A MOMENT in Wellington’s history was led by mayor Cllr Janet Lloyd in the town council’s offices on Wednesday (March 26).

Cllr Lloyd with deputy mayor Cllr Catherine Govier-Wiggins signed transfer documents for open spaces to become locally-owned for the first time in more than half a century.

Chief executive Dave Farrow also signed legal documents confirming the council will accept the hand over of 25 areas of land around Wellington from Somerset Council on April 1.

The sites have not been in Wellington ownership since the former urban district council, which ceased in 1974 when Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC) was created.

TDBC in turn merged with West Somerset Council to become Somerset West and Taunton Council, which was abolished in 2023 and became part of the new unitary Somerset Council covering the whole county.

But just six months after its formation, the Somerset authority was faced with bankruptcy and has been battling ever since to cut its costs, with one measure being to devolve services and assets to town and parish councils.

The town council is planning to hold a short ceremony in Wellington Park on April 1 to mark the handover of the park and neighbouring recreation ground, playing fields, and other sites.

Cllr Lloyd said: “It is an exciting time for the council and everybody in Wellington as we take back control into our own hands.

“We have recruited an open spaces team who have been at work for the past three weeks helping to keep our open spaces in good condition and the feedback has been that people are noticing how much better they look.

“The council is here to help make Wellington the nicest place possible for people to live, work, and socialise in, and there is sill much more that we want to do in future.”