Tim Ball

Do you ever feel that some don't care what they throw down; I have again been out and around this morning following up on resident's complaints about litter and rubbish being dropped or dumped.

The latest ones are Longhay Close where you would think by the amount of litter that no one had cleared up for a while on the lane that leads to The Hollow although I am sure that it has. I have now asked that it cleaned and kept clean.

The Television that was dumped on the  Path that links Freeview and Dominion Road that has been there for several weeks now although I have previously asked for it to be removed I have now asked again that this is removed.

It is no wonder that people feel that the area is run down by the reckless attitudes of a few lets all do our bit in the New Year and do not drop litter and to report others that we see dumping rubbish or dropping litter. One thing that will happen if we do is that the area will look better and a knock on effect will be that Council services can be better directed.

This is the time of year when we all look forward to seeing family and our house is no different. At the moment with have grandchildren watching television quietly and that I can tell you it is quite a relief whilst their parents are out shopping for the last minute things.

I would like to wish all those who read these pages a very happy Christmas and an even better New Year. I am sure that with Nick Clegg at the helm our Party is well placed to put some cheer in people's faces during 2008.

On Wednesday 19th December I attended The West of England Waste Partnership meeting as they considered the proposed Joint Waste Strategy which includes plans to build a new incinerator in the region.

Liberal Democrat Councillors from across the former Avon region have criticised the members of the partnership (who are drawn from the ruling Groups on the former Avon counties) for not being sufficiently well-informed about the proposals to be able to answer questions from the public. The public forum segment of the meeting was a new initiative as the partnership previously met in secret.

The Liberal Democrat councillors with who I joined at the demonstration against the incinerator all came away from the meeting with the same conclusion that.

"The Tory-controlled West of England Waste Partnership has moved inexorably towards the building of a new incinerator at its meeting yesterday, despite Lib Dem protests.

"Up to now these meetings have been behind closed doors, but yesterday the public and Lib Dem councillors from Bath and Bristol who attended were at last able to ask questions and make statements.

"To build an Incinerator, wherever it may be - and it could be at Keynsham - will be a betrayal of the efforts of local people who have taken our recycling rates in B&NES up to 47% and reduced the rubbish we send to landfill from 63,000 tonnes in 2001/2 to 48,000 tonnes in 2006/7."

Can I say well done to Nick Clegg at becoming our new party leader although I voted for Chris? I feel that as the result was so close and the amount of interest generated that Nick has a great team to take the party forward over the next few years.

I would hope that Nick would include Chris in his front line team along with Vince Cable who has done such a sterling Job as acting leader.

I have no doubt that David Cameron will have a few nerves this morning and will be making even more silly gestures to entice Lib Dem's, Nick tell him where to go in no uncertain terms we don't need him or any of his idea's.

The issue of our council logo is one that has been troubling me for a while now. The new Conservative administration, are planning to change the logo to one that just leaves the name Bath & North East Somerset Council and no identifying branding logo.

Although I never really liked the old one of the interlocking triangles I feel that the new changes are no better and that we should not  waste valuable council recourses on a pointless exercise.

I have spoken to the Council Leader and have asked that her decision is reconsidered although I have met with a negative response so far I have now written in the hope that we can at least not take a regressive step at the council Tax payer's expense.

The decision being taken by the Council's Administration to introduce clamping and towing in Bath and North East Somerset is a dangerous move according to leading Liberal Democrat Councillors on Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Liberal Democrats on Bath & NES Council are warning that the introduction of clamping and towing in certain circumstances could be the thin end of the wedge.

http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/Committee_papers/Executive/WL2007/071130/01E1692ClampingTowing.htm

At the moment, the Conservative Administration is just giving itself the power to clamp vehicles which are illegally parked and which have more than three outstanding parking tickets. Cars will only be towed if they are interfering with road works or special events such as the Bath Half.

However leading Liberal Democrats fear that this is the thin end of the wedge and that the Administration may become ‘clamp happy' and extend the scheme to more categories. This could be a serious problem in Bath especially - traffic problems could be exacerbated by clamped cars in inconvenient places, serious irritation could be caused to residents and visitors alike and Bath's reputation could be damaged.

We believe clamping is not the way to solve parking problems. It risks becoming a money-generating scheme for the clampers and a tax on tourists who may not be aware of local rules.

The Council should say ‘no' to clamping and instead work to improve the effectiveness of our very capable team of traffic wardens.

Over the past few weeks I have been receiving complaints about untaxed cars on several local roads and in particular the roads around Cleeve Green & Pennard Green, I have reported these to the Police who I am aware have dealt with one vehicle. I have asked that they pay more attention to these roads.

The other matter that I am constantly receiving complaints about is the amount of White Vans parked on the Pavements in Sheridan Road.

I have asked the councils Parking Services and the Police to deal with these vans as a matter of priority as their actions are causing a danger to the Public.

Have you bought your Christmas tree yet answer no then why not help Bath City football Club raise money to help support their ever growing team success?

They will be selling Christmas trees on the following dates 8^th, 9^th 15^th & 16^th December from their Twerton Park ground.

I have been told that all of the profits will go to the football club, so if you want to support our local team in the community then why not get your tree from them this year.

As a non football supporter I find it strange giving you this message, but I however do support the clubs drive and ambition and wish them all the best for the future.

An important message is to make sure that you recycle your tree after Christmas in one of the Bath & North East Somerset Council depots.