Statement from Mudford Parish Council

Public Statement from Mudford Parish Council

Mudford Parish Council has been made aware of a social media post containing allegations that unfairly represent the Council and a former employee. Mudford Parish Council (PC) takes the accuracy of public information seriously and therefore wishes to make the following statement:

The bridge across the weir was installed without the PC’s agreement. As the bridge did not comply with the regulations, the PC was unable to insure it and therefore agreed to remove it[1].

The minutes from the meeting held on 28th September 2023 state:

• “The weir is privately owned and therefore not the responsibility of Somerset Council (SC) to maintain.
• The Public Right of Way (PRoW) is the responsibility of SC to maintain.
• Due to amount of work required on the current PC owned bridge (shot blasting, galvanising, deck replacement, lengthening, reconfiguration of handrails, widening) it was considered that this bridge would be unsuitable for future use on a PRoW by SC.
• The foundation points that any future bridge would sit at the weir crossing location are concerning, being potentially too shallow for this purpose.
• The weir would require a full structural survey, which could not be paid for by SC and would likely be very expensive. SC would be looking to the community/PC to fund this but emphasised the importance for the instructing body to liaise with SC engineers, ensuring any survey commissioned would be acceptable to SC to accept this as a crossing point.
• For all of these reasons stated, the PC owned bridge and weir crossing point was now not the best solution.
• Preferred option at this time is an alternative crossing point, agreed in consultation with the landowners on either side of the river and SC would be seeking to secure that agreement within the next few weeks.
• The importance of the Parish Council, Somerset Council and the landowners working together was paramount if any future crossing was to be installed and the public right of way across the river re-opened.”[2]

The PRoW team are in the process of establishing a new footpath (diversion of footpath Y 18/1). However, this has been delayed due to a backlog.

The allegations made against the former Clerk, including suggestions of improper or corrupt behaviour, are entirely unfounded and without evidence. Mudford Parish Council is strongly opposed to the circulation of misleading or unsubstantiated claims that risk damaging the reputation of individuals or the integrity of the Council.

We wish to reassure residents that the PC operates in accordance with its statutory duties, established procedures, and the principles of fairness and transparency.

The PC encourages anyone with concerns or questions to contact the Clerk directly, rather than relying on or contributing to online speculation.

26^th February 2026

Jo Dalton-Leggett

Chair

Mudford Parish Council

www.mudford-pc.gov.uk

clerk@mudford-pc.gov.uk

[1] Minutes – April 2023

[2] Minutes – September 2023