New Year's Honours List

We would like to congratulate Councillor Ann Davies following the announcement that she will be honoured with a British Empire Medal (BEM) as part the 2024 New Year’s Honours List.

Councillor Davies has been awarded the medal for services to Local Government, the NHS and to the community in Rhuddlan.

How do you think the Council are doing?

There is still time to have your say!

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. There is more general information about our Corporate Plan on the Council's website.

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

Closing date: 29 February.

County wide roll out of Absorbent Hygiene Products collections

The Council’s Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP) collections will be rolled out throughout the county from June 2024.

This follows a successful pilot scheme for residents in the LL16 and LL17 postcode areas last year.

The new AHP collection service will be available to households with babies or children in nappies, and individuals who use incontinence products.

Registration for the service is now open and will close on Friday, 1 March with collections starting from June 2024. Another registration window will open later in the year.

Further information about the new service, including how to register, is available on the Council’s website.

Denbighshire properties benefit from new fibre installations

Properties in Denbighshire have recently benefitted from new fibre installations through the Fibre Community Partnership project.

The Fibre Community Project offers residents and businesses the opportunity to access better broadband with Openreach, despite not being a part of their current rollout plans.

The properties in Southwest Llandegla successfully applied for the Gigabit Voucher Scheme - which provides up to £4,500 worth of funding from the Welsh and UK Governments grants to improve broadband connectivity, through the Fibre Community Project.

Residents and businesses in Denbighshire can benefit from free advice and assistance from the Council’s Digital Officer who can find the best solution for internet issues they may be experiencing.

Philip Burrows, Denbighshire’s Digital Officer said: “Some communities may experience problems which require intervention by Openreach, the company which maintains and provides the major telephony and internet network system around the UK.

"However, individuals cannot contact Openreach directly, and that’s where I come in as the Council’s Digital Officer.

“I can be the go-between to hopefully take the stress out of sorting these types of problems. I can also advise on how to source funding to set up Fibre Community Partnerships if there are specific communities who are all experiencing similar problems.

“I’m happy to advise any resident or business in Denbighshire on any topic related to their internet connection.”

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage said: “I’m pleased to hear about the successful installations to remote properties in Southwest Llandegla, as ensuring better digital networks is essential and supporting communities to achieve this is a key priority in the Council’s Corporate Plan.

“I encourage anyone who wants to learn more about the various funding available or is experiencing difficulties with their internet to contact Philip, who will be able to advise on the best course of action.”

If you want to learn more about the Fibre Community Partnership project, or you’re experiencing slow internet speeds in your home, contact the Council’s Digital Officer on communitydevelopment@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Make it flipping sustainable this pancake day!

This year, Pancake Day is on Tuesday 13 February.

Reducing Waste

• Only buy ingredients and toppings that you know will get used or investigate recipes that can use the toppings in another way e.g. left over lemons or lemon juice for a lemon cake or biscuits
• If you have pancake batter left over but no space in your belly, still make the pancakes but freeze them for another day
• Remember that any food waste produced needs to go in your food waste caddy and not your normal waste bin

For more tips see the Love Food Hate Waste website.

Sustainable ingredients:

• Pancakes can be made egg free for anyone who is vegan or for anyone who has an egg or dairy allergy. There are many simple recipes online which only use flour and dairy free milk
  Make the day palm oil free! Palm oil is found in a lot of chocolate spreads and other cooking items because of its consistency at room temperature. Unfortunately, a lot of palm oil plantations are fuelling deforestation and damaging the habitats of animals which live in those spaces. You can find out more about palm oil on the WWF website.

Pupils across Denbighshire have worked with Chester Zoo to look at the impacts of deforestation. This picture was drawn by Lily from Ysgol Caer Drewyn.

What to give up for Lent:

• Why not pledge to switch some car journeys to walks where possible? It would be healthier for you and the planet.
• Cutting the normal ingredients found in pancakes from your diet during Lent will have a great carbon benefit.
• Towards the end of Lent as thoughts turn to Easter celebrations, consider finding sustainable gifts rather than Easter eggs which contain a lot of plastic and other waste materials. There is more information on the Eco Church website.

New project launches to provide Digital Inclusion support to Denbighshire residents

                                                                   

Digital Confidence Denbighshire will be delivered by Cwmpas and will run until December 2024. The project has received £515,106 from the Council’s allocation of UK Government Shared Prosperity Funding to support residents to get online by delivering drop-in sessions, workshops and essential digital skills courses in the area.

Digital inclusion can be empowering and help people to participate in day-to-day life and will support people to use online and digital services where they may lack a device, live in an area with poor connectivity, or have low skills or confidence.

Other benefits include saving money, reducing loneliness and isolation, increasing skills and knowledge, and even increasing employability skills.

Digital Inclusion Alliance Wales (DIAW), a group of 90 organisations working to make Wales a digitally-inclusive nation, found that as more vital services move online, including NHS appointments and benefits portals, there is a real danger that older people, those with additional needs and Welsh speakers will be at risk of missing out on accessing vital services.

And according to the National Survey for Wales, 7% of the population of Wales are not online. Just 41% of those over 75 years old are online and there are less people with disabilities or long-term health conditions online. It also highlighted that efforts are required to ensure that Welsh speakers are able to confidently access online services.

Digital Confidence Denbighshire will work with all of the groups affected, as well as those who are socially isolated, families with lower incomes and people experiencing homelessness to ensure they can safely and confidently access digital services.  

David Madge, Regional Programme Lead at Cwmpas said: “Digital inclusion and digital literacy are essential rights and skills in a modern world. More and more essential services are delivered online, from council tax, banking and finance, gas, water and electricity services to many aspects of health care. It’s vitally important we enable and empower people to use digital services, which can massively improve their quality of life”.

Councillor Jason McLellan, the Council's Leader and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation, said: "Digital technology has become a major part of everyday life for most of us, but for some people these technologies are not as easily accessible.

"The Council is pleased to be able to support Cwmpas with this grant from the county’s allocation of Shared Prosperity Funding to help support people in our local communities to get online and feel confident using digital technologies to access the services they need.”

If you are a resident of Denbighshire, or know someone who can benefit, you can get involved in the project by emailing dcdenbighshire@cwmpas.coop, visiting https://cwmpas.coop/digital-confidence-denbighshire/, or by being referred by a relevant agency.

Warm Hubs (Previously Warm Welcome)

Temporary partial car park closure in Llangollen

Mill Street car park in Llangollen will be partially closed for a 5 month period to provide a site compound for contractors to undertake construction work for the Council’s Four Great Highways project.

The Levelling Up funded project aims to enhance the landscape and improve accessibility, interpretation and signage in Llangollen.

Last month, the Council were pleased to announce that OBR Construction Ltd., who also recently completed work for another Levelling Up funded project at Wenffrwd Nature Reserve, had been appointed to complete the works.

A section of the Mill Street car park will be closed to facilitate the contractor’s site compound once the work commences on the 5 February and will remain so until the end of June 2024.

The public will still be able to access a section of the car park during this period as some parking spaces will still be available for use throughout the works. Disabled parking will also be available at the car park during this time.

OBR Construction will endeavour to scale down the compound as the scheme progresses towards completion to relieve more spaces where possible.

Residents and visitors wishing to use the car park during this period are advised that heavy plant vehicles will be entering and exiting the car park throughout the day between the hours of 8am and 5.30pm. Pedestrian routes within or accessing the car park will also be kept clear at all times and, in instances where this may not be possible, alternative pedestrian routes will be provided.

While car parking at Mill Street will still be possible during the construction period, in the event that the car park is full, alternative car parking facilities are available nearby at:

• East Street, Llangollen, LL20 8PW
• Market Street, Llangollen, LL20 8RB
• Llangollen Pavilion, Llangollen, LL20 8SW

The Four Great Highways project is part of investment by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund that was secured through a joint application between Denbighshire County Council and Wrexham County Borough Council for the Clwyd South Constituency. The application was supported by Simon Baynes MP. £3.8 million was allocated to Denbighshire to invest in the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas.

You can learn more about the project on the Council's website.

Winners of the recycling vehicle naming competition receive prizes!

Young winners of the recycling vehicle naming competition have been presented with their prizes.

At a special event held at Caledfryn, Denbigh, youngsters received their prizes along with a chance to have a firsthand look at a one of the new recycling vehicles funded by the Welsh Government.

‘Lord of the Bins’ made its first appearance at the event and will soon be joined by others including Tyrbo, Terbinator, Bindarela, Binbych and Trash Gordon on Denbighshire’s roads.

Denbighshire school pupils submitted over 100 entries to the competition. The Council’s waste crews – who will be driving these new vehicles, helped pick the winning names with the final decision taken by Leader of the Council, Councillor Jason McLellan, Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for the Environment, Highways and Transport, and Graham Boase, the Council’s Chief Executive.

Manufacturers of the vehicle, Terberg, donated prizes to the competition and Ian Bramhall, Area Sales Manager and Paul Rochester, General Sales Manager from Terberg joined Councillor Barry Mellor to meet the winning youngsters.

Councillor Barry Mellor said, “It was fantastic to join representatives from Terberg to present the prizes to the winning children, their enthusiasm for this competition and their interest in our waste vehicles has been brilliant to see.”

“The new vehicles are replacing the old fleet which is past its sell by date. The vehicles, three of which are electric, have been funded by Welsh Government as part of the commitment to improve recycling levels in Wales. They will be more cost efficient and more environmentally friendly, leading to cost savings in the long run.”

Ian Bramhall from Terberg said, “We are excited to support this competition and engage with the community in naming the vehicles. This is a great opportunity for residents to showcase their creativity and leave a lasting impact on Denbighshire's fleet - well done to all involved.”

A list of the winning schools is available on the Council’s website, and the winning names for the lorries are below:

• Terbinator
• Stig of the Dump Truck
• Recyclops
• Lord of the Bins
• Trashformer
• Trash Gordon
• Recyclosaurus Rex
• Binny McBinface
• Bindarela
• Tyrbo
• Binnie
• Ailgylchugeitor
• Draig Daear Dragon
• ArBINnig
• Rubbish Sucker Bob
• Benny the Bin Lorry
• Dusty McBinlid
• Binbych
• Mr Eco
• Dilys
• Stitch

Become a Tourism Ambassador

What is the Denbighshire Tourism Ambassador Scheme?

This free scheme is designed to improve the visitor and local experience for people who work in tourism, work with visitors, live or study in the area.

A series of interactive online training modules with quizzes have been produced on various themes such as Denbighshire towns and city, walking, cycling, history, coastal, World Heritage Site and welsh language & culture.

There are 3 levels of awards – bronze, silver and gold, depending on the amount of modules completed. Each person will receive a certificate, pin badge and window stickers on completion of the awards. There is also online resources for people to download related documents, branding and links to relevant websites.

Become a Tourism Ambassador - visit the website.

The project 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. 

Discretionary Housing Payments

Discretionary Housing Payments are intended to help people with ongoing rent costs, deposits and/or removal costs.

You can find more information on the Council's website.

Age Connects

Age Connects LEAP initiative helps alleviate the health problems older people may suffer as a result of living in cold homes.

They can help check your utility tariff, benefits and offer advice on energy saving measures.

For more information or to book an appointment call their Information and Advice Team on 0300 2345 007 or visit Age Connects website.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

You may be eligible for £150 off your electricity bill under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

It’s a one-off discount applied to your electricity bill and is in force until 31 March 2024.

If you might be eligible, you should have had a letter.

If you do not receive a letter and think you’re eligible, contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme before 29 February.

For more information visit the Warm Home Discount Scheme page on the Gov.uk website

Don’t leave yourself in the cold this winter

Age Cymru's 'Spread the Warmth' campaign aims to prevent thousands of older people in Wales suffering needlessly this winter.

To learn more about the Spread the Warmth Campaign visit Age Cymru’s website

Cost of living support

Help getting into and progressing at work

If you or someone you know is in, or at risk of poverty and would like help to get into or progress at work, we can help by providing support and guidance with:

• Motivation and confidence
• One to one advice and guidance
• Training opportunities
• Volunteering
• CV writing
• Work experience
• Interview techniques
• Applying for jobs
• Personal finances
• Caring responsibilities

or anything else that is preventing you getting into education, employment or training, there is more information on our website. 

January Job Fair breaks attendance record

Held at the 1891 Restaurant & Bar at the Pavilion Theatre in Rhyl, Working Denbighshire’s January job fair saw over 430 people come through the seaside venue’s doors, the highest attendance of any job fair held so far.

In January, over 45 businesses exhibited at the Pavilion based space, with nationally recognised names such as Thorncliffe Building Supplies, North Wales Police, Clwyd Alyn and HB Leisure in attendance.

The free event saw an opportunity for unemployed people, and those looking for a career change, to gain access to local and employment options, as well as hear about the various training and apprenticeships opportunities that are open for applications.

This was the first job fair held by Working Denbighshire this year, with four held last year.

The Council’s Working Denbighshire service aims to coordinate support that helps people into work by removing barriers. Working with local businesses and organisations, the Working Denbighshire programme is committed to supporting people who live in Denbighshire to get into the world of work and/or further their skills with free training.

Melanie Evans, Principal Manager, Strategic Employment, said: “I am pleased that we have been able to hold another successful Job Fair for the people of Denbighshire!

"It is important now more than ever that we can keep offering these networking opportunities to help businesses fill jobs and individuals find work.

"We have two more coming up in March, a general one in Llangollen and a specific one for hospitality - be sure not to miss them!”

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said: “I am delighted to see that such a large number of Denbighshire residents came through the doors, that’s what these job fairs are all about, connecting residents with potential employers.

"Finding the right job can be difficult, but these fairs are a brilliant way for residents to see what’s out there for them by offering information from a number of different business sectors.”

To keep up to date with events and find out more about Working Denbighshire visit our website and also to get advice on employment support, visit the Working Denbighshire website. 

Working Denbighshire sees success in paw-some partnership

A Denbighshire business has received a helping hand from Working Denbighshire’s work start programme, with several participants of the scheme now having worked at the Doggy Daycare business.

Four Paws Inn is a family run doggy daycare businesses located in Ruthin and has been running since 2019.

Working Denbighshire’s Work Start scheme brings together eligible Denbighshire based businesses and residents, to provide employment opportunities to maximise their potential.

The scheme offers high quality paid and unpaid placements to give eligible residents an opportunity to upskill through sector specific training and experience. Eligible businesses who sign up to the Work Start Scheme are supported to provide tailored opportunities to individuals through fully funded work placements. As part of the placement the individual will receive support from the Working Denbighshire team to overcome barriers to work, such as wellbeing, low experience, childcare, and transport issues. The team will also help individuals to find employment at the end of the placement.

Huw & Kim Edwards, Owners of Four Paws Inn said:

“Since signing up to the Work Start scheme, we have received many great members of staff from all walks of life. It’s been incredibly rewarding for us all to witness individuals gain confidence and skills in our unique working environment.

The current participants we have with us are doing well and seem to be relishing their role, which we are very happy about. We have helped another participant of the work start scheme to set up their own dog walking service. It is great to see them develop, and we are still keeping an eye and trying to support them where we can”.

A former participant, Shan, who has now gone on to full time employment with the dog caring business said:

“I found out about Working Denbighshire at an event in my local Job Centre, where I was able to easily discuss my situation and needs with a Working Denbighshire mentor who made me feel confident that I was going to get the right support, which I did very quickly!

I went through a long period on unemployment due to my health and was looking to work in a new sector, so I was confident that the Work Start scheme was the perfect opportunity for me to gain valuable experience within a sector I really wanted to work in!

The Working Denbighshire mentors and staff at Four Paws Inn were immensely helpful and helped me grow in confidence and skills.

I would wholeheartedly recommend the Work Start Scheme to anyone in the same or similar situation that I was in.”

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

“This partnership between a local business and Working Denbighshire shows the important value of the work start scheme.

Both the business and the participant get to benefit not only from the work experience, but from the expert help and advice provided by Working Denbighshire.”

The Work Start scheme has been created to give Denbighshire residents opportunities to work with local businesses to upskill and gain invaluable experience with the goal of finding sustainable employment.

Working Denbighshire is part funded through the Welsh Government Communities for Work Plus Programme which supports those most disadvantaged in the labour market to overcome the barriers preventing them from gaining employment.

Working Denbighshire has also received £3,529,632 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

                                       

BAROD February Timetable

Digital Literacy Events

We have teamed up with Cwmpas to offer FREE basic computer workshops for Denbighshire residents! Our next workshop will be on February 6^th  2pm – 4pm at Rhyl Library📅 and no sign up is needed - just turn up.

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

• ✅ Create an email address
• ✅ Fill out online forms
• ✅ Use free online CV building tools
• ✅ Search for jobs using apps and social media
• ✅ Identify job scams online

Working Denbighshire hosts successful first service provider networking event

Working Denbighshire hosted its first networking event for service providers on Tuesday January 16^th, inviting over 20 local service providers to share information, in an effort to create a more joined up approach to simplify access to the employment and skills support available to residents.

Held at Rhyl Youth Club, the event allowed a number of key service providers within Denbighshire and beyond to come and learn more about each other’s businesses, as well Working Denbighshire’s key services including Work Start, Barod and their one to one support program as well as the free training available.

The engagement event inspired collaborative conversations between staff from Denbighshire County Council, North Wales Police, Shelter Cymru, WeCare Wales, Blossom & Bloom and other key services providers, many of them primarily based within Denbighshire.

The event also helped demonstrate how Working Denbighshire can further support service providers with challenges they face outside of their remit, to offer a broader more holistic approach.

Melanie Evans, Principal Manager, Strategic Employment, said: “We make a conscious effort to regularly communicate with our internal and external partners about the support we can offer to residents they are already actively speaking to, however this event opened a bigger conversation.

“Whilst we discussed our projects in detail, we made links to projects as well enabling us to fill the gaps and improve support available for residents.”

In attendance at the event was Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation who said:

“I am glad to see that this first collaborative event has gone so successfully.

Collaborative working is massively important, and events like this help local businesses to get to know each other and find out how they can each lend a hand to the other.”

Working Denbighshire is an employability service which aims at supporting Denbighshire residents, aged 16 and above, who are in or at risk of poverty. For more information visit the website.

                                       

Budget decision

At a full Council meeting on Tuesday, 30 January, a 9.34% increase in Council Tax was approved, with a view to ensuring social care services and learners within schools can be protected as far as possible, to safeguard the most vulnerable in our society.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Jason McLellan said, “We know that the proposed increase will not be welcome.  The annual increase required in Council Tax to fund council services is 8.23% with an additional 1.11% to cover the increase in the levy from the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority. 

“This decision has been reached with a view to ensuring that those most vulnerable in society receive care and support when needed through our social care teams and to protect learners in our schools as far as possible.  Schools, education, social care for adults and children and homelessness services combined account for 63% of the Council’s budget.

“This is alongside continuing to provide the wide range of services such as collecting waste from every household, maintaining the road network, and many other services that our communities value.

“Our priority has to be protecting those most at risk in Denbighshire, and whilst we managed to keep Council Tax increases lower last year, in order to deliver essential services over the coming year, we have had to propose a higher increase for 2024-25.  Looking at it over a two-year period Council Tax increases will have increased less than inflation over the same period, yet the demand for some of our statutory services has significantly increased year on year.

“Like all councils we have had to make these difficult decisions against the backdrop of the UK Governments polices of austerity. This year we have seen another inadequate settlement for Wales announced by the UK government in the Autumn Statement.”

The latest estimate is that delivering day to day services in 2024/25 will cost an additional £24.5m compared with 2023/24.

Denbighshire is looking at all services and trying to protect the most vulnerable as far as possible. The Council has been working towards setting its budget for 2024/25 for some considerable time and a range of proposals to identify savings and efficiencies, both internally and within the services we deliver, are under consideration.

Some people will be shielded from the increase through the Council Tax reduction scheme which will help those on low income or those claiming benefits. Residents can find out more about this on Denbighshire’s website.

Central Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme Update

The first of the 760 pre-cast concrete panels have been installed at the western end of the Central Rhyl scheme, opposite John Street. They will be placed in the next 12 months to make up the full revetment, which covers the Western Section of the scheme.

As well as improving the town’s access to the beach, this new revetment will also absorb energy from the waves at high tides and is a crucial part of the new defences.

Engineers are using the latest satellite and drone technology to fit the panels – which are four metres wide and weigh 13 tons each - into the correct positions, with margin of errors down to just 1mm.

Once all the new revetment is installed, work will move on to widening and lifting that part of the new promenade.

We apologise for any inconvenience that this work may cause, and thank you for your understanding and co-operation.

For more information on the sea defence scheme, please visit our website.  

East Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme sees added community benefits

A recently published case study by Welsh Government has set out how the Council has worked with partners to maximise well-being outcomes while working to protect Rhyl from flooding. The case study sets out several beneficial outcomes from the model adopted, including environmental and economic benefits, employment opportunities and health and well-being benefits for participants.

The East Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme which runs down the Rhyl coast from Splash Point was officially opened in May of 2023, ahead of schedule and under budget. The scheme was funded by the Council and Welsh Government and protects 1,650 properties in East Rhyl from coastal flooding.

The project, delivered by Balfour Beatty placed 128,000 tonnes of rock armour in front of the existing sea defences and a newly added 600 metre sea defence wall and promenade was built to protect the area from current storms and the impact of climate change.

As well as protecting the area from flooding, the scheme helped employment in the region during the construction phase as 85% of local employment used was sourced from within 40 miles of the work site and 99% local subcontractor spend was within those 40 miles. The work created 8 new jobs and over 190 days of work experience was provided for local people. Over 110 students engaged with the scheme through curriculum activities.

The scheme saw environmental benefits also, with 80% of rock revetment materials used being sourced locally and 99% of the waste created was diverted from landfill.

Work is continuing in the town and the Central Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme, which started in March 2023. The project recently celebrated a landmark event as the first pieces of the new promenade were lowered into place. These are the first of 760 panels which will be laid in the next 12 months to make up the full revetment, which covers the Western Section of the scheme. As well as improving the town’s access to the beach, this new revetment will also absorb energy from the waves at high tides and is a crucial part of the new defences.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “This Sea Defence Scheme was a big step forward to ensure the safety of over 1600 properties in East Rhyl.

“As well as protecting the area from coastal flooding, the scheme helped local employment in the area and saw environmental benefits during the construction phase.

"There were also £350,000 of savings to Denbighshire through using the procurement framework and the scheme was officially opened under budget and earlier than expected.

"This project shows the positive outcomes that can be delivered through socially responsible procurement.”

To read the full case study go to the Welsh Government website. 

Weather watchers needed for Prestatyn

A call has been made for weather enthusiasts to help monitor a county based observation station.

The Council in conjunction with the Met Office, is looking for volunteers to help monitor a weather observation station based at Prestatyn.

The Met Office is the United Kingdom’s National Meteorological Service and is responsible for the provision of climate and weather forecasting services in the United Kingdom.

One of the roles is to gather and collate the National Archive for Climate which is held for use by the people of the UK.

There are a number of sources for data that goes into the archive, one of which is the voluntary climate observing network.

This is a network of manually read stations throughout the UK who take daily climate readings and report them to the Meteorological Office, this includes the station cited in Prestatyn.

The Council is currently looking for a small band of community volunteer observers, who would be willing to give some time to take these readings on behalf of the Met Office and the Council.

Volunteers would need to undertake readings one or two days a week, on a rota basis, with other observers.

People would be needed to spare approximately 30 minutes in Prestatyn to take readings at around 9am a couple of days a week. If you are interested in applying to become a volunteer, please send an email to will.riley@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Winter spotlight on Tree Nursery

Here’s a winter view of continuing work by staff and volunteers to help nurture and grow over 16,000 trees at our St Asaph based local provenance tree nursery.

Young Rangers experience volunteer lifesaving service

Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Young Rangers recently experienced the important role carried out by a volunteer life-saving service. A group of young rangers visited the North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) at their base in Loggerheads.

NEWSAR is a volunteer Search and Rescue (Mountain Rescue) Organisation, operating mainly across Flintshire, Denbighshire, Wrexham and parts of Conwy and Powys.

Volunteers taught the young rangers some life-saving first aid and gave the group a tour of the land rovers and their new search response vehicle. The youngsters even got to meet Chloe, the SARDA search dog, and Dave her handler, showing off their combined skills by sniffing out a hiding ranger.

For more information abut NEWSAR please visit their website.

If you are between the ages of 11-17 and interested in joining Young Rangers, drop an email to Imogen at imogen.hammond@denbighshire.gov.uk for the Clwydian Range or Sam at sam.langdon@denbighshire.gov.uk for the Dee Valley.

Historic eco-friendly fencing shapes woodland gateway

Parts of a Prestatyn woodland are set to be spruced up with age old eco-friendly fencing.

The Council’s Countryside Service has worked this week to create a new sustainable sourced fencing boundary next to the Coed y Morfa Gateway area.

Rangers with the help of Nature for Health Volunteers used renewable materials to create a wattle fence on the boundary next to the Gateway.

Wattle fencing, which dates back to Neolithic times, is a lightweight build made of thin woven branches supported by upright stakes, commonly built to create boundary enclosures.

This technique can also help prevent soil erosion by the elements and provide the ground with organic matter and nutrients through the materials used.

Countryside Ranger Sasha Taylor said: “We are continuing to work to develop Coed Y Morfa for the benefit of the local nature on the site and the well-being of the surrounding communities and visitors who come here on a regular basis.

“This centuries old eco-friendly technique is a great traditional method of creating boundaries and we have used locally sourced coppiced hazel to construct them. Its also great to be able to help and inspire our Nature for Heath backed volunteers by teaching them the technique.”

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “I am grateful to Countryside Services and the volunteers for carrying out this sustainable piece of work to improve this area of Coed Y Morfa for visitors and also give a helping hand to the biodiversity of site as well thanks to this traditional eco-friendly skill.”

Ponds prepared to support rarest amphibian in Wales

Work has been carried out to freshen up the home of a rare UK animal this year.

The Council’s Biodiversity Team and Countryside Service have linked up with project partners to carry out important work to protect a rare species at Gronant Dunes.

Council staff were recently joined by representatives from the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, Eni UK Ltd, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Bourne Leisure Ltd at the Gronant Ponds to spruce up the area in support of local natterjack toads.

Natterjack Toad populations were once widespread across North Wales, but changes to land use and developments saw a total decline of the species in the region which became extinct in Wales in the 1950s before being reintroduced in N.E. Wales along the Gronant and Talacre dune system

Ponds were created at Gronant Dunes over two decades ago with tadpoles transferred from Sefton to populate the area.

Habitat management work carried out by the partners included the uncovering and raking of the existing ponds and cutting back of the surrounding foliage to allow the natterjack toad a chance to breed and survive on the site.

Liam Blazey, Senior Biodiversity Officer said: “The natterjack toads prefer shallow pools on dunes so it’s really vital that we keep maintaining these ponds to do our best to protect such a rare UK species.

“To have the support of all these groups at the site to help carry out this work has been fantastic and it will go a long way to making this area a real beneficial area to protect this species."

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “It is so important that we do everything we can to protect our nature, especially those elements under threat like the natterjack toad.

"We are grateful for all who have helped prepare this important site to give this vital support to this species.”

High Sheriff of Clwyd visits tree nursery

Volunteers digging deep to support a biodiversity project have received a special visit.

The High Sheriff of Clwyd, Kate Hill-Trevor, recently took part in a visit to the Council’s local provenance tree nursery at St Asaph.

This project funded by Welsh Government through the Local Places for Nature grant, aims to provide native trees and wildflowers to support the county’s biodiversity.

Thanks to the support of volunteers who visit the site every week to help, 16,760 acorns were sown at the end of 2023, the number is in addition to 11,500 trees currently growing at the nursery which include pedunculate oak, sessile oak, sweet chestnut, silver birch, alder, wych elm and goat willow.

Once ready the trees will be planted locally to help support nature and surrounding local communities.

Volunteers have also helped staff at the site produce 13,000 wildflowers, this season, including ox eye daisy, knapweed, field scabious, selfheal, yarrow, wild carrot, red campion, bladder campion, buttercup, Birds foot trefoil and ladies bedstraw.

Wildflowers grown at the site are planted at existing meadows or local school meadow projects to help enhance areas for the benefit of nature and improve the well-being of all ages living near the sites.

Mrs Hill-Trevor, who is one of 55 High Sheriffs in England and Wales appointed by His Majesty King Charles III to represent the Sovereign in matters of law and order, toured the nursery with staff to learn how trees and plants are produced on site to support the improvement of county biodiversity.

She also took time to speak to volunteers to find out about their support for the project and what it gives back to them.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We are grateful for the visit from Mrs Hill-Trevor to the tree nursery which is playing such an important role in helping us improve and boost our local biodiversity, not just for nature but for the benefit of all of our county residents.

“I’m really pleased she was also able to meet our fantastic volunteers and learn about their support for the tree nursery as they been amazing in helping us grow this project.”

March For Business is back for 2024

The successful March For Business campaign will return for March 2024. This will be the sixth business month run by the Council and returns after a successful campaign last year.

This year there are a number of exciting events planned, which will be hosted at various locations across the county and online. This year’s events will offer valuable free advice and resources to local Denbighshire businesses.

These events will be comprised of a mixture of networking events and workshops.

This year the events will include Mental Health & Stress Awareness for Employers, Pop Up Business Support, Procurement, Sales Club, Starting & Running a Business and more.

The events planned will be delivered in partnership with external support providers Business Wales, RCS, Federation of Small Businesses, Food & Drink Skills Wales, West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce & more.

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

“After a brilliant business month last year, it is great to see that this important business month will be returning for 2024.

I am extremely excited for what we have planned for this year’s March for Business.

The team is planning a whole host of exciting activities for the upcoming month, which will include valuable and useful free business information for our local businesses in Denbighshire.”

For more information, please go to the webpage. 

North East Wales Archives looking for volunteers

How would you like to volunteer to help preserve your area’s local history?

North East Wales Archives (NEWA) are currently looking for volunteers to join their volunteer group in Ruthin.

Through volunteering at NEWA, volunteers can learn new skills, expand their CVs, gain work experience and gain local knowledge.

Volunteering (and working) in archives can sometimes be a solitary job simply due to the nature of the work. On selected Tuesdays (2 sessions per month), the volunteer group meets for up to three hours between 9.30am and 12.30pm at the Archives in Ruthin.

The current project involves working through uncatalogued council files which cover many aspects of the council's responsibility during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, including:

• Road and rail developments and improvements.
• Building and planning of new schools, residential sites and police houses.
• County council reorganisation.
• Civil defence and war provision.
• Local election papers.
• Public health and welfare.
• Tourism and events.

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture & Heritage said: “Volunteering at the Archives is a brilliant way for people to get in touch with the history of their local area, as well as meet likeminded people who also volunteer.

"Volunteering can also help with things such as CV building, learning new skills and gaining valuable experience.”

For more information please visit the North East Wales Archives website.

Have you ever thought about giving blood?

In under ① hour, you could save up to ③lives by giving blood with @WelshBlood! ❤❤
📅 Make an appointment today: 🔗

  https://wbs.wales/DenbighshireCC 

First residents move into new energy efficient homes

New Council energy efficient apartments in Prestatyn have welcomed their first residents.

The keys have been handed over to two of the four one-bedroom new apartments located at the site of the former Bodnant School, canteen at Caradoc Road, Prestatyn.

Denbighshire Housing’s new low carbon apartments are all certified to the energy-efficient Passive House Standard. Construction was carried out by North Wales based Peter T Griffiths Building Contractors and was part funded by the Welsh Government through its Innovative Housing Programme.

The four apartments are built with high energy efficiency to reduce the cost of living pressures for tenants and simultaneously help the Council and Wales achieve its net carbon zero targets

These new homes are part of the Council’s commitment to tackling waiting times for accommodation by addressing the need for more local housing provision.

Following moving in, a tenant of one of the new apartments said:” I love my passive house it’s definitely the way of the future and I feel that anyone would be blessed to have a home like this.”

Councillor Rhys Thomas, the Council's Lead Member for Housing and Communities said: “We are delighted to welcome the first residents into these new apartments at Prestatyn and wish them all well in their new homes.

"The Council is also very grateful for all the support of our partners who have helped make this site possible on Caradoc Road.

“Our priority is to make sure there are homes available in the county to meet the needs of our residents.

"These new apartments are meeting these needs by giving quality accommodation that is affordable as well as offering the highest levels of build quality to support the reduction of energy use and reduce carbon emissions and lower household bills.”

DLL announces opening of the second round of funding for local clubs and organisations

DLL will soon be opening a second round of applications from local clubs and organisations for the Community Grants Scheme in support of arts, cultural and creative activities.   

The company has received £430,000 from Denbighshire County Council, via the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, to administer the scheme.

The grant will give smaller organisations and clubs in Denbighshire the opportunity to apply for funding in support of activities such as music and theatre performances, funding for local exhibitions and support for outreach programmes.

Organisations can benefit from capital and revenue funding to renovate or maintain existing sports facilities and support community leagues, or support community arts settings and activities. Applications for the funding are now open with the closing date for the final round being Monday, 19 February.

Voluntary and community groups, not-for-profit sports clubs or community organisations, Parish and Town Councils, charities that are delivering local services and support (including uniformed groups) and schools and educational establishments are eligible to apply.

To be eligible you must be able to demonstrate how the project will support one of the two following Shared Prosperity Funding interventions:

• Support for local arts, cultural, heritage and creative activities.
• Funding for local sports facilities, tournaments, teams and leagues; to bring people together.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL said “The first round of applications, are currently being reviewed by the panel, but we are delighted to announce that round 2 will be opening on the 22 January, with both capital and revenue funding available. DLL remains committed to supporting our local communities, and we know this scheme will have a huge impact, especially in light of in the current economic climate. Community is one of the three pillars of our company, and helping maintain community participation and club infrastructure remains a priority for DLL. With funding from the UK Government and the support of the Council, the grant will allow DLL to help sustain important third sector groups, sports and cultural organisations.“

Capital grants of between £2,000 and £20,000 are available and revenue grants of £500 and £20,000. The TOTAL any organisation can apply for CANNOT EXCEED £20,000.

You can apply via the downloadable application form on our website. The form then needs to be returned via email to activecommunities@denbighshireleisure.co.uk or via post to Active Communities Team, DLL, 8-11 Trem y Dyffryn, Colomendy Industrial Estate, Denbigh LL16 5TX

For further information, including the full terms and conditions of the grant please visit DLL's website.  

DLL was also successful in receiving funding through the Shared Prosperity Fund to deliver a Creative Arts programme. The Creative Arts Programme will work with key third sector partners and community and health partners to deliver an arts in health and wellbeing participatory programme in community, social care and health settings. The total funding received by DLL for both projects was £584,000.