Latest news with #WrexhamCountyBoroughCouncil
Leader Live
25-05-2025
- Leader Live
Sculpture will take position at Coleg Cambria Wrexham site
After almost four years of hard work by lecturer John Freeman and students, the hand-crafted statue of a dragon protecting a small child has taken its place outside Coleg Cambria's Bersham Road site in Wrexham. Built in partnership with Wrexham County Borough Council and North Wales Police, the first phase of the project is finished. The task now will be to raise the plinth of Welsh stone slate to form a castle alongside a "river of knives", due for completion in November. Knife dragon under construction. At night the dragon will be lit up in red, white and green colours, a symbol of Wales and a reminder of the devastating impact weapons crime can have on communities. "It has taken many days and weeks of dedication, with the amazing support and skill of our learners, to bring the sculpture to life," said John. "The staff have playfully named the dragon 'JohnFree' as I've spent every hour I haven't been lecturing in the workshop, safely shaping a range of confiscated weapons including kitchen knives, samurai swords, knuckle dusters and bayonets and welding them onto steel frames to form the main body and head. Read more: Wrexham pupils unveil railway celebration mural "The wings are made from wire mesh and strips, and took a long time to complete, but it's all finally done. "We are so happy with how it looks, almost identical to the model I had initially designed, and glad it will represent such an important cause." Karl Jackson, assistant principal for the Institute of Technology and Site Lead at Bersham Road, added: "The finished article is quite breathtaking, it will be a beacon not only for knife awareness but also for the talent and skill of the students who played their part in its construction, which all took place with health and safety the number one priority. Knife dragon outside Coleg Cambria's Bersham Road site in Wrexham. "The sculpture will stand proudly here at Bersham Road, a symbol for generations to come constructed entirely from weapons North Wales Police had collected via amnesty or confiscation. "Several thousand have been used for the knife dragon and it is quite staggering when you reflect on that, but what a powerful message this now sends out." District Inspector for Wrexham City Rhodri Ifans said while knife crime offences remain thankfully low in Wrexham, it is important "for us all to act to drive them down still further". Read more: New Flintshire school campus opens as first net zero carbon school "Knives are dangerous and there is no place for them on our streets. Every incident involving a knife has consequences for all those involved, and so this is an issue we take extremely seriously," he said. "As such, it is particularly important we can create opportunities to highlight knife crime and what we can do to prevent it. "We all have a responsibility to educate anyone who may think it acceptable to carry a knife and the Knife Dragon offers a way in which we can work with our partners on a project that just might prevent another tragedy. Knife dragon under construction. "Made with weapons we have seized from our own streets; they will never again be in position to harm anyone. "By working with our partners, we will continue to educate, enforce, and act on any information given to us to bring those involved in this type of offending to justice." Lead Member for Partnership and Community Safety at Wrexham County Borough Council, Cllr Paul Roberts, added: "This striking Knife Dragon will serve as a reminder to the devastating impact that knife crime and serious violence can have on local communities and families. Read more: Oscar winner thanks former Wrexham college for 'many fond memories' "Following on from the Knife Angel's visit to Wrexham in October 2022, with thanks to the staff and students at Coleg Cambria on its construction, the Knife Dragon will provide a permanent focus point to the partnership working and education around keeping knife crime low in Wrexham." • For the latest news and information from Coleg Cambria, visit • If you have concerns about knife crime, call North Wales Police on 101 or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Alternatively, visit
Leader Live
12-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Wrexham's £33.6m funding gap will mean service cuts
That was the stark warning by Wrexham County Borough Council leader Cllr Mark Pritchard ahead of this week's Executive Board meeting where councillors will consider the next phase of the authority's Change Programme. Over the last two years the council has cut £60m of spending and found £4.7 million of savings through its Change Programme - largely through a review of some contract arrangements, changes in staffing structures, improved efficiency in internal processes and a programme of voluntary redundancy and early retirement. The next phase will need to address the anticipated budget gaps facing the council over the next three years - £12.1m in 2026/27, £10.7m in 2027/28 and £10.8m in 2028/29. Alongside his deputy leader Cllr David Bithell, Cllr Pritchard said that efficiencies through working practices had all been achieved and to make further savings would mean a reduction in services and potentially the size of the council. "All the low-level fruit has gone," said Cllr Pritchard. "The skin and the flesh have gone, the bone has gone, everything's gone. "We've done everything we can. We can't do any more now. "We've already found £60m of savings, add another £30m that's £90m of savings we'll have had to find. "This council will shrink, it has to. I haven't got the ultimate decision here, I go to the Executive Board, I go to full council. I've got my own ideas, David's got his own ideas, I've got 10 Executive Board members and full council and the decision on the budget is made by full council." The leader suggested that the upcoming 2026 Senedd elections may provide some relief. "There's an election coming, let's hope we have a very good settlement," he said. "If there is a change in the administration in Cardiff - I don't know what that change will be - hopefully the new administration will fund local authorities appropriately. "If this continues as we are we will be losing jobs and we will be closing down services. We've got no choice." Cllr Pritchard said the primary focus would always be on preserving statutory services first - such as adult social care, children's services and education - to protect the most vulnerable. The council's Interim Chief Executive Officer Alwyn Jones said that to date the public had been largely protected from the impact of the savings. "There are two things at stake here - short-term financial sustainability and demands within statutory services. "Part of the medium and longer-term vision is how we can influence those demands. That's not easy in terms of how we care for our older people and people with disabilities and how we support our communities to become more resilient. "Part of the reason the public may not have felt some of the change work we have done last year is because a lot of it has been about improving how we do things. "The challenge we've got is how we avoid getting into a position where we stop doing things. That's the work we are doing, to make changes that do not impact on communities but that's not easy." Cllr Bithell added that no thought had yet been given to how or which services may be at risk, he said that was a decision for the wider council. "The last couple of years has been really difficult but we haven't made mass redundancies and we've retained our services," he said. "But that is becoming more difficult. The demand on services is immense. We've tried to improve performance with less staff and the difficulty we've got is when you shrink the organisation can you continue to do that without dipping in performance or dipping into service changes. "We're at that critical point really where we might have to merge departments and shed staff, we might have to close services down but we haven't gone out and deliberately done that because we are all for services and communities. "I know we take criticism all the time but we've done this in a measured way so far. It's getting more difficult to do it in a measured way, we might have to take a bit more of a critical approach if we have to make up over £30m." "This isn't pleasant," said Cllr Pritchard. "Of the 56 councillors we have in Wrexham, and all the councillors across Wales, none of them come into local politics to close down services. "We all come in to improve services. We're compassionate people. But there's no wiggle room now, it's gone."
Leader Live
12-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Highest-paid council staff in Flintshire and Wrexham paid over £100k
The annual publication by the Taxpayers Alliance aims to keep track of how many senior council officials are earning above £100k per year by compiling data from councils across the UK. In Flintshire the officers' senior leadership team is made up of the Chief Executive and a team of six chief officers. Of those six earn north of £100k. The authority pays Chief Executive Neal Cockerton an annual salary of £144,000 - the 10th highest of the 18 Welsh councils reported in the list. Wrexham County Borough Council was one of 15 councils across the UK that did not provide the Taxpayers Alliance with 2023/24 accounts for scrutiny. On request however it did confirm that the Interim Chief Executive Alwyn Jones is currently paid £134,73. That places Wrexham 13th overall for CEO pay in Wales. All seven of Wrexham's chief officers earn more than £100k. A spokesperson for Flintshire County Council said that it was operating with one of the smallest teams in north Wales. 'The salaries of all our employees, including senior managers, are benchmarked against other local authorities in North Wales and across the border and are published on the Council's website every year as a matter of course. 'Flintshire is the largest local authority in North Wales yet has one of the smallest senior teams in the region," they said. "Our operating model does not follow the traditional two-tier model of directors and head of service of neighbouring local authorities (in England and Wales). "That means our chief officers are responsible for a larger portfolio and range of diverse public services. It is therefore important that salaries are set at a level which reflects the necessary specialist knowledge and experience, while also attracting and retaining staff with the skills to deliver vital public services to the people of Flintshire.' Wrexham Council said that its pay structure reflected the significant responsibilities that sit with the chief executive and chief officers. "Chief Executive is a demanding role that entails a high level of commitment and involves a number of legal responsibilities," said a spokesperson. "The post-holder is strategically, operationally and legally responsible and accountable for a vast range of public services across Wrexham, thousands of employees and a multi-million pound budget. "As a result, the salary has to reflect this, and it has to be competitive enough to attract the right candidates with the right experience, skills and commitment. "Similar to the Chief Executive role, the chief officer roles in the council are hugely demanding, with the post-holders helping to deliver a vast range of services for local people. Again, these roles come with specific legal and professional responsibilities depending on their areas of focus. "It's too early to say if efficiency savings will affect staff structures over the next couple of years, but it's worth noting that Wrexham already has fewer chief officers than many councils in England and Wales. "Whereas many councils have multiple tiers of senior management, Wrexham has a 'flat' structure which is more economical when you compare whole structures across local authorities."
Leader Live
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Wrexham MotorFest back in aid of Nightingale House Hospice
Nightingale House Hospice and Wrexham County Borough Council announce the return of Wrexham's MotorFest for its third consecutive year. Sponsored by Bellis Haulage and C & M Transport, the event is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, at Penyllan Farm, Marchwiel, promising an day filled with a diverse range of vehicles, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities. Read more: Stuart takes on 1,200-mile 'zigzaggy' ride for good causes Building on the success of previous years, MotorFest 2025 aims to be bigger and better, showcasing an impressive array of classic cars, supercharged motors, bikes, trucks, tractors, and more. The festival offers something for everyone, from dedicated vehicle enthusiasts to families seeking a fun day out. Elise Jackson, event and community fundraising manager at Nightingale House Hospice, said: "We are delighted to bring back Wrexham's MotorFest for its third year. "The community's support has been overwhelming, and we're excited to offer an even more spectacular event in 2025. Read more: Special riding centre given a lifeline after urgent appeal "Every donation benefits our hospice services, and we look forward to welcoming everyone for a day of automotive excitement and family fun." MotorFest is now welcoming applications from vehicle owners who wish to show their cars, bikes, trucks, or other unique vehicles. Spaces are limited, so early registration is encouraged. Cllr Nigel Williams added: "MotorFest has become a highlight in Wrexham's event calendar, bringing together residents and visitors alike. Read more: Month of bestselling authors set to entertain across Flintshire "We're proud to support this fantastic event that not only provides entertainment but also raises essential funds for a local charity, Nightingale House Hospice. "We encourage everyone to join us on July, 19 for a memorable day." Entry to the event is free; however, attendees are encouraged to make a £2 donation per person upon arrival. All proceeds will support the Wrexham hospice, aiding in the continuation of their vital services to the community. • To find out more about the event or to secure your exhibition spot, visit:
Leader Live
01-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Wrexham Kop to be new centrepiece of city gateway project
Councillors on the Employment, Business and Investment Scrutiny Committee will review the updated masterplan for the Wrexham Gateway Project next Wednesday. The latest version of the plan includes the recommendation to relocate the hotel, which was supposed to be built next to the STōK Cae Ras. "The original intention was that the hotel, situated on the junction of Mold Road and Crispin Lane, would be a landmark feature at this important gateway to the city," according to the updated masterplan. "With the evolution of the football stand into an iconic, internationally recognised building, there is little logic to hiding this behind a new hotel. "As such, the Wrexham Gateway Partnership, Wrexham County Borough Council and Wrexham AFC are currently in discussions as to whether a hotel is the best use for the site and if it may be better suited for another use." The plan also reveals that there is a study underway into the realignment of Crispin Lane and the potential impact of that on traffic and pedestrian flows. When councillors first approved the plans in 2022 they insisted on assurances that both the western and eastern side of the development would be completed. The Wrexham Gateway project has scaled back its office space plans as the sector faces challenges caused by hybrid and home working. (Image: Wrexham County Borough Council) The updated plan remains committed to the developing the eastern side of the gateway but due to land and funding issues it will now treat the east as one single development. Discussions have begun with Wrexham Lager to move their brewery into the former Jewson warehouse in the eastern part of the development, although these talks are at an early stage. Wrexham General train station car park will also move to the Jewson site. Office space planned for the scheme has been reduced to 600 desks due to the commercial challenges facing the office space sector due to hybrid working and work from home. Councillors will review the changes at committee on Wednesday, May 7.
