Earlier this week Somerset Council announced a financial emergency.

It said that officers are drawing up savings proposals which could include selling assets and buildings, including offices; increasing Council Tax, fees and charges as much as possible; reducing staffing levels; and reducing council services to statutory levels.

The fear that Somerset is heading into bankruptcy - and what that could mean for Frome - will be discussed tonight ( November 15) at the council meeting at the Town Hall.

In the notes on the agenda, there is a warning that unless SC act now in order to set a balanced budget in January/February. In the coming weeks and months it will be severely cutting costs and searching for sources of income from selling assets.

If it does not, a s114 notice ( an effective bankruptcy notice) will be issued and the Government's commissioners will come in and take over and make cuts. Adult and children's services take up more than 70% of the Somerset budget, these costs are increasing all the time and the overspend in these areas comprise, by far, the biggest part of the shortfall.

The Greens have called on the government to step up and give more funds to Somerset, particularly since they encouraged making Somerset a Unitary authority.

Frome Town Council will hear that although the details of the funding problems are not yet clear, there is a fear that cuts could result in reductions in services such as street cleaning and bins, public toilets, grass cutting, markets, economic development support, public health projects and campaigns.

Adding they are already looking at all the buildings that Somerset Council owns in Frome as well as many open spaces. Adding : " FTC needs to be prepared to consider buying or having assets transferred to it or to step in to provide services. Staff are working up a list of priority open spaces and other assets and services in the town that we think might be on that service at risk list. Informal discussions about the possibilities are ongoing but final decisions will be made by Council."

A full list of the properties and spaces currently owned by Somerset are HERE Use My Maps tab, under Environment and Planning, scroll down and click on the SCC and MDC land options.  Frome areas include land adjoining Easthill Cemetery, Cherry Trees Respite Care Unit and the parkland at Millenium Garden.