Election hopefuls looking to become Frome's next MP have told Nub News readers how they will support local businesses, and tackle congestion

The new seat - Frome and East Somerset - takes the eastern elements of the former Mendip district, keeping Frome and the villages east of Shepton Mallet.

This is what the candidates said...

Martin Dimery - Green Party

What are your plans to support local businesses and boost the economy in Frome?

I would lobby for a banking hub. It's outrageous that a town the size of Frome has lost all major High Street banks. I would also be looking to encourage a community bank to be set up.

I would maintain my interest in the development of Saxonvale.

As a councillor it has been one of my major preoccupations in recent years. It is vital that the developer stick to the brief of supplying affordable homes and homes for rent.

It is important that business units are incorporated into the plan on the scale currently agreed.

The new development at the Cheese and Grain would also get my support as it will prove to be an exciting training centre. It would be pursuing any funding that becomes available through central government for regeneration projects in town centres.

Martin Dimery (Green), Gavin Haethcote (Independent), Shaun Hughes (Independent), Robin Moss (Labour)

How will you ensure that the voices of Frome residents are heard in Parliament?

Clearly, part of the job is to hold surgeries on a regular basis and be available to have face to face meetings with members of the public.

As a Somerset councillor, I attend Frome Town Council meetings when I can in order to gauge the opinion of town councillors and the public who attend.

I also attend Selwood Parish meetings. I would like, whenever possible, to maintain links with the local councils in the area.

What steps will you take to improve public transport and reduce traffic congestion around Frome?

Buses need to be brought back into council management to ensure they perform a service and don't simply operate commercial routes.

The Green Party believes in re-nationalising the train services which, again, should help ease congestion.

If Selwood Garden Community is given planning permission, cycle routes, bus services and footpaths need to be incorporated that will encourage people to leave their cars at home.

It will be interesting to see if the town's Safer Streets project works. It might be the template for future projects to help people walk and cycle.

Anna Sabine - Liberal Democrats

What are your plans to support local businesses and boost the economy in Frome?

I own a high street business and I feel very passionately about how our high streets are coping post-Covid.

Prior to the election being called, I launched a survey of high street businesses in Frome, Midsomer Norton and Radstock as I'm keen to understand what local business owners feel is and isn't working.

I've since met with a number of business owners to talk about this in more detail and am committed to campaign on this in Parliament, particularly when it comes to overhauling the broken business rates system, a key priority within the recently launched Liberal Democrat Manifesto.

How will you ensure that the voices of Frome residents are heard in Parliament?

Change happens when national action reflects community action. 

I want to make sure that the work I will do in Parliament is informed by the residents of Frome and East Somerset. 

We're fortunate to have committed campaigners, experts and activists in Frome who are leading change on a whole range of issues that benefit local people and I want to be able to amplify this work in Parliament to bring about policy change.

Only this week, I met with a group of campaigners and ecological experts from across the area to discuss how we can improve water quality in our local rivers and what I could do as an MP to take that challenge to Parliament.

That's what you can expect from me as your MP; someone who will bring people together, listen to their ideas and expertise and then do everything I can in Parliament to get things done.

What steps will you take to improve public transport and reduce traffic congestion around Frome?

Everyone should have convenient, affordable options to get around. 

The Liberal Democrats want local authorities to have more power to franchise bus services and simplify funding so that bus routes can be restored or new routes added where they are needed, particularly in rural areas. 

I recently met with Somerset Bus Partnership to talk about what this could look like for Frome and the surrounding villages, particularly as improving transport services will help tackle congestion and air pollution in the town.

I am also keen to continue Sarah Dyke's hard work to stand up for public transport in our area, which included saving the D2 bus service. 

Gavin Heathcote - Independent

What are your plans to support local businesses and boost the economy in Frome?

There needs to be more help made available by both national and local government to support small businesses who are being priced out by larger companies.

We're slowly seeing the death of the High Street due to poor decision making from establishment politicians.

 If elected as Frome and East Somerset's first MP next month, I will:

• Call on the government to introduce a new grant subsidy scheme for small businesses who have less than 10 employees. The grant would be used to cover the cost of heating and electricity bills.
• Move legislation to ensure that local council's can't introduce parking charges in areas where there are a high proportion of small business outlets, such as Frome.
• Call on councils to introduce greater rate relief for small businesses
• Campaign to secure funding for an annual 'Small Business Saturday' Festival across Frome and East Somerset.

How will you ensure that the voices of Frome residents are heard in Parliament?

I'll hold regular Advice and Street Surgeries in the town, meeting residents on a weekly basis to gauge their views.

As an Independent, I'll then be ideally positioned to present and reflect these in parliament (without any party political slant).

I'll then report back on a frequent basis via the local media, regular newsletters delivered to homes and a new monthly e-newsletter – all keeping Frome residents updated with what I am doing on their behalf.

Prospective Independent MP for Frome and East Somerset Gavin Heathcote is calling for more support for small businesses (image supplied)

What steps will you take to improve public transport and reduce traffic congestion around Frome?

I'll be petitioning the government for additional funding for improved public transport in Frome.

I'll be asking the Department for Transport for an extra £50million to invest in better public transport links in the town.

I'll also be launching a mass survey this year asking residents what their views are on how we can work together to reduce congestion in the town.

Lucy Trimnell – Conservative Party

What are your plans to support local businesses and boost the economy in Frome?

I support calls for a Banking Hub in Frome as so many business owners have told me they are concerned about the closure of the banks in town affecting their ability to deposit their takings.

Many are concerned about the extra time they will need to find to travel to banks in other towns - and the chances that these too close, which means we need a permanent solution. 

Many small businesses based in the Frome and East Somerset area are run from people's homes, but poor digital connectivity can hamper business growth and success. Therefore, I plan to work with digital providers to speed up network roll-out. 

Where businesses might need support with contract bids or grants, I would work with them to help give them the best chance of a successful outcome. Importantly I would listen to businesses to understand the individual issues they face and work with them to find solutions.

Lucy Trimnell supports calls for a banking hub in Frome (image supplied)

How will you ensure that the voices of Frome residents are heard in Parliament?

I will hold regular surgeries and meet with residents to hear their concerns and understand what people care about at a local or even national level.

Where there are specific issues which require a wider or formal solution, I will raise them within parliament through committees, by amending legislation, or through speaking in the chamber. 

I will continue to visit all areas of the constituency to see what is happening locally and meet with residents to learn about what matters to them, enabling me to understand local issues and ensuring that I can feed these in through all channels available. 

As a local councillor, I have regularly raised issues which the people I represent bring to my attention and I therefore have a proven track record which should give people confidence that in Westminster, the voices of people in Frome and East Somerset will be heard at every opportunity.

What steps will you take to improve public transport and reduce traffic congestion around Frome?

I would work with the excellent Somerset Bus Partnership to support improvements to bus services throughout the area.

Working alongside them with their knowledge and expertise would enable me to work towards any necessary improvements in provision which would help to ensure the bus is seen as a better alternative to the car for local journeys, I would also campaign to get a further extension to the £2 bus fare cap which has made taking the bus a far more affordable option to get about. 

I am very concerned about road safety given the terrible accidents which have happened on roads in and around Frome.

There are some people who tell me they are nervous about using the bypass now but are aware that driving through the town as an alternative route is not ideal.

I would therefore like to investigate any ways in which these roads could be made safer for all users and also work with the police and Somerset Council to promote the excellent work they are all doing on road safety and driver awareness.

The bypass is the best way to take traffic out of the centre of Frome, so we need to ensure that people are encouraged to use it and feel safe doing so.

Shaun Hughes - Independent, Robin Moss – Labour Party, David Swain - Reform and

Candidates did not respond to our requests for comment.