A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset CouncilWe are enjoying another vibrant summer with the city bursting with visitors supporting our shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. However, I want to take the opportunity this week to look ahead to the autumn and outline work that is under way on the future shape of our area. In October, through consultation, we will be asking for your views on how Bath & North East Somerset will look over the next decade – focusing on housing, areas of employment growth and how we travel into and around our city and surrounds. Work is currently under way on a Local Plan Options document, which will go before the cabinet in September and, if agreed, would then be consulted on with you. This is a vital first step towards a final Local Plan, which will establish the planning framework for Bath and North East Somerset up to 2042. All councils have to produce Local Plans - they contain a vision, strategy and policies to guide and manage how a district grows and changes over the next 15 to 20 years, and how planning applications for new development are decided. Through consultation we will also be asking for your views on how we plan to travel into and get around the city so the right transport links and infrastructure are in place to support sustainable, well-connected neighbourhoods. We will be updating you on this over the coming weeks and months so please keep check our website and social media for more detail on how you can get involved and have your say. Getting the right homes in the right places is a priority for the council. Earlier this month I attended the second annual Bath & North East Somerset Housing Summit, hosted by CURO, where housing for many young people was front and centre. The human cost of the housing crisis was a central theme of the event. In some parts of Bath, average house prices stand at 18 times average salary and renters on the open market can expect to spend about 40% of gross average earnings on housing. Long-term changes are needed if we are to address this and improve the supply of affordable homes in the area. Returning to what’s happening over the summer, I want to thank everyone involved in last weekend’s great Pride event. Thanks also go to the council’s own events team which works so hard behind the scenes to help many, many organisations stage successful events across our area throughout the year. Locally we are enjoying a fantastic summer of sport – with Bath RFC completing the historic treble in the 2024/25 season and the 200 anniversary of Lansdown Cricket Club, which among many of its celebrations has seen a city-wide schools cricket festival. I was lucky enough to meet legendary cricket commentor Henry Blofeld pictured with the club’s chair Scott Longstaff (pictured) at a celebration event on Wednesday. Finally, I want to join the huge chorus of people up and down the country, who this week have given their congratulations to the Lionesses for their incredible performance in the Euros. Their determination and spirit continue to inspire us all. Have a great weekend. | 
