A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset CouncilToday I am visiting volunteers at Weston Library, which earlier this year benefitted from £27,100 community funding. This was awarded by the council from its Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), to help with the library's refurbishment. The levy is a planning charge on new developments, which was introduced by the Planning Act 2008. Since it was introduced many local community schemes and projects have benefitted in our area. It is great to see how this money is benefitting local communities. Following a recent consultation, we have just agreed a further eight local projects to benefit from the next round of CIL funding. This will see £325,000 shared among the successful applicants on schemes including youth support, parks and playground improvements. Thank you to everyone who contributed to our consultation which helped us to allocate the money where it’s needed. Allotments are a hugely valued community space which makes the decision this week of a landowner to serve notice on the council to vacate his land in Combe Down extremely disappointing. The council leases the land, which has been used for allotments since 1894. I want to reassure you that during this year we have requested meetings with the landowner to understand why he wants the council to vacate the land. Unfortunately, all requests to meet have, to date, been declined through his solicitor. We are continuing our negotiations to buy the land as well as exploring alternative sites and will keep the 64 allotment holders and the community updated. On Tuesday I joined others including Bath’s Architect in Residence Bob Allies in the Guildhall for the launch of a fascinating map of Bath published by the Historic Town Trust. I want to welcome Bob to Bath & North East Somerset and to his innovative new role. The UNESCO World Heritage status we enjoy is the highest possible heritage accolade that the city can achieve. Bob joins others, including Professor Marion Harney who was recently appointed as the new chair of the World Heritage Advisory Board and Enhancement Fund, to work with the council, the University of Bath and other key stakeholders to help balance the needs of a UNESCO World Heritage city with the needs of our residents, businesses and visitors into the future. I’m pleased to report Bath & North East Somerset’s visitor economy has been given a fantastic boost following the launch of Michelin’s first ‘key’s award celebrating excellence in the hotel sector. The award is the hotel equivalent to restaurant stars – and our area is absolutely smashing it, only second to London, with the number of hotels achieving the accolade – well done to all those who work in the sector. And this weekend looks set to be another busy one for the city which is hosting the Bath Autumn Fair with stalls, seasonal street food, workshops and entertainment in and around Milsom Street. Have a good weekend. | 
