On this page:  News and Newsletters   Our January 2012 Newsletter is now available: please click on the link at the bottom of this page 

News
Forum 21 wins SW energy award     Forum 21 is proud to announce that it has won the South West regional Community Footprint Award from National Energy Action.   This means we have 2000 pounds to spend on organising an energy advice roadshow around West Somerset, following the success of our pilot advice centre in Watchet in the autumn. If we are lucky enough to win the national prize, we plan to open a more permanent centre in the future.   Come and find us at one of our 6 energy advice events in February and March, where our team of trained volunteers will be offering free, impartial advice on saving money on energy bills and accessing grants to improve the energy efficiency of our homes. We can give you information on all types of insulation, heating, renewable energy, finding installers and sources of funding. We can lend you an energy monitor to tell you how much energy you are using and how much it is costing you. And we can arrange a free energy survey for your home.   Have you changed your energy supplier recently? We'll show you how to do so and save 100-150 pounds a year. Do you want to know about the government's Green Deal and how you can use it to pay for energy improvements to your home? Our advisers will explain the scheme.  Are your fuel bills giving you a headache? Well be joined by advisers from the West Somerset Advice Bureau who can help with money problems and make a benefit check too if you need one.   Dont miss this unique opportunity to find the answers to your energy and money problems, brought to a venue local to you. All you have to do is pop in to one of our events. They will be open from 10am to 1pm in each place. Look out for local publicity, and let us know if youd like a poster to display.   Friday             17th February                         Williton Parish Council Office Foyer Friday             24th February                         Porlock Village Hall Friday             2nd March                               Dulverton Town Hall Tuesday         6th March                                Stogursey Church Rooms Thursday        22nd March                             Wheddon Cross, Moorland Hall Thursday        29th March                              Dunster Memorial Hall   Every visitor will be entered into our FREE PRIZE DRAW.   Contact Hester Watson 01643 821 768 and Lizzie Dunn 01643 841 440 for more information.       EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK has been successful in its bid to the Local Enterprise Assistance Fund (LEAF): watch this space for more details as they are received.   New Energy Advice Centre for the Quantocks and surrounding area Quantock Eco (QE) has set up an Energy Advice Centre in Bishops Lydeard and to perform several important tasks ahead of the Green Deal. It is open to visitors on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm and on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm until the end of March. Visitors will be offered free advice and information on saving money and energy in the home. Local people will be able to request a free Home Energy Audit and the loan of energy monitors to help them understand how they use energy.  For more information please contact Jill Gray via email at jillgray2@tiscali.co.uk Changes in FIT tariffs: see further information on our Energy page. The Surving Winter Project Forum 21 is seeking people over 60 who are having real difficulty paying to keep warm in winter. Up to 250 may be available to eligible applicants from a Somerset charity. Details are on the Energy page of our website, including a flier giving details of how to apply and how to donate. Follow the Energy link at the top of this page. Recycle: Somerset Waste Partnership . . . is writing a feature article looking at all the green ideas and environmental initiatives that groups across Somerset have been promoting in their communities, from energy to planning, pollution to climate, but especially those that can be linked with the key Somerset Waste Partnership themes of minimising waste and maximising recycling and reuse.  As well as looking for the best examples of work to highlight in the planned article, they are keen to mention the events-meetings-campaigns-activities which will be staged in January-February-March of 2012 what planned, and what would benefit from some publicity? They would also like to hear about individuals who could be among Somersets green champions and deserve greater recognition.  There is a tight deadline so please let Nick Carter  know as soon as possible if there is something anyone would like him to include send details to recycle@somersetwaste.gov.uk and good pictures would be very welcome, too.  Nick Cater, Senior Communications Officer, Somerset Waste Partnership  recycle@somersetwaste.gov.uk Somerset Waste Partnership manages waste and recycling services on behalf of all local authorities in Somerset Visit our website: www.somersetwaste.gov.uk Sign up for our e-mail newsletter: www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/pages/subscribe.asp Keep up to date by joining our Facebook page or by following us on Twitter   The Energy Saving Trust has issued a Beginner's Guide to the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme. Click on this link to access it: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Resources/Features/Features-archive/A-beginner-s-guide-to-the-Renewable-Heat-Incentive?utm_source=dyn&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=RHI
Community Energy Online
In response to concerns about difficulties in assessing information and support available for communities, and in particular Local Authorities, seeking to develop their own energy projects the government launched Community Energy Online in November. This web portal brings together best practice advice and case studies, with information about funding opportunities, links to accredited installer schemes and advice on the best people to contact for help and support. The site contains resources for: Local authorities developing community energy schemes Community groups developing community energy schemes Local authorities help for community energy see www.communityenergyonline.co.uk
Solid Wall Insulation Guarantee Agency: see details on our Energy page
Please find below information about two money saving energy schemes from The Community Council for Somerset (CCS); the Somerset Community Oil Scheme and Somerset+ Energy Group.        Save money on domestic heating oil: The Community Council for Somersets (CCS) Somerset Community Oil Scheme has got off to a flying start, with three local community co-ordinators and over 80 members in place, and over 75% of the members already enjoying the benefits of bulk-buying domestic heating oil. Lots of people have asked us about the price of the oil so heres whats happened so far:-          In September, we ordered 3,500 litres for our first couple of members. They paid 53.97p per litre, compared to an average price that day of 57.5p per litre.          In October, we ordered 12,100 litres for 14 members, who paid 53.79p per litre compared to an average price that day of 59p per litre.          In November, we ordered 39,300 litres for 47 members, who paid 55.5p per litre compared with an average price that day of 61.5p per litre. Between them these members have saved a massive 2,961.58 pounds. The scheme is open to anyone; individuals, schools, churches, community organisations and business can all join. To join simply request a membership form from CCS by calling 01823 331222, e-mailing oil@somersetrcc.org.uk or apply via the CCS website www.somersetrcc.org.uk/oil Download a leaflet here      Switch your Gas & Electricity and save with the Somerset+ Energy Group: The Community Council for Somerset has joined forces with LSI, a leading utilities broker to help you save on your Gas & Electricity by helping you switch.Domestic Switch & Save is a simple-to-use service that lets you compare the gas & electricity markets from home to make sure you are getting the best deal! Visiting www.lsiutilitybroker.co.uk/r-SOM001 and follow three simple steps and help you save up to 500 per year! Download a leaflet here To find out more about either of these schemes  call CCS on 01823 331222, e-mail us info@somersetrcc.org.uk or visit our website www.somersetrcc.org.uk
Forum 21 and EDF's Hinkley "C" Proposals
Forum 21 has submitted its response to the proposals, including the temporary jetty application: for more information and to view or download the documents please see use the link on the Hinkley C page of this website.

 

Newsletters You can download our newsletters by clicking on the links below.  They are in pdf format, so you will need Adobe Reader to display them. Be patient after you click, because they take a little time to download.  Volume 1, Issue 1, September2009
Volume 1, Issue 2, December 2009
Volume 2, Issue 1, May 2010
Volume 2, Issue 2, September 2010  Volume 3, Issue 1, April 2011  Volume 3, Issue 2, August 2011  Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2012