New small electrical recycling collection

 small electricals can be recycled

Small electrical items will now be collected for recycling every week from your doorstep.

The addition is just one of the improvements to the recycling service thanks to the Liberal Democrats on BathNES Council. Recently the service has also been expanded to include tetrapaks with the cardboard collection.

Residents are asked to place broken electrical items in an untied carried bag next to the green box on their normal recycling day. Small items with plugs or batteries are acceptable such kettles, lamps, phones and power tools. Larger or heavier items such as fridges, TVs or computer monitors cannot be collected, but can be taken for recycling to the depot. Please remove batteries, which can be recycled separately, and light bulbs.

Electrical items collected will be crushed and the materials separated for re-use. If the applicance works, it may be more sustainable to donate it to a willing charity.

Lib Dems to freeze council tax for third year

Listening budget 2013

The Council will meet on Tuesday night (19 February) to vote on next year’s budget proposals from the Liberal Democrat administration.

The Lib Dems are proposing a listening budget which prioritises the frontline services that are most important to residents and protects services for the most vulnerable, whilst still achieving a further year of frozen Council tax.

Key services, which residents value most, are being protected. Collections of rubbish and recycling will remain weekly. Funding for bus services will continue. No funding cuts for the youth service are proposed. All library branches will remain open. No parking charges will be introduced in car parks which are currently free to use. The street cleaning budget has been protected.

Council tax in B&NES has been frozen since the Liberal Democrats took control of the Council from the Conservatives in 2011. Unlike many neighbouring Councils, who are proposing 2% increases next year, the Lib Dem administration is proposing a further year of frozen Council tax, in recognition of the continuing difficult economic times.

The Liberal Democrats are also prioritising sensible capital investment which will help to support the local economy and provide the conditions for more growth and, ultimately, more jobs for local people.

Local projects to encourage growth include infrastructure developments to open up new sites for housing and workplaces, such as flood alleviation for the Avon in Bath and regeneration schemes, such as the London Road project and Radstock regeneration fund.

To find out more about the budget:

Watch council meetings online

Council chamber

Liberal Democrats on BathNES Council have started broadcasting their meetings on the internet.

The public are welcome to attend council meetings, but now you can also watch them at home. You can see them live, or archived for six months, at http://www.bathnes.public-i.tv/core/portal/home. Currently only meetings of the Council Cabinet, the executive body, are available. The first meeting broadcast was tonight about the Council Budget for 2013-14.

“I’m proud of this innovation,” said Bathwick councillor Nicholas Coombes, “Liberal Democrats have a good record of keeping in touch with our residents in person and with our leaflets. Webcasting meetings is another way for residents to see what we are doing on their behalf so that we are more accountable to them.”

Cllr David Martin spoke at the meeting about energy efficiency improvements for listed buildings; you can watch and listen to him at 2 hours and 9 minutes into the meeting at http://www.bathnes.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/97429

Application for additional house on Sydney Lawn site

Property Developers Ashford Homes have applied to build an additional house on their Sydney Lawn site.

The site by the railway at Sydney Road used to house a single dwelling, now demolished. Planning permission was granted last year for construction of a block of eight flats. Now another application has been submitted for the construction of a single two bedroom house at the bottom of the garden, at the Sydney Mews end. The trees currently lining the path to the bridge over the railway will be felled. No integral parking is proposed for the house.

As ever, responses from residents are welcomed. You can fill in this online form, or write to the planning department quoting the application reference number 13/00275/FUL.

David Martin funds new steps on Skyline walk

New steps on National Trust land

Cllr David Martin has used his local funding to support the construction of new steps for the Bath Skyline walk.

The steps curve up through the National Trust field above North Road on the route to the Sham Castle. They form part of the circular walk through Bathwick, Claverton Down and Widcombe which is one of the most popular in the country. David’s contribution funded materials for the project which was undertaken by the local Trust ranger and volunteers.

Cllr Martin used funding from the Ward Councillors’ Initiative which allows elected members to support small projects in their ward. Your Lib Dem councillors in Bathwick have also funded recycling bins across the area, improvements to the canal path, cycle stands at the Holburne and a handrail on the Darlington Place steps.

 

New Chancellor for University

University parade

The University of Bath intend for their new Chancellor to be the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward.

University management will be putting their recommendation to the University Court for approval in March. He would replace Conservative politician Lord Tugendhat, who is standing down after fifteen years in office.

This appointment is good news for anyone that respects Prince Edward and his work. The Vice-Chancellor, Dame Glynis Breakwell, said “as chancellor, his Royal Highness can make a major contribution to the life of the university.”

Bath 2013 – the Special Olympics

Olympic torch on Bathwick Hill

Bath will host the Special Olympics, for athletes will intellectual difficulties, this summer.

The University will serve as the main ‘Olympic Park’, with some events also in the city and Bristol. The games run from 28th August to 1st September and are expected to attract several thousand competitors and supporters to the city.

Volunteer stewards, the counterpart to the Olympic ‘games makers’ are being sought; apply online at http://www.bath2013.org.uk/volunteer/.

Damage to North Road sign

north road sign

During the recent cold snap the street sign at the top of North Road was damaged.

Cllr David Martin has reported the breakage to BathNES Council and anticipates a replacement sign.

Freezing conditions and vehicle traffic also seems to be contributing to the break up of the pavement outside Miles House nursery on Bathwick Hill. As the mortar has degraded, many of the slabs have come lose. Cllr Nicholas Coombes has reported the problem to the council for repair.

Good things about Bathwick – morning

Morning

Walking down to the station at 7:30am I was still before the sunrise. Nonetheless, the moon was big and bright in the sky and an early dawn light was beginning to colour the horizon. I couldn’t resist stopping for a photo to add to my occassional series, good things about Bathwick. You can click on the picture for a larger version. Search for ‘good things about Bathwick’ in the search box of the right hand column to see the rest of the series. Fortunately I still caught the train on time.

Raby Place streetlights reported

David Martin and Nicholas Coombes at Raby Place

Cllr Nicholas Coombes has acted to fix the streetlights at the bottom of Bathwick Hill, opposite Raby Place.

A week ago just one lamp was broken, but since Tuesday three in a row have been out of action. The fault has been reported to BathNES Council and engineers are due to fix the problems shortly.

Problems like broken streetlights, overflowing litter bins and damaged benches or signage can be reported by anyone to Council Connect on 01225 394041, or by email to councilconnect@bathnes.gov.uk.