Councillor Kia Pope is a Green Party member who sits on Portland Town Council for Underhill ward. He sits on the Council’s Climate Emergency Working Group, Biodiversity Working Group, and Events Working Group.
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Catherine Bennett was the Green Party candidate on Portland for Dorset Council in May 2024. She came fourth, 90 votes behind the third of the three winners.
Latest portland news
- Cross-party group including Green councillors writes to Portland Port about incinerator
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 The letter asks the Port to abandon “these harmful proposals” for “an outdated form of technology”.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.” - Cllrs Clare Sutton and Jon Orrell address hundreds at Stop Portland Waste Incinerator protest
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. - Clare Sutton and Dorset Greens continue to fight against Portland incinerator after Government green lightLike 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.
- Portland Waste Incinerator hangs in the balance, as Green councillors among speakers at Public Inquiry
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. - Dorset councillors condemn housing 500 asylum-seekers on Bibby Stockholm – with Green-seconded amendment welcoming refugees
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”. - Portland Incinerator: Power to the people… but not from waste!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’.