Letter to Councillors from Chief Superintendent Gary Davies Feb 2011

I have always held the view that drug dealers are parasites feeding on our young and some recent examples have done nothing to deter that view. We are working hard behind the scenes to stop drug dealers from taking a foot hold in our City and towns. This is important work and I am determined to commit as much resource as I can afford to enable us to have the greatest impact, whether that is in catching people in possession of drugs, dealing or removing the assets they have gained from their previous endeavours.

An excellent example emerged last week following a police operation when a raid on a house resulted in the recovery of a significant amount of very pure cocaine, together with chemicals to be used to dilute the existing batch. Clearly this was destined for our streets. As this person has significant assets we will now look to recovery as much as we can from him, including his large house. Our work will continue with pace!

I was delighted to see two of my officers, Jon Bevan and Clive Summerhill receiving bravery awards at our Headquarters for their spontaneous actions in diving into the river in Bath to save a drowning man. Much is talked about in these circumstances about Health and Safety, but that was far from their minds. Their instinctive duty to save life by putting themselves at risk brings great credit upon them. It was a pleasure to be present at the award ceremony and meet their families who must have been very proud.

We have taken the decision to change our arrangements at Keynsham Police station in respect of the front office. We have had a member of staff sitting in the front office to deal with customers. Over the years the number of people using the facility has dropped off considerably to the point that on some days only five or six people come in throughout the whole day. Clearly this is not sustainable and so at the beginning of March we will adopt a new system of appointments only.

We have discussed the issue with a range of key people in the community and there appears to be a sensible and mature understanding of the situation. There is no change to the levels of policing at Keynsham or the numbers of police based there.

Fire Brigade launch recruitment campaign in Bath

Fire Brigade launch recruitment campaign in Bath

Avon Fire & Rescue Service is launching a recruitment campaign for retained firefighters in Bath.

If this is of interest to you then please follow the link to see what is on offer and how it may or may not suite you. http://www.avonfire.gov.uk/Avon/Recruitment/

Trees to be felled at Dominion Road

We have just one planning application in Twerton this week and the is to fell and remove two conifer trees at 28 dominion Road Twerton.

The  App Reference number is 11/00479/TCA

The applicant is Western Challenge Housing Assc 3 Vincent Court 89-93 Soundwell Road Bristol. and the Agent: is Enviro Plant Two Acres Baybridge Lane Owslebury Winchester Hampshire SO21 1JN
BS16 4QR

If you want to comment on or view the application then follow this link. ://planning.bathnes.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=LG3H4QCT0KG00

Time Bank Plus

At a time of economic uncertainty, the contribution of TB+ is particularly important - by making people feel valued and useful members of society; helping people to develop new or existing skills; providing services in the community; fostering a spirit of mutual help and support. The scheme is that you help a neighbour, and then, when you need it, a neighbour (most likely, a different one) will help you.

No money is involved, just ‘time credits`. For every hour you spend helping someone, you earn a time credit. With these you can “buy” the help you need. Getting involved helps you to get things done, to build up your own confidence and skills. 

It helps you to get out of the house and make more friends and lead a fuller life. It’s one way in which you can make a big difference to your friends and neighbours, and, because of this, you become an important part of your community and make your community a healthier, happier place.

Current activities include: gardening, DIY, companionship, food co-op, driving, escorting to appointments, art, cookery, music, creative writing classes and book club. We offer CV advice and opportunities for IT and Office skills training. This can change at any time dependant on the skills available from current volunteers.

New initiatives include Mentoring at Culverhay School and Knit and Natter at Rose Cottage which has several new members with special needs.

get in touch 86 High Street Twerton BATH BA2 1DE

Tel. 01225 442813

timebankplus@googlemail.com

www.timebankplus.co.uk

The Roman Baths Museum has been long-listed for a Major Award

The Roman Baths Museum has been long-listed for the Art Fund Prize for Museums and Galleries 2011. The winning museum or gallery receives £100,000, as well as the prestige and profile that comes from winning the UKs leading prize from museums.

The Prize is sponsored by the Art Fund, the national fundraising charity for art. They provide money to museums and galleries to buy and show art, and offer many ways of enjoying it through their membership scheme and events. They are independent of government and funded by their 80,000 members.

Four of the 10 in the long-list will go through to the next round, announced on 19 May. The winner will be revealed at a ceremony at Tate Britain on 15 June. Michael Portillo is chairing the independent panel of judges.

The public can now vote for their favourite long-listed institution here: http://www.artfundprize.org.uk/  Please do vote for your museum

The Royal Wedding how to organize a street Party and stay within the law

 Bath & North East Somerset Council have produced an online guide to the Royal Wedding street Parties.

The online guidance brings together all the information needed to organise a local street party, such as advice on how to get a residential street closed to traffic and reassurance that event licences and complex risk assessments are not needed for small, community events.

The Council has also announced that road closure fees for Royal Wedding street parties are to be waived.
Have a look at the Royal wedding Guide Here http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/business/LicencesStreetTrading/Pages/RoyalWeddingLicensingAdvice.aspx

‘Hello’

‘Hello’

Hello, the 2011 national year of communication, is a campaign to increase understanding of how important it is for children and young people to develop good communication skills.

In our local area Twerton Infant School and First Steps Nursery are working together to support the campaign.

In the 21st century, the ability to communicate - to say what you want to say and to understand what other people are saying - is fundamental.

Speech, language and communication underpins everything we do in life. Babbling babies do not become talkative toddlers by chance. Communication is a skill that we learn and develop and is something we can all improve.

But did you know that in the UK today over 1 million children and young people have some form of speech, language and communication need? This is at least 2 or 3 children in every classroom – and that’s the children we know about.

Want to know more http://www.hello.org.uk/