Parish Council Meeting – 17th January 2024
CHILTON TRINITY PARISH COUNCIL
A Meeting of Chilton Trinity Parish Council was held on Wednesday, 17th January 2024 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 M Caswell together with the Clerk Graham Jarvis. No members of the public were present.
Public Speaking Time: No topics raised.
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40. Apologies for absence, disclosures of interest and dispensations.
Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillor Mr Brown (unwell – apology accepted) and Ward Somerset Councillor Mr B Bolt. Dispensations from the Code of Conduct were held by Mr Felton and Mrs Felton regarding support for facilities at Chilton Waters and by Mr Hobbs concerning the proposed river barrier and associated flood defence works.
41. Minutes of Previous Meetings.
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 1st November 2023 were presented. These were approved by the Parish Councillors present and signed as a true and complete record.
42. Matters Arising: –
a) 33a – Chilton Waters Play Area – The Chairman reported that tree works were in progress being undertaken by Cannington College free of charge. A donation to the College was expected to be made in gratitude for the work carried out.
b) 33b – Local Community Network & Somerset Council’s Policy on devolution of assets and services to Town and Parish Councils.
The Chairman gave a report on the meeting held in November. The main topic was Somerset Council’s poor financial position and the radical actions being considered to maintain statutory services. Options included devolving services to Town and Parish Council where (unlike Somerset Council) the ability to raise funds through the Precept was not restricted. The next meeting was scheduled for 31st January and would be attended by the Chairman and Mrs Hook. A discussion followed on the role of LCNs. There was a strong desire that they should not become a “talking-shop” and that a joined-up approach should be encouraged.
c) 33c – River Parrett Barrier Project.
The Chairman reported that the drop-in session held on 29th November was well attended. The Village Hall had been booked at fortnightly intervals beginning on 15th February between 4.00 – 7.00pm as an information centre. However, if attendance was poor the Environment Agency would reduce the frequency to monthly. Full details would be published in the next issue of Chilton Trinity Village News. In a discussion with a representative associated with the project there was an indication that some small practical assistance could be provided to the Council. There was agreement that the Chairman would ask if an appropriate surface could be provided in the area surrounding the former telephone box – item raised at public speaking time on 1st November 2023.
d) 37 – Parish Council Meeting Dates 2024 – The Clerk confirmed that the Village Hall had been booked for the proposed dates.
43. Planning Matters.
a) Decisions notified by the Local Planning Authority and recorded: – None.
b) Any Other Planning Matters – None.
44. Somerset Association of Local Councils Questionnaire.
The Clerk referred to a questionnaire circulated regarding the services provided by the Association. The Parish Council were pleased with the services currently available, including technical advice and training opportunities. The Clerk was delegated to respond favourably to the questionnaire.
45. Future of the Parish Church.
a) The Chairman reported on a public meeting held on 10th January which had been arranged by the Parochial Church Council. In the region of 20 residents attended to discuss the future of Holy Trinity Church and Churchyard. Funds held by the PCC were likely to be exhausted within 2 years. Various options were discussed including closure. No decision was made at that meeting and the matter would be further considered by the appropriate authorities. The Chairman was thanked for the report and an invitation would be given to the PCC to contribute an item for inclusion in a future issue of Chilton Trinity Village News.
b) National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Circular L02-23 – Power to Fund Works to Property Relating to Affairs of the Church or held for Ecclesiastical Charity (England Only).
The Clerk referred to the circular which mentioned changes in legislation which applied from 26th December 2023 and inserted a new section (19A) into the Local Government Act 1894. The guidance issued by NALC in 2018 which cast doubt on whether Parish and Town Councils had the legal capacity to support property of the church had been withdrawn. Town and Parish Councils were now considered to have a power to approve financial support for such purposes. Due to the previous legal uncertainty the Parish Council had suspended grants associated with maintaining the local Church building and churchyard – Minute 73c – 15th February 2018 refers. There was agreement that change in the legal situation be noted.
46. Financial Matters.
a) NALC Circular E01-23 Local Government Services Pay Agreement 2023.
Agreed that the contents be noted.
b) Parish Precept 2024/25 and Budget to 31st March 2025.
A proposal by Mr Felton, seconded by Mrs Hook, that the Parish Precept for 2024/25 be set at £10,800 (2023/24 £10,750) and that the budget as presented for 2024/25 be approved was passed unanimously. The Parish Council element on the Council Tax levied for a Band D property would rise by £0.52 (0.9%) to £56.93 for the 2024/25 charge. The Clerk was thanked for the work involved in the budget preparation.
c) Payment of Creditors.
The following payments were confirmed/approved:-
i) Dave Gardner – Hedge cutting – £480.00 (£400.00 + £80.00 VAT) – Cheque No. 247.
ii) Somerset Council – Waste bin collections – £334.46 (£278.72 + £55.74 VAT) – Cheque No. 248.
iii) Mr P Felton – Reimbursement – Plants and Compost £19.14 ( £15.95 – £3.19 VAT) – Cheque No. 249.
iv) Mr P Felton – Re-imbursement – Materials for production of Chilton Trinity Village News -£176.13 (£146.75 + £29.38 VAT) – Cheque No. 250.
v) Clerk’s Salary/Expenses etc – £1,227.22 – Cheque No. 251.
d) Bank Reconciliation Statement – 29th December 2023.
The Clerk presented a bank reconciliation statement as at 29th December 2023 together with supporting papers. These were examined by members and agreed as correct.
47. Roads and Footpaths.
a) Highway Defects – Straight Drove.
The Clerk reported that the issues supported by photographs of heavy vehicles impacting on the verges had been referred to the Highway Authority. The Assistant Highway Service Manager had replied that he would be writing to Cannington Enterprise regarding the over running of highway verges.
d) Grit Bin Opposite the Village Hall.
A member mentioned that the contents were low. The Chairman offered to obtain some grit from a local merchant to replenish the stock. The kind offer was accepted.
48. Topics for Future Meetings: None.
In view of the confidential nature of the following item, a motion to exclude the press and public from the meeting under the provisions of Sections 1 and 2 of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 as amended by the Local Government Act 1972 was proposed by Mrs Felton and seconded by Mrs Hook. The motion was passed unanimously.
49. Report on an Official Complaint.
The Chairman stated that he had received an official complaint from a resident on 6th November 2023. The complaint concerned the extent of the hedge cutting commissioned by the Parish Council. (Minute 36c – 1st November 2023 refers). The matter had been referred to the Clerk for investigation in accordance with Council’s Complaints procedure. The consequent report was discussed. It was resolved that the report together with the recommendation be accepted subject to removal of the identity of the individuals consulted. A copy of the report would be forwarded to the complainant together with a copy of the Complaints Procedure.
50. Date of next meeting – Wednesday, 6th March 2024 following the Annual Parish Meeting which will begin at 7.30 pm.
Meeting closed 9.40 pm.
Chairman