News in Frome

Somerset residents have voted by a clear margin to replace their existing councils with two new unitaries rather than one.

Two rivalling proposals for the future of local government in Somerset are currently being assessed by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Planned changes to General Election boundaries could see the Frome constituency extend down to Radstock, and Somerton split off into a new constituency with Glastonbury and Street, so no longer part of Wells.

The Boundary Commission for England says the aim is to make Parliament fairer by giving each MP a roughly similar number of voters.

The Glastonbury Town's Fund Board is happy to confirm that Glastonbury Town is facing a fantastic future after hearing the news that it is to receive £23.6m from the Government's Towns Fund scheme.

The multi-million pound boost will fund a range of ambitious projects aimed at improving buildings and land, to provide facilities for community, enterprise and skills development, education, tourism and sports, health and well-being.

The Frome bus lobbying team have been sharing a few photos of Frome bus shelters which have been graffitied or needing repair in Frome.

They have been liaising with Frome Town Council to get them repaired and cleaned.

Somerset Waste has apologised to some households in Frome for today (June 7) for not being able to clear all the collections.

The reason was due to staff shortages - and other factors - they say.

Active and In Touch are running a fun Virtual Pet Show, to help raise funds for lonely and isolated people in Frome.

With rounds for all pets great and small, dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents and a round especially for all other pets and already have a sheep entered!

How much do we really know about the housing situation in Frome? We know that property prices are very high and possibly still rising and we also know that rental costs have gone through the roof, in fact rental properties are now really hard to find with people searching for months to find something at a price they can afford. One big factor is the lack of social housing being built in Frome, it's an ongoing issue. At Fair Housing for Frome we hear some familiar comments when people in need talk about getting housed….

"I've got no chance"

The campaign groups in Frome opposing proposals to build on a green space close to their homes have called on a delay to the end date for consultations, currently set for the end of this week.

Meantime the residents of Farley Close, a cul de sac close to Hayesdown First School, have put out a video appealing for it not to be used to build housing.

It is World Enviroment Day today (June 5) and new research using government figures has shown that the South West leads the way in renewable energy.

Heating experts Stelrad have analysed data from the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy to reveal which regions in the UK produce the most renewable energy.

The organisers of The Frome Independent, the huge outdoor market which brings tens of thousands of visitors into the town at least £3 million into the local economy a year has pencilled in a possible return date of August 1.

Although the organisation are keen to stress, that nothing can be set in stone, until further guidance from the government regarding coronavirus restrictions.