Catherine Bennett will be the Green Party candidate for Portland ward in the Dorset Council local elections on May 2nd 2024.
Catherine says: "I live in Fortuneswell with my family and care a great deal about Portland and in particular the future chances of our children. I believe that we can do a lot now to give them the best chance they can have. I have been involved in our community for a long time and have mainly worked in Education.
"I have been a school governor, and on the committee with a local nursery. I have also been on the committee of the Mulberry Moorings. I have worked in universities, colleges and with children outside of standard education in alternative provision and more recently I work with b-side and Co-op with community projects and causes. As part of my role in the Co-op I heard about funding that was available for Community Fridges. I knew it would work well on Portland. I applied for the funding and am lead volunteer running the Community Fridge and have done so since October 2022. Our family and friends also decided that we would save the Mallams phone box so we held table top sales and coffee mornings to raise money and then were able to refurbish it so that it could be used by the local community.
"For b-side, I am Community Projects Co-ordinator where we have been able to run summer workshops at The Islanders. We have also been able to work with local groups like the Brownies, Badgers, Muntsys, ICA, The Drop-In and local schools. Through the recent project This Land it also gave local people the chance to talk to Portland based and Dorset based organisations, such as The Court Leet, Portland Bird Observatory, Jurassic Coast Trust, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Dorset Coast Forum and ask questions and talk about solutions to problems on managing our landscape.
"I have previously worked as a researcher in Parliament, so I have seen some of the workings of national and local government. As someone who is new to membership of a political party it feels important to me to be part of an active and cohesive group of Green Party Councillors devoted to change, not only for my family's future but to ensure all Portland voices are heard in Dorchester. It would be an honour to represent people on Portland."
1) Challenge the new housing numbers
As Catherine stated at the Town Council meeting where plans to include France Quarry for housing development were protested: any new housing plans should reflect the needs of Portland and not blindly follow a government calculation.
2) Housing that helps working families and young people to live on Portland
The housing development that Catherine would support would centre on social housing, affordable housing, cooperative and communal living spaces, and low-cost rental accommodation to meet very clear local needs.
3) Protect Portland’s unique natural environment
Nearly 50% of Portland has special status for its landscape, flora and fauna. However its ecology is still threatened by development outside the development boundary, such as holiday cottages to be built at The Bill.
4) Better support for children and young people
As a local mother, Catherine wants the network of youth services and youth clubs restored. She wants to work with partners to improve the standards of schools, especially where levels of exclusion and child poverty are high.
5) Tackle climate change as our leading priority
We must ensure that Portland’s Neighbourhood Plan, our Climate & Ecological Emergency Strategy and Biodiversity Plan are fully aligned, just as the plans must be at County Hall. No hollow documents or policies.
Rachel Bentham from Fortuneswell says: “I am very happy to endorse Catherine as a candidate. She works hard to do her best for her community and has the determination, education and well thought-out approach to get things done.
"As someone born and bred on Portland, with children and a grandchild, I appreciate that she understands the difficulties our young people face as a parent herself, and has the desire to improve their life chances.”
Tony Walter from Fortuneswell says: “I’ve worked with Catherine on the Community Fridge, which over its first 18 months has saved 16 tonnes of food from Portland shops going to waste, reducing the island’s carbon footprint, helping household budgets, and bringing people together.
"A Portlander who understands the wider world, Catherine gets things done – with vision, efficiency and good humour. A joy to work with, she’ll be a truly effective Green councillor.”
On Portland, you get to vote for three candidates in the Dorset Council election.
Please give just one of your three votes to Catherine Bennett from the Green Party.
catherine.bennett@dorset.greenparty.org.uk
https://www.facebook.com/Catherine4Portland
