A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council

It’s been a joy to see the city so busy over the past few weeks. Thank you to the stallholders, volunteers, our council teams, partners and visitors, who helped make this year’s Christmas Market such a success. I’m delighted to confirm that Bath Christmas Market will return from Thursday 26 November to Sunday 13 December 2026. We look forward to welcoming you back for more festive magic next year.

As we head into the New Year, I’m asking residents to take part in our budget consultation. Your feedback matters. Please share your views before 5pm on Monday 19 January 2026 so we can continue to protect vital services and plan responsibly for the year ahead.

At this time of year there are so many acts of generosity and kindness. I want to highlight a few where our teams have gone above and beyond. Firstly, thank you to the Salvation Army in Bath and our Housing Services for their work distributing toys to families experiencing homelessness this Christmas. Compassion and practical support makes a real difference.

We also have a warm welcome to some of our care experienced young people who are moving into their first homes before Christmas, supported by the council’s care experienced and housing teams. The young people are moving into social housing developed by B&NES Homes. Starting a new chapter at this time of year is special, and we’re proud to stand alongside you.

And through our libraries so many of you have donated new and ‘as new’ fiction books in our Gift-A-Book scheme. Working with partners such as Bath, Keynsham and Somer Valley Foodbank and Bright Start Children’s Centres the donations have been given out as Christmas presents to the people they support.

Thank you also to library users who have donated to our Gift-a-Coat, which is in its third year. People have been so generous in giving unwanted coats and woollies which are then available in our libraries at Bath, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton, and at Bath Housing, Welfare and Advice Services, for anyone to help themselves.

On behalf of the council I wish you all a very merry Christmas and season’s greetings go out to you in this little video from our hard-working frontline teams.

Have a great weekend.

Tap the cracker for our season's greetings!

News

Festive magic for Christmas 2026 already on the horizon in Bath

Bath & North East Somerset Council is delighted to announce that the internationally-acclaimed Bath Christmas Market will once again bring festive cheer to the city from November 26 to December 13, 2026. Christmas in Bath is still in full swing with the Victorian carousel arriving on Stall Street on December 18 and Bath on Ice at Royal Victoria Park continuing to delight.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities investment welcomed

Bath and North East Somerset Council has welcomed the government’s announcement of a major investment in high needs capital funding, with at least £3 billion committed nationally over the next four years.

Council sets out early budget proposals

Bath & North East Somerset Council is consulting on draft spending proposals for 2026/27, including ways to invest in care, generate income, make savings and balance its budget to deliver services for residents.

Have your say

Council meetings

Do you want to know about decisions being taken by the council and have your say? Please follow this link to the council’s calendar of meetings.

Follow us online

You can follow us on Nextdoor, X, Facebook,
Instagram and Bluesky; subscribe to us on YouTube and read the latest releases on our Newsroom. Visit our website.

View and take part in our consultations

Support

Cost of living

Worried about the cost of living? Help is out there. There is a dedicated Cost of Living section on Live Well B&NES, including:

Cost of living support (benefits, energy, food, debt, childcare, & mental health)
Support services and organisations
Paying for care and support, planning for future care costs

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.

Energy at Home

Our 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.

Social tariffs

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

Library services

Our Libraries offer a range of services, including the Library at Home service where we can bring the library to you and sensory spaces for children and young adults with sensory needs. You can also find out about events happening in our libraries.

Employment support and skills

Achieve

Achieve in B&NES provides local residents with the latest updates, events and opportunities around employment, skills and learning in their local communities. Working with providers, employers and community groups, they support and run a variety of projects that help people access the guidance and support they need.

Health, wellbeing and support

Community Wellbeing Hub

The Community Wellbeing Hub provides many services that support your health and wellbeing needs. It works with partners to ensure you get the right support at the right time. One contact to the Hub can connect you to multiple services. The Community Wellbeing Hub opening hours are from Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm. Call the Hub on 0300 247 0050 or visit the website.

Livewell B&NES

Live Well B&NES is a web-based resource providing information, signposting and support to Bath & North East Somerset residents.

Public health

To 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.

Winter Vaccinations Clinic

It’s not too late to get your winter vaccinations. Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect yourself from serious illness and hospitalisation from respiratory infections.

There is a vaccination clinic on Saturday 20 December from 10am to 2pm at:

The Winter Gardens room, St Martin’s Hospital, Midford Road, Bath, BA2 5RP

Free NHS vaccines available:

Flu vaccine for all children aged 6+ months in clinical risk groups, children aged 2 or 3 years, school children in Reception to Year 11 and eligible adults 18+.
Covid-19 vaccine is also available for all eligible groups aged 12+.

This clinic can either be booked through the National Booking System (NBS) or attended as a walk-in, no appointment necessary. You can check eligibility for the flu and Covid-19 vaccine online.