| e-connect 19 January 2023 |
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A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council
Last week, I promised an update on the provision of supported bus services in Bath and North East Somerset which has now been agreed.
The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is the public transport authority for the area and last year we were facing a cliff edge with the prospect of the loss of supported services in Bath & North East Somerset. Following a great deal of work an agreement was reached with WECA and the West of England Mayor at a meeting yesterday, which was broadcast on WECA’s Youtube channel.
It means the council has protected 12 supported bus services in Bath. In addition, some supported services outside of Bath, where Demand Responsive Transport, which is being introduced by the West of England Mayor from April, will receive a cash injection from the council. This is to ease the transition to the new arrangements until June. More information on the proposed Demand Responsive Transport scheme ‒ badged as West Link ‒ can be found here.
Bath & North East Somerset tenders "supported" bus services through WECA. Tenders for all routes we previously contracted came in at £3m, more than a 200% increase on our budget, at a time when council income is falling in real terms. I am actively lobbying the West of England Mayor to fund all the five bus routes for North East Somerset, for which he has tendered through a different route, the Bus Service Improvement Fund, and for which the sole decision-making responsibility lies with him. If funded, these routes will ensure bus provision for Chew Valley, Keynsham, Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Timsbury. The Mayor chose not to tender for any bus service improvements for Bath. When combined with the supported bus services we have retained, as well as the Demand Responsive Transport, and the commercial network, this will make for the best coverage we can achieve for all of our residents.
Since last Thursday, our area has been subject to two weather warnings – for floods and this week ice. Our teams continue to monitor water levels and are liaising with the Environment Agency and will take action where necessary. I want to thank them for their work and thanks must also go to our highways teams who have been out all this week at night and in the early hours on gritting runs.
Local help for people who sleep rough or are at risk of becoming homeless is offered across Bath and North East Somerset – not just during the winter, but all year round. We work with Homeless Partnership agencies Julian House and DHI to make sure there is a room for anyone who needs it in severe weather at any time of the year.
Anyone concerned about someone they have seen sleeping rough can alert the partner services via the StreetLink, website or by calling 0300 500 0914 so that the person can be connected with local support. If the person is under 18, people need to contact the police. People wishing to donate or volunteer to help people who sleep rough are asked to contact one of the Homelessness Partnership agencies to find out what they need.
Looking back to the start of the week, I was delighted to welcome sixth form and university students to an event at the Bath Guildhall to discuss an emergency appeal being led by the Friends of Oleksandriya to raise funds for generators for Ukraine.
The mayor of Oleksandriya, Serhii Kuzmenko, joined the meeting via Zoom and updated us all on the local situation. He spoke about the hours of power cuts that residents are living with and the freezing cold temperatures they are enduring. He thanked the people of Bath and North East Somerset for the help provided so far after 13 smaller generators were donated to the city and delivered over the Christmas period by the Friends group. If you wish to donate to this appeal, you can do so at www.generatorsforukraine.co.uk or email generatorsforukraine@outlook.com for further information.
Have a good weekend.
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Cervical cancer prevention week
Next week is Cervical cancer prevention week, and the theme is empowering you to feel like you can prevent cervical cancer. You are encouraged to go for your cervical screening once invited and vaccinate children against HPV. Find more info and support here. |
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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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Covid and flu vaccination clinics
You can still get your Covid-19 and flu vaccinations at local walk-in clinics this month. Bath City Football Club and the Salvation Army's Bath Citadel are hosting clinics every Monday and Thursday respectively, from 11am-5pm. All are subject to eligibility.
The Bath City clinics are also holding wellbeing conversations and NHS Health Checks subject to eligibility. For more information, visit the NHS website.
Bath City Football Club, 105 High St, Twerton, Bath, BA2 1DB
- Monday 23 January, 11am-5pm
- Monday 30 January, 11am-5pm
- Monday 13 February, 11am-5pm
- Monday 20 February, 11am-5pm
- Monday 27 February, 11am-5pm
Bath Citadel Salvation Army, Green Park Road, Bath, BA1 1XE
- Thursday 26 January, 11am-5pm
- Thursday 2 February, 11am-5pm
- Thursday 9 February, 11am-5pm
- Thursday 16 February, 11am-5pm
- Thursday 23 February, 11am-5pm
The clinics are open for Covid vaccinations to anyone aged 5+. For those aged 5-11, the clinic is only open between 3-5pm. Flu vaccinations are open to those aged 18+. All subject to eligibility.
You can also book a vaccination appointment online or find a walk-in clinic on the NHS website. To book online, you need to be registered with a GP (or call 119), but you don't need to book or be registered with a GP to use a walk-in clinic. |
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Flu vaccine for children
Parents and carers are still being urged to get two and three-year-olds, and primary school-aged children vaccinated against flu. The vaccine is safe, effective, and painless, and given using a nasal spray. The spray contains weakened viruses that will help your child build up immunity. The vaccine cannot cause flu because the viruses in it have been weakened to prevent this from happening. Parents and guardians should contact their GP surgery to book a flu vaccination appointment.
All age vaccines are currently being offered from 5 Dec 2022 through to 31 January 2023. If you have a vulnerable child and they missed their school’s offer, contact your GP. For all other children if they were absent from school or the consent deadline was missed, contact the Single Point of Access 0300 247 0082 or email. Further information can be found here. |
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Council steps in to support bus services
The council has stepped in to directly protect some supported bus services following the decision (18 January) by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Committee to stop funding some services from April, and the Metro Mayor’s decision to introduce a new Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) system for the sub-region. |
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Community Neighbourhood Projects: Have your say
Residents in Bath are being asked for their views on two neighbourhood projects which have applied for community funding. |
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More trees for Bath and North East Somerset streets
Communities across Bath and North East Somerset are set to benefit from new trees on local streets to improve the areas and the environment. |
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Key climate & ecological achievements in B&NES
Council actions to reduce carbon emissions, restore nature and create new and improved green infrastructure in Bath and North East Somerset have been set out in a new report. |
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#NeighbourhoodPolicingWeek
This week is national #NeighbourhoodPolicingWeek marking the work that Neighbourhood officers do to keep communities safe.
You can follow your local team on Facebook:
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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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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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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 and haven’t already registered ‒ make sure you’re included. It’s free and takes less than five minutes to register. Find out more or email the LWB team.
https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/ |
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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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