Fix My Street

After receiving a presentation at last night's full Council from a Twerton resident drawing to the Council's attention the frustration that many people have been having identifying who to contact concerning street lights and community areas in Twerton, I have written to Curo suggesting that they sign up alongside the Council to using the fix my street app that would make sharing of information much easier and the complaint or question could seamlessly be allocated to the correct organisation to respond.

Many areas in Twerton are owned by Curo and many others by the Council and neither responding to residents requests without a lot of prompting.

This issue is not just confined to Twerton but is authority wide so needs a solution that covers the whole area.

Again I give thanks that this matter has been drawn to my attention and I hope that my suggestion is taken up by Curo.

Anybody wanting to find out more about Fix my street that is now widely used by Councils please follow this link Fix my Street

A copy of my email is below

It was raised by a member of the public at the full Council tonight about residents having problems with issues of who owns what in the community areas, like lamp posts  communal areas and cleaning to name but a few.

I would like you to consider using the fix my street app alongside the Council so that when residents report a problem it can be quickly sent to the right areas responsible and save duplication for both Curo and Bath and North East Somerset Council.

I am happy to enter further discussions with you on this matter before you dismiss this idea out of hand.

Second hand furniture sale

Bath & North East Somerset Council is once again offering residents the opportunity to buy second hand furniture at bargain prices.

The unwanted furniture has been brought to the Council’s Recycling Centres, but is still in a good enough condition to be re-used.

Items will go on sale on Saturday September 26, from 10am to 12 noon at the old MOD building (next to the Recycling Centre) at Pixash Lane, Keynsham BS31 ITP.

The furniture available includes: a cast iron double bed, corner sofas, three-piece suites, bedside tables, retro sideboards and coffee tables, plus much, much more.

For the first time the Council’s Waste Campaign’s team are offering some of these items for free.

So whether you’re looking to furnish your home or want a piece of furniture to upcycle, come along and grab a bargain.

All furniture bought at the sale must be paid for in cash and taken away on the day.

There will also be an opportunity to visit our recycling roadshow at the sale and find out more about our Feed Me and Win campaign, where you could be rewarded with a £50 voucher for recycling your wasted food.

We can give you advice on how you can waste less and save money, answer your recycling queries and you can pick up free recycling containers if you need them.

For more information please visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/furnituresale or  contact Council Connect 01225 30 40 41 or email: councilconnect@bathnes.gov.uk 

Free electric blanket testing 2015

Residents across Bath & North East Somerset are being urged to book now for free electric blanket safety tests.

Bath & North East Somerset Council offers the service annually to help people protect themselves against an injury or fire in the home.  

Electric blankets over three years old should be tested every year. All blankets should be tested if the wiring within them has moved or if the electrical connections look worn or damaged. 

Last year, Bath & North East Somerset Council tested 177 electric blankets, of these 34 failed the test.  Electric blankets may often look safe but in fact pose a serious risk.  We want people to be safe in their homes and I urge anyone who uses an electric blanket to get it tested using our free service.

This year’s testing sessions will take place in Keynsham, Midsomer Norton & Larkhall. Booking an appointment is essential. In addition to the electric blanket testing there will be information stalls from a range of organisations to help residents keep safe, healthy and active. 

Dates and times for 2015 

Friday October 9 – 10.30am – 4pm at the Council Chamber, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DP 

Tuesday October 13 – 10.30am – 4pm, New Oriel Hall, Larkhall, BA1 6RA 

Tuesday October 27 – 11am – 4.30pm, St John’s Church Hall, Keynsham High Street, BS31 2BL

To book an appointment, call Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Public Protection & Health Improvement team on 01225 396759

Redland Park repairs

We are pleased to be able to report that repairs to the paved area at the rear of Redland Park have now been carried out by Bath & North East Somerset Council and the path restored to its correct condition.

The picture shown is the picture before the repair took place.

Redland Park

We have asked that the paving area behind 161 Redland Park is repaired as soon as possible.

This matter has been going on for some time now with both the Council and Curo blaming each other for the work not being completed.

We have asked that both the council and Curo resolve this matter and get these essential repairs done as soon as possible.

As you can see the blocks have been placed in a tidy pile.

Kelston View & North Way

Due to the severe conditions of the road surface of Kelston View and North Way and with the structure of both roads being in a very poor state.

Councillor Tim Ball has raised formal questions for the Conservative cabinet member for Highways and transport to answer.

Cabinet member for highways & Transport

Kelston View and North Way

Over the past few months the condition of these two roads has become so bad that I have visited the area with Highways officers on several occasions.

It seems that the whole substructure of both of these roads has become unstable and the concrete plates that form the road are cracking and in some cases have badly subsided and are visibly rocking. It seems that these two roads are in need of a complete restructure.

1) Will the cabinet member for Highways and Transport confirm that if officer reports identify that as I suspect a complete restructure of the road is needed make the sufficient funds available for this work to be done.

2) Will he also confirm that he will ensure that temporary repairs will take place with Immediate affect to return these roads to a reasonably safe condition.

3) Will he also acknowledge that as these roads are part of a Major Bus route that their condition should be kept in a condition that allows buses to operate with knowledge that the roads are safe for them to use and deliver the comfort that their passengers expect.

Council Tax email scams

Bath & North East Somerset Council is asking local residents to be aware of an email scam in operation in relation to Council Tax.

The Council has had reports of a bogus email informing Council Tax payers that they have an outstanding Council Tax debt. The email goes on to say that the Council has been unable to process their recent payment and that they should pay again by clicking on the link within the email. These emails are not from Bath & North East Somerset Council.

If you are unsure whether you need to make a payment, please contact us on 01225 47 77 77, or email counciltax@bathnes.gov.uk

If you have received a scam email:

• Do not click on any links in the email.
• Do not reply to the email or contact the senders in any way.
• If you have clicked on a link in the email, do not supply any information on the website that may open.
• Do not open any attachments that arrive with the email.
• Report it to Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.
• If you think you may have compromised the safety of your bank details and/or have lost money due to fraudulent misuse of your cards, you should contact your bank immediately.