Dear all
As your local councillors we like to keep you informed of local issues.

Save our fire service 
You have just one day left to object to the potential cuts to our local Fire and Rescue service – the official consultation proposes one option to remove one of Frome’s two fire engines during the day. This will increase response times and risks to lives, property and firefighters in an emergency and is so unnecessary – please sign our petition and object to these dangerous cuts here – https://www.change.org/p/devon-somerset-fire-rescue-service-save-frome-s-second-fire-engine and read more here https://adamboyden.mycouncillor.org.uk/2019/09/03/save-our-fire-services/

Parklife
You may have noticed that there is now a Parkrun every Saturday in the Old Showfield starting just before 9am. To take part you just need to register here https://www.parkrun.org.uk/theoldshowfield/
This started in August and is happening after the paths were improved by Frome Town Council with funds from the Section 106 agreement with the Medical Centre. I was pleased to help instigate the deal that led to FTC taking over and making such improvements. Its great to see all the people, so many people (over 200) getting fit and healthy every week running round and round in their… local park. Four laps of the area make 5km so do join in next week if you can. Please contact the organisers via the above link to help or draw their attention to anything. 

Island in the (traffic) stream 
You might have also noticed a ‘pedestrian island’ crossing also appeared at the top of Bath Road in August. This was the result of lobbying Mendip District Council, Somerset County Council Highways department and the developer of the new houses (Latona Leisure and their consultants) over several years to ensure the site is accessible for people without a car. Firstly there was a need to get MDC to impose a planning condition requiring a crossing for the busy fast road which lacks a footpath on that side, to ensure the new housing development complied with the council’s own planning policies. Secondly the reluctance of the developer to provide anything more than dropped kerbs had to be overcome. Somerset Highways refused to require a zebra crossing as it was apparently too expensive to justify, so a decent compromise had to be found, and this is the result. Residents and also College pupils can now cross more safely. Please see here for details https://adamboyden.mycouncillor.org.uk/2019/03/25/bath-road-will-be-safer-with-new-crossing/

Climate emergency plan
Mendip’s new environmentally friendly policies are taking shape, and there is a report to Full Council on Monday 30th September which explains the progress that has been made – see item 8 here https://www.mendip.gov.uk/article/7624/Monday-30-September-2019 and come along, everyone is welcome. 
Cllr Drew Gardner continues to work on plans to improve electric vehicle charging in Mendip’s car parks. 
I supported Friday’s climate strike in town and it was great to see children and adults caring about the future of the planet. I also supported my party’s new climate emergency policy at conference in Bournemouth led by Bath MP Wera Hobhouse. A climate emergency needs an emergency response plan, and now we have one, we just need the power to implement it.

Saxonvale and Cidery
Discussions continue on the Saxonvale planning application that was submitted on behalf of Mendip just before the May local elections. 
There is no news yet on when either Saxonvale or the Cidery planning applications will be before Mendip’s Planning Board for a decision. 

What’s on today 
Today I’m visiting Fair Frome on their open day from 10am to noon, to talk to the people that run the food and furniture banks about their work and what more local councillors (and MPs) can do to reduce poverty. Fair Frome helps hundreds of households survive each year. 
At 3.30pm I’m speaking at the ‘Defend Democracy’ rally at the Boyle Cross to protest against the proroguing of Parliament. Might see some of you there?
It’s Frome Carnival day today so do come and support the Children’s Carnival procession from 2pm (see https://www.discoverfrome.co.uk/event/frome-carnival-childrens-procession/) and then the full Carnival from 7pm – https://www.discoverfrome.co.uk/annual-events/frome-carnival/. 

Out and About
I’ve been out and about meeting residents and members all over the Somerton & Frome constituency, and will continue the tour every week. A General Election looks likely to be called when Parliament reopens in October and I will be the Liberal Democrat candidate. 
Please get in touch if you’d like to help or if you have any questions or concerns.

Dates for your diary
Apple Day returns to the Old Showfield on Sunday 20th October and there’s a lot going on – https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/everyone-is-welcome-as-apple-day-returns-to-fromes-community-orchard/. 
Frome’s public fireworks display also returns to the Old Showfield on Saturday 2nd November. 

Also please see news from Frome Town Council here https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/news/ and from Mendip here https://www.mendip.gov.uk/news

I hope this is useful!
Best wishes,
Adam BoydenMendip District Councillor for Frome College ward and Parliamentary Candidate for Somerton & Frome07809284817Email adam4somertonandfrome@gmail.com, Cllr.Boyden@mendip.gov.uk
https://adamboyden.mycouncillor.org.uk/https://www.somertonandfromelibdems.org.uk/
With Cllr Drew Gardner, Frome College ward, email Cllr.Gardner@mendip.gov.uK

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