'We should all be hugely proud that our new city reached the final'

MP for Wrexham

I’m sure that many Wrexham residents, were busy last week hanging out the bunting in preparation for the weekend of celebrations to show our respect for the Queen’s 70 years of service to the Union.

It was great to see that so many people took advantage of the host of events that were planned in Wrexham over the Platinum Jubilee weekend. From picnics in Bellevue Park to Wrexfest Live music, they did not disappoint!

Whilst Wrexham did not receive the title of the UK’s City of Culture 2025, we should all be hugely proud that our new city reached the final. It was an honour to be at Ty Pawb to celebrate how well we have done. A big thank you to everyone involved. The atmosphere at the Ty Pawb, coupled with the jubilee celebrations, shows that our city is brimming with culture and pride. We have come so far and will not stop now.

Since we left European Union, the funding Wales receives from the EU is tapering down whilst funding from the UK Government is increasing. To best ensure this money is spent where it is needed, it is being allocated directly to Wrexham Council under the UK Shared Prosperity fund. The Council will receive £22.7m and will decide where it is spent. In order to make sure your opinions are taken into account, I went on a city centre walkabout asking businesses and residents what they want for Wrexham. I want to hear from YOU! If you have not done so already, please fill out my Shared Prosperity Fund survey to give your view: https://www.sarahatherton.org.uk/uk-shared- prosperity-fund.

Last week, a report from the public spending watchdog said that NHS Wales could take seven years or more to return to its pre-pandemic waiting list levels, which was particularly high in the first place! This is not good enough. Despite the Welsh Government’s recent announcement of significant funding for NHS Wales, the Health Minister has yet to reply to my request for information on how, when and if this money will be spent in a way which benefits Wrexham patients. I also know how anxious Wrexham residents are about delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Following a visit to the charity, Maggie’s in Clatterbridge, I’m pleased to report plans to build a Maggie’s for North Wales are proceeding at pace. I’ll continue to support the Maggie’s team and push for this to happen.

The health campaign continues and if you have not done so already, please visit my website and sign my campaign to send the Welsh Government a strong message that we deserve better!

Follow this link to do so: https://www.sarahatherton.org.uk/healthcare-wrexham.

Lastly, great news that all Wrexham residents will welcome, as the new studios for Premier Radio, at Eagles Meadow, will soon be complete, adding another community voice for Wrexham.

As always, if you are a resident in Wrexham and need my assistance with any local or national issues, please make contact with me by emailing sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk.