Tim Ball

I though that with all of the doom and gloom around that you might like to hear a good news story for a change.

Plastic bottle recycling in Bath and North East Somerset reduced the level of carbon emissions by an estimated 1,160 tonnes in 2007/08, according to figures released by the Council today.

The amount of plastic bottles recycled last year through both kerbside and recycling centre collection points reached an estimated 725 tonnes of plastic. According to recycling charity Recoup, for every tonne of plastics recycled there is an estimated reduction in 1.6 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

 "Addressing the causes and effects of climate change is one of Bath and North East Somerset Council's priorities within our vision for the district. Local residents are making excellent use of the Council's kerbside plastic bottles recycling collection service and the facilities available at Bath, Keynsham, and Midsomer Norton Recycling Centres, resulting in a significant estimated reduction in carbon emissions."

"The substantial increase in plastic bottle recycling last year illustrates that the Council is getting the message across about the importance of increasing recycling to improve the environment. There is now added an added incentive for residents to reduce waste, because this performance target forms part of an agreement with the Government which, if met, could result in additional sums of funding to further improve local services."

The plastic bottles collected are melted down and moulded back into plastic shapes in the UK.  Plastic bottles are made into items such as bollards, recycling boxes, compost bins, drainage pipes and even fleece jackets.

Recycling rates in Bath and North East Somerset were 43% in 2007/08. Local residents can learn more about the recycling, rubbish, and waste facilities available from the Council by logging-on to http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/ and clicking on ‘Environment and Planning'.

Are you taking part in healthy living week in the South West of Bath if not why not there is something for the whole family?

Healthy living week has been running in the South west of Bath for a number of years now so why not take part this year and feel the effects of better health.

I have attached a PDF of the Healthy living week brochure if you would like to see it.

Heatthy_living_week.pdf

The field above Cotswold view that had recently had a planning application on it withdrawn on it by somer housing has been raised to the ground.

Yesterday morning a tractor was on site and cut away all of the small trees and undergrowth destroying any wildlife enclaves as it went.

 It seems that the private landowner who was hoping to sell his land to somer ignored environmental reports that were published in the planning application about nesting birds, newts, and other rare animals.

I have made complaints to the council and will be contacting the environment agency about what has happened here as I do not feel that it is acceptable to ignore the sort of report that was available on this land.

I am not sure what sanctions are available at this moment in time but I will pursue this matter as I feel that we need to be able to get this land under public control in order to ensure that the balance of the City Farm and it neighbours are protected.

We have two planning applications listed for Twerton this week.

The first one is on the far edge of Twerton at 144 The Hollow and is for the erection of detached rear garage and provision of new vehicle access. This application was first registered on 2nd May 2008 and has a decision date of 27th June 2008.

The application number is 08/01430/FUL if you wish to view this application then follow the link on the application number.

The Second application is for the Construction of external ramp for Access to retail Shops at the Parade (82-104) Twerton High Street. The Application is from Somer Housing who need to provide disabled access to its shops on the parade. The Application was first registered on 7th May 2008 and has a decision date of 2nd July 2008.

The application number is 08/01516/FUL if you wish to view this application then follow the link on the application number.

Any representations on these applications 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 7th June 2008. Please also let me know of any comments that you make.

I thought that I had seen the end of the former Avon County Council when I came off that council at the end of its life in 1996.

From what I have seen & heard over the last few months then I am convinced that is what we are heading back to in one form or another.

Bath always done really badly under Avon & I for one do not want to see a return to that sort of super council or any other Super Council in whatever format over this area.

Both Labour & Conservatives seem to favour the route of a super council but I will admit that they do not all agree with one another on this matter.

The Labour Government are channelling much of the money that we need to run Bath & North East Somerset Council through The West of England partnership that is made up of representatives of the four unitary authorities that used to make up Avon County Council, is this not creating Avon by the back door.

The very matter that they are doing this is undermining the local democracy that we pride ourselves in with local decision making, although after saying that Bath is still run by Wansdyke Conservatives.

And to hear Senior Bristol conservative councillor Peter Abrahams talking about a directly elected Mayor for the greater Bristol area on the politics show today fills me with worry that our local democracy is about to vanish under either of the Labour or Conservative parties.

A message to Bath residents Peter means us as well under a greater Bristol (No Thank you Peter).

We have seen for many years central Government taking away the powers of local government and instilling them upon themselves or unelected Quangos, an easy way to sort out local government is to give us back our powers and let us get on running local authorities with and on behalf of local people.

Directly elected Mayor's or super councils will only damage residents abilities to be able to influence issues that affect their lives and local environment.