With local property prices rising, limited new housing, and a low wage economy, affordable housing is a serious issue facing communities, and in particular, our young people.

But the term ‘affordable housing’  is a much-used one, and means different things to different people.

In planning terms, for example, it means; a range of affordability from 80% of market price, shared ownership with a registered provider (Housing Association), to housing for social rent (based on a national formula and local wage rates).

Many councils, including Mendip, have a policy in their Local Plan about the number and type of affordable housing offers there must be on new housing developments over 10 homes. Mendip’s planning policy DP11 clearly states the principle of 30% affordable housing, with 4 out of  5 of the 30% for social rent. There are exceptions, with the figure rising to 40% in Wells and in rural areas.

I believe many of us realise that we can’t leave it to others, we all have a part to play to improve our environment.

My parish council for example has encouraged tree planting and replacement for many years. All planning applications for tree felling in its conservation area receive a letter from the parish council to ask they replant a native tree. Local residents have started a tree nursery to provide replacements to the many dying Ash trees, and offer advice on appropriate species. The importance of trees cannot be under-estimated. Many experts believe they are key to tackling the effects of climate change, due to their extraordinary ability to take carbon out of the atmosphere.  

It is the perfect time of year to look back on the previous year and contemplate the year ahead.

If you are a regular reader of this column, you will have heard about the range and breadth of district council services in Mendip.

So, rain or shine – or indeed pandemic – your council has been delivering all year. From administering Covid supporting business grants, to transforming our campus into a makeshift vaccination hub. Mendip staff have worked alongside our NHS colleagues and volunteers to deliver life-saving jabs.

As part of Mendip’s Covid support we offered numerous incentives to help our local economy bounce back. We’ve given rent breaks to our Mendip Market stallholders and provided free parking to residents this Christmas to encourage foot fall to our city and towns. We helped businesses during various closures, and have been there for them to help them re-open safely again.  

We believe everyone has a right to a place they can call home. That’s why we are proud that two social housing projects have planning papers submitted. In North Parade, Frome and Cemetery Lane, in Street. The first schemes of their kind in the district for two decades. 2022 could provide the keys to a new home – and a new life – for some, thanks to this important housing development programme.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for the right person to join us as Campaign Organiser in a Parliamentary seat won by the Lib Dems between 2010 and 2015, with a strong local desire to return a Lib Dem MP at the next General Election. 

We have numerous local Councillors, a prominent former MP and a strong membership with committed activists. 

We are looking for a Campaign Organiser to join us at an important time, and to be a key member of our team, leading our campaigning to win a majority of the Constituency’s seats on Somerset Council next year and re-elect a Lib Dem MP in 2023 or 2024. 

This contract will be permanent, subject to an initial three-month probationary period.

Click on the links below for full details about the role, including how to apply;

Job Advert

Job Description

Person Spec

Further information is available from Rosemary Hasler on 01934 712264 / 07866 760329; Martin Dunton on 07584 424602 or by email on [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you.

It seems remarkable that another year has nearly gone, and sad that we are once again in the midst of yet another phase of Covid at a time when we should all be enjoying Christmas festivities.  It’s been a frightening and challenging time for many, and in Mendip we will continue to try to do all we can to support our residents through these difficult times.

The work of your Council carries on through the holiday season and this week we have adopted the second part of our Local Plan (Local Plan Part 2, or LPP2) that will shape the future of development in our area.  

As many of us rush around getting ready for the Christmas holidays, buying last minute gifts and making preparations to spend time with loved ones, I know others will be struggling to cope when it comes to their mental and emotional health.  

The seemingly endless Covid news will certainly not be helping – with rates across the country soaring, and the threat of new lockdowns and restrictions looming over us, it really does seem to be going on forever.  

With this in mind, I wanted this week to shine a light on the work we do at Mendip to support people who are struggling emotionally.   

One of the Council’s key priorities is to help make Mendip greener and cleaner. It runs through everything we do. But we know it’s not enough just to say it. We must also take action. We must ‘walk the talk’.

Only by working together with our residents, businesses, our partners and staff, can we encourage behaviour change and reduce our carbon emissions. Which is why I am happy to share some great news with you regarding the Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP). 

s Storm Arwen raged across the country at the weekend, causing the worst storm damage in 20 years, we have been relatively lucky in Mendip to have escaped the heavy snow and damaging winds. However, temperatures have most certainly dropped - which has sparked our Severe Weather Emergency Provision, known as SWEP.  

SWEP is there to help people who find themselves rough sleeping in severe weather conditions such as freezing temperatures, heavy winds, rain and snow. And also at times of other weather extremes, such as a heatwave or other extreme conditions.

Emergency accommodation is provided to create safe spaces for rough sleepers to leave the streets and take shelter. Mendip District Council funds our excellent partners at the Elim Connect Centre in Wells. Their outreach team assists rough sleepers in the area when temperatures are expected to drop below zero (or reach excessive heat) for three consecutive nights.

It seems that the countdown to Christmas has already started! Judging by the twinkling trees, decorations and festive music already playing in most shops (and in many TV ads), it appears as if the big day is just around the corner. 

After all the uncertainties, isolation and cancellations imposed by Covid-19 and the lockdowns during the past 2 years, I am delighted that we are able to bring back our special festive markets in Wells next month.    

Our traditional "Christmas in Wells" events will be running on the last 2 Saturdays before Christmas (on 11th and 18th) from 9am to 3pm. 100 stalls will line the Market Place, with many offering locally sourced produce, all the way through to the Bishop's Palace (a big thank you to the Bishop’s Palace for the support!). 

There’ll be a glittering range of gifts, crafts, food and Christmas tipples on offer, and live entertainment, including the talented Priddy Singers.  It should get everyone - even the curmudgeons and the Grinches - into the Christmas spirit. You can find out more here: www.mendip.gov.uk/christmasmarket.