County council approves 2026-27 budget

Denbighshire County Council has today (Thursday, 12 February) approved its budget and set the Council Tax level for 2026–27.

Like councils across the UK, Denbighshire continues to face significant financial pressures. Demand for services is rising, and needs are becoming more complex, particularly in our schools and from those needing social care.  Next year, costs that are outside of the council’s control are forecast to exceed £20 million for the fourth consecutive year.

Most of the council’s day-to-day costs in providing services is funded by Welsh Government with the remaining 25% funding generated from Council Tax.  The recent increase in funding from Welsh Government – although welcome – does not fully cover our financial pressures, making a Council Tax rise unavoidable.

Councillor Delyth Jones, Lead Member for Finance, said: “With 64% of our budget spent on schools, social care and homelessness, and a further 14% committed to things like the Wales wide national scheme for Council Tax benefit and the levy we have to pay to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, that only leaves 22% left for all other Council services.

“We know these services matter greatly to residents, but the growing demand for statutory services means budgets are continually squeezed. Protecting our most vulnerable residents must remain our priority.

“In setting this year’s budget, we have worked hard to keep Council Tax increases as low as possible, avoiding cuts to services, while still providing the vital services people rely on.”

The approved Council Tax for 2026–27 is 4.76% for Council services, along with the additional 0.46% which has to be paid to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority levy, giving a total of 5.22%.

Essential services such as education, adult care, support for children and homelessness prevention account for 64% of the Council’s total budget. The remainder covers a wide range of everyday services including:

• Inspecting around 720 food businesses each year
• Collecting approximately 73,000 bins and recycling containers weekly from nearly 49,000 households
• Maintaining countryside sites such as Loggerheads, Moel Famau and Bodelwyddan Park
• Protecting heritage attractions including Ruthin Gaol, Nantclwyd y Dre and Plas Newydd
• Providing over 12 million school meals a year
• Transporting around 2,870 learners safely to school
• Maintaining 11,763 streetlights and 1,419 km of county roads

Councillor Jones added: “I’m pleased that this budget does not require reductions to service delivery. Instead, we have focused on efficiencies, income generation and transforming how services operate.”

For those residents worried about paying their Council Tax, those on low incomes may be eligible for support through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. More information is available on Denbighshire County Council’s website

Senedd Member slams 'slow progress' on Maelor parking problems

* Sam Rowlands MS at the Maelor car park.

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, says it is taking far too long to resolve the "growing" parking problems at Wrexham Maelor Hospital. 

Last November he launched a petition calling for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to get their act together and sort out the daily nightmare.

 

He said: “My inbox is continually full of emails from constituents, patients, visitors and even hospital staff who are telling me the same story: parking at the Maelor has become a daily nightmare.

 

“People arriving for appointments are stressed, anxious and often late because they cannot find a safe or available place to park. Staff working those long and difficult shifts face the same challenges. I have actually spent some time in the car park and seen at first hand how dangerous and frustrating it is to park there.

 

“It really isn’t good enough and it is about time the issue was dealt with as a matter of urgency.

 

“I am angry for my constituents as I feel that the health board is dragging its feet and need to work urgently with Wrexham Council to put some measures in place as soon as possible.

 

“Recently in the Senedd I called for an urgent review of the issue and urged the Welsh Government to get involved as I feel we need a commitment to a full review of parking capacity and management at the Maelor, and a timetable for delivering practical solutions, whether that includes a multistorey car park, park-and-ride options, or better use of existing land or other options that may be available to the Government.”

 

Mr Rowlands called for a statement regarding this issue from Jane Hutt, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip. And she said it was the responsibility of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, working with their local hospital management teams.

 

Mr Rowlands added: “I was disappointed but not surprised with the response from the Welsh Government as quite clearly the health board need support to fix these long-running parking issues at the hospital and as usual the Welsh Government buries it head in the sand.

 

“I have raised my concerns with the Health Board and I hope to have a meeting to discuss the matter, but it would have been a positive step if the Welsh Government had been willing to get involved.”

 

Railway formally backs Llangollen's bid to become UK Town of Culture

Llangollen and Corwen Railway has formally backed the town's bid to become the UK’s first Town of Culture, following a successful public meeting last night  organised by the Town Council.

Representatives of the railway were pleased to attend and to publicly support the proposal, which aims to celebrate the town’s rich cultural life, heritage and community spirit. 

The railway sys it believes the bid reflects not only Llangollen’s international reputation, but also the strength of its local organisations, volunteers and cultural traditions.

David Hennigan, the railway's Trust Manager, said: “Culture and heritage run right through this town, and we were proud to attend the meeting and publicly back the bid. 

"The railway is part of the story of Llangollen, and we stand ready to play our full part in helping the town succeed. We congratulate Llangollen Town Council for taking the lead on this and we stand ready to play our part.

"Volunteers are at the heart of everything that is great about Llangollen and its environs, and it is only right that this bid is led by those who give so much to make Llangollen the town it is. Across the Llangollen and the Dee Valley, it is volunteers who keep traditions alive, organise events, restore buildings, welcome visitors and pass on skills to the next generation. The railway is no different, and we see every day what can be achieved when people come together with pride in their community.”

The railway believes the bid reflects the strength of Llangollen’s cultural life, from internationally recognised events such as the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod to the many volunteer-led organisations like the Llangollen Fringe Festival that sustain the town’s heritage and community activities.

Looking ahead, the railway is already planning to bring culture along its tracks in 2026, with activities and events taking place across all stations on the line, including Llangollen, Berwyn, Glyndyfrdwy, Carrog and Corwen. These plans aim to connect communities, celebrate local history and provide new opportunities for visitors to experience the Dee Valley.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway has confirmed that it stands ready to support the bid and to work alongside partners across the town in developing ideas and activities. 

Story says couple fear hillside may collapse onto their cottage

* The story on the BBC News website.

BBC News is reporting that a couple say they are afraid to go to sleep in case the hillside behind their cottage collapses onto them.

Ross and Jill Darbyshire from Rhewl, near Llangollen, said on 28 January they heard a huge noise at the back of the property and later noticed cracks in the sheer slate bedrock.

* For the full story, go to: Llangollen couple scared to fall asleep in case rockfall crushes their home - BBC News

Local CAB advice outreach sessions

 

A new EV with some challenging tech but still Geely good

Geely EX5 drive by Steve Rogers

Meet the Geely EX5, the latest in the tidal wave of Chinese cars to land on our shores but this one has a valuable friend in the UK.

Not a name you are likely to have heard of so let’s start with some housekeeping.

Who is Geely? The company is big in China and has been producing cars for nearly 30 years and has a strong connection with Europe because it is the money behind Volvo, Polestar, Smart… and Lotus.

It is entering the market at the height of Chinese brand popularity, in fact the speed at which new Chinese models are shaping our market is frightening. The big players are BYD, Jaecoo and Omoda and together they sold more cars in January than Volkswagen, the UK’s biggest brand.

The Geely is classed as a compact SUV but this car is spacious throughout with more legroom than expected for back seat passengers who get a nice flat floor and wide enough for three adults to sit comfortably.

Although built in China it was designed in Milan, its classic shape pleasing on the eye if a tad conservative compared to some Chinese rivals. It does not have the scary face of a Jaecoo 7 or the beautiful styling of the X-Peng G6; more the soft, uncluttered lines of a Porsche Macan which is no bad thing.

So what can we expect from this Geely EX5? It is Chinese and that means tech, tech, and even more tech. Apart from a fast demist button, everything goes through a whopping central touchscreen. I am getting used to this type of car but they are still a challenge.

You can’t just jump in and drive away, well you could obviously, but learning how the car functions first is time well spent. I liken it to swatting for an exam and hoping you remember the answers when you open the paper.

The saving grace is voice control as long as you can remember how to say the commands. Too often the reply is ‘I am still learning this function, please try again later’. It does not turn off immediately and records your conversation prompting another reply from our friendly lady. All a bit annoying.

That said, the touchscreen is reasonably easy to master. There is a lot to take in with menus and sub menus but is clearly laid out, it’s just that there is so much of it and there are probably functions I never found. The most useful were the automatic heated seats and heated steering wheel which come on as soon as you are in the car. It is the same for the ventilated seats.

I mentioned the conservative styling, well that changes in the cabin. It is stunning and I would suggest taking a look at the ivory trim. This top of the range model is all but £37k but could pass for a 50 grand motor, it is that special. Dominating the cabin is a long central bridge with exquisite detailing and adds such class to the car. On a practical side this creates a substantial storage area underneath to compliment 32 other storage areas.

Getting to the business end the Lotus factor has paid huge dividends because the springs, dampers and anti roll bars have been refined by Lotus engineers so the Geely’s ride and handling is rather good and sends a ‘we’re coming for you’ message to Chinese rivals.

The battery pack is 60.22kW giving a range of 267 miles which is down on some European makes. The Renault Scenic’s 87kW battery gives a range around 370 miles and the Seat Tavascan is in the same ballpark. Performance is lively enough and the Geely can take a 160kW DC charge so 30-80 per cent is reached in 20 minutes.

A full charge from a standard 7kW home charger takes just over six hours and using the remote control app can take advantage of cheaper EV tariffs some of which start in the middle of the night so you choose when to start and stop. The car can also be used to charge an e-bike and other plug-in devices, handy if you are into camping and other lifestyle activities.

Geely has hit the ground running with EX5 and is sending out a strong message. It feels quality, has a long list of standard equipment and the usual full suite of safety features. This is the start and we can expect 10 more models over the next three years. Watch this space.

Fast facts

Geely EX5 Max

£36,990 (starts £31,990)

Battery 60.22kW

Range: 267 miles

0-62mph 7.1secs; 109mph

214bhp

Emissions: Zero

Boot: 461-1877 litres

Warranty: 6 years; battery 8 years

Insurance group: 35-36

Free half term activities at Hwb Pengwern Hub

South Denbighshire Community Partnership will be hosting a programme of free family activities at Hwb Pengwern over the first three days of the upcoming half term holiday, providing families in Llangollen with different opportunities. 

Hwb Pengwern will open its doors on Monday February 16, between 1pm and 3pm, for a family art and craft session focused on the theme of memories, providing families with the opportunity to enjoy creative activities in a relaxed setting.

 

On Tuesday February 17 families will once again be welcomed to Hwb Pengwern to take part in one of two family cooking workshops, where participants will learn to prepare a dish and take their creations home with them.

 

The programme will conclude on Wednesday February 18, between 11am and 12pm, at Hwb Pengwern with a family yoga session, suitable for all abilities, promoting wellbeing and family time in a supportive environment. Toys will be available for children who may need to move around during the session.

 

All activities are free of charge, but spaces are limited, booking is required and you can call Hwb Pengwern Hub on 01978 280365, or e-mail at: Office@sdcp.org