Have your say on council's parking enforcement policy

In 2007 South Gloucestershire Council introduced decriminalised parking enforcement. This means that for certain offences, council officers rather than the police enforce the law. Since then the Department for Transport have introduced a number of new powers, including some which the council can choose whether or not to take up. At the same time, the council has been developing its own "custom and practice". All these are now being brought together in a comprehensive parking enforcement policy.

You can read the proposed policy and make comments on the Council's website. The deadline for comments is 14 December 2012.

Small grants - apply now

If you are a local voluntary or community group in need of a small grant, now is the time to get your applications in. You can apply for up to £3,000 from South Glos's Small Revenue Grants - do it now on the council’s website. The closing date is 26 November 2012 and if you need help you can call the Grants Helpline on 01454-865865 for an informal chat. The decision on how much to award each group will be made by local councillors at the spring Frome Vale Area Forum.

Day care services - give your views

You have until Sunday 28th October to tell South Glos Council what you think day services in South Gloucestershire should look like in the future. You can fill in the survey online.

Badminton Road overnight closure 26/27 October

The A432 Badminton Road will be closed at the railway viaduct from midnight to 6am on 26th October 2012. Pedestrians will be escorted through the site when it is safe to do so.

Yate Bus Station update - good news and bad news

Good news: There's some progress on reducing the draughtiness of the bus station shelter - the "baffle boards" should be fitted to the bottom of the timetable and Real Time Information boards.

Bad news: South Glos have got a quote for a second shelter but say they haven't got any money for it. They say that if Yate Town Council want another shelter they'll have to fund it themsleves (even though it was South Glos that decided to install a smaller shelter than had been agreed)

First Bus abandons North Yate in the evening

As one of our readers has pointed out, the First Bus changes mean that there will no longer be an evening service from Bristol to North Yate - just in time for the cold dark evenings!

Yate Town Council are on the case - Ian Blair raised this at the council meeting last week and they have complained to South Glos for precisely this reason.

Changes to First Bus services

With effect from 4th November there are some changes to First services affecting our area. Passengers are advised to check timetables before travelling - new timetables should be uploaded on the South Glos Council bus timetable page shortly.


Service 327 (Bristol - Yate)

• Monday to Saturday there will two additional journeys at 20:50 and 22:50 from Bristol to Yate.
• Monday to Saturday there will be an additional and later last journey at 2140 from Yate to Bristol.

Service 329 (Bristol - Yate)

• The Monday to Saturday evening Service 329 will be withdrawn.
• The Sunday and Public Holiday daytime journeys operated by another operator will continue to operate.
• The following Monday to Saturday evening journeys will be withdrawn:
     20:50 Bristol, Bus Station to Yate, Shopping Centre
     22:45 Bristol, Colston Street to Yate, Shopping Centre
     21:37 Yate, Shopping Centre to Bristol, Bus Station
     23:37 Yate, Shopping Centre to Bristol, Colston Street
• Please see changes to Service 327 and Service 342 for details of alternative journeys.  

Service 342/X42 (Bristol – Chipping Sodbury)

• Monday to Saturday there will be an additional Service 342 journey at 22:30 from Bristol to Chipping Sodbury. This additional journey will mean that there is now an hourly service from Bristol to Chipping Sodbury throughout the evening.
• The Monday to Saturday 22:17 Service 342 from Chipping Sodbury to Bristol, Colston Street will terminate at Bristol, Bus Station and re-timed to depart at 22:30.
• Monday to Saturday 23:15 Service 342 from Bristol, Colston Street to Chipping Sodbury will start from Bristol, Bus Station at 23:30.
• Monday to Friday 05:50 Service 342 journey from Chipping Sodbury to Bristol will be brought forward to 05:40.

Need some careers advice or help choosing a university course?

Need advice? Visit Ambitions 2012 at UWE and talk to an expert.

The event takes place over two days on 23 and 24 October at the University of the West of England Exhibition and Conference Centre. Featuring more than 100 local and regional organisations, including employers, universities, colleges, training providers and volunteering organisations, this is a great opportunity for all 13 to 19 year-olds to kick-start their future career.

More details available here

Want a job? Aged 16 to 18? This training could be just what you need!

KTS Training is starting an exciting, brand new 'I Just Want a Job' course at the Ridgewood centre in Yate.

It is aimed at young people aged between 16- 18 who are not currently in employment, training or education and will give them the opportunity to achieve a qualification and enhance their employability skills.

The eight week intensive programme will cover employability skills including mock interviews, CV work and help and expertise in job applications.

The full range of subjects the learners will study on the programme includes first aid, customer service skills, target setting, CV and Cover letter work, numeracy skills at work, mock interviews and techniques, work standards, rights and responsibilities in the work place and team work.

The portfolio driven work that learners will complete will result in an Employability qualification at Level 1 and learners will be matched to a 2 week work placement at the end of their programme and will be provided with interview clothes completely free of charge.

Places are limited to 10 initially and they are recruiting now so contact 07722994238 or email Nicola.lace@ktsgroup.co.uk