Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council
on Wednesday, 13 November 2024
Members
Cllr. K. Jones (Chair)
Cllr. F. Derbyshire (Vice Chair)
Councillor C Lovett Councillor Mrs B Parry-Jones
Councillor N Davies Councillor T Alan Edwards*
Councillor Mrs S Williams MBE 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. S. Feely
*Absent
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE / DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
Apologies were received from K. Robinson, T. Williams, and A. Edwards. All apologies were accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
None.
- PCSO REPORT
The report had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting.
The following points were raised :
- The new format contains even less useful information than the previous format.
- The report lacks any detail.
- There is inconsistency compared to the arrangements in other areas.
- It was felt that, whilst accepting time and work constraints, the PCSO should attend every quarter.
It was agreed that the Clerk contact the new Inspector to voice concerns.
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 9 OCTOBER 2024.
A Member asked for an amendment to the minutes to include a comment by Cllr A. Edwards that “the Local Development Plan is corrupt”.
It was agreed that the minutes be amended accordingly.
Page 1 -Bowling Club
The Clerk would obtain quotes for cutting the hedge.
Page 1
Page 2 – Youth Provision
There was a concern that the Youth Workers were not engaging effectively with youths.
A quote of £35,388.88 had been received from Wrexham CBC for 2025/26, together with the 2024 Annual Report.
It was agreed to request members of the Youth Team to attend a meeting early in the new year prior to agreeing the Service Level Agreement for 2025/26.
Page 3 – Cemetery
- Quotes had been requested for cutting the cemetery hedge, power washing the paths, reseeding between graves and cutting down the length of the overgrown section.
- A request had been received to graze a horse on the top field. It was agreed to trial it for a three month period.
- A formal request had been received to transfer the ownership of a narrow strip inaccessible land on the boundary of the cemetery.
It was agreed to the transfer on the condition that it would be at no cost to the community council.
- A quote had been received from the current grasscutting contractor to undertake the work in 2025/26.
It was agreed that this contractor be given the contract until June 2025, having then been commissioned for 12 months. A review would then be undertaken, as detailed in the original five year contract.
- An extra cut to be undertaken should the grass continue to grow at a cost of £845.
- A member of the public had complained that a family member’s kerbstone had been damaged. However, there was no evidence as to who, how or when it had been damaged.
It was agreed that, if possible, photographs be brought to the next meeting.
- Complaints had been received from two members of the public that wreaths placed at the Memorial Gates on Remembrance Sunday had been removed prior to another event on Remembrance Day.
The Chair stated that he had attempted to clarify the issue on social media by explaining that the event on Remembrance Day had nothing to do with the community council. However Cllr. B. Parry-Jones asked why this could not have been dealt with in-house prior to it being released on social media ?
In her opinion the matter had been handled in a totally unprofessional way.
Cllr. B. Parry-Jones went on to say that she felt that it was a personal attack against her. She stated that some councils remove them after Remembrance Sunday and, in this case, they were replaced within 10 minutes. Each remembrance is different and wreaths do get moved for health and safety reasons in order to safely access memorials.
If people see this is wrong Cllr. B. Parry-Jones stated that she had learned from this. However she stated that no individual or organisation has a monopoly on remembrance.
She went on to say that some people feel that putting up Xmas lights on lampposts when poppies were also being displayed is disrespectful.
In her opinion quote “some people, not all, want to get rid of me but I am not being bullied and will defend my position for standing up for my community and doing my job.”
A number of Members expressed their disappointment that they had not been formally informed of the event. Cllr. B. Parry-Jones, who was responsible for organising the event on Remembrance Day, stated that she had arranged the event in her capacity as the County Borough Council Member for the Bryn Cefn ward, not as a community councillor.
A number of Members expressed their disappointment at their removal and felt that it was disrespectful to those who had laid the wreaths. They also felt that there had been ample space for the additional wreaths.
Officers from the Royal British Legion, the Royal Artillery and Woodies Lodge who had attended the meeting stated that it was not unusual for wreaths to be removed in this manner.
It was then agreed that the meeting should continue in Part II in order that Members could further consider the complaints and members of the public and Cllr. B. Parry-Jones were asked to leave. This she initially refused to do.
At this point Cllrs. F. Prince and N. Williams left the meeting as they felt that it was inappropriate for Cllr. B. Parry-Jones to remain as it could inhibit some
Members from saying exactly what they felt. A number of other Members also expressed their concern about Cllr. B . Parry-Jones remaining.
After approximately 15 minutes Cllr. B Parry- Jones eventually agreed to leave.
It was agreed that, as Cllr. B. Parry-Jones had confirmed that she had organised the event in her role as a County Borough councillor for Bryn Cefn, it was not appropriate to consider the complaint and that the complainants should be advised to contact the Monitoring Officer at Wrexham County Borough or the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.
The meeting then reverted to an open meeting.
Page 3 – Southsea Play Area
The Clerk had met with the approved contractor. Given the wet conditions the contractor advised putting the work on hold until the Spring of 2025. He had also provided quotes for additional work to improve the ground.
Members agreed to defer the work.
Page 3 – Road Sweeper
A replacement had now been appointed.
A Member pointed out that litter pickers and bags were available.
Page 3 – Defibrillators
The Clerk had informed the contractor that the quote for the installation of one on Broughton Road, Lodge had been accepted.
Page 4 – Remembrance Sunday
Members felt that, whilst the event had gone off reasonably well there were a few issues that needed to be addressed :
- The lack of audio equipment in the Memorial Hall. The Clerk informed Members that he had already arranged for such equipment from Ysgol Penrhyn, New Broughton, if required.
- Disappointment that for the second success year Black Lane School had not been able to attend. Fortunately children and staff from Ysgol Penrhyn, New Broughton had stepped in at very short notice.
- The Cadets were again unavailable.
The Clerk asked Members if any of them had their contact number in order that he may contact them.
- The timing of the event needed to be reviewed once again.
It was agreed that a meeting be arranged early in the new year to discuss future arrangements, with an invitation to be given to Mrs. Barbara Jones and Mr. Phil Coops.
Page 5 – Bench – New Broughton Recreation Ground
The Clerk had received a quote of £420 for a concrete base and the installation of a bench. In addition the cost of a bench could vary between approximately £400 and £1200.
It was agreed to defer the item until the Spring 2025.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Planning Application P/2023/0593 – 1450 dwellings at Lower Berse Farm, Ruthin Road, Wrexham.
Details of an outline planning application was received as a resubmission following the recent submission of an appeal on the basis of non-determination of an identical application.
The Clerk was requested to submit an objection for the same reasons put forward in the original response
- FINANCE
Members agreed income amounting to and payments amounting to £6,550.00 and £26,731.11 respectively
SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE – OCTOBER 2024
(Payments inc. VAT where Applicable)
Income –
| Date | Payee | Method of Payment
|
Amount
£ |
| 18 Oct 2024 | Roberts Bros – Funeral Fees | BACS | 6300.00 |
| 29 Oct 2024 | Mossfords- Headstone Installation | BACS | 250.00 |
| TOTAL 6550.00 | |||
Expenditure
| Date | Payer | Method of Payment
|
Amount
£ |
| 1 Oct 2024 | Salix Finance – Loan Repayment | DD | 8010.69 |
| 1 Oct 2024 | Poppy Shop – Wreaths | Visa | 59.97 |
| 4 Oct 2024 | Bellis Bros – Plants | Visa | 95.51 |
| 7 Oct 2024 | AVOW – October Salaries | BACS | 2729.24 |
| 7 Oct 2024 | B & Q – Compost & Plants | Visa | 63.00 |
| 7 Oct 2024 | B & Q – Plants | Visa | 23.00 |
| 7 Oct 2024 | The Range – Plants | Visa | 4.98 |
| 9 Oct 2024 | Wrexham Community Garden – Donation | BACS | 250.00 |
| 9 Oct 2024 | Zurich Insurance – Annual Premium | BACS | 1231.65 |
| 13 Oct 2024 | Memsafe – Headstone Repairs | BACS | 4305.60 |
| 13 Oct 2024 | Hafren Dyfrdwy – Half Year Cemetery Water Charges | BACS | 140.49 |
| 13 Oct 2024 | Mega Electrical – Street Lighting Repairs -April – Sept 2024 | BACS | 208.39 |
| 13 Oct 2024 | Broughton Bowling Club – Donation | BACS | 1500.00 |
| 14 Oct 2024 | C J McClean – Cemetery Grasscutting | BACS | 3816.00 |
| 14 Oct 2024 | Bellis Bros – Plants | Visa | 89.06 |
| 14 Oct 2024 | B & Q – Plants & Bulbs | Visa | 49.00 |
| 14 Oct 2024 | Grosvenor Garden Centre – Plants | Visa | 59.17 |
| 18 Oct 2024 | The Range – Bulbs & Planter & Bag | Visa | 66.37 |
| 21 Oct 2024 | Bellis Bros – Plants | Visa | 53.52 |
| 21 Oct 2024 | B & Q – Rubble sacks | Visa | 8.50 |
| 21 Oct 2024 | Screwfix – Cable Ties (Poppies) | Visa | 17.56 |
| 22 Oct 2024 | SSE – Sept Energy Costs | Visa | 1215.07 |
| 25 Oct 2024 | HSBC – Bank Charges | CHQ | 5.00 |
| 31 Oct 2024 | AVOW – November Salaries | BACS | 2729.34 |
| TOTAL 26,731.11 | |||
Members also authorised the Clerk to make payments amounting to £ 13,493.68.
INVOICES FOR AUTHORISATION
OCTOBER 2024 MEETING
(Copies Available for Inspection)
16 Sept 2024 Memsafe – Repairs to 24 Headstones £ 4,305.60
18 Sept 2024 Hafren Dyfrdwy – Cemetery Water Rates £ 140.49
30 Sept 2024 Mega Electrical – Street Lighting Repairs –
April to Sept 2024 £ 208.39
3 Oct 2024 Landscapers That Care
– Cemetery Grasscutting £ 3,816.00
30 Sept 2024 Memsafe – Repairs to 28 Headstones £ 5,023.20
TOTAL £ 13,493.68
- CORRESPONDENCE.
- Email from Wrexham CBC giving details of a Polling Station Review –
- A quote from TWM for an additional speed sign at Forge Road, Southsea at a cost of £2,814.00 inc. VAT. – Members agreed the quote.
- A quote for the replacement of a lamp column on Windsor Road, New Broughton at a maximum cost of £5,000 – Members agreed the quote.
- A letter from Wales Air Ambulance requesting a donation – It was agreed to donate £500.
- A request for a donation from Nightingale House – It was agreed to donate £500.
- Details of the NJC Pay award for 2024/25 –
- A request for a donation towards the 2025 National Eisteddfod to be held in Wrexham – It was agreed to donate £750.
- MEMBER REPORTS
- A Carol Service is to be held at Southsea Church on 22 December 2024. A budget of £150 for refreshments was agreed.
- Could a similar concert be held at St Paul’s Church, Pentre Broughton.
Signed …………………………………… (Chair)
Date …………………………
