Saturday 20 January 2018

North Way ( betrayal )

We have been studying the capital highways budget from Conservative run Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Last year when we managed to persuade them to make major road repairs to Kelston View we were assured that NorthWay would be done this year as it was in an appalling and unsafe condition.

One year on and we find that North Way has been withdrawn from the budget after apparently being in the draft budget, so a political decision seems to have been taken to remove North Way.

The issue is that buses use this road on a daily basis and the surface and underlying slabs have all broken up leaving the road not just uncomfortable for divers but down right dangerous.

We will be pushing to get North Way reconsidered and for works also to be put in future budgets for Wedgewood Road, Poolmead Road and the rear of Day Crescent.

Wednesday 17 January 2018

Schools funding formula: How this has a detrimental effect on our local Schools

Conservative Councillors in B&NES have rejected calls for a new schools funding formula to be phased in so that schools in deprived areas do not lose out.
The new formula must be introduced across the board in 2020, but the local Cabinet member decided to bring in the formula early. This will benefit some local schools, which will see increased funding earlier. However, some other local schools – particularly those in areas of deprivation – will be disadvantaged, as they will lose out on two years’ of higher funding under the current formula. The consultation papers show that almost a quarter of local schools (21 out of 79) are set to see funding losses, totalling £437,000 a year under the new National Formula compared to the current local system.
A formal challenge (call in) was tabled by opposition Lib Dem and Labour Councillors, calling for alternatives, such as a tapered introduction, to be considered. A joint motion by opposition Councillors called for transitional funding to be provided for schools, with the funds being drawn from Council reserves. These proposals were rejected by the Conservative-majority ‘Children and Young People’ panel.
Twerton Councillor, Tim Ball (Lib Dems), who led the challenge at the call in meeting, commented:
“By bringing in the new funding formula now, the Conservatives are ensuring that schools in the most deprived areas of B&NES miss out on thousands of pounds of vital funding. Even if the new system becomes mandatory in 2020, that extra money over the next two years could have made a make a big difference.
“Schools are facing a funding crisis, due to the government funding squeeze, which compounds the problems of rising costs, population growth and new responsibilities. At the end of the day, inflation means that even the small cash increase most schools will receive under the new formula is a real terms cut.
“Our local area has one of the most extreme gaps between the haves and the have nots. Proper funding for education is vital to set our children on the right path for the future and ensure they can make a success of their lives. As a society we need to prioritise investment in people; it’s clear that the Conservatives don’t understand this.”
Note: the joint motion, referred to above, read: “The panel agrees that the call-in should be upheld and that the Cabinet Member should reconsider the decision having regard to:
-          the absence of equality impact assessments at both consultation and decision stages and;
-          the absence of satisfactory consideration of transitional arrangements.
“In addition the panel further recommends that the Council uses reserves to fund such transitional arrangements to provide certainty in setting schools’ budgets.”

Monday 15 January 2018

Bin Changes at Cameley Green

The Council have decided to update its allocation of refuse collection receptacles in Cameley Green after many residents requested a change from bags to Bins.

The change is being made to accommodate resident’s requests and are being bulked up into rows or terraces, making them operationally agreeable.

Each property will be knocked and a letter left explaining the reasons for the change. The bin swaps will take place in the days after the following collection from the knock (starting on Monday 22 January 2018). The list of dates for the knocks and exchanges is also listed in the table attached.  All exchanges will be completed by mid-February 2018; there will be no disruptions to the service for these residents.



Saturday 13 January 2018

Community litter pick Highland & Landseer Road

It was good to be out in Highland Road and Landseer Road helping clear up the litter in these roads.

In all we  collected 7 bags of rubbish and left the area a whole lot cleaner than it was when we got there.

It was also good to be able to talk to local residents about issues that concern them.

Thursday 11 January 2018

Linley Close Garages and play area by Centurion public House.

We have asked both Curo and the council to clear up the garage area at Linley Close and also the land behind the Centurion Public House that has got into quite a mess.

Picture courtesy of Paul Newman






Wednesday 10 January 2018

Twerton infant School building funded

We are pleased that a single member decision to approve the replacement of the Pratten hut used to House the Nursery unit at the School.

The Pratten hut had fallen into disrepair over a number of years with part of the floor rotting in places.

It is good news that this has been agreed a link to the report is here

Tuesday 9 January 2018

Controversial Housing sites remain in Council development plans

It seems that the Conservative administration are ignoring local peoples feelings by bringing forward sections of land that have previous;y been dismissed by local residents and planning inspector in one case for development.

In the new developing local plan TWT7 land at Cotswold View has been included as development land despite being refused planning permission on numerous occasions.

Another section of land that has always been dismissed is land the other-side of Whiteway road F17 that includes Haycombe farm.

These two sites as far as we are concerned are unacceptable and we will be objecting to them being in the emerging new Local plan for development.

A link to the maps showing these sites is here

A link to the Housing land supply document is here

Monday 8 January 2018

Are you confused when The waste and recycling are going to be collected

If like many other residents you are confused as to when to put out your rubbish or recycling or even the green waste out for collection there is a solution.

The council have created a service that may help you.

You can get a text the night before by registering for a text alert.

Follow this link and register text alert




Planning application 32 Th Hollow

We have one planning application this week in Twerton and that is for a new side extension at 32 The Hollow.

If you have an interest in this application or wish to view it or make a comment then please follow this link.

32 The Hollow