April Briefing
For urban Frome
It is always lovely to see the daffs this time of the year, but it is even better to go to parish and town council meetings when it is still light. Very soon I will be coming home from these meetings in the light too. Hoorah!
As you know, the Frome Town Council is ‘pausing’ publishing Somerset Councillor reports to get advice. They feel my reports (because I am the only Somerset Councillor that has sent in one for every of the 47 months I have been in my role) are too political. It is unfortunate for them, that we (Somerset Councillors) are elected, which is political (as are they).
More importantly, my role as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is to hold the Liberal Democrats to account. And that doesn’t happen with ‘butterflies and fairies’.
Being in Opposition is about asking the difficult questions, challenging their political choices and being clear why we, the Conservatives, have concerns with the Liberal Democrat direction. AND making sure the public knows the Conservative group is doing it.
If you are in one of the villages I represent, my report (which is specific to your community) is on your website (if you have one). If not, my report is sent to the parish chair and clerk, who will circulate around the community.
If you live in the urban part of Frome which I represent, here is your report for the month ahead.
Frome Leisure Centre
I have been speaking with Somerset Council for months about the financial concerns of the charity, Fusion. The council has been working closely with Fusion, but sadly, on the 1st April they went into administration. Somerset Council has released £370,000 to ensure the facilities across Somerset East are kept open for the next 3 months. In that time, Somerset Council hopes to get a contract signed with a provider - either short term, or longterm. The focus is to keep these facilities open. I will keep you updated.
Princess Anne / Bath Road noise
A resident has raised concerns about the noise at this intersection. I have advised that they will need to provide evidence (and from a group of residents) so that the council can justify using relevant resources. The best start is to download the Noise App and record the noise, which will help the council understand the issue.
Bins across Frome
Somerset Council has agreed that at bin review is needed in Frome to ensure bins are in the right places. They do not currently have the resources, but I will ask again after the summer.
Anonymous Planning Comments
This month I asked this question at the Liberal Democrat Executive meeting:
Almost every planning application is contentious, but in some instances, voicing an opinion can led to intimidation, fear and anxiety. In small communities, this has wide-reaching consequences on everyday living and can last for generations.
I sit on the Planning Committee so did not want to engage specifically with the process to ensure I am not pre-determined.
But, the Planning Officers in Planning East offered an opportunity for the community to send their anonymous comments through me to the officers. I submitted each response without a name, but advised the residents that I would need to keep their details in the event of an appeal to ensure all information was accurate and truthful. They all agreed.
When a second contentious application came to the village which would drive a wedge further between communities, I again submitted about 30 anonymous comments. This was a logistical nightmare for the officers, which I totally understand. It was agreed that I could gather all anonymous comments and submit as one document, which would go onto the portal under my name, but the number of comments (for and against) would be referenced in the Planning Officer’s report.
I advised all my communities that this was what would be happening, and then the Planning Team advised me this was no longer allowed.
Could we please have a county-wide, standard procedure to allow for anonymous comments? No one wants to make work for our Planning Teams, but the residents do need a voice if their concerns cannot be raised anonymously for fear of reprisal.
The council wants to review the options available to see if this is possible, and said they will have an answer in 3 months. I will chase again in the summer if I haven’t heard back.
Somerset Council Sets 2026/27 Budget & Council Tax
Somerset Council has set its 2026/27 budget following the Government’s decision to reject proposals for a council tax increase above the 4.99% referendum threshold, with the authority having previously considered a rise of up to 11% to address a £25 million funding gap. The Government also raised concerns about the Council’s financial management and pace of transformation in response to a request for £30 million of Exceptional Financial Support, of which £25 million will support the budget gap and £5 million ongoing service transformation. The average Somerset council tax bill will increase by nearly £122 a year.
Somerset Council reject plans to extra investment in Planning Enforcement, Highways & SEND
The Somerset Conservatives tabled a budget amendment proposing a Common-Sense Plan aimed at financial stability and targeted investment in under-performing areas. The amendment outlined £26 million in medium-term savings, reducing agency reliance and holding some vacant posts, while reinvesting in planning enforcement, SEND support, and gully clearing, but the amendment was ultimately rejected by the Liberal Democrats.
Somerset Rivers Authority Agrees Work Plans for 2026/27
Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) has approved its enhanced programme of works for 2026/27, backed by several million pounds of investment in flood prevention and resilience measures across the county. This includes £775,000 for River Parrett dredging and maintenance, £425,000 for natural flood management through the Hills to Levels programme, and £350,000 for enhanced gully clearing, alongside £150,000 for drain jetting.
Somerset Council Amalgamates Housing Models
Somerset Council has approved plans to bring its two housing management models into a single system, transferring all landlord functions into its arm’s length company, Homes in Somerset. The change will see around 9,700 council homes managed under one structure, with the council retaining ownership of the housing stock and responsibility for the Housing Revenue Account. The move is intended to reduce duplication, improve consistency for tenants and deliver financial efficiencies, with early estimates suggesting potential savings of around £3.5 million per year over time.
Somerset Council Officer Response to NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) Consultation
Somerset Council has submitted an officer response to the Government’s consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework. The response supports elements such as a clearer plan-led system, increased housing delivery and the introduction of spatial development strategies, while also identifying a number of areas where amendments are sought. These include concerns about the deliverability of the proposed 30-month timetable for local plans, the capacity required to produce supporting evidence, and the application of national policies in large rural areas. The submission also raises points relating to housing delivery, climate and flood risk policy, and the role of local decision-making within the planning system.
Somerset Local Nature Recovery Strategy
Somerset Council has approved the publication of its Local Nature Recovery Strategy, fulfilling its statutory duty under the Environment Act 2021. The strategy sets out priorities for habitat and species recovery, alongside mapping areas where action will deliver the greatest environmental benefit. It is intended to provide a strategic framework to guide planning, Biodiversity Net Gain, land management and investment decisions across the county. The strategy has been developed with input from partners including statutory agencies, landowners and community groups, and will support coordinated delivery of nature recovery, climate resilience and environmental improvement.
New phone line for residents struggling to afford the increasing cost of oil
Somerset Council has launched a dedicated phone line to support residents struggling with the rising cost of heating oil, delivered in partnership with Citizens Advice Somerset. The service allows residents in need of financial assistance to call a freephone number, 0808 278 7842, and request support from the Household Support team. The initiative is funded through the Household Support Fund as part of the Help Through Winter programme, with additional support also available through the council’s Help4All scheme and community hubs network.
Crisis and Resilience Fund
Somerset Council has approved plans to deliver the Government’s new Crisis and Resilience Fund, a three-year programme running from April 2026 to March 2029 aimed at supporting households facing financial hardship. The council will receive £21.5 million over the period, with £7.2 million allocated in each of the first two years and £7.1 million in the final year. The fund will provide immediate financial support for essentials such as food, energy and housing costs, alongside longer-term measures including debt advice, benefit checks and employment support. Delivery will be carried out in partnership with voluntary and community organisations, with a focus on both crisis response and building long-term financial resilience.
New Electoral Boundaries Agreed for Somerset
The Local Government Boundary Commission has published its final recommendations for new electoral arrangements in Somerset, reducing the number of councillors from 110 to 96. The new structure will include 90 single-councillor divisions and three two-councillor divisions, designed to ensure each councillor represents a similar number of electors and that the council can operate effectively. The recommendations will take effect once approved by Parliament and are expected to be in place for the May 2027 elections.
Somerset Health & Wellbeing Survey
Somerset Council’s Public Health team has launched a new survey to gather residents’ views on health and wellbeing priorities across the county. The survey aims to inform future service planning, building on previous feedback which has shaped areas such as smoking cessation and healthy eating support. You can take part in the consultation by 27th April below:
Please get in touch if you have any questions, concerns or need more information: dawn.denton@somerset.gov.uk
Until next month…
If you are on any of the following social media channels, you can find out more about the work I am doing and my explanation of local government and how things work: