Frome says yes to ‘Frexit’!

FROME should run its own affairs. That’s the message from local people who have  spoken out in support of the idea that the town council make a bid for independence and become separate from both Mendip District Council and Somerset County Council.

In the last issue of Frome Times, county councillor for Frome East, Martin Dimery, made a call for ‘Frexit’, suggesting that Frome Town Council is ‘well placed to take on the management of its own affairs’. In response, locals have praised the idea as ‘brilliant’, pledging a ‘Yes’ vote to the idea of the referendum.

“Yes, yes, yes. Mendip doesnt seem to give a fig about us,” said Jo Loutsis.

In agreement, Sam Findlay said,  “I would definitely vote for Frexit. Great idea!”

Dr Sue Bowen said, “Congratulations to Martin Dimery for coming up with the term “Frexit”. It makes more sense for a town the size of Frome to be organized by a council that is locally based and can appreciate the needs of the local inhabitants and businesses.”

“If  Mr. Dimery and his backers want to give it a go  they’ll have my backing,” added Martyn McGinty.

“I think the idea of Frome as an unitary town is fascinating and fits well with its focus on independence. Why should Mendip tell us what to do in our town!” said Penny Grannon.

“I am sure there are many of us in the community who wouldn’t mind paying a bit extra on our rates, knowing that it  was being exclusively directed back into this community,” said  Derek Trick

David and Anne Hampson wrote, “We say ‘Yes!’, and where can we sign up?”

The suggestion generated only one negative response on the Frome Times Twitter page, with ‘@LocalLadUK’ saying, “No way. Giving the same lot who spent 30k clearing up pigeon poo and 20k to clean toilets at Victoria Park? Council tax would double. One council run from #Taunton.”

The idea of ‘Frexit’ has stirred up memories for those in the community who remember when Frome was governed by the Frome Urban and Frome Rural District Councils, prior to when local government was reorganised in the early 1970s.

Janet Turner, who saw the effectiveness of the independent council when working in the clerk’s department at North Parade, said, “These two authorities were virtually all things to all people, with independent councillors coming from the local population.

“They were responsible for building hundreds of council houses for rent;  collection of refuse;  dealing with planning applications;  mortgages to enable people to get on the housing ladder;    providing several public toilets throughout the town and, in addition the FUDC owned the water works. The town clerk was also a solicitor, which must have proved useful on many occasions.

“For a few years I worked in the clerk’s department at North Parade and I seem to remember that this system of local government worked very well, apart from an occasional glitch, such as snow clearing in one bad winter, because the right equipment wasn’t available.

“So,  is it time to take up our pitch forks and flaming torches and demand the right to self-determination?”