I READ last week’s letter from Chris Mann praising the One Somerset Unitary Council business case.

Also, the Taunton Charter Trustees meet next week to consider the consequences for our unparished area, whereby the unitary council system will demand we set up a town council, or a series of parish councils.

LETTER: 'One Somerset plan has the advantage' 

A recent precident for this is in the Dorset unitary re-organisation, where Weymouth - circa 49,000 population - became a new town council served by 29 unpaid town councillors.

They have had to take on local services so the unitary council can make savings.

I attended a 2018 meeting in Dorchester where the shadow Weymouth town leader tried to retain some of the £3 million car park revenue for his council to offset against the maintenance of green spaces, toilets and the beach.

This could not be done, as the original terms of reference meant all assets generating more than £100,000 in income per year were claimed by the big council.

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In Taunton we need to produce a good business case for a strong County Town Council, so exceptions to normal unitary practice can be demanded.

No-one can promote Taunton to visitors and holiday makers better than a town council, one whose efforts concentrate action on helping those within town boundaries.

The plan should include recapturing our historic Taunton Market Charter, giving control over town centre markets, street traders and promotional events.

We need the Market House returned as a town council base, Castle Green and our currently unloved bus station.

Vital parking space to bring all bus and coach services into the heart of our town, and that allow drivers their statutory rest breaks.

It could be administered by friendly town “Greencoats ” rather than those more sinisterly attired parking wardens.

In Wells, for a small fee, the Town Mayor will greet your coach.

Following Greta’s advice, flying off aboard should decrease, and Taunton needs to be ready to capture more national bus and coach leisure trips to its historic town centre, to support its hospitality sector.

ROGER HOUSE
Taunton