Support for well-being plan aiming to deliver “aspirational outcomes” for people of Wrexham

A comprehensive plan which aims to boost the health and well-being of residents across Wrexham has been backed by councillors.

The Wrexham PSB (Public Service Board) Well-being Plan 2018 to 2023 outlines 15 ‘key points’ for the county borough – with five specifically being focused on during its first year.

In 2015 Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 states that local authorities should establish a (PSB) – with Wrexham’s set up in 2016.

Locally Wrexham’s PSB is made up of representatives from organisations such as Wrexham County Borough Council, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority and Natural Resources Wales.

A representative from Welsh Government, North Wales Police, the National Probation Service, Community Rehabilitation Company, AVOW, Coleg Cambria, Wrexham Glyndwr University, HMP Berwyn and Public Health Wales, are also involved in the process.

Details provided in the report presented to councillors earlier this week explains that as part of Welsh Government guidance, each PSB is expected to develop and publish its own well-being plan by May 2018.

Work developing the plan has been ongoing for several months, with local residents having the opportunity to take part and help form the focus on the plan.

During the consultation participants had the chance to have their say on 15 objectives and rank them in order of importance. The objectives were:

– Children and young people are given a healthy start in life
– All people have opportunities to learn and develop throughout their lives
– People are able to make healthy choices
– Our communities are prepared for the future
– People have positive mental health
– There are good employment opportunities in Wrexham
– All people have access to good quality, appropriate homes throughout their lives
– People can live healthily, happily and independently in their old age
– Our town is vibrant and welcoming
– People can travel easily around the county and beyond
– There is a range of things for people to do in their spare time
– The county borough is a safe place to live
– The Welsh language is thriving
– The economy in rural areas is well supported and can thrive
– Tourism supports the local economy

The consultation found that two objectives that scored highest in terms of prioritisation were:

– Children and young people are given a healthy start in life
– All people have opportunities to learn and develop throughout their lives

Details provided in the executive board report state that the PSB “recognises that all 15 of the well-being objectives are important and need to be worked on”. As a result it has been agreed that the remaining 13 objectives will be dealt with on a 12 month rolling programme, starting with:

– People have positive mental health
– People can live healthily, happily and independently in their old age
– People are able to make healthy choices.

On Tuesday members of the executive board were asked to give their backing and approve the plan.

Speaking at the meeting, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, Cllr Hugh Jones explained that there had been four stages of the consultation process, with the PSB now at its final stage of production.

Cllr Jones said: “We are now at a stage where all partners on the PSB are required by statute to have the relevant executive bodies to endorse the report.

“Focusing on 15 well-being requirements, but recognising that you can’t do all at one time. Therefore we need to establish priorities and they are reached as a result of the consultation and partnership working.

“It is important to recognise that much of this work is ongoing and everyday business for all partner agencies.

“The aim is to ensure that by working together we are better able to deliver aspirational outcomes for the people of Wrexham.”

The report was voted through unanimously by members of the executive board.

You can view a copy of the Wrexham Public Service Well-Being Plan 2018-2013 in full, here.