Car parking charge for Blue Badge holders, reduction in park rangers and review of waste services proposals – have you had your say?

Do you have any suggestions on how Wrexham Council could save £13 million over the next two years?

Now in its second week, Wrexham Council’s Difficult Decisions consultation is urging residents to put forward their views on proposed cuts to services and jobs across the county.

Wrexham Council say that over the next few weeks they will be shining the spotlight on the different sections of the consultation, with this week’s focus being on the proposals for the environment and planning department.

The department offers services such as bin collection, street lighting, public rights of way, recycling and public and school transport (to name but a few!)

Just over £340,000 of cuts have been proposed in the department for 2018/19, with residents across Wrexham encouraged to have their say on what has been put forward and to make some budget proposals of their own.

One such proposal focuses on the council’s waste and recycling service, which would see a review of the collection frequency of the black bins to ‘further improve recycling rates and achieving service efficiencies’.

Another bin change is proposed for those who have more then one green bin. Wrexham Council are proposing that a charge of £30 is year is introduced for households who have more than one green bin.

Allotment fees are proposed to go up by 25% for all tenants, bringing the cost of a quarter plot to £39, half plot to £72 and a full plot £122.

The annual fee for discretionary bus passes have a proposed increase. Students who are not entitled to free school transport can currently use a concessionary bus pass where there is spare seating on a school bus. Under the new proposals the fee would up up from £50 a term to £100.

A review of Blue Badge parking could also take place, with Wrexham Council proposing that a free is introduced for Blue Badge holders to park in all council operated car parks. At present it is free to park for those who hold a Blue Badge.

Changes have also been proposed at country parks, with plans to introduce a £1 fee to park at Alyn Waters, Ty Mawr, Nant Mill and Trevor Basin.

A general review of staffing at Wrexham’s country parks is also featured in the consultation, along with a reduction in the number of park rangers and the ‘realignment of the service to focus on the safe management of the key park sites on Alyn Waters and Ty Mawr’.

Wrexham Council say that to ensure the parks remained clean the Streetscene Service would help the rangers. The reduction in staff will mean some services including events and school work will be reduced and there will be a new service model developed.

Crematorium charges could also be increased, with proposals stating that fees could rise for £50 for single cremations and £100 for joint / double cremations.

Finally it has been proposed that the free parking for councillors and staff is stopped to encourage more to use public transport and generate additional income in town centre car parks.

Agree or disagree with any of the suggestions listed above? You have until November 30th to have your say on the cuts to the department and across the council.

There are a number of ways you can let Wrexham Council know what you think of the proposals:

– Please complete the survey – either online or in paper version to say what extent you agree with the proposals Wrexham Council are making.
– There will be more detailed consultations conducted with service users for some of these proposals – which will also contribute to the decision making process.
– You could also write to ‘Tell Us What You Think’. 3rd Floor Annex. The Guildhall. Wrexham. LL11 1AY
– Or email [email protected] (please mark your correspondence ‘Difficult Decisions’)

The responses submitted will help the decision making process for the new budget in January / February 2018.

A document outlining Wrexham Council’s proposals can be found here. You can fill in the online consultation here and you have until November 30th to do so!