The meeting focused on several key topics, including the approval of the draft local housing market assessment, the establishment of a board for the long-term plan for towns initiative in Rhyl, and updates to the Forward Work Program.

The most significant topic was the draft local housing market assessment. The council discussed the current and future housing needs in Denbighshire, emphasizing the statutory requirement to submit the assessment to the Welsh Government. The report highlighted a need for 400 affordable homes per year for the first five years and 153 affordable homes per year for the next 15 years. The majority of the need is for smaller one or two-bedroom properties due to the high number of one or two-person households. The council also discussed the challenges of bringing empty properties back into use and the importance of engaging with stakeholders, including registered social landlords, developers, estate agents, and tenants.

The second significant topic was the establishment of a board for the long-term plan for towns initiative in Rhyl. The council needs to confirm the chair and board members by June 3rd to secure £20 million in funding from the UK Government. The funding is intended to support safety and security, high streets heritage and regeneration, and transport and connectivity in Rhyl. The council discussed the importance of community engagement and the need for the board to include representatives from various sectors, including the business community. The council also highlighted the need for clear governance structures and the potential for the board to leverage additional funding.

The Forward Work Program was updated to include several new items, such as updates on the medium-term financial strategy and plan, revenue budget setting for 2025-26, and the capital plan for 2025-28. The council also plans to bring updates on the long-term plan for towns initiative in Rhyl as needed.

Overall, the meeting focused on addressing housing needs, securing funding for town regeneration, and ensuring effective governance and community engagement.