I AM currently working with both district and county council officers to provide a warm space in Chard across the winter months, I have put a motion to Chard Town Council to make an area of the Guildhall available for those that need somewhere warm and a place to get help and advice across the winter.

I am hoping to have more information in the coming weeks about this project and will keep everyone informed I have been engaged with Somerset County Council to implement a plan for advisory 20 miles per hour speed limits outside all our schools in Chard.

The aim of this programme is to have lower traffic speeds outside of our schools to promote safer school travel for children.

A "Children" warning sign, together with a "20 When Lights Show” sign and Twin Amber Flashing Lights are soon to be installed by our contractors on the highway at the approach to Manor Court school.

They have already been installed on the approach to Redstart School & Avishayes School. This has been one of my personal goals and something that both staff and students at Manor Court school have campaigned for.

I was hoping that these would be installed prior to children returning to school but unfortunately things have been delayed, I am pushing for them to be installed as a matter of urgency.

Once instilled I will be looking forward to meeting with some of the children who obtained signatures on a recent petition so that we can celebrate this achievement.

Chard’s GP surgeries are now running Covid vaccination clinics in the Guildhall again, this will enable residents to be able to receive booster jabs locally in Chard rather than having to travel out of town, I am pleased to be able to volunteer at the vaccination hub again and look forward to working with the fantastic team we have here in Chard, please contact you GP for further information.

A consultation is now underway to help developing the Local Community Network model.

This consultation asks for your involvement in guiding the decisions on the following key aspects; what roles and responsibilities the Local Community Networks can have in the first and subsequent years of Somerset Council.

Options for the Local Community Network boundaries, and whether ‘Local Community Network’ is the right name.

They will enable the council, partners, and communities to work together to address local issues and priorities, support health and wellbeing activities, and improve outcomes for residents.

I would urge everyone to have their say as I believe that decisions that affect us locally should be made locally, you can find the link to the consultation by following https://somerset.inconsult.uk/LCNs/consultationHome

We are currently working on improvements to the Upper Henson play area. After consultation with schools and other local organisations we are now seeking public feedback.

This will help us to hone the final design into an exciting, fit for the community, play space.

Please have a look at the plans on the town council website and give feedback to help shape the future of this play area.

We are also starting to look at improving several other play areas including Ashcroft Park & Halcombe Play Area, if you have any suggestions that you would like to be considered please contact me so that these can be taken into consideration.

As always, I will be holding my monthly surgery at Chard Guildhall on the first Saturday of the month between 10am and 12pm please email me at Jason.baker@somerset.gov.uk or call 07736 310805

Written by Cllr Jason Baker