ASK Nailsea project moves to the next stage

The ASK Nailsea project was first launched as a major town consultation event in February 2022. The project asked Nailsea residents and businesses to submit their opinions on what they would like to see the funds from the sale of Engine Lane – as well as Community Infrastructure Levy payments – spent on.

Despite some delay following the departure of a leading member and the Elections bringing a new set of Councillors in May 2023, the Council has made good use of the consultation results. The results provided us with some valuable insights into our residents’ aspirations and concerns and have been a topic of many meetings since.

The Council has reviewed all the ideas and feedback and is focusing their energy on a number of the larger projects which involve discussions and negotiations with other organisations, private landowners, stakeholders and North Somerset Council. This work is often commercially sensitive, meaning we cannot always publish the details of what we are doing. As soon as we have further updates we will communicate with you.

The next stages in the Ask Nailsea project are to;

• allocate the ongoing and potential projects within the Council’s direct control to our other Committees, as appropriate to their remit,
• forward the projects and requests not within the Council’s control or influence to the proper authorities and stakeholders (for example, we have no control over North Somerset Council, Highways, or Crown Glass Shopping Centre),
• continue to look for projects that will benefit our community by making the best use of the funds from Engine Lane as well as Community Infrastructure Levy payments.

However, we are able to tell you about a number of Ask Nailsea projects we have completed or are nearly complete.

We are in the process of funding two community buses and this project is nearing completion, full details to follow in due course.

We have also installed a new cycle stand and shelter at Scotch Horn Leisure Centre; installed skate park lights and an outdoor gym in Millennium Park; installed new Christmas lights in the High Street; purchased a thermal image camera for a local volunteer group called ‘Home Energy Task force’; carried out audio improvements at the Tithe Barn and installed a Heritage Trail around the town.

Some of our larger projects will take time as we negotiate land or permission, seek planning permission and go out to tender. Meanwhile our funds from the sale of the Engine Lane Land are safely invested in higher interest accounts and the interest gained used to off-set our precept to keep our costs down for you.

See Cllr Antony Hobbs Video on YouTube here

Cllr Antony Hobbs, Chair of the ASK Nailsea Committee says “The ASK Nailsea consultation in February 2022 asked Nailsea residents and businesses to submit their opinions to tell the Council what they would like to see the funds from the sale of Engine Lane – as well as Community Infrastructure Levy payments – spent on. There were a fantastic 814 responses which have been reviewed and now we are moving to the next stage of the process to deliver the projects you requested and we have identified as achievable. Thank you to all who gave their views and took part and we are delighted to be able to work on delivering what you asked for’