Thank you all very much for responding to the survey that I and Drew Gardner carried out on the new GP appointment system introduced last November at Frome Medical Practice. It was important to help see what people were experiencing. With over 250 responses in, we prepared a draft report and sent it to the Practice to […]

As you may know, in November Frome Medical Practice changed their GP appointment system. After we heard some concerns, we launched a survey to ask people if they were satisfied or not and why (see the original article and link to survey here). We had over 250 responses online and several in writing. In summary: […]

In November, Frome Medical Practice changed their GP appointment system to the ‘Patient Connect’ system involving a call back from a Care Navigator, and removed the walk-in clinic, as explained here and in a FAQ brochure here.  In the last few weeks we have heard some concerns, and as access to primary health care is so important, […]

As one of your ward councillors I need to keep you updated on a few things: Reminder – a Hustings debate for the General Election is being held at Frome Town Football Club today Sunday 21st May at 2.00-4.00pm. All 5 candidates will be answering questions put by local people – please see here for […]

Update 4th May 2017 Today is local election day – you will elect new Somerset County Councillors for Frome North, East and West and the rest of the county, and a new Mendip District Councillor for Frome College ward. I am standing for Frome North for Somerset, and I am endorsing Alex Shingler for Frome […]

Dear All,  please see below a roundup of news from the ward and local area, and updates on what your councils are doing. This has taken some time, so apologies it has been a long time since the last one. Old Showfield improvements to continue Frome Town Council is planning further improvements to the Old […]

Original article (also see update below): I was recently made aware that standard accessible toilets do not meet the needs of people with a complex or profound disability who need extra facilities to allow them to use a toilet with dignity. This includes people with physical and learning difficulties, spinal injuries, and people living with […]

At the time of writing we still await a decision from NHS England on whether they will allow Frome Medical Practice to close Locks Hill surgery permanently. Of course the consultation on the closure should have been carried out earlier and for longer, and the NHS should have given approval before the lease ran out […]

Dear All,   A quick update – and some questions at the end for you –   Referendum approves Frome’s Neighbourhood Plan: Yesterday the people of Frome voted to back proposals for a new Neighbourhood Plan, with 86% voting in favour and 14% against. A total of 3,631 people voted – a turnout of 17.9% […]

Dear All, A quick further update on news for Frome College ward and surrounding areas in Frome, Mendip and Somerset. Please get in touch if you have any issues you need help with. Evening 267 buses under threat – we need your help:  As the recent Frome Standard and Frome Times front page stories explain, […]

I am pleased to be able to say that at last week’s Frome Town Council meeting, councillors agreed unanimously to purchase the main part of the old Showfield (the open area, the childrens playground and the Collegians football pitch, excluding the cricket pitch, car park and pavilion) and to take a long-term lease on the […]

If you are concerned about the time it is taking to see a Doctor, I would like to hear from you. I believe the time it is taking to see a Doctor is increasing nationally and locally, for several reasons. I would like to hear from people about their experiences, so this issue can be […]

Frome Town Council is inviting local people to take part in a survey on the possibility of introducing Dog Control Orders (DCOs) on land that FTC owns or manages. DCOs are used to make sure dog owners are considerate of others. In the extreme the Police can prosecute dog owners who do not pick up […]

I have been working on a few things recently, in response to local residents concerns, which you have told me about on the doorstep, on the phone and by email: Flytipping on Gypsy Lane – Public Meeting to be held: Yesterday Mendip District Council’s Enforcement officers agreed to my suggestion to hold a public meeting […]

I recently asked senior officers at Mendip District Council “if the Council is reviewing the impact of the bedroom tax (officially known as the spare room subsidy reduction), on people in Mendip, e.g. how many people affected, how many disabled people are affected, are people able to downsize or are they stuck with a loss […]

Update 8 January 2014: Network Rail’s Asset Engineer has just informed me that their Projects team has arranged to carry out the pigeon-proofing works on the Rodden Road railway bridge, with a temporary road closure from Somerset Highways, on 3rd March 2014.  This has been a long time coming, but will be welcome when it […]

A local resident has raised concerns over speed bumps in Stonebridge Drive – see Frome Times article from April – http://www.frometimes.co.uk/2010/04/28/issue-299-safety-concerns-in-stonebridge-drive/:  “The speed bumps were installed when the Stonebridge Drive development was built, and are designed to reduce the speed of traffic in the residential area and approach to the sports centre and college. However, […]

Update 2 December 2013: Somerset Highways have informed me that their recent proposal to lower the speed limit on Oldford Hill, just to the north of the Bath Road/Gypsy Lane/Cuckoo Lane junction has been cancelled. This is really disappointing. I assume this is due to the opposition to an increase in speed limit at Oldford, […]

The Mendip District Council Liberal Democrat group are calling on the Conservative Council administration to listen to the concerns of local people regarding the controversial act of hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’.  Fracking – the extraction of fossil fuel gas found deep underground – has been the focus of much national attention. The motion, which has […]

Plans are taking shape for the scheme of improvements to the old Showfield. Background: The developers of the new Frome Health Centre are contributing over £40,000 for improvements and enhancements, and an addition sum for outdoor gym equipment, through the ‘Section 106 agreement’ (agreed with Mendip District Council when planning permission was granted in April […]