Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council
on Wednesday 14 May 2025
Members
Cllr. F. Derbyshire (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. S. Feely Cllr. L. Speed*
Cllr. A Hughes*
*Absent
- APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR
It was agreed that Cllr F. Derbyshire be appointed as Chair for the coming year.
Cllr. Derbyshire thanked the Clerk for his support.
- APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIR
It was agreed that Cllr. J. Pettigrew serve as Vice Chair for the coming year.
- CHAIR’S ALLOWANCE
It was agreed that the Chair be paid an allowance of £300 for the coming year.
- MEMBER ALLOWANCES
The Clerk reminded Members that the Independent Remuneration Panel had recommended a Member salary of £156 for the coming year. He stated that he would circulate a form to Members at the next meeting for them to indicate whether or not they wished to receive the payment.
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been received from Cllrs N. Davies, C. Lovett, A. Lovett, A. Edwards, L. Speed and A. Hughes.
All apologies were accepted.
However the Clerk informed Members that Cllr. T. Williams had not attended a meeting for nearly 12 months.
It was agreed that Cllr. Williams be requested to stand down and the appropriate notices be published to advertise the vacancy in the New Broughton Ward.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
None.
- SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS 2025/26
The Clerk had circulated a proposed schedule as part of the agenda papers.
Members agreed the dates.
- PCSO REPORT
The report had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting.
The Clerk informed Members that the Inspector had declined a request to attend a future meeting. However the Clerk had spoken to PC Rhys Roberts and had outlined some of the concerns councillors had in relation to crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.
PC Roberts stated that he would attend the June meeting.
- APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES TO WORKING GROUPS/ OUTSIDE BODIES
(i) Brynteg Primary School Governing Body – Cllr. S. Feely
(ii) Ysgol Penrhyn Governing Body – Cllr. C. Lovett
(iii) Black Lane School Governing Body – Cllr. F. Derbyshire
(iv) Brymbo Heritage Group – Cllr. S. Williams MBE
– Cllr. B. Parry-Jones
(v) Cemetery Working Group – Cllr. S. Feely
– Cllr. E. Jones
– Cllr. A. Lovett
– Cllr. N. Williams
– Cllr. C. Williams
– Cllr. B. Parry-Jones
– Cllr. F. Derbyshire
(vi) Events Working Group – It was agreed to invite all Members to this group.
(vii) Street Lighting Working Group
– Cllr. B. Parry- Jones
– Cllr. C. Lovett
– Cllr. S Feely
– Cllr. S. Williams
– Cllr. N. Williams
– Cllr. J.Pettigrew
– Cllr. J. Williams
(viii) Youth Provision Working Group
– Cllr. B. Parry-Jones
– Cllr. N. Davies
– Cllr. C. Lovett
– Cllr. A. Lovett
– Cllr. S. Williams
– Cllr. N . Williams
– Cllr. J. Williams
– Cllr. J. Pettigrew
(ix) Defibrillator Working Group
It was agreed to delete this group.
- MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9 April 2025
The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record.
Matters Arising
Page 2 -Community Agent
Members were informed that it had been agreed that the current community agent be transferred to a future service provider if necessary.
Page 2- Valley Court
Cllr. B. Parry-Jones informed Members that Wrexham CBC no longer provide metal sheds for storage. Wrexham CBC also stated that storing mobility scooters under stairwells was a potential fire hazard.
Cllr. B. Parry-Jones would make further enquiries.
Page 2 – Bus Shelters
It was agreed that the Clerk make further enquiries about the potential cost of a bus shelter at High Street, Pentre Broughton.
Page 2 – Speed Sign, Southsea Road
The Clerk had informed Members that that TWM, the current supplier, had ceased trading. The Clerk had made enquiries about someone to repair the sign but without success.
It was agreed that the sign on Southsea Road be replaced if it cannot be repaired. Quotes would be evaluated on a mixture of cost, aesthetics, warranty and whether the supplier gives an insurance backed guarantee should they cease trading.
In addition it was agreed that no further signs be purchased other than ones to replace existing signs that cannot be repaired.
Page 3 – Chair’s Chain of Office
It had been agreed at the March 2025 meeting that a new ribbon be purchased at a cost of £50 plus VAT, plus delivery.
However the Clerk informed Members that an alternative was available, in as much that it was double thickness and may therefore last longer.
It was agreed to purchase the double thickness one at a cost of £80 plus VAT plus delivery.
Page 5 – Bench for New Broughton Recreation Ground
It was agreed to purchase a metal bench at a cost of no more than £1000 including a concrete base and installation.
- FINANCE
Audit Wales Report – 2023/24
The Clerk shared the above report with Members. He highlighted that the auditor had highlighted the fact that he felt that the community council “had not made a reasonable decision on what constituted “the most economically advantageous offer” other than by reference to price in relation to awarding the cemetery grasscutting contract
We recommend that if it intends to take criteria other than price in consideration, the Council specifies in its quotation document, the criteria that will be used to assess quotes.”
Members accepted this recommendation.
Income & Expenditure Accounts & Annual Return 2024/25
The Clerk presented the accounts. He highlighted in particular that the accounts had been prepared on an income and expenditure basis as opposed to previous years which had been on a receipts and payments basis. This was due to the fact that income and expenditure exceeds
the £200,000 threshold.
Members agreed the accounts and gave the Clerk authority to submit the accounts, together with the Annual Return to the Internal Auditor.
SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE – APRIL 2025
(Payments inc. VAT where Applicable)
Members agreed to income and expenditure amounting to 86,767.17 and £ 31,170.54 respectivilely.
SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE – APRIL 2025
(Payments inc. VAT where Applicable)
Income –
| Date | Payee | Method of Payment | Amount £ |
| 4 April 2025 | Wrexham CBC – Precept | CR | 63,273.33 |
| 7 April 2025 | HMRC – VAT Refund 2023-24 | CR | 23,493.84 |
| TOTAL 86,767.17 | |||
Expenditure
| Date | Payer | Method of Payment
|
Amount
£ |
| 1 April 2025 | Salix Finance – Final Loan Repayment | DD | 8010.69 |
| 1 April 2025 | Hafren Dyfrdwy – Cemetery Water | BACS | 189.81 |
| 1 April 2025 | St Paul’s Church – Donation | BACS | 500.00 |
| 7 April 2025 | AVOW – April Salaries | BACS | 2895.68 |
| 11 April 2025 | Wrexham CAB – Outreach Service (Oct 2024- March 2025 & April – Sept 2025 | BACS | 9000.00 |
| 11 April 2025 | Aaron Badrock (Landscapers that Care) – (Grasscutting – 2 cuts) | BACS | 2028.00 |
| 11 April 2025 | Mega Electrical (Repairs – Jan -March 2025) | BACS | 2329.30 |
| 11 April 2025 | Inst. Cemetery Management (Annual Subscription) | BACS | 110.00 |
| 23 April 2025 | SSE – March Energy Costs | DD | 1255.57 |
| 23 April 2025 | Amazon – VE Day Bunting | Visa | 74.89 |
| 24 April 2025 | Wrexham CBC – CCT Maintenance* | BACS | 3600.00 |
| 24 April 2025 | Mega Electrical -Repairs to lamp columns , Forge Road | BACS | 859.20 |
| 24 April 2025 | Defib Store (Defibrillator replacement batteries and pads)* | BACs | 312.00 |
| 25 April 2025 | HSBC – Bank Charges | CHQ | 5.40 |
| TOTAL 31,170.54 | |||
* These two payments were authorised in advance of the meeting by the Chair due to their urgent nature.
Bank Balances at 31 April 2025 :
Business Account : £ 154,216.13
Deposit Account : £ 117,425.58
Members also authorised the Clerk to make payments amounting to £8,632.30
INVOICES FOR AUTHORISATION
MAY 2025 MEETING
(Copies Available for Inspection)
31 March 2025 Mega Electrical – Fault & Repairs (January
To March 2025) £ 2,329.30
25 April 2025 Mega Electrical – Replace lamp column
At Windsor Road, New Broughton inc.
Traffic Management & Wall Repairs £ 4,782.00
30 April 2025 Blue Ribbon Solutions (Landscapers
That Care – April Cemetery Grasscutting) £ 1,521.00
TOTAL £ 8,632.30
- CEMETERY
The Clerk informed Members that a number of complaints had been received about the grasscutting in the cemetery. He had visited the cemetery and met with the contractor, who admitted that the quality of work was inadequate. It was agreed that the amount on the latest invoice be reduced to reflect this (30 April 2025).
A discussion ensued in relation to the principle of directly employing a cemetery groundsperson as opposed to a contractual arrangement for grasscutting, an arrangement in operation at a number of neighbouring community councils. It was felt that there could be distinct advantages to this, as he/she could undertake other duties such as maintaining the planters, erecting lamppost poppies, Christmas arrangements etc.
It was recognised that such an arrangement would take time to organise and investment would be needed, for such issues as recruitment, training, purchase of equipment etc.
However it was agreed in principle to progress this further, with a view to having it in place for the 2026/27 grasscutting season.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
P/2025/0378 – Bus Depot, Berse Road, New Broughton – Erection of Staff Welfare Building and Maintenance Shelter
Noted.
P/2025/0358 – First Floor Extension & Conversion of Garage to Games Room , 7 Lower Mill Drive, New Broughton
Noted.
- CORRESPONDENCE.
- Email from the Clerk at Penycae Community Council requesting details of the community council’s street lighting inventory in order for inclusion in the tender documents for the street lighting contract.
The Clerk would provide the necessary details.
- Confirmation that the cradle seats and chain had been replaced at the Southsea Play Ares had been replaced free of charge. Noted
- Notification of the Nightingale House 30th Anniversary Event on 20 June 2025 from 10.30am to 2 pm. Noted
- MEMBER REPORTS
- Confirmation that the Community House final settlement had now been reached.
- The potential of possible grants for play equipment.
- The Clerk had not been informed as to whether the meeting with Bellway Homes had taken place.
- A Community Clean up Day will take place on 25 May 2025.
- A concern with unsafe practices being undertaken regarding the telecommunications work in the area.
Signed …………………………………… (Chair)
Date …………………………
