Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council
on Wednesday 14 December 2022
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
An apology was received from Cllr. E. Jones.
The apology was accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
Cllr. B. Parry -Jones expressed a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to the issue regarding the cemetery bench.
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 23 NOVEMBER 2022.
Cllr. B. Parry- Jones requested that she be named in the minutes in relation to Page 2, Cemetery Working Group, as voting against the decision to allow a replacement bench on an existing concrete base.
Members agreed to the amendment and the Clerk stated that he would amend the minutes.
Other than this the minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record.
Matters Arising
Page 1 – PCSO Report
A Member asked for clarification as to what was meant by “closed too soon”. It was explained that some Members felt that the police were closing down incidents before a satisfactory resolution had been achieved.
A Member outlined the outcome of the Licensing Application made by the Cross Foxes, High Street, Pentre Broughton :
- Earlier opening to serve breakfasts from 10am was granted. However there would be no takeaway hatch.
- Whenever any sort of music was played all windows and doors must be kept closed.
- No boxing events were to be held.
- Only plastic glasses to be allowed in outdoor areas.
- The Police had not objected to the application.
- The Licensing Panel had viewed CCTV footage of incidents at the premises.
In addition the Member informed Members that the Police had attended the premises to deal with drug and violence issues. She also informed Members that the brewery’s solicitor was unaware that the licensee did not live on the premises and that the application may not have been made had they been aware of this.
Page 2 – Youth Provision
The Clerk had contacted Wrexham CBC for an update on progress. A response had been received from stating that they would wish to meet with Members to give an update on community profiling.
Members were concerned about the delay in making progress with the project and would rather Wrexham CBC progress the project as quickly as possible.
The Clerk was asked to contact them again.
Page 2 – Cemetery Working Group
The Clerk informed Members that he had received applications from two people to replace the bench. The Clerk had been in touch with both to attempt to reach a compromise. One suggestion was that, instead of a bench, two separate chairs be situated on the concrete base, one for each family.
Members agreed to this arrangement.
Cllr B. Parry-Jones requested that her objection to the arrangement be minuted.
Concern was expressed that the grave digger was “dumping” excess spoil from graves over the fence , as opposed to taking it down to the walled spoil heap at the bottom of the cemetery.
The Clerk was asked to contact Roberts Bros. to express concern and to request that the practice cease and the spoil be removed to the spoil heap.
Page 3 – Carol Service
It was agreed that arrangements be put in place to hold the Carol Service indoors at the Memorial Hall, given the predicted inclement weather.
It was also agreed to advertise the event on social media and the website.
Page 3 – Notice Boards
It was agreed to defer this issue until the New Year.
Page 3 – Community Agent
The Clerk had informed Wrexham CBC that the community council would wish to employ a community agent, initially for 16 hours per week, through Wrexham CBC’s collaboration arrangement.
Further contact would be made early in the New Year.
- GWALIA PLACE
As previously requested by Members the Clerk distributed a briefing note.
In addition, Members were informed that another organisation was interested in taking over this area through a lease with Wrexham CBC, under the Roots to Shoots Fund. Whilst the organisation in question is Brymbo based the application would cover both the Brymbo and Broughton communities.
A number of points were made :
- The potential erection of a monument on the site, highlighting the area’s past industrial heritage.
- Whilst there are no plans for housing development at the moment, no one knows what may happen in the future.
- If this organisation is willing to take on the project, there is no potential benefit for the community council to progress its request for a lease.
- Whatever approach is agreed there is a need to protect this green space.
It was agreed to support the other organisation’s alternative proposal.
The Clerk would contact the Leader of Wrexham CBC.
- FINANCE
Details of Payments Made and Income Received
Members agreed the payments made since the last meeting and authorised the Clerk to make the outstanding payments as listed.
The Clerk informed Members that a number of current cheque signatories were no longer serving members of the community council
It was agreed that Cllrs. K. Jones and A. Lovett become cheque signatories.
Budget Monitoring Report
The Clerk presented a report detailing income and expenditure for the six month period April to September 2022. He explained the various income and expenditure items and responded to Member questions. In particular he highlighted the considerable increase in balances compared to the same time the previous year. This could partly be explained by the fact that no expenditure had been incurred in relation to youth provision.
Members thanked the Clerk and accepted the report.
Precept Report
The Clerk introduced the precept report, which detailed actual income and expenditure for the year 2021/22, the agreed budget for 2022/23 and a proposed budget for 2023/24. The report included options for the possible level of the precept for 2023/24.
The following points were made :
- These are difficult times for people generally.
- A need to use some of the current balances to help people the most vulnerable members of the community.
- A 5% reduction in the precept sends out the correct message to the public.
- However, an alternative view was that a reduction could set a precedent.
- The community council element of Council Tax was negligible compared other elements of Council Tax e.g. the County Borough and Police elements.
- Keeping the precept at last year’s level would allow increased expenditure on projects that would benefit the community and its residents.
- A need to target expenditure on those people who really need it.
It was agreed to set the precept for 2023/24 at a figure of £156,876 i.e. the same figure as 2022/23.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Stryt Y Bydden, New Broughton – Application for Temporary Vehicle Access and Ground Levelling
The Chair gave outlined the background to this application and previous issues and events relating to this site.
The following points were raised :
- The land in question is out of settlement.
- It is situated on Green Barrier land, the whole idea of which is to protect the land from this type of development. According to the National Planning Framework Green Belt boundaries should only be altered where circumstances are fully evidenced and justified.
- It is not currently highlighted on the current LDP 2.
- Illegal groundworks were performed on the site which resulted in a Court Injunction which has now been breached by the request for retrospective planning.
It was agreed that the community council opposed the application. The Clerk would notify the Wrexham CBC Planning Department of the community council’s reasons for this decision.
27 Coed Efa, New Broughton – Creation of Off Road Parking Area
Members agreed to support the application.
- CORRESPONDENCEI
(i) Request for a donation from Family Friends – Noted.
(ii) Email from AVOW notifying the community council that additional funding from Cadwyn Clwyd was available to support community buildings post Covid – Noted
Cllr. N. Williams declared an interest as a Board Member of Cadwyn Clwyd and took no part in the discussion.
(iii) Email from Rev. Marshall requesting financial support towards the upkeep of St Paul’s Church Cemetery, Pentre Broughton.
It was agreed to make a donation of £750.
- MEMBER REPORTS
(i) A Member expressed concern that decisions being taken at Council are not being adhered to. This latest particular issue related to the New Broughton Environmental Budget. It was explained that decisions relating to such budgets had been delegated to Ward Members. In this instance Ward Members had all received an email and the majority had supported a particular course of action.
(ii) It was agreed that the community council purchase a Coronation Commemorative Coin for all children attending the three schools in the community council area when they become available.
(iii) Members were informed that Community House, Darby Road, Brynteg would be closing on 31 March 2023 when the current lease expires.
(iv) Cemetery fees would be an agenda item for the March 2023 meeting.
(v) It was agreed in principle to purchase two additional defibrillators, one for the “old Part” of Southsea and one for the Moss.
Signed …………………………………… (Chair)
Date …………………………