Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Broughton Community Council
on Wednesday 10 May 2023
Members
Councillor N. Williams
Cllr S. Feely
Councillor G. Davies* Councillor C Lovett
Councillor Mrs B. Parry-Jones* Councillor N. Davies
Councillor T. Alan Edwards Councillor A. Lovett
Councillor Mrs S. Williams Councillor C. Williams
Councillor Mrs E. Jones* Councillor K. Robinson
Cllr K. Jones Councillor J. Pettigrew
Councillor T. Williams Councillor J. Williams
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
A apologies were received from Cllrs. E. Jones, B. Parry-Jones and G. Davies The apologies were accepted.
2.DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST – None
- CHAIR’S ALLOWANCE
It was agreed that the Chair be paid an allowance of £300 for the coming year.
- APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR
It was agreed that Cllr. Sue Feely be elected as Chair for the coming year.
- APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIR
It was agreed that Cllr. Keith Jones Vice Chair for the coming year.
- MEMBER ALLOWANCES
The Clerk informed Members that the Independent Remuneration Panel had recommended a Member salary of £156 for the coming year. He circulated a letter to each Member, asking them to notify him if they did not wish to claim the allowance. If he had not received a response by the next meeting he would assume that they wished to claim the allowance and would put the appropriate arrangements in place.
- DATES, VENUES AND TIMES OF MEETINGS 20232/24
The Clerk presented a list of the above for the coming year. He pointed out that no meeting had been scheduled for August.
Members agreed the schedule, which would be displayed on the Memorial Hall Notice Board and on the Community Council’s website.
Given that the Caretaker at the Memorial Hall was only paid until 9.30 pm and the regular late finishing times it was suggested that meeting should commence earlier.
It was agreed that the starting time for the June meeting should remain as 7pm, but that it be further reviewed.
- APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES TO WORKING GROUPS/ OUTSIDE BODIES
(i) Brynteg Primary School Governing Body – Cllr. S. Feely
(ii) Ysgol Penrhyn Governing Body – Cllr. C. Lovett
(iii) Black Lane School Governing Body – Vacant
(iv) Broughton Partnership Board
– Cllr. S. Williams
– Cllr. G. Davies
– Cllr. N. Davies
– Cllr. E. Jones
– Cllr. B. Parry-Jones
– Cllr. N. Williams
– Cllr. C. Williams
(v) Brymbo Steel Works Site Liaison
It was unclear whether this group still existed, so it was agreed to delete this group from the appointments list.
(vi) Cemetery Working Group
– Cllr. S. Feely
– Cllr. E. Jones
– Cllr. A. Lovett
– Cllr. N. Williams
– Cllr. G. Davies
– Cllr. C. Williams
– Cllr. B. Parry-Jones
– Cllr. K. Jones
– Cllr. K. Robinson
(vii) Brymbo Heritage Group
– Cllr. S. Williams
– Cllr. G. Davies
– Cllr. B. Parry-Jones
– Cllr. K. Jones
– Cllr. K. Robinson
(viii) Events Working Group – It was agreed to invite all Members to this group.
(ix) Street Lighting Working Group
– Cllr. B. Parry- Jones
– Cllr. C. Lovett
– Cllr. K. Jones
– Cllr. S. Williams
– Cllr. N. Williams
(x) Youth Provision Working Group
– Cllr. B. Parry-Jones
– Cllr. N. Davies
– Cllr. C. Lovett
– Cllr. A. Lovett
– Cllr. S. Williams
– Cllr. T. Williams
– Cllr. N . Williams
– Cllr. J. Williams
– Cllr. J. Pettigrew
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 12 April 2023
The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record.
Matters Arising
Page 1 – PCSO Report
Great concern was expressed that no report had been received and that no PCSO was in attendance. A Member stated that she had only seen a PCSO in attendance once in the twelve months she had been a councillor.
It was agreed that the Clerk contact Sgt. Nathan Harvey, North Wales Police, to express the concerns of Members.
Page 2 – The Youth Provision
The Clerk informed Members that the service was now operational and a Service Level Agreement had been received, although almost immediately it had been recalled by the sender, as there were numerous errors in it.
Page 2 – Community House
An update was given :
- Equipment etc. had been or was to be distributed to various organisations including the three primary schools.
- There is likely to be a financial surplus once outstanding costs and bills were paid.
Page 2 – New Broughton Recreation Ground
Concerns were expressed that the community council could end up with significant costs in terms of grasscutting, pitch marking etc if the lease is handed back to the community council.
In addition it would appear that discussions were taking place between Coedpoeth Football Club and Wrexham CBC over a potential lease without any involvement of the Community Council.
Page 2 – Memorial Park Play Area
The Clerk was asked to chase up progress on the repairs to the play equipment.
Page 3 – Wrexham Citizen’s Advice Outreach Service
The new arrangements were now in place and appeared to be working well.
Page 3 -Bus Services
It was once again emphasised that the Welsh Government Transport Subsidy to Wrexham CBC had been severely reduced and that this was likely to have further major implications on future services.
- FINANCE
Summary of Payments made and Income Received during April 2023
Members agreed the information, with income amounting to £ 52,417.50 and expenditure
Of £ 26,754,37.
Outstanding Invoices for Payment (Copies of Invoices supplied )
Members authorised the Clerk to pay the invoices amounting to £ 2,768.00.
It was agreed that the Clerk be authorised to purchase a new printer up to a value of £ 250.
Cemetery Fees – 2023-24
It was agreed the fees remain at the same level as the previous year, other than the fee for cremated remains burials for non-residents being increased from £600 to £750.
In addition it was suggested that, bearing in mind that a risk assessment and remedial work to potentially unsafe headstones need to be undertaken in the near future, the fee for headstones be increased to create a fund to undertake such work.
It was therefore agreed to increase the headstone fee from £150 to £250.
Such increases to take effect from 1 June 2023.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Alterations to New Bungalow, Coed Efa Lane, New Broughton (P/2023/0219)
– Noted.
Erection of 47 Dwellings on Land South of Berse Road, Caego (P/2023/0221)
Members expressed strong opposition to this application.
It was agreed that councillors would let the Clerk have their comments by Monday 15 May, after which the Clerk would notify Wrexham CBC of the community council’s reasons for their objection to this application.
Proposed 15 Metre H3G Column, Long Lane ,Brynteg (P/2023/0239)
Members expressed deep concern about this application on the grounds :
- That it was visually inappropriate for the location.
- It would be in direct line of site of residential occupiers and tenants.
- There are other, more appropriate locations in the area which would be less intrusive.
The Clerk would notify Wrexham CBC of the community council’s objection.
- PROJECTS
Feedback from Cemetery Working Group
A number of recommendations were made :
- That the metal railings be left in place to separate the existing section and the new section.
- A double concrete step be built to aid access to the cremated remains section.
- That the stone within the centre of the current stone seating structures be removed to allow a wooden benches to be installed.
It was agreed that an application from Mrs. Doyle to place a bench in one of the stone structures be approved.
- Concern was expressed that moss on the paths could create a safety hazard. It was agreed to monitor the situation.
Members agreed the above proposals.
Village Notice Boards
The Clerk stated that he was struggling to find someone to assemble and erect the boards. Members would make enquiries.
In addition permission would be required from Wrexham CBC to site them on its land.
Speed Signs
- The Clerk informed Members that he contacted TWM, the company the signs had been purchased from, for a quote to erect the signs and reconfigure the speed limits as required. He had not yet received a response.
- In terms of the ones purchased from SID Signs, the Clerk had made an appointment with Allington Hughes, Solicitors, in an attempt to recoup the cost of the signs.
- In the meantime it was agreed to request quotes to purchase four additional / replacement signs.
Flag Poles
The Clerk informed Members that planning permission had been sought. However he stated that he thought that it was prudent not to place an order for the flagpoles until such times planning permission was confirmed.
Defibrillators
An order for the additional defibrillator had been placed.
- CORRESPONDENCE
(i) Email from Commonwealth Graves Commission asking if the community council would be interested the community council having signs erected to commemorate two World War 2
graves.
The Clerk would make further enquiries.
(ii) Copy of a Procurement Notice produced by Wrexham CBC in relation to seeking a provider to deliver a Community Agent Service for five community councils – Noted.
- MEMBER REPORTS
- N. Williams once again expressed his concern about the cost of the recent election. He recognised that it was part of the democratic process but felt that it could have been avoided and the monies better spent on other things. It was the first such election that he was aware of in Broughton and set a dangerous precedent for the future.
- A Member proposed that the Community Council subscribe to One Voice Wales. The Clerk informed Members that there was currently an offer for a half price cost for the first year.
It was agreed to join One Voice Wales.
Signed …………………………………… (Chair)
Date ……………………………………………….
