April news
Somerset Councillor for Frome North (Lib Dem) Learn more
by adamboyden on 29 January, 2019
Dear All,
Some news from your me as your local councillor for Frome College ward:
BBC Question Time at the Merlin Theatre
Yes it’s true, BBC Question Time is coming to the Merlin Theatre in Frome on Thursday 21st March, an amazing coup for our small town. To join the audience you need to fill in this form here.
Saxonvale deadline 29th January
Today is the final day to return comments on the Saxonvale regeneration consultation, the biggest development in Frome for many years. The consultation event over two days in January at the Silk Mill saw hundreds of people see what Mendip’s development partners Acorn and architects Nash Partnership are thinking of for their vision for the redevelopment of the site and feed back comments. Please see my news here – you can download the exhibition boards and comment here. The development team will be taking account of the consultation feedback in putting together proposals, and will be consulting on the resulting proposals in February before submitting a planning application in April. I am pleased they are consulting far and wide, so please do take the chance to have your say.
Getset family support services at the Key Centre – safe for a year?
Following the Somerset County Council consultation on closing the Getset Level 2 family support services based at the Key Centre, I launched a cross party campaign and petition to oppose the cuts and secure the future of the Key Centre. Following an overwhelming response from service users and the community, including from Frome and our campaign, a SCC Scrutiny Committee meeting last week considered revised SCC proposals to give Getset a reprieve for a year – please see here.
Citizens Advice – District Councils to step in to save service
I have just heard the good news that following the temporary closure of the Fromefield Post Office in 2017, the Post Office is reopening the branch on 8th March as Rodden Road Post Office within the McColls corner shop at the Vince Tree crossroads. Please see here for details and the chance to have your say on access issues.-I remember asking both McColls and the other local shop if they could accommodate the Post Office after Fromefield’s closure was announced, so this is great news and restores a valued local facility for our community.
Grit our roads – sign the petition
Conservative-run Somerset County Council has announced plans to drastically reduce the number of roads that will be gritted this winter. This is a potentially dangerous and irresponsible action that will increase the number of accidents due to icy conditions. This is another in a long series of cuts that Somerset County Council has been making because of its inability to manage its money. Roads no longer gritted include Berkley Road and Rodden Road in Frome, the Frome Road to Norton St Philip, and several other rural roads to nearby villages. Please see here for details and to sign the petition to reverse the cuts – https://www.somertonandfromelibdems.org.uk/gritcuts.
Winter emergency shelter for rough sleepers in Frome
Recent freezing weather has meant that the official Severe Weather Emergency Protocol has been activated several times, which triggers Mendip’s provision of emergency homeless shelters in Wells – and now in Frome also, after a short campaign earlier this year (see here). Nobody needs to sleep rough in Mendip during the coldest weather – safe and warm accommodation is available – to access this service, anyone at risk should call 01749 677097. Help in the day is available at the Fair Frome foodbank behind Frome Town Hall on Christchurch Street West, and there is now an emergency night shelter in Frome also – please see here.If you are concerned that someone is rough sleeping and want the person to get help, visit the Street Link website https://www.streetlink.org.uk/ , call 0300 500 0914 or Twitter @Tell_StreetLink. The referral just takes a minute. Upon receiving the referral Mendip District Council will co-ordinate a visit from the local outreach team. Information is available at http://www.mendip.gov.uk/roughsleeping
Gypsy Lane litter
I have reported the unacceptable amount of litter along Gypsy Lane to Mendip District Council’s Neighbourhood Services team, and they have instructed contractors to undertake a clearance. Please let me know if you see any other areas in an acceptable state.
Parliamentary candidate news
Please see here my round up as your parliamentary candidate, on plastic recycling, Brexit, the Getset campaign, meeting Nick Clegg and remembering our dear Paddy Ashdown.
Frome Town Council news
I also attended last week’s council meeting with dozens of others. We heard from grant recipient Fair Frome, learnt about FTC’s work programme for 2019/2020 and the Council’s financial plan. There were updates on the partnership with Mendip District Council to manage the Boyle Cross and FTC’s response to the Saxonvale consultation – please see here. There was also an update on FTC’s plans to revamp the Market Place after the public consultation last year – measures include improving the bus stops so that buses are off the carriageway when they pick up passengers, providing real time information, new paving and the addition of both a (new) zebra and a courtesy crossing. FTC will now prepare a planning application and try and secure approval from Somerset Highways and Mendip.
Other news from FTC includes a last call for town event ideas, call for entries for Frome Busks, FTC’s ongoing commitment to the town centre, and more – see here and here.
Mendip District Council news
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