A view from Wrexham’s Member of Parliament

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Members of Parliament and Assembly Members to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home – you can find them all here.

Today, Wrexham’s MP Sarah Atherton writes…

As a Member of Parliament, no two days are the same. It makes the role interesting and special, but it also means that even two consecutive months can be worlds apart. Early in May I was assisting residents with some problems they had with antisocial behaviour by talking the matter over with police and lobbying the local Community Council to install CCTV in hotspot areas. I remember thinking at the time how dreadful it is to live with the sort of low level activities that never make national news, yet affect you day-in, day-out and therefore really have an impact on people’s lives.

Shortly afterwards, the windows at my constituency office were smashed. I was so grateful to the scores of people who wrote and telephoned me to offer their sympathies. Yet for me, once the windows were boarded up, life could return to normal. However, for those who experience crime and anti-social behaviour at home or in their community on a regular basis, life can be anything but normal. And they don’t have well-wishers contacting them, either. As such, I would like to remind everyone that if you are struggling with an issue like this, you can contact my office and I will do everything I can to assist you. There are also some good organisations out there, such as Victim Support, which can offer practical advice and guidance. They offer everything from protecting yourself against further incidents to advice on giving evidence at court.

Last night a delightful individual threw a stone through the windows of my office in @wrexham.

When people resort to these tactics, they have not only lost the argument but all credibility too and this won't stop me working hard for our town. pic.twitter.com/BbWQZk9U8Z

— Sarah Atherton MP (@AthertonNWales) May 23, 2021

This month, I noticed that Wrexham featured on BBC News during a feature about the impact of Covid-19 on our high street. The conclusion was that the high street has been harmed, but that the pandemic effectively accelerated a decline that was already in effect. While I see the point, I have advocated on behalf of some brilliant initiatives such as Xplore! and Hope Street Church, both of which featured on the programme and show how town centre premises can be repurposed with just a little bit of imagination to help make the high street more vibrant and attract people back in. I am not ready to give up on our town centre and, actually, I am optimistic about the future. With the more details starting to be added to the Gateway Project and funds being injected to the town from private and public bodies alike, I believe that our town could be the model that others across the UK follow in years to come.

Good to see this discussed on @BBCWalesNews tonight. Pleased also to see that two initiatives in the town centre were also featured – @XploreScienceUK & Hope Street Church – both of which show how town centre premises can be repurposed & can help make the high street more vibrant https://t.co/SWOjspkIHg

— Sarah Atherton MP (@AthertonNWales) May 18, 2021

Linked to this is whether Wrexham remains a town or a city. I have opened a survey on my website, and I want to hear your opinions on this. Irrespective of which way it goes, the responses I have received so far suggest that people want action on the town centre. They want the town to fulfil its potential and not be in managed decline. This is why I have been lobbying the UK Government for funding as part of its Levelling Up Agenda, as well as supporting town centre businesses and working with the Council to support its initiatives to boost our town.

https://twitter.com/AthertonNWales/status/1397130668136669184

Finally, you may remember that I opened a Covid Community Champion Competition earlier this year, to reward those stars that shined brightest during the pandemic. I was pleased that, due to the volume of responses, the award got split between Savannah Lloyd, who worked on youth engagement with the Caia Park Partnership, James Heyward, who supported the Cadets at Hightown Barracks as their Detachment Commander, and Carys Hughes, who worked with the elderly for Caia Park Partnership throughout the pandemic. Well done to all three for showing us the best of Wrexham!

https://twitter.com/AthertonNWales/status/1397251121731735558

As always, if there is anything I can do to support Wrexham residents please don’t hesitate to contact me on the details below:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 020 2719 4885 | 01978 291742
Post: Office of Sarah Atherton MP, 65 Regent Street, Wrexham, LL11 1PF

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Welsh and UK Parliament representatives to write a monthly article with updates on their work and closer to home – you can find them all here.