Midsomer Norton Town Council has published its budget proposals for next year on its website https://www.midsomernortontowncouncil.co.uk/2023-2024-budget/ and, as a resident, with three primary-aged children growing up in Midsomer Norton, I welcome feedback, both positive and critical, to the personal email address I've setup for this reason [email protected]

Do residents think a precept of £2.35 a week, for a Band D property, is considered too high, not high enough or about right? Most importantly, considering the work of the Town Council, does it represent good value for money?

Setting the budget and precept is a difficult task which requires balancing the needs and aspirations of the town and the Council while keeping any increase as low as possible. I feel there has been some pressure from the Local Authority, Bath and North East Somerset Council, on services such as Youth and Christmas lights while the council has also had to work hard to manage its own costs as it takes on greater responsibilities.

Fantastic projects, which really enhance our town, like the Wellow Brook Walk, Garden of Friendship, MUGA and Town Park have been funded mainly through grants, which the Council staff have worked tirelessly to secure, but now need to be maintained to keep the town looking its best.

Personally, I think it's really important the Council has the funds to continue to support community groups and events, as it has in the past, such as the Community Trust, Outfield Festival and the Midsomer Norton Fayre.

Perhaps the most ambitious project to date is the transformation of the Town Hall. This has also received substantial grant funding in addition to the money invested by the Council. While providing a valuable community space for the residents of Midsomer Norton, there is a strong business case for the project which will generate income going forward. I think it's wonderful that Midsomer Norton can boast of having its own cinema, for example, which will be opening again in February. Without the Town Hall transformation project, the alternative would be to let this iconic building fall further into disrepair and possibly be lost, as so many other historic buildings have been.

Town Councillors are not paid for the work they do for the Council and are not generally compensated expenses either. In addition to attending Full Council meetings, I chair the Council's Planning Committee, participate in Somer Valley Enterprise Zone meetings, sit as a trustee of the Community Trust, make myself available at the Farmer Market to meet with residents and traders and I have also visited BaNES Council meetings to put questions in person. I regularly submit articles and pictures to Midsomer Norton Life, the Council's website and the town's local press trying to highlight local issues and promote our wonderful community. I've put a huge amount of work into the Council's online offering over the last year from re-developing the website to setting up a YouTube channel to broadcast Council Meetings and community events.

I sit on the Town Council and have the position of Deputy Mayor. I'm writing in an entirely personal capacity and the words and opinions expressed here are my own and not the Town Council's. Contact details for all Town Councillors are available on the Council's website.