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It also appointed parent governors to the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee, filled seats on the Executive Board (the council's cabinet), committees, scrutiny committees and panels, and agreed the meetings calendar for 2025/26. The minutes record these decisions, along with routine business such as apologies.
Before starting formal proceedings, the Mayor thanked the Reverend Canon Dr Jason Bray who was attending his last Council meeting at Wrexham County Borough Council to take up his new positon as Dean of Llandaff Cathedral. She paid tribute to his years of service as the Mayor’s Chaplain and the Vicar at St Giles, noting that he had participated in and led many civic and military events and services during that time. He had demonstrated a wealth of knowledge, both historical and theological, and on behalf of the Council the Mayor thanked him for the support he had provided to Wrexham County Borough Council over the years and wished him luck for the future, adding that he would be missed. Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Trevor Bates and Graham Rogers.
RESOLVED - That the Minutes of the meeting of the County Borough Council held on 26 March 2025 be confirmed as a correct record.
The Mayor advised that it was her pleasure to be chairing her first Council meeting and that she was looking forward to working with everyone in her new role over the next twelve months. She stated that there was a great deal to look forward to. The Mayor advised that next month Wrexham would host personnel from HMS Dragon to celebrate their Honorary Freedom of the County Borough, and in August we would welcome back the National Eisteddfod. Wrexham would also be commemorating the 80th Anniversary of VE day in August and she looked forward to attending these events and many more. The Mayor informed members that here civic visit to Church would be taking place on Sunday, 6 July at St Giles Parish Church. Finally, the Mayor took the opportunity to thank Councillor Beryl Blackmore and Mrs Dorothy Lloyd, for their time as Mayor and Consort of Wrexham County Borough and hoped the enjoyed their new found free time.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
The council hasn't recorded attendance for this meeting.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That Councillor Mark Pritchard be appointed Leader of the Council/Chair of the Executive Board for the ensuing year. Reason for decision To appoint the Leader of the Council/Chair of the Executive Board for the ensuing year.
RESOLVED – That Councillor Mark Pritchard be appointed Leader of the Council/Chair of the Executive Board for the ensuing year. Reason for decision To appoint the Leader of the Council/Chair of the Executive Board for the ensuing year.
RESOLVED – That Councillor David A Bithell be appointed Deputy Leader of the Council/Vice-Chair of the Executive Board for the ensuing year. Reason for decision To appoint the Deputy Leader of the Council/Vice-Chair of the Executive Board for the ensuing year.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (i) Samuel Peter Regan be appointed to represent the Primary sector in respect of the parent governor statutory co-opted member, to expire end of May 2029. (ii) The length of term of office for the co-optee representing secondary schools be extended to end of May 2029. As this position is currently vacant, in accordance with legislation, the Authority must seek nomination again within one year of the vacancy having arisen and at six monthly intervals thereafter, until the vacancy is filled. (iii) George William Greenwood be appointed as a parent governor statutory co-opted member to represent ALN, to expire end of May 2029. Reason for decision To meet the statutory requirement to have representation of Parent Governors on the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee.
The Lead Member for Corporate and Customer Services COGC/06/25 submitted a report which allowed Members to consider the appointment of co- opted members to the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee RESOLVED: (i) Samuel Peter Regan be appointed to represent the Primary sector in respect of the parent governor statutory co-opted member, to expire end of May 2029. (ii) The length of term of office for the co-optee representing secondary schools be extended to end of May 2029. As this position is currently vacant, in accordance with legislation, the Authority must seek nomination again within one year of the vacancy having arisen and at six monthly intervals thereafter, until the vacancy is filled. (iii) George William Greenwood be appointed as a parent governor statutory co-opted member to represent ALN, to expire end of May 2029. Reason for decision To meet the statutory requirement to have representation of Parent Governors on the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That the following Members be appointed to the Executive Board: Councillor David A Bithell Councillor Terry Evans Councillor Hugh Jones Councillor Beverley Parry-Jones Councillor John Pritchard Councillor Mark Pritchard Councillor Paul Roberts Councillor Robert Walsh Councillor Nigel Williams Councillor Phil Wynn (ii) That the sizes and political balance of the Standing Committees and Scrutiny Committees be agreed and the following Members appointed to give effect to the wishes of the relevant Political Groups to which seats are allocated and to those seats allocated to the Non-aligned Member: STANDARDS COMMITTEE (3 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor I David Bithell MBE Councillor Hugh Jones GOVERNANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE (8 MEMBERS) Councillor William Baldwin Councillor Trevor Bates Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Corin Jarvis Councillor Becca Martin Councillor Paul Roberts Councillor Paul Rogers Councillor Jerry Wellens PLANNING COMMITTEE (16 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor Trevor Bates Councillor I David Bithell, MBE Councillor Beryl Blackmore Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Frank Hemmings Councillor Jon Jolley Councillor Marc Jones (Vice Chair) Councillor Steve Joe Jones Councillor John McCusker Councillor Michael Morris (Chair) Councillor Jeremy Newton Councillor Fred Roberts Councillor Graham Rogers Councillor Anthony Wedlake Councillor Andy Williams ENVIRONMENTAL LICENSING COMMITTEE (14 MEMBERS) Members of the Environmental Licensing Committee will also sit as the Licensing Committee Councillor I David Bithell, MBE (Chair) Councillor Brian Cameron (Vice Chair) Councillor Krista Childs Councillor Andy Gallanders Councillor Steve Joe Jones Councillor Tina Mannering Councillor Becca Martin Councillor Michael Morris Councillor Paul Pemberton Councillor John Phillips Councillor Ron Prince Councillor Anthony Wedlake Councillor Robert Ian Williams Councillor Derek Wright Plus two additional Members from an opposition group who could be called upon if a Meeting of the Environmental Licensing Committee is not quorate Councillor Corin Jarvis DEMOCRATIC SERVICES COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor William Baldwin Councillor Trevor Bates Councillor Carrie Harper Councillor Pete Howell Councillor Jeremy Kent Councillor Malcolm King OBE (Chair) Councillor Claire Lovett Councillor Rondo Roberts (Vice Chair) Councillor Debbie Wallice Councillor Jerry Wellens Councillor Derek Wright APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE (10 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor David A Bithell Councillor Annette Davies Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Jeremy Kent Councillor Stella Matthews Councillor Michael Morris Councillor John Pritchard Councillor Mark Pritchard Councillor Phil Wynn GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE (10 MEMBERS) Councillor Beryl Blackmore Councillor Gary Brown Councillor Brian Cameron Councillor Pete Howell Councillor Paul Pemberton Councillor Fred Roberts Councillor Graham Rogers Councillor Ross Shepherd Councillor Debbie Wallice Councillor Nigel Williams INVESTIGATION AND DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE (10 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor I David Bithell, MBE Councillor Carrie Harper Councillor Jeremy Kent Councillor Fred Roberts Councillor Paul Roberts Councillor Robert Walsh Councillor Derek Wright Councillor Nigel Williams CUSTOMERS, PERFORMANCE, RESOURCES & GOVERNANCE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor William Baldwin Councillor Frank Hemmings Councillor Pete Howell (Chair) Councillor Corin Jarvis (Vice Chair) Councillor Claire Lovett Councillor Tina Mannering Councillor Stella Matthews Councillor Michael Morris Councillor Jeremy Newton Councillor Paul Pemberton Councillor Alison Tynan Councillor Jerry Wellens EMPLOYMENT, BUSINESS & INVESTMENT SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Councillor William Baldwin (Chair) Councillor Beryl Blackmore Councillor Gary Brown Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Mike Davies Councillor Andy Gallanders Councillor Frank Hemmings Councillor Jon Jolley Councillor Jeremy Kent Councillor John McCusker Councillor Paul Rogers Councillor Ross Shepherd Councillor Andy Williams (Vice Chair) HOMES AND ENVIRONMENT SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Councillor Trevor Bates Councillor Paul Blackwell Councillor Carrie Harper Councillor Emma Holland Councillor Steve Joe Jones Councillor Jeremy Kent Councillor Claire Lovett (Vice Chair) Councillor Jeremy Newton Councillor Paul Pemberton Councillor John Phillips Councillor Graham Rogers Councillor Paul Rogers (Chair) Councillor Anthony Wedlake LIFELONG LEARNING SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Councillor Beryl Blackmore Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Carrie Harper (Chair) Councillor Frank Hemmings (Vice Chair) Councillor Tina Mannering Councillor Becca Martin Councillor Stella Matthews Councillor Ross Shepherd Councillor Alison Tynan Councillor Debbie Wallice Councillor Jerry Wellens SAFEGUARDING, COMMUNITIES AND WELL-BEING SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Members of the Safeguarding, Communities and Well-being Scrutiny Committee will also sit as the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee Councillor Trevor Bates Councillor Beryl Blackmore Councillor Brian Cameron Councillor Krista Childs Councillor Annette Davies Councillor Pete Howell Councillor Jeremy Kent Councillor Malcolm King OBE Councillor Claire Lovett Councillor Jeremy Newton (Vice Chair) Councillor Rondo Roberts Councillor Alison Tynan Councillor Derek Wright (Chair) (iii) That, in accordance with the provisions of the relevant sections of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, the positions of Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees and the Democratic Services Committee for the ensuing year be agreed as follows: Customers, Performance, Resources & Governance Scrutiny Committee Chair: Councillor Pete Howell Employment, Business & Investment Scrutiny Committee Chair: Councillor William Baldwin Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee Chair: Councillor Paul Rogers Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee Chair: Councillor Carrie Harper Safeguarding, Communities and Well-being Scrutiny Committee Chair: Councillor Derek Wright Democratic Services Committee Chair: Councillor Malcolm King OBE (iv) That, in accordance with political balance, the positions of the Chairs and Vice- Chairs of the Planning Committee and Environmental Licensing Committee, together with Vice-Chairs of the Democratic Services Committee and Scrutiny Committees be agreed as follows for the ensuing year: Planning Committee Chair: Councillor Michael Morris Vice-Chair: Councillor Marc Jones Environmental Licensing Committee Chair: Councillor I David Bithell MBE Vice-Chair: Councillor Brian Cameron Democratic Services Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Rondo Roberts Customers, Performance, Resources & Governance Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Corin Jarvis Employment, Business & Investment Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Andy Williams Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Claire Lovett Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Frank Hemmings Safeguarding, Communities and Well-being Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Jeremy Newton (v) That the sizes and political balance of the under mentioned Panels/Groups be agreed and the following Members appointed to give effect to the wishes of the relevant Political Groups to which seats are allocated and to those seats allocated to the Non-aligned Members. CONSTITUTION WORKING GROUP (10 MEMBERS) Councillor Gary Brown Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Frank Hemmings Councillor Pete Howell Councillor Hugh Jones Councillor Steve Joe Jones Councillor Michael Morris Councillor Paul Pemberton Councillor Mark Pritchard Councillor Fred Roberts PAY AND REWARD PANEL (10 MEMBERS) Councillor David A Bithell Councillor Gary Brown Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Andy Gallanders Councillor Beverley Parry-Jones Councillor John Pritchard Councillor Mark Pritchard Councillor Jerry Wellens Councillor Phil Wynn (vi) That the terms of reference of the Panels/Groups, as set out in Appendix 4 of report COGC/36/25, be approved (vii) That Group Leaders and Non-aligned Members notify the Chief Officer Governance & Customer of nominations to any outstanding vacant seats within 7 days of the date of this meeting. Reason for Decisions To appoint Members to the Executive Board, Standing Committees, Scrutiny Committees and various Panels set up by the Council as part of its Constitution and to appoint relevant Chairs and Vice-Chairs.
The Monitoring Officer submitted a report COGC/36/25 which allowed Members to review the proportional allocation of seats to declared political groups as a result of recent changes set out in the report and the consider appointments to the Executive Board, Committees and various panels set up by the Council as part of its Constituion. RESOLVED – (i) That the following Members be appointed to the Executive Board: Councillor David A Bithell Councillor Terry Evans Councillor Hugh Jones Councillor Beverley Parry-Jones Councillor John Pritchard Councillor Mark Pritchard Councillor Paul Roberts Councillor Robert Walsh Councillor Nigel Williams Councillor Phil Wynn (ii) That the sizes and political balance of the Standing Committees and Scrutiny Committees be agreed and the following Members appointed to give effect to the wishes of the relevant Political Groups to which seats are allocated and to those seats allocated to the Non-aligned Member: STANDARDS COMMITTEE (3 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor I David Bithell MBE Councillor Hugh Jones GOVERNANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE (8 MEMBERS) Councillor William Baldwin Councillor Trevor Bates Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Corin Jarvis Councillor Becca Martin Councillor Paul Roberts Councillor Paul Rogers Councillor Jerry Wellens PLANNING COMMITTEE (16 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor Trevor Bates Councillor I David Bithell, MBE Councillor Beryl Blackmore Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Frank Hemmings Councillor Jon Jolley Councillor Marc Jones (Vice Chair) Councillor Steve Joe Jones Councillor John McCusker Councillor Michael Morris (Chair) Councillor Jeremy Newton Councillor Fred Roberts Councillor Graham Rogers Councillor Anthony Wedlake Councillor Andy Williams ENVIRONMENTAL LICENSING COMMITTEE (14 MEMBERS) Members of the Environmental Licensing Committee will also sit as the Licensing Committee Councillor I David Bithell, MBE (Chair) Councillor Brian Cameron (Vice Chair) Councillor Krista Childs Councillor Andy Gallanders Councillor Steve Joe Jones Councillor Tina Mannering Councillor Becca Martin Councillor Michael Morris Councillor Paul Pemberton Councillor John Phillips Councillor Ron Prince Councillor Anthony Wedlake Councillor Robert Ian Williams Councillor Derek Wright Plus two additional Members from an opposition group who could be called upon if a Meeting of the Environmental Licensing Committee is not quorate Councillor Corin Jarvis DEMOCRATIC SERVICES COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor William Baldwin Councillor Trevor Bates Councillor Carrie Harper Councillor Pete Howell Councillor Jeremy Kent Councillor Malcolm King OBE (Chair) Councillor Claire Lovett Councillor Rondo Roberts (Vice Chair) Councillor Debbie Wallice Councillor Jerry Wellens Councillor Derek Wright APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE (10 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor David A Bithell Councillor Annette Davies Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Jeremy Kent Councillor Stella Matthews Councillor Michael Morris Councillor John Pritchard Councillor Mark Pritchard Councillor Phil Wynn GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE (10 MEMBERS) Councillor Beryl Blackmore Councillor Gary Brown Councillor Brian Cameron Councillor Pete Howell Councillor Paul Pemberton Councillor Fred Roberts Councillor Graham Rogers Councillor Ross Shepherd Councillor Debbie Wallice Councillor Nigel Williams INVESTIGATION AND DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE (10 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor I David Bithell, MBE Councillor Carrie Harper Councillor Jeremy Kent Councillor Fred Roberts Councillor Paul Roberts Councillor Robert Walsh Councillor Derek Wright Councillor Nigel Williams CUSTOMERS, PERFORMANCE, RESOURCES & GOVERNANCE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor William Baldwin Councillor Frank Hemmings Councillor Pete Howell (Chair) Councillor Corin Jarvis (Vice Chair) Councillor Claire Lovett Councillor Tina Mannering Councillor Stella Matthews Councillor Michael Morris Councillor Jeremy Newton Councillor Paul Pemberton Councillor Alison Tynan Councillor Jerry Wellens EMPLOYMENT, BUSINESS & INVESTMENT SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Councillor William Baldwin (Chair) Councillor Beryl Blackmore Councillor Gary Brown Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Mike Davies Councillor Andy Gallanders Councillor Frank Hemmings Councillor Jon Jolley Councillor Jeremy Kent Councillor John McCusker Councillor Paul Rogers Councillor Ross Shepherd Councillor Andy Williams (Vice Chair) HOMES AND ENVIRONMENT SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Councillor Trevor Bates Councillor Paul Blackwell Councillor Carrie Harper Councillor Emma Holland Councillor Steve Joe Jones Councillor Jeremy Kent Councillor Claire Lovett (Vice Chair) Councillor Jeremy Newton Councillor Paul Pemberton Councillor John Phillips Councillor Graham Rogers Councillor Paul Rogers (Chair) Councillor Anthony Wedlake LIFELONG LEARNING SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Councillor Beryl Blackmore Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Carrie Harper (Chair) Councillor Frank Hemmings (Vice Chair) Councillor Tina Mannering Councillor Becca Martin Councillor Stella Matthews Councillor Ross Shepherd Councillor Alison Tynan Councillor Debbie Wallice Councillor Jerry Wellens SAFEGUARDING, COMMUNITIES AND WELL-BEING SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Members of the Safeguarding, Communities and Well-being Scrutiny Committee will also sit as the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee Councillor Trevor Bates Councillor Beryl Blackmore Councillor Brian Cameron Councillor Krista Childs Councillor Annette Davies Councillor Pete Howell Councillor Jeremy Kent Councillor Malcolm King OBE Councillor Claire Lovett Councillor Jeremy Newton (Vice Chair) Councillor Rondo Roberts Councillor Alison Tynan Councillor Derek Wright (Chair) (iii) That, in accordance with the provisions of the relevant sections of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, the positions of Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees and the Democratic Services Committee for the ensuing year be agreed as follows: Customers, Performance, Resources & Governance Scrutiny Committee Chair: Councillor Pete Howell Employment, Business & Investment Scrutiny Committee Chair: Councillor William Baldwin Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee Chair: Councillor Paul Rogers Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee Chair: Councillor Carrie Harper Safeguarding, Communities and Well-being Scrutiny Committee Chair: Councillor Derek Wright Democratic Services Committee Chair: Councillor Malcolm King OBE (iv) That, in accordance with political balance, the positions of the Chairs and Vice- Chairs of the Planning Committee and Environmental Licensing Committee, together with Vice-Chairs of the Democratic Services Committee and Scrutiny Committees be agreed as follows for the ensuing year: Planning Committee Chair: Councillor Michael Morris Vice-Chair: Councillor Marc Jones Environmental Licensing Committee Chair: Councillor I David Bithell MBE Vice-Chair: Councillor Brian Cameron Democratic Services Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Rondo Roberts Customers, Performance, Resources & Governance Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Corin Jarvis Employment, Business & Investment Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Andy Williams Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Claire Lovett Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Frank Hemmings Safeguarding, Communities and Well-being Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Jeremy Newton (v) That the sizes and political balance of the under mentioned Panels/Groups be agreed and the following Members appointed to give effect to the wishes of the relevant Political Groups to which seats are allocated and to those seats allocated to the Non-aligned Members. CONSTITUTION WORKING GROUP (10 MEMBERS) Councillor Gary Brown Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Frank Hemmings Councillor Pete Howell Councillor Hugh Jones Councillor Steve Joe Jones Councillor Michael Morris Councillor Paul Pemberton Councillor Mark Pritchard Councillor Fred Roberts PAY AND REWARD PANEL (10 MEMBERS) Councillor David A Bithell Councillor Gary Brown Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Andy Gallanders Councillor Beverley Parry-Jones Councillor John Pritchard Councillor Mark Pritchard Councillor Jerry Wellens Councillor Phil Wynn (vi) That the terms of reference of the Panels/Groups, as set out in Appendix 4 of report COGC/36/25, be approved (vii) That Group Leaders and Non-aligned Members notify the Chief Officer Governance & Customer of nominations to any outstanding vacant seats within 7 days of the date of this meeting. Reason for Decisions To appoint Members to the Executive Board, Standing Committees, Scrutiny Committees and various Panels set up by the Council as part of its Constitution and to appoint relevant Chairs and Vice-Chairs.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED - That the proposed draft annual calendar of meetings for the Council, the Executive Board, Scrutiny and Standing Committees in 2025/26 including provision for All Member Workshops and Member Development, be agreed. Reason for decision To approve the annual calendar of meetings for 2025/26.
The Monitoring Officer submitted a report COCG/37/25 which allowed Members to consider and approve a calendar of meetings for the Council, the Executive Board, Scrutiny and Standing Committees in 2025/26. RESOLVED - That the proposed draft annual calendar of meetings for the Council, the Executive Board, Scrutiny and Standing Committees in 2025/26 including provision for All Member Workshops and Member Development, be agreed. Reason for decision To approve the annual calendar of meetings for 2025/26.