Wrexham Council has reviewed its performance across a number of areas including education, adult social care, the environment, highways, and the economy.

The results, published in their Council Plan Annual Performance Report, measure their performance against their six Well-being Objectives and Improvement Priorities in the 2021-23 Council Plan.

The report this year highlights significant work in recovering after the pandemic and how Wrexham is becoming a greener, more inclusive county borough.

The report sets out an overall assessment of each priority and shows the key achievements.

Developing the economy

 City status was secured and was the only Welsh finalist in the City of Culture 2025 competition. Although the pandemic continued to impact Business Support Team they have continued to work with businesses.

 Looking to the future the Levelling up Funding was awarded £13.3 million for the World Heritage Site and £220,000 Community Renewal Funding half of which will support town centre property repurposing.

Ensuring a modern and resilient council

The council has the ‘Modern Ways of Working’ programme which is transforming working practices by providing improved working environments.

There’s been a significant increase in the number of services available online and the number of customers who feel it is easy to access council services has remained above 90%.

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There’s also been a 42% increase in the number of consultation and engagement activities undertaken through Your Voice Wrexham and the age of respondents is more closely aligned to the general population than in the previous year.

Ensuring everyone is safe

By prioritising the vulnerable the council has secured homes for people fleeing countries such as Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine and used capital grants to bring more houses into use.

They have achieved the Welsh Housing Quality Standard ahead of time. Thirteen new houses have been built in Plas Madoc with tenants moving in very shortly.

The number of rough sleepers has reduced has also reduced.

Funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner and other organisations provided safe streets and a safer environment for women in particular by installing CCTV, pruning and removing overgrown areas in key public areas and opening Hafan y Dref on more occasions.

Improving the Environment

 The Decarbonisation Plan is approved, and the council secured grants of over £640,000 for several key projects including the Wrexham Industrial Estate Active Travel package and the Mold Road corridor.

Recycling and composting rates remain high and we comfortably exceed Welsh Government targets in this area.

Improving Secondary Education

Support continues in education improvement and those for young people who are vulnerable in order to ensure they remain included within the school system.

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The transition between primary and secondary is being reviewed by three headteachers secondments and the council continues to support schools in improving attendance.

The service was reconstructed to better support school improvement and to improve the outcomes for our children and young people.

Promoting health and wellbeing

They recognised that good health and well-being is one of the most important things a person can have and impacts on so many other areas of their life.

They prioritised improving children’s social care services as the most essential to provide the right level of care and support, where all children feel, and are, safe, and have the opportunity to reach their potential.

There is the Prevention and Early Help Framework and established the Prevention and Early Help Partnership and look to being developing our Strategy.

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They also renewed their Gold Corporate Health Standard.

Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, said: “There’s no doubt that the year has been challenging as we emerged from the pandemic. But it has also been exciting with the award of City Status, being the only Welsh finalists in the City of Culture and Art Fund Museum of the Year awards.

“We remain positive that we have and will continue to improve and build a successful, resilient, inclusive and green county borough. There will be further challenges ahead but I am confident that with the help of our staff, partners and residents we will build a community to be proud of.”