Free car parking extension given go ahead in first council Executive Board meeting since March
Car parking in all car parks operated by Wrexham Council is to remain free for another three months.
The local authority suspended its parking charges in March in a bid to “support those going about delivering critical services and doing essential food shopping”.
In the first executive board meeting since March – and the first to be held via Zoom – lead members this morning unanimously backed the proposals to keep parking in its town centre car parks free until the end of September.
It is hoped that the move will give town centre businesses a boost as and when shops can start to reopen.
Parking will also be free in country parks in Wrexham where visitors have to pay to park.
Speaking this morning Council Leader Mark Pritchard said he felt it was important the local authority “went the extra mile” to support businesses in the town.
He said: “If you look at what we’re trying to do here in town, and we’ve had an early discussion just about the economy in the centre, I think that where we can help and support the businesses in town, we have to.
“I think we have to go that extra mile and support them.
“I’m sure there’ll be more discussions and debates around August and September and what we do have to have for the present moment in time.
“But I think this is a piece of the jigsaw that we can help and support. I have had acknowledgments when this went live and went out to the public and I’ve had some fantastic responses of people thanking us as a council for doing this.”
Car parking has been a contentious issue in the town centre for several years, with many a disagreement on whether charges should be free or if the charges put in place by the council were affordable enough.
However last week Wrexham.com reported that Cllr Pritchard had indicated that the days of car parking being used as a “cash cow” could be over when life begins to return to normal after the pandemic.
This morning he reiterated that he hoped the free parking is something that “we can hold onto in the future.”
Councillor Andrew Atkinson, lead member for children’s services, welcomed today’s proposals, but noted that there may have to be a time where parking charges have to be reintroduced.
Cllr Atkinson said: I think all councillors are agreed that we have to do absolutely everything we can to support the town centre and its traders – and at the right time help the town centre get back on its feet.
“This is one thing that I think we have to do at the moment, to ensure that.
“I think we have to keep in mind, it’s just my personal opinion, that there may well come a time where we have to introduce charges again in the future. That’s something that we’re going to have to think about and cross that bridge when we come to it, if there is an appropriate time to deal with that.
“But right now, it’s absolutely the right thing to do to support the traders and every single way we possibly can.”
Today’s meeting was the first for the Executive Board using Zoom, and although the meeting was not live streamed it was recorded and will be placed online by Wrexham Council at a later date.
Below are our live tweets from the meeting…
Meeting wraps up – the video record of that will appear at some point in the future.
Before meeting wraps up an info report on ‘Active Travel’ is being referenced, its on the public agenda page, but the link is to “(LINK)” so you can’t see it.
Chief Exec looking almost two years possibly for the Track and Trace system, as sees Covid-19 as issue until ‘vaccine or immunity in the population’.
Cllr Atkinson weighs in, praises MS Lesley Griffiths for a ‘tremendous amount’ of work for the people of his ward, and picks out specifically her ‘instant response to emails’
Council Leader says he’s had no contact with MS Griffiths apart from a ‘disagreement’ over food parcels and change to BACS payments, says he’s had lots of contact with MS Skates etc. Clr Davies says she has been working with ‘everybody’.
Non political cross party working carries on, as Cllr Davies points Council Leader to the work of MS Lesley Griffiths as he ‘missed her off’ earlier comments. Clr Pritchard says that’s ‘fair’, but explains named MP Atherton as Clr Bithell mentioned MP Baynes.
Cllr Dana Davies asks how residents will know its Wrexham Council ringing/contacting as Track Trace Protect, and what happens to the data. Clr Hugh Jones says all data subject to GDPR, and feeds to Public Health Wales database.
Cllr John Pritchard asks if staff on the scheme have Disclosure and Barring Service checks, as not all council staff have them. Cllr Hugh Jones said no, Track & Tracers dont need one as no one to one contact, adds “all members of team trained in GDPR and data protection”
Cllr Griffiths asks for figures on Track & Trace, Cllr Hugh Jones points people to Public Health Wales dashboard. Cllr Jones hopes Public Health Wales publishes the traces (presumably a split on numbers requested / success rate) on a local level – something not done now.
Council Leader asks for announcement from Welsh Gov on how the permanent posts / system will be funded longer term. Clr Hugh Jones points to Welsh Gov saying they would provide ‘resources’, but seems Clr Pritchard wants something clearer – a position backed by Finance Officer.
16 track & tracers in operation, 2nd team ‘ready to go’ and will be up to 80 on the team in Wrexham. Currently staffed by redeployed council staff, and as they go back to normal work there will be new recruitment. (We asked the First Minister about that (LINK) )
Cllr Hugh Jones now presenting his report on the council’s role in the “Test, Trace and Protect” scheme that has been live since June 1st. Five page PDF here if you want a nose (LINK)
Cllr Marc Jones asks if the free parking covers country parks as well as the ‘urban’ car parks. Cllr Bithell uncertainly says “I think it does”. Cllr Pritchard (who now has parking in his portfolio, taken off Clr Bithell) says “it does, it covers them all.”
Cllr Dana Davies points to the projected £420k loss, noting it will likely be covered under Welsh Gov loss of income payments. Asks for review and bigger discussion on car parking charges and impact on the already under pressure income lines in the environment dept budget.
Cllr Terry Evans ‘welcomes’ move & reads a statement that also says he hopes when plan comes back in September for review it is extended then as well. Cllr Atkinson freestyles his thanks, says need to do ‘everything we can to support the town & traders to get back on its feet’
Next report up – council to extend free parking. He has said he thinks the days of paid parking being a ‘cash cow’ for councils is over, his Deputy Leader Clr Bithell was less keen on it (LINK)
Cllr Pritchard looking to the bigger, already planned, projects to help regenerate the town. Not much detail again on more immediate response for the town – but could emerge in the next week or so.
Deputy Leader Cllr Bithell explains ‘lots of work behind scenes’ taking place on the local recovery plan, praises work from Clwyd South’s MP Baynes. Cllr Pritchard says he has ‘dialogue’ with Wrex MP Atherton, that she is ‘enthusiastic’ & said she will be lobbying for the town.
Cross party non political working lasted minutes. Labour’s Cllr Davies points to ‘recently elected MPs’ (& local MSs) says ‘much much bigger discussions needed’ at higher levels than local councils. Bats it back to the Conservative group to lobby in Westminster for local funding.
Cllr Lowe explains plans for the councils Crown Buildings offices in town is still happening, seems its because the project was already started, whereas other projects had funding redirected (not locally) to help covid response.
Cllr Pritchard bats that question to Welsh Gov, “…we don’t know what they will do with finance. They don’t have a money tree in the back garden. They will have to prioritise things like we do” but ‘pleas’ for money from Cardiff.
Cllr Parry-Jones asks a group question, asks if Welsh Gov will cover budget shortfall or if council tax payers will have to bridge any gap. (We asked similar the other day too (LINK) )
Cllr Hugh Jones says the council’s Ty Pawb facility has seen ‘significant engagement’ during lockdown, and both that and the Museum already have ‘plans in place’ to reopen safely.
Chief Exec gives ‘reassurance’ delivery of projects have not ceased despite Covid-19 response (which matches from the other direction (LINK) ) also references Crown Buildings redevelopment, and A483 junction work.
Council Leader looks to MS and MP – notes in elections run, “everyone was going to do wonderful things for the town centre” says he will ‘hold them to account to invest in the town’.
Cllr Pritchard says ‘every town centre across the country has problems’ adds he does not want to play politics but ‘both governments will have to put millions into town centres’ to ‘pump prime the local economy’, ‘we can’t do this on our own’.
Cllr Bithell says Town Centre Forum has meeting this week, and town centre officers are ‘preparing an action plan’ to update that Forum. Clr Pritchard says eye ‘never off the ball’ on the town centre, says ‘continual dialogue ’ with Ken Skates / Welsh Gov over regeneration.
Cllr Marc Jones raises town centre, says ‘no detail’ in the report on it. Asks if any thought has been given to a ‘town centre recovery task force or similar’. “We need to create confidence and reassurance” for business / visitors to town centre.
Seems Wrexham Council will know when rest of Wales knows from Cardiff tomorrow on the guidance for schools reopening practicalities.
Cllr Dana Davies talks about additional WCBC representation on Public Service Board, also asks about education (JCC meeting earlier before summer). Clr Wynn replies ‘lots of good work’ on ‘mammoth task’ of preparing schools in Wrexham as / when children go back.
Cllr David A Bithell formally presents the recovery report. Document notes where responsibility lies for the success/mediocre/failure of it, “Executive Board oversees all areas of local recovery”. Will be monthly reports on the ‘developing plans’.
Meeting moves on to the recovery planning report – you can read the PDF here (LINK) Council Leader asks for a non-political response now and in the future on such plans “This was exhausting… the recovery will be just as difficult”
Report noted. No actual questions on the council’s response to Covid-19 report.
Cllr Dana Davies reads a list to offer thanks to council staff, unions, AVOW, key workers, volunteers and many others. Asks for some longer term recognition as well. Echos earlier comments made about cross-party working at WCBC saying it is appreciated.
Education Lead Clr Wynn thanks education sector – highlights digital working says ‘lots of good working going on’ says it has been ‘very challenging’. Cllr Lowe thanks staff in social services who ‘have been on the front line and working flat out’ to support most vulnerable.
Report now up about the council’s response to Covid-19. Cllr Kelly presenting this 10 page PDF (LINK) He notes WCBC have been working with other councils across Wales to ensure a ‘consistent’ approach.
Council Chief Exec says its ‘unusual’ to have been in the position Officers have been in, and is happy the ‘baton is being passed’ back to councillors. Lots of decision making has been delegated to to officers – without the usual wider oversight.
Council Leader thanks “everyone in Wrexham who has been keeping us safe” says the list is “too big to go through” as there are so many people, says the thanks is ‘sincere’ to all. Deputy Leader echos his thoughts.
Council Leader continues introduction, “Never thought we would see something like this in Wrexham” saying he has not seen some of his family for a couple of months, says situation is reflected to many across the area, and people have showed ‘incredible resilience’.
Council Leader starts with a ‘moment of reflection’ for all those who have lost their lives across the borough in the pandemic.
Exec Board is underway via Zoom – no public stream. The Exec Board is ‘dialled in’ along with Group Leaders who we are told will be the conduit for Cllr questions from their groups.
Like the first virtual meeting (Audit on 28th May) the stream from today will appear on the WCBC Public-I site at some point – although that site is setup ready for todays meeting but 99% sure it won’t be live streamed unless there has been a late change (LINK)
2856 hours since the last Executive Board meeting it is back at 10am. Not public, but we will be live tweeting bits from it. Reminder to those who don’t know how twitter works, that’s separate but related tweets 🙄
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