Latest news with #WrexhamCountyBoroughCouncil
Leader Live
09-07-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Wrexham City of Culture 2029 bid backed by business leaders
Business leaders have thrown their backing behind the bid, believing it could deliver a huge economic, social, and cultural boost to the region. Their support was voiced at a recent meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals, where Ken Skates MS, the Welsh Government's Minister for North Wales and Transport, described the campaign as a major opportunity for the city. Mr Skates said: "The stars are aligning perfectly for us. "The City of Culture campaign is a huge opportunity to draw in investment of £200 million, boosting local pride and in terms of the value of local, national and global exposure." Wrexham narrowly missed out on the title last time, losing to Bradford, which has since reported an estimated £700 million economic boost from its year as City of Culture. Wrexham County Borough Council, with the backing of the Welsh Government, is now determined to secure the title in 2029. Mr Skates said: "It can bring new employment opportunities with thousands of new jobs, improve transport links locally and nationally with massive benefits to Wrexham and the whole of North Wales. "I want to appeal to you to support this ambitious bid no matter what happens in next year's Senedd elections." He highlighted the long-term benefits of the Wrexham Gateway project, which is set to transform the city's transport infrastructure by 2029. Mr Skates said: "By 2029 we will see Wrexham's railway station redeveloped, new office and leisure blocks, a transport interchange, an events space and a green corridor into the city centre. "Not long ago we'd be celebrating if Wrexham got a new M&S and now look at what we're on the verge of. "The football team is repeatedly winning promotion and with your support Wrexham can be crowned City of Culture too." Amanda Davies, director of Wrexham's City of Culture bid, outlined the campaign at the meeting. Ms Davies said: "This would be worth a shedload of money for Wrexham and for its cultural regeneration. "The City of Culture competition is run by the UK Government's Department of Culture, Media and Sport every four years and winning it has made a phenomenal difference to Bradford." She emphasised that winning the title could unlock £200 million in funding and help revitalise under-supported areas of the city. Ms Davies said: "There are areas of Wrexham that are in dire need of support and that's where we can make a difference and that would be transformational." The winner will be announced in May 2026. Caroline Platt, managing director of Platts Agricultural Ltd in Llay, said the title could help attract and retain talent. Ms Platt said: "Wrexham has a very strong case and this is about getting behind the bid and keeping the momentum going. "It would be huge for us to win. "It would encourage talent to the area and help fill the skills gap while helping us retain staff and create more job opportunities." READ MORE: Readers recall fond memories of being refereed by 'legend' Brian as he wins award Ian Edwards, a member of Wrexham Business Professionals, said improved transport connectivity would benefit businesses across the region. Mr Edwards said: "Winning the title has to be beneficial for anyone running a business in Wrexham." Louise Harper, another member of the group, said the bid reflects the region's ambition. Ms Harper said: "Getting behind the City of Culture bid chimes perfectly with Wrexham Business Professionals' mission to work together to promote regional prosperity and shine a light on the enterprise and expertise that exists in the region."
Leader Live
08-07-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Lead member defends Tŷ Pawb as jewel in Wrexham's cultural crown
That was the core of an impassioned defence of the cultural market by Hugh Jones, Wrexham Council's lead member for Strategic Planning and Public Protection. Wrexham County Borough Council's Employment, Business and Investment Scrutiny Committee was examining a report into Tŷ Pawb's finances which showed the centre is improving it's financial position, but is still making significant losses. This year it is projected to make a loss of £89,000 – it's lowest loss for four years. Labour group leader Dana Davies led the probe by councillors. 'We're in a better position than we've seen previously and overspend is coming down year-on-year,' she said. 'Where are we sitting with our repairs and maintenance? I know we've had issues with the roof but I want to understand the future R&M costs. 'We also need a breakdown of the premises cost – R&M, utilities, rates, cleaning and waste removal come to £374,000, that seems high.' Cllr Jones said he would ask finance to provide that breakdown, but Plaid Cymru Cllr Andy Gallanders of Rhosnesni criticised the lead member. 'I'm disappointed in the reply you gave to Cllr Davies,' he said. 'You should know the finances inside out. 'It's also interesting Hugh, as lead member, that you've now admitted that the building once highlighted as the 'Crown Jewel' is not so sparkling anymore. 'Are the losses just the price for culture or a project that wasn't done right in the first place – i.e the building not being watertight? 'If this was a school, we'd be putting it into a three-year plan for deficit recovery. So what's the difference between this and our schools – where our headteachers are losing staff left, right and centre? Is it simply the cost of culture?' Read more: Popular arts centre still struggling to make profit Cllr Jones and Amanda Davies, city centre arts and culture lead, highlighted progress that had been made to reduce energy costs through solar power and challenges, including the allocation of 50 corporate car parking spaces at Tŷ Pawb for council staff. Cllr Jones defended Tŷ Pawb – arguing that the value of its contribution to culture and society in Wrexham far outweighed the costs it continued to incur. 'There is a cost of culture. There is a cost of fulfilling the council priorities, there is a cost to fulfilling the Welsh Government priorities in terms of community engagement and involvement,' he said. 'That's never going to come for nothing. 'When the Quarterbridge report first came out people were skeptical about our ability to get 100,000 people a year through the door at Tŷ Pawb, we've actually got 471,000 people through the door in the last 12 months. 'Tŷ Pawb is still the jewel in the crown for Wrexham. We have to realise the contribution that Tŷ Pawb makes to the community of Wrexham. Particularly to those communities that are difficult to reach. 'This doesn't cover the contribution Tŷ Pawb makes to improving people's lives across a wide section of the community in Wrexham. You can't put that down in pounds, shillings and pence. It delivers a huge community benefit and a benefit to us all. 'Yes we've got problems with the building but we're dealing with that. Overall, I believe Tŷ Pawb has been a success. You can't put a price on enriching people's lives so I would defend everything we do.'
Leader Live
27-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Popular Wrexham arts centre still struggling to make profit
The venue – a key part of Wrexham's UK City of Culture 2029 bid – has actually reduced its overspend year-on-year since over the last four years. Next Wednesday, Wrexham County Borough Council's Employment, Business and Investment Scrutiny Committee will consider the performance of Tŷ Pawb over the last 12 months and the venue's projected performance for 2025/26. Unless further savings of additional revenue can be found, by April next year Tŷ Pawb is projected to have overspent its budget by more than half a million pounds since 2022. Proactive measures to improve revenue at the venue include the creation of an income maximisation group which has tightened up Tŷ Pawb's financial monitoring and ensures opportunities to bring in new revenue are taken. In 2024/25 it brought in £23,513 and is aiming to bring in a further £22,000 this year. Market rents have increased 5% to keep up with inflation and the Useful Arts Space can no longer be used for free, with a charging framework in place and provision for eligible groups with external funding to use the space. Other measures to reduce the budget pressure have included the implementation of new venue hire rates. 'Tŷ Pawb is a vital and much loved community hub,' said Chair of Wrexham Community and Culture Trust Joanna Swash. 'Its diverse cultural programme of internationally-renowned exhibitions, performing arts, markets and family activities attracts local, national and international visitors to Wrexham City Centre. 'Tŷ Pawb supports many of the objectives of Wrexham's bid to become UK City of Culture in 2029. The importance of a thriving and dynamic cultural spacer cannot be overstated.' Investment is still needed at Tŷ Pawb which is contributing to the financial pressure. Investigations are ongoing into issues with the roof and the installation this summer of a new £63,000 car park management system to improve efficiency. Last year the venue spent £42,000 on roof patching, flood repair works and upgrades to car park lighting. The venue will also convert its Maker Space into a rentable retail unit, with its existing 'artist in residence' programme becoming a roaming role occupying vacant spaces as they occur. Tŷ Pawb's popularity continues to increase however, with footfall increasing 17% last year and its profile was raised in both the media and social media as it became a magnet for international media looking to learn more about the fabric of Wrexham society as the city's global reputation has blossomed. 'We are incredibly fortunate to have a vibrant and dynamic arts scene here in Wrexham, which Tŷ Pawb plays a pivotal role in,' said Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham University, Professor Joe Yates. 'Tŷ Pawb is one of the jewels in our city's crown and enriches the lives of our community.'
Leader Live
25-06-2025
- Leader Live
Wrexham police update on anti-social behaviour 'hotspot'
The announcement came from the Wrexham city police team on Wednesday afternoon as part of Neighbourhood Policing Week (which began on Monday.) A spokesman for the team explained: "Neighbourhood Policing Week is a time to shine a spotlight on the dedicated work our local policing teams do every day to keep our communities safe. "From regular patrols and engaging with residents to tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) and working closely with local partners — it's all part of what we do to make a positive difference where you live. "Recently, we've been working alongside Wrexham County Borough Council to address long-standing issues in the Powell Road underpass. MORE NEWS "This area has been a hotspot for ASB, with individuals using the steps as a place to loiter and consume illegal drugs. "To combat this, the steps within the underpass have now been fenced off — removing a key gathering point for known troublemakers. "Since this change, we've already noticed a reduction in youth-related ASB in the area, with fewer people choosing to hang out due to the lack of seating. "We will continue to monitor the area closely and take further action where needed. "Your neighbourhood matters to us, and we're committed to making it a safer, more welcoming place for everyone."
Leader Live
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Wrexham MP urges organisations to apply for funding
MP for Wrexham We are really starting to see projects connected with our 2029 City of Culture bid take shape: from the incredible Public Art Trail to the Football Museum for Wales which is due to be completed next year. The City of Culture Trust was awarded £175,000 by Wrexham County Borough Council following a recent successful grant application to the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF). Organisations are invited to submit proposals for grants from £5,000 to £10,000 to develop test events, e.g. an artistic or cultural projects that could be part of the new Cultural Commissions Programme which ultimately supports the City of Culture bid. The test events must be completed by 31st January 2026 and the closing date for this fund is midday 1st July 2025. The idea being the test events could be scaled up to bigger projects by 2029. Being the UK City of Culture would bring significant economic and social benefits to Wrexham in terms of inward investment, job creation, increasing access to cultural activity and amplifying Wrexham's story to the whole of the UK. Whilst the formal bidding process for 2029 is yet to open, last month I asked the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport when the guidance for would be released. The response was that it would be released in 'due course'. I will of course continue to press for this. Interestingly, as we mark Refugee Week, the theme of community, bridging divides and offering support is something that definitely resonates here in Wrexham. This Refugee Week everyone is invited to spend time with friends and build new connections in and beyond our neighbourhoods, to extend our sense of connection and build relationships across our neighbourhoods, something which I know already happens in Wrexham. It might be through an interaction, a visit to somewhere new, having time for a meaningful conversation, or volunteering. There are lots of ways to build and develop community. As ever, if you have any queries or concerns or you have an issue that you would like me to try and assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01978 788854 or
