City status bid question could ‘come around sometime soon in the future’ as council look to join Key Cities Group

The question of if Wrexham should seek city status could be on the agenda again in the coming years, Wrexham Council Leader has said.

The comments came as Wrexham Council are seeking to join a representative group for mid-sized cities across the UK.

The Key Cities Group was established in 2013 and consists of 21 urban areas across Wales and England, including Swansea, Newport, Salford and Preston.

Wrexham has been knocked back on three separate occasions under efforts to change its status from a town to a city.

It was most recently pipped at the post by St Asaph in 2012 after the council was accused of going against the will of residents to launch a bid.

The comments emerged when Wrexham Council Leader Mark Pritchard was asked if city status is something the council would consider again, “I think city status has always been around, it’ll come around sometime soon in the future. When that will be? It might be two years, it might be in four years.”

“I believe personally, and this is just my opinion, I think if there is a decision to be made on that there would have to be lots of consultations or discussions with the people of Wrexham because that’s who we represent.”

Getting back to the topic of the report before councillors he said, “This isn’t about us changing our name from a town to a city. This is about joining a group of 21 authorities across England and Wales to discuss big issues on regional funding, and projects and capital programs within within our communities.”

Cllr Pritchard explained how joining such a group could enable cash to flow to Wrexham, “I think to be fair to Westminster, they’ve made it very clear that money will come to regions, and not go to the Welsh Government. If that happens, then that will benefit the local community to the towns and cities in those regions, and I believe that’s the best way to go.”

Wrexham.com asked the Council Leader if such direct funding to regions of the UK could undermine devolution. Cllr Pritchard replied, “Devolution is with us, and it will stand. The funding aspect is different from devolution itself, for far too long, that money has gone into Cardiff and it hasn’t been shared across Wales. I think when you have a look at everything, what’s going on in South Wales, you can understand why people of North Wales get frustrated.

“For the very first time, Westminster government have said that they’re going to bring the money to regions, it will be shared in the regional pot. That is wonderful, because we know our areas, between six authorities in North Wales we know what’s best for North Wales. If the money is given to us we will spend it wisely and spend it in the areas we should be. We shouldn’t be directed by any government, on a capital pot of money to spend it where they want to spend it. That to me is not true democracy. This money should come to the regions and the decision on where to spend it should be regional and not national.”

Deputy leader David A Bithell also said the purpose of it joining the group was not to alter its status, but to drive forward the area’s economy by working with other authorities, “Truthfully, we’re not signing up to this become a city, we’re signing up to benefit Wrexham.

“It wouldn’t really matter in the report whether it was 21 towns or 21 villages.”

“The reality is you’ve got to be in it to win it and if you’re not in it you don’t win the prizes, which are economic growth across the region.

“It’s about what benefits Wrexham and what benefits the people of Wrexham as well and having good transport links also plays its part in developing the economy going forward.”

Members of the council’s executive board are being asked to approve Wrexham becoming a member of the Key Cities Group when they meet next week.

A report shows it will come at a cost of £10,000 per year to the local authority.

The council said it would strengthen the area’s voice at a UK level and also help to identify opportunities to work with the UK Government.
Welsh Economy Secretary Ken Skates said in 2018 that city status for Wrexham was “inevitable” and could help transform its economy.

Although Cllr Bithell said he was personally opposed to the idea, he indicated the possibility could not be ruled out in the long term.
He added: “I’m not bothered what they call Wrexham because as far as I’m concerned it will always be a town.”

“Sometimes you do have to change with the times and who knows what happens in years to come, but we’ve never considered city status again since the last time.”

The proposals will be discussed at an executive board meeting on Tuesday (December 8, 2020).

By Liam Randall LDRS / Wrexham.com