Bath and North East Somerset is thriving and diverse, with many needs, strengths, resources and assets. As well as being our main commercial and recreational centre, the World Heritage City of Bath is an international tourist and heritage destination that provides a spectacular setting for world-class arts, culture, and leisure facilities. we have declared a Climate and Ecological emergency. Our market towns of Keynsham, Midsomer Norton and Radstock combine with rural communities ranging from the foothills of the Mendips, to the Chew Valley in the west and Cotswold villages around Bath. Two thirds of the area lies in Green Belt - we have 2 areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 37 Conservation Areas and 6,408 Listed Buildings. Home to over 192,000 people, we expect our population to rise to 199,000 by 2037 - the most significant increases will be amongst older people, with a 124% increase in those aged 85 and over. Between 2001 and 2017, the growth in the 20-24 age range accounted for nearly 50% of the area's population growth, highlighting the area’s student population.

We’re committed to growing a stronger local democracy in Kirklees, from the ground up. We’ve worked with citizens from local places across Kirklees to create a shared goal for active citizenship, called “Shaped by People: We make our places what they are”. This is a shared strategic priority for Kirklees Council and our partners. Our aim is to enable more people to directly shape their local place, as active citizens, and for everyone to be involved in the decisions which affect their everyday lives. We have involved over 10,000 citizens in activities to shape their local neighbourhoods, through our How Good Is Our Place? programme, which focuses on meaningful conversations and actions in our local places. We have also worked with young citizens to create a pioneering Democracy Friendly Schools programme, to help children and young people learn about - and be an active part of - local democracy. Our work is based on the learning and recommendations of the Kirklees Democracy Commission. We explored what a vibrant local democracy should look like - for the next generation and beyond - by listening to and learning from our citizens. Our report 'Growing a Stronger Local Democracy' is based on a year of evidence-based research and debate, involving over 1,000 people.