Happy St David's Day

Corporate Plan: The Denbighshire we want 2022-2027

Every five years, the Council has to produce something called a  'Corporate Plan'. This plan gives the Council focus and helps all of the Council's services to work together, to plan and achieve specific goals that will help to make Denbighshire a better place to live, work and visit, for everyone.

The current Corporate Plan began in 2017 and will end in 2022. The priorities identified for the Council in the current Corporate Plan included:

1. Housing: Everyone is supported to live in homes that meet their needs. Find out more about the Housing Corporate Priority
2. Connected Communities: Communities are connected and have access to goods and services locally, online and through good transport links. Find out more about the Connected Communities Corporate Priority
3. Resilient Communities: The council works with people and communities to build independence and resilience. Find out more about the Resilient Communities Corporate Priority
4. Environment: Attractive and protected, supporting well-being and economic prosperity. Find out more about the Environment Corporate Priority
5. Young People: A place where younger people will want to live and work and have the skills to do so. Find out more about the Young People Corporate Priority

What do we want to know?

Between May 2021 and July 2021, we ran an engagement exercise called Continuing the County Conversation where we asked people to tell us what they thought of the corporate priorities and whether these were still relevant for 2022-2027.

From this initial engagement activity, we have created some draft themes for our new corporate plan. 

We would now like to know what you think.

We would be grateful if you could complete the online survey linked below and let us know if you think our new themes will help to make Denbighshire a better place to live, work in and visit.

Please click on the link to complete the survey >>> https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/662

Closing date: 11 March 2022

Appeal for the return of unwanted therapy equipment

County residents are being urged to return unwanted therapy equipment to help others in need.

The Council’s Equipment Service is calling on residents to return community therapy and disability equipment that is no longer in use. The appeal follows a shortage of equipment for the service along with other local authorities and NHS Trusts across the UK. An amnesty is in operation to help source any unrequired equipment across the county.

The service provides equipment for Social Services and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board services within Denbighshire.

If you have any unwanted equipment, staff will arrange to collect, clean and reuse any that is in a good condition previously provided by the service.Items in particular demand include raised toilet seats, toilet frames, shower chairs, perching stools, kitchen trolleys, commodes and shower stools.

If you have community therapy or disability equipment that you no longer need to use, please contact the Community Equipment Service to return the items to support the service in helping others. You can ring them on 01745 344675 or e-mail them at CESI@denbighshire.gov.uk

Do you provide print, graphic design or vehicle livery?

Does your business offer print or graphic design or vehicle livery production or banners and signage?

If so you might be interested in the opportunity to apply to be on the dynamic purchasing system for Denbighshire County Council and Flintshire County Council.

The opportunity can be found on PROACTIS and is open to all business who provide print, graphic design or vehicle livery.  The DPS is open until 2027 so you can apply at any time.

Please take a look and apply online https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/

If you have any questions regarding your application please contact print@denbighshire.gov.uk or via telephone 01824 706223.

Local Development Plan (LDP) Update

All Councils in Wales are expected by law to produce Local Development Plans which guides development in their county. All plans must be monitored annually and reviewed every four years.

Work is still progressing on the replacement LDP but it has been significantly impacted by a number of things that are causing delays. These include the Covid 19 pandemic and changes in National policy and guidance that require additional work to be done.

One of the key areas of additional work is in relation to flood risk. Until this work is completed the Council cannot progress the LDP strategy or complete the assessments of candidate sites submitted for consideration. It is appreciated that everyone is keen to see the results of site assessments but due to the on-going work, reporting on candidate sites assessments will not take place until summer 2022 at the earliest. All of the candidate sites will be reported on together and the Council will not be providing updates on individual sites before this.

The current LDP will remain in place and will be the plan and policies that all planning applications are assessed against until the replacement LDP is adopted. A revised timetable that sets out how and when the Council will consult on the replacement LDP will be available later this year.

If you want to be kept up to date with progress on the replacement LDP please contact the Strategic Planning and Housing Team via planningpolicy@denbighshire.gov.uk with your details.

Reminder of Public Space Protection Order in Denbighshire

Dog owners are being reminded to pick up after their pets while out walking.

A Public Space Protection Order is in force in the county which allows the Council to take action, including issuing fines against owners who allow their dogs to foul in an area of public land without cleaning up after them.

The Council works with District Enforcement who deploy officers to regularly patrol the county in order to prevent littering and irresponsible dog ownership. 

Councillor Mark Young, Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “The majority of dog owners act responsibly and the Council would like to thank them for ensuring our communities remain clean and attractive for our residents.

“However, we have noticed an increase in dog fouling on pavements over the winter months as many dog walkers change their usual routes due to the darker evenings and mornings.

“We have received a number of complaints from residents because some dog owners are allowing their dog to foul outside people’s homes, businesses and even schools and not clearing it up. 

“We want to make it clear that irresponsible dog owners are in breach of the Public Space Protection Order and could receive a £100 fixed penalty notice.

“Patrols are ongoing and we are also encouraging people who witness this to contact us with information so we are able to target our enforcement patrols.”

To report a dog owner not clearing up after their pet, please provide a description of the person, a description of the dog as well as the time and location of the offence.

All litter bins and your black bin at home can be used to deposit dog mess which is bagged and tied and free dog bags can be collected from the Council’s one-stop shops.

To report an incident of dog fouling visit our website.

Work finishes ahead of schedule and under budget on flood defence scheme in Rhyl

The East Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme, funded by the Council and the Welsh Government will protect 1,650 properties in East Rhyl from coastal flooding.

Works began in April 2020 and were due to end in December 2022, however the scheme has been completed ahead of schedule.

The successful placement of 128,000 tonnes of rock armour in front of the existing sea defences at East Rhyl and the newly added 600 metres of sea defence wall and promenade will protect the area from current storms and the impact of climate change.

Councillor Brian Jones, the Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “We have always been committed to completing these works as quickly as possible so that our communities are protected from any potential risk of flooding.”

“We are extremely pleased the works to safeguard hundreds of residents and businesses in the area from current storms and future rise in sea levels in the area, are complete ten months ahead of schedule. It is also pleasing to note that the project has been delivered well within the budget costing.”

“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the success of the scheme.”

Principal contractors Balfour Beatty undertook the majority of works.

Community benefits from the scheme included a beach access gate at Old Golf Road for use at weekends, renovation works at the Splash Point and the donation of groynes to the RNLI for their memorial area and to Friends of the Cob for the Glan Morfa site.

Other benefits included using the North Wales supply chain for rock deliveries, a virtual mentoring session with Working Denbighshire to help those looking for work in the construction industry and donations to Sussex Street Food Bank.

Eddie Lundon, Area Director at Balfour Beatty, said: “Through the Scape framework, we are delighted to have safely and successfully completed this critical scheme which will protect numerous homes and businesses in East Rhyl.”

“Utilising our extensive coastal experience, we were able to complete the programme ahead of schedule, utilising a local supply chain whilst making a significant and sustainable contribution to the local community.”

The Minister for Climate Change, Julie James said: “The flooding of homes and businesses in Rhyl in 2013 is still fresh in people’s memories and with climate change very much upon us, we know such events are likely to become more frequent in the future. I am therefore pleased to provide funding to Denbighshire County Council from our Coastal Risk Management Programme for this substantial scheme to help protect homes, businesses and infrastructure from the impact of floods.”

For more information about the scheme please visit our website. 

Sustrans e-Move Pilot Study

What’s E-Move?

Sustrans is the leading sustainable transport charity in the UK. Our vision is a society where the way we travel creates healthier places and happier lives for everyone. Our mission is to make it easier for people to walk and cycle.

Sustrans are currently delivering the E-Move project in Denbighshire.

E-Move is an electric cycle loan scheme for residents of Rhyl. The pilot scheme, which has been funded by Welsh Government and consists of 20 eBikes, is helping people who may find the cost of e-bikes a barrier to using them. E-move offers members of the community a free, four-week loan of an eBike and provides a healthy, sustainable and affordable way to travel.

Aims

E-Move aims to reduce carbon emissions by replacing some of the journeys usually made by car.

The project seeks to demonstrate a solution to transport poverty. For those without access to a car, and in situations where public transport is limited (or the cost prohibitive) electric cycles can help make longer journeys possible. This increased mobility can create opportunities for work, education and socialisation.

Another intention is to showcase the potential benefits of active travel, including an increase in both physical health and mental wellbeing.

Additionally, by promoting active travel, the scheme aims to improve local air quality.

Sustrans Cymru work in partnership with the Council as part of the Welsh Government’s Active Travel Scheme on improving the walking and cycling routes in the county.

Eligibility

Residents of Rhyl are invited to apply to loan an electric cycle. Contact Sustrans Project Officer - Jonny Eldridge - to request a welcome pack and application form:

jonny.eldridge@sustrans.org.uk.

To be eligible you will be over 18 years of age and able to cycle safely, a resident of an area within Rhyl and either:

• living in an area listed in the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation as one of the 10-50% most deprived wards in Wales. You can check your postcode on their website;
• living in a rural place that can be reached by e-bike with the intention of replacing car trips, or;
• living in a hilly location that can be reached by e-bike with the intention of replacing car trips.

E-Move beneficiaries will need to complete a survey before and after the loan, and may also be asked to undertake a 30-45 minute research interview. This will help us to understand people’s experience of using an e-bike. The survey will look at the challenges of using one, and how people, organisations and places can benefit from electric cycles.

The outcome of this project will help us develop recommendations for future eBike initiatives across Wales.

Events

Sustrans will be hosting a series of events in Rhyl, which will enable members of the community to try riding an eBike in a traffic-free environment. A great opportunity for anyone who is new, or returning, to cycling to build confidence.

The first E-Move event will be taking place at Marsh Tracks Bike Park on Sunday 27^th March.

For more information, and to register your interest, contact Jonny Eldridge at: jonny.eldridge@sustrans.org.uk

Winter of wellbeing for children and young people in Denbighshire

Children and young people in Denbighshire can get involved in supporting their wellbeing this winter.

The Council is providing a range of free sporting, cultural and play based bilingual activities as part of the Welsh Government’s Winter of Wellbeing Programme.

This winter, the Welsh Government announced funding for a variety of interactive, creative, and play-based activities for a wide range of ages. By creating plenty of safe places for free play and physical activity, children and young people alike can come together and have fun while also strengthening their social, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

Events are taking place across the county.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the Council’s Lead Member for Education, Children's Services and Public Engagement, said: “We are pleased to be supporting this project and offering a fantastic bilingual programme of events in Denbighshire. The Council is working with a number of partners on this project and I would like to thank all those taking part.

All events and activities will have Covid-19 safety measures in place, which attendees will need to follow.

To book onto one of the events in the county or activities, or for further information on the Winter of Wellbeing, please visit our website.

Register to vote

Don’t lose your right to vote and have your say in the County Council and Town and Community Council elections taking place on Thursday, 5 May.

Voting also ensures you have a say on the issues of the day while being on the electoral register can maintain your credit rating.

In order to vote in the upcoming elections, your name needs to be on the electoral register.  Check the letter that is being sent to your home to ensure that everyone entitled to vote is on the list.

Everyone is responsible for registering themselves – if your name or the name of another person residing at your address is not on the list, then they are not registered.

To register, go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

You have until 5pm on Thursday 14 April to register to vote.  You also have until Tuesday 19 April to apply for a postal vote and Tuesday 26 April to apply for a proxy vote.

All the information you need about voting and elections in Denbighshire can be found at: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/elections