SIR — The Trustees of Williton War Memorial Recreation Ground are concerned that recent statements and publications by various individuals and groups regarding Williton Village Hall Steering Committee's request for limited access around the recreation ground are providing the public with incorrect information and causing confusion as to the current process agreed to be undertaken by the trustees.

The process is required by the Charities Commission before any final decision can be made regarding the request for access and the laying of a track around the recreation ground.

It is well documented that the trustees have agreed in principle to consider a request for both disabled and service vehicle access, though subject to various constraints and conditions.

This decision alone, however, only allows for the trustees to consider the next step, which is to involve the public in the process and obtain their views and opinions.

The trustees appreciate that this is a public project, supported by many people and that the issue of access has become a contentious issue that has divided public opinion. They have therefore decided that it is in the best interests of all to commence this process and seek to bring it to a conclusion.

The trustees are currently working toward agreeing the principle objective for the consultation process, which will focus on the requirement by the Charities Commission for the trustees to provide them with sufficient information and data to allow them to consider a scheme that may require them to alter the original objectives of the governing document for the ground.

The trustees' approach will be to conduct the consultation process in two stages. Initially we need to research and establish the position and requirements of the main interested parties such as the parish council as a local authority and corporate trustee of the ground, the Charities Commission, and of course local governing authorities such as planning and highways.

There is a need to ensure we are clear as to the collective requirements and that we have a management approach to any areas of conflict that may exist.

Additionally we also need to fully understand the Steering Committee's access requirements to allow the development to proceed on its site. The Committee also needs to be aware of the collective requirement of the main interested parties and ensure that it has an agreed management approach to these concerns and requirements.

Once the trustees have successfully concluded this initial exercise, there should be a better understanding of the required scope of the consultation process and those other interested parties where views will need to be sought. How the trustees address the project with the general public within this approach is yet to be decided, though as a minimum a public meeting will be required.

However, should the trustees reach a position within the initial exercise where the parties are unable to collectively agree a way forward, or issues arise that will prevent the laying of a track around the ground, the process may well be halted and a report issued to indicate our findings and the reason for not proceeding.

The trustees' monthly meetings are open to the public where progress reports are given, also minutes of their meetings are lodged in the local library where the public can be kept informed of progress.

Members of the public who believe they have information that would contribute to the initial phase of this process or indeed wish to contact the trustees with their concerns should write in the first instance to Williton Parish Council, 4 Priest Street, Williton, Somerset, TA4 4NY, marked for the attention of the Clerk, or by email to [email protected]">[email protected].

Cllrs Bill Vaughan and Paddy Gower,

For the Trustees of Williton War Memorial Recreation Ground.