Plas Madoc Gets Requested Funding As Executive Board Override Officer Advice
Plas Madoc are to be given a £50,000 funding life line after Wrexham Council’s Executive Board ripped up proposals to decline the request.
Councillor Hugh Jones presented the report to Councillors this morning, initially as though it had been printed and made public – with no mention that the recommendations had changed.
Cllr Jones outlined the history of Plas Madoc and gave a detailed break down of discussions and financial information requested and what was provided.
He stated that comparisons with Waterworld was ‘not like for like’, as that was part of a wider leisure review adding that the Council had been persuaded by the Splash Magic Trust that they could run the building, but pointed out that was accepted as it stated ‘no cost to the council’.
History was reviewed on that point further with the startup being gifted £50,000 at the time as an agreed ‘one off payment’, on condition of ‘sound regime of financial governance and health and safety’.
On that point the Lead Member added: “It is also true to say in terms of issues with financial governance we had had some concerns, which were evidenced by the auditors report, which is something we have expressed to the Trust in face to face meetings.”
Cllr Jones read a large list of items provided by Wrexham Council in support, including £100,000 mothballing fees, the £50,000 and £70,000 in ‘capital equipment’.
He added he thought it was an ‘incredible achievement’ by the Trust to make a year one deficit of just £13k, “Nobody would say that was nothing other than an outstanding result.”
Not leaving out a pop at ‘a number of politicians’ who have pointed the finger at the Council for leaving the centre in a bad state, he said, “In the original report it stated the Trust were well aware of conditions, and of the equipment. They had been walked through centre with Officers, and were aware warts and all. There was no intent to hide anything.”
Doom and gloom was cast with the wider context of cuts facing Wrexham, some enacted and some likely in the future. This was then set with the ‘strong recommendation’ from the Head of Finance that it ‘would not be wise to make the £50,000 grant’.
With a flourish Councillor Jones jibed away from that wind, starting to state the positives of the number of jobs created, and volunteering opportunities now open. The Council’s wellbeing goals were cited, with relevant Welsh Government policies listed.
The Welsh Government grant of £500,000 was also ‘taken into account’, noting it had been referenced that people had said it was conditional on the Council’s £50k, but that was ‘nowhere in the letter’. A moot point perhaps, as without the £50k Plas Madoc would have likely closed, so although unwritten it was the reality.
At this point Cllr Jones said he was introducing some new recommendations, to approve the grant request.
**U-TURN / BREAKING NEWS KLAXON** Cllr Hugh Jones announces a NEW recommendation to give the funding Plas Madoc requires/asking for.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Council Leader Pritchard nodding along to Cllr Jones’ announcement. Will be dealt with ‘urgently’ & ‘against advice of finance’.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Big ream of pre-printed recommendations now being handed out to Councillors in the room. iPad debate later, could have emailed that… 😇
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Cllr Jones wrapped up saying: “I believe we have reached a position where we can offset concerns about financial issues raised and as elected members can justify recommendations we are making” adding it was “Important the capital is delivered from Welsh Government”.
Many other Councillors who are not the Executive Board had geared up to battle to save Plas Madoc by securing the £50k funding, with the ‘wind has been taken out of my sails’ phrase being used several times. Several Councillors appeared to have pre-prepared questions and statements ready for the initial ‘no’ recommendation, so were caught off guard due to the u-turn.
Many echoed comments of support to the Trust and congratulating the team their for their hard work.
Councillor Derek Wright also added that the issue had been first raised 14 months ago, “If it had been sorted earlier it would have saved the angst”, also critiquing the inability to ask questions on the issue today as the deadline passed 3 hours before the papers were made public.
Clr Pritchard columbos Clr Wright with one more thing, pointing out statutory timescale was met, ‘if you dont have order you have anarchy’.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Councillor Paul Blackwell pointed out that another £50k will be asked for next year, and that it could be worth starting work on that now. Councillor Hugh Jones replied, “There will be a new council in place in May, and it will be for that future council to make that decision.”
The meeting then kicked off with questions from Councillor Malcolm King, which was preempted.
Councillor numbers up as Malcolm King is now here, no questions from him at start to Chair, which is shame as that’s WCBC’s Chisora v Whyte
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Cllr King referred to May’s elections, implying that the decision today was with it in mind, saying “The sudden rash of support from Councillors (for Plas Madoc) could be about the upcoming elections. It is about politics because that is how we got here.”
“There is a feeling the Council is embarrassed by the success of Plas Madoc.”
In a long and wide ranging statement, Councillor King had to find a question, so ended up directing his point asking if there was an interest to declare by the Council Leader and apparent arch-nemesis in Council meetings, Mark Pritchard, “…The Labour group might not have split apart and you might not have become Leader!”
Councillor Pritchard said he was ‘disappointed’ in the personal comments, and that he ‘expected better’ from elected members.
Councillor Hugh Jones backed up Councillor Pritchard saying: “There is so much I could say, but I am not going to lower myself to personalise it. The facts are clearly stated in the report. The Officers are not involved in politics, they have worked on this to help us get to the position we are in today.”
Councillor David Bithell earned the approval of many in the public gallery, who although saw the decision many had wanted, had to this point kept mostly silent, adding: “I have to respond to the comments from Malcolm. Despite what differences you had with ex-colleagues in the Labour group, what we’ve done is try to find a workable solution between current administration of this council to support this Trust. That is something you failed to do, you were Lead Member for Finance at the time. I remember the comments of going too slow, and also remember who voted to close Plas Madoc.
“It is a bit rich coming here trying to make political noises.”
Personalising and politics were not too far for Councillor Phil Wynn who went even further, saying he would be “deeply concerned if labour get in next May and Malcolm becomes Finance Officer, deeply concerned.
At this point Councillor Pritchard in his role as Chairman asked Councillors to ‘take the politics out of this’, although Councillor Brian Cameron said that was ‘a bit small, how many times has the Chair made things political?”
Some of our live tweets from the meeting are below…
Limited space in the Executive Board 47 seats and blocked off areas for Cllrs in public gallery – a first! pic.twitter.com/OrJdlEwqzn
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Exec Board underway, packed public gallery (no police) but loads of space in reserved space. 18 non-exec board Councillor here. 27 total?
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Councillor numbers up as Malcolm King is now here, no questions from him at start to Chair, which is shame as that’s WCBC’s Chisora v Whyte
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
A note is passed to Legal Officer, then to Chief Executive & then to the Leader of the Council who seems unimpressed with its contents!
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Mystery note read out – meeting told website is not publishing live we are getting a recording that can be watched later. ‘Technical hitch’.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr Hugh Jones presents Plas Madoc report, saying will address ‘misapprehensions that have arisen’.Mainly looking/speaking to public gallery
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Cllr H Jones presents Council reasoning for recommendation inc. financial queries, says condition of centre at start was known ‘warts & all’
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Cllr H Jones says £13k year 1 deficit was ‘ absolutely outstanding result ‘ – that is presumably compared to the 400k loss when under WCBC
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr Jones give context of recommendation citing climate of cuts ‘expenditure has to be put in the perspective that the council finds itself’
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
**U-TURN / BREAKING NEWS KLAXON** Cllr Hugh Jones announces a NEW recommendation to give the funding Plas Madoc requires/asking for.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Council Leader Pritchard nodding along to Cllr Jones’ announcement. Will be dealt with ‘urgently’ & ‘against advice of finance’.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Big ream of pre-printed recommendations now being handed out to Councillors in the room. iPad debate later, could have emailed that… 😇
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr Jones wraps up presentation, appears to bat things over to Welsh Gov to challenge them to make good on their £500k pledge too.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Public Gallery reaction muted to the u-turn news, some mutterings as various Councillors tell their historical Plas Madoc anecdotes.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Cllr Derek Wright welcomes move, but asks why it could not be done sooner. Asks about denial of public question by Clr Pritchard.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr Wright is first to challenge the actual process of reports publication, times and the questioning deadlines & suggests changing it.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
. @mike_corris nearest councillors to us have iPads out *and* the inch thick agenda packs – with added A4 sheet of the new recommendation
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr Pritchard columbos Clr Wright with one more thing, pointing out statutory timescale was met, ‘if you dont have order you have anarchy’.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Cllr Blackwell calls it a ‘marvellous Christmas present’ Cllr Hugh Jones replies ‘I dont think anyone has called me Father Christmas.’
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr Malcolm King spun round addressing public gallery, says clue to decision ‘is in something happening next May’ – the elections.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Exec Board member talked catchment of Plas Madoc in terms of ‘9 wards with 28,000 people’. Aside from elections/Cllrs who thinks in Wards?
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr King refers to ‘sudden rash of support’ & elections… Clr Pritchard says ‘Malcolm’ several times & tells him to turn off mic to ‘ooohs’
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr King says ‘but it is about politics’ & ‘Council is embarrassed by success of PM’ Clr Pritchard shakes head, takes glasses off and sighs
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr King says Plas Madoc issue made Clr Pritchard Leader ‘due to Labour split’, in long ‘question’ on if therefore is an interest to declare
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Phony election war has ended, open attack/defences in Guildhall now about past political decisions. Getting quite narky now in the chamber.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr Pritchard invites Councillors to conduct themselves in decent way, Clr King takes faux offence as he walks away from table grinning!
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr David Bithell reignites beef with Clr King, ‘I remember who voted to close’ saying ‘bit rich coming here today making political noises’
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Formal vote taking place on the Plas Madoc funding – passed by Executive Board present unanimously.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Groves now up – background on this https://t.co/ts3r5qxM1Y might pave way for a further Council legal challenge to the listing decision
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr Jenkins says Groves is ‘farce’ & ‘hokey cokey’ in terms of Welsh Gov decisions, welcomes its Part 1 and asks about costs of legal action
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr King asking Groves Q ‘I will try & be well behaved,but might fail’ compares old buildings of Harrow & Eton schools (…and Victoria etc)
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr King asks if Clr Pritchard is ‘confused if he *is* the council’… Chair steps in and says ‘come on, you know you are going too far’.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr Pritchard calls point of order, ‘pushing code of conduct of elected members to the brink’ asks Chair ‘stop personal attacks against me’
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr Bailey almost gets Domestos & Asbestos mixed up, enquiries if course of action will mean no future Call In possible by other councillors
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Point of order raised by Clr Dana Davies, points out Clr Pritchard said ‘this will be settled in a court of law’ – says preempted decision.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr Pritchard ‘you have come here to lets say spoil the party’, says will depend on legal advice the course of action the Council will take.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr Davies continues asking point of order to be debated ‘he has stated it will be decided in court’ adding ‘it is predetermined’.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Legal Officer asked opinion, says he agrees with the Leader of Council. Clr Davies says ‘it is predetermined which ever way you scratch it’.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr Bailey accuses Leader of ‘secret meetings’, Clr Pritchard invites evidence ‘you are telling lies I have not had any secret meetings’.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Cllr Bailey says “will change that comment to ‘meetings that 42 other councillors know nothing about’ “, that is allowed by the Chair.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr Brian Cameron very angry suggests if £/effort made on legal process would be better used to attract grant funding to use Groves building
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Clr Pritchard assures Councillors he will relay information to Cllrs ‘as and when I get it’ over the Groves, reiterates wants 2 new schools.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
‘Hogwash’, ‘BS’ & ‘hes changed his tune’ loudly shouted when Cllr Phil Wynn talking about local ‘face saving’ for Lab Welsh Gov on Groves
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Cllr Wynn says people watching webcast will recognise ‘mud flinging’ when they watch the debate. Vote passed, so decision has been delegated
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
At this point there was a recess, so we nipped out to King Street Coffee
Can tell it is a big meeting when the cameras turn up – on a recess now til 1.20 when meeting continues pic.twitter.com/Lyro9cN3xV
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
Lunch. pic.twitter.com/YZhgAWOOhS
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 13, 2016
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