Council Sets Out Next Steps on Blue Recycling Bag Concerns

Denbighshire County Council fully understands the concerns residents and local members have raised about the blue cardboard recycling bag, and we want to reassure people that the Waste and Recycling team has listened to the views of residents and is committed to looking into this carefully.

At a Full Council meeting this May, councillors discussed a notice of motion that was put on the agenda about reviewing and reforming the Recycling and Non-Recyclable Waste Collection Policy.

Work started following the Notice of Motion to prepare a full report that will set out the options regarding residents’ recycling containers, including the blue cardboard bag.

The Council must follow due process, and this report will be considered by the Communities Scrutiny Committee in September. Following the committee’s recommendations, this will then go before Cabinet in the autumn where a decision will be made regarding any proposed changes to the Recycling and Non-Recyclable Waste Policy Waste Collection Policy.

While this process is underway, we encourage residents to continue using any blue bags that remain in good condition, provided they can be safely collected by our crews and emptied into the collection vehicle. Residents whose bags are damaged beyond use can order a replacement through the Council's website. Replacement bags should be delivered within 4 weeks.

In the meantime, residents may present their cardboard for collection in another suitable bag of a similar size to the Council-issued blue cardboard recycling bag. Our crews will collect these.

We would like to sincerely thank residents for their continued efforts to recycle and for the support they show to our collection crews. Their commitment makes a real difference, helping us to protect Denbighshire’s local environment and build a cleaner, more sustainable county for communities now and in the future.

Council offers update on Cae Ddôl project

Denbighshire County Council are reminding residents and visitors that whilst improvement works have begun on Cae Ddôl, the park remains open to the public.

Residents may have noticed that works have recently commenced at Cae Ddôl to deliver upgrades designed to enhance the visitor experience, improve facilities and support the park’s role as a valued community asset.

In 2023, 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), has been awarded exclusively for the successful projects and cannot be directed elsewhere.

As part of improving the visitor experience on the site, the project will deliver a new 480-meter active travel route that will meander through the park to make walking and cycling more accessible. The old central bridge will be replaced with a new one and a new pump track will also be installed at the park.

While construction activities are taking place in certain areas, every effort will be made to minimise disruption and ensure the park remains available for people to enjoy over the summer months.

As temporary restrictions may be necessary in specific sections of the park as construction progresses, we ask visitors to follow all on-site signage and guidance.

The works also include the refurbishment of the public toilets, which will be transferred to Ruthin Town Council upon completion. While the works are in progress, a temporary facility has been placed at the park and is available for public use, free of charge.

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of Denbighshire County Council Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation, said:

“These series of improvements at Cae Ddôl follow on from the extremely popular improvement works that were completed at the playpark a few years ago. 

"We would like to reassure residents and visitors that Cae Ddôl park remains open while these important improvement works are carried out and appreciate the public's patience during this period.

“The project is due to be completed by spring 2027 and we look forward to delivering a high-quality space that will benefit the community for many years to come. Visitors to the park are encouraged to continue enjoying the park and to follow any temporary signage that may be in place to ensure public safety”.

For more information on the project at Cae Ddôl visit the website.

Major investment to bring more affordable homes and new business opportunities to Rhyl

Denbighshire County Council is taking another significant step in the regeneration of Rhyl town centre, with plans progressing to transform two prominent High Street properties into affordable homes and refurbished commercial units.

The Council is preparing to appoint a contractor to carry out the redevelopment of 64 High Street and 2–4 Wellington Road, bringing vacant upper floors back into use as modern, energy-efficient affordable homes while also renovating the ground floor retail units for future businesses.

The project forms part of the Council's long-term vision to breathe new life into Rhyl town centre by increasing the number of people living in the heart of the town, supporting local businesses and creating a more vibrant, sustainable community.

As well as providing much-needed affordable housing, the redevelopment will create attractive commercial spaces for small businesses, helping to increase footfall, support the evening economy and strengthen the town centre's long-term future. The scheme will also deliver energy-efficient homes that help minimize carbon emissions while making use of existing buildings.

Councillor Rhys Thomas, Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said:

"This development is just one part the council's strategy to try and rejuvenate town centres in Denbighshire and is another exciting milestone in our ongoing investment in Rhyl town centre. By bringing these prominent buildings back into use, we're creating much-needed affordable homes while also providing modern commercial spaces that will help support local businesses and attract more people into the town centre.

"Projects like this demonstrate our commitment to regenerating Rhyl in a way that benefits residents, businesses and visitors alike. Having more people living in the town centre will help build a vibrant, thriving community while making the best use of existing buildings for future generations."

The development supports Denbighshire County Council's Housing and Homelessness Strategy by increasing the supply of affordable homes and contributes to the Council's Corporate Plan by helping ensure there are enough quality homes to meet local need.

The scheme is also expected to deliver wider community benefits, including supporting local supply chains during construction, improving biodiversity, encouraging active travel and enhancing the appearance of this important part of Rhyl town centre.

Construction is expected to begin later this year following the completion of the procurement process.

Council takes action after fly-tipped waste found in Rhyl alleyway

Denbighshire County Council has issued a £300 Fixed Penalty Notice to a Rhyl resident after an investigation found they had failed to comply with their legal Household Waste Duty of Care.

The enforcement action follows the discovery of a quantity of household waste that had been illegally dumped in an alleyway between Bath Street and Paradise Street, Rhyl. This action taken forms part of the Council's continued efforts to tackle fly-tipping and improve the local environment.

Following the discovery, officers from the Council's Environmental Crime and Behaviour Change Team examined the waste and recovered evidence identifying the person responsible for arranging its disposal.

Further investigations established that the resident had arranged for another individual to remove their household waste but had failed to take reasonable steps to ensure it was disposed of lawfully. The waste was subsequently fly-tipped in the alleyway.

Rather than pursuing prosecution through the courts, the Council issued a £300 Fixed Penalty Notice for breaching the Household Waste Duty of Care.

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, householders have a legal responsibility to ensure their waste is only passed to an authorised person or a registered waste carrier. Anyone arranging for waste to be removed should always ask to see a valid Waste Carrier Registration and keep a record of who collected their waste. Failure to do so could result in enforcement action if the waste is later found to have been illegally dumped.

Jonathan Brittain-Hughes, Environmental Crime Manager for Denbighshire County Council, said: "Fly-tipping continues to have a significant impact on our communities, particularly in areas where repeated incidents affect residents, businesses and visitors. While many people believe their responsibility ends once they have paid someone to remove their waste, the law is clear that householders have a Duty of Care to ensure it is passed to an authorised waste carrier.

Our officers will continue to investigate fly-tipping incidents thoroughly and take appropriate action where offences are identified."

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: "We are committed to improving the environment across Denbighshire and tackling fly-tipping wherever it occurs. Enforcement is an important part of this work, but we also want to encourage residents to take a few simple steps before handing over their waste. By checking that anyone removing waste is properly registered, together we can help prevent fly-tipping and protect our local communities."

Residents can check whether an individual or business is legally registered to transport waste by using the Natural Resources Wales Waste Carrier Register before handing over their waste. Anyone who witnesses fly-tipping or wishes to report an incident is encouraged to contact Denbighshire County Council.

The Summer Reading Challenge is in full swing

Looking for free summer fun for children? Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge at your local library! The theme of this year’s Challenge is Read to the Beat! encouraging children to keep reading over the holidays while discovering the joy of music and stories. Libraries will also be running lots of fun free events and activities, including craft sessions, story times, author visits and music workshops. Please contact your local library to find out more.

There will be free confidence building rap and beatboxing workshops with current Welsh looping champion Mr Phormula, suitable for ages 6-12.

Performer and author the Welsh Whisperer will be talking about his book ‘Llyfr Peiriannau’r Fferm’ and singing some songs.

Local author Oliver Sykes will be presenting his brand new one man show, ‘Diesel and Me’, a funny, vivid and moving celebration of community and found-family for children (aged 5+) and their grown ups.

It’s FREE to join the library and FREE to borrow books, you don’t even need to worry about late fees, just visit your local library to sign up and start your child’s reading adventure!

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage, said:

"Our libraries offer much more than just book loans – they are welcoming places where children and families can learn, create, and have fun together. The Summer Reading Challenge is a fantastic way to keep children reading over the holidays, and this year's theme, 'Read to the Beat', brings music and stories together in a fun and inspiring way. I encourage families across Denbighshire to take advantage of the wonderful programme of activities available in our libraries this summer."

EVENTS

Mr Phormula

• Monday, 3 August (10.30am – 12noon) at Ruthin Library (please book)
• Monday, 3 August (1.30pm – 3pm) at Denbigh Library (please book)

Welsh Whisperer

• Monday, 17 August (11am) at Ruthin Library (please book)
• Monday, 17 August (2pm) at Denbigh Library (please book)

Oliver Sykes

• Tuesday, 25 August (11am)   at Prestatyn Library (please book)
• Wednesday, 26 August (11am) at St Asaph Library (please book)
• Wednesday, 26 August (2pm) at Rhyl Library (please book)

Book Beats Club – drop in for stories, crafts and fun!

• Mondays and Fridays during August (10am – 12noon) at Prestatyn Library
• Tuesdays and Thursdays during August (10am – 12noon) at Rhyl Library

Summer Crafts

• Fridays (11am – 12noon) at Llangollen Library (please book)

Just visit your local library to sign up and start your child’s reading adventure. To find our where our libraries are located in Denbighshire, visit our website.  

Archives working with Ruthin School to preserve its history

North East Wales Archives and Denbighshire County Council are working alongside FRP Advisory, the administrators of Ruthin School to safeguard the school's documentary heritage, ensuring its history is preserved and accessible for generations to come.

With a history spanning more than 700 years, Ruthin School has played a significant role in the local community, not only as a centre of education but also as an employer. While the school has now closed, work is underway to ensure its historic records are carefully preserved rather than lost.

At the same time, Denbighshire County Council's Education Service is working to support children and their parents or carers affected by the closure. Families are encouraged to contact the Council if they require advice or assistance with securing a school place. Information about school admissions is available on the Council's website.

North East Wales Archives already cares for a wide range of school collections from across the region, including those of Howell's School in Denbigh and Grove Park School in Wrexham. The archive service is committed to preserving any surviving records from Ruthin School to the same high standard, making them available to support research, family history, education and community heritage.

Archivist Sarah Roberts said: "School archives are more than collections of administrative documents. They tell the stories of pupils, staff and local communities, capturing everyday life alongside significant milestones and achievements. Preserving these records helps protect the unique identity of a school while creating lasting resources for future generations."

Councillor Diane King, Denbighshire County Council's Lead Member for Education, Children and Families, said: "The closure of Ruthin School is very sad news for everyone connected with the school and for the wider community. Our priority is to support children, young people and their families through this difficult time, and our Education Service is available to provide advice and guidance to help parents and carers secure appropriate school places for their children."

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Denbighshire County Council's Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage, said: "Ruthin School has been an important part of the area's history for centuries. While this chapter has come to an end, it is important that the school's remarkable story is not lost. By working with the administrators to preserve its records, we can help ensure that future generations are able to understand and appreciate the school's contribution to education and to the life of our community."

The archive service is also interested in any Ruthin School records held by former pupils or members of the community, including school photographs, newsletters and prospectuses. Anyone who has material they would like to offer to the archive service can contact them by email at archives@newa.wales or visit the North East Wales Archives website for further information.

Council urge traders to check safety of new viral toys

Retailers are being urged to make sure their stock is compliant with UK legislation.

Following the recent crackdown on counterfeit goods in the county with saw over 600 products seized, the council’s Trading Standards team are reminding residents and traders to stay vigilant as the latest social media craze hits the shelves. 

‘Squishy Dumplings’ and ‘NeeDoh’ are some of the newest fidget toys that have gained popularity on social media recently, and as demand for the toys have increased officers have also noticed an increase in counterfeit versions being sold across the county.

In their commitment to crackdown on counterfeit goods, the trading standards team are urging retailers to make sure their stock is compliant with UK legislation and reminding residents of common signs that they can look out for when it comes to spotting counterfeit goods. 

Signs that products might be counterfeit may include:

• The name and address of the manufacturer. If the manufacturer is outside the UK, the name and address of the manufacturer and the importer into the UK are to be used instead.
• Type, batch, serial or model number.
• The CE and/or UKCA mark – These marks are a declaration by the manufacturer that the toy is safe which must be on the toy or its packaging and be permanent and easy to read.

Councillor Alan James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning said:

“We have noticed the influence that social media trends have had on the rise of counterfeit goods being sold. The growing popularity of these ‘squishy’ products has led to an increase in demand with criminals looking to cash in on making cheap counterfeit versions.

“Genuine products have undergone strict safety testing and counterfeit versions may not meet this standard posing risks to users, in particular children, as counterfeit versions are likely to contain inadequate or missing labelling and made from unsafe unsuitable materials.

“Our officers have been working hard to crackdown on the sale of counterfeit goods by educating retailers and customers and conducting visits to different premises across the county. They recently carried out a number of visits in the county which led to large seizure of counterfeit and/or potentially unsafe items”.  

Anybody who has bought a toy or any product and believe it to be counterfeit or unsafe should report it to Citizens Advice customer service by telephone - 0808 223 1133 (Welsh language line: 0808 223 1144) or online - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-a-consumer-issue/

Businesses can get in touch with Denbighshire’s Trading Standards Team for advice on counterfeit products on Denbighshire’s website .

Wildflower seed harvest to help nature flourish across Denbighshire

Work is underway to boost the future of Denbighshire’s native wildflowers.

Denbighshire County Council’s Biodiversity and Streetscene teams are working together to produce a local provenance native Denbighshire seed mix to support the Council’s Wildflower Meadows Project.

The Council’s Wildflower Meadows Project helps and protects local nature and supports community wellbeing across the county. It has also been funded by Welsh Government, through the Local Places for Nature funding.

Seed harvesting work is underway at the county’s most species rich wildflower meadows.

Using a brush harvester towed by an ATV, site specific native seeds are collected up through a low impact method as the machine will not uproot or severely damage the vegetation.

Once sourced, the seed mix from the sites chosen for harvesting will be used to helping bring on some of the less diverse meadows through sowing during the autumn period.

Seeds from local county meadows were collected last year and sown on a site at Ffordd Colomendy Denbigh which was struggling. The Biodiversity team have noted a resurgence in wildflowers during a survey there this season.

Ellie Wainwright, Biodiversity Officer, said: “These species rich wildflower meadow sites, created solely by bringing amenity grasslands and urban verges into wildflower management through seasonal cutting and collecting, can now help to improve our less diverse meadows. We are harvesting seeds from a diverse range of plants, and once sown on the selected sites, residents will hopefully see more variety next year. Helping to provide a stronger support resource to pollinators and the local wildlife as well.”

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, added: “This is an important project for restoring habitats that have been severely depleted since the 1930s. I know the Biodiversity team, alongside our Streetscene operatives, have worked hard over the years to manage and develop our meadows. Having our more mature sites give a helping hand to less diverse ones through this seeding work really shows the value of the time and effort everyone has put into protecting nature throughout this project.”

Cabinet approves new Digital Strategy

Denbighshire County Council’s Cabinet has approved a new Digital Strategy for 2026–2031, setting out how technology will help improve services for residents.

The strategy was discussed at a recent Cabinet meeting and sets out a five-year approach to using digital tools to support better, more efficient services.

Its vision is to create a digitally confident Council, delivering inclusive, secure and easy-to-use services designed around residents’ needs.

The strategy will guide digital improvements across the Council, helping staff, residents and elected Members benefit from simpler and more joined-up services.

It includes four guiding principles and nine objectives to shape digital decisions, investment and delivery over the next five years.

The strategy has been shaped by feedback from staff and Members, discussions with senior leaders, benchmarking with other organisations, and a review of the Council’s current digital systems and capability.

Councillor Julie Matthews, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Corporate Strategy, Policy, Equalities and Strategic Assets, said: “This strategy will help us make better use of digital technology to provide services that are inclusive, secure and designed around residents’ needs. It gives us a clear framework for the years ahead and supports our ambition to embrace future digital opportunities.”

For more information on the Digital Strategy please visit here