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This page is a news release published by Wrexham County Borough Council.
Content Author: pressoffice@wrexham.gov.uk

02.03.05

Uncovering the work of a Council

Press Release from BBC Cymru Wales:

The Council We all know that local authorities play a big part in our lives. They collect our rubbish in the early hours; they're responsible for our schools; they provide leisure centres for our towns and picnic areas for our countryside. But do we really know the length and breadth of a council's work?

This week sees the beginning of a brand new series, following the work of Wrexham County Borough Council. The Council (Monday, March 7, BBC 2W - only via Digital / Sky) takes viewers on a fascinating journey through the challenges facing a council such as Wrexham's.

The biggest town in the area, Wrexham is widely regarded as the capital of north Wales. Wrexham County Borough has a total population of 129,300 and its council is responsible for, among other things, education, housing, social services, planning and transport.

The Series producer and director is Llinos Wynne, and it's not the first time she's worked on a series of this nature. Two years ago she produced a series about Gwynedd County Council, the first time a council in Wales had opened its doors to TV cameras.

"The first series got a great response," she says. "It highlighted the range of work local authorities have to deal with. You tend to hear the negative side of council work, the criticism, and I think this series gives a true picture of the challenges facing them and the work they do."

Having been brought up in Mold, Llinos thought Wrexham would be familiar territory.

"I thought I knew Wrexham," she says. "I even taught here for a year, but I was pleasantly surprised at the change in the town itself. There are nice public spaces in the town centre and the shops are better than ever. There is a real drive, spearheaded by Wrexham County Borough Council, to continually improve the town and surrounding area.

"The council is responsible for so many innovative, positive and far-reaching schemes and programmes and we hope to highlight some of those. Producing this series and working with the council has been great. I hope that the series goes some way towards explaining the breadth of council work. There was definitely no shortage of stories or people willing to take part."

"This is a great opportunity for members of the public to see the sort of work that a council like Wrexham carries out on a daily basis," says Chief Executive of Wrexham County Borough Council, Isobel Garner.

"We have excellent staff working for us, who are very often our unsung heroes and now viewers will be able to see for themselves the sorts of problems and issues they tackle on a daily basis. I hope it has given people the chance to see the hard work and efforts staff put in to try and make Wrexham County Borough a better place for us all to live."

The series is narrated by Adam Walton, familiar to many as presenter of BBC Radio Wales's Mousemat and Adam Walton's Magical Mystery Tour, who's from Nannerch near Mold.

The first in the four-part series looks at the effort that goes into keeping the county clean and green. In episode one of The Council, the first stop is with the council refuse workers. It's the first week of Wrexham's recycling scheme in Llay, and the officers are all enthusiastic about the value of the scheme. But many of the residents are confused.

Howard Horne, Pest Control Officer at Wrexham County Borough Council

Jane Rhys Jones, Refuse Collector at Wrexham County Borough Council

For refuse collector Jane Rhys Jones, the only council 'binwoman', the job has a very positive side-effect.

"I've lost over 10 pounds in weight in seven weeks!" she says. "I've said to all my friends and they all want to come and join now! It's better than Weight Watchers they reckon!"

Spraying fleas and killing rats is not many people's idea of a dream job, but pest control officer Howard Horne loves his job.

"I absolutely love it," he explains enthusiastically. "Everybody's always pleased to see me. I'm solving a problem for people, and it gives me great satisfaction. It's a fantastic job. And I've met some lovely people. I think people should realise it's the council they should ring if they have any pest problems."

Meanwhile, tenancy support worker Melanie Savage is arranging for cleaners to give a tenant a hand. Having lived rough on the streets for years, Jack Smith is clearly having trouble adjusting.

"I don't spend a lot of time here. If I can get out, I'll get out," he says, "and come back when I want to. I'll tell you the honest truth now - I enjoyed it better when I lived under a tree."

The Council, Monday, March 7, BBC 2W, 9pm (via Digital / Sky)

The Council

In this series, BBC Wales follows the real day-to-day work of Wrexham's local authority. From educating teenage mothers to pest control, it's eye-opening television. Other programmes in the series:

The Council, March 14, BBC 2W, 9pm (via Digital / Sky)

One of the largest council estates in Wales is Caia Park, the focus of this programme. It's the largest and oldest housing estate in Wrexham. Out of 5,000 properties, the council owns half the estate. Having faced recent disturbances, the people of Caia and the council are working hard to improve the place for its residents. But there are always a few who cause problems, from rent arrears and neglected properties, to abandonment and eviction. It's all in a days work for the council workers.

The Council, March 21, BBC 2W, 9pm (via Digital / Sky)

One in four people in the county of Wrexham is under 18 and Wrexham County Borough Council is doing some pioneering work to raise the aspirations of its young people. One such project is CYFLE, which offers full time education and free childcare to teenage mothers and mothers-to-be. Without this unit, many teenage mums would not stay on in full time education. Another common problem, not unique to Wrexham, is truancy. We see how the council's street patrols are making a real impact. The programme also looks at Hafod y Wern School. Three years ago, this was a failing school. But today, under a new head teacher, it celebrates success and awards for the quality of its education.

The Council, March 29, BBC 2W, 9pm (via Digital / Sky)

This programme takes a closer look at Isobel Garner, Chief Executive of Wrexham County Borough Council. She is one of the few female Chief Executives in Wales and one of the youngest. Her 6,000 members of staff face challenging issues on a daily basis. This programme follows homeless officers as they deal with asylum seekers and newly released prisoners. Also in the programme, the continuing drive for regeneration in Wrexham.

The Council

Production co-ordinator Mair Verrall
Producer and Director Llinos Wynne
Executive Producer Marian Wyn Jones

Quotes about The Council

Clare Hudson, Head of English Programmes, BBC Wales

"I am very pleased to be launching this series. Wrexham is the biggest town in North Wales and is really important to us - as was borne out when we came here for BBC Children In Need in November. We currently have a series about Rhyl police on the air - and with our community strategy focussing on Denbigh in the next few months, this means that North Wales is really at the forefront of our output. What matters most of all though is that this series about the council is gripping television which will open people's eyes about the work of this important local authority."

Isobel Garner, Chief Executive of Wrexham County Borough Council

"We were pleased to work with BBC Wales on this project and to tell people that there was more to the council than minutes and meetings. It's all about providing quality services and delivering just what matters to our residents. I'm sure there will be some very entertaining and interesting moments in the programme that will stir debate inside and outside the council."

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