Hugh Jones

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?

Flooding, Speeding and Access to Health Services. In terms of flooding I have continually liased with NRW to ensure that they maintain the flow of the River Alyn and respond to potential blockages. I have adopted a robust approach to flooding potential posed by developments and have worted with Community Groups and the Community Council to ensure Planning Officers are diligent in imposing the appropriate criteria to be met by developers. With regard to speeding I liaise with North Wales Police and conduct random speed checks. I have persuaded the Community Council to join the neighbourhood speed watch and have volunteered myself for training. In terms of access to Health Care, from a broader perspective as part of the administration ensuring investment in care services which reduce demand. Working with local GPs to seek to ensure that we have fit for purpose medical facilities and that the surgery in Rossett is kept open. Where appropriate, engaging with BCUHB to seek investment in local facilities.

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 ?

I have led on our UK City of Culture bid, which we are now shortlisted for and if successfull is likely to result in £200 million pound of investment which will focus significantly on levelling up our communities. I have worked on developing new techniques to respond to the visible vulnerable in our town centre by dealing with the underlying causes that lead to addiction and homelessness. Our work has been viewed by Police and Crime Commissioners and Local authorities from across the UK.

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 believe that I have developed the skills to lead on important issues by working together as a team. often across political parties. When Labour led the administration I was invited to join the Lead Member team based on my experience and have always believed that we should work together in order to deliver the best for our communities.

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

Trying to stop the building of large estates that have been evidenced to show that they will aggravate the problem. Also by seeking to protect our green spaces and wildelife habitats.

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?)

I voted against the Local Development plan when I was Deputy Leader of the Council because I believed it was fundamentaly floored in a number of areas. I will always vote according to what I belive right rather than follo a 'part line'

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

We have invested signifigant sums into social services and increased the rewards for carers, this I believe is vital to reduce 'bed blocking'.

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

Work to ensure that every penny we spend offers value for money, ensuring that the Community Council levy is kept to a minimum.

8. How would you improve the local education system?

Firstly to improve facilities, to ensure that we have the very best facilities in which our young people can learn. By being a member of a Governing Body to support ouir local schools in their work

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?

This is dependant entirely upon the electorate of Wrexham, as indicated in the past I have worked within and accross political groupings in order to seek to deliver sound government.

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 ?

In recent years I have met with representatives of the Senedd Yr Ifanc, the young peoples local parliament. I have also ensured that in all our consultations we reach out across all age groups in the County Borough