Yesterday, I wrote to the Chief Executive of Wrexham Council to pass on your opinions of how to spend the £22m from the Shared Prosperity Fund.
See the letter below:
Dear Ian Bancroft
RE: Shared Prosperity Fund Community Consultation
Following our meeting last Monday, as promised, I am sending you a summary of the suggestions, that I have received after consulting businesses and residents on how the £22m Shared Prosperity Funding should be spent in Wrexham.
I am still gathering suggestions, via my online survey and I will keep you informed regularly with anymore that I receive. So far, the list in order of frequency is below:
- Reduce the number of empty shops (eg by reduction in/subsidy of business rates to encourage business to take up empty premises) which would also create employment and footfall in Wrexham
- More entertainment spaces for children and tourists (such as play areas, open markets or theatres)
- Parking initiatives to incentivise visitors (eg free parking/reduces charges/parking permits for those working in the centre/ parking incentives with shopping)
- Public Toilets/ disability accessible public toilets
- Use of/ improvements to specific buildings eg putting a roof on Eagles Meadow providing a year-round venue, improving the ceiling and flooring in Central Arcade, “utilise the Grove School site by creating a rehabilitation centre and purpose-built homeless shelter” and compulsory purchase of chapter court development to finish the project (NB, if you could provide a separate update on the progress of the Chapter Court development that would be appreciated).
- Improve general transport links and connectivity – rail links, road (including filling potholes) and “link between Eagles Meadow, High Street, Plas Coch and Wrexham AFC to make the city less disjointed”
- Specific events such as working with charity shops to put on a fashion show.
- “Restoring and improving the Centotaph and public information boards”
- Supporting landlords to improve their properties for private renters
I know we are equally enthusiastic about the opportunity that this UK Government funding can bring to Wrexham and we both agree that residents should be at the heart of the decision-making process, so I am pleased to be working so closely on this together, for the betterment of Wrexham.
Yours sincerely
Sarah Atherton MP
Member of Parliament for Wrexham
