Council Administration criticised for not saving cash by lowering Exec Board numbers “you could, but you didn’t”

Wrexham Labour Group on Wrexham Council have said they are disappointed the Executive Board has moved back to ten members each on £30k pay.

Until recently Wrexham Council has had ten members of the Executive Board however Cllr Bill Baldwin resigned from Wrexham Council’s executive board last month, after initially just stepping down pending the outcome of an investigation into a series of posts shared by him on Facebook.

Following that resignation the Executive Board dropped down to nine members, with Cllr Joan Lowe taking over the portfolio of People – Children’s Services in the meantime.

The board, which makes decisions on various topics each month, is made up of five Independent councillors, three members of the Wrexham Independent Group and two Conservatives.

The current ‘cabinet’ style system of the board has been in place since May 2015 when a fiery (and at times farcical) meeting in May 2015 saw 30 councillors vote to remove the political balance from the board and increasing the number of lead members from seven to ten. Previously there was an element of political balance on the Executive Board, with seven councillors from the majority party holding portfolios and three opposition councillors who were able to take part in the vote.

Over the years there have been calls to reduce the numbers of the executive board in a bid to make savings – with Council Leader Mark Pritchard previously telling us he was keen to do just that, but he does not have wider political support to do so.

Last year Cllr Pritchard did note that if there is additional pressure from Welsh Government and Westminster in future to make additional savings, he would consider reducing the number.

In January this year Cllr Pritchard said he would be considering the numbers on the Executive Board due to a ‘wicked’ settlement from Cardiff: “As for the Executive Board, yes we will consider it, we will consider everything. No stone will be left unturned because of this wicked settlement.”

Last night saw Wrexham Labour Group Leader Dana Davies put Cllr Pritchard’s words back to him during an agenda item that revolved around filling the newly vacant space.

Cllr Davies said that the Labour Group had laid out their suggestion to reduce the Executive Board numbers on ‘many many occasions’ to save money, adding: “Here was an opportunity presented to reduce from ten to nine Lead Members and review the portfolio redistribution for a more effective Executive.

“When opportunities arise and they are not acted upon it is difficult to understand the reasoning behind this decision. Previous responses have been along the lines of ‘if I could I would’ do not resonate now, as this decision demonstrates that you could, but you didn’t.

“We are really disappointed we are not taking advantage.”

There was no comment from Cllr Mark Pritchard who did briefly speak to nominate Cllr John Pritchard, nor did any other councillor speak.

24 councillors voted for the new Executive Board member, 12 voted against and 8 abstained.

After the meeting Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council said: “I have liaised with colleagues on the Executive Board and have made the following change to portfolio holders which will take immediate effect.

“Cllr Pritchard will take on the portfolio for Anti-Poverty and Youth Services with Cllr Andrew Atkinson moving over to Children’s Services. I know both will find the roles interesting and challenging and will be working for the benefit of all young people in Wrexham.”

Cllr John Pritchard said: “I am pleased to be joining the Executive of Wrexham Council and look forward to working with officers and members on key plans and strategies surrounding anti-poverty and youth services.

“They’re very important areas that include Youth Justice, Equalities, Community Safety and access to leisure and cultural activities.”

Cllr Atkinson said: “I have enjoyed working with Children’s Services and Anti-Poverty but feel it is now time to take on the challenges of the wider Children’s Services portfolio which includes child protection, health, adolescent mental health, fostering, adoption, carers, family centres and ensuring the safeguarding those who are vulnerable is at the heart of our work.

“Although I know there will be challenges ahead I look forward to taking on this role and to working with staff and young people involved with this service. I’m incredibly grateful to all of the officers that I have worked with for their professionalism and dedication to the County Borough.”

There have also been questions over the workload of lead members, with some portfolio holders appearing to present far more reports than others. Wrexham.com has FOI’ed to discover more on that point, however had it batted back saying all the requested information is on the Council’s website, including Part 2 secret reports and lead member diaries. Part 2 reports or such diarised information does not exist on there.

(Top pic: the vote taking place as seen from the public gallery)