During the visit, which included a tour of Bristol Port, the Minister saw five sites for each of the five shortlisted Severn Tidal Power Schemes.
The huge 14-metre tidal range of the Severn Estuary is one of the highest
in the world. It has potential to generate up to 5 percent of the UK's
electricity needs, making a massive contribution to the UK’s low
carbon future.
Regional Minister Rt Hon Jim Knight said:
“It is vital we are taking action now to support the low carbon
recovery especially here in the South West, where we are leading the way in
renewable energy and other low carbon industries. The added investment
announced in last week’s Pre-Budget Report will stimulate growth and
innovation, helping key low carbon projects like Severn Tidal Power.”
At Bristol Port, the Minister met a number of apprentices before
moving on to North Somerset where he visited the For All Healthy
Living Centre (FAHLC), a third sector, social enterprise based in
Weston-super-Mare. Here, the Minister learnt more about how the town
is helping its South Ward communities.
Situated in one of the largest and most deprived areas of North Somerset,
the Centre provides a GP surgery, a Children’s Centre, a recently
opened library, a community hall and café as well as meeting and
training spaces. There are over 4500 registered patients at the GP surgery
and the Centre sees more than 900 people using its services each day. Since
opening, the FAHLC has continued to develop its strong community and
partnership links as well as the services it provides to local people.
Most recently, the Centre has developed its services around health and well
being, including exercise classes and other opportunities for people to do
more physical activity.
Having bought some extra land, the FAHLC is now looking to expand and there
is a hope that the Centre may also include a dental service in the future.
Regional Minister Rt Hon Jim Knight said:
“The For All Healthy Living Centre is a great example of how
partnership working can really benefit local communities. The centre truly
focuses on the needs of the people it serves, combining key public services
such as health and education with flexible community facilities that anyone
can use.”
