e-connect 18 April

Date published: 2024-04-18


Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council

e-connect 18 April 2024

A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council

Our picture this week is a little different than usual. It was taken when I had the pleasure last Friday of visiting the Bath BMX Club track at Odd Down, where riders are enjoying the first improvements in a £146k project to enhance the facility.

Bath & North East Somerset Council has allocated £100k  from the Bath Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to the Bath BMX Club project, alongside an additional £40k from developer contributions, with the club contributing the remaining £6k.

New safety gates and railings, staging pens and a tarmac road are among the improvements that have already been completed at the club following the funding award.

These are excellent improvements to the amazing community facility that Bath BMX Club provides, with much more to come. I hope more residents will be encouraged to join regular users of the track and give this exciting sport a try. It’s so important that a wide variety of leisure facilities are on offer across the district to enable more people to take part in physical activity and I’m delighted that the council has been able to support this popular club.

Staying with funding, we’re making excellent progress in securing investing to tackle the climate and ecological emergency. Bath Sports & Leisure Centre is set to benefit from energy saving measures with the installation of rooftop solar photo voltaic (PV) panels following a successful bid by the council which has seen £173,166 from Phase II (Capital) of the government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF), which funds capital investment to improve the energy efficiency of public facilities with pools.

This comes in addition to the more than £2m of investment over the next five years in capital schemes under the Climate Emergency and Sustainable Transport portfolio - agreed as part of the budget we set in February. This will support renewable energy schemes, active travel, and nature recovery projects – including Bathscape, Waterspace Connected and Somer Valley Rediscovered - to secure better access for people to local nature. In addition, a further £18.953m of schemes is in the pipeline, including further renewable energy projects, more tree planting and an ecology centre.

Have a good weekend.

 
You need to show photo identification (ID) to vote at a polling station. Use these pages to find out how this will affect you https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/photo-id-voting.
 
News

Look out for your postal voting pack for the upcoming Police and Crime Commissioner election

This week, Bath and North East Somerset residents who have registered to vote by post will begin to receive their postal packs for the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner election that takes place on Thursday 2 May.

 

Council advice on tackling gulls

Residents and businesses in Bath which are being impacted by gulls are being updated on the advice and support available to tackle the issue.

 

Council supports road safety day at primary school

Bath & North East Somerset Council supported a day of road safety learning and activities at Freshford Church Primary School.

 

Midsomer Norton Market Square delivery starts on site

Construction works to create a new welcoming and attractive Market Square in Midsomer Norton have started on site this week (April 15).

 

School offer day for Reception places in B&NES

Figures released show that more than 97% of children got their first preference of school, up from 94% last year.

 

Bath Hill in Keynsham to be resurfaced – please plan your journey

Bath & North East Somerset Council is advising people to plan their journeys between 15th – 20th April when work to resurface Bath Hill in Keynsham is carried out.

 

Council boosts climate and nature investment

Bath & North East Somerset Council is boosting its investment in tackling the climate and nature emergency, including improving access to local nature and more sustainable travel schemes.

 

First improvements to Bath BMX track completed thanks to £140,000 community funding

BMX riders in Bath are enjoying the first improvements in a £146k project to enhance the Bath BMX Club track at Odd Down.

 

Devonshire Tunnel

We are working with Sustrans on drainage solutions to resolve flooding in the Devonshire Tunnel. This could take some time, please check Sustrans’ webpage or on X @sustransSouth for updates.

 

Council meetings


Do you want to know about decisions being taken by the council and have your say? Please follow this link to the council’s calendar of meetings.

Follow us online


You can follow us on NextdoorXFacebook and 
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Support

Cost of living crisis


Worried about the cost of living? Help is out there. There is a dedicated Cost of Living Crisis section on Live Well B&NES, including: You can also get help from your supplier through the Priority Services Register. This is a free support service that makes sure extra help is available to people in vulnerable situations. Check the website to see if you’re eligible to register.
Help with the cost of living.
For people struggling to afford broadband or phone services, there are social tariffs available. Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) has a webpage with more information about social tariffs including eligibility requirements and how to apply Social tariffs - Connecting Devon and Somerset

CSE energy advice


Residents wanting to reduce their bills, insulate their homes or add energy efficiency measures can get guidance from trained energy experts on the first Thursday of every month from 11am to 2pm at a pop up in the Podium outside Bath Central Library.
 

Library services

Our Libraries offer a range of services, including the Library at Home service where we can bring the library to you and sensory spaces for children and young adults with sensory needs. You can also find out about events happening in our libraries.

 

Employment support and skills

 

Achieve


Achieve in B&NES provides a job and course search service for anybody wishing to enter the workplace or progress their career. There are free and funded courses from local providers.

We Work For Everyone


Looking for work and have a learning difficulty or learning disability, or you are autistic, we can help. Visit weworkforeveryone.org.

Future Bright


Future Bright offers FREE career coaching, training and support. Visit the Future Bright website to find out more or call 01225 395555.

Employment & Skills Pod


The Employment & Skills Pod provides information, advice and guidance for residents who are unemployed, 18+ and would like support around employment. You can find out more on the achieve website.
 

Health, wellbeing and support

 

Live Well B&NES


Live Well B&NES is a web-based resource providing information, signposting and support to Bath & North East Somerset residents.

Community Wellbeing Hub


The Community Wellbeing Hub opening hours are from Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm. Call the Hub on 0300 247 0050 or text 07870 868368 or visit the website.

Bath Mind


Bath Mind is an independent mental health charity whose services operate across Bath and North East Somerset. Explore Bath Mind’s services by visiting their website. Alternatively, call Freephone 0808 175 1369 any day of the week between 9am and 11pm for mental health support.

Age UK


Age UK Bath & North East Somerset run specialised Dementia Groups in the district. These groups are a safe, fun environment for people to come for activities and friendship. Find out more here or call 01225 466135. You can also find out about digital support for people aged 55 and over. Email digital@ageukbanes.co.uk or visit bit.ly/AgeUKBANESDigital

Sight loss support


Sight Support West of England provides emotional and practical support to help people adjust to living with sight loss. To find out more, or make an appointment please call  0117 3224885 or email. For more information on the full range of services, visit the website. For more useful information visit the RNIB website.

Domestic abuse


Southside provides help to people who live in Bath & North East Somerset who are at risk of domestic violence and abuse. The working hours are 9am-5pm Monday-Thursday, and 9am-4pm Fridays. Local support services can be found here.

Bath Community Transport


Bath Community Transport provides accessible transport to community, church and support groups, social clubs, care homes and sport foundations.
 
Call 01225 832317 for further details or visit https://travelwest.info/community-transport/bath-community-transport.

Do you look after someone else?


If you support someone who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction or who needs extra help as they grow older, support is available from Bath and North East Somerset Carers’ Centre. Freephone support line: 0800 038 8885 or email 9am-1pm, every weekday.

Public health

To keep up to date with the latest public health news stories across Bath and North East Somerset, including upcoming events, consultations  and other information, subscribe to the public health monthly newsletter. You can also browse previous editions of the public health newsletter.
 

Top up your protection this spring! Getting your COVID-19 vaccine means your symptoms will be milder and you’ll recover faster if you catch COVID-19 this spring. More info can be found at: http://nhs.uk/get-vaccine.

 
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Date published: 2024-04-18


Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council

Date published: 2024-04-18


Date published: 2024-04-18