We’ve recently received an update from Chief Superintendent Nikki Watson on Police activities in our part of Somerset.

She reports that the crime rate is down, detection rates are strong.

Here’s some advice from her as Christmas approaches:-

* Keep all doors and windows of property and vehicles locked when unattended
* Do not leave anything on display inside vehicles particularly Christmas presents
* When going out socially confirm arrangements for traveling home safely early on in the evening
* Moderate alcohol intake to keep yourself safe and in control

If you want to hear first hand about witness appeals, crime reports and press releases for your community then you can register for a fresh e-mail service on the force website of http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk

Alvin and Richard have been told by ASDA that they have proposals for a 1,800 sqm (c20,000 sq ft) extension to their store in Frome.

It would increase the size of the store by about a third and would be to the left of the store, built onto the current car park.

There is an exhibition in the store today and tomorrow (10am -4pm) – saturday 19th November. If you have chance, go and tell them your views.

Alternatively use the ‘Your Views’ button on the right and tell us what you think.

There hasn’t been a planning application yet – one is expected in the New Year.

Local Lib Dems, Alvin Horsfall and Richard Pinnock, are worried that the Conservative administration at Mendip are proposing to increase parking charges across the District just before Christmas.

Alvin said “The Lib Dems have campaigned for lower and fairer parking charges in Mendip’s car parks for the last five years; it was a key campaign pledge in both the 2007 and 2011 elections. We feel the current system isn’t fair and that there should actually be more free parking in our towns.”

Richard said “At next Monday’s meeting, we will be urging the Cabinet not to even consider increasing charges at such a sensitive economic time.  We feel the damage it will do to town centre businesses in Frome as well as to the tourist trade is just not worth the extra income to the council.”

We realise that in difficult times that the council needs to look at where it gets its income from, but increasing car parking is not the answer.

Tell us what you think by doing the quick survey on the right of the page or email us via the contact tab.

Alvin and Richard sang at the Disasters Emergency Committee 12-Hour music marathon event at Christ Church last week.

Richard said, “it was a lot of fun and we got a round of applause at the end of our song. We sang the Flanders & Swann ‘A Transport of Delight’ with Alvin taking the part of the conductor and I was the driver.”

Overall the event raised over £3500 to help people suffering from famine in the Horn of Africa.

A local resident who lives at the top of Locks Hill contacted Richard about the drains outside her house.

“All four were blocked causing damage to homes when it rained”, said Richard. “I contacted the Council and they cleared them out a couple of days later”.

If you have blocked drains in your street please contact Alvin or Richard

We’ve reported 3 prolems to the Council today:

- a pothole in the pavement on Long Ground
- a pothole on Wallbridge near to the traffic lights with New Road
- 2 faulty streetlights on Adderwell Road.

If you spot any problems you’d like our help with please get in touch.

Amongst other things Alvin and Richard had 2 useful meetings this week.
The first was with a group of residents from The Retreat to talk about the Somerst County Council plans for Wallbridge.
The second was with Flourish Home to talk about housing issues in the ward.

The deadline for comments on the traffic plans for Wallbridge is June 16th.

Alvin & Richard are encouraging residents to send in their comments.

County Councillor Alvin Horsfall has been working behind the scenes for a number of months to try and persuade the highways department to have a pedestrian phase on the traffic lights. “So far it isn’t part of the plan but me and Richard will keep on pushing” said Alvin.

Another concern is the loss of parking spaces on Wallbridge and Station Approach due to the new pavement and double yellow lines on the South side of Wallbridge.

Send your comments to Jo sharpe, Somerset County Council, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY or email jcsharpe@somerset.gov.uk

I visited Frome college today along with Frome Lib Dem Councillors Helen Sprawson-White, Sam Phripp and Adam Boyden.

Many thanks to Principal Wendy Missons for her time and showing us around the school. She answered our questions on academies and the timescale for finishing the new tertiary building.

Alvin & Richard have received a number of reports of rubbish dumped in the area. They report them to the council as soon as they hear about them and the rubbish should be cleared soon afterwards. Richard Pinnock said “Fly-tipping increased as soon as the Council closed Frome’s tip for 2 days a week and charged for some items”. Please get in touch if you spot any dumped rubbish. We’re determined to keep our area clean and tidy.