We are consulting on the Council's plans to reshape services and meet the financial challenge, by gathering public views on budget proposals for 2016/17 and beyond.

More than 1,700 people took part in the consultation and gave their views about the proposals we made, as well as making some suggestions of their own.

We'd like to thank everyone who took part for their time.

The results from the consultation were presented to Elected Members in order to shape the decisions they made about Wrexham County Borough Council's budget for 2016/17.

The 'You Said, We Did' report details what decisions have been made about each of the proposals presented for consultation.

Oriel Wrecsam is the premier venue for Contemporary Arts in North East Wales and the home of Creative Wrexham. Some years ago, it was identified that Oriel Wrecsam had outgrown its established home and that new premises were needed in order to ensure that the emerging arts scene in the town centre could be supported.
 
In 2014, following extensive work and research and an options appraisal,the elected Members of Wrexham Council agreed that the preferred location for the new Arts and Creative Industries Space would be the current People's Market. Following this decision, Oriel Wrecsam relocated to temporary accommodation on Chester Street at no 11. The gallery also took over the lease to 12 Chester Street for workspace.

In 2015, the Arts Council of Wales agreed to fund both an architectural practice to provide detailed design for the People's Market for the Arts and Creative Industries Space. At the same time, and to work in partnership with the architectural practice, business planning for Oriel Wrecsam was commissioned in order to ensure that the new space can be sustainable.

Equality is about creating a fairer society where diversity is valued and respected, where people do not face discrimination and prejudice and where everyone can pariticpate, flourish and have the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

Under the Equality Act 2010 Wrexham County Borough Council and its partners, AVOW, North Wales Fire & Rescue, Coleg Cambria, Glyndwr University and North Wales Police have a Public Sector Equality Duty to:

• Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimnisation and any other sonduct that it prohibited under the Act;
• Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a protected characteristic and those who do not; and
• Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not.

The purpose of this consultation exercise is part of meeting the requirement under those duties to review and refresh our Equality Objectives within the Strategic Equality Plans 2016-2020; and to engage with protected characteristics groups in doing so.

Rather than each organisation conducting an individual consultation, in doing it together we aim to eliminate consultation fatigue and get a more overall Wrexham picture.

Traditionally standards have been about speed, either to answer the telephone or ensure that customers are not waiting excessively for drop-in visits to have their query resolved.

Results from the survey have indicated that customers believe that the service we deliver should not prioritise speed over quality of service. Our proposed standards reflect messages such as:-

“As long as the initial letter response states the timescale for a full response I would have no issues in waiting 30 days. At least I would know the response would be correct and not rushed.”

“Customer care is not just about speed but also about quality. I would expect all responses to be courteous whether in person or written communication and by a member of staff that has a knowledge and understanding of the issues and the authority to take any action that may be required. This may require the issue to be passed on to a more senior member of staff but I would expect to be informed if this was going to result in any delay to a resolution.”

The new standards reflect a growing desire to better reflect the Council’s vision to be “an organisation that provides consistent, high quality customer services which adds value to the customer and to the Council”.

The revised standards have a focus on outcomes and performance as opposed to solely speed in isolation and recognise changing customer behaviours with a greater emphasis on digital access.

The revised standards are proposed as realistic and considered achievable in the current environment of budget savings. The proposed standards are seen as improving on current good practice and increased desirability to achieve a ‘right first time’ culture to promote a high regard and trust in the Council.

These standards will be available for customers to view early in the new year.

We are updating our 'Vexatious and/or Unreasonably Persistent Complainants Policy' and would like to hear your opinions on this.

The term 'vexatious' means that someone is causing frustration or annoyance. In this case, it is to the Council by not accepting the outcome of their complaint investigation or following the correct procedures. Whilst this is only a small minority of the people we deal with, it is important to have a policy in place to deal with them so that they do not start to affect our ability to provide a service to other people.

We are also updating our 'Corporate & Statutory Complaints Policy', which we would like your feedback on as this states the complaints procedures that we follow.

The policies will be supported by leaflets and web information, which will provide an overview and summary of the complaints procedures.

Whilst the numbers of responses were fairly low, we appreciated people taking the time to provide their feedback, most of which was positive.

Each response was considered and, where appropriate, used to amend elements of the policy. The consultation information was included with the report which was presented to the Executive Board. On 10 November 2015, the board approved the policy and the final version of the document has been uploaded to the Council website.

We are updating our complaints policy following changes to the way we manage complaints in the Council. As part of this work, we would like to hear your opinions.

We are also updating our 'Vexatious and/or Unreasonably Persistent Complainants Policy', which we would like your feedback on as it is about how the Council deals with particular complainants.

Most complaints about Council services are dealt with under a nationally agreed Corporate Complaints Procedure. This is endorsed by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. Social Services complaints are subject to a separate, statutory procedure.

The policies will be supported by leaflets and web information, which will provide an overview and summary of the complaints procedures.

Whilst the numbers of responses were fairly low, we appreciated people taking the time to provide their feedback, most of which was positive.

Each response was considered and, where appropriate, used to amend elements of the policy. The consultation information was included with the report which was presented to the Executive Board. On 10 November 2015, the board approved the policy and the final version of the document has been uploaded to the Council website.

The Council now has a fully update, fit for purpose policy which has been subject to a consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

The new policy can be found at www.wrexham.gov.uk/complaints

To engage with the public on the proposed new strategy for Wrexham County Borough's Trees and Woodlands.

The results of the consultation demonstrated that trees are an important part of the landscape and the environment for the people of Wrexham County Borough.

81% agreed with the Strategy’s overall aim “That we have a sustainably managed and protected and diverse tree population with sufficient canopy cover to benefit and meet the needs of all who live, work in, and visit Wrexham County Borough”.

81% thought that the Strategy’s objectives will ensure the Strategy’s aim is achieved.

94% thought that we are right to take a modern approach to tree management where the whole tree population is managed as essential infrastructure and where we focus on overall canopy cover, population structure and diversity.

53% thought that the Council should only prune trees when they are touching property or causing an obstruction.

The new Tree & Woodland Strategy adopted in February 2016, includes an action plan to –

Increase in tree canopy cover in urban areas to 20% by 2026, using a diverse range of tree species.

• Target areas of lowest tree cover for increase in tree planting.
• Review and improve tree protection process (TPO’s).
• Integrate tree strategy goals into new Local Development Plan.
• Encourage greater community engagement in the care of trees and improve understanding of value of trees.

Policies have also been put in place to ensure that the Council manages its own trees and woodlands in accordance with best practice.

To collect feedback from customers from four different leisure facilities; Gwyn Evans, Waterworld, Chirk and Queensway.

This is an opportunity for the people of Wrexham to have their say regarding the LSB's new Tackling Poverty Strategy.