Climate emergency impacts, support for Ukraine and World Cup kick off This week I took the opportunity to watch the eye-opening People’s Emergency Briefing – and I would strongly encourage you to see it if you can. The film makes clear the very real impacts of climate and nature breakdown on our health, food systems, national security and economy. But importantly, it also carries a message of hope: there is still time to act. As a council, we have been taking action locally and you can find out more about the progress we’re making on our website. However, the briefing is a reminder that there is more to do – and less time than we might think to do it. If you’re interested, you can find a screening near you here: Find a screening near you. Yesterday, alongside Councillor Paul Roper, I met Zhenya Shkil, Chair of the Friends of Oleksandriya (pictured). B&NES has had a friendship agreement with the Ukrainian city since 2023. Zhenya updated us about a new veterans’ rehabilitation centre being built there. It was inspiring to hear how volunteers from our area are preparing to support the build, and how local people here in Bath and North East Somerset can continue to strengthen this important friendship. Many of us will be enjoying the FIFA 2026 World Cup kicking off. There’s a real opportunity to celebrate the power of sport to bring people together. Closer to home, we’ve recently invested £25,000 in installing new goalposts in nine parks across Bath and North East Somerset. We hope this encourages more people – particularly young people – to get out, get active, and enjoy the game. But we also know that major sporting events can have a more serious side. Sadly, incidents of domestic abuse can increase during tournaments. That’s why we’re supporting an Avon and Somerset Police campaign to raise awareness and ensure help is available for anyone who needs it. Councillor Sarah Warren deputy council leader, will share these updates over the next couple of weeks while I am on leave, Have a good weekend. Councillor Kevin Guy,
Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council | 
