Funding helps to fuel Thame COP26 community projects
Two district councillors have helped to energise a successful community campaign, which is helping to tackle climate change and increase biodiversity in Thame, by using their own grant funding.
Thame Councillors Pieter-Paul Barker and David Bretherton from South Oxfordshire District Council gave a total of £5,000 from their Councillor Grant Scheme budget to help pilot the Thame COP26 community project. The funds were awarded to Wild Pear CIC, who created the project bringing together over 50 interested parties, including schools, businesses, farmers, voluntary and community groups with an aim to build a collaborative climate action plan.
Since the launch of Thame COP26 late last year, local organisations have been looking into investing in electric delivery vehicles, using more sustainable products and researching how they can introduce plastic free shopping. Many others are exploring how they can introduce more energy efficient measures and equipment. High Street businesses taking part in the scheme have started to display an eye-catching Thame COP26 sticker in their window to help residents identify shops that they have signed up to the plan.
Pupils at Lord Williams’s School have got stuck in too and visited the town centre to complete emissions and biodiversity tours to learn about the importance of local approaches to environmental issues as part of a COP ‘Changemakers’ event. Other members of the various COP groups have met up at COP Social events to share ideas and learning to help create a better understanding of what can be done.
Cllr Pieter-Paul Barker said: “When we were approached to fund the Thame COP26 project, we thought it was the ideal community initiative for us to support. The project is actively involving businesses and organisations across Thame to play their part in tackling climate change – something that is very much our aim as a district council.”
Cllr David Bretherton said: “I was delighted to help provide funds towards the pilot scheme and it has really helped bring likeminded people together. It’s been really successful and we’re looking forward to seeing what they achieve as the scheme continues.”
Lisa Meaney at Wild Pear CIC said: “Thame COP26 has succeeded due to the hard work of many volunteers who have encouraged all sorts of organisations to get involved. The funding has helped to create strong community of activity in Thame and a sense that we are all in this together, whilst also reducing emissions and increasing biodiversity locally.”
Wild Pear is already planning to hold COP style events in Thame on an annual basis and will be encouraging even more organisations to get involved with the environmental scheme.
ENDS
Photo attached is of (L-R) Cllr Pieter-Paul Barker, Lisa Meaney and Cllr David Bretherton attending a Thame COP26 event.
More information on the councillor community grants can be found via southoxon.gov.uk/grants
For more details on Thame COP26, head to thamecop.co.uk
