Archive Council News

18.01.06

Executive Board takes decision on Big Screen

Following a discussion at the Executive Board yesterday (Tuesday) members agreed not to proceed with the erection of a big screen on Queens Square.

The collaboration between the BBC, Phillips and Wrexham County Borough Council proposed that the screen be installed on Queens Square and provide a mixture of live and local information, 24 hours a day. The scheme was given planning permission in September 2005.

During the debate members felt that in light of the Council’s current financial situation and the budget pressures being faced by front-line services, the cost of the screen was too great for Wrexham Council in the current climate. The pressure on the Council’s budget to fund the project was £225,000 over three years. It was felt by those members present that the £225,000 should be invested in front-line services during the three year period. Members recognised that there were benefits to the scheme but the cost of those benefits were too great for Wrexham Council at the moment.

Leader of Wrexham County Borough Council, Cllr Aled Roberts said: “The Council has an excellent working relationship with the BBC and whilst we all recognise the merits of having the only Big Screen in Wales, the timing was just not right for Wrexham. Members have to make some very difficult decisions on next year’s budget after we received the lowest financial settlement from the Assembly. Last year the Council worked in conjunction with the BBC to broadcast the Live 8 concert on to a temporary screen in Queens Square that proved very popular. Members felt that this was very successful and would like to see one-off events of this nature hosted again in the town in the future, budgets permitting.”