THE twice-weekly markets in Wells as well as public toilets and litter bins emerged as some of the services that matter most to people at the public meeting in the Town Hall on September 26.
Dozens of residents attended the meeting to express their views and listen to what others had to say about the devolution of services from Somerset Council to Wells City Council.
When the Mayor of Wells, Councillor Jasmine Browne, who was chairing the meeting, went through a list of services and asked by a show of hands which services people would be willing to pay more for, markets had the most support.
This mirrors the outcome of a consultation that the city council conducted through the pages of Wells Voice and online. But in both forms of consultation, residents have made clear that they understand the importance of maintaining the services being devolved to Wells City Council, and are keen for them all to continue if possible.
Of the markets, the city council’s Devolution Officer, Haylee Wilkins, said they could provide a revenue stream for the council: “We need to understand if there is a cost or an income opportunity.”
At the start of the meeting, Cllr Browne said that the devolution of services is a significant project, and that the city council felt it was important to understand the views of residents before making decisions.
In response to a question about the timescale, Ms Wilkins said that the ultimate date for the transfer of services is May 31, 2025, however some services may move to Well City Council earlier.
One member of the audience said that the play parks in Wells are in a sad state of repair, and that there is nothing that children with disabilities can access in Wells. Ms Wilkins said that the council is keen to develop a play strategy that takes account of all the needs of children, the sites that it has and the future needs of the city.
Town Clerk Steve Luck pointed out that the city council already has responsibility for the Recreation Ground, and needs to know if it is the will of residents to take on other play areas in Wells.
One resident asked whether there will be a referendum to give people the opportunity to decide if they are willing to pay more in their council tax to take on the services. Mr Luck said the timescale would not permit that, but there would be transparency from the city council.
Christopher Charles asked whether the council is considering having a revenue officer: “It seems you’re relying on the precept rather than other revenue opportunities. There are revenue opportunities and unless you have someone looking at that you may be missing some of those.”
Ms Wilkins said that revenue opportunities was at the forefront of the council’s thinking, and Mr Luck said that they were pushing hard to get the market back because that was a good revenue opportunity.
He said that he thought the city council could improve the standard of the various services, and added: “It’s daunting but also an exciting opportunity. If we have control of it we will be responsible for it, and we should be able to react quicker.”
A point was made about the “atrocious” state of Market Place, and the costs that would come with inheriting it in that state. Mr Luck explained that the cobbles, pavements and kerbs would remain the responsibility of Somerset Highways, while the raised area would become the city council’s responsibility – which would mean that the city council can control the staging of events there. The only other thing it might take on is the Conduit, he said, which is not working at the moment. “We have already taken on emergency repairs of pavements and I think there have been fewer trips,” he said.
More than one person said that they and probably most people would want to see all the services taken on, but without knowing the costs involved it was difficult to make a decision. Ms Wilkins said that the city council is still waiting for figures from Somerset Council, and that more information will be passed on when it is available and where the timeline allows.
Another resident suggested that there are several areas where revenue can be raised, wondering whether there is a possibility for sponsorship of playgrounds, or company branding on dog bins and market marquees. He said that the police should pay for CCTV: “They make use of it, we don’t even have access to it.”
“There are opportunities that exist there,” said Ms Wilkins.
Cllr Browne said: “This is not something we are taking lightly. Nobody wants to pay more. We are working hard to get value for money.”
Councillor Theo Butt Philip said that it will be much more useful when the figures are available, but that it is not as straightforward as taking figures from Somerset and applying them to Wells.
You can’t compare like for like, he said: “The method of delivering the service will be different and the standard will be different. Wells is better at it and more responsive.” He said that people may end up paying more but getting better value.
Chris Winter of Wells Civic Society said: “If we want those things we have to pay for them. If we want good services we either have to pay for them or, like the litter picking, do it ourselves.”
Concluding the meeting, Cllr Browne said: “I hope you feel you have been able to ask your question, and have felt that you have been listened to.”
The audience responded with a round of applause.