Flags fly to honour the Armed Forces

Denbighshire County Council marks Reserves Day and Armed Forces Day this week.

Armed Forces Day, which takes place on June 28, is a chance to support the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, from currently serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets.

Reserves Day celebrates their contribution to the Armed Forces and took place on June 25.

To commemorate the week, a special armed forces flag will fly outside County Hall to remember the occasion.

Recycling and Waste Parks

Recycling and Waste Parks are available for Denbighshire residents to dispose of their domestic waste. For information on how to find and visit the nearest facility to you, visit this link 

Deputy Minister visits school low carbon heat development

Welsh Government Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MS recently viewed the impact of a major secondary school low carbon heat project.

Mr Irranca- Davies, who is also Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, visited Ysgol Brynhyfryd to hear about the benefits of work by the Council’s Energy team at the education site for pupils and staff.

Martyn Smith, Property Energy and Carbon Manager, presented the background of the project to the Deputy First Minister, which saw two new 50kW air source heat pumps which are housed in a new compound on the grounds replace end of life gas boilers and consequently their direct emissions from burning the gas.

This technology turns one unit of energy into three units of low carbon heat by using ambient environmental temperature and can utilise some of the output from solar panels to do this, further reducing cost and emissions.

This heatpump element of the project was 90 percent funded by the Welsh Government through their low carbon heat grant and supported by the Welsh Government Energy Service. Deputy Minister visits school low carbon heat development

Other work on site included an additional two solar PV arrays, LED lighting and a multi-zoned building management system was funded by the Council, giving the school a total of three arrays generating a total of close to 100kW.

During the Deputy First Minister’s visit, the clear skies and summer sun helped the PV arrays generate enough electricity for the school not to need local grid support.

In addition to support lower energy use and the reduction of long-term costs, LED lighting was also installed which can reduce lighting electricity consumption by at least 50 percent.

The Deputy First Minister was provided with a tour around the school to see the physical side of the work which was completed in April 2024 and estimates to save over £25,000 each year alongside carbon savings of nearly 36,000 tonnes annually.

Denbighshire County Council’s Energy Team has managed several projects across Council buildings, including school premises to improve building energy efficiency and also support the reduction of carbon emissions and usage costs over the longer term.

This continuing work is part of the Council’s drive to address the climate and nature emergency declared in 2019 and reduce its own carbon footprint.

Have Your Say in the Future of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley

Residents, workers and visitors to the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley are being invited to play a vital role in shaping the future of one of the UK’s most beautiful and distinctive landscapes in North Wales.

To begin with, members of the public can add their voice to what they think makes the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley special. That information will be used to decide which parts of that nationally recognised landscape gets extra special attention and care.

Added to that, a limited number of people will be selected to take part in a Citizen’s Panel – made up of ordinary people who live, work and visit the landscape – to give focus for the National Landscape’s team and partners focus for the next five years.

The Panel will discuss these three main themes:

• Nature and Land Use– including nature recovery, climate change and land management.
• Communities and Resilience– looking at services, housing, employment, and transport.
• Enjoyment and Wellbeing– including tourism, recreation and what kind of visitor economy best suits the area.

David Shiel, Area Manager Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape said:

“This is such an exciting project.  We’re looking to get people involved to help shape how this treasured landscape is cared for and enhanced for future generations.

 “The purpose of a National Landscape is to conserve and enhance natural beauty of the landscape.  But that’s not the full story. It must also support thriving communities, resilient nature, and sustainable tourism. To do that well, we need to hear directly from the people who know and love the area best.

“Whether you live in the area, work here, or are a visitor. Your voice matters.”

To sign up click on the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/ai86gmyJKv 

The deadline to sign up is the 31 July 2025. For more information contact David Shiel on david.shiel@denbighshire.gov.uk or call 07774 841939

Deputy First Minister opens Prestatyn's coastal defence scheme

Ymwelodd y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog, Huw Irranca-Davies AS, â Phrestatyn heddiw (19 Mehefin) i agor y cynllun amddiffyn yr arfordir yn swyddogol.

Dywedodd y Cynghorydd Jason McLellan, Arweinydd Cyngor Sir Ddinbych:

“Mae wedi bod yn wych gallu croesawu’r Dirprwy Brif Weinidog ac Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Newid Hinsawdd a Materion Gwledig, Huw Irranca-Davies AS i agor y cynllun amddiffyn arfordir ar gyfer Prestatyn heddiw. Bydd yn cynllun hwn yn amddiffyn miloedd o gartrefi a busnesau yn y dref.

“Hoffwn ddiolch i Balfour Beatty. Mae’r prosiect wedi ei gwblhau yn gynnar ac o dan y gyllideb, sy’n gamp enfawr gyda phrosiect seilwaith enfawr fel hwn.

“Hoffwn ddiolch i Lywodraeth Cymru a’u swyddogion am weithio’n galed gyda’n tîm yma yn Sir Ddinbych i gyflawni cynllun a fydd yn trawsnewid bywydau pobl. Bydd gan bobl sy’n byw ar yr arfordir dawelwch meddwl nawr ynghylch risgiau llifogydd a gallant hefyd fforddio cael yswiriant ar gyfer eu cartrefi - mae’n gynllun rhagorol sydd o fudd mawr i’r bobl leol.”

Help shape Rhyl’s future

Big changes are coming to Rhyl, with £20 million of regeneration funding set to be invested over the next 10 years.

The Rhyl Neighbourhood Board has been set up to lead this exciting work, bringing together local residents, businesses, visitors, voluntary groups and community voices to shape a bold new vision for the town.

They would be grateful to receive your views.

Click on the link to complete a short survey >>> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ourRhyl

You can find out more about the work of the Rhyl Neighbourhood Board and read their latest news on the Council's website.

Changes to Bluetongue Control Policy in Wales

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an infectious, non-contagious, vector-borne viral disease. It affects wild and domestic ruminants such as sheep, goats, cattle, deer and camelids. It does not infect humans and there is no risk to public health or food safety.

The exemptions to pre-movement testing have been extended from 12 June until 19 June. This is to allow livestock keepers sufficient time to prepare for the upcoming changes to our Bluetongue Control Policy in Wales.

From 20 June 2025 any susceptible animals (ruminants or camelids including cattle, sheep, goats, deer, llamas and alpacas) moving from a Bluetongue Restricted Zone to Wales to live will require a specific movement licence, and valid pre-movement test at the keeper’s expense. If an animal is showing clinical signs on the day of transport they cannot move to Wales.

The following measures introduced during the low vector period will remain in place until 1 July 2025:

• Vector controls such as use of insecticides at approved markets or in vehicles and abattoirs are not required until 1 July.
• The requirement for slaughterhouses to be designated to receive animals from the Restricted Zone (RZ) remains suspended until 1 July.

From 1 July 2025 the Bluetongue Restricted Zone will expand to cover all of England. The Deputy First Minister has released a Written Statement outlining his decision on our policy approach from this date.

For more information click here.

Pride of Place and Natural Environment Newsletter

We are pleased to have secured £19.97m from Round 3 of the UK Government’s former Levelling Up Funding Programme to support the development of 7 projects which are intended to increase pride of place and improve the environment. The funds secured have been awarded for these 7 successful projects only and are non-transferrable to alternative projects or services.

There are 3 main strands to this UK Government funded programme. The first will focus on enhancing Rhyl town centre via public realm improvements and increase the sense of place and security. The second strand is focused on readying the former North Wales Hospital site for future phases of the development project. Finally, the third strand will improve the public realm in Prestatyn town centre and involves repurposing the nature walk.

To keep up with the projects and to sign up to the newsletter visit our website.

Notice of Election

Elections will be held for one county councillor and one town councillor for the Prestatyn Central Ward on Thursday, 17 July.

Nomination papers must by delivered to the Returning Officer no later than 4pm on Friday, 20 June 2025.

Full details are available on the website.

Otter sightings at St Asaph river

A water loving animal has been tracked down at one of Denbighshire’s Rivers.

Our Biodiversity team has launched a series of surveys to find out how Otters are faring across the county.

Otters are a protected species in the UK and a priority for support in Denbighshire. They are known to like water systems like rivers, ditches, streams, ponds, and even estuaries and coastal areas.

The animals are known to hunt prey underwater, and their diet primarily consists of fish.

Surveying the Afon Elwy near St Asaph, on land owned by farmer Samantha Kendrick, the Biodiversity Team has now found signs of Otter life alongside its banks.

Senior Biodiversity Officer Liam Blazey explained: “We found signs, spraints and footprints) of otter using this section of the Afon Elwy which was really positive.

“The data and findings we gather as a team will be added to the national Otter Survey and we will be carrying on with this work to find the animal across a number of other county sites to get a picture of how it is faring in Denbighshire.”

In the coming months the Biodiversity Team will link up with their equivalents over in Flintshire County Council to undertake more Otter surveys together to get an idea of how the animal populations are using waterways across both counties.

Discovering Denbighshire...

Looking to discover more of Denbighshire?

Why not take inspiration from our walking and cycling maps for new ideas of places to visit.

For more inspiration on activities in and around Denbighshire visit - https://www.northeastwales.wales/  

Scam Awareness Month 2025

Denbighshire's Trading Standards department have placed ‘scamnesty’ boxes in One Stop Shops around the County where scam/nuisance mail can be disposed of securely.

All letters handed in will be examined by officers and the National Scams Team to help prevent others from becoming a victim of scam mailings, which are usually sent from international addresses.

The campaign is part of Scams Awareness Month to help people avoid falling victim to scams, particularly the elderly and vulnerable. The boxes will be available until 1st July.

Fancy learning something new?

The Denbighshire Tourism Ambassador scheme is a free, online training course to enhance your knowledge and deepen your understanding of the Denbighshire tourism offer.

There are 14 modules to choose from on a variety of themes including walking, cycling, food, arts, coast, history and sustainable tourism.

Watch our short film highlighting the course.

Visit www.ambassador.wales and get started today!

Denbighshire Heritage Service newsletter

Find out what’s coming up in June, including our special Dads Go Free promotion across our heritage sites over Father’s Day weekend!

NEWSLETTER | June (click to read)

Nantclwyd y Dre Gardens

Economic and Business Development newsletter

Did you know that the Council has a monthly Business Bulletin?

It provides the latest business news from Denbighshire and gives readers information to help take their business forward.

Among the information in June’s issue are

• Grant funding available for businesses in Denbighshire
• Information about MicroLearning courses via Busnes@LlandrilloMenai
• Find out about the Procurement Act 2023 Buyer Roadshows
• Information about the community Toilet Grant Scheme

You can subscribe on the Council’s website.

Biodiversity event grows interest in nature

Our recent Wildflower Week 2025 campaign saw over 150 people joining events to learn about how our Wildflower Meadows Project is helping halt the decline in these habitats and providing more support for local flower species, insects and mammals who need them for food.
Thank you to all the residents who came out to the events and we hope you also learned how these meadows help you, through cooling the ground, providing natural flood defences and supporting the pollinators who help bring food to everyone’s tables.

Changes to landlines could affect Telecare alarms