The big news at the weekend was that the former Conservative MP for Somerton & Frome has resigned (see here), so there will be a by-election here on 20th July to elect our new Member of Parliament. Sarah Dyke is the Liberal Democrat candidate, a Somerset Councillor and Executive member for Environment and Climate Change – see here.

Would you like to help elect the first Lib Dem MP here since 2015? Please sign up to help the campaign in any way you can via the Volunteer (“I’m in”) button on the Somerton & Frome Lib Dems website here. We are particularly in need of: people with spare rooms to host activists from around the country, help with erecting poster boards, and people to host poster boards in front of their homes (you can sign up here); as well as help delivering leaflets, helping the campaign in the office, and to canvass/knock on doors or make phone calls. The Lib Dem Frome HQ will be ready from Thursday 21st June with leaflets to deliver, so please feel free to go to Unit 3 at Station Approach and pick some up from tomorrow.

Yesterday, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey visited Sarah and a group of supporters in Castle Cary and spent some time canvassing. This was the lead story on BBC Points West evening and late news (see here), ITV West Country evening and late news, BBC Radio Somerset and in the press today. 

As the Lib Dems came a good second here in 2019 (when I was the candidate), won control of Somerset Council in the local elections in 2022 (and won the popular vote in the Somerton & Frome constituency divisions), and have overturned large majorities in three recent by-elections, the bookies and many pundits have Sarah as the favourite to win, but David Warburton’s 19,000 Conservative majority will take a huge effort to overcome, so we will need help – please see here.

Packsaddle planning application deadline 29th June:

The deadline for public comments on the planning application by LiveWest for 74 homes and a children with disabilities respite home, at the Somerset Council owned land at Packsaddle Way, Frome, is now 29th June. Some 50 public comments have been received (as of 20th June). Please see here for details.

Somerset Council’s Estates team have decided to bring in cattle to the site to the Packsaddle fields shortly to keep the grass down, and have erected a site notice asking people to ensure dogs are on leads and abide by the Countryside Code. If you have any problems or concerns with this, including in relation to your properties, please contact the SC Estates team on estates@somerset.gov.uk and please copy me in at adam.boyden@somerset.gov.uk. The site vegetation is no longer going to be initially cleared by mowing after I and others raised wildlife impact concerns. 

Fly nuisance around Frome sewage treatment works:

I understand flies have been more of a problem in recent weeks. If you have a fly nuisance (particularly from small black midges or window gnats associated with the Wessex Water’s Frome water recycling centre (sewage treatment works – see here for the types of fly), please contact:

• Wessex Water’s complaints line 0345 600 4 6000 (Monday – Friday 8am-6pm) or at https://www.wessexwater.co.uk/help-and-advice/customer-commitments/enquiries-and-complaints
• Somerset Council – https://mdc.somerset.gov.uk/make-an-environmental-complaint
• Please also let me know by email to adam.boyden@somerset.gov.uk. 

This is also a ‘last call’ for attendees to come forward for the meeting with Wessex Water to review the effectiveness of fly control measures (principally to review the trial of the netting installed over the filter beds last year) and plans for the future. The meeting is in the morning next Monday 26th June at the Wessex Water works so please let me know if you like to attend and I will provide details.

Somerset Tree Strategy adopted:

A ten-year plan to enhance and protect Somerset trees and woodland has been adopted by Somerset Council’s Executive. Amongst its ambitious aims, the strategy sets out a plan for planting 240 hectares of new trees and woodlands each year across the county until 2033, to increase the county’s tree coverage from its current 8% to the national average of 13% and more if possible. Please see here for details.

Debate Not Hate:

Somerset Council’s political group leaders have issued a joint statement to draw attention to the excellent Debate Not Hate motion, which was proposed by Labour group leader Leigh Redman and passed at Full Council earlier this year, in which Cllr Redman said “Democracy is at the heart of local government and councillors are as much part of the community they represent. While debating and disagreeing with each other is an integral part of the process, councillors should not be subjected to abuse and intimidation because of their role.” – please see here.

Volunteering:

There are lots of opportunities to volunteer in Somerset – please see here.

Garden waste collection:

Somerset residents are being reminded that they can sign up for a fortnightly home garden waste collection – please see here.

Somerset’s Youth Justice Team needs volunteers:

Somerset Council’s Youth Justice Team and Route1 Advocacy Team need more volunteers who want to make a real difference to young people in Somerset. The Youth Justice Team aims to reduce youth offending by working with young people and their families after a young person has been arrested by the police, and is currently looking for volunteers for two roles, please see here.

More Somerset Council news can be found here.

Town Council reports back:

A report of the Frome Town Council meeting last week can be found here, including about community engagement in the St Johns area, and the Keep it Frome project.

More Town Council news, including on sharing your views on housing, and on biodiversity and climate policy and action, and the Frome Festival is here.

Buses in Norton St Philip:

At last week’s Norton St Philip Parish Council meeting (see agenda here) residents and parish councillors complained about the reduced D2 bus service through the village, including because at peak times buses can be full up, and the frequency of services has been reduced and is irregular. I hope to help the parish council take the issue up with First Buses and Somerset Council. Please get in touch if you have any issues. The Parish Council also confirmed its objection to planning applications for more housing around the Fortescue Fields development, and reported problems with logging responses to planning applications.

Norton St Philip Neighbourhood Plan consultation:

Consultation on the draft Norton St Philip Neighbourhood Plan lasts until midnight on 25th June – see here.

Farleigh House license application to be decided:

A controversial licensing application by Bath Rugby to turn Farleigh House into a wedding venue, which has seen objections submitted by over 30 Farleigh Hungerford residents and Norton St Philip Parish Council, is to be determined by the Licensing Subcommittee (East) this week, after a 3 hour hearing on Monday 19th June (see here). I attended and objected including on the grounds of the lack of a noise impact assessment to assess the impact of music and traffic noise on nearby residents late at night.

Have your say on the Council’s Licensing Policy:

Somerset Council is inviting residents and businesses to comment on its updated Licensing Policy document. This sets out an approach to the Council’s licensing functions in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003. A consultation is now open for six weeks until 13 July 2023, please see here.

My previous newsletter in mid-May can be found here.

There are of course plenty of other issues going on that cannot be reported. Please get in touch if you have any concerns or questions. I hope you find this useful.  

Best wishes,

Adam

Adam Boyden, Somerset Councillor for Frome North (Liberal Democrat) email cllrboyden@gmail.com / adam.boyden@somerset.gov.uk
phone 07809284817
https://adamboyden.mycouncillor.org.uk/

 

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