The council is committed to investing in our towns, villages and rural communities.

I would like to congratulate the Chew Valley CIC Sustainable Transport Partnership which has been awarded a grant for a WESTlocal bus to take people to and from the Chew Valley to drop-off points in Bristol once a day, Monday to Friday. The locations chosen and the timings of the stops are based on evidence of demand and the success of this bid shows the value of us all working together, harnessing local skills and knowledge to develop solutions to local concerns and issues.

As well as transport improvements, we are working hard and securing funding to help regenerate our town centres and High Streets.

The recently-agreed Radstock Regeneration Action Plan is based on residents’ feedback gathered in public surveys on a shortlist of ideas developed in partnership with Radstock Town Council and other partners.

Subject to funding being secured, the projects that are being proposed include supporting Radstock Town Council to develop Trinity Methodist Church as a community hub, a programme of arts and community events and planting more trees.

Radstock is the first town in Bath and North East Somerset to benefit from town centre regeneration action plans funded by £750,000 from the West of England Combined Authority’s Housing and Regeneration Enabling Fund.

In Midsomer Norton, the new Market Square scheme will start at the beginning of April and is expected to be completed by early 2025. This will see a flexible public space outside the Town Hall and which will become a venue for outdoor events of all sizes, positioning Midsomer Norton as a market town once more.

The project complements the ongoing restoration of Midsomer Norton’s Town Hall, allowing for indoor and outdoor events to be combined. The Market Square is part of the £3.7m Midsomer Norton High Street Regeneration Programme, which follows on from the successful High Street Heritage Action Zone

which comes to an end this spring. It celebrates the history of the town, to attract residents and visitors to the high street and support economic growth.

The scheme is being carried out by Bath & North East Somerset Council, with funding and support provided by Historic England, the West of England Combined Authority through its ‘Love Our High Streets’ grant programme and Midsomer Norton Town Council. The programme of works can be viewed at yourmidsomernorton.co.uk and updates will be added to the website as the works progress