City Status decision booted back to executive board following shambolic council meeting
The opportunity for all councillors to vote on whether Wrexham should bid for city status did not happen this afternoon after an amendment to refer the final decision back to the executive board members was backed by 36 members of the council.
This is despite concerns from the mayor that such an amendment will disenfranchise the other 42 councillors, who had yet to even have the opportunity to speak either in favour or against the local authority bidding for city status.
Councillor Ronnie Prince, the current mayor, said holding the meeting to only refer it back to the executive board was a “complete waste of time and a complete waste of money.”
Mayor – who is the ultimate authority – says he is worried 42 councillors will be disenfranchised if that happens, and power goes to Exec Board. Mayor REJECTS the Amendment.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) November 9, 2021
A Special Meeting of the Full Council had initially been called to consider the motion that “This council does not support a bid for city status”.
The Platinum Jubilee City Status ‘competition’ will see a decision by the Queen “on Ministerial advice” with the outcome decided after ‘consideration in the round on the merits’ of each bid.
The motion was put forward by Plaid Cymru councillors which triggered today’s debate on whether Wrexham should bid for city status.
Speaking at the meeting Cllr Marc Jones described the three previous bids for city status as “deeply divisive at a time when we need a clear and unifying vision to take our town – and the wider county borough – forward.”
He added: “At a time when we should be looking to ensure Wrexham builds on our town’s heritage and history to become a modern capital of the North, we find ourselves having to discuss City status.
“Rebranding as a city would mean new signage, new logos, new websites and literature. All extra costs at a time when we need every penny spent on better services. ”
However an amendment was put forward by Council Leader Mark Pritchard that read “The full council invites the executive board to consider a bid for city status of the next scheduled meeting” which is in December.
Cllr Pritchard said: “I think Wrexham deserves city status and I think it will improve the economy and business and there will be more in investment Wrexham as a place .”
He added that “time has moved on” and that city status will “improve Wrexham as a place and North Wales as a region.”
Amendment flips the vote basically, and puts it back formally to the Exec Board for a possible rubberstamp: “Full Council invites the executive board to consider a bid for city status at the next scheduled meeting”. Next meeting is 7th Dec, day before submission deadline.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) November 9, 2021
However Mayor of Wrexham Ronnie Prince challenged this motion, stating that allowing it would “disenfranchise the other 42 councillors.”
But legal advice from the council’s monitoring officer said the amendment was within the constitution and that it was allowed to go ahead under legal advice.
Mayor: “Now what you’re doing here today you referring back to Exec Board. We may as well not have had this meeting it was a complete waste of time, complete waste of money” again details his concerns that 40 odd councillors will effectively be bypassed if that happens.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) November 9, 2021
An adjournment to the meeting was called by Council Leader Mark Pritchard to allow the group leaders and the mayor – along with the legal officer – to find a way forward which lasted more than half an hour and took place behind closed doors.
How long does a meeting of minds to decide what is or is not democracy at Wrexham Council take? pic.twitter.com/M2I5cmYEjG
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) November 9, 2021
Councillors are still sat in a Zoom ‘waiting room’ and appear as clueless to whats going on / what the outcome will be as the public. Seems a split of those who support the Mayor and those who don’t of those we have communicated with.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) November 9, 2021
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After the adjournment and an abrupt late return Mayor Cllr Prince reluctantly agreed to accept the amendment, and the motion who was seconded by Cllr David A Bithell – who only months ago said Wrexham Council had “never considered city status again since the last time.”
It took an hour and 15 minutes for any debate on the amendment to actually substantively begin, which we think is a new record. However after a very ropey start, the meeting did see councillors voice thoughts on the pros and cons of city status (more tweets at the bottom of this article).
Cllr Lowe asks a question about https://t.co/KztbyoICql’s reporting on who said “people lack confidence in their town”. The answer Cllr Lowe is in the report before councillors tonight https://t.co/7NkHwptP4I The report author is given as Cllr Mark Pritchard and Officer Lowry pic.twitter.com/k2TWeWFREV
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) November 9, 2021
Leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Dana Davies said the council need to acknowledge and fix the concerns that have been raised by the public about the city status consultation and their trust in the local authority.
She called for Cllr Pritchard and Bithell to include details of the benefits city status will bring to the people of Wrexham is publicised on the council website. This was agreed to.
Cllr Davies said: “I think what’s clear – apart from what’s taken place this evening, which I’m still in shock about to be honest – is that there is a real and genuine concern with the public that they have no confidence in this council delivering for them.
“They also feel that the consultation on city status was a waste of our time, some expressed concerns that it was biased and did not afford them the opportunity to fully engage with the process.
“I raised similar concerns at the workshop we attended to review the city states as consultation, we need to acknowledge these genuine concerns and fix them.
“Since the expression of interest of city status was passed by the executive board in July, we the labour group have been researching what positive impacts city status can bring to Wrexham.
“There is evidence that cities are the engines of economic growth, cities expose people to more opportunities and can provide markets for new and innovative products that give rise to new industries and drive economic progress.”
Plaid Cymru Carrie Harper said the behaviour at today’s meeting will “look awful” to the people watching it and warned that the actions of the council’s leadership could “go viral for the wrong reasons.”
She said: “Who’s really talking the town down because this town has a rich history and heritage as a proud working class market and stretching back over many, many years.
“And who wants to get rid of that identity as a town against the wishes of most people live here? That is actually the council leadership.
“Now of course we all want to see investment, we want to see indigenous businesses grow as well. I want to see our markets thrive, I want to see our town centre bustling again.
“But you don’t have a monopoly on ambition for our town and how we can take Wrexham forward and accusing all those people, who disagree with you of lacking ambition or talking the town down is quite sad.”
Member of the Wrexham Independent Group, Cllr John Phillips, said that he been contacted by residents and “not one has been in favour”.
He added: “Ultimately, I am the voice of the people who I represent and for this reason, I will not be supporting city status bid for Wrexham.”
Several councillors came out in favour of the pressing ahead with bidding for city status, with Cllr Andy Williams saying: “I’m here to represent my ward.
“I’m on the ground speaking to people every day about city status and other issues in the village and a few people have said no, a few people have said yes and a lot of people have said, well I don’t really know.
“I’ve stopped and had debates with people and I look at the pros and cons for either and that’s what I’m making my decision on today.
“It’s little bit like a lottery ticket, f we don’t buy a lottery ticket, we’re never gonna have a chance of winning it. And I really do want to buy that lottery ticket to see where it leads us.
“I want to use anything I can to bring wealth and prosperity to make it an even better place to live.”
Cllr Mike Davies wanted to place his own amendment forward, but was told he would get a chance to do so later.
In unusual scenes just before the vote the Mayor said, “I’d just like to say I’m very disappointed that it will be going back to the executive board. Only 10 members will decide this very important issue. I think I feel people of Wrexham deserve their councillor to have the opportunity to vote on this issue.”
36 members of the council voted in favour of the amendment via a roll call of names, with the addition from Cllr Davies, nine voted against and one councillor abstained.
As the amendment then became the substantive Motion, a second vote was quickly held via a question if anyone was changing their minds, with the Legal Officer saying “That means that that becomes a substantive motion and we will have a final vote on that matter. Can I ask if anybody who would vote differently from how they’ve already voted?”
With no one indicating it was taken as voted and passed, at that point the meeting was technically over.
Cllr Mike Davies then asked what about his amendment – and was told he had basically missed his chance – as it should have been an amendment to the ‘new’ motion.
Mayhem at the end – Cllr Mike Davies wanted to put an Amendment forward but effectively did not get given time. The Amendment became substantive Motion, and then vote was taken. So substantive Motion passed. Mayor clearly unhappy.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) November 9, 2021
Mayhem at the end – Cllr Mike Davies wanted to put an Amendment forward but effectively did not get given time. The Amendment became substantive Motion, and then vote was taken. So substantive Motion passed. Mayor clearly unhappy.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) November 9, 2021
Mayor batting issue to Legal Officer – who asks what the amendment is (despite Motion passed!). Cllr Mike Davies says it is pointless now. A shambolic cherry on the top of a trifle of embarrassment tonight.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) November 9, 2021
It is highly likely the Executive Board will rubber stamp bid submission plans, so the outcome from tonight is City Status was supported by a majority of councillors. (List of who voted which way is below).
There is some light precedent that one place in Wales will get the City award, so it appears we are in with a fair chance of now becoming City of Wrexham, as so far there are no other villages or towns coming forward and bidding that we know of.
More shortly.
How did your councillor vote?
| Cllr Bryan Apsley (Llay) | FOR |
| Cllr William Baldwin (Little Acton) | FOR |
| Cllr Trevor Bates (Ceiriog Valley) | FOR |
| Cllr Sonia Benbow-Jones (Cefn) | FOR |
| Cllr David A Bithell (Johnstown) | FOR |
| Cllr I David Bithell (Stansty) | FOR |
| Cllr Paul Blackwell (Plas Madoc) | absent |
| Cllr Brian Cameron (Whitegate) | FOR |
| Cllr Krista Childs (Coedpoeth) | FOR |
| Cllr Dana Davies (Ruabon) | FOR |
| Cllr Mike Davies (Rhosnesni) | AGAINST |
| Cllr Michael Dixon (Coedpoeth) | absent |
| Cllr T Alan Edwards (New Broughton) | absent |
| Cllr Terry Evans (Chirk South) | FOR |
| Cllr Russell Gilmartin (Marford and Hosely) | FOR |
| Cllr D J Griffiths (Gwersyllt East/South) | FOR |
| Cllr Carrie Harper (Queensway) | AGAINST |
| Cllr Frank Hemmings (Chirk North) | FOR |
| Cllr Kevin Hughes (Ponciau) | FOR |
| Cllr R Alun Jenkins (Offa) | FOR |
| Cllr Adrienne Jeorrett (Smithfield) | absent |
| Cllr Gwenfair Jones (Gwersyllt West) | AGAINST |
| Cllr Hugh Jones (Rossett) | FOR |
| Cllr Marc Jones (Grosvenor) | AGAINST |
| Cllr David Kelly (Minera) | FOR |
| Cllr Jeremy Kent (Gresford East/West) | FOR |
| Cllr M C King (Wynnstay) | FOR |
| Cllr Geoff Lowe (Acton) | FOR |
| Cllr Joan Lowe (Pen-y-cae and Ruabon South) | FOR |
| Cllr David Maddocks (Pant) | absent |
| Cllr Tina Mannering (Gwersyllt East/South) | FOR |
| Cllr Becca Martin (Maesydre) | AGAINST |
| Cllr John McCusker (Overton) | FOR |
| Cllr M G Morris (Holt) | FOR |
| Cllr Beverley Parry-Jones (Bryn Cefn) | FOR |
| Cllr Paul H Pemberton (Ponciau) | FOR |
| Cllr John Phillips (Pen-y-cae) | AGAINST |
| Cllr Ronnie Prince (Cartrefle) | AGAINST |
| Cllr John Pritchard (Marchwiel) | FOR |
| Cllr Mark Pritchard (Esclusham) | FOR |
| Cllr Phil Rees (Gwersyllt North) | AGAINST |
| Cllr Paul Roberts (Erddig) | abstain |
| Cllr Rondo Roberts (Llangollen Rural) | FOR |
| Cllr Graham Rogers (Hermitage) | FOR |
| Cllr Paul Rogers (Brymbo) | FOR |
| Cllr J Rodney Skelland (Bronington) | FOR |
| Cllr Debbie Wallice (Borras Park) | FOR |
| Cllr Robert Walsh (Llay) | AGAINST |
| Cllr Andy Williams (Garden Village) | FOR |
| Cllr Nigel Williams (Gwenfro) | absent |
| Cllr Derek Wright (Cefn) | FOR |
| Cllr Phil Wynn (Brynyffynnon) | FOR |
Our tweets locally stored from this evening in reverse order…
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
13 mins ago
Mayor batting issue to Legal Officer – who asks what the amendment is (despite Motion passed!). Cllr Mike Davies says it is pointless now. A shambolic cherry on the top of a trifle of embarrassment tonight.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
13 mins ago
After a shambles of a meeting, 36 councillors voted in favour of an amendment to refer the decision to go for city status back to the executive board:
(LINK)
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
14 mins ago
Legal Officer reminds meeting Guildhall closes in 10 minutes. Cllr Mike Davies asked a few times to put Amendment forward – ‘why was I denied access?’ he asks, “I am not sure what has happened”. Cllrs blaming the Mayor.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
16 mins ago
Mayhem at the end – Cllr Mike Davies wanted to put an Amendment forward but effectively did not get given time. The Amendment became substantive Motion, and then vote was taken. So substantive Motion passed. Mayor clearly unhappy.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
24 mins ago
Mayor firm, “I’m very disappointed that it will be going back to the executive board. Only 10 members will decide this very important issue. ”
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
25 mins ago
This is the rules on amendments – count taking place to see if there will be a recorded vote or not, so we will know who voted which way. 10 hands are up – so we will!
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Wrexham.com
@wrexham
27 mins ago
Oooh we were moving to a vote – Cllr Mike Davies makes Point of Order, wants to put his Amendment forward. Legal Officer says vote needs to be taken first on Amendment then another Amendment if put up. (We thought you could have amendment to amendment!)
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
31 mins ago
Moving towards a vote now – technically it will be on sending this to Exec Board to then decide, however the reality is it is on City Status for those against as if it isn’t sent to the Exec the bid basically falls. Going off who said what tonight, it will be going forward!
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
33 mins ago
Cllr Joan Lowe is ‘appalled’ at behaviour at the start of the meeting, says need to ‘grasp the nettle’ and ‘go forward’. Cllr Paul Roberts does not want City Status to impact current projects, specifically markets and town centre regeneration.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
35 mins ago
Cllr Benbow-Jones relates range of views expressed to her, talks about ‘having ambition’ with comparison on
World Heritage Site. Cllr Pemberton scathing over earlier debate on the constitutional validity of the Amendment he supports,accuses cllrs of ‘trying to move goalposts’
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
40 mins ago
Cllr Andy Williams notes he is ‘on the ground’ speaking to residents every day, “a few have said no, a few have said yes, and a lot have said ‘well I don’t really know’”. Says bid is like a lottery ticket, “if we don’t buy a ticket we will never have a chance of winning”
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
43 mins ago
Legal Officer tells meeting the Guildhall closes at 7pm, so issues a polite hurry up 😃
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
46 mins ago
Cllr Jenkins says City Status was not high on his todo list for Wrexham, points to previous bids he was involved in and says Newport getting it in 2002 was missed opportunity to ‘heal the north south divide’. “It is hard to choose who is right or wrong” off social media debates.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
51 mins ago
Cllr Mannering say ‘we need to embrace the future and try grow our economy’ – “my heart says no, but my business mind says yes”. Adds people are ‘too afraid’ to say they support City Status in public due to fear of ‘backlash’
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
53 mins ago
Cllr Parry-Jones supports City Status, says Wrexham needs to be ‘sat at a bigger table & take bigger slice of the cake’, asks “what message do we send to children if we don’t grasp this opportunity by the scruff of the neck and run with it, and drag Wrexham into the 21st Century”
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
55 mins ago
Cllr Apsley says he was against city status before the meeting, says he is a little confused, but says ‘there is evidence a title of a city gives more economic advantages’ and thus has changed his mind.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
58 mins ago
Cllr Bates says the meeting has been a ‘great opportunity to speak’, ‘its great to see passion in our councillors’. Does not want to ‘stop the opportunity’ to move Wrexham forward, so is supportive.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
1 hour ago
Cllr Hugh Jones expresses disappointment in the calibre of the meeting, says most people would want leaders to be aspirational & grow profile of town. Adds negative voices to City Status were same people were ‘against’ Ty Pawb, and notes the “success that has achieved”
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
1 hour ago
Cllr Phil Wynn puts on record his critical view of the Mayor calling the business a ‘debacle of a debate’ but later he then says he ‘enjoyed’ the debate as it ‘showed passion’. Adds Wrexham is not a market town, ” the world has moved on, significantly”.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
1 hour ago
Cllr Phil Wynn enquires if there is an election soon due to er, ‘score pointing’ this evening. Supports City Status as will mean Wrexham can ‘demand the same rights as Cardiff, Swansea and Newport’.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
1 hour ago
Cllr Rob Walsh (probably glad he is ex-Mayor tonight) details how he finds it hard to grasp what people feel on the topic of City Status, noting issues with consultation and not everyone uses social media. He has done his own poll showing 296 against / 22 for.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
1 hour ago
Cllr Malcolm King says people of Wrexham will ‘feel disgusted’ by the Amendment tonight says it is ‘technically legally correct but dodgy in terms of democracy’ says council method is ‘detached from its own councillors, let alone the people of Wrexham’
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
1 hour ago
Going off that it appears Cllr Lowe did not get past page three of the report before him tonight.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
1 hour ago
Cllr Lowe asks a question about (LINK)’s reporting on who said “people lack confidence in their town”. The answer Cllr Lowe is in the report before councillors tonight (LINK) The report author is given as Cllr Mark Pritchard and Officer Lowry
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Wrexham.com
@wrexham
1 hour ago
Cllr Geoff Lowe praises the Mayor. “People must be wondering what the heck is going on in Wrexham Council when we perform in this way. This is not a good reflection on us.”
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
1 hour ago
Cllr Mike Davies says it is ‘obvious’ to him the public feeling, gathered via a range of methods, text messages / social media etc and all but three were against the idea. He rejects he is ‘knocking the town’ when he voices his view.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
1 hour ago
Cllr Mike Davies says he looked forward to the ‘mountains’ of evidence on City Status due to the previous bids but did not exist, quotes reports giving ‘inconclusive’ view. Says debate is based off ‘speculation & presumption’ when it should be based on data / evidence.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
1 hour ago
Cllr John Phillips says ‘not one’ of his constituents have voiced support of City Status to him – and that is why he won’t be supporting it as he is “voice of the people who I represent”.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
Cllr Hemmings wants assurance that there would be ‘no increase in income tax’ for the people living in the City of Wrexham. Cllr Pritchard ‘gives commitment’ council tax will not rise because of City Status, adds cllr salaries wont increase due to it.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
Cllr Harper refers to our straw poll, “To see that poll included in a formal council report after (LINK) have told this council directly they’re not comfortable with it being used because of the dodgy voting patterns, that is actually quite staggering”
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
Cllr Harper scathing, “When cllrs have asked for copies of consultant’s report ahead of meetings on this they have been denied” “The workshop was a farce” “The public consultation was so heavily loaded in favour…there was no option for people to have a simple yes or no say”
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
Cllr Harper says Amendment ‘negates’ their Motion,”I think quite frankly, it’s shocking that you’re trying to avoid having that debate” and says “fair play to the Mayor for seeing what the craic is here” warns the “council leadership is in danger of going viral” for wrong reasons
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
Cllr Davies says there is a ‘culture’ of spreading of mis and disinformation – and wants her comments formally recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
Cllr Paul Roberts calls a Point of Order on Cllr Davies speech calling it a ‘party political broadcast’ – Mayor overrules. Cllr Davies continues detailing local economic context of the City Status debate – asks for the ‘bid to deliver for the people of Wrexham’
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
Cllr Dana Davies tries to get debate going on City Status, says she is ‘shocked’ by meeting so far – opens her point by saying public have “real and genuine concerns and have no confidence in this council delivering for them”
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
Cllr David Kelly now questions if there will be a recorded (roll call style named) vote or not as 10 cllrs do not appear to have put it forward. No details on outcome of that.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
It’s been an hour and 15 minutes and nothing has actually been debated yet.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
Cllr Mike Davies now wants to propose another Amendment. Cllr David A Bithell goes back to detailing why he supports City Status – but curtails his prepared speech as “he does not want to bring this council further into disrepute as it’s been today”.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
No communication that meeting was about to restart so many may have missed what was going on there. Cllr King now calling Point of Order asking if the debate is now on the Motion, or if the Motion should end up at the Exec Board. Cllr Mike Davies also calling for Point of Order.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
Point of orders coming in all over the place now…
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
BACK! (LINK) Mayor ACCEPTS amendment saying it is ‘undemocratic’. Legal Officer says it is ‘not undemocratic’.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
What could be happening behind closed doors? Mayor could be advised on what and how the meeting *should* proceed, but what if he wants to ignore that advice? Legal Officer was pretty clear on their view, Mayor clear on his. Stalemate. Will we come back with a new Mayor?!
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Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
Think we got four in the first game, here is the second bingo card for the Full Council. As before, no prizes, just for fun!
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Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
Trying to find out what on earth is going on. Only news is a pigeon has landed on the Guildhall chimney as we await an indication….
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Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
One Cllr sat waiting has taken the chance to make a quick video of her view of what is going on (LINK) “I have never seen anything like this before” describing it as “shocking”
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
Councillors are still sat in a Zoom ‘waiting room’ and appear as clueless to whats going on / what the outcome will be as the public. Seems a split of those who support the Mayor and those who don’t of those we have communicated with.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
How long does a meeting of minds to decide what is or is not democracy at Wrexham Council take?
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Wrexham.com
@wrexham
2 hours ago
We assume the meeting will come back on the same link… any time now if timing was right? Would love to see the kick off taking place behind closed doors 👀
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
3 hours ago
TLDR: Mayor not keen on an Amendment that bats decision back to Exec Board, said he wanted to keep the Motion as is for ‘openness and democracy’ and ensure ALL councillors get a vote. Meeting suspended as presumably people tell him he is wrong….
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Wrexham.com
@wrexham
3 hours ago
Mayor agrees to a 20 minute adjournment, with Mayor – group leaders and legal officer. Web stream ends for public. We did ask for Zoom login for this but was denied access.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
3 hours ago
Cllr Mark Pritchard suggests adjournment of meeting so ‘group leaders’ can get together and have a private chat to sort out a way forward. No explanation why that can’t be public so we call all see what is going on?
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
3 hours ago
“Strong legal advice” from the Legal Officer saying the Amendment is “following the correct procedure under the Constitution”. Point of Order from Cllr Dana Davies who says the meeting is going ‘drastically wrong’ and details her view – noting process previously on Motions.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
3 hours ago
Mayor: “Now what you’re doing here today you referring back to Exec Board. We may as well not have had this meeting it was a complete waste of time, complete waste of money” again details his concerns that 40 odd councillors will effectively be bypassed if that happens.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
3 hours ago
Deputy Leader Cllr David A Bithell tells the Mayor he is wrong “I don’t think you’ve got the right to democratically refuse the amendment”. Council Leader jumping in as well – “I will speak first” says the Mayor.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
3 hours ago
Mayor – who is the ultimate authority – says he is worried 42 councillors will be disenfranchised if that happens, and power goes to Exec Board. Mayor REJECTS the Amendment.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
3 hours ago
Cllr Jones cited the advice circulated, the Legal Officer cites the fuller constitution – and says the Amendment is allowed, so the meeting proceeds.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
3 hours ago
Cllr Pritchard said he does not want to get political, and says “I could say a lot more”. Point of Order pointing out the Amendment ‘negates’ the Motion from Cllr Marc Jones, which it appears to do as its the direct opposite… interesting to see what happens now!
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
3 hours ago
Mayor pulls up Cllr Pritchard on timing as he details his visions of fast flowing A483, into the new Gateway to the town with the new infrastructure projects – Cllr Pritchard well over time wraps up by listing a range of named people/groups supporting City Status.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
3 hours ago
Cllr Pritchard says city status “Will improve Wrexham as a place and it will improve North Wales as region”, details a range of investments in the area/region “we are changing and evolving” and invites everyone to close their eyes to see a vision of future Wrexham…
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
3 hours ago
Amendment flips the vote basically, and puts it back formally to the Exec Board for a possible rubberstamp: “Full Council invites the executive board to consider a bid for city status at the next scheduled meeting”. Next meeting is 7th Dec, day before submission deadline.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
3 hours ago
Council Leader Mark Pritchard ask as a ‘point of accuracy’ for those playing bingo, on who seconds the Motion and if it is proper he speaks (he is) and …. he moves an Amendment.
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
3 hours ago
Cllr Marc Jones reels off a list of items that Wrexham does ‘as a town’… Coleg Cambria, University, Focus Wales, hospitality sector, national football museum, Moneypenny and more – “City status won’t make a difference to these projects. They’re happening now. As a town.”
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
3 hours ago
Cllr Marc Jones kicks off debate “Exec Board agreed to explore the costs and benefits of city status and make a decision based on that report. £xx,xxx of public money was spent on employing a consultant to do just that. The consultant found no evidence of economic benefits”
Wrexham.com
@wrexham
3 hours ago
Not long before the City Status meeting of the Full Council gets underway at 4PM with the key vote – it was on the site earlier, but here is your bingo card to watch along with… 👍 the meeting will be broadcast on (LINK)
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