Wrexham FC fans seek talks to buy club and stadium

Wrexham FC Racecourse stadium

WREXHAM football fans last night gave the go-ahead for negotiations to start over a possible purchase of the club.

Members of Wrexham Supporters Trust want their officers to open meaningful talks with club chairman Ian Roberts.

If their talks are successful, they are likely to adopt the model of existing supporter-owned clubs.

The Trust was told in April by parent company Wrexham Village that the fans could buy Wrexham FC for £1, but that the price would rise to £2m if the Racecourse Stadium was to be included in the sale.

Rail price rises 'could increase traffic jams' in North Wales

Gresford train

INFLATION-busting rises in rail fares could hit tourism trips to North Wales while increasing road congestion, it was claimed yesterday.

Under the pricing system, the cost of train tickets goes up by 1% more than the July retail price index – a measure of inflation. Last month’s RPI, which will be announced today, is expected to be around 5.1%, forcing prices up by 6.1%.

Passengers would be hit in the pocket although a possible scrapping of the formula could pave the way for even bigger rises.

Top North Wales Police cop assaulted on return to beat

Ian Shannon

THE deputy chief constable of North Wales police was kicked by a drunk ASBO thug hours after the man was released from prison.

Richard Wyn Davies assaulted deputy chief con Ian Shannon after a launching foul mouthed tirade in Llandudno, last Friday the 13th.

It means Davies, 39, has now breached an Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) against him a staggering 26 times.

Yesterday Davies, of Abbey Road, Llandudno, also admitted racially-aggravated disorderly behaviour, after he made a racist comment to a black PC.

Davies, 39, admitted breaching an ASBO by being drunk in public and using foul language then assaulting Mr Shannon.

NHS in Wales faces extra £20m tax bill

THE Welsh NHS will face an extra tax bill of £20m next year as a result of the Government’s 20% VAT rate, it emerged yesterday.

The Welsh Assembly Government revealed that revenue budgets in the health service would be hit by £13.2m, while the building programme would cost £7.5m more in VAT.

Vale of Clwyd Labour AM Ann Jones accused the UK coalition government of “slashing public services in such a deceptive and callous way”.

Mrs Jones had sought details on the implications of the VAT rise from 17.5% to 20% from January next year.

The Assembly Government response stated: “NHS Wales organisations have estimated the full year impact on revenue budgets arising from the VAT increase from 17.5% to 20% announced in the UK Budget on June 22 to be £13.2m.