A political movement founded last year has launched a brand-new website to showcase how local people can get involved across Bath and North East Somerset.
The political group, Independents for B&NES was set up in 2025 with a key focus on ensuring that local people are at the centre of B&NES council’s decision-making processes.
The group not only wants to put local people first, but wants to provide a strong voice for non-party politics across the district.
The movement was founded by three of B&NES Council’s Independent Councillors that are enthusiastic about taking the independent movement forward and they are encouraging others to join them too.
The group’s leader is Cllr Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown), who said:
“We want to provide a strong voice for independent politics in the council chamber and ensure that local people’s voices are heard – especially when the council is discussing issues that impact them.
There is a growing disillusionment with party-politics across Bath and North East Somerset, and so our Independents for B&NES movement wants to provide the alternative that residents are crying out for.”
This week, the movement launched its brand-new website: www.independentsforbanes.org.uk
The website features details of:
– What the Independent movement is and why it was established
– The group’s campaign commitments
– Who is involved with Independents for B&NES
– How people can join
– Standing as an Independent candidate at the 2027 B&NES Council local elections
Group Member, Cllr Gavin Heathcote (Independent, Peasedown) added:
“Our new website highlights what we stand for. Residents tell us on a daily basis that they are fed up with the current leadership at B&NES Council wasting public finances on frivolous projects, whilst at the same time cutting money to community libraries and reducing financial aid to local charities that support some of our area’s most vulnerable.
The new Independents for B&NES website gives local residents an opportunity to join our growing movement. If they’re fed up with the status quo and want to make a difference, our website gives residents an opportunity to do just that!”
As well as Peasedown’s two Independent Councillors, Saltford’s Independent Councillor Cllr Chris Warren is also a part of Independents for B&NES.
Cllr Chris Warren said:
“We’re keen to cut waste, reduce red tape and provide a common-sense approach to local politics. The council’s unpopular plans to impose low traffic neighbourhoods, close residential roads, stop people driving to their own front doors, and cutting funding to the voluntary sector have been disastrous.
Residents are fed up with how things have been and it’s time to do things differently.”
Any residents who’d like to find out more about Independents for B&NES and how to get involved can visit www.independentsforbanes.org.uk or email info@independentsforbanes.org.uk
