Annual-Report-2022-2023

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ANNUAL REPORT

2022/2023

Chard Town Council

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Boundary Map

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The Mayors Report

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Town Report – Summary

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Projects, Works & Events 2022/23

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Projects, works & events 2023/24

PAGES 7&8

Projects, plans & events for consideration 2023/24 and beyond

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Culturally Chard Programme

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Recruitment and Staffing.

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Reception, Caretaking & Amenities.

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Grants

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Financial Overview 2022/2023

PAGES 11&12 Organisation and Accountability

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How to contact your councillors and Officer Team & Staff

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CHARD TOWN COUNCIL
The Guildhall, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1PP
01460 239567 www.chard.gov.uk
Mayor: Cllr Jenny Kenton

Ward Boundary Map
Chard Town Council has 15 Councillors representing six wards of Chard The map below
includes the boundaries of each ward:

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CHARD TOWN COUNCIL
The Guildhall, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1PP
01460 239567 www.chard.gov.uk
Mayor: Cllr Jenny Kenton

THE MAYOR’S REPORT
Cllr Jenny Kenton
Although I currently sit at the head of Chard Town Council, this year has not been my Mayorship and
it would be disrespectful not to pay tribute to the former Mayor Martin Carnell. Together we have
raised money for his chosen charities; The Watch Project, Ferne Animal Sanctuary and Chard Area
Youth Committee. These charities will receive their funds during the annual meeting, but also money
was raised by the Councillors, friends and staff at the leisure centre with a sponsored swim. That
money is being distributed through our Finance Officer to provide swimming lessons for children
whose families might not be able to provide lessons for them.
Since January I have been “Emergency Mayor” and in that role I have started to re-visit contacts that
had been forgotten during the Covid outbreak, as well as making new ones. Andy, Claire our Deputy
Mayor, Officers and I have eaten cake with over 35 local people who are amongst those vital
members of our community that provide voluntary support for our residents.
But this has also been my annus horribilis. Discord has caused a rift in the Town Council, and further
afield, that needs time to heal. But I am sure we can heal those wounds.
We have so much to look forward to. We have an amazing team of staff as well as individually great
Councillors, each one of them giving up their time for free to serve our community and each one of
them with skills that when put together will deliver for Chard.
On May 9th we will welcome our new Town Clerk and the past will be the past and the future will
begin.

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CHARD TOWN COUNCIL
The Guildhall, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1PP
01460 239567 www.chard.gov.uk
Mayor: Cllr Jenny Kenton
TOWN COUNCIL REPORT
Summary
The Officer Team at the Town Council wish to express their sincere thanks for the support and
understanding shown by members of the Chard community, particularly during the last 6 months.
The last twelve months have seen substantial change and presented complex challenges for all those
working for Chard Town Council. At the start of this period, the Officer Team were all relatively new in
post and mostly new to Chard Town Council. The resignation of both the Town Clerk and Mayor
toward the end of 2022 was significant to the team and has necessitated additional workload and
responsibilities for Officers and staff alike.
The last year has also seen changes to the Councillor Team starting in May 2022 with Town Council
elections. Six new councillors across the political parties were elected. In January 2023, a new Mayor
was elected, followed by a co-option to select a new councillor for Crimchard ward in February 2023
and a by-election to vote a new councillor into Holyrood ward in March 2023.
In parallel with all the above changes:
• 12 significant pieces of work / projects have been completed,
• 7 events have been supported by or wholly organised and paid for Chard Town Council,
notably the celebrations for Her Royal Highness Platinum Jubilee which took place over 3
days.
• 3 new projects have been started, an important one being the Community Plan which will be
used to inform the Council’s strategy 2023/24.
• The Culturally Chard Programme has also provided events, a major one being the annual
Spring Festival, and established itself as a key contributor to the growth and development of
Chard.
• The Youth Council has developed as a Council committee, providing demonstrable
achievements with their chosen projects for Chard.
With the start of the new council year on May 9th comes the arrival of the new Town Clerk, who
together with the well-established Officer and staff team with diverse skills and ability for team
working, will create new beginnings and positive change. The Councillor Team will be putting into
action recommendations raised in the commissioned Independent Investigation Report with a
renewed and refreshed commitment to working collaboratively for the good of their community.
The whole Council team are looking forward to working on and completing those projects started in
2022/23, and developing a new 4-year strategy that it is fit for purpose and considers the needs and
views of the people of Chard.
Adrian Turner
Proper Officer

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CHARD TOWN COUNCIL
The Guildhall, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1PP
01460 239567 www.chard.gov.uk
Mayor: Cllr Jenny Kenton
1. PROJECTS, WORKS & EVENTS 2022/23
i) Projects & Works
In spite of the changing landscape Chard Town Council has successfully completed projects where
funding was secured from a number of sources including South Somerset District Council’s
Community Development Fund, the Market Towns Investment Group (MTIG), Section 106 funding
and Somerset County Council’s Climate Change fund. These monies have supported the following:
• LED lighting installation through the town council estate,
• Replacement of street lighting columns in Howards Row/Fore Street
• Recycling bins in the Town Centre (Recycling on the go initiative)
• New air conditioning system installation in the Auditorium of the Guildhall to make the
experience for our visitors, hirers and attendees of shows more enjoyable.
• Upgrades to CCTV
• Refurbishment of Stringfellow’s Sculpture
• Purchase of Christmas lights.
• Acquisition of a Hamstone Gateway Welcome sign (yet to be erected)
• A new basket swing in Ashcroft Park
• Street furniture
• Two Comedy nights.
Further funding provided by the Tree Council has led to considerable tree planting that has created
The Community Orchard, at the rear of the Museum
In addition, Chard Town Council have invested in the start-up of a dedicated Events Website. This
has helped raise awareness of and increase usage of The Guildhall and will continue to do so. In the
last 12 months the Guildhall has increased the events hiring from £16,527 to £30,775.
The planned major refurbishment to the Watts Store has also been completed using the Council’s
own resources. It is now a truly fit for purpose storage unit.
ii) Events
Through the last year there have been a number of major events that Chard Town Council have either
supported, co-ordinated or organised (and sometimes all 3);
• April 2022 - 3-day Spring Festival
• May 2022 – 3-month consultation exercise for Upper Henson Park refurbishment.
• June 2022 - 3 day Her Royal Highness Platinum Jubilee celebrations
• September 2022 - Street Fayre
• September 2022 – Mourning Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth passing.
• October 2022 – The Carnival
• November 2022 – The switching on of Christmas lights

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CHARD TOWN COUNCIL
The Guildhall, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1PP
01460 239567 www.chard.gov.uk
Mayor: Cllr Jenny Kenton
2. PROJECTS, WORKS & EVENTS 2023/24
As well as delivering events and completing projects throughout 2022, work continued on existing
projects and has started on new projects for 2023/24.
i) Repairs to the cemetery wall at St Mary’s Churchyard, the cemetery extension
and the new changing facility at Jocelyn Park were projects started in 2022/23 and will continue to be
ongoing for 2023/24 for completion.
ii) 3 major new areas of work started are:
• Completion of the Community Plan and development of identified key areas of work.
The first phase, the on-line survey, is now complete and work will now start on phase two,
collating all the survey data and setting out a draft Action Plan based on the findings from the
survey. There will be two pubic engagement events 9th and 10th June 2023, where members of
Chard Community can participate in defining the Action Plan. This will be presented to the
Council and used to inform the next 4-year strategy.
• Expansion of Chard Town Market
Research has begun to identify need, neighbouring town market information and prospective
new market stalls for Chard.
• Completion of the Upper Henson Play park refurbishment.
Wicksteed, the appointed contractor undertook an extensive consultation to inform the build of
this park to include local schools, Youth Council, Girl Guides and Majorettes. They began
works at the end Fubruary and completion is anticipated in May 2023.
iii) The creation of an agreed new 4-year strategy will be developed in 2023/24. This will help inform
new projects and work streams beyond 2024
3. PROJECTS, PLANS & EVENTS FOR CONSIDERATION 2023/24 AND BEYOND
i) Neighbourhood plan. This is an area of work identified in the 2019 – 2023 council strategy and
objectives with an original end date of initial works of 2025
What is neighbourhood planning?
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/neighbourhood-planning--2#neighbourhood-plan-relating-to-Local-Plan
Neighbourhood planning gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their
neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. They are able to choose
where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built, have their say on what those new
buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided, and grant planning permission
for the new buildings they want to see go ahead. Neighbourhood planning provides a powerful set of
tools for local people to plan for the types of development to meet their community’s needs and where
the ambition of the neighbourhood is aligned with the strategic needs and priorities of the wider local
area.

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CHARD TOWN COUNCIL
The Guildhall, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1PP
01460 239567 www.chard.gov.uk
Mayor: Cllr Jenny Kenton
What are the benefits to a community of developing a neighbourhood plan or Order?
Neighbourhood planning enables communities to play a much stronger role in shaping the areas in
which they live and work and in supporting new development proposals. This is because unlike the
parish, village or town plans that communities may have prepared, a neighbourhood plan forms part
of the development plan and sits alongside the local plan prepared by the local planning authority.
Decisions on planning applications will be made using both the local plan and the neighbourhood
plan, and any other material considerations.
Neighbourhood planning provides the opportunity for communities to set out a positive vision for how
they want their community to develop over the next 10, 15, 20 years in ways that meet identified local
need and make sense for local people. They can put in place planning policies that will help deliver
that vision or grant planning permission for the development they want to see.
ii) Opportunities arising from the changes to Local Government tiers in Somerset.
The recent changes in Somerset Local Government structure included the merger of all District
Councils to one Unitary Authority, now called Somerset Council. This change will require a significant
review of which services Town Councils in Somerset wish to provide.
At the beginning of the new Council year the Chard Councillor Team will need to consider the
opportunities that exist. One example might be taking on the ownership and maintenance of all our
local parks and open spaces. Currently Chard Town Council own and maintain six out of the 10 parks
and open spaces in Chard.
4. CULTURALLY CHARD PROGRAMME
The Culturally Chard Consortium have successfully established themselves as a key contributor to the
growth and development of Chard. This is evidenced in part by the month on month increase in
footfall to the Town and also by the increased recognition of a new regular event for Chard Town The Spring Festival, which is held over 3 days April. The first of these was held last year and a
second is planned for April 2023. The events are packed with numerous diverse activities and events
laid on for and created with the people of Chard and their neighbouring communities.
Highlights from 2022 Spring Festival were:
• The Banners of Chard, each telling their own unique story and currently displayed in the
Auditorium and will go on loan for showcasing in various Somerset organisations - Lead
consortium member Somerset Art Works (SAW);
• Lace Riot and Blue Plaque walks undertaken - Lead consortium member Chard Museum
• Chardcasts - Lead consortium member Chard Museum
• Water Histories project - Lead consortium member Somerset Art Works (SAW);
• First Comedy night for Chard (in some while) - Lead Consortium member Chard Town Council
These are now becoming a regular standalone event due to the increased demand.

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CHARD TOWN COUNCIL
The Guildhall, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1PP
01460 239567 www.chard.gov.uk
Mayor: Cllr Jenny Kenton
5. RECRUITMENT AND STAFFING.
Recruitment of a new part time administrator has commenced and interviews are planned for early
May. This post represents an addition to the administration team. Additional hours for caretaking
provision were agreed in the last year and have been successfully recruited. Attempted recruitment to
vacancies for the Amenities crew have been on-going for a significant amount of this year, proving
difficult to fill but a recent promotional drive has yielded several applications. The new Town Clerk will
start on 9th May.
6. RECEPTION, CARETAKING & AMENITIES.
Work has increased in all these 3 areas. The reception sees an average of 430 people per month
making enquires, firmly establishing the key Local information Centre as a key service and support
function for both the people of Chard and its visitors.
The increase in regular hirers and events has required a step-up approach from the caretaking team
and they have proved their capability and willingness to achieve this, receiving many thanks and
acknowledgements from Guildhall users.
The Amenities team have worked for the majority of the year under staffed for a variety of reasons.
Despite this they have continued to maintain high standards in all their major areas of maintenance
and upkeep.
7. GRANTS
The Town Council has awarded grants to the following organisations:
• Chard Area Youth Committee
• Chard Carnival
• Chard Town Team
• Chard Museum
• Chard Rugby Football Club
• Chard Cricket Club
• Nightingale
• The Hub South Chard
• Blackdown Acapella

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CHARD TOWN COUNCIL
The Guildhall, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1PP
01460 239567 www.chard.gov.uk
Mayor: Cllr Jenny Kenton

8. FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 2022/2023
The current financial year came to an end on 31st March 2023. The information below relates to all
Council’s financial transactions up to 28th February 2023. A final overview will be published on the
Town Council’s website once the Annual Accounts have been finalised and submitted to the external
auditor for review.
Chard Town Council set a precept of £ 681,615 and a total budget of £767,583 to meet the costs of
delivering Town Council services in Chard.
It has been another challenging financial year and there has been additional expenditure to meet the
costs of various projects currently being delivered. The figures below give an indication of year to date
from 1st April 2022 to 28th February 2023. The month of March 2023 has yet to be finalised.
EXPENDITURE
ACTUAL
BUDGET VARIANCE
Administration
£320,246 £263,320
-£56,926
Civic & Council
£26,445
£17,450
-£8,995
Grants
£18,683
£19,400
£717
Guildhall
£229,451 £147,200
-£82,251
Local Information Centre
£421
£500
£79
Loan Repayments
£53,723
£53,723
£0
Cemetery
£39,010
£30,450
-£8,560
Street Cleaning
£12,130
£0
-£12,130
Allotments
£1,477
£2,750
£1,273
Amenities
£160,417 £216,320
£55,903
Capital Expenditure
£147,679
£15,720
-£131,959
Markets
£520
£750
£230
TOTAL
£1,010,202 £767,583
-£242,619
INCOME
Administration
Civic & Council
Grants
Guildhall
Local Information Centre
Cemetery
Allotments
Amenities
Markets
TOTAL

ACTUAL
BUDGET VARIANCE
£682,206 £682,215
-£9
£9,769
£1,500
£8,269
£128,381
£0
£128,381
£41,497
£18,350
£23,147
£500
£500
£0
£30,859
£35,450
-£4,591
£4,027
£4,450
-£423
£7,785
£4,050
£3,735
£1,844
£2,800
-£956
£906,868 £749,315
£157,553

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CHARD TOWN COUNCIL
The Guildhall, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1PP
01460 239567 www.chard.gov.uk
Mayor: Cllr Jenny Kenton

The year to date over-spend of £242,619 has been mainly funded from Earmarked Reserves
allocated by Full Council towards the projects. Details of the expenditure from Earmarked Reserves
will be published following the end of year closedown.
The increase in income is due mainly to grants received. However, income generated from events
and Guildhall hire has also shown a significant improvement which is forecast to continue.
9. ORGANISATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY
The three-tier structure of local government was replaced on 1st April 2023 by two tiers, with the
responsibilities of Somerset County Council and South Somerset District Council being merged into
the new unitary authority, Somerset Council. Chard Town Council is the first and most local tier, with
an important role to play in promoting the town, representing its interests and supporting the work of
different groups in the community
Chard Town Council has fifteen elected Councillors who are elected every four years and represent
one of six areas in the town, known as wards. The wards are Avishayes, Combe, Crimchard,
Holyrood, Jocelyn and Shepherd’s Lane.
The elected Town Council will serve until May 2027.
The Town Mayor and Deputy Town Mayor are elected annually at the Annual Town Council Meeting
in May. All Committee Chairs and other positions are also appointed at this meeting.
The Full Council meets bi-monthly at The Guildhall. All meetings are open to the public, with a period
of time set aside for members of the public to address Council. There are some occasions when for
reasons of confidentiality members of the public and press are excluded. This is by means of a
resolution in accordance with the requirements of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act
1960.
In addition to the Full Council meetings there are four standing committees; Finance and Audit (F&A),
Amenities and Events (A&E), HR and Planning and Highways (P&H). P&H meet twice a month to act
as consultees on planning applications and highways issues. F&A and A&E meet bi-monthly on the
fourth Tuesday of the month and HR meets a minimum of twice a year. Again, all meetings are open
to the public although it should be noted that HR meetings are held in confidence as they are dealing
with employment matters.
The F&A Committee is responsible for monitoring the Council’s finances on a quarterly basis. It
prepares the annual budget and scrutinises income and expenditure. The Committee also reviews
Council policies including Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, Insurance, Risk Management,
Policies and Terms of Reference.

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CHARD TOWN COUNCIL
The Guildhall, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1PP
01460 239567 www.chard.gov.uk
Mayor: Cllr Jenny Kenton

The A&E Committee oversees the management, maintenance and enhancement of all the land and
buildings that are the responsibility of the Council. This includes the Guildhall, play areas and open
spaces and the cemetery.
The P&H Committee make observations on all planning applications and planning issues, including
Development Briefs, Local Plans, Structure Plans and Development Control and to make site visits
where necessary. The committee works to ensure that planning matters are exercised in accordance
with the legislative and policy requirements of the Council with due regard for the individuals and
communities affected, the economic effects, sustainable and environmental impacts.
In accordance with statute, at the end of each financial year the accounts of the Council are available
for public inspection for a period of 30 working days. This period is advertised and facilities are made
available for members of the public to come and examine the Council’s accounts. As the Council is
committed to a policy of openness and transparency any reasonable request to view the accounts, or
any other aspect of Town Council work, will try to be accommodated at any time of the year. The
External Audit last year was completed by PKF Littlejohn LLP and there were no matters of concern
identified or reported.
The Council’s website contains information regarding services and functions of the Council and there
are many downloadable forms available relating to allotments and the cemetery. All of the minutes of
the Council’s meetings and its policies are available and can be downloaded in a PDF Format. If you
do not have access to a computer and wish to see copies or extracts of minutes, these can be made
available for you to view at the Guildhall upon request in advance.

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CHARD TOWN COUNCIL
The Guildhall, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1PP
01460 239567 www.chard.gov.uk
Mayor: Cllr Jenny Kenton

10. HOW TO CONTACT YOUR COUNCIL: COUNCILLORS, OFFCIER TEAM & STAFF
Your Town Councillors are elected by the people of Chard. They are not paid and do not receive any
allowances. It is the Councillors that make the decisions and steer the direction in which the Council
goes. Your councillor can be contacted directly on the following e-mail addresses.
Avishayes Ward
Cllr Victoria Bates
Cllr Banah Crook
Cllr Andy Kenton
Combe Ward
Cllr Jenny Kenton
Cllr Jason Hawkes
Crimchard Ward
Cllr Zak Williams
Cllr Andy Grief-Page
Cllr Claire Richter
Holyrood Ward
Cllr Jason Baker
Cllr Garry Shortland
Cllr Shakil Hassan
Jocelyn Ward
Cllr Dave Bulmer
Cllr Claire Brown
Cllr Tim Eggins
Shepherd’s Lane Ward
Cllr Natasha Watson

Victoria.Bates@chard.gov.uk
Banah.Crook@chard.gov.uk
Andy.Kenton@chard.gov.uk
Jenny.Kenton@chard.gov.uk
Jason.Hawkes@chard.gov.uk
Zak.Williams@chard.gov.uk
Andy.Grief-Page@chard.gov.uk
Claire.Richter@chard.gov.uk
Jason.Baker@chard.gov.uk
Garry.Shortland@chard.gov.uk
Shakil.Hassan@chard.gov.uk
Dave.Bulmer@chard.gov.uk
Claire.Brown@chard.gov.uk
Tim.Eggins@chard.gov.uk
Natasha.Watson@chard.gov.uk

Our offices are open Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm and Fridays from 9am – 4.30pm.
You can contact us by post, telephone or by sending us an email:
Address: The Guildhall, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1PP
Telephone: 01460 239567
Website: www.chard.gov.uk
Email: chardtowncouncil@chard.gov.uk

Other Legal Requirements
Chard Town Council is registered with the Information Commissioners Office to enable it too
hold information under the Data Protection Act 2018, The Freedom of Information Act 2000
and has adopted the Model Code of Conduct for the conduct of its Councillors.

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CHARD TOWN COUNCIL
The Guildhall, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1PP
01460 239567 www.chard.gov.uk
Mayor: Cllr Jenny Kenton

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