Here is my Annual Report for 2019-20, which summarises my work as a local councillor from May 2019 to April 2020.

May 2019: I was re-elected to Mendip District Council on 2^nd May 2019 with my running mate Drew Gardner, in Frome College ward. We received over 60% of the vote, and help form the Lib Dem/Independent administration to run the council!

I was appointed as an Assistant to the Cabinet member for Climate Change cllr Tom Ronan, drafted the initial Action Plan priorities that are taken forward under the Climate & Ecological Emergency Group, and contributed to what became the Council’s Corporate Plan.

June: I informed residents about the update to the cider factory planning application and attended a residents meeting.

The new play equipment (climbing frame) at Packsaddle park had a grand opening (I instigated the park’s transfer from Mendip to Frome Town Council years ago in order to make improvements like this).

I spoke at a Sustainable Frome meeting about how MDC hopes to address climate change.

I asked Avon & Somerset’s Police & Crime Commissioner to review the police’s decision to move response officers out of Frome later this year.

I helped progress discussions on the potential improvement of disabled facilities at Frome Sports & Fitness Centre and elsewhere in Mendip (these continued and some funding was secured, until the coronavirus pandemic closed all leisure centres in the district).

After yet another tragic accident on the A36 just outside Frome I contacted Highways England to ask what they were doing to make the road safe.

July: Drew and I instigated a tour of the flytipping in and around Gypsy Lane area with Mendip Neighbourhood Services, Cabinet member Nick Cottle and ward councillors, to see and discuss the further enforcement action MDC could take.

Met Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable at MDC to help support cycle path improvements.

August/ September: A pedestrian island crossing appeared at the top of Bath Road, which was the result of lobbying Mendip, Somerset Highways department and an adjacent housing developer over several years. Highways had refused to require a zebra, but the crossing will help new and existing residents and College pupils cross the busy road more safely.

Local firefighters and the Fire Brigades Union led a successful campaign against proposed cuts in Frome and elsewhere, including to object to the potential loss of the 2^nd fire engine in Frome in the daytime, which I supported through a petition and letters to the press and official consultation.

October: I lobbied successfully against an officer proposal to reduce public consultation requirements for development proposals at the Commerce Park, with 200 leaflets to local residents, with cllrs Drew Gardner and Janine Nash speaking against at Planning Board. I also lobbied against the YMCA’s sudden closure of the Routes young people’s drop in centre.

November/December: Stood for Parliament in the General election campaign for Somerton & Frome. Won 17,017 votes, an increase of 5.4% to 26%, and secured second place, with the support of my team.

January/ February 2020: I and Drew lobbied to improve the report to Mendip’s Cabinet on electric vehicles, to encourage MDC to procure more high speed chargers in accessible places.

Frome Town Council filled the gaps in the fence around children’s playground at the old Showfield, after I lobbied over several years, so that small children can play without being worried by dogs.

March/April: The first part of March I was busy supporting my wife and family during and after her operation in hospital in Bath. Then we had the Coronavirus lockdown.

Throughout the year, I have raised residents’ issues with Mendip and other councils, including assisted waste collections, housing benefit, council tax debts, flytipping, litter, footpaths, planning enforcement and other local matters.

I attended meetings of Mendip Full Council and Cabinet, MDC’s Saxonvale working group, and Leisure Strategic Board, Frome Town Council, and Frome councillor forum, along with a Frome Medical Practice’s residents feedback session, the Community Hospital fete and the Town Council’s Showfield Apple Day and Meadowfest.

I have written a monthly newsletter here at www.adamboyden.mycouncillor.org.uk and emailed over 100 residents on my mailing list, to keep them informed of my and Drew’s work.

But what have I done during my previous 8 years on Mendip District Council? There are nearly 400 articles on here to explain, and a short list of my record of action is here.

Thank you for reading,

Adam

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