Frome Town Clerk Paul Wynne is retiring from his role at Frome Town Council this month, marking the end of an 18-year career with the council.
Paul is retiring on 24th October and has spent the last 15 years as Town Clerk. Reflecting on his long-standing service on the town council, his highlights include taking back Frome Town Hall for the town, creating a welcoming place for the community and a real focal point for the town, and securing Frome’s very own green belt at Whatcombe Fields.
He said, “It’s been a great time to be in this role and I’m proud of all the wonderful things I’ve helped to deliver over the years. Other highlights include working to secure lots of other green spaces and allotments in the town that are great places to recharge batteries; establishing Fair Frome and helping to support so many other truly great community groups in the town without whom we would all live in a much poorer place; and enabling the community to look after itself so much better than most other towns did during the awful Covid pandemic.
“The community resilience developed during that time remains, is building all the time and puts our town in a great place to face an uncertain future together.
“More than anything else though, I’ve had the pleasure of working with hundreds of wonderful people, some truly inspiring councillors and leading a staff team that is second to none.”
Chair of Frome Town Council, Fiona Barrows, said, “I want to sincerely thank Paul for his dedication to this council and this town over the last eighteen years. His hard work, creativity and leadership have left a lasting legacy and Frome Town Council would not have the reputation it does for innovation and ambition without him. His commitment to our community, to doing things differently and making good stuff happen here is embedded deeply within us as an organisation. Not many people understand the role of a Town Clerk – it happens behind the scenes – but so many things would not have happened here in Frome without him. On behalf of all councillors, past and present, and the staff, I’d like to thank him again for all his hard work and wish him all the best in the future.”
Peter Wheelhouse, Deputy Town Clerk and Economic Regeneration Manager, will take over as Interim Town Clerk while the recruitment process for a permanent replacement takes place.
Fiona added, “We have every confidence in Peter and know he will guide this organisation with steady hands through this interim period. We appreciate him stepping up with such willingness, enthusiasm, and commitment.
“We are sure that the town will join the council staff and councillors in wishing Paul a long and fruitful retirement.”
Pictured: L-R Outgoing Town Clerk Paul Wynne and Deputy Town Clerk Peter Wheelhouse
