QUESTIONS still need to be asked and answered before councillors decide whether or not to help sponsor an environmental project in the district.

It was back in November when Wellington Town Council’s town centre committee was given a presentation about the 2023 Somerset Trash Trail – a trail of colourful sculptured litter bugs made from recycled materials.

The idea is being put forward by Kelly Durden and her dad Dave who were key to the success of the Deane Dragon Trail back in 2014 which included Taunton, Wellington and Wiveliscombe.

Now they are planning on doing another trail from this July, but with an environmental theme based on Litter Bugs and a trail covering Taunton, Wellington, Wiveliscombe and Minehead and involving 45 sculptures.

It is hoped that the trail will raise funds for the Somerset Community Foundation Trust which provides small grants for local groups.

The Trash Trail team has been looking for sponsorship from companies, groups, local authorities and individuals to help fund the project.

But members of Wellington Town Council’s environment and open spaces committee were concerned about the level of money being proposed when they met on Tuesday, January 17.

It was suggested that they sponsored four litter bug sculptures in the town – at a total cost of £1,500 per bug – which would be on display for three months from July and spread along the footpath between The Basins and Hilly Head.

And the Mayor of Wellington, Cllr Mark Lithgow, was the first to say he was not comfortable about handing over £6,000.

“I’m not against the idea, but I’m just not comfortable with it as we are talking about council taxpayers’ money,” he said.

Cllr Marcus Barr said: “I think this project would be good for educating people about litter. I’m not sure we need four of these litter bugs, but I’d say we could have one or two.

“But this project will get people talking about our environment which must be a good thing.”

Cllr Catherine Govier said: “I hear the concerns and maybe four litter bugs is overdoing it.

“The cost is very high and I see that they are going to be auctioned off as well at the end and that money goes to the Somerset Community Foundation.

“I do think we should have a better breakdown of where that money is going – it does seem quite high.”

It was agreed that the principle of the project was a good one, but councillors said that more details were needed.

Cllr Andrew Govier said: “For that sort of money we should have those litter bugs forever and bring them out every year. I didn’t realise that they were only going out for a few months.”

The Mayor added: “I think we’d expect some of the money going to the Somerset Community Foundation would be spent in Wellington, but we don’t know that.

“There are too many questions that still need to be asked.”