The campaign for new public toilets in Midsomer Norton took a backwards step at the last Town Council meeting, held at the start of October. Minutes published on the Town Council website show that Councillors chose to refer the matter of the installation of public toilets, back to the Town Council Strategy Working Group, in response to a report produced by outgoing locum Clerk, Peter Finnis.

The report had been requested at the Town Council's September meeting, following the presentation of a petition on the issue of inadequate toilet provision in the town. However, the feasibility study requested by Councillors was not undertaken, with the locum clerk preparing a briefing paper, setting out un-costed options, including a "community scheme" which encourages local businesses to "make their toilets available to members of the public throughout their normal opening hours".

The reference to the Strategy Working Group in the minutes is frustrating for campaigners, as these meetings are not open to the public. It's also puzzling as to why the Town Council have agreed to this approach, as the last time the issue of toilet provision was raised, in December 2021, it was discussed by the Finance and Operations Committee, which is open to the public to attend.

The Strategy Working Group was set up in July this year, with a brief to "identify strengths and weaknesses of the Town and Town Council and "develop a draft five-year strategy document to recommend to Council". In September, the Working Party reported back to Full Council that they had "through a process of online collaboration, identified the current strengths and weaknesses we feel Midsomer Norton benefits and suffers from. Through this process five main areas have become apparent:

o Economy

o Community

o Greenspace

o Transport

o Sports/Education

Next is to devise a series of consultations to create an evidence base." With residents and Town Councillors growing equally impatient as to the lack of meaningful progress on this issue, it remains unclear how the Working Party will be able to take this matter forward.