As I look back on 2021 it has been a rollercoaster of a year. All our lives have been affected by the pandemic, yet what has been striking has been the incredible sense of community spirit it has invoked.

I want to pay a special tribute and express my thanks to all the Council staff who have kept services going in these challenging times, and to all our residents, who make Bath and North East Somerset such a special place.

But there are many, many other people who also deserve our gratitude: our local health and social care workers who, alongside an army of unpaid carers, support the most vulnerable in our communities; the voluntary and community groups, who give their time to make a difference to people’s lives; everyone involved in the incredible ongoing vaccination effort; and all those who have supported the Community Wellbeing Hub in Peasedown St John, which I visited in November.

Where it can, the Council has worked hard to support jobs and our fantastic local businesses which have shown resilience and innovation and make a huge contribution to local jobs and local life.

Our area has incredible potential and we’re working hard to unlock it, attracting much-needed investment into the Somer Valley, including from the West of England Combined Authority. Plans include improvements to Midsomer Norton High Street and to transport links along the A37 and A367. We are also working closely with the Town and Parish Councils in the area and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for all that they do to improve local communities.

As Council Leader, it’s important I get out into all our communities and learn about the issues that affect them and what we can do to improve the lives of residents. Visiting Radstock earlier this year I was able to discuss ideas to improve walking and cycling facilities in the area.

Looking ahead to next year, as reported in the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Journal, we will progress our plans for the first general-needs Council housing in a generation. We will continue to strive for net zero to tackle the climate emergency, supporting more residents to retrofit their properties with energy saving measures and increasing tree cover with community planting schemes. Following the huge success of our first Climate and Biodiversity Festival, we also hope to hold a similar event in 2022.

I look forward to continuing to work with our communities to improve the lives of residents.

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.