Over the last two months I have been doing a lot of work to support our Climate and Ecology Action Plan.  I have met with the CEO of Burnham and Weston Solar Energy to finalise our work to support residents with the reduction of energy. She has now employed an Energy Advisory Officer who will give individual advice in the town. They are also working to establish Energy Hubs in both Burnham and Highbridge. I have also met with Mark Ford from Somerset Waste Partnership to explore way that we can work together to drive the Sustainability agenda in our Action Plan. They have now commissioned the employment of a Community Support Officer and we are looking forward to working with them.

I attended a webinar organised by Somerset Bus Partnership that was focussed on building travel plans around the train stations. One of the speakers was from GWR who work from Highbridge Station. It was very apparent that they had done no work here and yet had made great changes at other stations. I have now contacted him and he is willing to come and talk to us about what they could do at Highbridge. Somerset Bus Partnership are also taking ideas to Somerset CC detailing what we would like to see in Highbridge as we work to link bus, rail, bicycles and footpaths. I have spoken to Lara from ‘Slow Ways’. They are creating a network of footpaths linking towns and cities around the country. There are several in our area and they need help verifying them. These will then be included on a map which will be made available nationally.

We have now formed a Steering Group to develop our Plastic Free status and increase the number of local champions both in schools and businesses. They will meet for the first time on the 1^st March. We have representatives from the Working Group, Beach Clean team and local businesses. We will be holding an Information Evening for local Businesses in partnership with Burnham and Highbridge Chamber of Commerce on March 22^nd in Highbridge Community Hall. We are bringing together a variety of local organisations that work to support local businesses. I have met with various organisations who have been successful in developing sustainability projects in Weston Super Mare.

I have also been working to raise awareness of our Action Plan locally. I spoke at a recent Inner Wheel meeting, took part in a Beach Clean and also spoke a deanery meeting for churches within our area. This allowed me to explain our plan but also encourage churches to explore the ‘Wilder Churchyards’ initiative by Somerset Wildlife Trust. I had the pleasure of meeting ‘Team Green’ at King Alfred’s school. The school has an important part to play in our Action Plan and it was good to start the conversation with such a dynamic and interesting group of young people.

Sadly, our Youth Groups were unable to elect any representatives onto our Youth Town Council. This means that our first YTC will be formed by students at King Alfred’s but we will open up to the community groups every year to enable them to provide representatives in the future.

I have been pleased to expand my knowledge of the town by visiting Beaufort House, The Lighthouse (Residential Care for Brain Injured)  and L and F training in Highbridge, who provide opportunities for people to train and access work. All provide specific care and support in the town. I was pleased to support our local Rotary Club at the District Final of Young Chef. It was great to see the young people showing their brilliant skills and knowledge.

I attended the Holocaust Service in Highbridge to recognise the people who suffered so much and value the work of Frank Foley. It was good to see the local schools taking part in this special event.

And finally,I went to watch a Highbridge School of Dance perform at the MacMillan Theatre in Bridgwater. It is wonderful that we have such talent in our towns.