Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council
on Wednesday 10 April 2024
Members
Councillor S Feely (Chair)
Cllr. K. Jones (Vice Chair)
Councillor C Lovett Councillor Mrs B Parry-Jones
Councillor N Davies Councillor T Alan Edwards*
Councillor Mrs S Williams Councillor Mrs E Jones
Councillor C Williams* Councillor A Lovett
Councillor T Williams Cllr. J. Pettigrew
Cllr. J. Williams Cllr. N. Williams*
Cllr. K. Robinson* Cllr. F Derbyshire
*Absent
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllrs A. Edwards, K. Robinson, C. Williams and N. Williams. All apologies were accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
Cllr. B Parry declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to agenda item 11.
- PCSO REPORT
The PCSO had been unable to attend the meeting as she was involved in an investigation into a serious incident in Gwersyllt.
Members made the following comments :
- Surprise that no issues were included for the Bryn Cefn ward when councillors were aware there had been incidents.
- Where the people who had been knocking on windows also responsible for other incidents ?
- The importance of incidents being reported.
- A revamped report was anticipated at the next meeting.
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 13 MARCH 2024.
Item 106
Cllr. B. Parry-Jones requested the wording “ A Member accused the community council of being “corrupt”, be amended to read “A Member accused the community council, in her opinion, of being “corrupt”.
Members agreed the change.
Other than that Members agreed that the minutes were a true and accurate record.
Matters Arising
Page 2 – Cemetery
A Member asked when the grass would be cut in the cemetery. The Clerk explained that he had spoken to the grass cutters and they had informed him that they would cut it as soon as it was dry enough to do so.
Page 2 – National Eisteddfod
The Clerk informed Members that he had not received any further information regarding other community councils contributing to the National Eisteddfod.
Page 6 – Trade Waste
It was agreed to monitor the situation.
Page 7 – New Broughton Roundabout
A Member stated that Wrexham CBC had informed her that the zebra crossing was to remain in its current position.
Members agreed that there is a need to monitor levels of traffic at that location.
Page 7 – Southsea Church
Members were informed that the Church was insisting on a fee of £120 to use the premises for any events.
Page 7 – Southsea Play Area
It was agreed that further discussion on the issue was required to deal with the flooding issue.
Page 7 – Road Sweeper
Members were asked for suggestions as to how they could mark his impending retirement.
- FINANCE
Members agreed income and payments amounting to £250.00 and £41,235.42 respectively
SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE – MARCH 2024
(Payments inc. VAT where Applicable)
Income –
| Date | Payee | Method of Payment
|
Amount
£ |
| 28 March 2024 | Pay Office (Ministry of Defence) – Headstone Fee | CR | 250.00 |
| TOTAL 250.00 | |||
Expenditure
| Date | Payer | Method of Payment
|
Amount
£ |
| 4 March 2024 | SSE – January Energy Cost | DD | 1,252.18 |
| 4 March 2024 | AVOW – March Salaries | BACS | 4,443.94 |
| 14 March 2024 | Wrexham CAB – Outreach Service (Quarter 4) | BACS | 2,250.00 |
| 14 March 2024 | March Stone – Headstone Audit | BACS | 2,220.00 |
| 14 March 2024 | Family Friends – Donation | BACS | 250.00 |
| 25 March 2024 | Wrexham CBC – Youth Provision 2024-25 | Cheque | 29,171.34 |
| 25 March 2024 | HSBC – Bank Charges | CHG | 5.00 |
| 25 March 2024 | B & Q – Paint for walls and fences (Southsea) | Visa | 146.00 |
| 25 March 2024 | Zoom – Webcasting Subscription | Visa | 15.59 |
| 26 March 2024 | Wrexham Litter Pickers – Donation | BACS | 250.00 |
| 28 March 2024 | SSE – February Energy Cost | DD | 1,171.38 |
| 28 March 2024 | Microsoft -Annual Microsoft Office Subscription | Visa | 59.99 |
| TOTAL £ 41,235.42 | |||
Bank Balances at 31 March 2024 :
Business Account : £ 137,791.04
Deposit Account : £ 115,146.45
Total : £ 252,937.49
Members also authorised the Clerk to make payments amounting to £ 3,726.84.
INVOICES FOR AUTHORISATION
APRIL 2024 MEETING
(Copies Available for Inspection)
12 March 2024 Wrexham County Borough Council –
CCTV Management & Maintenance £ 2,400.00
15 March 2024 Mega Electrical – Transporting Costs of
TWM Speed Signs £ 72.84
1 April 2024 Institute of Cemetery Management
Annual Subscription £ 95.00
1 April 2024 One Voice Wales – Annual Subscription £ 1,159.00
TOTAL £ 3,726.84
- PROJECTS
Defibrillators
The Clerk informed Members that he was awaiting dates for the fitting of the defibrillators at Church Road, Southsea and Gatewen Village.
Speed Signs
The Clerk stated that he had still not received an installation date for the speed signs.
He queried whether the one for Westminster Road should be set at 20mph or 30 mph. He would contact Wrexham CBC for clarification.
Additional Street Lighting Columns
Quotes had been received for a number of the locations but others were awaited.
It was agreed no meaningful consideration of the options and costs could take place until all the quotes had been received.
Village Signs
Ward Members to consider the exact locations in each village. It was agreed a photograph of the War Memorial gates be incorporated into the signs.
- CEMETERY HEADSTONE AUDIT
One quote had been received to make safe the headstones highlighted as needing urgent attention. Other quotes had been requested.
Members considered the options open to them including laying them flat.
It was agreed that the issue be deferred until the next meeting, when further quotes and options may be available.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
P/2024/0213 – Construction of Off Road Parking at 72 Bryn Hedd, Southsea
Supported.
P/2024/0214 – Construction of Off Road Parking at 83 Bryn Hedd, Southsea
Supported.
- CORRESPONDENCE
(i) Request from Wrexham Miners’ Project for a donation.
It was agreed to donate £500.
(ii) Email from Ian Pope, Manager, Rainbow Centre informing the community council that the community agent is currently off sick – Noted
(iii) Service Level Agreement from The Youth Service, Wrexham County Borough Council
The Clerk was authorised to sign it on behalf of the council.
(iv) An invitation for Members to attend an 80th anniversary celebration at the Parish Church of the Normandy landings .
It was agreed to donate £500 to the Friends of Bellevue who are assisting in organising the event
- MEMBER REPORTS
(i) A suggestion that the webcasting subscription to Zoom US be cancelled and Microsoft Teams be utilised in the future, free of charge – Agreed.
(ii) A query as to what is the position with Lodge Community Centre.
It was agreed that the Clerk liaise with Brymbo Community Council, on whose land it is situated.
(iii) The issue of dog fouling at the cemetery was raised again and a suggestion that dog bins may help. However as the council had a policy that dogs are not allowed in the cemetery the placing of dog bins there may be seen as going against this policy.
(iv) The Clerk asked for permission to install concrete hardstandings or steps at the site of the village notice boards for health and safety reasons .
Members agreed to this.
- PART II CONFIDENTIAL ITEM – CEMETERY BENCH
Members considered the report of Mr. J. Harty.
Signed …………………………………… (Chair)
Date …………………………
