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December 2020 December 2020

Dorset Council has a key leadership role to play in tackling climate change and The queen arrives first, wearing a pale
dealing with its consequences, but we can only hope to make a real impact by blue tweed suit. She springs out of the
working closely with communities, organisations and individuals. Part of this is car and marches energetically
finding out what you think about our proposed Climate and Ecological forward towards the crowds.
Emergency Strategy and Action Plan, which sets out exactly how we intend to Wouldn’t you think, even in this
help tackle climate change. We need to work together to overcome this atrocious weather, she wouldn’t
monumental challenge. What we all do – or don’t do – to address this climate come and greet her subjects in a
and ecological emergency will impact our children, grandchildren and every headscarf? She strides straight past
other generation for centuries to come. What we agree now will set out how we – me, and goes to the fourth person in
both as a council and a county – will do in the future. the line. Charles and Camilla are
next. Camilla looks much younger
Please take the time to read our strategy and action plan, then let us know what than she looks on the television. That’s
you think. Thank you, in advance, for your help. This consultation about the Andrew behind – you can’t mistake
proposed new Dorset Council Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy
began on Thursday 29 October and closes on Wednesday 20 January 2021 at that fatuous grin, and Sophie is really
midnight. pretty and delicate-looking. Andrew
asks me whether it is my first visit to
We invite your comments to make sure we have considered a wide range of Chelsea, and then Prince Michael
views, which will help shape the final Dorset Strategy. We want to hear from as asks me where I’m from, and smiles
many organisations and individuals as possible. and asks what kind of soil we have in
Dorset, but doesn’t wait to hear the
What happens next? All responses to the consultation will be collated. The answer.
responses will be used to help shape the final Climate Strategy. Councillors will
then agree the final details of the strategy which the council adopts. It is Another heavy shower comes down
intended that the new strategy will be adopted by Dorset Council in Spring 2021. as I leave the showground to meet
Rob. We spend our evening wining
You can download the survey at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/climate-survey- and dining as it is our wedding
offline. Please pass this on to whoever you feel might want to respond. The anniversary and I manage not to think
strategy and all supporting documents can be downloaded and printed at about my exhibit in the marquee. We
www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/climate-strategy. Just click the box labelled get back to the hotel and catch up
“Download our Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy as PDF” to view/ on sleep we lost the night before.
print/download the full strategy document. PDF files for each section, as well as
action plans and technical papers can also be found on the website. I am awakened at seven a.m.by
ringing. It is my mobile phone, inside

my handbag, but, half asleep, I am
Covid Marshals struggling to find my handbag.
Dorset Council recently sent out newly-recruited ‘COVID Marshals’ in Weymouth “Mum, it’s me!” exclaims our daughter Miranda’s voice excitedly, “I’ve just
to help residents and businesses keep safe during the pandemic and current looked on the internet, and you’ve got a Silver-Gilt! Barbados Floral Society have
lockdown. Working closely with Dorset-based company Event Security Southern got a Gold, you and someone else got silver-gilts, and then there are some silvers
LTD, the Council is using recently awarded government funding to fully train and and bronzes. Congratulations!”
deploy dedicated staff to work with the public and business owners in specific
local areas to ensure they are “COVID-19 secure”. Dorset Council has spent most Maybe, just maybe, it won’t be my last chance at Chelsea after all.
of the year supporting local businesses with their COVID-19 secure guidance Diana Holman
through telephone conversations and non-visible contact. These methods have
been found to be effective and efficient, so this important work will continue. The
Marshals will help support these efforts by providing an effective ‘frontline’

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