Get involved in our new discussions and share your opinion on a variety of climate and ecological change topics. 

This week's topic launches on February 15th and will be concentrating on travel and how you are doing that in a low carbon way. Perhaps you're not travelling as much as you used to? Many of us are working from home and staying local more but many still have a need to travel, be that for work or leisure. 

You can sign up to take part by registering for the Y Panel Climate and Ecological Change sub-group here or, if you already have an account, simply log in here and click on the 'Discussions' link to see the latest topic. This will enable you to post a comment, reply to existing comments and also receive notifications when a new topic is ‘live’. 

We'd love to know if you are conscious about your carbon footprint when it comes to travelling and what this means to you.

Get involved and share your knowledge and information. We'd like to hear your thoughts and ideas!
 

Has Covid-19 changed the way Llangollen thinks about transport?

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has had a massive impact in the way that we all think about many of the most basic things, including how we travel. During the early weeks of the first 'lockdown' (March/April 2020) the Welsh Government noted that many towns had an upsurge in people choosing to walk or cycle as their main means of transport, as well as an increase in air quality as large numbers of polluting vehicles were left at home. Welsh Government were keen to ensure that these positive changes were made sustainable for the longer term. In May 2020, Welsh Government put out a call for expressions of interest from local authorities to bid for funding to make short-term, temporary changes to town centres that would encourage people to travel more actively, and make social distancing measures easier to maintain. Denbighshire County Council prepared and submitted expressions of interest for proposed schemes in Llangollen, Denbigh, Ruthin and Rhyl.

The proposal submitted for Llangollen was to install 'lane defenders' on parts of Abbey Road and Castle Street, to close the link road between Berwyn Street and Hall Street (the A5), and to reverse the direction of flow of vehicles on Church Street. These measures would:

• Widen pavements in areas where they are narrow
• Support some pubs, cafes and restaurants in the town centre area to create outside seating areas for their customers
• Discourage the use of busy pedestrian areas as a 'rat run' for commuters
• Encourage and support commuters and residents to choose active travel (walking or cycling) as their main means of getting around town
• Encourage and support commuters, residents and tourists to choose active travel (walking or cycling) as their main means of getting around town

Upon being awarded an agreement in principle for the funding, the Council launched consultations for each of the four proposed schemes - from 10th July to 26th July 2020. The consultation for Llangollen received 91 responses in total, with approximately 65% of respondents supporting the proposals. You can access the consultation and summary reports via the link below:

Finding a 'new normal' for Llangollen town centre (opens in new tab)

Denbighshire County Council

Marriage Act 1949

Civil Partnership Act 2004

Notice is hereby given pursuant to the above that an application has been made by Andy Franks for the premises known as Rivercatcher, Llandrillo for a grant of approval to enable Civil Marriages to be Solemnised/Civil Partnerships to be Registered at these premises.

The application and accompanying plan will be available for inspection for 21 days from the date of this Notice at the office of the

Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services

County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1YN

Within that time, any person may give notice in writing by completing the survey linked below, or to the address above, of an objection to the grant of approval, with reasons for the objection.

G. Williams

Proper Officer.

Denbighshire County Council

Marriage Act 1949

Civil Partnership Act 2004

Notice is hereby given pursuant to the above that an application has been made by Cara Roberts for the premises known as Wild Pheasant Hotel and Spa, Llangollen for a grant of approval to enable Civil Marriages to be Solemnised/Civil Partnerships to be Registered at these premises.

The application and accompanying plan will be available for inspection for 21 days from the date of this Notice at the office of the

Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services

County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1YN

Within that time, any person may give notice in writing by completing the survey linked below, or to the address above, of an objection to the grant of approval, with reasons for the objection.

G. Williams

Proper Officer.

Denbighshire County Council declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency in July 2019 which committed the Council to become net carbon zero by 2030 and improve biodiversity.

We ran a public engagement event in January and February 2020 asking for your feedback on the Council’s net carbon zero and ecologically positive goals and your ideas on how the Council can achieve them by 2030. You can read more about that engagement by clicking this link.

Building on your ideas we have worked with Members and Officers from across the Council to develop the Council’s Climate and Ecological Change Strategy (2021/22 – 2029/30).
This is the draft document we would be delighted if you would read and then let us know what you think.

The document explains what we mean by the goals net carbon zero and ecologically positive Council, how the Council is currently performing on both, what we hope 2030 will look like for the Council having achieved our goals and the changes and actions we hope to deliver over the next 9 years.

You can read the strategy document by clicking the link below:

- Denbighshire County Council's Climate and Ecological Change Strategy (2021/22-2029/30)

We have also produced versions of the strategy document in different formats. These can be read by clicking the appropriate link below:

- Youth friendly version

- Easy read version

- Net Carbon Zero infographic summary

- Ecologically Positive infographic summary

The consultation closes on Monday 7th December.

Many thanks for your contribution to Denbighshire County Council’s Draft Climate and Ecological Change Strategy Public Consultation which was run in November and December last year.

The responses received have been collated and analysed and a consultation summary document has been produced.

Please click here to access the document.
 

Hello. Please talk to us about the North East Wales Archives.

Flintshire's and Denbighshire's record offices have joined together to become North East Wales Archives. North East Wales Archives collects historical records relating to Denbighshire and Flintshire and preserves them for future generations, whilst enabling and promoting access by the public.

We will be applying for a National Heritage Lottery grant fund in 2021, to help us build a brand new record office in Mold, next door to Theatr Clwyd.

Hello. Please help us to help your town recover from Covid-19 (coronavirus).

In March 2020, the Welsh Government announced a 'lockdown' in order to slow the spread of Covid-19 (coronavirus), a dangerous respiratory disease. For more than three months, town centres - the heart of many of our communities - stood still and quiet, with businesses closed and visitors and locals alike asked to stay at home and away from others until things became better. 

On 19th June 2020, the Welsh Government announced that businesses could begin to re-open and that (provided that Covid-19 case numbers or transmission rates continued to drop) people would be able to again enjoy increasing levels of freedom.

Windfarms Community Planning Project

This project will help us to deliver our Corporate Plan priority around Resilient Communities, where the Council works with people and communities to build independence and resilience. You can read more about our Corporate Plan 2017-22 by clicking here.

What will the Windfarms Community Planning Project project help us to achieve?

The main aims of the Windfarms Community Planning project are to:

• Help eligible communities in Denbighshire realise the maximum benefit of both the Clocaenog and Brenig Windfarm Community Funds.
• Provide guidance to eligible groups to implement robust, impactful and innovative projects that are more likely to secure grant funding from the Clocaenog and Brenig Windfarm Funds.
• Share examples of good practice relating to community development across Denbighshire.

What are we proposing to help us achieve our aims?

We are proposing:

• Increase the capacity of our Community Development Resource to coincide with the launch of both the Brenig and Clocaenog Windfarm Community Benefit Funds.
• Offer bespoke, enabling, community development support to groups who are developing community project ideas.
• Organise and support workshops and events where community development knowledge sharing and guidance is facilitated.

Finding a 'new normal' for Rhyl town centre

In May 2020, Welsh Government put out a call for expressions of interest from local authorities to bid for funding to make short-term, temporary changes to town centres that will help to make them feel safe and welcoming. The council submitted expressions of interest for proposed schemes in Rhyl, Denbigh, Ruthin and Llangollen.

On 21st June 2020, the council launched a survey to find out how businesses and residents felt about town centres beginning to re-open. Early responses indicate that businesses are quieter than they usually would be for the time of year, and that residents are generally nervous about returning to town centres. Many respondents indicated that they were only visiting town centres to carry out essential tasks and over half of respondents who left a comment expressed concerns about pavement widths and the inability to safely practice social distancing. The survey is ongoing and can be accessed here. 

The survey responses received to date suggest that the range of propsals which the council submitted to Welsh Government are appropriate and proportional to the scale of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Welsh Government has approved funding for the proposals, however the council would like to consult with the local community before any final decision on the scheme is made.

In summary, the proposals for Rhyl are to create improved shared space for pedestrians and cyclists in key areas of Rhyl between the railway station and the seafront. This will be through the installation of temporary ‘Lane Defender’ systems in the following locations:

• The eastern side of Bodfor Street and Queen Street
• The northern side of Wellington Road, between Elwy Street and High Street
• Along West Parade, between Water Street and High Street

Further details on the proposals are available to download below:

1. Rhyl proposal document (PDF)

2. Rhyl proposal Map (PDF)

This consultation ran from 10th to 26th July, it is now closed. You can read the original consultation and our findings below.

Finding a 'new normal' for Ruthin town centre

In May 2020, Welsh Government put out a call for expressions of interest from local authorities to bid for funding to make short-term, temporary changes to town centres that will help to make them feel safe and welcoming. The council submitted expressions of interest for proposed schemes in Ruthin, Denbigh, Llangollen and Rhyl. 

On 21st June 2020, the council launched a survey to find out how businesses and residents felt about town centres beginning to re-open. Early responses indicate that businesses are quieter than they usually would be for the time of year, and that residents are generally nervous about returning to town centres. Many respondents indicated that they were only visiting town centres to carry out essential tasks and over half of respondents who left a comment expressed concerns about pavement widths and the inability to safely practice social distancing. The survey is ongoing and can be accessed here. 

The survey responses received to date suggest that the range of propsals which the council submitted to Welsh Government are appropriate and proportional to the scale of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Welsh Government has approved funding for the proposals, however the council would like to consult with the local community before any final decision on the scheme is made.

In summary, the proposals for Ruthin are to:

1. Support social distancing in Market Street and Well Street by introducing a one-way traffic system to the town centre along these routes. This will enable pavements to be widened in problem areas

2. To support pubs, cafés and restaurants in Ruthin town centre to create outside seating areas where it is safe and practicable to do so.

3. To acknowledge the increased interest in active travel and associated health benefits, and to encourage and support people to choose active travel as a means of getting about in the town centre by implementing infrastructure changes which make active travel easier

Further details on the proposals are available to download below:

1. Proposal document: Ruthin town centre (PDF)

2. Ruthin scheme map (PDF)

The Council received a total of 606 responses to this consultation. Of these, approximately 81% of respondents were in favour of the proposed temporary scheme.

The response data was collated and presented to the Ruthin Member Area Group (MAG), a group of  County Councillors for the Ruthin area. The reports can be accessed below:

1. Report to MAG (PDF)

2. Engagement Summary Report (PDF)

3. Detailed data report (PDF)

The Ruthin MAG recommended to the Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment that a decision was made to proceed with the scheme, supported in part by the favourable community responses received.

The temporary scheme will be installed in November 2020 for a trial period not exceeding 18 months.

Local residents and businesses will be given an opportunity to feed back on the trial scheme once works to install it are completed.