Somewhat disappointingly, I have just heard that work on Mendip District Council’s Play Strategy, which will decide how the council will invest in play areas across the district, and which sites it could be transferring to town councils, has been delayed again. This is because it has been decided there needs to be additional work on the audit of play spaces and their value, i.e. the current ‘state of play’, by consultants, which is now due in May, with a decision by Mendip’s Cabinet to follow in June.

However I am hoping to take advantage of the delay by helping local residents who want to improve their local playgrounds and open spaces have more influence on the strategy, and to ensure that investment is targeted where it is most needed and wanted.

Alot has been going on to improve open spaces in Frome.  Over the last year or two the F.R.O.G.S. group worked with local residents and Frome Town Council to make impressive improvements to Welshmill Park with a new cycle activity track and play tower, which is much more well used than the park used to be.  I have been impressed with the Packsaddle Community Group’s ‘community building’ work so far in their campaign to improve the Packsaddle Play Area for young and old, in winning some funding from Frome Town Council, in working with the Wansdyke Play Association to provide weekly play sessions, and in highlighting the importance of local residents working together to the Government. The Mount Community Association are also getting ideas together to improve the Tower View play area.  These groups could always do with more support from local residents so please get in touch with them if you live there.

Frome Town Council also adopted an Open Space Strategy last year, with input from local people, to push for improvements to all open spaces in town.  I understand discussions are ongoing about the priorities for action and funding between town and district councils.  Some ‘section 106 money’ may be available, in addition to the improvements fund for the old Showfield being funded by the new Health Centre development, which will need further consultation with local people when a costed plan is worked out.

I am also very pleased that the Friends of the River Frome have prepared a strategy for the Town Council to turn the river Frome into much more of an attractive and accessible feature and people and wildlife. I remember suggesting this two years ago, although all the hard work has been done by others! I hope Mendip’s New Homes Bonus “Legacy Projects” fund (soon to be launched) can soon do what it is supposed to and make a lasting legacy for Frome, however small the initial allocation (£250,000 for the district) this time, and I hope more funding will follow soon.

Finally, I am all in favour of a more participatory democracy, rather than just representation, as Big Issue founder John Bird put it on a recent BBC Question Time, as it can be much more involving and effective.  So if people want to improve other open spaces, please get involved, contact FROGS and your local residents group,or form a new one. Please contact me (via cllr.boyden@mendip.gov.uk) so that I can help bring your ideas to Mendip, or alternatively contact other local councillor/s.

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