Paul Crossley1

Dear Resident

We hope you enjoyed your Christmas week and have a good New Year and a successful 2007

Slow Down for Southdown campaign update

Our first 30MPH flashing warning sign is now positioned in Englishcombe Lane. A second will be positioned on Whiteway Road near the cemetery and we are still awaiting to hear if we have one for Southdown Road in this financial year. If not we will be applying in the next financial year again.

Thank you to residents from Whiteway Road who returned the petition slip. We will be pursuing this issue on a regular basis.

An interesting website is www.safecam.org.uk where you can see the work of the Safety Camera Partnership. I have requested the figures for speeding fines from the Whiteway camera during 2006.

Englishcombe Lane ‘Petrol station’ site

Planning application 06/03892/FUL. This petrol station has now had a planning application submitted to remove the canopy and petrol pumps and to enlarge the store to create a new convenience store. The application will increase retail by approximately 40% and has space for lorry delivery and 10 car park spaces. The extension would be to the side to take over the car wash area. The application does not affect the garage facility to the rear.

The plans can be seen at Trimbridge House. For more detail click on the planning link below and key in either the application number or Southdown in the ward box. Comments need to be in by the end of the month. You can email your comments to development_control@bathnes.gov.uk

Roundhill Toilet and YMCA Building

The YMCA are about to put in a planning application to enlarge the Roundhill Community Hall and increase its usage. The scheme would involve the removal of the public toilet and replacement by improved facilities inside the building. Many people already prefer to use the centre toilets rather than the public toilets which have in recent months, been used by drug takers and one person who was living in the attic of the toilet for a while. We would be grateful to hear your views concerning the YMCA use of the building and the removal of the public toilet. The YMCA intend to open the facility on more days and for longer hours with their expansion proposals.

Litter

The main problem area this month has been the Rosewarn Close field. Again we have had a lot of help from Somer in removing rubbish. However it is still too frequent that we have to get litter removed and sometimes it is taking a few days to respond to requests for litter removal. We continue to take litter as a serious issue but need community help in tracking down offenders.

Safer Communities

The latest walkabout was 19th December when we visited Rosewarn Close and Wedmore Park with local Beat PC Alastair Middleton. On this visit we talked to local residents about the spate of smashed windscreens we have had in recent weeks in these areas.

Haycombe Drive

Following our street letter on the consultation for Haycombe Drive Improvements, we walked the Drive with the Highway engineer and marked up a series of environmental improvements we would like to see on a detailed map. Several residents approached us as we walked round with ideas and suggestions. These will be sent to all residents in the New Year together with a detailed map for comments. The major resurfacing scheme will then be put into the Highways Capital budget and we would hope to see the work done in the year 2008 / 09

Hutchinson Mast in Mount Road

Nothing more has been heard to date from Hutchinson on this matter.

Environmental News

This month we would like to direct you to a web site: www.rubbishorresource.co.uk This is the web site for the West of England Waste Partnership which is looking at the issues arising from waste from Bath & NE Somerset, Bristol, N Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Bath residents have proved themselves to be keen green recyclers putting out a lot of garden waste and cardboard which is turned into compost. Unfortunately the Environment Agency has decided to classify this product as hazardous waste!!!!. We are working with our MP Don Foster and the composting producers to persuade the Environment Agency that this flies in the face of all our efforts to reduce materials being sent to landfill sites.

Tetrapak (drink containers) recycling

If you want to recycle tetrapaks you should now send them to a NEW address in Somerset, NOT the old place in Fife. You must use the specific labels provided on the tetrapak website when sending your cartons, which is why we are providing a link to the page of labels rather than giving you the mailing address here. The Council is discussing ways of taking tetrapaks locally. For mailing labels and more information see http://www.tetrapakrecycling.co.uk/pdf/labels_oct_06.pdf

Bath and NE Somerset Green Spaces Strategy

The Council has produced a strategy for public consultations on our green spaces. Please check this out at the link below and let us have your comments and opinions. www.bathnes.gov.uk/bathnes/lifeandleisure/leisure/parksandopenspaces/consult.htm

Bath Environmental Success story

Litegreen: The new, unique ethical shopping directory, founded in Bath.

The Litegreen Directory helps you look behind the logo and identify companies with the best records on operating in sympathy with the environment and workers rights. It puts your values back in the driving seat, with no hassle and no compromise to your lifestyle.

www.litegreen.com

Southside Food Co-op

Bath residents are being given the opportunity to buy fresh, locally grown produce at affordable prices from collection points within their local communities. Southside Food Co-op, which is based in Twerton, has launched a new city-wide initiative whereby people will host drop-off points in their own homes. For each order made, hosts receive a credit towards the cost of produce. Currently, there are two drop-off points in Newbridge and Combe Down, and they hope to set up more drop-off points soon. The Food Co-op offers bags of seasonal vegetables and fruit, priced at £5 and £8. They also offer a range of speciality breads, wholefoods and free range eggs. Produce is mostly grown locally on the outskirts of Bath by a traditional market gardener. To find out more or to become a drop-off point yourself, contact Viv Talbot on 01225 787924 or email vivt@envolve.co.uk

Former King Edward School building, Broad Street

Work at the former King Edward's School in Broad Street is underway to repair the roof. This is good news. Most of the damage to the building appears to be due to water leaking in from the roof. It would appear that pressure from the public and council has at last got the owners moving. Whether it will anything more than a 'sticking plaster' will remain to be seen.

Groundbreaking Play Ranger scheme started in Southdown achieves national recognition

A groundbreaking scheme pioneered by Bath & North East Somerset Council in Southdown which helps children to play safely in the district’s parks and open spaces has been recognised with a third prestigious national award.

The Community Play Rangers scheme is a free initiative which was originally commissioned by the Children’s Fund, and is now jointly funded by the Council and managed by Wansdyke Play Association. It encourages children and young people, aged five to 13, to make use of parks and outdoor spaces, while reducing their fear of bullying. The initiative also helps young people to feel that they have someone who they can turn to for advice and who will listen to them.

We are delighted to announce that in addition to being congratulated by Prime Minister Tony Blair late in 2004 for winning the Sure Start Excellence Award and then in 2005 winning a Community Care Award for Supporting Children and Families, the Community Play Rangers have won a third national award.

The scheme was recognised in the Play and Social Development category in the national Children Now Awards, which is organised as part of the Children and Young People’s Services Award in association with the Children’s Workforce Development Council and sponsored by Play England .

Community Play Rangers currently work in three areas of Bath and North East Somerset: Whiteway, Foxhill (Combe Down) and Norton Radstock.

Over 300 children regularly attend play sessions throughout the year and are consulted about, and help to plan, the activities they would like to be organised.

By being present in the park, the Community Play Rangers ensure that children are kept safe, while helping them to take on new challenges, get creative, and develop their social skills.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the scheme or volunteering should call 01761 420660 or email playrangers@ukonline.co.uk

The Whiteway scheme operates on Mondays and Thursdays at- Bath City Farm, activities in the building such as crafts and games and on the farm looking after animals, cooking, den building. The scheme also operates on Wednesdays from 4-6pm at Southdown Youth Centre for sports, games, crafts, cooking etc. Play Rangers Shiva Page and Adam Shadlock run the sessions.

Bristol International Airport Expansion Plans

Although this is not in our authority area Bath is increasingly under the flight paths. Many of you have complained to us and we have raised these issues with the airport authority. The flight paths should have been moved North of Bath but they still have not yet done this. The airport has ambitious expansion plans.

You can see both sides of the argument: for at www.bristolairport.co.uk and click on master plan and against at www.stopbia.com

email your views and comments to North Somerset Council Ref 06/P/2701/MP dccomments@n-somerset.gov.uk . Although the official end date for consultation has now ended please feel able to submit your views.

Southdown Community Safety Action Group

Next Meeting Tuesday 6^th February – venue to be confirmed – at 7pm - all welcome.

The last meeting had a report back from the group’s community speed gun trials in Southdown Road. The main issues of concern were all about speeding traffic in Mount Road, Sladebrook Road and Southdown Road.

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.

Councillor Paul Crossley Councillor Dine Romero

07980 998802 07900 276613

paul_crossley@bathnes.gov.uk dine_romero@bathnes.gov.uk

www.readmyday.co.uk/paulcrossley1

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delivered to residents of Rosewarn Close

Rosewarn Close - fly tipping- December 2006

Dear Resident,

Over the last year we have had to tackle litter and fly tipping problems on a very regular basis. We have had two Environment Action Days when we have brought in Police, Fire Brigade, Council and Somer Housing to tackle a range of problems.

In addition we have started on a regular basis to walk around Rosewarn Close with our beat officer PC Alastair Middleton.

We have managed to identify and stop one of the major sources of fly tipping coming into Rosewarn from outside our area. However litter and rubbish continue to be a regular problem. We are determined to keep Rosewarn Close clean and believe this can be done if we work together to tackle and solve the problem.

If you know anything about the fly tipping problem please feel free to email, write or telephone either of us. All information will be treated in absolute confidence.

Yours sincerely,

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strret letter delivered to Haycombe Drive, Rosewarn Close and Blagdon Park

Haycombe Drive - street surface- December 2006

Dear Resident,

The Haycombe Drive road surface has needed attention for many years now. We have secured a sum of money to do a thorough check of the road, pavements, grass verges, bus requirements, parking requirements, lighting needs and litter bin needs to enable us to produce a comprehensive plan for the refurbishment of Haycombe Drive.

You will shortly receive a consultation form from the Highways Department. This will probably be early in the New Year.

Please complete this and return it so that in working up the refurbishment scheme we meet as many needs as possible.

In the meantime please feel free to contact either of us if you have any questions on this or any other matter.

We hold an open surgery at the Methodist Church in the Hollow on the first Saturday of each month from 10am to midday.

Alternatively you can contact us by email, mail or phone if we can be of assistance.

Yours sincerely,

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Modified on January 22, 2007 at 1:18 AM

Quite a range of issues with residents today: parking problems created by a new development; litter and rubbish in a Somer garage area; speeding traffic and the Community Safety Action Groups work this last week recording traffic speeds in Southdown Road; satisfaction with getting an overgrown hedge properly layered (I have noticed just recently that far more people are coming back to say thankyou - a small word but greatly appreciated) ; and a grandmother being denied access to her granddaughter.

The bollards we put in in Haycombe Drive have solved a problem that a resident was getting from cars mounting the pavement on a roundabout and damaging her wall. The bus shelter repair has prooved popular. We aim to get shelters repairde quickly and have found prompt repair means the vandals give up smashing them after awhile.

We also issued a leaflet to residents on the Whiteway Road to sign up to a traffic petition to get traffic speeds down. Several residents are angry about the recently announced huge cuts to the PCSO scheme. It is a shame the Labour Government has gone back on its pledge to get 24,000  Police Community Support Officers. This was a popular move and we have been saying how it is going to work and now we will only get 2/3 rds of the promised support. A cut from 24,000 to 16,000 is a large cut. But worse still it means hopes have been dashed. Anti Social Behaviour is one of the main concerns people have, especially elderly residents. 

SLowDown for SOuthdown letter delivered to residents of WHiteway Road and Englishcombe Rise

Whiteway - speeding traffic - November 2006

Dear Resident,

Slow Down For Southdown

Speeding traffic on the Whiteway Road has been a problem for many years now. A number of motorists breaking the speed limit have been caught by the camera by Southdown Juniors School and the mobile unit stationed just below the cemetery.

Over the years we have tried a number of different approaches to try and tackle this issue. The most effective has been the use of flashing “Slow Down” signs, such as the one just before Culverhay School. We now have a budget to position another near the cemetery.

However traffic continues to move at dangerous speeds along the length of the road. We would like to see measures put in place to make Whiteway Road safer for all residents – this could be through changes to speed limits or other methods. If you agree with us and would like to support this campaign please sign the form below and return it to us at Dine Romero's address or better still email us with your support for this campaign.

Yours sincerely,

[Petition:] I/We the undersigned call on the Executive Member for Transport to improve safety for residents and users of Whiteway Road by putting measures in place to slow down the speed of motorists.

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Modified on January 22, 2007 at 1:17 AM