Every time I drive through Rodney Stoke – the neighbouring village to where I live in Westbury-sub-Mendip – I am reminded of the notion of a ‘Thankful Village.’ You can’t miss it. They proudly state this on the signage.

With the children off school this week for half-term, Halloween and firework season is upon us already. It’s normally such an exciting time, especially for children, but unfortunately due to government safety restrictions, most public firework displays and bonfire nights have been cancelled this year.

Isobell Marshall has kindly donated some home grown Hazel saplings to a project that will increase levels of biodiversity. A Wells market stall dedicated to selling native woodland saplings direct to the public to plant at home will now include the Hazel saplings grown by Isobel. The Wells City Council not-for-profit market stall will sell saplings at just £1 each on Saturday 31st October and as per previous post will contain a variety native woodland saplings that are of particular benefit to pollinators and other wildlife.

Many people are surprised to learn that nearly 40 percent of Mendip residents live in a rural setting. With this in mind, I wanted to talk to you about parish councils and the important role they play serving their local – and rural – communities. 

Liberal Democrat Councillors in Wells will be supporting local wildlife by selling individual native woodland saplings direct to the public, clubs, and businesses at bulk discount rates.

This week, at Mendip District’s Full Council meeting, Councillor Tom Ronan, Portfolio Holder for Strategic Policy and Climate Change provided an update on the progress being made to address the district’s climate emergency commitments.

Across our district, for a variety of different reasons, there are people who live on the roadside in vans and caravans. These communities occupy County Council-owned land and roads, and so it is Somerset County Council are responsible for any enforcement action.  

But that being said, I believe that as a District Council we should do everything we can to support these groups of people, including providing housing support to those who are eligible. We need a satisfactory solution for roadside residents and local people.

Councillor Helen Sprawson-White on Mendip Council has switched from independents to Liberal Democrats, giving the party a majority on the council.

I know many of you are keen recyclers and will be glad to hear that as of next month, the variety of items collected from our houses for recycling will be increased. Plastic pots, tubs and trays, food and drink cartons and small household electricals and batteries will now be collected.

As the season changes and autumn evenings draw in, what better time to start thinking about how to make our homes more energy efficient?