Fiercely independent Somerset town wants to 'more successful and less needy'
Frome Town Council is preparing to take on a range of assets and services from Somerset Council as part of a devolution plan. This comes in the wake of Somerset Council declaring a financial emergency in November 2023, leaving many critical functions at risk of being cut or transferred to smaller local authorities.
The leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans, wrote to the 279 parish councils across the region, presenting a list of services that could potentially be devolved. This includes everything from street cleaning and road maintenance to managing parks and open spaces.
Frome Town Council is now weighing its options, and Councillor Max Wide provided an extensive update on the town's evolving devolution strategy at a recent council meeting.
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Cllr Wide began by thanking his colleagues for their involvement in a series of workshops designed to build what he called a "devolution prospectus" for Frome.
"Many thanks to all of my colleagues who have taken part in these workshops, and a special thanks to Peter Wheelhouse and Rachel, who have indulged in my madness in the way we’ve run them," Cllr Wide said.
He explained that these sessions were aimed at developing a narrative for Frome's future under local control, beyond simply adopting the functions Somerset Council can no longer afford. "We’re trying to create a story of a town that is more successful and less needy," he said.
Unlike other parishes that have cherry-picked responsibilities from Somerset’s offerings, Cllr Wide stressed that Frome Town Council was trying to do something different: "We’re not just saying, ‘What do we want from this list?’ We’re asking, ‘How can we create a better, more prosperous future for Frome?’"
Cllr Wide highlighted independent traders as key figures in this vision, calling them the "heroes" of Frome's thriving town centre. "Their willingness to risk and to invest makes this town what it is," he said, emphasising the role small businesses play in the local economy.
He believes the devolution deal could allow the council to create a more supportive environment for these traders. "What’s come out of our workshops is intriguing. One of the things we need to take responsibility for is economic development and tourism—things that Somerset Council has allegedly handled for some time, but no one really notices."
Cllr Wide noted that traders often feel disconnected from decisions affecting public spaces, which limits their potential.
"They can’t influence things like closing streets for events or using public spaces like car parks without seeking permission. If we controlled these things, it would create a far more thriving environment for our independent businesses."
Another "hero" of the council's devolution vision, Cllr Wide argued, is the Frome riverside—a patchwork of assets owned by various parties.
"What we’re trying to piece together is a vision of what we could do if we controlled these assets," Wide said, listing the library, car park, Cheese and Grain, and the riverside as key elements in the town’s future.
"This is about imagining what that place could be, rather than just accepting it as it is now," he added, stressing the importance of cohesion in public space management.
Cllr Wide’s update also shone a light on the challenges faced by young people in Frome, noting that many feel the town offers little opportunity for growth. "For a lot of our young people, Frome doesn’t provide the opportunities they want. Many leave, only to come back later after establishing themselves elsewhere," he said.
He identified the need for business incubation spaces and opportunities for young people who may not want to attend university but wish to stay in the town. "If we think of some of the more entrepreneurial individuals in town—like those behind the River House Cafe—many went away, only to return and make a significant impact here," he said, stressing the importance of fostering such entrepreneurial spirit locally.
Frome’s strong tradition of voluntary activity was also a central theme in the presentation, with Cllr Wide suggesting that community groups could become key players in the town’s future success. "We all know there are hundreds of people who give up their time and commitment to this town. The question is, how do we help them?"
The council has been exploring ways to make it easier for residents to form and sustain community groups, including the possible use of council-owned buildings like the Key Centre.
However, Wide acknowledged the financial challenges of maintaining such properties. "The figure of £80,000 per year for the Key Centre has been mooted, and that feels like a lot of money. We may need to partner with someone to manage it," he admitted.
Finally, the fate of Frome’s parks and open spaces was a key discussion point, as Somerset Council currently owns numerous sites that could be transferred to the town. "There are 28 large sites, places like Brunel Way, St Johns Road, and Mendip Drive, as well as some smaller patches," Cllr Wide explained.
The question, he said, is not just whether Frome should take on these spaces, but how they can be developed into more engaging and useful places. "This isn’t just about mowing grass. How can we make these spaces serve a greater purpose?"
He also pointed out the importance of taking control of play parks, which, under Somerset’s care, could "wither and die" without proper investment. "They’re not cheap, but they’re vital to the community," he stressed.
The devolution prospectus that Frome is crafting will be a long-term document, with a ten-year outlook. "Some of the things I’ve talked about will be the first wave of devolution, but other areas might take longer," Cllr Wide said.
Frome Town Council has already allocated an additional £300,000 in its precept, but Cllr Wide warned that the full scope of the plan could exceed that amount. "We’ll need further conversations with the town about priorities," he said, as the council prepares to submit its finalised prospectus to Somerset for approval.
"We’re looking forward to the next phase," he concluded.