Radstock Town Council put on a brave face and met last Thursday for its Annual Town Meeting, despite the flag furore that was breaking out around it. Cllr Lesley Mansell, Chair, spoke of the achievements of the Council throughout the year but also said it had been difficult to provide services due to staff sickness.
The main issue of the night, of course, was Radstock's Regeneration, which has been in the public eye more so than ever of late. Cllr Mansell spoke of the importance of economic regeneration for the town and providing jobs to support the new homeowners that may be coming to the town in future. She said: "We have been working closely with B&NES Council to develop a relationship with them and will be continuing to push for genuine regeneration. What we need is more jobs."
A quick overview of Radstock's year was provided, with Radstock In Bloom's continuing success, the first community event organised by the Town Council, which celebrated International Women's Day, and the Christmas Light Switch On event. There were reflections on the various speakers that have been present at recent meetings, including Dr Orpen from the Clinical Commissioning Group, Radstock Museum about their future plans, and most recently, the leader of B&NES Council, Paul Crossley, giving an update on plans for the Victoria Hall and the NRR development.
Cllr Mansell stated that the main priorities for the Town Council are to create more jobs, provide more homes, improve community facilities, protect the local environment and Radstock's unique heritage, and to develop better transport links for the community.
Once the meeting was opened up to the public, Kilmersdon resident, Steve Mansergh, spoke of a green field planning application (as featured in the Journal letters pages recently), for the proposed 35-acre solar farm that is due to go before Mendip District Council but will reach across towards Haydon – into the B&NES area. He expressed his hope that both the Town and B&NES Councils would be involved in discussions on the application and called for support from both Radstock and Haydon residents to join the fight against the plans.
Further debate took place surrounding a petition which has been gathered by local residents, calling for the railway to be reinstated in the town as a means to provide economic regeneration. Residents present at the meeting called for the Town Council to put their full force behind the idea, and noted that not all Councillors had been in agreement with the railway idea previously. It was agreed that the issue would be put on a future agenda where a full discussion will take place.
Westfield Parish Councillor and Steering Group Chair of the Big Local project, Robin Moss, called for further discussions between the two Councils to see how the £1 million pound Lottery money coming to the area could be spent and invested. The Big Local Steering Group are now half way through their community consultation, but their main hope is that the money can be invested wisely, like a recyclable community chest, providing more of a legacy to local people rather than spent and never seen again. For example, there are small grants available from £5,000 to local 'Star People', who can put forward their ideas for social enterprise to benefit the community. The money can, of course, be spent physically too, with ideas for better footpaths connecting Westfield and Radstock, and to provide better links between the two. The Radstock and Westfield Economic Forum, also with a pot of money to spend, will hold their next meeting in June.
And looking at the year to come? In her capacity as Chair of the Town Council, Lesley Mansell comments: 'Radstock is now at a crossroads, with plans in place to improve the town centre, to upgrade the Victoria Hall and to begin work on the NRR development. This major work heralds an exciting time, which we need to grasp with both hands.
'We also look forward to developing our own Community Plan, with residents and business. Links will also continue to develop the Big Local Lottery and the Radstock and Westfield Economic Forum to gain the best outcomes for our town. Plans are already in place to celebrate Radstock through the 'Making a Difference Awards' and for Honorary Aldermen.'