THE mayor of Denbigh has appealed to residents to take on more voluntary work to ensure that activities in the area can continue.

The call by Cllr Alyn Ashworth comes after the latest partly successful bid to fill several vacancies on Denbigh Town Council.

There were six vacancies on the authority, which has a total of 15 seats, and only two of them were filled after advertising for people prepared to be co-opted, leaving four places still unfilled.

Cllr Ainsworth said it was becoming increasingly difficult to recruit volunteers, not only to the council but also for charitable and community work in general.

He said: “We have been very fortunate that existing councillors have been dedicated and enthusiastic, and we have had more then sufficient attendance at meetings to ensure that we have a quorum and that business is completed.

“But, of course, this has increased the workload and responsibilities of everyone concerned.

Cllr Ashworth said the reasons were manifold and not easily rectified.

“Nowadays many people are under increased financial pressures and may be working additional hours, reducing their free time,” he said. 

“One knock-on effect is that a proportion of volunteers in all sectors tend to be retirees who have, perhaps, more free time.

“But one only has to visit many supermarkets and the like to notice that more retired people are returning to the workplace to supplement their income in order to cope with today’s rising cost of living, leaving them less free time.”

In an appeal to residents, he added: “If local people want someone to organise our fireworks display, Father Christmas and town lights, run pensioners’ coach trips, monitor planning applications, manage grants and support our Midsummer Festival and a host of other events, and to act as carers for the whole town, then perhaps they might consider making a practical contribution.”