County Voice

News

Christmas and New Year Information

For all the current up-to-date information about our services over the Christmas and New Year period, please visit our website.

Council urges bird keepers to be aware of new requirements

The Council is urging people to be aware that new compulsory housing requirements have been introduced for poultry and captive birds in Wales.

It is now a legal requirement for all keepers to keep their birds indoors or otherwise separated from wild birds. Bird keepers are encouraged to prepare for the new measures, making sure housing is suitable, with the housed environment enhanced to help protect bird welfare.

Keepers should consult their vet for advice where needed and are being encouraged to register their birds with the proper authorities.

Councillor Win Mullen-James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning said: “These measures are crucially important to help prevent the spread. We encourage bird keepers to read up on the latest guidance to keep their flock and others safe this Winter.

“Registering your birds is vital, even if you keep only a small flock”.

There is a self-assessment checklist that poultry keepers can undertake themselves to check what they have in place and you can download it here.

To register your birds, go to: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/poultry-registration or call the GB Poultry register Helpline on 0800 634 1112.

To report and dispose of dead birds, please call the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 if you find one or more dead bird of prey or owl; three or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks) or five or more dead birds of any specifies.

Please also contact the Natural Resources Wales helpline on 0300 065 3000.  People are advised not to touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick wild birds they find.  Any sick or injured birds found should be reported to the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 who may be able to offer assistance.

Levelling up Fund: Update

As part of Round 1 of UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF), the Council has been successful in their joint application with Wrexham County Borough Council for the Clwyd South Constituency.

The Levelling Up Fund is intended to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK. The fund supports town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets.

The Levelling Up funding allocated to Denbighshire amounts to £3.8m and will benefit the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas.

There are a number of exciting projects being delivered in these communities, which you will start to see evidence of early in 2023, with all project delivery expected to be completed by March 2024.

What is planned?

Llangollen / Llantysilio

  • Access improvements around the historical Four Great Highways (Canal, Railway, River Dee & A5)
  • Enhancing the visitor experience at Plas Newydd improving access to various areas of the attraction
  • Accessible paths at Wenffrwd nature reserve including linking the canal towpath to the nature reserve.  One path has already been delivered linking the nature reserve to the health centre.   
  • Improvements to the visitor experience at Horseshoe Falls and measures to protect the natural environment
Horseshoe Falls

Corwen

  • Installation of a platform canopy to complete the new Corwen Station, delivered by Llangollen Railway Trust
  • Improvements to the appearance of Corwen High Street including a refresh of benches, bins, and public realm along the high street. Also included within this is external renovation work to Llys Owain (the former HSBC bank), this element being delivered by a local social enterprise organisation, Cadwyn Adfywio
  • Improvements to Green Lane Car Park which will include the installation of EV charging points and refurbishment of the toilet block
  • A 1km active travel route from Green Lane up to the A5.
Improvement of toilet block at Corwen

Share your ideas….

The Four Great Highways Engagement Approach 

Burroughs and The Urbanists have now been appointed by the Council to develop the design of the Four Great Highways Project. The project will seek to reconnect key parts of the town through various public realm improvements such as better signage and interpretation of the local heritage, natural play opportunities / experiences, seating and easier to access spaces for all. The priority will be to improve access between the canal, town centre, River Dee and railway station.

Given the rich heritage of Llangollen, we will be seeking feedback from a wide range of the local community from school children through to local businesses, people from across the age groups within the community and visitors alike.

Key dates and information on how you can take part will be shared on Denbighshire’s website and via posters within the community and will look to connect with local schools, public events, and targeted workshops, both in person and on-line, to give all members of the community a chance to have their say.

For further information on the projects, please go to: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/levelling-up-fund

If you have any questions regarding the Clwyd South Levelling Up Fund projects, please contact levellingup@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Partners come together to mark the start of a £12.2 million extra care project in Ruthin

A sod-cutting ceremony to mark the beginning of construction at Grŵp Cynefin’s Llys Awelon, Ruthin, brought together all partners involved in the major £12.2 scheme to update and extend the Extra Care Housing facility.

Grŵp Cynefin Chief Executive Shan Lloyd Williams, the Council's Chief Executive Graham Boase, Director of Read Constuction Wiliam Jones, and other key officers involved in the ambitious project, celebrated the ceremony on the site close to Ruthin town centre.

Pictured (front L/R) Graham Boase, Chief Executive of the Council; Wil Jones, Commercial Director Read Construction and Shan Lloyd-Williams, Chief Executive of Grwp Cynefin.

Picture credit: Mandy Jones

The project means completely redeveloping the present Llys Awelon to create a modern, low carbon, bespoke scheme to meet the needs of older people in the Denbighshire area. It will offer additional 35 one and two bedroom flats to the existing 21 flats, within a purpose-built building with communal areas such as gardens, lounges, a restaurant and a hairdressing salon.

The project involves working alongside the current facility, causing as little disruption as possible to the residents and staff and eventually updating that facility to the same low-carbon, high standard specification.

The project is a partnership between the Council, Grŵp Cynefin and the Welsh Government and is supported by £7.1 million of Welsh Government Social Housing Programme funding.

With schemes at Holyhead, Bala, Porthmadog, Denbigh and Ruthin, Grŵp Cynefin’s Extra Care Housing offers residents an independent lifestyle with additional support and care should they need it.

Shan Lloyd Williams, Grŵp Cynefin Chief Executive said: “We are proud to be able to work closely with Denbighshire Council and the Welsh Government to offer the highest standard of service at Llys Awelon, Ruthin, which will be a modern and valuable resource for the area. Read Constructions have been involved from the start, due to the complexity of the project and it’s proving to be a productive collaboration, with all teams working incredibly well to realise this ambitious project.

“Such projects bring together Grŵp Cynefin’s best qualities – expertise in Extra Care Housing and important principles – innovation in our construction methods using materials and technology to achieve low or zero carbon, and our ability to bring partners together to deliver ambitious and innovative schemes for the benefit of our communities.”

Councillor Elen Heaton, Cabinet Lead Member for Health and Social Care, said: “We are really proud to work with Grŵp Cynefin on such an important project as Llys Awelon, Ruthin, to help and support Denbighshire residents.

“It is a real privilege to mark the start of such an important and beneficial project that will greatly support our residents by giving them the means to live independently and provide them with high quality housing that meets a wide range of needs.

“I look forward to the completion of this work and seeing the benefits it will bring to our residents.”

Wiliam Jones, Read Constructions Director said: “As a North East Wales based company, Read are delighted to have commenced work on our latest extra care scheme for Grŵp Cynefin. This £12m redevelopment of their Llys Awelon site in Ruthin has a strong local emphasis with local design team and supply chain partners. Throughout the scheme, Read are committed to supporting the local town and surrounding communities through reinvestment of the local pound and work opportunities.”

 

Keep well keep warm this winter

With the arrival of winter, we are urging people to be a good neighbour and keep an eye on the elderly and vulnerable.

Councillor Elen Heaton, Cabinet Lead Member for Health and Social Care, said: “We are asking people to take care of our most vulnerable by keeping an eye on them and making sure they are safe and well.

“If people have neighbours, friends or relatives that are unwell, they are encouraged to visit, making sure they have everything they need and to offer with any daily tasks such as shopping. It is also important to check they are eating properly and keeping their property warm.

“You may be the only visitor they will have so it is a question of being kind and considerate. The severe weather is getting closer and is likely to last for another two to three days, so we want to make sure people do not feel vulnerable or isolated.

“Showing care and compassion towards the elderly or vulnerable will really make a difference to their quality of life”.

“This message is very poignant at this time of day, especially around Christmas when it can be a lonely time for those living on their own.

If you have any concerns about a vulnerable person, please call the Single Point of Access, on 0300 456 1000, or for out of hours, the Emergency Duty Team, on 0345 0533116. 

We also have lots of useful information on our website.

     

 

Make people smile campaign continues – and we want to hear from you

Have you ever considered working in social care in Denbighshire?

Over recent times, the Council has seen an increase in the number of social care vacancies, especially during Covid when demand for social care increased.

The Gwnewch i Bobl Wenu/ Make People Smile campaign was launched earlier this year to raise the profile of careers in social care and to advertise the current vacancies that exist in the county.

You may well have seen our adverts on public transport, banners in community locations, adverts in the local media, social media activity and branding on some of the Council’s vehicles. The Council has also been out and about at various events and locations hosting recruitment roadshows and workshops.

The Council has also revamped its information on the Council’s website and has included case studies as videos, in an attempt to encourage more people into the profession. A frequently asked questions section has also been provided to provide answers to some of the most regular questions received.

Councillor Elen Heaton, Cabinet Lead Member for Health and Social Care, said: “This campaign is very much about selling the benefits of working for the Council and for starting a career in social care.

“Working in social care and making a real difference every day is a true privilege and our teams do make people smile every single day. It’s in their DNA to want to help people live as independently as possible but having the care and support they need in a variety of settings.

“Qualifications are not always needed and there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills and complete qualifications through the workplace.  The Council has put in place a programme of support for all employees and there are significant benefits to working for the Council. They include family friendly policies and a flexible approach to shift patterns.

“What’s needed more than anything is the ability to make people smile, to have empathy and to have a caring nature. The rest will fall into place”.

Anyone interested in a career in social care should visit the website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/care-jobs

 

Flying Start

    Denbighshire Flying Start is a Welsh Government funded programme to help families in specific areas of the county. 

    The help available includes:

    • free, part-time childcare for 2- to 3-year-olds
    • help, support and advice for parents
    • extra support for children to learn to talk and communicate
    • an enhanced Health Visiting service

    In Denbighshire, Flying Start is available in parts of Rhyl, Prestatyn and Denbigh and from September 2022 is now available in East Rhyl and East Prestatyn.

    To check whether you are eligible for the Flying Start programme, please visit our website >>> Flying Start | Denbighshire County Council

    You can also follow them on social media:

    Recycling and Waste

    Do you know your recycling ABC’s?

    Do you know how to recycle your old bike, or how to dispose of your roller blinds?

    The Council has launched a handy Recycling A to Z guide to help you recycle as much as you can and dispose of your waste safely. This easy-to-use guide includes information on how to safely recycle or dispose of almost every item you can think of in handy alphabetical order.

    We throw away all sorts of items from our homes every day and lots of these things that are thrown in the bin can be recycled, such as clothes and electrical items. The average person creates around 7 times their body weight in waste each year, therefore it is important this waste is recycled as often as possible.

    Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “This easy-to-use guide provides brilliant information on how to recycle or dispose of almost any household waste you can think of. 

    "This helps us create a greener Denbighshire and helps clear up any confusion with recycling some of the more complicated items”.

    Climate Change and Biodiversity

    E-bike project provides support for carbon reduction

    Council staff are taking part in a peddle powered project to tackle climate change.

    The Council has partnered with Sustrans to provide staff the opportunity to test out the capabilities of an E-Bike, instead of their usual mode of transport.

    The initiative is part of the Sustrans E-Move loan scheme, a Welsh Government funded pilot project available to residents of Rhyl and the surrounding areas.

    Sustrans is working to tackle the effects of transport poverty and to encourage individuals and organisations to reduce their carbon impact through staff commuting and fleet mileage.

    The Council declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency in 2019 and committed to seeking to become a Net Carbon Zero and more Ecologically Positive Council by 2030.

    Part of the drive to reduce carbon output across the Council includes supporting the reduction of fossil fuel powered vehicles for work and public use.

    The E-Bike initiative runs until January allowing staff members taking part to have bike on a weekly loan. The scheme allows those taking part to compare the use of an E-Bike for commuting and other trips against their normal vehicle to see if they can cut down on their use of fossil fuel power.

    Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We are grateful to Sustrans for this opportunity to help our staff understand the greener benefits having an E-Bike can provide. We are working to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel power to tackle climate change and introducing greener elements to travel is an important part of this.

    “I would also encourage any interested resident in the Rhyl area to take up the opportunity of testing the E-Bike out to see if it could help you reduce your carbon footprint and daily costs when it comes to transport.”

    For more information on loaning the bike for public use visit Sustran's website.

    Woodland development highlighted for biodiversity support

    A former school field has been welcomed for its contribution to tackling local climate change

    Representatives from the Council recently visited the old primary school field at Llanrhydd Street, Ruthin, to officially launch the newly established woodland site on the land.

    They were also joined by school pupils from Ysgol Pen Barras and Rhos Street school.

    The Council’s Woodland Creation Project saw 800 trees planted on site earlier in the year as part of a continuing effort to reduce carbon emissions and improve biodiversity.

    These new trees are in addition to the planting of over 18,000 across the county as part of the Council’s Corporate Plan 2017-22 focus on the preservation of the natural environment and also the maintaining and enhancing biodiversity within the county.

    A number of school children rolled up their sleeves to help plant the trees on their old school field in Ruthin, and in keeping with the school theme, an outdoor classroom area was also built on the site not only to help the children learn about biodiversity but also give a helping hand to local nocturnal residents.

    The classroom constructed of wood by local craftsperson Huw Noble incorporated a ‘Bat Roof’ which was specially designed to provide the features bats need to roost during the day.

    Councillor Arwel Roberts, Chairman of the Council, said: “I am really pleased to officially launch this site which is a real gem for the local community.

    “It is great to see the education theme kept on site with the outdoor classroom and I hope many people will get to learn how important this site is for protecting local biodiversity.”

    Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “The Council is really grateful to all the volunteers, school pupils and local members who worked on the Llanrhydd site. "Their commitment has helped us put biodiversity at the heart of this community and provide a community site to be proud of for generations to come."

    Rhyl multi electric vehicle charging hub goes live

    A Rhyl based multi electric vehicle charging hub is now live for drivers to use.

    The West Kinmel car park site, the largest charging hub in Wales, can now be used by owners of electric vehicles.

    The opening of the 36-vehicle capacity hub, funded by the Welsh Government, follows the successful installation of chargers at Kings Avenue car park at Prestatyn in the summer.

    Rhyl’s new hub is a mix of ‘fast’ 7kwh chargers for local users who have no access to off street parking and ‘rapid’ 50kw chargers for a quick charge top up and also to help local taxi drivers on the uptake of electric vehicles by minimising disruption to operational work time.

    All the chargers at the hub are open for public use.

    Three of the parking bays and charging units are specifically allocated for disabled users.

    The charging units also offer a range of bilingual payment options including, contactless card, App driven and RFID Card.

    Daytime and peak time users will still pay for a parking space at the hub however the electric vehicle bays will have no parking charges levied between 17:00 and 08:00 as per the rest of the car park.

    Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “We are really pleased to open Rhyl’s new charging hub and I thank the local community for their support during construction. This facility will help those in the area who don’t have off-street parking and want to move to running an electric vehicle.

    “Visitors will also be able to charge their vehicles here which will in turn support the business community of the town. It will also become a useful facility for those travelling in the area needing to charge their cars, drawing more people to discover what Rhyl and the surrounding communities have to offer.

    “I would also like to thank the team which made this site possible, which includes Denbighshire County Council, Scottish Power Energy Networks, SWARCO, A Parry Construction, MEGA Electrical and O’Connor Utilities who all worked tirelessly to deliver this first of its kind project for North Wales in a timely and efficient way.”

    Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

    Fossil Fuel Free Tools and Transport

    This one-day event hosted by National Trust Chirk Castle and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB team brought professionals and students together to explore the fossil fuel free (FFF) options for grass, scrub, leaf, tree and timber management, as well as a variety of transport options for personal, professional and off-road duties.

    With equipment and expertise on hand from Clwyd Agri, Stihl UK, Avant Techno, Drosi Bikes and Sustrans, attendees spent the morning rotating around between workshops spending time understanding the current FFF options for tackling everyday countryside and conservation tasks. These included looking at the use of traditional techniques such as scything, alongside modern battery powered mowers, strimmers, brush cutters, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers and chainsaws. In the transport field attendees were able to try out e-bikes and e-cargo bikes as a FFF option for commuting and travelling between offices and meetings and talk to professionals using electric vans, UTV’s and loaders about their experience of this equipment in the field. The Avant e6 proved a popular piece of equipment with attendees trialling its mower, bucket and forklift attachments giving them first-hand experience of how capable the machine is, while in the timber management workshops attendees were able to see and try petrol and electric chainsaws side by side giving them the confidence to know which petrol machines can now be swapped out for a FFF alternative with no change in operational capability. Over lunch Stihl UK gave an insight into battery technology, charging and ran a Q&A session where attendees were able to get answers to many common battery questions such as battery life, capacity / range, recharge cycles and speeds and got to hear about some of the new technology coming to market and what the future might hold for battery technology.

    The event was attended by professionals and students from Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Carmarthenshire county councils, Natural Resources Wales, Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri, Coleg Cambria, Brighter Green Engineering, North Wales Wildlife Trust and the National Trust with over 60 professionals and students booking onto the day. 

    Step Back in Time with Our Picturesque Landscape

    Have you ever wondered what it would be like to visit Castell Dinas Brân, Llangollen in the 14th Century or see a birds-eye view of Trevor in 1795?

    The team at Our Picturesque Landscape have launched ‘An Animated History of the Dee Valley’, a beautiful and informative film that sweeps across the Dee Valley. It depicts the changes to the landscape over time, demonstrating the shift from pastoral to urban across the centuries with the industrialisation of the area, and the coming of the canal and A5 road opening the Dee Valley up to tourists. A series of shorter focused films showcasing each specific landscape of Llangollen, Trevor and Castell Dinas Brân can also be found on The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB Vimeo page: www.vimeo.com/showcase/9859162

    Alongside the animated films, an exciting series of Virtual Reality (VR) films have been produced with the aim of transporting viewers back to past centuries and locations around the Dee Valley. By scrolling around and interacting with the videos, the viewer is able to immerse themselves in the locations of Castell Dinas Brân in the 14th Century and Victorian era, the construction of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in 1795, Valle Crucis Abbey in the 14th Century and Plas Newydd with the Ladies of Llangollen in 1805. The 360 films can be viewed here: www.vimeo.com/showcase/9859071

    If you would like to experience the full potential of the films, a VR headset will accompany the Our Picturesque Landscape team at future event days to allow the public to view the historic landscapes. You can view our upcoming events at: www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/news-events/

    You may also spot the installation of QR codes at each video location, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the history of the landscape using their own mobile devices.

    New Joint Committee Members

    The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are pleased to announce that membership of the Committee for the next four years has been agreed. The Committee is made up of Cabinet members from the three local authorities within the AONB and will be as follows:

    Flintshire County Council

    • Councillor David Hughes (Chair)
    • Councillor David Healey

    Denbighshire County Council

    • Councillor Win Mullen-James
    • Councillor Emrys Wynne

    Wrexham County Borough Council

    • Councillor Hugh Jones
    • Councillor Nigel Williams (Vice Chair)

    These members will act on behalf of their local authorities in delivering the purposes of the AONB, along with the development and delivery of the newly published AONB Management Plan. 

    Countryside Services

    The Roman Baths: A Roman Mystery in Prestatyn?

    We have known since the 1930s of the existence of the Roman Bath House in Prestatyn, but what we don’t know is who it served.

    • Was there a lost Roman settlement between Chester and Conwy?
      Is it a bath house to a wealthy Roman landowner whose villa is yet to be discovered?
      Was it a bath house to a Mansio (a Roman hotel)?

    Find out more through the Council’s restoration and community engagement project at the Prestatyn Roman Baths, at the end of Melyd Avenue. This is one of the town’s ‘hidden jewels’, which we would like to future-proof for the enjoyment of generations to come. This project is funded by Cadw’s Ancient Monument Grant and the Clwydian Range AONB’s Sustainable Development Fund.

    The Prestatyn Roman Bath House was first discovered during excavations in the 1930s. it was then re-covered and excavated again in the 1980s, during the construction of the neighbouring housing estate. The site is now managed by the Council. The Bath House was constructed in around 120 AD, then extended in 150 AD. There is some debate over the reasons for its location in Prestatyn. However, it is believed to be linked to the Roman legions in Chester and Caernarfon, lying around halfway between the two. It may also have been associated with a nearby harbour, due to its coastal location.

    The Council aim to raise the profile of the Roman Baths, with it being a relatively little-known site. We would like to increase visitor numbers to the Baths and develop interest in local history. The project will involve:

    • Works to secure the stonemasonry, which has become loose over time.
    • Works to the path surrounding the bath house.
    • New information panels.
    • Creating a herb border.
    • Wildflower plug planting.
    • Arts workshops with local schools.
    • A public open day to celebrate the completion of the project.
    • Links with local organisations to promote the Bath House.
    • A long-term increase in local knowledge of, and visitors to the Bath House.

    During its excavation in the 1980s, local school children visited the Bath House. We would like to get in touch with the people who visited the site during this time to arrange a re-visit. Please get in touch with Claudia Smith on claudia.smith@denbighshire.gov.uk / 07785517398 if you were one of the original visitors to the Bath House, have a group who would like to visit, or would like further information on the project.

    Highways

    Gritting the county's roads

    The Council carries out precautionary salting on some road when temperatures are predicted to fall near freezing point. We salt the roads either at 6am or 6pm, so that we miss peak traffic times.

    We prioritise these types of roads:

    • Main classified routes (A and B roads)
    • Principal bus routes
    • Access routes to hospitals, schools and cemeteries
    • Access to police, fire, ambulance and rescue services
    • Primary routes serving substantial villages/communities
    • Main industrial routes that are important to the local economy
    • Main access routes to shopping areas
    • Areas where known problems exist, such as exposed areas, steep gradients and other roads liable to icing.

    The salt has to be crushed by traffic to make it effective.

    Unfortunately, there are some occasions where we cannot salt the roads before the onset of icy conditions, for example:

    • When rain is followed by rapidly clearing skies, salting is normally deferred until the rain stops to prevent it being washed off.
    • Dawn frost occurs on dry roads. When early morning dew falls on a cold road and freezes on impact. It is impossible to forecast with any accuracy when this will occur.
    • Rush hour snowfall. When rain turns to snow coinciding with rush hour traffic, early salting cannot take place as it would wash off, and gritters cannot make progress because of traffic congestion.

    Here is Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for the Environment and Transport talking about gritting in Denbighshire.

    Cyclic works completed on A525

    As part of a new initiative, the highways team recently carried out much needed drainage on the A525 all the way from Denbigh to Ruthin. 

    The work involved highway drainage maintenance, verges sided, ditches excavated, and the highway swept. In recent years vegetation had grown into the channels and was covering a number of drainage outlets which were creating standing water and were a potential hazard. In the 10 days that the work took, all of these issues were addressed, and the plan now is to evaluate the cost and effectiveness to see if this initiative can be rolled out to other locations in the county.

    Photos before the work took place

     

    Photos during the work taking place

     

    Photos after the work had been completed

     

    A rake machine has been purchased to help keep Rhyl beach clean

    A rake machine has been purchased to help keep Rhyl beach clean

    The Council, Rhyl Town Council, Rhyl BID and Keep Wales Tidy have recently obtained a beach rake machine which will be used to clear litter from Rhyl’s beaches.

    Earlier this year, Rhyl beach received the Seaside Award status for another year, which is a national standard for the best beaches across the UK making it a very popular place for visitors.

    The new surf rake will enable an enhanced standard of cleansing, leaving Rhyl beach free of cigarettes, plastic, glass and other detritus throughout the summer months, protecting this area of natural beauty from poisonous toxins to ensure a high standard of cleanliness is maintained for locals and tourists to enjoy the beach safely.

    Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “I am pleased that our partners have worked together to make this happen, it is important that we clear our beaches from litter including cigarettes as they can pollute waters, cause fires and can harm children and our wildlife if ingested.”

    “Protecting the safety of our public and our environment is our number one priority and this fantastic piece of equipment will help us maintain a high standard for Rhyl beach in the summer months when we receive high numbers of visitors.”

    Gareth Jones, Keep Wales Tidy Project Officer for Denbighshire said: “We were excited to be able to support Denbighshire County Council, Rhyl Town Council and Rhyl BID in purchasing this machine, the difference this will make to this popular coastal area in Rhyl will be invaluable”

    “Our Caru Cymru project is all about eradicating litter and waste and this is a perfect example of a local area taking action in caring for their local environment, which in turn will make a big difference.”

    Caru Cymru has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

    The Mayor of Rhyl Councillor Mrs Diane King said: “One of the prime attractions of Rhyl is its large expanse of sandy beach.”

    “This state-of-the-art beach rake will provide an extremely effective and proficient way to regularly maintain Rhyl’s stunning beach, which Rhyl Town Council is committed and delighted to be endorsing alongside other contributors, so that everyone can enjoy at its finest.”

    The beach rake will be deployed tide permitting early morning throughout the summer season to ensure minimal disruption to beach users.

    Nadeem Ahmed Chair of Rhyl Business Improvement District said: “We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the joint purchase of the surf rake which will complement the fabulous work already undertaken to keep Rhyl beach tidy by volunteering community groups, such as Surfers Against Sewage, with their regular beach cleans."

    "Routine use of the Surf Rake will ensure a well-maintained, attractive, and safer beach, cleansed to the highest standard. This in turn, encourages repeat visitors, and strengthens our tourist trade.

    In addition to the beach rake Streetscene have recently purchased with contributions from key partners electric waste collection carts which will be deployed in busy pedestrian areas to carry waste where it is difficult to access with traditional vehicles during busy periods and during events such as Rhyl Airshow, we also jointly funded an electric Glutton street cleansing vacuum cleaner which is deployed in the Rhyl Town centre area.

    Project to reduce the carbon output of street lights

    A project has been completed to reduce the carbon output of county street lights.

    The Council has finished an energy reduction project to convert all its street lights to lower wattage LED’s.

    The Council maintains a total of 11,690 street lights and following some small initial trial programmes, it was decided to replace the remaining units with low energy LED lights over a 7-year project in order to achieve savings in both carbon output and electricity costs.

     

    The Council’s own in house street lighting team have delivered the project in its entirety from procurement and design to installation.

    The project has reduced carbon output from street lights over the seven-year period from 1,800 tonnes annually during 2015/16 to 400 tonnes for 2021/22.

    Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency in July 2019 and developed plans to become a net carbon zero and ecologically positive council by 2030.

    “I am pleased to see the conclusion of this project which is supporting our priority in tackling carbon reduction across the county.

    “This lighting equipment installed has utilised the most up to date technology and energy efficient equipment including part night dimming and constant lumen output. The completed project has achieved significant reductions in electricity consumption, carbon output and energy bills.”

    Tourism

    Llangollen Information Centre

    Looking for locally made Christmas presents?

    Pop into Llangollen Information Centre to browse the great selection of Welsh gifts.

     

    Education Matters

    Have you ever thought of being a School Governor?

    Would you like to be a school Governor?

    Ever wondered what it would be like to be part of a team, making a positive impact in our schools? 

    If you think you have the commitment and enthusiasm to make a difference, then visit our website and register your interest in becoming a school governor.

    Business Section

    Economic and Business Development Newsletter

    Please click here for the latest edition of the Economic and Business Development newsletter.

    Corporate Plan

    Help us to improve our services

    We want to hear from you about services that the Council provides, and how you feel about Denbighshire and your local area.

    Whether you live or work in Denbighshire, complete our stakeholder survey to tell us what you think!

    The results from the survey will be used to help us improve services that are important to you, as well as monitor the progress of our Corporate Plan.

    To take part and have your say, please visit countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk or scan the QR code below:

     The online survey is running until 27 February 2023.

    To review our current Corporate Plan, visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/corporateplan.

    To keep up to date, visit the county conversation portal at http://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk, and sign up for Y Panel!

    Paper copies of the survey will also be available in Denbighshire Libraries / One Stop Shops.

    Features

    Free parking after 3pm until Christmas

    As part of its annual #lovelivelocal campaign, the Council will once again be offering free parking in its car parks until 31 December 2022.

    The #lovelivelocal campaign encourages more people to shop locally and support local traders and businesses, and the council’s ‘Free After Three’ initiative will provide free parking in most Council car parks.

    The campaign aims to encourage people to spend their money in Denbighshire, whilst encouraging shoppers and businesses to use their social media channels to share their positive experiences using the #lovelivelocal hashtag – the more people are out and about doing their shopping, and telling everyone about it, the better the atmosphere for everyone as Christmas approaches.

    Please refer to the list below for restrictions and information for the car parks included and those not included in the initiative:

    • Corwen: Green Lane car park
    • Denbigh: Barkers Well Lane car parkCrown Lane car parkFactory WardPost Office LaneVale Street
    • Llangollen: East StreetHall StreetMarket StreetMill Street
    • Prestatyn: King's AvenueLower High StreetPrestatyn railway station
    • Rhuddlan: Parliament Street
    • Rhyl: CentralMorley RoadRhyl library (disabled bays only), Rhyl railway stationSky Tower car parkRhyl Town HallWest Kinmel Street ** Please note, Morfa Hall private car park, Rhyl, is not included in the initiative **
    • Ruthin: Crispin Yard (Cae Ddol)Dog LaneMarket StreetPark RoadRhos StreetSt Peter's SquareTroed y Rhiw
    • St Asaph: Bowling Green

    Councillor Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport, said: “Free After Three has proved popular in previous years because it is a great scheme that enables residents to support their local communities, and every little helps with the current cost of living issues faced by all of us.”

    “We hope that everyone supports our local high streets and back our businesses, especially in the run-up to Christmas and take full advantage of the benefits of the scheme by using the county’s town centre car parks free of charge.”

    For further information please visit: Free parking after 3pm | Denbighshire County Council

    Stop Wales Burning: A guide for landowners

    The Welsh Fire and Rescue Service have launched a new video that provides a step-by-step guide to landowners on how to safely conduct a controlled burn. 

    Scan the QR code which will take you to the video.

    It's well worth a watch!

    Avian Influenza Notice

    Have you ever thought about giving blood?

    The Welsh Blood Service are always looking for new donors.

    You can book an appointment here https://wbs.wales/DenbighshireCCouncil 

    Have you ever thought about being a foster carer?

    Foster carers play such an important role in a young person's life.

    One local family who foster with their local authority in Denbighshire is Manon and Huw, and their children Mabli, Boas and Ethni.

    You can read their latest blog where Manon explains what it’s like being a part of a foster family, and how every member of the family plays such an important part in welcoming new children to their home and lives >>> http://ow.ly/33Jh50Lby9e

    There is also more information on our website and on the Foster Wales website. 

     

    Denbighshire Housing

    Announcing this year’s Denbighshire Housing Tenant Award Winners!

    Our second Denbighshire Housing Tenant awards have been held and celebrated the achievements and participation of our tenants, the work within communities and showcasing projects that are happening across Denbighshire.

    Over 95 guests attended this prestigious event at the 1891 Restaurant, Rhyl, including tenants, local business sponsors and key housing and council professionals. We’d like to thank our main sponsor, Brenig Construction and TPAS Cymru for compering the awards, making everyone feel at ease and enjoy the evening.

    We are so proud to announce our second Denbighshire Housing Tenant Award winners!! Huge congratulations to:

    • Tenant of the Year: Gwenda Williams
    • Young Tenant of the Year (under 25): Makayla Flynn
    • Good Neighbour of the Year: Gwyndaf ‘Jock’ Davies
    • Housing Resident / Community Group of the Year: Trem y Foel Community Centre, Ruthin
    • Customer Services Award for Denbighshire Housing: Owen Evans
    • Community Project of the Year: Community Hwb Cymunedol Pengwern, Llangollen
    • Community Hero: Jonathan Lawton
    • Garden of the Year – Community area: Gellifor and Llangynhafal
    • Garden of the Year – Tenant/individual: Carolyn Philips and Alun Scourfield
    • Garden of the Year – Communal area: Llys Offa
    • Lockdown Hero: Debbie Holmes
    • Denbighshire Housing Award: Adam Garvey and Richard Jones from GCS Heating Services

    Councillor Rhys Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “The Denbighshire Housing Awards continue to go from strength to strength. It’s great to bring communities and individuals together to celebrate what they have all achieved through hard work, determination and simply being great tenants.

    “Day in day out we see a huge amount of positive work going on throughout our communities led by our tenants to help support and improve the quality of life for all.

    “Being shortlisted for an award is an honour for those groups and individuals and our thanks go to them for their efforts in their local communities”.

      The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 update

      Changes to The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016

      The Welsh Government has recently announced that it is implementing changes to The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. This affects our tenancy agreements from the 1 December 2022. We have put together this helpful guide to help explain what these changes mean to our tenants.

      The Renting Homes (Wales) Act (RHA) 2016 – what is it & what does it mean?

      • From the 1 December 2022, the Welsh Government plans to implement the RHA. This will change the way we rent our homes, improving the rental experience for you.
      • The new act will improve the way we rent, manage, and how you live in rented homes in Wales.

      What do these changes mean to you?

      • You won’t need to do anything. We will provide you with new contracts/agreements in the next 6 months.
      • Under the new law, you will be known as 'contract-holders'. We will replace tenancy agreements with 'occupation contracts’.
      • For 'contract-holders' (you) this will mean.
        • Receiving a written contract setting out your rights and responsibilities.
        • Improved succession rights, these set out who has a right to continue to live in a dwelling, for example, after the current tenant dies.
        • More flexible arrangements for joint contract-holders, making it easier to add or remove others to an occupation contract.

      How will it affect you?

      • You will receive a replacement occupation contract within 6 months of the 1 December.
      • New tenants after the 1 December will sign the new occupational contract in the usual way and will receive a copy within 14 days.
      • The occupational contract will be set out in a ‘written statement’. This statement will confirm the terms of the contract and contain all the required contractual terms as provided by the Welsh Government. These are:
        • Key matters: For example, the names of the landlord and contract-holder and address of the property. These must be inserted in every contract.
        • Fundamental Terms: Covers the most important aspects of the contract, including how we gets possession and our obligations regarding repairs.
        • Supplementary Terms: Talks about the more practical, day to day matters applying to the occupation contract. For example, the requirement to notify us if the property is going to be left unoccupied for four weeks or more.
        • Additional Terms: Addresses any other specifically agreed matters, for example a term, which relates to the keeping of pets.

      Will I still be a tenant under the RHA?

      Yes, you will still be a tenant. Your tenancy agreement will be known as an occupation contract.

      What happens to my existing tenancy agreement after 1 December?

      Our current tenancy agreements will convert into an ‘occupation contract’, which will replace the tenancy agreement. Many of our existing terms will stay the same but some things will change e.g., we need to give you more notice of a rent increase.

      Will these changes affect my rent?

      No, this has no effect on your rent or cost you any money.

      What do you need to do?

      When you get your new Occupation Contract, you will need to read it, and make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities.

      These changes are supported by tenant organisations such as TPAS Cymru and in partnership Shelter Cymru.

      For more information and some frequently asked questions created by the Welsh Government, visit https://gov.wales/renting-homes-frequently-asked-questions-tenants

      Optimised Retrofit Programme (ORP) update

      Phase 2 - Rhydwyn Drive, Rhyl

      Work has started on the Welsh Government-funded energy improvements programme to the rest of our properties on Rhydwyn Drive, Rhyl.

       

      Improvements include:

      • Fitting solar panels – these will generate electricity and store it in connected batteries to allow tenants to use energy in the evenings.
      • Better external wall insulation – this will help reduce drafts and the energy needed to heat each home, especially during winter time.

      Councillor Rhys Thomas, Lead Member for Housing and Communities at Denbighshire County Council said: “It is great to see the start of the second phase of energy improvement work at Rhydwyn Drive.

      "Following completion these homes will have improved energy efficiency in times of rising fuel costs and will also better support the council’s work to reduce our carbon footprint across the county."

      Canol y Dre, Ruthin:

      Our second programme, that will be starting this autumn, is on 17 properties in Canol y Dre, Ruthin.

      This project will improve:

      • The appearance, roofs and rendering. These improvements will help reduce drafts and the energy needed to heat homes, especially during the winter.
      • Improve energy measures, including solar panels, batteries and external wall insulation o four tenant’s homes. The solar panels will generate electricity, that will be stored in the batteries, to allow tenants to use energy in the evenings.

      Cllr Rhys Thomas, Lead Member for Housing and Communities at Denbighshire County Council said: “We are really pleased to introduce our energy improvement works to our council homes on Canol-Y-Dre.

      “Following completion, these homes will have improved energy efficiency in times of rising fuel costs and will also better support the Council’s continuing work to reduce our carbon footprint across the county.

       

      Aberadda, Llangollen – Flat Roof Replacement Scheme

      Denbighshire Housing has started working on replacing the flat roof at our Aberadda flats in Llangollen. The flats were originally built in the 1960’s, when flat roofs were popular. We have repaired the roof in the past, but there are flaws in the general design of the flats.  We are now working to improve the roof and overall appearance of the flats.

      We are building over the existing roof, with a steel frame pitched roof. This type of roof will get rid of all the problems the old roof had, as well as improving the thermal efficiency of the flats because we can insulate it better. The new slate like roof will also blend in better with the surrounding properties.

      As part of the project, we are also upgrading and improving the outside appearance of the flats. This will modernise the look and feel, as well as improve the overall insulation of the building. We are really excited about this project and similar projects that we have planned across Denbighshire to improve the energy efficiency of our tenant’s homes.

       

       

       

      New homes update

      Prestatyn:

      In our last newsletter, we shared some pictures of our new apartment development on the old library site on Nant Hall Road in Prestatyn. Since then, our contractor has been making good progress with the construction works, and the steel frame is now in place. This gives a good impression of how big the development will be once it’s finished. Construction of the fourteen apartments will be complete next spring.

       

      Rhyl:

      Last year we told you that we’d bought the old tax office in Churton Road, Rhyl to convert it into apartments. Work has now started on site and the twelve apartments will be ready for tenants next summer.

      Dyserth:

      Last year we bought some new affordable homes on the Cysgod y Graig development in Dyserth, listed on Tai Teg. We have been given the opportunity to buy some more this year, and these include three semi-detached houses and four bed apartments. We hope to be able to tell you more in our spring edition and will be available on Tai Teg soon.

       

      Passive Homes:

      In the next newsletter, we’ll be able to share with you our finished energy efficient Passivhaus houses and apartments we’ve been building in Denbigh and Prestatyn. With energy prices rising, the benefits of building this type of housing will be even more important in the future. Keep an eye out on our social media channels for up-to-date news.

       

      Community Development Update

      Our community development (resilience) team have been busy over the summer, delivering support, advice and fun activity programmes within our communities. These include:

      Let’s Play Out:

      During the summer holidays, we worked in partnership with South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SCDP), Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, and Denbighshire Play. Together we delivered Let’s Play Outside sessions in Corwen (Wednesday’s 10:30am-12:30pm) and Llangollen (Wednesday’s 2:00-3:00pm) for over 100 people! Activities included sports, messy play and art crafts. Families said that they really enjoyed the weekly sessions and can’t wait for them to be on every school holidays. Please keep an eye on SCDP’s Facebook page for more information.

       

      Cost of Living Roadshows:

       

      Working in partnership with Welsh Water, Nest, Warm Wales, Cambrian Credit Union, Citizen’s Advice Denbighshire, Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit, and Working Denbighshire, our team have been on tour across the county, advising people about the cost-of-living crisis.

      We wanted to visit our communities, listen to people about their worries, offer advice and support about rising costs of energy, fuel and food. Partners were able to share ideas, hints and tips to help over the coming months.

      Over 450 residents came along to our roadshows, with 26 being referred for more support. Feedback from the events showed that this is something that communities want, and we hope to be out and about again soon. Please keep an eye on our social media accounts for up-to-date information.

      Eat Well, Cook Slow Project:

      After a successful pilot in 2020/21, Denbighshire Housing and Citizens Advice Denbighshire came together again to deliver slow cookers to our tenants.

      The idea of the project was to connect with tenants who were at risk of falling into food and fuel poverty this winter. 66 tenants were given a slow cooker, fresh ingredients, a recipe book, and a link to online demonstrations on how to prepare meals, along with energy saving measures.

      We checked in with tenants to see how they were getting on, as well as having a chat about maximising household income, reducing expenses where they could, resolve debt issues, energy and utility advice, and how to apply for grants and entitlements.

      As this was such a successful project, we will continue to work with Citizen’s Advice Denbighshire in the future, to help our tenants.

      Pengwern Community Hub Official Opening:

      This August, the Chairman of Denbighshire County Council officially opened of the new Pengwern Community Hub. Families from the local community came along to enjoy activities including arts, crafts, nature, hair braiding, bracelets, keyring making to name a few. There was also bike health checks, entertainment and refreshments.

      This new hub aims to increase opportunities for people to raise skills and aspirations, as well as resources to deliver activities and services to support people.

      Councillor Rhys Thomas, Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “We are really proud to continue working with our partner organisations in supporting the hub’s continued work to increase the overall wellbeing of the local community.”

      Margaret Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer of South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP) said: “SDCP are delighted to have worked in partnership with Denbighshire County Council, Denbighshire Housing and Friends of Pengwern on the development of the community hub, which will provide enhanced activities and services for the Llangollen community.

      “Extensive consultation in the summer of 2021 identified services and activities that the community felt were needed. All partners have a very clear aspiration for the hub to provide a place that the Llangollen Community will embrace and actively contribute to the management and direction of.”

      Keep an eye on the Hub’s Facebook page for up-to-date activities they have planned.

      Cost of living crisis advice

      Citizen’s Advice Denbighshire 

      The cost-of-living crisis has had a detrimental impact on all of us. The price of food and goods is higher, the amount it costs to heat our homes has increased (with the energy price cap set to increase again later this year), fuel is more expensive, and people’s income just isn’t stretching as far as it used to.

      If you’re finding it hard to keep on top of your bills, struggling with debt management, aren’t sure whether your home is as energy efficient as possible, or would just like peace of mind knowing you’re claiming everything you’re entitled to, Citizens Advice Denbighshire is here to help.

      We are able to offer free, confidential, impartial, and confidential advice and support.

      With an income maximisation session, we’ll help make sure you’re claiming what is yours and that you’re receiving the correct amount of benefit, we’ll help identify and manage any debts and arrears you might have, we can refer you on to larger schemes and projects (whether that’s for new boilers or insulation through Nest, or helping with whatever grants are available), and we’ll help you with practical energy efficiency advice and small measures.

      If you’re a member of the Armed Forces community, we have dedicated specialist energy advisers ready to help. Thanks to our partnership with Woody’s Lodge, with funding from the Energy Redress Scheme, our Force for Energy Project is able to offer you a home visit - alongside our usual offer of advice, support, and referral - to properly assess whether your home is as energy efficient as possible and give you small measures to help towards that.

      With the cost-of-living set to increase, it’s important that you have access to all the support you need before crisis, so get in touch today for free, independent, impartial, and confidential advice.

      Call 08082 787 933 or e-mail advice@dcab.co.ukSee an adviser in our virtual waiting room (Monday-Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm) >>> https://attenduk.vc/area-1

      Here are some helpful websites for more advice and support:

      Denbighshire County Council - www.denbighshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living

      Money Helper UK - https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/enMoneyHelper joins up money and pensions guidance to make it quicker and easier to find the right help, MoneyHelper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise.

      Turn2us - https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Turn2us is a national charity, which tackles financial insecurity. It offers services to calculate what benefits you may be entitled to and runs a helpline to give support and information to people who don’t have access to the internet or find it hard to get online. Their helpline is 0808 802 2000

      StepChange - https://www.stepchange.org/StepChange provides free, expert debt advice either online or via the phone. You can speak to them about your debts, and they will look at your financial situation and advise you on what you can do next. Their debt advice helpline 0800 138 111

      Mental Health – Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/?nation=walesIf you think it’s an emergency or you would like to speak to someone on the phone, call the Samaritans. You can call the Samaritans helpline 116 123 Monday to Sunday at any time, calls are free from mobiles and landlines.

      Keeping warm this winter – heating benefits advice. Did you know that there are a number of payments, advice and support available for you over the winter months for heating your home?  Here are just a few things to consider:

      Winter Fuel Payment: If you were born on or before the 25 September 1956, you could get between £250 - £600 to help you pay your heating bills.  You would normally get a Winter Fuel Payment automatically if you are eligible and you get a State Pension or another social security benefit (not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit).  For more information call 0800 731 0160 or visit https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment (Welsh https://www.gov.uk/taliad-tanwydd-gaeaf)

      Cold Weather Payment: You could get a payment of £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.  The average temperature in your area must be recorded as or forecast to be zero degrees or less for 7 consecutive days. If you’re receiving one of the benefits below, then you should be paid this automatically.

      • Pension Credit
      • Income Support
      • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
      • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
      • Universal Credit
      • Support for Mortgage Interest

      For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment

      National Concessionary Fuel Scheme: You could get free solid fuel or cash allowance for fuel if you’re an ex-employee of the National Coal Board (NCB) or British Coal Corporation (BCC).  You need to qualify to get the fuel allowance through the National Concessionary Fuel Scheme (NCFS), and you can only get the cash allowance if you’re already getting fuel through the scheme.  To check if you’re eligible contact NCFO on 0345 759 0529.

      For more information about any of these heating benefits, please visit https://www.gov.uk/national-concessionary-fuel-scheme or speak to your housing officer on 01824 706000

      For more information about support schemes available at the moment, please visit https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/benefits-grants-and-money-advice/benefits-grants-and-money-advice.aspx

      Libraries and One Stop Shops

      Fines now a thing of the past in Denbighshire’s libraries

      Denbighshire’s Library service has announced it is scrapping traditional library book fines – and will launch a drive to encourage more people to visit their local library.

      The fines announcement was made to coincide with National Libraries Week 2022 where there is a focus on people using their libraries to continue lifelong learning.

      All historic fines have been cancelled and library users who may have books at home that are past their due date can return them to their local library without fear or worry.

      Councillor Emrys Wynne, Cabinet Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage, said: “Getting rid of our fines system is definitely the way forward. It’s an old and dated system and is perceived as being a significant barrier to library use. This has an impact on people being able to access free resources and facilities to support their literacy, learning, skills and wellbeing.

      “Now that services have returned to normality following Covid, it’s given us a great opportunity to rebuild the physical in-person library offer and encourage people to visit and use their local library and its wide range of services.

      “Fines are very much a thing of the past and people can return books without any fear or worry, especially in the current climate around costs of living. Our teams in libraries will be delighted to see more people coming through the doors and accessing the wealth of free information and events available to them”.

      Replacement charges will remain for items which are not returned. These are different to fines and are levied when an item is either not returned, lost or damaged by the borrower.

      Visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/libraries to find out more about all of the services and activities that Denbighshire Libraries have to offer throughout the year to engage our diverse community. Keep up to date with the latest news and updates, by following @DenbsLibs and Denbighshire Libraries on Facebook and Instagram.

      Here is Councillor Emrys Wynne explaining the decision ...

       

      Working Denbighshire

      Single parent secures work in health and social care setting

      ‘H’ is a single parent of two young children. She was allocated to C4W+ for support with helping her move towards employment. She also was keen to complete some training to help bolster her CV and future job applications. H is a very polite young person who has been a pleasure to support. She has always remained in contact and has attended appointments on-time.

      H expressed her desire of wanting to pursue a career in Health & Social care as she felt this is where her strengths and compassion are. Tom was able to support H in applying for the NHS Step Into Work (Mentoring Circles) program which consist of online group sessions delivered via MS Teams, and then follows work experience within a Health & Social Care setting locally. Tom arranged for H to loan a Chromebook laptop so she could attend the sessions, as without it she would not have been able to do so. Around the same time H was also signed up to an online training course titled “Moving & Handling People” to give her knowledge and understating of this so she can do it correctly when required in a job role.

      H was very pro-active herself and completed over 20 online certificates in her spare time after her children had gone to bed, and she kindly provided copies of these certificates to Tom.

      A few weeks later H was informed by Tom of the Princes Trust Get Into Social Care program which was also due to be delivered via MS Teams. H jumped at the chance of being offered a place on this program, and she attended it by using the Chromebook. H will soon undertake bank-work with the NHS as part of the Mentoring Circles program in a Health & Social Care setting, likely to be at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd or community setting.

      H was supported with getting a new phone as her own phone was very outdated and apps would not load on the screen, and it would often not ring. So a new phone was purchased for her which meant she could return the Chromebook after two months and is now able to use the phone for many things which she couldn’t do before. She was unable to afford the cost of a new phone.

      In early September H applied for employment (via her new phone) for work with The Range store in Rhyl. H attended an interview on Friday 2nd September and was offered a job there at 20 hours per week for 3 months, and then after 3 months it is hoped she may be able to go full time. This means she should be able to complete her bank-work experience with the NHS Mentoring Circles as well.

      H has very kindly provided the following – ”The Communities for Work Plus project has helped me tremendously! I started with stress and pressure and unsure of what career I wanted to pursue.

      It was simple right from reaching out that I had the support from one of the work coaches, Tom, who has been exceptional in making me feel comfortable to express my future career options without judgment. I was enrolled on to the NHS mentoring Circles Programme and my phone was very outdated and I didn't have the means to purchase a new one. The project helped without hesitance and I was able to get a brand new phone and continue with my NHS course, I have now gained over 30 certificates where I started with none.

      To keep me busy and help me get to where I am now Communities for Work Plus helped me out so much, loaning a laptop so I could complete my online courses. I wouldn't have been able to afford nor have the confidence to be where I am now if it wasn't for the project.  I am now working part time within a role where I feel most confident whilst also gaining a Bank position at Glan Clwyd hospital with training still ongoing. And I would highly recommend to anybody who may feel like they are unsure of where to go next with having children or for any other reason get into contact.”

      Jobs fair supports young people employment opportunities

      Nearly 30 exhibitors came together recently to support employment help for young people.

      The Working Denbighshire Careers Fair held at Rhyl Town Hall saw nearly 100 young residents aged 16 and above receive valuable employment advice and help.

      At the event the line-up of exhibitors included a range of employers, training providers, education providers and support services.

      Delegates were able to find out about work opportunities in Admin and Finance, Construction, Education, Engineering, Health and Social Care, Driving and Logistics, Public Service, Childcare, Textiles, Housing, Manufacturing, Gaming and Digital. Those thinking about self-employment were also able to seek advice at the event.

      Those attending also discovered the events interactive elements which included a Gaming Van allowing people to have a go at some of the latest games. Emergency Service vehicles were also parked outside for attendees to explore.

      This careers event was funded through the Welsh Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee, part of which is delivered through the Communities for Work Plus (CfW+) programme that helps people furthest from the labour market get back into employment by offering one-to-one help and support. CfW+ forms part of the Working Denbighshire programme, delivered by the Council. Working with local businesses and organisations, the Working Denbighshire programme is committed to supporting young people who live in the county, with support to gain a place in education or training and help to get into work or become self-employed.

      Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader and Lead Member for Economic Growth and Tackling Deprivation said “I was delighted to attend this event and see such a fantastic range of employment support and advice on offer for those who came through the door.

      “I am really proud to see Working Denbighshire extending a big helping hand to our younger residents during such a difficult time. We are extremely proud to have this service which aims to tackle poverty through employment.

      “This is what the Working Denbighshire scheme is all about, helping people. As the cost of living increases it is very important we do all we can to provide this free support where we can to help younger people find the best employment to suit them.”

      To keep up to date with events and find out more about Working Denbighshire visit our website or to get employment support visit https://working.denbighshire.gov.uk/

      Working Denbighshire Youth Employment Hub

      Working Denbighshire Youth Employment Hub

      Every Monday 10.30am – 4pm

      at

      Rhyl Library, 11a Church Street, Rhyl

      If you are 16-24 years old, come along to the Working Denbighshire Youth Hub; the go to place for information, tools, advice and support on employment, careers, wellbeing and much more.

      01745 331438 / 07342 070635

       

      Christmas Features

      Christmas food hygiene tips

      Christmas food hygiene tips and how to cook your turkey safely.

      There are an estimated 2.4 million cases of food poisoning in the UK each year. Whether cooking at home, or reusing leftovers, it’s important to maintain good food hygiene at Christmas by following the ‘4Cs’ of cleaning, chilling, cooking and avoiding cross-contamination.

      Christmas is a significant period of food waste. Love Food Hate Waste estimate over 100,000 tonnes of edible poultry, 96,000 tonnes of carrots and 710,000 tonnes of potatoes are thrown away each year in the UK.

      Thinking hygienically when storing, cooking, reusing and freezing food will help keep your Christmas safe and minimise food waste over the festive period.

      Christmas food shopping

      Take enough bags for your Christmas food shop so that you can keep raw and ready-to-eat food apart. To prevent cross-contamination, store raw meat, fish and shellfish separately from ready- to-eat food and vegetables. Keep raw foods covered on the bottom shelf of your fridge.

      When food shopping over the Christmas period, it is important to understand the difference between best before and use-by dates to effectively plan your meals, get food to last longer, and make sure you’re not throwing away food unnecessarily.

      Tips

      Best before is about quality: food will be safe to eat after this date but may no longer be at its best.

      Use-by is about safety: food should not be eaten, cooked or frozen after this date, as it could be unsafe.

      Check your fridge is set at 5°C or below. Test this with a fridge thermometer. If your food is stored at the correct temperature, it should last right up to the use-by date. For the use-by date to be a valid guide, you must carefully follow storage instructions.

      How to defrost your turkey

      If your turkey is frozen, check the guidance on the packaging in advance. Some turkeys can be cooked from frozen if the manufacturer’s instructions say so. However, most frozen turkeys will need to be defrosted. Plan this in advance, as a whole turkey can take between 3 to 5 days to properly defrost.

      Do not defrost your turkey at room temperature, instead, you should defrost your turkey in the fridge. Always defrost your turkey in a container large enough to catch the liquid that comes out during thawing. This is to avoid cross-contamination. Use a covered dish at the bottom of the fridge so that it cannot drip onto other foods. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling any part of the raw turkey.

      A typical large turkey weighing 6-7kg could take as much as 4 days to fully defrost in the fridge. If there are no instructions for defrosting your turkey, you can work out yourself how long it will take to thaw completely. In a fridge, allow around 10-12 hours per kg.

      If your turkey is not fully defrosted before cooking, it may cook unevenly. This means harmful bacteria can survive the cooking process and you will be at risk of food poisoning.

      How to cook your turkey

      Do not wash raw turkey before cooking. Washing raw meat spreads germs onto your hands, clothes, utensils and worktops. Thorough cooking will kill any bacteria present.

      When cooking your turkey, always check the advice on the packaging and follow the instructions provided. The cooking guidelines will be based on a bird that is not stuffed.

      After touching raw poultry, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly. Also, clean any work surfaces, chopping board or utensils raw poultry has been in contact with.

      Cook your stuffing in a separate roasting tin, not inside the turkey. A stuffed turkey will take longer to cook and may not cook thoroughly if it has not reached the correct temperature throughout.

      To work out the cooking time for your turkey, check the retailer’s instructions on the packaging. If there are no cooking instructions, in an oven preheated to 180ºC (350ºF or Gas Mark 4):

      • allow 45 minutes per kg plus 20 minutes for a turkey that weighs under 4.5kg allow 40 minutes per kg for a turkey that weighs between 4.5kg and 6.5kg allow 35 minutes per kg for a turkey that weighs over 6.5kg

      Other birds need different cooking times and temperatures:

      • goose should be cooked in a preheated oven at 200ºC (400ºF or Gas Mark 6) for 35 minutes per kg
      • duck should be cooked in a preheated oven at 200ºC (400ºF or Gas Mark 6) for 45 minutes per kg
      • chicken should be cooked in a preheated oven at 180ºC (350ºF or Gas Mark 4) for 45 minutes per kg plus 20 minutes

      Make sure your turkey is steaming hot and cooked all the way through.

      If you do not have a meat thermometer or temperature probe, cut into the thickest part of the meat, check that none of the meat is pink and that any juices run clear. In a whole bird, the thickest part of the meat is the area between the leg and the breast.

      If you do have a temperature probe, check the thickest part of the meat; it needs to reach one of the following combinations to make sure it has been cooked properly:

      • 60°C for 45 minutes 65°C for 10 minutes 70°C for 2 minutes 75°C for 30 seconds 80°C for 6 seconds

      Remember to fully clean the temperature probe or cooking thermometer after each use to avoid cross-contamination.

      Reusing your leftovers

      Reuse and reinvent your leftovers in different ways. Cool and cover your leftovers and put them in a fridge or freezer within one to two hours. Splitting leftovers into smaller portions will cool food quicker and help portion control.

      You can freeze cooked turkey, other cooked meat and meals made from cooked and frozen meat. It will be safe to eat for a long time, but you may see a deteriation in quality after 3-6 months.

      Once defrosted, you should eat the food within 24 hours. You can also use previously cooked and frozen turkey to make a new meal, such as a turkey curry.

      Love Food Hate Waste have various creative recipes and ideas for how to make your Christmas leftovers go further.

      Freezing your leftovers

      Freeze and defrost any leftovers for future dishes. Freezing acts as a pause button. It is safe to freeze food right up until the use-by date.

      You can freeze most food. This includes raw and cooked meats, fruit, potatoes (after boiling for five minutes), grated cheese, and eggs. Love Food Hate Waste have an A-Z on food storage including how to freeze many different types of food.

      When food defrosts, its core temperature rises. This provides the ideal conditions for bacteria to grow if left at room temperature. It is best to defrost food slowly and safely in the fridge.

      You can also defrost your leftovers thoroughly in a microwave. Make sure you reheat until steaming hot. Once the food is defrosted eat within 24 hours.

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