By Harry Mottram: Axbridge Town Council is undergoing the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) 2025-26 which is essentially County’s way to ensure all ‘smaller councils’ are doing everything correctly. Along with the Notice of Public Rights of Way the accountability document which is being signed off by the councillors and Vicky Brice the clerk to the council. The AGAR can be read via a link at https://www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk/
It pays to have a read through as you can learn all sorts of aspects of the council’s work and finance such as what money filming brought in and how much the grant was to the Axe Vale Arts Centre. Axbridge Town Councillors are volunteers and do the work for the benefit of the town.
St Michael’s Update
The care home at St Michael’s in Axbridge (formerly a Leonard Cheshire Disability service) was closed in late 2023 following an ‘inadequate’ rating from the Care Quality Commission – and then was put on the market. According to Companies House the Gothic Revival property and one time home for consumptives built in 1878 as a tuberculosis hospital is owned by Alliance Horizons Limited as a private company – incorporated in April 2025 with Italian national Mr Evaristo Mendez, 43, as sole officer – company number 16413800. It’s first confirmation statement is overdue while its ‘Nature of Business’ is listed as retail sales via mail order or via the internet, as an employment agency and as an ‘artistic creation.’ The firm’s first statement of accounts were due on 11 May and are now overdue.
One recent development at St Michael’s is of work to restore the stone storage unit opposite the gatehouse cottage.
Back to the CQC and the outcome was that, ‘coupled with the fact that the building is no longer considered fit for purpose, staffing challenges in the location, and the amount of investment needed to sustain the viability of the Care Home, contributed to the provider’s decision to close the establishment. The last resident was moved on 31 October 2023.’
Lidl
The planning application for the proposed supermarket on Upper New Road is as previously reported under consideration. With its impact on traffic, demolition of an existing dwelling, drainage, a new car park and large buildings, HGVs delivering, impact of noise, lighting and its effects locally plus the displacement of wildlife on the current greenfield site there is a lot to look at. The firm has promised an inhouse bakery, 126 customer carpark spaces, EV chargers, ‘landscaped’ boundaries and jobs for 40 people with pay rates of a minimum of £13 per hour. The application has been widely welcomed by many but there is also strong opposition from Cheddar Parish Council and some residents who may be affected by the traffic – to say nothing of Tesco and Sainsbury’s in Cheddar.
Somerset Council Local Plan
Many will still feel we are in Sedgemoor District Council and although aspects of the former SDC live on we are back in Somerset Council – formerly Somerset County Council in the old days – as testified by local finger post signs at the side of some roads. Somerset Council based in County Hall in Taunton are seeking opinions for the county’s local plan. They say on their website about the Somerset Local Plan Scoping Consultation 2026: “If you live, work or visit Somerset, the Local Plan is relevant to you. It will guide where and how change happens across towns, villages and the countryside over the next 20 years. We want to know what you think Somerset should look like in the future.” The plan covers a wide range of aspects to the county from employment to education and transport to social services. You can take part by visiting https://www.somerset.gov.uk/planning-buildings-and-land/somerset-local-plan/scoping-consultation-reg-20-june-to-july-2026/
The consultation ends on Friday 24 July 2026.
Cheddar Reservoir
We had an amazing storm the other day with flash floods, thunder and lightening but fine weather is set to return this month – with another heat wave – so standby for another closure of Cheddar Reservoir if temperature rise. Bristol Water say it is due to safety concerns and issued this note: “Tragically, this year has already seen multiple deaths of people swimming in open water throughout Britain. Most of these deaths involved young people entering water in rivers or reservoirs during hot weather; almost half (47%) of UK accidental drownings happen between May and August. We urge people not to swim in our reservoirs because they can be dangerous, even for the strongest swimmers. You should always be aware of your surroundings, keep to designated footpaths and comply with warning signs around our reservoirs.”
They also add there are underwater hazards and that there are no lifeguards. Their concerns about anti-social behaviour which increases in hot weather is not mentioned. The Res remains fairly full at the moment with the sailing club able to run events – I have no new updates on Cheddar Reservoir 2.
Opinion on Cheddar Res 2
With the hike in oil prices due to the Iran war, interest rates remaining high and Andy Burnham likely to become PM with a change in Government policies – there is uncertainty. As a result I may be wrong but the ‘powers that be’ are waiting to see which way the wind is blowing on major infrastructure projects – which includes Cheddar Reservoir 2. There’s also a question mark over Burnham’s expected policy of taking utilities back into public ownership. If that was the case and there was a return to the pre Thatcher era when there was the South West Water Authority instead of the privately owned South West Water, then why build a pipeline to Devon taking water from Cheddar? South West Water have said the project is already potentially more than double the expected initial costs. Whether Cheddar Res 2 takes place – is a hostage to fortune – and finances and the political climate will decide what happens.
Pantomime
The auditions for November’s production of Dick Whittington are complete with the roles all cast by the trio behind the pantomime of Tony Wilson, Katie Underhay and Tony Leach. I can’t yet divulge who has got what part, but it will be a traditional pantomime with all the characters you’d expect – a leading lady and titular character Dick played by a female – a good fairy – King Rat and of course Dick’s faithful cat. Rehearsals begin soon and the family friendly play which features music and dancing plus much knock about humour will be staged in the Town Hall by Axbridge Community Theatre from 24-28 November, 2026.
What’s on soon
Check out the Axbridge Diary at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/diary/
Coming up there is the Farmers’ Market at on Saturday 4th July plus live music with Three Rivers at the Axe Vale Arts Centre on the same day at 7.30pm. Also that day there’s music from New Conspiracy in The Lamb Inn in the evening. Wimbledon wannabees may be interested in an open day at Cheddar Tennis Club on July 5th, and there’s outdoor theatre at Compton house on the 16th July – plus the town’s big day in the Square on the 11th July when there’s no traffic and the town can party all afternoon and evening. We just hope the weather holds!
Axbridge Diary of Events
Some Axbridge dates coming up. Send Axbridge events to me and I’ll try to keep the list updated. Email: harryfmottram@gmail.com I’ll also post on my website at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/diary/
Harry Mottram
Note: I get asked this frequently so just to repeat I write up these stories from time to time out of personal interest – all the information is in the public domain – I put it together, so it makes sense to me. I am not paid – my main job is covering Bath for Bath Voice News and ICSM of Bridgwater which is about business insolvencies. I have lived in Old Church Road for over 25 years and am married to Linda – our four children went to the local state schools. I’ve always taken an interest in local affairs having worked as a journalist in Somerset for many years. More at at www.harrymottram.co.uk and social media on X as @harrythe spiv, Facebook, Blue Sky, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads and God knows where else!
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