Parish Council Meeting – 6th March 2024
CHILTON TRINITY PARISH COUNCIL
A Meeting of Chilton Trinity Parish Council was held on Wednesday, 6th March 2024 in the Village Hall, Chilton Trinity at 8.30 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 two residents.
Public Speaking Time: Confusion on signage Brickworks Road located before Squares Road at junction with Chilton Road – Mr Bolt agreed to discuss with
County Highways. (Refer to Minute 56c below).
* * * * *
51. Apologies for absence, disclosures of interest and dispensations.
Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillor Mr Brown (work commitment – apology accepted) and Ward Somerset Councillor Mr M
Caswell. 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.
(Mr Bolt left the meeting).
52. Minutes of Previous Meetings.
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 17th January 2024 were presented. These were approved by the Parish Councillors present and
signed as a true and complete record.
53. Matters Arising: –
a) 42b – Local Community Network – Dowsborough Group.
The Chairman gave a report on the LCN meeting held on 31st January which he attended with Mrs Hook. A representative from County Highways had been invited to attend the next LCN meeting on 18th March and a report would be given at the next Parish Council meeting.
b) 42c – River Parrett Barrier Project.
The Chairman reported that three drop-in sessions had been held by the Environment Agency in February, attendance had ranged from eight to two. Major problems had reoccurred during the construction of the haul road and a specialist asbestos removal contractor had been engaged. Normal work on the formation of the road was expected to resume by the end of March. The Environment Agency were preparing a newsletter which would be distributed with the next issue of Chilton Trinity Village News if received in time. A favourable response had been received regarding the prospect of tarmacking the area surrounding the former telephone box. The main contractor would discuss the matter when an appropriate contractor was on-site.
54. Planning Matters.
a) Application 20/24/00001
Proposal: Crown reduce height/spread of 1 No. Ornamental Cherry
(G6.1) (TPO Ref T1) predominantly on eastern side to provide up to 2m clearance from adjacent park home.
Location: Chilton Park, Chilton Trinity.
Applicant: A&A Trading (UK) Ltd.
Resolved that the application as submitted by supported.
b) Decisions notified by the Local Planning Authority and recorded: –
None.
c) Any Other Planning Matters – None.
55. Financial Matters.
a) Payment of Creditors.
The following payments were confirmed/approved:-
i) Lower Lakes Trading Ltd – Domain and Web site Fees* – £59.87 (£49.89 + £9.98 VAT) – Cheque No. 252.
ii) Chilton Trinity Village Hall – Room Hire – £135.00 – Cheque No. 253.
iii) Clerk’s Salary/Expenses etc – £1,032.13 (£1,026.96 + £5.17 VAT) – Cheque No. 254.
iv) HMRC – Employment Related – £47.60 – Cheque No. 255.
v) Chilton Trinity Village Hall – Grant – £250.00 – Cheque No. 256.
vi) Citizens Advice Somerset – Grant – £300.00 – Cheque No. 257.
vii) Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance – Grant – £300.00 – Cheque No. 258.
viii) St Margaret’s Hospice – Grant £300.00 – Cheque No. 259. (It was also agreed that a letter be sent in support of the
application by the Hospice for grant from the Hinkley Point C Community Fund regarding community nursing in the TA5 2..
postcode areas).
ix) Chilton Trinity Parochial Church Council – Grant towards maintenance costs of Holy Trinity Church – £200.00 – Cheque No.260.
x) Victim Support – Grant – £150.00 – Cheque No. 261.
(Payments vii to x listed above made under the provision of Section
137 of the Local Government Act 1972)
* The Clerk was aware of a duty (known as WCAG 2.2 level AA) to further improve accessibility to public websites. The changes would
apply from October 2024. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Mr Savage of Lower Lakes to ask if he would be able to upgrade the
village website to comply with the changes and an estimate of the costs involved.
b) Risk Management Report.
The Risk Management Report for 2023/24 was approved as presented.
c) Statement of Internal Control.
The statement of Internal Control for the year ending 31st March 2024
was approved as presented.
d) Emptying of Dog Waste and Litter Bins.
The Clerk reported that confirmation had been received that Somerset Council would continue to provide a service to empty dog waste and litter bins after 1st April 2024. The price to empty the Parish Council’s four dog waste bins would increase by 14p per collection from each bin – the first rise since a charge was introduced in 2011. The extra cost was within the approved budget. The litter bin would continue to be emptied free of charge. Somerset Council had asked that users of the service to confirm their agreement to the new fee. The Clerk after consulting the Chairman had accepted the change and notified Somerset Council accordingly. The action taken by the Chairman and Clerk was approved.
56. Roads and Footpaths.
a) Road Markings.
The Chairman mentioned that he had reported to County Highways that the white road markings at the junction of Brickworks Road and Chilton Road had faded and become indistinct. A reply stated that the location had been inspected and that no action would be taken as the situation was not viewed as a safety issue. Disappointment was expressed at the response.
b) Grit Bin Opposite the Village Hall.
Further to Minute 47d – 17th January; the policy of Somerset Council had changed and would continue to replenish grit bins until the end of March 2025. As the contents were thought adequate for the remainder of the winter (unless severe weather was forecast) it was agreed that no action be taken.
c) Street Signage.
Members noted the discussion at public speaking time and would look forward to a report from Mr Bolt at a future meeting.
57. Topics for Future Meetings: Invitation for a local Police Community Support
to attend a Parish Council meeting.
Sutton Ponds – project to restore access to a hide.
58. Date of next meeting (Annual Parish Council Meeting) – Wednesday, 1st May 2024 at 7.30pm.
Meeting closed 9.50 pm.
Chairman