An Early Christmas Present for Mendip District Council ?
MDC Cabinet will consider a proposal next Monday 7th November 2011 to increase parking charges in Frome by 7.5% from 12 December 2011. The increase for the Market Yard is 10p for the first 3 hours then 20p. There has been no consultation with the Chamber of Commerce about this. Details are available at http://tinyurl.com/3jck8mb Item 10.
On behalf of Frome & District Chamber of Commerce I have written to the Cabinet saying we cannot support the proposed increase and any increase should at least be delayed until the New Year or it will deter people shopping for Christmas. I have also objected that Frome is poorly served with free spaces compared to the towns with which we compete.
I do welcome the proposal for free afternoon parking from 2pm from 12th December, but that should start at an earlier date, even if only for Saturdays.
If you have views about this make sure you make them known to your MDC Councillor and to the Cabinet members.
Neil Howlett
President, Frome & District Chamber of Commerce

That's pretty astonishing! Did anyone in Frome know about it I wonder? There is no-one in the 'Cabinet' of MDC from Frome - see member here http://tinyurl.com/5w3ks52

Well, we must stop this! Anyone who wants to speak at the Cabinet meeting (Monday 7th Nov, 6.30, Shepton Mallet) needs to call the Committee Officer on 01749 648999) in advance.

As we think any car park price hike could damage town centre trade in the run up to Christmas and next year, much more than any financial benefit to the Council, we (Mendip Lib Dem councillors) are asking the Conservatives in the Cabinet to not even consider increasing car park charges at this sensitive time.

The Council should instead be consulting on ways to manage its car parks to boost town centre trade and help shoppers, rather than potentially damage it by simply looking to increase the Council's income.

I am also now asking the Council and others to work together on a scheme across town that allows people to reclaim their car park charges when using a range of shops, cafes and services - a 'Shop in Frome' scheme if you like. M&S do it, and the old Somersfield did, so why not a town wide initiative? Something good could come from all this after all, perhaps...

See also http://tinyurl.com/5v2qsjg
and http://tinyurl.com/64v5fq8
and http://tinyurl.com/3mptpka

Adam Boyden,
Lib Dem Mendip District Councillor for Frome College ward