Last week I was on BBC Somerset radio’s Claire Carter show talking about why I and thousands of other councillors objected to the Government’s proposal to take decision making on fracking projects away from local councils and into Government control. I argued that the Government should not bypass local democracy, and should be putting their […]

Dear All, A quick further update on news for Frome College ward and surrounding areas in Frome, Mendip and Somerset. Please get in touch if you have any issues you need help with. Evening 267 buses under threat – we need your help:  As the recent Frome Standard and Frome Times front page stories explain, […]

I was relieved to find out (via Frome’s Anti-fracking group) this week that South Western Energy have decided not to take up the Government’s offer of licences for unconventional gas exploration, including ‘fracking’ for shale gas, in the countryside near Frome in four 10km square blocks including Beckington, Rode and nearby Wiltshire towns. This good […]

Dear All, A quick update for you on news for Frome College ward, Frome and Mendip. I hope you find it useful. How can I help? Please get in touch if you have any issues you need help with. Frome Leisure Centre to reopen on 1st June: Fusion have now announced that the revamped Frome […]

Please see below my newsletter for Frome College ward, Frome and Mendip. I hope you find it useful. How can I help? Please get in touch if you have any issues you need help with. Leisure Centre reopening delayed: As a member of Mendip District Council’s Leisure Strategic Board, last week I had a tour […]

As predicted, the Government has confirmed its intention to grant licences for unconventional gas (coal bed methane) exploration in areas near Frome, in and around Rode, Beckington, Westbury, Trowbridge and Warminster. In its response to consultation feedback from local councils, environmental groups, industry and local residents (including myself) on the Government’s assessments of the likely […]

Refugees welcome in Mendip In response to the worst refugee crisis in Europe since the 2nd world war, I asked Mendip District Council to do what it can to help resettle our share of refugees fleeing war so that families and children can live in safety. Although my formal motion was denied a debate, I […]

Last year I and other Lib Dem councillors at Mendip were delighted to help successfully propose and negotiate a strongly worded cross-party motion through Mendip District Council, which raised concerns about the harmful impacts of ‘fracking’ for shale gas in the district. The motion was drawn up with local experts, agreed that Mendip seeks to […]

My letter to the Frome Standard this week (see here): Dear Editor, In response to Duncan Skene’s letter last week, I can remind readers that local Lib Dem councillors, including me, have already taken action in response to concerns about the potential harmful environmental effects that industrial scale high pressure high volume unconventional gas exploration, […]

(As sent to Frome Times and Frome Standard, 14 July 2014) In response to Steve Williams’ letter in a previous issue, I should remind readers that local Lib Dem councillors, including me, continue to protect our area against fracking for shale gas, despite the Conservative part of the coalition Government having a ‘gung ho’ attitude […]

I was delighted recently to have helped successfully propose and negotiate a motion through Mendip District Council, to raise concerns about the harmful impacts of ‘fracking’ for shale gas, which could be proposed in future. The cross-party motion, which was agreed unanimously by councillors, aims to control and to prevent fracking in Mendip, and demands […]

Next steps: A cross-party working group of Mendip Councillors is being set up to implement the resolution of the Motion, with the first meeting in early December. Links: – Text of agreed motion: Mendip District Council, 30 September 2013 meeting: see ‘Updating – Motion on Fracking’: http://www.mendip.gov.uk/article/2733/Monday-30-September-2013 – Somerset County Council Minerals Topic Paper on oil […]

This motion was agreed unanimously (only a few county cllrs abstained) last night at Mendip District Council’s full Council meeting at Whitstone School, Shepton Mallet: Motion to Council – 30th September 2013 Proposed – Councillors Harvey Siggs and Danny Unwin Seconded – Councillors Tom Killen and Adam Boyden Mendip District Council acknowledges the Governments view […]

Mendip Liberal Democrats are delighted that last night, at Mendip’s Full Council at Whitstone School in Shepton Mallet, a motion was unanimously passed regarding fracking.   This motion sets out the concerns of the council and seeks to provide safeguards to the district.  A joint motion between the Lib Dems and the Conservatives was agreed at […]

Mendip District Council’s next full council meeting, on 30th September, was to have seen two Motions on ‘fracking’ debated, one from the Mendip Liberal Democrats (see my previous post) and one from Mendip Conservatives’ leader and deputy leader, as well as a Presentation by officers and other local authorities.  A number of people will be speaking at […]

The Mendip District Council Liberal Democrat group are calling on the Conservative Council administration to listen to the concerns of local people regarding the controversial act of hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’.  Fracking – the extraction of fossil fuel gas found deep underground – has been the focus of much national attention. The motion, which has […]

At the last Mendip District Council Full Council meeting (13 June 2013), I posed two questions. The second concerned the impacts and risks of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the Mendip area: “2.      In light of the recent concerns expressed by members of the public and councillors about the likely impacts of unconventional gas exploitation (including […]