WELLINGTON'S green spaces will be managed more locally from April 2025 as part of a new ‘devolution deal’ with the town council.

Somerset Council reached out to town and parish councils across the county after declaring a financial emergency in November 2023, asking them to take on the running of services to prevent damaging cuts in the face of a £100m budget gap.

Devolution deals have already been signed with Bridgwater and Yeovil’s town councils, with both authorities taking on key local services – including the management of parks and other key green spaces in their respective towns.

Wellington Town Council is now following in their footsteps, agreeing a new deal with the unitary authority which will take effect in the spring of next year.

From April 1, 2025, the following services will become the responsibility of Wellington Town Council:

  • Provision and collection of litter bins and dog waste bins
  • Bedding planting
  • Management and maintenance of open spaces
  • Grass cutting (including highways verges and Rockwell Green Cemetery)
  • Maintenance and inspection of play areas and trees
  • Toilet cleaning
  • Maintenance of bus shelters

As part of this devolution deal, Somerset Council will transfer the public toilets on North Street, at Wellington Park and at Rockwell Green Cemetery to the town council – with the latter expected to be reopened to the public by the late-spring.

The community centre on White Hart Lane will also be transferred to the town council, who will hold it in trust to protect it from future redevelopment.

While the town council will be responsible for grass cutting within the cemetery, maintenance of the paths and walls will remain with Somerset Council.

Somerset Council estimates that it will save around £114,000 a year by devolving these services – along with a further £117,000 that it would have needed to spent on replacement play equipment up to 2030.

Any future play equipment costs will be borne by the town council as part of its management of the following green spaces:

  • Andrew Allan Road and Gillards Close open space and play area
  • Barrington Way open space and play area
  • Beechgrove open space
  • Burrough Way open space and play area
  • Champford Mews open space
  • Chestnut Close play area
  • Corner Close play area
  • Dobree Park playing field
  • Foxmoor Road open space
  • Hoyles Road open space
  • Jurston Lane open spaces and play area
  • Longacre open space
  • Oakfield Park open space
  • Rope Walk play area
  • Swains Lane play areaSylvan Road and Laburnum Road open space
  • The Paddocks open space and play area
  • Walkers Gate open space and play area
  • Wardleworth open space
  • Warren Street play area
  • Wellington Basins (including the skate park, pétanque court, the Basins Volunteer Group cabin and BMX track)
  • Wellington Park (including Park Lodge)
  • Wellington Recreational Field (including pavilion and stand)
  • Wellington Playing Field
  • Westford Grange play area

Jonathan Stevens, the council’s head of operational services (including green spaces), said: “Wellington Town Council has agreed a budget for next year through their full council process, and has also employed additional, qualified staff in readiness for taking on extra responsibilities.

“Our officers have worked collaboratively with the town council to ensure that devolution of services will be a seamless process, with no detrimental impact to residents of Wellington.

“Our officers are satisfied that sufficient due diligence has been carried out by both Somerset Council) and Wellington Town Council.

“Any further devolution of assets and services will be subject to a separate
decision-making process.”