Christmas and New Year Information

You can find out what the opening and closing time information for our services and buildings is over the Christmas and New Year period as well as information on our household and garden waste collections on our website.

With Christmas fast approaching, many homes within Denbighshire will be busy wrapping presents and starting to put up their festive decorations.

When planning on buying your essentials this Christmas, it is important to consider whether they are recyclable or not. Here is a list of key items, and their recycling instructions:

Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap can't be recycled. Please put it in your black general waste bin or pink sacks or reuse to wrap up valuables which are going into storage or being posted.

Cellotape

Duct tape, electrical tape, cellotape, masking tape and parcel tape cannot be recycled. Please put them in your black general waste bin or pink sack.

Christmas Decorations

Christmas decorations can be reused year after year or donated to local charity shops or schools for craft sessions. Any decorations that are not fit for reuse should be put in your black general waste bin or pink sack.

Gift wrap

Gift wrap containing glitter and plastic cannot be recycled and must go in your black general waste bin or pink sacks.

Recycle plain paper gift wrap in your blue mixed recycling bin or clear recycling sacks once cellotape has been removed.

Plastic Packaging

Plastic packaging can be put in your blue mixed recycling bin or clear recycling sacks.

Aluminium Cans

Recycle your empty aluminium cans in your blue mixed recycling bin or clear recycling sacks at home or at your nearest Recycling and Waste Park.

Bottles

Glass - You can recycle any unwanted glass bottles and jars in your blue mixed recycling bin or clear recycling sacks.

Plastic - Please reuse your plastic bottles. You can recycle plastic bottles in your mixed recycling bin or clear sacks.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “There are lots of things that are thrown in the bin that can actually be recycled. Christmas time can be a very busy time for our waste teams, so choosing the right waste options during this festive period is very important.” 

Tributes to former Chairman as new Chair and Vice Chair are appointed

The Council has elected a new Chair and Vice Chair for the remainder of the 2023 / 2024 term.

At a full Council meeting in Ruthin, Councillor Peter Scott (St Asaph West) was elected Chair and Councillor Diane King (Rhyl South West) was elected Vice Chair of the authority.

These appointments came about following the sad passing of the previous Chair of the Council, Councillor Pete Prendergast on 22 September.

Councillor Prendergast served as Chair of the Council for the 2017 – 2018 municipal year and was re-elected as Chair in May of this year. During the meeting, the newly appointed Chair, Councillor Peter Scott, invited Lead Members of the Groups to pay tributes to Pete Prendergast.

These were led by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jason McLellan who said, “I had known Pete for a number of years and when he was elected it was quite clear how dedicated he was to his role as Councillor in representing his community and speaking up for his residents. Pete worked really well with the community groups in Rhyl and on his ward.”

Newly appointed Vice Chair, and Councillor Prendergast’s consort during his tenure, Councillor Diane King said, “He was one of those people you felt honoured to have in your life. His willingness to help others defined him as a person. The fact that Pete had so many close friends is a testament to the genuine, kind person that he was. He was so proud when he was elected Chair of Denbighshire County Council, not once, but twice.

“Pete came from humble beginnings, and he possessed an innate quality that he could relate to people at all levels and in any situation. This enabled him to work tirelessly for his community as a Town Councillor first of all, and then as a County Councillor. On a personal level I have benefitted immensely from Pete’s support, commitment, and friendship over the last six years. I was so proud to have him as my friend.”

Councillor Peter Scott brought the tributes to a close and said, “You will all have your memories of Pete, but from my point of view, he was a gentleman who put everyone before himself. He was a wonderful man and I’m certain he will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.”

Tributes were also paid by Councillors Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Hugh Irving, Delyth Jones, and Martyn Hogg.

Councillor Peter Scott asked the Council Chamber to stand and observe a period of silent reflection in gratitude and in memory of Pete Prendergast. This was observed by all present with the utmost respect.

Do you know what a Cofferdam is?

Here is Balfour Beatty's Sub-Agent Aled Hughes, who is working on the Rhyl Central Sea Defence Scheme to explain.

Denbighshire win at National Catering Awards

At the annual awards, Catering Supervisor, Claire Stott took home the ‘Emerging Talent Award’ for her outstanding work and progression. Claire started as a Catering Assistant 7 years ago and has shown passion, determination, and drive to take all training opportunities available to her, both in house and via external partnerships to gain the qualifications, skills and experience to enable her to achieve several promotions.

She progressed to an Area Cook, Secondary School Cook and is now an Area Catering Supervisor. Claire supports the catering management team with the day-to-day operation of catering services in the north of Denbighshire and is helping with the roll out of Universal Free school meals.

Shelley Houston, a Cook at Ysgol Emmanuel was also shortlisted for the ‘Shining Star Award’ for her dedication to the school meals service in Denbighshire. Shelley has worked as a cook within the service for 30 years.

Hayley Jones, Principal Catering and Cleaning Manager was called to the stage to accept the ‘Welsh Government Food in schools award’. This award was presented to the Council, as well as a number of other local authorities, as a Recognition of Excellence for the Delivery of the Universal Free school meal project. This was accepted on behalf of everyone in Denbighshire who has been involved in and has supported the Catering Service.

On accepting the award, Hayley said: “It was a huge honour to accept the award on behalf of everyone who has worked tirelessly to ensure the project and work has been completed on time.

"The rollout of the Universal Free school meal project has been a team effort, with multiple departments involved to ensure the service has the capacity to cook the additional meals.”

Paul Jackson, Head of Service for Highways and Environmental Services, said: “I am so pleased to see that our staff have been honoured for their hard work and innovative ideas, it is truly well deserved.

" Our staff work tirelessly, many behind the scenes, to ensure our catering department runs as smoothly as possible, and I can only commend them on their hard work.

"Well done to those that were shortlisted, and of course the winners.”

LACA - Wales (Local Authority Caterers Association) is a professional body set up to support School Caterers across the UK.

Free after Three Parking Initiative

The Council's 'Free after Three' parking initiative will again be running up to 31 December.

Update on Queen's Market

After careful consideration and discussion, the Council and the Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group have mutually agreed not to take forward their proposed partnership at the Queen's Market in Rhyl.

Following detailed discussions, both parties have agreed that a collaborative vision for the Queen's Market could not be achieved.

The Council is currently implementing a new plan to appoint an operator for the facility, and further updates regarding this will be provided in due course.

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said: “The Queen’s Market project is a vitally important part of the long-term development work happening in Rhyl, and structural work on the building is nearing completion.

"The Queen’s Market will provide a unique retail offering to the people of Denbighshire and beyond, and we are committed to ensuring that this project will deliver the very best offering and outcome for the people of Rhyl.

"Work will continue to fit out the facility as planned, and we look forward to the Queen's Market opening for business in 2024. 

"We would like to thank the Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group for their cooperation and collaboration on this project and wish them all the best with their future endeavours.”

Andrew Mikhail, Chairman of the Mikhail Group said: “We would like to thank the team at Denbighshire Council for their support over the last few months as we have enjoyed working with them to find a mutually beneficial solution for this fantastic venue. 

"Ultimately, we felt that the Queen's Market didn’t fit within our operating model. We wish the team at the Council every success for the future of the Queen's Market project.”

Have your say on funding for policing in North Wales

Your views are important in helping the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to determine the policing budget for 2024/25. The precept is the part of the council tax which pays for policing in your area. Click on the link which will take you to the PCC Survey >>> https://orlo.uk/F06VM

Submit your response by midnight 7 January 2024.

Horseshoe Falls Levelling Up project appoints contractor

The Council has appointed a contractor to undertake improvement works at Horseshoe Falls funded by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF).

During the first round of LUF, the Council was successful in its joint application with Wrexham County Borough Council for the Clwyd South Constituency, which was supported by Simon Baynes MP. Denbighshire secured £3.8 million to invest in the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas.

Residents can expect the following improvements to the Llantysilio Green Car Park near Horseshoe Falls:

• Replacement of existing car park surface to form designated parking bays.
• Excavation for new cesspit to replace existing old septic tank.
• Replacement of external foul drainage between new tank and existing toilet block.
• New stone wall and paving stone improvements around toilet block.

KM Construction have been successful in their tender for the project, and work is due to begin on 8 January 2024 for a period of 8 weeks (weather dependant).

The works will include some disruption to car parking, and temporary closure of the toilet block to carry out renewals of the foul drainage and provision of the new paving around the building. However, pedestrian access to Horseshoe Falls will be maintained throughout the construction process.

The area has seen a significant increase in visitor numbers in recent years, and this project aims to manage visitor numbers and enhance the visitor experience for all who visit the site.

Find out more about our Levelling Up Fund project at Horseshoe Falls on our website.

Public consultation to introduce a Public Space Protection Order for Rhyl town centre

The Council and North Wales Police intend to secure a Town Centre Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Rhyl Town Centre and are seeking the public’s views on the issue.

This PSPO will prevent and deal with individuals and groups consuming alcohol and/or causing anti-social behaviour in Rhyl Town Centre. This would be the third PSPO that has been live in the area since 2016.

While a number of measures are in place to help combat anti-social behaviour in Rhyl town centre, such as regular meetings between partner organisations to discuss how to collectively tackle problems, provision of services for those with alcohol issues and the new Rhyl Youth Centre, the rates of anti-social behaviour in the area remain high.

While we will continue to work in partnership to prevent these issues in future, a PSPO would offer North Wales Police an additional tool to address these issues.

The public consultation opened on the Council’s County Conversations portal from 13 November and will be accepting responses until 21 January.

Councillor Rhys Thomas, Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “We would encourage anyone currently living in Rhyl, or who has previously lived in the area, to take part in this consultation to share their views on the matter.

"We want to hear people’s thoughts on the effectiveness of implementing a PSPO, as well as whether they believe that the areas specified in the proposed order target the main areas impacted by anti-social behaviour.

“Anti-social behaviour is an important issue that needs to be addressed in the area and we are keen to hear the public’s views on the matter in order for us to ensure that our public protection measures in Rhyl suit the needs of the area.”

To take part in the consultation, head over to the County Conversations website

North Wales Private Tenant Forum January 2024

Thursday, 11 January 2024 (12pm - 12.30pm)

Are you renting from a private landlord or letting agent in North Wales?

Would you like to work together with local policy and decision makers to ensure your voice is heard?

Six Local Authorities in North Wales are coming together to ensure tenants’ voices are heard across the private rental sector. We are hosting a half-hour lunchtime tenant forum to hear your voices on what you think the key information is that you need as a tenant.

The local authorities involved are - Conwy County Borough Council, Denbighshire County Council, Flintshire County Council, Gwynedd Council, Isle of Anglesey County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council. 

We’ve been working together over the last year, and we would love to hear how we can support you as tenants and ensure you have the information you need.

For more information and to read the factsheet on your basic rights as tenants, please visit the TPAS Cymru website.

How is the Council doing?

It’s time to have your say!

The council’s Stakeholder Survey for 2023 to 2024 is up and running.

We want to know what Denbighshire residents, businesses, staff, elected members and partners think of the work we are doing here at the council.

 The survey is a great opportunity for the council to understand and learn from what people think so we hope you’ll help us by answering a few questions.

It’s also a great way for you to find out more about the themes that make up the council’s current Corporate Plan.

To take part and have your say, please complete the survey by visiting countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk

Closing date: 29 February 2024