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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2025, 11 November 2025 and 15 December 20258 July 2025 be received and confirmed as a correct record.
RESOLVED that – • Members adopt the Council Tax Reduction Schemes and Prescribed Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2013, the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Default Scheme) (Wales) Regulations 2013 and the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements and Default Scheme) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2026 in respect of the 2026/27 financial year; • Members approve the discretionary elements of the scheme, shown in section 4.4 of the report for 2026/27 financial year.
RESOLVED that – • Members noted the latest position on the current Capital Plan 2025/26–2027/28 included in Appendix 1 and the update on major projects included in Appendix 2. • Members supported the recommendations of the Capital Scrutiny Group and Cabinet for capital bids to be included in the 2025/26 Capital Plan, as detailed in Appendix 3 and summarised in Appendix 4. • Members approved the 2025/26 Capital Plan included in Appendix 1. • Members approved the Capital Strategy and Prudential Indicators for 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix 5.
RESOLVED that Council – i. Approves the TMSS for 2026/27 (Appendix 1) ii. Approves the setting of Prudential Indicators 27, 2027/28 and 2028/29 (Appendix 1) iii. .Approves the Minimum Reserve Provision Statement (Appendix 1 Section 6) iv. Confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Wellbeing Impact Assessment (Appendix 2) as part of its consideration.
RESOLVED that – i. Council agree to extend the existing Corporate Plan to 2028, such that the next Corporate Plan runs 2028 – 2033. ii. Council confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Wellbeing Impact Assessment (Appendix B) as part of its consideration.
RESOLVED that the Council approved the updated SACRE Constitution as set out in the appendix.
RESOLVED that the Council and Council Workshop forward work programmes be noted. The meeting concluded at 11:45am
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Raj Metri and Paul Keddie.
No declarations were raised.
The chair welcomed two residents to raise awareness of their petition in reference to Llannerch bridge. Deborah and Sue Holroyd, residents of Trefnant and Tremeirchion, presented a petition concerning the need to replace Pont Llannerch, which collapsed in January 2021 during Storm Christoph. The petition explained that the collapse had caused significant disruption, forcing residents, emergency services, school transport, and businesses to take detours of up to seven miles. A total of 2,569 signatures had been collected in support of the request for action. It was noted that the bridge crossed a freshwater aquifer, which had led the Council to halt earlier design proposals due to potential risks to public drinking water supplies. The petitioners therefore urged the Council to consider alternative engineering solutions, pointing to national infrastructure projects that had been successfully delivered over aquifers. The campaign had gained support from local councillors and elected representatives at both Senedd and Westminster levels. Local Councillor James Elson, added following the discussion on the petition, that he and Councillor Chris Evans fully supported the petition, and raised that there needed to be a solution met, he highlighted how there was a great civil engineering company within the county; and they would be working on a plan to deal with the issue effecting the local community. The Chair invited the Lead member Councillor Barry Mellor to respond to the petition, and the points raised by Councillor James Elson. Councillor Mellor thanked Deborah and Susan for submitting this petition on behalf of all the people who took the trouble to sign it. The petition would be taken away for consideration, and a formal response would be provided in due course. Responding to Councillor Elson, Councillor Mellor confirmed that he and the Leader, Councillor Jason McLellan had met with both Councillors Elson and Evans on the 14th of October; to discuss the decision made by Cabinet to end the project to re-build the bridge. During the meetings it was agreed that the bridge which had been designed could not be built due to the technical advice that clearly highlighted the risk to the aquifer and the supply of drinking water for around 80,000 homes. However, Councillors Elson and Evans stated that they were working on an alternative proposal for a bridge that they believed would not present a risk to the aquifer. At the end of the meeting, it was agreed that Council would consider that proposal once it had been submitted by Councillors Elson and Evans; Councillor Mellor reaffirmed the commitment made at the October meeting and was awaiting the proposed plans. The Chair welcomed the Councillor Julie Matthews to speak regarding Holocaust Memorial Day; Councillor Matthews highlighted rising hate crime, prejudice, and global examples of genocide. She emphasised the theme of “Bridging Generations” and the importance of remembrance. Council and Denbigh Leisure Limited buildings were to be illuminated in purple as part of the national commemorative initiative.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2025, 11 November 2025 and 15 December 20258 July 2025 be received and confirmed as a correct record.
The minutes of the Council meeting held on Special meeting of Council held on the 4 November 2025, Meeting of Council held on the 11 November 2025 and Special meetings of Council held on the 15 December 2025 were submitted RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2025, 11 November 2025 and 15 December 20258 July 2025 be received and confirmed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that – • Members adopt the Council Tax Reduction Schemes and Prescribed Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2013, the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Default Scheme) (Wales) Regulations 2013 and the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements and Default Scheme) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2026 in respect of the 2026/27 financial year; • Members approve the discretionary elements of the scheme, shown in section 4.4 of the report for 2026/27 financial year.
The Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, Councillor Delyth Jones, presented the Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2026/27 report (previously circulated) Members were reminded that Council Tax Benefit had ceased on 31 March 2013 and that responsibility for providing support for Council Tax, together with the associated funding, had transferred to the Welsh Government. It was reported that the Welsh Government had finalised both sets of annual regulations on 23 January 2026 and that the Council Tax Reduction Schemes and Prescribed Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2013, together with the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements and Default Scheme) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2026, were required to be adopted by all 22 local authorities in Wales by 31 January 2026. Members noted that the amended 2013 Council Tax Reduction Scheme Regulations uprated the financial figures used to calculate entitlement in line with Welsh Government policy, with a small number of additional figures also uprated for 2026/27. Members were advised that amendments had been included within the scheme to ensure that the 2013 regulations remained up to date and fit for purpose. It was noted that personal allowances relating to working‑age claimants, carers and disabled premiums had been amended and increased in line with the rise in the cost of living. The convention to uprate allowances in line with the Consumer Price Index figure for September 2025, which was 3.8%, was reported. It was further noted that personal allowances relating to pensioners had been amended and aligned with Housing Benefit. These figures had been calculated with assistance from the Department for Work and Pensions and uprated using different mechanisms, including earnings‑based uprating for the Pension Credit Standard Minimum Guarantee and price‑based uprating for additional pension elements and increments. Members were informed that the financial figures for non‑dependent income bands and deductions had been uprated in line with the average increase in Council Tax. It was noted that, without these amendments, deductions from Council Tax Reduction Scheme awards would no longer appropriately reflect average earnings or the overall cost of Council Tax. Members discussed the following matters – • Officers responded to questions regarding the foster‑friendly policy and whether Denbighshire foster carers received a Council Tax reduction. It was clarified that this was not included within the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and that any such reduction would be a discretionary decision for the Council. Officers advised that the matter formed part of the wider transformation programme. • Members referred to Section 6 of the report, which stated that current expenditure was £12.202m. It was noted that a net Council Tax increase of 5% would result in forecast expenditure of approximately £12.812m for 2026/27. Officers advised that these costs were incorporated within the budget and the Council Tax‑setting process. Members were informed that all funding gaps had been discussed with the Welsh Government. • Members questioned why a wellbeing impact assessment had not been updated. Officers advised that the scheme had not changed since the previous assessment and therefore had not required an update. It was noted that officers would consider updating the assessment should members request this. • Members raised matters relating to promotion of the scheme and the support provided by the finance team to residents requiring assistance, including through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. Officers advised that the Council worked closely with partners, including the Department for Work and Pensions and Universal Credit, and that promotion of the scheme formed part of the team’s core work. • Members raised concerns regarding the £4 million funding gap and sought clarification on whether this related to the Welsh Government scheme or to decisions made by the Council. Officers confirmed that the scheme was primarily set by Welsh Government and that any local discretionary changes were minor. Members were advised that business rates were set nationally, with income pooled and redistributed on a population basis. Officers further reported that changes to business rates had been identified and that a member briefing would be arranged. PROPOSED by Councillor Delyth Jones and SECONDED by Councillor Peter Scott. A vote took place by show of hands and the report was unanimously approved. RESOLVED that – • Members adopt the Council Tax Reduction Schemes and Prescribed Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2013, the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Default Scheme) (Wales) Regulations 2013 and the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements and Default Scheme) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2026 in respect of the 2026/27 financial year; • Members approve the discretionary elements of the scheme, shown in section 4.4 of the report for 2026/27 financial year.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that – • Members noted the latest position on the current Capital Plan 2025/26–2027/28 included in Appendix 1 and the update on major projects included in Appendix 2. • Members supported the recommendations of the Capital Scrutiny Group and Cabinet for capital bids to be included in the 2025/26 Capital Plan, as detailed in Appendix 3 and summarised in Appendix 4. • Members approved the 2025/26 Capital Plan included in Appendix 1. • Members approved the Capital Strategy and Prudential Indicators for 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix 5.
The Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, Councillor Delyth Jones, presented the Capital Plan 2026/27–2028/29 report (previously circulated). The report provided Members with an updated Capital Plan and Capital Strategy for the period 2026/27 to 2028/29. It was explained that the Capital Plan recorded all Council Fund actual and forecast capital expenditure and funding. The Capital Strategy provided a high‑level overview of how capital expenditure, capital financing and treasury management activity contributed to the delivery of the Council’s services. Members were reminded that the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s Code of Practice on Treasury Management required the Council to approve a Capital Strategy and Prudential Indicators annually. Members were informed of the categories of capital schemes, which included statutory and regulatory schemes, such as adaptations to schools for children with disabilities and works required to meet health and safety requirements; schemes to maintain, improve or extend the economic life of retained assets and infrastructure used in service delivery, such as road resurfacing and roof replacements; and schemes involving remodelling and/or investment in assets to deliver services, with recent examples including the school building programme and the new waste and recycling depot. In setting the revenue and capital budgets for 2024/25 and 2025/26, the Council had recognised the need to limit the impact of the capital plan on the revenue budget. It was noted that the Council had approved a set of principles for determining support for capital projects, which included an aim to cap spending on statutory and regulatory schemes and the maintenance of retained assets at the level of general capital funding received from Welsh Government. Members were advised that annual block allocations had been reduced over the previous two years and were now largely funded through Welsh Government capital funding. The full Capital Plan had last been reported to Council in January 2025, with regular updates having been presented to Cabinet and the Capital Scrutiny Group (CSG). The estimated Capital Plan for 2025/26 was reported to be £75.4m and was summarised by service area in Appendix 1. CSG recommendations for block allocations to be included in the 2026/27 Capital Plan were set out in Appendix 2, with a brief rationale for each allocation included in Appendix 3. Following reductions in allocations over the previous two years, it was acknowledged that further reductions would increase the risk of assets not being maintained to the required standards. It was therefore reported that the 2026/27 allocations continued to require Welsh Government funding to be supplemented by the Council’s own resources. During the debate, a number of points were raised. · Councillor Gareth Sandilands commended the Capital Scrutiny Group and the officers involved for their work in relation to the Capital Plan. · Members referred to the Pride of Place Fund and queried whether funding would be used for improvements to public toilets within local communities. Officers clarified that the funding could be used for public toilets and advised that a briefing session for all Members had been arranged to provide further detail. It was confirmed that funding would only be allocated to facilities remaining open after April 2026. · Members sought clarification regarding the table in Appendix 4 and the meaning of the “other” category. Officers advised that a list of schemes included within this category could be provided if required and explained that the intention was to highlight the larger schemes, noting that the “other” category included a number of smaller projects. · Members queried the reference to “traffic” within Appendix 3. Officers confirmed that this related to parking and advised that no funding had been allocated to traffic for the previous two years. · Attention was drawn to Schools Capital Maintenance and the Ysgol Tir Morfa hydrotherapy pool, particularly in relation to changes in costs. It was highlighted that the Capital Plan did not include provision for the construction of any new schools during the current Council term. Members also queried the movement of reserves and raised questions regarding the Queen’s Market redevelopment. In response, officers explained that the change relating to school capital maintenance was due to the allocation of block funding and slippage from 2025/26 into 2026/27. In relation to Ysgol Tir Morfa, officers confirmed that the scheme was funded from different capital funding sources and that capital reserves, rather than education reserves, were being used. Officers advised that the additional costs associated with the Queen’s Market redevelopment related to fittings and were funded through the Shared Prosperity Fund. · Members also raised the potential installation of solar panels at Council parking sites and queried the source of funding, noting the potential for income generation. Officers advised that the matter had been considered by the Capital Scrutiny Group and that the business case would be funded through the Climate and Nature funding stream. It was clarified that the business case related specifically to Council office parking. The proposal was moved by Councillor Delyth Jones and seconded by Councillor Gareth Sandilands. Following a vote by a show of hands, it was unanimously agreed to approve the Capital Plan 2025/26–2026/27. RESOLVED that – • Members noted the latest position on the current Capital Plan 2025/26–2027/28 included in Appendix 1 and the update on major projects included in Appendix 2. • Members supported the recommendations of the Capital Scrutiny Group and Cabinet for capital bids to be included in the 2025/26 Capital Plan, as detailed in Appendix 3 and summarised in Appendix 4. • Members approved the 2025/26 Capital Plan included in Appendix 1. • Members approved the Capital Strategy and Prudential Indicators for 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix 5.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that Council – i. Approves the TMSS for 2026/27 (Appendix 1) ii. Approves the setting of Prudential Indicators 27, 2027/28 and 2028/29 (Appendix 1) iii. .Approves the Minimum Reserve Provision Statement (Appendix 1 Section 6) iv. Confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Wellbeing Impact Assessment (Appendix 2) as part of its consideration.
The Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, Councillor Delyth Jones, presented the Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS) 2026/27 and Prudential Indicators 2026/27 to 2028/29 (Appendix 1) report (previously circulated). The TMSS showed how the Council would manage its investments and its borrowing for the coming year and set the policies within which the Treasury Management function operates. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s Code of Practice on Treasury Management (the “CIPFA TM Code”) required the Council to approve the TMSS and Prudential Indicators annually. PROPOSED by Councillor Delyth Jones and SECONDED by Councillor Barry Mellor. A vote took place by a show of hands, and it was unanimously agreed to approve treasury management strategy statement 2026/27 and prudential indicators 2026/27 to 2028/29 RESOLVED that Council – i. Approves the TMSS for 2026/27 (Appendix 1) ii. Approves the setting of Prudential Indicators 27, 2027/28 and 2028/29 (Appendix 1) iii. .Approves the Minimum Reserve Provision Statement (Appendix 1 Section 6) iv. Confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Wellbeing Impact Assessment (Appendix 2) as part of its consideration.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that – i. Council agree to extend the existing Corporate Plan to 2028, such that the next Corporate Plan runs 2028 – 2033. ii. Council confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Wellbeing Impact Assessment (Appendix B) as part of its consideration.
Councillor Julie Matthews presented Changing the Corporate Plan period and timeline (report) alongside the Head of Corporate Support Service: Performance, Digital and Assets and the Insight, Strategy and Delivery Manager (previously circulated) the report on the proposal to extend the period of the Corporate Plan by a year to 2028 thereby changing the timing of the next Corporate Plan to run 2028 to 2033. The report proposes extending the period of the existing Corporate Plan by a year to 2028 (October) and thus changing the timing of the next Corporate Plan to run 2028 to 2033, considering lessons learned from last time and considering what other Local Authorities do across Wales Officers outlined that A particular lesson learned from 2022 was around the difficulty of bringing forward a draft Corporate Plan to a newly elected council. This issue drove time-consuming plan revisions through the period 2021 to 2023 and limited the sense of ownership of the plan by the new Council. The proposal was to extend the delivery period for the current Corporate Plan by one year to 2028 such that the next new Cabinet/Council in May 2027 have time to develop their own Corporate Plan, building on preparation work done ahead of the election. The new Corporate Plan, well-being plan and strategic equalities plan would then be a 5-year plan running from 2028-2033. The following points were discussed further – · Clarity was sought from members regarding the change, and whether there would be a gap between the current corporate plan and the new one once adopted, officers clarified that there would be no pause and the matter would continue until the new plan was adopted. · Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts spoke strongly against the proposed change, as he highlighted that the plan was a good way to get any new members who were elected to work alongside each other. The method did not need to be changed and worked well as it was. Officers responded that new councillors would have a stamp on the corporate plan. PROPOSED by Councillor Julie Matthews and SECONDED by Councillor Justine Evans. A vote took place by a show of hands, and the majority approved the report with three votes against from Councillors Chris Evans, Hugh Evans and Huw Hilditch-Roberts. RESOLVED that – i. Council agree to extend the existing Corporate Plan to 2028, such that the next Corporate Plan runs 2028 – 2033. ii. Council confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Wellbeing Impact Assessment (Appendix B) as part of its consideration.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the Council approved the updated SACRE Constitution as set out in the appendix.
The Democratic Services Manager (DSM) presented the Denbighshire SAC(RE) Constitution report (previously circulated) the report seeks Council’s approval to update the constitution for Denbighshire’s Standing Advisory Council for Religion, Values and Ethics (SAC(RE)). Members were informed that SACREs in Wales were long‑established statutory bodies responsible for overseeing the teaching of Religious Education and collective worship in schools. It was noted that local authorities had a statutory duty to establish and maintain a SACRE. SACREs acted as a link between schools, faith and belief communities, and local authorities to promote inclusive, thoughtful and legally compliant practice in Welsh education. The current constitution, which dated back to 1996, was considered out of date, and the report therefore sought approval for an updated version. The amendments reflected legislative changes since 1996, current terminology, membership requirements, and modern working practices. Members were advised that, historically, SACREs had provided advice to local authorities on religious education and collective worship, ensuring that provision met local needs and complied with statutory requirements. Under the Curriculum for Wales, Religious Education had evolved into Religion, Values and Ethics, which prompted the need to reconstitute SACREs to reflect this broader remit. The revised constitution updated SACRE’s role to align it with current legislation. It retained the advisory function relating to the agreed syllabus, monitoring standards, considering determinations, and producing an annual report. The updated document also set out the legal requirement for SACRE membership, which must be broadly representative of the local area in terms of Christian denominations, other religions and denominations, and non‑religious convictions. Local authority representation remained unchanged. The amendments to the constitution were detailed in the appendix, with additions shown in green and deletions in red. The Council was informed that the Religion, Values and Ethics Adviser to Denbighshire’s SACRE had played a key role in updating the document. The Adviser had presented the revised constitution to SACRE at its October meeting, and SACRE had recommended that it be approved by full Council. Councillor Ellie Chard, who chairs the SACRE committee thanked the DSM for the report and fully endorsed the proposed changes to the constitution; she also encouraged all members to attend future SACRE meetings. RESOLVED that the Council approved the updated SACRE Constitution as set out in the appendix.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the Council and Council Workshop forward work programmes be noted. The meeting concluded at 11:45am
The Council and Council Workshop forward work programmes were presented for consideration RESOLVED that the Council and Council Workshop forward work programmes be noted. The meeting concluded at 11:45am
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