Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Broughton Community Council
on Wednesday 15 June 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
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr. E. Jones. The apology was accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
Cllrs. A. Humphreys declared an interest relating to agenda item 4 as an Official of Brymbo Lodge Football Club.
- COUNCILLOR VACANCY – GWENFRO WARD
The Clerk informed Members that he had advertised the above vacancy and had received one application. A Member did express concern that there appeared to be an imbalance due to the number of councillors who lived in the New Broughton Ward.
It was pointed out that people from other wards could have applied but did not.
It was agreed that Mrs. Julie Pettigrew be appointed as a councillor for the Gwenfro Ward.
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 18 MAY 2022
The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record.
Page 1 – Chair’s Allowance
A Member was concerned whether it was a good idea to increase the allowance, paid for from public money, at a time when many are struggling financially. It was pointed out that
Council had agreed the increase and it was still far less than other councils.
Page 3 – Defibrillators
The Clerk stated that the contractor would fit the defibrillator outside Black Lane School in the next two weeks.
Page 3 – Speed Signs
The Clerk had again contacted the supplier but, unfortunately, they still had not received the microchips.
Page 5 – Payment to Brymbo Lodge Football Club
The Clerk informed Members that he had provided the councillor with evidence that the grant had not been increased from £200 to £500.
However the Member still had concerns that the grant had still not been used and that the minutes stated that it was a grant “up to £500”, not specifically £500
It was agreed that, in future, grants and donations should for a specified amount and would only be considered by Council after a written application was received.
In addition it was agreed 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.
Page 1 – Consecration -The Clerk would chase up progress in relation to identifying a new date.
Page 2- Archery – No further communication had been received.
- FINANCE
Summary of Payments made and Income Received during May 2022
Members agreed the information.
Outstanding Invoices for Payment (Copies of Invoices supplied )
Members authorised the Clerk to pay the invoices.
Statement of Accounts
The Clerk presented the annual accounts to Members. He highlighted a couple of particular items of income and expenditure and responded to Members’ questions.
In particular he highlighted the fact that the council had income of almost £195,000 with expenditure being only almost £126,000and balances at 31 March 2022 amounting to almost £284,000.
Whilst a number of potential areas of future expenditure had been highlighted in the report he recommended that Members need to develop a more structured plan of priorities and projects as to why such a high level of balances were required.
Members thanked the Clerk for the report and agreed the accounts.
- C0NSECRATION ARRANGEMENTS
The Clerk reminded Members that the rearranged date for the consecration of the new section of the cemetery was 14 July 2022 at 2 pm.
The Clerk had arranged for the Orders of Service to be reprinted.
- GWALIA PLACE, PENTRE BROUGHTON – POTENTIAL LEASE
The Clerk informed Members that he had at last received a response from Wrexham County Borough Council on the issue. In particular, the email stated that there was no evidence of high levels of contamination of the land.
A number of points and options were discussed :
- The potential implications and costs relating to a 25 year lease
- Whether Wrexham Council would be willing to transfer ownership of the land as opposed to a 25 year lease
- The potential option of a lease for the grassed area only i.e. excluding the car park.
- The need to fence off the land
- The need to see a draft lease if the community council were to proceed with a lease
It was agreed that Clerk contact Wrexham Council for their views on the above issues, which may result in a further report to the County Borough Council’s Corporate Land and Building Committee.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
- 22 Rockwood Road, Brynteg – Construction of an Entrance Porch –
- Damur, Trem Y Nant, Pentre Broughton – Single Storey Side Extension -Support.
- CORRESPONDENCE
- The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021
It was agreed that the Clerk consider the implications of the Act and report back to a future meeting.
- Email from Keep Wales Tidy highlighting that funds may be available from the Places for Nature Project to create, restore or enhance green spaces –
- Email from Wrexham Foodbank Project Manager re. a meeting to share information about what they are doing to address poverty in the Wrexham Area. – Noted.
- Offer from the Clerk, Minera Community Council to attend a future meeting to discuss the benefits employing a Community Agent.
It was agreed to invite The Clerk and/or Community Agent to a future meeting.
- An invitation for two councillors to attend the Mayor’s Civic Sunday at St. Giles Parish Church on Sunday 10 July 2022.
It was agreed that Cllrs. Trina Williams and Keith Jones attend.
- MEMBER REPORTS
- It was suggested that a Working Group meeting be arranged in the near future to discuss Christmas events.
- A councillor raised the issue of an additional grit bin in his ward.
- It was agreed to request the PCSOs attend a future meeting.
- It was highlighted that Member details need to be updated on the Council’s website.
- A councillor raised concerns about the positioning of a bench in the Council’s cemetery.
Signed …………………………………… (Chair)
Date ……………………………………………….
