Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council
Held at the Brymbo Sports and Social Club
on Wednesday 9 June 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. G Davies and E. Jones. Both apologies were accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
Cllr. A Lovett declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to the potential councillor vacancy.
- COUNCIL VACANCY
A written application had been received to fill the vacancy in the Brynteg Ward. Members considered the application.
Cllr A Lovett declared an interest and left the meeting.
It was agreed that Mrs. Claire Lovett be appointed to fill the vacancy.
- MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 12 MAY 2021
The minutes of the meeting of 12 May 2021 were confirmed as a true record.
Matters Arising
Page 1, para 65 – The Clerk informed Members that the Memorial Hall was now open and available for meetings.
It was agreed to continue to hold meetings at Brymbo Sports and Social Club for the time being and review the situation in September.
Page 2 -Governor Vacancy
The Clerk stated that he had received an email from the Clerk of Black Lane School Governing Body, requesting a nomination for a community council governor. Cllr. Roxburgh confirmed that she had resigned as the community council governor for the Black Lane CP School.
It was agreed that Cllr. A. Humphreys be appointed to replace her.
Page 2 – Working Groups – Clarification was requested on the wording of the final paragraph. The Clerk explained that funding and budget decisions were the responsibility of Full Council on such issues as Xmas Lighting, Defibrillators etc , but could delegate such decisions in relation to location to each group of ward councillors.
Page 3 – Cemetery – The Clerk informed Members that he had now received two quotes for the landscaping of the rough area at the cemetery.
Members agreed to accept the lower quote at a cost of £2,400 + VAT.
Page 3- Caravan Site, Southsea – A meeting with the Planning Department was awaited.
Page 3 – Planters – The Clerk reminded Members that decisions relating to the Environmental Budgets had been delegated to the councillors for a particular ward, subject to them not exceeding the agreed annual budget.
The New Broughton councillors agreed to purchase five planters of the type previously purchased for the Brynteg and Bryn Cefn wards.
Page 3 – Remembrance Sunday
It was agreed to add Cllrs. B. Parry- Jones and C. Williams to the group of volunteers.
In addition it was agreed to purchase an additional Remembrance wreath for the Southsea Cenotaph.
It was agreed that Members meet on 23 June 2021 at Community House to discuss arrangements in more detail and report back to Council at a future meeting. It was further agreed to invite Mr. Phil Coops to the meeting
- ACCOUNTS REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2021
The Clerk presented the annual accounts for the above year. He highlighted a significant increase in income, but pointed out that a large proportion of this was due to the Salix loan, which was subsequently paid out as payment for the LED street lighting contract.
He also highlighted the fact that the closing balance was around £40,000 higher than the previous year, much of which was due to services not being provided because of Covid, which had been budgeted for.
He provided clarification for Members on other items of income and expenditure.
It was agreed that the accounts be accepted and would be submitted for audit purposes.
- INCOME AND EXPENDITURE DETAILS FOR MAY 2021
Members agreed the payments made and income received for May 2021.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(i) 74 Bryn Hedd, Southsea – Supported.
(ii) 6 Willow Tree Villa, Church Road, Brynteg – Members opposed this application , particularly on the grounds of a lack of adequate parking in an area where there were already congestion issues.
The Clerk would notify Wrexham Council as to their views.
- EVENTS
Xmas Lighting / Trees
It was agreed that a budget of up to £1,200 per ward, excluding the cost of erection, dismantling, sockets and storage. be set aside for Xmas lighting. The decision as to the type of light, location etc. to be delegated to the Ward Members.
Speed Signs
Members identified a number of potential locations in each ward.
It was agreed to set aside a budget of one speed sign per ward, of the type previously purchased, with the decision as to the location being delegated to Ward Members.
- CORRESPONDENCE
(i) An email had been received from the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRP), which was sent to the previous Clerk and forwarded by him to the current Clerk. It stated that the Council was non-compliant with Section 151 of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, the reason being that it had not submitted a Statement of Payments to Members to the IRP.
The Clerk apologised to Members, but stated that, as he wasn’t on their distribution list he could not have received two reminders mentioned in the email and was therefore not aware of the requirement -Noted.
(ii) An email from the manager of Wrexham CAB, in response to an email sent to her by the Clerk, informing her that the Community House was now open and available for the Outreach Service.
(iii) An email from Carla Hughes , WCBC Officer, stating that the anticipated start date for work on the Broughton Heights Play Area was due to start in mid July 2021.
Policing Arrangements
(i) An email from Sgt. Kate Davies regarding changes to supervisory arrangements.
It was agreed to invite a PCSO to the next meeting.
(ii) In relation to anti-social behaviour issues in the Brynteg area Members were informed that the police have identified the culprits and action was being taken.
- MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS/ ANY OTHER BUSINESS
- Cemetery
(i) Concern was raised about instances of dog fouling generally, but about one individual in particular.
It was agreed that the Clerk write to him, explaining the change of Council policy that now banned all dogs, other than guide dogs.
(ii)The Clerk also stated that he had not yet received any quotes for the chain link fencing.
(iii) Members agree to work being undertaken by the Council’s grasscutting contractor to apply topsoil and seed to the areas recently dug for the removal of the tree stumps. A budget of up to £300 was set aside.
(iv) It was agreed that, once this work was completed, an order be placed for 7 grey planters of the type located at Darby Road and Bryn Cefn.
There would be a need to regularly maintain and water the planters.
It was agreed to offer the Cemetery Assistant an additional £100 per month to undertake this task, along with other additional general maintenance duties at the cemetery.
If he accepts it, the Clerk will draw up a revised job description and contract of employment.
(v) It is likely the new burial area would be needed within the next 12 to 18 months. Arrangements would need to be put in place to have the ground consecrated and the current policies reviewed.
2.Defibrillator
It was agreed to purchase signage for the defibrillator and to advertise it on the Council’s website.
3.Website
Concern was expressed that the Council is not making best use of the website.
It was agreed to set up a meeting with Mr. Gary Edwards to discuss. Cllr. Nicola Davies offered to take on the role of an administrator for the site in terms of putting on news stories, information etc.
4.Construction Issues on Wrexham Road, Brynteg
– County Borough Councillor to chase up.
- Concern about potholes on Rose Hill
– Noted
- Brymbo Heritage Consultation Event re. Moss Valley taking place on 13 June 2021
– Noted
Signed ………………………………..
Date …………………………………….
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