The negotiations between Council, Charity Commission and the Rec Trust are inching forward to a solution.

It looks like the breakthrough may be in adding land to the Trust. Something I first suggested 4 years ago when I proposed adding the Tumps into the trust as a way of enlarging the trust and providing more land for open access to all for sport and leisure. The latest proposal is to add the Firs Field which the people of Combe Down support – so lets hope it helps unlock the stalemate.

I also support the view of our local Councillor Sharon Ball that we should be looking to allocate Western Riverside land as a back-up. The top priority is maintaining Bath as a sporting city with top class teams such as Bath Rugby an integral part of the city fabric.

Comment from Real Friends of the REC

The Real Friends of the Rec – Important News!

MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH FOR THE FUTURE OF THE REC! 

Today Bath & North East Somerset Council confirmed that it was in discussions with The Recreation Ground Trust regarding a potential land transfer to the Trust as a possible means of ensuring the long term future for Bath Rugby at the Rec. This is a major breakthrough for the future development of the Rec.

The Real Friends of the Rec have expressed their delight at the positive developments announced today by Bath & North East Somerset Council in relation to the Recreation Ground, Bath.

Real Friends Chairman Peter Downey commented: “Ever since the possibility of a land swap was raised and Bob Calleja’s response saying the concept was worthy of consideration, we have felt optimistic that this represented a realistic way towards the outcome that the people of Bath want.

“We’re delighted that the Council has responded quickly and imaginatively, and would like to offer our congratulations to all those concerned for their decisive actions. If the Charity Commission accepts this proposed land swap as a way of balancing the benefits and detriments, then we really do see light at the end of the tunnel. The fact that Bath Rugby also responded so positively to the land swap concept further justifies the view that this is the breakthrough we have all been working for.

“The beauty of this is that the Firs Field will be secured as an open space, the Recreation Ground Trust will have an ongoing source of income that will make the charity financially viable, and the people of Bath and beyond will see world-class sport on the Recreation Ground.”

“We certainly feel sufficiently positive and we hope that the Club is of the same view, to be thinking about the next stage, which will require detailed plans and financing to be put in place. We are well aware that due to the current economic climate we cannot simply expect Bath Rugby to do this on their own and will help in anyway we can.

“We believe it will require a major collective effort to drive this important project forward, but we feel very positive that our motto of ‘All Sports for All People’ is closer now than it has ever been and Bath Rugby can achieve a facility that reflects their status as a leading club in the Rugby world.”

Go to http://www.realfriendsoftherec.co.uk for more information.

As co-chair of our Learning Difficulty Partnership one of our key goals is to get people with LD into real jobs and work with employers to show them that such workers are as productive and valuable to the workforce as others.

After a very good visit from the Cincinatti hospital and project search we are now moving forward on several fronts.

1. We are working with a specialist recruitment advisor

2. As part of Valued in Public we are putting on in the Guildhall a whole day to encourage departments and organisations in the public sector to set goals and aspirations to employ people from this section of the workforce.

3. Starting our own Search project. We will have a class at the RUH (workforce 5000) operated by the Fosseway school with 12 young people from a variety of schools working and learning job skills on site so that the RUH can find top quality staff. Similar schemes in America place 85% of pupils into work.

4.  Creating a Family Lead Jobs project with Norton Radstock College

5.  At the beginning of May putting on a special day for families and helpers to understand self-directed job searching.

People with a Learning Disability have the worst job prospects in the country and the highest unemployment rate. Hopefully with some of these measure we will start to turn this statistic round in B&NES.  It is certainly a major aim for our Partnership Board. Whilst the Government is deservedly getting stick at present on misuse of the public purse in many areas its work on Valuing People is good and deserves credit and promotion.

Here in Bath and NE Somerset one of the smaller areas of disagreement has been on the area of multi use paths. Footpaths that can be used by walkers, runners, cyclists and horseriders. The Liberal Democrats are  support the concept that all paths should be shared access and that we should be promoting as wide an access to as many linked paths and routes as possible. In contrast the Conservatives are trying by all means to slow things down, fragment route options and put the onus onto horse riders to establish need.

We have been running a trial for quite a while now. The results showed a success for the trial. But what a response from the Conservatives. A grudging minimal acceptance with paths disrupted so as to minimise their use and  a policy change by stealth.  What is it about Conservatives that they are seemingly always trying to stop progress.

Decision report at this LINK

Decision register at this LINK

For good information on the Trails Trust and its objectives click on this LINK

So I have just launched a Call-in campaign on this flawed decision and will see if I can get it changed.

Call-In Request of decision E1821: ‘Equestrian Access on pedestrian and cycle paths – multi user trial review’ (WL 20-Feb-09)

We the undersigned call on the Cabinet member for Customer Services, Cllr Charles Gerrish, to reconsider the following aspects of his decision for the following reasons:

Paragraph 2.1:

·         We believe that the trials have proved to be a success and that they should be continued.

·         The arguments on widths at various sections have arisen from a misunderstanding of the TA90 regulations and have not taken into account that in places the width restrictions are in fact made by Council signs. Indeed TA90 cannot be applied to existing paths.

·         We are concerned that the report considers the position taken by South Glos but ignores the position taken by Somerset on the principle of multi use.

·         We are concerned that the future potential for long distance trails is being lost by this piecemeal approach and that in the long term connectivity of the many trials will be of enormous financial, social and health benefit.

·         We believe that the reason of unsuitability and conflict is wrong as shown in Government reports in 2000 and 2002.

·         The Sustrans Director for the Nations and Regions, Andy Wistow, has stated that shared use paths can be as narrow as 2.5 to 3 metres wide. Sustrans are building multi-use paths across the country and this is being accepted elsewhere.

Paragraph 2.5:

·         We believe that this recommendation changes the policy position of the Council by stealth. Currently the Council policy is for inclusive access whilst this recommendation changes the evidence so that horse riders will have to establish a need. We believe that Council policy should not be changed without a full discussion and debate with Councillors and the public.

·         Riding is a growing means of transport and leisure and if paths and routes can be connected then over time a series of long distance trails can be set up which will benefit tourism, health and leisure.

·         As we move to a world without cheap oil then it is in everyone’s interest  to have the widest range of multi use paths.

Signed by:  1.         Councillor Paul Crossley (lead)

Over 200 members from across the SW met at Taunton this weekend for our regional conference. We had a good debate on Zero Waste and saying NO to mass burn Incineration which was won. Also had a debate on the poor settlement for some our local fire brigades from the government.

Bath and NE Somerset was the first Council in the UK to adopt Zero Waste as its policy following a motion from Cllr Roger Symonds and myself. Since then the movement has been building but the Government is certainly doing all it can to ram ass Burn Incineration down everyone’s throat. We are fighting Labour+Conservative plans for a big incinerator in Bristol. Incineration is not an environmental solution it is an excuse to avoid addressing the issue of waste.

At the Conference we hear form our new president Ros Scott, our Europe leader Graham Watson, Nick Clegg and then today Vince Cable.

As ever he is the only politician making serious points about the horrendous state of the economy. It is worse here than in the world in general but all the Conservatives can say is Yah Boo to Gordon and Gordon still thinks he is saving the world!!! what a joke.

Our MP Don Foster has launched a 10 point plan to help the city beat the recession.

Don launches plan to help boost Bath economy

 

Following his meeting with a selection of local business owners last week, Bath MP Don Foster has launched an 8-point plan which, if implemented, would boost the local economy.

 

Possible measures including running park & ride services at limited times on a Sunday; offering a free parking period once a week and conducting a full scale rent review of Council property.

 

Don has written to Council Chief Executive John Everitt and all four group leaders to outline has plan.

 

The plan in full includes:

 

• Increasing the take up of small business rate relief
• Introducing a park & ride service at appropriate hours on Sundays
• Ensuring the Council pays its suppliers promptly
• Offering a free parking period once a week
• Giving local businesses as single point of contact at the Council
• Conduct rent reviews that reflect the current economic situation
• Consult properly with local small businesses on all changes
• Effectively promote the ‘Buy with Confidence’ scheme

 

Don said, “We have got to start talking positively about local business, it is not all doom and gloom out there.  The Council must start helping the local economy by promoting schemes that encourage people to spend.

 

“Getting extra people into town by offering a free parking period, or enhancing public transport provision on Sundays are simple steps that would make a real difference. 

 

“The Council also needs to act as a responsible landlord and offer affordable rents to businesses; otherwise Bath could see an increase in empty units.”

 

Don also heard from a local business that had spent time and money in getting themselves approved for the Council-backed ‘Buy with Confidence’ scheme.

 

Don said, “It is very disappointing to learn that businesses are working hard to meet the ‘Buy with Confidence’ criteria and then getting very little in return.

 

“This scheme needs to be advertised a lot more widely so that the people of Bath know who the reputable local traders are.  If the scheme is not promoted properly then its value is reduced and we will see fewer businesses attempting to sign up.”

 

The Bath Chronicle article can be seen at this LINK

 

I have just checked this link out and am surprised to see that our local newspaper seems to be blocking access to its articles. I would have thought they would welcome bloggers sending readers to look at their site. Oh well.

 

I have just had a helpful comment from a reader that this is the fault of the BLOG administration and not the Chronicle web so I am trying to get sorted.

 

In Bath Liberal Democrats have been leading the campaign alongside parents and pupils to promote school travel systems using buses rather than parents ferrying kids around the city in cars.

The Conservative administration has put back consideration of the issue by several months. In the meantuime they are propagandising on Grid Lock Bath and trying to justify a costly new bus highway through people back gardens.

Everyone knows that the traffic jams reduce to near negligeable in the school holidays. Lets reduce traffic before building roads to give a small number of commuters a 2 minute travel time reduction.

For immediate release: Tuesday, 2^nd December 2008

 

Are Tories serious about home-to-school transport?

 

Liberal Democrat Councillors are questioning the Conservative-led Council’s commitment to developing a sustainable home-to-school transport package which has been shelved for at least another 9 months.

 

The strategy has been developed to get more children out of private transport and on to school buses on their way to and from school.  Currently parents find it easier and more cost effective to drive their children to school, thus adding to congestion across the district, and especially in Bath.  Liberal Democrats in Bath & North East Somerset see home-to-school transport as a key element of providing transport improvements in the city.

 

Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on Bath & North East Somerset Council, Cllr Paul Crossley (Southdown) said:

 

“This is deeply disappointing news, and makes me wonder whether the Conservative Council is as serious about congestion in Bath as it should be.

 

“Everyone who travels into Bath at peak times knows how much extra traffic there is during the school term.  Getting our children out of their parent’s cars and onto buses is a massively important step in reducing congestion in the city, yet it is being delayed for another year.

 

“It is even more concerning that the £16million Bus Rapid Transit is being forced through, whereas a project that will actually help to reduce congestion is being put on the back-burner.”

 

Cllr Andy Furse, (Lib Dem, Kingsmead) said,

 

“This project is of major importance in promoting sustainable transport in Bath and it is a massive blow to see it delayed for a year.

 

“Parents across the city want to be able to send their children to school on reliable and affordable public transport.  This decision by the Conservatives is a kick-in-the-teeth to these parents, and I want to know why this scheme will now be delayed until the 2009/10 academic year.

 

“I have real doubts as to whether the Conservative Council will ever deliver this crucial service.”

London seems to be leading the way on the latest bout of buearocratic nonsense and form filling.

Form 696 will ensure that pubs give up on live music. The form is discriminatory and an invasion of privacy. Pubs already have enough problems keeping open and the ones putting on live entertainment should be seen as an asset not something to be closed down.

Obviously the entertainment needs to be contained and the rights of neighbours need considering – but the vast majority of pubs offering live entertainment do so with no problems at all. Surely the correct solution is to use licencing powers on pubs that act anti-socially and let us contnue to enjoy live music and entertainment at our pubs.

For more detail see story at THIS LINK

Bath suffers from HGVs passing through en-route to somewhere else. The streets of Bath are not suited to hese modern monsters. The Cionservative administration talk but do not act.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for real action in keeping HGVs and through traffic out of Bath , by researching a scheme that sees alternative recommended routes sent to Sat Nav mapping companies.

Earlier this month Liberal Democrat research revealed that Bath and North East Somerset Council officers had not been attending meetings of the South West Regional Freight Forum, where the scheme has been discussed and actively piloted by Somerset County Council.

Our MP  Don Foster has now written to the Chief Executive of Somerset County Council to find out more. Don said, “This is a sensible, practical way of reducing the number of HGVs getting stuck on inappropriate routes in our city, and can also help to reduce through traffic.  It is pleasing that these companies are willing to work with local communities to improve the service they provide. We need to find out more about this scheme and start playing catch up so that we can work with Somerset County Council in producing effective alternative routes.  It is time that there was real action on this issue.”

Liberal Democrat Councillor Ian Gilchrist asked a question on the issue at the last Full Council meeting.  He said, “The Tories have talked and talked and talked.  They keep claiming that they are working to stop HGVs using Bath as a through route, but the reality is that they are doing very little. 

“If this was really a priority, as they claim it is, then they would have made sure officers were attending these meetings and that our Council was pioneering this scheme.  Instead we are sadly lagging behind.”

And it is not just lorries blindly following satnav routes. Recently a car towing a caravan got hopelessly stuck at the right angle turn at the bottom of Sham Castle Lane where I live demolishing a garden wall in its efforts to escape its entrapment.

Liberal Democrat Councillors have welcomed the adoption of their motion on the Sustainable Communities Act. By adopting the motion B&NES Council has resolved to “use, to the full, its powers under the Act by preparing and submitting proposals to central government”.

 

The Act became law in 2007 and gives Councils the opportunity to make proposals to make proposals to Government to encourage the improvement of the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of the local area.

 

Councillor Paul Crossley (Liberal Democrat, Southdown) who moved the motion, said:

 

“This Act empowers local communities to raise issues and get their voices heard. It works on the principle that local people know best what is needed for their area.

 

“The Act can be used to address issues such as over-concentration of second homes or student houses, ‘clone cities’ and protection of post offices and local shopping areas.

 

“Now the Council needs to decide how it will advise and help communities develop proposals to be submitted to local government and how it will evaluate these proposals.”

 

Councillor Roger Symonds (Liberal Democrat, Combe Down) who seconded the motion, added:

 

“This is a great opportunity for Councils to reverse the trend of removing services from local communities. Under this act the Council should be able to make devolution and decentralisation into reality.”

 

The motion was adopted unanimously, reflecting the cross-party support the act has received at Parliament level.

 

Bath is now debating a LTP which has several contentious elements – a bus rapid transit and a P&R in the flood plain. This has all been pushed through with inadequate consultation with the residents and a refusal to consider other options. The Rapid transit system will drive a two lane highway along peoples back gardens at huge expense all to get a few non-residents into the centre two minutes more quickly. The Liberal Democrats have proposed that the route should be reserved for green travel and the commuters bused in with improved bus lanes around the Lower and Upper Bristol Roads.

 

 

B&NES Conservatives Refuse

Independent Review of Bath Transportation Package

 

 

Conservative Councillors in B&NES have come under fire tonight for refusing to consider an independent review of the Bath Transportation Package.

 

The Liberal Democrat motion which was tabled to tonight’s B&NES Council meeting was intended to permit a proper debate on the Package, which has caused so much controversy. However the Conservative Group forced through an amendment, which was also backed by Labour and Independent Councillors, to maintain nothing more than the status quo.

 

Councillor Andrew Furse (Liberal Democrat, Kingsmead), who moved the original motion, said:

 

“We are still not convinced that all the alternatives have been properly looked at and that there has been real and meaningful consultation. Once again the Conservatives have shut their ears to the protests which have been raised by the very people who will be worst affected by the scheme.

 

“The Conservatives seem only to be concerned with quibbling about who voted for what and when in the past. But residents care more about what is on the table right now. It is clear that the other parties do not care about residents’ concerns.”

 

Speaking earlier in the debate, Councillor Caroline Roberts (Liberal Democrat, Newbridge) said:

 

“It has been said by some people that there is a lot of fuss over the loss of just a half a dozen gardens. In fact we have counted the numbers and there are up to 1000 residents who will be affected by the new road outside their houses, or the new extension to the Newbridge park and ride. I cannot comment on how many would be affected along other parts of the route and the east of Bath park and ride.

 

“The present situation is different in many ways to that agreed in the local transport plan, so the Tories should listen to the electorate and agree to an independent review to show the people that they are listening. But I suspects as usual they won’t listen yet again.”