April news
Councillor Adam Boyden
Somerset Councillor for Frome North (Lib Dem) Learn more
April news
Somerset Council agrees budget
February newsletter
Showfield plans debated tonight, Stonebridge cleanup, and other news
by adamboyden on 23 March, 2016
Showfield Improvement Plans debated tonight
Please see a link to the report on the proposed Old Showfield management and improvement plan, which is being debated and hopefully approved at Frome Town Council’s meeting at 7pm at Rook Lane Chapel tonight, as item 7 of the agenda on pages 12-14, and at Appendix 3 here http://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/meeting/full-council-meeting-3/
FTC’s plan includes all the improvements I know people have asked for at the site, including improved paths all around the site (including looking at how to improve path drainage), more benches, bins and trees (including in an orchard), a boundary hedge (and temporary fence) around the playground to keep dogs away from children playing, new playground surfacing, future funding for new playground equipment, and a large area of short grass for play and picnics (areas E and G on the plan), together with the outdoor fitness equipment, and creation of wildflower meadows in the back fields (with Somerset Wildlife Trust involvement). Funding is either in place or has been identified and the work will be phased, with path improvements the first priority. This follows the initial consultation in 2012, the work done to agree and progress the transfer to Frome Town Council in 2013-15 and the public meeting at the end of January. I have discussed the details with FTC’s Environment Manager Chris Stringer, and I think it looks great, so I hope it will be approved tonight.
Also being decided at the FTC meeting tonight are management plans for Victoria Park, Mary Bailey Playing Field and other smaller open spaces (items 6 and 8), updates on projects (see Appendix 1) and the Environment Team’s work, the proposed use of Section 106 funding (from the Mendip Lodge Hotel site development) to promote Frome as a tourist destination for walkers and cyclists, community grants, and a Music and Arts panel (see above link).
Stonebridge cleaned for the Queen.
Earlier in March the Stonebridge ‘Clean for the Queen’ litter pick, organised by Annabel and Phil Macey of HopeFrome with my and FTC’s support, took place with nearly 20 residents, which was a great turnout.We all worked for an hour to clear litter from the stream corridor, open spaces and footpaths in Stonebridge, and then went and cleared the edges of the old Showfield too. We collected a lot of rubbish from the bushes and brambles next to paths, open spaces and in the stream, including drinks bottles, cans, sweet and crisp wrappers, and some old tyres. It was great to see the difference it made to the stream and green corridors. More litter bins along the paths leading from the shops would help residents keep the area clean, so we will be asking our town and district councils to provide a few more. Thanks go to all the volunteers who helped, and to the town council and Mendip for their support. Thanks also to the many ‘lone ranger’ litter pickers who keep their streets clean every week. cllr Adam Boyden, with Annabel and Phil Macey.
Please see here for Frome Standard’s and Frome Times‘ reports of the event.
Other news
Frome’s Sports Festival is coming soon, in April, including events at Selwood Academy, Frome Town Football Club, Victoria Park and elsewhere.
Refugee families are coming to Mendip, after MDC agreed to work with the Government’s refugee resettlement programme and the local Frome Syrian Refugee Support Group. Please see here for previous background.
Tomorrow I also have meetings with Mendip District Council and Fusion at the Leisure Centre (to see progress of the improvement works and the reasons for the delays to reopening), with MDC and FTC and others to assess the litter around Stonebridge (and Gypsy Lane) and the need for new bins, and a local property developer (to sort out a few issues). On Monday Mendip District Council’s Scrutiny Broad debated a report and recommendations on ways of reducing the use of bailiffs in Council Tax collection, which I helped with after the motion I led in November was inspired and informed by issues raised by the Mendip Community Credit Union’s Frome team of volunteers – a full update on that will be provided next week.
I will keep you all informed on all the issues I am working on with a full update after the Easter break.
I hope you find this useful. Please let me know if there is anything I should be doing in the usual way.
Leave a comment
Leave a Reply