Chair’s Reflections: Council meeting 10 June 2026 

It was a pleasure to act as guest chair for the council meeting on 10 June, particularly as it was ‘on tour’ at The Key Centre, and we heard about its successful first year under FTC stewardship from the team. It’s the first time FTC has met away from the town hall since we moved back in in 2017. Thanks to the team’s hard work, this much-loved building, requested and fought for in the 90s by local residents, has been restored as a vibrant community hub, with a busy calendar of groups and activities. As one person who has known it for years said ‘the Key Centre is breathing again’. 

First on the agenda, a discussion about supporting a new young people’s health and wellbeing apprenticeship, working in partnership with Frome Medical Practice, jointly hosting and working with the successful candidate. The apprenticeship will provide a local young person with an opportunity to gain skills and experience, helping to shape projects that support the health and wellbeing of young people in our town. The role will focus on areas including social prescribing, community connections and developing opportunities for young people to access support and information. Councillors voted unanimously to proceed and the apprenticeship will begin in September for one year. 

Next we heard from Cllr Anne Hills and members of the Communities Team about the first year of running The Key Centre. We heard examples of residents finding new confidence, making friendships, accessing services more easily and getting involved as volunteers, with two since recruited to paid positions at the centre. I was particularly struck by the dedication of the staff, volunteers and partners who have helped make this happen. Their work demonstrates what can be achieved people are given the tools and support to shape their own community – and how much the Key Centre was wanted and needed by the people in the area. 

Next up was a proposal from Frome Welcomes Refugees, supported by Cllr Lyndsey Mayhew, to apply for ‘Council of Sanctuary’ status. Lyndsey said: 

“We’ve got a long history of welcoming displaced people in Frome. The Multicultural Frome event celebrates diversity in the town, which hundreds of people attend each year. Our Welcome Hub coordinator Iryna came to the Community and Place meeting last month to update us about the great work that’s happening there supporting refugees and those seeking asylum. We’re well supported in that work by Frome Welcomes Refugees, who will also cover the £150 cost of attaining Council of Sanctuary status. Pursuing this award recognises and promotes the work that we’re already doing, that’s already happening in Frome. Joining the local authority network would give access to new ideas and benchmarks, new funding avenues and adds our voice to the national debate.” 

Councillors voted unanimously to proceed, and FTC will now apply to join approximately 100 other councils in the Council of Sanctuary scheme. Thanks to Taunton Town Council for sharing their experiences with us. 

Town Centre Coordinator Katie spoke next and I have to say she was talking rubbish…specifically management of commercial waste in the town centre and the selection of Grist Environmental as FTC’s recommended provider for waste. Choosing a preferred contractor is part of a drive to improve the service to local businesses and align with FTC’s values and Grist, as a zero-landfill company, a local employer, big enough to cope with an increase in clients, but small enough to know them by name, fitted the bill. We hope many local businesses will choose to sign up with them. 

Last but not least, councillors formally ratified the decision to lease the facilities and ground at Badgers Hill to current tenants Frome Town AFC. There are still a few hoops to jump through; watch this space for news.