On Mendip District Council I have been involved in the Steering Group which has overseen work to secure the future of Frome Leisure Centre after Avalon’s contract runs out in May. Throughout the process I argued that Frome needed to be guaranteed a new or improved Leisure Centre in future, not have it sold off or closed, as is happening elsewhere. I know how important leisure facilities are to everyone in Frome. The deal was agreed at the end of 2014, which will involve Fusion Lifestyle taking over a sublease on Frome Leisure Centre (and 4 other facilities in Mendip) on 1^st June. Fusion have agreed to a business plan with £2 million to be invested in Frome Leisure Centre over the next 3 years, which should greatly improve and modernise the centre. Consultation will begin in May and June on the improvements so you can have your say.

Negotiations are continuing between Fusion, Mendip and Frome Community College/Somerset County Council on a new management agreement for the shared use of the leisure centre in the school day (as the College need to use the facility as the school sports hall).  I hope to see a satisfactory outcome for pupils and other users soon.

If re-elected I hope to continue overseeing this and to hold Fusion and Mendip to their promises to improve this vital facility.

We also need better leisure and sports facilities elsewhere in Frome. After Mendip abolished the ‘sports development’ officer post in 2010 (before my time), few improvements have been made to sports facilities here. Only one application to the Lottery has made in Frome in recent years, by Frome Town Council (for the games court in Victoria Park; rather than Mendip or Somerset whose role it should be!). Fusion Lifestyle have sports development capabilities, and take over Frome Leisure Centre in June.

If re-elected, I will continue to push for a sports development and fundraising strategy for better sports facilities in Frome, and for good cooperation between Fusion’s sports development experts, all our councils, schools and sports clubs, and local organisations, to achieve this, particularly for children and young people. No one can do this alone, and it needs joined up working.

I hope you can support me and Alex for Mendip District Council in our efforts.

For more on the leisure centre please see previous articles here.