The Climate and Ecology Advisory Group
One of the key actions from the 2020-2024 Parish Plan was to set up a Climate & Ecological 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 both the climate emergency and enhance local ecology and biodiversity.
The Climate & Ecology Advisory Group held it’s first meeting on 20th June 2023, and it was an inspiring first meeting!
The Group meets in January, April and September one Tuesday 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, and making comments on matters affecting residents to other local Government organisations.
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.
Climate and Ecology Advisory Group: Actions
So far we have:
Projects
- Set up the incredibly popular Thermal Imaging Camera Project – we have been fully booked this winter season, and have a waitlist going into winter 2025-2026 – so do get on the list if you want to borrow the camera!
- Created a short term and medium term plan for actions
- These actions were developed and became part of the Withyham Parish Council Parish Plan for 2024-2028
- Created the Climate and Ecology section of the website, and adding all the resources for the community, and anyone who visits our website!
- Running wildlife partnership projects with local Group Wild Groombridge – at both the Park Corner Drover’s Pond and The Wild Verge Project outside the Council offices at The Old Station.
Changes
- Switched to East Sussex County Council’s Environmental Enhanced Service Option 2 – which means less cutting of verges across the parish to allow more habitat for wildlife and to give more native species an opportunity to grow in their natural cycles (with the exception of verges which need to be cut for safety reasons e.g. sightlines).
- Written and adopted the Withyham Parish Council Biodiversity Policy.
- The Council has undertaken a survey to review the East Sussex County Council Urban Grass Cutting schedule – to get resident’s views on what we agree to.
- Added a Climate and Ecology section to the Parish Notes in the monthly Village magazines.
- Begun a Gardening for Nature information campaign.
Comments
- Submitted comments on East Sussex County Council’s Local Transport Plan 4.
- Commented on Wealden District Council’s new Local Plan in relation to climate and the environment.
- Participated in Wealden District Council’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan Organisation Survey.
- Written answers to the Local Nature Recovery Strategy Organisational Survey about wildlife in the local area.
- Written to East Sussex County Council about concerns around the use of Glyphosate as standard within the Parish, and across the County.
Partnerships and Presentations
- Have representatives on the National Association of Local Council’s Climate Emergency Network.
- The Community Engagement Coordinator presented at Wealden District Council’s “Wealden’s Big Climate Change Event” about the setting up and projects of the Group.
- The Community Engagement Coordinator spoke about the success and setting up of the Thermal Imaging Camera Project at The Forest Row Energy “Community Energy Evening”.
Speakers and Learning
- Wealden District Council’s Climate Officer came and talked about collaboration, projects and how we can support each other’s work.
- Our East Sussex County Councillor Georgia Taylor talked to us about what the County Council are up to, and projects that are going on across the County.
- One Zero’s Howard Johns came and talked about community energy, renewable energy and retrofitting.
- Sarah from Project Ripple Effect and Keith from the Dorset Arms Anglers came along to talk to us all about our local rivers, citizen science and water quality testing.
- Jeremy Brackpool from Wild Wiggle came to speak abou his climate journey, changes he has made, and the local project he has set up for nature recovery.
- Alison Seddon came to share about The Climate Majority Project, speaking about community resilience, adaptation for climate change and how we communicate with our communities.
- Members of the Group went on Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Ecological Surveying and Recording Techniques Training – which was kindly given for free to local Groups.
As well as signposting local and national campaigns, resources across our communication channels – like our Facebook page, website and the Parish Newsletter.
You can also check out the Agendas and Minutes of the Climate and Ecology Advisory Group .
