A CALL has gone out for the formation of a town council to represent thousands of people in Taunton currently deprived of the same democratic representation as the rest of Somerset.

As things stand, the county town is the only 'unparished' settlement in Somerset and there are concerns that people living in a large area of the town do not have a say in the decision making process of major issues.

Former Taunton Deane Mayor Cllr Libby Lisgo, a member of Taunton Deane Borough Council, which will merge with West Somerset Council next April, has set up A Town Council for Taunton Action Group, with the catchphrase 'Every town needs a heart'.

Ms Lisgo is concerned about the current state and future development of Taunton, which has "somehow lost its way", with a declining high street and sites like Firepool remaining "abandoned".

She said: "It strikes me as particularly odd that every other town in Somerset has its own town council looking after its interests - Wellington, Watchet, Wiveliscombe, Minehead, in fact, across the whole county, Taunton is the only town without a town council.

"We have no single body with the remit to look after the interests of our town, its people and businesses and this situation is likely to become even worse if the proposed merger of Taunton Deane and West Somerset councils goes ahead."

Ms Lisgo added: "In recent years, many people have told me they think they have lost faith in councillors.

"I strongly believe that a town council is the missing link that connects a council with its people and can make the changes we need."

She said a town council would enable the community to have more control over local issues, act as a voice for local people, support local groups and seek grants to top up money raised through a local precept.

It could work with other bodies to provide, maintain or contribute to allotments, leisure facilities, youth projects, parks, crime reduction, public toilets, street cleaning and lighting or the environment.

A Deane House spokeswoman said a town council could not be set up before the two councils merge and would require a community governance review, which a report recommends should be commenced at the earliest opportunity.

She added: "A community governance review is a process which seeks the views of all interested parties and looks at all potential governance arrangements for a specified geographical area.

"In essence this means that a great deal of work would have to be done to make sure that any proposal for a town council – or changes that affect the current unparished area of Taunton Deane – has the clear support of the community.

"There would need to be formal consultations with affected communities. The timetable would be dependent on the Local Government Boundary Commission for England."

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