Dear All, Apologies for the lateness of news this month, my broken wrist has slowed me down somewhat. The end of Mendip This evening sees the final ever ‘full council’ meeting of Mendip District Council, so it is quite a momentous occasion. Mendip District Council has been serving us since 1974 and will be abolished […]

Part of a councillor’s role is to attend Full Council and other meetings and serve on committees. Last May I was appointed Vice-Chair of the county council’s Scrutiny Committee for Environment and Climate Change, and in the past few months we have scrutinised the council’s policies and work on decarbonisation of buildings, electric vehicles, nature […]

A new leaflet has been produced by the Somerset councils to help people find help with the cost of living and direct people to sources of advice – please see below and links here https://www.somerset.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/cost-of-living-support-in-somerset/

Mendip and Somerset have marked a year since the Russian illegal and brutal invasion of Ukraine last February- see here and here. Generous local residents have been hosting refugee families under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, since Russia’s invasion precipitated the largest refugee crisis since the second World War. Some 1417 Ukrainian refugees have been welcomed […]

Somerset County Council’s Full Council considered the new planning procedures for the new Somerset Council on Wednesday 22nd February, after the Constitution and Governance Committee had debated initial proposals on 30th January (see item 8) and revisions on 14th February (see here). The Planning Committees terms of reference are in Part D8 of the documents […]

Yes, being a local councillor involves meetings with other councillors, council officers, and alot of other people. Some are formal, some not. Many can be held online now on Teams or Zoom, and this can be more time-efficient, reduce travelling, emissions and climate impact, but if a formal vote is needed, and to be most […]

Somerset County Council has approved the budget for the first year of the new Somerset Council. The balanced budget was tabled by the Liberal Democrat administration and was supported by members of the Labour and Green groups. In a context of inflation and increasing costs to services the budget ensures key services are protected and […]

The new Constitution for Somerset Council, the legal cornerstone of the new unitary council, has beenapproved by Somerset County Council. The ten-part document – over 500 pages – sets out the Council’scommitment to public participation in its meetings, makes sure that the council meets all its legal dutiesand supports decision-making and governance. The new Constitution […]

The new Somerset Council will see the abolition of the four District Councils in Somerset. To disperse power away from the new larger council, 18 new ‘Local Community Networks’ will be formed (see map below). The terms of reference and LCN boundaries were set out at Constitution and Governance Committee on 30th January (see item […]

County Councillor Report for Rode Parish Council meeting, 7 February 2023 byAdam Boyden, Somerset County Councillor for Frome North (Lib Dem) Rode roads In mid January I heard back from Somerset County Council’s service manager for engineering projects and programmes, she said they have a solution for the new sign at the Rode H/ Bradford […]

New Council targets support for key services and vulnerable residents The proposed budget for the new unitary Somerset Council has been published. The proposals will be the first time the services and costs from all four District Councils and the County Council have been brought together. Consultation into the proposed budget runs until 10th February – […]

‘Citizens Advice Mendip is now looking to recruit new volunteers to help people struggling with problems ranging from benefits and tax credits, debt and Universal Credit to housing. Last year saw an unprecedented demand for its services from over 3,600 people with more than 16,000 problems across the District. It can only do this work […]

County Councillor Report for Berkley Parish Council, 1 February 2023 by Adam Boyden, Somerset County Councillor for Frome North (Lib Dem) Gritting I have raised the concern about Berkley Street (with Berkley School) not being in the gritting network with Somerset County Council’s Service Manager for Highways Jeremy Fry who is responsible for the winter […]

As you may know, late last year Mendip District Council proposed to install new childrens play equipment in several play areas across the district which are in need of refurbishment, including in Frome in Stonebridge at the Hawksworth Close and Blackbird Way play areas (see here). This was triggered by the feedback I had received from over two […]

With the winter weather in mid-December, the lack of gritting of the Frome Road and Bath Road bus route to and from Beckington became apparent again, and led to dangerous icy roads with several road accidents and near misses, and the Frome Road south of the village was closed by Police for several days with […]

Mendip District Council’s Asset of Community (ACV) Panel met this morning and decided that the land at ‘Packsaddle Fields’ is an Asset of Community Value. I could not attend the meeting but wrote in support, and cllr Drew Gardner attended and spoke in favour. After hearing from the nominators (members of the People for Packsaddle […]

Original post, December 2022 (updated below) I have been notified that Mendip District Council has received a nomination from the People for Packsaddle local community group for the Packsaddle Fields, between Packsaddle Way and Leys Lane in Frome, to be listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). The submitted application form is found here. […]

This months news includes: Green Spaces consultation  New equipment coming to childrens play areas in Frome Bus services saved for now but work needed to increase passenger numbers Selwood Garden Community meeting on 24th Novermber Plans for affordable housing at North Parade car park – public exhibition at Frome Town Hall on Tuesday 8th November […]

Earlier this month, the Lib Dem leader of Somerset County Council Cllr Revans wrote to all town and parish councils in Somerset about two things. Firstly, next year the new Somerset Council will (instead of the District Councils) be paying the parish and town councils their share of Council Tax (their precept), and it will […]

An online consultation has been launched to help Mendip District Council identify the extent and nature of the district’s existing local parks, woodlands, recreation and green spaces (see here). Residents are being encouraged to read and have their say on two things: a draft Supplementary Planning Document (see here), which gives guidance on the implementation […]