Tourism
Legends Celebrated in Denbighshire & North East Wales
A host of legendary promotions showcasing Denbighshire and the North East Wales region have been launched as part of Visit Wales’ Year of Legends campaign.
The new Denbighshire film showcases the variety of tourism attractions and landmarks in the county including Moel Famau, Coed Llandegla Forest, Castell Dinas Bran, Pro Kitesurfing, Penycloddiau, Ruthin Craft Centre, Ruthin Gaol, Denbigh Castle and the Rhug Estate.
Denbighshire, Wrexham and Flintshire have also joined forces to produce films, legendary journeys and a digital brochure to inspire new visitors to experience North East Wales.
Funded by Visit Wales’ Regional Tourism Engagement Fund, the promotions explore the region’s castles, landscape, arts & culture and food and drink offer as well as telling the stories behind our most legendary figures including Owain Glyndwr and Thomas Telford.
Ian Lebbon, Chair of Denbighshire Destination Partnership said: “The promotions celebrate our past, present and future like never before with attractions, events and activities at a range of legendary locations. With North Wales being named as one of the top ten places to visit in the entire world this year by Lonely Planet, we are keen to showcase the beauty of North East Wales to both residents and visitors.”
“Thank you to everyone who contributed to the making of the films and brochure, we hope it will inspire visitors to experience all our hidden gems.”
Included in the new materials are 12 legendary journeys across North East Wales, everything from town centre strolls to long distance trails. All with spectacular settings and all with a story attached. Locations include Wales’ Coastal Path, Pontycysyllte Aqueduct, St Winefride’s Well, Coed Llandegla Forest, Castell Dinas Bran, Moel Arthur, Jubilee Tower, Offa’s Dyke Path and many more.
Tourism plays a vital part in North East Wales’ economy, with a total economic impact in 2015 of £808m and over 11 million visits made.
The 3 Destination Partnerships will be launching their Destination Management Plans for 2017-20 this year to build on the work already done and ensure long-term sustainability for the development of tourism. The North East Wales brand will continue to be a key feature of all 3 plans to promote the region for visitors and residents to enjoy.
To view the North East Wales films, brochure and legendary journeys please visit www.northeastwales.wales/listings/year-of-legends/
New Tourist Information Point at Rhug Estate
A new Tourist Information Point at the Rhug Estate has now opened to make visitor information about Denbighshire’s main attractions more widely available to visitors.
The project has been a partnership approach with Corwen Business Group providing a trailer, Rhug Estate providing a prime site close to their restaurant and shop, and Denbighshire County Council bringing the project together.
Visitors to Rhug will be provided with information about Corwen and the surrounding area designed to encourage them to visit one of Denbighshire’s key historical towns.
Ian Lebbon, Chair of the Denbighshire Destination Partnership, said: “This is a great example of how organisations are working together locally to boost the industry and place Denbighshire firmly on the visitor map.
“Tourism plays a vital part in Denbighshire’s economy, with a total economic impact in 2015 of over £450 million and nearly 6 million visits made. Over 6,000 full time jobs were supported by tourism spend, an increase of 7.4% compared to the previous year.
“We have a wealth of attractions, facilities and services available in the county and we need to capitalise on opportunities to help promote the county far and wide”.
Ian West of Corwen and District's Business Association said: "The Association was delighted to provide the trailer for this joint venture with Denbighshire County Council and Rhug to promote the growth of tourism in Denbighshire. We hope that this will bring increased visitor numbers to Corwen and nearby areas."
Tourism Growth Plan helps increase visitors to Denbighshire
Bringing extra hotel beds to Denbighshire is the aim for the coming year as tourism in the county is rising, bring hundreds of millions of pounds into the local economy.
The Council’s Tourism Growth Plan has helped contribute to a rise in the number of visitors to the county to 5.86million, a 5.3 per cent increase on 2014, while more than 6,100 jobs, up 7.4 per cent, are supported by the sector.
The total economic impact of tourism in the county for 2015 was £458.39m, a six per cent rise from the previous year.
Carolyn Brindle, the Council’s Lead Officer Business Support & Local Growth, said: “Tourism is a vital part of Denbighshire’s economy. Tourism helps makes towns and villages sustainable and the Tourism Growth Plan, sets out the county’s approach to developing this sector.
“The aims of the Plan are to increase numbers and, importantly, visitor spend as well as creating more jobs and more opportunities.
“Work on the Plan is being carried out by a number of departments, including the Council’s Tourism, Marketing and Events Team, working together under the direction of the Economic and Community Ambition Programme.”
The main focus for the coming year is to increase the number of beds in the county and developments in the pipeline include a Premier Inn and Travelodge in Rhyl which will bring an extra 140 beds to the county.
Over the past year the Plan has provided funding to update the Ride North Wales website, which promotes the area as a haven for mountain bikers, and for the Clwydian Range Food Trail producers group to attend a range of food festivals and develop promotional materials.
Funding was provided to Dee Valley Active, a group of 15 businesses created to harness the economic potential of the Dee Valley by providing and promoting outdoor adventure tourism.
Part of the funding was used to set up a single point of sale booking system for the group.
Lianne Ing of Corwen-based Stand up Paddle Board UK, said: “This could mean big things for our business locally and other businesses like us.
“To have a central booking platform for outdoor activities it will bring us local businesses together collaborating under one roof to provide the activities that we run and love to tourists and the local community.”
Other projects included encouraging businesses to use Welsh to build on the economic strengths provided by Denbighshire’s strong Welsh identity and culture, which included helping the Oriel Hotel in St Asaph provide a Welsh wedding package.
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Young Rangers conserving the countryside
This year young people have been getting stuck into conservation work across the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley, with two ‘Young Ranger’ groups up and running in the area.
Young Rangers is perfect for young people who want to learn more about the amazing landscape on their doorstep and don’t mind getting messy working and exploring in the great outdoors. The Young Ranger groups get involved in practical conservation work, wildlife surveying, visit ancient hillforts and enjoy recreational activities available to us locally.
The Clwydian Range Young Rangers group is based at Moel Famau and Loggerheads Country Park, and is open to young people aged 11 to 18. This group started in 2012, and past young rangers have continued to volunteer with the Countryside service as young adults with one now a member of staff.
The Dee Valley Young started just over a year ago. Open to 11-16 year olds, this group have undertaken a wide range of activities working alongside some of our partner organisations and learning about the importance of the work taking place in the Valley.
Young Rangers helping the Canal and Rivers Trust with some cutting back at the Llangollen Mooring Basin. This was then rewarded with an afternoon of canoeing on the canal!
A very cold morning was spent helping the Llangollen Heritage Railway clear vegetation from the railway embankment. This will allow passengers to enjoy a view of the River Dee. In the afternoon they were kindly given a tour of the working railway sheds in Llangollen by volunteer, Bob Jacques.
Young Rangers have worked on Coed Pen y Pigyn near Corwen which we manage in partnership with Natural Resource Wales. They take out invasive tree species and coppice others to help bring the woodland back into a good condition. They also practice their bush craft skills and explore the area.
Ros Stockdale, Community Partnership Officer for the AONB in the Dee Valley said “It’s great to get young people out into the countryside learning new skills and about the area that they live in. We have a great summer of events coming up where we’ll hopefully encounter some of the amazing wildlife we have here”
If you would like more information about our Young Ranger Groups, please contact: -
Clwydian Range group: Rachel Jones - 01824 712747 - rachel.jones@denbighshire.gov.uk
Dee Valley group: Ros Stockdale - 01824 712794 - ros.stockdale@denbighshire.gov.uk
Gronant Little Tern Colony
The Little Tern (Sternula albifrons) is an unmistakeable seabird easily recognised by a black eye-stripe, a white forehead and a yellow bill with a small black tip. Each spring, the Little Tern travels from west Africa to nest on sand or shingle beaches, spits or small inshore islands around much of the British coastline. Since the 1980s, the population of Little Terns has declined by 50% due to the development of coastal breeding habitat, human disturbance and high levels of predation. Consequently, many colonies are extensively managed in order to protect Little Tern numbers across Britain.
Gronant, near Prestatyn is the only Little Tern colony in Wales. Since 2005, it has been managed by Denbighshire Countryside Service. At Gronant, electric fencing is constructed around suitable breeding habitat to protect Little Tern nests from predators such as foxes (Vulpes vulpes), stoats (Mustela erminea), weasels (Mustela nivalis) and hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus). A perimeter rope is also erected to prevent disturbance from members of the general public visiting the beach. During the season, wardens are employed to monitor breeding birds, engage with the general public, maintain protective fencing and scare away predators. Funding for the wardens is provided by Denbighshire Countryside Service, Presthaven Caravan Park and the Welsh Assembly Government. To help protect the Gronant Little Tern colony, Denbighshire Countryside Service is supported by local volunteers. Last year, they donated over 860 hours of work resulting in the most successful season at Gronant since 2010. In total, 141 chicks fledged from 170 breeding pairs of Little Terns.
Denbighshire Countryside Service is a partner in the EU LIFE+ Nature Little Tern Recovery Project lead by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. This project is a five-year partnership between 11 organisations working together to ensure the long-term future of Little Terns in Britain. Since 2013, EU LIFE+ funding has increased public awareness, provided new equipment and employed additional members of staff. As part of this project, a colour ringing programme was also introduced to find out more about Little Terns including when they start breeding, their movements between nesting colonies and their lifespan. This information will help form long-term conservation plans. Little Terns with colour rings have already started been spotted at Gronant. Last season, three 1-year old non-breeding birds from Kilcoole, Ireland were spotted on the beach in late July and early August. Previously, scientists believed Little Terns stayed in west Africa until they were ready to breed at 2 years old.
The 2017 season started very well for the Little Terns at Gronant. The first Little Tern nest was found on 15th May, then over the next 10 days more than 80 nests were discovered. Unfortunately, the conditions at Gronant became very challenging at the end of May. On 26th and 27th May, 9.9m high tides hit the north Wales coast. Despite a monumental effort by Denbighshire Countryside Service staff and volunteers to move nests to safety, approximately 20 were flooded. This was followed by extremely high winds on 6th and 7th June and the Little Terns were forced to sit bravely on their nests until the winds dropped. The Little Terns are extremely tough seabirds and they have shown huge resilience against the difficult conditions at Gronant. We should be seeing the first fledged birds by mid-July and it is only then we will know if it has been a successful season or not.
We welcome new volunteers to help protect this delightful, chattering seabird at Gronant. For more information, please email littleterns@denbighshire.gov.uk or phone 01745 356197.
If you cannot volunteer, you can show your support by becoming a member of the North Wales Little Tern Group. Funds raised from this group helps protect Little Terns in north Wales. This group has already raised over £500 to put towards a new viewing hide for monitoring the Little Terns at Gronant. For £5 membership, you will receive a welcome pack, a regular newsletter and an invitation to the end of season event. If you would like to become a member, please email nwlittletern@gmail.com.
Pens 2 and 3 inundated by high tides on Saturday 26th May
Volunteers clearing debris from electric fencing
Little tern taking off from nest
Take the Lead in our countryside
Take the lead in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) by putting your dog on a lead.
The Warden team of the AONB and the Council have launched a campaign targeting dog owners to be responsible when taking their dogs for a walk in the countryside.
Popular destinations such as Moel Famau Country Park are experiencing increased sheep worrying incidents which is an offence by law and could lead to the destruction of the dog.
Tom Jones, Trainee Warden explains “With an increase in livestock attacks in recent weeks we would like to remind visitors and users of the countryside that this is agricultural land much of which is covered by heather and gorse which means it might not always be possible to see sheep and lambs.”
Working with North Wales Police Rural Crimes team, the AONB and the Council have produced short films on social media and designed new posters and leaflets highlighting key messages.
Over the past month wardens have been out and about talking to dog owners about the campaign and have received a good response and are continuing to educate owners about their responsibilities in the countryside.
BBC Springwatch visit Gronant Dunes
The team from BBC Springwatch joined the Council’s Ecology Officer, Joel Walley, and colleagues from Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Flintshire County Council and a range of other volunteers at Gronant Dunes, to shine a spotlight on Wales’ rarest reptile, the Sand Lizard.
The Sand Lizard is Wales’ only egg laying lizard, and is a European protected species due to its rarity. Male sand lizards are very striking, having bright green flanks. Females and juveniles are brown, and all forms have distinctive dark spots with pale centres called ‘oceli’. Female Sand Lizards lay eggs in shallow tunnels in sand exposed to the sun, in late May and early June. Young lizards hatch between August and early October and are immediately independent.
Sand Lizards became extinct in Wales in the 1960s, but a partnership project with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC), Flintshire County Council, Chester Zoo, Private breeders and a team of volunteers saw the rare reptiles reintroduced back to the Denbighshire coast in 2004.
Springwatch Presenters Iolo Williams and Martin Hughes-Games broadcast live from the dune system on Thursday 1st June 2017. You can watch the programme below.
If you would like further information or to get involved with the conservation of Denbighshire’s Sand Lizards, then please visit Denbighshire Countryside's website or e-mail biodiversity@denbighshire.gov.uk.
Education
Work progressing well on the refurbishment of the existing buildings at Ysgol Glan Clwyd
Work continues on the refurbishment of the existing buildings at Ysgol Glan Clwyd. This work is part of the overall project which is jointly funded by the Council and the Welsh Government through its 21st Century Schools and Education Capital Programme.
Since the turn of the year the contractors Willmott Dixon have been undertaking refurbishment to the existing school buildings, which has formed phase 2 of the project following the completion of the new extension in December 2016.
Part of the existing building was handed back to the school at the start of May and there has been great progress made in the last month with the newly refurbished classrooms and the new link corridor due to be handed back to the school this week.
Early next month, there will be an event to mark the start of the demolition of the old 3 story teaching block.
To keep up to date with the progress of the project, visit our Education blog.
Plans progressing for new Llanfair DC school
Work has been progressing well with the proposal for the new Category 2 (bilingual) school for pupils aged 3-11 in Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd. If approved, this project will be jointly funded by the Council and the Welsh Government through its 21st Century Schools and Education Capital Programme.
A range of surveys have been undertaken on the proposed new school site over the last few months. Meetings were held with school staff, governors and the Church in Wales in order to finalise the proposed internal and external layout for the new school in preparation for the pre-planning consultation period which is currently underway.
A pre-planning consultation event was held at the end of June 2017 at Llanfair village hall. Parents, staff, pupils and residents attended to view the proposed plans and provide feedback prior to the final application being submitted for consideration by Denbighshire’s Planning Committee.
See images below of the proposed layout for the new school
All relevant documents are available to view on the consultation pages of the Council's website throughout the consultation period which ends in early July 2017.
Work progressing on the new schools development for Rhos Street School and Ysgol Pen Barras
The site of the new schools development for Rhos Street School and Ysgol Pen Barras has seen good progress with the completion of foundations and structural steel.
Recently work has started on the installation of structural insulated panels and roof cladding and this has enabled the shape of the new building to appear on the Ruthin landscape and a beam signing ceremony has taken place at the site of two brand new schools being built in Ruthin, marking yet another significant milestone in the project’s history.
Work is well-underway at the Glasdir site on the outskirts of the town where replacement school buildings for Ysgol Pen Barras and Rhos Street School are being built, to replace their existing ageing and not-fit for purpose facilities.
It’s expected that the new schools will be open in the Spring of 2018.
The overall cost of the project is estimated to be £11.2 million, with the project funded by Denbighshire County Council and the Welsh Government through its 21st Century Schools and Education programme.
Denbighshire based Wynne Construction is the contractor appointed to work on the project.
Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, said: “This is another prime example where Denbighshire is working towards providing the best educational facilities for our children and young people, as well as future generations.
“This is an ambitious project and people passing the site on the outskirts of the town will see the landscape changing on virtually a daily basis. It’s great to see the project progressing so well and excitement is building amongst the school communities, as they will have great facilities which they can be extremely proud of.
“Seeing the faces of the children attending the beam signing ceremony shows that anticipation is building and we cannot wait to see the youngsters settling into their new surroundings”.
Updates are also available on the Education blog.
Business Section
Denbighshire leads the way in helping small businesses
The Council is ‘leading the way’ to help small firms secure public sector contracts, a business group has said.
The Council is helping local businesses by improving its procurement procedures and has been praised by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) for its work.
Ben Cottam, Federation of Small Businesses Wales’ Head of External Affairs, said: “FSB Wales has long enjoyed a close and productive relationship with Denbighshire County Council in boosting the opportunities for small businesses within the public sector supply chain.
“As we move to new ways of creating sustainable, local supply chains, we are pleased to see Denbighshire leading the way among authorities in innovating and looking for ways to embed local and diverse supply chains which not only benefits the public purse but grows local business and generates local economic activity.”
The Council is making it easier for firms to apply for contracts as part of the £100 million it spends with private and third sector organisations on goods, services and works needed to deliver public services each year.
It has produced new guidance for businesses and they can also register online to receive automatic updates when contracts are up for tender.
In 2016/2017 Denbighshire’s procurement spend was £113 million with more than £30 million spent with 938 different businesses in the county.
Figures do not include work carried out by Denbighshire based sub-contractors working for firms not based in the county.
Tom Booty, Denbighshire’s programme manager for Facilities, Assets and Housing, said: “Denbighshire is helping businesses based in the county gain a better understanding of the procurement process and make it easier for them to be considered for contracts.
“One of the aims of the Council’s Economic and Community Ambition Strategy is to help businesses in Denbighshire thrive.
“Using local suppliers to provide specific goods or services can lead to employment opportunities and job creation, as well as sustain existing jobs.
“We would encourage businesses to familiarise themselves with the procurement procedures and guidance on our website and give themselves the best chance to be considered for future contracts.”
For more information visit our website.
Have your say on the future of Denbighshire’s economy
Businesses are being asked to have their say on what help and support would benefit them.
The Council has launched its annual business survey to gather the views and aspirations of the county’s traders which then determines what support and training can be provided.
The survey feeds into the Council’s work on developing the local economy to support healthy private businesses and create higher paid jobs to increase household incomes.
Mike Horrocks, the Council’s team and programme manager for Economic & Business Development, said: “The business survey is our annual landmark analysis of business needs and it is important that we take this time to listen to traders.
“By collecting data from businesses we can take the temperature of Denbighshire’s economy and use this information to direct our efforts to help businesses grow over the coming year.
“Latest research shows that since last year confidence in sales has increased and more than half of firms are looking to invest in their business.
“It is important as many businesses as possible take part so we can see what business people think.”
Results of the survey feed directly into the Council’s annual March for Business month, which this year saw a record number of attendees take advantage of conferences, networking and training sessions, all geared around subjects raised by businesses in last year’s survey.
To take part in the business survey visit our website.
Video clips extend benefits of Denbighshire's March for Business month
A series of video seminars have been produced to help and inform businesses.
The Council has produced the clips as part of its annual March for Business month which this year saw more than 400 people take part in 12 workshops, conferences and networking sessions.
The videos are now available on the Council’s YouTube and Facebook platforms and offer tips on digital marketing, digital skills and how to use the Welsh language to benefit your business.
Clips have been produced from events during March for Business including the advanced manufacturing conference, Denbighshire for Growth and a networking dinner hosted by the Federation of Small Businesses.
Mike Horrocks, the Council’s team and programme manager for Economic & Business Development, said: “This year’s March for Business was a fantastic success. We saw record attendances for our biggest ever programme.
“The most important thing is that we have had great feedback from businesses who have told us the sessions have been of real benefit to them.
“One of our goals was to produce a range of materials that would benefit those businesses that were unable to attend the events as we understand that not all businesses can afford to take time out of their day to learn new things. These new video clips are available 24/7 and have already had over 9,000 views.
“The real target for us is to see the success of the programme translate into local business success and there are some strong signs that this is happening.”
The March for Business programme was devised by the Council’s Economic and Business Development team following feedback from Denbighshire’s annual Business Survey.
It is part of the Council’s work on developing the local economy through its Economic and Community Ambition Programme, which aims to support healthy private businesses, see more people in work and improve household incomes.
Since the ten-year plan was launched in 2013, there are 1,700 more people in work in Denbighshire, average household incomes are closing the gap on the rest of Wales, 70 more businesses are starting up every year with 19 out of 20 new businesses surviving for a year with almost two thirds still trading three years later.
You can view the videos on DCC’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Rhyl Developments
Your views wanted on skatepark relocation
Young people in Rhyl are urged to share their creative ideas to help co-design a brand new skate park for the town.
The Council and its leisure partners Alliance Leisure plan to relocate the current skate park, as part of the waterpark development earmarked for the promenade.
Alliance Leisure will consult with local young people to co-design the skate park, with the new facility offering new, more attractive design features.
A consultation event will take place at Rhyl Leisure Centre on Tuesday, 11 July between 3pm and 7pm. There is also an opportunity to have your say through an online survey which can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FreeSkateSOS
The proposals for the waterpark and the relocation of the skate park form a significant part of the wider regeneration of Rhyl waterfront.
The waterpark is being funded by the Council, with Rhyl Town Council and Welsh Government also providing financial support for the development. A planning application has been submitted and work is expected to start on site in the autumn, subject to planning approval.
Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: “We made a firm commitment to consult on the proposal to relocate the skate park from the promenade and we are delivering on that promise. We fully recognise that the skate park is popular with young people and our firm intention from the beginning has been to ensure an alternative location is provided to make way for the waterpark development.
“We also want young people to share their ideas and help us design the brand new facility. This is a great opportunity for users of the skate park and those interested in its new location to have their say and discuss their ideas directly with us”.
Exciting developments for Pavilion new restaurant development
The Council is delighted to unveil the name for the brand new restaurant being created at the Pavilion Theatre in Rhyl. 
The new restaurant will be named ‘1891’ – reflecting the year the Pavilion was first opened in the town and forms a significant part of the internal redevelopment.
As well as the external works, the work of repainting and recreating the façade of the main theatre building and the creation of a new entrance foyer is well underway.
The bar areas are also being refurbished.
As well as the creation of the restaurant, the team is also launching a recruitment drive over the coming months, with the initial search for a head chef, followed by the recruitment of an assistant chef, restaurant supervisor, kitchen porters, waiting–on and bar staff.
The restaurant is due to open later this year.
Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: “I’m delighted that work is well underway on creating this brand new restaurant at the Pavilion. It’s all about providing the best possible food and drink offer for theatre –goers, as well as the general public through a first class catering facility.
“This prestigious offer will form a significant part of the waterfront regeneration jig-saw. Work is already underway on building the Premier Inn at the former Honey Club site, enhancement works have almost been completed at the Sky Tower to create a light beacon and the planning decision on the prestigious waterpark development is due in the coming weeks.
“It’s great to see some of these key developments taking shape – this is a great catalyst for what will be an exciting, major regeneration of the waterfront area”.
Latest external image of the Pavilion
News
New appointments in Denbighshire
Members of the Council have re-elected Councillor Hugh Evans OBE as Leader of the Council.
Councillor Evans, who represents the Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd/ Gwyddelwern ward, has served as Leader of the Council for the past nine years. He also served as Cabinet Member for the economy in the last council.
Councillor Peter Prendergast of Rhyl was elected Chairman for the next year. His chosen charities for the year ahead will be the RNLI (Rhyl Branch) and St Kentigern’s Hospice.
Councillor Peter Scott of St Asaph was elected as Vice Chair.
Councillor Peter Prendergast (left) with Councillor Peter Scott
Meanwhile the out-going Chair, Councillor Ann Davies of Rhuddlan presented a cheque totalling £11,028 that will be shared between her chosen charities - Tŷ Gobaith and St Kentigern’s Hospice. The money was raised during a year of fundraising activities. Eluned Yaxley from Tŷ Gobaith and Laura Parry from St Kentigern’s were presented with their cheques and thanked the Council for the ‘absolutely wonderful and vital support’.
Councillor Ann Davies, Eluned Yaxley (Tŷ Gobaith), Laura Parry (St Kentigern’s) and Jane Hugo (Cllr Davies’ consort)
Contacting your county council
The information about county councillors has been updated on the Council’s website, following the elections in early May.
By clicking here you can find out details about your local county councillor, as well as information on how to contact them.
This section of the website also provides details of committee structures and which councillors sit on which committee.
Ageing Well in Denbighshire
Over 50? Interested in influencing service delivery in Denbighshire?
If so, we’re interested in hearing from you.
An Ageing Well Denbighshire Group (previously the Older People’s Reference Group ) consisting of Denbighshire residents, representatives from the Council and key agencies, meet once a month to debate, consult and suggest ways to work together and improve services for older people in Denbighshire.
The Older People’s Strategy is a national and local strategy which was first launched in 2003 by the Welsh Government. The Strategy (the most recent being in its 3rd phase 2013 – 2023) still impacts on many, if not all, of Denbighshire’s priorities. Alongside this, the Ageing Well Plan has been developed locally and nationally emphasising the significance of this important agenda. Older people’s engagement and involvement in developing services in Denbighshire is right at the heart of both the Older People’s Strategy and the Ageing Well Plan.
Interested in finding out more … please contact Karen Eynon, Older People’s Strategy Development Officer on karen.eynon@denbighshire.gov.uk or tel 01824 706356 / 07884 116634.
Urdd success in South Wales
The Council has congratulated children and young people from across the county for their tremendous success at the Urdd National Eisteddfod, held in Bridgend earlier this month.
A strong delegation from the county’s schools qualified for this year’s national competition, held at Pencoed.
They competed in a wide range of competitions, including singing, cerdd dant and recitation, as well as off-stage competitions in arts, crafts, design and literary categories.
Karen Evans, Denbighshire’s Head of Education and Children’s Services, said: “Yet again this year, there has been a wealth of talent on offer at the various eisteddfodau held in the county. Pupils, teachers and parents have worked tirelessly to prepare for the heats and I would like to congratulate everyone on their efforts.
“To reach the national heats is a great testament to the amount of good work going on and our pupils were great ambassadors for Denbighshire and for Welsh language culture. The fact that our young people performed so brilliantly at the Eisteddfod is a reflection of their commitment, passion and dedication for Welsh culture”.
Stay well through the Dewis website
Looking for advice on staying well ? Then look no further than the Dewis Cymru website.
The website is the place for information about all issues relating to well-being in Wales, as well as the first point of information about local organisations and services that can help.
The website includes information on key topics: Being Well; Being Social; Being at Home; Being Safe; Managing Your Money; Children and Families and Looking After Someone.
The Being Well section looks at a range of issues, including indoor and outdoor activities, healthy relationships (including sexual health) and dealing with medication. It also details five ways of being well (connecting with people, being active, keep learning, taking notice of your surroundings and volunteering).
Bethan Jones Edwards, Head of Regional Collaboration of the North Wales Social Care and Well-being Services Improvement Collaborative, said: “Being well isn’t just about being physically healthy and free from illness, it’s also how you feel about yourself and your life as a whole.
“People often have a greater sense of well-being when they have strong social networks, suitable housing, they are in employment and/or education (if they wish to be) and they are healthy, both physically and emotionally.
“The Dewis Cymru website is a great one stop shop for all the information you need about well-being. There is a directory of services and activities available in your community. It’s all about pointing people in the right direction to the wealth of support already available”.
People can visit the website to register and to access details of support available in their county.
Your Talking Points
Have a say on the future of bus services in your area
The Council is inviting people to have their say on proposals to revise a number of public bus services in the county.
Drop-in sessions will be held at Denbigh Library on Thursday, July 6 between 9.30am and 12pm and at County Hall, Ruthin between 1.30pm and 3.30pm. A session will be held at Corwen Library on Friday, July 7 between 9.30am and 12pm. Representatives from the Council and the Bus Users Forum will be available to answer questions.
The services being consulted on are:
The closing date for comments is August 10. All feedback received will be considered as part of the review, with the services going out to tender in the autumn.
People can also acces the information online at: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/travel.
Modernising Social Services: Community Resource Team
We know that we are stronger together in achieving the desired health and well- being outcomes for the people of Denbighshire. That is why, with BCU Health Board, we are embarking on an ambitious plan to establish integrated teams across Denbighshire that will work closely with G.P practices.
Our joint vision is for the provision of comprehensive, flexible and responsive community services, available 24/7. The expectation is that integrated teams, made up of district nurses, community nurses, specialist nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social care practitioners and community navigators, from shared bases will deliver services together to designated populations. This will enable more care and support that is delivered in the community that promotes well-being and builds community resilience. Information, advice and assistance, early intervention, the prevention or delay of dependency and timely and effective reablement will be key objectives of the teams, as will the provision of timely and quality end of life care in the setting of the person’s choice.
What difference will having a Community Resource Team make to you, as a resident of Denbighshire?
- When you need support, you will only have to tell your story once, you will have less staff from the different agencies visiting your home with their different assessments.
- The service will be more flexible and responsive based on ‘what matters’ to you, as communication between the different professionals involved will be better.
- You will wherever possible receive care and support to remain independent at home, and if you do need to go into hospital our mission will be to get you home as soon as possible.
- You will be connected to a range of health and well-being advice services in your local community, supported by third sector and others. This will enable you to be better able to cope with crises and other situations which cause stress or anxiety.
Our first Community Resource Team in Denbighshire and our ‘spring board,’ to delivering the best possible service together, with our partners covers the Rhyl area. Our priority for 2017/2018 will be to establish integrated working practices and one team identity.
For further information, please contact Jane Moore at jane.moore@denbighshire.gov.uk or on 01824 712341.
Council frustrated at superfast Cymru roll out information
The Council has expressed its disappointment and frustration at information released by the Welsh Government on which properties will not get access to fibre broadband through the Superfast Cymru programme.
Although a second scheme is due to get underway next year there are no guarantees that properties in Denbighshire currently unable to access superfast broadband will get this opportunity in the next phase.
The current information shows that there are 2,400 properties not able to access superfast broadband in Denbighshire.
Councillor Richard Mainon, Cabinet Lead Member with responsibility for Digital: “This is very disappointing as the Council has been pressing both the Welsh Government and BT for many months for answers as to when all communities in the county can benefit from it.
“The Council is aware of the economic benefits that high quality broadband can bring to communities and that superfast speeds are or will become essential for many of our businesses and residents.
“Until now there has been uncertainty on which properties would not benefit from the publicly subsidised Superfast Cymru programme and the Council has shared the frustrations and concerns of our businesses and residents.
“The Council has identified those properties in the county that cannot access superfast broadband. While this is far from unique across Wales, the Council is taking the opportunity to highlight the issue and support communities in moving forward”.
Funding is available from Welsh Government for individuals and groups of property owners to upgrade their broadband themselves and the Council is providing information on these opportunities on its website.
The Council believes the Welsh Government’s ‘Access Broadband Cymru’ (or ABC) scheme may be the most appropriate option for most residents. It offers grants of up to £800 per household on a first come, first served basis.
The Council is willing to coordinate meetings with the most affected communities who would be interested in working together to improve their broadband, but would need local ‘champions’ who would be willing and able to co-ordinate the work required to implement a community solution.
If you are interested, or know of anyone who would like to work with the Council please contact the Council, on 01824 706000 or e-mail: customer.services@denbighshire.gov.uk