In Wales we have ambitious plans for the public sector to be carbon neutral by 2030 and in response to our declaration of a Climate and Ecological Emergency in 2019, we have developed a plan for the decarbonisation of the council’s services. As part of our plan, we want to work with people who live and work in Wrexham to increase awareness and understanding of the changes we all must make and to support people with those changes, especially in the light of the current energy and cost of living crisis.

We last consulted with you and revisited our involvement strategy in 2018. It’s time to revisit the strategy and give it a refresh to reflect where we are now and we’d really like you to get involved in helping us shape this piece of work.

Wrexham Council has made significant progress in improving Involvement with the public in recent years, and have been commended by Audit Wales for work in this area. Some improvements and achievements include:  

• Developing a more seamless approach to our involvement activities, including improvements to our Your Voice Wrexham consultation portal to make it easier to use, and improving the quality and timeliness of feedback to yourselves on consultation and engagement activities
• Maintaining engagement with our communities over the period of the Covid-19 pandemic and re-energising engagement as we have emerged from the pandemic.  (e.g. in 2019/20 WCBC carried out 42 consultations on ‘Your Voice Wrexham’ – with around 12,241 responses received.  In 2020/21 we carried out 38 online consultations, with around 6,859 responses received. In 2021/22 we carried out 54 online consultations with around 10,203 responses received)
• Improving engagement with people who have protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, in line with our commitment to ‘reduce inequalities in representation and voice’.

We know that we’ve made significant progress in this area, however there is more we can do, to do ‘involvement’ well, together, and we want to work with you to develop these plans. 

If you would like to download a full copy of our draft strategy, please click on the link: Download draft Involvement Strategy 2022-2027.

Wrexham Council is committed to listening and working together with the people of Wrexham. Good Involvement means that everyone in our community feels they can join the discussion about the services we design and deliver; and can help shape the future of Wrexham County Borough. We hope by taking this approach the future of services in Wrexham will be focussed on what matters most to the people of Wrexham and that people will feel they can have their say and to work with us to make things happen together.

As your landlord it is important that we understand how satisfied tenants are with Wrexham Council as a landlord and what you think about the service we provide.  Your responses will help us to better understand the views of tenants and what improvements might be needed in the future. 
 

Wrexham Local Development Plan (LDP) is currently being examined by the Planning Inspectorate.  

A number of changes have emerged as a result of matters arising during the Hearing Sessions that have been conducted as part of the Examination. 

These changes are set out in the 'Schedule of Matters Arising Changes' (MACs) (KPD26) document.

As a result of these proposed changes, the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) (KPD27) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) (KPD28 & KPD28a) have also been updated.

We are also consulting on The Dee Catchment Phosphorous Reduction Strategy (EBNB04).

The schedule of Matters Arising Changes (MACs), Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) as updated and The Dee Catchment Phosphorous Reduction Strategy are available to view at www.wrexham.gov.uk/ldp

The Welsh Government passed a law which means all councils in Wales must carry out an investigation into the time and space children have for playing or hanging out in their local area.

By filling in the survey below you will be helping us to build a picture of what its like for children playing in Wrexham. We will then use the information to find ways of protecting and improving the time and space children have for playing or hanging out

Wrexham’s Play Sufficiency Assessment 2022 recognises the progress made since 2012 with many examples included that illustrate a strategic response to the Play Sufficiency Duty. Notably, in June 2018 Wrexham’s Executive Board agreed to support the authority’s Play Pledge which commits departments and service areas to value the importance of children’s play.

Whilst significant progress has been made, the Play Sufficiency Assessment 2022 identifies thirteen priorities which underpin Wrexham’s approach for securing play sufficiency for children in Wrexham for the next 3 years

• Priority 1: Increase time for playing during term-time
• Priority 2: Enhance opportunities for playing in Winter
• Priority 3: Secure safer streets for play
• Priority 4: Secure a wider range of spaces for play
• Priority 5: Secure spaces for play in close proximity to children’s homes
• Priority 6: Secure and maintain quality play provision
• Priority 7: Secure a greater range of provision for teenagers
• Priority 8: Improve children’s subjective experience of time and space in adult supervised provision
• Priority 9: Enable parents to identify ways in which they can support children’s play
• Priority 10: Improve support for disabled and marginalised children
• Priority 11: Improve generalised negative attitudes towards teenagers and their play
• Priority 12: Ensure children have easy access to friends
• Priority 13: Enable communities to identify ways in which they can support children’s play

Wrexham County Borough Council is currently consulting for stakeholder opinion on Rear Loading Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, and their potential suitability for licensing as Hackney Carriages.

Introduction

The licensing authority has a set criteria in terms of hackney carriage vehicle safety certification and any licensed vehicle must meet stringent tests in terms of road safety and fitness for purpose. Rear Loading Wheelchair accessible Vehicles are currently available for licensing as Private Hire Vehicles but not for Hackney Carriage use.

Hackney Carriages

Unlike Private Hire Vehicles, Hackney carriages must be suitable for collecting wheelchair users from a ‘Hackney Carriage Rank’. A rank is collection point, whereby licensed Hackney Vehicles may queue and wait in turn for customers to approach the rank. There are several Hackney Carriage Ranks in the county area and these are all located within Wrexham Town Centre. All customers enter the vehicles via the side of the vehicle, with Wheelchair users using an access ramp.

Hackney Carriages also have the permission to be ‘hailed down, by pedestrians in the street.

We were able to find out the views of stakeholders on the proposal/topic outlined in the consultation

It has enabled the licensing committee to make an informed decision on the proposal/topic outlined in the consultation.

In, March 2020 we ran a consultation to find out how the Covid pandemic had affected young people in Wrexham and Flintshire, this supported the work of the Public Service Boards, Wrexham Youth Service and Flintshire Integrated Youth Provision which helped with the recovery plans to support young people’s wellbeing and mental health.

This consultation highlights the need for us to re- think about how we support young people going forward after the pandemic, looking at the results, the majority of young people need more support and help now than they did between March 2020 and during the pandemic. As we come out of the Covid pandemic is clear to see young people are still struggling with the effects of last 2 years and the toll on their mental health and wellbeing and seem to be getting worse. 

We have all as a society changed due to the pandemic, the impact has affected everyone’s lives in one way or another. However It is clear that young people are finding it harder than others to be able to move on, there mental health and wellbeing has been challenged with very little or no support over the previous lockdowns.

These results reflect what young people have gone and still going through.                                                    

Furthermore, this consultation process will help WCBC and Flintshire Council to produce new and innovative ideas, by keeping services current and thriving. It will help enhance relationships with service users and further develop knowledge of their wants and needs. It has provided us with direct live feedback from young people and will enhance a closer connection within our communities.

Everyone wants to make Wrexham a place where families, children and young people can achieve their potential.

We know all parents/carers  want the best for the children and young people on, we also  know that sometimes families, children and young people need support to help achieve their potential, their hopes and their dreams, and to support them when times are tough.

This consultation is about asking you about what you think, as you are the expert about you and your needs.

It has been especially challenging to be expecting and/or a parent of a young child in recent times. The Coronavirus pandemic has shown the value of support services and provision for pregnancy and the early years more than ever. Many of you will have experienced a feeling of isolation followed by relief as services and provision opened up again. Well done for making your way through!

Wrexham County Borough Council has asked Children in Wales to carry out a consultation with parents to look closely at the maternity and early years services that are offered to you and your child.

Support/advice – if you feel you need further support, or would like to discuss things further please contact Wrexham Family Information service 01978 292094 or fis@wrexham.gov.uk

Quality of provision

Parents feel that they have good relationships with community services, services such as social and health services could be improved. Parents said that they are more likely to approach third sector services for help and support as they wouldn’t feel as judged.

Social Services was identified as being a good support for Kinship carers, but for others it was not a service which was seen in a positive light where there should be early intervening earlier before issues escalate.

Many parents made reference to midwives and health visitors:

• Midwifery:  Parents commented that they received better care from student midwives or in hospital settings, and from those that had just started their shift.
• Health Visiting:  Some parents stated that they provided good support and others stated they were provided little or no support at all.

Integration across services, access to provision

Several parents expressed poor communication between services resulting in them having to repeat things.

Parents expressed the difference between provision in Flying Start areas and non-Flying Start areas as being unfair in the way  that the eligibility criteria allocates services to, and favours those they deem as living in poor areas.

Information and advice about provision

Health visitors that were highly recognised as a source providing advice and support.

Parents reported the lockdown has been difficult as during this period it was hard to get information. The main ways of them gaining information and advice were from attending groups, health visitors and midwives, doctors, Facebook/Social Media, friends and family alongside specific sources of information and advice from Social Services, Foster Care services, Family Information Service, Carers information page on Facebook (NEWCIS), Wrexham parent’s community Facebook page and Homestart.

Transition between provisions

Some parents expressed that they did not know what was happening at the next stage of their child’s life until it happened. The main area of concern was a lack of knowledge about the transition to school and feeling it being separate from other services.

Sufficiency of provision

There was a positive response in relation to the support provided by both midwives and health visitors, some parents expressed this was not the case. Childcare/education also scored highly in the support parents received.

Parents were also asked to share what services/provision they felt were missing. A range of ideas were identified such as support with childcare, groups/activities, finances, mental health, involving fathers, prenatal, birth and post-natal and general information sharing.

Involvement of parents in planning, designing and reviewing provision (coproduction)

Those who did want to be involved suggested:

• Set up forums and discussion groups
• Face to face spaces for families to give honest feedback that is listened to and acted upon

This consultation will:

• Assist and inform the planning and development of services for children and families within the early years
• Provide engagement opportunities for parents in Wrexham to get involved in the planning and development of services
• Help inform consistency of access to services and support for families living out of catchment area for Flying Start (the expansion of Flying Start is currently part of a current Welsh government programme)

It has been a challenging period to work in maternity and early years services during recent times. The Coronavirus pandemic has brought the value of support services and provision into sharp focus. Many parents will have experienced feelings of isolation followed by relief as services and provision opened up again. Equally, practitioners have needed to balance their own family needs whilst working in extraordinary circumstances. Parents and practitioners are to be congratulated for making their way through this difficult period.

Wrexham County Borough Council has asked Children in Wales to carry out a consultation with both parents and practitioners to look closely at the provision of maternity and early years services offered in the county.  Focusing on quality, sufficiency of provision; integration across services, transition between provision and involvement of parents/carers.

This is your chance for your voice to be heard and to provide input to enhance services in your area.

Quality of Provision

A number of practitioners commented on positive collaboration and joint working approaches.

Early help was highlighted as working well, there was recognition of the positive work taking place.

Flying start was referenced numerous times as an example of best practice. However, practitioners expressed there is a growing level of need outside existing pre-defined areas.

Integration across services, access to provision

Multi-agency training across different services was identified as a positive experience that should be more readily available.

Responses expressed barriers to joint working including a lack of interaction between services, a lack of budget and staff availability.

The Family Information Service was noted as a useful resource and for providing an effective support for joint working, linking services together and raising awareness of service provision.

Effective joint working amongst midwives and health visitors with joint pre-birth visits was recognised as useful for sharing information and supporting families.

Information, advice and access to provision

Practitioners felt that it was often dependant where parents lived and referenced different levels of services are provided in Flying Start and non-Flying Start areas.

The ability to offer services both face-to-face and online has allowed more parents to access support for general parenting programmes and more specialist referrals.

Barriers and challenges to accessing services were identified such as eligibility, criteria of services and funding, waiting lists, referrals not being accepted, language and cultural barrier, transport and parents own mental health needs.

Transition between provisions

Midwife – health visitor transitions were expressed as positive where there was co-location between these services.

Health visitor - school nurse transitions were expressed as a stage that can present challenges with higher caseloads for school nurses often meaning they cannot offer the same level of support that health visitors provide.

Practitioners reported the quality of childcare to school transitions were dependant on the leadership, willingness and understanding of specific head teachers of how childcare settings can support transitions.

It was suggested that a consistent policy/guidance on how transitions are managed across Wrexham provisions could be developed, to highlight and support good practice.

Involvement of parents in planning, designing and reviewing provision

Practitioners highlighted involving parents within services could create improved engagement with service users, creating better services that meet appropriate needs and having a better understanding of families.

Practitioners identified that spaces to share and training, funding and direct engagement are elements that need to be considered when providing opportunities to involve parents.