Motion text
That this House congratulates Castle Cary Town Councillor Philippa Biddlecombe on being named Somerset’s Councillor of the Year at the Somerset Association of Local Councils Star Councils Awards 2026, in recognition of her tireless work supporting older and vulnerable residents; notes that she founded the Memory Café, helping to make Castle Cary a more dementia-friendly town, and runs Singing for Fun, which brings together more than 30 people; celebrates her wider service to the town, including hosting community coffee mornings, organising food hygiene training for volunteers, supporting the Royal British Legion and leading the planting of 92 trees with Somerset Council; recognises that, by always going the extra mile, she has strengthened community spirit and helped ease the isolation too many older people face in rural areas, where distance, limited public transport and the loss of local services can leave them cut off, showing the vital contribution that town and parish councillors make to rural life; thanks her for her dedication to the people of Castle Cary and wishes her every success in the future; and calls on the Government to tackle loneliness in rural communities by refreshing the national loneliness strategy under a dedicated Minister, expanding social prescribing and investing in community projects such as Castle Cary’s Memory Café.
Signatures (1)
The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.
There are no withdrawn signatures for this motion.