Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council
on Wednesday 8th March 2023
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 Mrs S Williams
Councillor C Williams Councillor Mrs E Jones
Councillor A Lovett Cllr K Jones *
Councillor T Williams Cllr. J. Pettigrew
Councillor K. Robinson
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
An apology was received from Cllr. K. Jones.
The apology was accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
There were no Declarations of Personal Interest.
- PCSO REPORT
Members considered the PCSO report for the period up to 3rd March 2023. The following points were raised :
- Concerns were yet again expressed about the positioning of the zebra crossing which is felt to be too near the roundabout.
- It was asked whether the report could be broken down by ward.
The Clerk would contact the PCSOs.
- MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 8 FEBRUARY 2023
The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record.
Matters Arising
Page 1 – Youth Provision
The Clerk had contacted the Youth Provision Team and had been informed that it was anticipated to commence the service from 1 April 2023.
Page 3 – Community House
A recent meeting had taken place between representatives of various organisations :
- It had been decided to close as a business from 31 March 2023.
- However it had been agreed to retain the lease until 31 August 2023, as there was no financial benefit in ending it early, plus the fact that it would give more time to organise removals etc.
- Enquiries were to be made to try and identify alternative organisations to continue the service in some form.
- A further meeting was to be arranged to discuss any legal implications.
- The Broughton Housing Estate Officer had agreed a three month trial for the Citizen’s Advice Outreach Service to use one of their interview rooms.
- The Estate Office had also agreed that the defibrillator could be re-sited there if required.
Page 3 – Southsea Church Donation
The Hub Service was now up and running.
Page 3 – Mr Nick Elson
Mr Elson stated that he was asking for donations of plants, bulbs etc. from the public and would also like to set up a “volunteer” group .
Members stated that would support Mr. Elson in this aim.
Page 4 – Donation – Brymbo Lodge Football Club
The Clerk informed Members that he had now received receipts amounting to £ 374.50.
The following points were raised :
- Concerns that, some three years on from being given the donation, they still had not spent it all or carried out the work.
- Concerns about painting over the mural on the outside of the building.
It was agreed that the Clerk contact the Club, giving a deadline of 31 March 2023 to spend the balance and to request a completion date for the work.
It was further agreed that, in future, a date by which an organisation is required to spend the donation is confirmed.
Page 4 – Cemetery
The Clerk informed Members that a safety assessment of gravestones in St Paul’s Churchyard cemetery had been undertaken. Unfortunately the assessor had also placed notices on quite a number of graves in the Broughton Community Council Cemetery, which stated that the headstones on such graves would be laid flat on 31 March 2023 if remedial work was not undertaken by the grave owners.
This had caused concern, confusion and anger amongst the public.
The Clerk had removed the notices, over 60 in total, as soon as he had been made aware of the situation.
In addition, Members expressed concern that dog owners were still taking their dogs into the cemetery, despite the fact that the Council’s policy did not allow it and notices has been put up.
It was agreed to highlight Member concerns on the Council’s website.
Page 4 – New Broughton Recreation Ground
The Clerk had attempted to contact Coedpoeth Football Club without success.
Page 6 – Cycle Path Clean up
Cllrs. J. Pettigrew and K. Jones were thanked for their efforts.
Concern was expressed that nitrous oxide canisters had been found. The PCSOs had been informed.
- COUNCIL CO-OPTION VACANCY – BRYN CEFN WARD
The Clerk informed Members that two applications had been received. However, one of them was from Cllr. K. Robinson, who had subsequently been elected. Therefore there was just one application to consider, from Ms. J. Williams. A copy of the application had previously been circulated to Members.
A concern was expressed that Members had not been immediately informed of the vacancy. The Clerk explained that he had followed the accepted process and posted the required notices both on the website and on the Brynteg Memorial Hall notice board , as he had always done in the past and was required to do.
The same councillor also expressed concern that the applicant did not reside in the Bryn Cefn Ward. It was explained that anyone living within a three mile radius of Bryn Cefn was eligible to apply and that there had been no applications from anyone residing in the Bryn Cefn Ward, other than Cllr. K. Robinson.
The councillor further said that there was feeling that the community council was a “closed shop” and was top heavy with councillors residing in the Gwenfro and New Broughton Wards.
Another Member responded by stating that the Council could not have any control as to where applicants reside, as long as they live or work within the stipulated distance from Bryn Cefn. It was further stated that councillors have a responsibility to “lead from the front” and increase interest in the community council in their ward and encourage the public to apply when vacancies arise.
It was agreed that Ms. J. Williams be co-opted to represent the Bryn Cefn Ward.
Cllr. Parry Jones voted against. One Member abstained as he did not know the person.
However it needed to be emphasised that Ms. Williams had been elected to represent the Bryn Cefn Ward.
- FINANCE
Financial Regulations
The Clerk presented the report to Members, highlighting in particular the amendments.
He emphasised that the Council may need to revisit them when Audit Wales complete their work.
Members agreed the Regulations.
Biodiversity Report
The Clerk informed Members that there was a Welsh Government requirement for every public body to prepare a Biodiversity Plan. He emphasised that the community council needed to take account of biodiversity issues in everything they do. He further emphasised that, at this stage, these were his ideas and Members may wish to add or subtract from them.
The following comments were made :
- Account needs to be taken of biodiversity in any procurement decisions.
- Consideration to be given to the development of allotments within the community.
- The creation of bug hotels and wildflower areas.
Members agreed the current plan and it was agreed to revisit the plan at a future meeting.
Member Training
The Clerk informed Members that there is a Welsh Government requirement for a Training Development Plan(s) for councillors.
It was agreed to identify in more detail Member requirements and how best such needs can be delivered.
- PROJECTS
Village Notice Boards
Members were reminded that the notice boards had arrived and were currently being stored at Community House. Unfortunately the contractor who was to erect and install them was currently incapacitated.
It was agreed to reconsider this issue at the next meeting and look for an alternative contractor if required.
Speed Signs
The new speed signs had now been in position for a number of weeks. However, Members expressed concern that they were either not working at all or only intermittently.
The Clerk would contact the company to express the Council’s concerns.
Flag Poles
The Clerk had received quotes for the above from Flags.co.uk and Harrison Flagpoles. He was awaiting a further quote from Hampshire Flags.
In addition he had received quotes from Edge Architects and Diogel Architecture for the preparation of plans and the application for planning permission.
It was agreed to commission Diogel Architecture at a cost of £250 plus the appropriate Wrexham CBC planning fees.
Brynteg Tennis Courts
It was suggested that the tennis court at Brynteg could be developed into an area for youth provision, with perhaps the youths themselves being consulted about what type of provision they would prefer.
Defibrillators
The defibrillators and cases for Southsea and Moss had been ordered and delivery was anticipated once Members had approved the invoice.
Litter / Dog Fouling
Concern was expressed about the amount of litter, especially outside schools, and dog fouling in general.
It was agreed to consider what measures could be put in place e.g. posters, website etc.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
P/ 2023 / 0063 – Single Storey Rear Extension- 46 Moss Valley Road, New Broughton
– Support.
- CORRESPONDENCE
(i) A quote from Ace Play to repair the damaged play equipment at Brynteg Memorial Park . The Clerk reminded Members that quotes for completely renewing the equipment had been considered previously.
It was agreed that the quote from Ace Play, amounting to £3,097.76 plus VAT to accepted.
The Clerk would notify Wrexham CBC.
(ii) A request from Pentre Broughton Bowling Club for a donation towards the purchase of equipment and fertiliser to spray feed the bowling green.
It was agreed that on this occasion the community council would not make a donation and suggest to that the Bowling Club explore the possibility of obtaining grants.
(iii) An email from Emily Morton, the new Chief Executive of Wrexham CAB requesting a meeting to introduce herself.
It was agreed that the Clerk meet with her and report back.
(iv) A quote from TWM to undertake an independent service of the new speed cameras to find out why they are not working.
It was agreed to commission their services at a cost of £300 plus VAT.
(v) A quote from AM Utility Services for a new water service for the new cemetery area – Noted.
(vi) An email from Wrexham CBC explaining that they were awaiting a decision from Llay Community Council re. the appointment of a community agent before they could progress the scheme.
- MEMBER REPORTS
(i) Concerns about the withdrawal of the bus service to the Plas Coch Retail Park, given that many people relied on it for both work and shopping.
(ii) Members were informed that the planning application relating to the Stryt Y Bydden site had been rejected by the WCBC Planning Committee.
(iii) Concern that the failure to replace the damaged barrier near the New Broughton zebra crossing was a danger to pedestrians. – Cllr. C. Lovett would make enquiries.
(iv) Concern about parking at Holborn Crescent.
(V) A member of the public stated that trees near the Memorial Hall needed cutting back, but he was unsure whether he was covered by the Council’s liability insurance if he undertook the work. – Cllr. B. Parry Jones would contact Wrexham CBC’s Tree Officer.
Signed …………………………………… (Chair)
Date …………………………
