Posts by Cllr Claire Sully
Exciting News: Joining the National Lib Dem Mental Health Group to Shape Policy
I am delighted to announce that I have been selected to join the newly established Mental Health Policy Group by the National Liberal Democrats party. This initiative presents a vital opportunity to address the pressing mental health challenges faced by our communities in Somerset and across the UK. As a Parliamentary candidate and Deputy Chair…
Read MoreDear Tim Lethaby, Editor of Somerset County Gazette
Hello Tim As the editor of County Gazette, I wanted to let you know I am concerned about how your newspaper’s recent posts on Facebook appear to incite hostility towards public officials like myself. There have been two specific posts regarding the remuneration of Councillors and MPs that lack context and balance. The resulting comments…
Read More“What has Somerset Council ever done for you, apart from what we do?”
Yesterday, during the Full Council meeting of Somerset Council, I responded to the annual report on Public Health. Below is what I said, along with some additional notes. Recently, I heard the remark: “What has Somerset Council ever done for you, apart from what we do?” Public Health is a crucial aspect of the Council’s…
Read MoreRoad Works Round-Up (2023 to date) – Evercreech Area
Extended reduced speed (40mph) scheme on A371 (including Pecking Mill corner): Lining work complete; sign installation imminent. Victoria Square Parking Improvements; lines installed, with bay timings consultation concluded. Discussions will continue with Evercreech Parish Council. Works Completed: Planned Maintenance:
Read MoreCouncil Tax Decision Explained
Somerset Council Leader Bill Revans has reiterated calls for expedited reform of local government funding by the Government, as councillors voted on a balanced budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year during the Full Council meeting on March 5th. As part of the budget proposal, the Government has authorised Somerset Council to increase Council Tax by…
Read MoreIn Memory of Ruth Ellis: Bridging History and Hope for Future Generations
I dedicate today, International Women’s Day, to the memory of Ruth Ellis. Ruth, who died at age 28, was the last woman to be hanged in this country on July 13, 1955. She was convicted of murder. Ruth’s life and death is a poignant reminder of the struggles many women have faced and continue to…
Read MoreDistress with Dentistry in Somerset – we can’t fix this crisis alone say NHS Somerset
Dentistry in Somerset is currently facing a crisis, as reported by NHS Somerset, a part of the Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB), which is responsible for planning and delivering local health services. In a stark warning delivered to Somerset Council’s Adults and Health (Feb 27th, 2025) Committee, NHS Somerset said, “the gap between patient needs…
Read More“Because sometimes you have to do something bad to do something good.” Oscar Wilde
Yesterday, Somerset Council held a Full Council meeting, which I attended as the Unitary Councillor representing the Mendip South division. This meeting is a critical step in the budget-setting process scheduled for March. In an urgent effort to balance the books, we voted to transform the Council’s workforce, which will involve a reduction of around…
Read MoreDoes Somerset Need a Dry January?
Somerset is home to an estimated 5,202 individuals who are alcohol-dependent, with approximately 80% (around 4,000) having unmet treatment needs. While we should approach this figure with caution, national trends suggest it may actually be an underestimate. Alarmingly, alcohol-related hospital admissions in Somerset are higher than the national average, particularly among women under 40. One…
Read MoreWorking together to save lives on our roads
I was invited to a Road Safety Forum organised by Avon and Somerset Police & the Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody yesterday evening, along with the families of road collision victims, Councillors/Officers from Bristol and Somerset and road safety charities. We discussed ways of working together, across the region, to save lives on our…
Read More