A long-serving Wincanton councillor resigned from an influential regeneration group he says has been a ‘political shambles’.
The Wincanton Regeneration Board was set up to oversee development of the town, primarily the centre, in a bid to bring investment and visitors.
However, ahead of the creation of a new unitary council in Somerset, a £5m funding pot for the town has been withdrawn.
The new council, which comes into existence on 1 April, says it is facing financial pressures which mean the cash will no longer be available.
Remaining elements of the regeneration plans have been deferred until 2024/25 ahead of Somerset Council’s first budget, which will be set on 22 February.
Meanwhile, funding requested through the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for a scheme involving Wincanton and Wells, was also rejected.
The disappointments have prompted anger from some representatives, including Wincanton’s South Somerset councillor Colin Winder (Con, Wincanton), who has resigned from the regeneration board.
Speaking after his resignation, Cllr Winder said the project had been an example of a ‘political shambles’.
In his resignation letter he wrote: “The aims of the board have been doubtful from the early days, and the basic principles of democratic accountability have been abused. Democratic voting has been denied, and the representation of elected councillors from the county council denied access.”
He slammed some of the board’s schemes, including town centre regeneration projects, which he said were ‘very limited’ and ‘failed to accept physical restrictions of the high street and the nature of traffic usage’.
“The proposals for the upper High Street were rejected out of hand by the residents and have been withdrawn,” he added.
“The central High Street is the most important and long-standing requirement for modification to single line traffic and controls. This is the most pressing requirement, but requires detailed consultation with the Highway Authority.
“The Market Place area is the centre of pedestrian usage, and the junction of the Bruton Road and the one-way system.
“The Post Office, the town hall and the active shops make this a busy pedestrian and vehicular area. The retention of this commercial hub is essential, and the present scheme fails to provide a workable solution.”
Cllr Sarah Dyke, portfolio holder for environment at South Somerset District Council and chair of the Wincanton Town Centre Regeneration Board, said:“Wincanton is of huge strategic importance to the south east of the county and I am committed to regenerating our communities and town centres.
“The Levelling Up Fund 2 bid would have provided funding for 100 sq m of co-working and 100 sq m of museum and event space, in Wincanton town centre.
“The enterprise, innovation, business collaboration opportunities, plus footfall generated, would have also positively impacted the High Street and retailers.
“Together this would have helped to rejuvenate Wincanton bringing vitality and viability to the town centre, businesses and community.”
She said the town centre regeneration was among projects ‘paused’ for a year under plans which are set to be approved in the coming months.
What Councillor Dyke (Lib/dem) fails to say is that she personally proposed £3.2 million (58%) be removed from Wincantons budget and then after she was imposed as Chair of the regeneration committee she oversaw the cancellation of the remaining 42% of the budget.
Following this betrayal I also resigned from the Wincanyon regeneration committee.
Wincanton has been well and truly shafted by Councillor Dyke and the Liberal Democrat’s.