Don’t loose your right to vote

 

Annual Canvass 2025

Every year we check the electoral register is up to date so everyone who has the right to vote in upcoming elections can have their say. We’ll send emails and letters soon asking you to check your details. Just follow the steps. For more info go to bathnes.gov.uk/annual-household-canvass.

What the annual household canvass means

Every year, we contact all residential properties in Bath and North East Somerset to check who is eligible to register to vote. 

At the end of August approximately 40,000 households will receive an email from the Electoral Registration Officer inviting the recipients to check their electoral registration details via www.elecreg.co.uk/bathnes-e.

In September, the remaining 45,000 households (for which the Electoral Registration Officer does not hold an email address) will receive a letter and a form in the post with instructions on what action they need to take.

How to respond

Follow the instructions which are included in the email or letter – you can respond in different ways. 

Respond online

The easiest way to respond is online. Use our official household response website. You will need to have this information ready:

• Your postcode
• The unique security code on your email or letter

Other ways you can respond

By phone
Call our helpline on 01225 477333.

By email
Send us a message at elections@bathnes.gov.uk

By post 
Complete your form and return it to:

Electoral Registration Officer
Bath & North East Somerset Council
Guildhall
High Street
Bath
BA1 5AW

What happens next

By responding to your canvass email/form, you are informing us of the names of the people at the property who should be on the register of electors. 

If you add someone to your household response, they will receive a form inviting them to register to vote. They can also register to vote online on the GOV.UK website. 

If you delete anyone from your household, their name will be removed from the register of electors.

Publication of the updated register

An updated register of electors is published on 1 December each year. 

Twerton and Whiteway Planning Applications w/c 08.09.2025

This week we have 2 planning applications for Twerton and Whiteway, please see the details below and if you want to comment, please follow the relevant link. 

Ward: Twerton App Ref: 25/03349/TCA

Parish: N/A

Registered: 25th August 2025 Expiry Date: 6th October 2025

Location: 29 Dominion Road Twerton Bath Bath And North East Somerset BA2 1DW  

Grid Ref: (E)372411 - (N)164663 LB Grade: N/A

Proposal: G1- 2x Silver Maple- reduce the height of these 2 trees by 50%- ( 11m), and reshape the sides to match.

Officer: Mark Cassidy

Applicant: Nicola West	Agent:    Neill Gretton Tree Surgeon
West Of England Estate Management Ltd 1 Belmont City Centre Bath Bath And North East Somerset BA1 5DZ	C/o Mr Neill Gretton Unit 119 3 Edgar Buildings George Street Bath Bath And North East Somerset BA1 2FJ

To view the case click on the link here. 

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Ward: Twerton App Ref: 25/03356/CLEU

Parish: N/A

Registered: 26th August 2025 Expiry Date: 21st October 2025

Location: 3 Innox Road Twerton Bath Bath And North East Somerset BA2 1EG  

Grid Ref: (E)372900 - (N)164323 LB Grade: N/A

Proposal: Use of property as a 6 bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Use Class C4) (Certificate of Lawfulness of Existing Use).

Officer: Ed Allsop

Applicant: Olga Fladmark	Agent:    Tadman Planning Consultants
1 Sydenham Terrace Bath BA2 5EX	14 The Glebe Timsbury Bath Bath And North East Somerset BA2 0LT

To view the case click on the link here.

Health, wellbeing and support

 

 

 

Live Well B&NES Live Well B&NES is a web-based resource providing information, signposting and support to Bath & North East Somerset residents. Community Wellbeing Hub The Community Wellbeing Hub opening hours are from Monday to Friday, 9amuntil 5pm. Call the Hub on 0300 247 0050 or visit the website.

 

 

Public health To keep up to date with the latest public health news stories across Bath and North East Somerset, including upcoming events, consultations  and other information, subscribe to the public health monthly newsletter. You can also browse previous editions of the public health newsletter.

What you need to know about the Emergency Alerts test on 7 September

 

The government will be testing the Emergency Alerts system this Sunday, and your phone is likely to make a loud noise even if it's on silent. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening and why.

What is the Emergency Alerts test? 

On Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm, the government will carry out a national test of the Emergency Alerts system. This means most mobile phones and tablets across the UK will receive a test message, accompanied by a loud siren-like sound and vibration that will last for about 10 seconds. 

The message you receive will clearly state that this is a test and that no action is required on your part. The alert will come through even if your device is set to silent mode, which is an important feature of the system designed to ensure people receive warnings in genuine emergencies. 

Why is this test happening? 

The Emergency Alerts system serves a crucial purpose in keeping the public safe. It's used to warn people when there's a danger to life nearby, including severe weather events like storms or flooding. Since the first national test in April 2023, the system has sent five real alerts during major storms when lives were genuinely at risk. 

Regular testing ensures the system continues to work correctly and reaches as many people as possible when it's needed most. Just like testing smoke alarms or practising fire drills, these tests help ensure the system will work effectively during a real life-threatening emergency. 

Will this affect schools and workplaces? 

Since the test is scheduled for 3pm on a Sunday, most schools will be closed. However, it's worth noting that if any educational activities or events are taking place, phones will still receive the alert. The timing has been carefully chosen to minimise disruption to most people's daily routines, though some weekend activities may experience brief interruptions. 

The alert itself lasts only about 10 seconds, so any disruption should be minimal. The government has designed the timing to balance the need for comprehensive testing with reducing inconvenience to the public. 

What will happen on your device? 

Compatible smartphones and tablets will display the alert message on screen, make the distinctive siren sound, and vibrate. The sound is designed to be attention-grabbing and will override your normal volume settings. This ensures the alert can reach you even if your phone is on silent or you're in a noisy environment. 

Not all devices will receive the alert. Older phones or those not connected to 4G or 5G networks may not be compatible with the system. You can find more detailed information about device compatibility at gov.uk/alerts.  

How can you prepare for emergencies? 

Beyond the alert system itself, there are practical steps everyone can take to be more prepared for emergencies. The government provides comprehensive guidance at gov.uk/prepare, covering everything from creating emergency supply kits to making family communication plans. 

The Emergency Alerts system represents an important tool for keeping communities safe, and this test helps ensure it will be ready when we need it most. While the brief interruption on Sunday afternoon might be inconvenient, it's a small price to pay for a system that could one day help save lives. 

Financial help and support

  

Cost of living Worried about the cost of living? Help is out there. There is a dedicated Cost of Living section on Live Well B&NES, including: Cost of living support (benefits, energy, food, debt, childcare, & mental health) Support services and organisations Paying for care and support, planning for future care costs You can also get help from your supplier through the Priority Services Register. This is a free support service that makes sure extra help is available to people in vulnerable situations. Check the website to see if you’re eligible to register.

 

Energy at Home Our Energy at Home website provides information about the latest funding and support available to help B&NES residents save money on their energy bills and improve the energy efficiency of their home.

 

Social tariffs For people struggling to afford broadband or phone services, there are social tariffs available. Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) has a webpage with more information about social tariffs including eligibility requirements and how to apply Social tariffs - Connecting Devon and Somerset

B&NES Autumn and Winter events 2025

Bath and North East Somerset has hosted a vibrant and successful summer season which saw more than 190,000 people welcomed to 25 events – and the excitement is set to continue for the rest of 2025.

After a sensational summer with highlights including the Robbie Williams concerts at the Royal Crescent, Keynsham Music Festival and the Bath Rugby Victory Parade, a standout event for the autumn is the Jane Austen Festival 250th celebrations in September which include a Regency wedding ceremony for the winners of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s unique competition.

The Bath Autumn Fayre will bring street food and live entertainment to the city from October 3 to October 5 and Bath Oktoberfest returns to Royal Victoria Park with live Oompah bands, traditional karaoke and axe-throwing from October 24 to October 26.

The Midsomer Norton Illuminated Carnival on November 10 brings the community together for an evening of glittering spectacle including a procession of 30m long light-encrusted carts. 

Plenty of festive cheer beckons at the iconic Bath Christmas Market which returns for its 25th anniversary event from November 27 to December 14, transforming the city centre into a winter wonderland with twinkling chalets, unique gifts and gourmet food and drink. 

An estimated 444,000 visitors visited the 2024 Bath Christmas Market which created a £60.4m turnover for businesses, support for more than 500 jobs and a £48.9m associated spend in the city.

Meanwhile, the Keynsham Winter Festival on November 29 will see more Christmas market stalls, local entertainers and free family activities bringing the high street to life.

The council supports holders of outdoor events with step-by-step advice on how the process works and how to get the licences and permissions needed. 

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Communications and Community, said: “The energy and enthusiasm shown by hundreds of thousands of people for our summer events schedule has been unmatched - and there’s much more to come this autumn and winter. From lovers of literature to foodies and festive shoppers, there really is something for everyone.

“Bath and North East Somerset is a fantastic area for events of any size and our brilliant Events team is here to guide event holders through the planning and delivery stages, one step at a time.

“We want to thank our communities for their patience and support during busy periods as we work to support the fantastic events our area attracts. Your cooperation helps make these events happen and enriches the culture of our city and towns.”

Anyone wishing to hold an event in B&NES can find out more about the process on the events webpage

Haycombe Drive flooding

We have recently received reports about flooding during heavy rain and after our complaints the Council have replied with the following.

"During each visit, our process involves clearing the gully grid of debris, lifting the grid, and using a tanker to suck out the gully pot. We then perform a flow test, and if the gully isn't flowing properly, we jet the connecting drains to ensure everything is clear. I can confirm that the gullies were operational after each of these visits. Additionally, on 13th January 2023 and 27th February 2025, the pipework was jetted in response to reported flooding to ensure there were no blockages contributing to the issue.

 

The Council have recently inspected the gullies and can confirm that they are clear. However, looking at the reports and photos, it appears there is a significant amount of leaves and other debris on the highway. When this debris is washed onto the gully grids, it can quickly prevent water from entering the gullies. To address this, a request for street cleansing to attend to the area. The council will upsize the gully grids to increase their resilience to blocking from surface debris."