Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council
on Wednesday 23 November 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
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. N. Davies, G. Davies and A. Edwards
All apologies were accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
Cllr. B. Parry -Jones expressed a personal and prejudicial interest on the issue regarding the cemetery bench.
- PCSO REPORT
PCSO Tim Peers had given his apologies for being unable to attend.
The following points were raised :
- Some issues are being closed down too soon before full resolution has been achieved.
- The new PCSO is now in post.
- Concerns about slow response to incidents.
- An incidents requiring considerable police presence had occurred at the Cross Foxes Public House in Pentre Broughton.
- Feedback on the Licencing application hearing in relation to the above was provided.
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 12 OCTOBER 2022.
The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record.
Page 2 – Gwalia Place
An email had been received from Paula Hayward, Wrexham CBC stating that the only viable option in their opinion was a 25 year lease agreement for both the grassed area and car park.
It was agreed to schedule this for further discussion at the December meeting.
The Clerk would prepare a briefing note summarising the advantages and disadvantages .
Page 4 – Youth Provision
The Clerk would contact Wrexham CBC for an update on the current position.
Page 4 – Bowling Club
The Clerk had spoken to the Bowling Club to clarify the current position in relation to replacing the hedge with fencing.
Page 4 – Cemetery Working Group
The Cemetery Working Group had met, in particular to discuss the request for a replacement bench on an already existing concrete base.
It was agreed to allow a bench to be installed, subject to approval on the quality and type of bench.
Cllr. B. Parry-Jones wanted it noted that she voted against the proposal.
Page 4 – Hope House
This item had been deferred from the previous meeting to check how much the council normally donates.
It was agreed to donate £200.
The Clerk pointed out that a similar request had been received from Nightingale House.
It was agreed to donate the same amount as Hope House.
Page 4 – Brymbo Bus Service
A Member stated that he received responses from various organisations relating to changes to this service, in particular the fact that the bus no longer calls at the Plas Coch Retail Park.
He had been informed that the changes made were the result of a business decision, as the route was not considered to be cost effective.
A consultation exercise was to take place.
Concern was expressed that the decision had been taken simply to enhance other routes operated by Arriva.
It was suggested that perhaps an alternative service provider may be interested in taking up the route.
Page 4 – Fencing at Alexandra House, New Broughton
Members were informed that options were currently being considered.
- 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.
- EVENTS
Feedback from Remembrance Sunday
A number of points were raised :
- Disappointing that the Army Cadets were not present.
- A considerable amount of positive feedback had been received.
- Issues about a lack of lamppost poppies. It was pointed out that the community council had purchased 300 poppies in the past few years.
- Thanks were expressed to everyone who helped organise and those who attended the event.
- £31.50 had been raised selling refreshments. It was agreed to increase this amount to £50 as a donation to the Royal British Legion.
Carol Service – Sunday 18 December 2022
This was to start at 4 pm on the above date.
It was agreed :
- To book the Memorial Hall as an indoor venue in case of bad weather.
- A budget of £200 be set aside for refreshments, chocolates etc.
- A budget of £500 be set aside for outdoor, light up decorations.
- PROJECTS
Speed Signs
The Clerk informed Members that the four additional solar powered speed signs, one of each ward, had finally be delivered. They were currently being stored by Mega Electrical, who would also install them.
It was agreed to defer the installation of the signs until the New Year, given that Mega Electrical were at present extremely busy with Christmas Lighting work.
Village Notice Boards
The Clerk informed Members that the four notice boards had been delivered and were currently being stored.
The Clerk asked the Ward Members to agree the exact location for installation in their ward.
It was agreed to ask Mr. Allan Lloyd, our grounds maintenance contractor, to install them.
Village Road Signs
It was agreed to defer this item until the New Year.
- COMMUNITY AGENT
This item had been deferred from the previous meeting.
The Clerk informed Members that he had held discussions with Mr. Latham-White from Wrexham Council. If the community council wished to appoint a community agent there appeared to be two options :
- To directly appoint an agent, with the Welsh Government Grant being paid to the community council and the community council directly employing the agent. The agent would report to the Clerk.
- To appoint the Clerk under a consortium arrangement with other community councils, managed by Wrexham CBC, The community agent would work exclusively for 16 hours per week in the Broughton community, but Wrexham CBC would be responsible for his employment issues, payroll etc.
It was agreed to proceed with option (ii).
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
No planning applications had been received.
- CORRESPONDENCE
(i) A request made via the Wrexham Youth Play Partnership that an area of community council land behind the Memorial Hall be cleared by a volunteer to create a play area.
It was agreed to invite a representative of the Play Partnership to a council meeting in the New Year.
(ii) A Service Level Agreement including the Schedule of Rates for 2023-24 with Mega Electrical.
It was agreed that Mega Electrical be retained as the electrical contractor for 2023-24.
(iii) Letter and emails from the Valuation Office relating to business rates for the Bowling Pavilion at Brynteg. The Clerk had notified them that the pavilion is the property of Wrexham CBC.
(iv) An email from Wrexham CBC informing the community council that play equipment had been damaged at the Gatewen Road Play Area. As this was a health and safety issue the Clerk had authorised Wrexham CBC to undertake the work immediately.
Councillors agreed the Clerk’s actions.
(v) Email from Welsh Government stipulating that “community councils should seek to achieve publication of final audited accounts by 31 January 2023”. The Clerk pointed out that the Audit Wales had not yet signed off the accounts as far back as 2019/20.
(vi) Email from a resident highlighting a number of concerns of traffic related issues on Victoria Road, Brynteg.
Members felt that the issues were Wrexham CBC’s responsibility and that she should contact them.
(vii) An email from Wrexham CBC stating that the community council needed to structurally assess any lamp columns where Xmas lighting was to be erected. The Clerk pointed out that the email had been received after the lighting had already been erected.
In view of this the Clerk had liaised with the Chair, who gave authority to commission the work at a cost of £1,500 plus VAT.
Members agreed the actions taken.
(viii) An email from Welsh Government setting the “appropriate sum under Section 137(4)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 at £9.93 for the financial year 2023-24.
(ix) An email from the Clerk at Llangollen, stating that the cost to them for a system for hybrid meetings was £5,000.
Members were informed that Wrexham CBC had plans to install such equipment at the Memorial Hall, but it was not known when this would be.
- MEMBER REPORTS
(i) It was felt that a formal policy relating to public questions and public speaking needed to be developed.
(ii) A Member expressed concern about a lack of adequate lighting on Wrexham Road, Brynteg. It was pointed out that there were numerous other locations with similar issues. It was also unclear whether the area in question was the responsibility of the county borough council or the community council.
(iii) It was suggested that, given that it was the Centenary of the Memorial Gates next year, the event should be marked amongst other things by the purchase and erection of one or flag poles.
It was agreed to discuss this at a future meeting.
Members were also informed that there may be a need to engrave additional names on the pillars.
(iv) An email had been received notifying the community council that Cllr Andrew Humphreys had tendered his resignation.
The Clerk was asked to contact Mr. Humphreys to thank him for his service.
- CEMETERY BENCH
It was agreed that this issue be discussed as a Part II Confidential item as there may be legal proceedings taken against the community council
The Clerk updated Members on the current position.
Signed …………………………………… (Chair)
Date …………………………
