Local Community Networks (LCNs) will be the focus for Somerset Council’s community engagement. They will be a conduit for sharing information with communities on the areas, topics, decision making that affect our daily lives.

There are 18 LCNs being established across the County. LCNs will help Somerset Council understand evidence-based community priorities. They will bring partners and community stakeholders together. It is hoped they will identify and secure resource opportunities for local projects and be a place where local action plans might be created. The next steps for Somerset Council for launching LCNs in Somerset include:

• Establishing LCN Link Officers, one Officer will work across two LCN

• Create a web presence for each LCN area

• Creating data/information packs for all area

• Scheduling first meetings with venue

• Defining the role of the chairs

• Working with ICT and Democratic Services meetings support – hybrid meetings are being proposed, while we do encourage people to attend in person

LCN will start in formally in June 2023. LCNs will take place in local venues, to facilitated by the LCN team. There will be a standard agenda for the first LCN, which will cover:

• Building local relationships

• Identify a chair

• Begin to discuss priorities.

The Frome Area LCN has operated as a pilot for over a year – see here.

If you want to be involved in the Frome Area LCN, you can contact me at adam.boyden@somerset.gov.uk or call 07809284817, or work with your local Frome Town or rural parish Council (contact details below for Frome North parishes):

• Frome Town Council
• Beckington Parish Council
• Berkley Parish Council
• Rode Parish Council
• Norton St Philip Parish Council
• Tellisford Parish Meeting
• Lullington Parish Meeting

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