Loading
The Executive Board met on 9 June 2026. It supported the council's 2025/26 budget outturn, authorised a sale of the former Groves School site to Coleg Cambria, and backed a plan for random drug and alcohol testing of staff, with a final policy to follow in September. It also noted changes to Lead Member responsibilities and filled seats on committees and working groups.
An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Hugh Jones.
RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 May 2026 be signed as a correct record.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare the existence and nature of any personal interest in respect of any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made: Councillors Dana Davies, Frank Hemmings and Andy Gallanders Item 6. Personal and Prejudicial – LA Governor The Councillors claimed the exemption set out in paragraphs 12 (2) (a) (iii) of the Member Code of Conduct and remained in the meeting for the discussion thereon
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)
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 the allocation with immediate effect of Lead Members’ areas of responsibility as set out in report MP/01/26 be noted. Reason for Decision To provide information on Lead Members and their respective responsibilities determined by the Leader of the Council.
The Leader of the Council submitted a report (MP/01/26) to inform the Executive Board of changes to the Lead Members’ areas of responsibility. It was requested that links to the plans and strategies listed in the appendix be shared with Members. RESOLVED – That the allocation with immediate effect of Lead Members’ areas of responsibility as set out in report MP/01/26 be noted. Reason for Decision To provide information on Lead Members and their respective responsibilities determined by the Leader of the Council.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That the final 2025/26 revenue position be supported. (ii) That the resulting position at 31 March 2026 of the Council’s earmarked reserves and general balances be supported, including the application of £165,761 to the Budget Mitigation reserve to support pressures on statutory services throughout the year. (iii) That the aforementioned decisions be included in the Statement of Accounts. Reason for Decisions To agree the final position for inclusion in the Statement of Accounts that will be considered by the Governance & Audit Committee.
(Members declarations of personal interest in respect of this matter are set out under Minute 3 above) The Lead Member for Finance and Asset Management submitted a report (COFI/17/26) to inform Members of the Council Fund revenue outturn for 2025/26 (Quarter 4) and to note and support the resulting position with regard to reserves and to inform Members of the Housing Revenue Account outturn for 2025/26. Presenting the report the Lead Member highlighted the hard work undertaken in preparing the revenue outturn and thanked Officers and Lead Members. He informed the Board that confirmation was still awaited regarding ALN funds following the change of Welsh Government. Members considered the report and asked questions. Discussion centred around school outturn positions, ALN funding, progress against savings and savings requiring corporate budget support. RESOLVED – (i) That the final 2025/26 revenue position be supported. (ii) That the resulting position at 31 March 2026 of the Council’s earmarked reserves and general balances be supported, including the application of £165,761 to the Budget Mitigation reserve to support pressures on statutory services throughout the year. (iii) That the aforementioned decisions be included in the Statement of Accounts. Reason for Decisions To agree the final position for inclusion in the Statement of Accounts that will be considered by the Governance & Audit Committee.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That the Chief Officer Housing and Assets be authorised to agree to terms for a disposal to Coleg Cambria and determination of boundaries, in consultation with Lead Member Finance and Asset Management and Lead Member Education. Reasons for Decision (i) To obtain support for a course of action to dispose of the surplus property and generate a significant cost saving to the Council. (ii) Enable a vacant site to be brought back into a productive use for the benefit of Wrexham City Centre and wider County Borough.
The Lead Member for Finance and Asset Management submitted a report (COH/23/26) to update Members on proposals for the future use of the former Groves High School site and to seek views on and support for a disposal to Coleg Cambria. The Chair of Customers Performance Resources and Governance Scrutiny Committee addressed the Board highlighting the Committee’s recommendations in respect of the proposal and confirmed that the Committee were in support. The Lead Member responded accordingly. RESOLVED – That the Chief Officer Housing and Assets be authorised to agree to terms for a disposal to Coleg Cambria and determination of boundaries, in consultation with Lead Member Finance and Asset Management and Lead Member Education. Reasons for Decision (i) To obtain support for a course of action to dispose of the surplus property and generate a significant cost saving to the Council. (ii) Enable a vacant site to be brought back into a productive use for the benefit of Wrexham City Centre and wider County Borough.
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Mark Pritchard, resumed Chair of the Meeting from this point in the proceedings.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That the Executive Board support and endorse the outcomes of the Operational Road Risk review and support the introduction of a random drug and alcohol programme. (ii) That the Chief Officer Environment & Technical in consultation with the Head of Service for HR & OD be authorised to carry out consultation with trade unions and all staff on the implications of a Council wide policy including the implications. (iii) That the Executive Board receive a further report in September 2026 following all necessary steps documented above to endorse and approve a final draft of the new agreed Drug and Alcohol policy. Reason for Decisions To ensure the Council is compliant with its obligations in relation to Operational Road Risk and that any testing programme proposal has been through due process.
The Lead Member for Environment submitted a report (COET/13/26) to seek Executive Board approval to move forward with the next steps towards the implementation of a new Workplace Transport Drug and Alcohol policy. RESOLVED – (i) That the Executive Board support and endorse the outcomes of the Operational Road Risk review and support the introduction of a random drug and alcohol programme. (ii) That the Chief Officer Environment & Technical in consultation with the Head of Service for HR & OD be authorised to carry out consultation with trade unions and all staff on the implications of a Council wide policy including the implications. (iii) That the Executive Board receive a further report in September 2026 following all necessary steps documented above to endorse and approve a final draft of the new agreed Drug and Alcohol policy. Reason for Decisions To ensure the Council is compliant with its obligations in relation to Operational Road Risk and that any testing programme proposal has been through due process.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That the size of the Statutory Groups set out in Appendix 1 to report COGC/45/26 be agreed. (ii) That the size and political balance (where appropriate) of the Executive Board Sub-Committees and Non-Statutory Groups set out in Appendix 2, and the appointment of Members to those seats so as to give effect to the wishes of the Political Groups to which the seats are allocated, be agreed. (iii) That a new Member be appointed onto Wrexham Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) up until the date of the Local Government Elections in May 2027. (iv) That Group Leaders and Non-aligned Members notify the Chief Officer Governance & Customer of their nominations within 7 days of the date of this meeting. (v) That this matter be 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 agree the appointment of Members to the Statutory and Non-Statutory Groups established by the Executive Board. (ii) The reason for urgency is to allow those Members appointed to operate immediately.
The Monitoring Officer submitted a report (COGC/45/26) to consider the appointment of Members to the Statutory and Non-Statutory Groups which fall to be reconstituted by the Executive Board. RESOLVED – (i) That the size of the Statutory Groups set out in Appendix 1 to report COGC/45/26 be agreed. (ii) That the size and political balance (where appropriate) of the Executive Board Sub-Committees and Non-Statutory Groups set out in Appendix 2, and the appointment of Members to those seats so as to give effect to the wishes of the Political Groups to which the seats are allocated, be agreed. (iii) That a new Member be appointed onto Wrexham Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) up until the date of the Local Government Elections in May 2027. (iv) That Group Leaders and Non-aligned Members notify the Chief Officer Governance & Customer of their nominations within 7 days of the date of this meeting. (v) That this matter be 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 agree the appointment of Members to the Statutory and Non-Statutory Groups established by the Executive Board. (ii) The reason for urgency is to allow those Members appointed to operate immediately.