Parish Council Meeting – 8th January 2025
CHILTON TRINITY PARISH COUNCIL
A Meeting of Chilton Trinity Parish Council was held on Wednesday,8th January 2025 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; Somerset Ward Councillors, Mr B Bolt and Mr M Caswell; together
with the Clerk, Graham Jarvis and by invitation Vanessa Dare and Rachel Burden from the Environment Agency and Claire Deacon from Kier Group Plc. Two residents were also
present.
The guests provided an update on the project. Piling work was well underway which had prompted questions about the permitted working hours under the Public Works Order.
Although the Order allowed for works to start at 5.00am, it was unlikely that the present working period of 7.00am – 7.00pm would change even allowing for the lighter mornings.
In reply to a question, it was stated that construction the second line of defence (earth bund) downstream of the barrier was due start later in the year. The material would be built
from borrow pits excavated locally. Two public viewing platforms had been constructed but were not yet open to the public. An invitation would be given to the Parish Council to visit
the platforms in due course.
The Chairman thanked the guests for their contributions and he looked forward to a further update at the drop-in event scheduled for the end of February and to visiting the viewing
platforms when convenient.
Except for the Parish Councillors and Clerk all other attendees voluntarily left the meeting.
Public Speaking Time: No topics raised.
* * * * *
57. Apologies for absence, disclosures of interest and dispensations.
An apology for absence was received from Parish Councillor Mr D Bown (family illness) and 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.
58. Minutes of Previous Meetings.
The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 6th November and extra meeting of 12th December 2024 were presented. These were approved and signed as a true
and complete record.
59. Matters Arising: –
a) 41a – Local Community Network, Dowsborough Group – The Chairman reported that the meeting scheduled for 17th December was postponed and
had been re-arranged for 29th January at Nether Stowey. The Chairman and Mrs Hook would be attending.
b) 41b – River Parrett Barrier Project – The update given earlier that evening was noted.
c) 45b – New Footpath Memorial Enquiry – The Chairman reported on a meeting he and Mrs Felton had with the couple who had made the approach.
An option being considered by the couple was to sponsor a special tree at a mutually agreed site adjacent to the footpath. It was agreed that if the
sponsors wished to proceed with the plan for a memorial tree, appropriate arrangements would be made. A report would be given at a future Parish
Council meeting.
d) 51 – Phone Box Surrounds – The Chairman reported that surface improvements were expected to be undertaken in the next week.
e) 53 – Broken Finger Post Sign – Chilton Road / Straight Drove – No further news.
60. Planning Matters.
a) Decision notified by the Local Planning Authority and recorded:-
20/24/00003 – Marsh Lake, Chilton Road – Approved (Delegated Authority).
b) Other Planning Matters – None.
61. Financial Matters.
a) Payment of Creditors
The following payment was approved:-
Mr P Felton – Reimbursement Materials for Chilton Trinity Village News –
£120.89 ( £100.74 + £20.15 VAT) – cheque No. 283.
b) Community Infrastructure Levy Funds.
Further to Minute 54b – 12th December 2024, members agreed that in addition to the project previously approved, that funds would be applied to
signage in the former telephone box (now a library) and improvements to fencing along the “new” footpath. Delegated authority was given to the
Chairman in consultation with the Clerk to obtain quotations and order appropriate works.
c) Parish Precept 2025/26 and Budget to 31st March 2026.
A proposal by Mrs Hook, seconded by Mr Hobbs that the Parish Precept for 2025/26 be set at £10,900 (2024/25 – £10,800) and that the budget as
presented for 2025/26 be approved was passed unanimously. Due to an increase in the tax base the Parish Council aspect of the Council Tax levied
for a band D property would reduce by 58p to £56.35.
62. Roads and Footpaths.
a) Signage.
The Chairman reported the No Through Road sign at the junction of Chilton Road and Straight Drove had been pointing the wrong way which had recently
been corrected. A 30-mph sign which had been leaning had also been restored to a vertical position.
b) Pot Hole Forming – Chilton Road near cross-over point.
The Chairman agreed to measure the fracturing surface and if appropriate report the defect.
63. Topics for Future Meetings: None.
64. Dates of next meetings – Wednesday, 12th March 2025 following the conclusion of the Annual Parish meeting which begins at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall.
Meeting closed at 9.15 pm.
Chairman