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e-connect 06 March 2025
Date published: 2025-03-06
Find out what's been happening across the district this week.
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 | A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset CouncilOur housing responsibilities are wide-ranging, encompassing not only the development of new homes in the right places but also taking actions to tackle empty properties and reducing homelessness.
This week is National Empty Homes Week and I wanted to take the opportunity to highlight the work the council does to bring homes back into use as part of our commitment set out in our Housing Plan 2025-30, to provide affordable, safe, suitable and high-quality homes across Bath and North East Somerset.
There are around 500 properties in our area which have been empty for more than a year with hundreds more that have been empty for six months or longer. Empty houses are wasted homes. Thanks to the council’s Empty Properties Service 82 properties have been brought back into use over the past year. Helping owners to bring their properties back into use can take time but there is advice and financial support available. You can find out more from our housing team.
We have an amazing set of heritage assets in our city and we work hard to protect these assets for future generations. The council’s vision for Heritage Services over the next five years is set out in its business plan which goes before cabinet next week. I am really pleased to see projections for continued growth in visitor numbers at the Roman Baths as well as proposals to enhance our cultural offer, opening a new learning and community engagement space at the Victoria Art Gallery and expanding the residents’ Discovery Card scheme.
Tomorrow marks International Women’s Day which celebrates the achievements of women, while standing in solidarity with women everywhere. The council is proud to fly the Suffrage Flag in Parade Gardens during March which is also Women’s History Month. Bath’s own links to the Suffragette movement have been celebrated in a memorial in Eagle Road in Batheaston – thanks to Batheaston Parish Council.
The memorial is in a decommissioned phonebox, outside Eagle House, where suffragettes were invited to take refuge from 1909 to 1912. It tells the extraordinary story of life in the early 1900s in which women demanded the right to vote, a right still cherished by women today since the Women’s Suffrage Bill was passed in 1918.
Finally, Sunday is the national Day of Reflection across the UK for the COVID-19 pandemic where we remember those who lost their lives since the pandemic began and those who worked tirelessly for others during this time. While we are five years on many people still need support and a great deal of helpful advice has been provided on the gov.uk website.
Have a good weekend |
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Plans for new schools and new fitness facilities in Bath announcedPlans for two new schools as well as new sports facilities are under way as part of Bath & North East Somerset Council investment in the former Culverhay school and Odd Down Sports Ground sites. |
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Council to remove sunken boats in BathWorks to remove five sunken boats from the River Avon in Bath will begin on March 15. |
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Get advice on midlife career opportunities in B&NESResidents aged 45 and over and businesses who are looking to support their 45+ workforce are invited to a free Midlife Work Review event in Bath on April 2. |
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Free event for parents and carers to find out more about local SEND supportParents and carers of children and young people with a special educational need or disability (SEND) are invited to a free drop-in event in Midsomer Norton this month to find out about the local support available. |
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Council working to bring empty properties back into useOwners of residential properties in Bath & North East Somerset that have been empty for more than six months are being encouraged to return them to occupation. |
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Widcombe Hill improvement works – please plan your journeyBath and North East Somerset Council is advising people to plan their journeys between 3 – 28 March as it carries out highway and pedestrian safety improvement works in Widcombe Hill, Bath. |
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Nine out of ten families in B&NES offered their first choice of secondary schoolFamilies across Bath and North East Somerset have found out today which secondary school their child will be starting at in September with more than 92 per cent having been offered their first choice. |
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Applications open for next round of Bath community fundingBath & North East Somerset Council is inviting applications to a fund that supports community projects in Bath. |
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Fashion Museum Bath awarded £20,000 grant to launch online collections projectThe project is being supported using public funding by Arts Council England, through its Unlocking Collections programme within National Lottery Project Grants, which aims to enable museums to develop collections-based work and increase public engagement. |
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Cost of living crisis
Worried about the cost of living? Help is out there. There is a dedicated Cost of Living Crisis section on Live Well B&NES, including:
You can also get help from your supplier through the Priority Services Register. This is a free support service that makes sure extra help is available to people in vulnerable situations. Check the website to see if you’re eligible to register. |
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Energy at HomeOur Energy at Home website provides information about the latest funding and support available to help B&NES residents save money on their energy bills and improve the energy efficiency of their home. |
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| For people struggling to afford broadband or phone services, there are social tariffs available. Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) has a webpage with more information about social tariffs including eligibility requirements and how to apply Social tariffs - Connecting Devon and Somerset |
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Employment support and skills |
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Achieve
Achieve in B&NES provides a job and course search service for anybody wishing to enter the workplace or progress their career. There are free and funded courses from local providers.
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Health, wellbeing and support |
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Live Well B&NES
Live Well B&NES is a web-based resource providing information, signposting and support to Bath & North East Somerset residents.
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Community Wellbeing Hub
The Community Wellbeing Hub opening hours are from Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm. Call the Hub on 0300 247 0050 or text 07870 868368 or visit the website.
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Bath Mind
Bath Mind is an independent mental health charity whose services operate across Bath and North East Somerset. Explore Bath Mind’s services by visiting their website. Alternatively, call Freephone 0808 175 1369 any day of the week between 9am and 11pm for mental health support.
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Age UK
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. You can also find out about digital support for people aged 55 and over. Email digital@ageukbanes.co.uk or visit bit.ly/AgeUKBANESDigital
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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 the website. For more useful information visit the RNIB website.
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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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Community Transport
Community transport schemes provide safe and accessible transport for people unable to use public transport. To find further details on community transport schemes visit livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/community-transport.
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Public healthTo keep up to date with the latest public health news stories across Bath and North East Somerset, including upcoming events, consultations and other information, subscribe to the public health monthly newsletter. You can also browse previous editions of the public health newsletter. |
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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, support is available from Bath and North East Somerset Carers’ Centre. Freephone support line: 0800 038 8885 or email 9am-1pm, every weekday. |
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Date published: 2025-03-06
Date published: 2025-03-06
Date published: 2025-03-06
