A proposal to support Midsomer Norton’s young people was put forward at this week’s Town Council meeting, with councillors voting to back plans to bid for Community Infrastructure Levy funds of up to £20,000.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) has replaced Section 106 monies, which is the contribution that B&NES Council, as the Local Authority, requires from developers in the area to help local facilities, often to enhance or offset a new build within the area. However, where S106 was usually spent strictly within the vicinity of the location being developed, CIL money now seems to be more fluid – much to the annoyance of some of the Town and Parish Councils, such as Radstock and Writhlington, who feel they have missed out on money rightfully belonging to them, which has been distributed, or is about to be distributed, elsewhere.

The proposals in Midsomer Norton are to help develop places for young people to go within the town. Whilst the Youth Club is doing well and there is lots of good being done with groups such as the Wansdyke Play Association, it was reported that often it is difficult to encourage groups of teenagers to enter buildings such as the Town Hall, who are congregating in places such as the Somer Valley Adventure Play and Skate Park at Gullock Tyning.

Two 40ft x 10ft containers, which would act as ‘youth shelters’ are proposed, which can be decorated, kitted out, locked and moveable, and would see a space that could be used for various purposes, even as a café space with a boarded floor, tables and chairs, battery lighting or gas heaters. Workshops or drop-in sessions could be held, with multiple uses acting as a base for young people to gather.

Admitting ‘recent challenges’ at the playpark regarding young people gathering in the area, it was proposed that the shelters could be situated near the play park and later moved to the Town Park, subject to planning permission. They would be managed and locked to deter vandalism or anti-social problems, but to encourage young people to have a flexible space or blank canvas that they could use to meet and enjoy and to give them a responsibility to book and manage the space in a way that they would like to use it, either through the WPA or the Midsomer Norton Community Trust. Councillors heard that the other shelter could potentially be situated at Orchard Vale.

Having gained support from the Town Council, the proposals will now be submitted to B&NES Council, with CIL money having to be spent within a given time frame.