Community. Climate. Common Sense.

Cllr Diogo Rodrigues is the Conservative Leader of the Opposition on Somerset Council. In this episode we chat about how he got involved in politics, what he loves and finds tough about the job, and also what his plane are for the next year. You can contact Diogo Somerset Council website:  https://democracy.somerset.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx? UID=204 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diogobridgwater...

It has been a busy year! The power of community The responsibility of representation Learning to lead Encouraging others to step forward Being part of something bigger Moments that will stay with me My recent Frome Times article is a summary of this Substack piece: https://dawndenton.substack.com/p/one-community-two-councils Get in touch if you need info or council advise: dawn.denton@somerset.gov...

This week the Frome Town Council voted in favour of amending their Standing Orders to permit remote voting where a councillor is unable to attend in person. This is the Decision Paper: https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Agenda-item-8-For-decision-Standing-Orders-amendments-relating-to-remote-voting.pdf The council exists and functions under the Local Government Act of 1...

It has been a busy start to the year with budget, bugs and now a by-election called in the Mendip Hills. Check out my response to social media posts on my Facebook Page: Cllr Dawn Denton Frome North: https://www.facebook.com/dawn4frome/   Our brilliant Conservative candidate for the Mendip Hills by-election:  Nicola Perold - Mendip Hills:  https://www.facebook.com/nicolaperoldmendip   Please get i...

In the summer of 2025, the Local Government Association (LGA) did a Corporate Peer Review. This review identified core weaknesses at the Frome Town Council. In this episode I look at the concerns raised around leadership, culture, and relationships. You can read the full report here: https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Frome-Corporate-Peer-Challenge-Report.pdf    

In the summer of 2025, the Local Government Association (LGA) did a Corporate Peer Review. This review identified core weaknesses at the Frome Town Council.  In this episode, I focus on the concerns the report raised about Purpose, Remit, and Strategic Clarity. You can read the full report here: https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Frome-Corporate-Peer-Challenge-Report.pd...

If you have a concern about Somerset Council services, your first Port 'o Call is your local Somerset Councillors. Get in touch if you need my support: dawn.denton@somerset.gov.uk  

As a Somerset Councillor I have a varied and interesting inbox. In this episode I share what's in my inbox right now - what came in yesterday and a flavour of last week's emails. Please submit any issues directly to the Somerset Council website for a more speedy response: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/ And get in touch if you have any questions about being a councillor, or anything else.  I will try...

I am thrilled to share some news with you about the Conservative Group at Somerset Council. And I wanted to share two 'pots' of council money: Revenue - running costs Capital - long-term costs Please get in touch if you have a question or for some support: dawn.denton@somerset.gov.uk  

Happy 2025! In local and national politics, if we lower everyone's expectations, we can wallow in the misery and the general public will be sympathetic (or at least we will believe they will be). But then no one expects anything from us and we can just shrug our shoulders and accept things are difficult or not possible.    "We said it was going to bad, and there we have it!" A self-fulfilling prop...

The next few months are going to be tough for the council and for the residents of Somerset. With a bankruptcy notice looming in February, there will be implications for us all, and the council will face some brutal actions of commissioners who will come in to sort things out. Here is also the official Conservative Leader ( David Fothergill ) response to the open letter from the Somerset Council L...

Okay, okay, I am a bit of a Trekkie.  I love how much I learn about human nature with every Star Trek episode. But, the Borg makes me deeply uneasy, and while listening to the US Supreme Court rule against supporting abortion, I could not help feel the same as I do when watching the Borg. 

I can't believe it is over a year since the election.  I have had the most remarkable 12 months learning about myself and the community, and meeting the most amazing people and organisations. Thank you for your ongoing support!

The Somerset Village & Community Agents offer free, confidential, practical support for you and community groups. They can be contacted via email or phone, and can help with whatever you need if you don't know where to turn. Phone: 01823 331 222 Email: info@somersetrcc.org.uk Website:  https://somersetagents.org/

Since my election on the 5th May 2022 as the Somerset County Councillor for Frome North, I have noticed more and more, the divisions in our communities. People are divided over potholes, pop artists, posts on social media, and of course politics. Of course, a difference of opinion is good. That's what makes our communities stronger, the debates more robust, and reflects our commitment to freedom o...

In this episode I share my Councillor diary for last week. This week I got to enjoy the company of the Frome WI . The speaker was Jane Clark who spoke about her book: Sister Sunshine. To get involved in the Somerset County meetings, you can find all information on the Council website The Boundary Commission information and proposals and the Frome proposal can be found HERE For more information abo...

Welcome! I am thrilled to be representing Frome North on the Somerset County Council and in this series I will be sharing my role, introducing people and communities, and discussing what is important to YOU and to me. I hope to get to know you better and celebrate all the amazing things going on in and around Frome North. If you live in Frome North, you may have received this letter through your d...