Your Mendip Winter 2008

Customer Services 01749 648999 www.mendip.gov.uk

Your MendipNews from around your district

Winter 2008

More of you enjoy living in Mendip than you did two years ago, according to the results of a new survey. Over a thousand Mendip residents have revealed what they think of the council and what their priorities are in a survey with international research company Ipsos MORI.

The findings show that 82 per cent are satisfied with living in Mendip – giving the district council a good opportunity to improve its services.

And improving services is high on the council’s agenda especially after 46 per cent said they were satisfied with the way the council runs things. To help boost this figure the council is finalising an improvement plan, which will affect every area of the council and will ensure services are much improved.

Overall many people said the council was “pretty good but nothing special”.

Two fifths said they felt informed about the council’s services and benefits, and there was further praise for direct contact with the council. Two thirds of people were satisfied with the outcome of an enquiry, but some concerns were raised that staff did not always respond to residents’ enquiries.

Residents have also highlighted their top priorities for the district, they are: tackling crime (45 per cent), providing affordable homes (43 per cent), street cleaning (34 per cent) and preventing pollution and public nuisance (34 per cent).

The council is now taking an in-depth look at these results and will use them to improve services at the council.The full Ipsos MORI report will be available on the council’s website soon and the council will keep you informed about how it is improving services.

Thumbs up for Mendip

What’s inside...

Housing success 3

Where your money goes 4 & 5

Win five days out in Mendip 15

competitions

competitions

SPOTLIGHT ON

competition

competition

Cash for community projects 9

Council Information Point (CIP) officers are here to help you: (from left) Jan Clarke, Fran Mascall, Sue Newman, Mandy Denton and Pam Lee. For more on CIPs see pages 10 and 11.

2 www.mendip.gov.uk

Mendip has secured £70,000 of government funding, after working closely with the government’s department for Communities and Local Government.

Thanks to a huge cash injection of £120,000 from Mendip District Council’s empty homes initiative, eight families have moved in to flats at 22 Northload Street, Glastonbury, which has been empty since 2003.

WelcomeLike everyone else the economic crisis has affected the council.

We did not have any money invested in Icelandic banks but we are affected in a variety of ways. There has been a considerable down-turn in income to the council from planning fees and car parking charges. Council tax arrears are likely to increase, house repossessions put an extra pressure on our homeless service and our leisure centres use a considerable amount of energy. We know that government money will become even tighter, and next year our settlement increase from government will be just over one percent regardless of how high inflation is running.

It is important that remembering how difficult things are for so many people, that we try to keep any council tax increase as low as possible yet still manage to deliver those services which are most valued by you the tax payers. We have carried out an extensive survey, finding out the priorities from our residents as to what they see as most important for the council to focus on in these difficult times. There will have to be a very realistic budget, and a number of ambitions for improvements across the district will have to be shelved.

All round we will need to make our services as cost effective as possible.

Cllr Harvey Siggs, leader of Mendip District Council

A training scheme is giving unemployed people the chance to build a new future for one of the south west’s largest redevelopment sites. Various organisations from across Somerset are working, as part of the Morlands Community, Skills and Business Group, with the developers of the Morlands Enterprise Park in Glastonbury to give people the chance to become part of the construction team at the site, which is owned by the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA).

The second phase of training is now underway, which will allow local people to gain their Health and Safety Construction Skills Certification Scheme card. This is a qualification

that construction workers must achieve before being allowed to work on a construction site.

The Morlands Community, Skills and Business Group includes: Mendip District Council, South West RDA, Learning and Skills Council (LSC), Somerset County Council, Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) ConstructionSkills, Jobcentre Plus, Train to Gain, Glastonbury Community Development Trust and Glastonbury Town Council.

The group hopes the scheme will allow local people to improve their skills and also ensure that the Morlands development is carried out by locals.

To find out more about future programmes please contact Julia Harris on 01749 313211.

Support for residents facing eviction

Rising from the ashes

Building the future

From left; Mendip District Council leader Cllr Harvey Siggs, Sara Clay from the Glastonbury Community Development Trust, Alan Madge from Jobcentre Plus, Julia Harris from Wells Jobcentre Plus and Andy Chapman from Construction Skills

Your Mendip is published by Mendip District Council and aims to provide you with information about the work the council is doing to improve the areas in which we live.

You can also find out more about the council’s work and the range of services it offers by visiting www.mendip.gov.uk or by contacting customer services on 01749 648999.

Your Mendip is printed on recycled paper, and we would encourage you to place this newsletter in your black recycling box once you have finished with it.

This magazine can be made available in large print and other languages including Braille.

Please contact the council’s communications team for details on 01749 648999 or email: [email protected].

The production and delivery costs of this magazine is 31p per copy – less than a chocolate bar.

Finding out what’s on offer

Fact: 46% want to read more about regeneration

spotlight onBusinessRegeneration

BusinessRegeneration

3Customer Services 01749 648999

Mendip has secured £70,000 of government funding, after working closely with the government’s department for Communities and Local Government.

This cash injection will help families facing repossession or eviction from their homes.

The £70,000 will help fund a drop- in solicitor service at county courts in Bristol, Bath, Trowbridge and Yeovil, which is available to families who have been summoned to court and are at risk of losing their homes.

The service is available to anyone

attending these court hearings, but is specifically targeted at those who would not normally be entitled to legal aid.

Court desks, as they are referred to, will be manned by solicitors or Shelter advisers who will provide advice or represent anyone summoned to court for mortgage or rent arrears.

The cash will be spread over the next three years with £20,000 each year, and an additional £10,000 has been awarded to Mendip District Council, which will be managed by housing charity Shelter to help Mendip

families facing eviction. Cllr Maureen Brandon

(pictured below), the council’s portfolio holder for housing, said: “In the current financial climate we are hearing about more people facing money worries and the threat of falling behind with their rent or even worse, possibly having their homes repossessed.

“This is why Mendip District Council’s housing team is so pleased to announce that it has secured thousands of pounds to help those in these types of situations.”

Thanks to a huge cash injection of £120,000 from Mendip District Council’s empty homes initiative, eight families have moved in to flats at 22 Northload Street, Glastonbury, which has been empty since 2003.

As part of its empty homes initiative, Mendip District Council provided £15,000 to the property owner for each of the eight flats which have been developed in the town, and which will be managed by Mendip Housing through its private sector leasing scheme. The council offers owners of empty properties a range of services to help them give a new lease of life to their buildings, including grants, private sector leasing scheme, the private lettings scheme Let’s Move Mendip

and a rent deposit scheme, as well as general advice and assistance.

Cllr Maureen Brandon, Mendip District Council’s portfolio holder for housing, said: “Empty properties are a wasted resource, and with the demand for good quality affordable housing in the district remaining high it’s vitally important that the council continues to tackle this problem.”

Teresa Manvill, Mendip Housing’s housing services officer, said: “Mendip Housing is very pleased to be involved with this project which enables us to provide high standard temporary housing for those in highest need.”

Since April 2008 the district council has helped bring 19 empty properties, throughout the district, back into use through various schemes.

Support for residents facing eviction

Rising from the ashes

From left; Mendip District Council leader Cllr Harvey Siggs, Sara Clay from the Glastonbury Community Development Trust, Alan Madge from Jobcentre Plus, Julia Harris from Wells Jobcentre Plus and Andy Chapman from Construction Skills

This year’s Mendip Food and Drink Festival was, once again a huge success, with over 30 local businesses taking part in the annual celebration of food and drink from the Mendips.

Fronted by celebrity chef, Martin Blunos (pictured), the festival was in its fifth year and included events from cider tours, hallowean treats, food crawls and food tastings.

The festival was sponsored and supported by Mendip District Council, Gaymers Cider Company Ltd, Old Mill Financial Accountants, Ston Easton Park, Mendip Timesand FAB!

Food glorious food

From left; Teresa Manvill, Cllr Jim Barron, Cllr Maureen Brandon, Hazel Davidson and Martin Quartermain

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BusinessRegeneration

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Empty homes cash boost

4 www.mendip.gov.uk

F

TOP 5TOP 5TOP 5worst parkersworst parkersworst parkers

in Mendipin Mendipin Mendip It’s one thing parking on double yellow It’s one thing parking on double yellow lines, but parking at the entrance to a car park is one step too far.

Remember it’s not just you Remember it’s not just you parking, think of others around you.

It’s one thing parking on double yellow It’s one thing parking on double yellow lines, but parking at the entrance to a car park is one step too far.111111111111111111111111111111111111 around you.2222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222

Parking... the rules

Ever wondered where your coins go when you pay and display?Whether you love them or hate them, car parks across Mendip provide one of the biggest incomes for the district council, and helps to keep your council tax bill down.

In simple terms car parking is seen as a pay-as-you-go service – if you drive, then you should be expected to pay for your parking…if they were free many people would ask why should a taxpayer who has never driven in their life be expected to subsidise parking through their council tax.

The bottom line is car parks are a service provided by the district council, but they have to be paid for.

In Mendip, the district council manages 43 car parks and last year those facilities brought in about £2.5million.

But the car parks are not just about collecting money from motorists. Although the money from car parks helps fund a broad range of services across the district, there is also large amount of investment in car parks themselves.

Recently, the district council has spent thousands of pounds on make-overs in car parks in Wells, Frome and Street, and the council has installed its ‘beacon’ award-winning toilets in all of the five main settlements in the district. These are just some of the projects that have been completed to make car parks better for residents and visitors.

But it does not stop there. Next time you buy your ticket take a look around the car park and consider the cash needed to run that facility.

Ever wondered

the dos...•Park within a marked bay.•Display a valid ticket in your

front windscreen.•Pay for all spaces that you occupy,

including if you have a trailer and overhang another space.

•Drive at a slow speed for safety – usually 5mph.

•Check on the ticket machine display that the expiry time is correct before you print ticket.

•Check maximum stay allowed in the car park.

•Be aware that a ticket is only for the day you have bought it.

•Make sure you read the tariff board for prices and other useful information.

•Make sure you have enough change before you enter the car park.

•Leave your car safe and secure, and ensure you remember where you parked it.

•Ensure blue badges (disabled) are displayed in the windscreen and are used correctly.

Fact: 38% want to read more features

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RegenerationRegeneration


Here’s where some of your money goes back into car parks:

If the sign on the road If the sign on the road says ‘Keep Clear’…then keep clear!

It might be a Smart car, but it It might be a Smart car, but it isn’t smart to park on grass verges or pavements in car parks.

No doubt this empty market place No doubt this empty market place looked very inviting for one motorist but it isn’t even a car park!33333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333 444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 5555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555

The road surface and lineage must be checked and improved to maintain safety, but also to make it more user-friendly for motorists.

With darker evenings in the winter and car parks open at night, there needs to be adequate lighting to increase visibility for your safety.

CCTV, provided by the district council, monitors some car parks in the district this is to not only keep an eye on cars to ensure they are safe but also watch criminals who may target car parks.

Shopmobility is also provided by the district council in some car parks, providing people with disabilities the opportunity to also enjoy what Mendip has to offer.

Car parks don’t escape the cleaner, bins, roads and pavements have to be regularly swept and tidied to ensure they remain attractive for those using them.

Just because it’s a car park it doesn’t

stop pests setting up homes, and sometimes there is a need for pest control for public protection.

Barriers have also been installed at some car parks to reduce the effects of late-night anti-social behaviour to neighbours such as boy racers.

Weeding and general maintenanceof the natural environment ensures car parks are kept in tip-top condition, this also includes tidying up trees and hedges.

Parking inspectors are provided across the district, of course not only to monitor who hasn’t bought a ticket but also to ensure a fair system so everyone has an opportunity to park. They also provide the eyes and ears of a car park and raise any issues that might need improvement.

Toilets have been installed by the council in car parks in the main Mendip settlements and these need regular checks, cleaning and maintenance.

and the don’ts•Park without a valid ticket, permit

or blue badge.•Verbally or physically abuse parking

inspectors – they are only doing their jobs.

•Park on grass, pavements, yellow lines, keep clear or hatched areas.

•Place a note in the windscreen excusing yourself from paying for a ticket.

•Sleep, camp or cook in a car park.•Leave your children in a parked car.•Practice driving skills either on your

own or with a learner.•Display a ticket which has been

previously displayed in another car (non-transferable).

•Deface or change your ticket, permit or blue badge.

•Use a blue badge (disabled) that belongs to someone else.

Parking... the rules

A vision for parking across MendipThe district council is in the process of finalising its car parks strategy for the district.

Working with RTA Associates, the council has produced a Mendip-wide strategy covering both on and off street parking.

A large amount of survey work was

carried out for the strategy including more than 400 motorists and various organisations. The general public has also been asked its views on the strategy and the recommendations in it.

Cllr John Osman, Mendip’s portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “As a

council we are committed to making Mendip a prosperous place and a key factor in this aim is to ensure that we get parking right and take a consistent approach to the issue across the district.”

To view the strategy log on to www.mendip.gov.uk.

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6 www.mendip.gov.uk

The Sustainable Community Strategy is a long term vision for the district and aims to improve the area socially, economically and environmentally. It will include objectives to help turn this vision for the district into a reality by bringing together businesses, public bodies and voluntary groups. The Mendip Strategic Partnership coordinates this plan.

Sometimes shortened to the MSP, this body is made up of representatives from business groups, voluntary and community groups and the public sector including Mendip District Council. Its role is to represent the community and work as a team to identify and address key issues facing Mendip. It has overall responsibility for the Sustainable Community Strategy.

Alongside this, the Core Strategy is also being developed. This is a plan for the physical aspects of the Sustainable Community Strategy. It will share a vision and objectives with the Sustainable Community Strategy. In addition it will contain a strategy for each of Mendip’s largest settlements and the rural area as well some policies that will help to shape the way that places in Mendip will look and function in the future. As part of a folder of documents called a Local Development Framework, the Core Strategy will replace the Local Plan in guiding new development throughout the area. Mendip District Council has responsibility for producing this plan.

Do you care about the future of Mendip? If so, then read on. Over the next eight weeks you can help write the plans which will shape the future of this area up to 2026 and beyond. The district council needs to know your views not only on a vision for Mendip but also how we get there. This is because there are big decisions to be made for two important plans. These plans are the Mendip Sustainable Community Strategy and the Mendip Core Strategy.

What is the Sustainable Community Strategy?

What is the Mendip Strategic Partnership?

What is the Core Strategy?

If you care about the future of Mendip, then read these two pagesspotlight on

ConsultationConsultation


Sound familiar? This is because back in May the council came to you and asked what you thought were the big issues for Mendip and whether you had any ideas to help address them. The response received was fantastic. More than 1,100 Mendip residents came along to the public events held in Frome, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Street and Wells and many more of you gave valuable feedback online and by letter.

The views you gave in the spring have been used, along with technical evidence such as information on flood risk, landscape quality, housing markets and land availability, to inform a consultation paper. Essentially, the paper contains a draft vision for how the district should be in 2026 and possible ways that this vision could be achieved. For the Core Strategy, the paper gives different options for making this vision a reality, for instance choices of sites for major development in the towns.

If you care about the future of Mendip, then read these two pages

The Sustainable Community StrategyOnce the MSP has considered your views it will firm up on the vision for the district. The partner groups will then come together to agree priorities for action and develop actions plans aimed at achieving a better quality of life in Mendip.

The Core StrategyAfter receiving your feedback, we will examine the economic, social and environmental impacts of each solution. Based on the results, a paper will be published setting out what we think are the best solutions for each issue and asking you for your views on these.

Your views on the issues

April – May 08

Your views on possible solutions

Dec – Jan 09

Your views on the best solutions

Summer 2009

What next?

The next step in the process for you is to read the consultation paper and let us know your thoughts. There are also structured questions in the paper including things like where you think are the best places for housing, which villages are suitable for development or what kind of community facilities are most needed. Comments need to be returned to the district council by January 29.

To play your part in building the Mendip of the future log onto www.mendip.gov.uk and follow the links to ‘Time to Plan’ where you can download the full consultation paper. Copies are also available in Council Information Points and at the council offices in Shepton Mallet. Alternatively, come along and speak to a representative on one of the following dates:

8th December, Glastonbury Library 8th December, Glastonbury Library 8th December, Glastonbury Library 10am – 5pm9th December, Shepton council offices 9am – 5pm 11th December, Wells CIP 9am – 5pm12th December, Street Library 12th December, Street Library 12th December, Street Library 10am – 5pm16th December, Frome Library 16th December, Frome Library 16th December, Frome Library 10am – 5pm

What now?

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Go on, get involved! It’s Time to Plan

8 www.mendip.gov.uk

To burn or not to burn!

Many people have the odd bonfire from time to time to dispose of a small amount of dry garden waste, paper or cardboard, but one Mendip businessman was fined £4,000 for illegal bonfires.

The Frome farmer was fined £3,200 and ordered to pay £800 in costs, after pleading guilty to two offences under the clean air act when he appeared before magistrates in August, resulting in a successful prosecution by Mendip District Council.

Under the Clean Air Act 1993 it is an offence for businesses to burn materials which create black smoke such as rubber, vinyls and painted wood.

Cllr Tom Killen, Mendip District Council’s portfolio holder for environmental health, said: “One of Mendip’s top priorities is to enhance Mendip as a place to live, and linked

to this is a drive to improve local air quality. By taking action against those who illegally burn materials, and who are damaging our environment, the council sends out a clear message that we are trying to improve our district and won’t tolerate those who try to damage it by flouting the rules.”

Businesses must comply with waste management laws. Generally, it is illegal to burn trade materials, but there are some exemptions.

Often businesses are unaware they are acting illegally and in these cases they receive a warning letter from the council offering advice and information about the law.

The Environment Agency can provide information about burning trade waste on 08708 506 506 or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk.

Ideas for Mendip’s newest skateboard park went on display in November to give those who will use the park a chance to have their say.

As part of the selection process several companies were asked to submit designs, including the elements that the young skaters asked for after their trip with Mendip District Council to see other parks earlier in the year.

Cllr Alistair Glanvile, the council’s portfolio holder for landscape services, said: “Right from the beginning we said that the young people would have a big

say on how this park will look, and in November they had that opportunity.

“When the council announced it was going to build a new, sturdier park in Glastonbury one of the major aspects of it was that it would be a park for young people, and that they would have as much say in the planning process as possible.”

Funding for the project has come from both Mendip District Council and the government’s Playbuilder initiative, which sees cash injected into equipped play areas across the country.

Once again, towns, villages, Mendip retailers, publicans, businesses and householders have pulled out all the stops, creating some fantastic flower displays, as part of this year’s Mendip in Bloom.

This year Glastonbury took the best town prize and Walton the best village prize – as a first time entry.

Winners in the nine categories were presented with trophies, cups and certificates, as well as cash prizes courtesy of the competition’s sponsors. Total prize money handed out was about £1,500.

Here are the full results of Mendip in Bloom 2008: Best town - Winner: Glastonbury (gold) Runner-Up: Wells (gold) Best village - Winner: Walton (gold) Runner-Up: Evercreech (silver gilt) Best rural pub - Winner: The Strode Arms, Cranmore (gold) Runner-Up: The Horse and Groom Inn, East Woodlands (gold) In-town sub-categories: • Licensed premises - Winner: The Who’d A Thought It? (silver gilt) Runner-Up: The Vine Tree, Frome (silver gilt) • Shop or office - Winner: The Gaymer Cider Company, Shepton Mallet (silver gilt) Runner-up: Old Mill Financial Services, Shepton Mallet (silver) • Public building - Winner: Street Self Help Centre (silver gilt) Runner-Up: Wells Town Hall (silver gilt) • Private garden - Winner: Mrs V Norvall, 7 Maytree Close, Frome (gold) Runner-Up: Mr L Fear, 11 Merrick Road, Glastonbury (silver gilt) • Allotment - Winner: Mr W Read, plot five, Farm Road, Street (gold) Runner-up: Mr A Wood, plot 23, Welshmill, Frome (silver gilt) Photographic competition - Winner: Jessica Dampier, Tor Street, Wells Runner-Up: Sandra Howe, Pilton

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EnvironmentalEnvironmental

HealthHealth

Blooming marvellous!

Many people have the odd bonfire from time to time to dispose of

EnvironmentalEnvironmentalEnvironmentalEnvironmental

Blooming

Skaters have their say!Ideas for Mendip’s newest say on how this park will look, and in


To burn or not to burn!

The Glastonbury Festival is possibly the best managed event of its kind in the world, Mendip District Council has announced.

In a report reviewing this year’s event, the council has praised everyone involved with organising the world famous event which it says was “well planned, managed and implemented”. It has also praised organisers for implementing a host of improvements on last year’s event.

However, there remains concerns over noise control during the festival weekend, and among more than 30 recommendations from the council are

ways which organisers can reduce the effects of noise on neighbouring towns and villages.

They cover areas such as: health and safety, food hygiene, camping, water, village and offsite areas, public nuisance, noise control, smoke-free, crowds and licensing.

Cllr Tom Killen, Mendip District Council’s portfolio holder for public protection, said: “The successful and award-winning partnership working which helps organise this festival should be congratulated, and I hope this good work will continue to make even more improvements for next year.

More than £8,000 has been handed out to village halls across Mendip to improve community facilities.

The cash has been awarded to six villages halls by Mendip District Council through its small works grant scheme over the past year.

The following cash amounts have been awarded to projects:•£1,300 will be given to HolcombeVillage Hall to replace the stage, improve the floor and buy new curtains.•Stoke St Michael Village Hall willreceive £3,125 to create wheelchair access, extra storage space, extend the kitchen and replace out-of-date lighting.•Providing a fully accessible toilet andpurchasing six mobility assistance chairs while also replacing a window with double glazing at Litton Village Hall will benefit from £2,973.•Nunney Village Hall will receive £263 tobuild a secure alcohol storage area.•£150 has been given to KilmersdonVillage Hall to install some shutters to a

window in the ceiling•Godney Village Hall will spend its£1,000 on double glazing in the windows and doors.

In total Mendip District Council has granted £8,811 through its small works scheme.

Cllr Ron Forrest, the council’s portfolio holder for community, said: “These grants will be a welcome boost to the thousands of pounds which have already been raised for projects in village halls across Mendip.

“Our support for village halls, and the events that go on inside them, help us to meet our council’s priorities of improving quality of life and providing quality, local services.”

If you would like more information about the grants or you would like to apply please contact Mendip District Council on 01749 648999, email: [email protected], or visit www.mendip.gov.uk.

Thousands of pounds for community projects

Evercreech Parish Council and village hall were swept away to be the winners of a competition to promote cleanliness across Mendip organised by the district council.

Parish and town councils had the chance to win a Karcher sweeper, which the district council won when it was named the cleanest district in Britain, last year.

Entrants had to write, in no more than 500 words, how the sweeper would be used to help their local community.

Cllr Alistair Glanvile, district council’s portfolio holder for street and landscape services, said: “I am pleased that communities like Evercreech have enough pride in the area in which they live to work to keep it clean. They are an example to all our towns and villages.”

District and parish Cllr Rob Reed, said: “The sweeper will be a great help in maintaining the village hall, which is so well used by the local community as the focal point of the village.”

Clean sweep for Mendip village

Council representatives and Evercreech villagers with their prizeEvercreech villagers with their prize

“Possibly the best”

spotlight onCommunityCommunity

Fact: 49% want to read more community news

10 www.mendip.gov.uk

Mendip District Council: Here to helpTucked away in libraries and offices across Mendip is a team ready to help you with a wealth of information at their finger-tips.

The group of five officers make up Mendip District Council’s Council Information Point (CIP) team, and they are on hand to deal with a wide range of enquiries.

The team staff the district’s four CIPs, paid for by Mendip District and Somerset County Councils. There you can get a huge array of information from who is your local councillor and what you can do about noisy

neighbours to whether you qualify for a discount on your council tax or how you obtain a bus pass.

The council runs four CIPs in the district in Glastonbury, Street, Wells and Frome, and has its main council offices in Shepton Mallet.

It gives residents and visitors a convenient opportunity to pop into a local office and sort out any questions they might have, whether it is about the work of the district or county council.

In the first six months of this year the CIP team dealt with 18,791

Receptionist Kim Mirtle welcomes visitors to the council offices in Shepton Mallet, which is also the town’s council information point

Street

Right in the heart of Street, the village’s CIP is a convenient location for people to pop in and this is why the second highest number of enquiries, 4,320, were dealt with here during six months of this year.

Similar to other CIPs large numbers asked about financial services and housing, but Street also saw larger numbers of people asking about environmental health (158) and housing association issues (349). More than 100 people also popped in to ask about the planning service.

Address: The Place 2 (formerly Street Self Help Centre), Leigh Road, Street, BA16 0HA

Telephone: 01458 448822

Opening days: Monday to Friday.

Opening times: Between 9am and 1pm and between 2pm and 4.30pm

Please note: On the first Friday of each month the CIP will open half an hour later.

Topping up A-Z guides of council services is Fran Mascall in the Street CIP

From

e

Being Mendip’s largest town, Frome is not surprisingly the district’s busiest CIP. During the first six months of this year, the office there dealt with 7,902 enquiries. There is a wide range of subjects dealt with in Frome with financial services accounting for nearly half of the total. And nearly 1,500 enquiries were about housing and homelessness. More than 1,000 asked about county council services, and more than 500 wanted

information relating to housing associations.

Address: The Library, Justice Lane, Frome, BA11 1BE

Telephone: 01373 473701

Opening days: Monday to Friday



Mandy Denton (left) and Sue Newman finish a busy day at the Frome CIP


Wells

Mendip District Council: Here to helpenquiries spread across a range of council departments including council tax, housing, benefits, planning, street and landscapes services, council meetings, regeneration, community services and council policies.

But it doesn’t stop there, they also deal with a wider range of subjects away from council work including where the nearest toilets are or which is the best pub in town. In fact during the first six months of this year the CIP team dealt with nearly 1,000 non-council issues.

As well as being able to speak

direct to a member of staff, the CIPs also contain a wide range of information leaflets and booklets which you can take away.

Cllr John Parham, Mendip’s portfolio holder for customer services which includes CIPs, said: “Our CIPs aren’t just another council office, these are one-stop shops with a huge array of information at the finger tips of trained staff who are there to help. They provide an excellent, value-for-money service in the community, and allow the district council to reach out right across Mendip, away from its

main offices in Shepton Mallet.“It is important that everyone has

an opportunity to contact their local council if they have a question, and CIPs provide exactly this service. And it’s amazing what members of the public use the CIPs for, not just about their council business but a wide range of other questions –making these real community facilities which are valued by the public.”

Out of Mendip’s four CIPs, Wells tends to be the quietest, but in the first six months of this year staff there still handled 2,628 enquiries. Nearly all of these were dealt with by either the CIP staff or the customer services department at the council, while only a few hundred had to be referred to other departments at the council.

The latest figures show that a large number of people visited the city’s CIP to ask about county council services while more than 400 enquired about housing and homelessness. There was

also more than 1,000 asked about financial help such as council tax and benefits services.

Address: The Library, Union Street, Wells, BA5 2PU

Telephone: 01749 677535

Opening days: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.



Wells

Tucked away in the Wells CIP is officer Pam Lee

information relating to housing associations.

GlastonburyGlastonbury

Nearly 4,000 people made enquiries at Glastonbury’s CIP, with the majority of them asking about council tax and benefits. Of the 3,941 enquiries there was also a large number, 389, asking about services from the county council. Housing association issues was also a hot topic with 247 enquiries. But it’s not just council services that CIP staff deal with. In Glastonbury there were 263 enquiries about non council issues, these can range from where the nearest tourist

information centre is to where is there good to have a meal in town.

Address: 1 Orchard Court, The Archers Way, Glastonbury, BA6 9JB

Telephone: 01458 835147

Opening days: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays



Jan Clarke staffing the Glastonbury CIP

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Fact: 42% want more information panels


If you call the council, do you know how long it should take before you’re answered, and if you write to us, when should you expect a reply?

These are quite often questions that don’t get asked, and therefore many people won’t know the answers.

To help you as residents and visitors in Mendip understand what the council will do to improve its services, it has come up with a list of service standards.

These standards apply right across the council, but each department has its own set of standards reflecting its own work.

The standards are almost a set of rules and clearly give you a good understanding of how the council will react if you contact it.

As well as helping to meet the council’s priorities, they all encompass one simple message:

We will seek to provide an approachable, courteous and professional service centered on the needs of each customer. We will treat everyone fairly and respect the rights and concerns of individuals to ensure equality and equal access.

The standards are that the council will:•Listen to you and treat you with respect•Not discriminate or allow

discrimination against anyone •Provide timely accurate and

appropriate response to queries•Respond in clear and plain English•Answer telephones within 20 seconds•Respond to telephone calls within

one working day•Respond to letters and emails within

seven working days•Seek to resolve your query at the

first point of contact •Encourage you comments and

suggestions on how our services may be improved

•Welcome your feedback andinvestigate any complaint made about your services.

And to ensure that this isn’t just a tick box exercise the council is committed to ensuring these standards are followed, maintained and developed.

The council will annually publish the recorded complaints process, and also how well we are performing on the telephones and by letters using targets set out on a national level.

These figures will then form part of the council’s annual performance plan so that you can all see how well we are doing.

However, for all of this to be a success, we expect our customers to also follow some simple standards:•Treat staff courteously•Being punctual for any pre-arranged

appointments.•Informing us in advance if you

are unable to keep a pre-arranged appointment.

•Being patient when you are waitingto see a member of staff if you do not have an appointment

We don’t want the council standards and those of individual departments just to be available for you to read. We want them to meet your needs.

The overall council standards and individual department ones have been put on the council’s website at www.mendip.gov.uk.

The council would like you to visit the website, read through them and share your thoughts whether good or bad. You can email your comments to [email protected], marking it for the attention of Tracy Aarons. The consultation period closes on January 31, 2009.

Our prioritiesMendip District Council has four key priorities, which are reflected in all the work it does across the district. Simply put the priorities are the four Es:

•Enhancing Mendip as a place to live.•Encouraging and supporting

communities and individuals toimprove their quality of life.

•Enabling an environment whereindividuals and businesses canprosper.

•Ensuring value for money is providedin all services.

While these priorities are being met the council also has a set of values, which outline how the council will undertake its work. They are:

•To put customers’ needs first•To treat people fairly and allow

them to be heard•To work in partnership and

involve others•To encourage a culture

of achievement•To be open to change and

innovation while striving to improve•To be good custodians of the

environment.

What you can expect from us

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Customer services adviser Chris Taylor answering telephone calls in the council’s customer contact centre

Fact: 42% want useful, factual information from the council


Working in the music industry, studying for a degree, and an elected councillor is there nothing that the leader of Mendip’s Liberal Democrats, Claire Hudson cannot do?

Claire wears many different hats in both her political and private life. In her political life, Claire is leader of the Mendip Liberal Democrats, a Mendip District Councillor and a Frome Town Councillor. Throughout her political career Claire has held a variety of elected posts within local and regional Liberal Democrats.

Away from that Claire has just spent the last six years completing an Open University BA Hons in Literature.

Talking about her decision to study, Claire said: “I had originally decided to

do a degree because all the jobs I was interested in required a graduate.

“My Grandmother, who sadly passed away in January, paid for my studies, because she and my late Grandfather had been disappointed I did not attend university when I left school.

“Since I finished my course I have wondered how on earth I found the time to do it as my time seems filled up with other things!”

Many of us would think that was enough to keep anyone busy, but away from her political life Claire works fulltime as Head of Office for David Heath, MP for Somerton and Frome, after serving as his elections agent in the 2005 general election. Previously to this the now leader of the Mendip Lib Dem’s worked in Dublin and

London in the music industry London in the music industry for over 10 years.

Apart from being a councillor, Claire is also an active member of the Liberal Democrats. She has just been re-elected to serve a second year on the national management committee of the Association of Liberal Democrat councillors.

Married to fellow Frome district and town Liberal Democrat councillor, Damon Hooton, Claire and Damon live in Frome, with their black Labrador Mollie.

“Mendip is a wonderful district to live in and one of my favourite things to do, is to walk with Mollie through Victoria Park in Frome, with Mollie, it’s a great place to watch the seasons changing. “

Mendip District Council has committed to improving its housing service following a recent inspection of its strategic housing service by government inspectors.

The council is already reporting successful results in its housing department since inspectors, said the service offered was “poor” and had “uncertain prospects for the future”.

The findings have been revealed by the Audit Commission, an independent watchdog, which inspected the council’s strategic housing service earlier in the year. The inspection covered areas such as homelessness, existing housing and providing new affordable housing.

As part of the report, inspectors highlighted a number of ways that

the council can improve its housing service from improving customer care and its housing plans to making sure the service was value for money and improving the structure of the housing teams by linking them with other councils.

Council leader Cllr Harvey Siggs said: “I see adverse inspections as a wake up call, particularly if it is sending a wider message about how Mendip does things. Once it became clear there were criticisms emerging, I have required significant changes to be made, and we have already taken a number of significant steps to improve matters – and not just in housing. This is a time for all officers and councillors to pitch in and make sure that all the council’s services

are performing as well as we possibly can.

Despite the poor rating though, Mendip District Council is not alone in its struggle to provide a top rated housing service. The Audit Commission’s lead housing inspector Kieran Colgan recognised that “Mendip, like many smaller councils, is struggling to deliver the high quality service that local people deserve”.

Since the production of the housing report, the council has already reported significant improvements in reducing the number of empty homes in the district, and expects to exceed its affordable housing target in the spring, with more than 170 homes provided in Mendip.

Councillor profile

Committed to improving housing services

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In this edition of Your Mendip we are taking our third look into the life of a local Mendip councillor. Frome councillor and leader of Mendip District Council’s Liberal Democrats, Claire Hudson, talks about her life away from the political scene and her recent Open University studies.

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Party season pitfalls

Putting up decorationsFour useful steps to remember when getting festive and putting up decorations up are:

•If using ladders check that they are solid on the ground and havesomeone else there with you.

•Try to avoid trailing cables as these could cause tripping hazards.•If you’re using candles make sure they are not left unattended and are

on heat resistant surface. Never put them in reach of children or pets.•Do not leave fairy lights on when they are unattended. Bulbs must not touch

anything that can burn easily.•Do not overload sockets.For more advice on this visit the Health and Safety Executive and Fire Service at www.hse.gov.uk and www.fireservice.co.uk/safety

Christmas Turkey…To ensure you have a happy and healthy Christmas remember the following things:•Ensure your turkey is fully defrosted before cooking.•Wash your hands before and after handling raw meet and thoroughly clean

down any areas touched by the raw meet. Do not wash out your Turkey (or any other poultry) this is because food poisoning bacteria may splash onto worktops and other foods.

•You must ensure that your turkey is cooked properly throughout. The FoodStandards Agency website has a defrosting and cooking calculator www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/seasonsandcelebrations/winter saferchristmaseating

•It’s important to cool any leftovers quickly (ideally within one to two hours) andthen store them in the fridge to stop bacteria growing. Leftovers should ideally be used within two days, ensure that reheated food is piping hot throughout.

The Food Standards Agency website, www.food.gov.uk, contains further advice on serving up your Christmas turkey safely.

Noise nuisanceMendip District Council receives hundreds of complaints each year of noise caused by neighbours. There are no legal limits for domestic noise, but it is easy to forget how loud you are being when your party is underway and that those not invited have to listen to the noise. The main problems and complaints received are loud music, TVs or radios; barking dogs; shouting; banging doors and DIY activities. If you have neighbours you must expect to hear them from time to time, as it is impossible to expect complete silence.Many noise problems can be resolved informally by talking to your neighbors and explaining the difficulties they are causing. If this approach fails the council may be able to help.If you would like more advice or guidance on this, please contact Mendip District Council on 01749 648999 or www.mendip.gov.uk

Licensed taxisMendip District Council is also responsible for the licensing of taxis in the Mendip region. During the festive season many residents use taxis to get to and from those important parties.

Three useful tips to remember when using a taxi over the festive season or at anytime of the year:•Do not use an unlicensed taxi or

private hire vehicle, if you think the taxi is not licensed don’t risk it. You probably will not be insured and the driver will not have undergone any checks for their suitability.

•Try to pre-book where possible asyou should then actually have a vehicle waiting and you will know the fare. Taxis are scarcer at busy times – you may not get one if you do not book.

•Where you can not be picked up froma particular address, always try to meet a taxi in a well lit area, where you can be seen.

Taxis in Mendip are currently receiving new style license plates, these new signs will phase out the old blue and white Mendip signs that taxis displayed.If you wish to raise concerns about the taxi trade, please contact customer services on 01749 648999. Please provide as much detail as possible to help us look into the matter properly.

December and January is the party season, with Christmas and New Year being celebrated, but there are many pitfalls’ to this time of year. Mendip District Council’s environmental health team have pulled together some tips on enjoying the party season safely.

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Well doneCongratulations to Pamela Wood of Stratton-on-the-Fosse who won a meal and night at Ston Easton Park on the Mendips after winning a competiton in the summer edition of Your Mendip.

Pamela Wood, who correctly guessed that the Mendip Food and Drink Festival started in October, is pictured with her voucher from Polly Boyce, Ston Easton’s marketing manager.

This magazine has teamed up with Clarks Village, Wookey Hole Caves, East Somerset Railway, Merlin Theatre (Frome) and Glastonbury Abbey to offer you hundreds of pounds worth of tickets and vouchers so you and your family can enjoy some fun-filled trips out and about.

Wookey Hole CavesSantaland, Europe’s most welcoming grotto and Christmas attraction opens its gates to children and adults every day from December 13 to January 4.Join Santa, elves, fairies, baby reindeer, Christmas teddies, and enjoy a Christmas dinner. Also, enjoy the Christmas Circus Show, packed with laughter and fun, and returning this year is the Wookey Farm Nativity feature. To find out more visit www.wookey.co.uk or telephone 01749 672243.

East Somerset RailwayFull steam ahead for the East Somerset Railway in Cranmore. Families have the chance to enjoy a traditional steam train ride. There is also an opportunity to visit the engine sheds and take a wildlife walk. Also, visit the signalman’s box, enjoy the art gallery and gift shop. Also enjoy the Whistlestop Café while the children explore the playground.To find out more visit www.eastsomersetrailway.comor telephone 01749 880417.

Clarks VillageGet your skates on and enjoy our skating rink or why not visit Santa’s grotto where there are presents for everyone. The skating rink opens

daily until January 4. This is an environmentally friendly synthetic rink in the central eating area. Adults are £6.50, children £5.50 (up to 14) or buy a skate and grotto ticket for £9.Tickets also give you some discounts at the many stores at Clarks Village.To find out more visit www.clarksvillage.co.uk or telephone 01458 840064.

Glastonbury AbbeySet in the heart of Glastonbury, as well as the ruins and beautiful grounds, the abbey is also host to a wide range of fun-filled events.The 2009 calendar is already filling up with events ranging from photography, and medieval craft fairs to a teddy bears picnic and exhibitions.There are also living history displays in the Abbot’s Kitchen from March to October. There are also costumed characters to give tours and performances. To find out more visit www.glastonburyabbey.com or telephone 01458 832267.

Merlin TheatreCome and see the very best contemporary dance, a brilliant band, a beautiful film, a great play or join projects and perform on stage yourself.Last year it staged 93 performances plus 22 screenings and 291 workshops. The Merlin also supports professional artists including the 15 members of its creative team.This Christmas 137 people will be involved in staging the Wizard of Oz.To find out more visit www.merlintheatre.co.uk or telephone 01373 465949.

Competition rulesNo employees of Mendip District Council may enter. Prizes are as stated and no alternatives, cash or otherwise are available. All entries must be received by the date published. Mendip District Council accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury caused by any prizes won. Publicity may be given to any competition winners and/or entrants and their names and/or photographs may be used. The communications team at Mendip District Council has the right to cancel the whole or part of any competition at any stage without prior notification.

Well done

For your chance to win a family ticket to each attraction and £20 worth of Clarks Village vouchers, as well as a copy of the Somerset edition of Monopoly, courtesy of games company Parker, answer the following question:

How much money did Mendip District Council’s car parks generate last year? (you will find the answer somewhere in this magazine).

Please send your answers, with your name, address and telephone number to: Your Mendip Competition, Mendip District Council, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BT alternatively email: [email protected]. The closing date is Monday, February 9 2009.

Five Days Out in Mendip

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Your Mendip is giving three families the chance to enjoy what the district has to offer with its Five Days Out in Mendip competition.

Five Days Out in Mendipcompetitio

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competitions

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competition

Council Information Points The Library, 1 Orchard Court, Archers Way, GLASTONBURY, BA6 9JB Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm On the first Friday of each calendar month the information point will open half an hour later than above.

Crispin Community Centre, Leigh Road, STREET, BA16 0HA Open: Monday to Friday, 9am - 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm On the first Friday of each calendar month the information point will open half an hour later than above.

The Library, Union Street, WELLS, BA5 2PU Open: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10am - 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm On the first Friday of each calendar month the information point will open half an hour later than above.

The Library, Justice lane, FROME, BA11 1BE Open: Monday to Friday, 10am - 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm On the first Friday of each calendar month the information point will open half an hour later than above.

Mendip District Council Office is at Cannards Grave Road, SHEPTON MALLET, BA4 5BT Open: Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5pm

Useful numbers in an emergency Fire, Police, Ambulance 999 Environment and Weather Environment Agency 0870 850 6506 Floodline 0845 988 1188 MET office 0870 900 0100 Utilities Transco (gas emergency) 0800 111 999 Western Power Distribution 0800 365 900 Bristol Water (leaks) 0800 801 011 Wessex Water (leaks) 0800 692 0692 Others NHS Direct 0845 4647 Avon & Somerset Police 0845 456 7000 (non emergency) Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 Victim Support 0845 3030 900 CRUSE (bereavement) 0870 167 1677 Samaritans 0845 790 9090 Somerset County Council 0845 345 9166 Your parish/town/city council 01749 648 999

Council contact details Customer Services is open between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday Telephone: 01749 648999 Email: [email protected] www.mendip.gov.uk

Mendip District Council, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 5BT

Meeting DatesMembers of the public can attend any of the meetings below. At the chair’s discretion they can also participate. The maximum time for each speaker is three minutes. Contact customer services for more details. All meetings are at the council chamber in Shepton Mallet, unless stated otherwise, and dates, times and locations are subject to change.

DECEMBER 20082 East Mendip Community Partnership 6.30pm Key Centre, Frome4 Licensing Board 6.30pm8 Cabinet 6.30pm9 Mendip Strategic Partnership 2.30pm9 Central Mendip Community Partnership 6.30pm10 West Mendip Community Partnership 6.30pm Glastonbury Town Hall11 Licensing Sub Committees 10am 15 Full Council 6.30pm16 Licensing Sub Committees 10am17 Planning Board 6pm22 Scrutiny Board 6.30pm

JANUARY 20096 Licensing Sub Committees 10am7 Planning Board, Committee Room 6pm8 Licensing Board 6.30pm12 Cabinet 6.30pm13 Standards Committee, Committee Room 5.30pm15 Audit Committee 5pm19 Parish Forums 6pm20 Licensing Sub Committees 10am26 Scrutiny Board 6.30pm28 Planning Board 6pm

FEBRUARY 20093 Licensing Sub Committees 10am3 East Mendip Community Partnership 6.30pm Key Centre, Frome5 Licensing Board 6.30pm9 Cabinet 6.30pm10 Standards Committee, Committee Room 5.30pm11 West Mendip Community Partnership 6.30pm B3 Strode College, Street18 Planning Board 6pm19 Licensing Sub Committees 10am24 Central Mendip Community Partnership 6.30pm25 Full Council 6pm26 Audit Committee 5pm

MARCH 2009 2 Scrutiny Board 6.30pm3 Licensing Sub, Committee Room 10am5 Licensing Board 6.30pm9 Cabinet 6.30pm10 Standards Committee 5.30pm Committee Room11 Planning Board 6pm17 Licensing Sub Committees 10am23 Scrutiny Board 6.30pm31 Licensing Sub Committees 10am31 East Mendip Community Partnership 6.30pm Key Centre, Frome



Your Mendip reader survey results

More than 80 per cent of you think overall that this newspaper, Your Mendip, is either good or very good, according to the results of a survey.

The team behind Your Mendip, which is produced by the district council and distributed to every home in Mendip, would like to thank the hundreds of you

who completed the reader survey in the summer edition of Your Mendip.

Congratulations also go to Violetta Knut (pictured) from Lime Close, Frome, whose completed survey was plucked out from hundreds of others to win £100 worth of shopping vouchers, sponsored by the council’s partners Capita.

Ms Knut chose to spend her vouchers at New Look, following the opening of its new store in Shepton Mallet.

The results of the surveys will give us valuable information so we can improve Your Mendip and make it a magazine that you want to read even more.

We have already taken on board many of your comments in this edition, and

many more will come in future copies.Mendip District Council leader Cllr

Harvey Siggs said: “Your Mendip is an excellent way for the council to keep you as taxpayers informed about how we are spending your money, and how we are working to improve your local communities.

“I’m thrilled that the majority of you read and enjoy it, and that nearly 85 per cent of you believe it gives you a clear understanding of how the council is working to provide services in your local area. It is also great to see that over 90 per cent of you feel this magazine is a useful way of keeping you informed about what the council is doing.”

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Where do you normally get your copy of Your Mendip?At home 92% At work At work At work 2% At a leisure centre 1% At a doctor / dentist / hospital 1% At a council information point At a council information point At a council information point 1% At a tourist information centre 1% At a citizen’s advice bureau 0% At a local shop 2%Other Other Other 6%

How much of Your Mendip do you normally read?All of it All of it All of it 48% Most of it Most of it Most of it 38% Some of it Some of it Some of it 11% None of it None of it None of it 3%

Thinking about the way Your Mendip looks, what do you think of the design and appearance of the magazine?Very good 45% Good 46% Average 7% Poor Poor Poor 2% Very poor Very poor Very poor 0%

Do you think Your Mendip gives you a clear view about how Mendip District Council is working to provide services in the district?Yes 85% No 15%

Generally, is the way articles are written in Your Mendip:Too complicated 3% About right About right About right 91% Too simplistic 6%

In terms of detail, do the articles contain:Too much detail 2% The right amount of detail 90% Too little detail 8%

Your Mendip is 20 pages long. Do you think this is:Too many Too many Too many 8% Just right Just right Just right 78% Not enough 14%

What do you do with Your Mendip?Read it and keep it for a while 26% Read it and recycle it Read it and recycle it Read it and recycle it 75% Read it and cut out useful info 28% Give it to a friend or relative to read 7% Don’t read it and throw it away 3%

What type of articles would you like to see more of?News 54% Features 38% Individual people profiles 26% Competitions 30% Young people’s section 19% Pull-outs 7% Surveys 20% Photo stories 22% Factual/ info panels 42% Others (please state) 22%

Which subjects would you like to read more of?Sport and leisure 29% Community services 49% Community safety 34% Environmental health 45% Street scene 38% Planning 48% Regeneration 45% Housing 28% Committee Services 17% Customer Services 28% Finance 27% Consultation 23% Others (please state) 22%

How useful do you think Your Mendip is as a means of keeping residents informed about council services and community news?Very useful 46% Fairly useful 46% Not very useful 5% Not at all useful 3%

Thinking about all the elements of the magazine - design, writing, contents and usefulness of information - how do you rate Your Mendip overall?Very good 39% Good 48% Average 9% Poor Poor Poor 2% Very poor Very poor Very poor 2%

Here are some of the results from the reader survey:

Please note: some questions asked readers to tick all that apply

Victim Support Somerset Volunteers and staff of Victim Support Somerset and its sister organisation the Witness Service enjoyed a break from supporting victims of crime when they met at The Ring O’Bells, Ashcott

for a sunny afternoon of buffet, skittles and the chance to mix with like-minded volunteers.

Victim Support is a national charity, whose volunteers worktirelessly in their support of victims of all ages and all types of crime.

We are currently seeking to increase the number of volunteers available to offer support in the Mendip area,with a view to running a training course in the new year. For further information and an application form, please contact Victim Support Somerset on 01460 55535.


The Place 2The Place 2 (formerly the Street Self Help Centre) is based in the heart of Street at the Crispin Community Centre and is a lively hub offering healthy and social activities for anyone in Mendip. From Tai Chi, flexercise, and health walks to books, gardening,art and sewing groups. Our daily coffee mornings and twice weekly lunch are also popular.

The recently refurbished computer centre offers a range of courses for all. These include computing for beginners, word processing and spreadsheet, internet, digital cameras and your family history. Room hire and hire of the computer centre is available to both voluntary and business sector with all profits to the Place 2 charity.More information is available on 01458 447248, [email protected] or visit www.theplace2.org.uk.

Mendip Community Support Mendip Community Support (MCS) is a local charity, which works with voluntary and community groups throughout Mendip. Last year it helped local groups raise more than £111,000 in grants and awards. One of these groups was PACE (Personal Achievements and Creative Experiences), a group for adults with disabilities based in Frome, which applied for a Frome Town Council grant to produce a leaflet of accessible town walks for people with mobility problems. Other groups helped by MCS include Clarrie Dunbar Disabled

Bowlers, which was recently successful in a bid for funds for new equipment. Mendip Community Support can also help people set up new groups, advise groups on any policies that they need and provide opportunities for training and networking. If you want to find out more about the work of Mendip Community Support please contact 01749 346830 or email [email protected]

Mendip YMCAYoung people from Mendip YMCA were given the opportunity to experience a weekend of activities at Morfa Bay in Carmarthenshire. Eight young people, YMCA staff and two local Police Community Support Officers

(PCSOs) took part in a range of challenging activities.

Reflecting back on the weekend, the young people said

that it was an opportunity for them to overcome fears,

build friendships and try new things.

Mendip YMCA provides a range of support for young people

who are homeless or threatened with homelessness,

family mediation, resettlement support, emergency

accommodation, work with landlords, schools work and

supported accommodation. They also provide information,

advice and support through Routes in Frome and Strode

College Advice Desk in Street.

To find out how you can offer support to Mendip YMCA

or find out more please contact 01749 679553 or view

the website www.mendipymca.org.uk.

opportunities for training and networking. If you want to find out more about the work of Mendip Community Support please contact 01749 346830 or email [email protected]

Somerset Area Cruse Bereavement Care

Somerset Area Cruse Bereavement Care held its Annual

Business Meeting and recognised the long service of

its volunteers with a certificate presentation, with eight

volunteers having given more than 20 years service.

Somerset Area Cruse would like to thank all its volunteers

for the valuable work they do, giving an amazing 7125

hours of their time over the last year.

If you are interested in volunteering for this charity

either in a 1-1 support role, fundraising, or as part of our

management committee contact us on 01458 840898 or

email [email protected] for further information.

If you require bereavement support our referral line number

for the Mendip area is 01749 347625 and the Somerset

Young Cruse referral line number is 01458 840898. Cruse

also operates a national helpline for adults 0844 477 9400

and a Young People’s helpline freephone 0808 808 1677.

and sewing groups. Our daily coffee mornings and twice weekly lunch are also popular.The recently refurbished computer centre offers a range of courses for all. These include computing for beginners, word processing

Mendip YMCA

staff and two local Police Community Support Officers

for a sunny afternoon of buffet, skittles and the chance to mix with like-minded volunteers.

Victim Support is a national charity, whose volunteers worktirelessly in their support of victims of all ages and all types of crime.

We are currently seeking to increase the number of volunteers available to offer support in the Mendip area,with a view to running a training course in the new year. For further information and an application form, please contact Victim Support Somerset on 01460 55535.

Your volunteers


Victim Support Somerset

There isn’t a lot you can get for a pound nowadays, but youngsters in Mendip were offered a range of sporting activities for just £1. Sports for a pound were organised across Mendip as part of a 10 week healthy lifestyles project.

Youngsters aged between six and 16 were invited to take part in a range of sports as part of Mendip District Council’s street sports scheme which started back in September 2008.

The sports sessions took place weekly on Mondays in Coleford, Wednesdays in Walton and Fridays in Chilcompton, with each session costing just £1 to those who attended.

The scheme, which was led by qualified coaches from county-wide Somerset Active Sports Programme (SASP), was aimed at encouraging sport enthusiasts to use the wide range of sports facilities across

Mendip during the week. Although these facilities and areas

are often used by a variety of ages at weekends, the council is really keen to see them used every day.

Cllr Ron Forrest, Mendip District Council’s portfolio holder for community, said: “People of all ages should have access to and be encouraged to take part in a variety of sports. It’s even more important that young people have projects targeted for them and have facilities available to ensure they lead healthy lifestyles from a young age.

“Mendip District Council is keen to encourage more people in Mendip to lead more active lives, and we will continue to coordinate schemes like this across the district so that everyone has an opportunity to take up activities that they may not normally have access to.”

A series of walks taking place in Mendip and are ideal for those who want to improve their general health and well being.

Mendip District Council is continuing to run a range of health walks across the district throughout the winter months. From gentle town strolls to a pram pushers walk taking place in Shepton Mallet, there is something to suit people of all ages.

Tracey Kenyon, Mendip District Council’s active lifestyle officer, said: “Walking provides a fantastic opportunity to achieve the recommended number of activity hours, which is 30 minutes of

moderate physical exercise at least three times a week. As a council, we want to encourage everyone to increase their participation in recreational activity and we will continue to provide opportunities, such as the health walks, to boost their healthy lifestyles.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the health walks or becoming a volunteer lead walker, can contact Tracey Kenyon at Mendip District Council on 01749 648999 or visit www.mendip.gov.uk where the details of all upcoming walks are listed.

Sport is quids in

Fact: 29% want to read more about sport

Earlier in the year Mendip District Council announced, thanks to support from Sport England, funds were available to set up new exercise activities in the district.

A number of new activities have now been set up in the district, but there are still funds available. There are still opportunities for even more groups to get involved. The money is available to new groups to help with funding for hall hire and instructors to get them up and running.

Active Somerset is a scheme being funded by Sport England and both Somerset County Council and the Somerset Primary Care Trust have joined forces with Mendip District Council to get the county into better shape.

Mendip District Council’s active lifestyle officer, Tracey Kenyon said: “We are looking to help everyone in the district but we would be particularly pleased to set up exercise classes for residents over 50 years old. There are less sport and recreation opportunities for this age range and we would be happy to hear from anyone who is keen to make a difference.

“Active Somerset can empower you to get your community more healthy and active.”

Anyone interested in applying for the funding to set a new exercise, sports or dance class in Mendip, should contact Tracey Kenyon on 01749 648999.

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With the success of the Great Britain team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics still fresh in people’s minds, and the excitement of the 2012 games being held in London, groups in Mendip are being encouraged to organise their own hassle-free sports.

Mendip District Council is offering parish councils, community clubs and village hall groups the opportunity to hire a range of sports and play equipment.

The scheme is part of the council’s Resource Centre, which caters for a range of activities from short mat bowls and circus to football and table tennis.

The aim of the centre is to encourage community groups to organise their own sports and play activities without the hassle of finding equipment.

A full list of what is on offer can be found at the council’s website, www.mendip.gov.uk, but among those

that are catered for are: range of play equipment, trampolining, hockey, circus equipment, archery, badminton, basketball, fencing, football, golf, kurling, cricket, table tennis, ten pin bowling, rounders, pop lacrosse, rugby, snooker, tennis, athletics, and many others.

Cllr Ron Forrest, Mendip’s portfolio holder for community, which includes sport, said: “Mendip is very lucky to have a Resource Centre where local residents can hire sports and activity equipment. It is just another way that the district council is encouraging local people to keep fit.

“While the Olympics dominated the news agenda and sports enthusiasts were watching Beijing over the summer months, now is an ideal opportunity for local groups to organise their own sports events, and encourage everyone to lead healthier lifestyles.”

The centre is now being managed by Somerset sports coach, Alex Stephens, who has a degree in sports

development and fitness. When he is not promoting

Mendip’s Resource Centre, he is working in schools across the county as part of the Somerset Activity Sports Partnership (SASP) where he gives lessons and classes in a range of sports.

Cllr Forrest said: “The fact that we now have a sports instructor managing the centre means that we can really push the benefits of activities, and promote a wide range of equipment which is available to groups right across the district.”

As well as hiring equipment, Mendip District Council can also arrange for delivery and collection to groups across Mendip. The council may also be able to offer discounts to new groups setting up in the district.

In addition the council can also supply information on courses for sports coaches, and guidance on how best to run and manage a sports club.

To find out more about the Resource Centre, or what is on offer to hire please download a brochure from www.mendip.gov.uk or contact Alex Stephens on 01749 648999, or email [email protected], clearly marking it for Alex Stephens.

Published by: Mendip District Council, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5BT. Telephone 01749 648999Email: [email protected] www.mendip.gov.uk

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Your Mendip Winter 2008