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The Executive Board supported the draft Wrexham Plan for Neighbourhoods, which must reach UK Government by 28 November 2025, and approved the governance and budget arrangements for the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone. It also noted an update on the Mayor's visit to Märkischer Kreis in Germany.
RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 16 September 2025 be signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That the update on the twinning visit be noted and express thanks conveyed to Märkischer Kreis on behalf of the Council for hosting the visit. Reason for Decision The twinning activity contributes to maintaining the relationship with Märkischer Kreis.
The Lead Member for Economy, Business and Tourism submitted a report (CE/22/25) to present an update on the twinning visit by the Mayor to Märkischer Kreis, Germany to help celebrate the 50 year anniversary of its creation as a district. It was noted that discussions were ongoing regarding the revival of twinning opportunities and the benefits to both regions. RESOLVED – That the update on the twinning visit be noted and express thanks conveyed to Märkischer Kreis on behalf of the Council for hosting the visit. Reason for Decision The twinning activity contributes to maintaining the relationship with Märkischer Kreis.
Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings
The Leader vacated the Chair, and the Vice-Chair, Councillor David A Bithell, presided over the next items on the Agenda to enable the Leader to present reports in his capacity as Lead Member for Finance and Asset Management. (Councillor David A Bithell in the Chair)
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Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That the Executive Board: (i) Supports the high-level ambition outlined in the proposed submission document for Wrexham’s Neighbourhood Plan, as developed by the Wrexham City Board, presented at Appendices 2 and 3 of report COEP/64/25. (ii) Agrees that the document is submitted to UK Government and validated by the Council’s Section 151 Officer by 28 November 2025, the date set out in the programme guidance, so it can be appraised. (iii) Agrees that any material changes made by the Wrexham City Board, prior to the approval of its Plan, made after 14 October 2025 are agreed in consultation with the Lead Member Finance & Asset Management, Interim Chief Officer Economy & Planning and Chief Officer Finance & ICT. An information report would then be shared with all Members. (iv) Agree that this matter is dealt with as an urgent item of business in accordance with Section 5 (Rule 5.8.10(m)) of the Council’s Constitution. Reasons for Decisions (i) To progress the implementation of the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme, within the stated timescales and allow the Wrexham City Board to submit its Neighbourhood Plan on or before 24 October 2025 for appraisal, to enable UK Government appraisal process to commence sooner, increasing confidence in delivery. (ii) The reason for urgency is to ensure that the Wrexham Town Plan is submitted to UK Government by its hard-deadline of 28 November 2025.
The Lead Member for Finance & Asset Management submitted a report (COEP/64/25) for Members to approve the Wrexham Neighbourhood Plan developed by the Wrexham City Board, and agree that it be presented to the UK Government, to secure the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme in Wrexham, which includes funding of £20m over the next 10 years. The Lead Member conveyed his thanks to the Wrexham City Board for their work in developing the Wrexham Neighbourhood Plan. It was noted that the Wrexham City Board would be meeting next week to formally approve the Plan. During debate clarification was sought in respect of the role of the Council as the accountable body providing assurance and oversight over the funding, the appointment process for the Board and recommendation 3.3 of the report. A query was also raised in respect of crime statistics contained in the Wrexham Neighbourhood Plan. As an elected representative on the Wrexham City Board the Leader agreed to take questions back to the Board and feedback to Members. RESOLVED – That the Executive Board: (i) Supports the high-level ambition outlined in the proposed submission document for Wrexham’s Neighbourhood Plan, as developed by the Wrexham City Board, presented at Appendices 2 and 3 of report COEP/64/25. (ii) Agrees that the document is submitted to UK Government and validated by the Council’s Section 151 Officer by 28 November 2025, the date set out in the programme guidance, so it can be appraised. (iii) Agrees that any material changes made by the Wrexham City Board, prior to the approval of its Plan, made after 14 October 2025 are agreed in consultation with the Lead Member Finance & Asset Management, Interim Chief Officer Economy & Planning and Chief Officer Finance & ICT. An information report would then be shared with all Members. (iv) Agree that this matter is dealt with as an urgent item of business in accordance with Section 5 (Rule 5.8.10(m)) of the Council’s Constitution. Reasons for Decisions (i) To progress the implementation of the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme, within the stated timescales and allow the Wrexham City Board to submit its Neighbourhood Plan on or before 24 October 2025 for appraisal, to enable UK Government appraisal process to commence sooner, increasing confidence in delivery. (ii) The reason for urgency is to ensure that the Wrexham Town Plan is submitted to UK Government by its hard-deadline of 28 November 2025.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED - (i) That the Governance Structure, including the establishment of an Investment Zone Working Group, set out in Section 1 of report COEP/67/24 and the key roles and responsibilities of the Council in supporting the delivery of the Investment Zone be approved. (ii) That the budget allocations in Table 1 of report COEP/67/24 be approved on the basis of further negotiation with the Welsh Government, and agree key principles of the Inter Authority Agreement and delegate to s151 to sign the Inter Authority Agreement; and (iii) That the Memorandum of Understanding at Appendix 1 of report COEP/67/24, which has been agreed between the UK Government, Welsh Government and North Wales Corporate Joint Committee, be noted. Reason for decisions To ensure that the application process required to secure the £160m investment earmarked by the UK Government for the Flintshire & Wrexham Investment Zone continues to completion in preparation for implementation and launch in November 2025
The Chair was of the opinion that this item of business should be dealt with as a matter of urgency in accordance with Regulation 5 (4) (b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Decisions, Documents and Meetings) (Wales) Regulations 2001. The Lead Member for Finance & Asset Management submitted a report (COEP/67/25) to provide an overview of the progress made since the 10 December 2024 report on Flintshire & Wrexham Investment Zone and seek Executive Board support for the ongoing development of the Gateway process that will enable the Investment Zone to be implemented. During debate questions were asked in respect of local governance arrangements, local scrutiny, budget allocation and potential impact of the unadopted LDP on key delivery sites. RESOLVED - (i) That the Governance Structure, including the establishment of an Investment Zone Working Group, set out in Section 1 of report COEP/67/24 and the key roles and responsibilities of the Council in supporting the delivery of the Investment Zone be approved. (ii) That the budget allocations in Table 1 of report COEP/67/24 be approved on the basis of further negotiation with the Welsh Government, and agree key principles of the Inter Authority Agreement and delegate to s151 to sign the Inter Authority Agreement; and (iii) That the Memorandum of Understanding at Appendix 1 of report COEP/67/24, which has been agreed between the UK Government, Welsh Government and North Wales Corporate Joint Committee, be noted. Reason for decisions To ensure that the application process required to secure the £160m investment earmarked by the UK Government for the Flintshire & Wrexham Investment Zone continues to completion in preparation for implementation and launch in November 2025
RESOLVED - That the press and public be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following items as it is likely that, if they were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).