A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset CouncilI want to begin by congratulating students in B&NES who received GCSE results today, as well as those who celebrated A-level results last week. We wish you all the best with your next steps and if things haven’t quite gone to plan, remember your school or college will be able to support you. We’ve worked closely with the West of England Combined Authority to highlight the needs of our rural communities and I am delighted that Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, has this week announced a new 768 bus service between Bath and Radstock. The fixed-route WESTlink bus trial will help reconnect our villages with each other and with Bath and Radstock. The new timetabled bus service starts on September 1 and connects Writhlington, Radstock, Clandown, Camerton, Timsbury, Tunley, Priston, Nailwell, Englishcombe, Bear Flat, and Bath City Centre. Alongside this, bookable minibuses will also continue to be available for journeys as part of the wider WESTlink trial. I hope demand for the service will grow and pave the way for future bus service improvements. On Sunday we mark Ukrainian Independence Day and stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people who continue to show such strength and resilience in their fight for freedom. The Ukrainian flag remains flying above the Guildhall as a sign of our unwavering support to Ukraine and especially to those who have found sanctuary in B&NES. Nearly 400 Ukrainians have been supported in B&NES under the Homes for Ukraine scheme – with many residents providing accommodation and help – thank you to all those who have shown this incredible support. We are on the side of freedom and democracy and our formal Friendship Agreement with the Ukrainian city of Oleksandriya continues to grow in strength. You can find out more about the Friends of Okelsandriya and the work that’s being done to promote peace and friendship between communities. Have a great Bank Holiday weekend. | 
