A36 reopens temporarily from 18th October to 11th November:

National Highways have temporarily reopened the A36 Warminster Road at Limpley Stoke to allow Wiltshire Council to carry out essential work on the A350. Due to the damage to the southern embankment, there will be two way traffic lights in place to keep everyone safe. However, the road was reopened to traffic on 18th October and will close again on Monday 11th November until March 2025. Local councillors (including me) also met with National Highways to discuss the works and the need for ways of mitigating the impacts of diverted traffic on local villages. For the full update please see here: A36 Limpley Stoke carriageway repairs and stabilisation – National Highways

Roads north of Frome closed to vehicles:

To the north of Frome, Somerset Council’s application to close Dark Lane and part of Berkley Lane to vehicles (to discourage the ‘dump and run’ flytipping that has plagued this area for years) was approved after a public inquiry, so local residents should see a cleaner, greener environment there. (please see Public inquiry into Berkley Lane and Dark Lane ‘pedestrianisation’).

Safety measures on A361 Frome bypass:

New safety measures are to be installed on the busy A361 Frome bypass by Somerset Council after nine people died on the road in less than two years. They include better signing and road markings, cutting back vegetation on the A361 near Frome, and the use of unmarked vehicles and specialised speed detection equipment and artificial intelligence cameras. Some of the work has already taken place, and more lining works are due (with an overnight road closure on 28th October 18:30 – 06:00 on 29th October 2024*). Please see Safety steps taken on A361 near Frome after multiple deaths – BBC News and Somerset to Introduce AI Cameras for Enhanced Road Safety. Anna Sabine, MP for Frome & East Somerset, has been making this a priority in her first 100 days in discussion with Somerset Council’s highways team, see MP TACKLES ROAD SAFETY AROUND FROME – Frome and East Somerset Liberal Democrats.

* Road works and closures map:

Please also see all current and future planned road works and closures here – Causeway one.network.

Somerset Council Restructure:

An internal 45 day consultation on proposals for Somerset Council’s Restructure has just started, and lasts until 7th December. This is likely to involve over 100 redundancies, and could mean up to 450, approximately 10% of the workforce, so consultation is being undertaken with staff and unions before any redundancies are made. The restructuring will complete the work of bringing 5 councils into a single authority, whilst also addressing financial challenges. Council leader Bill Revans was interviewed about this on this morning’s BBC Somerset radio Charlie Taylor breakfast programme from 7.09am – Radio Somerset – Listen Live – BBC Sounds. Details will be scrutinised at the Council’s Scrutiny Committees and the Executive over the next few months. Check Somerset Council’s news site for updates News from across the Council.

Have your say on a new political map for Somerset Council:

A public consultation has been launched to help shape new council divisions for Somerset Council. The Local Government Boundary Commission for England wants to hear people’s views on an electoral review, and has decided that the number of councillors in Somerset Council should be 96, which is 14 less than the current council’s 110 members. Please see here for more: Have your say on a new political map for Somerset Council.

Packsaddle planning application update:

The full planning application 2023/0864/FUL for the ‘Erection of 74 dwellings, 1 no. children with disabilities home, including means of access, drainage, landscaping and associated works’ was on the agenda to be decided by Somerset Council’s Planning Committee – East on 5th November. The agenda for the meeting has been published: Agenda for Planning Committee – East on Tuesday, 5th November, 2024, 2.00 pm – Modern Council. The case officer’s report (item 5) concludes in paragraph 394, ‘Overall, the adverse impacts identified are not considered to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. In accordance with para 11 d of the Framework, the application is therefore recommended for APPROVAL, subject to a number of conditions and planning obligations secured by legal agreement(s)’. For details of the planning application at Packsaddle Way, please see Packsaddle planning application submitted. Please let me know what you think. The meeting is in person and online. Update 30th October 2024: Somerset Council’s planning officers have confirmed that ‘the Packsaddle Way application has been withdrawn from the Planning Committee East agenda on 5th November. It will be taken to the next possible committee meeting after a further review of the required S106 obligations and scheme viability.’ This follows correspondence from the legal team for the People for Packsaddle residents group which raised legal concerns about a number of issues. All application documents and correspondence (currently only up to 15th October) can be found via the Council’s planning portal search tool Simple Search using the reference 2023/0864/FUL.

Local Community Network:

The next ‘Vale of Frome Local Community Network’ meeting in January will be about managing the impact of major developments. This is a forum for Somerset, town and parish councils and other organisations in the Frome and surrounding rural area. Its last meeting discussed health and well-being, including children’s mental health. Please get in touch to get involved. Please see Vale of Frome for more on the LCN.

Flies around Frome sewage works:

Last week some people in northern Frome around Frome’s sewage works, experienced a large number of flies in and around their homes. If you have been affected please get in touch and see here to find out more: Flies around Frome sewage works.

Winter fuel allowance, Pension Credit and the Somerset Household Support Fund:

Following a motion and debate at Full Council in September, the Leaders of all political groups in Somerset have written to the Prime Minister to express concerns about the recent decision to remove the Winter Fuel Allowance from many pensioners – please see Somerset Council Leaders raise concerns over winter fuel allowance removal. This winter, Somerset Council will be distributing £3.8m from the Government’s Household Support Fund, to help provide food, fuel vouchers and essential items to residents in need – please see the Council’s Somerset Household Support Fund page for how you could qualify.

Please do check if you could be eligible for Pension Credit, extra money to help with living costs for people over state pension age and on a low income. You can apply online at gov.uk/pension-credit, or call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

Fair Frome, Prosper Frome, The Bridge Café and the Frome branch of Health Connections Mendip, supported by Frome Town Council, are also encouraging people to check if they are eligible for unclaimed pension credit – see Local organisations urge local people to check pension credit eligibility – Frome Town Council.

Urgent call for more foster carers in Somerset:

There is a real need to recruit more foster carers in Frome, to offer better care for Somerset’s looked after children whose parents cannot look after them. We currently have 34 ‘cared for’ children in expensive out-of-county accommodation who should really be in foster homes closer to home. So please consider if you can make a huge difference to a child’s life by fostering.  Please see Urgent call for more foster carers in Somerset.

Somerset’s unpaid carers:

The vital role of Somerset’s unpaid carers has been highlighted following an information day in Taunton in September. ‘Unpaid carers’ is the term used for anyone who provides unpaid help and support for others. It is estimated there are 50,000 unpaid carers in Somerset, and many are not aware they are eligible for support. In March, Somerset Council published its Commitment to Carers 2024 report which recognised the invaluable contribution and challenges faced by unpaid carers, and aims to enhance the quality of life for carers and those they care for. The report can be read online here. Please see here for more: Supporting Somerset’s unpaid carers

Frome community grants:

The latest round of applications for funding from Frome Town Council’s Grants Committee closes on Monday 28^th October. Funding of up to £3,000 is available for charities, groups and organisations – see Still time to apply for an FTC community grant – Frome Town Council.

Mendip Local Plan Part II submitted for examination:

Somerset Council has submitted proposed changes to the Mendip Local Plan Part II for examination by an independent Planning Inspector. This is to update the Mendip Local Plan Part II (LPP2) which runs to 2029. The LPP2 site allocations plan was adopted by the former Mendip District Council in 2021 but was subject to a successful legal challenge by Norton St Philip Parish Council. The High Court deleted five housing sites from the LPP2 and ordered the Council to reconsider and identify sites for at least 505 dwellings in the former Mendip District area. The Limited Update document identifies nine sites (out of over 120 sites considered) that are capable of delivering 569 dwellings by 2028. The Examination by a Planning Inspector will include public hearings, likely in early 2025. A new Somerset wide Local Plan is also being prepared which will consider future housing sites after 2029. Please see here: Mendip Local Plan Part II submitted for examination (somerset.gov.uk)

Councillors call for new Government commitment to net zero:

Somerset Council’s Lead members for the environment have written to Ed Miliband asking for a renewed Government commitment to helping local government achieve the nation’s net zero targets. The letter to the new Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero highlights the important work being done in Somerset to address the Climate and Ecological Emergency despite challenges. Please see: Councillors call for new Government commitment to net zero (somerset.gov.uk)

Bid for devolution of powers for ‘Heart of Wessex’:

Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire Councils have submitted expressions of interest in devolution, in response to a request from the Government, to unlock greater powers and resources for the area, including on local transport and planning – see Submission of Expressions of Interest in devolution by Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire Councils

Somerset recycles and reuses more:

Somerset Council has published the latest reuse and recycling results, showing reuse is on the increase and the amount of waste going to landfill is a record low. Nearly 96% of the 145,000 tonnes of recycling materials collected stayed in the UK (54% in Somerset), to be turned into new products and packaging. Somerset’s recycling rate of 56% puts it in the top 20% of waste authorities in England. Please see here for more: Somerset Council reveals recycling and reuse results

Old Showfield back field dog area plans shelved:

Frome Town Council will not proceed with a proposed dog agility area at the Old Showfield, following a consultation and online residents’ survey. An event in April, alongside a pop-up dog agility activity with Charismatic Pets, indicated significant interest in a designated dog area. However, following a review of all communication received about the project, FTC have decided there is not sufficient enthusiasm for a permanent installation in the back field. Please see: Dog area plans for Old Showfield shelved – Frome Town Council

Also, I have been involved in:

• Parish council meetings in September and October: Beckington, Rode, Berkley, Norton St Philip, and a Neighbourhood Plan meeting in Beckington
• improving and clarifying the planning process for councillors to referring planning applications to Committee, following a complaint from Rode Parish Council
• A36 closure: attended a meeting with National Highways and parish councils on ongoing issues during the closure and temporary reopening
• Saxonvale: had a briefing from Somerset Council officer team earlier in October for Somerset and Frome Town Councillors: discussions on Saxonvale with the Mayday team are continuing and we are hopeful of a conclusion in the next few months
• Rode: tackling parking on double yellow lines in central Rode which is stopping buses getting through, and queries about local footpaths around the Church Farm development
• Farleigh Hungerford: residents complaints about noise disturbance from weddings and events at Farleigh House since summer 2023 (under the new licence) and its planning status: investigations by Somerset Council teams
• Beckington: queries from the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, the studies required and the potential need for strategic environmental assessment (SEA)
• Berkley: the closure of Dark Lane and part of Berkley Lane to vehicles in line with the approved TCPA90 s249 application to extinguish vehicular rights
• Berkley/Oldford: the need for Somerset Council signs to deter HGVs from using rural lanes (Limerick Lane, Windsbatch Lane and Whitechapel Lane) between the A36 and B3090 when accessing the Andros factory
• Commerce Park, Frome/Berkley: slight lights not working along the path from Gypsy Lane parallel to Berkley Lane – reported to Somerset Highways lighting team and Commerce Park management agents
• Frome: meetings planned to discuss – potential review of Frome town/ parish boundary (into Selwood and perhaps also Berkley parishes), a new banking hub, and plans for devolution of services and assets from Somerset Council to Frome Town Council, and the potential for a pedestrian crossing to Welshmill Park, and a 20mph zone for Fromefield.

Please do get in touch on any issue: my email is adam.boyden@somerset.gov.uk, and more details of the above are at www.adamboyden.mycouncillor.org.uk/.

Thank you,

Adam Boyden

Somerset Councillor, Frome North

07809 284817, adam.boyden@somerset.gov.uk

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