Rhyl secondary pupils extend support for local nature

Secondary school pupils have helped extend a helping hand for nature on their school ground.

Christ the Word pupils recently joined with staff from Denbighshire County Council’s Biodiversity team to help enhance a wildflower meadow that was created last April.

The work follows recent development of hedgerow and woodland areas at the school with the support of pupils. 260 metres of hedgerow and 14 standard trees were planted to help increase biodiversity and the tree canopy at the school to support nature’s recovery and provide an educational wellbeing outdoor area for youngsters.

Pupils and Biodiversity officers worked together to add 200 plants to the meadow which will help provide a great food source for pollinators such as bees.

Species planted included: oxeye daisy, self-heal, red campion, field scabious, fox glove, wild carrot, meadow buttercup, cat’s-ear, and knapweed.

The plants that have boosted help for nature around the school came both from the Council’s tree nursery at St Asaph and the Woodland Skills Centre at Bodfari.

Biodiversity Officer, Ellie Wainwright, said: “It was great to return to Christ the Word as the children and staff are so enthusiastic for supporting the local nature around their school grounds. Increasing the diversity of wildflowers in this meadow will enhance the support this meadow gives, providing a sanctuary for local wildlife to thrive and survive in. Developing the meadow will also give current and future pupils a fantastic place to study nature on the doorstep of their own school.”

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said: It’s great that these children have had the opportunity to learn about all the benefits a wildflower meadow can bring through our Biodiversity team and well done to them all for rolling up their sleeves to help develop and improve such an important asset for supporting their local nature.”

Youngsters encouraged to snap meadow moments

Denbighshire’s school pupils are encouraged once again to take part in a competition to capture photos of the county’s wildflower meadows near them.

This week the Council has relaunched for 2026 the Schools Wildflower Meadow Photography Competition as the season this year begins to bloom.

Back in 2019, Denbighshire County Council declared a climate and nature emergency with the aim to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.

One of the first actions was to start managing some of the Council’s grassland for wildflower meadow creation across the county. The aim of the project is to restore and increase the amount of habitat available throughout the county for pollinators and wildlife.

This project also brings many benefits or ‘ecosystem services’ to residents in the county, such as reduced flooding, improved air quality, and air cooling.

Youngsters are encouraged to take time to explore and notice what they find interesting about their chosen wildflower meadow, school meadow or community nature reserve site and capture it with a photograph and some chosen words. The Council’s meadows can be spotted thanks to a bee friendly logo on each site or using the online mapping available on the council’s website (via the competition details).

Photos can be of the whole site or of a tiny part such as an insect, flower or grass species, it’s up to the photographer to pick their favoured subject to make the best photograph. Each entrant needs to write something about their photo or find a quote that compliments the photo.

Winning entries will be printed up to A2 size and put on the walls outside the council chamber in Russell House, Rhyl .

Winners will receive a selection of environmental books for their school, and a smaller version of the image will be available for the winner to put up at home or school. This year the school with the most entries will also win a selection of books. All winners will receive a visit from our Council Chair and colleagues to present the books and prints.

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council's Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said:  “We know our pupils have a fantastic understanding of how climate change is impacting their lives through meeting and chatting to them. They all have brilliant ideas and carry out a lot of good work themselves. Many pupils have helped us in creating wildflower meadows across Denbighshire.

“We want to open the floor to them to see how they view meadow life through the lens by taking part in this competition and we are looking forward to seeing the results.”

For more information on how to enter the competition please visit this link

The competition is open until 14 August 2026.

Pupils extend support for nature at school grounds

Primary school pupils have created a new habitat area at their school to extend a helping hand to local nature.

Forty Ysgol Llanfair DC pupils, from year three, four, five and six, recently rolled up their sleeves to create a new wildflower meadow at the school.

The new development follows work at the school by pupils, Denbighshire County Council’s Biodiversity team and North Wales Wildlife Trust (NWWT) that saw around 90 metres of mainly hornbeam hedge planted on site to help benefit of the UK's largest finch, the Hawfinch.

A small woodland was also planted on the site, alongside 12 fruit trees and a small coppice coop. Altogether, this work created habitats containing 624 new trees around its grounds.

Ysgol Llanfair DC’s new wildflower meadow has been created using the whole green area around the school carpark.

Pupils with the help of the Council’s Biodiversity team planted 300 plants which will help provide a source of food for insects such as bees. These included field scabious, red campion, selfheal, Oxeye daisy, Cat's-ear, wild carrot, bird's-foot trefoil, foxglove, knapweed, meadow buttercup and meadow vetchling.

The plants came both from the Council’s tree nursery at St Asaph and the Woodland Skills Centre at Bodfari.

Biodiversity Officer, Ellie Wainwright, said: “It was great to be back at Ysgol Llanfair DC as the pupils and staff are so passionate about supporting local nature. The enthusiasm of the pupils to create this new wildflower meadow was brilliant and thanks to their hard work this habitat along with the woodland and hedge areas we created before will really provide a sanctuary for nature here that the children can also learn from.”

Headteacher, Geraint Rowe, said: "The partnership that the school has developed with the Biodiversity Team at Denbighshire is one which is enriching the habitats of the school grounds along with giving the children great active opportunities to have a positive impact on enhancing the biodiversity and nature. This along with other partnerships will create a legacy for the environment and pupils appreciation on how they can make a difference. We will look forward to seeing the flowers bloom."

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said: It’s great that these children have had the opportunity to learn about all the benefits a wildflower meadow can bring through our Biodiversity team and well done to them all for rolling up their sleeves to help plant such an important asset for supporting their local nature.

Innovative work to enhance Denbighshire Digital connectivity

Innovative plans are in motion to enhance mobile network coverage across Denbighshire.

Denbighshire County Council’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) team are working on a project to utilise local authority assets to help boost mobile network reach around the county.

The Open Access Agreement work will allow the Council to make selected assets, mostly street lighting columns, available for the installation of small-cell mobile technology to enhance coverage.

ICT officers recently presented this work to the Council’s Democratic Services Committee.

The small cells assist with increasing capacity without major infrastructure needed. Once installed they have the capacity to improve digital connectivity for residents and businesses, offering more reliable access to the internet.

Following signing of an agreement, a mobile network operator will determine if locating their small cells on council assets would support boosting their network.

The Council would retain full control over which of its assets may be used for small‑cell deployment to make sure installation meets all technical, safety and operational standards.

Any development of the small cell technology is cost neutral to the Council, mobile network operators will pay an agreed annual fee for the location of the small cells on assets.

Each Open Access Agreement will operate for a 15‑year initial term, providing stability for operators considering investment while offering long‑term clarity for the Council. Operators would be responsible for all costs associated with surveys, power supply, installation, maintenance and the eventual removal of equipment. They will be also required to hold appropriate insurance, including public and employer liability cover, and to indemnify the Council against any damage or loss arising from their equipment or activities.

Helen Vaughan-Evans, Head of Corporate Support Service: Performance, Digital & Assets, said:  “This innovative work really has the potential to support our residents and businesses across Denbighshire. By allowing this technology onto our assets we can help boost digital connectivity for all which is so critical to the way we now live.

“Installing small cell technology into our towns has the benefits of helping existing businesses connect better and also encouraging more business investment in the area. Where operators choose to deploy equipment on rural assets, this infrastructure can also help improve connectivity for residents who have historically experienced more limited access helping to progress a minimum digital living standard across our County.”

Over 450 children attend free ‘Let’s Play Out’ sessions during Easter holidays

Denbighshire County Council’s Play Ranger service welcomed 454 children during the recent ‘Let’s Play Out’ sessions during the Easter Holidays.

The sessions were held in 10 towns around the county, including Corwen, Denbigh, Dyserth, Llangollen, Meliden, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan, Rhyl, Ruthin and St Asaph.

‘Let’s Play Out’ sessions provide fully accessible open access play for children in their local communities and are designed so that children choose what they want to do, and what equipment they use. 

Dawn Anderson, Denbighshire Childcare and Play Development Manager said:

“We had a brilliant turn out at the ‘Let’s Play Out’ sessions over Easter this year.

We’d like to thank all of the families who came along, and hope everyone enjoyed themselves as much as we did!

Please look out for our next ‘Let’s Play Out sessions.”

Rhiain Morrlle, Head of Children’s Services at Denbighshire County Council said:

“The ‘Let’s Play Out’ sessions are there to provide families with free and fun sessions throughout the county.

The sessions are child-led, meaning they can choose the type of play they prefer throughout the whole session.

It’s great to see such a great turnout during the easter half term, thank you to all of those who came along to participate in a session."

Prestatyn playground to undergo upgrade

Work has begun on the upgrade of Sea Road Playground, Prestatyn.

Denbighshire County Council’s Streetscene department is managing the project after securing funds from the Welsh Government All Wales Play Opportunities Grant.

The upgrade of the Sea Road, Prestatyn site has been prioritised due to concerns raised in respect of the surfacing and also the age and condition of the play equipment.

This period of work will aim to replace the entirety of the rubber safety surfacing, whilst also providing an opportunity for the introduction of new more modern accessible play equipment. The contract for this work has been awarded to Proludic.

Paul Jackson, Head of Highways & Environmental Services, said:  “Following completion, this upgrade will provide children with more modern facilities at this location, whilst also accommodating more inclusive and accessible equipment for youngsters with additional needs.”

Plans set in motion for motorhome Aires project

Plans are progressing to provide suitable facilities for motorhome owners in various locations across the county. Denbighshire County Council is managing the ‘Denbighshire Motorhome Aire’ project. The proposal aims to address the issues of unauthorised overnight stays by motorhome owners at locations in Denbighshire, where there is no legal right to sleep overnight in a vehicle.

The scheme aims to prevent the environmental and social problems caused by illegal camping and provide better facilities for overnight motorhome and campervan stays across the county. The proposals will also support local tourism.

Proposals in the project are aimed at developing areas to support stays for motorhomes and campervans at six locations across the county.

Planning applications will be submitted for each site to facilitate the installation of the relevant infrastructure to support the project. The proposed work will be funded from Welsh Government Brilliant Basics Funding which is aimed at improving essential visitor infrastructure and the UK Government Pride in Place Impact Fund (PiPIF)

The proposed sites include:

• Quay Street, Rhyl (Corner section of currently closed car park, with remaining area allocated to coach parking)
• Marine Drive (East Parade), Rhyl (Small area to be allocated close to Pavilion)
• Barkby Beach, Prestatyn (Lower car park adjacent to Public Convenience)
• Park Street, Ruthin (Small section of current car park)
• Green Lane, Corwen (A small number of bays along current car park exit road)
• Mill Street, Llangollen (Small section of lower car park along retaining wall to upper car park)

The project has focused on areas that are known hot-spots for unauthorised overnight stays, that are popular with tourists, and have nearby local businesses that would benefit from visitors to the Aires sites. 

This project aims to provide short stay (2 nights maximum) overnight parking for motorhomes on public car parks / areas which are located adjacent to towns and existing facilities. 

The focus of the project at all sites will be to provide a safe and secure, overnight parking facility along with the ability to empty wastewater/foulwater and to refill a motorhome with fresh water. No BBQ’s will be allowed, no fires will be allowed, no awnings will be allowed and no tents will be allowed. The motorhome bays will be basic, hardstanding areas purely for short stay use only.  

It is proposed that motorhome users coming to the Denbighshire County Council land owned sites will be able to pay for their stay via a new tariff on the current carparking mobile phone app or onsite meters.

Any work at the sites should planning be granted will include measures to prevent unauthorised parking at these sites.

Paul Jackson, Head of Highways & Environmental Services, said: "We know that the use of motorhomes has increased, especially since the Covid pandemic where everybody took on staycations in the UK. The project’s innovative proposals will help provide great facilities for those wishing to travel across Denbighshire and provide a fantastic boost for tourism and businesses where these sites are located once they come online".

Working Denbighshire “Language Café” in Rhyl helps adults build confidence in spoken English

The Language Café run by Working Denbighshire at Rhyl Library is supporting adults across the county to build confidence in spoken English, offering a supportive, welcoming space where conversation can be practiced at any level or as a secondary language.

The Language Café was developed by Working Denbighshire in response to conversations with participants who, despite attending ESOL courses for a year or more, still felt hesitant about speaking English in everyday situations. While progress was being made in formal learning environments, many learners lacked opportunities to practise speaking in a casual and informal setting.

Held weekly at Rhyl Library, the Language Café focuses on creating a supportive environment where people feel comfortable practising English at their own level. Sessions are conversation‑led and friendly, encouraging communication and confidence rather than correctness, with tea and coffee provided.

The sessions are particularly valued by those already attending ESOL classes, as they provide additional time to practise speaking outside the classroom. Simple conversation topics and light‑touch activities help break the ice and make it easier for everyone to join in, whether they are speaking English for the first time or looking to improve confidence.

The impact has been clear. Participants who initially arrived feeling shy or anxious about speaking often become more relaxed and engaged after attending a few sessions. Over time, many grow noticeably more confident, taking part in conversations, asking questions, and supporting others who may be less confident.

Several participants have described the Language Café as a huge help to their learning, sharing that they now feel more confident introducing themselves, holding everyday conversations, and communicating more comfortably in their daily lives.

Rasha Azzam, Support Officer said:

“Speaking a new language can be quite challenging, but in a supportive atmosphere it becomes much easier. Our Language Café brings together participants from diverse cultures who share a common goal: improving their English in the UK. We create a safe, welcoming space where participants can practise speaking English without fear of judgement. We’ve seen participants grow in confidence, finding their voice through friendly, informal conversations.”

Melanie Evans, Service Manager for Strategic Employment, added:

“For people who don’t have English as their first language, a lack of confidence in speaking can become a real barrier to everyday life. It can impact everything from attending appointments to feeling ready for work, learning and community involvement. The Language Café provides an environment where people can practise speaking English in real‑life conversations and build confidence in a way that formal learning alone often cannot.  We are extremely proud of what Rasha has created. Her dedication and passion are clearly reflected in the welcoming and supportive space she has built, and we are excited to see how it continues to grow and support even more people in our community.”

The Language Café takes place every Monday from 10am to 11am at Rhyl Library Café (LL18 3AA) and is open to Denbighshire residents aged 16+.

About Working Denbighshire:

Working Denbighshire is part funded through the Welsh Government Communities for Work Plus Programme. Working Denbighshire is part funded by UK Government. To find out more or contact Working Denbighshire visit: https://working.denbighshire.gov.uk/

Meadow network heralds’ new arrival for Denbigh site

Denbighshire’s network of county meadows has produced a first-time resident at a Denbigh wildflower meadow.

The Council recently launched the seventh year of the Wildflower Meadows Project.

Established in 2019, the project includes approximately 70 acres of native wildflower habitat supporting local nature and helping community wellbeing across the county. It has also been funded by Welsh Government, through the Local Places for Nature funding.

Biodiversity Officers recently surveyed the Ffordd y Graig meadow at Denbigh and discovered a species on the site that has never been recorded before.

They found the common dog violet, a wildflower which can provide an important source of food for rare butterflies and a host for some butterfly eggs. This plant was also used by the Ancient Greeks for herbal medicine and was believed to help cure skin diseases.

Liam Blazey, Senior Biodiversity Officer said: “We were pleased to find the common dog violet at this Denbigh site as its evidence that our work to create a large scale connective local provenance wildflower habitat to support the movement of wildlife across the county is working.

“We’ve worked to utilise our road verges alongside town and rural wildlife meadows to create corridors for nature to thrive and move forward through and finding this plant indicates the project is making this happen.”

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council's Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said: “This is an important find by the team as it shows the hard work to create and develop meadows across the county since the project’s start is now paying off, leaving more rich and varied habitats to benefit both local nature and communities surrounding these sites.”

Vehicle additions grow support for childcare centre

Two new vehicles are rolling into a Rhyl childcare centre to assist with support and activities run from the site.

Denbighshire County Council’s Fleet Department has worked to procure a new service van and mini bus for the Oak Tree Centre, based in Rhyl.

The centre provides the Little Acorns childcare service, Play Ranger service and also assists with the provision of family information support.

To also assist with managing the operation of the site a Fiat e-Scudo medium van with a 200+ mile driving range will be available to staff running the Play Ranger Service

The new Play Van, which takes the Play Ranger fleet to three vans to be able to expand the current play ranger service to more areas across the county, providing even more open access play opportunities in local communities.

Helping strengthen transport to and from the site for the children and staff is a Toyota ProAce Verso 9 Seat Minibus with a 200+ mile driving range)

Both EV vehicles have been both vehicles have received funding support from the Welsh Government Energy Service.

Denbighshire County Council declared a climate and nature emergency in 2019 and has since been adopting zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) into its fleet. Currently, more than 20% of its vehicles in its fleet are made up of ZEVs.

The Council’s Fleet department has been transitioning end of live fossil fuel powered vehicles over to electric with significant support from Welsh and UK Government departments to help  cut down on emissions produced reduce long-term costs for miles and maintenance across all services our fleet supplies to and lower the reliance on petrol- and diesel-powered engines.

Staff also take part in a training package run by Fleet which includes how to utilise the EV charging infrastructure safely and efficiently, making use of regenerative braking systems, and when to select a 'driving mode' based on conditions or payloads.

Paul Jackson, Head of Highways & Environmental Services, said:  “The minibus and van will allow Oak Tree staff to maintain their provision of services to children and their families in Rhyl and the surrounding areas. Both vehicles will provide greener mileage for the childcare centre and also lower long-term costs for miles and regular maintenance.”

Energy efficiency improved at Waste and Recycling hub

Energy efficiency has been further improved at the Council’s Waste and Recycling station.

Denbighshire County Council’s Energy and Fleet teams have completed a project to install a battery energy storage system (BESS), at the Denbigh based site to improve the harnessing of energy generated by the building’s large array of solar PV panels.

The Council’s Energy team has managed projects across council buildings to improve building energy efficiency and reduce emissions as part of the council’s drive to reduce its carbon footprint after declaring a Climate and Nature Emergency during 2019.

Waste and Recycling vehicles are all based at the Denbigh site and start and end their operational routes from the station. Recycling and non-recyclable waste is collected by the vehicles and taken back to the Denbigh site for sorting and processing.

Fifteen percent of the fleet is electric powered (EVs) and these vehicles are charged on site after each daily use.

There are currently 11 electric vehicles operating from the Denbigh site which are: five Electra Refuse Recycling vehicles, two Dennis Eagle Refuse Collection Vehicles, two Toyota Electric Forklifts, one JCB Electric Tele-truck and one Peugeot Car which supports the supervisory Team.

There are 12 chargers installed at the site that will simultaneous charge up to 16 vehicles.

During the last financial year, a total of 74,335kWh of electricity was used by the electric vehicles operating on and from the site which equates to around 75,000 miles of zero emission travel.

The five refuse recycling Electra e-Cargo lorries provide a range of up to 155miles, offering greener lower cost miles and cheaper maintenance. They can also be spotted out on the road as each are named on the front of the cabs, Bindarella, Bindiana Jones and Binnie Mouse are just some that you can spot out on the roads.

The installation of the 600kWh (3x200 kWh) batteries has received funding support from the Welsh Government’s Energy Service as part of the EVCI & ZEV Grant 25-26 (which funded 90 percent of costs).

The batteries will store surplus electricity generated by the PV panels during the day so it can be used when the panels aren’t generating to support waste and recycling fleet charging. The stored energy be used at night or during very cloudy days when the solar panels do not generate enough electricity to run the building, helping maintain lower long term energy usage costs and reducing carbon emissions. This project is expected to save an additional 76,731kWh per year and increasing the onsite utilisation of the solar generation to around 73 percent,  which will save £16,113 and 22 tonnes of CO₂ per annum and reduce the amount of low value export of surplus energy to the grid.

Paul Jackson, Head of Highways & Environmental Services, said:  “The installation of the battery at the waste and recycling station will not only help us reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency further at the site, it will also add an extra layer of support for efficiently charging the EV part of the service fleet whilst reducing electricity costs and carbon emissions.

“Waste and Recycling is committed to reducing carbon emissions for Denbighshire as a whole and we are grateful to our Energy and Fleet sections for helping them lead the way from the hub of this important service.”

Denbighshire pupils tour council chamber during educational visit

Pupils from Ysgol Caer Drewyn and Ysgol Carrog visited and toured the Council chamber today (April 16^th) as part of an educational visit to County Hall, Ruthin.

Over 20 pupils toured the chamber, learning about its history, and its various uses by the council and committees.

Joined by the Head of Education and members of the democratic staff at the Council, the pupils took part in a question-and-answer session, where they learned more about the workings of the council and how it plays a role in their education and life.

The pupils also got to learn more about the history of the role of the Council’s Chair, and about the Council’s various committees.

As well as the tour of the chamber, the pupils also got to try out the mechanisms within the chamber, including the voting system and microphones, as well as learn more about the webcasting and translation system.

Geraint Davies, Head of Education at Denbighshire County Council said:

“I’d like to thank the pupils for coming along today to visit the chamber, they asked some really intriguing and interesting questions.

The work the council does impacts many facets of their everyday life, including education, and it is really important that our pupils in Denbighshire have a wide knowledge of how and why the council runs as it does.”

Council achieves highest national award for disability inclusion

Denbighshire County Council has been recognised as a national leader in disability inclusion after achieving Disability Confident Level 3 – Leader status, the highest accreditation under the UK Government’s Disability Confident scheme.

The prestigious award highlights the council’s ongoing commitment to being an inclusive employer, supporting disabled people into work, and creating opportunities for all to thrive.

The Disability Confident scheme encourages employers to take positive action to recruit, retain and develop disabled employees. Level 3 – Leader status is awarded to organisations that not only meet rigorous standards, but also champion disability inclusion across their communities and support others to improve.

To achieve the accreditation, the council undertook a comprehensive self-assessment of its policies, practices and workforce data, demonstrating strong and consistent inclusive employment practices. This was externally validated by Welsh Government.

As a Disability Confident Leader, the council will continue to promote inclusive recruitment, ensure workplace adjustments are in place, and support the career development of disabled employees. It will also work with partners and suppliers to share best practice and encourage wider adoption of inclusive approaches.

Catrin Roberts, Head of Corporate Support Services People for Denbighshire County Council said:

“Achieving Disability Confident Leader status is a significant milestone for the council. It reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported to reach their full potential.

“We are proud to be recognised as a leader in this area and will continue working with partners and our communities to promote inclusion and create opportunities for disabled people.”

This achievement strengthens the council’s reputation as a forward-thinking employer and reinforces its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion across all services.

Landscape recovery initiative plants over 500 trees in Denbighshire

The council’s Tree Team have been working hard to manage the effects of Ash Dieback in the county.

In recent years the effects of Ash Dieback have been felt across the county, with numerous trees dying or being felled for health and safety reasons.

As the common name of ash dieback suggests, infected trees typically die back, with physical symptoms resulting in the form of wilting leaves and bark lesions. There is no known cure or method for preventing the transmission of this airborne fungus currently meaning alternative approaches are needed to deal with its impact.

The native ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior) of the UK is particularly common across Denbighshire’s landscape and is valuable for nature and people, making this disease particularly damaging for our environment.  

The ‘After Ash’ project, organised by the council’s Tree Team to aid landscape recovery, successfully planted over 500 trees across two sites in Llandegla and Llanarmon yn Iâl last winter.

The works completed by the project was funded by the Sustainable Development Fund and the UK Government through its UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The team planted native species of trees suitable for the locations and beneficial for biodiversity to thrive, providing valuable habitats once grown along the B5430, whilst also restoring a hedgerow alongside the A542.

To help the newly planted trees establish, the team used mulch matting made from British wool to supress competing weeds and help retain the moisture in the soil.

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council's Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said:

“The work that our Tree Team have done through the ‘After Ash’ project is vital in managing the effects of Ash Dieback in the county and the planting of these trees will go a long way towards recovery of the landscape in Llandegla and Llanarmon yn Iâl.”

Denbighshire’s Youth Council shares bold vision with Chief Executive

Members of Denbighshire’s Youth Council recently visited the council offices in Ruthin to meet with the Council’s Chief Executive, where they shared their ambitions, achievements and forward-thinking vision for young people across the county.

The visit provided an opportunity for Youth Council representatives to present their work to date – including engagement with hundreds of young people, regional collaboration across North Wales, and innovative projects such as podcasts and digital events amplifying youth voice.

During the meeting, members spoke passionately about their priorities for the future, including strengthening youth participation in decision-making, improving communication with young people, and supporting the development of a new Youth Strategy.

The discussion also highlighted the Youth Council’s commitment to ensuring that the voices of young people are central to key issues such as regeneration, transport, health services and democratic engagement. They also asked the Chief Executive, how they could support her with the work that the Council are doing moving forward.

Helen White, Chief Executive said:

"It was a real privilege to meet with members of the Youth Council and hear first-hand about their work and ambitions. They are an inspiring group of young people, full of energy, insight and ideas. Their passion for making a difference in their communities is clear, and they are already demonstrating the qualities of future leaders. We are committed to continuing to work closely with them to help shape the Denbighshire we all want to see."

Helen White, Chief Executive taking a 'selfie' with the Youth Council with Andrew 'Wills' Williams and Sian Jones who help lead the Youth Council

The Youth Council emphasised their desire to work in partnership with senior leaders and elected members to ensure young people’s perspectives are embedded in decision-making processes.

The visit marks another important step in strengthening the relationship between the Youth Council and the Council’s leadership, supporting a shared ambition to empower young people and build a stronger, more inclusive future for Denbighshire.

You can find out more about what the Youth Services provides for the young people of Denbighshire on our website.

Historic House to Host Exclusive Piano Recital

Nantclwyd y Dre historic house and gardens is thrilled to present a rare opportunity to experience world-class musicianship within its intimate and historic surroundings, thanks to an exclusive performance taking place on Tuesday 21^st April at 2pm.

The piano recital will be given by internationally acclaimed pianist Janusz Piotrowicz, celebrated as a “Master Poet of the Piano” for his expressive depth and remarkable technical command. With a distinguished global career spanning decades, Mr Piotrowicz has performed extensively in major concert halls and festivals around the globe, earning widespread acclaim for his interpretations and skill.

The programme promises a rich and evocative musical journey, featuring works by some of the most beloved composers in the piano repertoire. Highlights include Liszt’s Consolation No. 3, Scarlatti’s Sonata in E, and a selection of Chopin’s finest works, including two Nocturnes, Preludes, and the lyrical Berceuse. The recital also features Tchaikovsky’s Troika from The Seasons, alongside preludes by Rachmaninov.

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council's Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said:

“We are very excited to be welcoming Mr Piotrowicz to perform some of his pieces here in Nantclwyd y Dre.

“This special performance offers a rare opportunity to experience world-class musicianship in the intimate and historic surroundings of Nantclwyd y Dre, one of Ruthin’s most treasured heritage sites”.

Tickets are priced at £15 in advance and £17.50 on the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at Nantclwyd y Dre from Thursday to Saturday, between 10:30am and 3:30pm. Early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

For further information please contact the Denbighshire Heritage Service via heritage@denbighshire.gov.uk

Natural delicacy delights nature recovery work

A nature recovery habitat project has already served up a special delicacy early in the season.

Denbighshire County Council recently launched the seventh year of the Wildflower Meadows Project.

Established in 2019, the project includes approximately 70 acres of native wildflower habitat supporting local nature and helping community wellbeing across the county. It has also been funded by Welsh Government, through the Local Places for Nature funding.

Last year several of the wildflower meadows saw a resurgence in orchid species growing for the first time across the county.

For 2026, the Council’s Biodiversity team has already found a new ‘resident’ at a town-based meadow that can be a highly sort after delicacy on any chef’s menu.

The team located a number of morel mushrooms at the site which are a highly sort after edible mushroom, which must always be cooked before eating. They eject their spores to repopulate unlike normal mushrooms that are found in the ground.

Morel mushrooms have also been found to have medicinal properties and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine.

The find shows that the long-term aim of maturing meadows across the county is moving forward thanks to the work of the project.

Liam Blazey, Senior Biodiversity Officer said: “Finding this great looking mushroom has been brilliant as it indicates that the management we have undertaken with our Streetscene colleagues is not only improving floral diversity but the soil biodiversity as well, as demonstrated by this new meadow resident.”

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council's Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said: “Each of our meadows take time to grow and mature into a habitat providing strong support for all local nature. Finding the morel mushroom is a positive example of how the soil management of our sites is allowing more species the chance to thrive and survive on our meadows.”

Road improvement work to begin at Llangollen A542 route

Abbey Road, Llangollen, is set to undergo a period of road maintenance this month.

Resurfacing work will take place at the A542 Abbey Road (Oakleigh to bridge junction) from April 13 until April 30

The work carried out is funded from a Welsh Government Local Government Borrowing Initiative (LGBI).

Whilst the work takes place a convoy system will be used to maintain through traffic.

Paul Jackson, Head of Highways & Environmental Services, said: “These essential works will improve the route for those who use it and we would like to thank residents living near this location for their support and drivers who use this route for their patience while we carry out this important work.”

Further information regarding Highways work is available on our website www.denbighshire.gov.uk/roads

Nearly 200 bags of litter removed from Rhyl route during clean up

Nearly 200 bags of litter were recently removed from a road littering hotspot near Rhyl.

Denbighshire County Council’s Streetscene team recently tackled litter building up along the Dyserth Bends.

The team collected 180 bags of litter from the area, which included items such as a microwave and various car parts.

This work also follows recent litter picks at Ty Fry Road, Bodelwyddan and Allt Y Graig, Dyserth, which saw a combined 39 bags of litter removed by Streetscene operatives.

Paul Jackson, Head of Highways & Environmental Services, said: “We know there has been a lot of concerns raised about the Dyserth Bends and we are grateful to Streetscene for carrying out this work.

“Littering is form of anti-social of behaviour and is a criminal offence. It’s a stain on our landscape and can have a negative impact on the quality of life for local residents. People littering also undoes a lot of the work our operatives undertake each day cross the county to keep it as clean and tidy as possible.

“There is no excuse for littering anywhere in the county. The Council encourages the public to report any incidents of littering or also fly-tipping to the council through the appropriate channels.”

New location for Families First and Flying Start team in Denbigh

The Council’s Families First and Flying Start team have moved to a new location in Denbigh, after being based at the Margaret Morris Centre for over 13 years.

Now based at the HWB, Denbigh, Health Visitor drop-in clinics and parenting groups will continue to run from the new location.

Marking the start of an exciting new chapter for Families First and Flying Start, moving to the HWB will allow the team to work closer with a range of services who are also based at the Denbigh location.

A spokesperson for the Families First and Flying Start team said:

“After more than 13 years at the Margaret Morris Centre, we have now moved to the HWB in Denbigh.

This is the start of an exciting chapter for us, where we can work with the services already based at the HWB, as well as deliver all of the popular services to the families who need them in the Denbigh area.

We have supported so many families and delivered countless parenting groups from the Margaret Morris Centre and we’re really looking forward welcoming families old and new to this new location.”

Rhiain Morrlle, Head of Children’s Services said:

“This is a really exciting development for this service, allowing the team to expand and spread their wings in a new location, working in tandem with service providers based at the HWB.”

‘Confidence to Travel’ sessions in Rhyl help residents reconnect with train travel

Working Denbighshire recently held a series of free ‘Confidence to Travel’ sessions in Rhyl aiming to support Denbighshire residents rebuild independence and overcome barriers to using public transport. Delivered in partnership with Transport for Wales, the programme offered practical, friendly support for adults who felt anxious, unsure, or out of practice when it came to travelling by train.

Starting the journey from Rhyl Library, the three-part programme welcomed local residents aged 16+ who were experiencing low confidence, wellbeing challenges, or other barriers affecting their ability to travel.

Across the sessions, participants learned how the rail network works and explored Passenger Assist and safety guidance. They also gained hands‑on experience using journey‑planning apps and completed a supported real‑life train journey.

The sessions were further strengthened through collaboration with the British Transport Police. PSCO Andrea Platt attended the first session to share information about BTP’s role in keeping passengers and the rail network safe. Her involvement helped build trust with participants, grow their confidence, and address common concerns around travelling by train. PSCO Platt also accompanied the group on their final session, offering on‑the‑spot guidance and support, giving attendees a real opportunity to travel confidently.

Lowri Jones, Wellbeing & Resilience Coach at Working Denbighshire said:
“Confidence to Travel is about giving residents the knowledge, support and reassurance they need to feel comfortable using trains again. It was fantastic to see participants grow in confidence over the course of the sessions.”

Sian Jones, Community Rail Ambassador at Transport for Wales added:

"It was fantastic to support participants using our rail network to travel between Rhyl and Llandudno. These sessions allow us to remove the barriers people face, making travel more accessible for everyone while helping passengers gain the confidence and independence to explore our network with ease."

PSCO Andrea Platt, British Transport Police

PSCO Andrea Platt, British Transport Police, said:
“Strong partnership working with Transport for Wales and the local council is key to improving safety, building trust, and delivering effective support across the railway network.”

The combination of information, reassurance and hands‑on experience gave participants the confidence to overcome their initial anxieties and begin travelling independently for work, appointments, education and everyday life.

Connecting Communities to railways with Working Denbighshire

Travelling with Confidence project with Working Denbighshire and Transport for Wales, our objective is to help improve personal health and wellbeing, reduce social isolation and encourage people to use public transport more frequently, and improve their quality of life.

Working Denbighshire will continue to collaborate with partners and communities to provide support for individuals seeking employment, training, and personal development opportunities.

To stay informed about upcoming events, training opportunities and support available, visit our website.

Working Denbighshire is part‑funded through the Welsh Government Communities for Work Plus Programme.

Transport for Wales offer travel training for community groups. We visit local groups to talk about the assistance available at our stations and on our trains, how to buy a ticket and book passenger assistance, station and train facilities, and what discounts are available. 

Work improves school energy efficiency

Ysgol Pant Pastynog will see improved energy efficiency and long-term running costs reduced thanks to the completion of a project on site.

Denbighshire County Council’s Energy team has wrapped up work to improve the learning environment for pupils and teachers at the school whilst also reducing the building’s carbon emissions. The schools’ Sam committee, who offer a voice to all pupils at the school, wrote to the energy team suggesting energy saving measures they would like to see in their school and worked with the energy team to finalise plans.

The team has managed projects across Council buildings, including schools to improve building energy efficiency and reduce emissions a part of the Council’s drive to reduce its carbon footprint after declaring a Climate and Nature Emergency during 2019.

Supported by the Council’s Education and Children’s Services, the work saw an 8.1kw solar PV system installed on the roof of the school. The project is expected to save the site approximately £3200 per year in fuel bills and reduce the sites emissions by roughly 3400 kilogrammes of carbon each year.

These new PV panels will generate electricity to power the site, taking pressure off the local grid system and improving the reduction of carbon emissions on site. Each Kilowatt generated by the PV panels and used by the school will save around 22 pence.

Work at the school also included topping up loft insulation with 150mm additional insulation, insulating cavity wall sections with Evobead, installing LED, efficient lighting and adding a new building management system for improved control over energy use at the site.

Helen Vaughan-Evans, Head of Corporate Support Service: Performance, Digital & Assets, said: “The Council is committed to reducing our carbon emissions and energy usage across all our buildings. This supports our environmental priorities; ambitions that I’m delighted to see are shared by our County’s pupils. But also will see costs reduce in the long term for the school. I’m grateful to our staff with the support of the school staff and the pupils for allowing us to carry out this important work at Ysgol Pant Pastynog.”

Dog owners reminded to be responsible when out and about

Denbighshire County Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape are reminding dog owners to act responsibly as more people prepare to visit the area’s countryside hotspots.

Both bodies are urging people to follow important advice to keep pets on leads whilst walking through the countryside following reported incidents last year at land around Moel Famau.

Livestock worrying, where dogs disturb and chase sheep, is illegal. Any dogs caught worrying livestock can be destroyed and the owners can be prosecuted.

A new law has come into effect in England and Wales which will see farm animals get stronger protection from dog attacks.

The police will now have powers to seize and detain a dog where they have reasonable grounds to believe it has attacked or worried livestock and that there is a risk it could do so again.

The maximum fine for livestock worrying has also increased from £1000 to an unlimited fine.

Visitors should make themselves aware of what restrictions and guidelines that are in place at the area they visit to keep themselves and others safe. People should also check ahead to see if countryside facilities are open and also park responsibly in designated areas.

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council's Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said:

“We do know that many dog owners visiting our countryside areas are respectful and take care to keep their pets on a lead and I would like to thank them for making this effort.

“However, there is a minority who do not follow the rules, and we are urging them to remember that they are ultimately responsible for their dog while walking through the countryside.

“Dog owners who ignore the rules and let their pets worry livestock in the area can be prosecuted and their dog legally shot if caught in the act. This is extremely distressing to all and an outcome we want to work to prevent.

“If you are bringing your dog, please always plan ahead if visiting our countryside, know the land you are going to walk through, respect the countryside code and always keep your dog on a lead.”

For more information, visit https://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/ and follow the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB on Facebook and X.

Deadline day approaches to get your commuted sums applications in

There is funding totalling £101,064.42 available to support local projects, and applications are now open to help improve open spaces and play areas across Denbighshire.

A range of organisations can apply for funding, including:

• City, town and community councils
• Community and voluntary groups
• Charities
• Public sector organisations
• Amateur sports clubs
• Denbighshire County Council

Samantha Mullan, Community Development Officer for Denbighshire County Council said:

“Commuted sums funding helps us improve and protect open spaces and play areas across Denbighshire. It supports safe, welcoming places for communities to enjoy. I’d encourage eligible groups to apply and make a real difference locally.”

The funding closes for applications on 20 April 2026. Further information and application forms is available online here: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/commutedsums.

The amount of funding available, and in which areas is listed below:

Ceremonies mark the start of the 2026 season at Denbighshire’s heritage attractions

Historic sites across Denbighshire celebrated the start of the new visitor season with a series of special opening ceremonies over the weekend.

Plas Newydd, Ruthin Gaol and Nantclwyd y Dre historic house and gardens each marked the beginning of the 2026 season with their own unique ceremony, reflecting the character and history of the individual sites.

In Ruthin, that was the ‘Unlocking of the Gaol’ (Ruthin Gaol) and ‘Adorning of the Door’ (at Nantclwyd y Dre), and a new ‘Hanging of the Hats’ ceremony at Plas Newydd, signifying the opening of the former home of the celebrated Ladies of Llangollen.

Invited guests, partners and visitors gathered to celebrate the reopening of the attractions and to welcome the first visitors of the year.

Amongst the attendees at the ‘Unlocking of the Gaol’ were students from Ysgol Pen Barras’ choir, who performed a number of songs for the guests at the ceremony.

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council's Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said:

“The support shown by our guests and visitors during our opening ceremonies and over our first weekend means a great deal to the team and is testament to how widely valued our heritage sites are.

“It was wonderful to celebrate the start of the season with passionate people who support and champion the work we do and we’re grateful to everyone who came along and helped make the occasion such as positive start to the year. I’d also like to thank Ysgol Pen Barras’ choir for their wonderful performance at the ceremony.”

To encourage visitors to explore more of the county’s historic attractions, a special cross-site discount is available throughout the season. Until the end of September, visitors to either Ruthin Gaol, Nantclwyd y Dre historic house and gardens, and Plas Newydd in Llangollen receive 20% off admission to the other attractions, offering families and history seekers alike the opportunity to explore even more history for less.

For further information, please contact the heritage service via heritage@denbighshire.gov.uk or visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/heritage to plan a visit.

Local partnership delivers community project at Bodelwyddan park

The council’s Countryside team were recently joined by volunteers and local contractors Proarb in planting a conservation hedge around the newly excavated pond at Bodelwyddan park.

Situated at the foot of the historic Bodelwyddan Castle, the site recently re-opened to the public for the first time since 2022.

The site received £900,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to address the condition of the parkland, by installing one and a half miles disabled friendly pathways, newly laid hedgerows to support local nature amongst other improvements.

Following a successful re-opening, countryside officers and dedicated volunteers have continued their hard work by converting an old waste site into a pond that will encourage biodiversity to thrive.

Having completed the excavation of the pond, council officers were approached by local contractors Proarb who kindly donated further funding to plant a conservation hedge to surround the wildlife pond as a part of their community benefits pleadge.

Based in Bodlewyddan, Proarb are actively involved in community engagement and biodiversity initiatives, through their work in vegetation management and environmental stewardship in Denbighshire and across North Wales.

The Council’s Countryside staff were joined by volunteers and employees from Proarb at Bodelwyddan Park recently to plant the conservation hedge as they continue their efforts in improving the site for visitors.

John Paul Williams, Managing Director of Proarb Limited said:

“Supporting projects like this reflects our commitment to community engagement and biodiversity as contractors working with Denbighshire County Council and ScottishPower Energy Networks across North Wales.”

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council's Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said:

“We are grateful for Proarb’s generosity in donating this money to complete the planting of the conservation hedge around the newly excavated wildlife pond. I’d also like to thank the countryside officers, Proarb employees and our dedicated volunteers for their hard work on the site.

“The regeneration of the parkland will provide vital support that our local wildlife needs to survive going forward and will also give Denbighshire residents and visitors a great place to visit to experience the nature our county has to offer.”

Litter hotspots addressed by Streetscene team

Litter hotspots have been tackled recently by Denbighshire County Council’s Streetscene team.

Following reports of littering at Ty Fry Road, Bodelwyddan, Streetscene operatives attended the area to carry out a litter pick. The team removed 29 bags of litter from the area.

Streetscene has also carried out further litter clearing work at the lower end of Allt Y Graig, Dyserth, during ecology and drainage work that was carried out along the route. Operatives removed 10 bags of litter from the area.

Paul Jackson, Head of Highways & Environmental Services, said: “We would like to remind the public that littering is form of anti-social of behaviour and is a criminal offence. It’s a blight on the landscape and has a negative impact on the quality of life for residents. It also undoes a lot of the work our operatives undertake each day cross Denbighshire to keep our county as clean and tidy as possible.

“There is no excuse for dumping litter anywhere in the county. We encourage the public to report any incidents of littering or also fly-tipping to the council through the appropriate channels.”

Free entrance to heritage sites for Foster Wales Denbighshire carers

Foster carers who decide to foster through the local authority now have free entry to Ruthin Gaol, Nantclwyd y Dre and Plas Newydd as part of Denbighshire’s fostering package.

This new addition to the fostering package is being introduced as a part of the council’s transformation initiative, which has the ambition to increase the number of Foster Wales Denbighshire carers, allowing children to be cared for closer to their communities and achieve better outcomes.

Foster carers who foster with the local authority are being offered a wide and comprehensive package of assistive policies, all of which will be rolled out by April.

Denbighshire County Council has also approved a foster friendly policy for staff who foster with the local authority, who are eligible for five additional days of special leave.

Rhiain Morrlle, Head of Children’s Services said:

“Fostering is a rewarding, life changing experience, that not only makes such a massive impact on a child or young person’s life, but also on the foster carers themselves.

Our heritage sites offer a great day out for the whole family, and we hope that foster carers, new and existing take up this great offer.”

Carly Davies, Heritage Lead Officer at Denbighshire Council said:

“We’re thrilled to offer free admission to foster carers as part of Denbighshire County Council’s commitment to supporting fostering families. We’re incredibly proud that all three of our heritage attractions are welcoming and family-friendly.

Whether it’s taking on Ruthin Gaol’s ‘Escape the Gaol’ family trail, exploring nearly 600 years of history at Nantclwyd y Dre through hands-on activities like dressing up and completing a Time Traveller’s Passport, or discovering the fascinating story of the Ladies of Llangollen at Plas Newydd and enjoying a picnic in the grounds, there truly is something for families of all ages to enjoy together.”

For more information about fostering, please go to:

https://denbighshire.fosterwales.gov.wales

Be an ‘eggscellent’ recycler this Easter

Residents are urged to be ‘eggscellent’ this Easter by remembering to recycle over the holidays.

Denbighshire County Council’s Waste and Recycling crews will be collecting as normal during the Easter holidays.

As it’s a time to celebrate with many gifts and cards exchanged, there are ways residents can help make a difference to recycling during the period.

Many Easter eggs come in less packaging, or they are packaged more suitable for recycling, which will help collections.

As the chocolate eggs are enjoyed over Easter, don’t forgot to flatten the cardboard boxes for recycling and put in your blue bag and also look to recycle some of the plastic trays they come in. By recycling your Easter egg boxes you are supporting a sustainable way of helping make other items such as cereal and fresh egg boxes and even package parcels that may end up back on your doorstep.

Remember, once you have unwrapped your Easter egg, most foil wrapping can be recycled. Scrunch it up and put it in the correct container for foil. If it springs back after scrunching the material is laminated and should go in your non-recyclable waste bin.

If you have received Easter cards this year these can be recycled at home along with the envelopes, as long as the card does not have glitter or foil on them, if they do they need to go in your non-recyclable waste bin.

As many families sit down for meals over Easter, it’s a good idea to look at how to reuse any surplus food to make more tasty treats over the holidays. For the food waste you can’t eat suh as eggshells, remember to use your food waste bin

If you are planning to spring into step to sort out your garden this Easter don’t forget that any garden waste can also be recycled into handy compost through the garden waste collection service, just remember to sign up to be eligible for collections between April 2026 and the end of March 2027.

Paul Jackson, Head of Highways & Environmental Services, said: “Easter can produce an increase in items at home that are recyclable. We want to encourage residents to continue to support making a difference to the Denbighshire environment by choosing the right options to recycle these items and I’d like to thank them for their fantastic efforts.”

If you’re not sure what goes where, you can check the A-Z recycling guide on the website.

North Wales partnership secure funding to tackle artificial light pollution

A North Wales wide partnership have successfully secured funding to tackle artificial light’s ecological impacts across North Wales’ designated landscapes.

On behalf of Prosiect NOS partnership, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape were successful in their bid titled Nocturnal Networks, being delivered by the Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Welsh Government’s Nature Networks Programme. 

The partnership, which is made up from The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape, Anglesey National Landscape, Llyn National Landscape and Eryri National Park Authority were awarded £247,225 to address issues caused by Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) which is altering species behaviour and threatening biodiversity.

Darkness is a vital part of our natural heritage and essential for the survival of over 30% of vertebrates and 60% of invertebrates, as most life forms are governed by light-regulated biological rhythms.

However, Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) is disrupting these cycles. The Nocturnal Networks project will identify key pollution zones through light mapping, conduct ecological surveys and collaborate with landowners, communities, and agencies to develop plans for future retrofitting and shielding activities to limit its disruption.

The funding will also support the creation of two new roles, with one Dark Ecological Networks Officer aiding the development of these plans to protect the natural darkness which is essential for the ecosystem’s health, and one Audience Engagement Officer tasked with raising awareness and supporting behaviour change through public engagement events.

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council's Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said:

“We are delighted to have secured this funding to address the problems that come with light pollution. Securing this funding would not have been possible without the hard work and collaboration of the Proisect NOS partnership which includes the designated landscapes across North Wales.

“This funding will go a long way in protecting our species, through conducting essential tests and surveys and raising awareness on the potential effects Artificial Light at Night can have”.

Denbighshire Play Rangers service release ‘Let’s Play Out’ sessions for Easter holidays

Denbighshire County Council’s Play Ranger service has released their ‘Let’s Play Out’ sessions for the Easter Holidays.

The sessions are free and are run by Denbighshire's Play Ranger Service, providing open access play for children in their local communities.

Sessions for the Easter holiday are available in Corwen, Denbigh, Dyserth, Llangollen, Meliden, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan, Rhyl, Ruthin and St Asaph.

Parents or guardians of children aged six and above will need to register their child for the Play Ranger service before being able to attend the sessions. There is no need to register for children under the age of six.

The ‘Let’s Play Out’ sessions are designed so that children choose what they want to do, or what equipment they use. All sessions are fully inclusive, and any needs can be relayed when registering child for the Play Ranger service.

Dawn Anderson, Denbighshire Childcare and Play Development Manager said:

“We are excited to release our schedule for the ‘Let’s Play Out’ sessions over Easter.

These sessions are free and are open to children up to the age of 13 years old. The offer over Easter offers over 15 play sessions, all hosted in different parts of the county.

Please register, if needed and come along to have fun this Easter!”

More information: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/leisure-and-tourism/play-ranger-service/play-ranger-service.aspx

Cabinet approves recommended Care Home fees for 2026/27

Denbighshire County Council’s Cabinet accepted the recommendations for the care home fees for 2026/27 at today’s (24^th of March) Cabinet meeting.

The Council will spend roughly £16 million on older people’s residential and nursing care during 2026/27, protecting the most vulnerable in the county.

The fees for 2026/27 will continue to fund 51 care homes, which equates to more than 355 placements across the county.

The fee setting process has been informed by Care Cubed, which is a data-driven methodology providing an evidence-based and consistent approach to fee setting. This method allows the Council to understand how public money is being spent by providers to ensure that care fees are fair, equitable and deliver the best value for money.

Ann Lloyd, Head of Adult Social Care & Homelessness Service said:

“It is really important that the fee setting process for care homes remains transparent and consistent. The recommendations put in place ensure a fair and balanced approach to the fee setting process.

Social care accounts for almost a third of the Council’s budget, and with demand continuing to rise, it is important that the fee setting process remains transparent and can deliver value for money for providers and residents.

Working with the care homes in the county, we can continue to ensure that residents get the quality support and care they need.”

Council sets out new Community Asset Transfer Policy

Denbighshire County Council has today approved its Community Asset Transfer (CAT) Policy which outlines a clear and consistent process for transferring surplus council-owned buildings and land to City, Town and Community Councils, third sector organisations and community not‑for‑profit groups building on the organisations own experience with CATs and sector best practice guidance.

This policy aims to support stronger, more sustainable local services by enabling communities to take on valued assets such as former civic buildings, sports fields and other facilities. It sets out three transfer routes, short term Licence to Occupy and long-term Leasehold Transfer and Freehold Transfer, along with a step‑by‑step process for applicants.

The approach supports several Corporate Plan well-being objectives, including economic prosperity, community empowerment, and long-term sustainability.

Helen Vaughan-Evans,Head of Corporate Support Service: Performance, Digital & Assets, said: “This policy will help understanding of the process of asset transfers for all parties involved and better support our work in helping local Denbighshire communities strengthen for future prosperity.”

Improvement works progressing well at Loggerheads Country Park

Improvement works at Loggerheads Country Park are progressing well, with significant upgrades taking place across the site, which include the visitor centre, café building, seating areas and public toilets, building upon the flood mitigation works carried out last winter.

Beginning in August, these improvements aimed to assist with the management of pressures associated with increased visitor numbers and respond to rising visitor expectations at one of the busiest visitor sites managed by Denbighshire County Council.

In 2023, UK Government confirmed their intention to provide £10.95 million of grant funding for 10 capital projects aimed at protecting the unique heritage and wellbeing of Ruthin and its surrounding rural communities.

This funding has been awarded exclusively for these successful projects and cannot be directed to other projects.

Along with the building improvement works, solar panels and sustainable drainage planters have been installed on the main building, supporting the park’s commitment to sustainability and helping to future‑proof a site that welcomes nearly 300,000 visitors each year.

Upgrades to the public toilets have now been completed and the facilities are now back open to the public, whilst the newly refurbished spaces feature new imagery from around the country park, creating a fresh and welcoming environment for visitors.

Following the advertisement of the café site and the interview process for potential applicants, we can announce we are working closely with local producer Chilly Cow in respect to them taking on the tenancy of the refurbished café subject to the completion of all lease arrangements.

The works, which are being undertaken by local contractors Park City (St Asaph) and designed by TACP (Wrexham) are expected to be completed by late spring. 

Councillor Jason McLellan, Council Leader and Lead member for Economic Growth and Tackling Deprivation, said:

“It’s encouraging to hear that the improvement works are progressing well at Loggerheads, we have seen an increase in visitor numbers at Loggerheads Country Park in recent years and projects such as these, once completed, will help future proof the park and meet the ever-increasing expectations of visitors.

“Whilst the works continue Loggerheads Country Park will remain open to the public throughout the Easter holidays.

“These sites are much loved National Landscape areas, and it is important that we continue to maintain and develop sites such as these as their popularity grows to ensure that they can continue to be enjoyed by all who visit.”

Plans for the Loggerheads improvement can be accessed on the Denbighshire County Council website.

Denbighshire and Flintshire County Councils appoint contractor for major new Creative Archives Project scheme  

Flintshire County Council supported by Denbighshire County Council, has appointed Wynne Construction as the lead contractor for the Joint Archives Project, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of one of North East Wales’s most important schemes.

North East Wales Archive (NEWA), was formed in April 2020 when Denbighshire Archives (Ruthin) and Flintshire Record Office (Hawarden) came together to offer a joint service for the region, bringing together their nationally important archive collections. NEWA looks after the region’s unique and irreplaceable written and pictorial history, which dates back more than 900 years. 

The aim of this project is to establish a stronger, more resilient and sustainable archive service for the region with a new archive building on land adjacent to Theatr Clwyd, to house the collections and staff and provide an extensive engagement work programme designed to attract a wider audience.  

The project, called ‘Creative Archives’, has been made possible by a development grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund alongside financial commitments from both Flintshire and Denbighshire local authorities and Welsh Government. The funding supports the initial phase of the project, enabling detailed architectural designs, business and activity planning ahead of a second-round funding application in 2026 and planning approval. Should this be successful, construction work on the new archive centre should commence late spring/summer of 2027 and be ready for opening during autumn 2028.

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage, welcomed the appointment, saying:

“This is a major step forward for the project and for the wider community. Wynne Construction brings a strong track record of delivering high‑quality developments, and we are confident they will help us realise our ambitions for this project. This scheme will deliver long‑term benefits for residents, businesses and visitors, and we are pleased to be moving into the next stage.”

Councillor Mared Eastwood, Cabinet Member for Education, Welsh Language, Culture and Leisure said:

“Flintshire and Denbighshire are counties that are rich in heritage. We're delighted that this appointment has been made so that we can further develop this project, which will ensure that our wonderful history will be preserved for years to come and give both local people and visitors the chance to explore and uncover the fascinating stories within the collections."

Chris Wynne, managing director, Wynne Construction said:

“We are delighted to have been appointed to deliver this transformative project. We look forward to working in partnership with both Denbighshire and Flintshire Councils to create a development that supports growth, sustainability and community wellbeing.”

Wynne Construction is working closely with the council, stakeholders and local communities to finalise designs and prepare detailed proposals. Engagement and consultation activities will take place in June 2026.

The project is being funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Flintshire County Council, Denbighshire County Council and Welsh Government.

For anyone wishing to learn more about the service that NEWA offers or the latest news on the Creative Archives project, please visit our website – https://www.newa.wales/.

Residents encouraged to sign up for online Council Tax accounts as new bills are issued

Denbighshire residents are being encouraged to register for an online council tax account as annual council tax bills begin landing on doormats across the county.

The digital service offers residents a quicker, easier, and more convenient way to manage their council tax, with a range of features designed to simplify everyday tasks.

By signing up, residents can:

• View their council tax accounts, including upcoming instalments and any outstanding balance
• Receive paperless bills
• Change payment methods securely
• Access current and previous bills 24/7
• Update personal details easily
• Spread payments through a convenient payment plan
• Apply for the single person discount
• Check their council tax band
• Manage their account at any time, from any device

Liz Thomas, Head of Finance and Audit at Denbighshire said, “With council tax bills being distributed, now is the ideal time for residents to move their account online. It’s faster, more convenient, and offers far more flexibility when managing payments and updating details. Registration takes only a few minutes and can be done on the Council Tax pages on Denbighshire’s website.”

Where does your council tax go?

Liz Thomas adds, “In setting this year’s budget, we have worked hard to keep Council Tax increases as low as possible, avoiding cuts while still providing the vital services people rely on. The approved Council Tax for 2026–27 is 4.76% for council services, along with the additional 0.46% which has to be paid to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority levy, giving a total of 5.22%.”

While many believe council tax funds all Council services, the money collected from residents represents just 26% of the Council’s total annual spending.

The majority of funding comes from the revenue support grant from Welsh Government and from business rates, which is a property tax paid by businesses to support local services. 

Most Council Tax spending (almost two-thirds) goes on helping the most vulnerable in our communities. This includes educating approximately 16,500 children and young people through our schools with around 780 teachers delivering this education.

It also includes providing social care and homelessness services to children and adults to help them live safe, healthy, and independent lives. These statutory services make up a significant portion of the Council’s overall budget and remain essential in supporting residents across the county.

Liz Thomas goes on to say, “In what is a continuing financially challenging climate, it’s important to emphasise that many aspects of expenditure are, quite rightly, aimed towards the statutory services and remain essential in supporting the most vulnerable residents across our county.”

You can find out more information on Denbighshire’s Council Tax pages.

If you need help or have a query about your bill, the Council Tax phone lines are open between 9am and 1pm from Monday to Friday on 01824 706 000, or you can use the Live Chat facility which is available from 9am to 5pm (4.30pm on Fridays) via the website.

Reminder to renew garden waste subscription

Denbighshire gardeners who use the garden waste subscription service are being reminded that they can renew their collection.

Renewal for 2026 to 2027 is currently open for residents to sign up before the new service period starts from April 1.

The Council is also encouraging residents who are subscribing for the first time to take advantage of this sign-up period to take full advantage of the 12-month service.

Residents are reminded to renew their collection service online using the link below:

https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/bins-and-recycling/garden-waste.aspx

The two weekly garden waste service offers gardeners a convenient, means of having their garden waste collected and also for making a significant contribution towards meeting statutory recycling targets.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “As April 1 is fast approaching I would encourage those who haven’t done to so renew or sign up for the garden waste service to make sure they are covered for the whole 12-month collection period."

Residents can check whether they have a live subscription on the bin collection dates page of the website or find out further information on the service here

Update on school meal prices

The Denbighshire School Catering Service has faced an increase of prices for all major commercially procured food products, the domestic food market and across all food market supply chains.

Due to rising costs, it has been agreed to increase the cost of school meals by 10p, which will be implemented on April 13 when schools return following the Easter holidays.

The School Catering Service have recently been recognised as the best performing catering service at The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) awards earlier this year.

This recognition, from The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) is based upon comparisons with other school meals services from across the UK.

It takes into account aspects such as paid and free meal uptakes, staff training, service performance and management of the service.

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said: “The decision to increase the cost of school meals was not taken lightly. However, even after this increase, these new prices will still be relatively low compared to other local authorities.

“As evidenced in their recent success at the APSE awards, the Council’s School Catering service are committed to providing value for money in terms of the quality of food given to pupils across our schools”.

 To view the school meals menu, or for more information visit the Denbighshire school meals website.

Traffic Trial set to begin in Prestatyn

The trial will look to alleviate congestion in the area as the council look to enhance and regenerate the town.

From 13 April, Denbighshire County Council will begin a trial to make Bridge Road in Prestatyn two ways to see if it helps to alleviate congestion in the area.

The trial was requested following feedback the council received in recent consultations with the public, as part of the public realm improvement project on Prestatyn High Street.

In 2025, UK Government confirmed their intention to provide just under £20 million of grant funding for seven capital projects to improve pride of place and natural environment in Rhyl, Prestatyn and Denbigh.

This funding, known as the Local Regeneration Fund (LRF), has been awarded exclusively for successful projects included in Vale of Clwyd and cannot be directed to other projects.

The trial will be in place for a minimum period of three months and could last up to 18 months under the Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) that the council have in place.

Under the new layout, traffic will be able to turn left from Bridge Road down towards the mini roundabout and Parc Prestatyn.

Traffic flow will remain the same down towards the lower part of the high street, however vehicles will not be allowed to turn right onto Bridge Road from Ffordd Penisardre, as they are expected to continue down Ffordd Penisardre and left down the high street as they currently do.

Denbighshire County Council will be seeking feedback from motorists and pedestrians throughout the trail period, and if successful a permanent Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) will be applied which will see the new layout remain.

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said:

“We would like to thank residents, visitors, and businesses for their co-operation and engagement throughout the previous traffic management trial on Prestatyn High Street.

“As a result of the trial we have received valuable feedback, which has been used in the development of this new traffic trial which will begin on 13 April on Bridge Road.

“A lot of the concerns that were raised related to the vehicle congestion that’s currently on the road, and we hope that this trial will go some way in alleviating that.

“Our focus remains on delivering a scheme that enhances accessibility, reduces congestion, and supports the long-term regeneration of the town centre”.

Natural wonders inspire active nature career

A love of animals from a young age and an inspiration from a teacher who supported nature in the Galapagos has helped shape a career that now protects and preserves Denbighshire’s biodiversity.

Ellie Wainwright is part of the Council’s Biodiversity Team who are hard at work all year supporting existing nature in the county, establishing new habitats to help local wildlife thrive and survive, and helping educate all ages towards what they can do to protect their own biodiversity.

County Voice sat down with Ellie to find out the inspiration that has carried her through a career full of experiences helping nature across the UK.

Ellie said: “I grew up near a lake in a small town in Northamptonshire. Seasonally the baby frogs would come up through our garden in late summer, after leaving the lake, and I have memories of me and my brother going out and making frog hotels and handling them.

“So, I’ve always loved animals, but I had no idea what I wanted to do as a job until I reached sixth form. I did Human Biology as one of my A-levels and amazingly one of my teachers happened to be a conservationist.

“He’d worked for Operation Wallacea in the Galapagos Islands which is a really cool organisation running biodiversity research expeditions all over the world, I believe he was researching turtles. That was the first time I realised that you could do this as a career, I decided that’s what I wanted to do and started looking into universities that offered ecology and conservation courses.”

To support the career, she’d set her eyes on, Ellie swiftly set about volunteering at the weekends as well with the local Wildlife Trust group to her home to gain valuable experience whilst working in one of their woodlands.

Using her volunteer experience, she embarked on a wildlife conservation degree at the University of Kent.

Ellie explained: “It was a really good course, where I learnt a lot about conservation theory. My favourite modules were probably Evolutionary Biology and Genetics, and Behaviour Change. A lot of the lectures used examples from tropical ecosystems as a lot of my lecturers had lived abroad and done work with species in Madagascar, Mauritius, and Borneo.

“Although we did have one lecturer who did a lot of work with UK reptile and amphibian species, which is more closely related to my work now.”

Between her second and third year for professional practice experience, Ellie spent time adding elements of Zoology to her learning by working with Durrel Wildlife Conservation Trust at Jersey Zoo.

She said: “I worked as a placement student/trainee zookeeper, in the bird department for five months and for the rest I was on the mammal department and that was really fun. It was fascinating learning about all the different species and how they keep and breed them for different conservation projects around the world.”

Finishing University, Ellie found herself making her first steps into the landscape of Denbighshire to discover the county’s nature.

She explained: “I applied for a job as an assistant countryside ranger with the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB which was three days a week post. I moved up to live in a house share in Wrexham and very quickly the role was expanded to five days a week.

“I worked with the Nature for Health Project which is such a nice project for engaging with people outdoors to help their physical and mental health. I always tried to bring biodiversity into this work as much as I could. As well as activities such as mindfulness and arts and crafts, I also tried to get people to get involved in things like bat surveys.”

After working with Nature for Health, Ellie became a permanent ranger with the AONB working outdoors around the Llangollen and Dee Valley areas, during which she tackled the difficult period of monitoring sites such as the Horseshoe Falls during the Covid Pandemic and the many introduced regulations the public had to follow.

Through all of this, volunteering was still providing new challenges and discoveries for Ellie, which helped her move further forward into the biodiversity career she carried out today for Denbighshire County Council.

She said: “I’d been doing a lot of volunteer wildlife surveys around my post over the years I was there; I’d been going out with the Clwyd Bat Group and the North Wales Mammal Group. As well as helping with great crested newt surveys with the Wrexham rangers at one of their sites and through work as well.”

Linking in with the North Wales Mammal Group allowed her to take part in studying the Nathusius’ pipistrelle bat using safe and humane bat trapping methods to look at how they migrate.

“It was great because there were some very knowledgeable people running it. You'd get to identify the bats close up which was fascinating, I learnt a lot. At one point I was releasing a tiny Pipistrelle bat, who had clearly got quite warm on my hands and didn't want to leave.”

Through this experience Ellie moved into an assistant biodiversity officer role for Flintshire County Council.

Ellie added: “I learnt a lot there, it’s very different from Denbighshire as there are more urban areas… I got really involved with their wildflower project and was able to carry out a lot more nature and wildlife surveys in that role, which was great experience.”  

Stepping into her current role as biodiversity officer, it’s evident that the passion for protecting nature is burning bright.

She explained: “I love getting out on surveys and seeing these species that we are trying to save and create more habitat for. It really focuses you on why you are doing this role and for me…its so good for my own mental health

“Every time I see a frog; I get really happy. The first time I saw a sand lizard, I was ecstatic. I've seen my first dormouse as well in this job.

“The Wildflower Project is fantastic; it's one of the best conservation projects I think that any local authority can do. A simple change to the way the council manages it’s grassland areas, can result in such a big payoff for wildlife.

“I think it's made a real difference across the county, we've converted all 1820km of the rural road verge network to long grass/wildflower habitat over the summer. As well as over 60 acres of urban verges and greenspaces to wildflower meadow and they've all improved in species diversity.

Ellie added: “Because we’ve been carrying out wildflower surveys on the sites every growing season since the project began in 2020, we can definitively say that all of the urban sites have increased in plant species diversity – some quite significantly! I love feeling like I’m making a difference for biodiversity and seeing positive impacts from our work. It makes me feel like I am I am doing my part to address the biodiversity crisis and the climate change crisis.”

Currently keeping Ellie and her colleagues busy is the creation of the 70-acre Green Gates Nature Reserve which already contains the successful local provenance tree and wildflower nursery the Biodiversity Team have helped establish.

Ellie explained: “It's been a while in the making, but I think we’ve created a really valuable habitat for wildlife. You walk around the site now and it’s buzzing with life, we've spotted kingfishers, we've had eels in the stream. I see kestrels and buzzards hunting over the rough grassland, and we've seen three grass snakes this summer.

“We've installed over 20 ponds on site, all of which are starting to green up. Now we've had different aquatic plant species starting to pop through, and we've recorded frogspawn and some smooth newts in a couple of the brand-new ones as well. We have recorded great crested newts on site before, and we expect this will be a really important site for them going forward.”

Thousands of trees grown from seeds sourced locally by Ellie and the Biodiversity Team have also been planted out on the site, and preparations are underway for hopefully two or more new special residents at the reserve next year.

She added: “We’ve been working in the background on the Denbighshire Beaver Project, to assess if it would be feasible and learn about the species. I was very lucky and got to go to Bavaria with the North Wales Wildlife Trust and the Beaver Trust to see beaver habitats in person. It was fascinating to learn about all the different ways that they manage beavers in Bavaria since they were reintroduced in the 1960’s, and what could be applied now that they are back in Britain. Now, we're a lot closer to releasing them into the enclosure on site.

The team are currently working on a licence application to home the beavers in the created enclosure and all being well would look to bring the new residents in after summer 2026.

With so much experienced in nature and wildlife so far in her career, Ellie’s hopeful that more people will follow in her footsteps to provide the help our environment needs.

She said: “Anyone who wants to get into the conservation field, I would say you pretty much have to have a degree nowadays. So doing some sort of formal education is a good idea. And… volunteer, volunteer, volunteer. You just want to get experience doing as much as possible and you want to try as much as possible so you know exactly what you want to go into in this field.

“I did three years of practical conservation work which is brilliant if you want to get stuck in and you want to see the difference you're making as you do it on the ground. There are so many different paths that you can take. Try all of them, do a little bit of each and see what you like.”

Catering cook creates memories for Clawdd Offa pupils

A Prestatyn cook is stirring up a school dining hall filled with healthy food, a dash of learning and many bowls full of smiles and laughter.

Cooking up 30 years of experience in the catering world this year, Carol McWilliams is busy creating tasty delights for the pupils of Ysgol Clawdd Offa.

County Voice dropped into the kitchen at the school to find out what inspirations are in Carol’s recipe book for progressing in catering and to find out the secret ingredients for a happy food fulfilled school of pupils.

Born in Manchester, Carol with her family moved to Rhyl when she was seven years old and 20 years ago she moved over to Prestatyn.

She said: “I did catering in college, I’d always worked in cafes part time. I worked in the Russel café in Rhyl, liked it, went to catering college at Coleg Llandrillo, did a course on hotel keeping and catering which is everything from making beds to cleaning toilets, right the way through to running a hotel.

“The Catering course covered all aspects of catering from cooking to waiting on and at that time I did prefer waiting on. After college I went to work down south to High Wycombe in a large conference centre, waiting on there."

The lure of home life soon tempted Carol back for a new slice of career and she travelled back to North Wales to work for a while for McDonalds to continue honing her trade.

Carol said: “Then I heard about school catering, went for it and I’ve been in this profession ever since… I’ve been 30 years in the service now and I love it."

Rewinding the school cooking timer to the start, Carol began at Ysgol Tremerchion looking after 60 pupils which she admits was a great training ground to get used to timings for preparing, cooking and serving the food for the children.

She then moved on to making sure the children of Ysgol Bryn Hedydd, Rhyl, were well fed and happy through the school terms for 17 years before moving to Ysgol y Llys and then arriving at Ysgol Clawdd Offa in 2017.

Looking back, Carol explained: “It’s a great way to start off and then you progress to a bigger school because you are given that opportunity here. The bosses are great, they encourage you into getting additional qualifications and if you want to move up and progress, you have that opportunity to move to a bigger school.”

Catering in schools also cooks up a good work life balance dish according to Carol for anyone with busy families be it humans or a loving home of animals.  

She said: “It's just a great place to work, especially if you've got a family, not many people who work in catering can say they are off every school holiday. I get up early to feed all the animals because I’ve got four dogs, two birds, two snakes, two rabbits, crested gecko, tortoise, bearded dragon… I feed all those first!

“Then I have a coffee and I’m set for work and in for eight o’clock, I do all my morning food safety checks, set up the kitchen ready, looking at the menu, seeing what’s on for today, looking at what I can prep for tomorrow as well.”

Standing in the beating heart beat of the school kitchen facilities, Carol demonstrates how forward thinking her role is by showing how the prep is done for the day after’s lasagna on the menu with just the fresh sauce to do to go on top.

Thanks to the efforts of Carol and her team there’s always a feast of choice on offer to suit all young appetites each day as well as the main dish delights.

She explained: “There’s always a choice, there’s the two hot main courses, jacket potatoes with a choice of fillings and a selection of sandwiches. We also cater and prepare a selection of meals for the children with allergens, intolerances and special care needs to make sure they are catered for.”

The busy prep and cooking of catering is all worth it though as Carol admits seeing the children smile and laugh at lunchtimes lights up the catering team’s day.

“The Pupils are great, no two days are the same, every day we have a laugh at something they’ve either said or done but its always with them not at them… they are fabulous.”

Throughout the year at school the pupils have themed learning and Carol and her team have put their own thoughts and ideas together to carry the education and the fun into the school dining hall.

“We do theme days, we have one a month, we’ve just done the Chinese New Year in cooperation with one of the school's teachers, she very kindly brought in some Chinese decorations for me to use, I had some at home, so we decorated the serving counter to make it more fun for the pupils.

“On the menu that day we had chicken chow mein and spring rolls, along with chicken curry and rice and for dessert we did a golden crispy cake as well, it was lovely. The pupils loved it, especially seeing the counter decorated it makes it more special for them.”

Working in the school catering service also gives Carol and her colleagues the chance to input into how the daily school menus are designed across Denbighshire.

She explained: “The management team create the menu, we are due to change to a new 3-week menu starting from Easter. They work with the cooks and discuss what goes well and what changes can be made and take feedback on board before the nutritional content is then balanced and analised in line with Welsh Government Healthy Eating in School regulations. We’ve just been informed the new menu has gained Gold Accreditation approval from Welsh Local Government Association.”

To support healthy eating, along with all the main course choices, the catering team offers a selection of fruit, yoghurt and salad to go with the sandwiches and jacket potatoes. 

With the kitchen full of tempting smells, the big question is, what’s the dish of the day for Clawdd Offa pupils?

Smiling, Carol said: “They love the curry here, they love katsu curry because it’s a chicken goujon with a homemade katsu curry sauce and rice - it's lovely, very simple to make but really tasty and the pupils love it."

That’s something Year 6 pupil Ralph can confirm and who admits he’s a big fan of Carol and her team’s skills…especially when he’s hungry.

Ralph, a big fan of the catering team, let County Voice know: “The katsu curry, I love that. The staff are really nice as well, instead of making it a boring dinner they make it, so you are excited actually to go.”

Going back to the school cook’s 30 years of experience in the catering field and still cooking up delights for many youngsters, what’s Carol’s advice to anyone wanting to follow in her footsteps and develop with the support of the Catering Service.

Taking a second to think in her kitchen, Carol put forward: “It’s just having the love for people and food…and it’s having that passion to feed school children a choice of healthy, nutritious meals and encouraging them to try new things.“

Make your own mini meadow to help local nature

Did you know that it’s easy to give a helping hand to nature from your own back garden?

Preparations are in full swing for our 2026 Wildflower Meadows Project season. The project started in 2019 and includes approximately 70 acres of native wildflower habitat supporting local nature and also helping community wellbeing across the county. It has also been funded by Welsh Government, through the Local Places for Nature funding.

Residents can visit our meadows which are marked with the Bee Friendly sign, but those who want to do their bit from their home can also create their own mini meadow to support nature on their doorstep.

The first step is to decide the best place for your meadow on your garden area. Pick an area that isn’t too shady and where you are ok with leaving the grass long. You can pick the whole garden or just a patch and just simply let your chosen area grow.

During April, it’s the best time to make the decision to let your mini meadow grow as it is. Remember it takes time for a meadow to develop and it’s important to let it develop to see what it will produce.

Wildflowers that will thrive best in your meadow space are oxeye daisies, black knapweed and red campion.

Movement in your meadow will start appearing late May as the wildflowers begin to grow. As June arrives the actual flower can start to appear through your meadow.

July is when your mini meadow will be at full strength supporting nature, it’s a great time to do a bug hunt through your area to see which insects are enjoying your creation.

As well as looking at what wildflowers you have blooming in your meadow, remember to look at all the different grasses. While we often focus on planting wildflowers for pollinators, many native grasses as just as important for caterpillars of butterflies and moth species.

August is a great time for your mini meadow as you will spot a slow change in what is flowering, with earlier species going to seed, and later species beginning to flower. Species that you might notice flowering at the end of the summer include black knapweed and yarrow, both of which are great for pollinators visiting your garden.

During August its also time to monitor when you need to cut your mini meadow. If you still have plenty of blooms you could leave it to September. You can also vary the cutting times across the year or the different parts of your own meadow depending on the size to make it more diverse for nature support. Cutting will help remove nutrients from the ground giving the wildflowers in the area the best chance to thrive.

Don’t forget to remove all the cuttings once their seeds have dropped and they have dried. A good tip as well is to keep your compost area as far away as your mini meadow to stop excess nutrients leaking back into the area and impacting on the growth of the wildflowers.

As September moves forward, it’s time to give your mini meadow a well-earned rest. You can leave the next cut until April or carry out several cuts to maintain the area if the winter weather stays mild. Before you shut down your mini meadow, take stock of what you have seen come through this season and the insects visiting the site as a record going forward for the next chapter of your own meadow.

Special storybook celebrates work to help rare bird

A special book is helping preserve a tale of important farming support for an under-threat bird.

For the past two years, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape has been part of “Curlew Connections Wales,” a Curlew Recovery Wales partnership project working alongside Bannau Brycheiniog and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT).

The initiative formed part of the wider Gylfinir Cymru programme, an all-Wales partnership dedicated to supporting breeding Curlew populations across the country, including in Denbighshire.

Funding from the Welsh Government through the Heritage Lottery Fund is coming to a close for the project but the National Landscapes team will carry on working to protect the rare bird in their area.

Since running the programme has helped strengthen conditions needed for curlew recovery by improving habitat management, enhancing monitoring and data collection, increasing local capacity for ecological action and building strong, trust-based relationships with farmers.

To mark the huge community support given to the project, project staff worked with author Peter Evans to provide a timeless capture of the work and dedication seen to give hope to the curlew.

A book called Sali and the Call of the Curlew has been published which charts the seasonal journey of the curlew on farmland from the perspective of a little girl called Sali and her farmer Taid. Sali follows Pegi the curlew, who returns each Spring to the farm and both their journeys to the next breeding season.

Local Curlew and People Officer Sam Kenyon created the background to the story from her experiences and author and volunteer to the project Peter Evans brought her thoughts to life with help from pupils at Ysgol Caer Drewyn,Ysgol y Waun and Ysgol Bro Dyfrdwy, alongside storyteller Fiona Collins.

The book shows the plight of the curlew but with her Taid’s help, Sali finds out how small changes can make a big difference, and the pair set out to try to make sure more chicks survive the breeding season on the farm.

Primary school children from Ysgol Bro Elwern and Ysgol Betws Gwerful Goch also helped bring the storybook to life by colouring the illustrations created from collaged paper by talented Community Engagement Officer Jillian Howe.

The book is also designed to be accessible for those with Dyslexia thanks to the font used to tell the tale.

Receiving an official launch at Llangollen primary school Ysgol Gymraeg Y Gwernant with the support of Denbighshire County Council Chairman Cllr Arwel Roberts, English and Welsh copies will be made available to Denbighshire libraries and schools that have helped support the project over the last two years.

Local Curlew and People Officer Sam Kenyon, who has led the project for the past two seasons, explained the book is a celebration of the hard work from everyone who gave a supporting hand to helping the curlews and engaged with the wider programme over the two years.

“We wanted to do something special to celebrate the end of the project, especially following the amazing support we have had from the farmers, volunteers, schoolchildren and others who have played their part to give this bird a chance in our area. I’m so proud of the support that the farming community gave to our work, and I hope this tale highlights the commitment many can and do give to help the curlew.”

“For 2025, thanks to everyone’s combined efforts six chicks made it to fledging which was a boost to the local curlew population. It’s fitting we can celebrate the efforts by all the communities involved by leaving this book for the younger community members to read and learn how they and our rural communities can make a difference for the curlew.

“It’s humbling how everyone has come together to help the project, and I want to thank Peter and the school pupils for marking what a real positive journey this has been. But rest assured, the National Landscape won’t stop in the efforts needed to look after this amazing, rare bird and work will carry on as we move into the future to provide help to the iconic curlew.”

Josh’s Journey

Due to a relationship break down, Josh, who is 34, found himself seeking the Council’s homelessness team’s help at the start of last year. In February of 2025 Josh was placed in temporary accommodation and was assigned a homeless support practitioner.

Josh

“I was homeless at the start of last year. I had been in homeless before and was placed in temporary accommodation previously, but I wasn’t in the right mindset previously to try and sort out my wider situation.

I was only in there briefly this time. I was asking everyone, trying to find a flat of my own. I eventually found one and moved out of temporary accommodation quite quickly.”

A month later, Josh had found himself privately rented accommodation to live in and was looking to write the chapter in his story.

“Whilst I was in temporary accommodation, my homeless support practitioner mentioned the intuitive thinking skills courses to me.

I was a little sceptical about doing the courses at first, but I didn’t realise until I sat them, that really, I had nothing to lose, and everything to gain from giving them a go.

I started the courses in April and March. I did the skills to life course first, which I really enjoyed and learned a lot from.

It teaches you how to deal with your own mindset, and how you think about problems. I used to really struggle with my confidence and doubt myself all the time.

They asked me at the start of the course what I would like to improve on, and so I put down work on my confidence.”

Josh then went on to take the Information, advice and guidance course, and dove deeper into his learning.

“I went on to do the Information, advice and guidance course, which taught me some more technical aspects. I would be put in other people's shoes, and I learned how to help those who may be more vulnerable.

I learned how to help others who may be in circumstances such as homelessness or maybe struggle with substance misuse.”

In early summer, Josh was offered an ambassador placement with the Intuitive Thinking team, with the hopes of that scheme then leading to a permanent job within the team itself.

“I was really buzzing as that was the placement I wanted the most out of the ones that were offered to me. I learned to give speeches and administer training by shadowing members of the team. That helped my confidence so much, standing up and speaking in front of people. I was terrified at first, but it got easier and easier over time.

I was about two months into my placement with the team when I got offered a job in the energy sector which I felt I just couldn't turn down.

The skills I learned during the courses I took, and my placement have given me so much confidence in my new role. This job is so different from what I’ve done previously, and these new skills have given me the confidence to go and try something new. That’s the main take away for me.

I was very much set in my ways of staying in my comfort zone before I did these courses. I would just do what I’d always done, but ultimately, I kept getting the same results. I feel like I spent years at a standstill really.

Since I’ve sat these courses, I’ve never felt better in my life. It sounds crazy to say that a course can change that, but I learned why I am thinking things and how to deal with those thoughts.”

Josh has chosen more positive ways to ways to pass the time.

“I have chosen more healthy options in life now, I struggled with boredom when I got sober about four years ago, I needed different outlets.

I started playing golf and going to the gym. I am now a member at Rhyl Golf Club.”

Josh has now graduated from the Intuitive thinking courses, with a number of certificates under his belt, and is enjoying his new role in the energy sector.

“I think these courses would benefit everyone; you don’t have to be in a bad position to take it. You can’t lose anything from learning from this course, as long as you are invested in it, you’re going to benefit from it.

People have said that they can see a change in my confidence. From where I was in February,  to where I am now, it feels like two different people. I felt lost and had no hope really. It taught me to think differently and rationally think about situations. It has helped me to gain the focus and drive to get what I want.

It was like a snowball effect, as soon as I decided to start helping myself, things got gradually better.”

Restoring the Past, Building the Future: Nantclwyd y Dre

Ruthin is a town is steeped in history. Razed to the ground by Owain Glyndwr in the year 1400, the historic feel of the town as we know it today comes in large part from the timber-framed vernacular style of architecture which was used during the town’s reconstruction.

Among the charming streets and historic frontages sits an important piece of Ruthin’s built heritage. Originally built in 1435 as a weaver’s hall house, Nantclwyd y Dre boasts nearly 600 years of local history and is one of the oldest timber-framed townhouses in Wales open to the public.

Now managed by the Denbighshire Heritage Service, visitors to Nantclwyd y Dre historic house and gardens can relive the house’s fascinating past through immersive soundscapes, interiors and exhibits that give a captivating insight into what life was like for the families that lived there.

In 2023, funding was granted to restore parts of the site as the UK Government confirmed their intention to provide £10.95 million of grant funding for 10 capital projects aimed at protecting Ruthin’s unique heritage, wellbeing, and rural communities.

This funding, known as the Local Regeneration Fund (LRF), was awarded exclusively for successful projects included in Clwyd West and cannot be directed to other projects.

As one of the successful projects, £667,000 was allocated to redevelop some currently unused parts of the house in need of some repair to preserve this important piece of local heritage for generations to come, create new opportunities for the attraction to improve its future sustainability and make some exciting additions to the visitor experience.

Construction works began in October, focussing on bringing the largely unused west wing of the property back to life. This section of the house will become a small holiday let, designed and furnished in keeping with the historic nature of the building, and see improved facilities on the first floor with a dedicated space for the weekly volunteers who are a critical and valued part of the day-to-day workings at Nantclwyd.

However, before the works could begin, one set of longstanding residents needed to be taking into consideration. Denbighshire County Council consulted with ecologists to ensure that the planned developments would not disturb the resident protected bat maternity roost, which houses a significant number of the Pipistrelle and Lesser-Horseshoe population in Wales. Contractors were given specialist training, and a large bat shelter was installed in the garden, giving the winged residents an additional space to thrive.

The planned improvements will also make the kitchen area more suitable for event catering, and the summerhouse will be restored to its former glory for visitors to enjoy during the summer months, also serving as an additional space for the ceremonies taking place at the historic house such as weddings and civil partnership ceremonies.

Undertaken by B&W builders & decorators alongside TACP Architects, the project is expected to be completed by April 2026. A more sustainable approach to the improvement works has also been implemented through using wool to insulate the building rather than the more widely used oil-based insulation which emits higher carbon emissions and isn’t renewable.

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said:

“The beginning of these improvement works to Nantclwyd y Dre serves as a major milestone in securing the future of such a prominent historical site that sits at the heart of Ruthin. 

“Nantclwyd is as a great visitor attraction and community hub for our dedicated volunteers, and we are looking forward to seeing the newly developed spaces being enjoyed and used by visitors.

“The wellbeing of the bat population will remain as a priority whilst the works are being carried out, and we will be in continuous communications with the ecologists throughout the completion of the works”.

Do you know how to apply to put your name down on the housing register?

Do you know what SARTH stands for?

SARTH stands for ‘Single Access Route to Housing’.

This is where, if you want to be included on the Housing Register, you will only have to make one application. Instead of applying to different housing associations separately, you complete one application that is shared across all those landlords who are part of the scheme.

The SARTH is shared by all social housing providers in Denbighshire including:

• Denbighshire County Council
• Denbighshire Housing
• Grŵp Cynefin
• ClwydAlyn
• North Wales Housing and Wales and West Housing
• ADRA
• Cartrefi Conwy

Once you have made an application to go on the Housing Register, your housing need is then assessed and you’re placed in a priority band, helping ensure homes are allocated in a fair and transparent way to those who need them most.

All the information you need to know about the scheme, and how to apply, is on our website.

Market engagement event for Prestatyn public realm improvement scheme

A market engagement event for the Prestatyn public realm improvement scheme will take place on Friday 24 April, inviting contractors, consultants, and suppliers to learn more about this forthcoming project.

The event will be held in Prestatyn Library between 10:00am and 3:00pm and aims to provide early information on the scope and objectives of the scheme.

Attendees will have the chance to gain an overview of the proposals and engage directly with the Project Team.

The market engagement event forms part of the pre-procurement process and is intended to help shape the delivery of the scheme by encouraging early dialogue with the market. Organisations interested in attending are encouraged to register through Sell2Wales. 

This engagement event is open to all interested parties and provides an opportunity to better understand the project, anticipated timelines, and potential procurement approach.

A month of collaboration and positive impact for Working Denbighshire

February saw Working Denbighshire deliver significant activity across national, local, and community settings, helping to widen opportunities for residents.

Working Denbighshire joined partners at the All‑Wales Trailblazer Event, bringing together the three Trailblazer pilot areas of Blaenau Gwent, Denbighshire, and Neath Port Talbot. The event provided a platform to explore emerging practice, discuss the support being delivered to people with complex and multiple barriers, and highlight the innovation taking place across the three regions.

Working Denbighshire also welcomed journalists from The Guardian as part of the newspaper’s ongoing national project, Against The Tide, an in‑depth series exploring the experiences of young people growing up in coastal towns across the UK.

Rhyl is one of the communities featured in the project, and the visit focused on both the challenges faced by local young people and the community‑led work opening up new opportunities. As part of their visit, journalists attended one of Working Denbighshire’s Baking and Pizza sessions, delivered in collaboration with Use Your Loaf Training Bakery.

The session offered an environment where participants could build confidence, learn practical skills, and take part in meaningful activities. It provided The Guardian with an insight into the day‑to‑day experiences of young people engaging with Working Denbighshire’s services, including some of the barriers they face and the community partnerships helping them move forward.

The visit demonstrated how coordinated, person‑centred support is helping residents gain confidence, connect with others, and take steps toward a brighter future.

February also saw the delivery of a highly successful Working Denbighshire Jobs Fair at 1891 in Rhyl, bringing together over 520 residents and more than 50 business exhibitors.

The event connected jobseekers with employers and training providers across a wide range of sectors, including hospitality, retail, construction, care, and public services. Attendees were able to meet recruiters directly, ask questions about live vacancies, and access on‑the‑spot support from Working Denbighshire staff.

The strong turnout resulted in many residents securing follow‑up interviews or signing up to the service for additional support to help move them closer to employment. The positive response from both employers and participants reflects the growing momentum of Working Denbighshire’s employability work and its commitment to creating real, practical opportunities for local people.

Melanie Evans, Principal Manager, Strategic Employment, said:

“The activities throughout February reinforced the importance of locally driven employment support that is collaborative and grounded in the needs of our residents. The insights gained through these events all show how vital this work is. As we move forward, these experiences will help shape how we continue to support people with complex barriers into opportunities.”

Together, these high‑profile engagements showcase one of Working Denbighshire’s most vibrant and productive months which demonstrates the increasing demand for its services.

Working Denbighshire will continue to collaborate with partners and communities to provide support for individuals seeking employment, training, and personal development opportunities.

To stay informed about upcoming events, training opportunities and support available, visit our website.

Working Denbighshire is part‑funded through the Welsh Government Communities for Work Plus Programme.

Monthly litter pick takes child's scooter off Prestatyn sands

A child's scooter and other items were removed from a stretch of Prestatyn beach during a recent litter pick event.

Organised by Denbighshire County Council’s Flood Risk Team, eight volunteers managed to collect 11 bags of litter from a stretch of Barkby beach and surrounding area on the day. Keep Wales Tidy also provided some of the litter picking equipment used at the event held this week via Prestatyn Town Council’s Litterpicking Hub.

The group also managed to remove other items including a car bumper, railing, bin and children's scooter off the sands.

This event was organised to tackle the impact of marine litter in the area which can block up waterways and drainage, stopping the flow of water, leading to higher risks of localised flooding further upstream.

Taking litter off the beach can also provide stronger support for natural defences such as shorelines, dunes and seagrass beds as they are able to better maintain their natural function as defences against the sea. The litter pick which has become a monthly event also helps to improve the environment for local residents and visitors.

Council to engage with Rhyl businesses as project progresses

Following cabinet approval for the UK Government funded Local Regeneration projects to move into the pre-construction phase, the council will now engage with Rhyl town centre businesses and residents to further develop the design work for the project.

Following the Easter period, the council will begin a programme of engagement with local businesses to discuss the proposed scheme in more detail.

These discussions will focus on key operational matters, including deliveries and waste management, to ensure that potential disruption is minimised and impacts are carefully managed throughout the construction phase.

The projects aim to transform the area surrounding the Clock Tower into a pedestrian-friendly space, by making it more attractive, accessible and better connected to the promenade.

For more information on the project click here.

Get inspired - things to do in Denbighshire!

Looking for some inspiration on the best things to do in Denbighshire and plan your next adventure. Read the latest blogs on the North East Wales website.

2026 Dates for free caravan weight check and security advice

Denbighshire and Conwy Trading Standards are offering free caravan and campervan weighing and advice sessions.

Residents who are going on in holiday in a touring or motor caravan can make sure that they are not overloading their vehicle or caravan and putting themselves at risk.

The free caravan weighing and advice sessions are available for Denbighshire and Conwy residents, and for those in other local authority areas if they can travel to the location.

This is an advice session, and no action will be taken if overloading or other issues are found, but we will work with you to reduce the load. Council officers will be accompanied by an officer from North Wales Police Community Safety section who will provide practical security advice to keep your car and caravan secure.

The free weight checks will take place at the weighbridge on the A525 between Rhuddlan and St Asaph on the following dates and times:

• Friday 10/04 – 10am-3pm
• Friday 01/05 – 10am-3pm
• Friday 22/05 – 10am-3pm
• Friday 17/07 – 10am-3pm
• Friday 28/08 – 10am-3pm

Appointments are not necessary for these sessions and residents are welcome to attend any of the listed sessions and find out if they’re within the legal weights for their vehicles.

The weighbridge can be found on the Rhuddlan to St Asaph A525 road, approximately three quarters of a mile from Rhuddlan, located in the layby, there will be signs indicating the weighbridge is in operation.

If you have any questions regarding the above please contact either Denbighshire Trading Standards section on tradingstandards@denbighshire.gov.uk or visit their Facebook page, likewise contact Conwy Trading Standards on trading.standards@conwy.gov.uk.-

Senedd Election 2026

Wales will be divided into 16 new constituencies for the Senedd election on 7 May 2026. Each of the new constituencies will have six Members, making a total of 96 Members elected to the Senedd.

You can find your new constituency on the Senedd Cymru website by typing your postcode into the map.

Anyone aged 16 or over on 7 May 2026 who live in Wales, are eligible to vote in the upcoming Senedd election. Here are five key facts about the Senedd:

1. Wales has its own parliament – the Senedd. The Senedd passes laws about all sorts of things which affect your daily life in Wales.
2. Things like hospitals and GPs, housing, schools and education, road and rail transport, farming, culture, the environment and the Welsh language are all decided by the Senedd.
3. On 7 May 2026 residents in Wales will have one vote to choose the party or independent candidate they want to represent their area in the Senedd.
4. The Members of the Senedd which are elected in May 2026 have the power to make decisions that impact everyone in Wales.
5. You can find out everything you need to know about the Senedd election on vote.wales

Prestatyn Traffic Trial Preparation Works

From 13 April, Denbighshire County Council will begin a trial to make Bridge Road in Prestatyn two ways to see if it helps to alleviate congestion in the area.

The trial was requested following feedback the council received in recent consultations with the public, as part of the public realm improvement project on Prestatyn High Street.

Ahead of the trial, preparation works will take place on Saturday and Sunday (11 & 12 April). This will include:

• Bagging lights and signs that are not needed during the trial.
• Changing road markings, amending the signals remotely and erecting directional signs for the trial.
• Bridge Road will be closed from 8am on 11 April and will re-open once works are complete, this may be as late as 11pm on Sunday 12 April.
• A diversion will be in place for the weekend whilst the preparatory works takes place.
• The out-bound traffic from the bottom of the High Street exiting by the mini-roundabout will be directed up lower High Street on to Penisardre Road.
• On Sunday 12 April, there will be a lane closure on Ffordd Pendyffryn to Bridge Road (approximately 4pm – 9pm) to blank out the signs with a cherry picker.  During this time there will be a one-way diversion in place.

For more information on the traffic trial click here.

Visit to see progress on Grŵp Cynefin’s new homes in Denbigh

On Monday, 23 March there was an opportunity for Grŵp Cynefin to lead partners around a site that will provide 11 low‑carbon homes in the town of Denbigh. 

Senior officers from Grŵp Cynefin, Denbighshire County Council, and contractors NWPS from Rhyl visited the Henllan Street development to see progress on site. 

Group photo including senior officers from Grŵp Cynefin, Denbighshire County Council, and the contractors NWPS from Rhyl

The scheme will provide 11 social rent homes, a mix of modern, low-carbon houses and flats with energy-efficient features including solar PV panels, timber frames, and air-source heat pumps. Construction is expected to be completed over the summer, with the homes ready to let to Grŵp Cynefin tenants in September 2026. 

Mel Evans, Chief Executive of Grŵp Cynefin, said the scheme is an important step in responding to local housing needs: 

“The Henllan Street development meets the demand for affordable, quality homes in the area. By working closely with Denbighshire County Council and the Welsh Government, we are proud to be able to provide sustainable homes that enable local people to stay in their communities. 

“Supporting the communities of Wales is a priority for us as Grŵp Cynefin, and ensuring people’s fundamental right to warm, safe, quality homes.” 

Mel Evans, Chief Executive, Grŵp Cynefin; Helen White, Chief Executive of Denbighshire County Council.

Helen White, Chief Executive of Denbighshire County Council said: 

“The new homes on Henllan Street reflect Denbighshire County Council’s commitment to continuing to increase the provision of affordable, energy‑efficient, high‑quality housing across the county. Our strategic work in housing, including collaboration with key partners such as Grŵp Cynefin, helps us ensure we respond to the needs of Denbighshire residents today and plan effectively for the future.” 

Tim Jones, Chair of the Grŵp Cynefin Management Board; Rhys Thomas, Denbighshire County Councillor; Helen White, Chief Executive of Denbighshire County Council; Mel Evans, Chief Executive, Grŵp Cynefin.

If anyone is interested in living in one of the new homes, please ensure you are registered on the Denbighshire Housing Register.

More information is available here: Homes to rent in Denbighshire - Grŵp Cynefin

Registering Visitor Accommodation in Wales

New Registration Law for Visitor Accommodation in Wales: Webinars Announced to Help Providers Prepare

Anyone taking bookings for overnight stays in Wales — from casual hosts to large hotel operators — will be required to register their accommodation with the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA) when the register launches this autumn.

The forthcoming Welsh Government legislation means that all providers offering visitor accommodation, whether a single spare room, a holiday cottage, a B&B, or a full‑service hotel, will need to complete a formal registration process. The requirement applies regardless of whether guests stay for one night or several weeks.

The new visitor accommodation registration scheme will launch in autumn 2026. Ahead of this, the WRA is encouraging hosts and businesses to sign up for updates so they can receive reminders, guidance, and the latest information as the registration date approaches. The registration process is completely free of charge and all providers must register, even if the Visitor Levy is not ultimately introduced in the county. Any who fail to register may face penalties.

Webinars to Support Hosts and Booking Platforms

To help prepare the sector, the Welsh Revenue Authority is offering a series of free webinars aimed at visitor accommodation providers and booking platforms and tourism bodies. These sessions will provide the latest updates on the new registration requirements as well as clear, practical guidance on how accommodation providers can comply. There will also be a question and answer session with WRA experts.

Webinar Dates

English-language sessions:

• Tuesday 24 March 2026, 11am–12pm
• Tuesday 24 March 2026, 6pm–7pm

Welsh-language session:

• Thursday 26 March 2026, 11am–12pm

How to Register for a Webinar

You can register for a webinar on the following link - https://www.gov.wales/welsh-revenue-authority/training-events

For further information and to sign up for notifications about the new registration scheme, visit https://registervisitoraccommodation.service.gov.wales/email-signup

Land disposal at Ffrith

The Council is aware of misinformation circulating in local Prestatyn forums that the Council is intending to dispose of public land at Ffrith Beach in Prestatyn. This is not correct.

The Council recently published a ‘disposal of land’ notice relating to 26 acres of Council-owned land which is currently privately managed under leasehold to Lakeside Ltd, the owners of Ffrith Beach Touring Caravan Park. This means that if the proposed disposal of land agreement goes ahead, Lakeside Ltd will become the freehold owners of approximately 22 acres of land which they are currently already leasing from the Council. This 22 acres of land is currently used as a touring caravan park and there will be no change of use under the proposals.

A further 4 acres of land currently leased to Lakeside Ltd will be returned to Council management and looked after by the Council’s Open Spaces team. This is the small patch of land between the Ffrith Beach Touring Caravan Park, and the Ffrith Indoor Bowls Centre.

The map below shows the affected area and explains the proposals in the Ffrith area:

Members of the public currently enjoy access to this patch of land by  permission of the existing leaseholders, Lakeside Ltd. It is not a public right of way and it is not currently maintained by the Council. Returning this small patch of land to Council management secures this land as a public open space and ensures its use as a means of accessing the beach is secured for future generations.

Ffrith Beach itself is, and will remain, publicly accessible land which is free for everyone to enjoy.

Help with energy costs from Citizens Advice Denbighshire

Are you struggling with energy costs? Citizens Advice Denbighshire can help.

Their Fuel-Sense project continues to support people in Rhyl and Prestatyn, and they still have Fuel-Sense warmth packs available for anyone who needs them.

The packs include practical energy-saving items like LED bulbs, draught excluders, shower timers and more – completely free.

If you or someone you support could benefit, please get in touch on 01745 346785 or visit the Denbighshire Citizens Advice website for more information.

Ruthin St Peter’s Square Public Realm Improvements

In 2023, the UK Government confirmed their intention to provide £10.95 million of grant funding for ten capital projects aimed at protecting Ruthin’s unique heritage, wellbeing, and rural communities. This funding has been awarded exclusively for successful projects included in Clwyd West and cannot be directed to other projects.

Undertaken by OBR Construction, the proposed works to St Peter’s Square will look to widen the scope for hosting events, revitalise historical buildings and landmarks to support local identity, and promote pride of place by boosting the image of the town.

The Contractor will begin by setting up their site compound from 9^th February 2026. The works will then commence with minor works and surveys from 23^rd February, and preparations will be made for the works area ahead of the material deliveries in March. To help the Contractor set up smoothly and avoid any delays or potential damage to vehicles, we kindly ask that the area of the public car park at Park Road (highlighted on the image below as the Contractor's Compound) is kept clear of vehicles before 9^th February 2026. 

Pedestrian access across all public rights of way will be maintained at all times, and half of the car park closest to Texaco petrol station will remain open for residents and public parking.

We understand that works in the town centre can be inconvenient, and the Contractor will ensure disruption is kept to a minimum at all times. The works will be carried out in phases so that only small areas are affected at any one time. Details of each phase will be confirmed as soon as possible, and notice will be provided to all residents and businesses in the affected areas a week prior to the works commencing. Works will be carried out between 8:00am and 6:00pm Monday to Friday. If work is needed outside of these hours, we will again provide advance notice.

Throughout the project, pedestrian access will be managed, temporary ramps will be provided for accessibility, clear signage and secure barriers will be in place. Access to properties and businesses will be managed, with assistance available if required.

A dedicated Business/Public Liaison Officer will be available throughout the works to help with queries and access arrangements, and they can be contacted via e-mail: RuthinEnquiries@OBRConstruction.com.

Thank you very much in advance for your patience and understanding while these improvements are carried out. We look forward to delivering a completed scheme that will benefit residents, businesses and visitors to Ruthin. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us: RuthinEnquiries@OBRConstruction.com or corporateprogrammeoffice@denbighshire.gov.uk

Financial help towards school uniform and free school meals

There is financial help available towards the cost of a school uniform and free school meals.

Further information on whether you are eligible can be found on the poster below.

To apply visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/benefits or scan the QR code.

Young people urged to claim their savings

Many young adults in Denbighshire could have an average of £2,200 waiting for them in their unclaimed Child Trust Fund account.

Child Trust Funds were introduced by the UK Government in 2005. Accounts were opened for almost 6 million children born in the UK between 1st September 2002 and 2nd January 2011.

Nearly half of Child Trust Funds in Wales remain unclaimed. According to the Share Foundation, around 1240 accounts are still unclaimed in Denbighshire.

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 could not set up an account for their child, the government opened a savings account on the child’s behalf.

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.

Councillor Delyth Jones, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets said:

“I strongly encourage all eligible young people to check their accounts and claim what is rightfully theirs. The investment could be placed into an adult ISA or put towards their education, housing or driving lessons.

I would urge young people to use the online tool to track it down or, for parents of teenagers, to speak to them to ensure they’re aware of their Child Trust Fund. It could make a real difference to their future particularly at a time when finances are tight.”

The Child Trust Fund scheme closed in January 2011 and was replaced with Junior Individual Savings Accounts (ISA).

For more information on Child Trust Funds, visit www.gov.uk/child-trust-funds. Alternatively, visit https://www.meiccymru.org/do-you-have-money-hiding-in-a-child-trust-fund/, text 07943 114449 or call 080880 23456.

Discovering Denbighshire

Looking to discover more of Denbighshire?

Why not take inspiration from our walking and cycling maps for new ideas of places to visit.

For more inspiration on activities in and around Denbighshire visit - https://www.northeastwales.wales/  

Fancy becoming a Tourism Ambassador?

The Denbighshire Tourism Ambassador scheme is a free, online training course to enhance your knowledge and deepen your understanding of the Denbighshire tourism offer.

There are 14 modules to choose from on a variety of themes including walking, cycling, food, arts, coast, history and sustainable tourism.

Watch our short film highlighting the course.

Visit www.ambassador.wales and get started today!

More areas to receive Flying Start assistance in Denbighshire

Further areas within Denbighshire are now set to receive assistance through the Flying Start childcare scheme.

The expanded areas now cover Rhyl, Prestatyn, Meliden, Rhuddlan, Dyserth, Denbigh, Corwen, Llangollen, Llandrillo, Llanfair DC and are applicable to families who have a child who turned 2 years old between 1^st September 2024 and 31st August 2025.

This expansion means that families in the new areas will be eligible for up to 12 ½ hours of funded childcare per week during term time. With more settings offering funded Flying Start Childcare, and new postcodes being added regularly, families are encouraged to check their postcode using the postcode checker on the website.

Denbighshire Flying Start is a Welsh Government funded programme. The aim of the programme is to help children to have the best possible start in life for their future growth and development.

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said:

“This latest expansion of the Flying Start scheme will mean that more Denbighshire families can now get access to the free childcare provision. This assistance is a massive help for parents and families.

Residents in the newly expanded areas can check if their postcode is eligible through the postcode checker.”

For more information please visit our website. 

Highlighting Denbighshire's main towns

Our Tourism Team have been highlighting each of our main towns in their North-East Wales blog.

You can find out more in their blog

Enjoying Denbighshire’s Natural Landscape safely

Advice on how to enjoy the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape and Loggerheads Country Park Safely

The first week of January has been particularly busy on Moelfamau and in Loggerheads Country Park and in advance of the forthcoming weather warning and Storm Goretti, the council is asking anyone who is planning a visit to take extra care.

The Highways Team and Countryside Rangers are working incredibly hard to keep roads, car parks and paths safe and look after the wildlife and landscape we all enjoy. Please treat them with kindness and respect — they’re out in all conditions to keep things running smoothly for visitors to enjoy.

Here are a few reminders for a safe and considerate visit:

⚠️ Stick to open paths and follow all safety signage.

🚧 Pay close attention to road closure signs — they’re there to protect you.

❄️ Be mindful of snowy and icy conditions which can make surfaces and paths slippery.

🧥 Wear appropriate clothing and prepare for your visit, especially in severe weather.

🚗 Please park considerately if you’re visiting by car. Avoid blocking driveways or narrowing roads for local residents and emergency services.

🐾 Keep dogs under close control.

Advice about dealing with extreme weather conditions

There’s a range of information and advice on Denbighshire County Council’s website. You’ll find out which roads we grit, where you can find your nearest salt bin as well as general advice about driving in wintry conditions and how to make your home safe in cold weather conditions. And for information and updates about the weather warnings, take a look at the Met Office’s web pages.

We want everyone to enjoy the beauty of our natural spaces — safely, responsibly, and respectfully. 💚

Thank you for doing your part! 👋

St Peter's Square Programme of Works

Over the coming months, a series of carefully planned works will be carried out to complete the St. Peter’s Square public realm improvement scheme. The following table provides an overview of the planned phases of work, including where and when each section will take place.

Traffic management systems and road closures are inevitable and will only be implemented where necessary to protect the public and Contractor’s workforce. Road closures during the Ruthin festival will be managed by the Contractor’s traffic management sub-contractors to ensure a co-ordinated approach.

All dates are indicative* and may be subject to change due to weather or programme adjustments, but every effort will be made to minimise disruption throughout the construction period.

Surfacing works are then planned to take place from 9 – 18 November 2026*.

Phase 1 - Well Street and area behind and around The Old Courthouse

Phase 2 - Castle Street

Phase 3 - St. Peter’s Square – East and West side around square and Market Street

Phase 4 - St. Peter’s Square – North side of square and junctions with roads off square

All resurfacing works are currently planned to be completed at night to minimise disruption.

Throughout the project, pedestrian access will be managed, temporary ramps will be provided for accessibility, clear signage and secure barriers will be in place. Any issues can be relayed to either the Public Liaison Officer RuthinEnquiries@obrconstruction.com or the Project Team corporateprogrammeoffice@denbighshire.gov.uk. 

We appreciate your patience and co-operation during the construction phase of this project.

Assistance to support independent living in later life

Citizens Advice Denbighshire has received funding from Independent Age for a new 3-year project supporting Independent Living in Later Life.

The project is for people aged over 65 living in Rhyl, Prestatyn and nearby areas who may be struggling with money worries, rising bills or housing problems. All the support is free, confidential and impartial.

Contact Citizens Advice Denbighshire or pop along to a drop in sessions. You can find out more about our various drop in session on the Citizens Advice Denbighshire website

Streetscene work

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund Transitional Year Funding helped provide a boost for tourism during the 2025 summer season.

Denbighshire County Council’s Streetscene service successfuly secured this UK funding during the summer season to enable the team to deliver enhanced street cleansing services throughout the peak tourism months.

The funding enabled the Service to deliver clean and welcoming public realm areas in our main tourism towns throughout the summer season.

Have a look at some examples of before and after work from the team during the 2025 summer season below.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund: prospectus - GOV.UK 

Did you know that you only have to apply once to be included on the housing register?

SARTH stands for ‘Single Access Route to Housing’. This is where, if you want to be included on the Housing Register, you will only have to make one application. Instead of applying to different housing associations separately, you complete one application that is shared across all those landlords who are part of the scheme. The SARTH is shared by all social housing providers in Denbighshire. Once you have made an application to go on the Housing Register, your housing need is then assessed and you’re placed in a priority band, helping ensure homes are allocated in a fair and transparent way to those who need them most.

All the information you need to know about the scheme, and how to apply, is on our website.

Did you know that 1.8% of Council Tax spending goes on emptying bins and recycling?

Emptying bins and recycling accounts for 1.8% of your Council Tax bill, which equates to £32.89 per year (based on a Band D property).

For that, the Council collects approximately 73,000 containers from over 47,000 households every week across the county.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Did you know that 1.9% of Council Tax spending goes towards public protection and environmental health?

1.9% of Council Tax spending goes towards public protection and environmental health and as part of this, the Council inspects approximately 720 restaurants, cafes and take aways every year to ensure that these premises are operating safely for the residents of Denbighshire.

In addition, the Council responds to over 1,200 requests a year relating for housing and pollution.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Did you know that 29.8% of Council Tax spending goes towards adult and children’s social care?

29.8% of Council Tax spending goes towards adult and children’s social care. And with 36.7% going to schools and education, this means that over 66% of your Council Tax goes towards protecting the most vulnerable in society.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Did you know that street lighting accounts for 0.8% of Council Tax spending?

Street lighting accounts for 0.8% of Council Tax spending.

For that, the Council maintains 11,763 street lights and 1,547 illuminated signs and bollards throughout the county.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Did you know that school transport accounts for 2.9% of Council Tax spending?

School transport accounts for 2.9% of Council Tax spending and for that the Council transports approximately 2,871 learners safely to 75 schools throughout the county.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Denbighshire Youth Service

That Denbighshire Youth Service is open to everyone aged 11 to 25 years. They offer social activities and opportunities to develop interests as well as help and support for anyone that needs it. To find a youth club near you or for help and support for children and young people, please visit our website.

Working Denbighshire offers free, weekly wellbeing sessions

Working Denbighshire offers free, weekly wellbeing sessions across the county - from drop-ins and wellness walks to youth support and confidence-building activities. They're open to all Denbighshire residents aged 16+, and they’re completely free! Check out the latest timetable and events here. 

Did you know the Council’s Licensing Team have launched their new service standards.

The Council’s Licensing Team have launched their new service standards. It explains what you can expect when applying for licences, during inspections and enforcement, and how to get in contact or provide feedback. For more information visit our website.

Downloading eBooks, audiobooks, newspapers etc

You can download eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines and newspapers for free using the Borrowbox app? All you need is your library card and PIN. Not a library member? It’s free to join online www.denbighshire.gov.uk/libraries

Did you know that Denbighshire Heritage Service accounts for 0.9% of Council Tax spending?

Denbighshire Heritage Service accounts for 0.9% of Council Tax spending. For that it preserves and promotes the county’s unique history, caring for important historic sites, including Ruthin Gaol, Plas Newydd, Nantclwyd Y Dre, Rhyl Museum (based in the library) and a large collection store.

This ensures Denbighshire’s rich history remains accessible for education, wellbeing, and enjoyment.

Through our attractions, events, and learning programmes, we support local pride, cultural tourism, and the economy while protecting heritage for future generations.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Did you know that Planning and economic development accounts for 0.7% of Council Tax spending?

Planning and economic development accounts for 0.7% of Council Tax spending.

The Local Planning Authority processes around 1,000 planning applications per year alongside 10-20 appeals and 50-100 pre-application enquiries.

The Authority also respond to over 500 planning compliance cases.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Did you know you can watch live and recorded video webcasts of Council committee meetings?

You can watch live and recorded video webcasts of Council committee meetings at any time.

All the related papers are also available for you to see including the agendas and decisions made.

If you want to know more about what’s happening in the Council, look at the calendar of meetings to find out what’s going on.

Did you know that 1.1% of Council Tax spending goes towards Countryside Services?

1.1% of Council Tax spending goes towards Countryside Services and for that, the service manages over 80 countryside sites and over 1,200 hectares of public green, for both recreation and conservation.

These range from the Country Parks of Loggerheads and Moel Famau, the County Tree Nursery at St. Asaph, Brickfields Pond in Rhyl, Prestatyn Dyserth Way, Llantysilio Green in the Dee Valley and numerous smaller amenity community spaces across the County.

The Service has specialist team covering Ecology and Trees throughout the County, the National Landscape designation, recreation and rights of way, organises nature for health walks and events and manages the Countryside Centre at Loggerheads and catering at Plas Newydd.   

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Council Tax only accounts for 25% of total Council funding

Council Tax only accounts for 25% of total Council funding. When you pay your annual Council Tax bill, 1.8% of that pays for waste and recycling collections - the equivalent of £32.89 per year (based on a Band D property council tax of £1,799.48 per year). Most of Council Tax spending goes towards the most vulnerable in society - schools and education is the biggest expenditure accounting for 36.7% while adult and social care accounts for 29.8%. Find out more on our website

Did you know that all primary

All primary aged children are eligible for free school meals through the Universal Primary Free School Meals scheme? This is a Welsh Government initiative which has been set up to help with the rising costs-of-living. You can find out more information on the Council's website.

Did you know that 64% of the Council's budget goes on education, schools and social care?

Did you know that 64% of the Council's budget goes on education, schools and social care? A further 14% is committed to things like the Wales wide national scheme for Council Tax benefit and the levy we have to pay to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority which then only leaves 22% left for all other Council services including emptying bins and recycling, planning and public protection, protecting heritage attractions, transporting pupils to school.

You can learn more about where the budget goes on the news pages.

Did you know that single use vapes are being banned in Wales from 1 June?

Single use vapes have been banned in Wales since 1 June.

The ban includes vapes containing nicotine, non-nicotine, CBD and other health/vitamin devices, and the Council’s Trading Standards team is encouraging Denbighshire businesses to switch to reusable products before the ban comes into place.

You can find out more on our website.

Did you know?

Schools and education accounts for 36.7% of Council Tax spending, and social care accounts for 29.8% which means that over 66% of your Council Tax goes towards protecting the most vulnerable in society.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website.

Working Denbighshire has its own section on our website?

Working Denbighshire has a section on the Council's website. Working Denbighshire is here to help residents aged 16 and over who might be struggling or worrying about money. Whether you’re looking for work or need support to get back on your feet, we’re here to guide you towards a better future. Why not have a look on our website.

Part of Council Tax spending goes towards the Fire Service?

Part of Council Tax spending goes towards the Fire Service.

Not all Council Tax collected pays for council services, 2.5% goes towards the Fire service. To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website.

Did you know that roads and infrastructure accounts for 1.8% of Council Tax spending?

Roads and infrastructure accounts for 1.8% of Council Tax spending.

Within that, the service is responsible for 1,419km of carriageways (excluding trunk roads), 601 highway bridges and culverts, 302 retaining walls and 26,000 gullies.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Registering Visitor Accommodation in Wales

Anyone taking bookings for overnight stays in Wales — from casual hosts to large hotel operators — will be required to register their accommodation with the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA) when the register launches this autumn.

The forthcoming Welsh Government legislation means that all providers offering visitor accommodation, whether a single spare room, a holiday cottage, a B&B, or a full‑service hotel, will need to complete a formal registration process. The requirement applies regardless of whether guests stay for one night or several weeks.

For further information and to sign up for notifications about the new registration scheme, click on this link.