Being the happiest city in the world, Bath Carnival and staying safe in the heat While I’m writing this, I’m spending a few days at the Local Government Association (LGA) Conference, where council leaders from across the country are coming together to share ideas and tackle some of the biggest issues facing our communities. This year’s theme is “From neighbourhoods to nations – building lasting futures locally”. It recognises that the decisions councils make every day – from housing and transport to public services, economic growth and community wellbeing – have a direct impact on the future of our towns, cities and the country as a whole. The sessions I’m attending focus on issues that are particularly important for Bath and North East Somerset, including how we build more sustainable and affordable homes, strengthen social housing, regenerate historic buildings and support thriving communities. These are challenges we face locally, and opportunities like this allow us to learn from others and bring back ideas that can benefit our area. Back home, we are currently under an amber heat-health alert. The hot weather can pose risks, particularly for older people and those with underlying health conditions. Please remember to stay hydrated, keep cool where possible and check in on neighbours, relatives or friends who may need some extra support. You can find advice to beat the heat from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This week Time Out crowned Bath as the world's happiest city for 2026 beating destinations including Melbourne, Chicago, São Paulo and Medellín. Its survey of 24,000 residents highlighted beautiful streets, a strong sense of community, green spaces and everyday quality of life. A great example of community is this weekend’s Bath Carnival bringing colour, music and celebration to our city. I’d like to thank the organisers, volunteers and performers who make this fantastic community event possible and wish everyone attending a safe and enjoyable day. Bath is now home to three universities. Congratulations to Norland which has been granted its university title by the Office for Students. Norland University of Early Childhood will be the world’s first university dedicated to early childhood.
And finally, good luck to England in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final. Major sporting occasions have a wonderful way of bringing people together, and I know many residents will be cheering the team on. Let’s hope they can take another step towards World Cup success. Have a good weekend. Councillor Kevin Guy,
Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council | 
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