Frome GP walk-in service is moving on 14^th July:

On 14^th July, the Walk-In Clinic, currently based at Frome Community Hospital, will be moving down the road to its new location on the first floor of the Frome Medical Centre building.The Walk-In Clinic provides a ‘no appointment’ service for FMC patients wishing to obtain same day non-urgent medical advice and or treatment. It is open on Mondays to Fridays from 8.30am to 5.30pm and for emergencies only from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. It is hoped this will improve the service and help reduce waiting times. The Minor Injuries Unit will remain at the Hospital. Please see

http://www.frometimes.co.uk/2014/07/01/frome-walk-in-clinic-on-the-move/

I previously raised the issue of waiting times to see a doctor with FMP, which led to some publicity being issued about how patients can help (by not missing appointments) and a debate in the local papers. I will be discussing this and the current waiting times issue further with a partner at the practice shortly.

Stonebridge Drive traffic calming:

I and county councillor Sam Phripp remain in discussion with Somerset Highways on the possible options for improving the traffic calming speed humps along Stonebridge Drive, and the possibility of putting in a 20 mph zone/limit here, as we know it can be frightening and dangerous for pedestrians and other drivers when people drive though the humps at speed. Currently Somerset Highways advise that a Small Improvement Scheme would need to be applied for to undertake any changes to the traffic calming and to have a 20mph zone or limit, which would be reviewed by a panel, but that under current county council guidelines, the panel might not agree to fund such a scheme, including due to the lack of accidents and the monitored speeds along the road. I have asked further questions, including why the county council does not plan proactively to reduce speeds in line with Government guidance ‘Setting Local Speed Limits’, what consultation would be required to demonstrate local residents support any changes, and whether the proposed development of the Stonebridge shops with new flats above (see ‘Planning update’) could provide funds to improve road safety on Stonebridge Drive. I await a response from Highways and will update you further as this progresses.

Showfield:

Grass cutting: After a bit of nagging from me to Mendip officers, after residents complaints, the grass was eventually cut by MDC’s contractors on 4th July (being overdue by over a week). I was getting (and making) complaints as most of the fields were by then unusable.

This is part of the reason I have been trying to get the Showfield transferred out of Mendip’s lease control and into Frome Town Council’s, I think the Town Council would be more responsive and do a better job of managing and improving the place.

The proposed improvements scheme has still not progressed, despite my efforts. Currently due to various legal issues, it still lies with Mendip officers to draw up a more limited scheme that in their view complies with the potential legal restrictions that a potential Village Green designation would impose on the site, although the Village Green hearing is still years away. I have asked for an update. MDC officers will not agree to discuss further or meet, as Mendip’s Cabinet members (not from Frome) will not allow them to spend any more time on it unless FROGS agree to withdraw their Village Green application to allow the transfer to FTC to go ahead. Still, I have been trying to promote discussions to move things forward anyway, and I understand some of the other parties have been talking despite this. My full report to Frome Town Council, about why it’s taking so long, and what should we do now, and what FTC agreed to do, which was more optimistic, is here: http://adamboyden.mycouncillor.org.uk/2014/05/15/showfield-update-2/

Frome Leisure Centre:

Please see my update on Mendip’s leisure centre strategy and the future of Frome Leisure centre, after Mendip’s public meeting in March: http://adamboyden.mycouncillor.org.uk/2014/05/15/leisure-centres-update/

Action on blocked paths:

After a run around the ward last weekend I have reported a number of footpaths and pavements being blocked by overhanging vegetation along Bath Road, off Wellow Drive, and on Forest Road, to Somerset Highways for action. They were cutting back hedges on Bath Road this morning, which I must say is quick work! Please let me know if there are any other blocked paths that need attention.

Briar Close parking:

I have raised the issue of weekend parking overflowing from the rugby club’s matches and events, with the rugby club, after several complaints to me from local residents. I hope to meet with the rugby club to discuss how this can be addressed soon.

267 bus news:

Progress has been made by cllrs Derek Tanswell & Sharon Snook and local campaigners Denise Bull and Tracy Harding and in persuading First Buses to reinstate the 267 bus to Wessex Fields and Sainsburys at a public meeting: see http://www.fromestandard.co.uk/Meeting-discuss-Frome-buses-attracts-70-people/story-21316798-detail/story.html

Speed limits:

I am also asking Somerset Highways to review again the speed limit on Bath Road/Gypsy Lane/ Oldford Hill/Cuckoo Lane junction and roads, to move from national speed limits to a safer 40mph limit here. It may be that a small improvement scheme is required, but I am still asking that the county council should apply national guidance to improve safety here anyway.

Need a new litter bin?

Please let me know if your area needs a new litter bin. Recently Frome Town Councillors agreed to provide some new litter bins in each area of town, and to ask local residents where new bins are needed. Please see http://www.fromestandard.co.uk/say-litter-bins-placed/story-21321310-detail/story.html

Walnut Walk dog poo:

After a complaint from a local resident I recently delivered letters to the residents of Walnut Walk to ask them if they needed a dog waste bin in the grass in their street, as one could be provided if there is a local demand. Hopefully this has also raised awareness of the need for a small number of people to be more responsible for their dogs there.

Recycling collections on Fromefield/Bath Road:

I had complaints from residents of Fromefield and Bath Road a few weeks ago that their recycling bins were not collected. I found out that the reason was due to a crew staffing problem, and I have asked Somerset Waste Partnership and Mendip District Council to ensure this does not happen again.

Rodden Road pigeon bridge dispute:

I have again asked Network Rail to meet with me and other local councillors and Mendip’s Environmental Health Officer, to agree what should be done about the ongoing problem of pigeons roosting under the railway bridge at Rodden Road (where I live). Network Rail were intending to remove the badly/partly installed netting their contractors put over part of the road (which allowed pigeons to get in and become trapped) and possibly replace it with spikes, rather than replace the netting to do the job properly. MDC are threatening legal action, as the number of pigeons nesting, and what they leave behind, is a public health nuisance, and I await to see how Network Rail respond. Please see here for previous update: http://adamboyden.mycouncillor.org.uk/2014/03/14/local-news-update/

Travellers in north Frome:

Last month one afternoon a group of travellers entered and pitched up at Frome Community College’s playing fields off Gypsy Lane, but were soon evicted by the swift action of a local resident and the Police. They soon turned up in a field off Iron Mill Lane at the northern end of Frome, and have caused nuisance issues for the neighbouring residents at Cuckoo Hill. I have been in touch with both sets of residents, Mendip’s enforcement officers, and David Heath’s office to offer assistance.

Merlin Theatre funding:

A recent bid by the Merlin Theatre to the Arts Council for funding, which I supported in writing, has narrowly failed to win funding despite the bid being described as excellent. The Merlin is still going strong though, despite previous funding cuts from Mendip and Somerset councils, hopefully always will be, thanks to the dedicated volunteers, staff and management, and Frome Town Council’s support. It is part of what makes Frome great. Please see http://www.fromestandard.co.uk/Theatre-loses-arts-cash-bid/story-21321196-detail/story.html

Frome Town Council news:

FTC recent news can be found here – http://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/news/. This includes:

–          AnElectric Vehicle Event at the Cheese & Grain at 6.30pm on Friday 4 July 2014.

–          Can you help review the Frome Community Plan?

–          The decision on Dog Control Orders – http://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/news/view/last-nights-iac-meeting

–          Supporting Butler, Tanner and Dennis staff.

Frome Town Council’s latest £5000 local grant funding pot has been allocated to local projects: http://www.fromestandard.co.uk/pound-5-000-grant-pot-shared-groups/story-21321498-detail/story.html

Frome Community Hub:

The Town Council has agreed to buy the old Social Services building on Christchurch Street West from Somerset County Council and create a Frome Community Hub.

You can have your say on what the Frome Community Hub should include – take part in a survey (ends 9^th July): https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PKXY5MB

Fracking

Recently I have seen a letter from B&NES Council to DECC, expressing deep concern about government proposals to re-issue Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences for ‘fracking’ gas extraction within the catchment areas of the Bath Hot Springs, due to the likely risks to the hot springs, and which asks that DECC do not renew the PEDLs that have been handed back to DECC, in the 14th round of onshore oil/gas licensing which is due shortly. I have now asked Mendip District Council’s leader and chief executive that MDC also writes to DECC to support B&NES’ request, as we expressed the same concerns as B&NES in the motion we agreed (which I helped prepare and seconded) at Mendip last September, and I think it fits within the remit of the Working Party which has been set up as a result of the motion, to do so.  I await their response. Please see here for previous info on the motion Mendip agreed last autumn – http://adamboyden.mycouncillor.org.uk/2013/11/22/focus-fracking-success/

Mendip District Council news:

As well as the Local Plan consultation, MDC have issued a few more news releases, mainly about Wells, but also something on the new national flytipping sentencing guidelines, Glastonbury Festival – see http://www.mendip.gov.uk/article/3563/June-2014 for more.

Flytipping:

MDC reports that, assisted by the new sentencing guidelines, the renewed efforts by Mendip District Council and all other Somerset district councils to clamp down on fly-tippers include ‘extra equipment’, ‘additional warning signs’ (including some along Gypsy Lane), ‘newspaper adverts’, ‘close police liaison’ (including a Memorandum of Understanding with Avon &Somerset Police), and ‘further training for enforcement officers’.

Flytipping went up again in Mendip in 2013-14, but I hope that the meeting I arranged in April on the Gypsy Lane issue has had some effect in concentrating Mendip councillors’ and officers’ minds on the issue. If anyone has noticed any difference lately, please let me know.My previous update is here: http://adamboyden.mycouncillor.org.uk/2014/05/23/flytipping-update-action-needed-at-gypsy-lane/

Funding for community environmental projects:

Funding is still available from Mendip District Council on for local and larger environmental projects, please let me know if you are interested in applying. I have recently supported the Packsaddle Community Group, and Frome Children’s Festival, and am still happy to receive new applications for this fund. See http://adamboyden.mycouncillor.org.uk/2014/05/15/community-funding-available-2/

Mendip Lib Dems announce Shadow Cabinet:

See http://adamboyden.mycouncillor.org.uk/2014/05/22/mendips-shadow-cabinet-announced/

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