Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Broughton Community Council
on Wednesday 13 July 2022
Members
Councillor N Williams
Councillor S Feely
Councillor G Davies* Councillor C Lovett
Councillor Mrs B Parry-Jones Councillor N Davies
Councillor T Alan Edwards Councillor A Humphreys*
Councillor Mrs S Williams Councillor C Williams*
Councillor Mrs E Jones Councillor A Lovett.*
Councillor J Holland* Cllr K Jones
Councillor T Williams Cllr. J. Pettigrew
The Chair welcomed Cllr. J. Pettigrew to her first meeting. He also stated that he was pleased to see ex-Cllr. D. Jarvis as a member of the public.
The Chair mentioned the sad death of Mr. Jim Nuttall, Chair of Broughton History Society and asked for a minute’s silence.
One Member stated that she did not wish to participate and left the room.
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllrs. G. Davies, A. Humphreys, A. Lovett, J. Holland and C. Williams. All apologies were accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
There were no Declarations of Personal Interest.
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 15 June 2022
The Clerk stated that he had received an email from a member who was unable to attend the meeting. The Member stated that he felt that the minute relating to item 18, “payment to Brymbo Lodge Football Club” did not accurately reflect what had been agreed. He therefore wished to add to the minute that “receipts for the paint would be required and any difference between what is spent on the paint and the £500 that had been given, would be returned to Broughton Community Council”.
It was agreed to amend the minutes to reflect this.
The remainder of the minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record.
Matter’s Arising
Defibrillators
The Clerk stated that the defibrillator outside Black Lane School had been fitted and registered with the Wales Ambulance Service.
Speed Signs
The Clerk stated that he had met with the Road Safety Officer from Wrexham Council to agree the best positioning of the signs and to receive permission to erect columns at these locations. The Officer had given this approval.
Payment to Brymbo Lodge Football Club
The Chair expressed his concerns about asking for receipts from Brymbo Lodge Football Club, given that the original decision was taken almost three years ago. However other Members felt that, given the wording stated that it was a grant “up to £500”, it was appropriate in this case to do so.
A number of other comments were mentioned in terms of future applications for grants :
- The need to treat each application on its merits.
- Consideration be given to a checklist being developed.
- A need to differentiate between registered charities and other organisations
Gwalia Place
The Clerk stated that he had heard nothing further from Wrexham Council, other than the information reported to the June meeting :
A number of points were raised :
- Why do we need to lease, couldn’t we just ask Wrexham Council for permission to put benches, planters etc. on there?
- Without a lease, Wrexham Council could sell it for housing. A lease would protect it as green space for at least the next 25 years.
- Concern about potential cost implications for the community council, in particular resurfacing the car park and fencing off the area. However, it was suggested that such costs could be met from reserves in the form of a more structured future project strategy.
- A need to protect the current Gatewen field, New Broughton as green space in a similar way e.g. Village Green status.
It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Wrexham Council again, asking them to consider various options, namely :
- Would Wrexham CBC consider the transfer of the “green area” at Gwalia Place, Pentre Broughton i.e. without the car park, as opposed to a lease?
- Would Wrexham CBC consider a 25 lease of the “green area” at Gwalia Place, Pentre Broughton i.e. without the car Park?
- Would Wrexham CBC consider the transfer of the land at Gwalia Place, Pentre Broughton i.e. including the car park, as opposed to a lease ?
- Would Wrexham CBC consider a 25-year lease of the land at Gwalia Place, Pentre Broughton i.e. including the car park?
Community Agents
The Clerk reminded Members that staff from Minera Community Council and possibly an Officer from Wrexham Council would attend the September meeting to provide information.
Christmas Events
It was agreed that an additional meeting be arranged to discuss the above, plus Remembrance Sunday arrangements.
Grit Bin
A Member stated that he had heard nothing back from Wrexham Council in relation to his request for an additional grit bin in his ward.
Cemetery Bench
A Member again reiterated her objection to the placement of a bench near to her family’s grave. She felt that it had interfered with the recent burial of her parent and would prevent a headstone being erected in the future. She stated she would have made the same comment if it had been a grave other than that of her parents.
As the ground is owned by the community council she felt that it was in the community council’s powers to reposition the bench, with or without the bench owner’s permission.
If Council did not agree to the bench being re-located her family would consider taking legal action against the community council.
The Clerk stated that he had agreed the positioning of the bench, as he had done with all previous requests, and no complaints had ever been made in the past.
He further stated that he had been in touch with the purchaser of the bench and she would not be in agreement to it being re-located.
A Member pointed out that, wherever you positioned a bench, it would be near someone’s grave.
The Chair, at this stage, suggested to the Member concerned that she may consider whether she has a Personal Interest in this matter. This she did and left the meeting.
The Clerk stated that, in future, he will not get involved in issues relating to the cemetery, other than financial issues relating to income and expenditure. He further stated that in future he would, in fact, only carry out duties which were included in his job description.
It was agreed the Cemetery Working Group would in future decide on such requests.
Website Councillor Information
The Clerk stated that the information had now been updated, but photos of the new Members were still required.
- FINANCE
Summary of Payments made and Income Received during June 2022
Members agreed the information.
Outstanding Invoices for Payment (Copies of Invoices supplied )
Members authorised the Clerk to pay the invoices.
- INTERNAL AUDITOR’S REPORT
The Clerk informed Members that the above report had now been received. He explained the various recommendations contained in the report and suggested actions to address each one.
In particular the Clerk highlighted Recommendation 6. relating to the levels of balances which he had highlighted in the Annual Accounts Report in June 2022. He recommended a more detailed list of planned projects be developed.
A Member suggested that one way to reduce the balances would be to pay off the outstanding balance on the Salix Loan taken for the conversion of street lighting to LED.
Members agreed the report and the actions recommended by the Clerk. In addition they authorised the Clerk to submit the Annual Return to Wales Audit, subject to amendments recommended by the internal auditor.
- C0NSECRATION ARRANGEMENTS
The Clerk had previously informed Members that the consecration of the new cemetery area has once again been postponed due to illness of the Bishop. A new date of Thursday 22 September at 2 pm had been agreed.
He had contacted Roberts Bros., Funeral Directors, who were producing the Orders of Service, but unfortunately, they had already been printed . He had also contacted Members of the church congregation who were preparing refreshments.
- CONSIDERATION OF DELEGATED DECISION-MAKING POWERS
Members were reminded that it had been agreed in the Annual Schedule of Meetings not to hold a Council meeting in August.
Members agreed to give delegated decision-making powers to the Clerk, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
No planning applications had been received since the June meeting.
- CORRESPONDENCE
(i) Email from Gareth Stacey, Wrexham Council, following a request by the Clerk for an update on progress in putting resources in place to provide Youth provision in the Broughton community area.
It was agreed that, given that the only other service provider identified i.e. the Caia Park Partnership had not got back to the community council with a firm commitment to provide such a service, It was agreed to accept the proposal from Wrexham Council.
This would entail providing :
2 youth (excluding holidays) and 2 play sessions per week for one year including project costs at a total cost of £27,277.14.
(ii) A report from PCSOs relating to crime statistics. Concern was expressed about the lack of attendance of the Police, both at meetings and in the community generally.
(iii) An email from Carla Hughes, Wrexham Council, stating that the Play equipment at Brynteg Memorial Park had been made safe following the arson damage and that she would obtain a quote for its repair.
- MEMBER REPORTS
(i) Feedback was given on an additional meeting held on 11 July 2022 to discuss options and examine quotes relating to the purchase of four village notice boards, one for each ward.
It was agreed to purchase from Greenbarnes Ltd. at a cost of £6,910.82 inc. VAT.
(ii) A request had been made from Pentre Broughton Bowling Club to “gift” a spiker to the community council, at no cost to the community council.
Members agreed to the request, but on the condition that the cost of repairs and maintenance would be met by the Bowling Club.
(iii) A request from the Bowling Club to remove the hedge surrounding the bowling green,.
Members felt that, before they could consider this request, they would require further information as to what would replace it e.g. a low replacement hedge, shrubs, wildflowers etc.
(iv)The H bar near the cemetery on Bryn Y Gaer Road would not now be needed as the resident causing the obstruction was moving house.
(v) A concern about the lack of road markings at bus stops.
(vi) A junction in Lodge needs resurfacing.
(vii) Concern that a member of the public had been aggressive in a conversation with the Clerk.
It was agreed that the Chair should write to him, stating that his behaviour was unacceptable and that any dialogue with the community council in future should only be in writing.
(viii) A Member asked whether work could be carried out by the community council on an overgrown flower bed on Chapel Road, New Broughton. However, he was informed that unfortunately, it was on Wrexham Council Housing Revenue Account land .
Signed …………………………………… (Chair)
Date …………………………………………………
