After much discussion about the river running through Midsomer Norton in the Journal’s Letters pages in recent weeks, Midsomer Norton Town Councillors spoke about the future of the river’s maintenance at its Council meeting on Monday evening.
Mayor Paul Myers explained that the river management scheme was first talked about among plans to regenerate the High Street a number of years ago, before Midsomer Norton Town Council had been formed and maintenance was originally organised by the Midsomer Norton Society, who, along with Community Payback workers and volunteers, dealt with the upkeep.
When the scheme began in 2011, there were more volunteers working on the river and 1,200 plants put in. Over the years, these have grown faster than the remaining volunteers can cope with, prompting the recent outcry by residents.
The Council has been meeting with volunteers to see what the best course of action would be for the future of river maintenance. It was proposed by Councillors on Monday evening that a sub group of the current Operations Working Party is formed, to keep the rest of the Council up-to-date with the river and its progress. As the Town Council does not own the river (indeed, there are multiple interests involved), being able to take charge and fund the project would be difficult for the Town Council alone.
Cllr Myers proposed that the Council look into using the General Power of Competence, a piece of legislation that enables eligible councils to act as an individual, granting them more power in regards to certain projects, as long as they are not restricted by any other piece of legislation. If it is possible for them to use this power, the Council proposes investigating how they can take on the project of river maintenance and get on top of the current problems.
Cllr Michael Evans was keen to stress that this project should take into account other problem areas for the river, not just the High Street, including the sluice, which is in need of attention and could increase the water flow in future. Councillors agreed that while the High Street and sluice gates should be a priority, the full length of the river that runs through Midsomer Norton would be included in any future project and that maintenance work would be done in stages to return the river to a well kept state.
The issue of rats living around the river was also raised. The Town Council has been in discussion with B&NES Environmental Health Officers for some time about reported rat problems and are looking at ways in which this can be controlled, bringing together all relevant parties. The Town Council reported that discussions with Environmental Health have shown that the town’s rat issue is no different to that of anywhere else in the country and is mainly due to increased litter. Inappropriate waste disposal and feeding ducks in local waterways have also been cited as encouraging rodents. However, some would argue there are no ducks to feed! It was proposed that these issues be explored and that an evening event be scheduled so that local businesses and residents could meet with the Council and experts to see how best to tackle these problems.
Councillors also discussed the possibility of using the General Power of Competence to move forward with regeneration plans for the town. During discussions with officers at B&NES Council regarding regeneration and the funding of the Town Park through Section 106 money, an idea to set up two project teams, each made up of both officers from B&NES and Midsomer Norton Town Council and led by independent managers to lead the development of the park and any future regeneration plans was put forward. Councillors decided to do some research on any potential regeneration, as many sites within the town are owned by private landlords. This will be discussed during the next meeting before going to B&NES with a proposal.
Cllr Paul Myers said: “Regeneration has been talked about for years and it has come to a point where it would be nice to push it forward. As a Town Council, we’re limited on what we can spend money on. People think we’re only into flowers – we have tried to clean up the town generally, but if we can use this Power of Competence, we have the ability to approach B&NES with some money, so we can begin proper regeneration plans.”
The General Power of Competence proposal will need more research, however, Midsomer Norton Town Council does have the basic groundwork in place. Because the Town Park is to be funded using S106 money, a relationship has already been forged with officers in B&NES, which Cllr Myers hopes can be extended further by creating the project teams for the park and potential regeneration plans. The Town Park Project Board would be attended by B&NES officers, Town Councillors and the Town Clerk and would involve them working together to maintain and deliver the park. A Project Manager to make the dream a reality would then be funded on a contractual basis from the 106 money given by B&NES.
Further discussions on how to move forward with the Town Park Project are to take place at the next Town Council meeting on 4th January,
7 p.m. at the Town Hall. Members of the public are able to sit and listen and there is the opportunity to ask a question at the beginning during the allotted time.