A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset CouncilWe may only be a few weeks into 2025 but already it is shaping up to be a very busy year with much work to do on the council’s budget, our commitments to climate emergency and the environment, housing, transport and care. Our budget consultation closed on Monday – thank you to those who contributed to it, we will be bringing forward our budget proposals and I will update you on these in the coming weeks ahead of our full Council meeting which will set the budget and council tax when it meets on February 25. It is well reported that a significant proportion of local government spend goes on adult and children’s services which have increasing demands and stretched budgets which in turn puts huge pressure on the services we work hard to deliver. Our services work incredibly hard to help improve people’s lives and I am delighted this has been recognised in a recent Ofsted report on our Children’s Social Care team, who help children, young people and families who need extra support. Social care workers seldom get the recognition they deserve, and so I heartily congratulate the Children’s Social Care team not only for the excellent Ofsted report they received following a recent inspection into provision for care experienced young people but more importantly for achieving such excellent outcomes. The inspectors found that our care experienced young people are supported well into adulthood, and they praised the culture and warmth of the council, the stable leadership team and workforce, which mean children benefit from enduring relationships with people who care for them and about them. Finally, I want to highlight a ceremony taking place in the Guildhall on Monday which has a very special significance for all those who value the freedoms we sometimes take for granted. We are commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 on 27 January. The annual ceremony is organised by Bath & North East Somerset Council in partnership with the Bath Interfaith Group. Have a good weekend. | 
