It’s just over one hundred days since May 4th’s Midsomer Norton Town Council elections, so what can we learn from their progress so far? The key players are certainly starting to take shape... discusss Ian Nockolds in his latest column for The Journal:

Cllr Gordon Mackay has become Midsomer Norton’s fourth Mayor of the modern era, supported by his Deputy, Cllr Martyn Plant. B&NES Cllr Shaun Hughes takes the Chair on Planning and newly elected Jemma Griffiths heads up the re-instated Finance and Operations Committee.

Indeed, the first act of the “new” Council, was to reinstate the Finance and Operations Committee, disbanded by the “old” Council last year. Given the shambolic events surrounding the passage of this financial year’s budget, replacing the Budget Working Group was as necessary as it was obvious, particularly if the Council is to “re-establish the former high level of sound governance and financial control practice”, as directed in the Internal Audit Report, considered in June this year.

That report also recommended “appointing suitably qualified and experienced staff as soon as possible” and despite concerns in March that this process would drag into October, it would appear from July’s Extraordinary Town Council meeting that a Town Clerk and Deputy Clerk have at least been identified. So in terms of the Council’s immediate priorities, progress has clearly been made.

However, transparency concerning the Council’s current financial position remains less than satisfactory, with the July’s Finance and Operations Committee discussing the intricacies of how the Council reconciles it’s capital and revenue expenditure and how the grants received for projects like the Town Hall and the Wellow Brook Walk, relate to the money that’s actually been paid out.

The current Locum Clerk believes the Council finances are in good shape, a conclusion supported by the Internal Audit Report, but has recognised the need for a better understanding of the way the finances are being presented and has recommended a special briefing for all Councillors to address this as a priority. Still less than ideal, but the Town Council finally appears to be moving in the right direction, following previous reports of a substantial underspend in the last financial year, initially believed to be in the region of £133,000.

With progress made on staff and finance, Councillors have started to address the other challenges they see facing the town. Working parties were set up in June to tackle the economic decline of the High Street and address the increase in antisocial behaviour concerns. There can be no doubt that these are two major issues which the public will want to see the Council address, but they are by no means the only issues in the town at present.

Curo’s Underhill Lane development, the redevelopment of the former Welton, Bibby and Baron factory, not to mention the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone all represent tests for the Town Council and how successfully it can represent the will of the people to B&NES. And all this playing out whilst the Town Hall redevelopment project is stalled, and questions continue to be asked about how much it’s going to cost.

The Town Council has also taken time to revisit its Media and Communications Working Group, as well as creating a Strategy Working Group, to develop a five year strategy document for the Council. Identifying strengths and weaknesses and aims and objectives are all very plaudable, but is this really a priority? With new staff due to start next month and with so many inexperienced Councillors, wouldn’t it be better for this work to start next year?

After one hundred days, Midsomer Norton Town Council may well be guilty of running before it can walk, but at least it’s showing signs of travelling in the right direction.

IAN NOCKOLDS