CHILTON TRINITY PARISH COUNCIL
A Meeting of Chilton Trinity Parish Council was held on Wednesday, 1st November 2023 in the Village Hall, Chilton Trinity at 7.30 pm.
In attendance: Parish Councillors Mr P Felton (Chairman), Mrs L Hook, Mrs R Felton and Mr D Hobbs. Ward Somerset Councillor Mr B Bolt together with the Clerk Graham Jarvis and a member of the public.
Prior to the start of the formal meeting a presentation was given by representatives from the Environment Agency, Kier Construction and Atkins who are involved with the River Parrett Barrier scheme. An overview of recent activities was given together with details of work schedule for the rest of the year. Noise and vibration levels for the test piling were inline with expectations, diversions for Public Rights of Way were in place and the access road was almost complete. Some elements of work had been delayed due to the reappearance of twelve water voles who had since been transferred to a place of sanctuary. A drop-in session at the Village Hall was planned towards the end of November (at a date to be confirmed). A question time followed; the Chairman then thanked the participants for their contributions.
Public Speaking Time: Subjects raised – Hedge cutting (See Minute 36c)
Provision of gravel/stone surface by the entrance to book exchange (former phone box) – Mr Hobbs agreed investigate.
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31. Apologies for absence, disclosures of interest and dispensations.
Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillor Mr Brown (family matter – accepted) and Ward Somerset Councillor M Caswell. Dispensations from the Code of Conduct were held by Mr Felton and Mrs Felton regarding support for facilities at a Chilton Waters and by Mr Hobbs concerning the proposed river barrier and associated flood defence works.
32. Minutes of Previous Meetings.
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 30th August 2023 were presented. These were approved by the Councillors present and signed as a true and complete record.
33. Matters Arising: –
a) 24a – Chilton Waters Play Area – No further news.
b) 24b – Local Community Network – The Chairman gave a report on the meeting of the Dowsborough Group that he had attended with Mrs Hook on 13th September. The attendance was fewer than the previous meeting and several negative comments were expressed particularly at the absence of funds available to address areas of concern.
In the discussion that followed Mr Bolt mentioned that as LCN’s were a new concept there was an expectation that things may take two years or so to bed-down. On the financial situation of Somerset Council, Mr Bolt referred to a large funding gap and the likelihood of a Section 114 notice being issued before the end of the financial year blocking all non-essential spending. There was agreement that the situation be noted and that the Chairman and Mrs Hook would attend the next meeting of the LCN on 22nd November.
c) River Parrett Barrier Project.
The presentation given earlier was noted and details of the next drop-in session at the Village Hall (later confirmed as 29th November between 3.00 – 7.00pm) would be published in the next edition of Chilton Trinity Village News. A suggestion would be made for maps to be available in boxes on Public Rights of Ways where diversions were in operation. Members were aware that a similar scheme worked well at Combwich.
34. Planning Matters.
a) Decisions notified by the Local Planning Authority and recorded: – None.
b) Any Other Planning Matters – None.
35. Financial Matters.
a) Payment of Creditors.
The following payments were approved:-
i) Somerset Association of Local Councils Ltd – Affiliation Fee £134.27 – Cheque No. 244.
ii) Mr P Felton – Travel expenses £6.75 – Cheque No. 245.
iii) Clerk’s Salary/Expenses etc – £978.25 – Cheque No. 246.
b) Bank Reconciliation Statement – 30th September 2023.
The Clerk presented a bank reconciliation statement as at 30th September 2023 together with supporting papers. These were examined by members and agreed as correct.
36. Roads and Footpaths.
a) Highway Defects.
The Clerk was asked to report the following to the Highway Authority:-
i) Church Road (1 Cloes Cottages and The Spinney) surface breaking-up.
ii) Straight Drove (by Lower Lakes turning) surface cracking (again) with sides subsiding.
iii) Sign opposite to the turning for Straight Drove – Impact damage (including broken arm) by unknown vehicle.
b) Adoption of Areas by Highway Authority.
Further to minute 28a – 30th August 2023; the Chairman reported that he had been given a plan dated 30th October 2023. This showed the areas of the footpath/cycleway and adjacent land which had been formally adopted by Highway Authority. Adoption of areas on the Chilton Waters Estate were still subject to discussion between the developer and the Highway Authority.
c) Hedge Cutting.
There was agreement that a site meeting be held with the Chairman, Mr Andrews and the contractor to discuss the annual cut which would take place very soon. It would include the area at the junction of Brickworks Road and Chilton Road which had cause for concern.
d) Flower Troughs.
The Chairman mentioned that the summer floral display had ended and he offered to replace it will appropriate winter/spring planting. The offer was graciously accepted. It was noted that the usual gift of daffodil bulbs from Sedgemoor District Council was not being repeated by the new Somerset Council.
37. Arrangements for Parish Council Meetings in 2024.
There was agreement that the Council wished to continue to hold meetings on the first Wednesday every other month except for January. Due to another village event the January meeting would be deferred until the third Wednesday. Clerk to check that the Village Hall would be available on the preferred dates.
38. Topics for Future Meetings: None.
39. Date of next meeting – Wednesday, 17th January 2024 at 7.30 pm.
Meeting closed 9.18 pm.
Chairman