TOWN COUNCIL TO TAKE OVER LEASES FOR FROME SHOWFIELD Mendip District Council has agreed to transfer its leases in the Frome Showfield site to Frome Town Council, so further enhancements can be made to the site for the benefit of the local community. At a meeting of Mendip’s Cabinet last Monday night (14th October) councillors agreed to transfer the two leases over the 20-acre site, which are on a 99-year term at a peppercorn rate and include the clause ‘to keep the premises as public open space for recreational purposes for the benefit of the inhabitants of Frome’. The transfer of the two leases from Mendip District Council to Frome Town Council will need the consent of Frome and District Agricultural Society, as landlord for the site. The town council will work with Mendip’s planning team to release more than £44,000 of Section 106 money to improve the showfield, and will also take on the maintenance of the site and the equipment on it. Cllr John Parham, portfolio holder for governance, assets and public spaces, said: “I’m pleased that our negotiations with Frome Town Council over the transfer of these leases has reached such a positive conclusion. “Frome Town Council has taken a proactive approach to seeking the release of section 106 monies to invest in this site, and is keen to enhance the showground for the people of Frome. “By transferring responsibility for the site to Frome Town Council, Mendip is also able to save money which would have otherwise been spent on maintenance, and direct this money to those frontline services that need it most.” Cllr Mel Usher, Leader of Frome Town Council, said: The Showfield is a vital open space in the town and one that local people can now have a much bigger role in looking after. “Mendips decision will enable us to build a new games pitch for younger people, improve the paths, install more seats and bins and explore the best way of fencing the play area. This is good news for local people.
Posted on: Sun, 27 Oct 2013 09:28:01 +0000
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