Here's a summary of the Wrexham County Borough Council Executive Board meeting:

The Executive Board convened to discuss a range of issues, including regeneration, employment support, social services, and education. Key decisions included approving a consultation on the Dee Valley Federation of Schools, supporting the Connect to Work programme, and approving the siting of a Welsh Guards Afghanistan Memorial in Wrexham.

• Regent Street Corridor – Land Assembly

  The Executive Board considered a report regarding land assembly in the Regent Street Corridor. A decision was deferred for determination.

• Connect to Work

  The Executive Board agreed in principle to commence the Connect to Work programme within Wrexham and regionally, collaborating with the six local authorities in North Wales. A further report will be submitted within 12 weeks, prior to the mobilisation of delivery activity, to consider Wrexham’s contribution to the Delivery plan, including further detail on risks and opportunities. The Connect to Work programme is a 5-year initiative developed by the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) to reduce economic inactivity, particularly that driven by ill health, and to connect local work, health, and skills support. The Public reports pack states that the programme aims to support 6,700 places a year across Wales, with 1,300 of those in North Wales.

• Social Services Annual Director's Report 2024/25

  The Executive Board approved the Director’s Report for 2024/25 and the improvement priorities for 2025/26 for publication in September 2025, and confirmed support to officers to progress improvement priorities. The annual report is intended to provide a clear picture of the performance of Social Services in Wrexham and fulfil requirements under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014[^2].

  [^2]: The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 is a law about improving the care and support for people who need it, as well as their carers, in Wales. It aims to make sure people's voices are heard and that they get the right help at the right time.

• Welsh Guards Afghanistan Memorial

  The Executive Board approved the siting of a memorial in the Garden of Remembrance, Wrexham, to honour the Welsh Guards who served and sacrificed their lives during operations in Afghanistan, subject to planning permission. The decision was based on the regiment’s historic ties to Wrexham, the absence of a dedicated Welsh Guards Afghanistan public memorial in Wales, and the emotional importance of providing a place of reflection for families and veterans. Funding has already been secured by the Welsh Guards.

• Council Plan - Summary Performance Report 2024/25 and Year 3 Target Setting

  The Executive Board approved the Council Plan Annual Performance Report 2024/25 for publication and supported the Council Plan Performance Management Framework for Year 3 of the Council Plan. The Council Plan sets out six well-being objectives, referred to as council priorities, for the next five years. The Council Plan 2023-28 sets out the council's vision for the future of Wrexham County Borough.

• Managing Attendance Policy and Procedure

  The Executive Board approved the amended Managing Attendance Policy and Procedure and delegated authority to the Head of Service, HR&OD, in consultation with the Lead Member for Corporate and Customer Services, to update the policy where there is a legislative change. The updated policy aims to ensure an efficient, fair, and consistent approach to monitoring absence while supporting employees.

• Proposal to consult on the Dee Valley Federation of Schools

  The Executive Board approved a period of consultation regarding the Dee Valley Federation of Schools, specifically on Options 1 and 2. Option 1 proposes to maintain the status quo, while Option 2 proposes to close Froncysyllte CP with effect from 31 August 2026, or sooner should pupil numbers fall to zero. A further report will be submitted in January 2026 detailing feedback from the consultation. The report Proposal to consult on the Dee Valley Federation of Schools notes that Option 3, to close all three schools in the Dee Valley Federation to create a single, amalgamated school on one site, has been discounted due to a lack of a suitable site.

  The report Proposal to consult on the Dee Valley Federation of Schools states that as of 2025, Froncysyllte CP has 11 pupils and a surplus capacity of 86.90%. Pupil forecasts predict that by 2029/30, the school will have 0 pupils. The report also notes that the average surplus capacity in Wrexham primary schools is 22.1%.

  The report Appendix 3 contains an Integrated Impact Assessment, which considers the impact of the proposals on the well-being of future generations, equality, and other factors. Appendix 4 contains a Welsh Language Impact Assessment, which considers the impact of the proposals on the Welsh language. Appendix 5 contains a Community Impact Assessment, and Appendix 6 contains a Transport Impact Assessment.

• Appointment of Members to the Vacant Seats on Committees, Sub-Committees, Panels and Working Groups

  Group Leaders are to provide the names of the nominated Councillors to fill the vacant seat on the Joint Member/Officer Working Group on the Cost of Living Crisis to the Chief Officer Governance & Customer within three weeks.