B&NES Ward Councillor for Radstock, Chris Dando, has told fellow Town Councillors that new Government funding could provide “an ideal opportunity” for the town.

At Radstock Town Council’s monthly meeting on Monday evening, Cllr Chris Dando said that the £150m Community Ownership Fund allows communities to bid for up to £250,000 in match funding and, in exceptional circumstances where significant buildings face being lost, up to £1m.

The Town Council cannot bid for the money alone and Councillors discussed the possibility of forming a Community Trust, as neighbouring Midsomer Norton has done, to be able to apply. Success could free up cash to be spent elsewhere in the town, or help invest in large projects such as the Library and Youth Club.