A village in Somerset is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to reclaim ownership of its cherished local playing fields, but Somerset Council’s limited staffing resources have delayed the process.
Middlezoy Parish Council originally transferred the playing fields to Sedgemoor District Council in 1979. When the district council was abolished in April 2023, the asset was passed on to Somerset Council. Now, the parish council is campaigning to take back control of the playing fields and village hall on Nethermoor Road as part of a wider push for more local control over public services.
However, their efforts have been slowed by a backlog of similar requests from other parishes. Despite strong community support, Middlezoy is unable to move ahead of others waiting in line.
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At a recent full council meeting in Bridgwater, local resident Anthony Betty highlighted the issue. He emphasized that although the parish council already manages the site under a lease, full ownership would simplify management and lower costs for residents. Betty questioned why Middlezoy must wait indefinitely, especially given their willingness to cover legal costs and their current management responsibilities.
Multiple councils across Somerset have already taken on local service management through devolution agreements. Examples include Street Parish Council overseeing various green spaces, Yeovil Town Council managing the regenerated Octagon Theatre, and Bridgwater Town Council taking responsibility for the historic docks following a multi-million-pound redevelopment.
Councillor Theo Butt Philip, responsible for transformation and localities, acknowledged the council’s enthusiasm for devolution but explained the challenges. “The volume of interest is fantastic, with over 80 expressions received,” he said, “but it means not all requests can be processed promptly.” Notably, Middlezoy Parish Council’s existing lease runs until 2043, granting them substantial security and operational control in the interim.
The council is undergoing a major transformation to reduce costs and restructure departments, leading to some understaffing and project delays. To prioritize fairly, they are giving precedence to councils lacking existing leases.
Councillor Butt Philip assured that conversations with Middlezoy Parish Council would begin when capacity permits, ideally within the next year. To date, Somerset Council has completed more than 125 asset transfers and is working through an additional 90 requests. Despite the desire to support all communities, prioritization is necessary to manage resources efficiently.
While the local community continues to benefit from current management arrangements, Somerset Council remains committed to progressing devolution when possible, balancing fairness across all parishes awaiting ownership transfers.