Hi Bob,
The committee doesn’t have to be representative of the demographic of Frome, but it does represent a cross-section, including youth – and its purpose has been to collect the views of people in Frome, rather than to give its own opinions.
We have taken on board whatever we were told by those who cared enough to share. We have provided opportunities for everyone to do so, which we have publicised. Obviously not everyone sees/hears the publicity, and even of those that do, quite a lot just do not want to join in consultations, no matter who runs them. So we have had to go after hard to reach groups in different ways, which has taken longer, and their views were less obvious in the draft Plan. The amended document, which is what we are working on now, will reflect the views of these others rather better than in the earlier one.
As to the £45K, it is being spent carefully - so carefully that we have some left over to help with projects people have identified through the consultation – and it will go on something more lasting than a party!
There won't be any 'sackings' either! Apart from the professional help we have bought in, everyone who has helped - including all the committee - are volunteers. We are very grateful to them for giving us their time and the benefit of their experience, which isn't something a lot of people are prepared to do; especially as you can see, even from your own comments, it isn't something appreciated by everyone.
Unfortunately, in order to get investment into Frome for various projects, these days you first have to show with 'evidence' that there is need for them. The V4F consultation has provided that evidence, so it has been worth doing. Most of the people involved, myself included, would rather have got stuck in to projects straight away, but we knew this had to come first.
If you personally are not just sounding off, but want to get involved with something practical, why not join in with an existing project or start one of your own? If it is something that people want, they will support it. This website will gradually acquire more projects with contact names; why not be one of them? Nothing will get done if people just talk, so this applies equally to everyone looking at this Forum. Lots of people helping in little practical ways will make Frome a better place for us all in the coming years, regardless of economic conditions.