Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council
Held at the Brymbo Sports and Social Club
on Wednesday 15 September 2021
Members
Councillor N Williams (Chair)
*Councillor A Lovett (Vice Chair)
*Councillor A Humphreys Cllr N Davies
*Councillor G Davies Councillor L O’Donnell
Councillor B Parry-Jones Councillor F Prince
Councillor T Alan Edwards Councillor S Williams
Councillor B Roxburgh Councillor S Feely
Councillor D Jarvis *Councillor C Williams
Councillor E Jones *Councillor C Lovett
*Absent
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE / PERSONAL MATTERS
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. A Lovett, C Lovett, G Davies, C Williams and A Humphreys. All apologies were accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
Cllr S. Williams declared a personal interest in item 7 (Planning Application).
- STREET LIGHTING ON NEW ROAD, LODGE
Members agreed for a member of the public to address the meeting on the above issue.
She highlighted the fact that there was no street lighting on a long 40 mph stretch of the road. In addition, the pavements were in a poor condition and there was no litter bin (although the latter two were issues for Wrexham CBC). These issues made it dangerous.
Brymbo Community Council had recently trialled solar powered street lights.
The Chair thanked her for attending and agreed to schedule it for the next meeting.
- MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14 JULY 2021
The minutes of the meeting of 14 July 2021 were confirmed as a true record.
Matters Arising
Page 1 – PCSOs – It was agreed that the PCSOs be invited back to a future meeting.
A Member also pointed out that the illegal use of electric scooters appeared to have reduced.
Page 2 – Southsea Caravan Site
Members were informed that the planning application has been approved.
Cllr. F. Prince was thanked for speaking on behalf of the community council against the application at the Planning meeting of Wrexham CBC. WCBC councillors emphasised that they would continue to ensure that effective enforcement is undertaken.
Page 3 – Insurance
The Clerk reminded Members that the Council’s insurance was due for renewal on 21 September. He had received two quotes, a third company had not responded despite him providing them with the information they had requested
It was agreed to accept the quote from Zurich Municipal for a period of three years.
Page 4 – Youth Work
Nothing had been heard from Wrexham Council regarding youth provision in Brynteg and Southsea. Cllr N Williams will chase it up.
Page 4 – Cycle Path
No work had progressed on the cycle path. Cllr A. Edwards would chase it up.
- FINANCE
- PAYMENTS MADE AND INCOME RECEIVED (JULY AND AUGUST 2021)
- Members agreed the payments made and income received for July & August 2021 payments made under the delegated decision making powers given to the Chair and Vice Chair in the absence of an August meeting.
- They further agreed outstanding payments to Digital Issue and Scottish Power as detailed in the agenda papers.
- The Clerk informed Members that, following the Auditor’s recommendations, there was a need to review the Council’s Financial Regulations and amend procedures. This would entail ensuring that Members authorise and sign off prior to payment wherever possible (other than urgent payments, emergencies and the delegated powers given to Ward Members in relation to the Environmental budgets. However, Members needed to give consideration to the use of direct debits.
- Members agreed for the Clerk to initially set up direct debits with Wrexham County Borough Council, AVOW for payroll, Scottish Power for energy bills and Salix Finance for the street lighting loan repayment.
Standing Orders and Financial Regulations would be amended accordingly.
- Members agreed the Clerk’s Expenses as submitted to them.
- DELEGATED DECISIONS
Members were informed of decisions taken by the Chair and Vice Chair in terms of agreeing a revised job description and contract of employment for the Cemetery Assistant and weedkiller spraying at the cemetery.
- EVENTS/ PROJECTS
Xmas Lighting
The Clerk gave an update on the policy and procedures which Wrexham CBC had put in place for approval to be given for the erection of items attached to its lighting columns. The procedures include a requirement to provide evidence that windage structural assessments had been undertaken on items more than a metre squared and that additional energy costs had been agreed by Scottish Power.
Members agreed that windage structural assessments be undertaken by Rei Lux, as it is the only company who carries out such tests.
It was further agreed that the Christmas lights be operational from 15 November 2021 and 5 January 2022 between the hours of 3.30 pm and 12.30 am.
Remembrance Sunday
Discussion took place as to the potential of having a sound system in place for the event. Costs would be identified. In addition the Police had been informed of the timing of the Service, should Government restrictions allow.
Defibrillators
Members were informed that the defibrillators in Brynteg and New Broughton had been installed.
Members agreed to purchase defibrillators for each of the three primary schools in the community.
Cemetery
Concerns was expressed that, despite work having been undertaken to level the waste ground at the cemetery, it was still not in a good enough or safe enough for regular grasscutting. Members were reminded that they had a duty of care for employees, contractors and the public.
Members expressed concern about the uneven surface of the car park.
Concern was also expressed about some of the objects being placed on graves, which was against Council policy and made grasscutting difficult.
It was agreed that the current policies be reviewed prior to the new cemetery section be officially opened.
There was a need to ensure that the new section be consecrated prior to use.
It was agreed that the Cemetery Working Group meet on 23 September 2021 at 11 am to consider this and other cemetery related issues.
Planters
The planters for New Broughton and the cemetery had been delivered. In terms of New Broughton there was a need to identify volunteers to maintain them. It was suggested that a request be published on Facebook for volunteers.
In relation to the cemetery planters it was agreed that volunteers meet on Saturday 25 September 2021 at 10 am to plant them up. A budget of £500 + VAT would set aside for gravel, compost, plants etc.
Speed Signs
The Clerk informed Members that they had agreed to purchase four speed signs from TWM. Unfortunately, since the last meeting, TWM stated that they made a mistake with the quote and the price had increased significantly. The Clerk had therefore contacted the other companies who had quoted.
Members agreed to purchase the speed signs from the company who gave the most cost effective quote.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Members had been informed prior to the meeting of an application relating to a Tree Preservation Order at Trem Y Nant, Pentre Broughton – Noted.
- CORRESPONDENCE
(i) Email from Darren Richardson, Caia Park Partnership, stating that they did not have any capacity to take on additional work until at least October – Noted.
- ANY OTHER BUSINESS / MEMBER QUESTIONS
(i) Members were informed that an enforcement notice had been served on the occupant of the house on the corner of Bryn Golau.
(ii) A No Entry sign had finally been painted onto High Street, Southsea.
Signed ………………………………..
Date …………………………………….
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