In a move that will enable it to do more for the town, Midsomer Norton Town Councillors agreed to adopt the General Power of Competence on Monday evening, having met all of the criteria the Town Council needs to move forward. The change is immediate and means that through the Localism Act, it will now be able to use money for large projects, such as the Town Park and the regeneration of the High Street, whilst still being accountable through legislation and of course, by its residents.

Addressing Councillors at the meeting, the town’s Mayor, Cllr Paul Myers, said that: “Without the General Power of Competence, the Town Council does not have any powers to spend money on economic regeneration.” He added that the research to allow the Town Council to do more had been an “iceberg”, but that once in place, it could begin to have serious discussions with B&NES about the town’s

future. He pointed out that much had changed since B&NES’ Core Strategy had been produced, with the land for the Town Park purchased, the arrival of

national chains to the High Street, the shift in supermarket strategies, the granting of the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone and the losses of Welton, Bibby and Baron and Casswells.

“We do not need any more reports on regeneration,” he said. “We could wallpaper the Town Hall with reports and consultations. People have already told us what they want – more shops and a vibrant town. We cannot be the only ones in this predicament.”

He said he hoped to report back to Councillors at February’s meeting with more information, but proposed that talks begin with B&NES to specifically look at regenerating what has been identified as the ‘retail core’ of the High Street, from Fat Sam’s nightclub to the Palladium/Wetherspoons area, speaking to private landowners and finding out what needs to be done to kick-start regeneration. He added that then the rest of the issues could be looked at, including parking in the town, South Road, Welton Bag, the future of supermarkets within

Midsomer Norton and more. There are hopes that B&NES may be able to

provide a Project Manager or point councillors in the direction of the relevant expertise and that with these new powers, a plan may finally be put in motion.

At the meeting, the Town Clerk reported that the Council’s Capital Expenditure is very healthy, however, he warned that there will be tough times ahead, with B&NES receiving less from the Government and as a result, more costs potentially falling to town and parish councils in future, such as for the provision of Christmas lights and other unforeseen costs.

Councillors also discussed the planning application due before B&NES to

convert what was once the Party Plus shop in the High Street into two flats.

The Town Council objected unanimously on the grounds of the gradual erosion of commercial space in this particular retail area, with other units being lost to residential housing in previous years, no parking provision and the development being in a conservation area.