Monmouthshire CC is now consulting on the county’s Existing Active Travel Routes Map covering Welsh Government’s designated areas of Abergavenny, Caldicot, Chepstow, Gilwern, Magor & Undy, Monmouth and Usk.  These routes must be fit for everyday journeys on foot and by bicycle, and the mapped routes have been audited in accordance with Welsh Government standards.  Local exhibitions details will follow.  Your views are wanted by 21 December.  Details are at www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/active-travel-act and queries may be addressed to christianschmidt@monmouthshire.gov.uk.

The government wants to scrap the feed-in tariff (see 28 August), which helps millions of people benefit from solar, wind and water power.  The government makes it really hard for non-experts to influence these decisions. This simple survey – https://speakout.38degrees.org.uk/surveys/keep-fits – from the 10:10 project will let you have your say in the current consultation which ends on 23 October.

By 13 votes to two Monmouthshire’s planning committee has approved the plans for a solar farm on land at Oak Grove Farm near Crick which is set to generate an income of £60,000 a year for the authority. The approval means that Monmouthshire council will become one of a select group of local authorities who own their own solar farm.

Here is the link to the useful latest Funding Update on the Natural Resources Wales website: https://naturalresources.wales/media/5138/funding-update-sept-2015.pdf

Welsh Government is consulting on the guidance that will explain how the Well-being of Future Generations Act will affect public bodies.  Details at http://gov.wales/consultations/people-and-communities/shared-future-shared-purpose/?lang=en and responses wanted by 16 November.

This unusual free two-day course will be held at the Buddhist Meditation Centre, 96 King Street, Brynmawr on 26/27 September and 5/6 October (9am-4pm) and combines practical hands-on work building a dry stone wall with an introduction to living and working mindfully and the benefits mindfulness can give to you in everyday life.  Contact palpungukoffice@gmail.com or 0145 313395.

As a series of exhibitions start (see 30 July) an alliance of eleven environmental groups have again expressed their fears and concerns to the First Minister, and the Western Mail admits that he has a tricky path to tread.  However the paper seems to lean in favour of the road despite questions about its compatibility with the Government’s legally enshrined commitments to sustainable development.  Lots more information at http://gov.wales/topics/transport/roads/schemes/m4-road/m4/?lang=en

The Western Power Distribution Community Chest is a grant scheme which distributes awards of up to £1,000 to communities to reduce their energy use through improvements to village halls, scout huts and other community buildings.  All sorts of energy-saving improvements qualify including roof or cavity wall insulation, boiler replacement, new heating controls, double or secondary glazing, draught proofing, smart lighting, and replacing of appliances like fridges or water heaters for more energy efficient models. It can also fund water-saving equipment like new taps and showers.  More information at https://www.cse.org.uk/projects/view/1302.  Funding will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis to groups whose applications meet the terms of the scheme. When the grant pot is used up, that’s that – so get your application in quickly! Questions? Contact wpdcc@cse.org.uk.

Welsh Government is consulting on revisions to its policies for retail development and retail centres.  The consultation is at http://gov.wales/consultations/planning/proposed-changes-to-ppw-and-tan-4/?status=closed&lang=en and it ends on 26 November.

The use of ‘single-use’ carrier bags in Wales has reduced by over 70% since the 5p charge was introduced in 2011, and between £17m and £20m has been raised for charities and voluntary groups. Even when ‘bags for life’ are included the use of bags has fallen by 57%.