A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset CouncilTomorrow marks the launch of an extensive Local Plan Options consultation which is a vital opportunity for you to help shape the future of Bath & North East Somerset. We are asking for your views on the options we are putting forward for the growth of Bath & North East Somerset – bringing housing, transport, business space, infrastructure and public spaces together to shape better places and create more jobs for the future under the Local Plan. I make no apologies for repeating my ambition which is to see the right homes in the right places, with good transport options, facilities and jobs. This is a challenge for all of us - with the Government doubling our housing target to 27,000 homes over the next 18 years but it is also an opportunity to plan for sustainable growth, better infrastructure, and more affordable housing. The Local Plan is a chance for ambitious transformational change so it is vital we hear from you what you want your area to look like in the next 20 years. I urge everyone to take part in our consultation which runs until 14 November. Please visit https://bathnesplaces.co.uk where you can also find out about the many events we are running over the next six weeks. Last week the Government announced that Twerton will receive £20m investment from its Pride in Place programme, which aims to empower local people to help build stronger communities and create thriving places. We’ll be supporting our communities to bid for this new funding for projects that matter to them and we look forward to hearing from the Government on what the next steps will be, so we can help drive this positive change forwards. The announcement was timely as we championed what we are already doing to help make a difference to communities as part of our Bath Local Centres High Street Improvement Scheme. This has seen investment for businesses in Twerton, Mount Road, Moorland Road and Weston High Street. The most recent shopfront transformations at Timebank Community Sharing Space and Rach’s Café which have been really well-received – you can find out more on our newsroom. At the end of last week the council was also informed that the Secretary of State decided not to call-in Bath Rugby’s planning application to build a new stadium at Bath Recreation Ground and that the decision of our Planning Committee has been upheld. There are strong and differing views on the proposals, which were considered and evaluated as part of extensive public consultation about Bath Rugby’s plans – thank you to everyone who has taken part and shared their views. Finally, I want to highlight October is Black History Month – which is a chance to reflect, learn and honour the stories that shape history. We will be sharing events organised by Fairfield House celebrating the city’s historic links with Emperor Haile Selassie I, so please look out for them. Have a great weekend. | 
