Questions asked over tree planting decision
Questions asked about why the Town Council is not allowed to plant while Mendip Distric Council is.
On Friday 30th November Mayor of Frome, Cllr Pippa Goldfinger, attended a ceremonial Jubilee oak planting in the Cattle Market car park. The tree was donated to the town by Cllr Ron Forrest, Chair of Mendip District Council who had paid for the tree out of his expenses.
A friendly group of protesters (including 3 gnomes!) attended the event applauding Cllr Forrest's tree planting scheme while pointing out the fact that Mendip District Council had refused permission for the Town Council to plant any trees in the car park 'for future planning reasons'.
Cllr Goldfinger explained the situation to Cllr Forrest who was sympathetic to the idea though he could not overturn a District Council decision. Cllr Forrest did however agree to pass on a message from the Mayor inviting the 4 District Councillors who made the decision to reconsider and to come to a Town Council meeting to explain their decision.
Cllr Goldfinger said, "If District Councillors are making these decisions about Frome then I think it is fair that they attend a Town Council meeting to explain what appears to me to be a rather inconsistent approach - why is it OK for the District Council to plant a tree in the car park but not the Town Council."
