Last night, Wednesday the 16th of November 2022, Oakham Climate Action hosted their first meeting at Oakham Quaker House, Gaol Street, Oakham.

The group saw Oakham locals and officials in attendance and discussed a range of issues including but not limited to houses and planning, green space, and public and private transport.

Hannah Williams and the Oakham Climate Action team said: "Thank you to everyone who came out on a wet and windy Wednesday night for the first Oakham Climate Action group meeting, as well as those who sent apologies in advance.

"We sat in a circle and introduced ourselves. Everyone shared what had led them to come along: from frustration at the pace of change in Rutland to fear for the future. We agreed that the group shouldn't be affiliated with any political party, as well as introducing the idea that blame doesn't result in building positive outcomes.

"The challenge is so large that we can't afford to exclude people. We also found that we had lots of experience and knowledge in the room too - for example from Citizens Advice Rutland, Oakham in Bloom and Root-and-Branch Out as well as individual experience."    

As it was their first meeting, the group undertook an activity in small groups in which attendees worked on what they might like to see - at a local level - in 2030 and beyond.  

Some themes that emerged were:

·       Housing & Planning

·       Green Spaces

·       Public Transport

·       Circular economy

·       Setting a shining example for other areas to replicate

Following this, the group started to think about potential first future actions:

·       Public transport consultation: setting out a response illustrating what we want - sustainable transport 

·       How could we promote car sharing / expansion of dial-a-ride?

·       A public transport hub: making it easier and simpler to use public transport

There was also some interesting discussion with regards to creating a high street education hub to develop community spirit, as well as sharing best practice. There was agreement that all new homes must be warm: with solar panels, insulation and heat pumps as standard. 

The group concluded: "Our next step is for an informal social gathering, to be at the Wheatsheaf, Oakham in December.  Date to be confirmed."

The group are planning more meetings (image courtesy of Oakham Climate Action)

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