“Council leadership is missing a trick in not engaging with community” over 9 Acre

Councillors have expressed their dismay over the lack of engagement from Wrexham Council on the Nine Acre field.

Cllr Becca Martin, who represents Acton and Maesydre, expressed her frustration with the council’s leadership after Wrexham.com’s question and article regarding the future of a promised park on the land.

We asked for an update on the proposed Queen Elizabeth II part, and was told by the council leader, I would like to do a lot more with it, but because of the financial situation that we’re in at the moment, it would be unfair to progress to spend money on that because of the difficult times ahead of us” (more).

Frustrations were shared by Cllr Corin Jarvis, who also represents Acton and Maesydre, on Twitter/X:

Thank you @wrexham for asking the question on this one (as local members have not been informed of anything in relation to this from day one) no surprise here on the U turn as since the press announcement in September 2022, no plans of any sort were taken to exec or council. https://t.co/qnF5K9ENnc

— Cllr Corin Jarvis (@Corinjarvisx) February 1, 2024

Cllr Becca Martin said: “It’s been more 15 months since a grand announcement was made about the future of Nine-Acre Field. Since then, I’ve pressed for public access and that was finally granted, for which I and the local community are grateful.

“But the community campaign to save the Nine-Acre Field was about much more than just opening the gate. We are keen to see the field, which is a valuable open space in our community, used to its maximum potential for the benefit of all. We’ve wasted time in expecting the council to deliver on its grandiose pledge more than a year ago.

“I fully accept that the council faces financial challenges but engaging with local elected representatives, the community council and local residents doesn’t cost money. It should be an integral part of our democratic process and I fear the council leadership is missing a trick in not engaging with a community that is really committed to doing the best for Nine-Acre Field.”