Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council
on Wednesday 8th February 2023
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 Cllr K Jones
Councillor T Williams* Cllr. J. Pettigrew
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllrs. G. Davies, E. Jones, A. Edwards and T. Williams
All apologies were accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
There were no Declarations of Personal Interest.
- YOUTH PROVISION
The Chair welcomed Officers from the Youth Provision Team at Wrexham County Borough Council.
A proposal had been received to provide two , two hour youth sessions a week during term time and two, two hour play sessions a week all year round.
The following points were raised :
- The Youth Service had great experience of providing such services for other communities, six across Wrexham of this nature and eleven in total.
- They had achieved the Silver Quality Mark.
- The Officers outlined in more detail the nature of the service.
- The service would cover five to twenty four year olds.
- The emphasis would be on outdoor play. Therefore the Memorial Hall would not be used initially.
- They would provide such things as play equipment.
- They had twenty one members of staff in total. All staff were on permanent contracts.
- The sessions would run from 6.30 to 8.30 pm.
- A container based model could be considered in the future. The container may be provided from the Youth Team’s budget i.e. no, or reduced cost, to the community council.
- Concerns were raised in relation to potential anti-social behaviour. However the Officers emphasised that, in their experience, youths had tended to take ownership and pride in the equipment and container.
- The youth provision would be of a detached nature, but flexible enough to either be in the form of a walk around or a fixed location where youths could come to them.
- Issues with Broughton covering such a large geographical area, encompassing seven villages.
- The need to promote / advertise the provision through schools etc.
- How “hotspots” / behavioural issues were addressed.
- The inclusion of trips etc. in the provision.
- Whilst the provision is targeted at children / youths from this community, their policy was not to turn away others.
- Clothing, equipment etc. could be provided for inclement weather.
The Community Council had held discussions with other organisations over the past couple of years,
It was therefore agreed to accept the proposal at a cost of £ 29,171.34 for the year 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
- PCSO REPORT
A report detailing incidents for the period 11 January 2023 to 3 February 2023 was discussed, with the following points being raised :
- The PCSOs were, unfortunately, unable to attend. The Clerk would contact them to request that they attend the next meeting.
- An incident had taken place at New Broughton roundabout where a speeding car had crashed through the barrier.
The Clerk would make enquiries as to whether this had been included in the report.
- There were also other concerns about speeding cars in the area generally.
- The Chairman outlined an incident that had occurred at Gatewen Playing Fields, where a child had threatened another child with a knife.
Members accepted the report.
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 11 JANUARY 2023.
A Member pointed out that the minutes referred to a reference on Page 3 – Carol Service to
The Welsh Football Team, who had not played that day. The Clerk would amend the minutes accordingly
Other than this amendment the minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record.
Matters Arising
Page 2 – Community House
Members were informed that a Members’ meeting had been held the previous Friday, with a meeting of a number of interested organisations to be held on 13 February. This meeting would ensure that the necessary legalities were being complied with in terms of closing down the Community Interest Company and to explore options for the future.
Members would be updated at the next meeting.
Page 4 – Southsea Church Donation
This had been paid and the project had been advertised.
Page 4 – Mr Nick Elson
A Member stated that Mr Elson was asking other members of the community for donations of bulbs.
- COUNCILLOR VACANCY – BRYN CEFN WARD
The Clerk explained that the election had been triggered by a petition signed by 10 Members of the public. He informed Members of the timetable for the above election, with Polling Day being held on Thursday 23 February.
A Member stated that some members of the public were confused as to what the election was being held for i.e. Community Council or County Borough Council and that the monies could have been used in a better way.
However an alternative view was expressed that some had said that it was “nice to see democracy in operation”.
The Clerk informed Members that a second vacancy in Bryn Cefn was now open with the resignation of Cllr. J. Holland. He had contracted the Elections Office who had informed him that the two vacancies needed to be dealt with separately. He had therefor posted the required election notice but, in this case, no election was required and a notice for applications for co-option could be posted.
- FINANCE
Summary of Payments Made & Income Received for January 2023
Members agreed the report.
Outstanding Invoices
Members authorised the Clerk to process the necessary payments.
A Member raised concern that the community council still had not received any evidence that the £500 donation to Brymbo Lodge Football Club had been spent on decorating supplies.
It was agreed that the Clerk contact the football club to ask for relevant receipts. If this was not forthcoming the community council would require a return of the £500.
Annual Staff Pay Review – Cemetery Assistant
It was agreed the Cemetery Assistant progress to National Joint Council (NJC) Spinal Point 13.
Annual Pay Review – Clerk / Responsible Finance Officer
At this point the Clerk left the meeting.
It was agreed that the Clerk progress from NJC Spinal Point 28 to 29. In additional his weekly hours be increased to 25 hours. This increase in hours is to take account of the increased workload since his appointment, since signing the initial Contract of Employment in February 2019 and to reflect the hours paid by neighbouring community councils.
Both of the reviews to take effect from 1 January 2023.
- POLICIES
Risk Assessment
The Clerk outlined the main contents of the report, highlighting in particular the main financial risks to the council :
Cemetery – The need to undertake a risk assessment in terms of the headstones. Cllr. Parry- Jones would obtain details of the assessor who has recently undertaken a similar assessment in the neighbouring St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Street Lighting – The Clerk stated that he has recently attended a meeting of the Street Lighting Consortium, of which Broughton is a member. The Group had agreed that the greatest risks related to the concrete lamp columns. Mega Electrical, the Consortium’s contactor had agreed to visually inspect the columns to identify any in urgent need to replacement.
It was agreed that a budget for replacing 10 columns per year from 2022/23 onwards be allocated for this purpose until such time that they are all replaced.
New Broughton Recreation Ground
It was agreed that the Clerk contact Coedpoeth Football Club to find out whether they are still interested in taking out a lease on the recreation ground.
Members Agreed the report.
Financial Controls Report
The Clerk outlined the main content of the report, highlighting any changes made. He outlined in particular the controls in place relating to electronic payments.
Members agreed the report.
- PROJECTS
Village Notice Boards
The Clerk stated that that he had been in touch with contractor, who would be in a position to undertake the work. However he also stated that he was still awaiting their exact location from Ward Members.
It was agreed that:
Southsea – On the grassed area at the junction with Forge Road
Lodge – By the Planter
Brynteg – At Community House (although this may need to be re-considered given the fact it is closing)
New Broughton – Ward Members to agree the location.
Flagpoles
The Clerk had obtained a second quote which was similar pricewise to the first one. He would make further enquiries as to getting plans drawn up. It is likely that planning permission would be required.
Speed Signs
The signs had been erected but there were concerns that they were not working. They would be monitored over the next couple of weeks.
Defibrillators
An order had been placed.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
No applications have been received since the January 2023 meeting.
- CORRESPONDENCE
(i) Email from Cemetery Assistant :
- Need for spoil heap to be emptied – The Clerk will make enquiries.
- Gravedigger levelling off soil taken from graves.
- When will cemetery tap be repaired ? – The Clerk is awaiting the contractor to repair it.
- Registrar’s Office no longer provide pre-paid envelope -The Clerk will purchase stamps for the Cemetery Assistant to return the forms.
(ii)SLCC Membership Renewal Reminder – The Clerk was requested to renew the membership.
(iii) Request from Black Lane School for a donation towards play equipment – It was agreed to donate £500. Page 5
- MEMBER REPORTS
(i) The Cycle path needs clearing.
(ii) Concern about the number of potholes.
(iii) Query as to whether a budget is required for King’s Coronation celebrations – It was agreed for a budget of up to £500 per ward.
(iv) Concerns about dog fouling, particularly in or near to children’s play areas.
(v) A request to install a lamp column in Southsea – It was agreed to install the column.
Signed …………………………………… (Chair)
Date …………………………
