VICTORY (19/12/20): Easthill Frome PAUSED: Mendip Lib Dems In Another Dodgy and Rushed Deal

Easthill, Frome

VICTORY UPDATE (19/12/20): The Liberal Democrats have been forced into a humiliating u-turn and have stopped the sale of Easthill - for now.

This is due to the pressure from Somerset Independents advising the local campaigners.

It is the second victory for Somerset residents that we are advising.

But it is only a temporary reprieve.

Denise Wyatt says:

"It is another example of the farcical Liberal Democrat Administration of Mendip District Council. They should never have agreed the sale in the first place. They were hoping to sneak it through, but we worked with local residents to stop it. We will be watching them very closely."

---

The Liberal Democrat-run Mendip District Council recently made a decision behind-closed-doors, to sell land at Easthill in Frome. Local residents are shocked and surprised by this decision, yet at the Full Council Meeting on 9th November, Lib Dem Council Leader Ros Wyke claimed that the decision was "open"!  

 

Mendip Lib Dems
Mis-using YOUR Money

This is despite local residents speaking at the meeting to prove that the decision was far from open, and making clear their anger and distress at the development.

Local resident Ba Pardhy spoke at the meeting. She told Somerset Independents:

"Mendip District Council wants to build on Easthill Field between the Cemetery and Easthill/Styles Park boundaries.

What does the Council think it is doing?

This is the Council that, in 2019, declared a 'Climate and Ecological Emergency'.  Now the Council is going to build on a habitat with bats, dormice, slow worms, owls, birds, amphibians, endangered species and numerous beneficial insects.

What the Council says and what the Council do are two different things.

Mendip Council is not listening and this development must be stopped."

Leader of Somerset Independents Andrew Pope spoke in support of the local residents, pointing out that the decision was not open or transparent and that Mendip District Council does not uphold the Nolan Principles of openness or transparency. His speech is here.

Denise Wyatt, Somerset Independents County Council Candidate for Frome, says:

Denise Wyatt

 

"What took Mendip District Council so long? They've had two years! Why the secrecy? Residents contacted Somerset Independents for our help. This rushed and hidden scheme should have been proposed a year ago, and residents properly listened to, with their concerns acted upon.

Instead, it's being rushed through by Lib Dem councillors amid false claims of building "council housing". It isn't. These won't be council-owned. Mendip Council is selling land for social housing that it should not be selling, behind-closed-doors and in a rushed way.

Somerset Independents has triggered an investigation by the Council's External Auditors, Ernst and Young. The Auditors are asking more questions about the Council's openness and transparency in property investment. Money from the sale of this land might be used for commercial property investment, a highly controversial and risky Mendip Council policy that needs to be stopped. Millions are at risk.

Cabinet members that made the decision to sell behind-closed-doors at Cabinet, also sit on the Planning Board. How can anybody believe that they won't approve this, when they have already approved the sale of the land, and the funding from Government runs out very soon!

Somerset Independents stands with local residents and local wildlife to protect them from this dreadful dodgy deal."

Standing Up For Residents