Wrexham.com’s Councillor Progress Report – Little Acton

Last year we delivered a unique Q&A to all 138 local election candidates.

Out of the 52 council members elected, 12 kindly participated and provided responses to our questions.

Now, with over a year of the current term elapsed we caught up with them to find out what they had been up to, and how much they had achieved so far.

Each Cllr was issued with the same Q&A format, and 7 out of the 12 Cllrs answered our questions within the time frame requested.

These are the responses from Cllr for Little Acton, William Baldwin.

1. What was your first priority / aim for your ward prior to being elected and have you managed to achieve it?

My first priority was to get out and about meeting as many people in my ward as possible and ask what if anything I could do for the area. I think this has been good as by introducing myself to anyone I see I have been able to address quite a few minor issues that otherwise may have been overlooked. It is just a matter of getting things done and in many cases finding the answer to questions previously ignored.

2. Since the election have you found your ward members engaged in your work, and if so what has been the main engagement tool?

Since being elected I have issued one newsletter with another about to go out ASAP the response has been good. Contact has usually been by phone and some email contact.I follow that if needed with a visit and site meeting with relevant WCBC officers. I think engaging personally with people is the best way as they then can see what you are about. There are a few local issues that I am working on with people from the ward.I will send you a copy of my newsletter.

3. A post on the Wrexham.com forums stated that local democracy is healthy when councillors are pushed on issues affecting their ward members. Some have called for an open forum discussion. Do you feel you are pushed enough by the people you represent and could an open forum be a tool to achieve that?

I would welcome an open forum as I was elected to respond to the residents of Little Acton. I have responded to every inquiry I have received. I have always found an answer to the question, not always the answer that was hoped for but at least it is an honest answer. The more people who contact me with concerns the better as I then can use this to try and solve the problem.

4. What one thing you have achieved over the last 15 months are you most proud of?

I think the one thing I am proud of is that people know that I will always respond to their problems and help as best I can. I am also proud of the fact that I am always visible to everyone and walk the ward regularly.I have at the moment on going issues including The Little Acton Community Centre where I am engaging with local folk trying to build up the centre. We have plans to revitalise and make it into a real local community hub with coffee mornings, possible luncheon club etc. Hopefully this will be what I am proud of in the next Q and A.

5. What do you see as the long term future in terms of Wrexham’s identity and how do you think it will be achieved?

I think city status is not even an option anymore. As you have reported in the last week I have been on a task and finish group which has been tasked with bringing our indoor markets back to life. Tourism in the area is growing which is good news. We have also had the news of the new prison and hopefully with it more investment in the area. I could then see our identity being as a vibrant market town with a forward thinking council, a place to invest and a place to live. It can be achieved by hard work, sensible governance and a belief in our town.

6. Your current term in office is one where the council are implementing cuts. If you had to pinpoint one area the council should spend more in, and one area where they should spend less, what would they be?

Spending money is easy but spending money wisely is the secret. The cuts are going to be tough but it is not just about cutting front line services. This is the easy option. I am not sure if there is one particular area I would spend more money in. I would firstly make sure that what ever department we look at is run efficiently is managed by the right people and that doesn’t mean more managers upon more managers. I personally would cut from the top first, amalgamate with councils close by in areas where we do not all need a huge top heavy department. We need to look at these areas because if we do not I am sure central Government certainly will and it would then be out of our hands to decide what is the best way to do this for the benefit of Wrexham.

7. Where are your current efforts focused and what visible improvements would you like to achieve between now and the end of this term in your ward?

At the present time I am focusing on Little Acton Community Centre. I have recently set up a new management committee which I chair. We hope to increase its usage and improve the facilities. I would like to see the centre used as a central hub for Little Acton with coffee mornings, luncheon club, children’s parties and other activities as well as the well established Playgroup. In my newsletter I will be asking for anyone interested in getting involved to contact me.

8. What do you think has been the best decision taken by the council since the election?

I think without doubt it has to be putting all efforts into attracting the Prison to Wrexham. Other than the jobs aspect it also puts Wrexham on the map and I hope will attract further investment to the area.

9. What do you think has been the worst decision taken by the council since the election?

The cuts that we face may prove to be the worst decision.We all know that cuts need to be made. I just hope that we don’t lose the years of expertise that has served the Borough so well.

10. In our Q&A at election time we asked for your best memory of the town, so would like to ask you this time around what have you been most proud of in terms of the town since you were elected?

Yet again football springs to mind. The whole town came together for the trip to freezing Wembley and the Trophy victory but this was followed by the bitter disappointment of losing in the play off final. Football is such a heartbreaker.