Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers from your Focus Team. We hope you have an enjoyable festive season.

You can find out about changes to council opening times and services over Christmas here.

Show your support for a cinema for Yate - sign our petition this week!

More than 250 people have already signed Steve Webb's online petition in support of the planning application for a multi-screen cinema for Yate. The deadline for this application is *this Friday*, 20th December.

Please sign if you haven't already done so, and ask friends, family or colleagues in the Yate area who would really like to see a local cinema too.

You can click here to sign the petition: http://www.stevewebb.org.uk/webb/node/115

Thanks very much!

Nibley Lane to close for cleaning Mon 18 Nov

Nibley Lane is expected to close for cleaning from 9.30am until 2.30pm on 18th November 2013.

Time to apply for revenue grants

If you're a voluntary group working to make our local communities better, did you know that you can apply for a small grant from South Gloucestershire Council to help you do it?

At the September Area Forum capital grants - for "project" type works - were awarded to a number of local organisations:

• South Gloucestershire Citizens Advice Bureau - Boiler replacement - £2844
• Sodbury Tennis Club - Court 4 Floodlighting - £2000
• Shopmobility (South Gloucestershire) - Shopmobility  - £900
• Ridgewood Community Association - New Computers - £1000
• Cafe Ridgewood - Lap top - £500
• Abbotswood Pre-school - Outside Space Project - £3000
• Pop Inn Cafe - £432
• Shireway Community Association/Midway Social Club - Childrens Play Area - £930
• South Gloucestershire Deaf Association - Promotional banner purchase - £148
• Yate and Dodington in Bloom - Carved Sculpture at Jubilee Gardens - £2000
• Yate and District Archaeology Group - Archaeological Equipment - £898
• South Gloucestershire Youth Initiative - St Nicholas Youth centre - £2000
• Yate Star Twirlers - Yate Star Twirlers - £440
• Yate & District Heritage Centre Trust - Laptop for Community Work - £1230
  

The current round of applications is for revenue grants - small grants that can help you with your basic running costs and buying small pieces of equipment. For example, they can help towards room hire, insurance or putting on a community event. We are especially keen to hear from groups that haven't made an application before as we want to make sure we are reaching all parts of the community.

You can find out more and make your application on the South Glos Grants Website. There is also a helpline available on 01454 865865 Mon-Fri, 9 am-4 pm.

In communities that have had new housing, there is also an opportunity to make a proposal for spending some of the New Homes Bonus that the government gives the council for the first 6 years after each new house is built.

 If you want a New Homes Bonus scheme to be considered at the next Area Forum, you need to apply by Monday 4th November. Applications for the following meeting should be submitted by 3rd February. Contact your local councillor if you'd like to know more.

Badminton Road night closures

The A432 Badminton Road will be closed between Culvert Avenue and Nibley Lane 8 pm to 6 am for 4 nights starting on 28th October 2013. This is so that resurfacing work can be carried out.

Have your say on police

You have until Saturday 26th October to tell Avon and Somerset Constabulary what you think about plans to re-shape the structure of the force and the way it works.  You can find out more and have your say on their website.

Art by Yate, 8 by 8

Calling all local artists! Art by Yate is a colourful and imaginative art project created by local people, children, and artists - in fact anybody can have a go. Collectively, the canvases can be seen as an exploration of modern culture and life in Yate, Chipping Sodbury and the surrounding areas.

The vision is to create an exhibition of 8×8 inch canvases each created by a local artist, child, mother, father, or local resident. Anyone can take part.

The canvases will be sold in support of the Chipping Sodbury Lions Club. To take part or find out more, email artbyyate@gmail.com

A38 overnight roadworks 14 to 28 Oct

It may be outside our immediate area, but many people will use the A38 Filton Roundabout when they travel further afield. From 14th-24th October, major resurfacing work will take place at night, starting at 8pm and continuing until about 6am the following morning. All approaches to the roundabout will be closed and traffic diverted.

Yate to Westerleigh road now open again

Network Rail have now finished their work at the double railway bridge and the road is open again. They struck some problems but brought extra people in to finish off the work.

Click to support Paul's Place

Coalpit Heath-based charity Paul's Place for physically disabled adults has been nominated for the Lloyds Community Fund Award 2013 and they need your votes! You can vote for them:

• Online – www.lloydsbank.com/communityfund - You may find it easiest to use the "Search for a good cause" button and put in the postcode BS36 2TT
• By text - text the word VOTE and MQQD to 61119 
• In person at a Lloyds branch – ask in branch for a voting token

You have until 1st November to vote.

Find out more about Paul's Place here

Solar Farm planning application approved

The proposal we told you about back in April for a solar farm at Says Court Farm, in the countryside to the west of Nibley Lane, has now been approved by South Glos Council's planning committee.

The conditions were largely as in the report but with two additions (the conditions proposed by the Coal Authority and Network Rail). The condition about what should happen at the end of the 25 years was reworded so that it also required removal of the apparatus if the generation of power ceased some time before then.

During the meeting, officers also clarified the use of the community benefit fund. While still objecting to the application, Westerleigh Parish Council had negotiated on a "without prejudice" basis a community benefit of £1000 per MW generated, which could mean up to £17,500 a year for environmental projects to benefit the local community. Officers emphasised that their recommendation did not depend on this, it was a unilateral undertaking by the applicants, AEE Renewables. In the first year, £7000 will be available for ecological improvements on site, in conjunction with Avon Wildlife Trust.

Traffic chaos alert - Yate to Westerleigh road to be closed for 10 days from 30 September

Between 30th September and 9th October, Westerleigh Road will be completely closed at the double railway arches, i.e. between the bridge after Nibley Lane to Besom Lane, for repairs to falling masonry on the railway bridge.

This means that for ten days you won't be able to get through from Yate to Westerleigh in either direction. The work is urgent and it’s not possible for Network Rail to close just half the road because of the size of the machinery they need to use.

There will be warning signs about the closure at the entrance to Nibley Lane from Badminton Road and at the Shire Way roundabout.

This is likely to put a lot more traffic on Badminton Road, so please allow extra time if your journey to work takes you that way.

Update 23/09/2013: Just to stress that you WILL be able to get to Wot-Not and adjancent premises, but only from the Westerleigh side.

Update 26/09/2013: Westerleigh Parish Council has been told that there will still be pedestrian access through the works.

Update 09/10/2013: The work looks set to continue tomorrow (Thursday). Fingers crossed that they will be clear for Friday, but if we hear anything we'll let you know.

Nibley Lane to close for cleaning

Nibley Lane, between Westerleigh Road and Badminton Road, is expected to close for cleaning tomorrow, Wednesday 11th September from 9.30am to 2.30pm.

Friendship Clubs

Friendship clubs are for older people who like gentle exercise and games as well as socialising with a cup of tea or coffee. All the clubs are led by a friendly, approachable instructor with a specialist qualification in exercise for older people.

The nearest clubs in our area are:

 Monday at 10am  till 11.30am  at St Nix Family Centre, Chargorve, Yate BS37 4LG

 Friday 10 am till 11.30 am at Cambrian Green  Court. Wellington Road, Yate, BS37. 5TR

To find out more please call 01454 862296 or 07825 155954 for a friendly chat.

Waitrose to open next month

The new Chipping Sodbury Waitrose store will open at 8am on Thursday, October 10. The footbridge link to the High Street should be finished by the end of September.

Chipping Sodbury buses disrupted due to Wickwar Road closure Wed/Thu this week

First Bus say: Due to the closure of Wickwar Road in Chipping Sodbury service 342 and X42 will terminate at the end of St Johns Way and will operate back down St Johns Way instead of Broad Street and Horse Street.

As a result we will not be able to serve the bus stops on Wickwar Road, Broad Street or Horse Street.

Free courses for adult learners in South Glos

Would you like to

• gain a qualification?
• improve your job skills?
• help your children's learning?

South Gloucestershire Community Learning are offering courses in English and Maths to Level 1 and 2 (Level 2 is equivalent to GCSE at A-C grade)

If English is not your first language, there are also short ESOL courses for people who need to improve their language skills for life in the community or for job seeking and work.

There are also IT courses that concentrate on building people's skills for the workplace and help them to search and apply for jobs online.

Other courses cover CV writing and interview skills, and Family Learning courses to help you help your child's learning.

There are enrolment sessions at Yate Library as follows:

• Thursday 5 Sept 5 pm to 7 pm
• Thursday 12 September 10 am to 12 noon

There are also enrolment sessions at other libraries on different days.

For more information you can ring 01454 864813, email community.learning@southglos.gov.uk, or check out the Community Learning website at www.southglos.gov.uk/learningandskills.

Housing for Wapley Court site?

Several planning applications have been submitted for the site of the old Wapley Court Elderly Persons Home, in Kelston Close - the other side of the Rodford Way dual carriageway from Abbotswood shops.

Originally there was one planning application for the demolition and for a mixture of flats and houses. This was then withdrawn, and a "prior notice of demolition" was submitted instead. We anticipate that another housing application will be submitted in due course.

Dodington Parish Council objected to the first application, which was for 16 houses and a block of 9 flats. Kelston Close is the access road for Abbotswood School, Culverhill School and the Phase Five Playgroup, not to mention the QE2 Playing Field. This road is already very crowded at peak school hours, and the Parish Council fears that cars from the new development might start using the heavily used parking bays marked out on Rodford Way.

As the building is surplus to requirements and isn't suitable for community use - we've looked into it - we can't see any objection to the demolition, but we'll let you know when the important planning application for housing is submitted again.

Have you signed Steve Webb's petition for decent buses to Southmead Hospital?

When Frenchay Hospital closes most of its services, most patients from our area will need to find their way to Southmead Hospital instead, through some of the worst traffic in Bristol. There are plans to improve some of the bus services to Southmead, but all our area is being offered is a bus to parkway Station, then you would have to wait for another bus to Southmead.

Imagine trying to get there for an appointment, if you haven't got a car or you acn't drive at the moment, especially if you're feeling unwell. And what about visitors and staff who live in our area? We think this just isn't good enough.

Steve Webb and the Focus Team have already gathered hundreds of signatures on the "We need a bus to Southmead" petition. Steve says

A big thank you to everyone who has responded to the petition already. The Council has a meeting of its PTSE committee (planning, transportation and strategic environment!) in the first week in September and will be looking at options for transport to Southmead, so we'll be sending them the petition before that meeting. If anyone hasn't signed yet, there is still time to sign the online petition at:


http://southmeadbuspetition.wordpress.com/signthepetition/

Want a "Wheely big challenge"? Try the Sodbury Sportive!

This annual cycling event on 18th August offers a choice of 30, 60 and 100 mile routes starting and finishing in Chipping Sodbury. It's organised by the Members and Friends of the Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury. All profits from this classic sportive event will be given to charity.

• Challenging climbs and flowing descents
• Quiet roads and rewarding flat sections
• Excellent food stops
• Mechanical backup
• Hot food at the finish included

There are just a few more places available so sign up now at the Sodbury Sportive web page.

More details  also on the Sodbury Sportive Facebook page.

See the Rugby League World Cup Tropy

Fancy seeing or even holding the Rugby League World Cup Trophy? Then get along to Yate Shopping Centre between 9.30am and 4.30pm on Tuesday 6th August. The Trophy Tour is coming to town.

If you'd like to see some of the action in the autumn, you can be there for the USA v Cook Islands at the Memorial Stadium, Bristol on Wednesday 30 October, Kick-Off 8pm. The ticket hotline is 0844 847 2013 or you can visit www.rlwc2013.com for more information. If you upload your trophy photos to www.trophytour.rlwc2013.com you might even win some match tickets!

Nibley Lane to close for cleaning Friday 19 July

Nibley Lane, from its junction with Westerleigh Road to its junction with Badminton Road, is expected to close for cleaning from 9.30am until 2.30pm this Friday, 19th July.

Shire Way and Heron Way won't be left in the dark

After comments from local councillors, South Glos has decided to keep the lights on all night on these roads.

Shire Way will not be converted to part night street lighting because of the pedestrian crossing and traffic calming features - it would be dangerous.

The whole of Heron Way will be kept lit overnight to avoid confusing motorists by lighting going on-off. The subways will also be lit throughout the night.

Good news on energy

Energy prices are soaring hitting everyone, especially the vulnerable. Your Focus Team has won cross-party backing on South Glos Council for two energy initiatives:

• At Dave Hockey’s suggestion, officers are investigating a council-run collective energy switching scheme. £5000 has been identified to piggy back on the Bristol "Switch and Save" scheme (www.bristolswitchandsave.org.uk) which would allow local residents to gain discounts on their power bills of between £60 and £250 pounds per year.
• Claire Young successfully proposed setting aside £15,000 of Invest to Save money to help kick-start a Community Energy Co-op in South Glos. These organisations support communities to develop renewable energy projects, including on community buildings and schools, and offer people a share in the profits of local installations. Bath and West Community Energy (www.bwce.coop) and Bristol Energy Co-op (www.bristolenergy.coop) are both running successfully in neighbouring authorities.

Community Music Festival 2013 in Kingsgate Park 22-23 June

• Sat 22 June 12.00 pm to 8.00 pm - Live music from bands, dance groups and a wide range of entertainment
• Sun 23 June 10.30 am - Praise in the Park with local churches
• Sun 23 June 3.00 pm to 5.00 - Picnic in the Park with live music from Westerly Show Band, Ben Burrows and others

Wet and dry at Chipping Sodbury Festival!

The rain absolutely poured down at lunchtime, but Dodington Parish Band played nevertheless!

Fortunately the weather cleared in time for the Carnival procession (click arrow for slide show):

Chipping Sodbury Festival's Big Weekend

Chipping Sodbury Festival goes out with a real bang this weekend with a whole host of events:

Sat 15 June - All Day Street Fayre and Carnival

1.00 pm Dodington Parish Band
2.00 - 4.30 pm Tower visits at St John's Church
3.00 pm Carnival procession with Avon Glen Pipes and Drums and Panache Steel Band
8.00 pm Last Night of the Proms - Flowers Band  (tickets from the Town Hall, if they've got any left)

Sun 16 June - Winding down!

11.30 am and 12.30 pm Cycle Rides
25 mile ride starting at 11.30, 12 mile family ride starting at 12.30
Meet at the Clock Tower, High Street
Finishing in Jubilee Park by about 2.00 pm

2.00 pm Grand Duck Race on the River Frrome, Jubilee Park organised by Wildlife Trust - refreshemenst available. Sponsoor a duck for £1.00 (adults) or 50p (children) per race. Fun for all!

6.30 pm Festival Songs of Praise in Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church

More details of events from http://www.chippingsodburyfestival.co.uk

Chipping Sodbury Festival gets feet tapping tonight

Chipping Sodbury Festival is well under way, and it's Music in the Street tonight from 7.30 pm - all free!

• Opening with winners of School Battle of the Bands
• Pure Dance Crew
• Main act - Vegas performing Beatles music and other songs from the period

Broad Street will be closed to traffic during the evening.

More Festival details here
Day-By-Day events listings

South Glos consultation on switching Yate street lights off after midnight

During 2013 the council is extending its ‘part-night’ lighting scheme throughout South Gloucestershire. A fifth of South Glos street lights successfully converted to part-night operation so that they are switched off between midnight and 5:00 am GMT in order to reduce carbon emissions and conserve energy.

There is a rolling programme to convert the lights - Yate will be converted during August, and other local areas are also being converted. All street lights will be switched to part-night operation except:

• Places where South Glos consider they help mitigate crime and anti-social behaviour, or improve road safety and reduce accidents
• Lights that are important for the operation of council or police CCTV surveillance cameras
• Lights that are close to 24-hour emergency services such as hospitals
• Lights next to pedestrian crossings and controlled junctions
• Lights next to sheltered housing premises

Lights that meet these criteria will stay on throughout the night.

To see maps of the areas where lights will remain on or be switched off, and to comment on the proposals, please visit this South Glos web page and clcik through to view the plans:
Yate street lighting

South Glos are asking for comments on specific lights that should not be switched off because they fall into the categories above. They are NOT inviting comments on the council's part-night lighting policy overall - the decision to move has already been taken to move to part-night street lighting.

The comments period will run until 15th July.

Update on planning blueprint for South Glos

There is still uncertainty about how many dwellings will have to be accommodated in South Gloucestershire in the next five years and where they should go.

 Local residents were delighted when the Engine Common appeal was dismissed but there was a sting in the tail. The Inspector dealing with it accepted the developer’s evidence that South Gloucestershire Council has not identified enough housing sites that are available during the next five years to meet Government requirements.

The Core Strategy Inspector has recognised that this means that he has to give further consideration to the housing figures. South Gloucestershire Planning Officers need to let him have any comments on the issue by 7th June.

A question mark still hangs over developer-proposed sites which so far the Inspector has not identified for development. 

Chipping Sodbury Youth Club to reopen this Thursday

Chipping Sodbury Youth Club will reopen this Thursday 6th June from 7.00 pm. Then:

• Wednesday 12th June 7.00pm (Music Night)
• Thursday 13th June 7.00pm

• Wednesday 19th June 7.00pm (Music Night)
• Thursday 20th June 7.00pm

• Monday 24th June
• Wednesday 25th June 7.00pm (Music Night)
• Thursday 26th June 7.00pm

The Club will be closing for a week at August Bank Holiday, 2 weeks at Christmas and a week at Easter.

Dodington Road safety issues

In April Claire Young carried out a survey in Dodington Road (the road that runs past Chipping Sodbury School and into the country area) to find out what people thought about various options for pavements to increase pedestrian safety.

Most people supported both extending the pavement on the school playing field side to a safer crossing point and creating a pavement on the same side as the houses from there up to at least the bend. Given the costs, it would be difficult for the Area Forum to fund both in one year, so they have been added to the Local Transport Priority List as two separate schemes. It would not make sense to create a path from the bend down to Woodlands without there then being a crossing point to another footpath, so extending the existing pavement on the school playing field side to a safer crossing point is described as phase 1 and the scheme to create a path from the crossing point along to the bend as phase 2.

The proposals will be scored by officers along with all the other potential schemes on the list, which will help inform the Frome Vale Area Forum in making a decision next March as to which schemes will be funded. Members of the public can attend the Forum to speak for in support of schemes.

Appeal against wind turbine refusal

The applicant has submitted an appeal against the planning committee’s refusal of permission to build a wind turbine south of the B4465 between Westerleigh and Codrington.

All the original comments will be sent to the appeal inspector, they do not need to be resubmitted, but if you have any additional points to make to the Inspector the deadline is 25 June. You can find details of the appeal by going to the planning portal and using the reference number: APP/P0119/A/13/2196500.

Dodington Road safety issues

In April Claire Young carried out a survey in Dodington Road to find out what people thought about various options for pavements to increase pedestrian safety.

Most people supported both extending the pavement on the school playing field side to a safer crossing point and creating a pavement on the same side as the houses from there up to at least the bend. Given the costs, it would be difficult for the Area Forum to fund both in one year, so they have been added to the Local Transport Priority List as two separate schemes. It would not make sense to create a path from the bend down to Woodlands without there then being a crossing point to another footpath, so extending the existing pavement on the school playing field side to a safer crossing point is described as phase 1 and the scheme to create a path from the crossing point along to the bend as phase 2.

The proposals will be scored by officers along with all the other potential schemes on the list, which will help inform the Frome Vale Area Forum in making a decision next March as to which schemes will be funded. Members of the public can attend the Forum to speak for in support of schemes.

Yate spur cycle path latest

The cycle path has been constructed from Coxgrove Hill (at the northern end of the existing Bristol to Bath railway path link) as far north as Westerleigh Road. On this section, between the M4 motorway and Westerleigh Road, there are further works to complete which include the installation of a footbridge at Folly Brook and minor works at the level crossing and the Network Rail car park. Officers are intending to install the bridge at Folly Brook next month, which will take about one week to complete. The works at the level crossing and Network Rail car park are subject to negotiations with Network Rail.

It is anticipated that the next phase of works from Westerleigh Road to Westerleigh village including the provision of a traffic island on Westerleigh Road will be constructed in 2013/14 (possible start date in June). The remainder of the route from Westerleigh village to Yate will be delivered when funding becomes available.

Unfortunately, there are no funds in 2013/14 to construct the fishing lakes route towards the Science Park even though planning permission has been given. Again, officers hope to secure funding in future years so that this route can be built.

Nibley Lane to close for cleaning this Thursday

Nibley Lane is expected to close for cleaning from its junction with Badminton Road to its junction with Westerleigh Road on Thursday 16 May 2013 from 9.30am until 2.30pm.

(Before anyone says "What - again?" it probably really needs it this time. There's a car embedded in the hedge half way along...)

Does your group need a grant?

If you are involved in a voluntary group and would like a small grant to help you serve the local community, now is the time to apply for a South Gloucestershire Capital Grant.

Starting today, you can apply for up to £3000 (in the Frome Vale Area, there is no limit in Severn Vale although obviously the total funding available is limited). The decision on how much to award will be made by local councillors at the relevant Area Forum. The closing date is 10 June and you apply online. If you need help, ring the Grants Helpline on 01454 865865.

Dodington in the Dark? Street light switch off - proposals for Dodington Parish

As we previously reported, during 2013 South Glos Council will be extending its ‘part-night’ lighting scheme throughout South Gloucestershire. During July 2013 streetlights in Dodington Parish are programmed to be converted to switch off during the early hours of the morning.

You can view the detailed plans and associated information online. Print copies will also be available to view in Yate One Stop Shop and Yate library. You can also find out more online about part night lighting more generally, including the criteria for which lights are left on. If you have concerns that some of the criteria have not been applied correctly, you have until 12th June to make comments.

Yate Cinema consultation this week - come and see the plans!

The public consultation for the proposed new cinema development at Yate Shopping Centre will take place on Thursday, 9^thMay and Friday 10^thMay. The display will be in the former Stead & Simpson shop at Unit No1, South Walk and will be manned by members of the Project Development Team at the following times:
Thursday, 9 May Noon – 8.00pm
Friday, 10 May 10.00am – 6.00pm

The display will then stay in the unit until 5.00pm on Monday 13 May where visitors can view it at their leisure during Centre opening times. The proposals are for a six-screen cinema, restaurants and retail units on the land behind the Link Road overflow car park.

We need a direct bus to Southmead Hospital!

The main NHS acute hospital for people in and around Yate is moving from Frenchay to Southmead next year. So how would YOU get from Yate or Chipping Sodbury to Southmead, without a car?

Steve Webb asked the question, and the best they could come up with was to catch a bus to Bristol Parkway and then change and get another bus to Southmead. Imagine - it's cold, it's wet, and you're already not feeling very well.

According to the North Bristol NHS Trust "whilst a direct service from Southmead to Yate was considered early on in discussions it would be unaffordable as a new service" - it's just not good enough.

You can join Steve Webb's new Facebook group "We need a bus to Southmead", and we'll keep you posted here as well.

Free child car seat safety checks today at Yate Fire Station (Mon 29 April)

South Gloucestershire Council's Road Safety Team and Avon & Somerset Police are carrying out free child car seat safety checks today (Monday 29 April) between 8.30am and 4pm at the Fire Station on Station Road, Yate.

So far 44 seats have been checked and 8 out of 10 were found to require adjustment. Similar events will be held in South Gloucestershire between June and August.

Solar Farm application - have your say

AEE Renewables have submitted their application for a solar farm at Says Court Farm, in the countryside to the west of Nibley Lane.

You can view the details and make any comments you may have on the South Glos website. The closing date for comments is 1st May.

The best map is shown as "PLANNING STATEMENT(APPENDIX A: LOCATION PLAN)" - the South Glos location plans are muddy and not easy to locate the site from.

Have your say on bus fares

You can now have your say online as part of the First Bus fare review process. They are hoping to hear from both bus users and those who don't currently use the bus. The survey is available here:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/fareconsultation

You have until 29 June to fill it in. If you know people who would like to respond but who aren't online, hard copies will be available at the Travel Shop in Bristol Bus Station from the end of April. First Bus have also organised some events where people can have their say in person:

• Monday 22 April: Clifton Downs Shopping Centre, from 9am until 5pm
• Wednesday 24 April: The Galleries Shopping Centre (near the post office), Bristol, from 9am until 5.30pm
• Wednesday 24 April: Bristol Bus Station – Travel Shop, Marlborough Street, Bristol, from 11am until 4pm
• Thursday 25 April: Willow Brook Shopping Centre, Bradley Stoke, from 11am until 7pm
• Thursday 25 April: Bristol Bus Station – Travel Shop, Marlborough Street, Bristol, from 8am until 11am and 4pm until 7pm
• Friday 26 April: Kings Chase Shopping Centre, Kingswood, from 9am until 5pm
• Friday 26 April: Bristol Bus Station – Travel Shop, Marlborough Street, Bristol, from 10am until 12.30pm

FREE courses for adults whose first language is not English

2 Free ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses starting in May:

English and Life in the Community – for those who have limited English language skills
and need to improve their speaking and listening skills
The Armadillo, 10am-12noon, 10 sessions, 8th May-17th July 2013

English for Work – for those who are more confident with English but need to improve
their skills for job seeking and the workplace
The Armadillo, 1pm-3pm, 10 sessions, 8th May-17th July 2013

There will be an assessment and enrolment session at Yate Library
on Tuesday 30th April from 2-4pm.  Please come along - pre-enrolment is essential
Please attend if you want to enrol on either course. 

For more information please call Maggie on 01454 864613

Join the Discover Festival

South Gloucestershire Council is currently planning the 2013 Discover Festival which will take place 12th September to 1st November 2013. The first Discover Festival in 2012 saw over 6,000 people attending 186 events across the local area and had themes around heritage, food, nature, arts, health and wellbeing, and also special events for people aged 50+. The Festival is organised by South Gloucestershire Council working in partnership with community groups and businesses.

For this year’s festival the council is inviting businesses, community groups or organisations to organise an open day, a talk, a walk, a taster session or a performance to promote their group or area to allow them to showcase their work and encourage new members to join. Previous examples of events at Discover include food tasting sessions, drawing classes, history talks, nature walks, workshops on tracing your family tree, and an open day at a local brewery.

If you are involved in a group or business that would like to organise an event you can register at www.southglos.gov.uk/registerfordiscover before Friday 3 May.

Oil spills - what to do

Every year there are several pollution incidents in South Gloucestershire caused by faulty or badly maintained domestic heating oil pipes and tanks. Leaked oil can be very difficult and expensive to clean up. In some circumstances residents have had to move out of their houses for months because of the fumes from leaked oil.

The Environmental Protection team at South Glos has a leaflet online that gives advice on how to prevent an oil leak, what to do if you find a leak and the law relating to tanks and spillages.

New courses - IT for the workplace and for job seekers

South Glos have announced two new courses designed to improve local people's IT skills:

IT for the Workplace


This course is specifically for those requiring skills for the workplace (including voluntary work)

- Do your IT skills need an overhaul to keep up with the demands of your job?
- Do you want to improve your IT skills for your CV?

This FREE course will equip you to use Microsoft Office software for use in an office environment

The course will include:
•    Word
•    Excel
•    Internet
•    Mail Merge

Yate Library Wednesdays 6.30pm-8.30pm
8 sessions starting Wednesday 5th June 2013

For more information or to enrol call 01454 864613
or email community.learning@southglos.gov.uk


IT for Job Seekers


This course is specifically for those adults who are currently seeking employment

- Do you want to improve your IT skills to help you to find employment?

This FREE course will help you to:
•    Create your CV
•    Use Universal Job Match to search for jobs
•    Send emails with attachments
•    Use Microsoft Word software

Yate Library Wednesdays 1-3pm,
8 sessions starting 5th June 2013

For more information and to enrol, please call 01454 864613
or email community.learning@southglos.gov.uk

Have your say on health and wellbeing strategy

You have until 15th May to have your say on the draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy for South Gloucestershire. This is the document that will set out the priorities to make sure that local health and care services meet the needs of local people in the coming years.

The draft strategy includes priorities such as health and care providers making it easier for people to make healthy lifestyle choices, for example by providing advice on stopping smoking or taking more exercise. It also highlights the fact that health is generally poorer in some parts of South Glos than others.

You can view and make your comments on the strategy online.

South Gloucestershire Welfare Grant Scheme

Changes contained in the Welfare Reform Act 2012 mean that certain elements of the discretionary Social Fund scheme will be replaced by new locally based provision delivered by local authorities.

From 1 April 2013 crisis loans and community care grants were replaced by the welfare grant scheme. These changes mean that you can no longer apply for certain parts of the social fund.

You may be able to get some help if you are

    in a crisis
    in an emergency
    in receipt of certain benefits
    on a very low income
    live in South Gloucestershire
    looking for a home in South Gloucestershire

Please apply on line using South Gloucestershire welfare grant scheme or call 01454 868899.

Bids for funding for youth activities

South Gloucestershire Council has set up a new grants programme to encourage young people to participate in positive activities across South Gloucestershire. At the recent area forums, money was awarded to support work at a number of existing youth clubs in the area. The remaining money will be allocated at meetings later in the year.

Funding from the Positive Activities Subsidy Grants Programme is available for organisations working with young people aged 13 to 19 years old (or up to 25 years old for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities). Priority will be given to:

• Organisations who can demonstrate that young people have been involved in the decision making process and in selecting activities
• Applications from young people who may experience additional barriers to accessing positive activities. The council would like to encourage applications from young people from different equality groups

Quartet Community Foundation has been appointed by the Council to manage and administer fund. Applications forms can be downloaded from their web site. When applying for a grant you also need to include:

• A copy of your organisation’s constitution or set of rules
• A copy of your organisation’s most recent accounts or financial information
• A list of the names and addresses of the management committee
• A copy of your child protection policy if you work with children and young people

For further information and a full set of funding criteria please contact Quartet Community Foundation on 0117 989 7700 or visit www.quartetcf.org.uk

Support a local charity by watching football!

A quick plug for a charity fundraising football match on Saturday week (20th April) in aid of local anti-bullying charity BullyWatch: "There will be a Community Shield football Match on 20th April at Yate Town Football club between our local clubs Dodington FC and Cesson FC 3pm kick off. There will be a raffle and auction and everyone is welcome. The cost will be £2.00 on the gate". Well done to Julie Oakley for organising.

Update: This event raised £650 for BullyWatch. And the final score? Dodington FC 3, Cesson FC 2. Well done to all concerned!

Jubilee Garden celebration Day this Saturday

Jubilee Garden is on the junction of Kennedy Way and Sundridge Park, Yate - the opposite corner to Lidl.

On Saturday 13 April from 10am to 2pm ther will be an event organised by Walking To Health:

• Help to plant a meadow
• Tea party and refreshments available
• Speak to one of a  travel planners for information and advice
• Hear all about Yate in Bloom
• Try the Smoothie Bike – make your own smoothie with pedal power!
• Find out about local gentle walking groups and outdoor activities for all abilities.

Also, have your say! Organisers would like to hear from residents about whether further developments of the park would be welcomed, including renovation of the underpass at Jubilee Garden.

Stop the alien invaders - join the Big Pull this summer!

Himalayan Balsam is an extremely invasive weed that is threatening parts of the Frome Valley Walkway and other areas. It smothers our native flowers and causes erosion and flooding.

Big Pull community workdays are being planned this June/July to remove it from the Walkway between Station Road and Goose Green Community Nature Area in Yate.  This tenacious invasive plant is currently just on the edge of Goose Green and we are very keen to prevent it spreading into the Community Nature Area and further along the River Frome.

This summer's workdays are Saturdays 1, 15, 29 June and 13 July from 10am to 1pm, meeting at the far end of Celestine Road, Yate, BS37 5HB. All ages are welcome. Gloves, free refreshments and snacks are provided. there is no need to book. Long sleeved clothing advised and sun cream and a hat if the weather is hot.

The Big Pull work days are being organised by the South Gloucestershire Council Wild4life Project and Avon Invasive Weeds Project. If you are part of an organisation or group interested in being involved in a workday on an alternative day they would love to hear from you - please ring 01454 863556.

Chipping Sodbury School consult on Co-operative Trust

The Governing body of Chipping Sodbury School is consulting on a proposed change of category from a Voluntary Controlled to a Foundation school, and at the same time acquiring a co-operative charitable trust, to be called the Chipping Sodbury School Co-operative Trust. You can find out more and have your say on their website.

Council tax guide

This year the council is saving money by not including a printed council tax guide in every council tax bill. Instead you can find it online or you can write to the council or call 01454 868003 for a printed copy.

Last chance to have your say on supported bus routes

South Gloucestershire Council is currently asking for views on those bus services that it supports that are up for tender this year. These include a number of services in our area.

 84 Yate - Charfield - Wotton under Edge 
 86 Wotton-under-Edge - Hawkesbury Upton - Yate - Kingswood
 482 / 483 Chipping Sodbury - Winterbourne - Cribbs Causeway & Aztec West
 620 Bath - Yate - Old Sodbury 

plus the Sundays and Bank Holidays services on this route:
 622 Chipping Sodbury - Thornbury - Cribbs Causeway

A decision will be made by members as to whether these services
a) continue in their current form
b) continue but with changes to route and/or timings
c) cease service

To find out more and have your say visit the consultation page before tomorrow, Friday 12th April.

South Glos Capital Grants about to open for business

Are you a voluntary group working in South Gloucestershire? Do you serve your local community to make their lives better? And would a small grant from South Gloucestershire Council help you do it?

All these grants are designed for volunteer groups that want to develop projects and provide activities that meet local needs.  They can include art and culture, children and play, community safety, developing communities, enhancing the natural and built environment, learning activities, promoting equality and tackling poverty, sports, and supporting vulnerable people.

The Capital Grants have no lower limit and you can apply for up to £3000.

If you would like to apply for funding, applications can be made from Monday 29 April 2013. You have 6 weeks to apply (closing date is 10 June 2013) - lots of help is available.

Applications can be made online at the Council’s grants web page as soon as the scheme opens. Yopu are welcome to phone the Grants Helpline on 01454-865865 for an informal chat.

A major cinema for Yate is in sight at last!

The owners of Yate Shopping Centre have announced a consultation on plans for a cinema complex on the land at the back of the Overflow Car Park. At a press conference with Steve Webb MP - a long-term campaigner for the cinema - proposals were revealed for a six-screen cinema complex, six restaurants and three or four shop units. There will be extra parking spaces, and over 150 jobs will be created.

The plans will be presented to Yate Town Council this week, and then they will be put on display in one of the shop units in the Shopping Centre. The public will be able to come along and quiz the developers about the scheme.

Once any fine-tuning has been done there will be a formal planning application. If all goes well the cinema could be open by Christmas 2014 or Easter 2015.

You can read the Shopping Centre press release here: http://www.yateshoppingcentre.co.uk/Media-Centre/Cinema-Restaurants-and-Retail-12-million-investment-planned-at-Yate-Shopping-Centre

We'll post more details as we get them. And no, the first film won't be "Bridge Over the River Frome"!

Nibley Lane closure

Nibley Lane is expected to be closed for cleaning between its junction with Badminton Road and its junction with Westerleigh Road from 9.30am until 2.30pm on Thursday 28th March 2013.

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.

South Glos consultation on switching street lights off after midnight

During 2013 the council will be extending its ‘part-night’ lighting scheme throughout South Gloucestershire. A fifth of South Glos street lights successfully converted to part-night operation so that they are switched off between midnight and 5:00 am GMT in order to reduce carbon emissions and conserve energy.

There is a rolling programme to convert the lights - Chipping Sodbury and Westerleigh will be converted during March, and other areas will follow. All street lights will be switched to part-night operation except:

• Places where South Glos consider they help mitigate crime and anti-social behaviour, or improve road safety and reduce accidents
• Lights that are important for the operation of council or police CCTV surveillance cameras
• Lights that are close to 24-hour emergency services such as hospitals
• Lights next to pedestrian crossings and controlled junctions
• Lights next to sheltered housing premises

Lights that meet these criteria will stay on throughout the night.

To see maps of the areas where lights will remain on or be switched off, and to comment on the proposals, please visit these South Glos web pages:
Chipping Sodbury
Westerleigh

South Glos are asking for comments on specific lights that should not be switched off because they fall into the categories above. They are NOT inviting comments on the council's part-night lighting policy overall - the decision to move has already been taken to move to part-night street lighting.

We'll let you know about the Yate and Dodington parish consultations when they come out.

Free electric blanket testing on Friday at Yate Library

There will be FREE electric blanket testing this Friday (25th January) at Yate Library. Do you know some elderly people who might benefit? Or maybe you work with elderly people and could pass the word around?

Free testing and free blanket if their blanket fails - ring Fiona O'Driscoll on 01454 863632 to book. There are plenty of spaces available at the moment.

SORT IT! Centres open again today

South Glos Council say that as we didn’t get any more snow yesterday all four SORT IT!* Centres are OPEN today. 

Latest SORT IT! updates are posted here.

Snow and missed recycling collections

South Glos Council has announced: 

"Due to the snow and icy conditions on Friday 18 January, there were no household collections of waste or recycling in South Gloucestershire. Residents are asked to take their containers back onto their property and present them on their next scheduled collection day. For food waste this is the following week and for other materials the following fortnight. Reasonable amounts of side waste (waste that won't fit in the bin/box) will be collected"

Meanwhile the Sort-It Centres are closed today (Saturday 19 January) and decisions on opening will be taken on a daily basis.

Fancy being your own boss? Get expert help at Yate Library on 30 January

Find out more about setting up and running your own business at this evening session at Yate Library 6.30 - 9.00 pm on Wednesday 30 January.

You can register by emailing yate.library@southglos.gov.uk or by phoning 01454 868006.

This is a joint event by Sodbury and Yate Business Association and South Gloucestershire Council.