A view from Wrexham’s Member of the Senedd
Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home – you can find them all here.
In this month’s column Wrexham’s MS writes…
Four weeks have passed since my last Wrexham.com column and it’s fair to say quite a lot has happened to Wrexham AFC in that time!
After being pushed all the way by an outstanding Notts County team, victory against Boreham Wood on the penultimate weekend of the season finally secured the league title and the promotion back to the Football League that fans craved.Thousands of people then lined the streets for the bus parade last week to celebrate a truly unforgettable season, not only for the men’s team but also the women’s team who lifted the league title in front of a record crowd at the Racecourse.
Everything that is happening to Wrexham AFC now is so special because of what happened before. People are aware of the dark days over the past two decades when the club was on the verge of oblivion.
But fans pulled together and the Wrexham Supporters Trust ensured the club survived so we can now enjoy days like these.
It has been a tremendous effort by everyone involved at Wrexham AFC and it was wonderful to see the community come together to celebrate.
A night to remember …… @Wrexham_AFC ❤️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/usW4UvcLxZ
— Lesley Griffiths (@lesley4wrexham) April 23, 2023
As Wrexham AFC prepare for life in League 2, a local author has published his book, eight years in the making, which documents the club’s glorious history.
In his third book entitled ‘Dirty Old Town’, lifelong Wrexham AFC fan Nathan Lee Davies looks back at the club’s first spell in the Football League between 1921 and 2008. The book includes match reports, season summaries, statistics and interviews with club legends such as Arfon Griffiths and Joey Jones.
I recently visited Nathan to purchase my copy. The book is a real labour of love and a must have for fans new and old.‘Dirty Old Town’ by @nathanleedavies is a must have for @Wrexham_AFC fans new and old ⚽️
If @RMcElhenney & @VancityReynolds wish to read up on the history of our great club, they won’t go far wrong with this book 📕@wrexham has the full story 👇https://t.co/QORbJy93JP
— Lesley Griffiths (@lesley4wrexham) May 5, 2023
ast month, Wrexham councillors narrowly voted against adopting a Local Development Plan (LDP).
The LDP is a long-term, statutory requirement that ensures local authorities remain the driver for change. It enables councils to plan efficiently, outlining preferred sites for developments and helping maximise benefits for local communities.
Wrexham Council’s failure to adopt a Local Development Plan, which was endorsed by an Examination Inspector, means we are in uncharted territory.
Readers will be aware this is the second time the LDP has been rejected and it means Wrexham is the only local authority in Wales not to have an LDP in place.
Not only is Wrexham an anomaly in Wales, it appears its stance is unprecedented in the UK. Of course, the plan belongs and is owned by the Council, so the vote was surprising.
Being in this state of limbo has had and will keep having a detrimental effect on Wrexham. With no LDP implemented, developments are very likely to go ahead on appeal and Wrexham Council’s ability to secure affordable housing and other infrastructure contributions will be seriously undermined.
This whole saga has dragged on long enough. I understand the concerns and a plan that takes years to develop is never going to be perfect, but I hope a satisfactory solution can be reached as swiftly as possible.
“Wrexham is the only local authority in Wales not to have an LDP in place and it appears its stance is unprecedented in the UK” https://t.co/WHvJaUTGtH
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) April 26, 2023
Hundreds of learners in Wrexham who qualify for the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) are set to receive an increase in funding to help with the cost of living.
Thanks to the Welsh Labour Government, Wales has become the first and only UK nation to increase the EMA payment since its establishment.
From April 2023, eligible college and sixth form students will receive £40 a week instead of £30. The latest figures show there are 620 learners who will benefit in the Wrexham County Borough area.
Increasing the EMA will help ensure hundreds of young people in Wrexham have the best chance of achieving better qualifications and having a successful future.
The cost of learning should never be a barrier for young people who wish to continue in education after they turn 16.
Thanks to the @WelshGovernment, more than 600 students across #Wrexham are set to see an increase in their EMA payments. https://t.co/tv0s57vpBe
— Lesley Griffiths (@lesley4wrexham) May 5, 2023
This year marked ten years of the St David Awards, the national awards that recognise Wales’ everyday heroes.
It was a pleasure attending the ceremony and to praise the people who do exceptional things day in day out.
A privilege as always to be at @stdavidawards this evening and celebrate the fantastic achievements of so many people. @PrifWeinidog pic.twitter.com/IR7ixrxxqv
— Lesley Griffiths (@lesley4wrexham) April 20, 2023
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