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.
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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."
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.
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.”
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
