ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS NEWS!!!!!!
Plans to sell-off Taunton’s High Street car park have been reversed.
To say I’m thrilled for the people and businesses of Taunton that this vital facility is not going to be closed by Somerset Council, is a massive understatement.
Having pushed for this unlikely result since September, it is a huge relief to receive this terrific news for our County Town.
Due to their grim financial situation, I realise the council needs to sell assets, however, based on the figures provided to me in September, selling this Car Park would have undoubtedly damaged our county town’s economy, whilst making no financial sense whatsoever for Somerset Council.
Back in November, it was becoming increasingly clear that Somerset Council were not going to budge, so I went along to a Taunton Town Council meeting to ask them for their support. Following their own agenda item on the subject, it was pleasing to see that they were going to write to Somerset Council asking for this Car Park to be retained. I attended again in January to find they had not yet received a reply to their letter. They agreed to write again, this time receiving a reply, basically saying little more and certainly not giving much hope of a change of heart.
At last week’s (3rd February) Somerset Council Executive meeting, I was pleased to see the Town Council’s deputy clerk Marcus Prowse speaking in support of retaining the Car Park and expressing his disappointment in the content of the letter.
Tomorrow, Wednesday 12th February, I was registered to speak at the Somerset Council Full Council meeting, to plead once more for this decision to be overturned. This evening was to be spent finalising my speech.
Now, I shall have a nice relaxing evening, celebrating the fact that changes can be achieved, even though the task may seem impossible.
Throughout this campaign to retain our High Street Car Park, the amount of support from the public and local businesses has been overwhelming, this decision will mean so much to so many.
I would like to thank Somerset Council for ‘seeing the light’ and finding a way to change their decision.
Cllr John Hunt
The Lawns Taunton Creative Innovation Centre CIC Riviera LeRoc Taunton United Reformed Church Mary Street Unitarian Chapel Arditti Carpets Mr Miles Tea Shop, Taunton Taunton Bowling Club Vivary Golf & Adventure Centre Cullen’s Catering, Taunton
