In a bid to secure the future of its community assets, Midsomer Norton Town Council is setting up a new Community Trust and is appealing for Trustees to come forward to oversee running them.

Whilst buildings such as the Town Hall have been run for over thirty years by a dedicated band of volunteers in the form of the Sarah Ann Trust, the days of peppercorn rents from cash-strapped local authorities such as B&NES are coming to an end to be replaced by full market rents. Unless steps are taken now, there is a real danger that Midsomer Norton, in common with communities around the country, will lose its community buildings and the many local groups that rely on them.

The Town Council has therefore opened negotiations with B&NES for long leases on the Town Hall, whose lease has already expired, and the Orchard Hall, which urgently needs investment. Alongside this, the Council is setting up two charities to provide a new updated, accountable structure to manage and maintain the properties.

Sitting below the Midsomer Norton Town Trust that will be responsible for maintaining the fabric of the buildings and develop a capital sinking fund over time to cover the cost of repairs with the eleven Town Councillors as Trustees, will be the Midsomer Norton Community Trust.

This will be a community interest, limited company, responsible for running the Town Hall and Orchard Hall buildings on a daily basis. With a Board of Trustees consisting of members of the public and a minority of Councillors, the Community Trust will look to not only rent the halls out, but also encourage events and activities to help make Midsomer Norton's community scene more vibrant than ever before.

The Council would like to hear from people interested in becoming a Trustee of the Midsomer Norton Community Trust. The Council is looking to bring together a team with skills ranging from experience of volunteering/working in the community, personnel, finance, buildings and event management, to just being good at getting things done. The minimum commitment would be to attend a monthly Trustees' Meeting.

"Community volunteering is changing. As a Trustee, individuals would have an opportunity to help create a vibrant and dynamic organisation, make a real difference in the community, whilst at the same time developing new skills and friendships.

"In order to allow people who might be interested to get a sense of what's involved, we plan to have an open evening for those expressing an initial interest in joining the team," said Paul Myers, Mayor of Midsomer Norton.

To receive further details and express an interest in becoming a Trustee, simply contact Town Clerk, Michael Curry, by email to: townclerk@midsomer

norton-tc.gov.uk or phone: 01761 418701 by 29th October 2012.