from Cllrs Mike Stanton and Richard Wilkins
The collection includes 50 books and aims to provide ‘something for everyone’ including books for children, young people, adults, parents, women and those without an official diagnosis but who experience neurodivergent traits.
The collection will be shelved at 20 libraries across Somerset, in varying collection size, but will be available to request for free from any Somerset Library. Books will have a longer six-week loan period and there will be no late fees payable on them.
Autism Acceptance Week ran from 2-8 April to support people with autism and their families to cope with some of the challenges they face.
Tickets for the author event on the 20th April are free but need to be booked via [email protected].
Further information is available here: https://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/raise-money/world-autism-acceptance-week-2024
Further support and grants available to help businesses ‘Go Green’
Somerset Council is continuing to help businesses to reduce their carbon emissions and, in turn, save money on their energy costs through the extension of two pioneering schemes.
Launched in October, the ‘Go Green Scheme’ and the ‘Somerset Green Business Grant Scheme’ were introduced to offer businesses practical help and financial support to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. The schemes have been funded from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Local Growth Fund.
The schemes are already making a tangible difference, with the Go Green Scheme identifying potential energy and carbon savings of 35% while the Green Business Grants have funded businesses to take forward a wide range of measures – from e-forklifts to smart controls. Harris Bros & Collard Ltd in Bridgwater was one of the first 50 businesses to benefit from the scheme when it was
Further information on the Go Green Scheme ‘empowering Somerset businesses to go green’ is available at www.gogreenscheme.org.uk
Businesses interested in finding out more about Green Business Grants should visit https://www.somerset.gov.uk/business-economy-and-licences/funding-and-grants-for-business/ or email [email protected]
‘Feed your family, not the bin’ say SC and SUEZ
In support of Food Waste Action Week, Somerset Council and SUEZ are helping the county’s Local Pantry members go the extra mile to reduce food waste.
Fridges set to the correct temperature can help food stay fresh for up to three days longer. Somerset Council and SUEZ recycling and recovery – the Council’s collections contractor – are providing a fridge thermometer to every member, helping families to keep their food at a cool 0°c to 5°c.
It’s not just keeping your fridge cool that can help prevent food waste, the nationwide ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign shares simple tips that can help everyone make the most of their food:
• Create a weekly meal plan
• Check your portions to avoid uneaten leftovers
• Let hot food cool first so it doesn’t increase the fridge temperature
• Keep fruit and vegetables in the fridge – it makes them last longer
• Create an ‘eat me first’ space in the fridge to keep tabs on food that needs using up
Some food waste is unavoidable; if it must go then recycling food waste is the next best thing. Households in Somerset can recycle their food at the kerbside, with their weekly recycling collection. Last year 23,000 tonnes of food waste was recycled – but the waste in the general rubbish bins were filled with 21% food waste.
Food waste in Somerset is recycled in the county, via anaerobic digestion – it’s turned into fertiliser for farms and electricity that goes into the national grid.
According to ‘Love Food, Hate Waste’, a staggering 60% of the UK’s food waste come from our homes – that’s eight meals a week!
Food pantries in Somerset are thriving, with nine up and running across the county. The nine Local Pantries do a brilliant job of diverting surplus food from shops and local allotments, saving food which would have otherwise been thrown out.
Purple chairs provide ‘beacon of safety’ for women and girls
Purple chairs are being installed in libraries across Somerset to provide a clear beacon of safety for women and girls.
The ‘Purple Chair Scheme’ provides a safe space for women and girls to get information about health and wellbeing, as well as support and resources available to them in whatever circumstances they find themselves in, including:
• antenatal and postnatal care,
• physical activity during pregnancy and after birth,
• breast cancer support,
• health visiting service,
• domestic abuse support,
• gambling,
• cervical screening,
• go smoke free,
• anti-social behaviour and harassment.
Library staff have also put together a carefully chosen selection of books on Women’s Wellness, displayed in the health and wellbeing section.
Purple chairs and information packs can be found in the following libraries across Somerset: Bridgwater, Chard, Frome, Glastonbury, Taunton, Williton, and Yeovil.
The Purple Chair Scheme has been funded as part of a Home Office Safer Streets programme aimed at improving feelings of safety for women and girls in public spaces. This project also highlights the Safer Somerset Partnership commitment to support women and girls to live free from violence and harassment.
The information packs accompanying the purple chairs offer valuable information for everyone, irrespective of gender or identity. Somerset libraries warmly welcome everyone to access information, signposting, and support. Applications can be completed online, and applicants have to reapply every three years. Full details on how to apply can be found here: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-post
Check out Somerset’s Bus Passenger Charter
Bus users in Somerset are being signposted to an important document aimed at protecting the quality and performance of bus services.
Drawn up by Somerset Council, bus user groups and operators, the Bus Passenger Charter for Somerset establishes a consistent standard for bus services to meet and aims to improve the way passengers can hold the Council and operators to account.
The charter, which is a condition of Somerset’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, sets out the standard of service the passenger can reasonably expect when they travel on any route operating within the County, and what the Council and operator can reasonably expect in terms of passenger behaviour.
Included in the Charter are key pledges such as:
• Clear information to help plan a journey and about any possible disruptions
• Recognisable bus stops with up-to-date information
• Buses departing and travelling as advertised
• Comfortable, clean and accessible vehicles
• A clear complaints procedure
In return, passengers are asked to respect drivers and fellow passengers, as well as helping to keep the bus clean by taking litter home.
You can view and download the Charter here: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/somerset-bus-passenger-charter/#Purpose%20of%20this%20charter
If you can’t access the internet please call our customer service team to request a copy on 0300 123 2224.
Brand new Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation set to open in May
This is an exciting time for innovative businesses in the digital economy as the brand new purpose-built Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation (FCDI) is set to officially open its doors in Taunton. Owned and operated by Somerset Council, FCDI has already successfully held a number of events where lucky delegates were able to get a preview of the impressive facilities.
FCDI has been made possible after successfully securing more than £7.3m of external ring-fenced funding including European Union’s European Regional Development Fund (£1.69 million) in addition to HM Government’s Getting Building Funding (£5.45 million) and Growth Deal funding (£235k). This is in addition to a £3.6m investment from Somerset Council which was secured ahead of the creation of the unitary council. The modern and inspiring innovation centre will offer grade A office suites, co-working, collaboration and event space over four floors
Rob Beckley QPM: Chief Police Officer, assumes role of High Sheriff of Somerset
Rob Beckley, a highly respected figure in law enforcement with a distinguished policing career spanning 38 years, is retiring from the police service and stepping into the role of High Sheriff of Somerset. His appointment was formally declared in Wells Cathedral at the annual Somerset Legal Service on 17 March 2024.
With a wealth of experience & longstanding connection to Somerset, Rob’s appointment builds on an enduring commitment to community engagement & voluntary service. Rob’s theme during his year as High Sheriff, is to promote community participation in community and voluntary services across Somerset. He is deeply concerned about the fall in voluntary participation in recent years so will be working hard to promote greater awareness of what the sector does for our communities.
The role of High Sheriff is one deeply rooted in history and tradition, with the first Somerset High Sheriff having been appointed in 1061. While the exact duties have evolved over time, the High Sheriff remains an important figure within the county, appointed for a year and acting as the King’s representative in matters of law and order. Beyond ceremonial duties, the High Sheriff has a vital role in supporting the judiciary, law enforcement, and voluntary and charitable community organisations in Somerset.
Cllrs Richard Wilkins and Mike Stanton