Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council
Held at the Brynteg Memorial Hall on Wednesday 15 December 2021
Members
Councillor N Williams (Chair)
*Councillor A Lovett (Vice Chair)
Councillor A Humphreys *Cllr N Davies
*Councillor G Davies Councillor L O’Donnell
Councillor B Parry-Jones *Councillor F Prince
*Councillor T Alan Edwards Councillor S Williams
Councillor B Roxburgh Councillor S Feely
*Councillor D Jarvis Councillor C Williams
Councillor E Jones Councillor C Lovett
*Absent
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE / PERSONAL MATTERS
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. A. Lovett, G. Davies. N. Davies, A. Edwards, F. Prince and D. Jarvis All apologies were accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
There were no Declarations of Personal Interest.
- MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 13 OCTOBER 2021
The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record.
Matters Arising
Page 2 -Defibrillators
Awaiting delivery of the defibrillators for Ysgol Penrhyn and Black Lane School, together with the lamppost case and fittings for Black Lane.
Page 3 -_Gwalia Place
The Clerk informed Members that he had not yet received a response to the questions put to Wrexham Council about the site. In addition it was suggested that the car park may be “unadopted”.
The Clerk would again contact WCBC for a response and enquire about the status of the car park.
Members were also informed that potholes had been filled, both at Gwalia Place and the cemetery car park.
The Clerk informed Members that three quotes had been received for resurfacing both the cemetery car park and Gwalia Place.
Members decided that no decision could be made until a response was received from WCBC in relation to Gwalia Place.
Page 2 – Street Lighting – New Road, Lodge.
A petition was handed in to support the establishment of solar powered street lighting along that stretch of road.
However some Members felt that, as only one side of the road fell within the boundaries of Broughton Community Council, Brymbo Community Council should be asked for their views in terms of the need for lighting and in terms of a contribution to funding.
The Clerk would contact Brymbo Community Council.
Page 3 – Xmas Lighting
Members were informed of the problems with the recent storms.
The Clerk informed Members that he had been in touch with the Council’s insurers to make sure that adequate cover was in place in terms of both the motifs themselves and public liability.
He had taken out addition insurance to cover the cost of damaged motifs.
Page 3 – Speed Signs
The Clerk would ensure that orders for the above were in place to guard against any price increases from 1 January 2022.
Page 3 – Youth Provision
This to scheduled as an agenda item for the January 2022 meeting.
Page 3 – Cemetery
The Clerk informed Members that he was finding it difficult to identify potential contractors for the external painting of both the Cemetery and Brynteg Memorial gates.
A similar issue related to the repair of the stone pillars and plaques.
at the cemetery. No contractors had yet come back with a quote.
He would chase them up in the New Year.
The Clerk would also attempt to get quotes for the installation of a handrail for the path adjacent to the cremated remain section of the cemetery.
Page 4 – Planning Applications
Members were informed that no further progress had been received in relation to the Gatewen, New Broughton site.
- FINANCE
Payments made and Income received (October and November 2021)
The Clerk highlighted difficulties in obtaining prior Member approval for payment authorisation when no monthly meetings are held. In addition he distributed a revised list of payments for authorisation which had been received since the agenda papers were printed and circulated. Copies of the relevant invoices were available for scrutiny. Members agree the list.
Members also agreed the payments made and income received for the above period.
Members felt that the Financial Regulations should be updated to give the Chair and Vice Chair delegated powers to authorise such payments where no meetings were scheduled. with details then being presented to the next council meeting.
The Clerk would present an updated set of Financial Regulations and Standing Orders to address both this and the Auditor’s recommendations to the next meeting.
Budget Monitoring Report – April to September 2021
This report was originally due to be presented to Council at the cancelled November meeting.
The Clerk went through the report, highlighting the areas of income and expenditure during the period. He also highlighted that whilst balances appear to have reduced compared to the previous year, in real terms they had increased as the previous year’s contained monies owed for the LED lighting conversion which had now been paid.
Members thanked the Clerk for the report and agreed its content.
Precept Report
The Clerk presented the above report, which was intended to assist Members in agreeing the precept levels for 2022/23. He also referred Members to the comments he had made in the previous report as to the current level of balances.
Members considered the report and discussed funding for the coming year, particularly in terms of a number of potential projects / areas of anticipated expenditure :
- An additional environmental budget of £2,000, specifically for the cemetery.
- An increase to £2000 from £1500 for the ward specific Environmental budgets.
- The cost of an increase in the number of cuts at the cemetery.
- The possibility of incurring costs in the region of £4000 to cut and maintain community council land at New Broughton Recreation Ground, should Wrexham County Borough Council stop maintaining it.
- A budget of £10,000 for events in relation to the Queen’s Jubilee
- The creation of allotments in the community.
- A Skate Park on the Tennis Court area at Brynteg.
- The purchase of Village signs for the four wards.
- A Xmas Light Switch on event at Brynteg Memorial Hall.
It was therefore agreed to increase the precept by 2% on the previous year’s figure. i.e. £156,876.
Staff Pay / Performance Review
Cemetery Assistant
The Clerk reminded Members that the Cemetery Assistant was currently paid a monthly amount. He also reminded Members that the Cemetery Assistant had recently been awarded a £100 per month increase for additional duties .
The Chair had held discussions with the Vice Chai and it was suggested that the Cemetery Assistant’s salary be equated to the nearest spinal point on the NJC salary spinal points i.e. Spinal Point 9, pay award pending.
Members agree to this proposal.
Clerk / Responsible Finance Officer
At this stage the Clerk left the meeting.
Given additional duties now undertaken by the Clerk since taking up his post it was agreed that the Clerk ‘s salary be advanced to Spinal Point 28, pay award pending.
Review of Financial Regulations
It was agreed that this issue be deferred (refer to page 2 above).
- REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY REVIEW
- Roberts Bros., Funeral Directors were thanked for providing a sound system and their offer to provide similar for future years.
- It was agreed that the donation to the Royal British Legion be rounded up to £100.
- Phil Coops and Ms. Cathryn O’Onion be thanked for their assistance in organising the event and a gift equating to £25 each be purchased.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
12 Blacklane Road, Pentre Broughton
Members supported the application.
- CORRESPONDENCE
(i) Pentre Broughton Bowling Club – Request for financial support.
The Council agreed to give permission for sponsored advertising boards to be erected around the perimeter of the bowling green, on condition that there is no cost to the council.
In addition, given that the community council have made a financial saving with the bowling club now paying for the maintenance of the green, it was agreed to make a donation of £200, with a further £50 for the purchase of a green bin, via WCBC, for green waste to be collected and recycled.
(ii) Details from the Welsh Government in respect of changes to the rules for local elections in May 2022 – Noted.
Page 4
(iii) Letter from WCBC informing the community council of potential election costs should an election be required – Noted.
(iv) Email from Paula Hayward (WCBC) that she will need to consult with other Officers in relation to the community council’s questions relating to Gwalia Place (refer also to Page 1 above).
(v) Letter from WCBC re. the Section 137 Expenditure Limit for 2022/23 when setting the precept – Noted.
(vi) Letter from WCBC setting out the precept payment schedule and 2022/23 tax base – noted.
(vii) Email from Carla Hughes, WCBC, informing the community council that a successful grant application has be made for the Brynteg Play Area surface to be renewed – Noted.
(viii) Letter from WCBC asking for the community council’s consent to sublet Room 3 at Brynteg Memorial Hall as per lease agreement.
Members agreed to the request.
(ix) Letter from Simon Baynes MP thanking the council for the invitation to attend the Remembrance Service and complimenting the council on its organisation of the event.
Signed ………………………………..
Date …………………………………….
