Rhosddu councillor demands apology over “baffling attack” by Council Leader

Rhosddu Councillor Marc Jones has hit back and accused Wrexham Council of turning the Old Vicarage land into a “bombsite”.

Yesterday we published an article, ‘Historic “unsavoury interest” in former Centre 67 site – Leader issues challenge to bring topic to Scrutiny‘, where the Leader and Deputy Leader of Wrexham Council answered our question about the future of the former Centre 67 / Old Vicarage site in Rhosddu.

In their replies the history of the site was referenced, with a claim ‘some elected members had give commitments to members of the public and some small businesses that they would be allowed to use it or purchase it‘. A reference to ‘quite a lot of information requests and Freedom of Information requests from members and the local member‘ that ‘bogs down’ council officers was also made along with a range of other comments.

Although historic and current elected members were referenced, Rhosddu Cllr Marc Jones was the only one specifically mentioned by name – with the Council Leader saying Cllr Jones has ‘misled’ people, and also issued a direct challenge for Cllr Jones to bring the whole matter before a Scrutiny committee.

Cllr Marc Jones has now responded, asking for names of the councillors referenced, and challenges the Council Leader to explain the ‘mislead’ accusation – or apologise and withdraw the remark.

Cllr Jones told Wrexham.com , “I’m baffled by this personal attack by the leader and deputy leader of the council regarding the demolition of the old Vicarage. Some cages have clearly been rattled.

“They’ve succeeded in demolishing the building but still seem determined not to take responsibility for their actions. There is no concrete plan in place to replace the building and local residents now face having a bombsite in a very prominent part of the community for some years to come.

“I have asked questions of the relevant officers over the past few months as I think any local councillor would do. I have not ‘bombarded’ anyone – I’ve asked three sets of questions since November:

1. The total cost of demolition, scaffolding and the value of materials taken away – I’m still waiting for that answer
2. The plans for the site – I asked for this prior to demolition and have been informed since demolition that they are commissioning a masterplan to decide what to do with the area. There is no specific funding in place to develop the site.
3. Can the vacant site be used for residents’ car parking while we await re-development? I’ve had a firm ‘no’ to that.

“So I have not sent daily questions. That’s incorrect and the councillor making that accusation should retract that accusation.

“As I’m the only councillor named in the exchange published by Wrexham.com, I want the leader of the council to confirm the name of the councillor who had made promises to other individuals because I know it’s not me. I have spoken to one local business who wanted to buy the building as a training academy. They put in a bid, were refused access and subsequently pulled out.

“If Cllr Pritchard wants to explain where I’ve mislead anyone, he’s welcome to do so. If he can’t explain, then he needs to apologise and withdraw the accusation. He’s also welcome to come to the site to see that it’s still fenced off and unfinished.

“I’m very happy to have a public debate with him on the issue of this and all other assets because the ruling coalition has done its level best to keep this matter behind closed doors and in secret throughout the debate about demolition.

“The offer to scrutinise a building that’s already been demolished is a bit odd but I do look forward to scrutinising his stewardship of council farms, another key council asset, later this month. In addition, I think we need a wider public debate about what the council’s political leadership is doing regarding the 300+ assets it has on its books.

“Officers past and present will confirm that I’ve been supportive of council housing on the wider council-owned site behind the Rhosddu Spar throughout discussions over the past few years. That’s in contrast to Cllr Pritchard, who did want the site sold to the highest bidder when we first started to discuss the matter.

“The leader and deputy leader have their own political agenda in trying to muddy the waters on this matter. The people of Rhosddu and the borough generally deserve better because, unlike many other local authorities in Wales, the rate of council house building over the past decade has been very poor.”