Somerset Council budget: Somerset Council’s meeting agenda for Full Council on 20th February, at Canalside Conference Centre near Bridgwater, are now online – (see here). The main item is the budget for 2024/25 and setting the year’s Council Tax, in item 11. The Executive recently passed amendments to withdraw or change a number of savings proposals to […]

Waste and recycling collections: We have had an update from the Somerset Council waste team on waste and recycling collections: ‘A brief update on waste collections: as ever, the festive period has been really busy, with extra-heavy loads of recycling and refuse. On top of this, we have had the added complication of changed collection […]

Residents Survey: How satisfied are you with our area? What are your priorities? Please let me know by completing my Residents Survey. I want to hear from everyone, it will only take 5 minutes, and I will publish the results, keeping individual responses completely confidential. Saxonvale planning permission quashed: In quite big news, Acorn Property Group’s […]

A few things this month: Waste and recycling strike action suspended:  Somerset Council can confirm that strike action, which was planned to start on Wednesday 12th July for four weeks by waste collection crews employed by Somerset Council’s contractor Suez, has been suspended. Residents are asked to put out refuse, recycling and garden waste as […]

There’s quite alot going on here at the moment so please bear with me: Bank Holiday bin collections: The week after the King’s coronation, there will be changes to our refuse and recycling collection days: No collections on Bank Holiday Monday, 8 May. Collections will be one day later for the rest of that week […]

A new Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan for Frome, which the Town Council adopted at its meeting on 19th April, could lead to improvements in walking and cycling routes, more pedestrian crossings, lower speed limits and more ‘low traffic neighbourhoods’. The complete plan can be seen here. The LCWIP has been led by Frome […]

County Councillor Report for Frome Town Council,  15 March 2023, by Adam Boyden, Somerset County Councillor for Frome North, Mendip District Councillor for Frome College ward (Somerset Councillor for Frome North from 1st April 2023) This was for Frome Town Council’s meeting (see here). Local Government Reorganisation The last few weeks have seen the final […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

There are quite a few local events being organised to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, our Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on the throne. Here are the ones I know about, so please take your pick and celebrate with family and friends and your local community: Frome community picnic at the Old Showfield’s new blossom circle in […]

When you cast your vote on 5th May, please ask yourself, you will stand up for our community? Since I was first elected to Mendip District Council here 11 years ago, I have worked hard with others to improve the local area, making sure local voices are heard by those in power and being a […]

My heart lies in working for and with the local community to improve our world and make it a better place for everyone. Since first being elected to Mendip District Council in 2011, I have worked hard for 11 years (and on Frome Town Council for 18 months up to 2015) with and for the […]

As one of your local councillors it’s my job to keep people informed about local matters, so here is my latest newsletter. Help Ukrainian refugees: With the sickening Russian invasion of Ukraine continuing, so does the need to help refugees fleeing the war. Frome Town Council’s fundraising to help refugees in Frome’s twin town in […]

Adam Boyden and Christine Cockroft are standing to be the Somerset Councillors for Frome North and the villages at the election on May 5th, following the Government’s decision to create one unitary council for Somerset. Adam and Christine are committed, experienced campaigners with a record of action who will work hard to help and support […]

Please help Ukrainian refugees: With the appalling and heartbreaking news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is difficult to know what any of us can do to help. But there is one way – Frome Town Council has been approached by Frome’s twin town Rabka-Zdrój in Poland, which is 150 miles from the Ukraine […]

The Government has confirmed that the date for the next local elections will be Thursday 5th May 2022. Some 110 councillors will be elected across Somerset to form a new Somerset Council, doubling up the number of councillors in each existing Somerset County Council division. Those elected in May 2022 will serve as Somerset County Councillors for […]

Conserving and improving open spaces – transfers to Frome Town Council: As I wrote last month, Frome Town Council is asking Mendip District Council to transfer several open spaces currently owned by MDC into FTC ownership, before the formation of a new unitary Somerset Council, so that they can be protected and improved. This was […]