The Climate and Ecology Advisory Group 
One of the key actions from the 2020-2024 Parish Plan was to set up a Climate & Ecology Advisory Group.
This group looks at the actions from the Withyham Parish Council Parish Plan 2024-2028 in combination with the results for the Parish from carbon calculating tools, to see what next steps can be recommended to Council to address the climate emergency, enhance the local ecology and biodiversity, and to create community resilience through strategic adaptation.
The Climate & Ecology Advisory Group held it’s first meeting on 20th June 2023, and it was an inspiring first meeting!
You can see what we have talked about and actioned on the Climate and Ecology Advisory Group’s Agendas, Supporting Documents and Minutes.
The Group meets 3 times per year, on a Thursday from 10.30am – 12.30pm at The Old Station, Groombridge – and we are involved in opt-in projects throughout the year!
** The Group is made up of both Councillors and residents, and we have a few spots left – so if you’d like to be part of the group or find out a bit more about what’s happening contact: stephanie@withyhamparishcouncil.gov.uk / call 01892 864 557 **
We have expert speakers come along so we learn about a range of topics, as well as group discussion. We look at the actions for recommendation to Full Council, as well as getting projects and plans going, running partnership projects, and making comments on matters affecting residents to other local Government organisations.
Climate and Ecology Advisory Group: Actions
You can find an overview of everything we have been up to in this Climate and Ecology Advisory Group Actions document (last updated September 2026).
Some examples are:
Projects
We have set up the incredibly popular Thermal Imaging Camera Project – we have been fully booked for previous winter seasons – so do get on the list if you want to borrow the camera this winter!
We created a short and medium term action plan which was developed and became part of the Withyham Parish Council Parish Plan for 2024-2028.
We created the Climate and Ecology section of the website, so residents can find out how to get involved.
We have been running Wildlife Partnership Projects with local Group Wild Groombridge [external link, opens in a new window] – at both the Park Corner Drover’s Pond Habitat Project and The Wild Verge Project.
We planned, planted and cared for a new Wildlife Friendly Plant Bed outside the Council Offices, with advice and planting plans generously contributed by Groombridge Horticultural Society [external link, opens in a new window].
Changes
You can find out more about the changes Withyham Parish Council has been making at Changing Our Methods.
We also do things like:
- Give feedback and comments on surveys and plans by other groups, organisations and tiers of government.
- Have speakers at all of our meetings from local groups, specialists, projects and partners – so we can learn about what’s possible, and how to do it!
- Give presentations and share knowledge about our projects and process, and the Climate & Ecology Advisory Group.
- Plug into networks, like NALC’s (National Association of Local Councils’) Climate Emergency Network (CEN).
- Go on training that can help us achieve goals.
- Signpost local and national campaigns and resources across our communication channels, including:
How We Set Up The Group
We’ve given this presentation about how we set up the Climate and Ecology Advisory Group – so check it out!
It shows how we worked out our beginning steps:
and how we would structure the Group:
and much more besides!
If you are a Parish Council and would like to find out more about our process, or a local club, group or resident active in this area do contact Stephanie: stephanie@withyhamparishcouncil.org.uk / 01892 864 557.
