Free school meals vouchers for summer holidays

This summer, families in Bath and North East Somerset who are eligible for free school meals will be provided with vouchers worth £90 per child to help prevent holiday hunger. From 12:00 on Wednesday (July 20), families will receive an email from Bath & North East Somerset Council offering supermarket vouchers worth £15 per child per week. Once they confirm, a second email will be sent containing ‘Select’ codes with a web link to the council’s supplier, Hawk Incentives, taking them to a page where they will be presented with a selection of supermarkets to choose from. The reward total can be split between different supermarkets and codes can be added for each qualifying child to increase the reward total. The scheme is funded by the Government’s Household Support Fund to support vulnerable households. New rules set by the Government earlier this year about how the fund should be spent meant vouchers offered by the council from the May 2022 holiday onwards are now £15 per child, instead of the £20 per child offered in previous holiday periods. we are disappointed that government changed the rules around the distribution of the Household Support Fund, however we are pleased we are in a position to provide this support to families over the upcoming six-week holiday which can be a financially challenging time for people already on low incomes. With the rise in the cost of living we hope this funding will provide a significant boost to families who need it in Bath and North East Somerset. “Anyone who is struggling can get in touch with us. We can help you access other support with food across the area, including via our Welfare Support Team and the Community Wellbeing Hub.” Anyone eligible for benefit related free school meals and has not claimed a voucher previously can make a claim through council’s free school meals vouchers web portal which will open during the afternoon of July 20. Anyone eligible for the vouchers who does not have electronic means of contacting the council should telephone the Benefits team on 01225 477777 (option 4).

Planning Applications w/c 18.07.2022

This week we have no new planning applications for Twerton/Whiteway. All previous applications can be accessed on the BANES website.

New Street Signs

Whilst out and about in Twerton and Whiteway, Councillors Tim Ball and Sarah Moore have noticed a number of street signs that need replacing due to their poor condition.

These include the road signs in Garrick Road, Wedgwood Road and Walwyn Close as well as the Cheveron signs at the circle of trees on Haycombe Drive.

They have also requested a large number of white and double yellow lines are repainted as they are so badly faded.

If you have an issue in your street that needs resolving, please do get in touch.

Can you help by watering young trees

Newly planted trees need to be watered regularly over the summer months if they are going to become established and thrive. Our Parks & Greenspaces Team are busy out watering young street trees that were planted during the winters of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, as part of the Council’s weekly tree watering schedule. However, during this spell of hot and dry weather, the trees need supplementary watering. Do you have a young tree outside your house, or perhaps you pass one on your walk to work or school? Then you can help! As a general rule, young trees should receive at least 50 litres of water per week during May, June, July, and August… but every little helps! Watering should ideally be carried out in the early morning or evening. A sustainable water source should be used where possible. Harvested rainwater is ideal, but bath water or water which has been used for washing up is also suitable. The TiCL National Tree Watering Scheme Could you become a local Tree Watering Champion? The National Tree Watering Scheme helps identify local trees that need extra water for individuals to ‘Befriend’ and give the tree regular water during the hottest parts of the year. Find out more at: https://www.trees.org.uk/Help-Advice/Public/Watering-young-trees-in-dry-weather PLEASE WATER YOUNG TREES REGULARLY DURING DRY PERODS WITH AS MUCH AS YOU CAN – EVERY LITTLE HELPS

Heat Health warning what to do

With temperatures set to continue rising and a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Met Office Level 3 heat-health alert residents across Bath & North East Somerset are being encouraged to stay safe in the sun. And people are being reminded about earlier waste and recycling collections, starting at 6am as well as highways teams starting earlier at 7am so crews can make the most of working in the cooler mornings. During the extreme heat people are being encouraged to: Check on others Check on older people or sick neighbours, family or friends every day during hot weather Stay hydrated Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol. Try to keep out of the sun between 11am-3pm when UV radiation is strongest and always use sunscreen Physical activity Avoid extreme physical exertion. If you can’t avoid strenuous outdoor activity, such as sport, DIY or gardening, keep it for cooler parts of the day Keeping the home cool Keep your living space cool. Shade or cover windows exposed to direct sunlight and keep windows that are exposed to the sun closed during the day. Turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment. During the hottest periods find the coolest part of your home or garden/outside On car journeys Ensure babies, children, older people and pets are not left alone in parked cars, which can quickly overheat Make sure you take water with you if travelling, in the event of delays or traffic congestion Look out for the signs of heat-related harm If you feel dizzy, weak or have intense thirst and a headache, move to a cool place asap. Drink water or diluted fruit juice to rehydrate. Avoid excess alcohol Call 111 if you feel unusual symptoms, or if symptoms persist. Call 999 if a person develops any signs of heatstroke as this is a medical emergency Enjoy the water safely Take care and follow local safety advice if you are going into the water to cool down. Alcohol is a major factor in accidental drownings Avoid swimming in reservoirs or harbours – there are hidden dangers and strong under-currents If you’re driving to a local lake or river to cool down, please be considerate and follow parking restrictions for the safety of others and to allow for an ambulance or fire engine to pass Risk of wildfires The risk of wildfires is high – please take care of the countryside, parks and open spaces by avoiding BBQs and fires and clearing up litter Calling emergency services Only call 999 in an emergency, as demand on blue light services increases during periods of extreme weather Ends LRF Extreme Heat advice_AMBER warning_July 2022 v2

Poolemead Road Safety

Another priority that was raised with Councillors Sarah Moore and Tim Ball by a large number of local residents was to ensure there was a safer way to cross Poolemead Road outside Twerton Infants School.

They met with Highways offices and the school’s head teacher George Samios to discuss options to slow the traffic and narrow the road to help keep all the pedestrians safe.

The above image has been drawn up following the meeting with the officers and is what is planned to be put in place as soon as it possibly can be.

Community Action Days

Following a number of conversations with residents, Councillors Tim Ball and Sarah Moore are pleased to confirm that during the last few weeks of July the Council along with Curo will be taking action across Twerton and Whiteway to clear some of our areas.

The action days will include litter picks, weed clearance and sign post cleaning as well as other issues that need resolving. The action days will involve Council and Curo staff who will work alongside residents and Councillors to help resolve some issues that are outstanding.

We will publish the dates and locations on social media and deliver a newsletter to tell residents which areas will be worked upon several days before each event.

Residents will be very welcome to help out with any of the action days.

Some areas have already benefited from this clearance work over the past few weeks and it would be great to see more areas covered.

Twerton High Street Regeneration Update

Following our recent updates, below is some further information on what is happening and planned for Twerton High Street. 

• Upcoming engagement/consultation: In terms of the Love Our High Streets Bath Local Centres project, an announcement is due soon for the engagement/consultation sessions which are programmed to take place August/September. 

• Newspaper storage and graffiti outside the former supermarket: B&NES is in discussion with Greenacres about removing the newspaper storage box and graffiti. We are also looking to arrange an art installation to be put in place in the shop windows.  

• 106 & 107 High Street Vacant Units: The occupation of these units is currently being worked through and temporary occupation of these should be in place later this Summer.

• Long term regeneration plans: The bid for WECA funding to support the development of a Twerton High Street Area Masterplan was successful and work on this project is scheduled to begin in September.

Planning Applications w/c 11.07.2022

This week we have 4 planning applications for Twerton/Whiteway, please see the details below and if you want to comment, please follow the relevant link.

Ward:               Twerton                                    App Ref:            22/02566/FUL

Parish:             N/A

Registered:      24th June 2022                         Expiry Date:     19th August 2022

Location:         Linne House  Poolemead Road Whiteway Bath Bath And North East Somerset BA2 1QS

Grid Ref:          (E)372069 - (N)164435                          LB Grade:            N/A

Proposal:         Replacement of all existing timber and aluminium windows with new white uPVC windows

Officer:            Danielle Milsom

Applicant:        Curo	Agent:    Kendall Kingscott Ltd
The Maltings River Place Lower Bristol Road Bath BA2 1EP	Glentworth Court Lime Kiln Close Stoke Gifford Bristol BS34 8SR

To view the case click on the link here.

Ward:               Twerton                                    App Ref:            22/02568/FUL

Parish:             N/A

Registered:      24th June 2022                         Expiry Date:     19th August 2022

Location:         Meade House  Wedgwood Road Whiteway Bath Bath And North East Somerset BA2 1QN

Grid Ref:          (E)372031 - (N)164281                          LB Grade:            N/A

Proposal:         Replacement of all existing timber & aluminium windows with new white uPVC windows.

Officer:            Christopher Masters

Applicant:        Curo	Agent:    Kendall Kingscott Ltd
The Maltings River Place Lower Bristol Road Bath BA2 1EP	Glentworth Court Lime Kiln Close Bristol BS34 8SR United Kingdom

To view the case click on the link here.

Ward:               Twerton                                    App Ref:            22/02569/FUL

Parish:             N/A

Registered:      24th June 2022                         Expiry Date:     19th August 2022

Location:         Naish House  Shaws Way Twerton Bath Bath And North East Somerset BA2 1SF

Grid Ref:          (E)372123 - (N)164596                          LB Grade:            N/A

Proposal:         Replacement of all existing timber & aluminium windows with new white uPVC windows.

Officer:            Owen Hoare

Applicant:        Curo	Agent:    Kendall Kingscott Ltd
The Maltings River Place Lower Bristol Road Bath BA2 1EP	Glentworth Court Lime Kiln Close Bristol BS34 8SR United Kingdom

To view the case click on the link here.

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Ward:               Twerton                                    App Ref:            22/02571/FUL

Parish:             N/A

Registered:      24th June 2022                         Expiry Date:     19th August 2022

Location:         Poole House  Poolemead Road Whiteway Bath Bath And North East Somerset BA2 1QU

Grid Ref:          (E)371898 - (N)164315                          LB Grade:            N/A

Proposal:         Replacement of all existing timber & aluminium windows with new white uPVC windows.

Officer:            Angus Harris

Applicant:        Curo	Agent:    Kendall Kingscott Ltd
The Maltings River Place Lower Bristol Road Bath BA2 1EP	Glentworth Court Lime Kiln Close Bristol BS34 8SR United Kingdom

To view the case click on the link here.

Pennyquick Park - update

Following feedback from residents, Councillors Tim Ball and Sarah Moore have met with the Parks team and Cabinet Member responsible to discuss all options.

They have asked the parks team to draw up plans for full refurbishment of the park to include, replacing play equipment, installation of disabled play equipment, outdoor gym equipment, a path around the circumference of the park, replacement pump track, picnic benches, more seating and a wildflower meadow area.

Councillor Sarah Moore has submitted an application for CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) funding to put in some outdoor gym equipment and refurbishment of the pump track and this will be decided at a meeting in July.

All other aspects are being costed and whilst there is not currently a budget to do all the work, once the costs are known, they are looking at a phased approach to the work and are looking at all possible funding streams to enable it to happen.

Tim and Sarah are committed to improving this amazing park and will keep everyone updated of progress. 

Footpath/Road resurfacing

The Council is responsible for the maintenance of approximately 1150Km of adopted highway within it's boundaries and the budget has to be spread around the whole area, however, as part of their election pledge, Sarah Moore and Tim Ball committed to get more of the damaged roads and footpaths in Twerton and Whiteway resurfaced.

Since the election in 2019, the following roads in Twerton and Whiteway have been repaired -North Way, West Close, St Michael's Road, East Close, East Way, Wedgwood Road, Landseer Road, Innox Road, North View Close, Springfield Close, Highfield Close, Long Hay Close, The Brow, Newton Road, How Hill, Shaw's Way, Watery Lane as well as parts of Redland Park, Shophouse Road and Poolemead Road together with several footpaths.

It is great to see the team out on Shaws Way this week to resurface the footpath at the rear of Twerton Infant School.

Last week, Sarah and Tim met with Highways officers to discuss the condition of more of the roads in our area and how they can be repaired. The roads discussed were Poolemead Road (remaining sections), Haycombe Drive, Windrush Close, Rosewarn Close, Woodhouse Road, Freeview Road, Dominion Road and Highland Road. Some of these roads will require more substantial and costly repairs due to the volume of traffic and their condition.  

We are aware this is not all the remaining roads in Twerton and Whiteway that require repairs, but with such underinvestment in our roads over a long period of time the budget needs to be spread around the whole of BANES. We will provide more updates on these repairs as soon as we have them,