Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Broughton Community Council
Held at the Brymbo Sports and Social Club
on Wednesday 26 August 2020
Members
Councillor A Humphreys (Chair)
Councillor Miss N Davies Councillor S Feely
Councillor G Davies Councillor Mrs L O’Donnell
Councillor Mrs B Parry-Jones Councillor F Prince
Councillor T Alan Edwards Councillor N Williams
Councillor Mrs B Roxburgh Councillor Mrs S Williams
Councillor D Jarvis Councillor a Lovett
*Councillor Mrs E Jones
*Absent
- APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR
Councillor A. Humphreys was appointed as Chair for the until the next Annual Meeting in May 2021.Cllr. B Parry-Jones requested that it be minuted that she had no confidence in the Chair.
- APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIR
Councillor N. Davies was appointed as Vice Chair.
- COMMUNITY COUNCIL VACANCIES
The Clerk informed Members that the vacancy in the Gwenfro Ward had been advertised but there were no applications. In addition, the former Vice Chair had resigned so there was now also a vacancy in the Brynteg Ward.
Members asked the Clerk to prepare and advertise the required notices.
The Clerk asked to thank ex-councillor Sarah Hughes for her service.
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr. E Jones had submitted apologies. This was accepted by Members.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
There were no declarations of personal interest.
- CHAIR’S ALLOWANCE
It was resolved that the Chair be paid an allowance of £200 for the coming year.
- DATES, TIMES AND VENUES OF MEETINGS 2020/21
The Clerk had provided a list of proposed dates and venues up to and including May 2021. These details were agreed.
- APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES
It was resolved that the following Members serve on the undermentioned outside bodies :
Brynteg Primary School Governing Body – Vacant
Ysgol Penrhyn New Broughton Governing Body – Councillor F. Prince
Black Lane County Primary School – Councillor B. Roxburgh
Broughton Partnership Board – Councillor L. O’Donnell
– Councillor S. Williams
– Councillor B. Roxburgh
– Councillor G. Davies
Brymbo Steelworks Site Liaison – Councillor B. Roxburgh
– Councillor F. Prince
Cemetery Working Group – Councillor E. Jones
– Councillor D. Jarvis
– Councillor F. Prince
– Councillor B. Roxburgh
– Councillor N. Williams
Brymbo Heritage Group – Councillor S. Williams
– Councillor B. Roxburgh
– Councillor N. Williams
– Councillor G. Davies
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 11 MARCH 2020 AND 22 MARCH 2020.
The minutes of the meetings were accepted as a true and accurate record.
- MATTERS ARISING
11 March 2020
Page 2 – Lodge Community Centre
The Community Council did not currently have a key for the Centre as Wrexham CBC had possession of the one which the community council has paid for.
Councillors queried as to what WCBC’s role was in relation to the Centre, given that running costs were now shared between Brymbo and Broughton Community Councils.
Councillors were informed that Brymbo Heritage would wish to take over the Centre and had money to invest, but progress in relation to this matter appeared to being delayed by WCBC.
Cllr B. Parry-Jones would speak to the appropriate Officers at WCBC to enquire as to the various responsibilities of WCBC and the two community council in relation to the Centre.
There were no matters arising from the meeting held on 22 March 2020.
- CONSIDERATION OF THE FINAL ACCOUNTS REPORT FOR 2019/20
Copies of the Final Accounts Report including supporting notes had been circulated as part of the agenda papers. The Clerk pointed out that, given the Covid crisis, the Internal Auditor had completed the audit prior to the accounts being approved my Members. The Clerk stated that a small amendment had been made to the accounts submitted to the internal auditor upon her recommendation.
He highlighted that the overall balances had fallen significantly during the year, partly due to the cost of completing the cemetery expansion project and the requirement to remove trees at the cemetery for safety reasons. The Clerk highlighted his concerns that the Council did not currently appear to have a Tree Management Strategy or a dedicated budget for issues such as occurred at the cemetery, which could impact on insurance cover.
In addition, concern was expressed as to whether the council had adequate insurance cover in relation to the Memorial Gates at Brynteg.
It was agreed that this matter be scheduled, as a matter of urgency for a future meeting.
Members agreed that the report be approved.
- CONSIDERATION OF THE INTERNAL AUDITOR’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2019/20
A copy of the Auditor’s Report had been circulated as part of the agenda papers.
As stated above the auditor had suggested a small amendment to the Final Accounts, which the Clerk had made.
The Clerk had prepared actions against each recommendation.
The report was noted and the suggested actions agreed.
- FINANCE
The Clerk had provided a list of payments made and income received since the meeting on 11 March 2020. The payments had been made under the delegated powers given at the meeting on 22 March 2020.
Members agreed the payments made and income received.
- DETAILS OF DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER THE DELEGATED POWERS GIVEN AT THE MEETING ON 22 MARCH 2020
The Clerk had provided a list of decisions taken under the delegated powers. He reminded Members that they had been consulted on each issue prior to the decision being taken.
- MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS / ANY OTHER BUSINESS
(i) The Council had received invoices from the Wrexham Citizen’s Advice Bureau(CAB) for the period April to September 2020. The invoices were for the face to face outreach service provided each week at Community House. Unfortunately, due to the Covid restrictions, this service had not been provided, instead the CAB had been providing a service by email and telephone.
The Clerk pointed out that Members had previously agreed in principle to pay the invoices, but this based on an agreement that the service would resume in August, which was not the case. It now appeared that the service would not resume until October at the earliest, by which time the invoice for Quarter 3 would be due.
The following points were raised :
- The service provided during the period was not the one agreed and appeared to be what any community in the County Borough would receive, regardless of whether they paid the additional monies or not.
- There was a danger that, if the invoices were not paid, it could jeopardise the future of the service.
It was agreed not to pay the invoices in full, as the agreed service had not been provided. However, a payment of £1000 was agreed, on the basis that no further monies would be paid until the service at Community House was resumed.
(ii) Carla Hughes, WCBC, had requested clarification as to what type of base was preferred for the new play area at Broughton Heights i.e. wet pour or grass. The cost of this would be funded from Section 106 monies, whichever option was chosen. However, as wet pour is more expensive, there would be less monies available for equipment. On the other hand, although grass is the cheaper option, there would be an ongoing cost for grasscutting.
Members felt that they required more information before deciding.
The Clerk would contact WCBC.
(iii) Cllr. Nigel Williams said the clean-up and planting work in the Southsea ward, funded from the environmental budget, had been well received.
(iv) Cllr. Beverley Parry-Jones informed Members that Enforcement Notices had been served on a site in Southsea.
(v) A discussion took place as to what, if any, further work could be undertaken to remedy the drainage issues at the Southsea Play Area. Views were expressed that it is not worth going to any more expense due to lack of usage and drainage problems. However, others felt that usage may be improved if a path were to be installed
It was agreed to commission work to install a hardcore footpath at a cost of up to £600.
(vi) Members had been informed that an offer had been made by WCBC for funding for a community agent to work 16 hours per week in the Broughton community. The Clerk had been informed that managing the agent would require about 4 hours per month of his time, which he was willing to undertake.
It was agreed that the Clerk contact WCBC to progress the issue.
(vii) Phone numbers of the two PCSOs would be circulated to Members.
(viii) It was agreed to allocate £200 to purchase tools and equipment to assist in clean up days etc. The tools would be available for all councillors to use.
(ix) A Member expressed concern that the area around the Caego bus stop was overgrown and dangerous.
WCBC be asked to address the issue.
(x) it was agreed that a small group of Members meet to discuss arrangements for Remembrance Sunday and report back to Council. In the meantime, it was agreed to purchase a wreath from the Royal British Legion.
(xi) Castletown Road has been closed off to traffic.
(xii) Some members of the public had been receiving abuse along a footpath in Southsea – Noted.
Signed …………………………………… (Chair)
Date ………………………………………………….
