Free Job Fair, Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, this Friday

Chipping Sodbury Lions Club is organising a free Job Fair on Friday 22 February from 7.00 am to 11.30 am at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall.

The Fair will offer a chance for local employers to chat informally with those attending the event over a free breakfast. The secrets of job hunting will also be revealed in a presentation: How to find your ideal job.

The event is open to job hunters of all ages. It will specifically highlight opportunities and support for 18 to 24 year olds, with details of the latest government schemes designed to encourage employers to invest in young recruits.

Online registration and further information is available at www.lionsjobfair.org.uk

Out of work, not at college, 16 to 25? "Get on Track" could be for you!

If you are out of work or college and aged between 16‐25, then the ‘Get on Track’ programme is for you.
‘Get on Track’ provides you with the self‐discipline, motivation and confidence you need to enhance your chances of employment.

This FREE programme is run through the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust - you will be mentored by world class athletes, who have experienced the highs and lows of world class competition. Financial support and transport to the course are available.

Get On Track will include

• Team Building and Problem Solving
• Community Give back
• CV and Interview Skills
• Work Experience
• Confidence Building Activities

"The whole Get On Track programme has been amazing. It’s improved my confidence so much and given me experience of working as a team which I didn’t have before" - Jamie, 22

The Get on Track programme can lead on to further optional opportunities such as:

• Suited and booted – employment skills course (a free suit   to all finishers)
• Hired & Inspired – follow on course with free tablet computer to all finishers
• Introduction to Sports Coaching 1 day
• 2 day leadership course
• Community Sports Leaders award (30hrs)
• Access to South Gloucestershire Council apprenticeship schemes with South Gloucestershire & Stroud College.

For more details of the next Get On Track programme starting 12th March 2013 and how to apply, or for details of recruitment events, contact Jonathan Wheeler jonathan.wheeler@southglos.gov.uk or tel.
01454 864618.

‘Get Hired’ Employability Event, Filton 7th March

South Glos Council has announced a major employability event at Filton Community Centre, 2 pm – 6.30 pm on Thursday 7th March 2013.

• Local businesses, organisations and employment agencies -vacancies, apprenticeship and volunteering opportunities
• Workshops on CV building, dressing for success, confidence building, assertiveness and interview techniques
• Welfare advisers - benefits, tax credits, child care and other entitlements
• Inspirational female speakers will share their journey with aspiring women throughout the day in honour of International Women’s Day
• Crèche available

Donations needed for Coronation street party in Chipping Sodbury

Could you or your  business help fund a major community event on June 2nd?

Sodbury Celebrates – The Big Lunch will take place in Broad Street on the same day as the national Big Lunch initiative and the 60th anniversary of The Queen’s coronation. Organisers are looking for funding to cover costs such as the closure of Broad Street, public liability insurance, marshals and First Aid cover. They would be happy to print the logo of any local business sponsor on all their publicity.

The events builds on the hugely successful Sodbury Jubilee Celebrations in 2012. People will be encouraged to bring their own tables, chairs and gazebos and either enjoy their own picnics or purchase food from the local pubs and eateries which will be holding outdoor stalls and barbecues. There will be entertainment in the Street, a children’s fancy dress competition and a miniature garden competition.

"This is an event organised by the community for the community but it won’t be possible without the community’s help" said organiser Alexandra Womack.

If you or your business would like to sponsor the event or make a donation , please email alexandra.womack@hotmail.co.uk or call 07740 370586. Cheques should be made payable to Sodbury Celebrates – The Big Lunch.

For more details please check out the article in the Gazette.

Wind turbine application resubmitted

The application for a wind turbine south of the B4465 between Codrington and Westerleigh has been resubmitted. You can view the application and make comments on the South Glos website.

Could you be a Sport Maker?

Were you inspired by the London 2012 Games Makers? Would you like to help make sport happen locally?

Sport Makers is one of the Government's 2012 Legacy programmes. It aims to use the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to inspire the next generation of sport volunteers. Sport Makers are asked to give 10 hours of their time to help make sport happen in their community.

Free workshops are being held regularly and can be found on the Sports Maker website www.sportmakers.co.uk.

Core Strategy saga continues

The Government Inspector considering South Gloucestershire's planning blueprint for development up to 2027 will be holding another session of the Examination in Public on 7th March in the Kingswood Civic Centre, starting at 10am. Although South Glos Council has accepted his requirement for 28,355 homes by 2027 it has objected strongly to his request for at least 8,493 of these to be available in the first 5 years. The council has, however, reluctantly put forward extra sites. The session in March would allow public discussion as the Inspector considers whether, if he insists on his requirement, these sites are better than the others considered at the inquiry last summer. He has specifically mentioned sites at Thornbury, Yate/Chipping Sodbury, Severnside and the East and North Fringes of Bristol. Watch this space for more news.

Join the BIG Spring Clean 2013

Would you or a group you belong to like to help clean up our local area this spring? The South Gloucestershire BIG Spring Clean 2013 runs from 1 March – 30 April and is once again part of the national Love Where You Live campaign.

Free gloves, refuse sacks, litter pickers and hoops are on offer to groups who organise a community BIG Spring Clean event. The council will also arrange to collect all the litter you pick up as long as it is bagged and pick up locations are agreed in advance. Unfortunately skips can no longer be provided.

You can find out more and register for your supplies online - the deadline for registration is 22nd February. You might also like to register your event on the Love Where You Live website, where you can also access useful resources.

School admissions consultation

South Glos Council is currently asking for your views on its proposed schools admissions policy for 2014/15. This is that policy that will state how school places will be allocated for that year. Last year some local residents felt they were disadvantaged because of where they lived. You can view the proposed policy and comment online.

The future of rehabilitation services

If you are interested in the future of rehabilitation services in South Gloucestershire, you may be interested in attending an event on Monday 11th February 2013 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm in Yate Parish Hall, Station Road, Yate BS37 4PQ.

Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Primary Care Trusts are working together in partnership to deliver the Healthy Futures Programme. Following consultations in November and December 2012 they have created draft proposals. This meeting is an opportunity for patients, carers and members of the public to find out more and give feedback.

Sandwiches, cakes, tea & coffee will be provided. For more information and to book a place at this event, please email healthy.futures@bristol.nhs.uk or telephone 0117 9841597.

Patient drop-off changes at BRI

There are currently changes to the patient drop off area between the Bristol Royal Infirmary and the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. These temporary changes are to enable building work that is part of the redevelopment of the BRI to take place and they are expected to last until 8 March.

A staffed barrier is in place at the entrance to the hospitals and drivers will only be able to get through in an emergency or if dropping off a child with mobility difficulties. Drivers dropping off adults with mobility difficulties can use the council-controlled drop-off area in front of the BRI but, as this is a drop off area only, should avoid leaving cars unattended.

For those who need further assistance when dropping off a patient in this area, a phone number has been set up for them to call and a member of staff will give advice and call porters if necessary. The number is 07771 334 388. Wherever possible all patients and visitors for the BRI and the children's hospital should avoid driving into the hospital precinct and use nearby car parks, the free hospital bus or other bus services instead.

Nibley Lane to close for cleaning this Friday

Nibley Lane is expected to close for cleaning from its junction with Badminton Road to its junction with Westerleigh Road on Friday 8th February 2013 from 9.30am until 2.30pm.

Part-night street lighting consultation - Old Sodbury

As explained in our previous post, South Glos Council is consulting about which street lights will be switched off after midnight.

The consultation and plan for the Old Sodbury area - including The Bell to the Cross Hands - is available here: Old Sodbury consultation

Lights in this area will be switched off in April unless certain criteria apply.