Rodwell & Wyke, Dorset Council
Clare Sutton grew up in Weymouth and returned in 2005 to bring up her children.
In 2015, she was the first Green elected to Dorset (County) Council.
After the May 2024 election, the new Liberal Democrat administration appointed Clare as Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education & Skills.
She says, “I am passionate about working with others to improve the lives of residents within my local community, my town, and the wider Dorset Council area, and playing my part in ensuring we all face up to the impending climate and ecological emergency.”
“I have been highly active in my local community for many years, for example as founder/Chair of Chapelhay Community Playgarden Association and a trustee of STEPS Youth Club, roles I still hold, and initiator of the ultimately successful campaign to restore safe access to Castle Cove Beach.”
“I believe I have a strong track record of representing local residents’ interests and I am particularly proud of having secured greater support for Dorset’s Youth Clubs. It is a privilege to represent Rodwell and Wyke.”
Latest news featuring Clare Sutton
- South West Coast Path section near Ferrybridge reopened, two years after landslide damage
Further to our update earlier this year, a beloved section of the South West Coast Path near the Fleet Lagoon in Ferrybridge, Weymouth, has officially reopened just in time for the peak walking season, following extensive restoration works. Closed since 2023 due to landslides and coastal erosion, the path had forced walkers onto a lengthy inland diversion. - Dorset Council puts children’s rights at forefront of decision-making
Dorset Council has unanimously backed a motion to become a Rights Respecting Authority. This formally embeds the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into its policies and practices. Green Councillor Clare Sutton, cabinet member for children’s services, seconded the motion at the 15th May Dorset Council meeting. - “What about free speech and respecting others’ opinions?” Conservative councillors walk out for deputation on Gaza
Ten Conservative councillors walked out of the Dorset Council chamber on Thursday, rather than hear a public deputation requesting that the Dorset Pension Fund take investments out of companies supporting the Israeli war effort in Gaza. Green Councillor Clare Sutton said she could only interpret the choice of those who left the council chamber during the session on Gaza as support for the Israeli leader’s decision to bomb children and hospitals. - Dorset Council Children’s Services rated “outstanding” by Ofsted
Dorset Council Children’s Services have been rated “outstanding” by Ofsted. Its Cabinet member is Green Councillor Clare Sutton (since May 2024, in an otherwise Lib Dem Cabinet). Children’s Services were graded outstanding in its impact of leaders on social work practice, experiences and progress of children who need help, experiences of children in care and overall effectiveness. It was graded good for the experiences and progress of care leavers. - Footpath near Rodwell Trail re-opened, after Cllrs Clare Sutton and Helen Toft work with Dorset Council
A well-used route near the Rodwell Trail is once again open for use, following stabilisation of the surrounding bank and resurfacing. This restoration comes after a landslip and a fallen tree had left the path unusable. Dorset Council’s highways team cleared vegetation and rubbish and rebuilt the bank along the footpath from Rylands Lane off Doncaster Road in Wyke. - “Downright insulting”: Greens slam Portland Port’s ‘keeping community at heart’ newsletter with incinerator set to be built there
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?” - Green Group Leader gives Budget speech at Dorset Council
Councillor Clare Sutton’s Budget speech at a meeting of the full Dorset Council on 11th February: “Those of us who were councillors prior to 2024 know that this is always challenging, largely because successive Conservative governments have decimated funding to local government, and because Dorset has fared particularly poorly, despite having a full suite of Conservative MPs until last year…” - Ferrybridge coastal path: New plan in place
It’s good to have an update on the Ferrybridge coastal path after such a long period with a diversion. Councillor Clare Sutton met with Dorset Council’s Greenspace Manager yesterday and there’s now a plan in place. Subject to the agreement of Natural England (because it’s an SSSI) and the landowner, whose existing ‘structure’ will be… Read more: Ferrybridge coastal path: New plan in place
Contact Clare Sutton
cllr.claresutton@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk {Dorset Council matters]
clare.sutton@zen.co.uk [Green Party matters]
01305 771180
Follow Clare Sutton’s work on social media
Green Party for Rodwell and Wyke Regis
Rodwell & Wyke Green Matters – community newsletters
Clare Sutton, Claudia Webb and Helen Toft’s community newsletter is delivered to all 7,000 homes in Rodwell and Wyke Regis by their team of volunteers. View issues as PDF documents here.
Rodwell & Wyke Green Matters – Autumn 2024
Rodwell & Wyke Green Matters – Spring 2024
Rodwell & Wyke Green Matters – February 2024