serving the population of Willingham in Cambridgeshire
Environment and Sustainability
Willingham Parish Council Climate Change and Sustainability Statement
At its meeting on 6 May 2020 Willingham Parish Council (WPC) adopted the following statement:
“Willingham Parish Council fully supports the urgent need to tackle the issues surrounding global warming and its impact on climate change. Within its limited resources the Council will do what it can to assist in the aim of ensuring the long-term sustainability of our environment.”
Back in 2008 the Climate Change Act established a legally binding target to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% in 2050 from 1990 levels. Over the past year or so the dramatic effect of these emissions on our climate has become widely recognised as a very urgent problem and tackling it has moved higher up the agenda. In addition to greenhouse gas reduction, the sustainability of our environment also involves issues such as biodiversity, pollution and plastic waste.
Fundamental change requires international and national commitments, but local authorities also have an important part to play. WPC will continue to engage fully with CCC and SCDC, both of which have declared climate emergencies and are working on policies and strategies towards net zero carbon. WPC was represented at the recent SCDC Zero Carbon Communities workshop aimed at helping and supporting local communities such as ours.
The Council have two Councillors who are acting as their point of contact for climate change, environment and sustainability matters and they will help facilitate any initiatives within the Council’s remit on these matters. They can be contacted via the details below:
Linda King – cllr.lking@willinghamparishcouncil.gov.uk
Flood Groups Conference – Thursday 21st September 2023
2023-08-15
The Community Flood Team is holding the Flood Group Conference on Thursday 21st September 2023 at Burgess Hall in St Ives One Leisure, Westwood Rd, St Ives, St. Ives PE27 6WU. Following on from a successful launch last year and the great feedback received, they are extending this conference to also cover any communities in the River Great Ouse catchment which includes parts of Buckinghamshire, Central Bedfordshire, West Northamptonshire, Bedford Borough, Milton Keynes and Norfolk.
Organised by the Community Flood Action Programme team (part of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Flood Risk team), the conference is open to community flood groups and any residents with an interest in learning more about flood resilience or setting up their own flood group.
The plan for the day is to have 3 presentations in the morning, have a long break for lunch for people to network, have a look around the Floodmobile and then have 2 workshops that would run in parallel. Here is the link to register: Flood Groups Conference 2023 Tickets, Thu 21 Sep 2023 at 10:15 | Eventbrite
Photography Competition 2023 – New Life in the Old West
2023-05-30
Calling photographers – Enter our competition today!
We love the Old West River and the wonderful countryside and villages along its banks. We want as many people as possible to experience its beauty and the amazing wildlife that call this area their home.
A great way to appreciate the natural beauty around is to take photographs. We have launched a photography competition to encourage you to share your experiences with wildlife and out and about in the Cambridgeshire fens with us. To enter is simple. Visit the New Life on the Old West project area, take photographs of our local fauna and flora, then share the best ones with us. Thanks to the RSPB, there are small prizes for the best in each category (under 18s and over 18s) and you may just spot your photograph online or in print. The winner of each category will win RSPB gift membership (for 1 or 2 adults, or family membership). Our competition is open to everyone – just make sure that the images are taken within the NLOW geographical area, which includes RSPB Ouse Fen and National Trust Wicken Fen.
The closing date is 31st August 2023 so you have lots of time over the spring and summer to get snapping. Remember to follow the Countryside Code whilst you are out and about and only take photographs and happy memories away with you. Full terms and conditions and further entry instructions about how to name your image files are here. Please note all of the submission instructions and if you’re under 18, ensure you have your parent’s permission to enter. We are really excited to see what you produce and thank you for taking part!
This course is relevant to Parish Councillors and residents who are interested in supporting their community’s move to net zero but who are either unsure where to start or feel that they would benefit from gaining additional tools or confidence to increase the impact of their activities.
Why has the course been created?
The course is being run by local charity Cambridge Carbon Footprint with support from the South Cambridgeshire District Council Zero Carbon Communities Fund. We have developed this course as nearly two thirds of the changes needed to reach net zero by 2050 will require changes to the way we live our lives. We’ll need to reduce energy use, change the way we travel, what we eat, how much we buy and how we dispose of things. With the policies and actions currently in place still taking more time than we have, it’s important that we all do what we can to move closer towards net zero.
This means that, alongside calling for the UK Government to implement top-down policies to reduce the nation’s carbon footprint and support these changes, we have a fantastic opportunity to create communities that are not only sustainable, but healthier, happier, and more resilient.
So, if you would like to see this where you live, could Net Zero Now help you on your way?
What have previous participants achieved?
As a result of attending the course, previous participants have supported their parish councils to declare climate emergencies and create climate action plans, improved biodiversity through planting wildflowers and trees, and connected with surrounding towns and villages to share resources and expertise.
What does the course consist of? This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the move to net zero where you live. The programme consists of six weekly workshops between 7 June and 12 July, a mix of online and in-person, bringing you together with other communities and individuals in the area to support and learn from each other to deliver effective carbon reduction activities, events and communications. The programme will cover topics such as choosing an action, community engagement, influencing and communicating. You will be supported to create an action plan and leave the course ready to take the next steps. So whether you would like to set up a regular clothes swap or repair café, run an eco-fair or set up a community energy scheme, Net Zero Now is here to support you to take action where you live
