Belinda Bawden Lyme & Charmouth
3 January 2024 / 11 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Dorset Green Councillor for Lyme and Charmouth, Belinda Bawden, has been working with local businesses to help them to set up a new business group in Lyme. Several business owners stepped forward to help coordinate it and Tom Robinson, of Tom’s on the seafront, is the first chairman. With a fast-growing membership of over 80 local businesses, the new group is a welcome additional voice to Lyme’s active community.
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Belinda Bawden Climate & Ecology Lyme & Charmouth
2 January 2024 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Getting more recycling and waste separation is vital with new regulations coming in. Green Councillor Belinda Bawden has been working with local businesses in Lyme Regis and Charmouth, and Dorset Council’s commercial waste management team, to work out the best ways to resolve some immediate issues, and to look at longer term solutions to reduce food waste.
28 December 2023 / 11 December 2024 by chrishenderson
The road closures since September affected trade in Lyme Regis, as shoppers were confused by road closed signs. Dorset and town councillor Belinda Bawden worked hard to get the “open for business” message across. She organised a Christmas market and produced a map showing numerous festive activities and events.
Children & Young People Clare Sutton Rodwell & Wyke
2 October 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Green Councillor Clare Sutton (Rodwell & Wyke) has been working hard behind the scenes with Independent Group leader Les Fry to secure support for youth clubs, which have faced massive increases in running costs due to the cost of living crisis. We are delighted to report that this has finally been agreed and will be in place by the end of the year.
Helen Toft Rodwell & Wyke
1 October 2023 / 11 December 2024 by chrishenderson
in the Spring edition of Rodwell & Wyke Green Matters, Green town councillor Helen Toft said she wanted to tidy up the area at the bottom of Rylands Lane which leads to The Rodwell Trail. Helen says: "With the help of councillors and volunteers earlier in the year it is now looking much prettier and with continued work will be even better by next summer."
Bridport Kelvin Clayton
1 October 2023 / 8 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Following a motion tabled by Green Party councillor Kelvin Clayton, and fully supported by all his fellow town councillors, Bridport Town Council has applied to have the built-up areas of the town designated a 20mph zone. Dorset Council has approved this in principle for the town centre. They will make their final decision once they have analysed the results of the public consultation.
Lyme & Charmouth Stuart Cockerell
Green Party campaigner Stuart Cockerell joined Lyme Regis Town Council in April. He is getting involved as a town council representative on the Harbour Users’ Group. Stuart is concerned about a proposal to allow personal watercraft (eg jet skis) to launch from the harbour at Lyme Regis: “There are lots of ways to enjoy being at the seaside. We like innovation and new businesses but we feel jet skis often cause too much of a nuisance and safety risk to others who are peacefully enjoying the seaside.”
Brian Heatley Rodwell & Wyke
30 September 2023 / 14 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Sadly the South West Coast Path bridge and steps in Wyke Regis, erected in 2021, collapsed earlier this year due to further instability of the beach. Councillor Brian Heatley is pressing Dorset Council to find a solution, but the only answer may be to move the path further inland, which will require the cooperation of several private landowners.
Climate & Ecology Lyme & Charmouth
30 September 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
The Environment Committee of Lyme Regis Town Council, chaired by Green councillor Rob Smith, has agreed to invest in more wildlife-friendly planting. Wildflowers in Langmoor and Lister Gardens have proved popular with residents and visitors – and with invertebrates of course. Now the planting will be expanded to create mini ecosystems around the town which will benefit wildlife from tiny bugs to butterflies, birds and bats.
30 September 2023 / 11 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Traffic congestion and parking in Lyme and Charmouth are big issues for local residents. Bus services are in need of improvement and on some roads speed is a real problem. Green Councillor Belinda Bawden says: “Among the things I have been working on is asking Dorset Council to offer a designated space parking permit for those with the greatest mobility challenges. I’ve also requested resident parking permits for Queen’s Walk in Lyme, and changes to deal with dangerous parking around junctions, including Wesley Close in Charmouth."
Brian Heatley Climate & Ecology Rodwell & Wyke
15 September 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Dorset Council's area planning committee voted earlier this year to approve plans to demolish the former Weymouth & Portland Borough Council offices on North Quay. Green Councillor Brian Heatley (Rodwell & Wyke) argued for renovation over demolition, because we need to save the carbon emissions now rather than over a 50 year period, and because there is no guarantee that Dorset Council will find a developer willing to deliver to a high environmental standard.
Affordable Housing Clare Sutton Rodwell & Wyke
13 September 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Dorset Council has approved plans for up to 141 homes, a 60-bed care home and a gym, swimming pool and spa on Newton’s Cove in Weymouth. Green Councillor Clare Sutton (Rodwell & Wyke) argued for further conditions relating to affordable housing and the Underbarn, to ensure that local residents would see some net gains, but unfortunately these were not adopted.
Climate & Ecology Jon Orrell Melcombe Regis
7 September 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Green Councillor Jon Orrell (Melcombe Regis) has been featured in the Dorset Echo, responding to a BBC investigation which suggests Wessex Water may have illegally dumped sewage on dry days. Across the Wessex Water area from the Dorset coast to the Bristol area, the BBC identified 68 sites where sewage may have been illegally discharged last year. Wessex Water disputes much of the data. Jon was quoted in the Echo: “It’s shocking that they’re dropping sewage on dry days, we were led to believe that it may be a problem with storm surge, but it turns out that they are putting it out on dry days as well.
16 July 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
It’s distressing to hear about pollution in our rivers, the landfill debris affecting our beaches and concerns about harbour dredging. But despite the scale of the problems we’ve got some good progress to report. Green Councillors Belinda Bawden and Rob Smith have been in regular partnership meetings with South West Water, the town council, Dorset Council, Environment Agency and the River Lim Action Group to resolve sewage problems.
Belinda Bawden Bridport Clare Sutton Climate & Ecology Kelvin Clayton Rodwell & Wyke
15 July 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
At Dorset Full Council on 13 July 2023, Green Councillors Kelvin Clayton (Bridport) and Belinda Bawden (Lyme & Charmouth) proposed a motion committing Dorset Council to working with the Government and water companies to prevent sewage discharges into our rivers and beaches. This motion was passed almost unanimously. Green Group Leader Clare Sutton says: “This situation is a total disgrace. Weymouth’s economy relies on visitors being confident of the quality of our sea water, and within our ward it’s also very important to those who swim at Smallmouth, Sandsfoot, Castle Cove and Newton’s Cove. "Given the vast profits Wessex Water and others have made since privatisation, Government must ensure that it’s the shareholder not the customer who pays."
Brian Heatley Portland
14 July 2023 / 15 December 2024 by chrishenderson
A motion condemning the government’s decision to house 500 asylum seekers on the now infamous Bibby Stockholm barge was supported by councillors from all parties. The motion as passed included an amendment proposed by Labour Councillor Paul Kimber and seconded by Green Councillor Brian Heatley (Rodwell & Wyke): “This Dorset Council recognises the contribution that Refugees have made to our Dorset economy and Society, over the years whilst we accept the Bibby Stockholm Barge is inhumane and is entirely inappropriate. Dorset Council welcomes all refugees to be treated, with dignity, and respect”.
7 July 2023 / 7 December 2024 by chrishenderson
The footbridge over the river at Charmouth Beach – which is a vital link to the beach and also part of the South West coast path - had been causing safety concerns due to wear and tear. Councillor Belinda Bawden responded to residents’ concerns and Dorset Council has now made the necessary repairs.
Brian Heatley Clare Sutton Rodwell & Wyke
3 April 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Built just after World War I, Bradford, Tennyson and Emerson Roads form a distinct community off Chickerell Road in Rodwell, Weymouth, with two public greens. These are well-loved by residents, who tended them during lock down, where young children have played safely for many decades. Residents were horrified when landowner Aster submitted a planning application to build new houses - just two, not even affordable ones, with four parking spaces - covering the whole of Tennyson Green. They organised a fantastic campaign against this, which Rodwell & Wyke Green Councillors Brian Heatley and Clare Sutton fully supported, and were delighted when Aster withdrew their application.
Clare Sutton Public Transport Rodwell & Wyke
24 March 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Rodwell & Wyke Green Councillor Clare Sutton has been in touch with First’s Dorset Operations Manager since January, about their new number 9 bus serving Wyke. The three-month trial, serving users in Chickerell Road, Lanehouse Rocks, Wyke High Street, Walker Crescent and Wyke Road areas, got off to a good start, cross-subsidised by school provision, but on 23rd March he informed Clare the service is losing money and will cease on 27th May. Clare commented: "This is a massive blow to residents who depend on it and we are sorry we weren’t able to influence First’s decision."
Brian Heatley Clare Sutton Climate & Ecology Portland
Dorset Council’s Strategic Planning Committee unanimously rejected Powerfuel’s application for a giant waste incinerator at Portland Port on 24th March. Many local people spoke with expertise and eloquence on a range of issues including: (a) Inconsistency with Dorset’s Waste Plan, (b) The blight on our landscape, for both residents and visitors, (c) The potential damage to wildlife, the arts, and as a sailing venue. Objections made by Green Councillors Brian Heatley and Clare Sutton included: (i) Air pollution in general, and the impact of up to 80 extra (huge!) HGVs per day on those walking or cycling to our local schools, shops, doctors etc. (ii) The impact on Dorset’s World Heritage Coast and local heritage assets. (iii) That, given the need to generate less waste rather than burn it, it would become a ‘white elephant’.
Tagged
2 March 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
The Dorset Echo has covered a call by Green Councillor Clare Sutton (Rodwell & Wyke) for extra funding for youth clubs across the county. Attending the Dorset Council Cabinet meeting, she asked: “Can the council please consider making a 'cost of living' grant available to youth clubs which have been working so hard to keep youth work alive in Dorset and support our young people through these difficult times?
Affordable Housing Children & Young People Clare Sutton Public Transport
14 February 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
The Green councillors on Dorset Council have supported the Council's budget for next year but say it lacks ambition. At yesterday's full Council meeting the leader of the Green Group, Clare Sutton said: "We think this Council can do better than 'safe and legal', and should be preparing itself to tackle some of our more entrenched issues". She highlighted four issues to tackle as a priority: housing, public transport, youth services, and disposal of surplus Council assests.
Affordable Housing Belinda Bawden Climate & Ecology Lyme & Charmouth
7 February 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
The energy crisis is hitting everyone. In Lyme Regis and Charmouth as elsewhere, there are many older properties which can be draughty and difficult to heat. Green Councillor Belinda Bawden organised the recent Home Energy Workshop in Lyme Regis. Saving energy and money goes hand in hand! It was Belinda who set up the Lyme Area Community Energy Champions scheme, where volunteers offer energy-saving tips and home surveys with a thermal camera, which shows up cold and leaky spots.
1 February 2023 / 7 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Responding to residents’ concerns about speeding cars in Charmouth and Lyme, which cause pollution and risk serious accidents, local Green Councillor Belinda Bawden asked Dorset Police to start Speedwatch initiatives. A briefing was held in January and volunteers will soon be monitoring the speed of cars to gather the evidence we need to request changes. The Speedwatch initiative will target roads where problems have been reported.
