Liberal Democrats in Bath have expressed their delight at the news that the huge public out-cry has led B&NES Council to review the unpopular extension of car-park hours.
Commenting, Don Foster MP said:
“The decision to extend the hours of charging was completely crazy. It shows how out of touch our Conservative Council leaders are. The decision has hit hundreds of people, from charity volunteers to restaurant owners. Everyone who travels into the city centre for an evening event or to enjoy the nightlife has been adversely affected. Even our Special Constables whose shift begins at 7pm now have to pay to park their cars in the car park next to the Police Station. Even those who help keep our city safe are now out-of-pocket.
“I’ve been amazed by the lack of consultation by the Conservative-run Council. Until the protests began, the people of Bath have had no say about a decision made by Council leaders most of whom don’t live in the city.
“At a time when other costs are rapidly rising, unless the decision is reversed there will be a huge impact on the economy of the city. The Tory Council are in danger of killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Thank goodness they have at least agreed to reconsider.”
Councillor Ian Gilchrist (Widcombe), who has opposed the slew of parking hikes introduced by the first Conservative budget, added:
“When I led the Liberal Democrat challenge to the Conservatives' decision on parking hours and costs, I did so mainly on the basis that the Council's consultation had been defective. Little or no evidence was produced to show that residents' opinions had been sought or taken into account.
“The decision to charge for an extra hour in city car parks prompted a massive show of opposition, culminating in the Chronicle campaign. It’s clear that, had a proper consultation been carried out in the first place, the Cabinet member would have realised that his decision would have a massive effect on all sorts of people – not just those enjoying the city’s night life, but volunteers and charity workers too. If the Cabinet member had not put the cart before the horse he could have saved a lot of time and energy!”
Councillor Caroline Roberts (Newbridge), who chaired the call-in meeting, commented:
“This decision by the Cabinet member to review the decision shows that the call-in we held in April was valid, despite criticism from the Cabinet. It also shows that had the Tories on the panel not voted on political lines to dismiss the call-in, time would have been saved and the concerns and suggestions mentioned both in the meeting and through other sources could have been considered thoroughly by Councillor Gerrish before the decision was implemented. Now residents’ will have to wait till July for anything to change.
“The call-in process gives an opportunity for both public and Councillors to hear the reasons for the decision but also to make suggestions for improvement, through the panel’s recommendations. Unfortunately Conservative Councillors missed this opportunity.”
Friday, 23 May 2008
Monday, 28 April 2008
Home Composting
Residents could help stop a third of their household and garden waste from going to landfill by composting at home.
Since 2006 the Council has been offering low cost compost bins to residents in partnership with national Recycle Now Home Composting Campaign.
For 2008 the Council is offering up to two compost bins per household with free home delivery. The bins on offer are:
· Compost Converter (220 litre) at £17
· Compost Converter (330 litre) at £20
· Komp (250 litre) at £40
You can order online at www.recyclenow.com/compost or contact the home compost order line on 0845 077 0757 (calls charged at local rate).
Since 2006 the Council has been offering low cost compost bins to residents in partnership with national Recycle Now Home Composting Campaign.
For 2008 the Council is offering up to two compost bins per household with free home delivery. The bins on offer are:
· Compost Converter (220 litre) at £17
· Compost Converter (330 litre) at £20
· Komp (250 litre) at £40
You can order online at www.recyclenow.com/compost or contact the home compost order line on 0845 077 0757 (calls charged at local rate).
Road Reports for Lambridge 28th April 2008
The latest road reports for Westmoreland have just been released by Bath & North East Somerset Council and are available by following this link. Road Reports Lambridge
We hope that you find this information helpful and if you have any feed back then please contact us.
We hope that you find this information helpful and if you have any feed back then please contact us.
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Three local planning applications this week
There are three local planning applications registered this week.
The first application is for the erection of a first floor extension over existing and erection of a lower ground floor extension to create self-contained granny annex at 140 London Road West Lower Swainswick. The application was first registered on 10th April 2008 and has a decision date of 5th June 2008.
The application number is 08/00599/FUL and you can view the application by following the link on the application number.
The Second application is for the Conversion of 2 Lambridge Building Mews into a mews house, and conversion of 1A and 1B Lambridge Buildings into 2 town houses. The described location on the application is Lambridge Buildings Mews Larkhall. The application was first registered on 4th April 2008 and has a decision date of 30th May 2008.
The application number is 08/01265/FUL and you can view the application by following the link on the application number.
The Third application is a for a Renewal of lapsed consent no. 02/00869/LBA for rebuilding of mews outbuildings and change of use of first floor from storage to 1 no two- bedroom flat at rear of nos 4/5 Lambridge Buildings. The application was first registered on 8th April 2008 and has a decision date of 3rd June 2008.
The application number is 08/01308/LBA and you can view the application by following 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 www.bathnes.gov.uk. All representations must arrive no later than the 10th May 2008.
The first application is for the erection of a first floor extension over existing and erection of a lower ground floor extension to create self-contained granny annex at 140 London Road West Lower Swainswick. The application was first registered on 10th April 2008 and has a decision date of 5th June 2008.
The application number is 08/00599/FUL and you can view the application by following the link on the application number.
The Second application is for the Conversion of 2 Lambridge Building Mews into a mews house, and conversion of 1A and 1B Lambridge Buildings into 2 town houses. The described location on the application is Lambridge Buildings Mews Larkhall. The application was first registered on 4th April 2008 and has a decision date of 30th May 2008.
The application number is 08/01265/FUL and you can view the application by following the link on the application number.
The Third application is a for a Renewal of lapsed consent no. 02/00869/LBA for rebuilding of mews outbuildings and change of use of first floor from storage to 1 no two- bedroom flat at rear of nos 4/5 Lambridge Buildings. The application was first registered on 8th April 2008 and has a decision date of 3rd June 2008.
The application number is 08/01308/LBA and you can view the application by following 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 www.bathnes.gov.uk. All representations must arrive no later than the 10th May 2008.
Road works Lambridge week starting 14th April
There are now a number of new road works in the Lambridge area that have been published this week, some may cause disruption please press on the link Lambridge Road works to see what they are and how they may affect you.
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Planning documents out for public consultation
Bath & North East Somerset Council is seeking residents’ views on locally important buildings and on planning policies relating to existing houses in the Green Belt.
Two new documents are out for consultation from 10 April – 22 May. Both supplement local planning policies outlined in the Bath & North East Somerset Local Plan.
The draft Locally Important Buildings Supplementary Planning document gives details on the selection criteria for locally important buildings and proposes how buildings will be nominated and considered for inclusion on the local list.
Once the document has been agreed and adopted, parish councils, amenity societies and the general public will be able to nominate buildings or structures to be considered for local listing. The local list will complement the existing statutory list of nationally important buildings, of architectural and historic interest.
The document regarding Existing Dwellings in the Green Belt aims to provide further information and guidance on the approach the Council, as a Local Planning Authority, should take regarding extensions to dwellings in the Green Belt, and the circumstances under which replacement dwellings will be acceptable. This document aims to provide clearer advice and guidance for the benefit of members of the public, planning officers and Council Members.
The Bristol-Bath Green Belt was designated in 1966. The Green Belt in Bath & North East Somerset covers just over 70% of the total area of the district.
A significant number of planning applications for extensions to existing residential properties in the Green Belt and a lesser number of applications for replacement dwellings are dealt with by the Council each year. The majority of these are householder applications are submitted by the general public.
Copies of the documents can be viewed in all public libraries in the district and in Council offices. Alternatively, they can be viewed on the Council’s website: www.bathnes.gov.uk/ldf
The Council welcomes comments from the public or interested groups. A drop-in session has also been arranged for Wednesday 23 April, from 9am – 1pm at the Council’s Planning Office, Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath. The Council can also be contacted by phone, email or letter with any comments or queries about the documents: Planning Services, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath BA1 2DP; Planning_policy@bathnes.gov.uk ; Tel: 01225 477548.
Following consideration of the comments received and a formal adoption process it is anticipated that these new supplementary planning documents will come into force from August 2008.
Two new documents are out for consultation from 10 April – 22 May. Both supplement local planning policies outlined in the Bath & North East Somerset Local Plan.
The draft Locally Important Buildings Supplementary Planning document gives details on the selection criteria for locally important buildings and proposes how buildings will be nominated and considered for inclusion on the local list.
Once the document has been agreed and adopted, parish councils, amenity societies and the general public will be able to nominate buildings or structures to be considered for local listing. The local list will complement the existing statutory list of nationally important buildings, of architectural and historic interest.
The document regarding Existing Dwellings in the Green Belt aims to provide further information and guidance on the approach the Council, as a Local Planning Authority, should take regarding extensions to dwellings in the Green Belt, and the circumstances under which replacement dwellings will be acceptable. This document aims to provide clearer advice and guidance for the benefit of members of the public, planning officers and Council Members.
The Bristol-Bath Green Belt was designated in 1966. The Green Belt in Bath & North East Somerset covers just over 70% of the total area of the district.
A significant number of planning applications for extensions to existing residential properties in the Green Belt and a lesser number of applications for replacement dwellings are dealt with by the Council each year. The majority of these are householder applications are submitted by the general public.
Copies of the documents can be viewed in all public libraries in the district and in Council offices. Alternatively, they can be viewed on the Council’s website: www.bathnes.gov.uk/ldf
The Council welcomes comments from the public or interested groups. A drop-in session has also been arranged for Wednesday 23 April, from 9am – 1pm at the Council’s Planning Office, Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath. The Council can also be contacted by phone, email or letter with any comments or queries about the documents: Planning Services, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath BA1 2DP; Planning_policy@bathnes.gov.uk ; Tel: 01225 477548.
Following consideration of the comments received and a formal adoption process it is anticipated that these new supplementary planning documents will come into force from August 2008.
Call-in on decision to raise care charges
A call-in on the decision to increase the cost of home care services for elderly residents has been submitted by the Liberal Democrat Group on Bath and North East Somerset Council. Members of the Labour Group agreed to co-sign the call-in. The call-in has been verified and the hearing will be held within 2 weeks.
The signatories are calling on the Cabinet member to reconsider his decision to increase the charges for a range of services to elderly people, such as:
Community meal costs up by over a pound per meal.
Hourly rate for home care to rise by 74%.
Maximum weekly charge for care to go up by almost 400%.
Councillor for Newbridge, Loraine Brinkhurst, who is leading the call-in, commented:
“When we heard that Cllr. Vic Pritchard the Conservative Cabinet Member was authorising these extortionate price increases for Home Care we were incensed. The price increases will have a huge impact on our residents who so desperately need these services. My fear is that many residents may cut down or even cancel the use of home care due to this hike in charges, and this could then lead to our residents struggling to live independently in their own homes.”
Councillor Cherry Beath (Combe Down) said:
“When decisions like this are made, you have to question the focus and value systems held by this current administration. This decision is, like many we have seen in recent months, all about money, and disregards the dire impacts it will have on a particularly vulnerable group of our residents, hitting them hard at their point of need, and at a time in their lives when they are least able to protect themselves.”
The signatories are calling on the Cabinet member to reconsider his decision to increase the charges for a range of services to elderly people, such as:
Community meal costs up by over a pound per meal.
Hourly rate for home care to rise by 74%.
Maximum weekly charge for care to go up by almost 400%.
Councillor for Newbridge, Loraine Brinkhurst, who is leading the call-in, commented:
“When we heard that Cllr. Vic Pritchard the Conservative Cabinet Member was authorising these extortionate price increases for Home Care we were incensed. The price increases will have a huge impact on our residents who so desperately need these services. My fear is that many residents may cut down or even cancel the use of home care due to this hike in charges, and this could then lead to our residents struggling to live independently in their own homes.”
Councillor Cherry Beath (Combe Down) said:
“When decisions like this are made, you have to question the focus and value systems held by this current administration. This decision is, like many we have seen in recent months, all about money, and disregards the dire impacts it will have on a particularly vulnerable group of our residents, hitting them hard at their point of need, and at a time in their lives when they are least able to protect themselves.”
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