Council's new website goes live

The Council has completely revamped its website to make it more accessible to the public – and it’s now live.

Each public service organisation needs to ensure that its website meets the requirements of the Equalities Act and have accessible websites by September 2020. Making a website accessible means that it can be used by people with impaired vision, motor difficulties, learning disabilities, deafness or impaired hearing.

Councillor Richard Mainon, Cabinet Lead Member for Corporate Services and Strategic Direction, said: “We hope people like out new look website and find the new look site a lot easier to navigate and find the information they need.

“We are always looking at ways of improving our online services and this latest change in law has given us a great opportunity to revamp our website, making sure it fully complies with accessibility guidelines.

“We have been testing the site with the Disability Access Centre and have passed their accessibility tests. We have also introduced some minor changes in response to feedback from the public and we would like to thank people for taking the time to get in touch.

“It has a very different look and feel from the existing website.  It has a clear and simple design; it should be easier to read in terms of font, colours and contrast and the language should be easy to understand.  It has also been designed so that it can be used on as many digital devices as possible.

“Our website is one of the key platforms for the Council to provide advice and information to the public and is available twenty four hours a day, 365 days a year. 

“The Council is focussing on providing more services online and allowing customers to access a wide range of information about council services, as well as registering requests, making payments and getting involved in consultations.  

The new-look website is available by visiting: http://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/. 

Have you got a story to share and work in one of the following roles?

Have you got a story to share and work in one of the following roles?

• Work as part of a learning disabilities team
• Mental health worker
• Social worker
• Dementia worker
• Substance misuse worker
• Home help
• Someone that works with and helps children

Then we would like to hear from you!

The Workforce Development team are working in connection with the We Care Campaign Team and Careers Wales to develop digital case studies/ videos focussing on a day in the life of you and your chosen career path.

The short videos will be used by Careers Wales in Schools and Colleges to promote Health and Social Care Careers and by the We Care Campaign during Campaign weeks on social media and the We Care Website.

If you would like to get involved please contact Samantha O’Mara via email at samantha.O’Mara@denbighshire.gov.uk or telephone 01824 706610 / 07920294117.

Rural residents urged to apply for funding for improved broadband speeds

Rural residents and businesses in Denbighshire are being urged to apply for funding towards the cost of installing gigabit broadband.

The Welsh and UK governments are now working together on the Gigabit Broadband Voucher scheme which covers part of the costs of installing new gigabit-capable internet connections.

Under the new partnership £7,000 is available for small-to-medium sized businesses and up to £3,000 is available for residential premises.

Gigabit-capable broadband connections offer the fastest and most reliable speeds available, and the scheme is open to rural premises with broadband speeds of less than 100Mbps.

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for the Economy, said: “This scheme will help ensure more people and businesses have access to reliable broadband speeds. I urge all those Denbighshire residents in rural locations without decent broadband to check to see if they are eligible for these vouchers.

“Connecting communities is a priority for the Council and improved internet connections ensure our communities have access to goods and services and helps the county’s businesses provide services online.

“It is possible for residents or community groups to work together on applications and the Council is working to advise and assist them with their applications.”         

You can contact the Council via communitydevelopment@denbighshire.gov.uk and to check eligibility visit: https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/

Update on Denbighshire Registration Service

Services provided by Denbighshire Registration Service have resumed, with some changes to how ceremonies are undertaken to allow social distancing guidelines to be followed.

For Register Office ceremonies, only two witnesses are able to attend, with no other guests.  For venue ceremonies, people are asked to contact the venue and ensure they will be open on the day of the ceremony and check any revised rules they may have, including the number of guests permitted, which must be by invitation only.

Anyone wishing to make a new booking for 2020, can do so by contacting the office on 01824 708100.

Notice of marriage / civil partnership appointments are available on a case by case basis.  Priority will be given to those couples with ceremonies booked for 2020. Anyone who has already made a booking may contact Denbighshire Registration Service by emailing ceremonies@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Birth registration appointments are available now, strictly by appointment only. Please call 01824 708100 to make an appointment. 

Copy certificates can only be ordered over the telephone by calling 01824 708100.

Death registration appointments will only be completed over the phone. Please call 01824 708100 to make an appointment.

Citizens Advice Denbighshire

Do you know anyone – or are you supporting anyone – who needs to apply for settled status?

Citizens Advice Denbighshire are supporting the County's residents to access the EU Citizens Rights Service, funded by the Welsh Government, where individuals and families resident in Wales can have access to free, impartial and confidential information, guidance, and advice on settled status applications and access to in-depth, specialist help on social welfare issues.

This service supports EU, EEA and Swiss citizens with settled, pre-settled status applications and also offers access to wider advice services, including specialist advice.

The deadline for citizens to apply for settled status is fast approaching – applications must be submitted no later than 30 June 2021, and applicants must be UK residents by 31 December 2020.

To speak to an adviser or to book an appointment with our EU Citizens Rights team, please call 0300 3309 059 between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Climate change plan for Council decision making

The Council will meet to discuss making climate change a guiding principle in its decision making process.

Last year the Council declared a climate change and ecological emergency which included a commitment to make the authority net carbon zero by 2030, enhance biodiversity across the county and call on the Welsh and UK governments to provide assistance and resources to enable the Council to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Full Council is set to vote in October 13 on amending its constitution so all decisions made ‘have regard to tackling climate and ecological change’ after the recommendation was approved by the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee at a meeting on September 9.

Councillor Graham Timms, the Council’s Climate Change and Ecological Emergency Working Group Chair, said: “By having regard for tackling climate and ecological change in decision making we hope to limit the Council’s impact on further exacerbating climate and ecological change and to maximise opportunities to make a positive contribution.  

“If the recommendation is approved we believe we will be the first Council in Wales to take such a step and this shows the commitment the Council has made to tackling the climate change and ecological emergency.”

Councillor Brian Jones the Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said:

“Protecting the environment is a priority for the Council and during lockdown work has continued on ensuring the Council is reducing its carbon footprint and increasing biodiversity in the county.

“We have already achieved a lot, we have reduced carbon emissions from our buildings and fleet by 15 per cent since 2017, the Council now only uses renewable electricity for its own buildings after switching to a renewable only energy provider for its schools, leisure centres, libraries, council offices and depots and we are over halfway to reaching our target of planting 18,000 trees by 2022.

“Our Climate and Ecological Change Strategy and Action Plan to get the Council to net carbon zero and ecologically positive by 2030 which we engaged with the public on earlier this year will be ready early next year. We intend to consult with the public on the draft strategy in the autumn.”

Denbighshire Community Development Workshops

Interactive web-based workshops to discuss your community development plans and aspirations with the DCC Community Development team and others.

From September 2020 we will be hosting web-based community development workshops to discuss community project ideas and developments across the county.

We would like to tailor the sessions to suit your community priorities, offering information and guidance on specific topics of interest to you. We would also like to facilitate networks of interest, allowing those across the county working on similar projects to share ideas and best practice.

We will use online video calling software to facilitate the workshop, which are anticipated to be 1.5hrs long and structured to include:

• key considerations/advice regarding the theme discussed;
• examples of best practice;
• and an open discussion or Q&A session with theme experts.

If you would be interested in attending a web-based workshop of this nature, please complete the questionnaire below to help us tailor the workshops appropriately:

Questionnaire link

Work continues on East Rhyl defence works

The next phase of work is due to start on a £27million flood defence scheme in Rhyl in October.

The East Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme will protect 1,650 properties in East Rhyl and is funded through the Welsh Government, as well as part funding by Denbighshire County Council.

Work started on site in April and is on target to be completed by December 2022.

Material including large rock will continue to be delivered to the site to enable the construction of the rock armour revetment, which will commence in October.

The revetment is expected to take around eight months to build.

Cllr Brian Jones, the Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said:  “This scheme will significantly reduce the risk of flooding to homes and businesses and offer peace of mind to residents impacted by the floods in 2013.

“Work is progressing well and by the end of August, preliminary works will start on forming the first of three permanent beach access points.

“Contractor Balfour Beatty has been able carry on with the work as planned, whilst fully adhering to the Welsh Government’s coronavirus regulations and guidance, since work started in April.

“In response to requests from beach users, the contractor has been able to provide access to be the beach at weekends from Marine Drive, near Old Golf Road and we would like to thank residents for their understanding while work is being carried out.”

A site haul road has been created using the existing promenade between East Parade and Splash Point and a temporary stone track between Splash Point and Garford Road car park.

A stone ramp has been formed at Splash Point to allow access to the beach for the heavy machinery that will be required to carry out the work while a visitor centre has been set up at the site compound and members of the public are welcome to drop by to discuss the scheme with the public liaison officer.

Information about the project can also be found at https://www.eastrhylcoast.co.uk/

 

Social distancing reminders in Denbighshire a sign of the times

A series of signs have been placed across Denbighshire, as part of a visual reminder for people to continue to social distance when they’re visiting town centres.

The signs have been placed in town centres and form part of a wider campaign to encourage more people to visit town centres safely.

In June, the Council set up a Task Group had been set up to support town centre businesses during and after the re-opening of shops, working jointly with business associations and local communities. The Council also has teams out and about in our main town centres, monitoring compliance with safety guidelines, as well as offering practical support to businesses, such as signage or posters.

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, who is also the Cabinet Lead Member for the Economy, said: “For more than three months, town centres - the heart of many of our communities - stood still and quiet, with businesses closed and visitors and locals alike asked to stay at home and away from others until things became better. 

“The easing of restrictions on town centre businesses has been a step in the right direction and the Council has worked closely with the business associations and communities across Denbighshire to ensure the re-introduction of services has been as smooth as possible.

“The signage is one of a number of initiatives that have been introduced in town centres.  Teams of staff from the Council have also been working in town centres, liaising with businesses and listening to their feedback.  They have also been able to identify what works well and whether there were any localised issued that needed addressing.

“The messages around social distancing are equally as relevant as they were at the beginning of our work and we would like to thank the communities of Denbighshire for supporting this essential work”.

Shielding

Since the start of lockdown, the Council, with the support of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, has proactively contacted more than 6,000 shielded people and residents aged 70 or over who have been isolating, to offer advice and support to ensure they can access the supplies and services they need whilst remaining at home.

This has included referrals to community groups, local charities and council services for tailored help including grocery shopping, medication collection, telephone befriending and basic care needs assessments.

The Council ended these calls when shielding restrictions were lifted last month.

Cllr Bobby Feeley, the Council’s Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, said: “The last few months have been very difficult for those who have been shielding and isolating. We have been in touch with more than 6,000 people, and have been in regular contact with a majority of those. 

“The feedback from residents has been very positive with many telling us how appreciative they were of the calls.

“Over 80 staff from across the Council have been involved, with many officers quickly adapting to working in a completely different way.

“I would like to thank staff for their dedication and hard work during this process; my thanks also goes to our external partners including Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) and the British Red Cross for their contribution.

“We are reminding residents they should continue to follow Welsh Government advice and that they are not required to change how they have been dealing with coronavirus.”

Residents can still use the community resource list at http://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/community-resources for contact details and web addresses of local shops willing to deliver supplies, and where to go for local and national help and support. If they need additional support, please contact the Council.

Residents can also access information, advice and assistance which includes our Telephone Befriending Service by contacting Single Point of Access on 0300 456 100.

Should Welsh Government introduce a second lockdown, the Council will be in touch with residents who are advised by the Chief Medical Officer for Wales to shield again.