The main issue raised on the doorstep has been traffic congestion and road safety. As well as jams at ASDA, there have been concerns about speeding (and about “inappropriate” traffic calming). Your local Liberal Democrat team has been working to try to improve the situation. You may be aware that after a long campaign we secured a mix of government and developer funding to increase the capacity at junctions in this part of town. The County Council has started the land purchases and we expect the change to take about 2 years to deliver. A key problem is ASDA’s entrance, so Cllr Seib initiated discussions between SSDC, SCC, ASDA and Palmers to see if access off the Palmer’s roundabout can be achieved. Talks are still on-going … a key issue is that ASDA is already trading at the maximum for its store area and would not see more profit from entry improvements.
We are very pleased that we’ve been able to deliver a much needed play facility, between King Arthur Drive and Merlin Close. This is part of the Larkhill Open Space project that included new paths to the shops and opening up derelict land. The new play area provides challenging play for a range of ages and abilities. With FA and other funding, we were also able to secure new drainage and a new grass surface for the kick-about pitch, which is now heavily used. Not bad for the top of a landfill tip!
In other news, you may be aware that the County Council has run out of primary school places (despite our warnings)! Whilst the school at Lufton Key Site will open early in 2016 there is no news yet on the Brimsmore Key Site Primary school, nor on the community facilities (shops, a Doctor’s, a community hall and leisure facilities). A lot depends on the economy but we’re working on that!
Comfortably the most significant concern that your local councillors have been dealing with since 2010 has been the campaign by the newly-arrived Conservative PPC to push the future growth of Yeovil away from East Coker, and particularly to the north-west! Fortunately, due to a considerable and well-co-ordinated effort made by the local communities, this option is no longer being considered and it is hoped that the Local Plan will be adopted early next year.
Finally, we know times have been hard. The Liberal Democrat-led SSDC has frozen council tax levels since 2011 (despite inflation and “austerity” cuts in central funding). We’ve been able to maintain local services by improving efficiency, by careful financial management and by making better use of estate such as the Brympton Way Offices (County Council now pay us rent for part). We have carefully reduced staff numbers (through voluntary redundancy) and we’ve made good use of technology to create savings opportunities, such as introducing home working and flexible shifts.
As you will probably have guessed, Cllr. John Richardson has decided to retire (to enjoy his narrow boat) and Emma Dunn will be standing alongside Cllr. Peter Seib for the two SSDC Brympton seats in May 2015.
I hope you will be able to support your local Liberal Democrats based upon our record of delivery in this part of town. We believe in working hard to make this a nice place to live, for all who live here.
You can contact your local councillors directly on the numbers overleaf or at www.brympton.info.