Minutes of the Meeting of Broughton Community Council
Held at the Memorial Centre, Quarry Road, Brynteg
on Wednesday 13 November 2019
Members
Councillor A Humphreys (Chair)
Councillor G Davies Councillor A Lovett
Councillor Miss N Davies Councillor Mrs L O’Donnell
*Councillor F Derbyshire Councillor Mrs B Parry-Jones
Councillor T Alan Edwards Councillor F Prince
Councillor Mrs S Hughes Councillor Mrs B Roxburgh
Councillor D Jarvis Councillor N Williams
Councillor Mrs E Jones Councillor Mrs S Williams
*Absent
64. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr. F Derbyshire. His apology was accepted.
65. WEBSITE DESIGN
The Chair welcomed Mr Gary Edwards, who has been commissioned to develop a new
website, attended to take photographs of the Members and the Clerk for posting on the
website. Mr. Edwards then left the meeting.
66. USE OF LODGE COMMUNITY CENTRE
The Chair welcomed Mr. Paul Tincello, Brymbo Heritage Trust, to the meeting. Mr. Tincello outlined work being undertaken aimed at enhancing community engagement by pulling
together key organisations. One of the key aims was to invigorate the “History of the Lodge”. Mr. Tincello stated that it appeared that the Lodge Community Centre was not being used and therefore asked the Council whether they would consider allowing its use as a base for Brymbo Heritage staff.
Members felt that it was likely that perhaps Mr Tincello should be asking this question of WCBC, who were presently legally responsible for the building. It is likely that WCBC would shortly be asking the community council, together with Brymbo Community Council, whether they would consider taking on full responsibility for the centre in the near future. If the community councils rejected this WCBC would have to decide whether to maintain the centre or to dispose of it. It was believed that a structural survey had been undertaken, but community council members had not seen it.
It was agreed that enquiries would be made to locate a key in order for Mr Tincello to see whether the building was suitable for the proposed use.
Mr. Tincello was thanked for his attendance and left the meeting.
A debate ensued regarding a proposal to retain the changing room facilities at New Broughton, whilst continuing with the agreement to demolish the community centre. However, the majority of Members felt that, due to the state of the changing rooms, it could therefore become a financial burden on the council in the future. The Council therefore agreed to stick with the original decision that WCBC should demolish both the changing rooms and the community centre.
67. DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST
There were no declarations of personal interest.
68. COMMUNITY POLICING / ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ISSUES
Members discussed the statistics provided by the Police for October :
- There had been a number of burglaries in the area recently
- Vandalism had taken place at Solway Banks Skate Park on Bonfire Night. Equipment and the safety surface had been damaged once again.
- Members felt that both parents and the Police needed to take greater responsibility
- Should the equipment be repaired or should it be removed ?
It was agreed that an onsite meeting be arranged for either 22 November or 29 November with representatives of North Wales Police and WCBC Officers. The Clerk was asked specifically to request the attendance of Inspector Darren Whibberley and Sgt. Kate Davies
69. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9 OCTOBER 2019 / MATTERS ARISING
Members accepted the minutes as a true and accurate record.
Page 2 Item 53
It was confirmed that the CCTV camera at Rockwood Road was operational.
Page 2 Item 53
The Clerk had contacted three companies and two community councils re. the use of mobile cameras but no information had yet been received. In addition, it was suggested that the CCTV system at Community House be upgraded to enhance surveillance in Darby Road.
Page 2 Item 55
No quotes had yet been received for fencing repairs at Brynteg Bowling Club.
Page 2 Item 55
3 quotes had been received for the installation of speed cameras. It was agreed to appoint TWM to undertake the work.
Page 3 Item 57
Council thanked Cllrs Nigel Williams and Beverley Parry-Jones, plus others who had assisted, in putting up the lamppost poppies. In addition, they thanked Cllr Beverley Parry-Jones for playing the organ at Remembrance Sunday.
Page 3 Item 58
The Clerk confirmed that he had received confirmation that the interest free SALIX Funding Loan application for the LED Street Lighting Project had been received. He had submitted the appropriate paperwork, duly signed by the Chair.
Page 3 Item 59
The work to lay a concrete hardstanding at Broughton Cemetery could not be undertaken until drier weather ensues. The issue of an erection of a handrail in the cremation area of the cemetery was raised. It was agreed that the Cemetery Working Group look at this when they next meet.
70. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Member considered the following planning applications :
P/2019/2016 – Castle Inn Flat, The Castle Inn, Brynteg -Members felt that the information provided was not sufficient to allow Members to make a recommendation on this issue. The Clerk would inform WCBC
P/2019/0822 – Pendwll Road, Moss– Members had no objection to this development. Again, The Clerk would inform WCBC of the Council’s decision.
71. FINANCE
The following payments / income were ratified :
Expenditure
- Broughton Bowling Club £ 3000.00 – Cheque No. 201979
- AVOW (October Pay) £ 1496.13 – Cheque No. 201980
- AVOW (Old and New Brynteg Play Scheme- Quarter 3) £ 3539.50 – Cheque No. 201981
- Digital Issue (50% Payment for
Website/ Social Media Development) £ 1080.00 – Cheque No. 201982 - Caia Park Partnership (8 Week Youth Service Sessions) £ 2250.00 – Cheque No. 201983
- Scottish Power (October Energy Bill) £ 16.94.72 – Cheque No. 201984
- A. Lloyd (Grasscutting / Tree Maintenance Contract) £ 5050.00 – Cheque No. 201985
- AVOW (November Pay) £ 1687.53 – Cheque No. 201986
Income
- Roberts Bros (Funeral Directors)* £ 2790.00 – BACS Payment 3 Oct 2019
* The above payment was highlighted on the October Bank Statement which had not been received prior to the October Council Meeting
Budget Monitoring Report (Position as at 30 September) 2019
The Clerk, in his role as Responsible Finance Officer, presented a report which highlighted income and expenditure to the end of September and estimated income and expenditure for the year.
He highlighted that the Council’s balances were likely to be around £16,000 less at the end of the financial year compared to the beginning of the year, but put this down to the fact that an estimated cost of two projects i.e. the installation of speed signs and CCTV cameras had been budgeted for in this financial year.
Members accepted the report thanked the Clerk.
The report highlighted that a system of BACS Payments had been introduced for income. However, the Clerk asked Members to consider the introduction of online banking in order that payments could be made electronically.
Members agreed to this, subject to the controls whereby more than one signatory be required and a limit of £5000 for any single payment and a daily limit of the same amount. Once this system is in place the Council’s Financial Regulations would need to be updated.
72. CORRESPONDENCE
(i) Email from Resident requesting additional lighting along Gatewen Road. The Community Council felt that responsibility for lighting along Gatewen Road rested with the County Borough Council, who had informed the Clerk that there were no plans to install additional lighting. The Clerk would notify the resident.
(ii) Email from Annette Hewson, Commissioning and Planning Officer, WCBC requesting that the community council consider an option to appoint a Community Agent, in partnership with a neighbouring community council.
A decision to be deferred until the New Year.
(iii) The Clerk informed Members that four applications had been received for the vacancy position of co-opted Member for Bryn Cefn. Members considered the applications and agreed that Ms. Susan Roscoe be appointed as Co-opted Member for Bryn Cefn. The Clerk would contact all four applicants, thanking them for their interest.
(iv) Email from Carla Hughes, WCBC Landscape Officer, reporting further damage to Solway Banks Skate Park. It was suggested a site meeting be arranged with representatives of the Police, WCBC and Community Council Members to discuss ways to address the anti-social behaviour / vandalism issues. The Clerk will arrange a meeting.
(v) A request had been made by Mr. Tim Jones for an additional bench to be located at Broughton Cemetery, in remembrance of his mother. Members felt that they required more information in relation to both the location and type of bench.
73. MEMBER QUESTIONS
(i) A Member suggested that Council may consider amending the current process for appointing a Chair to allow a Chair to serve for more than one year. It was agreed to consider this suggestion prior to Annual Council in May to allow the necessary constitutional changes to be made, if this is agreed by Members.
(ii) Members were informed that a clean-up day had been arranged in the New Broughton Ward for Sunday 19 November.
(iii) The “Welcome to Broughton” sign requires cleaning. The Clerk would make enquiries.
(iv) A Member stated that lights on Windsor Road, New Broughton were still out despite being previously reported. The Clerk would report it again.
(v) The Clerk had received £20 relating to donations and refreshment sales at Remembrance Sunday. The Council agreed to match this donation with a cheque for £40 to be sent to the Royal British Legion.
(Chair)…………………………………………………..
Date……………………………………………………..
