Somerset Councillors Update

“Financial recovery: External auditors have placed Somerset Council in their highest recovery category, recognising significant progress in clearing the accounts backlog and strengthening financial management, although challenges remain.Devolution: Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have jointly expressed an interest in creating a Wessex Mayoral Strategic Authority, describing devolution as an opportunity to bring decisions and investment closer to local communities.

Somerset Can: A new four-year, Government-funded programme aims to tackle economic inactivity and skills shortages so that local people can benefit from major investment projects such as Gravity, Hinkley Point C and Leonardo.

Community resilience: Somerset has launched a Community Resilience Action Calendar bringing together key dates, funding opportunities, training and information on flooding, extreme weather and other local risks. To get the calendar and monthly updates, email claire.sully@somerset.gov.uk

Parking review: Somerset’s county-wide parking review is progressing, with a new five-tier charging structure proposed and potential changes to tariffs from December, while free car parks and on-street parking arrangements will remain unchanged for now.

M5 incidents: A new multi-agency working group involving Somerset Council, National Highways and the police will look at reducing the frequency and duration of M5 closures and improving how incidents are managed.

Rural active travel: A new toolkit is available to help rural communities develop active travel schemes, covering everything from identifying local needs and engaging residents through to funding, consents and delivery. https://www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/somerset-rural-active-travel-toolkit/

Strawberry Line: The Strawberry Line has been named Britain’s favourite path by The Ramblers, recognising the work of volunteers, community groups, councils, charities and landowners in maintaining and developing the route. “

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It should be noted that both Councillors are great supporters of the Parish Council and are keen to help with problems which arise in our Area. It is hoped that an action plan will be developed shortly to hopefully resolve the flooding issues at Kingsway. Somerset Council are aware of the situation and ‘will’ deal with it in the current financial year. Councillor’s Martin and Munt and of course the Parish Council are keen to get this dealt with as soon as possible.