Town councillors have been engaging with the documents generated by the Sustainable Shaftesbury Working Group (SSWG).
Our meeting on 18th was joined by town clerk, Brie Logan, who described the process councillors are going through and the several opportunities during January for members of SSWG to review and comment on changes being made. Different views expressed in the discussion afterwards ranged from concern that the council may not step into the community leadership role some of us would like to see, to welcoming changes made by councillors if this indicates they will take ownership of the modified plan. We affirmed our appreciation of the continuing work being tackled by SSWG.
22nd to date: Councillors have continued to work towards a plan that could be supported by the council. A joint meeting with 3 councillors and 3 community members of SSWG will take place on 30th Jan, after which the amended plan documents will be prepared for consideration by full council on 20th February (with the documents available beforehand through the meeting agenda on the town council's website).
Our next meeting: 15th February
We'll have a brief update from those members of the SSWG who've been party to the town council's Sustainable Shaftesbury process.
We'll then consider the themes and potential projects set out in the Action Plan produced by SSWG and select initiatives for which we have the interest and capacity to make a start. This could lead to us identifying a number of 'next steps'...
Before the meeting ends there'll be time to share news informally and to schedule follow-up working meetings - to include practical arrangements around our changing newsletter/website.
The meeting will take place at 7.30pm in the snug (to left of the entrance) at The Grosvenor Arms. Open to all.
Reading the Land, 15-17th March 2024: Full programme and arrangements for booking are now live. The Sunday afternoon session sponsored by Planet Shaftesbury features Robin Walter in conversation with Chris Smaje, locally-based social scientist, farmer and author, about his book Saying No to a Farm-Free Future. Tickets are selling fast.
Defashion Dorset 2024: Hawkers Farm, Stour Provost, is hosting the second year of this annual event: an opportunity to celebrate local fibre growers and makers and a local clothing culture. According to Climate Words “To ‘Defashion’ is to combat the fashion industry’s role in the climate crisis and transition to regenerative and fair clothing systems.”
Takes place on Friday 24th & Saturday 25th May, 10am-5pm. Outline programme and tickets now available, workshop bookings from 1st March.
Dorset Council has introduced new guidelines Planning for Climate Change to support decision-making until the new Local Plan is adopted (the next draft of the Local Plan is scheduled to be published for consultation in December 2024 and adoption won't be till Spring 2026). See details on the DC website.
Please send news or event details to planetshaftesbury@gmail.com for sharing across our network
