Rodwell & Wyke Regis has two Green councillors on Dorset Council, Clare Sutton and Claudia Webb, and one Green councillor on Weymouth Town Council, Helen Toft.
Latest Rodwell & Wyke regis news
- 20mph zone introduced in Cross Road, Weymouth, after strong support from Cllr Clare Sutton
A 20mph zone has now been introduced in Cross Road, Weymouth. This initiative has been strongly supported by Green Councillor Clare Sutton (Rodwell & Wyke), to make it safer for schoolchildren, elderly residents of Anning House and those using the doctor’s surgery. - Claudia Webb co-organises south Harbourside litter pick, raises awareness of harbour cleanliness
Rodwell & Wyke Green Councillor Claudia Webb organised a litter pick of Weymouth’s South Harbourside with Bennett’s. Claudia said: “It was good fun, and raised awareness about keeping our harbour clean.” - Cllr Claudia Webb works to recruit new Friends of Rodwell Trail & Sandsfoot Castle committee members
Green Councillor Claudia Webb (Rodwell & Wyke) has been working on recruiting new Friends of Rodwell Trail committee members so they can continue the great work they do, including replacing the missing station signs. - Cllrs Clare Sutton and Helen Toft visit Wyke Water Treatment Plant
Councillor Helen Toft says: “It was extremely interesting to visit the Wyke Water Treatment Plant with Councillor Clare Sutton and others this summer. In a smelly few hours we gained a better understanding of the processes, and asked lots of questions about sewage discharges.” - Standing together against racism: Cllr Claudia Webb’s experience at the Weymouth anti-racism protest
Green Councillor Claudia Webb (Rodwell & Wyke) writes: “On Sunday 4th August 2024, I had the honour of joining hundreds of residents in Weymouth to stand together in unity against racism and injustice. The anti-racism protest, which drew people from all walks of life, was a powerful display of our community’s commitment to equality, justice, and the shared belief that racism has no place in our society.” - Green Councillor Clare Sutton appointed Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education & Skills
Dorset Council’s new Liberal Democrat administration, elected on a promise of cross-party working, has appointed Green Councillor Clare Sutton as Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education & Skills. - Clearance work to recommence towards opening Weymouth’s Underbarn
Green Councillor Clare Sutton (Rodwell & Wyke) secured Dorset Council’s commitment in 2021 to reinstating the Underbarn – a scenic path in Weymouth from Bincleaves Green to Castle Cove Beach. The Underbarn has been closed since 2001 owing to safety concerns after landslips. It has since fallen into an overgrown state of disrepair. Much of the Underbarn was cut through after the initial reopening agreement. Unfortunately progress then stalled for various reasons. However, landowners were informed last month that works would recommence and this has now started. - ~20 residents attend anti-social behaviour discussion in Wyke Regis, organised by Cllr Helen Toft, after Halloween incidents
Wyke Regis Town Councillor Helen Toft was contacted by a Williams Avenue resident in November who told her that, on Halloween, a large group of young people banged and kicked cars in the road and verbally abused residents who challenged them. As this was corroborated by other residents, Helen organised a meeting that was attended by around 20 residents, the Police, senior staff from All Saints School, Dorset Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour officer and councillors Clare Sutton and Lucy Hamilton.
Councillor Clare Sutton
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.”
Contact Clare Sutton
cllr.claresutton@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk {Dorset Council matters]
clare.sutton@zen.co.uk [Green Party matters]
01305 771180
Councillor Claudia Webb
Rodwell & Wyke, Dorset Council
Claudia Webb was elected to Dorset Council in May 2024, to serve Rodwell & Wyke alongside Clare Sutton, successfully taking the seat of retiring Green councillor Brian Heatley.
Claudia says: “I am dedicated to and passionate about helping my local community, in which I have lived for fifteen years.
“I have been involved with the Friends of Rodwell Trail for over ten years and am a volunteer Police Cadet teacher in Weymouth.
“Previously I was a Weymouth Borough councillor for the Green Party. Despite being in a minority party I was able to work cross-party to pass a motion aimed at reducing littering and danger to wildlife in Weymouth.
“I have worked for the Weymouth Business Improvement District for three years and effected many positive changes in Weymouth.”
Contact Claudia Webb
07769 973593
Councillor Helen Toft
Wyke Regis, Weymouth Town Council
Helen Toft is passionate about making Weymouth a better place for everyone to live, and has a track record of getting things done.
Helen moved to Wyke Regis with her husband in 1993 and raised their two sons here. She was Chair of Rodwell Pre-School for several years, during which time she secured a £10,000 lottery grant to further develop the nursery. She then served as a Governor of Holy Trinity Primary School for ten years where she:
- took the lead in securing a contract whereby Weymouth College, rather than a Nottingham company, became the provider of high-quality school meals, benefiting both the children and catering students at Weymouth College, which has since taken over contracts with other primary schools
- initiated a campaign which prevented a massive cut in school crossing patrols across the county – Save the Lollipop! – for which Helen’s family received a national campaigning award
- secured a number of large grants to help set up the School’s Environmental Garden, which has won several awards
- set up and for several years ran a Walking Bus scheme, which is still operating
- took the lead role in persuading Dorset Council to install solar panels, the first school in Weymouth to have them, now generating much of the school’s electricity
- successfully campaigned to stop the installation of a phone mast right on the school perimeter.
Whilst working for Weymouth BID 2017-2021, Helen took the lead on installing over 200 hanging baskets across the town and was especially focused on making sure visitors to Weymouth had a positive experience, thus benefiting our local economy.
Follow Rodwell & Wyke Regis Greens on social media
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