There will be no change at the helm of Midsomer Norton Town Council following the Annual Town Meeting held last Tuesday evening. Cllr Paul Myers was duly appointed as the town’s Mayor for another term, with Cllr Steve Plumley voted back as Deputy Mayor.On behalf of the Town Council, Cllr Plumley thanked the Mayor for his tireless work throughout the year, with Cllr Myers in turn thanking Cllr Plumley for his support. All of the planning committees and working parties will also stay the same throughout 2016/17.

Speaking about the year ahead, Cllr Myers said: “2015 was the year of making our plans come true for the Town Park and 2016 will be the year of asset transfer,

allowing the purchase of our community buildings.

“Of real concern, though, is the High Street. Nationally, trading levels are very difficult and shopping patterns have been unpredictable. I have had two calls this week alone looking for help and support from traders, and we will be looking at other

neighbouring towns to see how they are doing and what strategies they are using.

“In the main, the most common thing people will say to me is how pleased they are that the Town Council works together to get things done. We are a wonderful team and I am very proud to be a part of it.”

Also on the agenda was a new planning application for the car park next to TSB on Silver Street, Midsomer Norton, for eight two bed apartments with parking and landscaping. Councillors supported the application in principle, compared to the previous plans, but are still concerned that despite underground parking planned on site, that there is still only one space per apartment. Cllr Michael Evans argued that this would probably be seen as perfectly acceptable by B&NES, due to its town

centre location. Cllr Jane Lewis expressed concern that town centre spaces are at a premium, particularly on the Island and at South Road, and also requested that

proposed building materials be inspected.

At the beginning of the meeting, B&NES Ward Councillor, Chris Watt, (Cons., Midsomer Norton Redfield), presented the Town Council with a special pair of hand crafted ceremonial scissors. He explained that due to the Community Governance

Review, which saw the break-up of Norton Radstock Town Council, Midsomer Norton Town Council did not have certain civic regalia and that with the opening of future projects, such as the new Town Park, they would be cutting some special ribbons in future. He said: “These scissors are fitting, in my view, of the status that the Town Council should have. They have a Latin inscription, which means ‘To new

beginnings’. I hope that they will be accepted as a token of my continued appreciation and support for the outstanding work you have done to improve the life of people in the community.”

Town Councillors have also rejected a request by B&NES Council’s Drainage and Flooding Team to take up an additional responsibility for tracing riparian owners and engaging with them over maintenance issues. Councillors decided that as the lead local flood authority, B&NES should be responsible. Many Parish Councils have agreed to take on this role, but Midsomer Norton Town Council will be following in the footsteps of Keynsham Town Council, who have also said they feel unable to

accept. Midsomer Norton’s High Street and some of the local businesses experienced flooding in last Wednesday evening’s deluge, due to a blocked drain outside of Midsomer Norton Primary School and Cllr Paul Myers has said that the Town Council will be looking at raising the pavement opposite, to stop water travelling across the bridge and into businesses. See: www.mnrjournal.co.uk for more on this.