11 July 2025 / 25 August 2025 by rich.ed123
Mark Williams came second place in the Portland Town Council by-election in Tophill East on 10th July, beating Labour into third place. Congratulations go to Scott Horton for the “Independents for Dorset” party who won with 290 votes (47%) to the Greens in second place with 167 votes (27%) and Labour in third place with […]
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23 June 2025 / 25 August 2025 by chrishenderson
Green Councillor Kia Pope (Portland Town Council, Underhill ward) says: “My first year on Portland Town Council has been an honour to serve, and I’ve learned a ton. Thank you islanders for the chance. “I am extremely pleased to have supported initiatives including: the successful Towns of Culture bid, Portland’s amazing community interest and charity […]
16 June 2025 / 5 July 2025 by chrishenderson
Mark Williams has been chosen as the Green Party candidate for the Tophill East by-election to Portland Town Council on 10th July. A keen angler and motorcyclist, Mark was born and brought up on the island, moved away for work, and has now returned home. Mark says: "I have been knocking on doors around the area over the last few weeks. It's been great to meet you and to find out how I could help as your local councillor."
12 June 2025 / 18 June 2025 by chrishenderson
Portland Town Council has agreed a proposal by Green Councillor Kia Pope to call on King Charles to intervene and help stop the proposed construction of a waste incinerator on the island at Portland Port. This will cite the island's 1,000 year history as a Royal Manor, with its Court Leet guarding the rights and privileges of the islanders.
18 April 2025 / 12 June 2025 by chrishenderson
Green Councillor Clare Sutton was quoted by the Dorset Echo: "For Portland Port to claim in its newsletter that it has our ‘community at heart’ is not just insensitive and ill-judged; it is downright insulting. Would that be the community which has come out in force to oppose the waste incinerator at every step of the way for over five years?"
13 December 2024 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Councillors including Greens Clare Sutton and Claudia Webb have co-signed a letter by South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton to the CEO of Portland Port, calling for the controversial incinerator at the port site to be abandoned. The letter asks the Port to abandon "these harmful proposals" for "an outdated form of technology". They call for a "nationwide moratorium", banning any new waste incinerators. They also ask for a meeting about the issue with Port officials. The letter continues: “It has become clear that there is no business case, no community case, and no environmental case for a waste incinerator on Portland."
17 November 2024 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Green Councillors Clare Sutton (Rodwell & Wyke) and Jon Orrell (Melcombe Regis, and Mayor of Weymouth) were among the speakers at a Stop Portland Waste Incinerator protest in Weymouth on Saturday 16 November, attended by hundreds of concerned local citizens. The protest against the new Labour Government's decision to green-light the scheme was the lead item on Saturday night's BBC Spotlight.
25 September 2024 / 9 April 2025 by chrishenderson
Like many others, Dorset Greens have opposed the proposed new incinerator on Portland from the outset, and are diismayed that the Government gave it the green light in September. Councillor Clare Sutton has made a further submission to the Environment Agency and is liaising with Dorset Council, the new South Dorset MP, and other parties about possible next steps, which may include High Court review.
30 January 2024 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Powerfuel appealed against Dorset Council’s decision to refuse permission for a new waste incinerator on Portland. The Public Inquiry was held 5-21 December. The large attendance over the two weeks reflected the pretty much unanimous rejection of the Incinerator by local people. Dorset Green Councillors Brian Heatley and Clare Sutton were among over 50 people who spoke at the Public Evidence day, all against the plant. Clare focussed on the impact of 80 (huge!) HGV journeys through Wyke every day, and on the potential harm to our tourist industry and local economy.
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”.
