Parish Council Meeting [extra] – 23rd July 2024

CHILTON TRINITY PARISH COUNCIL
An extra ordinary Meeting of Chilton Trinity Parish Council was held on Tuesday, 23rd July 2024 in the Village Hall, Chilton Trinity at 7.30 pm.
In attendance: Parish Councillors Mr P Felton (Chairman), Mr D Brown, 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 by invitation Vanessa Dare from the Environment Agency and Claire Deacon from Kier Group PLC.
The guests gave an update on the project; aspects included that the haul road had reached the end of Straight Drove, Straight Drove diversion works (including the installation of two new culverts), the construction of an extra lane outside the Saltlands recycling centre to ease traffic flow and the plan to commence piling from both sides in November for work to divert the river.
A question and answer session followed covering various topics and concerns some of which had already been raised. An example mentioned was the inconvenience suffered by farmers and residents’ due works which were started and then left dormant for no apparent reason.
A decision to confirm that funding would be available to complete the project was expected to be announced by central government in late August. At present the barrier was scheduled to become operational in 2027, completion of associated works including landscaping would follow.
The Chairman thanked Vanessa and Claire for their participation and looked forward to the drop-in session on 4th September* and to the presentation that would be given at the Parish Council to be held later day.
*To encourage attendance a decision has since been taken to postpone the scheduled drop-in session until after circulation of the next edition of Chilton Trinity Village News. The event is now expected to be held sometime between 14th and 30th September. The presentation to the Parish Council on 4th September will proceed as planned.
(Mr Bolt and Mr Caswell left the meeting).

Public Speaking Time: No topics raised.
* * * * *
23. Apologies for absence, disclosures of interest and dispensations.
No apologies for absence had been received. 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.

24. Proposed River Barrier.
Members reviewed the discussion held earlier that evening and considered that a more visual depiction of the plans and detailed timetable would be helpful. Whilst acknowledging the promise given that evening that issues which had been raised on previous occasions would be addressed; disappointment was expressed at absence of a response to the original concerns. If there were further unreasonable delays, Mrs Hook would pursue matters.

25. Planning Matters.
a) Application 20/24/00002 (as amended).
Proposal: Various works to trees.
Location: Chilton Park, Chilton Trinity.
After a discussion it was resolved to support the amended application as submitted provided that the work was undertaken outside the bird nesting season.
b) Other Planning Matters – None.

26. Financial Matters – None.

27. Topics for Future Meetings: Response from Highways to various issues.
Adoption Roads on Chilton Waters Development.
Woodland Trust – Free Trees Scheme.

28. Dates of next meetings – Wednesday, 4th September 2024 at 7.30pm.

Meeting closed 9.00 pm.

Chairman