Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council on Wednesday 8 November 2023
Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council
on Wednesday 8 November 2023
Members
Councillor S Feely (Chair)
Cllr. K. Jones (Vice Chair)
Councillor C Lovett Councillor Mrs B Parry-Jones *
Councillor N Davies Councillor T Alan Edwards*
Councillor Mrs S Williams Councillor Mrs E Jones *
Councillor C Williams Councillor A Lovett
Councillor T Williams Cllr. J. Pettigrew
Cllr. J. Williams Cllr. N. Williams*
Cllr. K. Robinson* Cllr. F Derbyshire
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllrs. A. Edwards, E. Jones, K. Robinson, B. Parry- Jones and N. Williams. All apologies were accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
There were no Declarations of Personal Interest.
- PCSO REPORT
The Clerk had circulated the report to Members prior to the meeting. It covered the period 1 October to 31 October inclusive.
- Once again no PCSO was able to attend and the report had been submitted late.
- The Clerk informed Members that he had written to Inspector M. Subacchi but had not received a reply. Cllr. C. Lovett would raise the community council’s concerns with the Chief Inspector.
- Many of the incidents in the report were youth related.
- Wherever possible incidents could be reported online. However it was pointed out that not everyone had the ability or facilities to do this.
- A request should be made for a copy of the PCSOs’ working rotas.
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 11 OCTOBER 2023.
The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record.
Matters Arising
Page 2 -Cemetery
- The Clerk had received quotes from the community council’s grasscutting contractor for a number of cemetery related issues.
It was agreed to accept the quote for £360 to level an area in the new section of the cemetery but to put the other jobs on hold for the time being.
- Consideration was given as to whether the railings separating the existing section and the new section should be removed. However, it was felt that there may be a Health and Safety issue if were to be removed as there was a difference in the ground level. In addition if it were removed Members felt that they would need to replace it with another fence, due to this difference in levels. Some Members also felt that monies relating to the cost of removal could be better spent elsewhere.
It was agreed that the existing railings remain in place.
It was also agreed that repairs to the damages sections of the railings should be undertaken.
- A Health and Safety inspection of headstones is required. A discussion took place as to who should meet the cost of any remedial work i.e. the grave owner’s family or the community council. It was pointed out that there may be difficulty in tracing the original purchasers of the plots, as they could have moved house or sadly passed away themselves.
It was agreed that the Clerk make enquiries for someone to undertake the assessment.
- Potential funding for a butterfly garden at the cemetery. Cllr C. Lovett would make enquiries.
- The Clerk informed Members that he had purchased and put up additional “no dog allowed” signs.
Page 3 – Xmas Lighting
The Clerk informed Members that the new Xmas lights, which had been due for delivery by 16 October had not been received, which could result in a delay in our electrical contractor erecting them.
Page 3 – Remembrance Sunday
- The Clerk informed Members that Black Lane School, who were due to do a reading at the service, could not now do it as the school was busy preparing for an inspection. However pupils and staff at Ysgol Penrhyn, New Broughton had stepped in and would be attending instead.
- Members were disappointed that the Army Cadets had not been able to attend Remembrance Sunday.
- Members were also disappointed that they had not been formally informed of a service to be held at the Memorial Gates on Saturday 11 November.
- Sandra Williams Informed other Members that she had replanted the planters in front of the Memorial Gates in readiness for Remembrance Sunday. She also informed Members that refreshments would be available following the service.
- FINANCE
Summary of Payments Made and Income Received during October 2023
Members agreed the payments and income amounting to £ 27,484.08 and £ 250.00 respectively.
SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE – OCTOBER 2023
(Payments inc. VAT where Applicable)
Income –
| Date | Payee | Method of Payment
|
Amount
|
| 11 Oct 2023 | Mossfords Ltd (Headstone) | CR | 250.00 |
| TOTAL 250.00 | |||
Expenditure
| Date | Payer | Method of Payment
|
Amount
£ |
| 2 Oct 2023 | AVOW (October Salaries) | BACS | 2,574.84 |
| 2 Oct 2023 | Salix Finance (LED Lighting Loan Repayment) | DD | 8,010.69 |
| 13 Oct 2023 | Wrexham CAB (Outreach Service – Quarter 1 &2 ) | BACS | 4,500.00 |
| 13 Oct 2023 | Stephen Price Memorials (Bench Pillar Removal) | BACS | 72.00 |
| 13 Oct 2023 | Mega Electrical (Replacement of 2 Concrete lamp Columns) | BACS | 3,600.00 |
| 13 Oct 2023 | Southern Asset Management (Lamp Column Structural Testing) | BACS | 4,500.00 |
| 13 Oct 2023 | Lee Dunmer (Grass & Hedge Cutting) | BACS | 2,460.00 |
| 16 Oct 2023 | Bellis Bros (Plants – Env. Budget) | BACS | 129.58 |
| 16 Oct 2023 | B & Q (Plants – Env. Budget) | BACS | 110.00 |
| 17 Oct 2023 | SSE (September Energy Costs) | DD | 1,375.59 |
| 17 Oct 2023 | Amazon (Litter Pickers – Env. Budget) | Visa | 47.98 |
| 17 Oct 2023 | The Range (Plants – Env. Budget) | Visa | 48.00 |
| 24 Oct 2023 | The Sign Shed (No Dogs Allowed Signs for Cemetery) | Visa | 24.79 |
| 25 Oct 2023 | HSBC – Bank Charges | CHG | 5.00 |
| 25 Oct 2023 | Screwfix (Cable Ties for Poppies) | Visa | 10.02 |
| 25 Oct 2023 | Zoom ( Webcasting Subscription) | Visa | 15.59 |
| TOTAL 27,484.08 | |||
Bank Balances at 31 October 2023 :
Business Account : £ 176,449.36
Deposit Account : £ 114,030.91
Total : £ 290,480.27
Members approved the following invoices to be paid amounting to £ £ 14,875.06
INVOICES FOR AUTHORISATION
NOVEMBER 2023 MEETING
26 Sept 2023 Hafren Dyfrdwy – 2nd Instalment –
Cemetery Water £ 136.16
30 Sept 2023 Mega Electrical – Electrical Fault Repairs –
April to September 2023 £ 1,463.24
30 Sept 2023 Mega Electrical – Annual Inspection
& Testing of Street Lighting Columns £ 11,835.66
6 Nov 2023 Lee C Dunmer – Grasscutting
– 24/25 Oct & 4/5 Nov £1,440.00
TOTAL £ 14,875.06
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
13 Windsor Road, New Broughton – Change of Use from Garage to Beauty Salon
A number of concerns relating to the above application were raised :
- It could lead to increased parking and congestion issues on Chapel Road, where there were already problems.
- The fact that it would be open late into the evening.
- Potential disruption to neighbours and neighbouring properties.
The Clerk was requested to express these concerns to Wrexham CBC.
Page 4
Old Tollgate House. Lodge, – Single Story Rear Extension
Members had no issues with the application.
- CORRESPONDENCE
- Invitation to the Wrexham Area Civic Society Annual Awards – Noted.
- Request from Air Ambulance Wales for a financial donation
It was agreed to donate £500.
- MEMBER REPORTS
- Concerns about parking issues on Chapel Road and Weston Road. A number of comments and suggestions were made :
- Problems with refuse vehicles unable to gaining access to the unadopted road and therefore unable to empty bins.
- Feasibility of making them one way.
- Could yellow lines be installed at the junction of Chapel Road and the unadopted road for rear access to Weston Road and Windsor Road. Similarly with the Bersham Road junction with the unadopted road.
- Marks and Spencer were relocating to the Plas Coch Retail Park from 1 December 2023. Efforts were therefore continuing to reinstate the 12A Brymbo bus service to call at the retail park.
- A need to publicise on the community council’s website exactly what services the community council provides.
- Concerns were again expressed about the drainage issues on Berse Road, New Broughton. Cllr. C. Lovett was attempting to resolve it.
- Concern about the need to undertake a survey of trees.
It was agreed that this issue be put on a future agenda in the new year.
- A question as to what is the current position with the use of New Broughton Recreation ground.
- It was agreed that a Carol Service at Southsea Church be supported by the community council. However, no carol service will be arranged this year at Brynteg Memorial Hall.
Signed …………………………………… (Chair)
Date …………………………
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Broughton Community Council on Wednesday 10 May 2023
on Wednesday 10 May 2023