Parish Council Meeting – 11th January 2023
CHILTON TRINITY PARISH COUNCIL
A Meeting of Chilton Trinity Parish Council was held on Wednesday, 11th January 2023
in the Village Hall, Chilton Trinity at 7.30 pm.
In attendance: Parish Councillors Mr P Felton (Chairman), Mrs R Felton, Mr D Hobbs
and Mrs L Hook; Ward County & District Councillor Mr B Bolt and Clerk Graham
Jarvis. No members of the public were present.
Before the formal meeting the Chairman welcomed Gillian Burnell, of National Grid, the
Project Communications Manager for the Hinkley C Connection. In the presentation
that followed details were given of the scheme to replace the powerlines from East
Bridgwater (Horsey) to Avonmouth. A total of 249 pylons had been taken down and
replaced by 116 “T” pylons, the first time that design had been used. Part of the route
through the Mendip Hills was underground the heavily insulated cables being buried just
over three feet from the surface. The project had started in 2018 and was scheduled to
be completed in 2025. As the existing connection between Bridgwater and Hinkley Point
(previously used by Stations A & B) already had the capacity to transfer power from
Hinkley C, no upgrade would be required to the lines crossing Chilton Trinity.
Mr Felton thanked Gillian for the presentation and answering questions.
Public Speaking Time: N/A
47. Apologies for absence, disclosures of interest and dispensations.
Apologies for absence were received (and accepted) from Parish Councillor Mr D
Brown (work commitment) and Ward County Councillor Mr M Caswell. Mr Bolt
disclosed an interest as a Member of the District Council’s Development
Committee. Dispensations from the Code of Conduct relating to support for
facilities at Chilton Waters were held by Mr & Mrs Felton and by Mr Hobbs
concerning the proposed river barrier and associated flood defence works.
48. Minutes of Previous Meeting.
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 2nd November and
Extraordinary meeting of 14th December 2022 were presented. These were
approved and signed as a true and complete record.
49. Matters Arising: –
a) 33a – Proposed Tidal Barrier – The Chairman reported that in November
he and Mrs hook had attended stakeholder meeting in Bridgwater House.
The estimated cost of the project had risen to £137 million. There was
uncertainty as to how long it would take to remove the asbestos which was
preventing construction of the access track through Saltlands. Low-level
lighting was intended to illuminate the crossing. The current edition of the
Bridgwater Mercury reported that the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust had
been awarded a grant of £142,000 by Somerset County Council to “deliver
environmental benefits alongside the barrier to increase biodiversity and
encourage wildlife once the project is completed.”
b) 33b – Chilton Waters Play Area – Mrs Hook reported that no real
progress had been made since the previous meeting but would continue to
pursue matters. Mrs Hook was thanked for her endeavours.
c) 33d – Proposed Local Community Networks – The Clerk mentioned that
a report was being considered by the Executive the following week. The
report recommended the establishment of 18 LCN’s for the County from
April. Chilton Trinity was in Area 14, Dowsborough which comprised 16
Parishes (no Town Councils) and was similar to the former Sedgemoor
Quantock Cluster but extended westwards to include Stogursey and Kilve.
d) 35b – Application of RLT2 Funds – The Clerk reported that he had
approached the Clerk to Wembdon Parish Council who had accepted the
offer to transfer the funds held by Sedgemoor District Council. The gift
would be used to help finance some play equipment designated for
disabled children. Members welcomed the news that the money would be
used to support a worthy need.
e) 38 – Union Flag – The Chairman confirmed that a heavy duty “Union Jack”
flag together with clips had been bought and would be made available for
flying in the Parish on appropriate occasions.
f) 44 – Provision of Bench in Churchyard – The Chairman agreed to
contact Mr Andrews to ask if the draft agreement approved by the Parish
Council had been considered by the Parochial Church Council.
50. Planning Matters.
a) Application – 20/22/00006
Proposal: Various Tree Works.
Location: Chilton Park, Chilton Trinity.
Applicant: A & A Trading Limited.
After a discussion there was agreement that the application be supported
as submitted but consideration be given that like for like replacement trees
be planted where practical.
b) Decisions Notified by the Local Planning Authority and recorded: –
20/20/00001 – Lower Lakes – Approved (Delegated Authority).
20/22/00005 – Store, Middle Drove – Approved (Delegated Authority).
51. Financial Matters.
a) NALC Circular E02-22 / 2022-23 National Pay Award.
Contents Noted.
b) Payment of Creditors – the following were approved: –
i) Mr J Andrews – Reimbursement Hedging – £270.00 (£225.00 +
£45.00 VAT – Cheque No.225.
ii) Mr P Felton – Re-imbursement Printing Materials for Chilton Trinity
Village News – £160.02 (£133.35 + £26.67 VAT) – Cheque No. 226.
iii) Clerk’s Salary, reimbursements etc £1,453.80 (£1,415.10 + £38.70
VAT) – Cheque No. 227.
c) Parish Precept 2023/24 and Budget for Year Ending 31st March 2024.
A proposal by Mrs Hook and seconded by Mr Hobbs that the Precept for
2023/24 be set at £10,750 (2022/23 – £10,450) and that the budget as
presented be approved was passed unanimously. The Parish Council
element on the Council Tax due for a Band D Property would be £56.41 a
reduction of £0.68 (1.19%) from the 2022/23 charge. The Clerk was
thanked for his work in preparing the budget.
d) Appointment of External Auditors.
Further to Minute 26c – 7th September 2022; the Clerk reported that the
Smaller Authorities Audit Appointments body had re-appointed PKF
Littlejohn as the External Auditors for the Parish Council for the 2022/23
financial year and until 2026/27. Agreed that the situation be noted.
52. Roads and Footpaths.
a) Grit Bin – Straight Drove Junction.
The Chairman reported that in the icy condition before Christmas the grit
bin opposite the turning to Straight Drove had suffered severe damage
likely due to the impact from an (unknown) heavy vehicle. A replacement
bin had been obtained and the unused contents transferred. The old bin
would be taken to the recycling centre – Mr Bolt kindly offered to help with
transport. Agreed that the report be noted.
b) Hedging Cutting.
Further to Minute 37b – 3rd November 2022; Members were pleased at the
quality of work undertaken.
c) Damaged Sign.
The Clerk was asked to report to County Highways that the 30-mph sign
by the playground had been damaged and was leaning away from the
road.
d) Speed watch.
The Chairman reported that on 17th January he would be attending a
Councillor forum arranged by the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime
Commissioner, Mark Shelford. The event would take place at the Town
Hall, Bridgwater. Mr Felton said that he intended to raise the issue of
speed watch due to the unsatisfactory reasons given previously that a
scheme could not operate safely in the village.
53. Topics for Future Meetings: None.
54. Date of next meeting – Wednesday, 1st March 2023 following the Annual Parish
Meeting which will begin at 7.30pm. (Agreed that the September meeting would
be brought forward a week and held on 30th August).
Meeting closed 9.05 pm.
Chairman