Bridgwater "in control of its own destiny" after deal

Bridgwater, with a population of 41,000, is one of the largest towns in Somerset

"Going forward, we will see a brighter future for the town," says the leader of Bridgwater Town Council.

And given Brian Smedley's Labour authority has just increased council tax for its residents by 163%, there is pressure to deliver results,

Residents complain the town centre has become a "frightening" place due to anti-social behaviour.

But councillors are celebrating the town taking "control of its own destiny", according to Mr Smedley.

Blake Gardens, on the bank of the River Parrett, is now owned by the town council

The town council has done a deal with Somerset Council to take over a raft of services the unitary authority was threatening to cut, in the face of what it calls a 'financial emergency'.

These include, as of 1 May, owning and running local parks and play areas, street cleaning, managing markets and clearing up fly-tipping.

Somerset Council hasn't given Bridgwater any money for taking over these services.

Town Council leader Brian Smedley is promising "a brighter future"

"We lost a great thing when we lost the borough council many years ago and we want to get back the powers that Bridgwater had as a town: a local council delivering services at the most local level," said Mr Smedley.

"Finally, after 50 years, we've got it back."

He added: "Bridgwater Town Council doesn't have a financial crisis, we are a very sound council.

"We have raised the precept locally, that's a one off raise this year, otherwise we would have had parks close and streets not cleaned,

"We're also taking on more assets which will be profit-generating assets as well."

Dot the dog was enjoying her walk with owner Nikki Owens in one of the town council's parks

Nikki Owens was walking her dog in one of the parks the town council is now responsible for.

"I know everything's got to go up but it seems that things are going up but the likes of Cranleigh [Gardens] the grass is up there [high]," she said.

"So it's all going up but things don't seem to be getting done like they used to."

'Town is intimidating'

"The town centre needs to be improved a lot. I don't go up town a lot. Even in the day time it's quite frightening I think.

"There's a lot of drunks and that really needs improving because it can be very intimidating.

"I think that should be one of the top priorities of Bridgwater." Ms Owens added.

Local resident John Pople says it's important parks are well maintained

Sitting on a park bench, John Pople said he could also see room for improvement, despite an increase in his pension from the government.

"They're giving it in one hand and taking it out in the other hand," he said.

"My rent's gone up, my water's gone up, my council tax has gone up. Parks are important, though, when they do get maintained."

The town council now has 70 staff including amenities director Scott Mason

Scott Mason, is the newly-appointed director of amenities for Bridgwater Town Council and said local people should soon see "a real difference".

"Having that local management, we've got staff close to the ground, seeing what's happening first-hand.

"So we've got the ability to respond more quickly than we have in the past when it's been managed further afield," he said.

Maintaining planters, like these in the high street, will now be down to the town council

For Somerset Council, which has handed over all these services, Bridgwater could be the first of many councils to have more powers devolved, and the county is already in talks with other towns and parishes in the county.

Cllr Theo Butt Philip, Lead Member for Transformation and Human Resources at Somerset Council, said: "Transferring assets and services to the most local level has the potential to deliver huge benefits. "Devolution doesn't just protect some of the services our residents value the most, it also means that these services will be delivered by an organisation which is much closer to the community which uses them.

"Our city, town and parish councils are better placed to understand and respond to the needs of their local communities," said Mr Butt Philip.