Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council
on Wednesday 11 January 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*
Councillor J Holland * Cllr K Jones*
Councillor T Williams Cllr. J. Pettigrew
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllrs. G. Davies, N. Davies, K. Jones, A. Lovett, C. Lovett and C. Williams.
All apologies were accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
There were no Declarations of Personal Interest.
- PCSO REPORT
The report had only been received late that afternoon, so it had not been possible to circulate to, or print it for, Members.
- There had been 9 incidents reported.
- These included :
- Youth related issues, stone throwing and knocking on doors.
- Speeding cars
- Domestic issues
- Public Order offences
- Road disruption
- Road traffic accident
- Damage to the Epworth Close Xmas tree , lights and baubles
It was agreed that they be requested to attend the February meeting.
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 14 DECEMBER 2022.
The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record.
Matters Arising
Page 2 – Youth Provision
The Clerk updated Members on the current position. Members were concerned that they had not received any feedback on progress, given that the community profiling survey work was due to have been completed in November. Wrexham CBC staff had requested a meeting with Members.
It was agreed that they be invited to a meeting at 6.30 pm on Wednesday 8 February 2023 at the Memorial Hall.
It was further agreed that the community profiling report be circulated to Members by 31 January 2023 in order that they could consider it prior to the meeting.
Page 2 – Cemetery Working Group
The Clerk informed Members that the two families who had requested permission to purchase a new bench on an existing concrete base had now withdrawn the request, stating that they did not want to upset the family who had purchased the original bench.
Page 2 – Carol Service
Feedback from those who attended the carol service was positive. Some Members felt that attendance may have been impacted upon by the fact that a World Cup match was being televised at the same time.
It was suggested that perhaps the local schools could be involved next year.
Page 3 – Community Agent
The Clerk had contacted Wrexham CBC to request an update on progress. He had been informed that they were awaiting confirmation from other community councils involved in the project before they could progress it.
It was anticipated that the arrangement would be in place no later than the next financial year.
Page 3 – Gwalia Place
The Clerk had notified the Leader of Wrexham CBC and the relevant WCBC Officer of the community council’s decision.
Page 4 – Council Precept
The Clerk had notified Wrexham CBC of the amount for the 2023/24.
He had also received confirmation of its receipt.
Page 5 – Community House
- Members had been informed at the December 2022 meeting that the lease on Community House was not being renewed and would close on 31 March 2023.
- Other than the wider implications that the community would lose a valuable service, there were more direct implications for the community council in terms of the location of the defibrillator, Wrexham Citizen’s Advice attending on a Tuesday morning etc.
- Members were informed that other organisations and bodies may be interested in taking over the facility.
- Members expressed their appreciation for the work undertaken by the volunteers over the past 20 years or so, in terms of the benefits to the community.
- It was suggested that perhaps the community council could take on a lease for, perhaps, 12 months to allow more time to look at alternatives and options. Members were informed that the lease does not actually expire until the end of August 2023.
- The main need is to get volunteers to run it and adequate funding.
- Meetings were to be arranged to inform and to discuss the issues with Community House Partnership Members and the wider community.
Members agreed the main aim must be to keep it open in some form.
- COUNCILLOR VACANCY – BRYN CEFN WARD
The Clerk informed Members that he had received a timetable of proceedings from the WCBC Electoral Team and that a petition had been received which meant that, if there was more than one nomination, an election would need to be held.
- The election, if required was scheduled for 23 February 2023.
- There are usually three polling stations used for the Bryn Cefn Ward :
- Memorial Hall, Brynteg.
- Black Lane School.
- Lodge Community Centre (This has recently had a burst and therefore may not be available). A mobile Unit would cost approximately £1,600.
- Members need to decide how residents are to be informed of the election.
- If more than one polling station is to be used there would be a need for polling cards to be issued to notify them as which polling station to vote at. This would cost approximately £1,400.
It was agreed :
- that polling cards would be issued.
- However the community council felt that the cost of a mobile unit would be prohibitive and therefore if Lodge Community Centre was not available, voters would have to attend one of the other two.
- FINANCE
The Clerk provided details of payments made and income received for the month of December 2022.
Members agreed the information.
In addition the Clerk provide details of outstanding invoices.
Members authorised the Clerk to make the payments.
- PROJECTS
Village Notice Boards
The Clerk informed Members that the cemetery contractor had agreed to erect the signs.
It was agreed that the Ward Members for each of the four wards would agree an exact location and notify the Clerk.
Speed Signs
The Clerk reminded Members that the signs had been received and were currently in the possession of Mega Electrical.
It was agreed that the Clerk contact Mega Electrical to identify when they would be in a position to erect the signs.
Flag Poles
Discussions had taken place at a previous meeting about the purchase and erection of three flag poles to commemorate the centenary of the Memorial Gates.
The Clerk had made initial enquiries and had obtained an initial quote for three 6 metre fibreglass poles at a cost of approximately £3,200.
It is likely planning permission would be required.
It was agreed to proceed with this project and the Clerk was asked to make further enquiries as to options.
Defibrillators
It was agreed to purchase four additional defibrillators.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Retrospective erection of workshop and garage at Bryn Awelon, High Street, Pentre Broughton
Noted.
- CORRESPONDENCE
(i) Data from Wrexham Citizen’s Advice Bureau for work undertaken within the community for the period September to December 2022.
(This information had been previously circulated to Members).
(ii) The timetable for the Bryn Cefn election (please refer to Item 78 above).
(iii) A request for a donation of £500 from All Saints Church, Southsea for funding towards using the church as a ”Warm Hub” from 31 January to 15 March 2023 inclusive.
It was agreed to donate £500.
(iv) A request from Mr. Nick Elson for permission to clear steps and pathways on “Devil’s Rock” in Brynteg at no cost to the community council. Mr Elson attended the meeting and was allowed to speak.
It was agreed to grant permission.
(v) The Service Level Agreement for 2023-24 for the Inspection and Maintenance of the community council’s play areas,at a cost of £12,344.37 + VAT (a 3% increase on the previous year)
It was agreed to enter into the contract.
(vi) A query from a member of the public as to when the play equipment at Brynteg Memorial Park, which had been subject to an arson attack, would be fully repaired.
The Clerk suggested to Members that there were two options, either to repair the equipment or replacing it, given its age.
The Clerk would contact WCBC to obtain quotes for both options.
- MEMBER REPORTS
(i) Concern that an unadopted road leading into Coed Efa had been blocked off. It was confirmed that WCBC were taking legal advice on the matter.
(ii) Concern that the community council had a number of concrete lamp columns which may be coming to the end of their lifespan.
It was agreed that the Clerk discuss the item with the community council’s electrical contractor.
Signed …………………………………… (Chair)
Date …………………………