Tim Ball

For the first time in about a month we have a planning application in Twerton so this is taking rather longer to put together that it normally would.

 The application is for the erection of a two story side extension at 38 The Hollow Bath and was first registered on 28th July 2008 and has a decision date of 22nd September 2008.

The application number is 08/02259/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 www.bathnes.gov.uk.  All representations must arrive no later than the 24th August 2008.

As a Twerton Ward Councillor I am concerned about the Governments proposals to add an extra 500 Houses to their proposed urban extension on the South of Bath this will add pressure to build on green fields close to the edge of Twerton, a total of 2,000 new homes is now proposed.

This will also add problems to our already fragile infrastructure I fully agree with our local MP Don Foster who has described the proposals as Barking mad. Where do the Government keep getting their stupid ideas from?

Commenting on the release of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West of England, Bath MP Don Foster has said that the Government has gone "barking mad" in their demands for new homes in Bath & North East Somerset.

Don said, "It was the view of Bath and North East Somerset Council that only 15,000 new homes should be built, but now the Government has called for over 21,000!  We had agreed to what was already a very difficult challenge in terms of building 6,000 new homes within Bath, and an extra 1,500 as part of an urban extension to the South West, but now the Government have increased that figure too.

"House-building has almost ground to a halt in light of the global economic downturn, and this project looks beyond deliverability in the 15 years it has to come to fruition.  The Government is simply barking mad.

"Across the district, 66% of the authority area is either an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or Green Belt land and the Government themselves have admitted building to the South will be limited due to inadequate transport links.

"The total is even more bizarre considering we can't include new student builds.  We have two large and expanding universities who are planning to expand accommodation on their own sites.  This will free up affordable housing within the city, but yet this can't count towards our target."

The issue of Councillors interests and how they are published is a very important matter and I fully agree with the stance taken by my Lib Dem Colleague Roger Symonds on this matter.

Up to now anyone wishing to check on Bath and North East Somerset Councillors’ interests has been faced with a lonely trek to the Keynsham offices, where Councillors’ declarations of interests can be inspected, by appointment.

However, following a statement Cllr Roger Symonds made to the last Council meeting, the Council’s Standards Committee is to consider a report on giving the ‘green light’ for Councillors’ interests to be published on the B&NES website. The Committee is asked to take a view on the recommendation and to decide whether Councillors should have an ‘opt out’ from having their interests displayed on the internet.

“It has become common practice in Councils across the country for members’ interests to be made available on the internet. I am pleased that B&NES is at last looking at this issue and I urge the Standards committee members to give the ‘green light’ to making Councillors’ interests available to more people. It is vital, particularly in these times of suspicion and mistrust of politicians, that information about Councillors’ interests is available in the quickest and most accessible format possible.”

They say that with all politicians that we often get a rush of blood to the head. Well I certainly did in the middle of May this year.

I became the Mayor of Bath on May 17^th and some of you may have seen the Mayor of Bath's blog that I have been putting together.

Well that rush of blood has committed me to running the Bath Half Marathon in March next year something that I have never done in my life before.

The training has now started with my third visit to the Gym this morning and I intend going 3 times a week for the next few months before starting on the road work.

The aches and pains that I am now feeling are all my own fault and being the wrong side of 50 and the years of not keeping fit over those years are starting to tell on me.

But never mind my Doctor will be happy that I am now loosing weight and the money that I will be raising for Charity will be worth while.

Liberal Democrats are raising serious questions about the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme which forms part of the £54m Bath Transport Package (BTP). There are doubts surrounding the information which has been given out to residents and the assumptions on which the BRT is based.

Newbridge Councillor Caroline Roberts says that the main questions relate to the segregated section of the BRT route which would run along the disused railway between the Upper and Lower Bristol Roads. Caroline commented:

"Residents who will be affected by the route are deeply concerned about the proposal and about the way the Cabinet member is handling it. These concerns prompted us to take a closer look at the proposals.

  "Last month the Cabinet member decided to circulate a leaflet to residents in the Newbridge and Kingsmead area around the proposed segregated route. The leaflet shows three different routes: a ‘chosen route' and two other possibilities which have been ruled out. However this leaflet was put out prematurely, before feedback from Councillors and Don Foster MP could be incorporated, and it does not seem to tell the full story. It seems as though the Cabinet member is trying to stop any opposition to the BRT route by presenting a fait accompli."

Councillor Gerry Curran (Twerton) continued:

"We have asked questions about the supposed higher land costs and loss of parking spaces which have led to the other two routes being ruled out. There are doubts over the assessments leading to the figures used in the leaflet: for example, the leaflet claims 260 parking spaces would be lost along the Lower Bristol Road whereas in reality, the stretches of road in question are not commonly used for parking.

 "If it is possible that a better value option could be found using the Lower Bristol Road why is the Cabinet determined to build a new road on the disused railway? The Lower Bristol Road option would run through Twerton and has the support of the ward Councillors for Twerton and Westmoreland; it would also make it easier for buses to access the depot."

Councillor Paul Crossley (Southdown) contends that the former railway land could, at some point in future, be used for a dedicated cycle and footpath. Paul said:

"A dedicated cycle and footpath would not require compulsory purchases of local residents' gardens but would open up a new, safe, separate route into the city and help reduce CO2 emissions."

The Council also seems to be assuming that no variation is possible within the Bath Transport Package.  City MP Don Foster has written to the Minister for Transport, Rosie Winterton MP, to seek clarification.

Commenting, Don said,

"It is important that we clarify whether there is any flexibility in this plan.  Many residents have suggestions and queries, but it seems that no-one knows what the boundaries are for altering the proposal.

"How much can we vary the Rapid Transit route, and to what degree can we alter funding within the package?  It seems that the Council are totally unaware of the answers to these questions, and this has led to growing frustration among those who wish to suggest alterations to the proposal."

   The letter which Don Foster MP sent to the Minister:

9 July 2008

Re: Bath Transportation Package; Flexibility

I was delighted that my local Council, Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) was successful in being awarded the Bath Transportation Package. As you know, it is a £54 million scheme to improve public transport and pedestrian access for all residents and visitors in the City of Bath and the surrounding area.

Much of the package is uncontroversial and will be widely welcomed. Inevitably, some elements are more controversial.

In particular, a large number of residents are concerned about aspects of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route. 

The Council's documentation describes the BRT as follows;

"The new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route will provide a more reliable and efficient east - west public transport link across Bath between Newbridge Park & Ride the City Centre and a new Park & Ride site to the east of the city.

The service will utilise a derelict railway line and operate through Bath Western Riverside.  A length of segregated route away from traffic congestion will enable improvements in both journey time and reliability."

The Council's preferred route for the "segregated" element is the prime cause of concern. Protesters have proposed alternatives. However, there is a suggestion that any major change in this element of the route could put in jeopardy the total funding package. 

In order that I can advise the constituents who have written to me about this (and there are many), I will be grateful for a briefing on the flexibility available under the terms of the package. For example, how much variation in the Bus Rapid Transit route is possible without the overall package being called into question? And how much variation is possible between elements of the package? Can more be spent that originally planned on, for example, showcase bus routes with less spent on the park and ride proposals?

I would be most grateful for your comments on this matter.

Don Foster MP

Bath MP Don Foster was pleased to learn of the British Medical Association’s (BMA) support for 20mph zones in residential areas, which was announced at their conference in Edinburgh on Thursday.  Liberal Democrats in Bath recently launched a campaign to see 20mph speed limits imposed on residential roads throughout the city.

The BMA believes that not introducing 20mph speeds is effectively “killing our children” and point out that children don’t just congregate near schools, so the zones need to be widespread.

Commenting, Don said, “I am pleased to learn that the BMA is encouraging local authorities to reduce speed limits in more residential roads to 20mph.  It is obvious that 20mph is a much safer speed than 30, and its introduction will lead to safer communities, especially for children.

“Travelling at 20mph does not have a significant effect on journey times, and the safety of children is paramount.  I am also pleased to hear further calls for these zones to be more widespread.  It is important to have 20mph zones outside schools, but children play in the areas where they live as well.”

You can support the campaign for 20mph speed limits on Bath’s residential streets by visiting http://ourcampaign.org.uk/twentyisplenty

Chanel Four Television are filming in Twerton between 21^st & 23^rd July for their production home and a way a place in the Sun according to a report from The Bath Film Office.

A Place in the Sun – Home or Away is a factual entertainment programme that follows and helps British people in their search for property in the UK or abroad.  As one of the highest rated series on channel 4 (with well over 2 million viewers) each show gives featured areas and agents fantastic exposure. 

 In this case the production have a couple looking to relocate to the surrounding areas of Bath and so plan to film their property search in the areas above, along with the necessary GV’s.

 The crew have filmed in Bath for the same production (last year) and the episode was a great success, hence their return. They are a small crew with only standard equipment and so will be if minimal disruption.  They will be advised not to block pedestrian access at any time and evidence of adequate PLI insurance for £10,000,000 has been received.

 Other local areas that are being filmed on these days are.

 Villages within BANES: Paulton, High Littleton, Farmborough, Twerton, Bathford

Royal Crescent

Bath Abbey externals (Abbey Churchyard&Kingston Parade)
Pulteney Bridge
Alexandra Park, Prior Park, Royal Victoria Park

Roman Baths

Thermae Bath Spa

Theatre Royal

I am really proud as a Twerton Ward Councillor that St Michaels Junior School is one of seven Schools achieving the Bath & North East Somerset Inclusion Quality Mark this year.

Bath & North East Somerset Council awards the Quality Mark to reward schools for inclusive practice. This means that these schools have demonstrated that everyone within their school is included, that diversity is celebrated and there are equal opportunities for all pupils.

Well done to all of the Schools for all of the work that you have done to achieve this very important Charter Mark

The following information has been released today by Bath & North East Somerset Councils Planning department.

The Core Strategy is currently under preparation and that it will set out where and how development is to be accommodated with the District over the next 20 years along with the mechanisms needed to deliver it. At the end of this calendar year the Council will be consulting on emerging thinking on the options/choices that are being considered in response to the ‘how much, where, when and by what means' issues that it must deal with.

The options presented must be based on evidence to ensure that the Council can justify its preferred approach at public examination. To this end a number of studies (including a Retail Strategy and a Business Growth and employment Land Study) have been commissioned and are being used to formulate ideas for the expansion and growth of town centres, need for office space etc .

A key sector to be planned for is housing and we are about to embark on a 6 week consultation whereby anyone, including the development industry , can put forward land or buildings for consideration as development sites. This is essentially an intelligence gathering exercise so that we are aware of 'what is out there' when we are preparing our Core Strategy. Whilst many of these sites will be inappropriate and may even have been rejected by the Council previously, the Council will be required to demonstrate at examination that it has considered all reasonable development options.

The geographic scope of the SHLAA will cover Bath, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Keynsham and a number of the larger rural settlements. The Assessment will cover both brownfield and greenfield land. In terms of size we are looking to capture information on sites capable of accomodating at least 5 dwellings. The methodolgy proposes that a number of land types, such as allotments, playing fields and sites of nature conservation interest are excluded from the assessment .

All Local Authorities are required to undertake this exercise and the Government has provided guidance on how the SHLAA should be prepared (Attached is the Dept of Communities and Local Government Guidance and the Methodology we will employ). The information received will inform the preparation of the spatial options for the Core Strategy scheduled to be considered by Members in November this year.

As part of the Core Strategy Options consultation beginning in December 2008 the Council must publish all elements of it's evidence base so that stakeholders can understand the rationale behind the options being presented. This exercise may raise concerns amongst some residents and groups. The Parish Councils will also be informed of this process and the Council 's web-site will clarify that SHLAA results will form evidence alongside other information, and the actual decisions on development options will be made in usual plan-making process.

If you have any questions about the SHLAA please the planning policy team at Bath & North East Somerset Council
Tel: 01225 477515
Fax: 01225 477516
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/

A PDF of the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment document is attached

Liberal Democrats are calling for a flat fee of £1 for parking after 6 p.m. to apply in all car parks in Bath.

The B&NES Cabinet member for customer services is considering a proposal to apply a flat fee of £1 for car parking from 6 p.m. to midnight, 7 days a week in Avon and Charlotte Street car parks. This proposal replaces his previous, unpopular decision to extend day time parking charges to 8 p.m.

However Liberal Democrats are calling for him to extend the £1 fee to all car parks in Bath, not just Avon Street and Charlotte Street as in the current draft. 

There was massive public opposition to the decision to extend parking charges, including the campaign by the Chronicle which led to the Cabinet member’s u-turn.

The proposal for a £1 flat fee after 6 seems like a reasonable compromise but we are concerned that a two-tier system, with one price for in Avon and Charlotte Street car parks and a different price in the pay and display car parks, will be confusing for people who do not know Bath well and will lead to some people paying more than they should.

We expect that there will be an opportunity to address some of the other problems arising from of the Cabinet member’s original decision, such as charging for blue badge holders, when the Council carries out the full review of parking policy over the coming months.

In addition, people who are less mobile may need to be able to park nearer to their destination than Avon Street or Charlotte Street; they will be unfairly punished. I am calling on the Cabinet Member to make this policy fair to everyone and for the £1 fee to be introduced in all car parks in Bath after 6 p.m.

There is still time to urge the Cabinet member to alter this proposal and we encourage anyone who has concerns to write to the Cabinet Member for Customer Services at B&NES.

The latest BBC video clearly shows vote rigging organised by Mugabe's Zanu PF.

The resolution passed by the African congress last week is being ignored by Mugabe's officials.

With Clear evidence against Mugabe I hope that South Africa's president Thabo Mbeki who is in Zimbabwe will be able to persuade Mugabe to stand down and have a peaceful end to the blood shed in Zimbabwe and a restoration of democracy.

The depth of the Labour crisis has now spread to Scotland, with the Labour front runner that was expected to win the contest for selection for the Glasgow East by-election  failed to turn up for a selection meeting on Friday. Mr Ryan later cited family reasons for pulling out.

The July 24 by-election has been triggered by Labour MP David Marshall's resignation on health grounds.

Although this should be on of Labours safer seats with the loss of Crewe and their lost deposit in Henley means that they have clearly got the shakes on for this seat.

If you like reading this blog and want to see it and others continue then I would ask that you take some action today.

I have received and email from ICELE that I have reproduced below from the government supported platform that hosts this and other blogs. If you want these blogs to continue then please contact the minister responsible.

 Dear Blogger,

You may have recently seen some news that ICELE (www.icele.org) is scheduled for closure by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). ICELE is the operator of Bloginabox/ReadMyDay, the blogging platform that you are using.

It is with regret that I can confirm that the Minister, Parmjit Dhanda MP at DCLG has confirmed in writing to us that funding for the centre will no longer be available and hence the centre has closed with effect from 30th June 2008.

Between now and the end of July, DCLG are conducting a review of the existing tools and products managed by ICELE, including Bloginabox. This will hopefully establish how best it might be taken forward.

The Minister has given a commitment that all existing platforms, tools, products and directories provided by ICELE will be maintained during the review period and advice and assistance to existing users from ICELE staff will continue in this interim period, for which DCLG has provided additional funding.

As part of the review we strongly encourage you to send your comments about this decision and the future of the tool. In the interim we are able to offer an assurance that ICELE has funded the license arrangement for Bloginabox until the end of September and hopefully DCLG will take action to ensure it continues beyond this.

Please send all correspondence to:-

Parmjit Dhanda MP Minister for Local eDemocracy Departmnet for Communities and Local Government Eland House Bressenden Place London SW1E 5DU

Email: mailto:Parmjit.dhanda@communities.gsi.gov.uk

I have today had a meeting with staff from Bath Self Help Housing association and have been told they are about to undergo a name change to Shape Housing Association.

There will be a re launch of the association at the Bath Foyer on 23^rd July between 12 and 4pm to which any one is welcome to go along to.

I have also been informed that the Garage at The Foyer that is being used for storage has been hit but a dust cart and is being propped up. The garage has been for a long time only used for storage will be repaired over the next few weeks.  

It has been announced this morning that Bath & North East Somerset Council's Enterprise and Economic Development Overview and Scrutiny Panel will be co-ordinating a public meeting to give people the chance to have their say on the proposed closure of the Southgate Road Post Office.

The meeting will take place from 9.30am to 11.00 am on Tuesday, 15 July in the Brunswick room of the Guildhall, Bath. 

Members of the public are invited to express their views to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel in writing or during one of the time-limited slots at the meeting.

At the end of the public consultation the Panel will gather all of the responses and write a letter on behalf of residents and the Council highlighting all the points of concern with the proposed plans.

If you wish to speak or make a written representation please send your comments titled "Post Office Changes", and send to: Mark Durnford, Democratic Services, 2nd Floor, Guildhall, Bath, BA1 5AW, by fax to 01225 477314, or by email to  mark_durnford@bathnes.gov.uk

My own opinion on this matter is that although I support the attempts being made to try to influence the Post Office on this matter I am concerned that a report promised by our Conservative administration four months ago into post office closures have still not appeared.

Question do they really care about Post Office Closures or are the Conservative words against Post Offices Closures purely hot air?  Remember The Conservatives closed thousands of Post Offices last time they were in Government.

I am not able to make the usual monthly Councillors Surgery this month but my ward colleague Councillor Gerry Curran will run the Surgery at The Hut Hinton Close Newton Road Twerton.

The Surgery will run form 10am till 11am and no appointment is required.

For those still unsure where to find us it is the old school wood huts between the Junior School and the Cost Cutter Shop.

If you are unable to make the Surgery and need help, please contact me on the phone number in the about me section of this blog.

I have just heard the news broadcast and I am pleased to hear the African union members have started to talk tough on the election result in Zimbabwe.

The President of Botswana has made in public what must be the feeling of most of the African leaders that he feels that the recent election did not reflect the wishes of the people of Zimbabwe and referred to the election as illegal. He also went on to say that Zimbabwe should be ejected from the African union.

I hope that Mugabe listens but I doubt that he will but for the sake of the People of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe must be removed from power.

Just as thought that it was getting rather easy then out of the blue arrives, the next delivery to go out in the ward.

Well I suppose that I should not be surprised as I have been part of its production. Oh well time to get out the walking shoes and to pound those pavements again.

I know that none of you will feel sorry for me and nor should you either I have clearly brought this on myself.