The period of national mourning for Her Majesty The Queen showed the best of our country as our communities came together to pay our respects.

Thank you to everyone who signed the books of condolence which we established and to those who left so many wonderful floral tributes. My thanks also go to the staff and others who provided support and comfort during this period.

As we start a new chapter in our national and local life, we pick up again the huge challenges facing us. The most pressing of these is clearly the cost-of-living crisis. We have heard about government plans for an energy price guarantee for households. However, despite this, local people are rightly worried about what they face this autumn and winter.

The choice between heating and eating is, I am afraid, a very we real one for many in our community, as we are all being hit hard by astronomical energy costs as well as increases in food bills.

I would like to emphasise that help is out there. The Community Wellbeing Hub provides a single telephone number ( 0300 247 0050) to access support from key local agencies with money matters, bills, benefits, energy costs, food, housing, mental health support, jobs and skills, support for carers and other services.

We are also establishing a “Winter Welcome” package in Council-run libraries as well as working with partners on a network of warm spaces to prepare for the coming months.

In addition to impacts on residents, I am also concerned about the rise in energy bills for businesses and third sector groups, including the village and community halls that are central to local life. The government has announced an Energy Bill Relief scheme for non-domestic energy customers such as businesses, charities and public sector organisations, for six months from 1st October. There is also a promise of equivalent support for non-domestic consumers who use heating oil or alternative fuels instead of gas. We are closely monitoring these developments.

Given the impact of rising energy costs on businesses I have appointed Cllr Mark Roper to a new cabinet role dedicated to supporting regeneration and the local economy. We must ensure the economic vitality of our market towns, villages and rural communities. Our Somer Valley Enterprise Zone aims to deliver 1,300 jobs and we are also working with Radstock Town Council on a Radstock Regeneration Action Plan.

Cllr Roper welcomes approaches from local businesses on how we can work together: [email protected]

As I highlighted in previous columns, I am very concerned at the reductions we are seeing in our bus services. I am afraid for example, that despite an excellent local campaign to save it, First have decided to go ahead with their decision to scrap the 178. The so-called “replacement” route will miss out High Littleton, Farmborough, Timsbury and Marksbury. I reiterate here my call to First to pause these cuts until proper alternatives have been put in place so people can access the jobs, leisure and other facilities they need.