Calls for views on draft aspirations

The Council has produced a set of draft well-being aspirations for the coming years – now the public are being asked to share their views.

In Summer 2016, the Council asked people through focus groups to share their ideas on their long-term, future aspirations for their communities. The responses received were really interesting and have provided valuable insight into what’s important for communities and why.

These response, coupled with evidence on various social, economic, cultural and environmental themes  have been compiled into a draft list of aspirations.  These aspirations are:

• A place where younger people will want to live and work and they have the skills to do so

• Communities are connected and have access to goods and services locally, online or through good transport links

• The Council and communities work together to overcome challenges; devising and delivering joint solutions

• People can live independent and fulfilled lives in strong, caring, safe and resilient communities

• Events bring people together, creating active communities and helping business to prosper

• An attractive and protected environment that supports communities’ wellbeing and economic prosperity.

Now the Council has launched a survey called Sgwrs y Sir/  County Conversation where people are being asked to rate the aspirations that have been compiled.  Now we want the wider community in Denbighshire to have their say, as the Plan will help shape the way we deliver services over the coming years.

We’ll report on the results of this survey before the end of March, and will present all of this information to our new Council, which will be elected in May 2017. The new Council will then agree the final Aspirations, which will be included in our Corporate Plan, and published next October. 

The survey can be completed by visiting the Council’s website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/countyconversation, or by picking up a leaflet at libraries, one stop shops and council reception areas. The consultation will come to an end on 27 January 2017.

Changes to plots a Section 12 of Coed Bell Cemetery

Changes are being introduced to plots at Section 12 of Coed Bell Cemetery in Prestatyn which will mean that any memorials, vases or any other items placed on the turfed section of graves will not be allowed after the end of February 2017.

Now the Council has written to people who are are listed as contacts for the graves, to inform them of the position.

This section of Coed Bell is a lawned cemetery and regulations state that only a memorial (such as a headstone) and a base to lay a vase for flowers is permitted. All contacts for graves are made aware of this when they first purchase a plot.  The turf on the remaining part of the grave should not be cut to form a flower bed or border, nor shall any memorial vase be placed on the turf.

However, over recent times, additional items have been placed on some of the plots and this has led to an increase in complaints from other cemetery users.  

People will now be respectfully asked to remove any items by 28^th February 2017. Any items remaining on the turfed area of graves after this date will be removed, held for a short period of time and then disposed of.   Signs will be going up in this section of the cemetery to inform people of the regulations and a letter is being sent to people who are the main contact for plots.

The new restrictions only apply to Section 12 of the cemetery as it is the only section of the cemetery that was opened after the regulations came into effect in 1999.

We recognise that this is a very sensitive issue, with some of these items likely to have personal value for the families affected, but we need to balance that against the fact that a lawned cemetery helps us to keep things looking neat and tidy more easily, and also the fact that the majority of cemetery users want the Council to uphold the rules.  

The number of graves with unauthorised items is very small, at around 15% of the 269 plots, but the number of complaints is on the increase. That is why we are informing people in plenty of time, so that they can take away any items not allowed in a dignified manner and at their convenience.

The refurbishment work at Rhuddlan Library continues!

The facilities will deliver a 'community hub', offering a single point of access for multiple services, and a location for the community to use for events and activities.

The service will comprise: A computer suite for ‘self-service’ facilities to request or report council services online, a cash payment kiosk and book lending return kiosk, new meeting conference rooms with modern I.T. facilities, and a private consultation room for one to one discussions.

A modernised children’s area will be supplemented by a new youth / teens area. The building will also offer a dedicated community area for exhibitions, new customer toilets, free Wi-Fi, as well as third party services, including CAB, Talking Points, and North Wales Police surgeries.

Further information regarding re-opening of the building will follow in due course.

Talking Points in Denbighshire continue

The Talking Points sessions are continuing in Denbighshire, offering people a different way to find out what help might be available in the community to support their health and well-being.

Working with partner organisations we aim to respond faster and in a more personally tailored way to people, rather than a more traditional ‘one size fits all’ approach.  Under this new model, if residents are able to visit their GP they will be expected, in general, to attend a Talking Points rather than be visited at home.

At the Talking Points residents will have an opportunity to meet with someone who is knowledgeable about social care issues.  They will be able to find out what is going on in their area in a convenient, appropriate and welcoming venue and talk about the well-being outcomes they desire for themselves or others. The focus will be to find out what is important to them so that they can live the life they choose in a safe and secure environment.  

If someone needs help with daily life please ask them to come along to a Talking Point or phone the Single Point of Access on 0300 456 1000 to make an appointment

For more information please contact Jason Haycocks the Talking Point Co-ordinator on 07733111392 or e-mail:jason.haycocks@denbighshire.gov.uk

 

The next sessions will take place at the following locations:

Denbigh Library: 19^th December 19-1.30pm

Rhyl Library:  9.30am - 3.30pm on Tuesdays

Cysgodfa Community Centre, Denbigh: 14 and 28 December 0am - 1.30pm

Llangollen Health Centre: 22 December 9am-12.30pm

Prestatyn Library: Fridays 9.30am - 1pm.