County Voice

News

Christmas and New Year information

Picture of Baubls

All the information you may need over Christmas and New Year can be found on our website:

  • Bin collections
  • What events are on
  • Details of free parking after 3pm
  • Libraries opening hours
  • School holidays
  • Change of opening times for the Archive Service
  • Opening times for services

Denbighshire launches its Christmas shopping video

Christmas has arrived in Denbighshire with the release of a video showcasing the county’s high streets.

The Council has released its festive shopping clip to promote the wide range of products available on the county’s high streets.  The two-minute video features a host of traders highlighting what is available in Denbighshire with scenes filmed in all eight of the county’s towns.

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: “I would like to thank all the businesses, residents and groups who helped make this video possible.

“Denbighshire has everything shoppers need to help celebrate Christmas coupled with excellent service and friendly staff.

“Shopping locally benefits the local community with money spent locally staying in Denbighshire’s economy, benefiting everyone in the county.

“Denbighshire offers a more relaxed and enjoyable shopping experience than bigger cities and out of town shopping parks so I would encourage residents to see what Denbighshire has to offer this Christmas.”

Businesses featured in the clip are Nouveau Riche, Prestatyn; Detour Menswear, Rhyl; The Oriel Country Hotel & Spa, St Asaph; The Little Cheesemonger, Rhuddlan; State of Distress, Ruthin; Snow in Summer, Denbigh; Rhug Estate Farm Shop; Pethau Tlws, Corwen and Llangollen Baby.

Sandra Griffiths has run Denbigh’s Snow in Summer for the last three years selling vintage items, greeting cards and locally made artisan crafted goods and gifts.

She said: “It was very nice to take part in the shop local video.

“Shopping locally gives customers the opportunity to buy locally designed and made goods, and to purchase unique items for themselves or for the home.”

Cathy Challand runs Nouveau Riche a ladies fashion and accessory shop in Prestatyn.

She said: “Shopping locally helps the local economy and creates local jobs. You get a more personal service when shopping at local independents because rather than following trends we have our own unique style and identity, so you're more likely to find something different.

“It was fun taking part in the Christmas video. I love my customers and it's great that they support local businesses by spreading the word to family and friends. Without them our vibrant high streets would cease to exist.”

The video was produced as part of the #LoveLiveLocal campaign which supports local traders by encouraging customers and businesses to post pictures of great products and experiences on social media.

For the final scenes filmed in Ruthin, businesses from the town as well as Denbighshire Music Co-operative, Ruthin Rotary Club and Chilli Cow Ice Cream, which showcased its Christmas pudding flavour, helped create a Christmas shopping wonderland.

Heather Powell is managing director of Denbighshire Music Co-operative, which provided the senior brass ensemble DMC6, made up of pupils from Ysgol Brynhyfryd and Ysgol Dinas Bran aged 12 to 16.

She said: “The band was delighted and proud to be asked – they always like supporting local events and really enjoyed the event.

“The experience was great for them. As a local business shopping locally is vital – we always support other local businesses and think there are a wide range of lovely local shops.”

The Council is providing free car parking in all of its town centre car parks after 3pm until December 31.

 

 

Green light for Council priorities

 
Councillors have agreed the authority’s five priorities for the coming five years.Corporate Plan Image

Known as the Corporate Plan for 2017-2022 – ‘Working Together for the Future of Denbighshire’, the document outlines five key priorities:

Everyone is supported to live in homes that meet their needs

  • Support the development of 1000 more homes in Denbighshire.
  • This will include 170 new council properties; 
  • 260 affordable homes provided by private developers and registered social landlords; extra care housing; additional specialist housing to support people with disabilities and low level support needs;
  • Support young people to access suitable homes they can afford and
  • Bring 500 empty properties back into use and perform among the best in Wales. 

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

  • Better enable people to travel to work, education and services.
  • Invest in roads and bridges to maintain a viable, sustainable infrastructure.
  • Make superfast broadband and mobile networks available to everyone.
  • Ensure Council information and services will be accessible online where possible. Opportunities to work with partners will also be explored. 
  • Target those most likely to be digitally excluded so they have the skills and means to use digital services.
  • Improve infrastructure to make it easier to stage events.

The Council works with people and communities to build independence and resilience

  • Support people to plan and shape their communities.
  • Provide easily accessible information that supports people’s independence and resilience.
  • Ensure people are involved in shaping and improving services.
  • Act to reduce Domestic Abuse
  • Ensure all carers in Denbighshire are well supported.
  • Ensure adults and older people who need health and social care in Denbighshire will experience a seamless service.

The environment is attractive and protected, supporting well-being and economic prosperity 

  • Reduce carbon emissions from Council assets by at least 15% by 2022.
  • Improve the energy efficiency of Council houses.
  • Increase renewable energy provision across the county.
  • Reduce the number of properties at risk of flooding in Denbighshire.
  • Increase the biodiversity quality of important habitats and species across the county.
  • Raise the profile of the county as a location to visit, in order to capitalise on Denbighshire’s economic potential.

Younger people want to live and work here and have the skills to do so.

  • See that every child achieving the expected standard at the end of primary school (Level 4, Key Stage 2) will achieve 5 GCSEs A*-C (Level 2, Key Stage 4), including English or Welsh (1st language) and maths, by the end of secondary school.
  • Continue to modernise schools via the 21st Century Schools programme.
  • Help young people to develop practical ‘life skills’ and behaviours that contribute to good health and well-being.
  • Deliver support for parents to give our children the best start.
  • Provide young people with effective career advice and mentoring.
  • Offer young people the opportunity to develop skills for life and work through meaningful work experience
  • Develop greater employment opportunities for younger people.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Cabinet Lead Member with responsibility for the Corporate Plan,  said: “Over the lifetime of the previous Corporate Plan we delivered over £200m of investment in improving our schools, leisure and library facilities, roads and flood defences. We achieved this while maintaining our position as one of the highest performing councils in Wales and protecting front-line services from the cuts to local authority budgets.

“The overall ambition of this latest Plan is to ensure that Denbighshire is a place where residents and businesses are well connected and resilient; where young people have opportunities for affordable housing and acquire skills and jobs to lead successful and fulfilling lives and where we all enjoy an attractive and protected environment. Similar to the last plan, this Corporate Plan contains specific actions that will be delivered over five years but, perhaps even more importantly, these actions are designed to have an impact beyond the next five years with future generations in mind.

“We recognise that the council must work closely with our partners and wider community and that is why the priorities in this Corporate Plan have been directly derived from our County Conversation exercise and consultation with partners.

“Denbighshire strongly believes in developing a single public service culture, informed by strongly active communities. We will, therefore, actively look at regional and sub-regional solutions and establish a permanent ‘Citizens Panel’ which will play a key role in both monitoring and helping to steer the implementation of the plan”.

You can find more information on our website.

1891 Rhyl

1891 restaurant at Rhyl Pavilion is now open. A contemporary and stylish first floor restaurant and bar located on the waterfront at the Pavilion Theatre in Rhyl.

OPENING TIMES

Thursday – Saturday 3.30pm until late (food served 4.30pm – 9.30pm)

Sunday 12.00pm – 9.00pm (food served 12.00pm – 7.00pm)

 The restaurant will also be open when larger shows are on, so please enquire for individual dates.

1891 Collage

 

To book a table please ring 01745 330000 or e-mail 1891@denbighshire.gov.uk.  Unfortunately, they are unable to take bookings via their Facebook page.

They also have a selection of special gins and a variety of cocktails and mocktails.

Follow them on Facebook or please visit their website for further information and to see their sample menus.

 

Colleagues honoured in excellence celebration

Excellence Denbighshire Collage

Excellence Denbighshire Awards are held every two years and staff/managers nominate their colleagues for these awards.  The ceremony took place at Llangollen Pavilion at the end of November and it was a great opportunity to celebrate the excellent and committed work going on across the county.  

Congratulations to all the winners and runners-up.

 

Ysgol Dinas Bran announced winners of LACA National School Meals Week competition

The Lead Association for CAtering in Education (LACA), held their annual National School Meals Week (NSMW) this year between 13th – 17th November and have been delighted with the response and involvement of so many school caterers, schools parents and pupils.Ysgol Dinas Bran

During the busy week many activities took place including ‘Host a school chef’, 5 marathons in 5 days powered by school meals’ and ’National Roast Dinner Day’ but the one that best caught the imagination of school caterers across England and Wales was the “#cookeditmyselfie competition which encouraged school caterers to send in pictures of the food they prepare and serve daily. The online competition took place on Twitter @NSMW and hundreds of photos were sent in showing what modern day school food looks like, the standard of entries was terrific.

A judging panel, including last year’s winner, looked at every picture and Ysgol Dinas Bran was named as the winner. As well as the accolade of knowing the food they serve stood out as being the best showcase of school food, they also won £500 worth of equipment or marketing support.

Porter continued “Over the years, we have seen NSMW grow in its importance and promote the professionalism and skill of school caterers, not to mention the nutritious and tasty food. This has been achieved in many ways, from holding high profile events such as serving school food to politicians in the House of Commons and the Welsh Assembly, serving school meals in the restaurant at the summit of Snowdon and school chefs working in Michelin Star restaurants as well as encouraging caterers to ‘shout out’ themselves about just how good they are. The #cookeditmyselfie initiative is the ideal platform for caterers to do this and I am delighted to have seen such enthusiasm and involvement from front line staff. The competition was tough and Ysgol Dinas Bran and indeed all caterers across Denbighshire should be very proud of coming out top of the class”.

Councillor Julian Thompson Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “This competition gave School Catering Teams across the country the opportunity to showcase their Service and the pictures submitted by Emma and her team at Dinas Bran were not of food or dishes devised specially for the competition – they were of food and dishes served on a daily basis.

Emma has a highly motivated and dedicated catering team and the Denbighshire School Meals Service and Denbighshire County Council are  rightly proud of their achievements.  

Emma Williams Catering Manager at the school said:  “ We have been heavily involved with #cookeditmyselfie this year. Not many days have gone by in the past few months where we haven’t posted a meal. The pictures show what we do every day, the food is great and the pupils love it. We use lots of local ingredients and prepare the food with love and passion. 

Charitable Council carol service raises £500

The annual carol service held at St Thomas’ Church, Rhyl on Monday, December 4 raised a grand total of £500 for the Chairman’s chosen charities for this year- the RNLI in Rhyl and St Kentigern’s Hospice in St Asaph.

During the service there were musical performances from Only Boys Aloud, Ysgol Glan Clwyd choir, Taya Castley from Ysgol Dinas Bran, soloist Beca Fflur Edwards from Ysgol Twm o’r Nant, harpist Julia Bugelli from Ysgol Glan Clwyd, a reading from Libi Owen of Ysgol Pendref, as well as festive readings from councillors and staff.

Carol Concert 1Carol Concert 2

Modernising Social Services - What is an Assessment?

You may hear that you or someone you know will be offered an assessment or have an assessment for social care. This may seem daunting, however an ‘assessment’ starts and sometimes finishes only with a conversation.  It helps us to find out what matters most to you now and in the future to keep you healthy and safe. 

We will talk about what is going well in your life now and not so well.  We will ask you how you want your life to be and what you want to achieve. 

Assessments should be appropriate to meet your communication and cultural needs. Assessments should also be proportionate so you will not be asked for more information than is necessary.   We will talk about the people around you and in your community.  They may be able and willing to help you overcome barriers and achieve what matters to you.

There are now five elements to an ‘assessment’.  These must be considered before a decision can be made about whether you would be eligible to have any identified care and support needs met by the Local Authority. 

    • Personal circumstances
    • Personal outcomes (what matters to you)
    • Barriers to achieving what matters to you
    • Strengths and Capabilities
    • Risks

We will also consider whether you require any support such as an advocate.  It is important that you are as fully involved in the process as possible: 

The assessment may end with advice about the short term or preventative services available and we will discuss with you how to access these. The assessment may lead to a decision that you are eligible for longer term care and support arranged with or through social services and this will be documented in a care and support plan.

If you think you need help or would like a discussion with someone, you can visit a Talking Point, contact the Single Point of Access on 0300 456 1000 or visit our website.

Alternatively you can look at Dewis Cymru which is THE place for well-being information in Wales.  Local organisations and services can be found to help citizens maintain their independence and well-being www.dewis.wales.

Veterans - Advice on Your Doorstep

Citizens Advice We provide a dedicated home visiting advice service to veterans over 70 and their dependants, in Denbighshire. We have a dedicated team comprising of 1 paid adviser and 2 volunteers. Veterans can be referred to us via our extensive network of partner and supporting agencies or self-refer.  Our aim is to ensure veterans incomes are maximised to their full potential and they are in receipt of all eligible benefit entitlement, minimising debt, reducing household expenditure with energy saving efficiency advice.  We also provide guidance on pertinent issues such as wills, lasting and enduring power of attorney, pensions. We identify under-claiming of benefits and credits and support people all the way through the application process, up to and including appeals.  We ensure all clients cases are progressed to the best possible outcome. We advocate and negotiate on any debts clients may have, resolving the debt situation through, insolvency options (Debt Relief Orders / bankruptcy); debt write offs, reduced or negated repayments.  Our energy advice service helps clients to reduce household energy expenditure, apply for grants to improve home energy efficiency and reduce energy costs.  Advice and guidance on age related issues is an equally essential offer, including housing, pensions, nursing care and tax. Clients will directly benefit from the advice and support we will provide.  Our advice will improve health and well-being, financial resilience and help to reduce social isolation. This project localises our service, clients don’t need to come to us, we will go to them.Citizens Advice Armed Forces

Advice Works

This is project is run by Citizens Advice Denbighshire, having secured European funding under the Active Inclusion Fund. Our project is a strand 2 project in which we undertook to provide supported employment to 14 participants who are over 25 years of age; who are from jobless households in Denbighshire; and who are either long term unemployed, or are economically inactive. The participants are offered placements of either 26 weeks or 16 weeks duration.

We have placed some participants externally and some have worked, or are working at our sites. Participants work within supportive environments to develop their skills and confidence. They also receive training to improve their employability and also towards the project’s cross-cutting themes of reducing poverty and social inclusion; promoting equality of opportunity; and encouraging sustainable development. The overriding objective is that 60% of participants will secure longer term employment through their involvement in the “Advice Works” project.

We are now closed to new participants with the project due to end in January 2018. We have engaged 13 participants on the project. Of the 6 participants who have so far completed their engagement 5 have entered into employment and 1 into volunteering.

Citizens Advice European Funding

Have your say on well-being in Conwy and Denbighshire

Conwy and Denbighshire Public Services Board are inviting local people to get involved and have their say on a new Local Well-being Plan.

The Conwy and Denbighshire Public Services Board (PSB) is a collaboration between public bodies who are working together to improve economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being in Conwy and Denbighshire.

Over the last year the PSB has been working with local communities to develop a draft Local Well-being Plan; it sets out priority areas where the PSB can make a significant contribution, focusing on:

  • The First 1,000 Days from conception to the child’s second birthday
  • Promoting community hubs
  • Promoting mental well-being for all ages
  • Promoting resilience in older people
  • Promoting environmental resilience
  • Raising resilient and aspirational young people

Bethan Jones of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is currently Chair of the PSB, she said: “A lot of work has already taken place to get us to this point, but this is only the start. The draft plan gives an outline of what we would like to achieve, and we would really welcome some feedback.Well Being Plan Photo

“We’d like to know if you agree with the priorities; let us know which priorities we should focus on; have we missed something or perhaps something in the plan needs changing.”

If you would like to give your views on the draft Local Well-being Plan, you can do so until 22 January 2018 at www.conwyanddenbighshirepsb.org.uk 

If you would prefer to submit a response on paper, if you have additional accessibility requirements, or if you would like more information about the consultation, please contact 01492 574059 or email county.conversation@conwy.gov.uk

The final Local Well-Being Plan will be published by May 2018.

BCUHB Winter Health Tips

BCUHB Winter Health Tips English

Community planning information portal in Denbighshire goes live online

A free online resource and information for community groups and  city, town and community councils in Denbighshire has gone live.

The online resource has been produced to help community groups and organisations to access information and advice they can follow to improve lives and the quality of life in their communities.

Practical details include:

  • How to set up a Committee 
  • Links to Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) information sheet inc. information on registering as a charity
  • Evidence to support grant applications including the Conwy and Denbighshire Wellbeing Assessment Website
  • Links to local CVCs
  • Links to external funders
  • Benefits of having a plan
  • Links to DEWIS Cymru, Denbighshire Local Development Plan and external statistic websites

Councillor Richard Mainon, Cabinet Lead Member for Developing Community Infrastructure, said: “Community Resilience has been identified as a high priority across the whole of Denbighshire with the emphasis on communities taking the lead in shaping their futures, looking at what they could themselves to improve their communities.

“This community planning web resource provides tools needed by groups and City, Town and Community Councils see their aspirations turn into a reality”.  

As well as the free online resource the project will offer officer time and support to communities who wish to create their own plans and bid for funding, signposting to appropriate grant provider. Support will also be given to member so that they also could offer advice and guidance to their respective communities.

The information can be found online at: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/communityplanning.

Taylorfitch. Bringing Newsletters to life