A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council
We are fortunate to work with brilliant partners who help support our residents, communities, and businesses. I like to meet them as often as I can to share ideas on how to make Bath and North East Somerset an even better place to live. This week I met with the Bath Business Improvement District who are doing a fantastic job supporting local businesses and bringing investment into our city. I look forward to seeing them develop the exciting projects they have in the pipeline.
I share the concerns many of you have about our bus services and earlier this week I met with the Managing Director of First Bus, Doug Claringbold. Whilst I recognise the pressure they are under from rising costs and driver shortages, I made it clear that buses are crucial to our local communities and I will do all I can to protect vital services.
Talking of travel, we received some great news this week, securing £1.5m from the Government towards our active travel schemes. It’s fantastic we’ve attracted the money as only 11 pilot schemes were awarded funding. It means we’ll be able to encourage more people to walk and cycle to boost their mental and physical wellbeing and it shows how important it can be to work with central government.
We are all feeling the pressure of the rising cost of living and with the energy price cap announcement due tomorrow we want you to know help and support is available through the Community Wellbeing Hub. The Hub is a great partnership project involving the council, HCRG and a wide range of agencies, third sector organisations and others working under its umbrella. We’ve all pledged to do all we can to help people struggling to make ends meet.
If you need help with money matters, bills, benefits, energy costs, food, mental health support, jobs and skills, support for carers or other services give them a call on 0300 247 0050. They are open 9-5 Mon-Fri. Also, please, if you know someone who needs their support be they a friend, relative, work colleague or neighbour, pass the number onto them.
We’ve also launched dedicated Cost of Living Crisis web pages where you’ll find lots of useful information including how to request help to pay your water or energy bills and details of our Welfare Support Scheme, which provides residents with short-term, emergency help with living costs. Contact details for a host of organisations and services providing support to help you manage your money can be found on the Livewell Money Matters web pages.
Some residents who are eligible for the Council Tax Energy Rebate still haven’t applied for their one-off £150 payment to help with fuel bills. You can find out more and apply on our website. If you don’t qualify or have received a rebate and are still struggling to pay your energy bills, we do have discretionary grants available. You’ll find more information and details of how to apply below.
Finally, to our Ukrainian guests, I hope you had a ‘z dnem nezalezhnosti ukrayino’ (happy Ukraine Independence Day). To mark the occasion, we held a special event in partnership with Bath Welcomes Refugees at the Guildhall this week for our Ukrainian guests, their sponsors and relatives. It was a great opportunity for people to come together and make new friends with others who have made B&NES their home.
I hope you all enjoy the bank holiday weekend.
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Cost of living crisis
Worried about the cost of living? Help is out there.
The Community Wellbeing Hub can let you know what support is available and you can call them on 0300 247 0050.
There is also a dedicated Money Matters section on Live Well B&NES. This includes:
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Covid guidance
It's still important to help prevent the spread of coronavirus and ensuring you stay safe and get your Covid-19 booster dose.
Free testing for Covid-19 has now ended for most people. You may still be able to get free rapid lateral flow tests if you work for the NHS or in social care, if you are going into hospital, or you’re at high risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19. If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection including Covid-19, here is what you should do. |
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Am I eligible?
Find out which vaccinations are available for each age group by visiting the BSW CCG and clicking on 'Am I eligible for a booster vaccine?'. Covid-19 vaccinations can also be booked for children aged 5-11 through the National Booking System. |
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Upcoming clinics
Clinics marked in yellow also open to children aged 5-12:
- Friday 26 August ‒ Fairfield Park Health Centre (10am-5pm)
- Saturday 27 August ‒ Paulton Rovers FC (10am-4pm)
- Wednesday 7 September ‒ Bath City Football Club (11-5.30pm)
- Thursday 8 September ‒ Bath Citadel Salvation Army (11-5.30pm)
- Thursday 22 September ‒ Bath Citadel Salvation Army (11-5.30pm)
- Friday 30 September ‒ Bath City Football Club (11-5.30pm)
You can get the following vaccinations:
- First and second doses for anyone aged 12+ in Year 8 and above
- Boosters for people aged 16+, plus at-risk children aged 12-15
- Additional primary doses for people with severely weakened immune system 12+
Anyone aged 12 in year 7 and below, can book their vaccination appointment online or find a walk-in clinic on the NHS website. You need to be registered with a GP (or call 119) to book online. You do not need to book or be registered with a GP to use a walk-in clinic.
If you plan to attend a walk-in, please check the 'grab a jab' website to make sure the site is open on the day.
If you’ve had a positive Covid-19 test, before getting any dose of the vaccine you need to wait:
- 4 weeks (28 days) if you're aged 18+ or an at risk 12-17 year old
- 12 weeks (84 days) if you're aged 12-17
This starts from the date you had symptoms, or the date of the positive test if you didn't have any symptoms. If you or your child have had symptoms of Covid-19, but haven't had a test, you should wait until your symptoms are better to get a Covid-19 vaccine. Talk to a healthcare professional at the site.
Don't forget, you can still 'grab a cab' to your planned vaccination appointment. The vaccination must be pre-booked and evidence of the appointment must be shown to the taxi driver. Evidence can include a screen shot on a mobile phone or a tablet, or print out.
If you need a translator, have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS 119 BSL interpreter service. |
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COVID-19 Health and Wellbeing Questionnaire form
Local charity, Bath Ethnic Minority Senior Citizens Association (BEMSCA), is working with Bath & North East Somerset Council's public health team to understand how the pandemic has impacted on the physical and mental wellbeing of these communities. We want to understand your experiences and how you managed during the COVID-19 pandemic by completing this survey. |
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Changes to off-street parking and permit charges
Plans to increase off-street car parking charges in Bath and North East Somerset, only the second increase in the last 12 years, are set to be consulted on. |
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Fraudster imprisoned after council investigation
A serial fraudster who scammed six victims in Bath and Bristol out of £15,338 has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and been disqualified from acting as director of a company for 10 years, following an investigation by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards team. |
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Congratulations to GCSE local students
Thousands of students in Bath and North East Somerset have this week received their GCSE results with normal exam marking having returned for the first time since the Covid pandemic. |
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Celebrating Ukraine Independence Day
Ukrainian guests in Bath and North East Somerset joined their sponsors and relatives at a special event this week to celebrate Ukraine Independence Day. |
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Bath Children’s Literature Festival
Europe’s largest books festival for children opens in Bath (23 September–2 October) with more than 100 brilliant events from storytelling to draw-alongs, all hosted in the city’s beautiful buildings. Among the family favourites coming to Bath are Michael Rosen, David Baddiel, Cressida Cowell, current Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, Richard Ayoade and Dermot O’Leary.
Visit the website for the full programme and to book tickets. |
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Employment & Skills drop-in
People looking for work, training or starting their own business, can visit a drop-in every Tuesday over the summer at Bath Library, where residents can pop in for support and advice (11am-1pm). A range of organisations will be there:
If you want to know exactly which organisations will be there on each week email us. |
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Council meeting calendar
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. |
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Follow us online
You can follow us on twitter, facebook and instagram; subscribe to us on YouTube, read the latest releases on our newsroom and if you sign up on nextdoor we are there too. For updates on our services visit our website. |
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Public health newsletter
To keep up to date with the latest public health news stories across Bath and North East Somerset, including upcoming events 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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The Library at Home service
If you, or someone you know is unable to visit the library, why not try the Library at Home service. This is a great way to connect with new friends and volunteers through a love of reading. You can access books and audiobooks, regardless of your situation. To find out more visit here. Alternatively, you can email. |
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Employment & Skills Pod
Are you returning to work after a short or long break? Perhaps you are already in work and planning to change the direction of your career? The Employment & Skills Pod can help you find the right opportunities. Call now on 0300 247 0050 or you can email us. You can also find out more on the website. |
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Future Bright
Future Bright offers FREE career coaching, training and support to help you develop the skills and confidence you need to take your next step. Read some of the inspiring stories from those who have progressed with their careers with support from their Future Bright Careers Coach. Visit the Future Bright website to find out more or call 01225 395555. |
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Live Well B&NES: information for all
Live Well B&NES is a web-based resource providing information, signposting and support to Bath & North East Somerset residents. It provides useful information, signposting and resources for families, including Ofsted registered childcare, children and young people with additional needs (our SEND Local Offer) and adults needing care or support to live independently.
Information, services and groups are regularly added to Live Well B&NES. If you work with, support, provide services or run groups for children and young people or for adults needing care or support (such as older people, adults with physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments, people living with mental ill health), and haven’t already registered ‒ make sure you’re included. It’s free and takes less than five minutes to register.
Find out more:
https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/
www.facebook.com/livewellbathnes
www.instagram.com/Youth_Info_Bathnes
Live Well B&NES has a brand new feature called Unsure where to start? to help Bath & North East residents find the information they need for themselves or a family member who needs care or support. Users of the site select a category (such as money matters & finance, keeping safe, caring for others) answer a few simple questions and are then presented with a range of resources and information relevant to their needs. For more information, email the LWB team. |
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Specialised dementia groups in B&NES
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.
The Alzheimer’s Society also runs a series of support services for people across Bath and North East Somerset. For more information, email us. |
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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, Bath and North East Somerset Carers’ Centre is here for you. Their friendly team will listen to any concerns you have, offer practical advice and access to free wellbeing activities to ensure you’re happy and healthy in your caring role. Contact our freephone support line: 0800 038 8885 or email us. We’re available 9am-1pm, every weekday. |
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Support from Community Wellbeing Hub
Anybody who is a resident of Bath and North East Somerset can benefit from support from the Community Wellbeing Hub. The team offer a range of support services such as mental health, returning home from hospital, income, housing and benefits advice, emergency food, as well as lifestyle services for help with stopping smoking, getting active or losing weight. Opening hours are from Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm. Call the Hub on 0300 247 0050 or text 07870 868368. You can also email or visit the website.
If you need to contact the council about its services please ring Council Connect on 01225 394041 or email us. |
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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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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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