A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council
This week I caught up with Bath and North East Somerset Chief Inspector Ronnie Lungu. We have a regular monthly briefing and it was good to walk and talk to get a first-hand view of what the police deal with in a busy city centre like Bath and how the police and council can continue to co-ordinate our efforts.
One example of how we are working together is a successful bid to secure more than £300,000 to help make the city safer, particularly at night. It is important people feel safe visiting our city and that the night-time economy is supported, so the grant will fund a Safe Haven bus, additional CCTV cameras and a boosted police presence in hotspot areas.
Thanks must go to our partners, Bath Business Improvement District (BID), Avon and Somerset Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner, Youth Connect South West, Project 28, Bath Spa University and the University of Bath, and the Student Community Partnership, who helped secure the Home Office Safer Streets Funding.
Our Bright Start Children’s Centre services have moved from their old Radstock base into the Hope House Centre in Waterloo Road. It is a purpose-built health and wellbeing centre providing expanded GP services, children’s services and health and wellbeing support. It is another example of how working with partners we are helping to improve people’s lives. Investment in the centre came from NHS England and NHS Improvement Estates and Technology Transformation Fund, as well as £4.3 million of investment from Hope House Surgery, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), and the Radstock and Westfield Big Local.
On Wednesday I had a follow-up Teams call with Vadym Rystaiko, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK. This built on our previous discussions about how we can forge relationships across our communities. We are arranging a visit to the Ukrainian Embassy in London shortly where we will agree in more detail how we can do this. In the meantime, the council this week launched our Ukrainian Support Fund, which will support the integration of Ukrainian guests into local communities to help promote their wellbeing, independence and skills.
The funding made available in the first round is £10,000 and bids are invited from charities, volunteer and community groups to benefit the groups of refugees they are supporting. Organisations can apply to Bath & North East Somerset Council for up to £500 for a one-off event, or up to £2,000 to establish new services or extend an existing one.
You will have read and heard about challenges facing local bus services brought about by rocketing fuel and driver costs as well as the impact of the pandemic on passenger numbers. We will continue to push the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), which is the transport authority, to demand a better and value-for-money network which our residents deserve. And you are also able have your say about bus travel across the region to help inform the transport authority. It is currently holding a “big conversation” on buses this summer and I want to encourage you to take part. You can find details on the WECA website, which also includes information about a public meeting on 2 August at Southdown Methodist Church, The Hollow, Bath, from 6.30-8.30pm.
Anyone who visited Bath on Tuesday morning could not have failed to miss 160 officers and soldiers from 21 Signal Regiment, based at Colerne, Wiltshire, who marched through Bath exercising their Freedom of the City. It was an honour to join the large crowds as The Corps Pipes and Drums led the parade along the city centre route to acknowledge all those service personnel who contribute in many ways to our safety and well-being.
Finally, I want to congratulate the thousands of University of Bath and Bath Spa graduates who have enjoyed their well-earned graduation ceremonies over the past week. It is wonderful to see the graduates and their families filling the city as they celebrated ending one chapter and embarking on the next, having completed their degrees at two excellent universities. And all the very best of luck to those taking part in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. More than 30 sportspeople who train, study or studied at the University of Bath are competing in the games, which open tonight.
Have a great weekend.
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Today is World Hepatitis Day
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| Around 81,000 people in England have hepatitis C. Educate yourself and play a part to stop transmission of hepatitis in the community. Recognise the symptoms & see your GP if you have any concerns. |
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Advice about visiting the RUH
Due to the high rate of Covid-19 cases currently in the community, the RUH is currently still asking everyone coming on site to use their hand hygiene stations and wear a mask in clinical areas if they can, and other areas if they wish to.
They're also strongly encouraging people to undertake a lateral flow test and only visit if they are negative and you have no Covid-19 symptoms. |
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Covid guidance
It's still important to help prevent the spread of coronavirus and ensuring you stay safe and get your Covid-19 booster dose.
Free testing for Covid-19 has now ended for most people. You may still be able to get free rapid lateral flow tests if you work for the NHS or in social care, if you are going into hospital, or you’re at high risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19. If you symptoms of a respiratory infection including Covid-19, here is what you should do. |
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Am I eligible?
Find out which vaccinations are available for each age group by visiting the BSW CCG and clicking on 'Am I eligible for a booster vaccine?'. Covid-19 vaccinations can also be booked for children aged 5-11 through the National Booking System. |
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Upcoming clinics
- Thursday 28 July ‒ Bath Citadel Salvation Army, Green Park Road, (11am-5.30pm)
- Friday 5 August ‒ Bath City Football Club, Twerton (11am-6pm)
- Friday 19 August ‒ Bath City Football Club, Twerton (11am-6pm)
- Saturday 20 August ‒ Keynsham Scout Hut, Ashton way. Keynsham (10am-5pm)
- Friday 26 August ‒ Fairfield Park Health Centre, Tyning Lane, Camden Rd (10am-5pm)
You can get the following vaccinations:
- First and second doses for anyone aged 12+ in Year 8 and above
- Boosters for people aged 16+, plus at-risk children aged 12-15
- Additional primary doses for people with severely weakened immune system 12+
Clinics marked in yellow are ALSO open to children aged 5-12. Anyone aged 12 in year 7 and below, can book their vaccination appointment online or find a walk-in clinic on the NHS website. You need to be registered with a GP (or call 119) to book online. You do not need to book or be registered with a GP to use a walk-in clinic.
If you plan to attend a walk-in, please check the 'grab a jab' website to make sure the site is open on the day.
If you’ve had a positive Covid-19 test, before getting any dose of the vaccine you need to wait:
- 4 weeks (28 days) if you're aged 18+ or an at risk 12-17 year old
- 12 weeks (84 days) if you're aged 12-17
This starts from the date you had symptoms, or the date of the positive test if you didn't have any symptoms. If you or your child have had symptoms of Covid-19, but haven't had a test, you should wait until your symptoms are better to get a Covid-19 vaccine. Talk to a healthcare professional at the site.
Don't forget, you can still 'grab a cab' to your planned vaccination appointment. The vaccination must be pre-booked and evidence of the appointment must be shown to the taxi driver. Evidence can include a screen shot on a mobile phone or a tablet, or print out.
If you need a translator, have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS 119 BSL interpreter service. |
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Grant funding to improve night time safety in Bath
A Safe Haven bus, additional CCTV cameras and boosted police presence, to help make night time hotspots in Bath city centre safer, will be introduced thanks to a £329,152 grant. |
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Staying safe and well in open water
Following World Drowning Prevention Day earlier this week (Monday 25 July), the council is urging people to stay safe and be aware of the dangers of open water swimming during the summer holidays. |
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Pensioners to receive help with energy costs
People in Bath and North East Somerset who receive Pension Credit can now apply for a one-off payment of £100 to help them pay their energy bills. |
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First tenants take space in Bath Quays building
Leading local financial services consultancy and software provider, Altus, has been confirmed as one of the first tenants for No.1 Bath Quays, part of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s flagship regeneration project. |
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Events for Climate & Biodiversity Festival programme
Dozens of community groups have stepped forward to organise events as part of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Climate and Biodiversity Festival, which will take place from September 24 to October 2. |
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New funding to support Ukraine refugees
Charities and voluntary groups in Bath and North East Somerset that are supporting the arrival of refugees from the Ukraine are invited to bid for a share of new Government funding. |
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Further enhancements to Keynsham High Street
Residents and businesses in Keynsham have been notified of enhancements being made to the cycle lane on the High Street following feedback received on the recently completed road scheme. |
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Bathscape programme for annual walking festival
Bathscape has released the programme of walks for its popular annual walking festival, which this year will run 10-25 September. |
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Residents asked to check voter registration details
The council will soon be asking residents to check their electoral registration details so they can vote on decisions that affect them. |
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Bath City FC’s portraits project goes on the road
A portrait project celebrating the diversity of Bath City FC fans has embarked on a tour of the city – and is now ‘on the buses’. |
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Get ready to spend the summer reading
Be boggled by brilliant facts, gaze at the stars, and be inspired by tales of creativity and invention this summer with the Gadgeteers Summer Reading Challenge, which runs until 3 September.
Free for all children aged 4-11, you can join in any library or community run library here in Bath and North East Somerset, or online. You will need your own library card if you sign-up at the library – but don’t worry if you don’t have a library card, they are free to get in libraries or online.
For more information about the challenge or to sign up, visit one of our libraries or our blog, where you will also find all the information about our events and how to book.
Join the library.
Follow us on social media. |
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Cost of Living Crisis
In response to the concerns and difficulties experienced by some families in B&NES around food insecurity and fuel bill increases, we have set up a dedicated Money Matters section on Live Well B&NES. This provides a wide range of information and signposting, including:
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Council meeting calendar
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. |
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Follow us online
You can follow us on twitter, facebook and instagram; subscribe to us on YouTube, read the latest releases on our newsroom and if you sign up on nextdoor we are there too.
For updates on our services visit our website. |
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Free weekly creative writing class at library
If you're looking to improve your writing skills, a new free weekly creative writing class will run every Saturday from 6 August to the 8 October, in Bath Central Library. The ten-week class is open anyone over the age of 18 and suitable for writers of any experience level, you can book your place here. |
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The Library at Home service
If you, or someone you know is unable to visit the library, why not try the Library at Home service. This is a great way to connect with new friends and volunteers through a love of reading. You can access books and audiobooks, regardless of your situation.
To find out more visit here, or email HomeLibraryService@bathnes.gov.uk. |
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Employment and Skills Drop In at Bath Library
If you need help looking for work, training or even starting your own business, why not pop along to the employment and skills drop in sessions at Bath Central Library, from 11am to 1pm, Monday to Friday. |
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Employment and Skills Pod
Are you returning to work after a short or long break? Perhaps you are already in work and planning to change the direction of your career? The Employment & Skills Pod can help you find the right opportunities.
Call us now on 0300 247 0050 or email us on EmploymentSkills_Pod@bathnes.gov.uk. You can also find out more on the website. |
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Future Bright
Future Bright offers FREE career coaching, training and support to help you develop the skills and confidence you need to take your next step. Read some of the inspiring stories from those who have progressed with their careers with support from their Future Bright Careers Coach.
Head over to www.futurebright.org.uk to find out more or give us a call 01225 395555 |
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Live Well B&NES: information for all
Live Well B&NES is a web-based resource providing information, signposting and support to Bath & North East Somerset residents. It provides useful information, signposting and resources for families, including Ofsted registered childcare, children and young people with additional needs (our SEND Local Offer) and adults needing care or support to live independently.
Information, services and groups are regularly added to Live Well B&NES. If you work with, support, provide services or run groups for children and young people or for adults needing care or support (such as older people, adults with physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments, people living with mental ill health), and haven’t already registered ‒ make sure you’re included. It’s free and takes less than five minutes to register.
Find out more:
https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/
www.facebook.com/livewellbathnes
www.instagram.com/Youth_Info_Bathnes
Live Well B&NES has a brand new feature called Unsure where to start? to help Bath & North East residents find the information they need for themselves or a family member who needs care or support. Users of the site select a category (such as money matters & finance, keeping safe, caring for others) answer a few simple questions and are then presented with a range of resources and information relevant to their needs. For more information, email the LWB team: Livewell@bathnes.gov.uk |
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Specialised dementia groups in B&NES
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.
The Alzheimer’s Society also runs a series of support services for people across Bath and North East Somerset. For more information, email: Bath@alzheimers.org.uk. |
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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, Bath and North East Somerset Carers’ Centre is here for you. Their friendly team will listen to any concerns you have, offer practical advice and access to free wellbeing activities to ensure you’re happy and healthy in your caring role. Contact our freephone support line: 0800 038 8885 or email us. We’re available 9am-1pm, every weekday. |
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Support available from the Community Wellbeing Hub
Anybody who is a resident of Bath and North East Somerset can benefit from support from the Community Wellbeing Hub.
It is a collaboration between Bath & North East Somerset Council; HCRG Care Group; the 3SG; Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group; and other third sector organisation representatives. The team can offer a range of support services such as mental health, returning home from hospital, income, housing and benefits advice, emergency food, as well as lifestyle services for help with stopping smoking, getting active or losing weight.
To contact the Hub:
Phone: 0300 247 0050.
Email: cwhbanes@hcrgcaregroup.com
Website: http://communitywellbeinghub.co.uk
Text: 07870 868368
Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 9am until 5pm
If you need to contact the council about its services please ring Council Connect on 01225 394041 or email Council_connect@bathnes.gov.uk |
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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. |
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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 www.sightsupportwest.org.uk
For more useful information visit the RNIB website: www.rnib.org.uk/ |
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