Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council
on Wednesday 12 July 2023
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
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllrs. E. Jones, C. Lovett, N. Davies and A. Edwards.
All apologies were accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
Cllr B. Parry-Jones declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to item 9. – the Cemetery Bench.
- PCSO REPORT
The Clerk had circulated the report to Members prior to the meeting. It covered the period 10 June to 7 July 2023 inclusive (although the report stated 15 May to 10 June).
Unfortunately, once again no PCSO was able to attend.
The following points were raised :
- It was disappointing that the report did not indicate where incidents took place, even if it was only in terms of which ward.
- Could the PCSOs be asked to identify potential “hotspots” ?
- The Clerk was asked to request that future reports be received a week or so in advance in order that Members have time to read it fully (this report was received on the afternoon of the meeting).
- The Clerk was also asked to again send a list of community council meeting dates.
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 14 JUNE 2023.
The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record.
Matters Arising
Page 1 – Council Vacancy
The Clerk informed Members that Wrexham CBC Electoral Services had informed him that
no petition had been received for an election and that the community council could proceed with the process of co-option. The Clerk had advertised the vacancy on the council website and on the notice board in the Memorial Hall, with a closing date for applications of 23 July 2023. Once the closing date had passed he would circulate applications to Members.
It was agreed to hold an additional council meeting on Tuesday 27 July 2023 at 6.30pm in the Memorial Hall to consider the applications.
Page 2 – Youth Provision
The Clerk informed Members that an email had been sent to Wrexham CBC Youth Services to request amendment / clarification in relation the Service Level Agreement. He was awaiting response.
Page 2 – Community House
A decision on the CCTV system situated at Community House was required. Members felt that it was useful to leave it in situ as it assisted with the identification of anti-social behaviour generally on Darby Road.
It was agreed that Wrexham CBC be requested to take ownership of the system, on the understanding that it takes responsibility for repair costs, maintenance etc.
Page 2 – Bus Services
Welsh Government grants had been extended until the end of January 2024. In addition Wrexham CBC had increased their budget by £200,000.
Page 2 – Cemetery
The Clerk informed Members that he had submitted a letter to Roberts Bros., Funeral Directors , expressing concern about the grave digger “dumping” spoil from the graves over the fence rather than disposing of it at the designated spoil heap.
Roberts Bros. had responded by stating that they would investigate it as a formal complaint.
Page 3 – Speed Signs
The Clerk reminded Members that, in addition to the disputed ones returned to SID Signs, Mega Electrical have stored the four that Wrexham CBC made the community council take down from their columns.
The Clerk was in discussion with Wrexham CBC as to whether they will agree for the four speed signs to be re-installed if they are converted from solar powered to wired and, eventually, for four additional ones which it had been agreed to purchase at the June meeting. However, the Clerk informed Members that he could not place the order until such time permission is granted.
It was agreed that the four currently in storage be situated as follows, assuming Wrexham CBC give permission :
- On Southsea Road, near the entrance to the Millfields estate.
- On Southsea Road near the flyover.
- On Berse Road, New Broughton just after the entrance to Chapel Gardens.
- On Wrexham Road at the entrance to the Coed Efa Estate.
Page 3 – Flagpoles
The Clerk informed Members that we were still awaiting planning permission.
Page 3 – Defibrillators
The Clerk reminded Members that Mega Electrical had stored the three defibrillators and were awaiting confirmation of locations.
The following locations were agreed :
- Southsea Church (however the council is still awaiting permission from the Church of Wales )
- One in Moss (exact location to be agreed).
- At Hall View, Caego (however all the lighting columns there are Wrexham CBCs, so permission will be required).
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 27 JUNE 2023
The minutes were approved as a true and accurate record.
There were no matters arising.
- FINANCE
Summary of Payments Made and Income Received during May 2023
Members agreed the above, with income amounting to £ 514.67 and expenditure amounting to £ 9,454.18.
SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE – JUNE 2023
(Payments inc. VAT where Applicable)
Income – NIL
| Date | Payee | Method of Payment
|
Amount
|
| 2 June 2023 | HSBC – Interest | CR | 364.67 |
| 13 June 2023 | Mossfords – Headstone* | CR | 150.00 |
| TOTAL | 514.67 | ||
* Permission was given for this prior to the price increase on 1 June 2023
Expenditure
| Date | Payer | Method of Payment
|
Amount
£ |
| 5 June 2023 | AVOW – June Payroll | BACS | 2574.84 |
| 16 June 2023 | SSE – May energy costs | DD | 1331.62 |
| 16 June 2023 | Defib Store – Hall View defibrillator | BACS | 1641.84 |
| 16 June 2023 | Digital Issue – Software repair to laptop | BACS | 36.00 |
| 16 June 2023 | Mega Electrical – New lighting column on Southsea Road | BACS | 2724.00 |
| 16 June 2023 | Cllr D N Williams – Reimbursement for purchase of plants(Env. Budget) | BACS | 147.28 |
| 19 June 2023 | B & Q – Plants (Env. Budget) | Visa | 168.00 |
| 19 June 2023 | Bellis Bros – Plants (Env. Budget) | Visa | 93.95 |
| 19 June 2023 | B & Q – Plants (Env. Budget) | Visa | 28.00 |
| 19 June 223 | Bellis Bros – Plants (Env. Budget) | Visa | 126.86 |
| 22 June 2022 | Bellis Bros – Plants (Env. Budget) | Visa | 211.05 |
| 22 June 2023 | B & Q – Compost (Env. Budget) | Visa | 12.00 |
| 22 June 2023 | B & Q – Compost (Env. Budget) | Visa | 21.00 |
| 23 June 2023 | Bellis Bros – Plants (Env. Budget) | Visa | 112.35 |
| 25 June 2023 | HSBC – Bank Charges | BACS | 5.00 |
| 26 June 2023 | Bellis Bros – Plants (Env. Budget) | Visa | 174.75 |
| 26 June 2023 | Bellis Bros – Plants (Env. Budget) | Visa | 30.05 |
| 26 June 2023 | Zoom – Monthly Webcasting Subscription | Visa | 15.59 |
|
TOTAL |
9,454.18 |
||
Bank Balances at 30 June 2023 :
Business Account : £ 218,167.61
Deposit Account : £ 113,558.48
Total : £ 331,726.09
Outstanding Invoices for Payment (Invoices available for Inspection)
Members authorised the Clerk to pay the outstanding invoices amounting to £ 13,871.24.
14 June 2023 Institute of Cemetery Management Subscription £ 95.00
26 June 2023 Jay & Dee Gardening Services :
- Tree Cutting
- Hedge Cutting
- Weedkilling £ 1,350.00
26 June 2023 Wrexham CBC – Play Area Maint & Inspection
– April to September 2023 £ 7,406.93
26 June 2023 Wrexham CBC – Play Equipment Repairs
(Brynteg Memorial Park) £ 3,753.31
27 June 2023 JDH Business Services – Audit Fee £ 546.00
3 July 2023 Jay & Dee Gardening Services :Grasscutting £ 720.00
TOTAL £ 13,871.24
Members were reminded that no meeting had been scheduled for August.
It was therefore agreed that the Chair and Vice Chair be given delegated decision making powers until the September meeting, with any decisions being reported back to that meeting.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
No planning applications had been received.
However Members were informed that the planning application relating to the Gatewen, New Broughton site, had been approved by WCBC Planning Committee.
It had been hoped that the historical colliery buildings on the site would be preserved but it was likely that the best that could be hoped for is that the bricks are reused.
- CORRESPONDENCE
(i)An update from Wrexham CBC on progress in securing a community agent service –
It was agreed to invite the successful provider to a future meeting.
(ii) An update from Nightingale House on plans for a new Inpatient Service. – Noted.
(iii) A request from One Voice Wales to nominate a councillor for the Quarterly Area Committee Meetings – It was agreed further information is required.
(iv) An email from Mega Electrical stating that investigation work into the lamp column at the junction of Ffordd Powell and Chapel Road would cost £800.
Given that this provides lighting for nearby OAP bungalows the amount was agreed.
(v) An updated list of the concrete lamp columns to be included in the 2023-24 schedule was provided. – The list was agreed.
In addition it was agreed to consider the erection of an additional lighting column at Penrallt, Pentre Broughton due to problems with anti-social behaviour in that area.
(vi) A request from Pentre Broughton Bowling Club for funding to provide a four wheeled bin to remove hedge and grass clippings.
Whilst it was agreed not to provide a four wheeled bin it was agreed to offer funding for two additional standard sized green bins, plus the current one, at a cost of £105 per year.
(vii) An email from Wrexham CBC to confirm that the play equipment at Brynteg Memorial Park had been repaired.
- MEMBER REPORTS
- A Member stated that she had held a planting session with North Wales Police and a number of children who had been involved in painting hate related messages. However some children involved had not shown up and these would be referred to Youth Justice.
A Member queried where all the sandbags had gone. It was suggested that the council purchases 100 filled sandbags, 6 HiViz jackets and traffic cones.
However, it was agreed that initially, County Borough Members make enquiries with Wrexham CBC as to where they purchase them from and whether they would be willing to replenish stocks.
At this point Cllr. B. Parry- Jones left the meeting.
- CONFIDENTIAL ITEM – PART II (CEMETERY BENCH)
The Clerk updated Members on the current position.
Signed …………………………………… (Chair)
Date …………………………
Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council
on Tuesday 27 July 2023
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
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllrs. A. Lovett and J. Pettigrew.
Both apologies were accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
There were no Declarations of Personal Interest.
- VACANCY – NEW BROUGHTON WARD
The Clerk had circulated copies of the applications to Members following the closing date.
Following discussion it was agreed that Mr. F. Derbyshire should fill the vacancy in the ward.
The Clerk was asked to notify the unsuccessful applicants, but stressing the quality of their applications and hoping that they will put themselves forward should future vacancies arise.
- XMAS LIGHTING.
The Clerk had circulated an estimated cost of purchasing additional Xmas lighting, both in terms of the purchase cost, plus the ancillary and ongoing costs.
It was agreed to purchase up to six additional column mounted lights for each of the four wards, with the decision on the location and choice of light being delegated to the Members for that ward.
It was further agreed that Members notify the Clerk of such lights and exact locations no later than 31 August 2023.
- BIRD BOXES
A request had been received that bird and animal boxes be purchased for the Brynteg Memorial Park area.
It was agreed to purchase ten bird boxes at a total cost of £100.
- FAIRY TRAIL IN MOSS VALLEY
A request had been received for funding for the creation of a Fairy Trail in the Moss Valley.
It was agreed that further information and detail be requested.
Signed ……………………………………… (Chair)
Date …………………………………………
