Parish Council Meeting – 3rd July 2024
CHILTON TRINITY PARISH COUNCIL
A Meeting of Chilton Trinity Parish Council was held on Wednesday, 3rd July 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 Councillors Mr B Bolt and Mr M Caswell together with the Clerk, Graham Jarvis and a resident.
Public Speaking Time: No topics raised.
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14. Apologies for absence, disclosures of interest and dispensations.
An apology for absence was received from Mr D Brown (unwell) which was accepted. 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.
15. Minutes of Previous Meetings.
The minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held on 1st May 2024 were presented. These were approved and signed as a true and complete record.
16. Matters Arising: –
a) 3 – Acceptance of Office Declarations – The Clerk confirmed that declarations had been signed by the Chairman and Vice Chairman prior to the meeting.
b) 5a – Local Community Network, Dowsborough Group – The Chairman referred a poor level of communication from Somerset Council concerning the Network. Assurances had been given that he was included on the circulation list but several messages had failed to materialize other than being forwarded via the Clerk. Mr Caswell was aware that a new team had recently been appointed to oversee the administration of Local Community Networks and would investigate the problem. Mr Caswell also mentioned that a representative from Connecting Devon and Somerset (project to improve internet connections in rural areas) has been invited to a future meeting of the Dowsborough Group.
c) 5b – River Parrett Barrier Project – The Chairman mentioned it had been the intention for a presentation to be given at the meeting. However, due to staff changes, including the appointment of a new project manager, the update was scheduled for the September meeting. In view of the extra meeting arranged for 23rd July 2024 (refer to Minute 17b below) it was agreed to ask if the presentation could be brought forward to that date.
d) 11 – Invitation for Visit by Local Police Community Support Officer – The Chairman reported that he had sent an invitation on 2nd May which disappointing had yet to be acknowledged. Mr Bolt asked for a copy of the invitation and would pursue the matter.
17. Planning Matters.
a) Decisions notified by the Local Planning Authority to be recorded – None.
b) Application 20/24/00002 – Works to Trees, Chilton Park.
The Clerk reported that notification of the above proposal had been received from the Local Planning Authority after the agenda for this meeting was published. As the consultation period was due to end before the next regular meeting, a special meeting had been arranged for Tuesday, 23rd July to discuss the proposal.
18. Sutton Ponds.
Further to Minute 10 b – 1st May 2024; the Chairman reported on a recent site meeting with the land owner, Somerset Wildlife Trust, together with a representative from the Wetlands Trust (Slimbridge). The site had been closed since 2019 on safety grounds due to a collapsed bank which had prevented access to a hide. Funding to restore the access was held by the owner but before a decision was taken on whether to proceed, the views of the Parish Council and residents would be sought. After a discussion there was agreement that the Parish Council supported the project. It was understood that an event would be held in the Village Hall as part of the consultation process.
19. Financial Matters.
a) Payment of Creditors.
The following payments were confirmed/approved:-
i) Somerset Council (Dog Bin collections) – £356.93 (£297.44 + £59.49 VAT) – Cheque No. 266.
ii) Clerk’s Salary/re-imbursements etc – £907.10 (£904.18 + £2.92 VAT) – Cheque No. 267.
iii) HMRC – Employment related – £179.40 – Cheque No. 268
iv) National Allotment Society – Membership – £66.00 (£55.00 + £11.00 VAT) – Cheque No. 269.
v) Mr P Felton – Tree Guards – £8.98 ( £7.48 + £1.50 VAT – Cheque No. 270.
b) Closing of Accounts 2023/24.
The Clerk read a letter from the Council’s Internal Auditor; there were no matters he wished to drawn to the attention of the Council.
c) Volunteer Grass cutter – Recompense.
Decision deferred pending further information.
d) Grant – Chilton Trinity Parochial Church Council.
The Clerk reported that the cheque for the £200 grant awarded to the PCC (Minute 85 a ix – 6th March 2024) had gone missing in the post. A stop notice had been placed on the cheque and a replacement (cheque No. 265 ) issued. A letter of thanks from the Secretary of the PCC had since been received.
e) Community Infrastructure Levy.
The Clerk reminded members that contributions received under the scheme that if not spent within five years would be subject to be repayment to the Local Planning Authority. The fifth anniversary of some unspent receipts was approaching and suggested that Member may wish to consider urgently use of the funds. There was agreement that the topic would be discussed at the September meeting.
(Ward Councillors Mr Bolt and Mr Caswell left the meeting).
20. Roads and Footpaths.
a) Traffic Management NDR/ Chilton Street Junction.
The Chairman reported on a conversation with the Highway Authority about the possibility of a filter arrow for traffic turning right from the NDR heading towards the Village. The matter had been raised previously (refer to Minute 58a – 7th January 2015) but no progress had been made. Highways confirmed that the whole junction needed to be upgraded and the project was 11th on the priority list but given current financial restraints changes were not imminent.
b) Chilton Waters – Community Open Spaces.
The Chairman reported that a request had been received asking if the Parish Council could assist in the maintenance of community open spaces. After a discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council did not have the practical resources to help.
c) Chilton Road – Crossing to/from “New” Footpath.
Further to Minute 56a – 6th March 2024; Members were aware of several recent near misses involving pedestrians (including children) when crossing the road. It was noted that a “People Crossing” sign was only on one side of the road and that the “Slow” message painted on the road only appeared in one direction. There was agreement that the Chairman would raise these safety concerns again with the Highway Authority. Safety issues regarding visibility splays would also be considered when hedge cutting was commissioned later in the year.
d) Broken Signs Chilton Road / Stright Drove Junction.
Further to Minute 10d – 1st May 2024; the Chairman confirmed that the broken sign at the junction of Chilton Road and Straight Drove had reported for the second time. An automated acknowledgement had been received but no other information.
e) Straight Drove – Pot Hole.
Mrs Hook would report the problem via the online service.
f) Footpaths & Rights of Way.
The Chairman referred to concerns raised by residents including overgrowth, site visits had resolved most of the problems. It was understood that Somerset Council were investigating following an approach from a resident about perceived accessibility issues.
g) The Queen’s Green Canopy Plaque
Pursuant to Minute 103 – 1st May 2024; thanks were expressed to Mr Andrews for contacting the supplier (Royal British Legion Industries) about the tarnished plaque. It was thought that the item supplied had come from a rogue batch which had not received a preservative coating. A refund or a replacement plaque in the larger (A4 size) had been offered. The latter had been accepted and the new plaque was now in situ.
h) Former Telephone Kiosk.
There was agreement that investigations would be made to establish why the light in the box was no longer working.
21. Topics for Future Meetings: None.
22. Dates of next meetings – Tuesday, 23rd July (extra ordinary) and Wednesday, 4th September 2024 at 7.30pm.
Meeting closed 9.25 pm.
Chairman