I USED to be a member of the Conservative Group and the Executive on TDBC, but I resigned and now sit as an Independent because I could not support the merger with West Somerset.

I have always been on good terms with Cllr John Williams, but I find I can no longer support his leadership. Why? Because the Tory Group have sold Taunton down the river Tone! 

Not only have they taken us into this merger of unequals, but they have allowed West Somerset councillors to dominate with chairmanship of the aptly-named Shadow Council and even in the very choice of name!


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West Somerset councillors wanted to call it Somerset West and a fight had to be put up to even get Taunton tacked on the end as an afterthought.

What is wrong with calling it Taunton Deane and West Somerset Council? It does what it says on the tin! When challenged over this several Tories have said that they weren't happy about it but voted for it nonetheless.

Thanks to them, Taunton will lose its borough status, its mayor and will not even have a town council, unlike Wellington, Williton, Wiveliscombe and Minehead

All this from a group who were told by their own consultants to "think like a city"!

This action was taken without a mandate from the electors of Taunton Deane.

The vote in council was won by a very narrow majority with some honourable Tories abstaining and no support from other councillors.
We need a change of leadership now, while TDBC still exists and before our so-called partners can take over running this borough completely.

CLLR JEAN ADKINS
Member for Norton Fitzwarren