Gull Enquiry date set

Local residents, business owners and visitors are being invited by Bath & North East Somerset Council come together to tackle the urban gull population in the city. A scrutiny inquiry day being held on Wednesday 27 November 2013 on reducing the gulls’ food source caused by litter and waste dropped on the ground or exposed in unsuitable containers. The day will aim to raise awareness on causes of large gull populations and dispel myths about enhance understanding about what can and cannot be done to solve the problem. The ultimate aim is to come up with a set of practical recommendations for change and for every resident, worker and visitor to play their part. The morning will focus on providing information and will include presentations by experts, council officers and government representatives. The afternoon will include a workshop session for everyone to have their say in the practical recommendations that are put forward.

Rubbish Bins

During a recent walk around the ward I noticed a number of bins that were either being heavily used, or hardly used at all.

I have requested the bin that was put at the bottom of the Hollow, just before you turn into Lansdown View, is moved a few yards further up, to the turning into the Brickfields.  This will hopefully mean less litter being dropped along the entrance area into the Brickfields.

I have also requested damaged bins are replaced and also a bin that is not secured to the floor is sorted to ensure it does not get damaged.

Night Time Drinkers at Riverside

I have reported the issues of night time drinkers at Riverseide and the mess that they are leaving behind to both the council and the Police.

I have asked the Council to clear up the mess and the Police to monitor the area at night to deter this sort of anti social behaviour.

It is all well and good for people to be able to socialise but not to leave the mess that is being left here.

I would like to thank the residents for brining these matters to my attention and for providing the photograph used here.






By Councillor Sharon Ball

New Football Posts at The Brickfields

Sarah and Sharon with new goalposts

We are pleased that the football posts that we asked for nearly two years ago have been erected at the Brickfields.

We would like to thank the Council officers that have been working with us on this matter and also extend our thanks to the cabinet member for Neighbourhoods for identifying budgets to make this possible.

The young people in the area will now be able to benefit from being able to play a game of football on these playing fields in the evenings and weekends.

Sarah and Sharon are keen to see more areas improved for young people and will soon announce more improvements that they have been able to achieve through close working with fellow members in the Liberal Democrat run administration who set the budgets for all works carried out in our area.

By Councillor Sharon Ball

Lidl ( former Herman Miller building) update

Councillor Sharon Ball has again contacted Lidl asking them to secure the Old Herman Miller Building on the Lower Bristol Road after it was broken into.

The Pictures clearly show the damage that has been caused by this recent break in.

We have in the past been encouraged by the swift action that Lidl have taken when we have reported issues like this to them.

It is now very important that this building is developed as soon as possible as its condition is deteriorating rapidly.

The building currently has planning permission for the development of a Lidl Store and 3 other shops but the permission has not been enacted due to a disagreement with Lidl and their development partner over a legal agreement.

The Council are happy to issue the full planning permission once the partners agree on Legal issues and we understand that its not for the want of trying by both the Council and Lidl to try to resolve these issues.

Readers will be able to deduce that the problem is neither the Council or Lidl.

After our talks with Lidl recently we are now reasonably confident that these issues can be resolved in a relatively short period but each time we say that the time seems to get extended.

We will keep the pressure up on this issue and keep regular updates on this blog.

By Councillor Sharon Ball

New money for local schools

I am pleased that our local Schools have benefited by the Liberal Democrat Pupil Premium the figures of the increases fro our local Schools can be seen below.

It is good to know that we are making a difference for the Children in our area.

Oldfield Park Infant School

Pupil Premium 2011: £11,712
Pupil Premium 2012: £15,825
Pupil Premium 2013: £31,800

Oldfield Park Junior School

Pupil Premium 2011: £14,552
Pupil Premium 2012: £33,892
Pupil Premium 2013: £53,100

By Councillor Sharon Ball

Sainsbury's withdraw planning application

I have been reliably informed that Sainsbury have withdrawn their planning application to build a new Hypermarket on the Homebase Site.

I have not been given the reasons for the withdraw however I hope it is to reflect on the comments that have been made by various different parties on the planning application that we believe was not correct for this area.

I am sure that Sainsbury's will submit another application that I hope is more suitable.

I will post details on this blog as they become available.



By Councillor Sharon Ball