Frome’s green spaces to be protected under latest Somerset devolution deal

By Local Democracy Reporter, Daniel Mumby

Frome residents will have closer control over their local green spaces from the summer under the latest ‘devolution deal’ to be struck with Somerset Council.

The unitary authority reached out to town and parish councils across the county after declaring a financial emergency in November 2023, asking them to take on the running of services to prevent damaging cuts in the face of a £100m budget gap.

Frome Town Council has signed a devolution deal, which will see it become responsible for numerous green spaces and play areas from 1st June.

The following green spaces will come under the town council’s control from that date: • Acacia Drive play area • Bath Road • Blackbird Way play area • Bramley Drive • Brunel Way • Cabell Road play area • Charterhouse Drive • Cheddar Close play area • Churchward Drive • Courts Barton play area • Critchill Road • Dean Close • Egford Lane • Farley Close • Farmhouse Drive • Gabriel Close • Grange Road • Hawksworth Close (including play area) • Land outside Frome Library, Justice Lane • Lime Close (near Stonebridge Drive) • Linsvale Drive • Ludlow Close • Market Yard (specifically the land between the two bridges) • Marley’s Way • Masons Way play area • Mendip Drive • Mountsfield Green (including the Tower View play area) • Northcote Crescent • Pedlars Grove • Rivers Reach • Roddenbury Close • Somerton Gardens • St. John’s Recreation Ground, St. John’s Road • St. John’s Road (including play area) • Sycamore Drive (near Forest Road) • Valley View • Wellow Drive • Welshmill Lane (riverside walk).

In addition to these green spaces, the town council will assume responsibility for street cleaning and “ground-care” services, and continue the management of the public toilets within the Cattle Yard car park.

The devolution deal is expected to save Somerset Council around £40,000 a year.

The town council indicated in mid-February that it wished to take on other services in the future, including the management of the Key Centre on Feltham Lane, in light of the housing growth at the town’s southern edge.

Deputy town clerk Peter Wheelhouse stated in a report to the full council on 12th February: “The Key Centre, established in 2007, was once a thriving family and community hub, but it has become underutilised with limited community access.

“Recent research highlights a significant deficit of affordable community spaces in Frome, particularly in peripheral neighbourhoods like the Mount.

“It is proposed that the Key Centre should be a vibrant, inclusive space at the heart of the Mount community, providing a welcoming space where people of all ages and backgrounds feel connected, supported, and empowered.

“If the town council takes it on, it will be more than just a building – it will be a catalyst for positive change, offering flexible spaces that respond to local needs while fostering a strong sense of belonging.

“Being on the edge of the proposed Selwood Garden Community and subject to the outcome of that planning application, there is a potential for the Key Centre and garden to serve a much larger community in the future.”

Chris Hall, Somerset Council’s executive director for community, place and economy, declined to comment specifically on this proposal, but said there was scope for a further phase of devolution down the line.

He said in his written report, “Work is continuing with Frome Town Council and it is envisaged that a second tranche of devolution may be possible.

“Devolving services to the town council will help to protect those services for the communities they serve.”

Other devolution deals have already been signed with other town and parish councils, with key services in Bridgwater, Minehead, Wellington, Wells and Yeovil being brought under more local control – including the management of parks and other key green spaces.