We are regularly asked for help on a number of different issues, some of these issues are not the responsibility of the Council, so we have thought you may find it useful to know what B&NES are actually responsible for providing to it's residents.
- Education: Managing schools, admissions, and special educational needs.
- Planning & Development: Local planning, building regulations, and land use.
- Highways & Transport: Road maintenance, traffic management, and parking.
- Waste & Environment: Waste collection, recycling, disposal, and environmental health.
- Housing: Social housing management, homelessness services, and housing benefits.
- Regulatory Services: Trading standards, licensing (taxis, alcohol), and fire safety.
- Libraries & Culture: Libraries, leisure centres, museums, and parks.
- Adult Social Care: supports adults (18+) with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health conditions, or age-related needs to live independently, safely, and with dignity.
- Children’s social care: protects, supports and safeguards children and young people from harm while promoting their welfare. Services range from preventative family support (e.g., parenting advice, services for children with disabilities) to statutory interventions, such as child protection inquiries, foster care, residential care, or adoption when children cannot remain with their families.
- Corporate Services: Council tax collection and elections.
- litter
- graffiti
- fly posting
- dog offences
- parking issues eg not displaying a valid residents permit in designated bays, parking on double yellow lines
However, there are also some areas that are the sole responsibility of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA). Members of each authority in the area sit on committees at WECA, but the key decisions are made by the West of England Metro Mayor. These areas of responsibility are -
Transport and Infrastructure:
Strategic Transport Planning: Developing the regional Joint Local Transport Plan, including the MetroBus network and MetroWest rail project.
Bus Services: Franchising and improving bus services, including managing subsidised routes and introducing "demand-responsive" (on-call) minibus services.
Infrastructure Investment: Managing funding for major transport projects, including cycling and walking infrastructure.
- Economy and Business Support:
- Economic Growth: Creating jobs and stimulating the regional economy.
- Business Support: Providing support for local businesses, including tailored advice for scaling up, innovation, and digital transformation.
- Funding: Managing the £500m+ Economic Development Fund and other regional investment funds.
- Skills and Education:
- Adult Education: Managing the devolved 19+ Adult Education Budget to improve skills and training.
- Employment Support: Running initiatives like the "Future Bright" career support programme and apprenticeship support services.
- Planning and Housing:
- Spatial Strategy: Developing a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) to coordinate housing and infrastructure across the region.
- Housing Delivery: Accelerating the delivery of new, affordable homes, including supporting brownfield site redevelopment.
- Environment and Sustainability:
- Climate Action: Driving the region's commitment to net zero by 2030 through green energy projects and promoting retrofitting.
