Midsomer Norton could see its second Community Governance Review in less than six years if campaigners in Welton get their way. The Wexit pressure group is calling for Welton’s independence from Midsomer Norton Town Council, formed following the break-up of the old Norton Radstock Town Council in 2011.

Welton campaigner, April Irst, believes that Welton has its own identity and unique challenges and that these should be represented with a separate governance structure.

April explains: “Welton has its own identity, its own signage, village green and its own football team. With the development of the Welton Bibby and Baron factory site, more people and businesses will be moving into the area and we need to make the most of the opportunities this represents, rather than being distracted by the problems of other parts of the town.

“We are not looking for a hard Wexit, but we don’t see Welton as part of Midsomer Norton, we see it as its own unique community, like Westfield and Radstock. We would like to work with all the local Parish Councils, but Welton needs a stronger voice on B&NES, which we’d like recognised by the Local Authority with the renaming of Midsomer Norton North to the ‘Welton Ward’.

April and her Wexit campaigners are currently collecting the signatures of 10% of the local electors required to trigger the review. Once the target is met, B&NES will consider whether the Welton proposal represents effective and convenient local government. April said: “We don’t just need people to support our petition, we want Welton residents to join our group, campaign with us, contact B&NES and stand up for their community.”

If you live in the Midsomer Norton North Ward and you would like to add your support to the Wexit campaign, you can contact April by email at: [email protected]