People who can make a difference gather to tackle climate change

Environmental experts and members of organisations in Monmouthshire who want to tackle climate change gathered at the conference of the Monmouthshire Local Service Board in Usk last month (26^th March).

The theme of the Local Service Board 2009 Conference was ‘tackling climate change together' and it gave an opportunity for people in Monmouthshire to meet and learn how the organisations they represent can work together more effectively.

Monmouthshire Local Service Board (LSB) is made up of the main public sector and community organisations providing services in Monmouthshire and the body is working to anticipate what the future of Monmouthshire might look like in 2020 and how organisations might work more closely together for greater effectiveness in the provision of services for people in Monmouthshire.

Monmouthshire LSB's citizen Chair, Chris Edmondson, said:

"There is a lot of enthusiasm and energy around the room and it's been good to hear so many ideas.

"Climate change is a key priority for the LSB, it is important to act now to mitigate and adapt to the way our environment is transforming. Even small actions and changes to behaviour can make a difference.

"It is incredibly important to bring people together to learn from each other. We aim to find out what is currently being done by groups in Monmouthshire to tackle climate change and identify gaps that we can work on in co-operation."

Monmouthshire Local Service Board is made up of around 200 members at any one time.  These include: 

• County Councillors

• Representatives of Community and Town Councils

• Representatives of all strategic and locality partnerships

• Representatives of all public service bodies and agencies

• An independent chairman appointed from our residents

• Representatives of voluntary groups

The full Board meets twice a year.  However a core group of stakeholders meet each month.  At these meetings the Chair is joined by:

• Elected representatives of Community, Town and Unitary Councils

• Monmouthshire Local Health Board

• Monmouthshire County Council

• Gwent Healthcare Trust

• Gwent Police and the Police Authority

• Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations

• A Senior Civil Servant from the Welsh Assembly Government

• The Chairs of the major partnerships in the County

The conference took place at the Coleg Gwent Usk campus.