Bath & North East Somerset Council will be implementing new national parking laws which aim to keep roads safe and help beat traffic congestion.
The new regulations, which come into effect today (Monday 31 March) are designed to make parking fairer, simpler and easier for motorists.
The main changes taking place under the Traffic Management Act include:
The introduction of two levels of penalty charge;
Ø £50 lower charge for lesser offences such as overstaying at a parking meter and a
Ø £70 higher penalty for more serious offences such as parking on a double yellow line, bus stopping areas or in loading bays.
Penalty notices can be served by post in some circumstances, for instance when a motorist drives off before the notice can be fully issued, or, when it is safer for the attendant to issue a notice by post using camera evidence.
Wheel clamping can be used for persistent offenders*
Councils to produce annual reports on parking activities
Greater powers for independent parking adjudicators
Monday, 31 March 2008
Sunday, 30 March 2008
Tory Parking charges challenged
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/BathResidentsParkingChargComments 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%5Fpapers/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.
You can also register your opposition by signing our petition at http://ourcampaign.org.uk/BathResidentsParkingChargComments 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%5Fpapers/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.
Friday, 28 March 2008
Secondary Schools Council Debate: Lib Dem Reaction
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. Several spoke of the importance of ensuring the consultation on changes was honest, open and thorough.
Councillor Marian McNeir called for the consultations to be done “in a sensitive way”. Councillor Nigel Roberts called on the Cabinet to make an effort to contact groups “we don’t traditionally get in touch with” and to consider co-location of community facilities, such as libraries, in new schools.
Councillor David Dixon has been involved in a campaign run by parents for better travel to school provision in the area. He spoke of the need to consider transport and that schools provision should be “underpinned by a sound, effective school transport system”.
Councillor Andy Furse focussed on the issue of co-educational schools in Bath, and welcomed an expression of willingness on the part of Oldfield school to go co-ed given that co-ed schools are preferred by 60% of families. He called on the Cabinet to “reconsider its view on Oldfield school in light of the commitment on co-ed given tonight [by the Chair of Governors]”.
Councillor Caroline Roberts also spoke about Oldfield school and the dozens of communications she, and Councillor Loraine Brinkhurst, had received from parents who were worried and confused about the decision making process. She said “many parents feel the decision has already been made and they have missed their chance to speak out”; she also called on the Cabinet to reach out to parents during the consultations and “don’t just expect them to come to you”.
Co-ed is also an important issue for Culverhay school and this was brought to the Cabinet’s attention by 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 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. Several spoke of the importance of ensuring the consultation on changes was honest, open and thorough.
Councillor Marian McNeir called for the consultations to be done “in a sensitive way”. Councillor Nigel Roberts called on the Cabinet to make an effort to contact groups “we don’t traditionally get in touch with” and to consider co-location of community facilities, such as libraries, in new schools.
Councillor David Dixon has been involved in a campaign run by parents for better travel to school provision in the area. He spoke of the need to consider transport and that schools provision should be “underpinned by a sound, effective school transport system”.
Councillor Andy Furse focussed on the issue of co-educational schools in Bath, and welcomed an expression of willingness on the part of Oldfield school to go co-ed given that co-ed schools are preferred by 60% of families. He called on the Cabinet to “reconsider its view on Oldfield school in light of the commitment on co-ed given tonight [by the Chair of Governors]”.
Councillor Caroline Roberts also spoke about Oldfield school and the dozens of communications she, and Councillor Loraine Brinkhurst, had received from parents who were worried and confused about the decision making process. She said “many parents feel the decision has already been made and they have missed their chance to speak out”; she also called on the Cabinet to reach out to parents during the consultations and “don’t just expect them to come to you”.
Co-ed is also an important issue for Culverhay school and this was brought to the Cabinet’s attention by 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."
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Lib Dems call-in parking hike decision
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."
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."
Monday, 24 March 2008
Latest Road reports for Lambridge ward
There seems to be quite a few road works planned over the next few weeks in our local area that may affect local residents.
To see how they will affect you follow the link Lambridge road reports to see what is going on in our area.
To see how they will affect you follow the link Lambridge road reports to see what is going on in our area.
Sunday, 23 March 2008
Council Core Strategy on Development released (latest)
Bath & North East Somerset Council have released the latest planning information on its Local Development Framework (LDF)
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 we have attached a link to the report for your information.
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 we have attached a link to the report for your information.
News for Diamond Travel-card Holders
New passes are now being issued by Bath & North East Somerset Council extending the entitlement to free off-peak bus travel to cover the whole of England and these will be issued to all Diamond Travelcard holders living in Bath and North East Somerset.
Existing card holders should receive a new bus pass in the post by the end of March. If you have a Diamond Travelcard at the moment and there have been no changes in your personal circumstances, you should receive a new bus pass automatically from Bath & North East Somerset Council.
If you haven’t received it by early April, please call Council Connect on 394041 or if you live outside of Bath & North East Somerset Council then you will need to conatct your local council.
From 1 April, holders of the new passes will be able to travel free on local buses anywhere in England between 9.30am and 11pm Mondays to Fridays and all day Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
However, in the local area (Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire) the current earlier start time will continue and passes will be valid at all times except before 9am Mondays to Fridays.
Existing card holders should receive a new bus pass in the post by the end of March. If you have a Diamond Travelcard at the moment and there have been no changes in your personal circumstances, you should receive a new bus pass automatically from Bath & North East Somerset Council.
If you haven’t received it by early April, please call Council Connect on 394041 or if you live outside of Bath & North East Somerset Council then you will need to conatct your local council.
From 1 April, holders of the new passes will be able to travel free on local buses anywhere in England between 9.30am and 11pm Mondays to Fridays and all day Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
However, in the local area (Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire) the current earlier start time will continue and passes will be valid at all times except before 9am Mondays to Fridays.
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