Minutes of the Zoom Meeting of Broughton Community Council
on Monday 11 January 2021
Members
Councillor A Humphreys (Chair)
Councillor Miss N Davies (Vice Chair)*
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 Councillor S Feely
Councillor C Williams
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllrs. N. Davies, B Roxburgh, D Jarvis, L. O’Donnell, F Prince and B. Parry Jones. The apologies were accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
There were no declarations of personal interest.
- PRECEPT – 2021/22
The Clerk Had circulated a report of the agenda papers. The report highlighted three potential options for the precept for the financial year 2021/22, although the Clerk accepted that other options could be considered.
A number of comments were made :
- Some expenditure could be financed from current reserves and balances e.g. hedge cutting at Brynteg Bowling green, a spoil heap at the cemetery etc,
- A need to be prudent, given the current problems many people are facing.
- Tree maintenance is an issue.
- There are likely to be budget pressures to provide services which the county borough council are no longer able to provide.
- Longer term issues such as replacement of lighting columns.
- Consideration needed to be given to further increases in cemetery fees for non-residents.
The Clerk stated that he had received feedback from certain councillors who had not been able to attend the meeting and he shares this with those present.
Members considered the merits of each of the three options.
Agreed :
That the Precept for the Financial Year2021/22 be set at £153,800.
The Clerk would notify the appropriate Officer at Wrexham County Borough Council of the decision by the 15 January 2021 deadline.
- ANY OTHER BUSINESS
(i) The Clerk asked for Member views as to whether to continue with Zoom meetings, until such time that face to face meetings could be resumed. In addition he requested views on whether the Council wished to continue with the free version of Zoom or purchase the business version at a cost of approximately £120 per year. It was suggested the business version could be financed from savings in relation to not paying the office rental invoice.
Agreed :
That the February meeting of the Council be held utilising the free version of Zoom, with further discussion on whether to purchase the business version take place at that meeting.
(ii) The Clerk gave an update in relation to the appointment of a Community Agent. He stated that discussions appeared to have stalled because there could be no guarantees at this as to future, ongoing funding.
(iii) A request had been received for a donation to assist with landscaping an area in
Southsea Cemetery.
Agreed :
That a donation of £200 be made. It should be emphasised that it is a one off donation.
(iv) A request had been received from a concerned member of the public about the replacement of a lighting column on Windsor Road, new Broughton. Members were reminded that BT had removed a light on their pole when it had been renews and would
Not give permission for it to be replaced.
Agreed :
To erect a new column at the previous location to address safety issues
Signed …………………………………… (Chair)
Date ………………………………………………….
