A view from Wrexham’s Member of Parliament

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Members of Parliament and Assembly Members to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home – you can find them all here.

Today, Wrexham’s MP Sarah Atherton writes…

Ahead of Wrexham Council submitting their bid to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, it was an honour to join Spencer Harris, organiser of the petition, and Thomas Wynne Lewis, from the daily post, in delivering the 16,000-signature petition to No.10. The petition shows the strength of feeling across the globe for the redevelopment of the Racecourse Ground’s Kop Stand, which forms part of the ‘Gateway’ Levelling Up Fund bid.
Currently, if you live in Wrexham and want to watch an international game, you need to travel to Swansea, Cardiff, or go over the border. The redevelopment of the Kop Stand would allow Wrexham to, once again, host international sporting events by increasing the capacity and facilities of the stadium. The sheer support behind the petition proves the value of UKG Levelling Up initiative after Wrexham has been neglected by Labour for two decades. Fingers crossed for a successful outcome!

The UK Government has listened to Wrexham constituents’ concerns about the cost-of-living crisis and announced a new £650 cost-of-living payment for 9,600 families in Wrexham. Payments are made automatically and have started now. On top of the nonrepayable £400 energy bills rebate set out by the Chancellor in March, this extra support includes an automatic £650 payment for households on means-tested benefits starting in July, a separate £300 payment for pensioners, and a £150 payment for eligible disabled people.
 
Once again, the UK Government is dedicated to supporting hard-working families in Wales through a total of £37 billion worth of support across the UK so far this year.  

As a nurse myself, ensuring Wrexham has access to high quality and timely healthcare has always been one of my priorities. It has been a lonely place calling for better healthcare in Wrexham, but I am pleased that politicians of all ‘party colours’ have now started to join this cause. Last month, a BBC Wales documentary on healthcare in North Wales focused on the shocking state of Wrexham Maelor Hospital. Watch via this link: BBC iPlayer – BBC Wales Investigates – Under Pressure: Spotlight on the NHS

Following this report, I raised these concerns in Parliament with the Health Secretary, who responded by agreeing with me that Wales has ‘lots of lessons to learn’ about running the NHS.  As usual, I am in regular contact with the Chief Executive of BCUHB and the Managing Director of Wrexham Maelor Hospital recently to raise my concerns and address individual constituents’ concerns.

Last year, I launched a survey to assess parking options in Wrexham. 69% said that they were dissatisfied with the availability of car parking spaces in Wrexham, and many commented on the sharp practices of private car parking firms. However, I have pressed the Council for the ‘free after 11 am’ scheme to continue.
Following this, I raised residents’ concerns to Ministers and in response, the UK Government announced a package of measures in February 2022 that would see charges reduced from £100 to £50, and a new Code of Practice to keep ‘cowboy’ private parking firms in check. However, this has been put on hold due to legal challenges from the parking companies. However, I will continue to raise this issue in Parliament until such time as the court rule.

Since August 2020, I have advocated for the Rossett Focus Group (RFG). Their objection is based on the flood risk of the land proposed for development in Rossett by the Castle Green Development. As the situation evolves, I chaired a meeting between Naural Resources Wales (Welsh Government) and RFG to ensure both sides could put forward their case. I will continue to support Wrexham residents in any way and ensure that constituents’ voices are heard within local planning processes.
As always, if you are a resident in Wrexham and need my assistance with any local or national issues, please contact me by emailing [email protected]

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Welsh and UK Parliament representatives to write a monthly article with updates on their work and closer to home – you can find them all here.