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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED:- · That the Business Improvement District (BID) report will now only include the BID for Wrexham City Centre and that the Support provision for businesses in Wrexham report scheduled for the next meeting would include reference to the Wrexham Industrial Estate. · That the Car Parking Charges report will be deferred from March 2024 meeting to enable the Strategy and Business Investment Lead to consider a timescale for reporting economic benefits back to Committee as part of SMART towns initiative. · That the Civic Leadership Group will be asked to provide an update report on the work of the group, including the Wrexham logo, for the February 2024 meeting, if possible.
RESOLVED – That Agenda Item 6 be moved forward for consideration at this time.
AGREED:- (i) That the Economic Prosperity Strategy be brought to this Committee for consideration within 12 months, to include a focus on the following areas:- · Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site and economic benefits for the surrounding areas. · Key transport hubs in urban villages and rural areas and links with the Destination Management Plan and SMART towns programme. · Empty commercial properties. · Partnership working with Town and Community Councils and their role in enabling economic development in urban villages and rural areas. · Community Resource Centres. (ii) That an Information Report identifying opportunities for funding from other regeneration related plans that could be used to support urban villages and rural areas is circulated to Members, and that this report is scheduled for discussion at a meeting of the Town and Community Council Forum.
AGREED: - That a breakdown of the income and expenditure figures for 2022/23, including market traders, events, venue hire, be submitted to the meeting in March 2024, together with an update on the work of the Tŷ Pawb Carbon Reduction Working Group.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ross Shepherd.
That the Minutes held on 6th December 2023 be signed as a correct record.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare any interests in relation to any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made: Agenda Item 5- Ty Pawb Performance Councillor Andy Gallanders – Personal and non-prejudicial – The Councillor was a trader for a brief time at Ty Pawb. Councillor Marc Jones - Personal and non-prejudicial- The Councillor was a voluntary member of the Board for Saith Seren and the company was based near to Ty Pawb. The Councillors remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon. Agenda Item 6 – Economic Development of Urban Villages Councillor Gary Brown - Personal and non-prejudicial – The Councillor worked at the Heritage Trust up until September 2023 and this establishment was referenced within the Urban Villages report. The Councillor remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon.
Decision as recorded
AGREED:- · That the Business Improvement District (BID) report will now only include the BID for Wrexham City Centre and that the Support provision for businesses in Wrexham report scheduled for the next meeting would include reference to the Wrexham Industrial Estate. · That the Car Parking Charges report will be deferred from March 2024 meeting to enable the Strategy and Business Investment Lead to consider a timescale for reporting economic benefits back to Committee as part of SMART towns initiative. · That the Civic Leadership Group will be asked to provide an update report on the work of the group, including the Wrexham logo, for the February 2024 meeting, if possible.
The Chief Officer for Governance and Customer submitted a report (COGC/06/24s) asking members to consider the revised work programme of the Employment, Business and Investment Scrutiny Committee. The Scrutiny Facilitator presented the work programme and highlighted the main points contained within it. The following was discussed: · The Business Improvement District report that was scheduled for March 2024 will only cover the City Centre element as the funding for the bid for the Industrial Estate had to be temporarily withdrawn. · A Member requested that when financial cuts affect the work of the Committee that the Chair and the Vice Chair be informed. · The Regeneration and Business Investment Lead assured Members that the Business Support Team would still continue to develop relationships and support businesses on the Wrexham Industrial Estate. This issue would be discussed further at the next meeting as part of the report on support for businesses in Wrexham. · The Civic Leadership group was an external entity and officers will liaise with the Group and feedback to Members regarding the issues that have been raised regarding the branding exercise that had been carried out by that group. · A Member enquired about how the free parking in Wrexham City Centre after 11am had benefited town centre traders during its implementation. Officers advised that data more meaningful data would become available as part of the Smarts towns’ project. AGREED:- · That the Business Improvement District (BID) report will now only include the BID for Wrexham City Centre and that the Support provision for businesses in Wrexham report scheduled for the next meeting would include reference to the Wrexham Industrial Estate. · That the Car Parking Charges report will be deferred from March 2024 meeting to enable the Strategy and Business Investment Lead to consider a timescale for reporting economic benefits back to Committee as part of SMART towns initiative. · That the Civic Leadership Group will be asked to provide an update report on the work of the group, including the Wrexham logo, for the February 2024 meeting, if possible.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That Agenda Item 6 be moved forward for consideration at this time.
RESOLVED – That Agenda Item 6 be moved forward for consideration at this time.
Decision as recorded
AGREED:- (i) That the Economic Prosperity Strategy be brought to this Committee for consideration within 12 months, to include a focus on the following areas:- · Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site and economic benefits for the surrounding areas. · Key transport hubs in urban villages and rural areas and links with the Destination Management Plan and SMART towns programme. · Empty commercial properties. · Partnership working with Town and Community Councils and their role in enabling economic development in urban villages and rural areas. · Community Resource Centres. (ii) That an Information Report identifying opportunities for funding from other regeneration related plans that could be used to support urban villages and rural areas is circulated to Members, and that this report is scheduled for discussion at a meeting of the Town and Community Council Forum.
(members declarations of interest in relation to this item are set out in Minute 39 above). The Chief Officer for Economy and Planning submitted a report (COEPP/83/24) asking Members to consider what strategies were in place to develop economic activity in urban villages and the rural areas of the County Borough and what other sources of support and opportunity there may be available to enhance these. The Lead Member for Economy – Regeneration and Economic Development introduced the report and highlighted the main points within it. The Regeneration and Business and Investment Lead gave a presentation regarding the Economic Development in Urban Villages and Rural Areas to Members which highlighted the following points:- · Definitions and Wrexham Settlements. · Existing Economic Development Plan – County Borough Wide. · Existing Regeneration Plans – Place Based. · Existing Economic Development/Regeneration Activities Supporting Urban Villages and Rural Areas. · Themes for further exploration. · Considerations, Conclusion and discussion points. The following was discussed: · It was confirmed that the Economic and Prosperity Strategy would be available by the end of December 2024. · The Member who submitted the Topic Request Form, highlighted that the main point of interest was empty properties in her ward. · The Regeneration and Business Investment Lead explained that work on empty properties located in urban villages was limited by the way the funding could be accessed to support them. · Outside of the city centre work was being undertaken through private loan funding and that there was a high uptake on properties for residential and private use. · Currently, there was no eligible loan funding that could be allocated to commercial properties based outside of the city centre. • It was confirmed that the shared prosperity funding was also available for rural areas but not for commercial properties. · A Member questioned if there was a way to link the shared prosperity fund with the economic prosperity strategy and other relevant plans associated with it. · It was highlighted that Place Making for the City Centre could be scoped through the Destination Management Plan and the smart town’s initiative which could also inform the Economic Prosperity Strategy. · There needed to be confidence within the delivery of the economic team to ensure that economic opportunities were maximised. · To enable economic opportunities to be brought into the Wrexham County Borough Members needed to be informed on what to lobby. · There was potential to explore and secure funding from sources other than regeneration, e.g. health and wellbeing. · There were processes to follow regarding the implementation of digital screens which also included having planning consent. · There were three train stations (Chirk, Ruabon and Gwersyllt) outside the city centre which could potentially benefit from the smart towns initiative technology. · Funding was limited to specific grant eligibility criteria, however the smarts towns’ project could potentially be expanded to include Chirk town. · A Member enquired about the recognition of the delivery role of the Community Resource Centres and Libraries but was mindful of the imminent budget pressures and considerations. · The report covered existing activities but there was no reference to town and community councils that could potentially drive local economic development at community level. · Recognition that Wrexham Council will need to work with stakeholders help challenge and drive the local economy forward. · No decision has been made regarding the Head of Service Regeneration vacancy. • A Member requested that an Information Report identifying opportunities for funding from other regeneration related plans that could be used to support urban villages and rural areas be circulated to Members, and to be discussed at the Town and Community Council Forum meeting. AGREED:- (i) That the Economic Prosperity Strategy be brought to this Committee for consideration within 12 months, to include a focus on the following areas:- · Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site and economic benefits for the surrounding areas. · Key transport hubs in urban villages and rural areas and links with the Destination Management Plan and SMART towns programme. · Empty commercial properties. · Partnership working with Town and Community Councils and their role in enabling economic development in urban villages and rural areas. · Community Resource Centres. (ii) That an Information Report identifying opportunities for funding from other regeneration related plans that could be used to support urban villages and rural areas is circulated to Members, and that this report is scheduled for discussion at a meeting of the Town and Community Council Forum.
Decision as recorded
AGREED: - That a breakdown of the income and expenditure figures for 2022/23, including market traders, events, venue hire, be submitted to the meeting in March 2024, together with an update on the work of the Tŷ Pawb Carbon Reduction Working Group.
(members declarations of interest in relation to this item are set out in Minute 39 above). The Chief Officer for Economy and Planning submitted a report (COEP/58/23) asking Members to review and comment on the performance of Tŷ Pawb for year 2022/23, and up to November 2023. As requested by Members, this report also provided a review of the previous years since opening (2017/18-2022/23) and projections for 2023/24 and for the next 3 years (2024/25-2026/27). The Lead Member presented the report and highlighted the main points for consideration. The Chair and the Vice Chair of the Tŷ Pawb Advisory Board introduced themselves and gave an introduction regarding their involvement with Tŷ Pawb followed by a video presentation showing the positive outputs associated with Tŷ Pawb that have taken place over the past five years. The City Centre Arts and Events Lead for Economy explained to Members that: · The video evidenced the vibrancy and busyness of Tŷ Pawb. · Highlighted that not all events generated income into Tŷ Pawb. · Gave examples on how Tŷ Pawb had supported traders such as providing shelter for two recent key events that took place during adverse weather. · The Tŷ Pawb report was different to the previous reports because officers wanted to demonstrate how Tŷ Pawb delivered on community support rather than just the financial aspects associated with it. Members asked a number of questions, which were responded to accordingly, and the following points were highlighted during the detailed debate: · The benefits generated from the cultural vibrancy resulting from Tŷ Pawb’s involvement over the past five years was accepted by Members and they recognised that it provided social benefits to the community but it was still a work in progress. · There were potential challenges and opportunities for Tŷ Pawb but there were concerns around the finances. · Issues were raised regarding the poor take up on evening and day time events which required more proactive marketing to make them more successful. · Recognised that the Advisory Board was inheriting a difficult venue to maintain. · Tŷ Pawb was a hybrid model that was operating in a very cold economic climate, facing brutal funding cuts within the Arts industry, and the country was experiencing a cost of living crisis. · Tŷ Pawb was facing a projected annual budget pressure of around £270k, without mitigated actions. · The entrances at Chester Street and Market Street were underwhelming and officers were questioned if visitors parking at Tŷ Pawb knew what events were taking place during their visit to Wrexham. · The Lead Member for Tŷ Pawb assured Members that: a) There was a range of 16 actions which would mitigate the issues regarding financial performance. b) The work of the events team was focused around generating income. c) During the pandemic Tŷ Pawb was challenged with achieving 100,000 annual footfall. Since pre pandemic the footfall had quadrupled. · Members were assured that the 20k income generation noted in the report related to only one of 16 mitigations and that there were other cost savings to be made. · Footfall figures included the entire building and not just the car park. · It was confirmed that 85% occupancy would not address the whole financial shortfall. · A new management team had been in place since July 2023 last year. · The current car parking facilities at Tŷ Pawb were not fit for purpose and a working group has been set up to deal with this. · A range of issues were detailed including the regular theft of the car park barrier, which impacted staff time and revenue. · The roof was leaking and the officers had set up a working group that included the involvement of the contractor and Facilities Management. · Concern was raised over the impact of the large £144k increase in energy costs. · It was confirmed that the 144k energy costs were net to the council of what was charged to individual traders. · Tŷ Pawb’s boiler was not fit for purpose, and was linked to the £144k energy cost rise. · The Advisory Board Membership was strong in some elements, however none of the Board Members had a commercial background so the scope for commercial drive was limited. · A Councillor praised the arts output of Tŷ Pawb but said the market side was not developed or welcoming enough. · A Member raised concerns around the issue of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).The Lead Member advised that he had not been informed that this was a problem in Tŷ Pawb but was waiting confirmation. · Members were concerned that the cash limited budget for Tŷ Pawb was increasing by half a million pounds over the next four years. · Wrexham Council Members will be attending the Executive Board meeting at the end of the month and will be reviewing services to ascertain whether to reduce or stop them. · It was highlighted that Tŷ Pawb were experiencing invoicing problems in some areas. · Tŷ Pawb, along with Focus Wales, have secured grant funding from Arts Council Wales. However due to Welsh Government cuts the Arts Council Wales budget had been reduced by 10.5% and therefore the final figure of grant funding was as yet unknown. · Any cuts to the Arts Council Wales grant would mainly affect the arts programme delivery, although a portion is used for centre overheads. · Officers will be informed about the final grant figure secured from the Arts Council for Wales grant in February 2024. · Members were disappointed with the lack of representation of traders at the meeting. · A Member requested an update regarding the carbon reduction for Tŷ Pawb since 2021/22. · There was one foot fall counter that was intermittent but the remainder of the counters at Tŷ Pawb were operational and accurate. · Officers confirmed that the Business Development Grant application for £50K has been completed and will be submitted before the 17th January 2024 deadline. · The events team were working on sponsorship packages and will work with the Advisory Board to update and finalise them. · Members were assured that there were currently no issues with the lift at Tŷ Pawb. · A Member requested that any new operational plan be brought before the committee. · The Committee supported Tŷ Pawb but were concerned about the budget pressures and lack of financial detail and wanted to work with officers to find a way forward. AGREED: - That a breakdown of the income and expenditure figures for 2022/23, including market traders, events, venue hire, be submitted to the meeting in March 2024, together with an update on the work of the Tŷ Pawb Carbon Reduction Working Group.
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