Building sustainable communities

According to The National Lottery Community Fund, 33 per cent of people think the UK’s community spirit is dying out, while 29 per cent say it only comes out in a crisis. We are a community, but community activities are often fragmented and people’s time and commitment is rare and valuable. I will never take this for granted. Together we should strive to deliver a truly sustainable community, with improved connectivity and safe walking and cycling.

My priorities:
  • It should be free to park at Yatton station – at least until the car park is adequately lit and resurfaced. I will explore ways to reduce the growing problem of village fly-parking.
  • The Council has the powers to tackle pavement parking. I will work with others to take action. #PavementsForPeople
  • I will monitor our bin collection service, seek to improve and increase recycling.
  • I will support initiatives to reduce single-use plastic and help Yatton, Claverham and Congresbury become a Plastic Free Community.
  • I will do everything I can to support the residents of Wakedean Gardens.
  • I will encourage the Council to replace its pool of petrol and diesel-driven vehicles.
  • Mindful of the new medical centre to be built on Smallway, I will support Yatton & District Carers – a voluntary community car scheme – to recruit drivers to help people who find it hard to get to health-related appointments.
  • I want to encourage more neighbourhoods to organise Big Lunches – as we have done in our street every June for 10 years.
  • If elected I will be a ‘digital champion’ councillor and encourage the creation of free drop-in sessions with volunteers on hand to help older people quickly sort technical issues with their tablet, smartphone or laptop. (For example, a Gadget Club already meets at Weston Library every Friday).
  • I will do what I can to ensure the Council better supports the actions of residents who every day make a difference to the causes that they believe in.