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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED:- i) That the report in respect of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage Site, be considered at the November meeting. ii) That the NWEAB be invited to attend the October meeting to present their report on Economic Development in North Wales.
AGREED:- i) To endorse the Placemaking Plan for approval by the Executive Board, subject to the following proposed changes:- a) That the reference group include representation from the 3rd sector. b) The objective number 5 of the plan contain reference to community transport. c) That objective number 9 contain reference to connectivity. ii) That the provision of smart technology be explored in relation to the proposed new signage for the County Borough iii) That the future report on the model of delivery for the Placemaking Plan, be considered by the committee prior to its consideration by the Executive Board. iv) That it be confirmed with the committee that the cash allocation of £500,000 identified for this purpose is still available. v) That the provision of an explainer film for the Placemaking Plan be explored. vi) That public consultation on the Plan be continued as appropriate.
Apologies of absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Gary Brown.
Members were reminded of their responsibility under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare any interests in relation to any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made: Item Agenda 5 – Wrexham Place Making Plan Councillor Andy Gallanders – Personal and not Prejudicial – The Councillor ran a business in the Wrexham City Centre. Councillor Marc Jones – Personal and not Prejudicial – The Councillor was a Voluntary Board Member for Saith Seren which was a City Centre Business. The Councillors remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon.
The Minutes of the meeting held 13 June 2023 be signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
AGREED:- i) That the report in respect of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage Site, be considered at the November meeting. ii) That the NWEAB be invited to attend the October meeting to present their report on Economic Development in North Wales.
The Chief Officer for Governance and Customer submitted a report (COCG/71/23s) asking Members to consider the revised work programme of the Employment, Business and Investment Scrutiny Committee. The Scrutiny Facilitator presented the report and highlighted the main points within it. The following was discussed:- · A Member requested that the Economic Development of Urban Villages review to be included in the 2023/24 work programme. · A Member requested a Member work shop covering topic requests to be scheduled into the Work programme. · A Member enquired about the time frame for the Anti-Poverty Strategy so that the Scrutiny Committee could scrutinise it before it was reported to the Executive Board. AGREED:- i) That the report in respect of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage Site, be considered at the November meeting. ii) That the NWEAB be invited to attend the October meeting to present their report on Economic Development in North Wales.
Decision as recorded
AGREED:- i) To endorse the Placemaking Plan for approval by the Executive Board, subject to the following proposed changes:- a) That the reference group include representation from the 3rd sector. b) The objective number 5 of the plan contain reference to community transport. c) That objective number 9 contain reference to connectivity. ii) That the provision of smart technology be explored in relation to the proposed new signage for the County Borough iii) That the future report on the model of delivery for the Placemaking Plan, be considered by the committee prior to its consideration by the Executive Board. iv) That it be confirmed with the committee that the cash allocation of £500,000 identified for this purpose is still available. v) That the provision of an explainer film for the Placemaking Plan be explored. vi) That public consultation on the Plan be continued as appropriate.
(Members declarations of interest in relation to this item are set out in Minute 8 above). The Chief Officer for Economy and Planning submitted a report (COEP/47/23) for the Committee to consider the Council’s emerging Placemaking Strategy, following a public engagement exercise and prior to decision at Executive Board. The Lead Member for Place-Economy & Regeneration introduced the report and highlighted the main points within it. Members were informed that the Placemaking Plan had been produced following an extensive period of engagement from 2021 when Owen Davies Consulting, Ltd was commissioned to support the work. The Strategy and Business Investment Lead and the representative from Owen Davies Consulting Limited gave a presentation and it included the following:- · Vision; · Aims and Objectives; · Four Areas of Opportunity; · Activities; and · Delivery Plan. During consideration of the report the following matters were discussed:- · Feedback from Natural Resource Wales (NRW) in relation to development on Brook Street was awaited, due to the flood risks associated with this area. The site continued to be marketed and generated interest. Any proposals for the area, including possibly as green open space, needed to be deliverable. · Officers confirmed that there were a number of constraints on development throughout the City centre. · Members were advised that Eagles Meadow was under private ownership and they envisaged the future usage of the site being in the direction of family entertainment. This was complimentary with the direction of travel outlined by the plan · A Member requested that the Placemaking Plan objectives be updated to include reference to community transport and connectivity. · Members were assured that there had been a significant amount of engagement during the Placemaking Plan and it also included input from Reference Groups. · Smart technology was at its pilot stage and an update report on this matter will be scheduled for the September Meeting. · Members were informed that signage will be used more creatively but detailed discussions on trunk roads signs could not take place at this point. · A Member requested that the reference group included representation from the third Sector. · Engagement regarding the Placemaking Plan has not reached everybody in Wrexham and Members advised that there needed to be wider delivery, so as to attain more input that would feed and update the Placemaking Plan. · Officers were reintroducing an economic prosperity strategy document due to its overarching responsibility. This would show how the Council strategies were connected. · Members sought clarification that that the £500,000 cash allocation for economy purposes was ring fenced. · It was identified that there needed to be leisure recreation and green spaces to cater for existing and new residents that lived in the City Centre. · Investors were looking at Wrexham, helped by the international spotlight, and this needed to be capitalised on. · Investors needed an adopted Strategic Plan so that they could invest accordingly. · There was a mix of business sectors based in the City where the Council would benefit from their input and involvement so as to stimulate future development. · It had been highlighted to Welsh Government that the position statement was very much Public Sector led. · There needed to be a collaborative approach and there needed to be full engagement with reference groups, using the approach adopted for the City of Culture bid. · It was welcomed that efforts were being made to increase visitor accommodation in the City centre. · The Placemaking Plan should be communicated more effectively and published in an accessible format(s) and it was proposed that a short video to explain the Plan would be beneficial to this. · Officers explained methods on how they communicated the Placemaking Plan which included the usage of bilingual documents. · Members thanked the representative from Owen Davies Consulting, Ltd for attending the meeting and for their input. AGREED:- i) To endorse the Placemaking Plan for approval by the Executive Board, subject to the following proposed changes:- a) That the reference group include representation from the 3rd sector. b) The objective number 5 of the plan contain reference to community transport. c) That objective number 9 contain reference to connectivity. ii) That the provision of smart technology be explored in relation to the proposed new signage for the County Borough iii) That the future report on the model of delivery for the Placemaking Plan, be considered by the committee prior to its consideration by the Executive Board. iv) That it be confirmed with the committee that the cash allocation of £500,000 identified for this purpose is still available. v) That the provision of an explainer film for the Placemaking Plan be explored. vi) That public consultation on the Plan be continued as appropriate.
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