Tim Ball

St Michael's Surgery Walwyn Close Twerton has applied for planning permission for the Provision of 2 externally illuminated fascia signs. I am a little concerned about these as this is a built up residential area.

The application registration number is 08/01004/AR and you can view the application by following the link on the registration number.

The application was first registered on 14th March 2008 and has to be decided by 9th May 2008.

Any representations on this application should be made in writing to Development Control, Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath BA1 2DP.  Alternatively representations can be made using the Planning Service pages of the Council's website http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/.  All representations must arrive no later than the 26th April 2008.

The consultation period for the planning application to build on the Hollow below Cotswold View has been extended until April 3^rd so I have extended the online petition by the same amount of time to give people a few more days to register their objections.

The planning application number is 08/00518/FUL please use link on application number to view the application.

If you want to still object you can use these three methods go online to the online petition at the following link.  Save our Hillside.

Contact the council planning department in writing at, Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath BA1 2DP.  Alternatively representations can be made using the Planning Service pages of the Council's website http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/. 

You may find it helpful to use a standard objection letter provided below at this link Objection letter.

Local Campaigners have been very busy and claim that 705 objections have been sent in so far if this is the case then it will be one of the largest amount of objections that the planning department has ever received for a single application. see below.

The Liberal Democrat group on Bath & North East Somerset Council have launched a petition against the increased parking charges in the centre of Bath that are being pushed through by our conservative administration.

You can also register your opposition by signing our petition at http://ourcampaign.org.uk/BathResidentsParkingCharg
Comments received via the petition website may be used in our presentation on April 7th.

 It is interesting to see that Bath is being targeted with the increases to fill the huge financial hole that the Conservative councillors from outside the city are digging for us. Below are Just two of the areas that we have a concern.

• increase residents parking permit charges by about 65%
• extend the city centre paying times to 8.00pm

The full details are available to see at http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/Committee_papers/Executive/WL/2008/080222/02E1715ResidentsParkingTRO.htm

This decision is being 'called-in' by the city LibDem group, and this hearing will take place on Monday April 7th, at 10.00 at the Guildhall. Members of the public can attend. If you wish to speak you can but should first arrange to do so by emailing scrutiny@bathnes.gov.uk.

I know that many of you will be concerned to hear that the Council are consulting about putting a new waste transfer station on the Lower Bristol Road near to the Turnpike. The plan so far is to introduce this depot after consultation to replace the current one at Midland Road once the development issues are resolved at Western Riverside.

The plans are at an early stage but I am still concerned about this proposal I will be publishing more details shortly as they become available.

The need to panic is not on us yet as the plans are years away but I thought that residents might like an early warning of what the council are thinking.

Anyway more on this one later and just a last thought that I wish I had shut up last week about the Rugby as Bath were hammered away at Sale last night.

The on line petition has now reached 143 with 99 formal objections also being registered. I will close the Petition at 4pm on Monday 31^st March.

The Petition will be forwarded to Bath & North East Somerset Council so if you have not signed the petition and would like to do so then please follow the link save our Hillside and also register your comments before Monday.

Bath and North East Somerset Council met last night to discuss issues relating to the forthcoming review of secondary school provision. The Cabinet will have to make a decision on schools in May, and last night's meeting was a chance for issues to be aired and discussed in public by parents, school governors and Councillors. However, as was made clear at the start of the meeting, no decision was taken at this Council meeting.

The motion which was voted upon was not the one published in the Council papers on 17 March, and the unanimous adoption of the motion did not represent a specific endorsement of any particular strategy or plan for secondary school provision in Bath and North East Somerset. The vote served to officially thank the O&S panel for the preparatory work which had already been done and to formally request that Cabinet take account of the points of view raised at Council when making its decision.

Speaking after the Council meeting, Liberal Democrat leader on the Council Councillor Paul Crossley said: "I was very pleased that the Cabinet member for children gave a commitment to go over the recording of the meeting and ensure that all the points which had been raised will be dealt with. We will be looking closely at the forthcoming consultation and decision process to ensure this is the case".

A number of Liberal Democrat Councillors spoke in the debate to raise issues which should be considered by the Cabinet.

Co-ed is also an important issue for Culverhay school one of our local schools and this was brought to the Cabinet's attention by my ward colleague Councillor Gerry Curran, who spoke of the length of time for which this had been an aspiration for the school. He asked the Cabinet to "bring forward a package of support for the school to enable a smooth transition to co-ed status".

   (1) The motion which was adopted by the Council is as follows:

"That the Council:

"1. thanks the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel for the three area based secondary reviews which have contributed to the strategy presented today and

"2. Asks the Cabinet when it meets to discuss the strategy to consider that work, together with the views expressed at this meeting, in order to decide whether to take forward specific proposals for consultation."

The Liberal Democrat Group on Bath and North East Somerset Council has submitted a call-in on the decision to raise and extend parking charges, including the cost of residents' permits. The call-in has been verified and the hearing will be held early in April.

Among the changes to be introduced is an increase in the cost of residents' permit charges in Zones 1-12 of Bath (all except the city centre) from £55 to £88 for a first permit, and from £82 to £130 for a second permit. Councillors in affected wards have been inundated with objections from residents. Apart from the inflation-busting increase of approximately 65%, residents complain that they have seen no justification for this increase and that they have not been consulted about it.

"This is yet another example of how this Conservative-led administration is trying to make up for its budget deficiencies in some areas by hiking fees and charges in other areas. They try to claim credit for a headline low Council Tax rise, and then pile on the pain to residents and visitors through these exorbitant and unwarranted charges which will unfairly affect Bath residents and visitors compared to other parts of the Council area. We hope that this call-in will persuade the Cabinet member responsible to change his mind on these charges - and it will give residents, who feel they have not been consulted, a chance to make their views felt."

Well I am sorry but I can not resist the temptation but to gloat as Bath Rugby are now back on the top of the premiership with a good solid home win.

It was worth the cold freezing weather to watch a fully professional win against a spirited London Irish team that could have snatched victory at the death.

As a Bath person it has made my weekend to see that Bristol lost to Harlequins this afternoon although that restfully weekend I promised myself is fast disappearing as the good lady again had me out delivering her leaflets this morning and I feel that she has more planned for tomorrow.

Now for a small spot of housing on keeping and a reminder for Twerton residents to put out their recycling in the morning as normal collections will take place on Bank Holiday Monday.

It's Friday and I have a few days off and I intend to make the most of it although the wife had me out delivering what she called a few leaflets and was actually several hundred this morning.

I have decided as it is a Good Friday to give the politics a rest fro just one day and enjoyed a very welcome tea at my daughters this evening.

Now as for Saturday well I am off to watch the Rugby in the presence of the Mayor of Bath or should I say my good wife who has managed to get us invited to watch Bath play at home to London Irish of which I am sure will be a good game.

If I am silent about the Rugby in these columns over the next few days then you will know the result, but I a hoping that Bath will bounce back for last weeks defeat and claim their rightful place the head of the Premiership.

Well that enough from me for now time for a little more rest.

Over the last two days campaigners trying to stop the proposed development at the Hollow have stepped up their campaign.

Tuesday residents met with a highways officer and took measurements of the road from the Hollow to the proposed access to the site. The measurements were 22 meters to the access point when the clear guidelines for highway access are 30meters.

Wednesday displays were put up at the White Horse Public House for visitors to be able to view the application and residents from the Hollow and Cotswold view were on hand to show them the plans and what they are doing to oppose the application.

If you want to sign the on line petition then please click on the link on previous pages in this blog.

I for one feel that the atrocities in Tibet must end soon and peacefully if you feel the same as I do click on the link for the petition below and sign the attached petition and also tell your friends to do the same.

Together I hope that we can make a difference.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/6.php?cl=62172037

Follow the link for the March edition of Don Foster's e mail newsletter. If you want to receive further copies direct to your email then follow the instructions on the Link DON FOSTER.

Do You Know What is Happening?

Do You Want to Find Out More? 

Walk in and talk to concerned residents from your part of Bath  Wednesday 19^th March  from 2:00pm onwards At the  White Horse.

SEE THE PLANS, VEIW THE PHOTOGRAPHS,

HEAR THE FACTS, JUDGE FOR YOURSELF

If you agree with what you see and hear then please make your views known by signing the petitions either on line at www.ourcampaign.org.uk/protectourhillside  or at the white Horse Public House. Or write to the Council expressing your views a Standard letter template produced by local residents is attached that may help with the planning policies that may apply.

Objection_letter.doc

The on line petition to Protect the Hillside at the Hollow above Cotswold View has now topped 100 with 102 people signing this petition a paper copy at the white Horse is also going strong with hundreds of signatures.

A few of the comments made

F.J. , BA2 Very concerned about possible flood risk to The Brow

A.T. , BA2 This is one of the only green areas in whiteway for the young children. We need to keep this land and the Farm!!

S.J. , BA2 This area should remain green. There is little enough green land left. Keep off the little land there is left.

S.R. , BA2 I do not agree with housing being built on this land, it should be kept green and protected and possibly be used to extend Bath City Farm.

D.W. Out of keeping with surroundings.No thought and the loss of a conservation site. Access to the site through Cotswold onto the dangerous hollow which has many more accidents since the so called traffic calming that has made this road a race track.

Z.H. , BA2 Keep Bath Beautiful! Protect the hillsides and green spaces - more homes for the wildlife!

A full set of the comments made are on the Petition website below, If you want to sign the petition please log follow this link www.ourcampaign.org.uk/protectourhillside or pop into the white Horse at opening times and sign there.

By the time that this entry is published The Rugby will be over for the day and I would have missed the Wales France game that I really wanted to see.

But as I am sat here in the Guildhall waiting to go to another function with she who must be obeyed I thought that I would share my thoughts with you.

I am sure that you will have all heard by now that England has had a good beating the Irish 33 10 at Twickenham what a turn around from last week when my only cheerful moment was that excellent Bath win at the Recreation ground. My weekend will be complete if they can pull off a win at Harlequins tomorrow.

Now you may have thought that I am laying off the political comment for the weekend far from it as we have had pushed upon us a full council meeting on 27^th March to look at secondary school reorganisation.

Now as many of you will know the Conservatives run Bath & North East Somerset Council with the support of the Labour Party. The Conservative executive member has a difficult decision to take on Secondary School reorganisation and whatever he decides will be wrong in certain parts of the community, so he has decided that he would like the advice of council before he makes his decision.

All well and good you may say but I have sneaky feeling that the only reason that he wants this matter to come to Council is so that he can spread the blame around when he finally makes his unpopular decision.

A full council meeting is always an expensive one and to have a meeting that can make no decisions is not very democratic. Is this meeting a waste of time I now hear you ask well I think so and an expensive one at that?

Do you rent a house from a private landlord if the answer is yes then the advice issued by Bath & North East Somerset Council that I have posted below may be of help to you.

If you do not live in Bath & North East Somerset then please contact your own council for any further advice that you may need but the basic principles of this new allowance may still apply to you if in doubt ask.

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is a scheme being introduced on 7^th April 2008.

LHA only applies to tenants who rent from a private landlord and make a new claim for Housing Benefit from 7^th April 2008. Existing claimants renting in the private sector will not be affected unless they change address or have a break in their housing benefit claim.

LHA will not affect those tenants who have one of the following tenancies:

Housing Associations

Accommodation where a substantial part of the rent is attributable to board i.e. Bed and Breakfast/hotel tenancies

Tenancies provided by a charity or voluntary organisation

Tenancies which began before 15 January 1989

Caravans, houseboats or mobile homes

From our current live caseload about 1,200 claimants could potentially be affected by LHA.

How is LHA worked out?

LHA is a flat rate rent allowance determined by The Rent Service based primarily on property location and size criteria.

England is broken up into a number of Broad Rental Market Areas (BRMA). Bath & North East Somerset has 2 BRMAs. The Rent Officer will set a tariff of rents in each BRMA and these will be published every month. These are known as the LHA rates.

LHA is a means of calculating the maximum rent for a Housing Benefit claim. The rate that a person is entitled to, will depend on the size of their household and the area in which they live.  The size of a person's household purely depends on how many bedrooms they require (not the number of bedrooms the property has). One bedroom is allocated for each of the following:

• Any adult couple
• Any adult over 16
• Any two children aged 10+ of the same gender
• Any two children up to the age of 10 of opposite gender
• Any other child

So a couple with 2 children under 10 will be entitled to 2 bedrooms and the 2 bedroom LHA rate for the BRMA where their property is located will be used to calculate Housing Benefit

The Rent Service will provide the LHA rates for each BRMA on a monthly basis and these will be published on our website and at key council offices. The customer can therefore determine what the maximum amount of Housing Benefit would be. Armed with this information the customer should have more choice over the type of rented accommodation that they can choose from. 

Whilst LHA is the new way of working out the maximum Housing Benefit a claimant could get, the amount of Housing Benefit awarded will still depend on the claimants' income and savings and whether other people living in the household contribute to the rent.

What if the rent is more or less than the LHA rate?

One of the advantages of the LHA scheme is that if the claimant finds accommodation that is cheaper than the amount of LHA they are entitled to, then they can keep up to £15 of the excess.  If the claimant finds accommodation that is more expensive than the LHA they are entitled to then it will be up to the claimant to pay the difference.

We will not know what the LHA rates will be for Bath & North East Somerset until the beginning of April but indicative rates received so far suggest they may be more generous than the equivalent rent levels currently approved by the Rent Service. This is good news for claimants.

How does LHA affect landlords?

The only change for most landlords is that LHA will normally be paid direct to the claimant. The tenant will be responsible for paying their rent to the landlord. However in certain circumstances it may be more appropriate to pay the LHA direct to the landlord. A safeguard policy has been written to help identify vulnerable people who could not reasonably be expected to manage their own affairs or would have difficulty paying their rent.   

Why has the Government decided to make this change?

The Government wishes to streamline the process in order to promote:

• Fairness - by paying similar rent to tenants in similar circumstances
• Choice - pre-determined rates of payment allow claimants to choose accommodation to suit their budget
• Transparency - by making it easier for tenants to find out in advance what their eligible rent will be
• Personal Responsibility - by making tenants take responsibility for budgeting for and paying their own rent
• Financial Inclusion - to encourage tenants to have their Housing Benefit paid into a bank account and set up a standing order to pay rent to their landlord
• Simplicity - the LHA scheme aims to streamline the present complicated system

What has the Revenues & Benefits section done to prepare for LHA?

• We have given presentations to key stakeholders, landlords and agencies explaining how LHA will work. The landlord presentations were a joint enterprise with our colleagues at South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bristol City Councils.
• We have compiled a Safeguard Policy in consultation with stakeholders and especially the CAB and NESCAB
• We have written to current private sector claimants to advise them of the forthcoming change
• We have worked with the banks and building societies to draw up a leaflet explaining how to open a bank or building society account and distributed to stakeholders and claimants
• Information about LHA is on our website with specific pages for tenants, landlords and stakeholders/carers
• We have provided LHA training for Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services staff
• We are currently reviewing Housing Benefit Claim forms
• We are shortly issuing further detailed information about LHA to our  landlords

I spent some time not a lot watching the Chancellor Alistair Darling deliver what he must have always wanted to do present a conservative penny pinching budget that again robs the poor and protects the rich..

The sheriff of Nottingham would be proud of him as would many previous conservative chancellors for what he has done is a disgrace to his Labour roots.

In our local area we have got many residents on the bread line and what the Chancellor has given them in one hand he has taken more with the other.

Nick Clegg's response to the budget spells it out loud and clear and I have attached a copy of Nicks response for those of your that want to read it.

As Nick has said Labour and the Tories are now so close together you have a job to tell them apart.

NICK_CLEGG_budget_response.doc

The Planning application to demolish Blockbuster Video and the Chinese takeaway and to redevelop the site has been withdrawn by the applicant after it became clear to them that their application was about to be refused.

I am delighted that the developer has seen sense and withdrawn the application which should mean that our 2 very popular shops are safe for now.

I am not however convinced that we have heard the last of this application and I expect to see a revised application in the future for this site. I will keep a watchful eye out for any revised application and will let residents know if and when it appears.

If you want to see the details of this application then follow this link 07/03748/FUL

I know this is one that got me first time but I have now had a look on the internet and I now know where it is.

This is the only planning application that we have had registered in Twerton this week and the Proposal is for the Demolition of Technology House, internal and external alterations to Albert Villa and construction of a three storey office to rear of Albert Villa.

The application number is 08/00770/LBA and was registered on 22nd February 2008 and has A decision date of 18th April 2008. You can view the application by pressing the link on the Application number.

Any representations on this application should be made in writing to Development Control, Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath BA1 2DP.  Alternatively representations can be made using the Planning Service pages of the Council's website http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/.  All representations must arrive no later than the 3rd April 2008.

At the moment of writing no decision has been made on this application but on looking at the Council Webb site it looks as if a decision will be made after 24^th March as the expiry date of the notices but it could be as soon as 12^th.

Over 120 formal objections to planning permission have been submitted on this application and it is not too late to have your say on this matter but you will have to hurry.

You can either write or email your comments quoting application number 07/03748/FUL to Development Control, Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath BA1 2DP.  Alternatively representations can be made using the Planning Service pages of the Council's website http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/.

I sat having a spot of recreation this afternoon and got up rather fed up at after watching England slump to a pathetic defeat against Scotland. I felt totally dejected and fed up that I had wasted two hours watching such a poor game by both sides.

However I have just had the tonic that I needed before going out for the evening and that is seeing that Bath Rugby has just gone top of the premiership with a convincing home win against Newcastle.

So it just goes to show that as in politics a week can be a long time in Rugby less than an hour can have the desired effect in cheering up a dejected Rugby supporter.

I wish the residents of Cotswold View well this weekend in delivering their leaflet and I hope that they do not get too wet.

If you have not signed the Protect our hillside petition just click on this link and help the area to a high point by helping local residents protect an important hillside near their homes.

The campaign to protect the hillside at The Hollow is going from strength to strength with local residents producing their own newsletter that they intend delivering over this weekend.

The online petition is growing day by day and I would encourage as many of you to sign the petition as soon as possible. At www.ourcampaign.org.uk/protectourhillside

Or follow the link given under community groups. A paper petition is also available at the White Horse public House so why not use the time whilst there signing the petition to sample some of their fine ales.

It is inconceivable that some one would want to build on this important piece of hillside so let us do all that we can to make sure that this does not happen.

I am absolutely delighted that both our locally renowned groups First Steps Bath and Southside Family Project along with the nationally renowned group Barnardos, have been awarded the new contract to provide family support services in our local area.

The good work that both First steps and The Southside Family Project Centre started over two decades ago will now go from strength to strength.

The new contract, which will be in place from April 2008, means more support for children up to age 11 and their families will be available across Bath and North East Somerset, and much of this support will be available in local communities through Children's Centre Services.

This means that more staff will be employed to work as outreach support workers and group leaders to provide services that are responsive to the needs of individual communities. Part of the work is a pilot project to promote stronger links between schools and home. The Parent Support Advisor will be working with schools in Bath.

Children's Centre services already provide support to families of children under five, and the new contract gives an opportunity to expand on the excellent work already being done. The role of the local community, and in particular, children and their families, will be crucial in determining the services and types of support offered.

It is good to see that our two local groups that have provided many of these services over the years are now receiving the recognition that they deserve.

Bath MP Don Foster has responded angrily to the government failures to control the sale of alcohol to children and to be quite frank I agree with him.

I have posted Don's comments to the governments proposals below.

As the Government revealed that off-licenses which sell alcohol to children will be shut down as part of its review of the new 24-hour drinking rules, the Liberal Democrats have highlighted figures showing that 40% of licensed premises sell alcohol to children.

Commenting, Bath's MP and Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Don Foster said: 

"The impact of the Licensing Act has clearly been a far cry for the continental café culture we were promised.  

"Liberal Democrats repeatedly warned that it was unwise to bring in 24-hour licensing when there were already problems with the drinking culture in this country.

"Gordon Brown says all the right words about tackling these problems, but since Labour came to power, ministers have systematically failed to enforce the law on shops selling alcohol to children.

"If the Government can't be bothered to enforce existing laws properly, there's little point in sounding tough on new ones."

Are you going to the first  meeting of the better Bath Forum from what I hear it could be a very interesting meeting in St Michael's Church, Broad St, Bath at 18.00 for 18.30 on Monday, 10 March.

I have received an update reminder of the meeting and would encourage residents to attend if possible. I would particularly ask Twerton residents to attend and to make sure that our voice from this side of the city is heard. It is important to remember that if you don't speak up then you won't be heard.

The subject is the expansion of Bath - how can it be managed without spoiling the City? The key issues are:

   Government proposes 7,500 new homes in Bath

   What is the justification for this?

   Where are they going to go? 

   Is this the way to get more affordable housing?

   Can we expand without spoiling the City?

If you're able to come and would like to speak, please let the organisers know beforehand via the website http://www.betterbath.org.uk/ or by phone 01225 427497. They have said that they will give priority to those that notify them in advance. The procedure on the night will be as follows: 

The subject will be introduced by three local figures with different perspectives: John Everitt, Chief Executive of B&NES, Mike Grist of Somer Housing, and Robert Hellard of South Stoke Parish Council.

It will then be your chance to have your say. The meeting will not be a question and answer session with a panel: we want to hear what you think should or should not be done. 

The Chairman (Trevor Osborne, local resident and developer of the Gainsborough Hotel in the City) will draw up a list of key points made which need further consideration. These will be posted on the website, and John Everitt will be asked to respond within one month, also on the website.

You will be able to comment online on this response. We want the whole process to be as transparent as possible.

There will be a raffle in aid of Julian House, the local charity for single homeless people.

Many thanks to Jane and Henry Brown for organising this Forum I am sure that it will be a great success.  

A full planning application has been submitted for the erection of a mixed used development Consisting of 106 residential units, commercial offices and associated car parking and Landscaping including flood alleviation measures. Change of use to C3 and A2.

The site of the application is Twerton Mill Lower Bristol Road, and this was registered on 25^th February 2008. A decision on this application will be made  by 26th May 2008.

The application reference number is 08/00485/FUL and you can view the application by Following the link on the application number.

Any representations on this application should be made in writing to Development Control, Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath BA1 2DP.  Alternatively representations can be made using the Planning Service pages of the Council's website http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/. All representation must arrive no later than the 30th March 2008. Please also let your councillors know of any comments that you make.

The latest information on the Councils core strategy for future development including the government inspector's decision to increase further the amount of new house building that the Government expects this area to take from 15,500 to 18,800 between 2006 & 2026 are included in the report.

Where they expect us to put all these extra houses I do not know, anyhow the report makes useful reading as do the links to other papers so I have attached a PDF of the report for your information.

Planning_Policy_Latest_News_29.02.08.pdf

This is now published on www.readmyday.co.uk/twerton of where you can read all the latest information on this campaign.