The cause of a fire that killed a family's chickens inside a carriage barn early Wednesday morning on North Main Street in the Town of Bath is currently unknown and remains under investigation a spokesperson for the Bath Volunteer Fire Department said crews were dispatched to 7710 North Main St The Kanona Volunteer Fire Department was the first on scene and immediately requested mutual aid from Bath and Avoca the Bath Volunteer Ambulance Corps reported The caller said the burning building was a carriage barn housing chickens There were reports of numerous popping sounds going off as firefighters attacked the blaze New York State Electric and Gas was called to disconnect the power and the Steuben County Fire Investigation Team responded to probe the cause of the fire There were no known injuries reported at this time however all the chickens in the barn were lost Hammondsport and Howard volunteer fire departments all reported to the scene Bath units returned to service shortly after 3:30 a.m a significant day for fans to celebrate the sci-fi franchise Originating from the pun "May the Fourth be with you", it began in 1977 and has since been embraced by Disney and by Lucasfilm the production company founded by Star Wars creator George Lucas While the day is celebrated by fans of all stripes some Star Wars enthusiasts once took their fandom a step further – by identifying as Jedi Knights on the national census the movement took off as both a cultural in-joke and a tongue-in-cheek nod to the spiritual weight fans saw in the Jedi philosophy What started as a grassroots internet campaign soon turned into a surprisingly widespread response across the UK A forceful 390,100 people in England and Wales wrote in "Jedi" as their religion in the 2001 census but this more than halved to 176,600 in the 2011 survey The most recent census for 2021 showed less than 1,600 people said they were Jedi Knights across the two nations – wiping out the Jedi Order Due to the dramatic decline and the cohort not meeting the minimum threshold the Office for National Statistics did not publish figures for Jedi Knights in the latest survey The group is instead lumped into the "No Religion: no religion" subcategory alongside people who claimed "Heavy Metal" was their religion At a local level, 2011 Census data showed 742 people in Bath and North East Somerset wrote in Jedi as their religion Imitating the most optimistic national scenario – where 1,599 people identified as a Jedi – it would mean the estimated number of Jedi Knights in the area fell to just seven people in 2021 While the trend of identifying as a Jedi began in the 2001 Census as a joke for many there are others who believe in the philosophy even sought charitable status in the UK in 2015 the Charity Commission ruled it did not meet the criteria under UK charity law The commission said in its report that Jediism lacked the "necessary spiritual or non-secular element" Despite the census figures turning to the Dark Side the Star Wars franchise is still expanding The second season of Andor on Disney+ – a critically acclaimed prequel to the movie Rogue One – has generated rave reviews since its release last month And Marvel’s eagerly awaited Star Wars comic book series will be released on May 7 and Han and show fans what happened after the Return of the Jedi With the franchise continuing to grow 48 years on from the first film there is a new hope the 2031 Census will see the return of the Jedi Tel: 01761 258030[email protected]Follow us Further Links Owned or licensed to Tindle Newspapers Ltd | Independent Family-Owned Newspapers | Copyright & Trade Mark Notice & 2013 - 2025 Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsChris Gothner NORTH LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Court documents obtained by Local 10 News on Thursday reveal the allegations that led to an elected official’s arrest in Broward County over the weekend Deputies arrested North Lauderdale Commissioner Regina Martin on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge on Sunday According to a Broward Sheriff’s Office arrest report filed with the county’s clerk of courts the arrest stemmed from a fight between Martin and her daughter that evening BSO Deputy Cordacia Brown wrote that Martin had confronted her daughter “for not coming home the previous night.” Brown wrote that because her daughter was “lying” to her Martin “threw (two) plastic bottles of Bath & Body Works spray” at her “It should be noted that I spoke with (Martin) who admitted to throwing perfume bottles at (her daughter) she did not admit to the bottles hitting her,” Brown wrote Martin would later bond out of jail following her arrest Local 10 News contacted the commissioner — who is up for re-election — seeking comment Thursday We were awaiting a response as of the publication of this article On Wednesday, Martin, who is also a pastor at an Oakland Park church, posted on Facebook No upcoming hearings were listed in Broward court records as of Thursday Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Closed Captioning / Audio Description Contact Us Careers at WPLG Terms of Use Privacy Policy Public File FCC Applications EEO Report Do Not Sell My Info 1.0 Host Exhibit Copyright © 2025 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC. Data Journey also acquires Westland Bunker in Houston An enterprise data center outside Charlotte has been converted into a retail colocation facility after being bought at auction last year Texas-based Data Journey this week announced it has acquired the former Bed Bath & Beyond data center in Claremont and converted the facility from a purpose-built enterprise data center into a colocation facility Data Journey is a new colocation firm founded this year after acquiring the Westland Bunker data center in Houston said of the Claremont site: “We’ve created a first-class colocation center with significant space and power capacity for future deployments as well as expansion within the current structure and acreage for additional builds.” Located at 2436 Penny Rd in the Claremont International Business Park, the facility was built in 2013 at a cost of $36.8 million. It was up for sale via auction last year after Bed Bath & Beyond filed for voluntary Chapter 11 Data Journey reportedly invested $7 million in the facility, according to Business NC offers 9,500 square feet of immediately-available raised floor space and the ability to expand capacity to provide more than 3MW of critical load The company said additional shell space in the center is already prepared for further expansion A longer-range plan for up to 100MW of power generation to the site is being explored The facility will serve local and regional clients with electronic components distributor Sourceability and Charlotte-based IT firms “We have chosen Data Journey as our primary data center and will be consolidating in Catawba County over the next 18 months,” says Rick Sanford director of professional services of 10X Consulting Group Bed Bath & Beyond had more than 1,500 stores across the US as recently as 2019 in the wake of Covid-19 and declining sales the company steadily closed stores and sold off units in recent years It had been warning of potential bankruptcy since the turn of last year and declared $5.2 billion of debt in its Chapter 11 filing According to an old sales brochure two build-to-suit data centers were previously being offered that would have been built adjacent to the existing facility The company said the Claremont facility was Data Journey’s second acquisition since the company was founded in 2024 Data Journey also operates the Westland Bunker data center outside Houston in Montgomery The company acquired the facility earlier this year – though details weren’t shared The 240,000 sq ft (22,300 sqm) property sits on 58 acres within Montgomery County at 550 Club Drive. It was originally built in 1981 by Westland Oil founder Louis Kung doubling as his corporate headquarters and a fallout shelter for him as well as his family & employees in the event of any nuclear disaster or war The site was acquired by Curtis Development LLC in 2001 and then acquired by Montgomery LP; it was converted to a data center in 2004 and subsequently upgraded in 2008 After going on sale in 2021, cryptomining firm Arsenal Digital acquired the bunker the following year "The Bunker and its surrounding facilities have proven its strategic positioning for our present tenants and future tenants that need that data center reliability and redundancy," Dr co-founder and managing partner of Data Journey said earlier this month following Hurricane Beryl Located in the MISO energy grid and is serviced by Entergy rather than Texas’ ERCOT grid Data Journey said the site can accommodate an additional 45MW of capacity Data Journey co-founder Wells is also president and founder of real estate investment company Wells Holdings while Azad is also founder and CEO of family-owned real estate investment and asset management firm 5Rivers CRE According to Azad’s LinkedIn 5Rivers actually acquired the Claremont facility in November 2023 Data Centre Dynamics Ltd (DCD), 32-38 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8FH Email. [email protected]DCD is a subsidiary of InfraXmedia Finnish death/doom metal band Swallow The Sun have a North American headlining tour on deck for early 2025 with Harakiri For The Sky Swallow The Sun are presently on course to have their new album “Shining” out on October 18th through Century Media Pre-sales for this tour supporting it have already commenced with the general onsale to go up tomorrow "These bands are way too popular to be in arrears." "Guess you'll have to go Steal This Album if you want to hear it now.." Swedish black metal veterans Dark Funeral are gearing up for a U.S tour later this year as direct support for Gwar Dark Funeral has announced several headlining shows during the off dates Dark Funeral will hit the road from October 4 - 14 with Ghost Bath and they've also added headliners in Reading Dark Funeral has released a re-worked version of their debut album titled Dark Funeral (30th Anniversary Edition) which dropped on August 9th via Century Media Records The album has been remixed by David Castillo and re-mastered by Thomas "Plec" Johansson The full and updated itinerary with new dates is available now Find Dark Funeral tickets here SC @ New Brooklyn Tavern* = with Ghost Bath Full list of previously announced Dark Funeral tour dates: ID @ Revolution Concert House10/24 Portland TX @ The Studio at The Factory11/16 San Antonio Date published: 2025-04-16 | Category: Communities and volunteering, Focusing on prevention, Improving people's lives The amazing work that individuals and organisations do across Bath and North East Somerset to improve the lives of others has been recognised in this year’s Community Awards The Community Awards 2024/2025 celebrate the positive contributions that people make to communities and the winners were announced at a ceremony at Bath’s Guildhall this week (April 14) The awards organised by Bath & North East Somerset Council and its partners invited nominations for individuals or organisations who go above and beyond to support others.  volunteer of the year and young volunteer team of the year categories were decided by public vote The awards winners are: said: “The Community Awards serve as a platform to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of remarkable individuals and organisations within our community We were thrilled to receive over eighty nominations across various categories and your inspiring stories made the decision-making process quite challenging Congratulations to the winners and those highly commended “Thank you to everyone who participated in the awards our partner organisations and everyone who contributed to the public voting categories.” said: "The Community Awards were launched by Bath & North East Somerset Council at 3SG's Volunteer Fair last October to recognise the importance of charities and local residents who go above and beyond for the benefit of others A huge congratulations to all of the winners of this year's awards and thank you for the tireless work that you do It is needed now more than ever and these awards support that well deserved recognition." The definitive guide to Portland's food scene New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know: For a statewide guide to eating and drinking see the Maine Food Map—a growing list of coffee shops and other food and dining businesses in all of Maine’s 16 counties Do you have some details you’d like to pass on about an upcoming business or development in the Portland food scene? Then please fill out our Contact Form, we’d love to hear all about it. highly curated editorial content brings attention to hidden gems Share LinkThe Oldest Town In North Carolina That Everyone Should Visit At Least OnceBath offers a charming and historic experience reminiscent of the state's earliest days the waterfront town offers stunning views of both the Pamlico River and Bath Creek European settlements along the Pamlico in the late 1600s led to the establishment of Bath in 1705 and first author on North Carolina history things were not all calm in the early days of Bath The town was divided by political rivalries Native American Wars and Yellow Fever among other epidemics were constant threats an armed rebellion over a power struggle between religion and politics Yet Bath was a favorite hangout for one notable person: infamous pirate Edward Teach Blackbeard was even said to be friends with North Carolina Governor but it also has a lot of beautiful history that paved the way for some of the earliest historical events and buildings in North Carolina Thomas Episcopal Church was established in 1734 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places The early 19th century saw prominent merchants Jacob Van Der Veer manufactured rope outside of town and built the Van Der Veer House It still stands today and is on the National Register Other prominent houses you can still view today include the Palmer House and Bonner House All are easily accessible within Bath's historic district Historic BathToday small town with around 250 year-round residents The town itself is a little over a mile and has remained relatively unchanged for over 300 years it's a popular destination with boaters and weekend travelers looking to experience history what you will find is a rich culture and education on the earliest days of North Carolina history If you love North Carolina history and quaint small towns, these 10 oldest towns in North Carolina will transport you to the past. 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With its varied landscapes, captivating coastlines, and towering mountains, North Carolina is a true paradise for those who enjoy the outdoors Equally as diverting as its natural beauty is the history of its people within its charming small towns Traveling to the beautiful town of Beaufort provides more insight into his life Penelope Barker made history for her efforts in forming the Edenton Tea Party and Edenton aren't the only towns thriving with a rich history Relive the Revolutionary War days in Hillsborough discover the formation of the Great Smoky Mountains in Bryson City and marvel at a historic courthouse in Sylva visit these towns to be transported into the past Travel into the past by exploring North Carolina's first incorporated town. Located on the Pamlico River, Bath is where the English pirate Blackbeard lived briefly is located in the Bath State Historic Site There is also a Blackbeard exhibit at the historic Van der Veer House stop by Main Street's Blackbeard's Tavern to dine Other historic houses in Bath include the Palmer-Marsh House one of North Carolina's most significant 18th-century residences one of the best remaining examples of early 19th-century Carolina architecture take an afternoon ferry to explore Ocracoke Island and return to stay at The Inn on Bath Creek has a history spanning the 18th and 19th centuries It not only served as North Carolina's first colonial capital Edenton was North Carolina's second-largest port which allowed enslaved people to escape through the Maritime Underground Railroad visitors can tour the site located within Colonial Waterfront Park Edenton also has historic structures and homes like the Penelope Barker House a devoted supporter of the American Revolution who led the Edenton Tea Party the country's first known women's political protest is now a museum that offers insight into Barker's life and Edenton's development Edenton's history also lies within the restored Roanoke River Lighthouse the lighthouse provides a thorough look into life from the perspective of a lightkeeper Beaufort is a charming seaside town situated on Beaufort Inlet, a canal that leads south to the Atlantic Ocean As the third oldest town in North Carolina much of Beaufort's history is reflected in the homes and public structures constructed by its merchants which now houses the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery then stroll through a cottage built in 1778 to see colonial artifacts on display and the local courthouse from 1796 the North Carolina Maritime Museum houses artifacts from the wreckage of Queen Anne's Revenge an early-18th-century ship used by Blackbeard a beautiful town in northwest North Carolina has many historic structures and landmarks that take visitors into its past A self-guided walking tour of its downtown area explores most of Banner Elk's history The house was furnished with heirlooms and antiques to illustrate Banner Elk's life from the 1870s to the 1900s It also has a room with many displays covering the area's history The museum also offers hands-on experiences for children to get a dose of pioneer life The downtown area is also home to BJ's Resort Wear The building where the store is housed dates back to 1920 when it was once a general store which later became a restaurant many locals and visitors frequented Hillsborough's involvement during the Colonial and Civil War eras is evident in its preserved buildings Visitors who want to learn more about those historical periods and iconic structures should visit Hillsborough's downtown historic district One stop should be the Hillsborough Visitors Center an excellent place for resources on where to eat It also offers a look into Hillsborough's intriguing past events like Revolutionary War Living History Day celebrate the history of the American Revolution In addition to guided tours of downtown and experiencing Revolutionary War reenactments visitors to Hillsborough should explore the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area Boone, situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina who were frequently solitary and independent and mapped and colonized the region To learn more about Daniel and life back then Boone residents have produced Horn in the West an outdoor Revolutionary War drama that tells the tale of early settlers every summer since 1952 The Hickory Ridge History Museum is also a great place to see the past as it offers programs and displays focusing on the Colonial era the town hosts an annual Daniel Boone Days which pays homage to Daniel and has educational symposiums The community also pays tribute to Daniel with a beautiful statue of him on the campus of Appalachian State University and a bronze plaque placed on the pavement outside the county courthouse Bryson City is a small town in Swain County that is well-known for its gorgeous mountain views, hiking trails, and tumbling waterfalls. Tourists can see the town's scenic features, including Fontana Lake, Nantahala National Forest, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by taking a magnificent train ride on the historic Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Bryson City gives a glimpse into the region's history at the Swain County Visitor Center and Heritage Museum located in the historic courthouse building in downtown Bryson City It's a great place to learn about the lives of early settlers through pictures as well as the construction of the Fontana Dam Nestled within the Nantahala National Forest Sylva is a mountain town located beneath the slopes of the Balsam Mountains and the nearby Great Smoky Mountains Its breathtaking scenery isn't the only thing to love about Sylva Its structural features include stone blocks and towering ionic Greek columns with a beautiful bronze statue of Lady Justice surrounding the courthouse a cozy old-fashioned diner open since 1926 is an ideal stop before planning a trip to the nearby Appalachian Women's Museum While Highlands, situated on a plateau in the southern Appalachian Mountains within the Nantahala National Forest is an excellent town for outdoor activities it also has some impressive historic landmarks and sites maintained by the Highlands Historical Society it has many exhibits that provide a glimpse into what life was like in the town over the past century which was expanded and turned into a commercial boarding house in 1935 still has the 1930s architectural features It has been transformed into Old Edwards Inn and Spa a luxurious place to stay with many restaurants These lovely North Carolina communities surround notable outdoor landmarks like Fontana Lake there are centuries of history and legends of those who once lived there From Blackbeard's time in Bath to Penelope Barker's making an impact in Edenton to Daniel Boone's settlement in Boone North Carolinians are fortunate to live in many historic towns that transport them to the past photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com There were fewer children in Bath and North East Somerset living in short-term housing last year Homelessness charity Shelter called on the Government to unlock "urgent investment" in the upcoming spending review to tackle the national housing crisis It comes as separate analysis from the charity found 206,000 children in England could be living in temporary housing by 2029 – a 26% increase on current figures Communities and Local Government figures show 40 homeless children in Bath and North East Somerset were living in temporary accommodation as of December 81,060 households with 165,510 dependent children were living in temporary accommodation at the end of last year – both the highest figures since records began in 2019 The number of families living in temporary homes was only up 0.7% from September but showed a 13.7% increase from December 2023 Living in temporary accommodation means being provided short-term housing by a local authority director of campaigns and policy at Shelter said the housing crisis "has reached critical levels" She added homelessness will continue to soar and local authorities will risk bankruptcy if no significant investment is unlocked She said: "In the absence of enough social homes people are being funnelled into and trapped in temporary accommodation for years on end while billions are spent on sticking plaster solutions "Families are stuffed into unsuitable spaces living on top of each other and out of suitcases never knowing if and when they’ll be forced to uproot their lives." She urged the Government to commit to the "ambitious investment" of building 90,000 social homes a year for a decade in next month's spending review deputy chief executive of campaign group Generation Rent said: "Behind every statistic are thousands of stories of people facing some of the most stressful traumatic and insecure times of their lives "More and more children are spending their formative years trapped living in temporary accommodation often in overcrowded and unsafe conditions and at huge cost to local authorities "This is a national scandal that demands government action." He welcomed the national house building plan but called on the Government to address soaring rent prices and unlock Local Housing Allowance for those on lower incomes An MHCLG spokesperson said: "Through our Plan for Change we’re taking urgent action to fix the broken system we inherited investing nearly £1 billion in homelessness services this year to help families trapped in temporary accommodation we are developing a long-term strategy to tackle homelessness driving up housing standards and delivering the biggest boost in social and affordable homes in a generation." Anyone who is facing homelessness can get free and specialised advice from Shelter at www.shelter.org.uk/get_help Tel: 01761 258030[email protected]Follow us Independent Councillors urge residents to participate in historic VE Day events across Bath & North East Somerset People living in Midsomer Norton and towns and villages in the area are being urged not to miss out on the historic opportunity to take part in VE Day Celebrations marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day Councillors from the new Independents for B&NES (Bath & North East Somerset movement) say this could well be the last major opportunity the nation has to say ‘thank you’ to all those World War II veterans that are still with us Saltford) said: “Eighty years may have passed by but we should never forget the sacrifice that our country’s service personnel made for the rest of us Their bravery and determination helped defeat the Nazis and bring peace to the UK and the rest of Europe “After the death of Hitler and surrender of Germany Prime Minister Winston Churchill declared that the May 8 should be VE (Victory in Europe) Day “Thank you to all those brave men who gave up so much so we could enjoy the freedoms we have today.” Commemorative events will be held across Bath & North East Somerset with major national commemorations taking place in London a military procession and a flypast in London on Bank Holiday Monday ( May 5) · A military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace followed by a flypast of military aircraft including the Red Arrows ( May 5) · Historic landmarks across the UK illuminated (evening of May 6) · A concert given by the Parliament Choir inside Westminster Hall ( May 7) Peasedown) said: “It’s fantastic to see that so many local organisations across the district are organising events next week The sheer bravery of those who fought during World War II have given us the democratic rights and privileges we enjoy today and we should never take those for granted “Whether you’re living in the city of Bath or any of the surrounding villages like Saltford or Peasedown St John please make an effort to do something next week This 80th anniversary of VE Day is truly historic.” Not sure what’s happening in your community? Readers can either contact their local town or parish council to find out more or visit the national VE Day website for a full list of events: www.ve-vjday80.gov.uk Cllr Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown) is Leader of the Independents for B&NES Group on the council and is currently chairwoman of B&NES Council She said: “I’m looking forward to visiting many of the events taking place across Bath & North East Somerset between May 5-11. A huge thank you to all of the event organisers who have been working hard to make sure each and everyone of our towns and villages has the opportunity to celebrate, in style, the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.” Comments Tel: 01761 258030[email protected]Follow us Date published: 2025-01-28 | Category: Communities and volunteering, Focusing on prevention Reflections from the daughter of a Hungarian Holocaust survivor and a student from Bath who has visited Auschwitz were among the presentations at a moving service to mark Holocaust Memorial Day yesterday (January 27) Nicola Keller spoke about the experiences of her father Andrew Keller who survived a Nazi labour camp and a Romanian displaced person’s camp later becoming a Research Professor in polymer science at the University of Bristol spoke about her visit to Auschwitz and the importance of never forgetting and teaching future generations about the Holocaust The event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp, was held at The Guildhall by Bath & North East Somerset Council in partnership with Bath Interfaith Group More than 110 attendees heard music performed by Joanna Hanstead and Paul Leonard and were invited to lay a commemorative stone after a lighting of the candles ceremony Chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council said: “It was incredibly moving to hear the experiences of Nicola and Tali and to see the photo display of survivors and those that lost their lives which are a stark reminder for us all that the impact of the Holocaust is still felt today Encouraging others to learn about the Holocaust and speak up against all genocide helps to create a better future Education and awareness are the key to breaking down the barriers that may exist between us renouncing hate and prejudice whenever we encounter it.” Date published: 2025-02-04 | Category: Somer Valley, Tackling the climate and ecological emergency, Transport and Development A wide-ranging transport project benefitting much of Bath & North East Somerset has launched its public consultation.  Bath & North East Somerset Council wants to hear from residents and businesses on the Somer Valley Links (SVL) project an initiative aimed at improving sustainable travel between Midsomer Norton Bath and Bristol through enhanced bus infrastructure and increased opportunities for walking The public consultation will run from Tuesday 4th February until midnight on Sunday 16th March.  The SVL project would introduce eight new mobility hubs significant bus infrastructure improvements including 22 bus stop upgrades and nearly a kilometre of new bus lanes the project would bring substantial changes to the walking making sustainable travel more accessible and convenient for all.  The project covers an area from Whitchurch southwards through Pensford then moving through the Somer Valley (Midsomer Norton John) and northwards towards Bath via Odd Down and A367 Wellsway.  Funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and previously led by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority the SVL project is part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) programme The project aims to provide more travel choices and improve air quality across Bath & North East Somerset.  The project went out to consultation in summer 2023, and a full engagement report is available here The council welcomes feedback from all residents to ensure the scheme meets community needs.  Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel said: "The Somer Valley Links project would significantly enhance sustainable travel options in our region By improving bus infrastructure and creating safer more convenient walking and cycling routes we are making it easier for residents to choose sustainable modes of transport.   “The scheme would see some reallocation of road space including a small reduction in on-street car parking in some areas We want to gather as much feedback as possible from the community to ensure its successful delivery.”  For more information and to participate in the consultation, please visit our website at www.bathnes.gov.uk/SVL  The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is responsible for distributing the UK Government’s City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) funds to viable schemes in the region including the West of England Mayor and leaders from the Mayoral Combined Authority’s three constituent councils: Bath & North East Somerset Council Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council.  Date published: 2025-03-14 | Category: Heritage The Heritage Services Business Plan sets out strategic priorities for the next five years focusing on adapting to economic challenges  and investment in new research to strengthen the Council’s visitor attractions The report highlights outstanding financial performance at The Roman Baths and Victoria Art Gallery in 24/25 and further growth expected in 2025/26.  The Roman Baths has generated more surplus return to the Council than ever before This will amount to approximately £145 per council tax household in Bath and North East Somerset This income plays a vital role in funding essential council services across Bath and North East Somerset and events such as silent discos and torchlit evening openings have enhanced the visitor experience meeting demand for immersive and memorable experiences.  The Victoria Art Gallery has also had a standout year with ticketed exhibition visitors increasing by over 55% year-on-year Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre became the most successful paid exhibition in the gallery’s history conservation work on the historic roof is nearing completion ensuring the long-term protection of the Grade II*-listed building Cabinet Member for Economic & Cultural Sustainable Development said: "Bath’s heritage is one of its greatest assets and it’s fantastic to see The Roman Baths and Victoria Art Gallery thriving in a challenging climate Their continued success not only enhances our cultural offering but also directly supports council services that benefit residents across the district This report reaffirms our commitment to protecting and sharing our world-class heritage for future generations." The report outlines Heritage Services’ five-year business plan setting out priorities to achieve its vision: “Learn from the past Heritage Services is also committed to delivering social value aligning its work with the Council’s Economic Strategy and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy This includes opening a new learning and community engagement space at Victoria Art Gallery Environmental sustainability remains a priority with efforts focused on improving building efficiency adopting sustainable procurement practices and conservation of heritage buildings and collections will continue to be at the forefront reinforced by The Roman Baths' full accreditation from Arts Council England in 2024 A major capital project over the next five years will be the relocation of the Fashion Museum to the Old Post Office The project will focus on audience engagement A provisional capital budget has been allocated Date published: 2024-12-04 | Category: Giving people a bigger say, Transport and Development Residents and businesses now have until after Christmas to respond to plans to create more than 6.2km of improved walking wheeling and cycling on four proposed routes across Bath.    Bath & North East Somerset Council is consulting on its plans for the active travel routes and has extended the consultation period to run until midnight on 2 January 2025. More information on the scheme can be found here Wheeling and Cycling Links (BWWCL) consultation has received a large number of responses already and the council is encouraging people to go online and have their say on the proposed scheme For further project updates, people can sign up to the BWWCL newsletter here The proposed scheme has four routes each improving active travel options across Bath by creating routes using advisory lanes It would also provide significant walking and wheeling improvements such as upgraded crossings and more convenient and safer options The BWWCL scheme is part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) programme and is designed to connect key areas within Bath through a network of dedicated cycle lanes advisory routes and improved pedestrian paths.  The four proposed routes included in the scheme are: BWWCL seeks to rebalance how road space is used across the city by prioritising active modes of transport to reduce congestion and improve air quality The scheme would  bring significant benefits to the community by making it easier for people to choose walking Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council Date published: 2024-12-05 | Category: Communities and volunteering, Delivering for local residents, Focusing on prevention A special ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp The event commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 and is being organised by Bath & North East Somerset Council in partnership with Bath Interfaith Group The commemoration is co-ordinated nationally by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and this year has the theme ‘For a Better Future’ The council’s event will be held at 5.45pm on Monday, January 27 at the Guildhall in Bath and is open to all. Free tickets can be booked now on Eventbrite.  and reflections on Holocaust Memorial Day following an opening address by The Chair of the Council Councillor Karen Walker said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is a time for us all to remember and learn from the events of the past and present It is an opportunity to bring our communities together to remember those lost to hatred and commit to building a future rooted in respect and understanding “Education and awareness are the key to breaking down the barriers that may exist between us renouncing hate and prejudice whenever we encounter it. We all have an opportunity to act for a better future where people are not suffering prejudice or persecution because of their faith Places are limited at the event and booking is essential. Entry is free to all. For alternative ways of booking or for any enquiries, email Equality@bathnes.gov.uk or call Council Connect on 01225 39 40 41.  Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker creative writing workshops and drama performances are among the exciting line-up of events for Bath & North East Somerset Council’s first-ever Festival of Libraries next month The festival runs from February 8 to February 22 in the council’s Keynsham and the Community Run Libraries and celebrates knowledge A full list of events is on the Festival of Libraries webpage  The Mobile Library will also be out in unusual locations throughout February for people to drop in find out a bit more and sign up to become a member said: “This exciting festival will demonstrate that our libraries are more than just a place to find the latest books They’re the heart of the community and bring people together There are lots of special events on offer over the two weeks of the festival and I hope many residents will join the fun!” Visit the Bath and North East Somerset Libraries website for details of regular and upcoming library events throughout the year Find out more about the council’s library and information services. The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response People who want to develop new skills and make a positive difference to the lives of others can meet 15 local organisations that are looking for volunteers at a Volunteers Fair in Bath Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Employment & Skills Pod is running the event for the second time on February 12 from 11am-1pm at Bath Central Library where employers including Guide Dogs for the Blind Dorothy House and Citizens Advice Bureau will be exhibiting cabinet member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development said: “Volunteering is an excellent way to connect with others while making a positive impact on people in your community It can also help you into your next paid role by giving you new skills and experience that make you attractive to employers.  “Whether you have time to spare once a month or a few hours a week our partner organisations may have a role that matches your interests The Volunteers Fair also shines a light on the vital contributions that volunteers and community organisations make to Bath and North East Somerset.” The other organisations exhibiting at the Volunteers Fair are: Tickets can be booked via Eventbrite Date published: 2025-01-27 | Category: Bath, Bath Quays , Delivering for local residents Plans to develop almost 100 energy-efficient city centre homes to support Bath & North East Somerset Council’s commitment to building a mix of housing solutions as part of its ambitious Economic Strategy A reserved matters application   has been made by the council’s wholly owned development company Aequus Construction Limited (ACL) for Phase 2 of the wider Bath Quays North comprehensive mixed-use development site in Corn Street The site already has the benefit of an extant outline planning permission for the erection of 96 dwellings in two residential apartment blocks with associated work The application seeks approval for the reserved matters of access; layout; landscaping; scale and appearance pursuant to the outline planning permission and aims to deliver one and two- bedroom apartments providing energy-efficient city centre homes in a design that is sensitive to its heritage and landscape context Councillor Matt McCabe, Cabinet Member for Built Environment Housing and Sustainable Development said: “Aequus’s planning application is part of a mix of housing options that will help us diversify housing supply locally and include open market affordable and social housing right across B&NES.  “Building these homes as the first phase of Bath Quays North will help support further investment for affordable homes in later phases. This supports the council’s commitment set out in its Economic Strategy 2024-2034 to develop a housing offer that is accessible and attractive to all ensuring our housing stock meets the needs of different resident groups.  “For example at 117 Newbridge Hill we saw Aequus’s conversion of a historic building into 100% social housing Our own B&NES Homes has provided 67 homes for people By providing a steady supply of affordable and secure housing options we have been able to offer permanent homes to those previously reliant on temporary housing.” delivering the residential phase to provide high quality housing will enable the development of the wider Avon Street car park site which the council has earmarked as a future employment space Last year the council and the University of Bath announced a new partnership to develop a vision for the future of this key site The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding to determine the development of the riverfront site in the heart of the city.  Signing the Memorandum of Understanding allows conversations to start about exciting possibilities including new space for research bringing important economic activity to the heart of the city Date published: 2025-02-18 | Category: Bath Bath & North East Somerset Council has not imposed Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charges on Avon Fire and Rescue Service - or other emergency services We have agreed an extension of the current waiver period on CAZ charges on Avon Fire and Rescue Service vehicles beyond 15th March we want to maintain our commitment to improving air quality in Bath and the CAZ is a key element of this work We understand however that this requires Avon Fire and Rescue Service to make the necessary investment in vehicles We have agreed that clear timelines for this should be included in any updated memorandum of understanding and welcome the service’s commitment to working with us to address these issues As part of an extensive consultation all emergency services have been aware since the start of the CAZ in 2021 that the exemption was due to end in March 2025 The CAZ was implemented following a ministerial direction in April 2017 which mandated urgent action to tackle air pollution and bring nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels down to legal limits High levels of NO₂ are linked to major health issues Bath’s Clean Air Zone does not charge cars and motorbikes.  Date published: 2025-02-26 | Category: Bath, Business support , Delivering for local residents, economic development, information and advice A two-day festival of business packed with opportunities for local businesses to network and grow will take place in Bath on March 5 and 6 The B&NES Business Show at the Guildhall will feature business breakfasts, specialist clinics, talks and demonstrations with organisations including Radio Bath, Barclays and Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Invest in B&NES service.  The event is a unique opportunity for businesses of all sizes to discuss areas of common interest learn from each other and build valuable connections Exhibitors offering a diverse range of products and services will create an engaging and dynamic environment where businesses can discover innovative solutions Businesses will be able to interact with industry experts and learn about the latest trends and advancements Workshop topics include effective marketing communications cyber security and creating inclusive and neurodiverse workplaces.  The Business Show has been organised by County Business Shows with support from the council and other local partners. The full line up and timings are available on the County Business Shows website. Businesses can register here.  there's something for everyone at the B&NES Business Show It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn from other industry experts explore new opportunities and discover innovative products and services Don’t miss your chance to connect with fellow business enthusiasts.” Director for the Bath & North East Somerset Business Show said: “We’re looking forward to two very busy days a festival where the genre is business is a powerful way of supporting and building the business ecosystem in the region learning and business to business contacts.” The Business Show is organised by County Business Shows and sponsored by Bath & North East Somerset Council The Cyber Resilience Centre for the South West Date published: 2025-03-18 | Category: Improving people's lives, Roads, travel and transport An innovative and interactive tool that highlights more than 200 current and future transport projects set to be delivered developed and studied over the next three years has been launched by Bath & North East Somerset Council.   The Transport Action Map offers residents businesses and stakeholders a comprehensive overview of the council's ambitious plans to enhance transportation infrastructure across the district.  one-stop shop where users can access detailed information on more than 200 transport schemes From planned construction dates to up-to-date progress reports the map is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the future of travel in Bath and North East Somerset.   It includes schemes included in the 2025/26 budget under the Local Active Travel Safety Programme and Highways Maintenance Programme such as South Road improvements to pedestrian safety in Timsbury extending Park & Ride into the evenings on a trial basis and ongoing Public Rights of Way work in B&NES.  The Transport Action Map will be updated and improved as schemes reach completion and additional functionality is provided to enhance the experience.   "Our Transport Action Map provides clarity to what is happening and planned for transport in B&NES We recognise that with so many individual projects on the horizon it can be challenging to see how they all fit together This map allows us to clearly demonstrate the scale of our ambitions and the comprehensive nature of our approach to improving transport across our community," said Councillor Manda Rigby "We are committed to delivering an unprecedented number of transport schemes that will benefit all who live The projects featured on the map range from road safety improvements and active travel initiatives to major infrastructure developments and public transport enhancements The map's interactive features enable users to stay informed about upcoming works to view a project’s timeline and will be regularly updated with new schemes added when announced.  Bath & North East Somerset Council invites everyone to explore the Transport Action Map and stay engaged with the ongoing efforts to make transport safer and better connected throughout the region.  Date published: 2025-03-05 | Category: Bath, Environment and Clean Air, Focusing on prevention, public safety, Tackling the climate and ecological emergency Works to remove five sunken boats from the River Avon in Bath will begin on March 15 The recovery activity is part of the Better Moorings Project which seeks to address a range of mooring-related matters in Bath and North East Somerset Bath & North East Somerset Council is carrying out the recovery operation on the stretch of the river near Pulteney Weir as the boats are a hazard to others using the waterway and pose a pollution risk to the water The works will be carried out by specialist contractors and are expected to be completed in one week although timescales are dependent on weather The towpath and the Pulteney waterway will remain open Mooring in the Pulteney stretch of the River Avon remains closed due to health and safety concerns All boat owners moored in the area have been advised of the risks and were encouraged to vacate the area prior to the winter.  Owners of the five sunken boats have been approached by the council to give them the opportunity to recover their vessels but this has not been completed Successful removal of any sunken boat is a complex dangerous and technical operation requiring time and specialist equipment to achieve safe removal.  said: “The sunken boats have been creating a hazard in the waterway and posing a risk to its ecology for a long time however they are the property of the boat owners who are responsible for them We have exhausted our attempts to work with the owners to arrange self-recovery so as a last resort we will be carrying out the operation on their behalf The removal of the boats will ensure the waterway is safe for others to use and will reduce the levels of artificial waste in the river “The Pulteney stretch of the river is the primary flood defence mechanism for the city and between late October and March carries an increased volume of water with river levels regularly exceeding the height of the bank This is a dangerous stretch of river for boats to moor in which is evidenced by the findings of a Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) report.”  “We appeal to all boat owners to safely moor at recognised and officially open mooring sites monitor their moorings regularly throughout the winter season ensure their boat is fit for the water and it is fully insured inclusive of salvage.” The council will be seeking recovery of £72,600 total costs for the removals after the operation has been completed.  Date published: 2025-03-24 | Category: Delivering for local residents, Transport and Development Free buses 24/7 for Disabled Person’s travelcards holders and an extension to care leavers’ free bus travel are part of new measures starting next month across Bath & North East Somerset.  West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has announced measures to make public transport more affordable and accessible for all residents promoting sustainable travel across the region.  deputy council leader and cabinet member for climate emergency and sustainable travel at Bath & North East Somerset Council "We are thrilled to support these new transport initiatives which align perfectly with our commitment to improving travel choices by creating a sustainable accessible and efficient transport network.   The package is set to start on 1 April 2025 and run until 31 March 2026 representing a £1.3 million investment from the Mayoral Combined Authority’s Bus Grant allocation and further funding from North Somerset Council Bath & North East Somerset Council is continuing its investment in tackling the climate and nature emergency including decarbonising the council fleet and making council-owned buildings more energy efficient A report agreed by Full Council in February as part of the council’s budget saw £5.435m of investment approved over the next five years in capital schemes under the Climate Emergency and Sustainable Transport portfolio.  Landscape City/Bathscape and Somer Valley Rediscovered that will improve access to local nature for residents - in line with the council’s Ecological Emergency Action Plan a further £39.316m of schemes are in the pipeline including further renewable energy projects more woodland cover and tree planting and the Entry Hill ecology centre Capital schemes across the council that will help to tackle the climate and ecological emergency include the Bath City Centre Sustainable Transport Corridor Bath Sustainable Walking & Cycling Links and Somer Valley Links wheeling and cycling connections across region.  The council has allocated £4m for a programme to decarbonise its corporate estate which will act as match funding for further grants and investment to remove gas as a heating fuel The council has just been awarded grant funding to install air source heat pumps at Keynsham Civic Centre and Carrswood Day Centre Another successful grant enabled installation of solar panels on Bath Sports and Leisure Centre Future projects include the installation of heat pumps and solar panels at Carrswood Day Centre and solar at Odd Down Sports Ground extension This will help to meet the council’s Net Zero goal by 2030 and achieve its target of 12MW installed renewable capacity on the corporate estate The council’s Net Zero Policy will also be supported by the decarbonisation of the fleet The vehicles currently in use account for almost half of the council’s carbon footprint with Heavy Good Vehicles (HGVs) accounting for 70% of emissions Capital provision to replace 12 refuse collection vehicles and 30 recycling trucks with electric vehicles over the next two years will go some way to reducing this and will also bring savings on maintenance the vehicles will be charged using power generated by the solar PV array on top of the buildings at the Keynsham Recycling Centre Cabinet member for Climate and Sustainable Travel said: “We continue to invest in our key priority of tackling the climate and ecological emergency despite the many challenges facing the council’s budget We have worked hard to secure investment from external sources to help decarbonise our council buildings and generate renewable energy for example completing the installation of solar panels on the roof of the Bath Sports & Leisure Centre which was funded by the government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund We are also continuing to improve the energy efficiency of homes across B&NES Our programme of community-led action which is funded by £1.5m from the National Lottery Climate Action Fund will support the creation of community Energy Champions who can provide residents with advice to reduce their energy bills and make their homes warmer.” More information on how the council is tackling the climate emergency and what residents can do to contribute can be found here a retrofitted community room providing a safe place in a flooding emergency and village hall solar panels are among the improvements that have been realised in communities across Bath and North East Somerset The nine projects in B&NES which all have a positive impact on the environment or biodiversity were awarded a total of £260,000 in March 2024 from the West of England Rural Fund which is funded by the UK government through the Rural England Prosperity Fund Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel said: “It’s fantastic to see these projects coming to fruition for our communities This funding is so valuable to local organisations who use the money for important energy reduction measures and to encourage more people to explore nature These are excellent examples of the real action that can be taken to tackle the climate and nature emergency Thank you to everyone has worked so hard to make these vital projects a reality.” said: “The wayfinding project has enabled us to bring together the issues identified in the Town Centre Regeneration Action Plan and helped us work with the Active Way local groups and residents to provide beautifully created maps and fingerposts that work with the new branding provide key infrastructure for the town and help to improve accessibility for everyone The new signage along with other improvements in the town centre will highlight Radstock’s lovely walks and incredible cycle ways and greenways The Town Council remains committed to supporting an inclusive and an accessible town and thanks all those that have contributed to the project.” The trustees of the Old School Room said: The grant from the Rural Fund enabled us to complete a safe Rest Centre provide a well set up kitchen with ample storage a high-quality medical kit and interlocking flooring for seating children In addition it has provided a well-used social space for the community Date published: 2025-01-23 | Category: Giving people a bigger say, Liveable Neighbourhoods, Transport and Development Residents and businesses are being asked to share their views on designs for five Liveable Neighbourhood schemes aimed at improving residential streets and making active travel safer and more attractive.  Bath & North East Somerset Council is seeking feedback on the overall package of measures for five Liveable Neighbourhoods in: on measures for which the council has already secured funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority It will run from Monday 20 January until 28 February.  they are based on considerable consultation and design work conducted with communities We are now seeking feedback on the proposals before developing more detailed designs residents and businesses in and around the Liveable Neighbourhood will receive letters and leaflets outlining the proposals on a map This includes full details on the aims of the scheme how they can feedback their thoughts and what will happen next.”  The Liveable Neighbourhood programme aims to reduce the impacts associated with excessive traffic in residential areas congestion and speeding; and to create environments where it is safer and more attractive to walk wheel and cycle. Currently 42 percent of all journeys in Bath are under 3km and in private vehicles Significant consultation and shortlisting of proposals has already been conducted in the five areas and the designs reflect the proposals that were outlined in the final business case for the LN programme submitted to West of England Mayoral Combined Authority last autumn.  through-traffic restrictions were trialled as pilot schemes in 2022/23 and have now been made permanent. In these areas the council is proposing a range of improvements to complement these existing pilots including better crossings and improved facilities for those wishing to travel actively in the area a permanent design for the through-traffic restriction is also proposed.  Proposals for Chelsea Road and Entry Hill do not include any through-traffic restrictions the council introduced residents’ parking zones in these areas to tackle pressures on parking and associated traffic congestion which residents felt strongly about.  To complement the RPZ in the Entry Hill area the council is now proposing a set of traffic lights single file traffic and wider pavements on Entry Hill bridge This is to deter through-traffic from using Entry Hill as an alternative to the main road (A367 Wellsway) In Chelsea Road a series of continuous crossings are proposed over side-roads to give pedestrians priority over approaching vehicles.  The council also hopes to engage on Temple Cloud’s LN later in February The council’s intention is to gather feedback on these preliminary proposals before preparing and engaging residents on more detailed designs. It would then, where appropriate, install the measures under standard Traffic Regulation Orders following a 21-day statutory public consultation.  A full description of the proposals - and a feedback form - are available from individual LN web pages at www.bathnes.gov.uk/yourLN  Public engagements on wider LN proposals for the five remaining LNs are likely to happen later in the spring/summer 2025 Funding to install 11 LNs was secured in September 2024 following submission of full business case to WECA in the autumn The council was then awarded the remaining £3.78m of the £5.1m funds originally earmarked for the project from the UK Government’s City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement fund plus an additional £1.81m which it estimates it needs to deliver the programme Bath & North East Somerset Council is recommending that an experimental through-traffic restriction on New Sydney Place and Sydney Road is made permanent.  includes traffic and air quality data as well as public feedback and is set out in a single member decision (SMD) report to be approved by Councillor Mark Elliott The aim is to prevent motorists from using the streets as a shortcut to avoid main roads and to a create a safer environment for those walking or cycling through the area school children and visitors to nearby amenities.  The council installed the trial in April 2024 under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) for a minimum of six months so that impacts could be monitored and the community could experience it before submitting feedback The comprehensive report before Councillor Elliott reveals that New Sydney Place and Sydney Road carried 4,466 to 4,770 vehicles a day and that 75 per cent (3,259 vehicles) was through traffic i.e passing through within three minutes.  which comprised a row of bollards across the Sydney Road junction with New Sydney Place prevented through traffic but maintained vehicle access to homes from either side of the restriction vehicle numbers reduced by up to 90% on New Sydney Place and 70% on Sydney Road.  Walking rates on Sydney Road improved against baseline during all in-trial monitoring Cycling rates fluctuated above and below baseline Both cyclists and pedestrians reported feeling that with the trial in place it is a safer environment for active travel.  The report also notes that support for the scheme was 24 per cent of all those who chose to respond to the public consultation survey yet most objections came from people living outside of the Bathwick area It also notes that during an end-point survey conducted with residents and businesses on the trial streets 34 out of the 50 respondents felt that the trial had improved the area.  The council received 1887 unique responses to the public consultation survey 1090 (83%) of these came from outside the trial streets and the wider Bathwick area.  Most respondents objecting to the trial cited increased traffic The council conducted traffic monitoring several times during the trial.  The report shows that while major routes saw an increase in vehicle numbers travel times and queue lengths was not seen to be significant Additional vehicle numbers on the minor roads that surround the trial was very small where it was seen at all average travel times on main roads in the area increased by up to 13 seconds and on some roads travel times reduced the greatest average increase was 52 seconds at peak times on one main road.  The report also reveals that the A36 Darlington Street to Warminster Road journey (via Beckford Road) took up to 5 seconds longer during the trial when comparing monthly GPS tracking data Drivers who once took Sydney Road as a short cut were typically saving up to 40 seconds.  The report acknowledges that work to improve the phasing of traffic signals in the area has helped to keep traffic moving It also states that the council conducted its monitoring outside of the closure of the A36 at Limpley Stoke on 12 August (which reduced levels of traffic in the area).  said: “This is a detailed and thorough analysis of a comprehensive trial and consultation which I will consider carefully It is interesting to see from the feedback how people’s opinions have shifted over the course of the trial to be more positive although a significant number are obviously still opposed The consultation process allowed people to express a wide range of views The trial is a result of years of campaigning by residents and it’s important that I assess whether the reasons for objecting are supported by evidence Wheeling and Cycling Links scheme aims to further improve connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists by proposing a safer route connecting Bathwick and the city centre than the current National Cycle Route 4 which currently follows the busy A36.”  it is felt that the trial has been successful in reducing the excess traffic on this residential road without significant or intolerable displacement of traffic or congestion onto neighbouring roads it says there has been no significant negative impact on the environment in terms of air pollution and all levels remain below the government legal limit and the council’s acceptable limits.  the decision will be reflected within the formal statutory Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) decision-making process noting that the final sign-off is via a delegated decision made by the Director of Place Management The Cabinet Member and ward members will have the opportunity to give formal comment To obtain a link to the single member decision report and the full reports attached as appendices to the SMD, please go to the council website or to the New Sydney Place and Sydney Road Trial’s web page   Date published: 2025-01-30 | Category: Adult Social Care and Health the CQC has published its report on Adult Social Care services provided by Bath and North East Somerset Council The report gives the service an overall rating of "Requires Improvement." It acknowledges that plans are in place to address any shortfalls and put the council in a strong position for the future The report recognises the recent successful transfer of more than 200 staff into the council on the 1st of April 2024 and acknowledges the fact that the inspection took place shortly after the transfer was completed said: “We are satisfied that we have appropriate safeguards in place and are working through our quality improvement plans Areas for improvement had already been identified and we have been working on these over recent months Inspectors identified many positive aspects of our service and reported that we have kind They also recognised that senior leaders are knowledgeable and approachable evidenced by the clear three-year strategy for ASC and an ambitious transformation programme “The inspection was carried out under a new CQC local authority assessment and we have gone back to seek assurance on the process inspectors used It is also worth highlighting that in the latest National Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF) of the 22 national measures we perform better than the England average in 17 measures better than the South West average in 18 measures and we are in the best quartile in the country for 12 measures.” CQC Service provider reports can be found here.   The 2024 Independent Review on the CQC can be found here on  gov.uk Date published: 2024-09-24 | Category: Bath Central Library, Improving people's lives, Libraries, Registrar services Babies registered in Bath and North East Somerset in July have been gifted their own copy of the 1926 book Winnie the Pooh and invited to a special baby morning to celebrate the centenary of local lending libraries Bath & North East Somerset Council has given the books to nearly 300 babies as part of its 100 years celebrations to encourage a love of reading from birth The babies were also invited to a series of special events in the council’s three main lending libraries offering Baby Bounce and Rhyme craft activities and a chance for families to make new friends.  The first event at Bath Central Library took place last Thursday (19September) with further events taking place at Keynsham and Midsomer Norton libraries this week said: “A child’s earliest years are crucial to their development and life chances so we wanted to give the gift of loving and reading books to our youngest members to mark the libraries’ centenary year.  “Some families may not be aware of the breadth of services that are on offer at our fantastic libraries but they are also a safe and welcoming space where people can find information and advice from local partners as well as take part in creative events and use our sensory spaces.” “Not only does our Libraries team do a fantastic job but so does our Registration Services team who strive to make the special moment of registering your baby’s birth an enjoyable experience Congratulations to all the families on their new additions!” The first public lending library in the area opened in Bath in 1924 and the council is running a programme of events throughout the year to celebrate the centenary which includes a series of events at the libraries competitions and limited edition library membership cards People are also invited to submit their childhood memories of the libraries by emailing them to library_events@bathnes.gov.uk These are being collected and captured as part of the ongoing research into the history of libraries.  Visit the Bath and North East Somerset Libraries blog for further updates and details of regular library events throughout the year Joining a library is free. Find out more about the council’s library and information services Find out more about registering the birth of a baby in B&NES  Date published: 2025-03-06 | Category: Leisure , Schools, Colleges and Learning Plans for two new schools as well as new sports facilities are under way as part of Bath & North East Somerset Council investment in the former Culverhay school and Odd Down Sports Ground sites Draft plans for Odd Down will be unveiled for public consultation in the spring These would include state-of-the- art facilities such as a brand new gym and fitness spaces padel tennis courts and the creation of walking trails around the playing fields perimeter The investment is part of a planned closure of Culverhay Sports Centre to enable work to start on constructing two new Department of Education Free Schools on the existing site One will be a 120-place Special School and the other a 55-place Alternative Provision School.’  said: “We are working with the Department of Education to develop Free Schools on the Culverhay site Eventually the schools will provide education for young people who need support and won’t have to go out of the area for their education.”        added: “As part of the scheme the council is also investing in improved fitness and wellbeing facilities The old sports centre at Culverhay needs to close ahead of work to develop two schools Following consultation and subject to planning and funding approval we want to enhance the facilities at Odd Down.”        which has been operational since the 1990s currently functions in the evenings and partially on weekends It has now reached the end of its viable lifespan the not-for-profit social enterprise operating under the Better brand manages leisure centres across Bath and Keynsham on behalf of the council The sports centre is set to close its doors on Saturday said “Our vision for Odd Down includes significantly enhanced availability throughout the week thereby increasing sports and activity options for residents.  “Health and fitness members at Culverhay Sports Centre will have access to all our UK centres and can continue their fitness routines at our Bath or Keynsham leisure centres at no extra cost we plan to run some of Culverhay’s ongoing classes at Odd Down Sports Ground to reduce the necessity for extra travel Once the Odd Down redevelopment is complete former Culverhay Sports Centre members will be welcomed to a new To ensure the continuity of sporting activities sports clubs currently using Culverhay Sports Centre will be offered alternative booking options across the leisure centre network This initiative is aimed at minimising disruption and maintaining community sports engagements Culverhay Sports Centre will close on Saturday 28 June so enabling works can begin on the site.  Date published: 2024-10-23 | Category: Communities and volunteering, Giving people a bigger say Annual awards which recognise people who make life better for others in their community have been launched for 2024 by Bath & North East Somerset Council and its partners Nominations are now open for the Community Awards which acknowledge volunteers or employees who make exceptional contributions to their communities The awards were officially launched at the 3SG Volunteer Fair in Bath last week (October 18) with three of those to be decided by public vote: Nominations can be made on the council website and close on December 31 The public vote for the three organisation and team awards will open in January said: “Our community is fortunate to have thousands of volunteers who give their time freely to support others The Community Awards showcase this amazing work and highlight the strength of the community spirit there is in Bath and North East Somerset please nominate them for an award to give them the recognition they deserve.” The awards will be judged in February 2025 by a panel made up of the council and its partners with the awards ceremony due to take place in the spring The partners in the community awards include: Nomination forms can also be obtained by emailing connecting_communities@bathnes.gov.uk or calling 01225 396975 Date published: 2024-11-05 | Category: Communities and volunteering, Delivering for local residents, information and advice Parades and church services will take place across Bath and North East Somerset on Remembrance Sunday on November 10 and on Remembrance Day on November 11 The events are an opportunity for people to remember the service and sacrifice of others and to pay their respects said: “Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday are a chance to reflect on the lives lost in the First World War and in every war since then It is a time for us all to remember those who served and kept us safe so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today They are also an important opportunity for the community to come together in unity and I hope many people will join an event near them.” Ceremonies and Services in North East Somerset Remembrance Day road closures can be found on the council website  Date published: 2025-02-05 | Category: Council Tax, Finance Bath & North East Somerset Council has set out budget proposals which would see extended park and ride hours, cleaner and greener streets more homes being built and investment in care for adults and children to meet rising demand.    to be presented to Cabinet on February 13 contains detailed proposals for a balanced budget for the council’s day-to-day spending of £151.7million for 2025/26.   The report also sets out additional investment plans over the next five years to improve Bath and North East Somerset’s infrastructure including more than £70 million for house building as well as investment in active travel and transport improvements.     There is also provision to address the rising costs of children's services including placements for children and young people with special needs and Home to School Transport The council is committed to ensuring that these services continue to meet the needs of the most vulnerable children and families in the community.  said: “We have again faced a challenging budget process I am pleased again to present a balanced budget which demonstrates prudent management of our finances despite increasing demands and costs across the board but particularly in our adult and children’s services. Our focus always has to be on meeting the needs of our most vulnerable and we are putting more than £5million additional funding in the budget to meet pressures on care packages for adults We are also addressing pressures on Home to School transport and want to invest £350k on more of our own drivers and vehicles We also want to improve support for young people with £50k to trial a youth club in Bath.  “Making our streets cleaner and greener remains a priority for residents so we are investing in additional demand-led rapid response crews We also need to modernise our customer contact technology to make it more joined-up for residents whichever way they chose to get in touch with our services Making sure we deliver more housing is also vital for our area and £73.4m has been allocated over the next five years for Aequus to buy sites and deliver new homes.”  The budget report recommends an increase in general Council Tax by 2.99% in 2025/26 which equates to an increase of £51.92 per Band D property the Adult Social Care Precept is proposed to increase by 2% an additional £34.72 per Band D property This results in a total proposed Band D Council Tax for Bath and North East Somerset Council next year of £1,823.06 an overall increase of 4.99% or £86.64 per Band D property.  Councillor Elliott added: “I believe Bath and North East Somerset Council provides excellent value for money We are not seeing the extraordinary percentage rises in council tax that some councils are having to make around the country and we compare very favourably to our neighbours  Even after this rise we expect we will still have the fourth lowest unitary authority council tax in the South West well below the South West average.”  Additional budget proposals which will also be considered by Cabinet include investments to address the climate emergency with a £4m Decarbonisation Programme to remove gas as a heating fuel from the corporate estate and £9.961m for neighbourhood services vehicles and fleet decarbonisation  The budget proposals for 2025 to 2026 will be considered by cabinet on 13 February and Full Council on 25 February. The budget report to cabinet can be found here and meetings can be viewed on the council’s YouTube channel.    Bath & North East Somerset Council and Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust sign “Future Ambition Civic Agreement” Four of Bath and North East Somerset’s key civic institutions have signed an agreement to work more closely together for the benefit of their home region Bath & North East Somerset Council and the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust signed the Future Ambition Civic Agreement on May 30 after working over several years to develop effective ways to meaningfully collaborate all four are large organisations with a significant stake in the long-term development and health of their local areas The agreement commits the four institutions to collaborate and address key challenges and opportunities for the region to help its communities thrive as well as learning from each other to continuously improve how they operate The agreement partners will work closely with other institutions organisations and communities within Bath and North East Somerset to help fulfil the area’s ambitions Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath said: “I am delighted that the four key partners which are anchor institutions in our home region and between them have 11,900 staff living and working locally have been able to come together to sign this important agreement which means we can offer more to our home region by working in partnership “The Future Ambition Civic Agreement deliberately looks to the future We have often worked together but in recent years we have individually and jointly responded to the collective impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the inequalities that these challenges have shone a light on.” The agreement partners will target four ways to improve the wellbeing of the region mobilisation of staff and how they make and deliver products They will do so with five key themes in mind including working to ensure opportunity for all a focus on climate and nature preservation developing a sense of community through supporting creativity and culture and driving sustainable growth through inclusive innovation Work on these themes will be supported by the already-existing Future Ambition Board through which experts in each sector are engaged and contribute to developing understanding and solutions to regional challenges leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council said: “This is a significant milestone for our civic institutions here in Bath and North East Somerset working together through our Future Ambition Board Collaboration and partnership working is central to the delivery of our one Shared Vision of being a Fair This is why I was pleased when the cabinet fully endorsed the new Economic Strategy for the area in February which all our partners are committed to deliver “I am proud of the contributions that our two universities and hospital make to our community and of the joint working we have undertaken so far with shared projects ranging from our well-established Student Community Partnership to the recent Key Cities’ Civic Partners in Net Zero case study on sustainable construction We look forward to deepening our relations in the future for the benefit of our communities said: “Our RUH ‘You Matter’ strategy makes a strong commitment to the people in our community and to make Bath one of the healthiest places to live and work We are proud to have entered into this agreement with our fellow Anchor Institutions which will help us deliver on this promise: through collaboration we can better understand the needs and wants of our people and I look forward to working together to deliver the changes needed to improve the lives of local people.” Pro Vice-Chancellor External Affairs at Bath Spa University said: “Creating a sustainable future enabling culture takes all of us The challenges we face and the opportunities they present are complex and interwoven economic and social thriving are interdependent; it is essential therefore to work together across arts The Civic Agreement is license for all of us to dissolve unhelpful boundaries.” The agreement was officially launched at an event at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI) in Queen’s Square Bath on May 30th Guests found out how the Future Ambition Civic University partners already work together including contributions to projects such as the Student Community Partnership Bath and North East Somerset Economic Partnership Leaders of each of the organisations joined a panel to speak about their journey in developing this agreement and how the processes that have been put in place will support collaborative working across the region into the future Date published: 2024-08-07 | Category: Bathscape, Bathscape Walking Festival, Delivering for local residents, Walking Festival New and exciting walks join old favourites such as the urban tree walks wellbeing walks and bat walks at this year’s Bathscape Walking Festival which runs from Saturday 7 September to Sunday 22 September Foodies will enjoy the strangely titled Start with Cake, end with Cheese with a river and a hill in the middle It is a 5.5 mile circular walk that starts at the Bath Soft Cheese Shop café at Kelston and follows a route along the banks of the river Avon towards Bristol and Kelston Mill through North Stoke and up the Cotswold Way to Kelston Roundhill Another circular walk that is new for this year is a 9.5 mile walk titled A Folly, a Quaint Village and Some Engineering, which starts opposite the Crown Pub in Bathford and takes in Monkton Farleigh Bathampton Woods and descends down the old quarry railroad to Bathhampton and back to the starting point Map Skills for Beginners on Wednesday 18 September is for anyone who is keen to build confidence using maps to navigate and plan countryside walks Led by Nicole from Cotswolds National Landscape the event starts indoors looking at the history of maps key features and symbols of ordnance survey maps and includes a local walk using your new skills to navigate Youngsters can sign up for an hour of After School Nature Fun at Twerton Roundhill on Thursday 19 September and enjoy bug hunting during the climb to the top before finishing in the play area Booking is advisable for this walk and there will be healthy snacks provided Jane Austen fans can follow in her footsteps on the 90-minute Tales from Charlcombe walk on Sunday 15 September Members of the new community group managing the area will lead you through the deep grassy meadows full of butterflies and the woodlands where bats Kirsten Elliott will lead several walks around the city including Under Bridges, Over Bridges, Meandering Free on Thursday 12 September, an three hour, 5 mile afternoon stroll exploring old and new bridges. Windows 2: The Sequel to Windows and Things builds on a walk she led in 2021 that outlined the story of windows It will start at Bath Abbey – called the Lantern of the West thanks to its spectacular acreage of glass – and explore windows of all kinds including shop windows and other historical details said: “The Bathscape Walking Festival is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Bath as a walkable landscape city The majority of the walks are free of charge and a support service for walkers with a visual impairment was offered for the first time last year I would encourage everyone to take part and enjoy the health and mental wellbeing benefits of being out in the fresh air and exploring unique aspects of the city and the surrounding countryside.”  The full programme of walks can be found at https://www.bathscape.co.uk/walking-festival/ Bathscape’s work is largely funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund with match funding from partners. To find out more visit the Bathscape website Somer Valley Links (SVL) proposes major improvements to the bus infrastructure across the corridors This includes both new and upgraded bus stops as well as added bus lanes to the network for public transport priority 92% of nitrogen dioxide emissions are from road traffic like catching the bus and making it an attractive option will improve air quality and reduce congestion on the network SVL aims to make it easier and more convenient to catch the bus to reach a destination through better bus stops priority for buses and the creation of mobility hubs.  This will include upgrades for 22 bus stops and 0.8km of new bus lanes The improvements include ensuring these locations have a high-quality stand with seating and real time information There are also improvements proposed around the bus stops ensuring there are safe crossing points to access the bus stops The proposals include improvements to improve seven bus stop pairs  In addition to upgrading the stop itself we are proposing bus lanes at the following locations:   These sections of bus lanes will help to improve bus journey time on average by up to three minutes (from Odd Down to Churchill Gyratory) for buses and two minutes for general traffic It will also greatly improve reliability along the corridor Please click on the links below for detailed drawings These drawings show concept/preliminary designs proposals and details are subject to change The proposals have been developed to show the potential location of features in plan Further work is required to determine final proposals for the following phases as well as its deliverability and affordability View technical drawings Somer Valley Links The public consultation closes at midnight on Sunday 16th March Active Travel Capability Fund The Active Way Midsomer Norton and Westfield Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Links Liveable Neighbourhoods Date published: 2024-10-01 | Category: Delivering for local residents, Housing, Local Plan, Preparing for the Future Six key issues to enable housing reform in Bath & North East Somerset have been set out in a letter to Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner Bath & North East Somerset Council leader has written to the Deputy Prime Minister welcoming the Government’s commitment to tackling the housing crisis but warned the housing target set for B&NES is ‘unrealistic’ In July the Government set out new mandatory housing targets which would see a significant uplift in the housing numbers that B&NES needs to plan for increasing from the current 717 houses per annum to 1,466 per annum The purpose of this increase is to address historic shortfalls in housing delivery and meeting housing needs Councillor Guy said: “Local Authority housing targets and planning policy reform will not in themselves deliver the sustainable and affordable housing that we desperately need There are six key issues we need to address we need to agree how our unique situation will be taken into account in advance of rewriting our Local Plan We are asking that government facilitates timely conversations between the local authority appropriate government departments/agencies and UNESCO to discuss the relationship between World Heritage Site status and planning for sustainable growth in the city “We also need to consider a more flexible regional cross boundary approach with our neighbouring authorities We are also calling for more funding for affordable homes - more than 70 per cent of B&NES’ assessed housing need in the city of Bath is for those who cannot afford market housing “We must invest in the necessary infrastructure such as transport “We are also concerned about wider planning reforms here in B&NES we currently have nearly 2,100 homes with planning permission that are stalled Unlocking delivery of them would require radical reforms Relatively modest investment in local and regional skills and capacity up front is a vital precondition to increasing housing supply “We know residents understand the need for more high-quality affordable housing but on a realistic scale that potentially facilitate unplanned development would be unforgivable.” sets an ambitious ten-year vision; recognising that the acute challenge of housing affordability dramatically curtails the area’s productivity and exacerbates labour shortages To address the housing crisis the council has already taken significant steps collaborating with key anchor institutions to form a dedicated Housing Mission Delivery Board the area’s largest Registered Provider.  Additionally the council has established Aequus its wholly owned housing development company tasked to develop a range of housing solutions to meet local needs.  Councillor Guy added: “Over the last 13 years sound local planning policies have helped deliver nearly 10,000 new homes in B&NES and we want to ensure over the next ten years the right homes in the right places are built We want to work with the government on becoming a trailblazer for new ideas and policy changes that will deliver high-quality sustainable and affordable housing in our area.” To read the letter go to the council’s Local Plan webpages and to listen to the recent B&NES cabinet meeting on the National Planning Policy Framework go you our Youtube channel   Date published: 2025-01-16 | Category: Children's Services Parents of children at Fosse Way House have received a letter from The Partnership Trust saying that the Fosse Way House residential provision would need to close from September 2025 due to Bath & North East Somerset “no longer… funding students to attend Fosse Way House” from that date Bath & North East Somerset Council is making the following statement on this Fosse Way House is not a council-run facility and any decisions about its future are matters for The Partnership Trust.  the council works closely with schools and others to ensure pupils with special educational needs receive the support set out in their education health and care plans (EHCPs)  Provision is reviewed annually so we can act on the most up-to-date needs and provide as much notice as possible to families and providers In this academic year we have placed a small number of young people who are at Fosse Way School into the additional Fosse Way House overnight residential provision on the site.  While Fosse Way House is registered with Ofsted it is not registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and so the provision can only meet educational needs rather than additional health and/or social care needs Through the ongoing annual review process with settings families and professionals it has been increasingly difficult to find evidence-based reasons for this purely educational provision for the academic year starting in September 2025 we have not identified any children or young people attending Fosse Way School whose special educational needs would be met by this additional overnight residential provision We let the school know this in October of last year so they could inform parents with plenty of notice and so it is unfortunate that this information is only now being passed on to parents by the Trust We are pleased to see that the Trust has now established two dates to meet with parents We will of course work with the families of the children whose placements at Fosse Way House are due to end in July on any follow-up changes to arrangements we may need to make The council’s decision is not due to budget pressures but is because the facility at Fosse Way House is not required to meet the educational needs of young people with special needs in our area there are a number of challenges facing The Partnership Trust in securing a viable future for Fosse Way House Currently only children on roll at Fosse Way School can use the provision and it has been increasingly difficult to identify students who require educational provision from the Fosse Way House provision as part of their EHCP and who do not have the level of need that would mean a residential provision that was registered with both Ofsted and the CQC was required We value the work of Fosse Way School and have been working over a number of years to find ways to improve the viability of the Fosse Way House facility  We will continue to work with the school and support The Partnership Trust in their plans for Fosse Way House so it can continue to benefit young people and our community We are also grateful that The Partnership Trust have confirmed there will be no changes at all to the provision for the remainder of this academic year Ensuring that our young people have access to local good-quality special needs provision that meets their needs – including modern and fit-for purpose residential care within Bath & North East Somerset - is a key priority for the council as can be seen in the council’s investment plans including for special needs residential provision at Charlton House.  Date published: 2024-07-22 | Category: Regeneration and Development Bath & North East Somerset Council and the University of Bath have announced a new partnership to develop a vision for the future of this key site The two organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to determine the development of the riverfront site in the heart of the city.  The leadership of the University of Bath and Bath & North East Somerset Council are delighted to begin their collaboration on a joint vision for regenerating the 2.2 hectare city-centre brownfield site in the Bath City Riverside Enterprise Zone  The parties will use the existing outline planning permission for the Bath Quays North site as a basis for these discussions.  Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “The development of the Bath Quays sites – both South and North - are a key aspect of delivering our economic strategy for this authority “With the recent announcement of two significant lettings Bath Quays South is now almost fully let and is securing hundreds of jobs in the city generating real economic benefit and renewal “Delivery of the Bath Quays North site is now our focus and the recent planning approval marks a major development in delivering the scheme.  “This agreement marks a significant milestone for the city and University following the collaboration which resulted in the signing of our Civic Agreement and for the work of the Future Ambition Board These commitments set out the case for our city’s anchor institutions to work in partnership with business the public and third sectors to drive inclusive economic prosperity create high value jobs and enhance public wellbeing in line with the Economic Strategy for Bath and North East Somerset 2024-2034.  “We look forward to working with the University of Bath over the coming months to make our Bath Quays North vision a reality.” President & Vice Chancellor of the University of Bath said: “This exciting opportunity could create a new dimension to a range of university activities boosting our life-changing research and job-creating innovation This agreement marks the beginning of our conversations but the site could enable more public involvement with our science and research and help our city retain more of our graduate talent start-up and spin-out businesses that begin life at the University of Bath and attract further inward investment.  “We at the University of Bath are deeply proud of our home city and this agreement could unlock the next phase of the University’s development enabling us to play an even bigger role in building the vibrant and thriving city and region we seek.” As conversations develop about new possibilities the University and B&NES Council will be keen to explore opportunities and engage with potential partners Both the University of Bath and the council were signatories to the recent Future Ambition Civic Agreement which brought together four of Bath’s anchor institutions after working over several years to develop effective ways to meaningfully collaborate Date published: 2024-11-29 | Category: community infrastructure levy, Delivering for local residents More than £3million of developer receipts from planning charges have helped deliver hundreds of highways parks and community improvements across Bath & North East Somerset an annual report shows The council uses Section 106 agreements and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to mitigate the impacts of new development and fund infrastructure required to support the sustainable delivery of development within Bath and North East Somerset.  The Infrastructure Funding Statement Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106 Annual Report for 2023/24 sets out the council’s income and expenditure from the two levies and has been published on the council’s website is allocated by the council on infrastructure needed to support the development of the area known as strategic CIL and a Neighbourhood proportion is passed to parish or town councils for spending within their local parish area.    From 2023-24 £3,336,608 of strategic CIL was spent on areas including £1.4million on highways maintenance more than £150k on the public realm in Midsomer Norton more than £170k on the Pixash Recycling Centre in Keynsham and more than £40k on improvements to Royal Victoria Park.    The report says the total amount of Strategic CIL receipts, whenever collected, which were allocated but not spent during the reported year is £5,714,447 and this has been fully approved for spending.  Parish and town councils across B&NES received £136,405 CIL funding and Bath Unparished Area received £337,462 As it does not have a parish or town council the CIL allocation for the city is decided by a Bath Panel which is appointed by Bath and North East Somerset Council on behalf of the community Schemes which have benefitted from the Bath Neighbourhood CIL include Odd Down BMX track (pictured) Brickfield Park and Percy Community Centre.  The report says the total amount of S106 money which was spent including transferring it to another organisation to spend was £1,925,633 with funds going on a range of school improvement schemes said: “The annual report clearly sets out where we have spent CIL and section 106 funds across Bath and North East Somerset for the benefit of residents It also shows the parish and neighbourhood portion which gives  residents a say on funding improvements in their communities as a result of local development For the council the strategic CIL is a vital source of funding and supports a broad range of sustainable infrastructure schemes varying from improvements to flood defences and highways schemes to tree planting and parks projects.”     To read the full report go to  https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/section-106-planning-obligations-and-communi… Pictured earlier this year with Council leader Councillor Kevin Guy is Matthew Turner Vice-Chairman at Bath BMX Club  which received £140k  to enhance the Bath BMX Club track at Odd Down Date published: 2024-09-04 | Category: Delivering for local residents, Housing, Local Plan, Planning New mandatory housing targets set out by the Government are to be discussed by Bath & North East Somerset councillors when cabinet meets on September 12.  A detailed report before cabinet says the new government target would see a significant uplift in the housing numbers that B&NES needs to plan for going from the current 717 houses per annum to 1,466 per annum These new targets would require a reset of the Council’s Local Plan including a review of the Green Belt and a stronger focus on housing affordability to meet needs of those on lower incomes the report says the new targets would need a commitment to regional/strategic planning to ensure that sustainable communities are designed with the right infrastructure to thrive.   The council’s recently adopted Economic Strategy acknowledges that addressing the lack of affordable housing in Bath & North East Somerset is a key priority to improve people’s lives and the report welcomes the Government’s focus on this important issue we are committed to delivering the right homes in the right places We also have an aspiration to be building hundreds of council homes every year I welcome any changes that help us deliver on our priorities. However the current NPPF consultation proposes a more than doubling of our current housing targets when compared to the figures included in our new We had been intending to put a Draft Plan out for consultation at the beginning of 2025 with Draft Plan submission to the Planning Inspectorate next June.   “We need now to carefully consider the impact of the draft NPPF on this programme We will therefore be seeking more clarity from central government on their methodology for arriving at their new figure as well as on their levels of commitment to providing more support for affordable housing delivery our residents would expect any additional housing to be supported by much-needed infrastructure - including sustainable transport education and community facilities- and we will be making these points clearly in our response to the consultation.” In July the Government announced that all councils in England were to be given new mandatory housing targets and is currently consulting on a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other changes to the planning system.  Bath & North East Somerset Council needs to respond to the consultation and cabinet is being recommended to note the government’s proposed changes to the NPPF and to agree the key elements of the council’s response to the consultation on the revised NPPF and other changes to the planning system Cabinet is recommended to delegate authority to the Executive Director for Sustainable Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Built Environment to agree and submit the council’s response to the government’s consultation on the revised NPPF and other changes to the planning system It is also being asked to agree a reset of the Local Plan and agree its preparation should progress towards submission in advance of the Government’s new deadline of December 2026 The Local Plan is an important statutory document used for decision-making on development and the use of land and when adopted will form the basis for determining planning applications until 2042 Thousands of responses have been received in a consultation held earlier this year on the Local Plan Options Document – the first stage in the development of a new Local Plan which was due to be consulted on early next year.  The outcome of this consultation stage will help to inform the reset of the Local Plan that the council are required to undertake Cabinet is being asked to delegate authority to the Executive Director for Sustainable Communities to agree and publish a revised Local Development Scheme setting out the revised programme for Local Plan preparation And it is recommended the council continues to co-operate with neighbouring authorities and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to ensure that strategic planning delivers the affordable housing we need You can find out more about the Local Plan on the council’s website The report going before cabinet on 12 September can be viewed on the council website  . You can watch the Cabinet meeting live at 6.30pm on the same web page, or watch later on the council’s YouTube channel