In November over 60 people attended a meeting of the Mendip Trades Union Council in Frome, about the damage being done to community services and jobs by the Conservatives’ cuts at Somerset County Council and continued Conservative Government funding cuts to local government. I gave a speech, as did representatives of three unions, Labour and the Green Party, and fellow Lib Dem councillors Tessa Munt and Damon Hooton. I have been lobbying both Mendip DC and Frome Town Council to mitigate SCC’s cuts to Citizens Advice, with some success as Mendip will be stepping up to help (see here), and had successfully argued for a meeting with Frome Town, Mendip District and Somerset County councillors to see what all councillors could do – Frome Town Council are also considering what they can do.

Later that week I launched a cross party campaign to ‘Save the Key Centre and stop the cuts to the Getset family support services’, to oppose SCC’s proposed abolition of the Getset ‘early help’ service based at the Key Children’s Centre in Frome and elsewhere, which supports families having parenting problems before they reach crisis. Cuts to the service are counterproductive and a false economy, as stated by Frome West county councillor John Clarke’s statements in the press.

After a quick initial campaign meeting I wrote and publicised a cross party letter (signed by Lib Dem, Green, Labour and Independent councillors), and launched a petition here which has been signed by over 500 people. My friend Drew Gardner made a video here of parents describing how Getset has helped them through life, which has been viewed thousands of times.

I have submitted a response to the SCC consultation based on the comments received from people. We now have hundreds of people supporting the campaign. Frome Town Council has submitted an objection to the cuts. Mendip is also arguing against any cuts to this service due to the effects on residents in need.  Now the consultation has closed, County officers will be writing up their report to inform Cabinet’s meeting in February when a decision should be made. I will keep the pressure up until SCC change policy. Please get in touch to help and find out more.