Picturesque Landscape project, a landscape partnership scheme which is working to conserve and improve access to the inspiring landscapes of the Dee Valley and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site.  

Hannah Marubbi, Partnership Officer for the Our Picturesque Landscape project, said: “We are delighted to bring back the Dee Valley Picturesque Bus Service for a fourth year.  The service saw record numbers of users last year and we hope that this season it will provide even more visitors and local residents with the opportunity to explore the wider area.”

The Dee Valley Picturesque Bus Service 199 will operate Saturdays only until Saturday, 30 August 2024. For the full timetable and ticket prices please visit the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB website, the Council's bus timetable webpage, or pick up a leaflet from Llangollen Tourist Information Centre.

Search is on for Volunteer Rangers to help care for the Dee Valley

The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is looking for Volunteer Rangers who would like to help our team take care of the southern end of the designated landscape.

The Dee Valley is an iconic area of truly outstanding scenery, rich in cultural and industrial heritage. As a volunteer ranger, you can become an ambassador for the AONB, share your love and knowledge of this area, and inspire local people and visitors alike to help protect what makes the Dee Valley so special.

Volunteer Rangers will primarily be based at two of the most popular sites in the area; Castell Dinas Brân, the ancient hill fort which overlooks Llangollen; and Horseshoe Falls, Thomas Telford’s masterpiece and starting point for the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site.

They will be provided with branded uniform and will meet and engage with members of the public, sharing information and answering questions.

Volunteers are being sought to help the AONB Ranger team at their busiest times, so we are looking for people who can commit to at least a couple of days a month, either on weekends or week days during school holidays. All new Volunteer Rangers will receive training prior to starting in their roles.

The role is open to anyone over the age of 18, no previous experience required but a love of the landscape is essential! If you are interested in joining the team we will be holding an information session about the roles on the evening of Tuesday, 23 April. To book your place please contact Hannah Law. The closing date for expressions of interest is Friday, 19 April.

The Communities and Nature Programme has received £292,772 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Sustainable project fund support now open

Funding support is now available for community sustainable environment projects in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley.

The Sustainable Development Fund (SDF), set up by the Welsh Government and managed by the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB is now open for applications.

This capital funding is available for projects in the AONB area that look to reach a more sustainable way of living in the countryside and provide opportunities for communities to remain socially healthy with a robust economic wellbeing.

The scheme opened on 1 April 2024 and a pot of £90,000 will be available. Grants can be made for less than £1,000 or larger grants of up to £25,000. Funding is open to organisations including community or voluntary groups, local authorities, as well as the private sector and individuals.

The private sector and individuals must demonstrate that their projects have a wider public benefit, and the proposed project must meet the aims and objectives of the scheme and be located in or have direct benefit to an AONB. Projects must also comply with any relevant regulatory requirements such as planning permission or building regulations.

Emlyn Jones, Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said: “SDF is primarily for practical, innovative schemes, which engage local communities and young people in projects in Welsh AONB's. The types of projects that will be supported are those which meet the sustainable aims of the SDF and AONBs.

“These aims are to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the AONB, including the built environment, to promote sustainable forms of social and economic development in AONBs, to promote the economic and social well-being of local communities and to promote quiet enjoyment of AONB's.”

Priority will be given to project proposals that:

• Demonstrate innovation or best practice.
• Involve local communities and young people.
• Lever in contributions from other sources in cash or in kind.
• Overcome barriers to sustainability and promote a wider understanding of sustainability.
• Promote sustainable forms of social and economic development or add value to existing sustainability projects.
• Raise awareness of AONBs and generate jobs or income for communities, without damaging the landscape.

For more information about the funding and on how to apply please visit the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley website.

Youngsters help shape new Henllan community nature space

Ysgol Henllan pupils have rolled up their sleeve to help plant the future of a new space for nature and residents to enjoy together.

The pupils got to work this week with Denbighshire Countryside Service rangers and volunteers to start shaping the new Henllan Community Nature Space at land behind Meifod Road.

This area is one of four new community nature spaces – alongside similar areas at Rhyl, St Asaph and Clocaenog – that the Council’s Countryside Service and Climate Change teams are creating in the county this year to boost benefits for both local wildlife and residents’ wellbeing.

The Community Nature Spaces work alongside woodland creation work this year at schools across the county has received funding out of an £800,000 grant from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Pupils dug deep to help plant over 1,700 trees on the site which will also see new footpaths, a pond, wildflower meadows, a recreation space and picnic area, an insect hibernaculum (aka a “bee bank”) and an outdoor classroom before the end of this year.

The Henllan Community Nature Space will also help support the Council’s drive to reduce the county’s carbon footprint by contributing to the amount of carbon sequestered (or absorbed) in vegetation and soils.

St Asaph pupils build support for local nature

Ysgol Glan Clwyd pupils have helped grow stronger help for nature at the school.

Roots have been put down for a new woodland area on the schools ground by pupils working alongside the Council’s Countryside Service biodiversity officers and rangers.

The youngsters took part in the work which is ongoing across county schools to help increase biodiversity and tree canopies to aid nature’s recovery and provide an educational wellbeing outdoor area for the pupils.

Ysgol Glan Clwyd is one of eight schools that overall will receive over 8,000 trees, including hedgerows and fruit trees, to provide better habitat spaces to support local nature s well as outdoor spaces for learning to help pupil wellbeing.

This work has received funding from an £800,000 grant from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

This year’s crop of school tree planting also helps Council’s drive to reduce the county’s carbon footprint by contributing to the amount of carbon sequestered (or absorbed).

Increasing the woodland canopy at Ysgol Glan Clwyd and other schools will also help improve air quality, provide urban heat cooling, support improved physical and mental wellbeing for pupils and staff, and areas of mixed interest for education and play.

The Council’s Biodiversity and Climate Change teams are also continuing to work with schools throughout the year to help develop areas on school grounds to further improve support for nature and the learning and wellbeing for pupils and staff.

Over 2,400 trees are this week being planted at Ysgol Glan Clwyd , a mix of native broadleaved woodland species and local Welsh variety fruit trees.

Secondary School Transport

Is your child new to secondary school from September 2024?

Is your child eligible for free transport? 

Secondary school places in Denbighshire have now been allocated and you need to apply for free school transport. Applications are now being processed for September – apply online as soon as possible.

Meifod Wood Products

Did you know that Meifod Wood Products have a Facebook page?

Meifod, which produces garden furniture, provides in-house daytime activity services for adults with complex disabilities.

Why not follow them on Facebook. They have many things for sale including:

• Planters
• Benches
• Tables and Chairs
• Picnic Tables

and much more

They are based on the Colomendy Industrial Estate in Denbigh and you can e-mail them at meifod.woodproducts@denbighshire.gov.uk or give them a ring on 01745 816900.

Urdd 2024 Summer Camps

Are you looking for reasonable childcare options over the summer holidays?

Urdd Gobaith Cymru’s (Wales’s largest youth organisation) summer camps offer the perfect summer holiday for children and young people between 8-25 years old. Packed with excitement, activities and pure enjoyment.

2024 Camps

Pentre Ifan, Pembrokeshire

• Nature and Sustainability Course, 13-15 August, Yr. 12 and 13
• Summer retreat: Well-being and Nature, 19-21 August, 18-25 years old
• Summer retreat: Well-being and Nature, 22-24 August, yr. 12 and 13
• Wild Camp, 27-29 August, yr.7 and 8

Cardiff

• City sleepover, 22-26 July, yr. 7-9
• A week of fun, 29 July – 2 August, yr.4-6
• Performance Course, 12-16 August, yr.4-6
• Creative Course, 20-23 August, yr.7-9
• Fun Festival, 27-29 August, yr.4-6

Llangrannog, Ceredigion

• Joio Week, 22-26 July, yr. 4-7
• Mid-weel Joio, 29-31 July, yr.4-7
• Bilingual Camp, 31 July – 2 August, yr. 4-7

Glan-llyn, Gwynedd

• Great adventure, 22-26 July, yr. 7 and 8
• Ultimate Adventure, 22-26 July, yr. 9 and 10
• Primary bilingual, 29-31 July, yr. 4-6
• Secondary bilingual, 29 July – 2 Awst yr.7 and 8
• Primary bilingual, 31 July – 2 August, yr.4-6
• Junior Adventure, 20-23 August, yr.4-6
• Ultimate adventure, 20-23 August, yr. 9 and 10

Give your child/children a great experience this summer, register here: https://www.urdd.cymru/en/residential-centres/gwersyll-haf/

Fund for All

Thanks to the generous support of friends and partners of the Urdd, our Fund for All is able to offer places to hundreds of children at our 2024 summer camps.

Parents, guardians or teachers can make an application to pay for a summer holiday for a child or a young person from a low-income household. The fund will cover the full price of the course.

Make an application here.

We'd love to hear what you think about Nantclwyd y Dre

Nantclwyd y Dre historic house and gardens is a visitor attraction run by the Council's Heritage Service. As part of an ongoing project to develop the site, we would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on how we can continue to improve.

If you could spare a couple of minutes to complete the survey >>> https://forms.gle/V6xhHsgBYBe6xrNu8 <<<

Thank you