Age Well B&NES

At the Full Council meeting last week, the Liberal Democrat group put forward a motion to welcomes the “Ageing Well | Bath and North East Somerset” programme, which is an initiative by Age UK B&NES and the St John’s Foundation. 

The goals of the programme are to transform B&NES into an inclusive, supportive and accessible place where everyone can age well, in whichever way they see fit, and for B&NES to become an Age Friendly Community, as defined by the World Health Organisation. 

We applaud the role of the B&NES 3rd Sector Group in reviving and facilitating the Ageing Well Network. This brings together voluntary sector organisations supporting people to age well and encourage older people to speak out about the issues that are important to them and their communities. 

The “Ageing Well | Bath and North East Somerset” programme has successfully applied for membership to the UK Age Friendly Communities Network. This brings together the approximately 80 age friendly and ageing well communities across the United Kingdom. 

More details about the programme can be found here and we would like to encourage B&NES residents aged 55 and over to share their insights and experiences in the inaugural Ageing Well Community Survey, which closes on 31 July 2024 and has already received over 1,000 responses, which can be found by following this link. 

Highways update - Twerton

Yesterday Councillors Tim Ball and Sarah Moore had a meeting with a BANES Highways Engineer to start the process of looking at roads across the ward in which residents have raised concerns over speeding traffic and pedestrian safety.

Our initial meeting looked at Shophouse Road and Twerton High Street and the Engineer will now put together his report of recommendations for those roads which we will then discuss with the residents on those roads (and surrounding streets that would be affected) to get their views before submitting a request for funds to make any agreed changes.

We have also requested a number of roads to be included on the next resurfacing schedule including Highland Road, Windrush Close and Dominion Road.

Our next review will be Poolemead Road, Sheridan Road, Garrick Road and Shaws Way where we will look at speeding and parking issues with a Highways Engineer who will be able to advise what options are available to be discussed with residents in the affected area.

Due to the processes that need to be followed and the need to secure the relevant funding, it does take some time to get these meetings and associated works carried out, however, Tim and Sarah are committed to making Twerton and Whiteway as safe and accessible for everyone as they can.

Councillor Ward Casework

It has come to our attention that a number of residents have been trying to contact us via Facebook Messenger and X (formally Twitter), however, we have not received notifications for a lot of these messages and it is very difficult to keep track of these due to the volume of requests we receive.

Whilst we do our best to pick up all messages, we are not on Social Media all day due to work and other commitments. We would ask that any issues you want us to assist with is primarily sent via email to -

sarah_moore@bathnes.gov.uk 

tim_ball@bathnes.gov.uk

Please also include your name and address as we are often asked for assistance from residents that do not live in Twerton or Whiteway ward area. We are often dealing with in excess of 50 residents each, at any one time and so we cannot guarantee an immediate response, however, we will respond as soon as we can.

If your issue is urgent you can contact us daily on our mobiles between 9am and 7.30pm - 

Sarah Moore - 07807013635

Tim Ball - 07970461674

If we are unable to answer your call, please make sure you leave a message (including your name and address) as we will not return any call from unknown numbers.

Both Councillor Sarah Moore and Tim Ball have been subjected to abuse and this is not acceptable any abuse whether online or in person, and will block these people and not respond.

We will also be starting our monthly ward surgeries again in September and details of these will be advertised closer to the date.

Highway Safety

Councillors Sarah Moore and Tim Ball are meeting with Highway engineers next week to look at potential traffic calming options for Shophouse Road, Twerton High Street and Long Valley Road.

This is the start of reviewing all road across Twerton and Whiteway where we have been contacted with concerns, to ensure they are safer streets for residents. Other roads will also be reviewed with a view to implementing safety schemes to stop speeding vehicles and other issues.

No schemes will be put in place without the residents affected being able to respond and have their say about the proposals.

We are not looking at implementing any LTNs in this area but we are keen to stop traffic speeding and causing issues for pedestrians trying to cross our roads.

We are also reviewing the condition of all footpaths in the area as well as the roads that have not yet been resurfaced to ensure these are addressed.

Culverhay/BCA - Rush Hill Site Update

Local Councillors Sarah Moore and Tim Ball have called on the cabinet to approve the papers at the upcoming Cabinet Meeting in June. 

After years of fighting to retain a strong education role for the Culverhay/BCA site by Councillors Sarah Moore and Tim Ball and other Councillors, and thanks to the dedication of the cabinet member for young people and children, the Council has secured two major government new build investments for the site with a possible total value in excess of £50m. 

We have had regular meetings with fellow South West Bath Councillors, Cabinet Members and Council officers because we value the current site uses and with two such large schools proposed on the site, we are also hopeful we will be able to have shared facilities for our residents outside school hours.

One school is for a 120 place SEND provision to allow for greater access for youngsters locally and another 55 place school for alternative provision for young people struggling at regular schools.

These decisions will commit that the site will retain a clear education role for the long term. We will keep residents updated on the decision for this and also the progress of the work, should it be approved.

Councillor Sarah Moore will be speaking at the Cabinet meeting to urge the proposals are accepted and we will keep you updated on the progress of this project.

Planning Applications w/c 08.04.2024

This week we have 1 planning application for Twerton/Whiteway, please see the details below and if you want to comment, please follow the relevant link. 

Ward: Twerton App                                                 Ref: 24/01120/FUL

Parish: N/A

Registered: 29th March 2024                                Expiry Date: 24th May 2024

Location: Garages And Parking Area East Of 105 Kelston View Whiteway Bath Bath And North East Somerset

Grid Ref: (E)372180 - (N)164220                          LB Grade: N/A

Proposal: Demolition of existing garages and the erection of 4 No. residential apartments, parking and associated works

Officer: Christopher Masters

Applicant: Curo                                                  Agent: Boon Brown Architects

                  Curo                                                               Motivo
                  The Maltings                                                  Alvington
                  River Place                                                    Yeovil
                  Twerton                                                          Somerset
                  Bath                                                                BA20 2FG
                  Bath And North East Somerset
                  BA2 1EP

To view the case click on the link here.

Planning Applications w/c 05.02.2024

This week we have 1 planning application for Twerton/Whiteway, please see the details below and if you want to comment, please follow the relevant link. 

Ward:               Twerton                                                  App Ref:            24/00219/FUL

Parish:             N/A

Registered:      30th January 2024                                 Expiry Date:            26th March 2024

Location:         Minerva House  Lower Bristol Road Twerton Bath Bath And North East Somerset BA2 9ER

Grid Ref:          (E)371877 - (N)165403                          LB Grade:            N/A

Proposal:         Change of use from offices (use class E) to 12 no. student cluster flats (Sui Generis) comprising 54 no. bedspaces, ground floor undercroft infill extension, external alterations, bin store and cycle parking outbuildings and associated works.

Officer:            David MacFadyen

Applicant:        Rengen Minerva Limited	Agent:    Stokes Morgan Planning Ltd
C/o Agent	C/o Phil Morgan 41A High Street Nailsea Bristol BS48 1AS

To view the case click on the link here.