Author: Chris

A summary of the independent work for city status outlining the key benefits of city status is being shared with Councillors, partners and residents in advance of the decision that will be taken by the Council in December.

The statement identifies 10 key benefits that Wrexham could capitalise on if it becomes a city, including:

1. Increased sense of local pride.
2. A platform to promote Wrexham.
3. Opportunities for local institutions and businesses to raise their profile and attract investment. e.g. University
4. More potential to attract skilled and ambitious students, employees and investors to Wrexham. e.g. Hospital
5. Opportunities for the community, infrastructure, and services to grow and develop more sustainably.
6. A focus for future branding and marketing campaigns.
7. Greater awareness of Wrexham’s history, culture and language – attracting more visitors and supporting the local economy.
8. More potential to attract major projects.
9. The ability to collaborate with Welsh and UK cities on specific city projects and initiatives.
10. Increased expectations of ‘place making’ that in turn create more vibrant places to live, work and invest.

The statement has been published ahead of a key decision by Wrexham Council’s Executive Board on whether to submit a bid for city status and was part of the decision agreed at Council to promote the benefits as widely as possible.

You can read the full statement on Wrexham Council’s website.

Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, says:

“The statement has been written by the experts appointed to look at city status as part of a wider piece of place shaping work and summarises the key benefits from their research. This statement provides all of us in Wrexham with a really valuable insight and short summary into the key benefits of becoming a city.”

Councillor David A Bithell, Deputy Leader of Wrexham Council, adds:

“The report makes it clear that city status would be part of a bigger place shaping picture, and one of many tools that will help strengthen community well-being, identity and pride in Wrexham.”

Guest article by Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith

A children’s hospice is asking people in North and Mid Wales, Shropshire and Cheshire to donate like never before as it aims to raise £500,000 in just 36-hours to fund its end of life care for children and families for a whole year.

Their Final Moments Matter campaign will run from 10am on Sunday, November 21 until 10pm on Monday November 22.

Already local businesses and key supporters have pledged £250,000 of support. This will be used as match funding for every donation made during the 36 hour period. Only if £250,000 is donated by the public will the match funding pledges be completely unlocked and the £500,000 raised.

Fundraising Director Simi Epstein said she really hoped the community would come together as one to embrace local families whose hearts were breaking and to help make sure they were not isolated in their pain and grief.

“At Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith we know that Final Moments Matter and that the last moments of a child’s life should be as precious as their first,” she said.

“That is why our mission is to make sure that no one faces the death of a child alone, so that every family facing the death of a child gets the very best care and support when and where they need it.

“We have been pledged £250,000 of match funding to enable us to reach our goal. But we need your help to unlock that cash.”

The fundraising campaign will be based online, with supporters asked to become ‘Team Leaders’ and spread the word by sharing messages and videos about the work of the hospices by social media, email and WhatsApp to inspire support from the people they know.

When Evan Williams from North Wales died suddenly in his sleep weeks before his 13th birthday, his mum Jane said the hospices were there for them.

“Evan had no illness at all. He was fit and healthy and he simply went to bed and died in his sleep,” she said.

“I found him when I went to wake him in the morning. It was a huge shock for us all. I can honestly say if we hadn’t had Hope House I don’t know what we would have done.”

If you would like to get involved in Final Moments Matter either by running a fundraising team or making a donation you can find more information at hopehouse.org.uk/fmm or call the Fundraising Offices on 01691 671671.

You can also follow Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith’s social media channels to follow the progress of Final Moments Matter.

Senior representatives of Kronospan, Chirk Town Council, Unite the Union, Wrexham Council and Natural Resources Wales – along with local MP Simon Baynes and AM Ken Skates – continue to work together to improve public confidence and communication around the work of Kronospan.

The group met in June of this year and again on October 1 following the inaugural meeting held in January 2020.

The meetings have proved very effective with all parties wishing to update citizens on progress so far.

This includes:

• Installation of a permanent air quality monitor in Chirk with real-time results available for the public to view. A second air quality monitor is scheduled to be installed by the end of November to the north of Chirk town.
• Kronsopan has developed a public information website for the community. The website recently held the public consultation for a proposed development on site and Kronospan has committed to further develop the community facing website.
• A new Kronospan Liason Group has been formed to include Kronospan, Chirk Town Council representatives, Wrexham Council, Natural Resource Wales and Trade Union representatives to ensure and maintain communication and dialogue between all parties in the Chirk community.
• Kronospan has established a working group to review current odour controls on site to ensure that the site operates to the highest possible environmental standards.
• Recent tree planting undertaken to the north of the site is to be reviewed by Kronopsan with a consultation exercise to be undertaken with local residents to ensure all parties are satisfied.
• Natural Resource Wales (NRW) in consultation with Wrexham Council has clarified the regulatory roles and responsibilities for the Kronsopan site, including an update on the current environmental permit application.
• NRW intend to finalise the current assessment and report its findings to the group by early November. It is planned that a public consultation exercise will be undertaken in March/April 2022.
• Wrexham Council’s investigation into the logyard fire is nearing completion and is undertaken in line with council enforcement policy and relevant legal procedures and considerations.
• The MP and AM will continue on cross-party working on the issues.

The group has agreed to continue to work together and continue to focus on ensuring everyone is clear about the best way to address key issues of concern in the Chirk community.

Like other towns across the UK, Wrexham has an opportunity to apply for city status as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

There are lots of other opportunities on the horizon too, and Wrexham needs to make a plan…

What does the county borough need to do to make the best of its strengths, and ensure it has a bright future?

This is where you come in.

Share your ideas

This week marks the start of a drive to get local people to share their views on how Wrexham could prosper as a city, as well as other opportunities that Wrexham could tap into.

This could be anything – from thoughts on the future of retail, or the role of markets in towns and cities, to how we make the most of our business and commercial strength, our key heritage sites and everything in-between.

It’s a chance to say what makes you feel proud of the county borough, and how you want to see the area grow its profile, prosperity and sense of place.

The exercise is being managed by independent experts appointed by Wrexham Council, and taking part is easy…

Just visit https://wrexhamplacemaking.info and use the various tools and forms to share your thoughts.

This isn’t just a boring old questionnaire. You can put pins on interactive maps and upload photos and other media.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”https://wrexhamplacemaking.info/”]SHARE YOUR IDEAS[/button]

You have until Friday, October 29 to share your views.

After that, all feedback will be analysed and used for two things:

• To help the council decide whether to bid for city status.
• To help create a ‘place-making’ plan that will ensure Wrexham has a bright and prosperous future.

We need everyone

Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council says:

“Although exploring city status is a big part of this exercise, it’s much wider than that. It’s about identifying Wrexham’s strengths and weaknesses, and which opportunities we should focus on to build a bright and prosperous future.

“It’s about being ambitious and shaping Wrexham’s future, understanding what people want for Wrexham, and building a place that everyone feels part of.

“Please share your ideas. This isn’t something the council can do on its own, and we need everyone to be involved.”

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”https://wrexhamplacemaking.info/”]SHARE YOUR IDEAS[/button]

A word about City of Culture 2025

You’ve probably read about Wrexham making the last eight for UK City of Culture 2025?

Don’t confuse this with city status – it’s a totally separate competition that will see Wrexham (if it wins) become a focal point for cultural events and celebrations in four years’ time.

City status is a separate competition that would see Wrexham officially become a city. If Wrexham decides to take part, the council will need to submit a bid in early December.

Wrexham Council has extended its deepest and heartfelt sympathies to the family and constituents of murdered MP Sir David Amess.

Sir David was stabbed while meeting residents in Leigh-on-Sea on Friday, and his death has been met with shock and sadness across the UK.

He had served as MP for Southend West since 1997, and as MP for Basildon for many years before that. He was 69 and married with five children.

Today, the Mayor of Wrexham, Councillor Ronnie Prince – on behalf of all councillors and officers at Wrexham Council – paid tribute to Sir David.

He said: “I would like to extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to Sir David’s family and constituents as they come to terms with the loss of a much-loved husband, father and MP.

“Sir David served the people of Southend West and Basildon for many years, and was hugely respected in Westminster and in his community.

“His family has shown tremendous compassion and courage since the tragic events of Friday, and has called on people to put aside hatred and work towards togetherness.

“We can only imagine how their world has been turned upside down, and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this incredibly difficult time.”

The flag outside Wrexham Guildhall is being flown at half-mast in memory of Sir David.

If you want to go to nightclubs or similar venues or large events in Wrexham and across Wales, you’ll now have to show your vaccination status or a recent negative lateral flow test result.

You can show these quickly on your NHS Covid Pass, which you can download from the NHS website.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”https://covid-status.service.nhsx.nhs.uk/”]GET YOUR COVID PASS[/button]

Please get your Covid Pass sorted out before you go into town. It’s quick and easy. Watch this video for a step-by-step guide 👇👇👇

From today, to attend nightclubs or large events in Wales you’ll need to show:

✅ your full vaccination status; or
✅ a recent negative lateral flow test result

You can show both of these on your NHS Covid Pass – here’s how to get it 👇

— Welsh Government #KeepWalesSafe (@WelshGovernment) October 11, 2021

Please make sure you have it sorted before you go out and consider downloading the pass and printing it…in case your phone goes flat or the app isn’t working.

Covid jabs for 12 to 15 year olds

Last week the local health board began vaccinating people aged 12 to 15.

Invitations are being sent out by letter

Parents and carers will need to provide consent, and jabs will be administered at local vaccination centres (people in this age group won’t be able to walk into pop-up clinics).

Read more…

Help keep Covid away from schools

By sticking to the following guidance from Welsh Government, you can help keep Covid away from our classrooms this autumn…

• If your child has any symptoms, however mild, keep them at home and get a test.
• No symptoms? Make sure they take a rapid lateral flow test twice-a-week and report all the results.
• Follow the school rules on face coverings. Secondary pupils (Year 7 and above) will need to wear them on school transport.
• Get the vaccine if it’s offered to you or your child.
• Wash hands regularly.

Useful links

How to book a Covid test

It’s simple. Please get vaccinated.

Covid boosters and flu jabs

People are being urged to get both their Covid boosters and flu jabs this winter.

Covid boosters are being rolled out to people aged 50+, while flu jabs are being made available to a wide range people – including all over 50s, children aged 2 to 15 and pregnant women.

If you’re eligible, make sure you take up the offer and stay protected against both viruses.

Read more…

Winter is coming and it's time to protect yourself and others. Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Help keep your life open.

Check if you’re eligible: https://t.co/XXR7x2YRmb pic.twitter.com/dmFOtb7ySa

— Public Health Wales (@PublicHealthW) September 29, 2021

Covid jabs for 12 to 15 year olds

The local health board is sending out invites to people aged 12 to 15, and will begin vaccinating from Monday, October 4.

Parents and carers will need to provide consent, and jabs will be administered at local vaccination centres (people in this age group won’t be able to walk into pop-up clinics).

Read more…

Make an informed decision

It’s important that young people and parents / carers make an informed decision about Covid vaccination.

Don’t trust the guy on Facebook whose suddenly an expert on virology.

Get your info from trusted sources like Public Health Wales and your local NHS health board.

Mobile testing unit

Remember there’s a mobile testing unit in Johnstown.

The easy-access facility is offering PCR tests at Johnstown Community Centre between 9:30am and 5pm every Monday until further notice.

Read more…

Help keep Covid away from schools

By sticking to the following guidance from Welsh Government, you can help keep Covid away from our classrooms this autumn…

1. If your child has any symptoms, however mild, keep them at home and get a test.
2. No symptoms? Make sure they take a rapid lateral flow test twice-a-week and report all the results.
3. Follow the school rules on face coverings. Secondary pupils (Year 7 and above) will need to wear them on school transport.
4. Get the vaccine if it’s offered to you or your child.
5. Wash hands regularly.

5 things you can do to help keep Covid away from schools this autumn

Don’t ignore contact tracers

People are being reminded to answer phone-calls from contact tracers and follow the advice they’re given.

Wrexham’s TTP service says a small number of people who ignore calls and advice might be putting others at risk.

Read more…

Useful links

• How to book a Covid test