Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council
on Wednesday 13 September 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* Cllr. F Derbyshire
The Chair welcomed Cllr. F. Derbyshire to his first meeting.
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllrs. A. Edwards, K. Jones, K. Robinson and T. Williams.
All apologies were accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
There were no Declarations of Personal Interest.
- PCSO REPORT
The Clerk had circulated the report to Members prior to the meeting. It covered the period 1 August to 31 August 2023 inclusive.
- Once again no PCSO was able to attend. It was pointed out that since the May 2022 elections PCSOs had only attended twice.
- It was felt that PCSOs needed to attend the community council meetings at least quarterly as a minimum.
- The report needed to be forwarded to Members early enough to give them time to digest its contents (this one had only been received by the Clerk the day before the meeting).
- There were still no contact numbers for the PCSOs for this area.
- A Member had raised an issue but had not received a reply.
- It was felt that too many issues were highlighted as “closed out” without any real resolution.
- It was disappointing that the report did not indicate where incidents took place, even if it was only in terms of which ward.
- A general lack of contact with councillors, and a lack of visibility in the area, of both Police and PCSOs.
- Could the Police utilise social media in a more proactive way ?
- There needed to be better engagement with the Youth Provision Officers working in the community.
It was agreed that the Clerk contact the Area Inspector to express the community council’s concerns.
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 13 SEPTEMBER 2023.
The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record.
Matters Arising (Meeting on 12 July 2023)
Page 2 – Youth Provision
The Clerk informed Members that the agreement had now been signed off by both parties.
Page 2 – Community House
Members were informed that Community House had closed on 31 August and would officially cease trading when the accounts had been finalised. Any monies and assets would be transferred to AVOW to pay any outstanding bills for six months.
Local organisations would be able to apply for grants from any monies left over.
Page 2 – Cemetery
The Chair, Vice Chair and Clerk had met with representatives of Roberts Bros., Funeral Directors and the gravedigger to discuss gravedigging issues at the cemetery. It had been agreed the excess spoil would be removed once the existing section of the cemetery was completed.
It was agreed that the existing cemetery policy be reviewed in readiness for the new section. It was also agreed that numbering of graves would be started at the top end, furthest away from the Church.
The Clerk and the County Borough Councillor for that ward had been informed that weeds from the cemetery were encroaching on a nearby garden.It was agreed that the Cemetery Working Group meet to look at this and other issues.
Page 6 -Sand Bags
Members were informed that Wrexham CBC were not willing to replenish the sandbags in New Broughton. The Clerk had obtained quotes for the purchase of two pallets (120 filled sandbags). Mr D. Price, Price’s Coache, had kindly agreed to store the sandbags.
It was agreed to purchase from the lowest quote, subject to them being 15 Kg size.
A number of other ideas were discussed to attempt to alleviate , or at least, limit, flooding damage :
- The use of flood gates for the potentially affected bungalows. However it was pointed out that the bungalows in question were the responsibility of Wrexham CBC’ s Housing Department.
- The purchase of flooding and hazard warning signs. However it was pointed out that councillors and members of the public could be held accountable when controlling traffic etc.
Matters Arising (Meeting on 27 July 2023)
Page 1 – Xmas Lighting
The Clerk pointed out that, whilst it had been agreed to purchase an additional 24 lamppost motif Xmas lights, he could not place the order until the columns had been structurally tested and permission granted by Wrexham CBC.
Unfortunately this causes another issue as, by the time this progresses, it may be too late to erect the lights on Wrexham CBC columns this year.
It was agreed, therefore, that the additional lights be purchased and if Wrexham CBC do not give permission, then they should be erected on alternative community council columns.
In addition, given the tight timescales, it was agreed to authorise the Clerk to place the order and report the amount to Council in retrospect.
Page 2 – Bird Boxes
The Clerk informed Members that the bird boxes had been purchased.
Page 2 – Fairy Trail
The Clerk pointed out that the community council was not allowed to give donations to individuals.
A Member also stated that four caravans were illegally parked in the Moss Valley.
- PENTRE BROUGHTON BOWLING CLUB
A member of the bowling club outlined the history and background relating to the issue.
The Bowling Club had requested a donation to assist with, amongst other things, hedge cutting and disposal of grass cuttings which used to be undertaken by Wrexham CBC. The green is cut twice a week and the hedges twice a year.
A number of points were raised:
- If the bowling club folded then the cost of maintaining the area would fall in its entirety on the community council.
- Has the bowling club explored the possibility of grants and sponsorship ?
It was agreed that the community council give a donation of £1,500 per year, to be reviewed annually, but subject to the bowling green being available to the general public at certain times.
- REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
It was agreed to purchase 100 additional lamppost poppies, together with two poppy wreaths.
In addition it was further agreed to hold a Working Group meeting on 20 September to discuss the more specific arrangements for the event.
The Clerk was to invite Mr. P. Coop and Ms. C. O’nion to the meeting.
- FINANCE
Summary of Payments Made and Income Received during July and August 2023
Members agreed the payments and income amounting to £ 59,942.00 and £ 62,870.83 respectively.
SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE – 1 JULY 2023 TO 31 AUGUST 2023
(Payments inc. VAT where Applicable)
Income –
| Date | Payee | Method of Payment
|
Amount
|
| 14 July 2023 | Independent Funeral Directors – Burial | CR | 400.00 |
| 14 July 2023 | Roberts Bros. – Burials | BACS | 6,050.00 |
| 2 August 2023 | Wrexham CBC – Precept – 2nd Instalment | CR | 52,292.00 |
| 4 August 2023 | Stephen Price Memorials – Headstones | BACS | 1,200.00 |
| TOTAL 59,942.00 | |||
‘
Expenditure
| Date | Payer | Method of Payment
|
Amount
£ |
| 5 July 2023 | Post Office – Annual Return Postage | Visa | 3.75 |
| 7 July 2023 | AVOW – July Salary | BACS | 2,574.84 |
| 10 July 2023 | Ferndale Garden Centre – Plants (Env. Budget) | Visa | 8.80 |
| 10 July 2023 | B & Q – Plants (Env. Budget) | Visa | 15.00 |
| 11 July 2023 | Cllr. S. Feely – Chair’s Allowance | BACS | 300.00 |
| 13 July 2023 | Institute of Cemetery Management – Subscription | BACS | 95.00 |
| 13 July 2023 | Lee Dunmer – Cemetery Grasscutting | BACS | 1,350.00 |
| 13 July 2023 | Wrexham CBC – Play Equipment Inspection & Maintenance – April to September 2023 | BACS | 7,406.63 |
| 13 July 2023 | Wrexham CBC – Repairs to Play Equipment (Brynteg Memorial Park) | BACS | 3,753.31 |
| 13 July 2023 | JDH Business Services – Internal Audit Fee | BACS | 546.00 |
| 13 July 2023 | Lee Dunmer – Cemetery Grasscutting | BACS | 720.00 |
| 17 July 2023 | Currys – Printer pus Warranty | Visa | 334.99 |
| 18 July 2023 | SSE – June Energy Cost | DD | 1,419.93 |
| 25 July 2023 | HSBC- Bank Charges | DR | 5.00 |
| 25 July 2023 | Zoom – Webcasting Subscription | Visa | 15.59 |
| 28 July 2023 | Grosvenor Garden Centre – Plants (Env. Budget) | Visa | 35.96 |
| 3 August 2023 | Lee Dunmer – Cemetery Grasscutting | BACS | 1,440.00 |
| 3 August 2023 * | Mega Electrical – Replacement of Concrete Lamp Columns | BACS | 14,400.00 |
| 3 August 2023 | AVOW – August Salaries | BACS | 2.574.84 |
| 7 August 2023* | Mega Electrical – Replacement of 2 Damaged Lamp Columns | BACS | 3,600.00 |
| 14 August 2023* | Mega Electrical – Mega Electrical – Replacement of Concrete Lamp Columns | BACS | 14,400.00 |
| 15 August 2023 | HFT – Hanging Baskets (Env. Budget) | Cheque No. 202042 | 230.00 |
| 16 August 2023 | SSE – July Energy Costs | DD | 1.287.30 |
| 17 August 2023* | Lee Dunmer – Cemetery Grasscutting | BACS | 720.00 |
| 17 August 2023* | Mega Electrical – Mega Electrical – Replacement of Concrete Lamp Columns | BACS | 3,600.00 |
| 17 August 2023* | R M Scott – Installation of Notice Boards, Bench repairs and creation of step | BACS | 1,240.00 |
| 17 August 2023* | C Perry – Purchase of 10 Bird Boxes | BACS | 100.00 |
| 25 August 2023 | HSBC – Bank Charges | DR | 5.00 |
| 25 August 2023 | Zoom – Webcasting Subscription | Visa | 15.59 |
| 25 August 2023 | Post Office – Postage | Visa | 3.10 |
| 31 August 2023* | Mega Electrical – Removal & Dispatch of Defective Speed Signs (March 2023) | Visa | 670.20 |
| 62,870.83 |
Those payments marked * were authorised under the delegated powers given to the Chair and Vice Chair at the meeting on 12 July 2023.
Bank Balances at 31 August 2023 :
Business Account : £ 215,238.78
Deposit Account : £ 114,030.91
Total : £ 329,269.69
Invoices for Authorisation
Members approved the following invoices to be paid amounting to £2,940.
INVOICES FOR AUTHORISATION
SEPTEMBER 2023 MEETING
(Copies Available for Inspection)
5 Sept 2023 Wrexham County Borough Council –
Office Rental 3 Years – Sept 2021, 2022 & 2023 £1,500.00
1 Sept 2023 Jay & Dee Gardening Services :
Cemetery Grasscutting £ 720.00
6 Sept 2023 Jay & Dee Gardening Services :
Cemetery Grasscutting £ 720.00
TOTAL £ 2,940.00
Response to Audit Wales and Internal Audit Reports – Action Plan
The above reports had been considered by the community council at the July 2023 meeting.
The Clerk presented an Action Plan to address the issues in the report.
The Clerk was asked to look into the feasibility of a community council credit card, which would provide greater protection for larger purchases.
Members agreed the Action Plan.
Insurance Premium
Members agreed the premium of £1,107.07.
- POLICIES
Capital Programme
The Clerk presented a report which highlighted areas which may require significant expenditure in the next few years.
Members accepted the recommendations in the report.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
There were no planning applications. However concern was expressed that boxes in relation to the G5 mast at Darby Road, Brynteg appeared to have been installed prior to planning permission being granted.
Page 6
- MEMBER REPORTS
- Members were informed that a water supply had been installed at the Stryt y Bydden site, which could be a potential breach of a Court Order.
- A request was made to supply strimming equipment to a volunteer to assist with clearing areas around the Memorial Park, Brynteg. The Clerk informed Members that the community council was not allowed to make donation to individuals.
It was suggested that Brymbo Heritage Trust may be able to help.
Signed …………………………………… (Chair)
Date …………………………
