The Denbighshire County Council's cabinet met on 23 September 2025, and agreed to adopt the Denbighshire Economic Strategy and Action Plan, approved the tender process for the Ysgol Pendref site redevelopment, and noted the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2024/25. The cabinet also discussed the council's financial position and future work programme.

Here's a breakdown of the key discussion points:

• Denbighshire Economic Strategy and Action Plan The cabinet adopted the completed Economic Strategy, Action Plan, and Executive Summary, which aim to support the council's corporate priority of creating a prosperous county. Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader and Lead Member for Economic Growth and Tackling Deprivation, presented the documents, which were developed to support economic recovery, improve access to quality employment and income, and reduce inequality across Denbighshire.

  The strategy is built around four themes:

1.  Resilient and Competitive
2.  Skilled and Enterprising
3.  Distinctive Places and Experiences
4.  Ambitious and Outward Looking

The Action Plan sets out six priority actions for early implementation:

1.  Support for entrepreneurship
2.  Targeted support for local businesses
3.  Provision of suitable business accommodation
4.  Innovation zone at [St Asaph Business Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/St+Asaph+Business+Park+Denbighshire/)
5.  Enhancing town centre vitality
6.  Formation of Team Denbighshire to strengthen collaboration

The cabinet also agreed to delegate the approval of the partnership and performance framework to the Prosperous Denbighshire Board.

• Ysgol Pendref Site Redevelopment The cabinet approved the tender process for the extension and refurbishment of the current Ysgol Pendref site, as part of the Welsh Government's Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families, presented the report, noting that the pre-tender estimate for the construction element of the project is £11 million. The project is to be part-funded by Welsh Government grants and part-funded by Denbighshire County Council. The indicative programme for the scheme would see construction commence during 2028 with completion expected during 2030.

• Annual Treasury Management Report 2024/25 Councillor Delyth Jones, Lead Member for Finance, presented the report updating the cabinet on the performance of the treasury management function during 2024/25. The report indicated that the council's outstanding borrowing at 31 March 2025 was £324.4m at an average rate of 4.49%, and the council held £7.9m in investments at an average rate of 4.38%. The cabinet noted the report and the council's compliance with the required Prudential Indicators[^1]. [^1]: Prudential Indicators are a range of measurements that local authorities are required to set and monitor to ensure that their capital investment plans are affordable, prudent and sustainable.

• Finance Report Councillor Delyth Jones presented the finance report, detailing the latest financial position and progress against the agreed budget strategy. The report highlighted a forecast underspend of £3.420m, mainly due to a Welsh Government Employers' National Insurance grant and savings in Adult Social Care. The cabinet:

  • Noted the budgets set for 2025/26 and progress against the agreed strategy.
  • Approved the revised Salt Barns business case, increasing the total cost to £2.807m, to be mostly funded by a Welsh Government Grant.
  • Noted the decision made by the Corporate Director: Environment and Economy to procure 8 x 16 tonne winter maintenance vehicles, due to the urgency of the matter.

• Cabinet Forward Work Programme The cabinet considered the forward work programme and noted the following amendments:

  • Public Engagement, Participation, Petition Scheme removed from September
  • Agricultural Estate Strategy Review removed from September
  • Pay and Grading Review added to September
  • Winter Maintenance Fleet Purchase added to September
  • Response to the Future Generations Commissioner's 2025-2030 recommendations – added to October

  In response to a question from Councillor Emrys Wynne regarding a potential future item relating to the Welsh Language Commissioner[^2], the Corporate Director: Governance and Business agreed to look into the matter and report back. [^2]: The Welsh Language Commissioner is responsible for promoting and facilitating the use of the Welsh language and ensuring compliance with Welsh language standards by public bodies in Wales.