I grew up in apartheid South Africa. It shaped me and made me who I am today.

The 18th of July is Nelson Mandela Day, and in this episode I reflect on what I have learned from the late Mr Mandela (or Tata, as he was known), and how I align these lessons to my Conservative values.

Wisdom and inspiration are found on all sides of the political spectrum, and humanity should always come before politics.

Cllr Diogo Rodrigues is the Conservative Leader of the Opposition on Somerset Council.

In this episode we chat about how he got involved in politics, what he loves and finds tough about the job, and also what his plane are for the next year.

You can contact Diogo

Somerset Council website: https://democracy.somerset.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=204

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diogobridgwater

It has been a busy year!

• The power of community
• The responsibility of representation
• Learning to lead
• Encouraging others to step forward
• Being part of something bigger
• Moments that will stay with me

My recent Frome Times article is a summary of this Substack piece: https://dawndenton.substack.com/p/one-community-two-councils

Get in touch if you need info or council advise: [email protected]

This week the Frome Town Council voted in favour of amending their Standing Orders to permit remote voting where a councillor is unable to attend in person.

This is the Decision Paper: https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Agenda-item-8-For-decision-Standing-Orders-amendments-relating-to-remote-voting.pdf

The council exists and functions under the Local Government Act of 1972: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1972/70/contents

I would love to hear your views: [email protected]

It has been a busy start to the year with budget, bugs and now a by-election called in the Mendip Hills.

Check out my response to social media posts on my Facebook Page:

Cllr Dawn Denton Frome North: https://www.facebook.com/dawn4frome/

Our brilliant Conservative candidate for the Mendip Hills by-election:

Nicola Perold - Mendip Hills: https://www.facebook.com/nicolaperoldmendip

Please get in touch if you need anything or have a question: [email protected]

In the summer of 2025, the Local Government Association (LGA) did a Corporate Peer Review. This review identified core weaknesses at the Frome Town Council.

In this episode I look at the concerns raised around leadership, culture, and relationships.

You can read the full report here:

https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Frome-Corporate-Peer-Challenge-Report.pdf

In the summer of 2025, the Local Government Association (LGA) did a Corporate Peer Review. This review identified core weaknesses at the Frome Town Council.

In this episode, I focus on the concerns the report raised about Purpose, Remit, and Strategic Clarity.

You can read the full report here: https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Frome-Corporate-Peer-Challenge-Report.pdf

If you have a concern about Somerset Council services, your first Port 'o Call is your local Somerset Councillors.

Get in touch if you need my support: [email protected]

As a Somerset Councillor I have a varied and interesting inbox. In this episode I share what's in my inbox right now - what came in yesterday and a flavour of last week's emails.

Please submit any issues directly to the Somerset Council website for a more speedy response:

https://www.somerset.gov.uk/

And get in touch if you have any questions about being a councillor, or anything else. I will try my best to help, or will know someone who can: [email protected]

I am thrilled to share some news with you about the Conservative Group at Somerset Council.

And I wanted to share two 'pots' of council money:

• Revenue - running costs
• Capital - long-term costs

Please get in touch if you have a question or for some support:

[email protected]