A PLAN for the future of Wrexham came under the spotlight last night.
A report on the 13-week consultation on a “Single Integrated Plan” for council, police, health, education and emergency services went before Wrexham Council’s Partnership and Collaboration Scrutiny Committee yesterday.
Lead member for communities, partnerships and collaboration Cllr Hugh Jones said 468 people had responded through meetings and workshops, but only a “disappointing” 21 people through an online survey.
But 104 people responded on postcards asking what they thought of the plan’s priorities, and what would improve life in Wrexham.
Cllr Jones said people generally liked the informal style of the plan, but there was a request for more detail.
“But at this stage the plan has to be aspirational,” he said, “There will be more detail in the delivery.”
Feedback suggested the first priority, to make Wrexham “a place where people are healthy and active and can live independently”, should have a “clearer link to mental health” and more sign-posting of services so people knew where to go for help, he said.
On the economy, the second priority, respondents said they wanted more independent shops and less empty buildings, more cultural events, and the town needed to be “cleaner and greener”.
The plan was also felt to be “town-centric” rather than paying attention to the whole county borough.
The final priority was that Wrexham should be safe and inclusive.
Cllr Jones said many issues raised were already being addressed. But, he said: “These comments will not only change this document, but influence the delivery”.
Committee chairman Cllr Ronnie Prince said with the final plan to be in place for next April, it did not leave much time to change it.
Cllr Jones said the timescale was set by the Welsh Government and had been made clear all along.
“My feeling is, given the time constraints, we’ve had ample time to scrutinise it.
“I think we’re planned out,” he added, “the time has come to stop writing plans and start delivering services,” he said.