I was amongst a lively throng who had a close encounter with planet earth in Taunton Minster last week and it was certainly a moving experience. The Earth sculpture, created by Luke Jerram comes hot on the heels of the Moon sculpture and is part of Jerram's GAIA exhibition. Measuring six metres in diameter it uses NASA imagery of the Earth's surface, allowing us to see our planet 'floating' in three dimensions. It's an inspired piece of work and attracting it to the Minster is an inspired idea bringing people together to share this awesome involvement. Entry is free so do try and get here to share the novelty which is a welcome attraction to the county town of Somerset which brings benefits on so many levels.
Focus on Taunton was central to the first full meeting of the Taunton Garden Town Advisory Board. Having been instrumental in gaining Garden Town status for Taunton back in 2017, bringing with it funding from Government towards establishing the framework and the style guide that should set the direction of travel for the town, I am pleased that at last some progress is being made. If we get this right future developments including housing estates and large sites like Firepool could help to give our town a sense and feel that is unique with green infrastructure, art, healthy living spaces, climate resilience, active travel links all incorporated. I look forward to a constructive future for this enterprise and I shall play my role as a local champion whilst linking to Government.
Still with Taunton I am pleased that thanks to continued Government support for our bus services which enabled £1 fares to be offered for single journeys around Taunton plus evening services on some routes, bus passenger numbers have improved by 25% on First Bus. I actively worked with stakeholders and made the case for this funding and it is heartening to see that it is genuinely paying dividends locally.
Back in Westminster animal welfare has taken centre stage. I was proud to steer the regulation bringing in compulsory microchipping of cats through its Committee Stage in the House of Commons where it received unanimous cross-party support. By giving every microchipped cat (and there are currently 2.3 million unchipped cats out of our population of 9 million cats) a digital code it will help identify and reunite lost or stolen pets with their owners. This is a manifesto pledge and was called for by thousands of pet lovers across the nation. My two cats welcome the move! (They got a special mention in the debate.) This takes effect from June 10th 2024.
Finally, I spoke to the All-Party Environment Group this week on the dangers of disposable vapes. Whilst vapes are proving a useful device for transitioning smokers away from hard core nicotine cigarettes, the unforeseen consequences of the rise in disposable vapes is causing concern, not least because young children are using them but also because they are being widely littered. Vapes need to be recycled safely and the precious lithium batteries they contain saved. A Call for Evidence has opened seeking views on vapes and I urge any interested parties to take part. It closes on June 6th.
