Eight questions are set to be asked in a parish poll to be held this month on the future of Kings Pond in Alton.

They were decided upon by local electors during a parish meeting on December 15 which was called under legislation dating back to 1894.

Alton town mayor Cllr Annette Eyre chaired the meeting and town clerk Tom Horwood advised on the legal process.

Residents on the electoral register proposed and voted on a series of questions to choose which ones would be put to the wider electorate of Alton and Holybourne.

East Hampshire District Council will run the poll on a date to be decided. Voting will be in person only at polling stations, from 4pm to 9pm. The estimated cost of £10,000 will be charged to Alton Town Council.

The law states that the results of the parish poll are not binding but must be considered by the town council.

The eight questions are:

1. Should Alton Town Council tamper with water levels, jeopardising tree health and well-being? (At the meeting, eight people voted yes, and 33 no).

2. Do you believe that Alton Town Council is listening to residents concerning Kings Pond? (24 yes, 23 no).

3. Should Alton Town Council commit to following and implementing the results of any parish poll? (33 yes, ten no).

4. Do you trust Alton Town Council to spend council tax payers’ money wisely? (18 yes, 21 no).

5. Should Alton residents be consulted on any further spending on Kings Pond? (30 yes, nine no).

6. Do you want to remove Don Hammond from any further Kings Pond focus groups? (24 yes, 21 no).

7. Do you want Alton Town Council to recommence Stage One so that the people can take an informed decision? (18 yes, 29 no).

8. Should Alton Town Council stop investigating alternatives and instead proceed only with making plans and finding costs for the dredging of Kings Pond at its current size, and adding improvements such as silt traps? (30 yes, 18 no).

A question on the town council approaching South East Water regarding silt traps was agreed unanimously by 44 voters.

This request is being taken forward by the town clerk, which is why the question is not in the parish poll.

For more information on the Kings Pond project visit https://www.alton.gov.uk/kings-pond-project/