I want to say how delighted I am at the strength of candidates nominated for this coming election especially with so many residents standing for the first time. I'm really hoping everyone shows their support for the new names who will keep Midsomer Norton independent. My biggest thanks to those long-serving Councillors who are standing down for a well deserved rest.

What I'd like to see from the next Council is a solid commitment to Midsomer Norton's high street. Having been on the Council for six years, I understand there's no magic-wand that can be waved but there are things the Town Council has control over which will move us in the right direction.

The new Council should commit to finishing the Town Hall Transformation project. This historic community building was close to being lost, like so many others in the past but, once finished, Midsomer Norton will have an amazing community facility which will see not just the return of the cinema, but a new market hall on the ground floor. Combined with the regeneration of the Island, we can run markets, events and exhibitions right on the high street. Modern catering facilities and new storage options will create the potential to hire out the hall for weddings and functions.

With so much retail moving online, the high street must adapt to specialise in things the internet can't provide. Building on the opportunities provided by the transformed Town Hall, I'd like to see music and events back on our high street. A busy high street is a successful high street and generating footfall is key to achieving that. As father of three young boys, I'd like to see more entertainment during the day, to encourage families out and about.

The Bath Business Improvement District (BID), set up in 2011, is an independent, not-for-profit business-led company that works to help businesses in Bath succeed. Funded by BaNES Council with contributions from stakeholders, it also manages street and taxi marshals. Midsomer Norton Town Council should work with BaNES to create something similar in our town which will improve our day and evening economies.

Midsomer Norton boasts an amazing new town park with an incredible amphitheatre. Working with the Community Trust, I think we can come up with some really ambitious ideas to make the most of this town asset. How about an outdoor cinema showing films, the World Cup or even Glastonbury?

I've been lucky enough to live in Midsomer Norton for nine years since moving from Bath. This is an amazing town with a wonderful community and we have the potential to be even better. It will be up to the next Council to build on the progress already made; whoever is elected, I'll be supporting them every bit of the way.