Celebrate your local heroes as Community Awards return with new categories

The search is on for people and animals who go above and beyond to support their communities as nominations open for the Bath and North East Somerset Community Awards.

Nominations opened today (September 24) for the annual awards which celebrate volunteers, charities, and organisations that make a real difference to people's lives.

Now in their 17th year, the awards recognise community champions who promote equality, inspire others to get involved, and provide outstanding support to residents.

This year there are exciting new categories for support animal of the year working for an organisation, and a special lifetime achievement award for those who have left a lasting legacy in their community.

The categories for the 2026/2027 awards are:

• The Beryl Dixon Community Leader of the Year Award for outstanding leadership that advances equality
• The Jenny Willson Volunteer of the Year Award for volunteers who also motivate others
• The Sara Banks Young Volunteer of the Year Award for an exceptional young person aged up to 25 years
• The Peter Duppa-Miller Parish Award for the contribution that parishes make in their local communities
• Charity of the Year Award for outstanding services to support residents
• The Support Animal of the Year Award for an exceptional animal supporting individuals through a community organisation
• The Chair's Special Lifetime Achievement Award for an individual or group who has dedicated many years to improving people’s lives

A public vote will take place for the Charity of the Year Award and the Support Animal of the Year Award.

Councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall, Chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: "Every community has people who quietly make an extraordinary difference to the people around them and make Bath and North East Somerset a better place to live. We need you to tell us about them.

“This year the new Special Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates people whose dedication has made a lasting difference. We're also delighted to launch the Support Animal of the Year category to recognise incredible animals that improve lives. I can't wait to see your nominations come in for all the categories.”

The Community Awards partners are:

• The B&NES Third Sector Group (3SG)
• B&NES Avon Local Council Association
• Black and Ethnic Minority Senior Citizen Association (BEMSCA)
• Everyone Health
• The Student Community Partnership (SCP)

Becky Somerset, Chief Executive Officer at 3SG, said: “The strength of our communities is built on the commitment, compassion and energy of local people and organisations who go above and beyond to make a difference. The Community Awards are an opportunity to celebrate those achievements, recognise unsung heroes, and inspire others to get involved. As a champion of the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector, 3SG is delighted to support these awards and help showcase the incredible impact happening across our area every day."

Nominations can be submitted until midnight on November 29 via the council website, by requesting a paper nomination form from the Community Engagement Team by emailing connecting_communities@bathnes.gov.uk, or by calling 01225 396975. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on February 22, 2027.

Anyone interested in becoming a local volunteer can join 3SG's Annual Volunteer Fair on October 22 at Bath Abbey, or visit Everyone Health's Simply Connect service to find a role.

Local Plan before it goes to independent examination

Residents, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders are being invited to take part in the final six-week consultation on Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Draft Local Plan before it is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination. 

If approved, the plan will help shape where new homes, jobs and infrastructure are delivered up to 2043 and will play a key part in meeting the area's growing need for housing.

The draft plan has been shaped by feedback received during previous consultation stages and thousands of comments have helped inform the policies, site allocations and proposals that are now included. 

This consultation is different from earlier stages. Previously people were asked what they thought the Local Plan should include to help shape the draft. This stage is about reviewing the finished draft and commenting on whether it is ready to be independently examined. 

The consultation is an opportunity for people to comment on whether the draft is legally compliant and ‘sound’, that is whether they think it has been prepared properly and is supported by the right evidence. Comments can support, challenge or suggest changes to the plan. Every response received will be submitted directly to the Planning Inspectorate alongside the Draft Local Plan

Councillor Matt McCabe, Cabinet Member for Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development, said: "Residents, businesses, community groups, developers, landowners and other organisations all have an important role to play in shaping the future of Bath and North East Somerset. We want to hear from everyone with an interest in how our area grows and develops in the years ahead, but it’s important that people understand this consultation is different from previous stages. 

“Earlier consultations helped us develop the Draft Local Plan whereas this stage is asking people to review the plan we've produced and comment on whether it is supported by the evidence and has been prepared properly, before it is independently examined. That's why we are providing guidance to help people understand how to respond and make their comments count."

Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of the Council, said: “Bath and North East Somerset needs more homes, but homes do not exist in isolation. New development must be supported by the schools, healthcare, transport links, community facilities and infrastructure that help communities thrive. While the government has set a target of 27,324 new homes over 18 years, a figure we had no choice over and which does not fully reflect the constraints of our area, including our World Heritage status and Green Belt, the reality is that significant growth is coming and we have to strike the right balance.

“Our choice is whether we plan for that growth or leave decisions to developers. The Local Plan gives us the opportunity to shape where homes are built, what type of homes are delivered, particularly affordable homes for local people, and how the infrastructure needed alongside them is provided. It is about striking the right balance between meeting housing needs, protecting what makes Bath and North East Somerset special, and ensuring development is sustainable and supported by the services residents rightly expect

To take part in the consultation you can visit the website, explore the Draft Local Plan and submit your comments online. Whether you want to support, challenge or suggest changes to a policy, you will need to explain your reasons so they can be considered as part of the independent examination. The consultation runs until 30 October.

Scheduled road works in our area - September - November 2026

Below are details of all planned roadworks that affect our immediate area, some may be just outside the ward but could impact your daily travel. These are shown in date order.

The Hollow - National Grid - 21.09.2026 - 25.09.2026 - National Grid - Utility works near junction with Lymore Avenue, two way traffic lights in place

Newton Road/Walwyn Close - 22.09.2026 - Openreach - Utility Repair and Maintenance works, two way traffic lights in place near Walwyn Close

Poolemead Road - 22.09.2026 - 23.09.2026 - Wales and West  Utilities - Remedial Works, two way traffic lights in place

Kelston View - 22.09.2026 - 23.09.2026 - Openreach - Utility Asset Works, near 82, footpath closed

Pennyquick Hill - 28.09.2026 - BANES - Sign replacement, stop/go boards in place

Kelston View - 05.10.2026 - 06.10.2026 - Virgin Media - Utility Asset Works, near 59, footpath closed

The Hollow - 05.10.2026 - 09.10.2026 - Wessex Water - replacement of watermain outside 192 - 202, two way traffic lights in place

Lower Bristol Road - 08.10.2026 - 09.10.2026 - Wessex Water - Utility defect near Rackfield Place, traffic lights in place

The Hollow - 09.10.2026 - 10.10.2026 - Wessex Water - Section 81/Defect, outside Southdown Methodist Church, two way traffic lights in place

The Hollow - 14.10.2026 - 04.11.2026 - National Grid - Utility Asset Works, two way traffic lights

Connection Road - 16.11.2026 - Openreach - Utility Repair and Maintenance works, road closed

Clyde Gardens - 16.11.2026 - Openreach - Utility Repair and Maintenance works, road closed

Alec Ricketts Close - 02.12.2026 - 04.12.2026 - Wessex Water - Repair services to the side of 32 Poolemead road, road closed

Where roads are closed, we will provide full details of impacts on bus services (if applicable) closer to the date of the works. 

Some work is added to this list at short notice and we will endeavour to let residents know as soon as we have been made aware

BANES Planned road resurfacing works in our area

Location	Ward	Proposed date
Haycombe Drive (phase 1)	Twerton	Completed
Highland Road	Twerton	Completed
Lansdown View	Southdown	Completed
Sladebrook Road & Lytton Gardens	Southdown	Completed
Triangle North & Stanley Road West	Westmoreland	Completed

Planning Applications for Twerton and Whiteway ward - w/c 21.09.2026

This week we have no new planning application for Twerton and Whiteway.

Don’t lose your vote: residents urged to check household voter details

Bath and North East Somerset residents are being urged to look out for an email or letter from the council asking them to check their household voter details, so everyone who is eligible to vote can have their say in future elections.

The annual canvass is carried out every year and enables Bath & North East Somerset Council to keep the electoral register accurate and up to date. With elections taking place in Bath and North East Somerset in May 2027, this is an opportunity for residents to make sure they can take part.

Households will be contacted directly by the council either by post or by email. The email will be sent by the Electoral Registration Officer and residents can check it is genuine by visiting the council’s annual canvass webpage or by contacting the electoral services team.

Sophie Broadfield, Electoral Registration Officer for Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “Please look out for an email or letter from the council and follow the instructions carefully. The annual canvass is an important way of making sure the electoral register is accurate and that everyone who is eligible to vote is able to do so.

“It only takes a few minutes to check your household details, but it makes a real difference. Making sure your information is up to date means you won’t lose your chance to have your say in future elections including our next council elections in May next year.”

Residents with any questions can contact the electoral services team by calling 01225 477333 or emailing elections@bathnes.gov.uk.

Further information is available on the council website.

Local families help secure future of respite support in Bath

 

Families caring for loved ones with complex needs have been instrumental in securing the long-term future of respite care in B&NES.

Following uncertainty over its future 18 months ago, the families and Bath & North East Somerset Council have worked together to agree a new five-year contract with Dimensions UK at Newton House, Bath.

Newton House offers respite care and short-term breaks that give carers time to rest or focus on other responsibilities, while their loved one continues to receive the care they need.

One family commented: “It has been really encouraging to see ideas discussed with families genuinely reflected in the final outcome. We hope this approach will be used again in future to give families the support we need.”

Councillor Alison Born, Lead Member for Adult Social Care said: "This is much more than a contract renewal. It is a service reshaped with families, built on trusted relationships and focused on what matters most: high-quality, flexible respite that people can rely on. Thank you to the carers and their families who contributed their time over the last 18 months to make a real difference to respite support in B&NES.”

Rachael Dodgson, Chief Executive of Dimensions UK, said: “We know how difficult it has been for families and we are delighted that the families and carers we support can be reassured that our support will continue. Newton House is the only place of its kind in Bath providing overnight short breaks for families who care for loved ones with a disability. It has been fantastic, and a great privilege for us at Dimensions, to work alongside families to design this service in a way that truly reflects the needs of the people who use it.”

Dimensions is the UK’s largest not-for-profit support provider for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people. Together with Discovery, its wider Somerset-based organisation, Dimensions' team of 7,000 supports around 3,000 adults across England and Wales.

Newton House in Twerton, Bath is a supported short-break and respite care facility offering transitional support, day support and support with life skills. It is rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Scheduled Road Works in our area - September - November 2026

Below are details of all planned roadworks that affect our immediate area, some may be just outside the ward but could impact your daily travel. These are shown in date order.

Pennyquick Hill - 15.09.2026 - 16.09.2026 - Wessex Water - Section 81/defect rear of 13-14 Boyce Close, two way lights in place

Lower Bristol Road - 16.09.2026 - 17.09.2026 - Wessex Water - Utility defect near Rackfield Place, traffic lights in place

The Hollow - 16.09/2026 - 17.09.2026 - Wessex Water - Secton 81/Defect, outside Southdown Methodist Church, two way lights in place

Shophouse Road - 17.09.2026 - 18.09.2026 - BANES - disconnect and remove pillar, footpath closed near Priddy Close

The Hollow - National Grid - 21.09.2026 - 25.09.2026 - National Grid - Utility works near junction with Lymore Avenue, two way traffic lights in place

Poolemead Road - 22.09.2026 - 23.09.2026 - Wales and West  Utilities - Remedial Works, two way traffic lights in place

Kelston View - 22.09.2026 - 23.09.2026 - Openreach - Utility Asset Works, stop/go boards in place

Pennyquick Hill - 28.09.2026 - BANES - Sign replacement, stop/go boards in place

Kelston View - 05.10.2026 - 06.10.2026 - Virgin Media - Utility Asset Works, footpath closed, near 59-60 Kelston View 

The Hollow - 05.10.2026 - 09.10.2026 - Wessex Water - replacement of watermain outside 192 - 202, two way traffice lights in place

The Hollow - 14.10.2026 - 04.11.2026 - National Grid - Utility Asset Works, two way traffic lights

Connection Road - 16.11.2026 - Openreach - Utility Repair and Maintenance works, road closed

Clyde Gardens - 16.11.2026 - Openreach - Utility Repair and Maintenance works, road closed

Alec Ricketts Close - 02.12.2026 - 04.12.2026 - Wessex Water - Repair services to the side of 32 Poolemead road, road closed

Where roads are closed, we will provide full details of impacts on bus services (if applicable) closer to the date of the works. 

Some work is added to this list at short notice and we will endeavour to let residents know as soon as we have been made aware

BANES Planned road resurfacing works in our area

Location	Ward	Proposed date
Haycombe Drive (phase 1)	Twerton	Completed
Highland Road	Twerton	Completed
Lansdown View	Southdown	Completed
Sladebrook Road & Lytton Gardens	Southdown	Completed
Triangle North & Stanley Road West	Westmoreland	Completed