Building sustainable communities in south Somerset

A special event is taking place on 13 November when a number of key public and private sector organisations come together to find out how they can help to build sustainable communities in south Somerset.

South Somerset Together (SST), the local strategic partnership for the area, is hosting a workshop by Sustainability South West. The event will look at how people can live on a healthy planet for many generations to come by adapting the way we live and work to minimise the negative impacts on others and on the natural environment on which we depend.

Paull Robathan, Chairman of South Somerset Together, said; "The organisations that make up SST are those that make the policies and devise the services for south Somerset residents, in areas such as housing, transport, health care and crime prevention.

"Our aim is to improve the quality of life for everyone that lives and works in the area. In doing this, we have a responsibility to ensure that, by meeting the needs of people today, we do not jeopardise the lives of future generations.

"Sustainability means that we have to take positive action to turn around 'unsustainable' trends – whether it's rising greenhouse gas emissions, the depletion of natural resources or the loss of local shops/services.

"This workshop will help us to put such global sustainable principles into practice at a local level."

South Somerset Together will incorporate sustainability principles into a community plan that it is currently preparing. The draft plan, which will run up to 2026 and will contain priorities for the first five years, will go out for further consultation in the new year.