FROME Town Council held a full council meeting on Wednesday 17th March with a packed agenda including updates about grants, Market Place improvements, the transfer of ownership of Boyle Cross to the town council, and the council’s response to the unitary structure consultation.
The council reports, “Peter Wheelhouse, FTC’s economic development & regeneration manager, provided a review of the Market Place improvements, Phase 2.
“Peter ran through some before and after pictures of the improvements, and the reduction of congestion caused by the buses clogging the main highway now this area has been opened up. A new loading bay has been installed outside the George Hotel to allow for deliveries for local businesses and there’s also been improvements to disabled parking.
“Peter explained there were some planned items that couldn’t be completed within the project. The courtesy crossings outside the George Hotel were pulled by county highways following changes to legislation.
“As yet, county highways haven’t been able to resurface the road and Peter confirmed he will continue to press them to do so.
“Peter noted that additional costs had occurred due to new Covid restrictions and the need for unexpected installation of new and the diversion of existing services once the work had started.
“Peter confirmed that FTC will ask county for a further contribution and for a commitment to resurface and look to Mendip District Council (MDC) to contribute to the Covid related expenditure.
“Cllr Lizzie Boyle encouraged the meeting to “be more Frome” and to think creatively to reduce the speeding through town.
“Next on the agenda, town clerk Paul Wynne and cllr Maxine Crawley presented an update on the unitary proposals. The Government is currently consulting on two proposals: One Somerset and Stronger Somerset.
“Paul explained it is important to try to influence the Government’s thinking as they consider these proposals and cllrs agreed the response to be submitted.
“Cllrs also ratified the decision to recruit an adviser in the run up to and the establishment of unitary council(s) in Somerset.
“Cllr Crawley along with other cllrs will continue discussions with cllrs from elsewhere in the country who already have unitary experience, to understand what went well and less well from their perspective.
“These discussions will feed into the work of the adviser as well as FTC’s general thinking as the unitary project develops over time. The team will also engage with other local surrounding parishes and further updates will be provided at future council meetings.
“Peter Wheelhouse presented the last agenda item and provided confirmation on the proposed transfer of the Boyle Cross from Mendip District Council to the town.
“The transfer will cost a nominal £1, and MDC will provide a dowry of £9,000 towards future maintenance costs. FTC will ensure that small markets can be held and an annual premises licence is issued prior to taking on the site. The transfer hopes to take place by the end of April.
“The agenda and details of everything mentioned above can be found on the meetings page: https://bit.ly /3bYXuWT
