Give power back to the people - by Gail Coleshill

I commend the Midsomer Norton Society for having acted rather than sat about moaning. They were unhappy about the activities – or lack of them – of the Norton Radstock Town Council and decided that having their own town council would be more effective. They have collected enough signatures to enable them to qualify for a Community Governance Review by B&NES.

Now I hear that Westfield is taking similar action and people in Writhlington also don’t want to be left out. If they all get their own parish council then Norton Radstock as a body will cease to exist. Instead there will be a number of smaller parish councils.

I would like to suggest a democratic solution which should satisfy local residents in Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Paulton, Peasedown and the surrounding villages. It is one which I have put before and which was supported by the Liberal Democrats on B&NES but not the Tories or Labour.

B&NES could set up an area committee in Midsomer Norton which would consist of the local Councillors and have given responsibilities for the locality. There could be a portfolio holder for the area and the local parish councils could also be given responsibilities, for example the river, playgrounds, footpaths as happens in other areas of the country. B&NES Officers would be brought out of Bath and be based in a revamped Victoria Hall or the Hollies and would carry on their present activities – but only for the villages and towns round here - on behalf of local residents.

An essential part of this would be frequent consultation with local residents and meetings where residents could speak. I believe this would lead to a much better connection with local people and thus more interest in what is happening in the Council.

Let's reconnect with the people and get our Council out of Bath .