2024 was a story of two chairs with Hayley leading the year until other commitments saw Steve taking back the reigns. So this report is a joint effort.
First the positives. Somerset CAN working in collaboration with Somerset Council and some key towns and parishes, took the Somerset Retrofit Project to the next level, we now have a completed business plan, a useful event was held and there are some innovative retrofit projects in the pipeline. Working with Somerset Community Action Group we held a successful in-person event in Taunton and we hope to run annual events around the county in the future.
In more good news, there are some new climate groups such as Coleford Climate Action and numerous new Repair Cafes and Community Fridge Schemes springing into life as well as Adaptation Action Plans nearing completion in Glastonbury, the Poldens and Burnham and Highbridge. There remains good cross-party support for action on climate and nature at Somerset Council, and we have a new clutch of MP’s who have all expressed support for action on climate.
But.
The predictable and long-drawn-out reorganisation at Somerset Council following the unitary move plus a worsening financial situation at County Hall has meant a decimating of the small climate team, a long-delayed review of the climate and nature strategy with no draft yet made public and a grinding to a near halt of action and leadership from our new council. This has left a massive hole and once again an absence of climate leadership. Unless our new government gives local councils in the UK more tax raising powers linked to a statutory duty to achieve climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience this situation will not change. Somerset CAN will raise these challenges and possible solutions with our 7 new MP’s.
Sorry for ending this statement on a less than up beat point but you all know the challenges we face, the benefits of a low carbon world and the very limited time left to take serious action.
Hayley Warrens and Steve Mewes
Chairs