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community walkabout

This week went on a walkabout with our beat bobby PC Alastair Middleton and trainee PCSO Howard WIlton. We visited Rosewarn Close and the Circle. Rosewarn Close has issues of flytipping, dogmess, illegal cars and antisocial behaviour.

We talked to several residents about a variety of problems covering the issues listed before. Several problems to report and raise with various departments of Council, Somer Housing and police. However the main outcome is that on each return of these multi group walkabouts the problems and issues diminish. Also there is less aggression to the police as we walk about together and become more well known with the community. The trainee PCSO was very impressed with the recoginition of myself and the beat bobby by people and their interaction with us.

One problem we had at the entrance to the park was a group of youngsters who took to driving stolen cars into the garden wall of an elderly lady. This caused damage and worry. Solution insert some bollards in the pavement. Problem solved. Resident happy. Young drivers moved on.

Currently playing: Hyden - Symphony 104
Current mood: Happy


Bath 'Ring of Fire' - Roundhill Launch Site

On Friday 20th there will be a celebration Firework launch from 6 sites ringing Bath. One site will be the Roundhill in Southdown. Went up during the afternoon to check on the setting up. Pyro2000 are one of the top international firework display teams and recently came 2nd in an international competition in Canada. Next month they are off to Hamburg. Seems like a good carear option to me.

They are a great team and certainly enjoy the work. Tonights firworks - 6 tons of equipment and fireworks needed to be got out to all the sites on the day. The fireworks were donated by Standard and the costs of the team were donated by a group of Bath businesses and people. The Roundhill site is the most exposed to wind. Thursday night saw a big gale but luckily it had all calmed down for the Friday show.

The Pyro2000 Team setting up at the top of the Roundhill - for more photos see my photoblog. 

The Fireworks are a celebration of the new Vision for Bath which is looking at developement in Bath over the next 20 years. The launch signal will come from the new Bath Spa which has lead the process of the new Bath that is being developed. The Chronicle was part of the Bath Spa celebration and invited 30 couples as prizewinners along to see the display from the rooftop pool. One of the winners was from Haycombe Drive and she really enjoyed the visit to the Spa and the fireworks in the evening.

The fireworks are all in biodegradable casings but even so we have arranged for a litter sweep at all sites on Saturday just to keep everything tidy and people feeling good about it all.

Currently playing: Handel - Water Music
Current mood: Happy


Half Term, Fireworks and other items

As a Councillor you get lots of small requests for help. Today had a plea from an elderly resident to help get a gas cannister disposed off as the waste collection wont take the cannister. Decided the easiest and quickest way was to call round and collect it from him. Gives me a chance to catch up on other issues worrying him and his wife in the street at the same time.

The Mobile Mast complaints are coming in thick and fast and there is also another row brewing about another mast in the centre of town. Gordon Brown took £23billion from the operators - some of that should come back to help planning authorities and communities who have to put up with the masts that are required for the growing number of users.

Visited the Junior school this week for a chat with the head teacher on how to attract more pupils to our Southdown schools. One of the effects of parental choice is that parents can now walk past schools to ones that are further away. The solution will have to be to improve the perception that communities and parents have of the school so that parents want to send their children there. Easier said than done though. The school is going to develope a brochure to put through all new housing and new residents as they move into the ward. As I know when new people come in I will liase with the school to distribute the brochure. Also we need some more general invitations to get people in to see the good work that is going on - such as Storey Soup a week or so back.

Friday 20th Oct - the 'Ring of Fire' fireworks are scheduled to start at about 7.30pm. There will be six launch sites (weather permitting) ringing Bath with one of them at the Roundhill in Southdown.  

The Museum week is offering a lot of free entries during half term week with activities for families and visitors - follow this link http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/Bathnes/lifeandleisure/leisure/museumsandgalleries/Open+Week  

Southdown Infant School governors met to discuss the impact of the impending settlement of the 'single status' issue for staff. This is an issue around the country and concerns equal pay regulations. The deadline for agreement is April next year. Bath and NE Somerset is amongst those Councils still grappling with the problem. The impact on our school budget will be about £13K.

Bath City Farm in the Hollow   A week of activities suitable for children of all ages Sunday 22 Oct 2pm to 4pm Apple Day Tuesday 24 October 11 am to 2pm Wild Birds and Chickens Wednesday 25 October 11am to 2pm Seed Gathering Thursday 26 11am to 2pm Bats and Pumpkins 

Currently playing: John Lee Hooker - This is Hip
Current mood: Happy


Southdown Community Safety Action Group Tuesday 10 Oct

Meeting venue this time at Southdown Methodist Church. Our beat bobby and his sargent attended. We had 6 residents along and a good discussion. Crime is down again in our patch - after a spike in April May - in all categories. The main law and order issues raised were all around speeding traffic and the misuse of back lanes by youngsters on bikes.

Litter again was raised. However we are on the case of one of our principle flytippers.

Several action points on traffic and we are going to get speed cables put onto three roads to monitor traffic flows and speeds. Although traffic problems - speeding, volumes and parking are pretty intractable - they are much better problems to be tackling than we have been over the last three years which have had each meeting centred on tackling a couple of drug houses. Currently we do not have a problem in this field and intend to keep it that way.

Currently playing: Froots 19 - sampler cd
Current mood: Happy


Saturday Surgery

Saturday Surgery and today we were joined by our MP Don Foster. Issues discussed and or raised included the Local Plan, Mobile masts, Discovery Card, Choirs in Bath, air traffic, Bus Travel card.

I was expecting a few complaints about the possible new mobile mast for the Mount Road but in the end we only had one person on that subject. One of the local shops is doing a petition against it though. I put 250 of the following leaflet out to households around the possible site and put it in our regular enews letter as well which has caused a lot of feedback.

Leaflet - with graphics removed:

Dear Resident, This letter is to inform you that Hutchison 3G (H3G), a mobile phone operator, is considering erecting a mobile phone mast in the pavement leading to the Beehive Surgery opposite the Co-Op store. H3G has expressed a willingness to utilise an existing mast at Stirtingdale Playing Fields but have been advised that no additional equipment will be permitted on that mast by the council. As H3G needs to provide a better service for its customers in this area they believe that the Mount Road option is the best solution available. Mobile phone masts can be an emotive issue for many people and so by way of this letter we are seeking your views. H3G has assured us that an application will not be submitted before late October so that we have an opportunity to get back to them with your views. They have also offered to be present at our monthly surgery on Saturday 4th November from 10 a.m. till midday at the Methodist Church when they will be available to answer individual questions and concerns. It is important to note that the Government has given the mobile operating companies the status of utility operators in respect of highways and footpaths.  The mast itself would look like a telegraph pole and be slightly lower than the tree nearest the Co-op on on the Beehive Green. We would be grateful for your views and opinions on this matter so that we can get back to H3G on the matter. Please contact either of us via email or letter or phone. Alternatively you can contact the company direct on 0845 604 3000 or via their website http://www.three.co.uk/

Currently playing: Jimi Hendrix - Live
Current mood: Big-Smiley


Street Letter on Mobile Mast in Mount Road

delivered to 200 houses in Mount Road, The Hollow and Haycombe Drive

 

Beehive Green - Mobile phone mast - 5th October 2006

Dear Resident,

This letter is to inform you that Hutchison 3G (H3G), a mobile phone operator, is considering erecting a mobile phone mast in the pavement leading to the Beehive Surgery opposite the Co-Op store. H3G has expressed a willingness to utilise an existing mast at Stirtingdale Playing Fields but have been advised that no additional equipment will be permitted on that mast by the council. As H3G needs to provide a better service for its customers in this area they believe that the Mount Road option is the best solution available.

Mobile phone masts can be an emotive issue for many people and so by way of this letter we are seeking your views. H3G has assured us that an application will not be submitted before late October so that we have an opportunity to get back to them with your views.

They have also offered to be present at our monthly surgery on Saturday 4th November from 10 a.m. till midday at the Methodist Church when they will be available to answer individual questions and concerns.

It is important to note that the Government has given the mobile operating companies the status of utility operators in respect of highways and footpaths.

The mast itself would look like a telegraph pole and be slightly lower than the tree nearest the Co-op on on the Beehive Green.

We would be grateful for your views and opinions on this matter so that we can get back to H3G on the matter.

Please contact either of us via email or letter or phone. Alternatively you can contact the company direct on 0845 604 3000 or via their website www.three.co.uk

Yours sincerely,

October enews

Dear Resident

We hope you all had an enjoyable summer. We are writing with an update of what has been happening since our last enews at the beginning of August.  

Bath Rugby Club and The Rec

The Charity Commission has ordered a Strategic Review of the Recreation Ground and its future uses. This is being conducted by an independent company and is considering all options for the future. If you would like to submit your views to the consultation, please feel free to email either Dine or Paul or keep an eye on the Council website for further details. 

Roundhill

The stolen new seat has been found and will be put back with far more robust fittings than last time. The last Bat and Archeological Walk was very popular. We will keep you informed of any future walks.

Ring of Fireworks

On Friday October 20^th   there will be a spectacular firework display from six launch sites at locations ringing Bath. About 6 tons of fireworks will be set off and will be coordinated with music on the local radio station, Bath Fm. The starting pistol will be fired from the top of the new Bath Spa. This will be a world record attempt. It should be very spectacular and visible from all over Bath and surrounding villages. This is NOT a Council funded display. It is funded and put on by sponsors and industry. The Council has merely been a facilitator with planning, logistics and consent etc.

Litter

Litter continues to cause problems in our area, particularly around Rosewarn Close. We are still pursuing fly tippers and any information on these antisocial peoples would be much appreciated.

Haycombe Drive

We are about to start on a major survey of this road. We will be looking at surface, parking, speed, bus requirements and pavement condition. This survey will be the basis of a consultation leading to a major Highways Bid to improve the whole of Haycombe Drive.

Speed Signs

The first of our slow down speed signs will be going up on the Whiteway Road soon, shortly followed by Englishcombe Lane. We hope to put in our third application for one in Southdown Road in the spring.

Roundhill Grove

At the next Area Committee Dine and Paul will be attempting to raise the priority of the parking bay proposals for this road to get them implemented in this financial year.

Local Plan

The Government Inspector has reported on our local plan and has caused some consternation with changes to our recommendations at the St Martins/ Hayesfield site at Odd Down.

If you wish to see details and submit comments please follow this link http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/environment/planningservices/default.htm

Southdown Junior School

The Egg came to Southdown Junior School this term. This culminated in a performance of Story Soup at the end of September. The Egg is the Youth Theatre attached to the Theatre Royal in Bath. For more details check out http://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/ .

Consultation on Mobile Mast

The mobile operator Hutchinson is looking to place a Mobile Mast in the footpath near to the Beehive and Co-op. It will be about the height of one of the trees on the green and look like a telegraph pole. A similar sized mast and operation box can be seen at the Bear Flat for comparison. A consultation document will shortly be put to local residents. Hutchinson has also offered to attend our November Surgery at the Methodist Church to answer any questions. If you have any opinions on this matter please contact Dine or Paul.

Haycombe Drive Circle 

We are fitting bollards in the pavement at the entrance to the park. This is to deter reckless drivers who have deliberately rammed cars into a resident's wall and caused damage.

Environmental Tip

Junk mail generates 550,000 tonnes of paper a year. Each household receives on average 224 pieces a year. As a tonne takes 6 trees to produce the paper this means a staggering 3,300,000 trees are cut down each year to feed this industry. Most junk mail ends up in landfill. However, here in Bath you can recycle yours into the weekly green box - please do so or better still register with the Mail Preference Service to cut down on the amount of junk mail you receive at http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/

Don Foster MP Surgery

Saturday 7th October 10am to 12.00 midday

Methodist Church in the Hollow

Southdown Community Safety Action Group

Tuesday 10th October at Southdown Methodist Church at 7pm - all welcome

Planning applications

http://planning.bathnes.gov.uk/publicaccess/

Road Works in Southdown

http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/transportandroads/roadclosuresandworks/roadreport/default.htm

All Meetings of the Council

www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/councilinformation/howthecouncilworks/diaryofcouncilmeetings

The forward plan of the Executive of the Council http://ewp.bathnes.gov.uk/ewp_efp.asp

Councillor Surgery

If you would like to speak to either Councillor Dine Romero or Paul Crossley personally, surgeries are held on the first Saturday of the month at the Methodist Church in the Hollow from 10 am until midday. No appointment is needed. Alternatively, you may contact us by phone or email.

Currently playing: The Great Jimi Hendrix Live
Current mood: Big-Smiley


Haycombe Drive

Haycombe Drive is the biggest street in Southdown and is a large circular road. It is served by 3 bus routes and was built before the demands of the motor car. The road service is poor quality and the grass verges are under stress from parking. The bus stop has been subjected to repeated vandalism but we have now got a new type of shelter at one stop which has been intact for several months now. Today Dine Romero and my self walked the Drive with two highway officers to prepare the ground for a public consultation this autumn to upgrade the Drive.

Over the last few years we have been using plastigrass and grasscrete in some of the worst affected parking areas. With the survey we want to get a cost for resurfacing the whole of the Drive and also to laydown far more plastigrass and get a bus shelter for each bus stop. At this stage we do not want traffic calming measures as we feel parked cars are in fact the best measure. They mean the obstructions change all the time and also residents do not want to scratch each others cars. More plastigrass will allow more residents to park on the verge without making it look worn out. With the increasing bus ridership on the routes we also want better facilities for bus users.

We have also asked that the costing should look at renewing the pavement as well. This would mean a massive upgrade in the quality of the street in this area. We are expecting an estimate of £1M so it will be a fight to get it into the Highway budget in a reasonable timeframe. Still this area is well overdue for some road improvement.

Currently playing: Nasrat Fateh Ali Khan - Live at the Royal Albert Hall
Current mood: Cool


Flood water and youth theatre

Saturday 30 September

Bath has lots of water flows very close to the surface. One area that has caused problems over the years is down a lane and into the back of one house in Southdown. This last week after an amazing storm the back patio was flooded as it picked up the flow from the back garage lane and service road. Luckily the elderly residents still have all 3 daughters close by who helped get the water moving on by hard elbow grease. On Monday I will be following this up again. We thought the problem would have been solved 3 years ago when planning was given to convert an industrial yard into new housing with flood mitigation as part of the permission. Unfortuneately the developers haven't moved forward - leaving a row of garages to deteriorate and the gorund to get overgrown. (at least we dont have diesel fumes from lorries starting uop from 6.30 am). The back lane is also deteriorating. So something needs to be done but what?

The Egg Theatre in Bath ( based at the Theatre Royal) is an innovative Youth Theatre and if you are visiting Bath a great little cafe. As well as Youth Theatre at the Egg an important part of their role is work in the Community. This school term they have been up at Southdown Junior School working with our young people. The culmination of this was a Saturday production of Story Soup - enjoyed by children of all ages. Participation in live arts - theatre, music or whatever - is something all our children nead more experience of. 

  

Egg Theatre at Southdown Junior School

 

Currently playing: Kate Rusby - Hourglass
Current mood: Happy