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The Committee reviewed Tŷ Pawb's 2024-25 performance, including its budget pressure, the sixteen-point mitigation plan and visitor numbers. Members asked for a breakdown of premises costs and agreed to tell the Executive Board of their concerns about the building's condition and continued overspend. The Committee also agreed changes to six items on its work programme.
Some sentences of this summary are missing in English, because an older automatic check removed them from the English only. The Welsh version has them.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Beryl Blackmore, Mike Davies, Jeremy Kent and John McCusker.
AGREED: That the minutes held on 7 May 2025 be signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
AGREED:- (i) That the Committee notes that representatives of Ambition North Wales had confirmed their attendance at the September meeting. (ii) That the following amendments be made regarding the following reports that were already placed on the Committee’s work programme · Ty Pawb – to include details of the social value of Ty Pawb. · Wrexham Markets – to include details of the open markets. · North Wales Ambition Board – to include details of Wrexham Based Projects. · Application for UK City of Culture 2029 - To include details of all cultural events/Eistedfodd. · Wrexham Gateway Delivery Plan – To include details of barriers or related milestones. · SMART Town Initiative - To include areas where there are opportunities to expand SMART technology, across the Council. (iii) That the report in respect of Application for UK City of Culture 2029 be submitted to the October Meeting. (iv) That the report in respect of the Markets include additional information in relation to the outdoor markets in the City Centre and be scheduled for the September meeting. (Vi) That areas for future scrutiny that were identified at the work planning meeting in June be considered at the September meeting. X) That the Committee notes that the work programme had been updated to reflect the calendar of meetings that had been agreed at the Annual meeting of Council.
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The Chief Officer submitted a report (COGC/51/25) asking Members to consider the revised work programme of the Employment, Business and Investment Scrutiny Committee attached at Appendix 1. The Scrutiny Facilitator presented the report and outlined key updates to the work programme. The proposed changes were submitted and subsequently approved. The following matters were discussed: · Concerns were expressed regarding the committee’s capacity to manage its workload effectively, with an emphasis on the importance of maintaining focused and purposeful discussions. · The Tackling Poverty Strategy was identified as a critical and time-sensitive priority, with existing delays already impacting vulnerable residents. · The Poverty Summit report underscored the urgency of taking immediate action, and a progress update was scheduled for September. AGREED:- (i) That the Committee notes that representatives of Ambition North Wales had confirmed their attendance at the September meeting. (ii) That the following amendments be made regarding the following reports that were already placed on the Committee’s work programme · Ty Pawb – to include details of the social value of Ty Pawb. · Wrexham Markets – to include details of the open markets. · North Wales Ambition Board – to include details of Wrexham Based Projects. · Application for UK City of Culture 2029 - To include details of all cultural events/Eistedfodd. · Wrexham Gateway Delivery Plan – To include details of barriers or related milestones. · SMART Town Initiative - To include areas where there are opportunities to expand SMART technology, across the Council. (iii) That the report in respect of Application for UK City of Culture 2029 be submitted to the October Meeting. (iv) That the report in respect of the Markets include additional information in relation to the outdoor markets in the City Centre and be scheduled for the September meeting. (Vi) That areas for future scrutiny that were identified at the work planning meeting in June be considered at the September meeting. X) That the Committee notes that the work programme had been updated to reflect the calendar of meetings that had been agreed at the Annual meeting of Council.
Decision as recorded
AGREED:- (i) That Members of the Committee be provided with a detailed breakdown of premises expenditure for Ty Pawb. (ii) That the Committee supports a Corporate budget allocation in respect of Ty Pawb’s last lost income, arising from the provision of Corporate car parking spaces. (iii) That the Executive Board be advised of the Committee’s concerns at the poor physical state of and continued overspend at Ty Pawb. (iii) That a further update report be considered at a date to be determined and that this report also include: · The Advisory Board’s 3/5/10 year aims. · Details of the Advisory Board revised vision and values statement. · Future delivery model.
The Chief Officer for Economy and Planning submitted a report (COEP/36/25) asking Members to review and comment on the performance of Tŷ Pawb for year2024/25; including an update on the sixteen point mitigation plan previously presented to the committee. The Lead Member for Strategic Planning and Public Protection introduced the Ty Pawb progress report, supported by members of the senior team and the Ty Pawb advisory board. Main points discussed: · A 16-point mitigation plan was underway to address financial and operational challenges. · Budget pressures were projected to reduce by £100,000 between 2022 and 2026. · It was confirmed that energy consumption fell by 40%, despite a 26% increase in costs and Car parking income rose by over £27,000. · Repairs and maintenance remained a key pressure, with a £42,000 overspend and £40,000 allocated. Some areas had not benefited from recent capital investment. · Members requested a breakdown of the £374,000 premises cost to better understand expenditure versus income. · Officers confirmed that service charges proportionately recovered costs for utilities, rates, cleaning, and waste, though not all areas were fully covered. · Electricity tariffs were discussed whereby, officers agreed to review the current dual-rate system with the decarbonisation team. · The 2025/26 budget was confirmed to have decreased slightly to £337,795. · Tŷ Pawb recorded a 17% increase in footfall, exceeding 471,000 annual visitors which was around one third of town centre footfall. · The venue’s cultural and social contributions were praised, including its role in City of Culture bids and community engagement. · Officers acknowledged structural issues, particularly roof defects, but confirmed ongoing investment, including solar panels. · Members emphasised the venue’s social value, particularly for hard-to-reach groups, and stressed that its impact extended beyond financial metrics. · Positive practices were being shared across the wider City Centre Arts, Events and Culture Team. · Questions were raised about staff visibility and use of office space. Officers clarified that staff supported wider arts activity and that some space was leased externally. · Additional income could be generated from vacant office space, though one room was unusable due to water damage. · Members raised concerns about tenant vacancies following trader relocations to refurbished markets. Officers noted this was anticipated and that efforts were underway to attract creative and cultural tenants. · Pop-up stalls and casual contracts remained part of the offer to support start-ups. · Officers confirmed collaboration with Chester Market and Wrexham BID to share best practices. · The Advisory Board increased meeting frequency and established subgroups focused on programming, finance, and sponsorship. · Governance discussions were ongoing, with options such as trust or charity status under review. Progress had been delayed by COVID. · The Board was revisiting Tŷ Pawb’s 2018 mission and values to shape a clearer long-term strategy aligned with potential City of Culture bids. · Members praised Tŷ Pawb’s exhibitions, Welsh retail offer, and accessibility. · The rooftop garden remained active, maintained by volunteers, though access was limited. · Broader cultural programming at Memorial Hall and libraries was acknowledged, with clarification that library budgets were managed separately. · Members stressed the importance of continued investment in cultural venues and the need to embed social impact into council budgeting decisions. AGREED:- (i) That Members of the Committee be provided with a detailed breakdown of premises expenditure for Ty Pawb. (ii) That the Committee supports a Corporate budget allocation in respect of Ty Pawb’s last lost income, arising from the provision of Corporate car parking spaces. (iii) That the Executive Board be advised of the Committee’s concerns at the poor physical state of and continued overspend at Ty Pawb. (iii) That a further update report be considered at a date to be determined and that this report also include: · The Advisory Board’s 3/5/10 year aims. · Details of the Advisory Board revised vision and values statement. · Future delivery model.