SNAPSHOTS

Visit to see progress on Grŵp Cynefin’s new homes in Denbigh

On Monday, 23 March there was an opportunity for Grŵp Cynefin to lead partners around a site that will provide 11 low‑carbon homes in the town of Denbigh.

Senior officers from Grŵp Cynefin, Denbighshire County Council, and contractors NWPS from Rhyl visited the Henllan Street development to see progress on site.

Group photo including senior officers from Grŵp Cynefin, Denbighshire County Council, and the contractors NWPS from Rhyl

The scheme will provide 11 social rent homes, a mix of modern, low-carbon houses and flats with energy-efficient features including solar PV panels, timber frames, and air-source heat pumps. Construction is expected to be completed over the summer, with the homes ready to let to Grŵp Cynefin tenants in September 2026.

Mel Evans, Chief Executive of Grŵp Cynefin, said the scheme is an important step in responding to local housing needs:

“The Henllan Street development meets the demand for affordable, quality homes in the area. By working closely with Denbighshire County Council and the Welsh Government, we are proud to be able to provide sustainable homes that enable local people to stay in their communities.

“Supporting the communities of Wales is a priority for us as Grŵp Cynefin, and ensuring people’s fundamental right to warm, safe, quality homes.”

Mel Evans, Chief Executive, Grŵp Cynefin; Helen White, Chief Executive of Denbighshire County Council.

Helen White, Chief Executive of Denbighshire County Council said:

“The new homes on Henllan Street reflect Denbighshire County Council’s commitment to continuing to increase the provision of affordable, energy‑efficient, high‑quality housing across the county. Our strategic work in housing, including collaboration with key partners such as Grŵp Cynefin, helps us ensure we respond to the needs of Denbighshire residents today and plan effectively for the future.”

Tim Jones, Chair of the Grŵp Cynefin Management Board; Rhys Thomas, Denbighshire County Councillor; Helen White, Chief Executive of Denbighshire County Council; Mel Evans, Chief Executive, Grŵp Cynefin.

If anyone is interested in living in one of the new homes, please ensure you are registered on the Denbighshire Housing Register.

More information is available here: Homes to rent in Denbighshire - Grŵp Cynefin

Registering Visitor Accommodation in Wales

New Registration Law for Visitor Accommodation in Wales: Webinars Announced to Help Providers Prepare

Register visitor accommodation - poster Anyone taking bookings for overnight stays in Wales — from casual hosts to large hotel operators — will be required to register their accommodation with the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA) when the register launches this autumn.

The forthcoming Welsh Government legislation means that all providers offering visitor accommodation, whether a single spare room, a holiday cottage, a B&B, or a full‑service hotel, will need to complete a formal registration process. The requirement applies regardless of whether guests stay for one night or several weeks.

The new visitor accommodation registration scheme will launch in autumn 2026. Ahead of this, the WRA is encouraging hosts and businesses to sign up for updates so they can receive reminders, guidance, and the latest information as the registration date approaches. The registration process is completely free of charge and all providers must register, even if the Visitor Levy is not ultimately introduced in the county. Any who fail to register may face penalties.

Webinars to Support Hosts and Booking Platforms

To help prepare the sector, the Welsh Revenue Authority is offering a series of free webinars aimed at visitor accommodation providers and booking platforms and tourism bodies. These sessions will provide the latest updates on the new registration requirements as well as clear, practical guidance on how accommodation providers can comply. There will also be a question and answer session with WRA experts.

Webinar Dates

English-language sessions:

Tuesday 24 March 2026, 11am–12pm
Tuesday 24 March 2026, 6pm–7pm

Welsh-language session:

Thursday 26 March 2026, 11am–12pm

How to Register for a Webinar

You can register for a webinar on the following link - https://www.gov.wales/welsh-revenue-authority/training-events

For further information and to sign up for notifications about the new registration scheme, visit https://registervisitoraccommodation.service.gov.wales/email-signup

Land disposal at Ffrith

The Council is aware of misinformation circulating in local Prestatyn forums that the Council is intending to dispose of public land at Ffrith Beach in Prestatyn. This is not correct.

The Council recently published a ‘disposal of land’ notice relating to 26 acres of Council-owned land which is currently privately managed under leasehold to Lakeside Ltd, the owners of Ffrith Beach Touring Caravan Park. This means that if the proposed disposal of land agreement goes ahead, Lakeside Ltd will become the freehold owners of approximately 22 acres of land which they are currently already leasing from the Council. This 22 acres of land is currently used as a touring caravan park and there will be no change of use under the proposals.

A further 4 acres of land currently leased to Lakeside Ltd will be returned to Council management and looked after by the Council’s Open Spaces team. This is the small patch of land between the Ffrith Beach Touring Caravan Park, and the Ffrith Indoor Bowls Centre.

The map below shows the affected area and explains the proposals in the Ffrith area:

Ffrith land disposal

Members of the public currently enjoy access to this patch of land by permission of the existing leaseholders, Lakeside Ltd. It is not a public right of way and it is not currently maintained by the Council. Returning this small patch of land to Council management secures this land as a public open space and ensures its use as a means of accessing the beach is secured for future generations.

Ffrith Beach itself is, and will remain, publicly accessible land which is free for everyone to enjoy.

Help with energy costs from Citizens Advice Denbighshire

Are you struggling with energy costs? Citizens Advice Denbighshire can help.

Their Fuel-Sense project continues to support people in Rhyl and Prestatyn, and they still have Fuel-Sense warmth packs available for anyone who needs them.

The packs include practical energy-saving items like LED bulbs, draught excluders, shower timers and more – completely free.

If you or someone you support could benefit, please get in touch on 01745 346785 or visit the Denbighshire Citizens Advice website for more information.

$Fuel Sense poster - Citizen\'s Advice$

Assistance to support independent living in later life

Citizens Advice Denbighshire has received funding from Independent Age for a new 3-year project supporting Independent Living in Later Life.

The project is for people aged over 65 living in Rhyl, Prestatyn and nearby areas who may be struggling with money worries, rising bills or housing problems. All the support is free, confidential and impartial.

Contact Citizens Advice Denbighshire or pop along to a drop in sessions. You can find out more about our various drop in session on the Citizens Advice Denbighshire website

Independent Living in Later Life Poster

St Peter's Square Programme of Works

Over the coming months, a series of carefully planned works will be carried out to complete the St. Peter’s Square public realm improvement scheme.

Over the coming months, a series of carefully planned works will be carried out to complete the St. Peter’s Square public realm improvement scheme. The following table provides an overview of the planned phases of work, including where and when each section will take place.

Traffic management systems and road closures are inevitable and will only be implemented where necessary to protect the public and Contractor’s workforce. Road closures during the Ruthin festival will be managed by the Contractor’s traffic management sub-contractors to ensure a co-ordinated approach.

All dates are indicative* and may be subject to change due to weather or programme adjustments, but every effort will be made to minimise disruption throughout the construction period.

Phase	Area	Dates (not closed for full period)
Phase 1	Well Street & area behind The Old Courthouse	3 March 2026 – 26 May 2026*
Phase 2	Market Street	26 May 2026 – 28 July 2026*
Phase 3	Castle Street / Upper Clwyd Street	28 July 2026 – 18 August 2026*
Phase 4	St. Peter’s Square	19 August 2026 – 16 October 2026*
Phase 5	Clock Tower	22 September – 6 November 2026*

Surfacing works are then planned to take place from 9 – 18 November 2026*.

Phase 1 - Well Street and area behind and around The Old Courthouse

Phase 2 - Castle Street

Phase 3 - St. Peter’s Square – East and West side around square and Market Street

Phase 4 - St. Peter’s Square – North side of square and junctions with roads off square

All resurfacing works are currently planned to be completed at night to minimise disruption.

Throughout the project, pedestrian access will be managed, temporary ramps will be provided for accessibility, clear signage and secure barriers will be in place. Any issues can be relayed to either the Public Liaison Officer RuthinEnquiries@obrconstruction.com or the Project Team corporateprogrammeoffice@denbighshire.gov.uk.

We appreciate your patience and co-operation during the construction phase of this project.

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus / Happy Saint Davids Day🌻

The council's Chairman Arwel Roberts with Vice Chairman Bobby Feeley

To celebrate St David's day which is on March 1, the council’s Chairman Arwel Roberts was joined by Vice Chairman Bobby Feeley in hoisting the flag of Saint David up at County Hall, Ruthin.

Maintenance work to take place at Foryd Bridge

Foryd Bridge will undergo a period of essential maintenance in March.

Work will begin at the bridge on March 2 and will last two nights. The bridge maintenance will take place from 9pm until 5am each night and during this time the bridge will be closed, and diversion routes will be signposted.

The Council would like to thank residents and businesses near this location for their support and drivers who use this route for their patience while the work is carried out.

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

Highlighting Denbighshire's main towns

Our Tourism Team have been highlighting each of our main towns in their North-East Wales blog.

You can find out more in their blog

More areas to receive Flying Start assistance in Denbighshire

Further areas within Denbighshire are now set to receive assistance through the Flying Start childcare scheme.

The expanded areas now cover Rhyl, Prestatyn, Meliden, Rhuddlan, Dyserth, Denbigh, Corwen, Llangollen, Llandrillo, Llanfair DC and are applicable to families who have a child who turned 2 years old between 1^st September 2024 and 31st August 2025.

This expansion means that families in the new areas will be eligible for up to 12 ½ hours of funded childcare per week during term time. With more settings offering funded Flying Start Childcare, and new postcodes being added regularly, families are encouraged to check their postcode using the postcode checker on the website.

Denbighshire Flying Start is a Welsh Government funded programme. 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 latest expansion of the Flying Start scheme will mean that more Denbighshire families can now get access to the free childcare provision. This assistance is a massive help for parents and families.

Residents in the newly expanded areas can check if their postcode is eligible through the postcode checker.”

For more information please visit our website.

Fancy becoming a Tourism Ambassador?

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!

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/

Young people urged to claim their savings

Many young adults in Denbighshire could have an average of £2,200 waiting for them in their unclaimed Child Trust Fund account.

Child Trust Fund poster Child Trust Funds were introduced by the UK Government in 2005. Accounts were opened for almost 6 million children born in the UK between 1st September 2002 and 2nd January 2011.

Nearly half of Child Trust Funds in Wales remain unclaimed. According to the Share Foundation, around 1240 accounts are still unclaimed in Denbighshire.

Young people aged 16 or over can take control of their own Child Trust Fund, although the funds can only be withdrawn once they turn 18. Families can continue to pay up to £9,000 a year tax-free into a Child Trust Fund until the account matures. The money stays in the account until the child withdraws or reinvests it into another account. If a parent or guardian could not set up an account for their child, the government opened a savings account on the child’s behalf.

Every 16-year-old is sent information about finding their Child Trust Fund from HMRC with their National Insurance letter. Anyone unsure about their situation should check with their bank or building society. Alternatively, young adults and parents can also search on www.gov.uk/child-trust-funds to find out where their Child Trust Fund account is held.

Councillor Delyth Jones, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets said:

“I strongly encourage all eligible young people to check their accounts and claim what is rightfully theirs. The investment could be placed into an adult ISA or put towards their education, housing or driving lessons.

I would urge young people to use the online tool to track it down or, for parents of teenagers, to speak to them to ensure they’re aware of their Child Trust Fund. It could make a real difference to their future particularly at a time when finances are tight.”

The Child Trust Fund scheme closed in January 2011 and was replaced with Junior Individual Savings Accounts (ISA).

For more information on Child Trust Funds, visit www.gov.uk/child-trust-funds. Alternatively, visit https://www.meiccymru.org/do-you-have-money-hiding-in-a-child-trust-fund/, text 07943 114449 or call 080880 23456.

Corporate Plan Highlights April 2024 to March 2025: A Denbighshire of quality housing that meets people's needs

Every year, the Council reviews its performance in delivering the Corporate Plan 2022 to 2027: The Denbighshire We Want. Our Corporate Plan sets out what we want to achieve for the people and communities of Denbighshire over the next 5 years. The Plan consists of six themes: