📢 Do you want to make a real difference this winter? The next few months are going to be difficult for many in #Coker
So, to help residents get the help they might need, Cllrs @MikeHewitson1, @NicolaClarkLD & I have published a leaflet full of useful information 🧵 1/
From @cab_south to @Somerset_CF - we've pulled together the direct contact details of a range of local agencies, charities, and councils
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In July, @SomersetLibDems declared a #costofliving emergency. We did this in recognition of the financial pressures facing households right across the county
Now we want to make sure every house in #Coker gets one of these leaflets. Will you help us make it happen? 3/
Today, I took delivery of @PeteUK7’s DIY air filter parts. I made a cup of tea and in 2 hours I’d constructed a highly effective air purifier at a cost of ~£160. An off the shelf comparator costs £400+
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There is plenty of data out there re: the effectiveness of the #CorsiRosenthalBox. See: @CleanAirClassrm & others. Here it is at no.1 (the lowest fan speed). It’s very quiet.
I’ve done some calculations on what it would cost to get 1 of these into every school in #Somerset 2/
There are 269 state-funded schools in #Somerset. At £160ea it would cost £43,040 to get just 1 unit into every school. An additional £82,240 if you wanted to include all EYFS settings (514 of them). BUT…
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Excellent Policies, Children's and Families Scrutiny Committee meeting at County Hall in #Taunton this pm, with some excellent questions from members. However the big 🐘 in the room was Covid and its likely impact on education this autumn/winter... 🧵
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The Chair permitted me to ask an urgent question under AOB:
📈What measures are in place to tackle any anticipated rise in Covid cases/school closures?
With written follow up Qs:
💉What is the child Covid vaccination rate in #Somerset & what are we doing to increase take-up?
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🌬️How are schools monitoring air quality and are they being given the tools to purify the air?
It’s fun watching Tory MPs argue they did not, in fact, vote to allow water companies to discharge into waterways
They are essentially relying on us not knowing the detail of what happened last year when the Enviro Bill ping-ponged between the House of Commons/Lords 1/
Fact: the Enviro Bill originally did nothing for sewage overflows
Fact: House of Lords tabled Amendment 45 - to place a duty on sewerage undertakers to do everything they can to eliminate sewage overflows
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Tory MPs voted against that amendment - opting instead for a Government amendment that replaced the duty to eliminate overflows with a duty on water companies to “progressively reduce the impacts of sewage pollution”
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Some comparative stats have just been released by @cab_south in relation to hardship in #SouthSomerset. Comparing Jan-July 2021 with the same period in ‘22. They make for grim reading:
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⬆️ Food bank referrals +15,700%
⬆️ Fuel-driven financial crisis +2,900%
⬆️ Actual homelessness: +119%
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In the #CokerDivision alone, people facing financial crisis and seeking help with Citizens Advice has gone up +796%
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🚧 #ChinnockHollow update 🚨 I attended a very productive meeting with senior highways officers this afternoon, including the new Lead Member for Transport Cllr @MikeSRigby
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You don’t need me to tell you that sorting out the Hollow is going to be a complex and expensive job. Public safety is absolutely paramount, so this needs to be looked at with all due care and consideration. 2/
I’m pleased to say that we’re very nearly in a position to start making meaningful progress - setting a budget, establishing deadlines and the rest of it. 3/