DVSC Key Fund helps to strengthen Denbighshire’s third sector

Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) Key Fund helped increase the sustainability and resilience of third sector organisations across Denbighshire.

The initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which supports the government’s five national missions, including empowering local communities, kickstarting economic growth, and promoting opportunities in all parts of the UK.

Supported by Denbighshire County Council, this year’s Key Fund has seen strong demand, with 99 applications submitted from a diverse range of organisations and community groups across the county.

Following a rigorous assessment process, 45 applicants were successful, securing vital funding to strengthen their operations. In total, DVSC’s 2025 Key Fund has awarded £212,114 in Capital grants and a further £633,906 in Revenue grants.

These grants are designed to help ensure the resilience and long-term sustainability of Denbighshire’s third sector organisations, many of which deliver essential services to local people.

The Key Fund is a central part of DVSC’s wider work under the UKSPF programme, which runs until 31 March 2026. Alongside grant funding, DVSC is delivering a broad package of support including:

• Free training sessions, masterclasses, and workshops
• A GROW support programme to strengthen governance and strategic planning
• An exciting mentoring programme, matching senior professionals from the corporate and public sectors with third sector groups seeking targeted support

Speaking on the impact of the Key Fund, Tom Barham, Chief Officer of the Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) said:

 “We are delighted to relaunch the Key Fund and to see such strong interest from organisations across Denbighshire. The funding and support available through this programme will help strengthen the resilience of our third sector, enabling groups to grow, adapt, and continue providing vital services for our communities.”

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

“It’s fantastic that so many third sector organisations who deliver such vital services to the County can be supported through the relaunch of the Key Fund as well as other services that the DVSC provide. This is a great example of the strong partnership working that exists between the Council and the voluntary sector, through DVSC”.

The Key Fund represents DVSC’s commitment to empowering local organisations, building stronger communities, and ensuring that the third sector in Denbighshire is equipped to thrive in the years ahead.

Road improvements set for main Denbigh route

Denbighshire County Council Highways will carry out road maintenance on the Vale Street traffic lights junction next month.

Resurfacing work is due to take place from November 2 to November 18.

The work is part of the council’s ongoing road maintenance programme to improve the driving experience for residents and visitors across the county road network.

Traffic during the work will be managed by a mixture of both stop/ go convoy and traffic lights system.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “The council is fully aware that the state of Denbighshire’s Road Network is a regular topic from residents. We are 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 also thank our Denbigh 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

Chairman’s Charity Concert at St Asaph Cathedral

An evening of outstanding Welsh choral music will take place at St Asaph Cathedral on Friday, 21 November at 7.30pm, as part of the Chairman’s Charity Concert.

The concert will feature performances from two renowned local choirs: Meibion Marchan and Côr Rhuthun. Together, they will create a memorable evening in the stunning setting of the Cathedral, one of North Wales’ most iconic landmarks.

The concert has been organised to raise funds for the Chairman’s chosen charities, with all proceeds going to support important causes within the community, namely St Kentigern Hospice and Urdd Gobaith Cymru.

Councillor Arwel Roberts, Chairman of the Council said: “Music has always brought our communities together, and I am delighted that this concert will not only showcase exceptional Welsh talent but also support vital local charities. I look forward to welcoming everyone to what promises to be a wonderful evening.”

Tickets are £12 each and available now from:

• Siop Elfair: Ruthin (01824 702575)
• Siop Clwyd: Denbigh (01745 813431)
• WISH: Rhuddlan (01745 591264)
• Tudor House: Prestatyn (01745 859528)
• Eleri Woolford: 01824 706196 (eleri.woolford@denbighshire.gov.uk)

Denbighshire celebrates Age Friendly status with visit from Older People's Commissioner for Wales

At a celebratory event held at Eirianfa Community Centre in Denbigh on Friday 24^th October, the Ageing Well in Denbighshire team were joined by special guest Rhian Bowen-Davies, Older People's Commissioner for Wales to celebrate Denbighshire becoming a member of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities.

Event held at Eirianfa Community Centre in Denbigh.

During the event, attendees received talks from former and current chairs of the Ageing Well in Denbighshire network, who plotted their journey so far, and how the World Health Organisation Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities membership was achieved.

Commissioner with Youth Club Members and Alison Price, Chief Executive, Age Connects North Wales Central.

An interactive session named ‘Ways to age well’ saw a panel of younger people pose insightful, thoughtful and intriguing questions to a similar sized panel of older citizens, a fun and interesting way to bridge the gap between the older and younger generation.

Question and Answer session.

Older People’s Commissioner Rhian Bowen-Davies led a talk explaining her role and the importance of ageing well, where attendees also had the chance to ask questions.

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

“It was fantastic to be joined in our celebration of becoming of a member of the World Health Organisation’s Network by Rhian Bowen-Davies, Older People's Commissioner for Wales.

Celebrating this success would not have been possible without the hard work of dedicated Ageing Well in Denbighshire partners.

It’s a fantastic achievement, but only marks the beginning of our journey to continue to make Denbighshire a great place to grow older.”

Rhian Bowen-Davies, Older People's Commissioner for Wales said:

“It was great to be back in North Wales to celebrate Denbighshire joining the WHO’s Global Network, recognising all of the hard work being delivered across the county to make communities age-friendly and support people to age well.

It was also really interesting to learn more about Denbighshire’s Ageing Well journey so far, and the ways in which the team have worked with older people and other partners to achieve so much, overcoming a range of challenges along the way.

As always, I really enjoyed talking with older people about my role, answering their questions and hearing directly about the change and improvements they’d like to see, which is always hugely valuable.

Thanks to everyone involved for giving me such a warm welcome, and a huge well done for having your achievements recognised on the world stage!” 

Don’t Let Halloween go to waste

Denbighshire County Council is reminding residents that they can recycle their spooky items during this year’s Halloween period.

Preparations are underway for spooky pumpkin face carvings to light up the scares at homes across the county on all Hallow’s Eve.

Once finished with, pumpkins need to go in the orange food waste caddy and not the general waste bin. All decorations will also have to be taken off pumpkins before they can be recycled. Pumpkins can be harmful for animals such as Hedgehogs, so it is not advised to leave them out in the garden or outside homes after October 31.

Halloween decorations can be reused each year which will save material use and costs for families. If they are no longer needed they can also be donated to local charity shops for other households to enjoy them.

If residents need to dispose of decorations that are not fit for reuse, remember to use the appropriate container at home or at a recycling and waste park.

Halloween costumes can be reused year on year, and if no longer needed, can also donated to a local charity shop.

As trick or treating takes place it is important to also remember that chocolate, confectionary and sweet wrappers cannot be recycled.

However, batteries used within decorations can be recycled in the appropriate container for the recycling and waste collections service or at a Recycling and Waste Park. It is advised to try to use rechargeable batteries where possible.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “We know that every year Halloween is an exciting time for many residents of all ages, with costumes and decorations being proudly displayed across homes and events. Please don’t forget to try and recycle properly during the Halloween period, as we have many forms of recycling help that will support a spooky and greener all Hallow’s Eve.”

New Chief Executive appointed for Denbighshire County Council

Denbighshire County Council has today (Friday, 24 October) announced the appointment of its new Chief Executive.

Helen White, who joins Denbighshire from Taff Housing Association, has been appointed to the role.

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council said: “This is an excellent appointment for Denbighshire and I would like to congratulate and welcome Helen to this new role on behalf of our staff, elected members and residents throughout the county.

“The selection process has been very rigorous and we had a number of strong contenders in the running who all performed to an extremely high standard.

“As a top performing council in Wales which was praised as ‘well-run’ in its Panel Performance Assessment at the end of 2024, Denbighshire has a strong senior team in place and we are now looking forward to working with our new Chief Executive to lead this team and continue that success into the future.”

A Welsh speaker who was raised in Henllan, Helen has been Chief Executive Officer with Taff Housing since 2019.  Having started her career in housing and community development, Helen has over 20 years’ experience working across the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Following her appointment, Helen said, "I'm honoured to be taking on the role of Chief Executive. I know it is a challenging time for so many in our communities, I am looking forward to working alongside dedicated colleagues to help make a positive impact in the county I was born and raised in.

"I want to thank the Leader of the Council and all of the other Elected Members for putting their faith in me as a new Chief Executive."

Team gets set to tackle winter weather

Preparations for the forthcoming Winter Maintenance season are currently underway in Denbighshire.

The Council’s Streetscene are preparing for the onset of potential wintry weather across the county which may cause disruption to the region’s road network.

Current Gritting vehicles are undergoing the pre-season servicing and operatives have completed training where required. New drivers have been added to the existing Winter Maintenance rota alongside new relief drivers to the existing pool.

The Council will also begin to phase out the existing fleet of gritters this year with eight new vehicles on order to help support the future of the service.

Denbighshire’s road network covers little used rural roads to the highest A Class Road in Wales. It also extends to crucial regional strategic routes such as the A55 to narrow tracks serving very isolated properties.

The gritted network is currently split into nine Priority Gritting Routes: four covering the North of the county, three covering the middle of the county with two covering the south of the county.

These nine routes cover approximately 950km and actually treat 605km of the total Denbighshire network which is 1418km.

The nine gritting routes are designed where the following is considered: Roads classed as First Priority Routes to be gritted when conditions dictate are as follows: - A55, A5, A494 Trunk Roads’ All Class 1 and Class 2 Roads i.e. the A and B road network.

Other important County Roads which are through routes with high volumes of traffic; or provide at least one access to centres which respond to emergencies or receive emergency admissions; County Class 2 or 3 Roads, which provide at least one access to towns and villages.

Further assistance is provided by external agricultural contractors during periods of adverse weather and snow conditions, with the network divided into 31 additional routes.

Denbighshire has over 1500 grit bins throughout the county which have been were replenished following the last period of adverse weather the county faced.

The bins will be refilled as needed this winter and those running low can be reported via Denbighshire County Council Website.

Gritting of footways will generally not be carried out.  However, any ice and/or snow on footways in urban areas will receive attention as soon as possible subject to the availability of resources, bearing in mind the high labour intensity of the operation.  Priority will be given to shopping areas, hospital approaches, the vicinity of schools, colleges, health centres, and establishments caring for the elderly.

Each Council depot at Corwen, Ruthin and Bodelwyddan has a minimum and maximum stock level of salt which is maintained, and orders are in place to achieve these levels prior to the start of the season.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “I know last winter this team worked hard across the county to keep our road networks open and safe to use and we are grateful they are gearing up again to support our residents with winter around the corner.

“The work the staff do, who are often on-call throughout the night, to ensure that the roads are safe to use means that residents can continue with minimal disruptions to their day and essential amenities are accessible despite the adverse weather.”  

Nurture of nature experience brings all-round help for biodiversity

Across Denbighshire’s land and waters, work is ongoing to help nature recovery in the face of the ever-increasing pressures from man-made and climate change impacts.

County Voice sits down with Biodiversity Officer Evie Challinor to find out what has fuelled the steps to the post she holds today to support the nature we have across our county.

Evie spent the first part of her life exploring what Mid Wales outdoors had to offer for a young adventurous spirit.

She said: “Mid Wales is very agricultural; it was a bit different from up here in that way. There are conservation sites there, but not many that were local to me. However, I spent many hours of my early life adventuring, wading in ponds, climbing trees, and following rivers; wherever I could find to explore.”

Pondering her A-Levels, the prospect of taking on an outdoor career inspired by early outdoor adventuring began to form in Evie’s mind.

“I’d always loved Biology and the natural world, especially studying ecosystems and the connectivity of the natural world. I had always been academically minded up until then and the natural progression from here was to pursue Biology in some form, as a career.  

“After a bit of research, I found Zoology and decided that was the course for me. I went to Bangor University where I spent 3 years studying Zoology. It was fantastic having Eryri and Anglesey right on the doorstep for both learning and recreation… it was a brilliant Uni.”

People who love animals often tend to take on Zoology to keep their passion for conservation alight.

Evie explained: “I think it’s quite common when you get there to realise that can’t study animals in isolation. You also need to know your plants and that’s very true of what I am doing now in this role I am in. Plants underpin everything.”

“During my undergraduate, I was fascinated by comparative zoology, the study of animal’s unique adaptions, and with animal behaviour. These led me quite far down the anthropology and evolution route, including looking at how animals and plants are adapted to their surroundings. Slowly that came round to conservation, ending with my decision to stay on and do a Masters in Conservation and Land Management.”

Building up her experience while at Bangor, Evie also spent some time volunteering with the North Wales Wildlife Trust and the Snowdonia Society.

“The Snowdonia Society were quite active in the area and were a really good organisation for a student to get involved with. They provided transport which was a massive help to a student without a car. I went and did a lot of practical habitat management with them as a result.

“I also had friends who were quite heavily involved in the Amphibian Reptile Conservation Trust across that way, so I did some habitat management for them on Anglesey. The other organisation I spent time with was North Wales Wildlife Trust, who I was fortunate to do some water vole survey training with. I really started leaning into the volunteering more towards the end of my Masters.”

Just before graduating with her Masters, Evie secured an all-Wales role with the National Trust.

“It was based on a strategic level; they were trying to bring together the management plans they had for all their different portfolios and begin to make the practical conservation a reality by starting to match up projects up with funding.”

“I was brought into that team to help with the co-ordination. It was a fantastic role to have, especially straight out of university - some really valuable experience.”

Unfortunately for Evie, like many thousands of people, the Covid Pandemic put an end to this part of her career after she took voluntary redundancy due to the huge impact of the time across many organisations in the UK.

However, she soon picked herself back up and joined Cheshire Wildlife Trust, working in the membership department, simultaneously picking up a role as a forest ranger with another company at the time.

Evie’s first steps into Denbighshire came shortly after when she moved into the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as a ranger down in the Dee Valley.

After a summer in the Dee Valley team, she spent the next nine months at Loggerheads, before moving on to working for the Canal and River Trust.

She explained: “I loved the ranger role in many ways but felt it didn’t give me enough time to dedicate to developing some of the skills that I felt I was missing. The role change to ecological advisor for the Canal and River Trust allowed me to gain some of this experience whilst supporting the restoration of the Montgomery Canal.”

Evie admits after a year with the Canal and River Trust, her ‘dream role’ appeared in the form of the job she holds now.

She said: “I had the practical habitat management experience and plenty of advisory experience, but one of the things I really wanted to get to grips with was the species and habitat surveys, which are a really rewarding part of the sector. 

“I feel like my surveying expertise has come on leaps and bounds by just spending that time out and about. You just feel so good; you come back at the end of the day and you are happy. I feel with the projects we are doing that I’m actually making a difference. I think job satisfaction wise you can’t really get much better than that.”

Highlights working as a Biodiversity officer so far for Evie include finding her first great crested newt on one of the sites she works on, and her first dormouse encounter.

“I’m also loving doing the dormouse surveys. We’ve been doing box checks, bringing all the sites up to scratch… you are just lifting the lids and peaking in, waiting to see if there’s anything there! It’s just a really nice thing to do. Especially when you get the tell-tale signs of occupation by seeing a little nose poke out”.

For the many nature supporters out there, Evie’s advice about following in her footsteps is to start ‘getting out there and volunteering’.

She explained: “That foot in the door also shows that you’ve got a passion. Building those connections with the right people will teach you a lot.”

And her ambitions whilst taking on this role?

“I’m currently working hard to get my first license in the form of a great crested newt licence. Getting my first licence under my belt will be a very big milestone for me, with hopefully more to follow in the future.

“I’m also looking to do a ponds project; I’ve got many aspirations for this one. Creating new ponds and a network of people to share knowledge with across Denbighshire and creating a propagation wing for it.

She added: “So I’m currently out doing lots of surveys, and a little digging around sites, trying to find plants to be able to bring back to the tree nursery to propagate to give us a local seed source. It’s great fun!”

Lost habitats are back to breathe life into nature

Nature’s been given a helping hand in Denbighshire for the last six years thanks to a project working to restore lost habitats.

Our Wildflower Meadows Project which started in 2019, aims to restore and increase this habitat in the county as since the 1930s. The UK has lost 97% of its meadow land, with Wales in particular having less than 1% left. This loss has impacted heavily on nature and communities.

The project is also part of our wider Bee Friendly campaign aimed at supporting the recovery of bees and other pollinators across the county

Our meadows are usually left uncut between March and August, except a small border mown around each site, allowing the flowers to set seed, and ensures that the meadow provides the greatest benefit to wildlife.

Cut and collect is carried out at the sites to help to lower the richness of the soil, and create the low-nutrient ground that our native wildflowers and grasses need to thrive.

Grass and wildflower seeds collected from areas around the county have been used to enhance our meadows. Some of the seeds have also been grown on at our tree nursery to produce plug plants. Only using local seeds ensure the plants which then grow are genetically suited to Denbighshire and will be the most beneficial to biodiversity in the area.

Here County Voice takes a look back at some of the project highlights that have benefitted both plant and wildlife across Denbighshire.

During 2021 the Biodiversity team recorded a nationally declining species on the Prestatyn Beach Road West site.

Hound’s tongue (Cynoglossum officinale) and was previously only recorded in Denbighshire 18 times within the last 116 years.

Seeds were taken from the site to the Council’s tree nursery and thanks to the effort of the staff, new plants germinated for planting on other coastal meadow sites to help expand its range in Denbighshire.

In 2021 Bithynian Vetch, a species of flowering plant in the bean family Fabaceae grew on a single project site managed by the Biodiversity team. Since 2019, this was the only place in Wales it was recorded growing in the wild.

During June staff collected a small number of seeds from the Bithynian Vetch. These were taken back to the Council’s tree nursery at St Asaph to be grown on site to help boost the plants dwindling numbers.

An innovative organic method was carried out as well in 2021 to help control the length of grass in a Denbigh meadow.

The site was treated with locally sourced Yellow Rattle seeds. Yellow rattle is a parasitic plant, tapping in to the roots of grasses and other neighbouring plants and stealing their nutrients. This reduces the dominance of grasses within a meadow, allowing more native wildflowers to take hold.

During the 2022 season the Biodiversity team inspected the site and found a reduction in grass length and an increase in wildflowers.  The successful trial meant more food for pollinating insects and their predators

‘Bee Friendly’ really came into its own in 2023 after the Biodiversity team found a new resident at a Ruthin meadow.

A female Tawny mining bee was found resting in a nest on the site. The spring flying bee with dense orange and red hair feed from a variety of flowers which make wildflower meadows the perfect area to locate to.

Tawny mining bees are usually seen from March to June and are common throughout south and central Britain. This showed how designated sites are providing support for local nature to flourish as well by providing plants for pollinators and grass for insect food.

The team also discovered during this season pyramidal orchids at two coastal sites at Prestatyn which was recorded as a first.

And last year a pyramidal orchid was discovered inland at a meadow in Ruthin indicating the network of meadows were really starting to help nature fightback.

This year extra bee orchids were discovered at a meadow in Denbigh which shows the meadows  are working as a combined highway for plants, insects and animals to move across the county, increasing biodiversity as they go.

Orchid produce seeds which are incredibly small (also known as dust seeds). These seeds must come in contact with a special type of mycorrhizal fungi that will help the orchid seed germinate and aid it in its early growth. Each orchid tends to have a particular mycorrhizal fungi that it partners with, so unless the soil conditions are right for the fungi, orchids won’t grow. The resurgence of orchid shows the project in 2025 is heading in the right direction, and the meadows are continuing their journey to recovery.

Working Denbighshire helps residents overcome barriers to employment

Working Denbighshire provides tailored support to residents across the county who are facing barriers to employment, including low confidence, anxiety, and limited work experience. Through mentoring, volunteering opportunities, and skills development, the service helps individuals build confidence and move closer to their goals.

One example of this support is Derek, who was referred to Working Denbighshire through the Job Centre a few years ago. At the time, Derek was experiencing low confidence, anxiety, and lacked the skills and experience needed to enter the workforce.

With guidance from the Working Denbighshire team and through a volunteering placement at St Kentigern’s Warehouse, Derek has made significant progress. He’s now actively working towards a career in IT support or administration.

Derek, Working Denbighshire participant said:

“At one point I was extremely shy, with bad anxiety and no confidence.

“I never thought I’d get to where I am now, but with support from Working Denbighshire and through volunteering, I’ve overcome so many barriers.

“I know the younger me would be proud of how far I’ve come.”

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

“Derek’s journey is a brilliant example of the positive impact Working Denbighshire can have on people’s lives.

“It’s about more than just finding a job, it’s about helping people unlock their potential, overcome personal barriers, and feel confident in their future.

“We’re proud to support residents like Derek on their journey towards employment.”

Derek continues to build his skills and experience through volunteering and is determined to secure a full-time role in the near future.

His journey forms part of the Working Denbighshire Complex Disabilities and Mental Health Team’s wider “Work Works” campaign, which highlights the positive impact that working, or taking steps towards work can have on people’s lives. Whether it’s improving wellbeing, gaining confidence, meeting new people, or learning new skills, the campaign shares real stories from across Denbighshire to inspire others.

Working Denbighshire is a free service that helps residents access training, find employment, and build confidence in their job search. Anyone looking for support can get in touch by visiting 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.

Working Denbighshire is part funded by UK Government.

Save time, save money and power Wales to No.1 in the world for recycling this autumn!

Autumn is here, the holidays are behind us, and routines are back in full swing. Whether you’re juggling work, studies, or family life, autumn is the perfect time to reset habits – especially in the kitchen. That’s why Denbighshire County Council has partnered with Wales Recycles to show how cooking smart can help you save time and money, reduce waste, and make it easier than ever to enjoy your 5-a-day …all while helping Wales on its journey to becoming the world’s number one recycling nation.

We’re already proud to be second in the global recycling league – just behind Austria – but food waste is where we can make the biggest impact. A quarter of the average rubbish bin in Wales is still made up of food, and over 80% of that could have been eaten. That wasted food costs the average household of four around £84 every month. That’s money (and meals) straight in the bin!

By getting smarter with your meals and recycling what you can’t eat, you’ll cut down on waste, save money, and easily pack in more of your 5-a-day – all while helping Wales reach the top spot. And we’re going to show you how simple it can be.

Cook once, serve multiple times: Prep it. Flex it. Recycle it!

With the evenings getting darker and time often in short supply, autumn is the season for easy, no-fuss comfort food. The idea is simple: Prep it. Flex it. Recycle it.

Cook up a simple base dish with everyday ingredients, then add a few extras to keep it fresh and tasty. Serve it up in different ways over the week so you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meals.

And don’t forget – the bits you can’t eat, like peelings, stalks, bones or eggshells, should go straight into your food caddy. Food waste in Wales is turned into renewable energy. Just one caddy full can power a typical home for an hour! Here are 3 easy, simple recipes to get you started.

Jazzed-up stew – hearty, simple & flexible

This anything-goes stew is made for autumn evenings when you want something warming without too much effort. Start with a simple base of onion, garlic, tinned tomatoes, stock and your choice of protein - leftover meat, beans or lentils. Then add in whatever veg you’ve got to hand and let it simmer into something rich and hearty.

The beauty of this dish is how it can change through the week: enjoy it first with crusty bread, then ladle it over mashed potato the next night, and later in the week top it with pastry or mash to turn it into a pie. And remember, any onion skins, carrot tops, pepper stalks or bones go in your food caddy to be turned into green energy.

Mix ’n’ Match Curry – big flavour, minimal effort

Begin by frying onion, garlic and ginger, then stir through curry spices or paste. Add your choice of protein, whether that’s chicken, lentils or tofu, before pouring in tinned tomatoes or coconut milk. Bulk it out with whatever’s in season - pumpkin, peppers, mushrooms, spinach or beans all work brilliantly.

Once cooked, you can enjoy it with rice for a classic dinner, wrap it up in a flatbread for a quick lunch, or spoon it over a baked potato when you need something speedy. Don’t to recycle what you can’t eat to power Wales to No.1.

Healthy Fruit Crumble – simple, warming & versatile

When it comes to autumn comfort, nothing beats a fruit crumble. It’s simple to make and surprisingly versatile too. Just mix oats, flour and a little honey or syrup with butter to create a golden crumble topping, then bake it over soft seasonal fruit like apples, pears, plums or blackberries, with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra warmth.

Once baked, you can enjoy it hot from the oven with custard or ice cream, serve it cold with yoghurt for a wholesome breakfast, or even use it as a crunchy topping on toast spread with nut butter. As for the apple cores, pear stalks and plum stones - they all belong in your food caddy, ready to be recycled into clean, green energy.

Take the Smart Food Challenge and win a delicious Welsh prize

Head over to Wales Recycles to take the Smart Food Challenge, discover more smart recipes that will save you time and money, and be in with a chance of winning a delicious Welsh prize.

£66m scheme protects hundreds of properties in Rhyl from flooding

The largest project within the Welsh Government’s Coastal Risk Management Programme officially opened on Thursday 9 October.

Rhyl Coast (Picture: Balfour Beatty)

The £66m Central Rhyl Coastal Defences Scheme will protect almost 600 properties in Rhyl from flooding and coastal erosion for decades to come.

85% of the construction costs have been funded by the Welsh Government, with the Deputy First Minister labelling the project a ‘significant milestone’ in efforts to protect Welsh communities from the growing threats of climate change. Denbighshire County Council contributed the remaining 15%.

The project has also supported the local economy by employing 34 local people, creating six new jobs and supporting 132 weeks of apprenticeships, building skills and careers in crucial industries. Hundreds of students were also engaged throughout thanks to curricular activities and work experience.

The scheme will protect 548 residential and 44 non-residential properties in Rhyl, safeguarding homes, businesses and the vital tourist economy that supports the local community.

Cllr Arwel Roberts, Chair of Denbighshire County Council, Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister, and Cllr Jason McLellan Leader of Denbighshire County Council 

Attending the official opening, the Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change, Huw Irranca-Davies, said:

“This investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to keeping families and businesses safe from coastal flooding whilst supporting the local economy that so many depend upon.

“The completion of this project underlines the Welsh Government's recognition that investing in coastal protection is not just about infrastructure but also protecting livelihoods, preserving communities, and ensuring Wales is resilient in the face of our changing climate.

“The people of Rhyl can now face the future with greater confidence, knowing their community is better protected against the forces of nature.”

The Central Rhyl Coastal Defences Scheme forms part of the Welsh Government's £291m Coastal Risk Management Programme, which is responding directly to the challenges posed by climate change.

Over five years, the programme will fund 15 schemes across Wales, benefitting almost 14,000 properties and providing thousands of families and businesses with enhanced protection from coastal flooding.

The Welsh Government's annual Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Programme will invest £300m over the course of this government term, including additional schemes benefitting coastal communities across Wales.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport at Denbighshire County Council, said: “Having witnessed the devastating effects of the coastal flooding which hit Rhyl on December 5, 2013, this work is particularly close to my heart.

“The Council opened Rhyl Leisure Centre at that time as an evacuation centre due to the severe flooding, and the sight of my residents coming in soaking wet clinging to their loved animals will never leave me.

“I still have residents coming up to me to this day saying how grateful they are as they now can sleep at night without having to worry about their homes flooding, so I’m so pleased to see the completion of this part of the project which will now give peace of mind to residents and business owners in Rhyl.

“The completion of the coastal defence schemes in Prestatyn, East Rhyl and now Central Rhyl is testament to the excellent working partnerships developed during these three projects and on behalf of the Council I must extend my gratitude to Balfour Beatty who have done a fantastic job of delivering these three schemes ahead of schedule and under budget.”

Kay Slade, Area Director at Balfour Beatty, said: "We are proud to have delivered this vital scheme which will protect hundreds of homes and businesses in Rhyl and stands as a reminder of the positive impact that well-planned, sustainable infrastructure can have on local communities.

“Beyond enhancing coastal resilience, this project has supported local jobs, created new opportunities, and helped to build critical skills that will serve the region well into the future."

The scheme’s opening comes as Natural Resources Wales holds its annual ‘Be Flood Ready’ week, encouraging people to check their flood risk online, sign up for free flood warnings and know what to do if flooding is forecast in their area this winter. Find out more here.

Ever wondered where your Council tax goes?

Many people think that Council tax pays for everything that a local authority delivers, however, the money collected from residents annually only accounts for 26% of total Council spending.

The majority of funding (62%) comes in the form of a ‘Revenue Support Grant’ from Welsh Government, while the remaining 12% comes from business rates which is a property tax that businesses pay to help fund local services. You can find out more about how the Council is funded on our website.

So where does your Council tax actually go? We’ve produced an infographic based on a Band D property council tax bill to help give a clear explanation of how council tax payments are used to fund the range of services for residents in the county. While this infographic gives a picture of how the money is shared between different services, understanding what residents gets for that money is really important.

As you can see, the majority of council tax spending goes towards protecting the most vulnerable in our society, with 66% spent on schools and education and adult and children’s social care.

With Education accounting for 36.7%, it means that Denbighshire can educate approximately 16,500 pupils in 44 primary schools, 2 all-through schools, 2 special schools, 6 secondary schools and 1 pupil referral unit across the county, with approximately 780 teachers delivering this education

Still in the field of education, school transport accounts for 2.9% for which the Council transports approximately 2,871 learners safely to schools throughout the county. In total, there are 650 school bus and taxi trips every school day.

Meanwhile, adult and children’s social care accounts for 29.8% of Council tax spending. For this, in 2024-2025, an average of 668 members of staff had over 25,000 contacts with the most vulnerable children and adults and provided a package of care and support where necessary giving these residents the opportunity to exercise choice, voice and control over their lives.

In other service areas, 1.9% goes towards public protection and environmental health and the Council’s teams inspects approximately 720 restaurants, cafes and take aways every year to ensure they’re operating safely for the residents of Denbighshire.

Emptying bins and recycling accounts for 1.8% of your council tax bill, which equates to £32.89 per year (based on a Band D property). That involves collecting around 73,000 containers from over 47,000 households every week across the county.

For 1.8% of council tax, we maintain 1,419km of carriageways (excluding trunk roads), 601 highway bridges and culverts, 302 retaining walls and 26,000 gullies. And for 0.8%, we maintain 11,763 street lights and 1,547 illuminated signs and bollards throughout the county.

Other services residents may not be aware that are delivered by the Council are the Countryside and Heritage Services. With 1.1% of council tax going to the countryside service, the teams manage over 80 sites and more than 1,200 hectares of public green for both recreation and conservation. These range from the Country Parks of Loggerheads and Moel Famau, the county tree nursery at St. Asaph, Brickfield Pond in Rhyl, Prestatyn Dyserth Way, Llantysilio Green in the Dee Valley and numerous smaller amenity community spaces across the county.

While the heritage service accounts for 0.9% of Council tax spending and for this, the service preserves and promotes the county’s unique history, caring for important historic sites including Ruthin Gaol, Plas Newydd, Nantclwyd Y Dre, Rhyl Museum (based in the library) and a large collection store. This work ensures Denbighshire’s rich history remains accessible for education, wellbeing, and enjoyment.

Planning and economic development accounts for 0.7% of Council tax spending and for that the Local Planning Authority processes around 1,000 planning applications each year alongside 10-20 appeals and 50-100 pre-application enquiries. We also respond to over 500 planning compliance cases.

Libraries account for 0.5% of Council tax spending and in 24-25, Libraries delivered 514 Bookstart sessions to nearly 6,500 children for this money. It also lent  2,869 audiobooks to 1,028 library members on Borrowbox (part of the Digital Offer) and printed over 56,000 pages on public access printers.

Not all Council tax collected pays for council services, 2.5% goes towards the Fire service to contribute to the funding of fire protection and prevention across the county.

Councillor Delyth Jones, Lead Member for Finance at Denbighshire County Council said, “I am pleased to see the production and release of this infographic information. It will, I hope, provide residents with the context they need in order to understand how their council tax payments are used to support the breadth of services delivered by the Council.

“In what is a continuing financially challenging climate, I think it’s important to be open and clear about the costs and the pressures. It’s also important to emphasise that many of the aspects of expenditure are, quite rightly, aimed towards the legal requirement to provide Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, and Education etc. These are the areas that support the most vulnerable in our society.”

Over 100 attendees at successful caravan weighing sessions

Denbighshire and Conwy trading standard teams saw over 100 attendees at their free caravan weighing and advice sessions over the summer.

Held over four different sessions between June and August at the weighbridge on the A525 between Rhuddlan and St Asaph, the sessions offered an opportunity for residents and visitors to learn more about the dangerous of overloading caravans to themselves and other road users.

Following a trend of increasing road traffic incidents involving touring and motor caravans on the A55, the project started over six years ago and has seen an increase in people attending the sessions year upon year.

Not only have these sessions been used to warn and inform residents, but they have also been used to train Denbighshire and Conwy trading standards officers.

Councillor Alan James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning said:

“Following the success of similar public sessions held in the past, it was decided that it would be useful to conduct these sessions once again.

“The feedback from residents and visitors that attended the free sessions was positive and it’s important that the public are aware of the potential dangerous when overloading their caravans or campervans”.

For more information on the council’s trading standards team or to get in contact visit our website.

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 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.

Pension Credit Week of Action: The Credit that keeps giving

Pension Credit does more than provide direct financial help – it unlocks a range of support* that could save eligible pensioners hundreds of pounds each year.  

Four ways Pension Credit helps pensioners save: 

1. Housing costs: Pension Credit could help reduce your housing expenses. Eligible pensioners might also qualify for Council Tax Reduction to lower their council tax bill, Housing Benefit if they're renting, or Support for Mortgage Interest if they own their home. 

1. Energy bills:  Pension Credit can open access to additional energy support. Eligible pensioners could receive the Warm Home Discount to reduce electricity costs and Cold Weather Payments during particularly cold spells.  

1. Health and wellbeing: Pension Credit may provide access to essential free NHS services. This includes dental treatment and help with transport costs for hospital appointments. 

1. TV Licence: Pensioners aged 75 or over who are eligible for Pension Credit qualify for a free TV licence.  

If you’re aware of pensioners who could benefit or who may be eligible for Pension Credit, but unaware of the extra support it could provide for them, please share these messages with them.

To find out more visit the gov.uk website for full details and to apply.

 *Eligibility criteria apply. Pension Credit has two parts – Guarantee Pension Credit and Savings Pension Credit. You may be able to get one or both parts depending on your circumstances. The type of Pension Credit you get may affect which passported benefits you automatically get.  

Road maintenance update for October

Our Highways department undertake maintenance schemes across the county.

We are responsible for the maintenance and repair of 1,400 kilometres of Denbighshire roads. Our teams carry out a regular programme of works to maintain and improve our roads, which ranges from the repair of potholes right up to resurfacing schemes.

Roads may need to be closed for us to carry out the patching, drainage and other supporting works.

October’s strategic Highways work is listed below:

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “Our Highways teams are regularly working all year around to support and maintain the routes we have across the county. We would like to thank our residents for their patience and support this month as we carry out this important work.”

Dates of work may be subject to change due to the weather or other external factors.

For all roadwork information across Denbighshire roads including other Council services and utility companies please visit this link for further information.

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/  

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!

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. 

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

Did you know you can watch live and recorded video webcasts of Council committee meetings?

You can watch live and recorded video webcasts of Council committee meetings at any time.

All the related papers are also available for you to see.

If you want to know more about what’s happening in the Council, look at the calendar of meetings to find out what’s going on.

Did you know that 1.8% of Council Tax spending goes on emptying bins and recycling?

Emptying bins and recycling accounts for 1.8% of your Council Tax bill, which equates to £32.89 per year (based on a Band D property).

For that, the Council collects approximately 73,000 containers from over 47,000 households every week across the county.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Did you know that roads and infrastructure accounts for 1.8% of Council Tax spending?

Roads and infrastructure accounts for 1.8% of Council Tax spending.

Within that, the service is responsible for 1,419km of carriageways (excluding trunk roads), 601 highway bridges and culverts, 302 retaining walls and 26,000 gullies.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Part of Council Tax spending goes towards the Fire Service?

Part of Council Tax spending goes towards the Fire Service.

Not all Council Tax collected pays for council services, 2.5% goes towards the Fire service. To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website.

Working Denbighshire has its own section on our website?

Working Denbighshire has a section on the Council's website. Working Denbighshire is here to help residents aged 16 and over who might be struggling or worrying about money. Whether you’re looking for work or need support to get back on your feet, we’re here to guide you towards a better future. Why not have a look on our website.

Did you know?

Schools and education accounts for 36.7% of Council Tax spending, and social care accounts for 29.8% which means that over 66% of your Council Tax goes towards protecting the most vulnerable in society.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website.

Did you know that single use vapes are being banned in Wales from 1 June?

Single use vapes have been banned in Wales since 1 June.

The ban includes vapes containing nicotine, non-nicotine, CBD and other health/vitamin devices, and the Council’s Trading Standards team is encouraging Denbighshire businesses to switch to reusable products before the ban comes into place.

You can find out more on our website.

Did you know that all primary

All primary aged children are eligible for free school meals through the Universal Primary Free School Meals scheme? This is a Welsh Government initiative which has been set up to help with the rising costs-of-living. You can find out more information on the Council's website.

Council Tax only accounts for 25% of total Council funding

Council Tax only accounts for 25% of total Council funding. When you pay your annual Council Tax bill, 1.8% of that pays for waste and recycling collections - the equivalent of £32.89 per year (based on a Band D property council tax of £1,799.48 per year). Most of Council Tax spending goes towards the most vulnerable in society - schools and education is the biggest expenditure accounting for 36.7% while adult and social care accounts for 29.8%. Find out more on our website

Denbighshire Youth Service

That Denbighshire Youth Service is open to everyone aged 11 to 25 years. They offer social activities and opportunities to develop interests as well as help and support for anyone that needs it. To find a youth club near you or for help and support for children and young people, please visit our website.

Did you know that street lighting accounts for 0.8% of Council Tax spending?

Street lighting accounts for 0.8% of Council Tax spending.

For that, the Council maintains 11,763 street lights and 1,547 illuminated signs and bollards throughout the county.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Did you know that 1.1% of Council Tax spending goes towards Countryside Services?

1.1% of Council Tax spending goes towards Countryside Services and for that, the service manages over 80 countryside sites and over 1,200 hectares of public green, for both recreation and conservation.

These range from the Country Parks of Loggerheads and Moel Famau, the County Tree Nursery at St. Asaph, Brickfields Pond in Rhyl, Prestatyn Dyserth Way, Llantysilio Green in the Dee Valley and numerous smaller amenity community spaces across the County.

The Service has specialist team covering Ecology and Trees throughout the County, the National Landscape designation, recreation and rights of way, organises nature for health walks and events and manages the Countryside Centre at Loggerheads and catering at Plas Newydd.   

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Did you know that Planning and economic development accounts for 0.7% of Council Tax spending?

Planning and economic development accounts for 0.7% of Council Tax spending.

The Local Planning Authority processes around 1,000 planning applications per year alongside 10-20 appeals and 50-100 pre-application enquiries.

The Authority also respond to over 500 planning compliance cases.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Did you know that Denbighshire Heritage Service accounts for 0.9% of Council Tax spending?

Denbighshire Heritage Service accounts for 0.9% of Council Tax spending. For that it preserves and promotes the county’s unique history, caring for important historic sites, including Ruthin Gaol, Plas Newydd, Nantclwyd Y Dre, Rhyl Museum (based in the library) and a large collection store.

This ensures Denbighshire’s rich history remains accessible for education, wellbeing, and enjoyment.

Through our attractions, events, and learning programmes, we support local pride, cultural tourism, and the economy while protecting heritage for future generations.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Downloading eBooks, audiobooks, newspapers etc

You can download eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines and newspapers for free using the Borrowbox app? All you need is your library card and PIN. Not a library member? It’s free to join online www.denbighshire.gov.uk/libraries

Did you know that school transport accounts for 2.9% of Council Tax spending?

School transport accounts for 2.9% of Council Tax spending and for that the Council transports approximately 2,871 learners safely to 75 schools throughout the county.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Working Denbighshire offers free, weekly wellbeing sessions

Working Denbighshire offers free, weekly wellbeing sessions across the county - from drop-ins and wellness walks to youth support and confidence-building activities. They're open to all Denbighshire residents aged 16+, and they’re completely free! Check out the latest timetable and events here. 

Did you know that 1.9% of Council Tax spending goes towards public protection and environmental health?

1.9% of Council Tax spending goes towards public protection and environmental health and as part of this, the Council inspects approximately 720 restaurants, cafes and take aways every year to ensure that these premises are operating safely for the residents of Denbighshire.

In addition, the Council responds to over 1,200 requests a year relating for housing and pollution.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Did you know that 29.8% of Council Tax spending goes towards adult and children’s social care?

29.8% of Council Tax spending goes towards adult and children’s social care. And with 36.7% going to schools and education, this means that over 66% of your Council Tax goes towards protecting the most vulnerable in society.

To find out more about how your Council Tax is spent visit our website

Did you know the Council’s Licensing Team have launched their new service standards.

The Council’s Licensing Team have launched their new service standards. It explains what you can expect when applying for licences, during inspections and enforcement, and how to get in contact or provide feedback. For more information visit our website.

Major road maintenance programme

Denbighshire County Council has announced which road areas will benefit from a major Welsh Government funded road maintenance programme. More here

Chairman's Charity Concert at St Asaph Cathedral

Councillor Arwel Roberts, Chairman of the Council invites you to his charity concert in the company of two renowned local choirs: Meibion Marchan and Côr Rhuthun.

Concert details:

      📅 Friday, 21 November

      🕢 7.30pm

      📍 St Asaph Cathedral

Tickets for the concert are £12 and are available from:

• Siop Elfair: Rhuthun/Ruthin (01824 702575)
• Siop Clwyd: Dinbych/Denbigh (01745 813431)
• WISH: Rhuddlan (01745 591264)
• Tudor House: Prestatyn (01745 859528)
• Eleri Woolford: 01824 706196 (eleri.woolford@sirddinbych.gov.uk)

All proceeds from the concert will go the Chairman’s chosen charities namely St Kentigern Hospice and Urdd Gobaith Cymru.