Sharon Mazzarella

1. What are the three biggest issues for your ward, how do you think they need to be resolved, and what will you do to achieve it?

Housing allocations within the local authority have caused problems for local residents with housing issues. Local people are unable to get houses in the village that they have been brought up in. The responsibility for housing allocation would be better if managed locally. Keeping our green spaces clean and free from dog fouling which is a big problem in the village.Speeding through the village has resulted in near misses and this is worrying for the older person as well as the young ones. I will ask the council for speed humps, especially on the bend at New Hall Independent Hospital ! which recently had a bad accident.All of the above would be a priority to me.

2. What do you think needs to be done to help Wrexham recover from the pandemic and what hands-on-role can you play as a councillor ?

Wrexham town needs regeneration, and smaller buisnesses need support. By doing this it will keep people in jobs and bring more people back into the town. We need better transport links to enable people to visit the town. The pandemic has hit everyone hard and we need to recover and bounce back.

3. As a councillor you may have the chance to take on further roles eg. Lead Member, Audit, Scrutiny. What appeals to you and what skills do you bring to that role?

I am passionate about protecting the environment and would enjoy this role. I would like to be in the scrutiny committee for lifelong learning. I have worked for 30 years within schools playgroups day care settings, I think education is of most importance for children futures.I would if elected as a new councillor like to understand the role of the councillors.

4. What do the words climate emergency mean to you and your ward?

Ruabon ward is in danger of losing green spaces and we don't have many. Green spaces need protecting as if left will result in letting down our future generations.Ruabon needs some traffic calming which will help with carbon emissions.Climate affects the County Borough and as leaders we should be taking a part in it.

5. What is the biggest thing you would have done differently from the ruling administration over the last 5 years? (Or, if you were part of the Administration - what would you have done differently?)

Decisions are usually made behind closed doors. The people of Wrexham need to be listened to and they want better communication from the council. As a councillor I would be a voice and represent the community of Ruabon, and to signpost them to to the right people at the council.

6. Local health pressures are well documented, from delayed ambulances to issues in the hospital. How can the council help resolve those problems?

A review of doctors surgeries is needed as local people have had difficulties accessing general GP practices ? how can we support our local medical services, GP surgeries are struggling due to staff shortages.Welsh Ambulance responsetimes have been poor, this has been due to capacity issues within Wrexham Maelor Hospital. Patient care needs to be maintained to the highest levels and the response times need to be improved.I would ask a Member of the Sennedd ? what are they doing to support the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

7. What will you do on a local level to help support people in your ward affected by the cost of living crisis?

Working with the community council to ensure that fees for services, council tax, green bins etc are kept as low as possible to help families with the cost of living. Signposting families to local support networks and food banks.

8. How would you improve the local education system?

Over the pandemic children have been home schooled, some parents found this difficult due to not having access to funds to be able to buy I pads/ Pc etc. We need to focus on children's individual needs and learning styles. Supporting our schools is important and ensuring they get the funding they need.Parking outside schools is a problem, keeping our children safe is a number 1 priority. As community leaders, we can offer support and represent local parents concerns and help to coordinate a better educational system.

9. When the public view the Full Council meeting in June, do you envision you could be part of a Party, Group or coalition, and if so, specifically who and why?

I will be with the Wrexham Independent Group. I want to be the voice and representative for Ruabon, I will challenge and scrutinise the decision to be made, for the best outcome and get back to you the electorate with any information.

10. This is a noteworthy election with 16 and 17 year olds now able to vote, what have you done to engage this new electorate and what do you think is the biggest issue for them locally ?

Young people need to have a say in how the council is run.The pandemic has isolated young people for the last 2 years and we need to welcome and engage with younger people and help them to get on the employment ladder. We need to do as much as we possibly can to ensure that facilities are available to them which will help with their mental health and get them out of the house and enjoy their life.