Tree planting brings fresh life to two Rhyl outdoor spaces

Work has taken place to improve two public outdoor areas in Rhyl for the benefit of local residents and nature.

Denbighshire County Council’s Climate Change team, Countryside Services and Streetscene have come together to plant over 600 trees at public access green spaces at Walnut Crescent in the Park View Estate and the approach to Violet Grove Park in the Trellewelyn Estate.

This work is funded by the UK Government through the 2025/26 UK Shared Prosperity Fund which has granted Denbighshire County Council £278,600 for nature recovery works across the county.

The planting will see a mixture of hedgerow and standard trees develop at both sites to provide new habitats to support local nature.

Species planted include silver birch, holly, hazel, aspen, field maple, rowan, downy birch, dog rose, holly, guelder rose, hawthorn, sessile oak, wild cherry, hornbeam and hawthorn.

Seven standard size trees were planted and a hedgerow created at Walnut Crescent. Nest boxes for birds, bats and hedgehogs will also be installed at this site.

A longer hedge was planted at Violet Grove alongside 10 fruit trees, plus seven deciduous trees.  An area at the site will also be managed as a wildflower meadow to support pollinators such as butterflies and bees.

The extra trees at both areas will bring benefits to the local community. As well as trapping carbon, and providing habitat for insects and food for birds and bats, the trees can filter harmful pollutants from the air, act as natural air conditioners, reducing urban temperatures, and provide areas of shade. 

The fruit trees are all local provenance Welsh heritage varieties, including the Rhyl Beauty apple and Denbigh plum, to help conserve these rare local species in their area of origin for cultural importance as well as biodiversity.  And, in time, these trees will provide free nutritious snacks for residents. 

Tree roots and foliage can also intercept heavy rain, decreasing the amount of water entering drainage systems and helping to prevent localised flooding.

Walking amongst trees is also proven to be beneficial for the health and wellbeing of people.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport and Biodiversity Champion, said: “We are grateful for the partnership work between the different services that have helped breathe new life into both of these public access outdoor areas in Rhyl. This work will create such a boost for nature on these estates and also provide a real benefit to the wellbeing of the communities in the area.”

Community cabin build nearing completion at Ysgol Cefn Meiriadog

The community cabin build at Ysgol Cefn Meiriadog is nearing completion, with the main structure now in place and wall insulation installed.

Cabin Exterior

Funded through the community focused school initiative by Welsh Government, the cabin build started earlier in the year, and has since seen the frame, roof, windows and doors installed.

The cabin, which has a 60 square metre footprint, will feature a kitchen area and an accessible toilet, in addition to the main space. The outdoor space to the side of the cabin will also be revamped, and will be able to be utilized by pupils.

The building creates a space that supports family engagement, collaboration with other services and the need of the school community.

Cladding will be added to the roof as part of the next steps for the project, as well as the work to connect and install the water and electric provision.

Cabin Interior

As well as the cabin build, solar panels will be installed on the roof of the main school building, reducing the carbon impact from this project.

The project is set to finish in the Spring.

Laura Martin, Head Teacher at Ysgol Cefn Meiriadog said:

"We are thrilled with the progress that has been made so far and cannot wait for completion. This building will be a fantastic asset to Ysgol Cefn Meiriadog, ensuring that both the school and community can use it for many years to come.

We are very grateful to Denbighshire County Council for their ongoing support with this project."

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said:

“This project at Ysgol Cefn Meiriadog will be a massive asset to the school and community alike.

Replacing an older, outdated building, this new cabin will be completed in the Spring and will be able to be used by the school this academic year.”

Road improvements set for A541 crossroads to Pont y Cambwll Trefnant

Denbighshire County Council Highways will carry out road maintenance from A541 crossroads to Pont y Cambwll Trefnant.

Resurfacing work is due to take place from 2 March until 22 March.

This work is part of the Council’s ongoing road maintenance programme to improve the condition of the road network for residents and visitors across the county.

Whilst the works are taking place, the road will be closed and the diversion route will be signposted.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We are aware that the state of Denbighshire’s Road Network is a regular topic from residents. The Council is working hard to address the state of our roads across the county for the benefit of those who use these routes.

“I would like to thank residents living in this area and drivers who use this route for their patience while we carry out this important work.”

Further information regarding Highways work is available on our website www.denbighshire.gov.uk/roads

Successful job fair connects hundreds of people with exciting employment opportunities

Working Denbighshire’s latest job fair has been hailed a major success, bringing together residents, employers, training providers, and community organisations for a high‑energy day of opportunity and connection.

Held at 1891 in Rhyl on Wednesday, 25 February, the event attracted over 500 people eager to explore new career paths, meet employers face‑to‑face, and access immediate support to move closer to work.

More than 50 employers took part, representing a wide range of growing sectors including hospitality, retail, construction, health and social care, green industries, and digital services. Many employers reported strong interest from attendees, with several securing interviews on the day and progressing applicants into live vacancies.

Working Denbighshire is well known for its resident‑focused, barrier‑removal approach to employability and played a leading role in organising and delivering the event. Advisors were on hand throughout to offer personalised guidance, CV advice, and information about local training, volunteering, and funded support programmes. Their presence ensured jobseekers received not only access to employers but also the wrap‑around support needed to take the next steps with confidence.

Melanie Evans, Principal Manager, Strategic Employment, said:

“We are delighted with the turnout and the enthusiasm shown by both residents and employers. Events like this demonstrate the strength of our community and our shared commitment to helping people move into meaningful, sustainable employment. We’re proud to support residents at every stage of their journey and just as proud to help local businesses connect with the talent they need to grow.”

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

“The strong turnout shows how committed our residents are to building their careers and how dedicated our local employers are to supporting them. Events like this play an important role in strengthening Denbighshire’s economy and helping our communities thrive.

"We are proud to continue working alongside partners and employers to create inclusive opportunities for people across Denbighshire.”

Attendees praised the event for its welcoming atmosphere and practical support, highlighting opportunities for on‑the‑spot applications, training referrals, and direct conversations with recruiting employers.

The Job Fair forms part of Denbighshire’s wider effort to boost skills, confidence, and employment across the county. Working Denbighshire continues to support residents’ year‑round with a range of services from one‑to‑one coaching to tailored employability programmes ensuring that everyone has the chance to thrive, whatever their circumstances.

To stay informed about upcoming events, training opportunities and support available, visit our website.

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.

Funding for Denbighshire to develop and implement health equity across the county

Denbighshire is one of three local authority areas to receive funding to become a trailblazer for the ‘Marmot Nation’ ambition, announced at a Health Equity Summit in Cardiff (Tuesday 24 February).

A national package of support will be provided to Denbighshire, Merthyr Tydfil, and Neath Port Talbot councils for two years from April. The funding will develop and implement health equity systems in the three areas and spread good practice more widely across Wales.

In June 2025, Wales became the world's first 'Marmot Nation', adopting Sir Michael Marmot's eight principles to tackle health inequalities. These evidence-based principles focus on improving the social factors that influence people’s health.

Jeremy Miles, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, said, “In Wales, deep-seated health inequalities have led to worse outcomes in terms of the quality of life, long term health conditions, and life expectancy simply because of where someone is born and where they grow up.

“This national approach shows we are committed to tacking inequality and closing the gap so people in neighbouring communities can grow up with the same life chances and the same life expectancies.”

Wales is already well-positioned for this work through the Well-being of Future Generations Act, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Elen Heaton, Lead Member for Health and Social Care at Denbighshire County Council, said, “We’re delighted that Denbighshire has been approved as a Marmot Nation trailblazer. With several contributing factors to good health, such as education, employment, and housing, we recognise that children born into the most deprived areas are most likely to face health inequalities.

“We’re determined to take action to address health inequalities throughout the county to ensure that good health is not simply determined on where you happen to live.

“We’re proud of the work already under way which already embed many of the Marmot principles. For example, Working Denbighshire, one of only three projects in Wales to receive Welsh Government Trailblazer funding, is already helping residents improve their health, skills, and confidence to move into work. Through the recent ‘Beyond Barriers’ partnership with RCS, we’re providing rapid access to therapeutic support for people facing health challenges that prevent them from working, helping them build resilience and move closer to sustainable employment.

“We continue to prioritise prevention, offering early advice and support before issues escalate and our work on reablement, homelessness prevention and violence prevention is already delivering results. Our rapid rehousing model has halved the use of emergency accommodation, and our investment in affordable, warm, and accessible homes has been recognised.

“The funding confirmed today will sharpen our focus over the next two years, strengthen cross‑service working, and improve how we evaluate the impact of what we do. This is an exciting opportunity for the Council and we look forward to working with the Institute for Health Equity to improve our delivery for the benefit of our residents.”

Denbighshire’s Chief Executive, Helen White along with colleagues from the Council met with Sir Michael Marmot at the Health Equity Summit and said, “It was great to hear first hand from Sir Michael the impact embedding the Marmot Nation approach can have to drive out health inequality and lead to better outomces across communities. We look forward to learning from others as we progress this important area of work.”

Derek Walker, the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales said: “The level of inequality we see in Wales today is unacceptable. It is damaging lives, putting unsustainable pressure on our public services, and shortening life expectancy. If we fail to act now, these harms and costs will only accelerate.

“That is why, in my Future Generations Report, I called for Wales to become a Marmot nation. The Marmot approach mirrors the ambition of our Well-being of Future Generations Act by tackling the root causes of poor health — poverty, insecure housing, unequal access to education, and limited access to nature. This is about prevention, fairness, and long-term resilience.”

The eight Marmot principles are:

1. Give every child the best start in life
2. Enable all children, young people, and adults to maximise their capabilities and have control over their lives
3. Create fair employment and good work for all
4. Ensure a healthy standard of living for all
5. Create and develop healthy and sustainable places and communities
6. Strengthen the role and impact of ill health prevention
7. Tackle racism, discrimination, and their outcomes
8. Pursue environmental sustainability and health equity together

Road improvement work to begin at H Bridge Rhyl

Rhyl’s H Bridge is set to undergo a period of road maintenance in March.

Resurfacing work will take place at the H Bridge from 3 March until 25 March.

The work carried out is funded from a Welsh Government Local Government Borrowing Initiative (LGBI).

The Council earmarked 57 locations in Denbighshire to benefit from the two-year Welsh Government funded programme. The aim of the programme (funded by £4.780m over 2025/26 and 2026/27) is to improve the carriageway surface condition on sections of the county’s road network.

Whilst the work takes place the road will be closed and the diversion route will be signposted.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We know the H Bridge has been discussed due to the road surface state by many residents, and this work will improve the route for those who use it.

“I would like to thank residents living near this location for their support and drivers who use this route for their patience while we carry out this important work.”

Further information regarding Highways work is available on our website www.denbighshire.gov.uk/roads

Prestatyn pupils plant support for nature

Ysgol y Llys pupils have dug deep to help nature on their school grounds by creating new habitats.

Pupils have joined with Denbighshire County Council’s Biodiversity and Countryside Service team members to plant over 600 trees of varied species at the school site.

This work is funded by the UK Government through the 2025/26 UK Shared Prosperity Fund which has granted Denbighshire County Council £278,600 for nature recovery works across the county.

Pupils have been busy creating a new habitat for nature on the school grounds consisting of hedgerows, standard trees, and an orchard.

Standard size trees planted include alder, rowan, hazel, field maple, wild cherry, guelder rose, and wayfaring tree.

The children also planted a silver birch which will help provide food and habitat for many insect species including aphids. The leaves also provide vital food for the caterpillars of many moths including the angle-shades, buff tip, and pebble hook-tip.

Smaller trees of different varieties planted at Ysgol y Llys school will also help create hedgerows that will contribute to pupils learning more about how the type of habitat provides support to local nature as they develop and mature.

The trees planted to create these areas included crab apple which gives a vital source of early pollen and nectar for bees. Its fruit is also eaten by blackbirds, crows and thrushes. Mice, voles, badgers and foxes can also eat the tree’s fruit.

These new habitats at the school will not only give the children an area to learn more about local nature but will also help locally to the absorption of carbon emissions thanks to extra trees in the ground.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport and Biodiversity Champion, said: “We are really grateful to all the Ysgol y Llys pupils for their fantastic work for creating this new area to support local nature to and to also benefit the wellbeing and learning of every pupil current and future.”

Road safety works set to begin in Prestatyn

The works to improve road safety at a junction in Prestatyn are set to begin soon.

The need for the scheme was identified by both Denbighshire County Council and North Wales Police to address the concerning pattern of collisions at the junction of Bastion Road, Bridge Road, Station Road and Sandy Lane in Prestatyn.

Denbighshire County Council secured £120,000 of grant funding from the Welsh Government’s road safety capital grant to complete the works. This grant funding is ringfenced and cannot be used on other projects.

The scheme will look to introduce improvements to the existing zebra crossing, improved footways and a simplification of the junction layout and will be undertaken by local contractors KM Construction.

Superintendent Simon Barrasford from North Wales Police' Operational Support Services said:

 "The introduction of these safety improvements in Prestatyn marks an important step in addressing concerns following road traffic collisions in the area.

 "Public safety is our absolute priority, and where patterns of incidents emerge, it is vital that we work closely with partners to take decisive action. 

 "These measures are designed to reduce risk, encourage safer driving behaviour, and better protect everyone who uses these roads. We fully support the scheme and remain committed to doing all we can to keep our communities safe."

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said:

“It is encouraging to see that Denbighshire County Council has secured funding from the Welsh Government to make such a busy junction in Prestatyn for both drivers and pedestrians using the road safer.

“Residents safety is our main concern and it’s important that when concerning patterns such as these emerge, that they are identified and dealt with appropriately within a timely manner”.

Road improvement schemes set for March

Denbighshire County Council Highways is set to carry out a number of road resurfacing schemes during March to continue improving routes across the county.

Works carried out will include several schemes funded from a Welsh Government Local Government Borrowing Initiative (LGBI).

The Council earmarked 57 locations in Denbighshire to benefit from the two-year programme. The aim of the funding (£4.780m over 2025/26 and 2026/27) is to improve the carriageway surface condition on sections of the county’s road network.

Other schemes during March are capital funded by the council to improve the driving experience for residents and visitors across the county road network.

The Welsh Government funded schemes taking place in March are:

• Wigfair Rd,Asaph: 02/03 – 13/03
• H bridge, Rhyl: 02/03 – 25/03         
• Llys y Delyn to Bryn Mawr junction Rhuallt: 21/03 – 25/03
• Fforddlas, Rhyl: 30/03 – 19/04           

Denbighshire County Council capital funded road maintenance work during March includes:

• Maes y Coed, Denbigh: 02/03 – 06/03
• B5501 Clawddnewydd: 16/03 – 30/03
• Fforddisa, Prestatyn: 19/03 – 20/03
• Denbigh Green to A541: 23/03 – 19/04       
• A542 Horseshoe Pass: 24/03 – 02/04
• School Lane, Eryrys: 25/03 – 02/04
• A5104 Bryneglwys: 16/03 – 02/04   

Further information regarding some of these schemes will be posted on Denbighshire County Council social media.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We are fully aware of ongoing discussions regarding the condition of our roads in Denbighshire. A lot of hard work will be going on across March to address a sizable part of our road network for the benefit of those who use the routes.

“I would like to thank all our residents living in the areas where this work will take place and also the drivers who use this route for their patience while we carry out this important work during March.”

Further information regarding Highways work is available on our website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/roads

Community comes together at ‘Meet Your Neighbours’ event in Denbigh

Llwyn Eirin residents gathered at HWB Dinbych recently for a successful ‘Meet Your Neighbours’ community event.

Organised by the Council’s Housing & Communities Service, the event brought together the residents of Llwyn Eirin, who have recently moved into their new homes and partner organisations to strengthen community connections and meet their neighbours and to also highlight the wide range of support available for them in Denbigh.

Llwyn Eirin residents had the opportunity to meet representatives from Flying Start / Families First, Denbighshire Housing, and Working Denbighshire at HWB Dinbych. They also were able to take part in crafting with local artist Jude Wood (via DLL Ltd) and light refreshments helped create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere to help support the new residents, with the families attending throughout the afternoon.

Lead Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Rhys Thomas, said:

“It was fantastic to see so many residents come along to the event and take the opportunity to connect with one another and with the services available locally.

“Bringing partners together under one roof makes it easier for people to access advice and support, while also helping to build stronger relationships within the community.

“Events like this show the strength of community spirit we have here in Denbigh, and we’re grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to such a positive afternoon.”

The Council would like to thank all partners and residents who supported the event and helped make it a success, and we hope that the residents of Llwyn Eirin will be very happy in their new homes.

The development has been supported by Welsh Government funding through its Innovative Housing Programme, enabling Denbighshire County Council to work with the Rhyl-based Creating Enterprise Community Interest Company assembling components off-site for this modern approach to housebuilding.

The Llwyn Eirin development forms part of Denbighshire County Council’s Affordable Housing Programme, which is delivering new council homes across the county to meet local need.

NOTE

The Llwyn Eirin homes have been built to the Passivhaus standard, offering excellent insulation and reduced energy use. The properties are fitted with ground-source heat pumps, avoiding the need for a gas supply and have solar panels. This will help to reduce carbon emissions and support the Council’s commitment to tackling climate change.

Group tackles marine litter on Barkby beach

A group has come together to tackle the impact of marine litter on Barkby beach sands and surrounding area.

Organised by Denbighshire County Council’s Flood Risk Team, 14 volunteers managed to collect 14 bags of litter from the beach and surrounding area on the day. Keep Wales Tidy also provided some of the litter picking equipment used at the event held this week.

Items taken off the beach included a camping stove, a Thermos flask and a fishing rod.

The event on February 16 was organised to tackle the impact of marine litter in the area which can block up waterways and drainage, stopping the flow of water, leading to higher risks of localised flooding further upstream.

Removing the litter off the beach can also provide stronger support for natural defences such as shorelines, dunes and seagrass beds as they are able to better maintain their natural function as defences against the sea.

Thanks to the support of volunteers who stepped forward last month, 22 bags of marine litter were also removed from the sands and areas around the Nova in January.

Claudia Smith, Coastal Erosion and Flood Risk Officer, said: “We have had such an amazing response again from volunteers who really have made a fantastic difference to this local environment. Through everyone’s efforts there will be less risk of local flooding and damage to the environment and wildlife as well following the litter pick.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Cabinet Lead Member for Highways and the Environment, said: “We need to continually manage the risk of localised flooding from marine litter washing up on our beaches and reducing the defence against floods.”

Living outdoor dome drives school nature support

A new living outdoor area has sprung to life at a primary school to help local nature.

In a first for Denbighshire County Council’s Biodiversity and Countryside Service teams, supported by Ysgol y Faenol pupils, they have built a living willow dome at the school to help nature habitats at the site.

Pupils recently joined with representatives from both teams to plant over 1,000 trees on the school grounds to provide support for local nature and providing learning opportunities for themselves and future classes at Ysgol y Faenol.

This work is funded by the UK Government through the 2025/26 UK Shared Prosperity Fund which has granted Denbighshire County Council £278,600 for nature recovery works across the county.

Pupils joined council staff to build the willow dome as the final part of the new habitat creation on site.

The living dome will provide a sustainable structure which will be a useful resource for further green woodworking activities with the students and habitat for insects and birds and a natural area to promote learning about nature for the school.

Play time is also important for engaging children with nature this dome and willow tunnels will provide a resource to support this as well.

It will also provide a food source for the caterpillars of a number of moth species, which would be a food source for birds as well.

Willow roots will also help with soil stabilization and waterlogged ground, while fallen leaves can enrich the ground improving damp or boggy areas It will also provide an early important source of nectar for bees and other insects as spring arrives.

 Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport and Biodiversity Champion, said: “This is a fantastic new addition to the school to help local nature and support learning about our natural habitats for the pupils at Ysgol y Faenol.”

Flying Start care in Denbighshire to celebrate 20-year milestone with drop-in session in Rhyl

Held as part of the celebration of 20 years of Flying Start Service in Denbighshire, a free drop-in session is to take place at the 1891 restaurant in Rhyl, hosted by the council’s Flying Start team. The event will be held on Wednesday 4^th of March, 10:00am – 2:00pm.

The event will offer local families with a chance to meet the local services that support families with babies and young children.

As well as meeting with services providers, families can also get advice and information from the council’s Flying Start team and other services. There will be opportunities to find out what support is available and the child-friendly activities that are being held locally.

Denbighshire Flying Start is a Welsh Government funded programme for children aged from 0 years up until their 4th birthday and their parents/carers, who live in eligible post coded areas.

The aim of the programme is to help children to have the best possible start in life for their future growth and development.

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said:

“This is great opportunity for local families to come along and find what support is available to them. Families with children under four should check their eligibility to see if additional support is available to them.

As well as providing support, our team will be signposting to local child-friendly activities.”

Denbighshire County Council site to provide new affordable homes in Rhyl

Denbighshire County Council has been successful in securing a development partner for the construction of brand-new affordable homes on the site of the former older persons’ flats at Maes Emlyn in Rhyl.

The sale of the site to Wales & West Housing will pave the way for the construction of energy-efficient homes for social rent.

The Maes Emlyn site was formerly the location for Council-owned accommodation for older people.

It would have become increasingly challenging to maintain the flats to an acceptable standard and as a consequence the previous residents were relocated to more suitable homes elsewhere in the Rhyl area.

This development marks an important step in bringing the site back into use for the benefit of the community.

A Pre-Application Consultation is currently taking place, giving residents the opportunity to view and comment on Wales & West Housing’s proposals before the final planning application is submitted in Spring 2026. The consultation will close on Thursday, 12 March 2026 and it can be found on Wales & West's website. 

Councillor Rhys Thomas, Denbighshire County Council’s Cabinet Lead Member for Housing & Communities, said:

“This is a site we have wanted to see brought back into use for some time, so I’m delighted that by working with Wales & West Housing, there is the prospect of high-quality new homes being delivered here.”

Emma Hancock, Land and Partnerships Manager in North Wales for Wales & West Housing, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Denbighshire County Council to redevelop the Maes Emlyn site. A planning application for construction of a new development of affordable homes will be submitted this Spring.”

Upcoming planned maintenance work at Marine Lake

Denbighshire County Council is informing residents that upcoming planned maintenance work will be undertaken at Marine Lake in Rhyl.

To perform the work the lake will be partially drained, beginning on Friday 27^th of February for approximately 2 weeks whilst annual revetment inspections and general site maintenance take place.

This partial drain will allow access to the revetments and the clearance of larger items from around the edges, whilst ensuring that there is sufficient water retained for the swans to safely remain on the lake. The lake will be topped up once the works are complete.

The Harbour Office, who manage Marine Lake, have been working with officers from Countryside Services to ensure minimal disruption to the swans and other wildlife at the site. These works have been planned to take place both outside the wildlife nesting season, and the users summer season.

The biodiversity of the lake, as well as the activities on the lake, are equally important to the future of the site and that any works and decisions made take full account of the lake as a whole.

More than just music

This year to celebrate Dydd Miwsig Cymru (Welsh Language Music Day), Denbighshire’s Welsh Language Officer put together a playlist of traditional Welsh songs along with the lyrics to be used in the county's care homes.

Gerallt Lyall said, "Usually, Dydd Miwsig Cymru is a hook to raise awareness of the contemporary, vibrant music scene in Wales, which is great! But we wanted to create something a little different.

"Traditional songs are a core part of our history and culture. They tell stories about our communities, our history and our way of life. Often, these songs are familiar even to those who do’nt speak Welsh and we’ve deliberately included some songs that have developed English words to the same original tunes such as Cwm Rhondda (Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer) and Gwŷr Harlech (Men of Harlech).

"We have also included Anfonaf Angel written by Robat Arwyn and sung by Rhys Meirion - two of Denbighshire's most accomplished musicians, who bring local content to the playlist."

Much research has been done linking the positive effects of singing and music in on the mind and on well-being. In addition, music is recognized as a highly effective therapy for people with dementia helping with memory, reducing distress and anxiety and also stimulating communication and engagement with others.

The hope is that hearing these traditional songs will take the listener back in time, creating a mixture of nostalgia, pride for Wales and enjoyment.

The Welsh Government’s strategy, 'More than Words', aims to ensure that the Welsh language belongs and is rooted in health and social care services throughout Wales, so that individuals receive care that meets their linguistic needs without having to ask for it. This playlist is a different way of ensuring that some of our residents have access to the Welsh language in a fun way.

Although this pack has been created for Dydd Miwsig Cymru, the list can be played at any time, for example to celebrate St David's Day or in a regular slot in care homes such as for half an hour on Sunday afternoons to enjoy a session of listening and singing in a group.

Gerallt added, "Our vision is for the resource to be used to give the listener the feeling that they are in a concert and that they can sing along with the music."

The playlist on YouTube is open to everyone and if you’d like a copy of the lyrics package to go with the songs, please email cymraeg@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Llangollen car park to undergo improvement works

Llangollen’s Mill Street carpark is set to undergo a period of infrastructure improvements.

Denbighshire County Council has secured funding to undertake the work, scheduled from March 2, at the car park which will address existing defects at the site.

Work will include the replacements of missing and broken block paving, repair of the existing fencing between the top section of the car park and the A539 and relining of the parking bays.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport and Biodiversity Champion, said: “Improvement works to this car park are important to address infrastructure defects, ensuring the area is fit for purpose, safe and a welcoming facility which will provide a boost for the local economy.”

The improvement works is scheduled to commence during week commencing March 2 subject to weather conditions and contractor availability.

Rhyl School sees improvements in audit actions and assurance level

The latest audit report produced on Christ the Word school in Rhyl has seen improvements in both audit actions and assurance levels over the past three years, with the school moving up from a ‘Low’ to ‘Medium’ level.

Christ the Word Catholic School in Rhyl was placed in special measures by Estyn in 2022, with key issues highlighted and improvements suggested by the education and training inspectorate for Wales.

Since then, the Council’s Department of Education has worked collaboratively with the Audit Department to deep dive into core issues at the school, which has helped inform the improvement plans.

Three audit reports have been produced since 2022.

In comparison to the first audit report from 2022, the most recent report, which was completed in October of 2025, saw the assurance level improve from a ‘Low’ to ‘Medium’, which is one below the highest assurance level.

The first audit commenced in December 2022, roughly five months after the school was placed in special measures by Estyn. This report identified five issues, four categorised as ‘Major’ and one as ‘Moderate’.

Back in 2022, the school received a ‘Low’ assurance level, which is one above the lowest assurance level with the audit highlighting four ‘Major’ risks:

• Weak governance arrangements.
• Financial arrangements need strengthening.
• Conflicts of Interest not managed.
• No school fund account in place.

The audit also highlighted issues with staff training, which it placed as a ‘Moderate’ risk, the lowest risk category, while there were no risks at the highest ‘critical’ level.

A clear action plan was set during the 2022 audit, and steady improvement can be seen across the two subsequent audits.

The second audit, completed in January 2024, showed progress in several areas, with the auditor noting “clear improvements in governance arrangements.” They also highlighted “significant improvements since the last review,” particularly in financial management and the handling of conflicts of interest, which were no longer areas of concern.

The auditor further confirmed that safeguarding and first aid officers were properly trained and clearly identified throughout the school.

These improvements increased the school’s overall assurance rating from ‘Low’ to ‘Medium’, meaning only minor weaknesses remained in management of risks, but there was no risk to the achievement of objectives.

The number of ‘Major’ issues halved from four to two, with only one ‘Moderate’ issue recorded. Governance concerns and issues linked to legacy school accounts (from the merger of Ysgol Mair and Blessed Edward Jones into Christ the Word) remained categorised as ‘Major’. Mandatory training was identified as a ‘moderate risk’ as of January 2024.

In the most recent audit, completed in October 2025, the school maintained its ‘Medium’ assurance level. It did not identify any risks as ‘Critical’ or ‘Major’. 

It placed four risks in the ‘Moderate’ category, the lowest risk category, which included vacancies within the governing body, governor training, financial commitments (which mostly pertained to old purchase orders not being closed down) and mandatory training issues not being completed.

However, it’s important to note that issues around governing body vacancies, governing body training and staff training are common themes in other secondary schools in the county which were reviewed during the same time period, and not things which are exclusively an issue at Christ the Word.

The auditor stated the “review identified there were good governance arrangements” in place and that “examples include regular governing body meetings with supporting documents such as agendas and detailed minutes to support appropriate challenge.”

It also stated that “all statutory policies are reviewed regularly, which are accessible to staff and governors.”

There were no issues surrounding safeguarding, with the audit stating, “the safeguarding policy is available on the website and all staff have received additional in-house training” and that “safeguarding and first aid officers are suitably trained and clearly identified in posters around the school.”

It further added that “health and safety arrangements are effective, with regular fire alarm drills and security checks performed, and up-to-date fire risk assessments. There are Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras on site, with an up-to-date CCTV policy. All staff have completed the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.”

Geraint Davies, Head of Education at Denbighshire County Council said:

“We would like to thank the audit department for their hard work on all three audit reports to date.

The reports have helped the school to address a number of shortcomings and work on key areas, leading to a much-improved learning environment for pupils, and work environment for staff.

We acknowledge there are still improvements to be made, as highlighted in the most recent audit report but the tireless work of the school, diocese, education department and key partners is clear to see through this vastly improved audit report. We will continue to work on the Estyn recommendations over the coming year.”

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said:

“There are clear improvements that can be seen when comparing all three audit reports. The school has now moved from a ‘Low’ assurance to a ‘Medium’ and as of the most recent audit, no longer has any issues labelled as ‘Major’ by the auditor.

It is obvious that a lot of hard work has been undertaken by the staff, and I’d like to thank them for their participation in the continuous improvement at this school.

There is still work to be done, and issues to address, but I am encouraged by the improvements made so far, which are highlighted in the most recent audit report.”

A spokesperson for the Diocese said:

“The Diocese is working with the Council to further the improvements recommended by both Estyn, and the audits.

We are encouraged by the improvements noted, but realise that there is further work to be done.”

Denbighshire County Council approves budget for 2026–2027

Denbighshire County Council has today (Thursday, 12 February) approved its budget and set the Council Tax level for 2026–27.

Like councils across the UK, Denbighshire continues to face significant financial pressures. Demand for services is rising, and needs are becoming more complex, particularly in our schools and from those needing social care.  Next year, costs that are outside of the council’s control are forecast to exceed £20 million for the fourth consecutive year.

Most of the council’s day-to-day costs in providing services is funded by Welsh Government with the remaining 25% funding generated from Council Tax.  The recent increase in funding from Welsh Government – although welcome – does not fully cover our financial pressures, making a Council Tax rise unavoidable.

Councillor Delyth Jones, Lead Member for Finance, said: “With 64% of our budget spent on schools, social care and homelessness, and a further 14% committed to things like the Wales wide national scheme for Council Tax benefit and the levy we have to pay to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, that only leaves 22% left for all other Council services.

“We know these services matter greatly to residents, but the growing demand for statutory services means budgets are continually squeezed. Protecting our most vulnerable residents must remain our priority.

“In setting this year’s budget, we have worked hard to keep Council Tax increases as low as possible, avoiding cuts to services, while still providing the vital services people rely on.”

The approved Council Tax for 2026–27 is 4.76% for Council services, along with the additional 0.46% which has to be paid to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority levy, giving a total of 5.22%.

Essential services such as education, adult care, support for children and homelessness prevention account for 64% of the Council’s total budget. The remainder covers a wide range of everyday services including:

• Inspecting around 720 food businesses each year
• Collecting approximately 73,000 bins and recycling containers weekly from nearly 49,000 households
• Maintaining countryside sites such as Loggerheads, Moel Famau and Bodelwyddan Park
• Protecting heritage attractions including Ruthin Gaol, Nantclwyd y Dre and Plas Newydd
• Providing an average of 12,000 school meals every day
• Transporting around 2,870 learners safely to school
• Maintaining 11,763 streetlights and 1,419 km of county roads

Councillor Jones added: “I’m pleased that this budget does not require reductions to service delivery. Instead, we have focused on efficiencies, income generation and transforming how services operate.”

For those residents worried about paying their Council Tax, those on low incomes may be eligible for support through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. More information is available on Denbighshire County Council’s website.

Cabinet endorses the progression of projects to improve Denbighshire

Denbighshire County Council’s cabinet has approved the progression of five projects that will bring a range of benefits across Denbighshire.

In September 2025, the UK Government announced £1.5M of capital funding for every Welsh local authority through the Pride in Place Impact Fund (PiPIF).

This fund aims to deliver visible improvements to high streets and enhance places and community assets, particularly in areas not benefiting from the separate £20M Pride in Place (PiP) Fund.

Following cabinets decision to endorse the selection process, the projects will now be submitted for PiPIF funding to the UK Government and delivered by March 2027. 

The approach focused on aligning funding with projects that already had corporate support but no identified funding, met PiPIF criteria, were affordable, and deliverable by March 2027.

Scheme of refurbishment for priority Public Toilets in Key Towns –

The project will look to refurbish the public conveniences across the county as identified within the public convenience’s strategy. This will include the installation of contactless payment and refurbishment to reflect individual condition reviews. These refurbishments will include the public conveniences in Rhyl, Prestatyn, St Asaph, Rhuddlan, Llangollen, Ruthin.

Town Centre Property Development Grant Scheme –

This grant scheme will look to address eyesore high street properties and has been successfully delivered previously through the Shared Prosperity Fund which is due to end in March. The project will take effect county wide.

Accessible Play Scheme: Additional accessible play equipment and access to rural communities –

This is a project that will seek to enhance the accessible play offer in various rural locations within the County using accessible equipment and entry/exit ways. The accessible play offer will expand to Y Wern, Llandrillo, School Field, Corwen, Nant-y-Pandy, Glyndyfrdwy, Coed Afon, Llangollen and Maes-Y-Dre, Ruthin.

Bodelwyddan Toilet Facilities –

Following the significant improvements carried out to Bodelwyddan Country Park funded by the Shared Prosperity Fund providing over 19000m2 of accessible green space and 2km of footpaths, this project is intending to provide customer toilets for the reopened country park to maximise to ensure accessibility for all.

Motorhome ‘Aire’ provision –

This pilot project will aim to upgrade one of the car parks at Barkby beach as Motorhome provision (Aire) to provide an alternative for Motorhome visitors to the area by delivering more suitable infrastructure. Similar schemes are currently being rolled out across North Wales and the UK.

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

“The decision that cabinet has made highlights the commitment that Denbighshire County Council has in securing external funding to deliver projects that will bring a range of benefits across Denbighshire.

“These five projects will bring benefits to the local community and were specifically chosen as they already met the PiPIF criteria, were within budget and can be delivered by the deadline.”

Council’s Domiciliary Support Service praised in CIW inspection report

Denbighshire County Council’s Domiciliary Support Service was praised in its most recent Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) inspection, which took place in late August of last year.

The previous inspection took place in 2023.

The report summary findings praised the council’s personalised approach, stating that “people experience excellent wellbeing outcomes” and that “support staff deliver very good care and support which promotes rehabilitation, independence, social connections, and community engagement.”

When inspecting, CIW considered three themes, Well-being, Care and Support and Leadership and Management, which saw a score of ‘excellent’, ‘good’ and ‘good’, respectively.

The report summary recognised that “people access services to support all areas of their health and wellbeing” as well as highlighting the service’s management and leadership approach, stating that “the leadership and management of the service is good”. It went on to say that “all team members work collaboratively internally and with external stakeholders to enhance the wellbeing of the people they support.”

In relation to Well-being, the service was rated as ‘excellent’. The report stated that “people receive highly individualised support” and they “have an extremely strong voice and lead on what support they want and how this needs to be delivered on a day-to-day basis to meet their personal outcomes and goals.”

The report commended the service’s individualised support, noting that the Inspectorate staff “saw care staff go above and beyond to enhance the lives of the people they support” which “contributes to people consistently experiencing positive wellbeing outcomes.”

It further highlighted that “people speak positively about the service and very highly of the care staff who support them.”

In relation to Care and Support, when considering the service’s approach to personal care plans it stated that the records of care were “professionally written, and reflective of the support specified within personal plans.”

The report praised the service’s safeguarding knowledge and collaboration with other services, stating “the provider works collaboratively with health professionals, social care professionals and housing providers to support people with all aspects of their daily lives. Professionals we spoke with were positive about working relationships with the provider.”

It also said that “care staff speak positively about the work they do, taking genuine satisfaction in helping people achieve their goals.”

The final theme was Leadership and Management. The report praised the work of the management staff, and stated that “senior staff and deputy managers oversee each of the support teams, making sure there are sufficient care staff, support is appropriately scheduled and there are points of contact for guidance.”

The inspectorate reported that “care staff told us staffing is sufficient, so they do not have to rush when supporting people.”

The service’s development approach was also highlighted, stating “the provider is committed to developing the service by exploring areas such as equality and diversity, assistive technology, and emerging best practice.”

Councillor Elen Heaton, Lead Member for Health and Social Care said:

“It’s fantastic to see our domiciliary care team recognised by CIW for going above and beyond to make a real difference to the everyday lives of Denbighshire residents.

This service is all about supporting people to live well, stay independent and remain connected to their communities. This inspection report is really positive, and a credit to the skill and dedication of our staff who deliver person-centred care with dignity and respect every single day.”

The report can be viewed here: https://digital.careinspectorate.wales/directory/service/SIN-00009249-RFGK

Working Denbighshire and RCS unite to support local jobseekers

Working Denbighshire is delighted to partner with RCS (formerly Rhyl City Strategy) through the ‘Beyond Barriers’ initiative to provide quick access to therapeutic support for residents across Denbighshire who face health-related challenges preventing them from entering work.

This collaboration, launched as part of the Denbighshire Trailblazer project, brings together local expertise to tackle barriers such as mental health conditions, chronic pain, and low confidence, helping people build resilience and move closer to sustainable employment.

The Trailblazer programme - funded by the UK Government and delivered by the Welsh Government - targets economically inactive people of working age who are disabled and/or have health conditions, or caring responsibilities by providing tailored interventions including one-to-one mentoring, counselling services, wellbeing provision, and specialist support for those with health conditions.

This service offers up to eight sessions of therapy, including counselling, CBT, physiotherapy, and specialist support for issues such as stress, anxiety, bereavement, and chronic health conditions. This partnership provides flexible, bilingual support that empowers individuals to overcome barriers and create positive futures.

This collaboration reflects Working Denbighshire’s shared commitment to responding to local needs, connecting people to the right support, and creating positive futures for individuals and communities. Job searching and starting work can be stressful, especially for those managing health conditions. By offering tailored therapeutic support, the initiative helps individuals build emotional resilience, improve confidence, and develop coping strategies that make the transition into work more stable.

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

“This partnership is a vital step in tackling economic inactivity in Denbighshire. By working with RCS, we can ensure that people who face health challenges receive the support they need to move closer to employment. This partnership creates opportunities and improves wellbeing for our communities.”

Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, Jack Sargeant, said:

“Tackling economic inactivity means understanding the real barriers people face. This partnership recognises that for many, health challenges can make the journey into work more difficult. By providing flexible and bilingual therapeutic support, Beyond Barriers - with Welsh Government support - is helping Denbighshire residents build the confidence and resilience they need to succeed.”

Alison Thomas, Chief Executive at RCS added:

“We are extremely pleased to be part of the Beyond Barriers project and to be working in partnership with Working Denbighshire. As a workplace wellbeing company established in Rhyl, it is particularly meaningful for us to be delivering this support across Denbighshire and giving back to the communities we were founded in.

By coordinating therapeutic and physiotherapy services, we are proud to share our expertise, support people to improve their health and wellbeing, and help make a positive difference as they move closer to employment.”

For more information about inclusive services or employment opportunities, residents can call 01745 331438 / 07342 070635 or visit the Working Denbighshire website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/working-denbighshire.

About Working Denbighshire:

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 is part funded by UK Government.

Barkby beach area to undergo litter pick

A litter pick is set to tackle marine littering on a popular section of Prestatyn shoreline this month.

Fresh from tackling beach areas near the East Nova carpark last month, Denbighshire County Council’s Flood Risk Team is organising a second event to cover areas from Barkby Beach car park.

The beach clean will take place on February 16 from 3pm until 4pm. Those who want to support the marine litter pick are welcome to join at the upper Barkby car park by 3pm.

Thanks to the support of volunteers who stepped forward last month, 22 bags of marine litter were removed from the sands and areas around the Nova in January. The event was also supported by Keep Wales Tidy also provided some of the litter picking equipment.

Marine litter can block up waterways and drainage, stopping the flow of water, leading to higher risks of localised flooding further upstream.

Getting marine litter off the beaches can provide stronger help also to natural defences as shorelines, dunes and seagrass beds are more able to maintain their natural function as defences against the sea.

Claudia Smith, Coastal Erosion and Flood Risk Officer, said: “The volunteers who joined us last month did an amazing job removing the marine litter from areas near the Nova. We want to this time concentrate on the stretch from Barkby Beach car park as we know more marine litter tends to wash up this side which can contribute to local flooding and damage the environment and wildlife as well.”

Councillor Barry Mellor, Cabinet Lead Member for Highways and the Environment, said: “Managing the risk of localised flooding from the impact of marine litter washing up on our beaches is vitally important to protect properties from floods. It’s also better for the wellbeing of our residents and those who visit these areas and the wildlife found on these beaches, I would encourage people who feel like they can make a difference to join in.”

For further details contact claudia.smith@denbighshire.gov.uk/ 07785517398

Official opening of Bwthyn y Ddôl Children’s Assessment Centre by Dawn Bowden MS

Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden MS has unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of Bwthyn y Ddôl Children’s Assessment Centre.

Bwthyn y Ddôl is a partnership project between Conwy County Borough Council, Denbighshire County Council and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) that provides support for children with complex needs and their families.  The facility includes a dedicated assessment unit to provide space for intervention and therapy, alongside accommodation for planned stays.

The Minister was welcomed by representatives from the partner organisations and joined the wider project team at Coed Pella to learn more about the development.

Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden, said: "I was delighted to officially open Bwthyn y Ddôl today. It’s a fantastic example of how we want transform children's services in Wales, keeping children within their communities and close to their networks of support.

“It's inspiring to see how partners from Conwy, Denbighshire and the Health Board worked together, alongside local services, to create something that will make a real difference to the lives of children and their families."

Cllr Kay Redhead, Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Children and Safeguarding, said: “I was delighted to welcome the Minister today. We’re very proud of the work that’s taking place at Bwthyn y Ddôl to support children, young people and their families. The benefit of having a bespoke facility for these services cannot be underestimated, and I’m pleased that such an innovative model, working with partners from Denbighshire and Health, is going from strength to strength.”

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families at Denbighshire County Council said, “I’m so pleased that this valuable facility at Bwthyn y Ddôl has opened. It’s going to have such a positive impact in the area and make such a difference to those children and families who need complex support. This model of care has been developed to focus on the specific needs of children and young people using the expertise of a multi-disciplinary team and is an excellent example of what we can achieve when we work in partnership.”

Tehmeena Ajmal, BCUHB’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “I am delighted the Minister has officially opened this much-needed resource for children and families in Conwy and Denbighshire. It is another example of our commitment to collaborating with our local authority partners and others, for the benefit of our communities.

“We really hope the work we are a part of at Bwthyn y Ddôl gives families the best chances of staying together and makes sure vulnerable children are fully supported, closer to home and their support networks.”

The project was funded through the Welsh Government’s Integrated Care Fund (ICF) and Housing Care Fund (HCF).

The contractor was Bodelwyddan-based Wynne Construction Limited.

Bwthyn y Ddôl opened its doors to service users in December 2024 and is the first of its kind in Conwy and Denbighshire.

Denbighshire’s proposed budget for 2026-2027

Denbighshire County Council’s Cabinet has put forward its proposals for setting its budget for 2026-27.

Every Council is legally required to set a balanced and deliverable budget and to set the level of Council Tax each year.

Councils across the UK are facing significant pressures. Demand for services in our communities continue to rise, and the complexity of needs has increased, particularly in Education, Social Care and Homelessness. The cost of delivering these statutory services has increased well above inflation, driving up the overall requirement for day‑to‑day spending.

For 2026/27, Denbighshire County Council’s cost pressures are forecast to exceed £20m for the fourth consecutive year. While the council receives most of its funding from Welsh Government, supplemented by Council Tax, recent increases in Welsh Government funding—although welcome—do not fully cover these pressures, making a rise in Council Tax unavoidable.

This year, the proposal put forward is a Council Tax increase of 4.76% for council services plus an additional 0.46% to meet the higher levy from the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, resulting in a total propsed increase of 5.22%.

Lead Member for Finance, Councillor Delyth Jones said, “In setting this year’s budget we have tried to keep Council Tax increases as low as possible while still being able to provide the vital services that our residents rely on.

“Most of our budget goes toward schools, education, and supporting adults who need care. We also invest significantly in services for children and people experiencing homelessness. These services protect the most vulnerable people in our communities. Together, these essential services account for 65% of the Council’s total budget.

“That leaves 35% for everything else we do — from inspecting around 720 food businesses each year, to collecting about 73,000 bins and recycling containers from nearly 49,000 households every week.

“We also maintain countryside sites like Loggerheads, Moel Famau and Bodelwyddan Park; protect heritage sites such as Ruthin Gaol, Nantclwyd y Dre and Plas Newydd; provide over 12 million school meals annually; safely transport around 2,870 learners to school; and maintain 11,763 streetlights and 1,419 km of roads across the county.”

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

The Cabinet meets at 10am on Tuesday, 10 February and the meeting will be broadcast  via the webcast on our website.

Share your voice to shape county future

Residents are encouraged to have their say in the “Let’s Talk: Living in Denbighshire” survey.

Denbighshire County Council has launched the survey which is designed to capture people’s views and voices on life in their local communities and the services they use.

The survey gives residents the opportunity to share what matters most to them around their local area in the county

Councillor Julie Matthews, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Corporate Strategy, Policy, Equalities and Strategic Assets, said: “This survey is a real opportunity for residents to make a difference to their local area. Your voice will help us understand what’s working well and where we need to improve going forward.

“The more people who take part, the better picture we will have of what matters to our county communities and how we can shape services for the future in Denbighshire.”

Residents are encouraged to complete the survey and to share it with family, friends, and neighbours to ensure as many voices as possible are heard.

The survey is open to all Denbighshire residents and can be completed online here

Paper copies of the survey are also available at libraries across the county.

Did you know that our Corporate Plan sets out what we want to achieve for the people and communities of Denbighshire and highlights of what we’ve achieved can be viewed here.

Foster Wales Denbighshire carers set to receive council tax reductions as part of fostering package

Foster carers who decide to foster through the local authority will be offered up to 100% discount on their council tax as standard as part of Denbighshire’s fostering package.

Full-time foster carers who are accepted through the Foster Wales scheme will start to receive this discount from April of this year as a part of the council’s transformation initiative, which has the ambition to increase the number of Foster Wales Denbighshire carers, allowing children to be cared for closer to their communities and achieve better outcomes.

Along with this, foster carers who foster with the local authority are being offered further assistive policies, which will be rolled out from April.

Denbighshire County Council has also approved a foster friendly policy for staff who foster with the local authority, who are eligible for five additional days of special leave.

Rhiain Morrlle, Head of Children’s Services said:

“Our foster carers make such a massive impact to the lives of children and young people in Denbighshire. We are currently looking for more foster carers to come and make a difference to a child or young person’s life, who can provide a safe and happy home for them.

We hope that the policies implemented emphasises our commitment to those who make the rewarding decision to Foster for Denbighshire.

This is just one of the assistive policies that we will be rolling out for those who decide to foster through the local authority, with some announced already, and more to be announced within the coming months.”

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said:

“Fostering can make a real difference in a child’s life, and fostering locally in Denbighshire can change the lives of children and young people in our local communities here in Denbighshire.

We hope this new policy can help potential foster carers to take the next rewarding step, and become full-time, local foster carers with the local authority.”

For more information about fostering, please go to: https://denbighshire.fosterwales.gov.wales

Redeveloped Prestatyn playground opens with seaside theme

Central Beach play area has reopened this week following a period of redevelopment by Denbighshire County Council.

The Council’s Streetscene department managed the project after securing grant funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Work has seen a new seaside theme roll into the site that is near Prestatyn beach, alongside the installation of accessible and sensory play equipment that is designed to allow children of all abilities play together.

The new look play area is designed to provide a modern update with dynamic, exciting and varied play. It provides physical and cognitive play types and a lot of variety to ensure children learn and grow as well as explore different types of physical activity.

KOMPAN carried out the redevelopment of the play area after being briefed by Council officers who were keen to acknowledge the seaside surroundings at the site.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “It’s fantastic to see this play area back open for children to enjoy and I would encourage local and visiting families to stop by and take in the new amazing seaside themed site that sits next to Prestatyn’s beach.”

Working Denbighshire’s Jobs Fair comes to Rhyl in February

Jobseekers across Denbighshire are invited to join the Working Denbighshire Jobs Fair on Wednesday, 25 February, from 10am to 2pm at the 1891 Bar & Restaurant, Rhyl Pavilion.

Held in partnership with Job Centre Plus, this free event will bring together a diverse mix of local and national employers who are actively recruiting for a wide range of roles across multiple sectors.

Building on the success of previous fairs — which have welcomed over 40–50 employers and attracted hundreds of attendees — this February’s accessible event continues Working Denbighshire’s commitment to breaking down barriers to employment and connecting people with real opportunities close to home.

Attendees can expect to meet employers representing sectors such as hospitality and leisure, health and social care, armed forces, manufacturing and more, reflecting the varied workforce needs across the region. Organisations such as the Royal Navy, North Wales Police, Haven, and a wide mix of local employers offering both entry‑level and experienced career pathways will be in attendance.

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

“Our Jobs Fair is all about creating access to opportunities for local people.

“We’re delighted to welcome a range of employers who are actively looking for candidates, and we encourage residents to come along, explore what’s available, and chat directly with organisations ready to hire.”

Melanie Evans, Principal Manager, Strategic Employment, said:

“Our job fair is a fantastic chance for residents to meet employers face-to-face and discover what’s happening across key sectors in Denbighshire. It gives them the opportunity to spark future-changing conversations, build their confidence, and show people the variety of careers available right here in our county.”

The event is free and open to everyone, including jobseekers, career changers, young people exploring options, and anyone interested in training or employment support available through Working Denbighshire.

For more information and updates, visit working.denbighshire.gov.uk or follow Working Denbighshire on social media.

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 is part funded by UK Government.

‘Treeific’ pupils plant hope for local nature

Pupils at Ysgol y Faenol in Bodelwyddan have put in a ‘treeific’ effort to provide new habitats for local nature at their school ground.

Pupils have joined together with Denbighshire County Council’s Biodiversity and Countryside Service team members to plant over 1,000 trees of varied species at the school.

This work is funded by the UK Government through the 2025/26 UK Shared Prosperity Fund which has granted Denbighshire County Council £278,600 for nature recovery works across the county.

Rolling up their sleeves, pupils have been busy planting hedgerows and standard trees at Ysgol y Faenol.

Standard size trees planted include alder, sessile oak, rowan, hazel, silver birch, bird cherry, guelder rose and elder.

The children also planted wayfaring trees, which have an interesting history for the pupils to learn along with facts about the other species. Wayfaring trees were named in the 1500s after been noticed on the routes between Wiltshire and London. If you see a wayfaring tree, you are said to be on or near a path.

Over 1,100 smaller trees of different varieties planted at the school will also create hedgerows and woodland that will help pupils learn more about the habitat benefits to local nature as they develop and mature.

The trees planted to create these areas included wild pear that will provide a food source for birds and mammals and its flowers a haven for local pollinators. Also planted by the pupils is dogwood, the leaves of which are eaten by the caterpillars of some moths, including the case-bearer moth.

The habitat creation at Ysgol y Faenol will not only give the pupils an area to learn about local nature but will also contribute locally to the absorption of carbon emissions thanks to extra trees in the ground.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport and Biodiversity Champion, said: “We are really grateful to all the Ysgol y Faenol pupils for their brilliant help towards shaping this great new area to support local nature to and to also benefit the wellbeing and learning of all pupils current and future.”

Company and conversation sessions to be held in collaboration with talking points

Three of Denbighshire’s Libraries are set to host a set of 'Company and Conversation' sessions in conjunction with the Talking Points service.

The free sessions will be held at Corwen, Rhyl and Ruthin libraries throughout February and March, alongside the regular talking points sessions, which are held in a different Denbighshire library each day of the week.

The sessions are facilitated by Making Sense.

As well as offering the regular advice and guidance information, these special talking points sessions will offer the chance for citizens to take a stroll down memory lane and allow interaction with ‘reminiscence boxes’.

The boxes feature a collection of memory boxes and bags, which hold nostalgic items that residents can interact with. Most of the items are from the 1950’s era.

Reminiscence box contents (Image credit, Making Sense)

Alongside the boxes, tea and cake will be supplied, as well as the opportunity to create through a number of arts and craft mediums.

Arts and crafts (Image credit, Making Sense)

The sessions will be held in:

• Rhyl library - February 10^th, 17^th and March 10^th, 24^th.
• Corwen library – February 18^th, 25^th and March 4^th, 11^th,18^th
• Ruthin library – February 10^th, 17^th and March 3^rd, 10^th, 17^th

All sessions will run from 10am – 12pm.

Councillor Elen Heaton, Lead Member for Health and Social Care said:

“These sessions are a brilliant opportunity for residents to pop down to the library, have a chat, enjoy a cup of tea and possibly take a trip down memory lane.

They’re creative and fun, and I’m sure they will bring real value to everyone who takes part. I’d like to thank all of the partners involved, including our Library Service, for hosting these sessions and creating welcoming, enjoyable opportunities that bring people in our communities together.”

Tenants move into new energy-efficient homes in Denbigh

Tenants have now moved into their new homes at the Llwyn Eirin development in Denbigh, following the completion of 22 high-quality, energy-efficient council houses.

All 22 homes have been successfully allocated, with a strong emphasis on supporting local people, helping to ensure affordable housing is provided for local communities.

New tenants have praised both the homes and the support they received during the allocation process.

One resident said: “The housing officer has been very supportive in helping us. These properties are amazing and are beautiful inside.”

Another added: “Thank you for our beautiful new home. We are going to benefit so much. The long wait was worth it and being kept informed along the way as well.”

A community event is currently being planned to give new residents the opportunity to meet one another and begin building connections.

The Llwyn Eirin homes have been built to the highly energy-efficient Passivhaus standard, offering excellent insulation and significantly reduced energy use. The properties are fitted with solar panels and ground-source heat pumps, meaning they do not require a gas supply. This will help lower household energy bills, reduce carbon emissions and support the Council’s commitment to tackling climate change.

The development has been supported by Welsh Government funding through its Innovative Housing Programme, enabling Denbighshire County Council to work with Creating Enterprise on this modern and sustainable approach to housebuilding.

Councillor Rhys Thomas, Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said:

“It’s fantastic to see tenants moving into these new homes at Llwyn Eirin. This development shows our commitment to providing high-quality, affordable housing for local people while also delivering homes that are fit for the future. These energy-efficient properties will help residents keep energy costs down while supporting our wider environmental ambitions.”

The Llwyn Eirin development forms part of Denbighshire County Council’s Affordable Housing Programme, which is delivering new council homes across the county to meet local need.

Contractors appointed for Ruthin projects

The council have successfully appointed a contractor for the impending public realm improvement works to Ruthin town.

In 2023, the UK Government confirmed their intention to provide £10.95 million of grant funding for 10 capital projects aimed at protecting Ruthin’s unique heritage, wellbeing, and rural communities.

This funding has been awarded exclusively for successful projects included in Clwyd West and cannot be directed to other projects.

Undertaken by OBR Construction, the proposed works to St Peter’s Square and Cae Ddol will look to widen the scope for hosting events, revitalise historical buildings and landmarks to support local identity, and promote pride of place by boosting the image of the town.

The St. Peter’s Square public realm improvement works are scheduled to start on site from mid-March 2026, and will be carried out through a phased approach, with the project temporarily paused in July to allow Gwŷl Rhuthun to take place safely and without disruption.

All construction activity will stop for the duration of the festival, and the site will be secured throughout this period. Once the festival concludes, construction works will resume as planned.

Work at Cae Ddol to introduce an active travel route and pump track will begin at a later date once the rugby season finishes in April, minimising disruption to regular users of the grounds.

As a part of the agreement, OBR Construction will provide a business liaison officer to support businesses with any porterage services required during the project.

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

“Whilst this project is an exciting development to Ruthin that will look to revitalise the square and Cae Ddol, we are aware that residents and business owners will be affected whilst the work is carried out.

“Throughout both projects, OBR Construction and the council will work closely with the community, providing regular updates on progress and notify of any temporary impacts. Advance notices will be issued to ensure residents, businesses, and visitors are aware of temporary changes to access and traffic management during the construction phase.

"As we prepare for upcoming works in the area, we are asking all businesses and residents that have not completed an Access Needs Survey, to do so. Responses are essential in helping us understand what access businesses and residents will need once the works begin.

“By completing the survey, you will help us to ensure maintained access to properties and premises, allow us to plan and support appropriate routes and minimise disruption during construction”.

If you have not completed the survey yet or if you require further information about the schemes, please contact the project team: corporateprogramme@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Turf-cutting ceremony marks start of works on new community hub

A turf-cutting ceremony was recently held to mark the start of works to construct a new community hub and extension at Ysgol Bro Elwern.

The £2.7 million project is partly funded by the Welsh Government through its Welsh ;Language Capital and Universal Primary Free School Meals grant to provide a new classroom and state of the art kitchen for the primary school, whilst the community hub is funded by the UK Government as part of grant funding for 10 capital projects aimed at protecting Ruthin’s unique heritage, wellbeing and rural communities.

Attending the ceremony were representatives from Denbighshire County Council, pupils and staff from Ysgol Bro Elwern, local members and representatives of the Community Council alongside staff from SWG Construction who are undertaking the works.

The project is set to benefit the pupils at Ysgol Bro Elwern as it will deliver a new classroom, kitchen and ancillary spaces and access to an onsite hall space.

The Community hub itself will include a large hall and meeting space to provide improved facilities for social engagements for the local community and will be managed by the Community Council.  Cylch Meithrin will be relocated into the Community Hub.  The facility will also be used by the school, local community groups and the Post Office.

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said:

“The turf-cutting ceremony is a significant milestone to an important project that will make a real difference to the pupils of Ysgol Bro Elwern as well as the community in Gwyddelwern. The project will not only provide new state of the art facilities for one of our schools, but it will also provide a vital community hub for the community.

“I would like to thank the local member, Councillor Hugh Evans, and the Community Council for their commitment throughout this process and Denbighshire County Council are excited to support the project as it progresses”.

Riverside Park development begins

Work is set to commence to help improve and develop health and wellbeing along Llangollen’s Riverside Park.

Funded by Shared Prosperity Transitional Year Funding the work starting Monday February 2, will be coordinated by Denbighshire County Council’s Streetscene department.

The development of the area follows previous improvement work at the park during the last few years which has seen initiatives including a 9-hole bespoke mini golf and play equipment added to the site.

Streetscene is working to further enhance the park for local residents and visitors to enjoy.

The project will see the replacement of an existing ramp from Aldi Car Park to the Skatepark/MUGA area to improve the accessibility of this area to wheelchair users and others with greater accessibility needs, and the installation of two further ramped paths to improve accessibility around the park.

Fencing will be added next to the old children’s play area to make this section more secure, and an additional access gate will be installed on the river side of the park.

An outdoor gym will also be installed which will include seven items of equipment to enable users to exercise with a view over the river. In addition to this, two accessible picnic benches will be installed in this area with concrete bases to enable easy access by wheelchair.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “We are pleased to be able to continue making improvements along this great area at Llangollen through this funding Streetscene has been able to access. This work will enhance other areas that have already been improved at Riverside Park to further raise the profile of this important part of the town for both the enjoyment of residents and those visiting Llangollen."

Denbighshire’s Council agrees extension to Corporate Plan

Denbighshire's full Council today (Tuesday, 27 January) agreed the proposal for its current Corporate Plan, The Denbighshire We Want, to be extended by one year to 2028.

This change will allow the next elected Cabinet and Council, following the May 2027 local government elections, the opportunity to develop their own five-year Corporate Plan for the period 2028–2033.

This has been done by the Council to strengthen the ability for the new Council to shape a plan that reflects its priorities and vision, strengthening councillor ownership of the Corporate Plan and its delivery.

The Corporate Plan is a key strategic document that enables the Council to meet its statutory duties under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021, the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, and the Equalities Act 2010.

The change agreed today is supported by the ongoing delivery of detailed strategies such as the Climate and Nature Strategy, Digital Strategy, Economic Strategy, and Workforce Strategy.

Cllr Julie Matthews, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Corporate Strategy, Policy, Equalities and Strategic Assets said, “This proposal gives the next Cabinet and Council the time and space to develop a Corporate Plan that truly reflects their priorities, while ensuring continuity and stability for our residents.”

Garden subscription renewal goes live

Denbighshire gardeners who use the garden waste subscription service can renew their collection from today (January 12)

Renewal for 2026 to 2027 is now open to make sure there is time for everyone to sign up before the new service period starts from April 1.

The Council is encouraging residents who are subscribing for the first time also take advantage of this sign-up period from today (April 1) to take full advantage of the 12-month service.

Residents are encouraged to renew their collection service online using the link below:

https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/bins-and-recycling/garden-waste.aspx

The two weekly garden waste service offers residents a convenient, cost-effective means of dealing with their garden waste and makes a significant contribution towards meeting statutory recycling targets.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “Today’s the day to renew or sign up for the 12 months garden waste collection service. I would urge residents to do this at their earliest convenience to account for the delivery time of any new containers and to and to take advantage of the full 12-month service.

Residents can check whether they have a live subscription on the bin collection dates page of the website or find out further information on the service here

Applications for commuted sums are now open!

Applications are now open for funding to help improve open spaces and play areas across Denbighshire.

Funding totalling £101,064.42 is available to support local projects.

The funding comes from commuted sums, which are payments made by developers when it is not possible to provide outdoor open space as part of a new development. These funds are set aside to enhance parks, play areas and other open spaces, usually within the same town or community where the development took place. In some cases, the money can also be used to benefit nearby communities within Denbighshire.

A range of organisations can apply for funding, including:

• City, town and community councils
• Community and voluntary groups
• Charities
• Public sector organisations
• Amateur sports clubs
• Denbighshire County Council

Councillor Rhys Thomas, Lead Member for Housing and Communities said:

“Commuted sums funding plays an important role in helping us protect and enhance open spaces and play areas across Denbighshire. This investment helps ensure that local communities continue to benefit from safe, welcoming and well-maintained spaces that support wellbeing, play and community life. I would encourage eligible organisations to consider applying and to take advantage of this opportunity to make a positive difference in their local area.”

The funding closes for applications on 20 April 2026. Further information and application forms is available online here: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/commutedsums.

The amount of funding available, and in which areas is listed below:

Garden waste subscription renewal now live

Denbighshire gardeners who use the garden waste service can now renew their subscription.

Renewal for 2026 to 2027 is now open to make sure there is time for everyone to sign up before the new service period starts from April 1.

The Council is encouraging residents who are subscribing for the first time also take advantage of this sign-up period to take full advantage of the 12-month service.

Residents are encouraged to renew their collection service online using the link below:

https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/bins-and-recycling/garden-waste.aspx

The two weekly garden waste service offers residents a convenient, cost-effective means of dealing with their garden waste and makes a significant contribution towards meeting statutory recycling targets.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “Today’s the day to renew or sign up for the 12 months garden waste collection service. I would urge residents to do this at their earliest convenience to account for the delivery time of any new containers and to and to take advantage of the full 12-month service.

Residents can check whether they have a live subscription on the bin collection dates page of the website or find out further information on the service here